Chapter 362 The Young Master's Sword

Li Lianhua parted on bad terms with Lan Yan and Li Xiangxian.

To be precise, when both of them brought up the issue of Shan Gu Dao, Li Lianhua unilaterally chose to avoid it.

Skipping over Shan Gu Dao, after investigation, it was found that after the Si Gu Sect and the Jin Yuan Alliance suffered heavy losses, the Wan Sheng Dao suddenly rose to prominence. As the beneficiary, it was difficult not to arouse suspicion.

Perhaps it was intuition, or perhaps it was a deliberate attempt to avoid the topic of Shan Gudao, but Li Lianhua took the initiative to investigate the situation of Wanshengdao.

Upon discovering that Wanshengdao had also visited Yipinfen, and that there were faint traces of Nanyin, and that their influence was expanding into both the imperial court and the martial arts world, Li Lianhua felt conflicted. He seemed to have fallen into a larger conspiracy.

Before they could continue their investigation, they received news that Baichuan Academy was holding a sword appreciation tournament.

"Young Master?"

"Which young master?"

Li Lianhua raised an eyebrow. His junior master's sword was lost during the East Sea War. Young Li Xiangyi's junior master's sword was lost during his time travel, so which one did Baichuan Academy find?

"We'll find out when we get there." Lan Yan stood up and said casually, "You're not afraid to go back now, are you?"

Seeing Li Xiangxian follow without hesitation, Li Lianhua flicked her sleeves and couldn't help but mutter, "Who's afraid?"

The three of them hurried to Baichuan Academy.

When passing by Pudu Temple, Li Lianhua hesitated for a moment.

"Go if you want to, we've already come this far."

As Lan Yan spoke, he turned towards Pudu Temple. Li Xiangxian smiled and said, "Perfect timing, I also wanted to thank Master Liaowu."

"Sigh..." Li Lianhua reached out, but couldn't even grab a piece of clothing. "Why are you being so eager? Do you think I can run away?"

Muttering to himself, he followed. When they reached the inner hall gate, Lan Yan and Li Xiangxian, who were originally walking in front, slowed down and gestured for Li Lianhua to come forward.

Li Lianhua took a deep breath and went inside.

“Benefactor Li, it’s been a long time.”

"Long time no see, monk. How have you been?"

Li Lianhua invited Lan Yan and his companion to come in and sit down without any ceremony, saying, "Try it, the tea here at the monk's is quite good."

Seeing Li Lianhua's friendly attitude towards the two, Liao Wu was quite pleased. "Please sit down, both of you benefactors."

After saying that, he didn't say much more and took Li Lianhua's hand to take her pulse.

"Monk, I feel much better, really."

After examining him carefully for a while, Liao Wu was surprised to find that his pulse was indeed much stronger. "You've told the truth this time."

When have I ever lied?

Li Lianhua was unconvinced, but Liao Wu merely glanced at him without saying anything, yet it seemed as if he had said everything.

Li Xiangxian stopped Li Lianhua, who was about to speak, and looked at Liao Wu with gratitude: "I am Li Xiangxian. I have come here today to thank you, Master, for saving my younger brother ten years ago."

Upon hearing this, he glanced at Li Xiangxian without any surprise, then looked at Li Lianhua.

Li Lianhua remained silent, offering no rebuttal.

In the eyes of the uninitiated, it was true. He was even happier for Li Lianhua. "No need to be polite. This old monk has only done his bit. Now it seems that not only is Benefactor Li much healthier, but her face is also much more cheerful. It seems that she has reunited with her relatives and friends and resolved many of her inner conflicts."

Upon hearing this, Li Lianhua subconsciously touched her face. Had he changed that much?

"By the way, Baichuan Academy is quite lively today. All the old friends from Sigu Gate are here. Do you have any thoughts about recognizing them now?"

Neither Li Xiangxian nor Lan Yan intended to make a decision for Li Lianhua on this matter; they both looked at him.

Li Lianhua lowered her head and took a sip, concealing her emotions: "We'll talk about it later."

"It doesn't matter, there aren't many worth recognizing anyway."

