Chapter 48: Zhou San's Gift of a Sword (Part 1)

  Niu Gao saw that Yue Dage had made a move, and Yang Zaixing and Luo Yanqing were so impressed that they prostrated themselves in admiration. Overjoyed in their hearts, they thought to show off some more in front of the two men, but who knew that the two would ride off into the distance.

  "Big brother, you've arrived just in time. How did you know I was here?" Niu Gao asked.

  "You this rough fellow, almost caused big trouble. When I went out, how did I instruct you? How could you take my words as nothing? If something happens to you, how can I explain it to your mother?" Yue Fei scolded.

  Niu Gao smiled and said: "Big brother, just this once, don't make it a habit."

  "Did you all hear that, brothers?! Next time if he acts rashly again, I won't recognize him as a brother!" Yue Fei said solemnly.

  "I will accept whatever punishment Big Brother deems fit, without a word of complaint." Niu Gao nodded repeatedly.

  "Niu Gao, you're also too much! You've caused your brothers to search for you everywhere. If we hadn't returned to the dormitory and asked the shopkeeper, we wouldn't have known where you were. This time, you almost lost your life. You must learn a lesson." Zhang Xian said.

  "Big brother, just now I saw those two young men with swords at their waists, how majestic. We brothers only have Niu Gao with a sword, when going out it's not like a martial artist to not carry a sword on one's body? Why don't we take advantage of our free time to go to the street and take a look, see where they sell precious swords?" Tang Huai proposed.

  "Great! I've been wanting to buy a sword for a long time, but just haven't had the chance. Today big brother is also here, let's go find one together?" Zhang Xian happily agreed.

  "As a martial artist, I couldn't be without a sword. The only reason I didn't mention it was because I didn't have any extra money. Since you brothers want to buy one, I'll go with you to take a look." Yue Fei said.

  "Big brother, you buy the best one, how many silver coins are needed, I'll pay the bill," said Wang Gui.

  "Alright, let's go take a look ahead." Yue Fei said and walked forward.

  Many brothers followed Yue Fei happily and walked on the main street, chatting and laughing all the way. They came to a knife and sword shop, saw many swords hanging in the shop, and the brothers walked in.

  "The shopkeeper, bring out your best sword for us brothers to take a look," said Yue Fei.

  The shopkeeper took out several of the best swords in the store and placed them on the counter, saying: "Sir, these are our finest swords. Please choose for yourself."

  Yue Fei took a look at these swords and found that they were all ordinary goods, not a single good sword. He said to his brothers: "These swords are only suitable for cutting tofu, there is no good steel fire, let's go to another house to take a look."

  The brothers left the knife and sword shop, turned a corner, and came to another street. There were many shops on the street, some of which were doing a thriving business, while others were quiet. They entered one of the shops, where they saw several antiques on display, famous calligraphy and paintings on the walls, and a few precious swords.

  Yue Fei saw that this store collected antiques and might have a superior treasure sword, so he walked in.

  As soon as the shopkeeper saw the customers arriving, he hurriedly stood up to greet them and said with a smile: "Gentlemen, please sit down. Are you here to buy something from our store?"

  "We want to buy a few good swords, I don't know if you have any in the store?" Yue Fei said. "If you do, would you please bring them out and let my brothers choose for themselves."

  The shopkeeper listened and said in a row: "Yes, yes, yes. The sword of our store is the best in Bianjing City. If you want it, we have it."

  He fetched a few dusty swords from the inner room, wiped them clean and handed them over.

  Zhang Xian, Tang Huai and Wang Gui took a look and indeed they were good swords with an ancient color and charm. Each of them chose a good sword for themselves.

  Yue Fei held his sword and looked at the tip of the blade, then drew it out to look at the steel fire on the edge, shook his head and put it down.

  "What? Not one dish to your liking?" The shopkeeper asked in puzzlement.

  "These swords are fine if they are for the sons of princes to wear, but if they are for going into battle and fighting against enemies, won't that be a mistake?" Yue Fei said.

