Chapter 131: Chapter 128: Literary Courage

The revival of Yangnao Land has once again changed the power dynamics of various factions.

Yu Country originally had twenty-two counties. Initially, the Twelve Immortal Sects each occupied only one county, while the remaining ten counties were nominally under the control of the Imperial Family.

However, now that Spiritual Qi has fully revived, under the secret instigation of the Immortal Sects, the forces supported by the sects began to make restless attempts, gradually encroaching on the ten counties still held by the Imperial Family.

Especially after the Immortal Sects introduced Spirit Seeds, indicating that Spirit Rice and Spirit Medicine could be grown in certain Spirit Fields or Blessed Lands, many noble families and forces flocked to places suspected to be Spirit Field Blessed Lands.

In the short span of half a year, there have been numerous conflicts of varying sizes between different forces, naturally resulting in many casualties.

The Yunzhong He Family and the Zhang Family of Yingchuan County both extended their reach to the neighboring Jinghe County shortly after the annual festival.

Initially, the two families maintained restraint, with one swiftly occupying more than ten city walls on the western side of Jinghe County, and the other occupying more than ten city walls on the eastern side, without interfering with each other.

But when it came to the Jinghe Swamp, which occupies a quarter of Jinghe County’s territory, both families couldn’t restrain themselves anymore.

With the Immortal Sects descending for many years, both the Yunzhong He Family and the Zhang Family of Yingchuan, supported by the sects, had new Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators born into their families.

These Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators discovered that the concentration of Spiritual Qi in Jinghe Swamp was much richer than in other parts of Jinghe County, clearly making it a Blessed Land.

Both sides erupted into over ten conflicts in Jinghe Swamp, with many casualties, yet ownership of the swamp remained undecided.

To avoid mutual destruction and allowing other forces to take advantage, the two families temporarily made peace, each occupying half of the Jinghe Swamp.

However, a great war for Jinghe Swamp is unavoidable in the future.

While the outside world is in chaos, life in Yunshui Town is quite peaceful.

It is said, “Ducks are the first to know when the spring river water warms up,” and with this change in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, the wild beasts in the mountains are naturally the first to sense it.

Since the hunting competition before the New Year, after Shen Wenxing killed that Human Bear Demon Beast, the common people of Jinliu Village have encountered two ferocious beasts suspected to be Demon Beasts in the mountains over the past six months.

Shen Wenxing led people to slay them, finding they were only beasts not yet fully transformed into Demon Beasts, as their Demon Essence Pills had not formed.

Fortunately, their flesh was already usable for Body Refining.

With the previous attempt at using Human Bear flesh, Shen Wenxing finally grasped the ways of a Body Cultivator, and through the blood and flesh of slain Demon Beasts and that Human Bear’s Demon Essence Pill, he reached the “Inner Strength and Refining the Viscera” realm of the Azure Dragon Force Technique over the past six months.

At the Shen Family Manor Martial Arts Arena, Shen Wenxing stood bare-chested, his bronze skin emitting a faint sheen under the sunlight.

Opposite him, Shen Wen’an stood with his hands at his sides, quietly watching him continuously channel his blood and Spiritual Power.

“Alright, come on!”

When his skin emitted a faint metallic sheen, Shen Wenxing shouted.

Nearby, Shen Yuan watched his two brothers, pondering for a moment before reminding them.

“Wen’an, that’s your elder brother, be careful with your strength.”

Shen Wen’an slightly nodded, as a Sword Aura slowly emerged at his fingertips.

He did not use Supreme Profound Sword Qi, nor did he use a Flying Sword, merely condensing the Sword Essence into a Sword Aura.

“Father, can big brother withstand a strike from younger brother?”

Rarely stepping out of the backyard, Shen Wenyan came to the Martial Arts Arena upon hearing that big brother would spar with younger brother today.

Shen Yuan slightly shook his head.

He did not know the current realm Shen Wen’an had reached.

He just hoped this brat knew his limits and wouldn’t hurt his big brother.

“Big brother, be careful.”

With the Sword Aura condensing into a long sword, having warned, Shen Wen’an directly thrust it forward!

