Chapter 393: The Battle of the River of Forgettance

The River of Forgettance Restaurant was the most renowned restaurant in the seat of Anxi Commandery. Nestled against the mountains and beside the water, it offered both panoramic views from lofty heights and vantage points to watch fish in the deep waters below. It served as a gathering place for the younger generation to exchange poetry and martial arts. Occasionally, seniors of the clan would often come here to listen to the rain, savor wine, and watch with a smile as the winds of change sweep through and the younger generation vies for supremacy.

Nine was the ultimate number. Thus, the River of Forgettance Restaurant had nine floors. Only those who had gathered to duel poetry and martial arts among the younger generation might ascend to the ninth floor, but not just anyone could reach it. Whether one must obtain the restaurant owner’s approval before they were allowed to ascend to the summit to discuss the Dao as well.

The clan elders often gathered on the eighth floor, and the rising stars of the younger generations congregated on the seventh floor.

One must also qualify to enter the seventh floor. Only seven individuals might serve as the floor’s honored guests. If a newcomer wished to join them, they simply needed to displace one of the existing seven.

Although Cui Tianlin was young, he was already a regular on the seventh floor. Ever since his Immortal Sword Dao Foundation had been restored to its rightful place, and he had forged one of the Seven Guardian Immortal Swords of the Sword Palace, the Spring Court Moon, the seat by the window on the seventh floor had become his exclusive seat.

At that moment, night was just falling, and the lanterns were gradually lighting up. The scattered lights reflected on the river, as if the rivers of stars in the sky had descended to the mortal world.

Cui Tianlin sat by the window, lost in thought.

Seated at the table were a dozen or so young men and women, all of whom had gained access to the seventh floor solely through Cui Tianlin’s influence. If he hadn’t come, they wouldn’t have been qualified to enter this floor. Among them were many whose family backgrounds surpassed Cui Tianlin’s. In fact, as recently as a decade ago, many of them would have looked down on the idea of associating with him.

“Brother Lin, are you thinking about practicing swordsmanship again?” asked a sweet-looking girl.

Cui Tianlin snapped back to reality and said, “Too much of practice is as bad as too little. To cultivate the sword, one must first cultivate the heart. Where the heart goes, there lies the sword’s limit. Therefore, there is no need to practice excessively—it’s enough to have the sword within one’s heart.”

Immediately, someone cheered, “Brother Tianlin, your words have truly awakened us from our slumber! Only now do I realize that my twenty years of sword cultivation have been on a misguided path!”

Cui Tianlin felt a bit exasperated, but he still nodded politely. Whenever he tried to share his insights on the way of the sword with these people, he always received responses that were more pointless than helpful. At such times, he could only ponder the sword intent of the Spring Court Moon over and over in his heart.

After the group had rambled on about their useless insights into the way of the sword, someone suddenly said, “A flying vessel entered the city today. Someone saw Cui Yu return.”

Another young woman said indignantly, “That guy really doesn’t know a good thing when he sees it. If it weren’t for Brother Lin’s[1] magnanimity, we would’ve already challenged him to a duel on the ninth floor and show him that there are always better swordsmen out there. Seriously, Brother Lin has always wanted to reserve the most important spot for him too. If you ask me, we should teach him a proper lesson!”

“Brother Tianlin, why don’t we challenge him to a duel right now that he’s back? We’ve been dying to witness the Spring Court Moon’s prowess!”

The crowd erupted into another round of egging.

Cui Tianlin suddenly lost some of his enthusiasm and said, “Forget it. If he doesn’t want to join, there’s no need to force him.”

Just then, a commotion broke out downstairs, and everyone seated on the seventh floor turned to look toward the staircase. They heard the waiter below say urgently, “The seventh floor is already full, Young Master. Please don’t put me in a difficult position[2]!”

This was followed by Cui Yu’s voice: “What about my seat? Who’s taken it?”

“Young Master, you know very well that your seat has to be given to someone else if you haven’t been here for half a year. That’s always been the rule!”

“If that’s true, then why did I hear that someone’s seat is still reserved even though he hasn’t been back for a whole year?”

“Well....”

Everyone looked at Cui Tianlin. It was true that Cui Tianlin had gone into seclusion at the Sword Palace to solidify his Spring Court Moon a year ago, and he hadn’t returned once during that time.

Footsteps echoed up the staircase, steady and serene. It was as if his stride would remain unshaken even if the heavens were to collapse before him.

