Volume 2 Wu Zhong Ke Chapter 37 Cheng Ying Duan Shui

  It turned out that the sword was so, and it was a joy for several families to worry. The dragon, who had provoked first, lost face greatly. He threw down a sentence: "See you on the battlefield tomorrow!", and then he turned around and left.

  Xiang Bo and Ji Bu also rushed out to mediate, but they couldn't stop Long Que either, so they could only try to persuade Xiang Zhuang and Yin Jue.

  Xiang Zhuang smiled faintly and said: "Brother Yin is being polite, although it's true that the sword has helped me, its moves are indeed extraordinary and quite unusual."

  "Where? This is just a minor skill, I still need to learn from you when I have time."

  Xiangzhuang also considered himself to be straightforward and laughed, saying: "Good! When we have time, let's exchange blows! Brother Yin's treasured sword is indeed sharp, may I take a look?"

  "Of course!" Yin Xu flipped his hand and threw it over, Xiang Zhuang caught the hilt of the sword just in time, grasping it tightly to examine it carefully.

  "Cutting Water?" Xiang Zhuang suddenly said: "So that's how it is, this is one of the eight famous swords of King Goujian of Yue, indeed not an ordinary sword." Xiang Zhuang was a master of swordsmanship and also a connoisseur of fine swords, having studied many divine and famous swords.

  At this time, Duan Shui held it in his hand, with a look of longing in his eyes, and asked slowly: "May I ask, Brother Yin, where did this sword come from?"

  "A gift from others!"

  "Brother Yin is truly fortunate!" Xiang Zhuang's expression and tone were filled with envy, and after a while, he asked: "This sword has a legend, does Brother Yin know about it?"

  "What legend? What are you talking about?" Yin Xu was completely bewildered!

  "It seems that the sword's blade has not been told to Brother Yin, or perhaps he doesn't know either!" Xiang Zhuang sighed: "The heaven-made match of 'Cheng Ying Duan Shui' (承影断水), a legend from hundreds of years ago, I'm afraid there are not many people who know about it nowadays."

  "Reflections interrupted by ripples?"

  "Right, I'm referring to the two divine artifacts 'Cheng Ying' and 'Duan Shui'."

  Everyone listened with great interest as Xiang Zhuang told the story of the legendary swords from ancient times.

  "Cheng Ying" is called the elegant sword, cast in the Shang Dynasty, later collected by Kong Zhou of the State of Wei during the Spring and Autumn period. "Liezi. Tang Wen": "Kong Zhou said: 'I have three swords, only you can choose... The second is Cheng Ying, with a refreshing taste, at dusk when the sun sets, facing north to observe it, there seems to be something existing, but no shape can be seen. When it touches objects, it makes a faint sound, and after passing through objects, the objects are not visible.'"

  Yin Xuyi vaguely remembered that in the later generations, there was a ranking list of ancient swords, and Chengying Sword seemed to be one of the top ten famous swords in ancient times. Therefore, when he heard Xiangzhuang mention "Chengying Duan Shui", he was very surprised. Both were peerless treasured swords, but they came from different eras. Was there some connection between them? A legend? What kind of legend would it be?

  Only Xiang Zhuang said: "Later, Wei was defeated by Chu, and 'Cheng Ying' also drifted to Chu State. Later, King Wu of Chu gave this sword to Lin Feng, who was the number one female swordsman in Chu State at that time and had been a palace guard for the Chu Palace. It was also during that time when Yue Guo, which was powerful and attacking Qi State, was tempted by King Hui of Qi and intended to dominate, turned its military might towards Chu State."

  Chu Wei Wang was also a generation of heroic and wise monarchs. He immediately dispatched troops to attack the Yue army, defeated them greatly, and beheaded the then King of Yue, Wu Jiang. The original land of Wu and Yue was completely conquered. As a result, the state of Yue split apart, and various tribes competed for power, some claiming to be kings, others claiming to be lords, living in the area south of Guiji, offering tribute to Chu State, which is now Dongyue and Min.

  At that time, there was a righteous man in Yue named Min Hang, who was also a master of swordsmanship. His family had been favored by the king of Yue for generations and he was deeply resentful of the fall of Yue. He harbored even more hatred towards Chu. After much consideration, Min Hang decided to assassinate King Wei of Chu to avenge his country. He took with him the treasured sword 'Duan Shui' bestowed upon him by the king of Yue and set off for the capital of Chu.

