Chapter 74: The Sword-Marked Stone Path

Divine Sword Manor—this is a renowned destination in the martial world, a place every traveler desires to visit. Its fame stems from the remarkable Sword Scar Stone Road that lies before its gates.

Legend has it that years ago, the Sword Sage attained enlightenment amidst a forest of stones, etching countless sword marks onto the surrounding boulders. Eighteen stones in total, each scarred with dense traces of his blade. Perhaps these stones absorbed the Sword Sage’s aura, for they became strangely sentient: when someone walked by, lingering sword energy would lash out, attacking passersby.

The manor eventually relocated these eighteen massive stones to its entrance, declaring that only those who could traverse the Sword Scar Stone Road were worthy to challenge the Sword Sage. This proclamation drew countless swordsmen; even if they failed to pass, the chance to witness the Sword Sage’s early sword intent was reward enough.

Over time, it became tradition: any swordsman entering the martial world would make the Sword Scar Stone Road their first stop. To miss it was to forfeit the right to call oneself a swordsman. Bragging rights were measured by the stones conquered—“How many stones did you pass?” “Five!” “Six!” “Wow, you’re amazing!” Even those outside the sword arts, anyone seeking to make their name in the martial world, would flock to the stone road, eager to test themselves.

Whenever someone’s skills improved, they rushed to challenge the stones, and even seasoned veterans found the trial endlessly entertaining. Some settled in the nearby town, drawn by proximity and the ease of “grinding proficiency.” Rumors grew more fantastical: some claimed to have grasped the Sword Sage's way on the stone road; others said their martial prowess soared after passing through. The stones were even said to possess excellent feng shui, exuding the aura of a master, making meals more delicious and appetites heartier.

Yet the most outlandish tale was that a man, long childless, challenged the stone road and upon returning home, learned his wife was pregnant. Thus, the stone road’s fame exploded—not only martial artists, but ordinary folk came to pay homage, hoping their wives might soon bear sons.

So, beneath Divine Sword Manor, each day brought throngs of visitors, an endless stream bustling with excitement. The commotion became overwhelming, prompting the manor to fence off the Sword Scar Stone Road and charge admission. At last, those less affluent hesitated, crowds thinned, and peace returned. To their astonishment, the manor realized ticket sales alone brought in such wealth that there was no need for side businesses or supplemental income—there was even surplus!

Thus, Divine Sword Manor fully embraced this windfall. Shops and enterprises shuttered; disciples no longer sold specialties or took commissions to support operations. Now, everyone simply retreated within the manor to practice swordsmanship, basking in prosperity.

When Ji Huo arrived at Divine Sword Manor, he suspected he’d lost his way—he’d gotten lost several times already, and here was a dense crowd, all waiting in orderly lines to ascend the mountain.

“Exclusive secrets! Insights from masters who’ve conquered five stones—just one tael of silver, and you’ll learn how to pass five stones!”

“Latest Sword Scar Stone Road strategies—one tael of silver!”

“The complete guide to absorbing luck from the Sword Scar Stone Road! Third revised edition! Limited copies, first come first served!”

Vendors shouted from the sidelines, brandishing piles of shoddy booklets, yet business was brisk. Many newcomers squatted on the ground, heads bowed under the sunlight as they pored over books, faces shifting rapidly from contemplation, to sudden enlightenment, to clenched frustration.

“Goodness! It’s become an entire industry chain,” Ji Huo’s lips twitched. He mused that if he recruited a few from Divine Sword Manor to manage his money house, perhaps he wouldn’t always be losing money. Kun Er had recently complained that in this peaceful era, jobs were scarce, and the Earth Fiend group was running themselves ragged to support the Qiankun Sect.

Watching the queue of martial artists waiting to pay for tickets, Ji Huo stroked his chin. It seemed he would have to challenge the Sword Scar Stone Road himself to meet the Sword Sage.

“Second Young Master! Second Young Master!” a delighted voice called from behind.

Ji Huo turned to see Hou Baixi smiling as he approached.

“I guessed you’d arrive soon, so I’ve been wandering around at the foot of the mountain. Didn’t expect I’d actually catch you,” Hou Baixi said with a courteous gesture.

Ji Huo laughed, “Seems we’re destined to meet.”

“Now that you’re here, let’s return to the manor. Please, follow me,” Hou Baixi said, leading him down a side path.

“Don’t we need to pass the Sword Scar Stone Road?” Ji Huo gestured toward the distant crowd.

“We’ll go in through the rear mountain, no need to squeeze with them.” Hou Baixi led Ji Huo along a secluded trail, where few martial artists ventured. After another mile, the crowds vanished entirely, replaced occasionally by disciples of Divine Sword Manor clad in white.

Whenever they saw Hou Baixi, they respectfully greeted him as “Senior Brother,” their eyes curious as they glanced at Ji Huo.

“Though this is technically the manor’s back entrance, these days most staff come and go through here. The front is left for the martial world to play with,” Hou Baixi explained.

“A pity—I’d hoped to see the Sword Scar Stone Road for myself,” Ji Huo said, unconcerned, hands behind his head.

Hou Baixi looked at him strangely, “Why bother?”

“Isn’t it infused with the Sword Sage’s early sword energy?” Ji Huo replied offhandedly.

Hou Baixi’s mouth twitched, his gaze odd. “Frankly, it’s just a pile of broken stones, nothing special. They weren’t created by my master’s enlightenment.”

“How so?” Ji Huo asked, surprised.

“In the early days, challengers came one after another, each weaker than the last. My master, exhausted, had some sorcerers craft stones that could stack their power and automatically emit sword energy, then tossed them at the mountain gate... The rest, you know.”

Ji Huo: (・_・)

He stared, “But isn’t it said that those who pass the Sword Scar Stone Road experience rapid martial advancement?”

Hou Baixi shrugged, “Anyone who trains every day for a month or two, figuring out how to block that barrage of sword energy, will improve greatly. It’s all about dedicated practice.”

Ji Huo nodded—indeed, aside from those with extraordinary luck like himself, there were no shortcuts; only diligent training led to progress. Neglect it for a while, and skills faded.

Martial artists were no different from full-time writers, forever battling the foe called laziness.

Ji Huo asked curiously, “There’s a rumor that the stones have gained sentience—someone’s wife, childless for years, became pregnant after he challenged the stone road. What’s that about?”

“Well...” Hou Baixi’s expression turned odd, and he coughed before explaining:

“At first, we thought the stones had developed intelligence, so we invited sorcerers to investigate. They found nothing unusual.”

“We found it curious and secretly looked into the man’s situation. Turns out, he spent two months between attempting the stone road and living in the town below. When he returned, his wife was only one month pregnant...”

“Likely, he feared the martial world would discover the truth, so he claimed the stone road worked miracles.”