Chapter 10 Disagreements

"Very bitter?"

"Try it if you don't believe me," Chu Jianshan glared at him and replied irritably.

The next second, a candied fruit appeared near his mouth, gently touching his lips. He used to love sweets, but he hadn't eaten any since seven years ago.

Chu Jianshan froze for two seconds before opening his lips and slowly taking the candied fruit into his mouth. His moist tongue enveloped the candied fruit, and the familiar taste made him feel a little dazed. He tightened his grip on the blanket.

He coughed twice and asked, "Where did you get this candied fruit?"

"Ji Shi brought it back today, so can you tell me now?"

Chu Jianshan silently gripped his cuffs. To be honest, he hadn't quite figured out what to say. After escaping death at Linyi Gate, he was rescued by Fang Zhuxin and then lay in a daze for over a year.

In fact, on the day Xie Yin died, Chu Qingyuan went to see him. On the sacrificial platform, he originally wanted to save Xie Yin. At that time, he was arrogant and conceited. He didn't care about the life or death of the people in the world. He just wanted Xie Yin to live well.

But Xie Yin stopped him, preventing Chu Qingyuan from getting close.

"Senior brother... what are you doing!" Chu Qingyuan shouted at him, "Xie Yin, get down here!"

Seeing that Xie Yin remained unmoved, Chu Qingyuan became increasingly panicked and immediately grabbed the Mo Yang Sword, ready to rush over.

However, Xie Yin blocked Chu Qingyuan with a barrier and held a sword to his own neck.

"If you take another step, I will immediately cut my own throat with my sword!"

Chu Qingyuan dared not move again and could only stand still, looking at him with red eyes.

Xie Yin continued, "I know you've always been arrogant, but today's events are beyond our control. After I die, please take good care of Qianfan for me..."

"Take care of your own disciple! Why should I do it! Xie Yin, senior brother... senior brother, I beg you, come down here, I beg you!!"

Xie Yin glanced at him, as if he wanted to say something, but he opened his mouth and then slowly swallowed his words.

"Thank you, Immortal Lord, time is running out," someone from Linyi Sect reminded him at the opportune moment.

Those below the stage, seeing the barrier on the horizon about to shatter, immediately knelt down.

"Immortal Lord Xie, please, save us!"

"Please, I beg you..."

"We really don't want to die..."

Chu Qingyuan stared at the group of people below the stage in disbelief. At least half of these people were people Xie Yin had saved. They had received Xie Yin's help in one way or another. But now, they were kneeling down not to express their gratitude, but to beg their benefactor to die.

Chu Qingyuan's hand, which was holding Mo Yang's, began to tremble. He wished he could kill all these heartless people right now. If someone had to die, why couldn't it be these people?

Why... why not Xie Yin...?

Xie Yin glanced at Chu Qingyuan one last time, then at the group of people kneeling and begging him to offer sacrifices, and finally made his decision. He drew his sword and committed suicide, blood splattering all over the stage, while the crowd below knelt in gratitude...

Chu Jianshan closed his eyes tightly. He had dreamed of this scene countless times, but recalling it again still made him uneasy.

"It's fine if you don't want to talk about these issues." Cheng Yuan's voice pulled him back to reality.

Just as Chu Jianshan was about to thank him for his understanding, he heard him say again:

"You just need to tell me why you have this sword."

He took out the rusty Mo Yang and placed it in front of Chu Jianshan.

Chu Jianshan immediately felt a little guilty, his eyes darting away as he tried to argue, "It's just a rusty sword, so what?"

"This is the Mo Yang Sword."

"..."

Cheng Yuan didn't give him a chance to argue and killed him with a single blow.

He was so familiar with the Mo Yang Sword that he remembered every single detail of its design. Therefore, when he saw the sword, even though it was completely unrecognizable, he could still recognize it immediately.

He bent down and slowly approached Chu Jianshan's face, staring into his eyes as he said, "I think you know whose sword Mo Yang is. You have met my master."

This wasn't a question, but a statement of fact. Chu Jianshan took a deep breath; he knew he had to start making things up again.

"Actually, I did meet him once seven years ago..."

"Where!"

Cheng Yuan was somewhat agitated. He gripped Chu Jianshan's arms tightly, but quickly let go after hearing Chu Jianshan's cry of pain. He lowered his eyes and apologized.

Chu Jianshan shook his head and continued, "It was near Linyi Gate. At that time, he was seriously injured, and I saved him. He used this sword to hold me hostage, but he left a few days later. I don't know where he went, but the sword is with him..."

As long as the sword is there, the person is there; if the sword is gone, the person is gone.

Since Mo Yang's sword has become what it is now, it means that it can no longer sense its master's spiritual power. In other words, the sword's master is most likely dead.

