Beauty in the Water

　　The three young swordsmen were old friends. Kuang Lu and Luo Siming knew each other from childhood. The three engaged in a lively discussion on various topics over drinks.

　　Slightly drunken, Young Master Ling expressed, "Fourth Luo, you're a bad friend, man. We've been friend from our ancestors' time. If you need weapons, you could've just yelled out. Your clan is home to an a.s.sortment of unique and quality weapons. My clan also has a decent number. Yet, you decided to send an invitation to my clan. You were distant in the invitation and constantly provoked us. You even added a bamboo sword to mock us. Sorry, but I don't want it. You can have it back."

　　Young Master Ling brought out aforementioned bamboo sword from his backpack. Calling it a bamboo sword was him being polite as it was merely something a panda from Sichuan would snack on.

　　"Are you here to scold me, Brother Ling? Haha, I can't say I have any responsibility to take owners.h.i.+p for there."

　　"What, are you going to deny it even in my presence?" fumed Young Master Ling.

　　"No, no. We dare not take the invitation lightly. We sent invitations to all the Central Plain's sects that have been active in the pugilistic world for the last three years and wielded weapons. Your clan is not far away, but you are important guests. We would not dare to mock you."

　　"Why don't you explain what you were implying in your bizarre invitation, then? What is this bamboo supposed to signify? We're friends, aren't we?"

　　A curve came to Kuang Lu's lips: "You know he can't control himself when he's drunk. Don't take it to heart, Brother Siming. That being said, he's brought up the most important topic. Luo Sword Manor has always been a clan that prioritised valour, yet you sent out challenges disguised as invitations all of a sudden and asked clans to bring their own weapons as a means of trampling on their pride. Even I want to know what exactly you and your clan are thinking."

　　"You have misunderstood me and Luo Sword Manor," Luo Siming a.s.serted, unfazed at the accusation. "The invitation clearly stated we are not just searching for a weapon but are looking to forge the weapon's heart and core. You are both aware they are hard to find, especially weapon cores. n.o.body would be motivated to forge a weapon core in this peaceful era. We wanted to have a compet.i.tion to forge an impressive weapon core."

　　Kuang Lu reported, "I know what you mean, but why are you being secretive about it and ridiculing others with your clan's weapons? I came across many sects and clans heading to the convention on my way here from the South. Everybody looked bitter about the weapons you sent them."

　　"That is why I said you have misunderstood. Let's start with the secrecy issue. We, of course, want to make a public announcement. The problem is we are inviting heroes with unique weapons. It took us all our resources and efforts just to coordinate things for them. If we made a public announcement, empty-handed pugilists and those of lower calibres would insist on coming. We don't have enough hands on board for that many people.

　　"Secondly, the imperial court has built their forces over the last few years. The Qilin Guards are the head of the five offices; even the martial world is calling them the replacement for the White Princes. The imperial court didn't start it, but it hasn't stopped. There's no guarantee the imperial court won't ride the wave of momentum. We seven can't be flamboyant at this rate."