Cui Yu ascended to the seventh floor.

The waiter behind him was on the verge of tears, pleading, “It’s not easy for a lowly servant like me to make a living, Young Master, please....”

Cui Yu’s gaze swept across the room. At one of the tables, a young man instinctively shrank back a little. His seat had once been Cui Yu’s regular spot, but he’d later taken it for himself. If Cui Yu wanted it back and challenged him again, the young man knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against Cui Yu.

Unexpectedly, Cui Yu didn’t even glance at him. Instead, he looked straight at Cui Tianlin and asked, “Do you dare fight me?”

Cui Tianlin was clearly taken aback, but he certainly wasn’t afraid of his cousin. “Why wouldn’t I?” he replied.

Cui Yu sneered. “Then let us fight on the ninth floor! But your physical body is only average, shall we impose some restrictions on this battle?”

Cui Tianlin replied, “No need. When we face enemies in battle in the future, will they agree to any restrictions? In a duel between you and me, we should naturally use every trick in our arsenal.”

Cui Yu let out another cold laugh. “I’ve warned you, but I’ll warn you again: shall we impose some restrictions?”

Cui Tianlin couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. He said in a deep voice, “No need! Just go ahead and use whatever tactics you have, Brother Yu!”

“Very well!”

Cui Tianlin’s gaze swept past Cui Yu and landed on the tall young man standing behind him. The young man had been so inconspicuous that Cui Tianlin had only just now noticed him.

The group of young men and women were all excited and rushed up to the ninth floor. The clan elders who had been drinking together on the eighth floor also made their way up to the ninth floor to watch the battle. In the blink of an eye, word spread, and more and more people arrived. Everyone knew that this battle would determine who among the younger generation of the Cui Clan would take the lead. This might be the most important battle at the River of Forgettance Restaurant in the past decade.

The ninth floor was exceptionally spacious. The ceiling was a full ten zhang from the floor and supported by eight massive pillars.

Cui Tianlin entered the arena first. He slowly drew his mystic sword and ran a finger along its blade. Instantly, the entire sword shimmered with ripples, like gentle waves on a still pond.

On the other hand, Cui Yu entered with two attendants in tow, each carrying a large chest.

Cui Yu opened the chests and retrieved a peculiar-looking mystic treasure. It had three tubes and looked quite cumbersome. One attendant set up a tripod and helped Cui Yu mount the mystic treasure on it. Cui Yu then pulled out a strap laden with flying swords from the other chest, attached one end to the mystic treasure, and signaled that they were ready to begin[3].

A clan elder announced the rules of the duel as usual—long story short, no lethal or crippling blows were allowed—then struck the bronze chrome, signaling the start of the duel.

Cui Tianlin stood with his sword in hand and said, “Brother Yu, you’re older than me, so please go first. I’ll let you have the first three strikes.”

The spectating young men and women immediately burst into a chorus of praises, all remarking that Cui Tianli was not only exceptionally talented but also humble and courteous. They also said that, barring the emergence of another peerless prodigy in the coming decades, Cui Tianlin would undoubtedly be the uncontested choice to lead the Cui Clan.

Cui Yu paid no heed to these remarks, but his ashen expression had already betrayed his true feelings. He stared at Cui Tianlin and said, “It’s not too late to admit defeat now.”

Cui Tianlin smiled faintly and replied, “There’s no precedent for a Sword Palace disciple to admit defeat.”

Cui Yu sneered, “It seems you truly know nothing of this young master’s methods. Very well, today is the day I’ll open your eyes!”

As Cui Yu channeled his Dao energy, the strange mystic treasure suddenly emitted a click... and that was it. The flying sword had somehow gotten jammed inside! Instantly, the entire hall erupted in laughter[4].

Cui Yu was taken aback; he hadn’t expected the weapon to malfunction at a moment like this. He tried channeling his Dao energy again several times in quick succession, but the flying sword remained stuck in the barrel, refusing to budge. The laughter around him grew louder and louder, and one of the clan elders remarked, “Gimmicky tricks are ultimately unworthy of the stage.”

This remark carried a double meaning. He had taken a dig at Cui Yu as well.

Left with no choice, Cui Yu flipped a switch on the mystic treasure, then pulled the trigger. With a soft hum, the three barrels began rotating rapidly. He hadn’t intended to use this mode.

