SWORD OF FLAME

The Essence of The Pure Body 2

To them, Zhen Ni’s body was worth a hundred years of training. That was why they would do anything to get her—even if it meant killing fellow black sect warriors.

Fang Yun perked up his ears and listened to Feng Chen’s story attentively.

“I’ll take you and Zhen Ni to Mount Tianmen. But... where exactly is Mount Tianmen, Grandpa?” Fang Yun asked with a small laugh.

“Mount Tianmen lies far to the east, Fang Yun. From here, it would take at least three full moons if we travel on foot.”

Fang Yun frowned in surprise at how long the journey would take.

“Where were you actually going, though? Earlier I saw a heavy mission reflected in your eyes,” Feng Chen asked.

Fang Yun had no intention of revealing what he was after. But then he figured there was no harm in sharing it with the old man—he might even get some clue on where to find the other three relics.

“Do you recognize this sword?” Fang Yun asked as he loosened the strap of the Water Core Machete, formerly known as the Sea of Fire, which hung from his shoulder.

He placed the short sword in front of Feng Chen and drew the blade.

Feng Chen stared at the sacred weapon without blinking.

“Where did you get this relic?”

“From my grandfather, Fei Hung,” Fang Yun replied.

Feng Chen turned his gaze to Fang Yun’s face, examining it closely.

“But you don’t resemble Fei Hung at all!”

Fang Yun chuckled. “Fei Hung was my adoptive grandfather. He saved me after I fell into a ravine. Do you know him?”

Feng Chen nodded. “Yes... I knew him very well. Fei Hung used to visit me often to seek guidance before he vanished decades ago.”

Fang Yun then told him about his encounter with Fei Hung and how he had been given the task to gather the four sacred relics. However, he didn’t mention that he was chosen as the successor to the Fire Deity Warrior. That secret was just between him and Fei Hung.

“Grandfather Fei Hung attained moksha after giving me that task, Grandpa.”

“That’s quite the coincidence, Fang Yun. Take Zhen Ni to the Temple of Immortality at the peak of Mount Tianmen. When you arrive, seek out an old hermit named Zhao Jian and ask him where the other three relics are hidden,” Feng Chen explained. “But be careful! Many black sect warriors are after her. Protect her with your life!”

“Yes, Grandpa. Tomorrow I’ll leave for Mount Tianmen,” Fang Yun answered firmly.

Suddenly, he remembered the chest of gold coins he was carrying. Taking it with him would surely make it harder for him to move quickly—especially while carrying Zhen Ni on his back.

“Grandpa, I got these gold coins from a bandit lair I raided. Please distribute half of them to those in need. I’ll take the other half and share them along the way,” said Fang Yun as he opened the chest and showed it to Feng Chen.

The old sage smiled with relief. Entrusting Zhen Ni to Fang Yun had clearly been the right choice. He could see in Fang Yun the spirit of a generous and noble-hearted young man.

“Very well, Fang Yun. I promise I will share this wealth.”

Fang Yun smiled and poured half the gold coins onto a piece of cloth, tying it up tightly. At least a hundred gold coins remained, which he would carry on his journey to Mount Tianmen.

“Stay here for now, Grandpa. I’ll go check outside. Who knows, they might be in the village too,” Fang Yun said, receiving a nod from the old man.

The young man chosen to be the successor of the Fire Deity Warrior left the room and walked out of the inn.

---

Meanwhile, Outside the Inn...

“My instincts say they’re still in this village. Let’s find them—no matter what!” said the Twisted Elder.

“Alright. We’d better split up so we can cover more ground,” replied the Black Devil.

“I agree. But no one is allowed to claim the little girl for themselves once she’s found. Remember, this is for the good of the black sect as a whole!” said Su Ji.

The Black Devil and Twisted Elder both nodded in agreement. The four of them scattered to begin searching for Feng Chen, Zhen Ni, and the mysterious young man they had seen at the tavern.

Their main focus at first was the local taverns in the village. While eating, they could also question the customers.

Li Xue, still beautiful in her middle age, was sitting in a small, quiet tavern. She had purposely chosen a seat that faced the street so she could watch the passersby.

Meanwhile, Fang Yun—now outside the inn—planned to buy food for Feng Chen and Zhen Ni. He stepped into the tavern, unaware that Li Xue was inside.

The moment he noticed her, Fang Yun quickly turned around—but he was a second too late. Li Xue spotted him and shouted.

“Hey, you! Don’t run!”

Fang Yun bolted out of the village as soon as Li Xue yelled. He had noticed she was alone and decided it would be better to confront her outside the village to avoid chaos.

Realizing she had spotted her target, Li Xue leapt up and ran after him without paying for her meal.

The tavern owner was left dumbfounded, staring at the empty seat. It was too late to react—she had already dashed away.

Outside, Li Xue saw Fang Yun running beyond the village gates. Using her lightness skill, she pursued him and caught up a fair distance beyond the gate.

“You can’t run from me, boy!” she barked.

“Who’s running, Auntie? I’m just doing some exercise,” Fang Yun replied with his usual cheeky tone.

“Exercise at this hour? Just tell me where the little girl is!”

“It’s almost evening, Auntie. And I don’t know where she is! I split up with them back in the forest before entering the village.”

“How dare you lie to me?! I’ll kill you!” Li Xue’s anger boiled.

Fang Yun crouched down and clasped his palms together in mock pleading.

“Mercy, Auntie! Please don’t kill me! My poor mother is all alone at home. If I die, who will feed the ducks and clean up after the goats? What if one of my goats gives birth—who will help deliver it? Are you going to replace me, Auntie?” he rambled dramatically.

“You insolent brat! How dare you mock me?! I’ll beat the truth out of you!”

Without warning, Li Xue charged forward and aimed a kick straight at Fang Yun’s head.