Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Borrowing a Sword Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Borrowing a Sword Editor: Atlas Studios The two of them parted ways on this street. Without delving into Yang Xiaoyun’s side of the story, focusing on Su Mo, he bought some baked cakes and cooked food, casually strolling the streets for a while.
This area, likely due to its proximity to Funiu Mountain, had a somewhat desolate and rundown feel to it; the streets weren’t particularly crowded with people.
In the town, the rooms couldn’t be described as “nine empty out of ten,” but they were mostly vacant nonetheless.
Su Mo walked through the alleys and suddenly stopped.
“Your Excellency has been following me since I entered this town, but for what purpose?”
He turned around, and there stood a person behind him.
This person was not very old, with a poor and disheveled appearance, eyes dull and sleepy. Upon hearing Su Mo’s words, he lifted his head and looked at Su Mo, or more precisely, at the Sword Box on Su Mo’s back, and said in a weary tone:
“I want to borrow the sword.”
“Borrow the sword?”
Su Mo raised an eyebrow.
Since he had entered the town, he had felt a subtle aura enveloping him, as if present yet absent.
Though it didn’t contain any murderous intent or malice, it had the feeling of a thorn in his back.
It was as if someone was sneaking behind him with a sword aimed at his neck.
Yet, they never struck.
Thus, he used the pretext to separate from Yang Xiaoyun and wandered to this deserted area.
His intention was to draw out this person, no matter their purpose; it was a good opportunity to act when no one else was around.
Unexpectedly, the person behind him did not launch a surprise attack.
Instead, they followed him openly.
Seeing this, Su Mo also asked openly.
Unexpectedly, this was the response he received.
“Correct.”
The person nodded, continuing to look at the case behind Su Mo: “Inside there, lies a fine sword.”
“You are mistaken.”
Su Mo’s mouth twitched, thinking of leaving.
“I am not mistaken.”
The person shook his head: “I may not be well-versed in many things, but when it comes to the topic of swords, scarcely anything escapes my eyes. I would like to borrow your sword, if you are willing?”
“Willing or not willing, what should I say?”
Su Mo smirked.
However, the man looked at Su Mo with a peculiar gaze, seemingly puzzled as to why Su Mo would say such a thing?
Then he said in a matter-of-fact tone: “If you’re willing, I’ll borrow it; if you’re not, I won’t.”
“…”
This conversation is dead.
Su Mo laughed lightly: “Then I am unwilling.”
“Oh.”
The man nodded, said nothing further, and showed no intention of making a move.
He seemed to have not a shred of motivation in him… it even gave Su Mo the feeling that if there was a bed offered to him now, this person would lie down without a second thought, and sleep until the world turns dark.
However, Su Mo found himself in a dilemma.
If it came to fighting, this person showed no intention of initiating.
If it didn’t come to fighting…
How many could turn their back and walk away in such a situation, exposing themselves?
But Su Mo’s dilemma didn’t last long: “Then I shall leave?”
“Yes.”
The man nodded slightly.
Su Mo indeed turned around and left.
The man lifted his foot to proceed but suddenly halted.
The lack of energy in his face became more evident, he even yawned hugely.
He rubbed his face and turned his gaze to a roof on one side.
There, stood a person.
Holding a Silver Spear, tall and upright.
A solemn aura invisibly enveloping him fully.
Should he step forward, a myriad of killing techniques would descend from the heavens.
So, he sighed, did not continue moving forward, but instead, sat down, curled up, leaned against a wall’s base, his head resting against the wall, and just like that, he closed his eyes.
“…”
Even though Yang Xiaoyun believes she has more experience adventuring in Jianghu than Su Mo, she never expected to encounter such a person.
After a brief silence, seeing that Su Mo had reached the mouth of the alley, she turned and left.
In just a moment, the two had reached the exit of the small town.
They exchanged glances, and Su Mo twitched the corner of his mouth: “Oddball.”
“Weird business.”
Yang Xiaoyun nodded in agreement.
From the moment they parted ways, they had an understanding.
Su Mo wouldn’t casually suggest splitting up unless there was a reason behind it.
Although Yang Xiaoyun hadn’t noticed that person’s presence, she immediately cooperated.
Still, during this time, she took the opportunity to write a letter, sending it out through the unique communication method of the Iron Blood Escort Agency.
Then she hurried to meet up with Su Mo.
In their eyes, the timing was just right.
Indeed, Yang Xiaoyun arrived neither too early nor too late; it was perfectly timed.
However, the enemy they anticipated didn’t show up; instead, it was an oddball.
The oddball showed no intention of initiating a fight, so there was no need for them to strike.
They promptly stopped talking and rode off again.
By their calculations, they would arrive at Sutou just before nightfall if they started their travels now.
This was also the reason why they didn’t rest here tonight.
The journey that followed went smoothly.
There were no disruptions on the road, and no complications when they arrived at the Sutou Inn.
But when they woke up, there was a man sitting at the entrance of the inn.
The man was dressed in tattered clothes, looking downtrodden and disheveled, yet, paradoxically, he possessed an extraordinary aura…
If one had to describe this aura, it was such that with just one glance, one could discern him from an ordinary beggar.
This man… was not a beggar.
No matter how destitute or despondent he appeared.
With a steamed bun in hand, Su Mo slurping white porridge with pickles, his gaze couldn’t help but drift towards the man.
The man also looked toward Su Mo, then let out a big yawn.
“Want something to eat?”
Su Mo asked.
The man was silent and after a moment shook his head.
Su Mo asked, “Not hungry?”
The man honestly replied, “Hungry.”
“Then why not eat?”
“If I eat your food, I’d feel embarrassed to ask you for a favor of borrowing your sword.”
Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged a glance, the man indeed had principles.
But even with principles, the sword couldn’t be borrowed: “This sword isn’t mine, if you want to borrow or buy a sword, look elsewhere.”
“I only want this one.”
“That’s not mine.”
“Then I’ll wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“For you to deliver it to its owner.”
“And then?”
“Then ask him to lend me the sword.”
Su Mo laughed.
Oddball, indeed a peculiar fellow.
This stubborn nature was somewhat amusing and frustrating, but not entirely unlikable.
However, liking him doesn’t mean favoring his presence, especially when they didn’t want someone following them.
So, after finishing breakfast, he paid no further attention to this man, and directly rode off with Yang Xiaoyun.
Unexpectedly, for the following few days, the man stuck around like a stubborn plaster.
During the day, no matter how far Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun traveled, by the next morning, he would inevitably appear nearby.
Su Mo tried to chase him off, to beat him, and he would run far away… only to reappear like a ghost the next day, repeating this cycle endlessly.