Bang-bang-bang! Three flying swords shot out almost simultaneously, but Cui Tianlin effortlessly deflected them all.

The onlookers were quite surprised. They could all see that each strike was equivalent to a single Dao Foundation strike, and its power, while nothing impressive, was certainly sufficient. The mystic treasure in Cui Yu’s hand was likely no ordinary item.

Cui Tianlin said calmly, “You’ve had your three strikes. I’m going to attack now.”

“You won’t be able to!”

This time, Cui Yu poured out his Dao energy with all his might. A deafening roar instantly engulfed the ninth floor as countless flying swords converged into a torrential flood! Cui Tianlin’s protective Dao spell barely held for three breaths before shattering into pieces. Then, the flood of flying swords slammed into his body and threw him out of the restaurant and into the river below like a rag doll.

Spring Court Moon slipped out of his grasp. After spinning several times in the air, it stabbed into the floor board before dimming slowly.

There was a moment of silence before a chorus of gasps erupted. At the same time, someone leaped out to retrieve Cui Tianlin.

No one had expected Cui Tianlin to suffer such a decisive defeat, but the mystic treasure in Cui Yu’s hand was truly terrifying. It had fired hundreds of flying swords in just those few brief instants! Forget that Cui Tianlin was only in the Dao Foundation stage, even an Avatar would not have been able to withstand it!

The clan elder who had insulted Cui Yu saying that he was all gimmicks and tricks earlier roared wrathfully, “How dare you cheat! This battle doesn’t count!”

He then strode toward Cui Yu and reached out to seize the strange mystic treasure, declaring, “This harmful object does not deserve to continue existing either!”

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him. It was none other than Wei Yuan. Hands clasped behind his back, he said calmly, “This item is very valuable. If you so much as scratch it, I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to pay for the damage even if you sold everything you own.”

The elder sized Wei Yuan up and down before asking suddenly, “You’re Wei Yuan?”

“That’s correct.”

A buzz of murmurs immediately arose from the crowd. They weren’t talking about him surviving the Great Karmic Curse, but rather the audacious statement he had issued against the Xu Clan.

The old man narrowed his eyes slightly and said coldly, “I heard you said that the Xu Clan’s Avatars are all garbage. Do you think that the Cui Clan’s Avatars are also garbage?”

Wei Yuan burst out into laughter, his voice echoing across the area. “Old man, your ploy to sow discord is rather crude, don’t you think? You’re so old, yet your wits haven’t seemed to have advanced together with your age. You should read less novels and more history books!”

The old man’s face turned ashen with rage. Mystic energy surged around him, and he openly unleashed his late-stage Avatar cultivation.

Behind Cui Yu, a middle-aged man had appeared at some point. He frowned slightly and was about to step forward, but Cui Yu held him back and shook his head gently. The middle-aged man looked somewhat surprised but decided to wait and see how things would unfold.

Wei Yuan glanced at the warrior wielding a great spear that had materialized above the old man’s head. He instantly realized that this Avatar was actually the spear, and the spearman was merely a support and embellishment. It was not in the same level as Shangguan Qianmo’s sword-wielding immortal maiden at all.

Like Dao Foundations, Avatars also had varying levels of quality. In fact, the gap was even more pronounced at this cultivation level. Generally speaking, the more spirituality an Avatar possesses, the higher its rank. That was why a sword-wielding immortal maiden would be considered a tier above an immortal sword’s.

Although the old man before him was in the late-stage of the Avatar stage, the main body of his Avatar was still that of a long spear. This indicated that the spirituality of his Avatar was rather ordinary.

Having observed the old man’s Avatar, Wei Yuan knew he was in full control of the situation and declared, “I have always held the Cui Clan in high esteem, and Brother Yu especially is a friend I would die for. There are also many Avatar Truemen in the Cui Clan that I have deep admiration for. However, I must say that your Avatar is rather garbage. If you were to be eliminated, the Cui Clan’s overall reputation would likely rise by one rank.”

1. Not a mistake. His full name is Cui Tianlin. ☜

2. Bro, your entire job in this particular restaurant is to be the buffer between the reigning people and the challengers. Kinda late to be complaining about it don’t you think? ☜

3. Oh Wei Yuan you beautiful beautiful piece of shit. ☜

4. Who wants to bet that Wei Yuan intentionally did this because he knew Cui Yu cares a bit too much about his dignity? ☜