Lan Yan spoke calmly, drawing a surprised glance from Liao Wu.

Lan Yan tilted his head slightly, turned to Wu, and introduced himself gently: "I am Lan Yan, the senior brother of Xiang Xian and Xiang Yi."

Liao Wu didn't ask any further questions about how Li Xiangyi suddenly gained a senior brother. He simply put his hands together and greeted him politely: "What Benefactor Lan said makes sense. If you don't want to, it's fine not to acknowledge each other."

"Monk, you didn't tell me this before?"

“Amitabha, it was obvious that you couldn’t let go before, and I naturally hoped that you could recognize them and resolve your inner conflict; but now it seems that you can let go. Baichuan Academy is not Sigu Gate after all, so it doesn’t matter whether you recognize them or not.”

Li Lianhua was slightly surprised by the harshness of the words, but more than that, he was shaken. It seemed that he really wanted to let go. Why?

His eyes unconsciously glanced at Lan Yan and Li Xiangxian, perhaps because he had received affirmation and support from other places.

...

"Today's Hundred Rivers Academy Sword Appreciation Ceremony requires an invitation or a referral to enter."

After bidding farewell to Master Liaowu, the three of them continued upwards until they arrived at Baichuan Academy, only to be stopped at the entrance.

At this moment, Fang Duobing came out from inside and looked at the three of them with surprise and delight: "Brother Lan, Brother Li, Li Lianhua, you've come!"

Why do you only call them "Big Brother"?

Li Lianhua couldn't help but complain, "What a discriminatory kid!"

Fang Duoshi said confidently, "They are... ah, right? What are their identities, and what are yours?"

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, the implication was clear: it was all because of Li Xiangyi. Li Xiangyi Lianhua, who was being treated differently because of this, was speechless. He couldn't very well reveal his true identity now, could he?

Seeing the obvious amusement on Lan Yan and Li Xiangxian's faces, Li Lianhua stopped arguing with Fang Duobing. The three of them followed him smoothly into Baichuan Courtyard.

"Come, come, Brother Lan, Brother Li, you've definitely never seen this before. Here's a portrait of my master, Li Xiangyi!"

Fang Duobing warmly led the three into the house to see the portrait of a young swordsman in white robes with red trim hanging inside.

"..." Li Lianhua felt a mix of emotions, but even more shame. Who did this?! Hanging his portrait in the main hall, is it to ward off evil spirits?

"It looks pretty ordinary."

"What are you saying!" Fang Duobing nudged Li Lianhua unhappily.

"I'm saying you're not considering Lan Yan's situation at all. How can he even see it?"

Li Lianhua changed the subject, genuinely feeling she had inadvertently offended Lan Yan's sickly nature, and scratched her head sheepishly: "Brother Lan, I..."

"It's okay, I think it's fine."

Li Lianhua, who already had some doubts about whether he was truly blind, immediately questioned, "Aren't you blind?"

"But I can imagine it. I've seen Xiang Yi's sword dance before."

Lan Yan's nonchalant reply was indeed reasonable, leaving Li Lianhua speechless.

"I really want to see my master's sword dance in person," Fang Duobing couldn't help but daydream. "This painting has been hanging here since the establishment of Baichuan Academy. Ten years have passed, and no one can forget him."

"Hmph," Lan Yan chuckled, "Even if you've borrowed Li Xiangyi's name, you still have to put on a show."

“Brother Lan.” Fang Duobing tried to refute, but for a moment he didn’t know how to refute.

Lan Yan slowly turned to Fang Duobing, or perhaps to Li Lianhua, and asked, "I know without even looking that the arrangement of this portrait is similar to that of an altar. Am I right?"

“Yes.” Fang Duobing nodded blankly.

"Fang Duobing, do you really believe that someone who is alive would use his portrait as an offering? Does a living person need to be worshipped?"

Fang was often ill and remained silent.

"Foolish boy, what Baichuan Academy has always needed is the title of Sword God Li Xiangyi. They will never welcome the living Li Xiangyi back. If you don't believe me, just look at today's sword appreciation event..."