Chapter Seventeen: The Jade Sword Hairpin

  Bai Ze sat on the table, his eyes rolling around, the fiery red fur on his back seemed to have been splashed with water, staring at Qian Yiqun, and said seriously: "I just had a premonition, you are in danger."

  Qian Yiqun took a deep breath: "That... can I borrow that pearl of yours?"

  "You're thinking too much," the fox said seriously. "Even if you die, we still have to survive in this chaotic world." Although the Golden Jade Pearl is very effective, it needs to be re-refined for 49 days after each use, so it's best not to use it unless necessary. The fox was also worried that if he lost this treasure, Qian Yigun would bully him, and he didn't dare mention his weakness.

  "Ass!" Qian Yiqun cursed, "Even a stone that's been heated up has feelings, but you're so cold-blooded."

  "Although I couldn't give you the Golden Pearl, I've prepared another treasure for you." The fox seemed to have not heard what Qian Yigun said, and spat out a small jade carving from its mouth. The jade carving was entirely emerald green, no more than three inches long, with one end slightly pointed, and it could be seen that it was a small jade sword.

  "Is it that small? Can it also hurt people?" Qian Yiqun took over the jade sword and looked at it left and right in his palm. He didn't believe in the power of this treasure, but as soon as he held it in his hand, he felt a majestic sword intent, without any cold killing aura, yet it was heavy enough to make him feel like being surrounded by countless sharp blades, and with just a slight movement, he would be pierced through the heart by ten thousand swords.

  "This is the paired sword of my old friend, and if you can refine it, its uses will be endless." The fox hesitated, unwilling to part with it, "Even if refining doesn't work out, it can still vanquish evil and cleanse filth! Just don't carelessly throw it away!"

  Qian Yiqun asked: "That old friend of yours is also a famous figure in history, isn't he?"

  "Publicly known as," Fox said slowly and deliberately, "Gongsun! Damao!"

  These four words, if whispered in the ear of an insider, would be shocking and inexplicable. But Qian Yigun was just an outsider, and he only knew about Du Fu's poem "Sword Equipment" because of a single line: "This can't be the hairpin of a dancing girl, can it?"

  The fox knew that her charming eyes had been thrown at the blind man again, and she was so angry that she wanted to take them back immediately. She said: "If you don't want it, return it to me! Don't waste such a treasure! Gong Sun's disciples are numerous, if you speak nonsense about dancing girls outside, be careful they'll skin you alive!"

  Qian Yiqun thought to himself: It turns out that this Madame Gongsun is not just a simple dancer! But how did she refine this sword? I'll have to ask this fox for help.

  The fox saw that Qian Yiqun had softened, and with a flattering face, he wanted to come and ask for a discount again. In his heart, he thought: All the talented and wealthy people I have seen in the past are not self-loving and self-respecting, but this guy is making me unable to hold on, it's really a rare freak in the world. Forget it, just tell him directly, so as not to be annoying.

  Before Yiqun could speak, the fox turned its head and said: "I'm telling you now, remember this. The myriad treasures don't depart from a single 'feeling' character. Originally inanimate objects, due to feeling become spiritual, this is the universal principle between heaven and earth. To refine and transform treasures, just resonate with them and that's all."

  Feel?

  "A salty heart feels."

  Saltiness is universal.

  One person, one thing, two hearts alike, naturally sympathetic.

  Qian Yiqun grasped the jade sword, and his mind was filled with speculation: I have indeed sensed the sword energy on this sword, but I don't know what else I need to sense in order to refine it.

  Just as Qian Yiqun was pondering the refinement of the Law Treasure, the commotion outside grew louder and louder.

  It was actually the tortoise shell's father who opened the door, but he encountered a visitor who was not good at it and didn't put the host family in his eyes. Although the tortoise shell's father knew that this kind of green-clothed and small-hatted servant was most likely to stir up trouble, he also had to maintain the dignity and reputation of the host family, using soft words to block him from entering and insisting on going in first to report.

  Who would have thought that the newcomer was determined to save face for the Wang family and rushed in without regard.

  The old turtle-backed servant had been a servant for his whole life, taking care of the old master. His remaining prestige was still there, and last night he saw the young master exerting his mighty power again, with an even more imposing presence. He said no one was allowed in, and no matter how many people came, they couldn't lay hands on him, although they were numerous and strong, they could only be left waiting.

  Qian Yiqun walked step by step outside, and in his heart, he had already put the blame on Dai Shiming's head. He secretly hated: This surname Dai is really daring to come to my door, it seems that he wants to die with me! Even if I want to hand over Wei Laogou to him now, the anger in my heart will not be relieved!

  "What's all the commotion outside, son?"

  The quarrel at the gate grew louder and louder, and Qian Datong was older and his ears were not good, so he just heard it.

  "Dad, I'll go take a look. You rest in the main hall first." Qian Yiqun stepped forward to support his father into the hall, tightly gripping the jade sword in his hand, and strode outwards with large steps.

