The Life of a Necromancer as a Swashbuckler

Chapter 40: The Prophecy of the Venerable Xian De

“The Xian De Elder’s prophecy? Could you please tell your disciple exactly what the Xian De Elder’s prophecy is?” Having constantly heard his master and senior brother mention the Xian De Elder’s prophecy, Nameless’s curiosity grew even stronger, and he wanted to get to the bottom of it. Xiaoyaozi looked at Wuming’s eager expression and hesitated, as if on the verge of speaking. “The Elder Xian De’s prophecy from back then actually consisted of two parts. One of them—which you already know—is the prophecy that Nameless and Yue Ling are destined to meet again.” “Even though I am Nameless, hasn’t Yue Ling already passed away? This prophecy can’t possibly come true. Is there a second prophecy?” Nameless was even more puzzled; his master had never mentioned a second prophecy. “That’s right. The full text of the first prophecy states that Nameless will reunite with Yue Ling in Xiaoyao Valley, at which time the Sword Realm will reopen and the heavens and earth will change color. As for the second prophecy, its contents are even more obscure—it has scarcely been passed down. It was only recently, while I was studying the Xian De divination arts, that I discovered the truth behind the prophecy,” said Xiaoyaozi, his body trembling slightly as if overcome by unease. “Ming’er, do you know what kind of place the Sword Tomb is that you’re heading to?” Xiaoyaozi’s eyes seemed to grow old all at once. “This disciple does not know,” Nameless replied honestly. “Back in the day, the Martial Arts World legend Wuming left Xiaoyao Valley, leaving behind his most cherished sword—the ‘Nameless Sword’—which he embedded in a stone, signifying that he would surely return to Xiaoyao Valley to retrieve it and would never forsake Patriarch Yue Ling. Thus, Patriarch Yue Ling waited for Wuming’s return,but unexpectedly, Nameless went to the Sword Realm and never reappeared. That is why it was named Sword Tomb. Yet now, the ‘Moming Sword’ embedded in the stone has been destroyed, and a portal to the Sword Realm has opened on its surface,” Xiaoyaozi said with deep concern. Realizing the immense calamity he had caused, Nameless stood frozen in place, unable to speak for a long while. “Master, you mentioned earlier that there was a second prophecy. What does the second prophecy say?” Ake, who had been standing by the whole time, saw that Nameless had been stunned into silence and stepped in to ask on his behalf. Xiaoyaozi shook his head, closed his eyes slightly—as if witnessing a terrifying vision—and said with even greater concern, “The second prophecy is even more obscure and concerns matters of great gravity; it cannot be revealed at this time. Our most urgent task is to send Nameless away immediately to prevent the first prophecy from coming true—only then can we prevent the second prophecy from becoming reality.” “Here is a letter. Ke’er, you take this and deliver it to Zhuo Yifan, the Grand Master of Wudang. Ming’er and Ke’er, get your things together now and head to Wudang Mountain immediately.” Xiaoyaozi repeated the order anxiously. “Is Senior Brother going too?” Ake was still nervous about being alone with Nameless. “Yuntian, stay at Xiaoyao Valley and help your master prepare for the reopening of the Sword Realm,” Xiaoyaozi instructed. “Oh, and Ming’er, starting today, you can no longer go by the name ‘Nameless’ in public. You must never mention the name ‘Nameless’ to anyone in the Martial Arts World again. Is that clear?” Xiaoyaozi said to the stunned Wuming standing beside him. Nameless took a moment to process this, but he quickly replied, “I’ll obey your orders, Master.” After thinking for a moment, he asked his master, “Then what should I be called?” “It wouldn’t be appropriate to change your name too drastically. Since you’re my disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect, let’s take the character ‘Xiao’ from my name—you’ll be called Xiao Ming,” Xiaoyaozi proposed. Nameless? This name feels rather arbitrary too, Nameless grumbled to himself, but he didn’t dare say anything more. He immediately agreed to be called Nameless from now on. “Is there anything else you’d like to ask?” Xiaoyaozi asked. “No.” Both sensed the tension in the air and dared not ask any further questions. “All right, now go back to your rooms to pack your things. Once you’re ready, meet me at the valley entrance.” So the two returned to their respective rooms to pack their belongings and met at the valley entrance. Nameless had no choice but to take out the secret manual again and carry it with him. He sighed to himself—he hadn’t even spent a full day in Xiaoyao Valley before causing such a huge commotion. It really wasn’t worth the trouble. With a sense of resignation, he returned to the entrance of Xiaoyao Valley. His master, senior brother, Lao Gu, and Ake were already waiting at the valley entrance. As they parted ways, his master and senior brother were particularly reluctant to see him go. The Master gave Nameless and Ake ten Mingyu Pellets each—the valley’s entire current supply—and presented Nameless with a Han Guang Sword. Meanwhile, Gu Yuntian, taking advantage of the Master’s inattention, forcefully shoved the secret manual of the Xiaoyao Fist and Palm techniques into Nameless’s hands. The group bid each other a reluctant farewell in Zheng Family Village. So Nameless and Ake each changed their appearance; to avoid arousing suspicion, Ake dressed as a man, and together they set off for Wudang Mountain. This was the third time Nameless had traveled with a companion, and as luck would have it, all three companions were different beauties—Nameless was certainly blessed with good fortune in love. However, his mood on this journey was much heavier. He dared not act out of line with his junior sister. Setting aside the gravity of the current situation, even under normal circumstances, Nameless feared that she might tattle on him to their master upon her return, and he knew he’d be in for a world of trouble. The two hurried on their way, leaving Zheng Family Village that very night and checking into the same inn where he’d stayed with Yechacha before. The innkeeper frowned upon seeing Nameless again—this was already his third stay there, and each time he’d been accompanied by a different person, which inevitably drew stares. Fortunately, this time it was a man—but he was a bit too handsome for his own good. Combined with Nameless’s own fair, delicate complexion, the two of them looked like a pair of rabbit deities, prompting the innkeeper to whisper a few comments behind their backs. Wuming had originally thought they would have to stay in separate rooms, but Ake, blushing, said that to prevent any mishaps, it would be best for them to share a room. Nameless couldn’t object, but this only gave the innkeeper more ammunition to secretly spread rumors that Nameless was bisexual—a claim Nameless couldn’t possibly refute. When Nameless woke up the next morning, he discovered that his body had changed—his skin seemed even better and smoother, and his features had become more delicate. Realizing this was likely a side effect of the Xuan Nu Gong, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.