The Demon Lords

Zheng Fan pushed open the door to the neighboring house and saw the sword maid squatting there planting vegetables.

The courtyard of the house, though not as large as a grand mansion, was still a house next to the Earl’s Mansion, with a section of walls surrounding it. Unwilling to pave it all with bricks or stone slabs, setting aside a patch of land to grow some vegetables was a way to make ends meet.

There was also a chicken coop, with three chickens strutting around, heads held high and stepping with firm steps.

And the Sword Saint,

was sitting in the center of the yard on a stool, carving wooden swords. Next to his stool were already over a dozen roughly-shaped wooden swords. However, these were just rough drafts. Later, he would need to carefully carve the patterns. There were also some silky cloth strips beside him, evidently for hanging tassels.

"What’s this?"

The Sword Saint looked up, glanced at Zheng Fan, and said:

"Dahu can take them to the school to sell. They aren’t expensive but can help supplement the household expenses."

"Oh."

Lord Zheng looked around, didn’t see another stool, and immediately walked behind the sword maid, stretched out his foot, and gave a light kick.

"Bring me a stool."

The sword maid was squatting there planting vegetables and didn’t expect Lord Zheng to actually use his foot, directly falling with a "thud" into the mud.

But she didn’t say anything, stood up, patted the dust off her knees, and went inside to bring a stool to Lord Zheng, placing it in front of him.

Then,

she squatted back down to continue planting vegetables.

This stool was a bit high, so Lord Zheng turned it on its side and sat on it, roughly leveling with the Sword Saint.

"Tea."

The sword maid rolled her eyes but still got up, took a sea bowl, poured some hot water into it, and handed it to Zheng Fan.

This time, she didn’t rush back to planting vegetables but stood by the side instead.

Lord Zheng took a sip of water and said:

"Snacks."

"The house doesn’t have any," the sword maid replied.

"Go buy some."

"No silver."

"Just say I want to eat."

"Alright, but I’ll have to take a bit more."

Everything in Snow Sea is the Earl’s Mansion’s property. If Lord Zheng wants to eat, why should there be any need for money?

"Fine."

The sword maid walked over to the water jar by the door, scooped half a ladle of water to wash her hands, dried them off, and with her hands stuffed into her pockets, swaggered out the door.

The Sword Saint, from start to finish, patiently carved the wooden sword.

Lord Zheng asked, "Where’s Dahu?"

"At school."

"And sister-in-law?"

"At the workshop."

"Granny?"

"Sweeping the back street."

After answering,

the Sword Saint curiously lifted his head, then a look of realization appeared on his face, "Oh, this time you didn’t scout ahead."

Previously, Lord Zheng always visited when no one was home.

"Just wanted to come."

Originally, he thought Shatuo Queshi had awakened, but it was an empty joy, and in disappointment, Lord Zheng came here to the Sword Saint.

"I heard you brought back a princess from the Chu State?"

"Yes, I’ll bring her tomorrow for you to meet."

The Sword Saint shook his head, "No, can’t afford a gift."

"Isn’t that distant?"

"Very close?"

"With whom?"

"With her."

"That’s more like it, actually, the heart behind the gift is more important than its value. After all, she’s seen everything from a young age.

I reckon, a wooden sword will do."

"Alright, then I’ll carve a separate female sword."

"Are swords divided into male and female?"

"Aren’t people?"

"True."

"How did it feel in the Chu State?"

"Not good."

"But you came back safely, didn’t you?"

"Very dangerous."

"You fear danger?" Before Zheng Fan could respond, the Sword Saint nodded, "Indeed, one would."

"Exactly."

"But you returned safely after all, without missing any limbs."

"Alas, there’s nothing I can do. When I think of the countless military and civilians in Snow Sea relying on me, although I don’t care personally, for their sake, I have to cherish my life."

The Sword Saint chuckled,

and said:

"That was the build-up."

"Is there a problem with what I said?"

"No problem, but it’s shameless."

"How so?"

"Are you saying without you, Snow Sea would perish?"

"Exactly."

"Without you, the wild people would invade again?"

"Clearly."

"Without you, my little home would be gone?"

"At least, it wouldn’t be as lively as now, right?"

"Zheng Fan."

"Yes."

"Do you know what I used to hate the most?"

"Say it."

"It’s those emperors and high officials, who think they’re the sons of heaven, keeping the country or the court running, obviously fearing death, yet finding such excuses for themselves.

But in this world, no one, the sun will still rise in the east tomorrow."

"But the sun doesn’t eat, drink, fall ill, or feel pain or hatred."

The Sword Saint opened his mouth, seemingly unable to refute,

finally,

he could only shake his head and sigh:

"I realized long ago, I can only use swords, my words can never match yours."

"I fear death."

"Said that already."

"But in battle, I’m not afraid, because on the battlefield, I am surrounded by soldiers loyal to me."

"Yes."

"But what I fear most is walking alone at night, suddenly a master appears, and I lose my life.

Old Yu."

"Hmm?"

"I, Zheng Fan, can at least be considered a person of note now?"

The Sword Saint nodded, "Considered so."

"For someone like me, dying on the battlefield might be acceptable, and I could ensure a grand death, but being knocked dead on a night walk, that would be too frustrating."