  Qian Yiqun arrived at the gate, only to see the tortoiseshell-patterned door blocked by his father, who was grasping the door frame with both hands and using his body to block the entrance. Outside were three young men in green robes and hats, one of whom had already wedged his foot against the door hinge, preventing the old man from closing it, while also pushing and shoving him, their mouths filled with curses.

  Qian Yiqun secretly suspected: Listening to the accent, it's someone from the government. Suzhou Prefecture is a place of flourishing literature, and heaven knows how many retired high-ranking officials have formed a vast network of relationships. These people seem to be retired at home, but in fact they can still influence the imperial court with their humble appearance, absolutely above all!

  "Whose family is this, how dare you be so rude!" Qian Yiqun made up his mind and shouted loudly.

  His father was already on the verge of collapse, and upon seeing the young master come out, he hastily stepped aside. He was just about to explain the situation when Qian Shao's head servant intervened, having rushed forward to shout: "Whose dog leg dares to step into the gates of my Qian family? I'll make him regret being born in this world!"

  Those three servants were also startled, and their legs, which had been lifted to take a step, hesitated in mid-air before finally coming down on the threshold. The man at the head said, "You probably don't know my master's name, but I'll tell you - my master is none other than the literary lord of Suzhou Prefecture!"

  There are many families with the surname Wen in Suzhou, but if you say Mr. Wen of Suzhou Prefecture, there is only one.

  Wen Zhenmen as Zuoyou Yunchang

  The current Emperor Chongzhen is a vassal king who has entered the imperial palace and is still studying the courses of the Eastern Palace. The daily lecturer who explained the classics to Emperor Chongzhen was this Mr. Wen Zhenmeng, Left Central Supervisor.

  As an emperor's teacher, he explained classics and history every day, which was a prestigious position even among officials in the capital, let alone in local areas.

  Although Mr. Wen is far away in the capital, Suzhou has already elevated the Wen family to the sky. This Wen family is a descendant of Wen Tianxiang, a famous minister at the end of the Song Dynasty, and a legitimate member of the Hengshan Wen clan.

  Wen Zhenmen's great-grandfather was Wen Zhengming, a famous scholar from Gusu. Wen Zhengming was as famous as Tang Bohu and Zhu Zhishan, a great talent in Jiangnan. What's more, he not only had a reputation for his talents but also held the position of Hanlin Waicheng, living to be 90 years old!

  The Wen family had such a brilliant reputation, and with the addition of being the champion of the imperial examination, Wen Zhenmeng's reputation was even more prominent. Even the Suzhou prefect would treat his family members with great respect when he met them.

  It's said that he is a member of the Wen family, and Wen Zhongming took a deep breath. Although Wen Zhongming's reputation was not as high as his ancestor Wen Zhengming, he was also the recent number one scholar in Suzhou, and now a prestigious lecturer at the Eastern Palace, someone who could see the emperor every day! He worried that Young Master would not be able to hold up against such a grand occasion, and hastily retreated to report back to Old Master.

  Qian Yiqun didn't know how high Wen Zhenmeng's position was, but he still remembered the lively scene of the champion official two years ago. He was reborn and didn't have such a strong fear of officials, and with his worldly wisdom and understanding of human nature, the unspoken rules that were not passed down had already been exposed by later generations to the point where they had no secrets left!

  If it were the county magistrate's family, Qian Yiqun might still be afraid, but Wen Lao Ye is really too high and too far away. People only talk about the broken house of the county magistrate and the exterminated gate of the prefecture, who has ever heard of the extravagant Dong Gong lecturer?

  Qian Yiqun coldly laughed and said: "You are looking for your own death!" As soon as he finished speaking, the jade sword in his hand was thrown out, and with a pinch of his fingers, it hovered in mid-air.

  "Haha! Are you trying to scare your grandfather with this woman's hairpin?" The servant laughed loudly.

  Qian Yiqun originally just wanted to scare him, but unexpectedly this guy saw such a strange phenomenon and still dared to speak out of turn, which made his anger rise.

  He sneered again: "Do you think you're the only one who knows these strange skills? Hmph, my young master has dealt with even more formidable strangers than you!" He took a step back and said: "Originally, we invited you to give you face, but now that you don't know what's good for you, you'll have a good outcome to look forward to! Let's go!"

  Qian Yiqun was in his prime, with a robust and vigorous spirit. Suddenly, the jade sword that had been quietly resting by his side began to stir, as if some hidden emotion had awakened it. The originally small and delicate sword body suddenly expanded, growing to a length of two feet eight inches, transforming into a sharp and slender green sword. Its narrow blade shone with a brilliant white light, surrounded by a layer of jade-like sword aura.

  Yu Jian's transformation made Qian Yiqun feel refreshed and invigorated all over. The previous stagnation disappeared instantly, the sword tip moved slightly, the sword body responded, like an arm commanding a finger, giving him a much more effortless feeling than last night.

  Qian Yiqun lightly pointed at the servant, and the jade sword almost simultaneously flew over to stab him, transforming into a green light in mid-air.