Chapter Thirty-Six: This Is Something Worth Bragging About for a Whole Year...

“So you’re looking for the ‘Chen Family Sword Technique,’ are you?”

A calm voice came from not far away. It wasn’t loud, yet everyone present could hear it clearly.

The sunlight was glaring, but everyone strained to open their eyes and look toward the source of the voice.

A young monk emerged slowly from beneath a tree, sunlight glinting dazzlingly off his bald head, so bright it seemed to dazzle the crowd.

“Who is that? Oh, my eyes! I’m nearly blinded…”

The crowd erupted into a flurry of whispers and speculation.

“Looks like a monk from Mount Jinshan Temple. What’s he up to? Don’t tell me he’s here to save Lin Dong?”

“Very likely. Unless the abbot or Elder Hui Ren steps in, I don’t think there’s any chance… Lin Dong is doomed…”

The figure drew nearer, sunlight gleaming off his head. The monk licked his lips, his attire a little too flashy—nothing like what one would expect from Jinshan Temple.

“Who is this? Could he possibly be Xiao Yan?”

“Xiao Yan? That’s impossible, isn’t it?”

Although the martial artists present were always clamoring to hunt down Xiao Yan, none of them had ever actually seen him in person.

Awkwardness settled over the crowd.

Even Chen Budiao found his attention drawn to the gleaming bald head, his brow furrowing slightly. He knew most of the experts from Jinshan Temple, but this bald monk seemed unfamiliar.

“Who are you?” Chen Budiao’s voice carried the force of inner energy, making everyone’s ears ache at his words.

The monk merely smiled, the corners of his lips curling slightly, saying nothing.

“Master! Run! I’ll hold them off…” Seeing the monk’s face, Lin Dong couldn’t help but shout out.

A trace of emotion flickered in his heart. He had never expected his master would come to rescue him…

“It really is Xiao Yan. Has he come to serve himself up? Can’t let his disciple go alone, had to make it a two-for-one? Ha ha…”

“So the turtle finally shows his face… I thought he’d hide in Jinshan Temple for a lifetime…”

Now that they knew the newcomer was Xiao Yan, the martial artists grew excited, eager for a chance to prove themselves. They could already envision defeating Xiao Yan, gaining fame and reverence as great heroes throughout the land.

For a moment, it seemed as if they’d reached the peak of their lives.

Still, with Chen Budiao present, none dared act rashly.

“Elder Xiao Yan, is it? From your words, you know the whereabouts of the ‘Chen Family Sword Technique?’” Chen Budiao watched the monk quietly, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Xiao Yan drew closer, sizing up his opponent. “Roughly twenty days ago, I met the thief Da Vinci.”

“Oh?” Chen Budiao’s brows knitted together, and at the mention of Da Vinci, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. “You know where he is?”

Chen Buqun, standing nearby, also frowned and listened intently, sizing up Xiao Yan as well. In his eyes, Xiao Yan seemed younger even than Lin Dong—how could someone like this be an elder?

Jinshan Temple must truly be in decline… He shook his head and pitied Lin Dong.

“Da Vinci… I’m not sure how he’s doing now, but as for the ‘Chen Family Sword Technique’ you speak of, I believe I’ve seen it.” Xiao Yan walked to Lin Dong and patted him reassuringly on the shoulder.

“You’ve seen it? Are you… are you working with Da Vinci? I can hardly believe Jinshan Temple has become a den of thieves!” Chen Budiao frowned, gazing seriously at Xiao Yan.

If Xiao Yan was truly allied with Da Vinci, things could get tricky. Da Vinci was from the Devil’s Lair, and where he was, there were bound to be other experts lurking. Chen Budiao glanced around, reassured only when he saw no one else.

But if Xiao Yan wasn’t Da Vinci’s accomplice, how did the sword technique end up in his hands?

Unable to puzzle it out, Chen Budiao stopped dwelling on it. Even if they were from the Devil’s Lair, he had no fear; if he couldn’t win, he’d simply escape. In fact, he was more interested in Xiao Yan’s “Manure-shoveling Sword Technique.” He wondered which martial master the young monk had stolen it from.

As for Lin Dong’s claim that Xiao Yan had invented the technique himself—how could anyone believe that? Did he think everyone was Li Bai?

“What if I told you I snatched the sword technique from Da Vinci himself—would you believe me?” Xiao Yan said coolly. As soon as the words left his mouth, laughter erupted around them.

Who in the martial world hadn’t heard of Da Vinci? Known for his masterful “Phantom Hand” technique, his inner strength was said to be at the twenty-fifth level.

Who could possibly steal something from such an expert?

“What an unbelievable braggart! Snatched it from Da Vinci? He should measure his own worth first…”

“I’ve never seen anyone boast so shamelessly…”

Chen Budiao was momentarily taken aback, then broke into a sardonic smile. “If that’s the case, where is the sword technique?”

Xiao Yan frowned, as if suddenly recalling something. His lips curled into a smile as he glanced around. “Actually, you’ve all seen it. Why ask me where it is?”

“We’ve seen it? How could we possibly have seen it? Don’t talk nonsense…” The martial artists grew anxious, loudly protesting.

With Chen Budiao present, any misunderstanding could prove fatal.

“Elder Xiao Yan, you jest, but I, Chen, do not care for jokes.” Chen Budiao’s cold smile faded, his expression growing menacing. “If you dare make a mockery of my sword sect, I’m afraid I’ll have to kill you.”

He enunciated the last words with deadly intent, his countenance contorted with rage.

Many martial artists instinctively took a few steps back, a chill running down their spines at Chen Budiao’s killing aura.

“Come now, there’s no need for such melodrama. Acting so grim just makes you look foolish,” Xiao Yan replied cheerfully. “Think back—I operate a five-star outhouse here. Why else would I charge a tael of silver for toilet paper?”

“Toilet paper?” Chen Buqun suddenly thought of something, disbelief etched on his face as he dashed into the outhouse.

He pulled a tael of silver from his pocket and dropped it into a delicate wooden box.

With a swish, a sheet of paper slid out from a slot at the bottom.

Staring at the characters on the paper, Chen Buqun’s hands trembled. He rushed out and handed the paper to Chen Budiao.

Sure enough, the sheet bore not only writing, but also the distinctive emblem of the Chen Sword Sect.

“Heavens…” The crowd, seeing the expression on the faces of the Chen family men, began to piece things together.

“Am I dreaming? The legendary ‘Chen Family Sword Technique’ was used as toilet paper by me? No wonder I’ve been walking around with such a spring in my step… At this rate, a tael of silver is a bargain!” someone shouted. “I’ll have a story to brag about for a year… Ha ha ha!”

“Haha, now that you mention it, I kind of want to use the outhouse again…”

“Shh! Are you mad? Didn’t you see how furious Master Chen looks?”

Xiao Yan patted his chest with a look of honest sincerity. “I’m an honest man—my business has always been fair and worth every penny!”