Chapter 164: The Blind Swordsman's Disciple

"Not at all, not at all. Rest assured, My Lady, we will all keep our mouths shut and not say a single word about this!" Yang Jinbao replied respectfully.

With that, Yang Jinbao turned around and addressed the villagers, "Did you all hear that? If anyone dares to go out and gossip about this, I, Yang Jinbao, will be the first one not to spare them!"

Hearing this, the villagers quickly shook their heads in unison to indicate they would keep quiet, looking for all the world like a group of rattling drums.

Only then did Shang Liuli nod in satisfaction, and she said to Yang Jinbao, "Village Head Yang, my scabbard was dropped in the woods. Could you have your men help me find it?"

A look of eager willingness immediately crossed Yang Jinbao's face. "Rest assured, My Lady, I'll have them look for it right now!"

Promptly, Yang Jinbao urged several villagers to go into the woods and search for the scabbard.

Yang Jinbao asked again, "My Lady, how should we deal with the corpse of this criminal?"

Shang Liuli replied, "Leave it in your village for now. Someone will come later to verify his identity."

"Yes, My Lady," Yang Jinbao acknowledged.

Turning around, Yang Jinbao called over a few villagers and arranged for them to carry the body back to the village.

At that moment, Yang Jinbao suddenly spotted Xu Mo.

"Young Master Xu, why are you here?" Yang Jinbao stepped forward, cupping his fists in greeting.

Xu Mo returned the gesture, saying, "Village Head Yang, we just happened to be passing by."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xu Mo, Yang Jinbao walked away.

Meanwhile, Shang Liuli was walking toward Xu Mo and Qin Mutou.

Just as Shang Liuli approached, Xu Mo cupped his fists and said, "Earlier, we were unaware of Your Ladyship's true identity and committed several offenses. We sincerely hope Your Ladyship can forgive us."

Having learned that the slain man was a criminal from the Skysoul Sect, Qin Mutou's hostility toward Shang Liuli had vanished.

Seeing Xu Mo apologizing to her, he quickly followed suit and offered his own apology.

Shang Liuli let out a cold laugh and immediately rested her sword blade right against Xu Mo's shoulder.

Qin Mutou was startled and reached out to stop her. "My Lady..."

However, Xu Mo raised a hand to block Qin Mutou, signaling him not to speak.

Qin Mutou had no choice but to hold back, though his eyes remained filled with worry.

A trace of contempt appeared on Shang Liuli's face as she asked, "What kind of apology is this, Xu Mo? Weren't you acting quite arrogant just a moment ago? How come now that you know my identity, you've suddenly turned so cowardly?"

Unbothered to argue further, Xu Mo said, "Shang Liuli, if you think I'm being a coward, then a coward I am. I have nothing more to say..."

Then, Xu Mo spoke in a clear, resonant voice, "My Lady, if there is nothing else, we'll be taking our leave now... Farewell!"

Having said that, Xu Mo motioned for Qin Mutou to drive the carriage, turning around to leave without paying the slightest attention to the sword Shang Liuli still had resting on his shoulder.

Seeing that her intimidation had failed to frighten Xu Mo, Shang Liuli was momentarily surprised and irritated.

"Stop right there! Did I tell you you could leave?" Shang Liuli immediately called out.

Xu Mo turned back to look at Shang Liuli and asked, "Is there anything else, My Lady?"

Shang Liuli glanced at the Zihong Dagger in Xu Mo's hand and asked, "Can you let me see that dagger?"

Xu Mo hesitated for a moment before finally handing the dagger over to Shang Liuli.

To be honest, Xu Mo didn't want to show it to her, but her martial arts skills were superior to both his and Qin Mutou's. If he refused, given her temperament, she would surely just snatch it by force.

Rather than end up like that, it was better to hand it over directly—at least it would save him from suffering extra trouble.

After taking the dagger, Shang Liuli took just one glance before recognizing it as the legendary Zihong Sword.

"Why is the Zihong Sword in your hands? How did you come by it?" Shang Liuli frowned as she stared intently at Xu Mo, her gaze extremely urgent.

"I bought it from a blind old man..."

