The Sorrowmender

Chapter 23 – Transaction

The sword is three feet long, with an exquisitely crafted hilt and a scabbard that glows with a deep blue luster.

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Though it remains sheathed, within three meters, one can feel its chilling aura, subduing the spring breeze and dimming its colors by three shades.

Lin Shuang'er's pupils gradually widened, her cherry-red lips slightly parted—

Though it was her first time seeing this sword, for some reason, something indescribable within her seemed to resonate with the sword.

A voice echoed in her mind.

"Take it."

Lin Shuang'er knew that this sword was no ordinary item, yet she did not reach out to take it, even though her body inexplicably craved it.

Amidst her astonishment and fear, she was also puzzled, unable to comprehend why this Mister, whom she had just met by chance, would gift her a sword, especially such a fine one.

"Mister, this is too precious, I cannot accept it, absolutely not." She hastily refused, subconsciously stepping back two steps, reluctantly shifting her gaze away from the sword in Xu Qingzhou's hand.

Suppressing her body's instinctive desire.

Xu Qingzhou raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze fixed on the Blue Frost Sword in his hand, his eyes also carrying a hint of melancholy.

It was a look of reluctance.

This sword was indeed a fine one, and it was the only divine weapon he could present.

Its true value, in this world of cultivation, was beyond the measure of mundane money, even if exchanged for rare Spirit Stones, it would likely be an astronomical figure.

To give it away? Naturally, he was reluctant.

But angel investment is about high risk, high return.

As the old saying goes, "You can't catch a wolf without risking the child," take a gamble, and a bicycle might turn into a motorcycle.

If you're going to invest, invest big.

As long as Lin Shuang'er doesn't have particularly bad luck, with her aptitude, her future is limitless, and even if she casually breaks through to the Golden Elixir or Elemental Infant Realm, he would definitely recoup his investment and make a great profit.

If luck is on her side and she reaches the Imperial One Realm, becoming a giant in her own right, then regardless of the richness of this investment's return—

Just the favor of gifting the sword would be enough for Xu Qingzhou to benefit for half a lifetime.

So even though he was reluctant, he was willing to gift this sword to Lin Shuang'er.

To gamble on a future, to gamble on a lifetime of wealth.

"This sword is three feet long, forged from celestial cold iron, acquired during my travels across the world. Its name is Blue Frost, and since Lin Young Lady's name also contains the character for frost, it is fate."

"I, Xu, have always valued fate. I am fated with Lin Young Lady, and this sword is also fated with Lin Young Lady. This is destiny, it is heaven's will. This sword is a perfect match for Lin Young Lady, and only in her hands can it truly shine and radiate brilliance."

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Lin Shuang'er, presenting the sword with one hand, he continued:

"Blue Frost has chosen its master, and I, Xu, sincerely gift this sword. I hope Lin Young Lady will not refuse and spoil this moment of elegance, disrupting this fate."

Lin Shuang'er was at a loss, her eyes darting around, momentarily unsure of what to say, stammering and unable to utter a complete sentence.

"But—Mister, this is too precious... Shuang'er feels unworthy, afraid to accept."

A swordsman, how could they not love a good sword? Especially one that is a rare divine sword, perfectly complementing her spiritual roots and techniques.

Lin Shuang'er really wanted it, but it was truly too precious—

Xu Qingzhou naturally saw through Lin Shuang'er's thoughts, subtly smiling, his lips curving gently like a soft spring breeze.

"If Lin Young Lady feels uneasy accepting it, how about we make a deal?"

Lin Shuang'er was puzzled, tilting her head, her long black hair cascading to one side.

"What kind of deal?"

"I'll exchange this sword for a promise from you."

Lin Shuang'er was once again taken aback.

Xu Qingzhou continued speaking to himself:

"Young Lady is traveling far in search of immortality, the road ahead is long and fraught with obstacles, and you lack a good sword for protection. I will give you this sword, and you take it to tread the Path to Immortality. If one day you truly attain the way of immortality, you will do something for me, Xu."

Afraid Lin Shuang'er might misunderstand, Xu Qingzhou paused for a moment, then added.

"Rest assured, what I ask will never go against your true heart."

Looking at Xu Qingzhou, his handsome face, Lin Shuang'er was momentarily lost. What kind of man was he?

The more she looked, the more she couldn't see through him, couldn't understand, couldn't guess.

