With the day warming, a sleek, gilded carriage descended the mountain pass like a dragon of polished wood and silk. Its wheels whispered along the stone path, announcing the arrival of imperial authority. Shen Liang, leaning lazily against a railing with broom in hand, sipped tea and yawned.
Ah… the Empire sends someone fancy, he said, squinting. Hopefully they like the smell of dust.
Zhao Fei's eyes widened. Master… that's not… a minor envoy. That carriage… carries the Emperor's personal sword maiden. Luo Yan.
Shen Liang blinked, then tilted his head. A maiden with a sword? Cute. Dangerous? Hopefully. Entertaining? Guaranteed.
From the carriage, Luo Yan descended gracefully. Her robe gleamed like polished sapphire, embroidered with streaks of silver that caught the sunlight. She carried a sword at her waist that seemed to hum faintly, a weapon as sharp as her gaze. Her eyes immediately fixed on the courtyard, taking in the swirling arcs of golden broom qi.
So… this is the famous Falling Sword Sect, she said, voice crisp, carrying over the courtyard like a bell. Training with… brooms? Her lips curved into a faint smirk, one eyebrow raised. How… quaint. The Empire sends swordsmen to witness skill, and you send janitors.
The disciples froze. A few tried to hide snickers. Zhao Fei bit her lip, wishing the ground would swallow her whole.
Shen Liang, unfazed, took a leisurely sip of tea. Janitors? No, honored envoy… we prefer the term: sweeping philosophers. Masters of discipline disguised as humble laborers. And yes… brooms carry sword intent. Polite sword intent, of course.
Luo Yan's smirk deepened, though her eyes sparkled with curiosity. Polite sword intent…? Is that what you call it when dust slices stone?
Shen Liang set the tea down, twirling the broom with one hand, letting arcs of golden qi shimmer faintly. Exactly. Polite, precise, and… occasionally lethal if one interrupts sweeping hours. Shall I demonstrate?
A crowd of outer disciples gasped. Elder Su Qinglan's lips curved into a soft smile. Elder Zhou grumbled, clearly torn between skepticism and awe. Elder Yuan muttered, That boy… really can sweep… everything into order.
Luo Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. I have come to judge the sect's legitimacy. The Empire will not tolerate foolish theatrics. If your disciples are truly sword cultivators… prove it. Show me the Dao beyond the broom.
Shen Liang leaned casually on his broom, smirk widening. Ah… the Dao beyond form? I was hoping you'd ask. I suppose… we shall turn dust into philosophy.
Zhao Fei groaned. Master… you can't possibly… impress her with… sweeping.
Shen Liang winked. Oh, my dear Zhao Fei… it's not the sweeping. It's the composure while sweeping. Confidence in chaos… elegance in dust… subtle destruction disguised as routine. Observe.
He twirled, and the broom traced arcs so precise they cut through loose stones, leaves, and lingering fog in perfect rhythm. Each sweep released a golden trail of sword aura, forming spirals that danced in the sunlight, seemingly choreographed by an invisible conductor.
Luo Yan tilted her head, eyes scanning every movement. Hmph… impressive. For a broom. Her lips twitched, hiding a smile. Secretly, she found his calm, almost playful approach… disarming. A man who could make chaos look effortless...rare among cultivators who prized rigid formality.
Shen Liang paused mid-spin, leaning on the broom, and addressed her directly. You see, Envoy Luo Yan, a broom is only as shallow as the mind that wields it. You can swing a sword like lightning, but can it teach patience? Rhythm? Humor?
Luo Yan's expression remained stoic… outwardly. Inwardly, she was intrigued. Most cultivators would bow or glare at an imperial envoy. Shen Liang, instead, treated her as an audience… and a challenge.
The System pulsed in Shen Liang's mind.
[Hidden Quest Unlocked: Prove the Dao Beyond Form]
[Quest Description: Demonstrate mastery of intent, form, and spirit beyond traditional cultivation methods. Success raises the sect's reputation and earns imperial recognition.]
[XP +600 | Foundation Realm – Mid Stage (Solid)]
Shen Liang lifted the broom high, letting golden arcs of sword aura shimmer in the morning sun, then dropped into a low sweep stance. With a single motion, the broom traced a perfect circle, creating a whirlwind of golden dust that split the courtyard stones, yet left the disciples untouched.
This, he declared, voice carrying across the courtyard, is discipline, intent, and philosophy rolled into one. Not a broom… but a bridge between labor and the heavens.
Luo Yan blinked, her lips twitching. Hmph… perhaps there is something here. She sheathed her sword, masking the brief admiration that flickered in her eyes. I came to judge… but… I find myself… curious. Very curious.
Shen Liang leaned lazily against the broom, one eye twinkling. Curiosity is the first step toward enlightenment… or humiliation. Depends which side you stand on, Envoy.
The disciples giggled behind him, while the elders exchanged glances. Even Elder Zhou muttered, That boy… somehow… makes a broom… heroic.
The Imperial Sword Maiden, standing tall and poised, gave a curt nod. I will observe your sect. But know this if you wish to impress the Empire… the broom alone will not suffice. Mastery must extend beyond form, beyond expectations, beyond… tradition.
Shen Liang grinned, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. Ah… tradition is the first thing I sweep away.
The System chimed again.
[Quest Objective Updated: Prove the Dao Beyond Form – Stage 1: Impress Imperial Envoy Luo Yan 0/3]
[Sect Reputation +5% | Outer Sect Morale +4%]
As the sun reached its zenith, Shen Liang leaned on his broom, looking up at Luo Yan with a carefree smirk. Well then… Envoy, shall we… see whose Dao dances faster? Yours in sword, or mine in broom?
Luo Yan's lips curved into the smallest, almost imperceptible smile. You may be more interesting than I expected, Shen Liang of the Falling Sword Sect…
And somewhere deep in Shen Liang's mind, Sword Soul Ling Xiao hummed in delight.
Finally… someone worthy of a little chaos.