The Demon And The Sword​

Chapter 2

Qingxao Sect was located on the foot of Qingxao Mountain. When Feng arrived there with Tang, he was left awestruck by the beauty of the landscape. The landscape was every vivid color. The brilliant greens banished every dark thought. The flowers lay scattered on the grass like frozen flames. Their petals were delicate works of art. The air was perfumed by their heavy scent; it was exquisite, fragrant.

Tang smiled when he saw Feng's reaction. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is..."

"Well, if the Immortal Masters of Qingxao agree to take you in, you will be able to see this view every day."

As soon as Feng and Tang reached the Qingxao Sect, they were led to the Main Hall where the Immortal Masters of the Sect were waiting for them. The hall was spacious and the ceiling seemed to be twenty feet high. The five Immortal Masters were sitting on golden seats and wearing long blue silk robes. On the left were Master Xuan, a short man with long grey beard and bald head, and Master Rong, the best swordswoman of Qingxao Sect. On the right were Master Jing, a tall and sturdy man, and Master Peng, who had the looks of a refined scholar and looked far younger than he really was. On the center was Sect Leader Sheng, a tall man with long white hair and an aura of authority in him.

Tang bowed before the Masters and Feng quickly did the same.

"Mr. Tang, you may rise.", Master Sheng said. "You are a friend of our Sect, so there is no need for such formalities."

Tang got up and replied, "Immortal Masters, I want to ask you a favor. I found this young man on the foot of Changsan Mountain. He had been injured and has lost his memories. He has no place to stay but he looks like a hardworking and decent man. So I would like to ask you on his behalf to allow him to join your Sect."

Hearing this request, the Masters whispered among themselves for a few moments. Feng was nervous and his heart beat fast. He was doubtful that the Sect would accept him, especially since they knew nothing about his background.

"Why was he injured so badly?", Master Rong asked Tang.

The old man thought for a moment before replying. "I...really do not know. It seems that he was injured by a martial arts technique of awesome power."

"He may have been injured by Yang Jiang.", Master Xuan said. "That Demon was on that mountain at that time. During his escape, he might have encountered this young man and attacked him."

"Possibly.", Master Sheng said. He then turned to Feng and asked, "What is your name?"

"My name is Qiang Feng."

"So, Qiang Feng, you seem to me like a decent person. You are accepted to our Sect. You will be placed under Master Xuan."

Hearing this, Feng smiled and frantically kowtowed. "Thank you Masters! I shall not let you down!"

Feng followed Master Xuan to the Hall of his Sector. Master Xuan was the head of the 'Fast Sword' Sector, one the five Sectors of the Qingxao Sect. That Sector focused on agility and speed to overwhelm the enemy. Master Xuan himself had a reputation of a strict but caring teacher.

That hall was far less spacious than the Main Hall of the Sect and was much more modest. Xuan sat on a wooden seat and Feng kowtowed thrice before him. "Master, I shall do my best to work hard and not disappoint you."

"Do you know what we in the 'Fast Sword' Sector value the most?", Master Xuan said. "Honesty and hard work. If you want to be a student here, you will have to be honest and hardworking. Otherwise, I will kick you out of the Sector!"