"Using a fine sword to exchange for an ethereal promise, Mister, this clearly isn't a rational choice, it's not worth it." Her tone was somewhat low, expressing her true thoughts.

Xu Qingzhou, however, was indifferent.

"People say, a swordsman's promise is as weighty as a thousand pounds, mountains may crumble, seas may dry, but a swordsman will never break their word."

"Lin Young Lady is a swordsman, and I trust your promise. Besides, I have faith in you, Lin Young Lady. I believe that in the future, you will surely ascend to the heavens and command the eight directions."

"To attain immortality, with a mere gesture, you could change the sun and moon, alter the stars. To gain such a person's promise, I, Xu, am the one taking advantage."

He spoke earnestly, his tone calm, not as if he was imagining the future, but as if he was describing something that already existed.

To him, it seemed as if Lin Shuang'er was destined to reach that point, it was a kind of trust, a trust without reason.

And it was precisely this trust that left Lin Shuang'er both flattered and overwhelmed.

She raised her head, her eyes filled with fascination, asking, "Does Mister truly believe that Shuang'er can do it?"

"Of course, take the sword!"

Xu Qingzhou exerted force with his hand, the sword left his grip, drawing an arc in the air, flying towards Lin Shuang'er.

Lin Shuang'er instinctively caught the long sword, holding it tightly in her hands.

It was a fine sword, very light.

But at this moment, holding it in her hands, Lin Shuang'er felt it was exceptionally heavy, this heaviness made her anxious, made her bewildered.

After a moment, Lin Shuang'er's eyes became focused, serious, her expression turning particularly solemn as she looked at Xu Qingzhou.

"Mister's kindness is too much, Shuang'er won't say thank you, but if in the future, Mister needs me, and I happen to be there, no matter the time or matter, Shuang'er will do her utmost to repay Mister's kindness and affection."

Xu Qingzhou smiled faintly, his elegance fully displayed, his smiling eyes also looking at Lin Shuang'er, bowing with clasped hands.

"Very well, then I, Xu, wish Young Lady on her journey along the Path to Immortality, to be as constant as the moon, as rising as the moon, as enduring as the southern mountains, never to collapse, as flourishing as the pine and cypress, never to wither."

"May you soon find the Path to Immortality, and ultimately achieve the dream of immortality. Farewell for now, until we meet again."

With those words, Xu Qingzhou stood up, opened his folding fan, and without waiting for Lin Shuang'er to bid farewell, turned and left alone, leaving only Lin Shuang'er standing amidst the wind.

Parting is a common occurrence, destined to be less than perfect, such a hasty farewell is just right, and fitting.

Watching Xu Qingzhou's figure gradually recede, about to descend from the city wall, Lin Shuang'er ran a few steps forward.

Calling out, "Mister—wait?"

"Chase the wind and moon without pause, beyond the endless plains are the spring mountains, we will surely meet again, Young Lady, if you have something to say—save it for next time."

Lin Shuang'er stopped in her tracks, watching the scholar's retreating figure, listening to the farewell echoing in the spring breeze, seemingly endless.

Looking at the sword in her hand, the image of the young man once again stirred her heart, awakening the youthful feelings within her.

She pressed her red lips together, her large eyes shimmering with light, and long after she could no longer see Xu Qingzhou—

She gently drew the sword, just an inch from the scabbard, its clear and beautiful sound resonating, the blade reflecting the girl's blush, so vivid, the sword aura condensing frost, a cold current rising, the surrounding air seemingly frozen.

Yet in the girl's heart, a fierce fire ignited, her blood like a surging wave, rushing endlessly.

She sheathed the sword, walked slowly to the edge of the city wall, placed her hands beside her face, and shouted loudly in the direction where Xu Qingzhou disappeared.

"Mister—take care!"

"Mister—farewell!"

"Mister—"

"Until we meet again!"

Her clear voice was like several orioles circling the branches, chirping melodiously.

Floating with the wind, echoing through Frostsky City, passersby couldn't help but stop, look up, and search for the source of the sound.

Xu Qingzhou walked along the long street, hearing it clearly, a crooked smile on his face.

"Mission accomplished!"

Lin Shuang'er felt unprecedentedly comfortable, it was her first time shouting so loudly in her life. She turned, leapt into the air, jumping off the city wall, as if making a certain decision.

"Mister, rest assured, on the Path to Immortality, Shuang'er fears nothing, I will not disappoint you."