Chapter 40 Borrowing the Sword

Chapter 40 Borrowing the Sword

The two parted ways on the street. Putting aside Yang Xiaoyun for now, Su Mo bought some baked pies and cooked food, wandering casually around the streets.

This place seemed somewhat desolate and dilapidated due to its proximity to Funiu Mountain, with not many people walking on the streets.

The rooms in town were not exactly deserted, but most were empty.

Su Mo moved through the alleys and suddenly stopped.

"Since I entered this town, you've been following me. May I ask why?"

He turned around, and there stood a person behind him.

This person wasn't too old, looked disheveled, and had sleepy, dull eyes. Upon hearing Su Mo's words, he lifted his head to look at Su Mo, or more accurately, at the sword case on Su Mo's back, speaking in a rather tired tone:

"Borrow your sword."

"Borrow my sword?"

Su Mo raised an eyebrow.

Since entering the town, he had felt a faint aura enveloping him.

Though it didn't carry any murderous intent, it still gave him a prickling sensation, as if someone was stealthily aiming a sword at his neck without making a move.

So he used the excuse to separate from Yang Xiaoyun, wandering around until he reached this deserted spot.

His intention was to lure out this person, thinking that an isolated place would be a good opportunity for whatever they intended to do.

But unexpectedly, the person behind him didn't make a move to ambush him.

Instead, they followed him openly.

Given this, Su Mo asked straightforwardly.

To his surprise, he received such an answer.

"Yes."

The person nodded, continuing to look at the case on Su Mo's back: "There's a fine sword inside."

"You're mistaken."

Su Mo's lips twitched, about to leave.

"I won't make a mistake."

The person shook his head: "I may not be proficient in other things, but when it comes to swords, nothing escapes my eyes. I want to borrow your sword. Would you be willing?"

"If I'm willing, what then? If I'm not, how about that?"

A smile curled at the corner of Su Mo's mouth.

The person looked at Su Mo with a strange expression, seemingly puzzled by why Su Mo would say such a thing.

Then, with a matter-of-fact tone, he said: "If you're willing, I'll borrow it; if not, I won't."

"..."

This conversation was dead.

Su Mo smiled lightly: "In that case, I'm not willing."

"Oh."

The person nodded, not saying anything further, nor showing any intention of making a move.

He seemed to lack any energy... This even made Su Mo feel that if given a bed, this person would lie down without hesitation and sleep until the world went dark.

Yet, Su Mo was somewhat at a loss.

If he wanted to fight, this person showed no sign of attacking.

If he didn't want to fight...

How many people could turn their backs in such a situation?

However, Su Mo's dilemma didn't last long: "Then I'll be going?"

"Mm."

The person nodded slightly.

Su Mo indeed turned and walked away.

The person took a step forward but suddenly stopped.

The lethargic look on his face became even more pronounced, even yawning widely.

Rubbing his face, he looked towards the rooftop.

There, stood a person.

Holding a silver spear, tall and upright.

The solemn aura had invisibly enveloped it completely.

But the moment he takes this step, an overwhelming barrage of lethal moves will descend from the heavens.

So, he sighed, did not continue forward, but instead sat down, curled up his body, leaned against the wall, and closed his eyes with his head tilted against it.

"……"

Even though Yang Xiaoyun believed her experience in the martial world was greater than Su Mo's, she had never imagined encountering someone like this.

She remained slightly silent, watching as Su Mo reached the alley entrance before turning to leave.

Within moments, they had arrived at the town exit.

They exchanged a glance, and the corner of Su Mo's mouth twitched: "A strange person."

"A strange matter."

Yang Xiaoyun nodded in agreement.

By the time they parted, they had already developed a tacit understanding.

Su Mo would not casually suggest splitting up; if he did, there must be a reason.

Although Yang Xiaoyun had not detected that person's presence, she immediately cooperated.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, she wrote a letter and sent it out using Iron Blood Escort Agency's unique communication method.

Then she hurried to meet up with Su Mo.

In their view, the timing was just right.

Indeed, Yang Xiaoyun arrived neither too early nor too late, perfectly on time.

However, the expected enemy did not appear; instead, a strange person came.

Since the strange person showed no intention of attacking, they saw no need to act.

Without further words, they remounted their horses and continued their journey.

According to the timing, if they set off now, they could reach their lodgings before nightfall.

This was why they did not rest here tonight.

The rest of the journey went smoothly.

There were no mishaps along the way, and they arrived at the inn without incident.

But when they woke up, a person was sitting at the inn's entrance.

The person looked ragged and destitute, yet had an unusual aura...

If one had to describe this aura, it was such that a single glance could distinguish him from an ordinary beggar.

This person... was not a beggar.

No matter how destitute and dispirited he appeared.

Su Mo held a steamed bun, slurping white porridge with pickles, his gaze inevitably drawn to this person.

The person also looked at Su Mo and then yawned widely.

"Want to eat something?"

Su Mo asked.

The person remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.

"Not hungry?" Su Mo asked.

"Hungry," the person admitted honestly.

"Then why not eat?"

"If I eat your food, I wouldn't feel right borrowing your sword."

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged a glance; this person had principles.

But despite his principles, the sword could not be lent: "This sword is not mine. If you want to borrow or buy a sword, look elsewhere."

"I only want this one."

"It's not mine."

"Then I'll wait."

"Wait for what?"

"Wait until you return it to its owner."

"And then?"

"Then borrow the sword from him."

Su Mo smiled.

A strange person, indeed a peculiar one.

His stubbornness was somewhat amusing and exasperating, yet not annoying.

But not disliking someone doesn't mean liking them, especially at this moment, he even less preferred having someone trailing after him.

So, after finishing breakfast, he completely ignored this person and left with Yang Xiaoyun on horseback.

Yet, to his surprise, in the following days, this person clung to them like a stubborn adhesive bandage.

During the day, Su Mo and Xiaoyun rode their horses to make haste, no matter how far they traveled, he would inevitably reappear around them by the next morning.

Su Mo tried to drive him away and beat him, but he would run far off... only to haunt them like a ghost, reappearing the next day, over and over again.