Whoosh!

The Sword Aura shot forward like lightning, darting towards Shen Wenxing’s face!

Seeing this, Shen Wenxing’s Spiritual Power erupted swiftly, in the blink of an eye condensing a fiery red dragon head on his arm, punching towards the incoming Sword Aura!

Boom!

Crack!

Fwoom!

Their clash was swift, happening in a flash, and the punch infused with eighty percent of Shen Wenxing’s Spiritual Power was directly pierced by the Sword Aura!

The protective layer formed by Azure Dragon Force shattered like glass, a faint Sword Qi seeped into his body along his meridians, causing his blood and Qi to surge, making him spit a mouthful of blood.

Seeing this, Shen Wen’an flickered over, reaching out to retrieve the strand of Sword Qi from his brother’s body.

“Big brother, are you alright?”

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Shen Wenxing shook his head with a bitter smile.

“Wen’an, how much strength did you use?”

“Thirty percent,” Shen Wen’an replied, “I originally intended to use fifty percent, but Father told me to reduce it by twenty percent.”

Hearing this, the bitter smile on Shen Wenxing’s face deepened.

“Oh, you brat, if you’d used fifty percent, big brother wouldn’t just be spitting blood; he’d probably be bedridden for months.”

As the brothers spoke, Shen Yuan and Shen Wenyan also approached.

“How is it?” Shen Yuan asked.

Shen Wenxing shook his head: “Blood and Qi are turbulent, but no serious damage.”

As soon as he finished, Shen Wenyan suddenly spoke up: “Since big brother is unharmed, how about we have a try?”

“You?” Shen Wenxing looked at him, astonished, “Can you even fight?”

With a faint smile, Shen Wenyan replied: “You’ll know after trying.”

With that, he moved to the other end of the Martial Arts Arena.

Seeing that he was serious, Shen Wenxing became interested as well.

Over the years, except for the time when the youngest was influenced by the Sword Holder’s Sword Spirit, Shen Wenyan and Lu Zhiyuan together used Vast Righteous Qi to erase the Sword Spirit’s intent to kill.

Since then, no one had seen him in action.

“Father, Wen’an, step back a bit.”

After slightly regulating his turbulent blood and Qi, Shen Wenxing readied himself.

“Be careful, Ah Nu, if I get close, your slender frame can’t withstand a punch.”

With a faint smile, Shen Wenyan nodded, as a mysterious power slowly emerged across his body.

With a casual flick of his hand, a vigorous and powerful character for “sword” suddenly appeared in mid-air before him!

The next moment, the character transformed into a long sword, flying towards the charging Shen Wenxing!

“Hmm!?”

Shen Wenxing was somewhat surprised.

But the sword moved rapidly, leaving him no time to think as it quickly approached his face.

Shen Wenxing immediately threw a punch!

Bang!

The seemingly chilling sword couldn’t block his punch, and was directly shattered into countless points of light that dispersed into the air.

“Ha… Ah Nu, this sword Qi of yours really can’t compare to Wen’an’s sword Qi.”

Shen Wenxing chuckled, then suddenly accelerated, rushing toward Shen Wenyan.

That’s how the battle of a body cultivator is—if you withstand the opponent’s attack, move fast, and get close, the fight is basically over.

After all, most Immortal Dao cultivators can’t match a body cultivator in physical strength.

The long sword transformed from Literary Qi was smashed, Shen Wenyan frowned slightly, then immediately waved his hand, creating over ten “Sword” characters of varying sizes in the void in front of him!

After these “Sword” characters took shape, they all turned into swords flying toward Shen Wenxing.

Knowing these swords weren’t very powerful, Shen Wenxing couldn’t even be bothered to punch this time, just using his body to resist them.

Clang clang clang!

Clang clang!

…

The sound of metal clashing reverberated as the long swords formed from Literary Qi shattered against Shen Wenxing’s body, barely affecting him.

Seeing this, Shen Wenyan’s eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance!

“Vast honor of Heaven and Earth, righteousness endures!”

As he exclaimed those words, everything around changed instantly!