With that, Xu Mo recounted the entire process of how he had purchased the broken sword from the blind swordsman.

"Impossible!"

Shang Liuli's immediate reaction upon hearing this was to shake her head and exclaim loudly, "How could my master ever sell the Zihong Sword? You're clearly talking nonsense!"

Before her voice had even faded, Shang Liuli pressed her longsword against Xu Mo's shoulder once more, this time with the blade resting dangerously close to his neck.

The sudden movement gave Xu Mo quite a start.

At the same time, Xu Mo was secretly astonished, realizing that the blind swordsman was actually her master.

No wonder Shang Liuli shared the blind swordsman's obsession and earnest passion for fine food.

Although startled, Xu Mo wasn't worried that Shang Liuli would actually hurt him.

"My Lady, everything I said is the truth. Believe it or not, as you wish," Xu Mo said calmly.

Shang Liuli continued to stare at Xu Mo, showing no intention of withdrawing her sword.

After a moment's thought, Xu Mo said, "My Lady, before your master left, he mentioned that he had held onto his attachments far too deeply all these years, and that now was the time to let go..."

Hearing this, a flash of astonishment crossed Shang Liuli's eyes.

"What else did my master say? Where is he now?" Shang Liuli suddenly grew somewhat agitated.

Xu Mo shook his head. "That I don't know. Back then, he only said he wanted to taste the local delicacies of various places along the way and visit an old friend at the frontier border. Nothing else."

"Go to the frontier to visit a friend?" Shang Liuli seemed to realize something, and she immediately pressed for confirmation, "Is that really what my master said?"

Xu Mo nodded with absolute certainty. "It is the absolute truth!"

After falling silent for a few breaths, Shang Liuli suddenly pulled her sword back and returned the Zihong Dagger to Xu Mo.

"You may go now," Shang Liuli said.

Xu Mo said no more, turned around, and boarded the mule-drawn cart with Qin Mutou, driving away.

Before long, several villagers came running out of the woods, having successfully found Shang Liuli's scabbard.

Seeing this, Yang Jinbao immediately snatched the scabbard from the villagers. Wiping it clean with his clothes, he trotted over to Shang Liuli with a flattering, obsequious expression.

"My Lady, your scabbard," Yang Jinbao said, bowing deeply and holding the scabbard up with both hands.

Shang Liuli took back the scabbard, smoothly slipped her sword back into its sheath, and said indifferently, "Thank you."

Then, Shang Liuli asked, "Village Head Yang, do you know that fellow surnamed Xu?"

Yang Jinbao nodded. "I know him, My Lady."

Shang Liuli asked, "Is he from your village?"

Yang Jinbao shook his head. "No, My Lady. That Young Master Xu's family is in Xinzhou City, but he doesn't live in the city; he lives in Gushan Village."

"Gushan Village? Where is that?" Shang Liuli had never heard of this small settlement.

Yang Jinbao pointed in a certain direction and said, "It's just not far from here... My Lady, you have no idea, that Young Master Xu is truly a capable man!"

"Oh?" Shang Liuli's curiosity was piqued, and she asked, "In what way is he capable?"

Eager to find an opportunity to draw closer to Shang Liuli, Yang Jinbao immediately perked up upon seeing her interest.

Without missing a beat, Yang Jinbao continued, "My Lady, this Young Master Xu is well-versed in the ways of commerce. Not only did he make the Exquisite Pavilion famous in a remarkably short time, but he also opened a soap workshop in Gushan Village. The Peony brand soap and scented soap that so many people use nowadays were invented by Young Master Xu..."

Shang Liuli was immensely surprised. "Peony brand scented soap was invented by him?"

"Yes indeed, My Lady!" Yang Jinbao went on, "And that's not all. Not long ago, Young Master Xu even led men to wipe out a large band of bandits!"

Shang Liuli said in astonishment, "He even knows how to suppress bandits?"

Yang Jinbao nodded vigorously and suggested, "My Lady, why don't we head back to the village first? A few words simply aren't enough to tell you everything about Young Master Xu!"

Shang Liuli nodded, and listening to Yang Jinbao's endless accounts, she walked back toward Yang Family Village.