  Unfortunately, Min's assassination plan did not go smoothly, as he encountered Lin Feng, a male and female pair of extraordinary swordsmen, wielding two rare swords in the world. After many battles, they began to admire each other, gradually seeming no longer to be opponents, but more like familiar friends, or even kindred spirits.

  If they were ordinary people, perhaps they could have formed a harmonious marriage. But their identities and responsibilities forced them to be enemies, forced to fight for their lives.

  It was at dawn, when the sky was a deep shade of indigo, that they met again. Throughout the entire night, they had been engaged in a fierce battle outside the city of Chu, with swords and knives clashing incessantly. At daybreak, a stream of blood burst forth from Min's body as the sharp blade "Chengying" pierced his chest. Lin Feng's face remained expressionless until the person he loved fell before him, at which point he could no longer hold back tears that flowed like rain. On that day, King Chu had issued a strict order to behead Min, an edict that was impossible to defy.

  A pair of slender jade hands slowly rose with the wind, and in the midst of their clasped palms was a hilt, but only the hilt was visible, without the long sword body. However, the mountain wall faintly cast a fleeting sword shadow. The raised hands drew an elegant arc, sweeping towards a towering ancient pine beside, with a soft "swish" sound by the ear, the tree trunk slightly shook, showing no change. Nevertheless, not long after, the lush pine tree slowly fell in a gentle southerly breeze, its exposed rings revealing the passage of time.

  The moment the pine tree fell, 'Cheng Ying' glided across with a swan-like elegance, their necks entwined together like a blooming red flower, so radiant, so tragic! Wang's mission was accomplished, but he failed to fulfill his heart's desire, Lin Feng chose to accompany Ming Xing. Cheng Ying and Duan Shui could not be together in life, but in death, they finally could join their twin swords, guarding each other for eternity.

  Before Lin Feng's last breath, he left a wish that if there were a man and woman who could wield the two swords 'Cheng Ying' and 'Duan Shui', they would certainly become a match made in heaven. The love between Min Hang and Lin Feng was deeply moving, and the people of Chu were very touched. Later, King Wu of Chu also felt their emotions and buried them together.

  Xiang Zhuang said: "The legend has it that from then on, the two swords 'Cheng Ying' and 'Duan Shui' disappeared without a trace, and this legend was gradually forgotten by people. If I hadn't studied ancient books, I wouldn't have known about it either. Who would have thought that today I'd see Brother Yin carrying 'Duan Shui', truly a fortunate encounter in three lifetimes."

  A beautiful love story, everyone listened as if they were drunk. Yin Xu also felt shocked, didn't expect these two swords to have such a connection, containing such emotions, it seemed like the emotions in movies and TV shows, but it actually appeared right in front of him.

  Zhong Li Mei pointed at 'Duan Shui' and laughed, saying: "Now that Duan Shui is in the hands of Brother Yin, if there's a girl who possesses the Cheng Ying sword, she would be your destined soulmate!"

  "Haha, yes! Brother Yin must put in more effort and search carefully, perhaps the wish of Lin Feng will be fulfilled on you."

  Yin Xu smiled and said, "How could it be so coincidental? The Chengying Sword has been lost for a hundred years, no one knows where it is or who has it, it's not necessarily in the hands of a woman. Besides, this world is so big, how can you just run into someone like that?"

  When it comes to the heart, Yin Xu's heart is in a state of sorrow. The first thing that comes to mind is Li Yuniang, who is far away from him. Suddenly, a beautiful shadow appears in his mind, a woman wearing a veil, elegant and lovely, "Duan Shui" was handed over from her jade-like hands. I wonder if she knows about this legend? Never mind, it's just a legend, can't be taken as true.

  Wu Chen was delighted, and laughed: "Just as Brother Yin said, 'Where there is sincerity, even metal and stone will be moved.' Who knows, maybe such a woman really exists. At that time, we'll have to ask Brother Yin to treat us to wine."

  Everyone burst out laughing, and for a moment, there were all sorts of comments. Xiang Zhuang returned the treasured sword, "Duan Shui" once again grasped in his hand, and Yin Xu felt a strange sensation rising up in his heart.

  PS: 'Breaking the water' may not be that simple! Everyone guess whether Yin Xu will meet a woman with 'Chengying'? Note that this legend is purely fictional!