  The shopkeeper listened and without saying another word, took out several of the best swords in his store for Yue Fei to choose from. After selecting and re-selecting, Yue Fei still couldn't find a sword that he was satisfied with.

  "Shopkeeper, if you have good ones, bring them out for me to see. The price is up to you; if not, I'll take my leave first and come back another day." Yue Fei said and then left.

  "Look at this man, he's no ordinary person, he must be a martial arts material. Why don't I lend him our family heirloom sword and see if he can tell its origin." The shopkeeper thought to himself.

  "The precious sword indeed has a story, but it's just being kept at home, and it's the heirloom of my family. I see that you're a man who gets things done, so I'll satisfy your request and let you take a look." The shopkeeper said.

  Yue Fei listened and was overjoyed.

  "How far is it to the prefecture?" Yue Fei asked.

  "It's not far, just ahead. My brother is behind, I'll call him to accompany you on the way." The shopkeeper said.

  "It's really too kind of you. If my brother takes a liking to it, whatever price you want is fine." Wang Gui said.

  The shopkeeper then ordered the waiter to call out the second master.

  "Brother, what instructions do you have for me?" asked the second shopkeeper.

  "This gentleman wants to buy a good sword, but none of the swords in the store meet his expectations. He must be a connoisseur. Take him home and show him that sword."

  The shopkeeper responded with a nod, made a gesture with his hand, and led Yue Fei and others out of the store.

  Yue Fei carefully sized up the second shopkeeper, who was wearing a square scarf on his head, a blue Taoist robe, a pair of large red boots, and holding a golden fan from Hunan, looking elegant and refined, with an air of refinement that set him apart from the crowd.

  A group of people walked for more than two miles and came to a villa, where willows hung outside the gate, low stone walls, and two bamboo doors. The second shopkeeper went forward and knocked gently on the door, and a small boy opened it.

  The Second Master led everyone into the grass hall, made a bow and sat down.

  The little boy brought tea over.

  Yue Fei and others had tea, and Second Manager asked: "May I ask your honorable surnames and great names? Where is your noble hometown?"

  "From Xiangzhou, Taoyuan County, surname Yue, name Fei, courtesy name Pengju." said Yue Fei.

  "I've long admired your reputation." said the Second Manager.

  "This is Zhang Xian from Huang County in Daming Prefecture, this is Tang Huai, and this is Wang Gui. The three of them are all fellow townspeople and good friends." Yue Fei introduced.

  Niu Gao saw his elder brother introducing Tang Huai and others, so he took over the conversation and introduced himself: "My name is Niu Gao, from Shaanxi."

  "This brother is a straightforward person, with a good heart and a frank mouth, a rare good man." The second shopkeeper smiled and said.

  "My brother is like this, although he has a bad temper, his words are straightforward." Yue Fei said.

  "May I ask your honorable surname?" Yue Fei asked.

  "You go ahead and guess, I'll go get the treasure sword and show it to you." said the second shopkeeper with a sly smile.

  Yue Fei looked up at the calligraphy and paintings on the wall, saying: "This is a collector's home. The paintings on this wall are all ancient paintings of great value. This person was originally surnamed Zhou."

  Tang Huaiyi was shocked: "Big brother, how can you say that this person's surname is Zhou? What makes you so sure?"

  "It was this couplet on the wall that told me. You see: the upper line says 'Willow Camp Spring Horse Training', and the lower line says 'Tiger General Night Discusses Military'. This couplet was given by Tang Dynasty's Li Jinwang to Zhou Dewei. That's why I said his surname is Zhou." Yue Fei said.

  "It doesn't matter whether his surname is Zhou or not, we'll know once he comes out and asks." said Niu Gao.

  As they spoke, Second Master brought out a precious sword and placed it on the table.

  "What's my surname, gentlemen? Can you guess?" asked Second Master Zhang.

  "His surname is Zhou." Niu Gao said quickly.

  The two shopkeepers were astonished: "Unexpectedly, there really is a master among them."