Heaven and Earth became clear immediately, and everything around vanished, leaving Shen Wenyan standing alone between Heaven and Earth.

His clothes fluttered without wind!

His figure stood tall, towering over the Earth!

His robust body emanated an aura of advancing regardless of countless adversaries!

Facing him, Shen Wenxing felt a touch of fear and wished to cease fighting.

Yet swiftly, that feeling disappeared!

Everything around dissipated, opposite him Shen Wenyan’s face turned pale abruptly, staggering a few steps and nearly falling.

Shen Wenxing hurriedly rushed forward to support him and asked with concern:

“Ah Nu, are you alright?”

Shen Wenyan shook his head with a smile: “I’m okay.”

“Just that the intimidation of Literary Courage caused a backlash.”

As they spoke, Shen Yuan and Shen Wen’an arrived.

Looking at Shen Wenyan’s pale face, Shen Yuan sighed slightly.

In today’s world, only he and Lu Zhiyuan are Literary Dao cultivators without paths of predecessors to follow; they must forge ahead bravely, exploring on their own.

But seeing now, they’ve indeed found some ways.

Just speaking of the method of generating a bunch of swords out of thin air for attack at least seemed quite threatening.

Also, that final “Intimidation of Literary Courage,” ordinary people without firm beliefs might not withstand it.

“Ah Die, I want to travel far.”

“I seek to cultivate my Literary Courage, nurture my Literary Heart, to find the path ahead.”

Shen Wenyan stood straight, bowing respectfully toward Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan pondered for a moment, remained silent, and strode toward the hall with a somber face.

“Ah Die…” Shen Wenyan called softly.

“You have to wait until Zhao Xuan gives birth and finishes her postpartum!”

Shen Yuan’s words carried a tint of anger, causing Shen Wenyan to hold his tongue, retreating to the backyard in disappointment.

The remaining two brothers exchanged glances, and Shen Wen’an turned toward the Black Water Pavilion.

“This…” After watching the direction of the three leaving, Shen Wenxing sighed slightly then decided to console the old father nonetheless.

Following into the hall, he poured a cup of tea, handed it over, and said: “Father, calm down.”

Shen Yuan accepted the tea, snorting coldly: “That little bastard never considered the Zhao Family girl as his wife!”

“Even goes on about ’completely fulfilling filial piety with the body, dedicating oneself to the Literary Dao with spirit’!”

Listening to his father’s cursing, Shen Wenxing was puzzled beside him.

“Father, what does that mean?”

“What does it mean?” Shen Yuan drained his tea and said: “It means his marriage and children with Zhao Xuan were all for filial piety, for his parents!”

“His heart simply isn’t with the Zhao Family girl!”

“Still cultivating Literary Dao…”

“If cultivating the Literary Dao results in losing humanity in the end, why even cultivate it at all!”

Shen Yuan became increasingly upset.

Once, when Shen Wenyan stepped into the Literary Dao, he felt joyful.

As he understood, Literary Dao should be about “bringing order to family, governing state and serving all under heaven”.

Who’d thought, with Shen Wenyan, it’d turn out like this?

“Eldest, is Zhao Xuan now in your yard?”

Shen Wenxing nodded slightly: “She went to visit Lingxiu this morning, should still be there.”

Listening, Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes, immediately stood up and said: “Good if she’s in your yard, now I need to have a good talk with that little bastard.”

Shen Wenxing urged: “Father, speak properly with Ah Nu, he might listen.”

“Don’t scold him.”

Shen Yuan snorted coldly: “Scold him… don’t worry, your father doesn’t scold.”

Finishing this, he quickly headed to the backyard.

Near the yard gate, spotting lush green ink bamboo by the path, Shen Yuan grabbed a thumb-thick bamboo and strode in.

…

After exiting the yard, the sturdy ink bamboo in his hand was already shattered into strips, stained with fresh blood.

“That little bugger is stubborn, only pleaded after the bamboo strips broke…”

Glancing back at the yard, Shen Yuan tossed the bamboo strips into the roadside grass, walking slowly toward the front yard.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep