A Blind Swordsman's Sword Coffin

When Li Guanqi returned to Jade Teapot Peak with Yu Sui’an, Ye Feng and the others were already waiting. Their annoyed expressions betrayed their understanding of what Li Guanqi had done.

Li Guanqi flew over and dismounted from his sword. He burst into laughter when he saw the pill cauldron in Zhong Lin’s arms. “Hahaha! You actually brought a cauldron?!”

Zhong Lin sulked. “You were the one who said you wanted to eat cauldron-grilled meat.”

“I’ve been flat broke lately,” Ye Feng shouted. “I had to steal those two chickens!”

Then Lin Dong, eyeing the green fish in Li Guanqi and Yu Sui’an’s arms, frowned suspiciously. He bitterly said, “You two didn’t steal fish from Elder Xu’s pond, did you?”

Yu Sui’an had her arms wrapped around one spirit fish, which was almost taller than herself. She snapped, “What are you staring at? Come help me carry this!”

Everyone exchanged glances, then burst into laughter.

Then, they started to set up the barbecue. They were stunned to see Li Guanqi slaughter the fish and chickens so expertly.

“Brother Li,” Ye Feng clicked his tongue, “I didn’t know you were such an expert at this.”

Li Guanqi smiled without a word.

They tossed in the beef, mutton, and spirit hens. Li Guanqi grabbed some firewood and started a fire.

That night, Li Sheng’an took out a dozen jars of wine from his storage pouch. Li Guanqi pursed his lips. “Did you clear your entire stash for this?”

Before Li Sheng’an could answer, Zhong Lin smiled. “You probably don’t know this, but he’s got a reputation for his work ethic in the outer sect now. Cultivating harder than most, and improving faster too. He’s really changed since joining.”

Li Sheng’an raised his wine bowl. “I owe that to Guanqi. I used to be weak, always thinking I had to protect what was mine, no matter what. But after that incident, I realized that some things are worth fighting for. Not for gain, but for dignity.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The fire crackled. The fragrance of cooked meat rose from the cauldron, and fat sizzled over the flame. They all sat around it, waiting for the food to cook. Yu Sui’an squatted on the floor, gulping loudly.

Li Guanqi hadn’t expected the pill cauldron to work so well. He’d only thought of trying it since he’s used pots to cook before. The holes at the bottom of the cauldron were perfect to let the heat in.

They had been busy the whole day, so they were starving.

Clang!

When they lifted the lid, the trapped fragrance rushed out in a warm, rich wave. Li Guanqi scattered his spices over the meat, drawing out meat’s flavors. He dished out a portion of barbecued meat and left the rest over a low flame to keep it warm.

Li Guanqi passed a large beef skewer to Yu Sui’an and said, “Eat slowly. It’s hot.”

“Sss... Hot hot hot!”

“Ssss... Hot! But delicious!”

“Sss... Haaa... Sss...”

They leaped at the meat like hungry monkeys, including Yu Sui’an. One bite of the tender meat, and Li Guanqi was hooked. He looked at the cauldron, rubbing his chin. Should we sell something like this in the sect’s dining hall?

The idea evaporated just as quickly. He didn’t have the time or energy. And if his master ever found out, he’d definitely get a beating.

With the food ready, they turned to the wine. None of them drank often, but now, they pretended to be seasoned drinkers, talking about the wine’s taste like connoisseurs while ignoring their flushed cheeks.

Li Guanqi tipped back his cup, gazed up at the moon, and murmured, “Time’s flown. It’s almost been a year since we joined the sect.”

The noisy group quieted. Their expressions turned thoughtful.

“Yeah,” Ye Feng said softly. “A whole year, gone just like that.”

He looked at the others and sighed. “Those Golden Core and Nascent Soul Realm cultivators usually spend three to five years in closed-door cultivation. By that logic, wouldn’t more advanced cultivators spend a hundred years like that?”

As he spoke, Ye Feng looked up with awe. “A hundred years... No wonder people chase after immortality so desperately.”

Li Guanqi nodded. “They’re cultivating for longevity. To live as long as the heavens and become as old as the earth. Who wouldn’t be tempted? Average mortals are lucky to hit a hundred. At our level, we can reach two hundred easily. And if we break through to the Golden Core Realm, we could live to five hundred.”

Lin Dong, usually stoic, nodded in excitement. “With that kind of lifespan, there’s so much you could do.”

Zhong Lin took a slow sip of wine. “Spending time with other cultivators might be the true meaning of a long life. Cultivating to become an immortal means chasing the peak of the Dao. But once the people you care about have all faded away, what’s left? If you look around and no one’s there to remember the past with you, wouldn’t a long life just be a lonely prison?”

A heavy silence fell.

Li Guanqi sighed. “Yeah, we are just tiny figures, barely setting foot on the path to immortality. If it’s really like Zhong Lin says... then yeah, it’s quite tragic.”

Ye Feng held his wine cup up and said solemnly, “Therefore, we must work hard to catch up to Brother Li, so that we can reach the peak of the Dao together. When that day comes, we shall reminisce about this day of eating and drinking together!

After cheering to it and drinking, Lin Dong asked suddenly, “What are your dreams?”

Zhong Lin replied, “My dream is to become the best alchemist in the entire Daxia Territory!”

Ye Feng pursed his lips. “It’s been such a long time. Took me forever to realize that you are the young master of the Ouyang Mountain alchemist clan.”

Zhong Lin grinned. Looking at the blond-haired Ye Feng, he mused, “Says the young master of Qiongtai Mountain Residence. What’s your dream, then?”

Ye Feng flopped onto the ground and stared up at the sea of stars in the sky. With a dramatic wave of his hand, he declared, “To become a sword immortal known across the ages! I want to explore the entire Daxia Territory and beyond!”

Then, Ye Feng nudged Lin Dong with a smile. “What about you, Lin Dong?”

Lin Dong scratched his head. “I don’t really have a dream. I joined the sect so my parents could have a better life. When I went home recently, they’d moved into a new house, and so my dream had been fulfilled. They don’t have to toll in the fields anymore, and now I can fly through the sky like the immortals in my dreams... I’m already satisfied.”