"I don't believe it..." Cheng Yuan stared at him intently, his eyes reddening, and squeezed out these three words through gritted teeth.

This child...

Chu Jianshan thought he had become more mature over the years, but he didn't expect that his old problem hadn't changed.

"Cheng Yuan, you and I both know that your master is dead..."

"impossible!!"

Cheng Yuan roared, startling Chu Jianshan.

"As long as I haven't seen his body, as long as I'm still searching, I will find him someday."

"He still owes me an explanation. He won't die..."

Instead of comforting him, Chu Jianshan continued, "Why do you care so much about someone like him? If he hadn't insisted on seeking revenge, how could he have harmed so many people? In the end, he's a complete scourge."

Before he could finish speaking, Cheng Yuan's Flowing Sound Sword was already at his neck.

Cheng Yuan's eyes were slightly red, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Chu Jianshan, I'm giving you a kind look because you saved my life, but if you dare to slander my master again, don't blame me for being impolite."

Chu Jianshan lowered his eyes, unsure of what to say, wanting to comfort him but unsure of his stance.

He wondered if he was being too cruel, but then he thought it might be for the best. He had already vowed to get to the bottom of Xie Yin's case. He still had no idea what was behind Linyi Gate, and his road ahead was not easy.

If one day I really die, at least Cheng Yuan will be able to accept it more quickly.

The silence between the two lasted for a long time until it was broken by footsteps outside the door. Cheng Yuan quickly sheathed his sword.

"Ah Yuan! I bought it... Hey? Chu Jianshan, you're awake?"

"Look at you, your health is so poor. You've been lying in bed for so long over such a small injury. Here, I bought you an old hen. I'll make you some soup later!"

No? You call this a minor injury??? He was in so much pain he almost died!

Ji Shi placed the groceries he had bought on the table, then caught the old hen that was about to take flight after being released from its restraints, and turned to Cheng Yuan, saying:

"Oh, right, A Yuan, when I went to the street, I heard some strange things from other people."

"What?"

“I heard that something strange happened in a village, and many people from the surrounding area have moved here.”

"Which village?" Chu Jianshan asked.

"I didn't hear it clearly, but it sounded like something like... Grey Mountain Village? What a strange name."

Cheng Yuan sat up from the bedside, took the medicine bowl that Chu Jianshan had finished drinking from, and said, "We still have to go and see for ourselves what happened."

Chu Jianshan chimed in, "Perfect timing, I want to go too..."

“You don’t need to go.” Cheng Yuan stopped and interrupted him.

"What's the meaning?"

"Since you're injured, you should focus on recovering. My senior brother and I will go there."

Chu Jianshan raised his eyebrows slightly. Well, he still holds a grudge. He's got quite a temper.

Ji Shi glanced at Cheng Yuan, then turned to look at Chu Jianshan. He felt as if something had happened between the two of them, but they both remained silent.

So he spoke first: "Um... actually I think what A-Yuan said is right, Chu Jianshan, your injuries haven't healed yet, you should take good care of them..."

Chu Jianshan shot him a dagger with a single glance.

"But then again... after all, we've been through life and death together... Ah Yuan, let's take him with us."

Chu Jianshan looked at Cheng Yuan, who remained silent. However, it was impossible for him not to go. He had already realized that Linyimen had their eyes on Cheng Yuan and Ji Shi in Zuichunlou. If Cheng Yuan was there, he could at least save their lives at a critical moment. Otherwise, he would not feel at ease.

Cheng Yuan finally spoke, though his words were not pleasant: "We are strangers to you, there is no need for you to take risks with us."

Well, it's your turn again. It seems you're really angry. I should have known better than to say that Chu Qingyuan is dead. At least leave the child with something to remember him by.

"Furthermore," Cheng Yuan spoke again, "Mo Yang is my master's sword. I hope you can return it to its rightful owner."

After saying that, he left the room without looking back. Outside, the sun had already set, and the sky was getting dark. In the distance, several houses had lit lanterns, which flickered incessantly, tearing open several holes in the gray curtain of darkness.

"What?! Mo Yang!!"

Ji Shicai just realized what was happening: "What Mo Yang? Isn't this my junior uncle's sword? He... he means Mo Yang is this rusty sword of yours?!"

"hold head high"

Ji Shi was stunned, his face filled with disbelief: "How do you have my junior uncle's sword?!"

"Oh, go ask Cheng Yuan!"

Chu Jianshan lay back down, covering his face with the blanket. He really didn't want to make up another story and commit another sin.

"Hey Chu Jianshan! Chu Jianshan, get up! Tell me quickly! I'm so curious! Why do you have Mo Yang? Have you met my junior uncle before...?"

"Chu~jian~shan~~~"

Outside the door, Cheng Yuan hadn't gone far. Chu Jianshan's words were still ringing in his mind. He said he didn't believe it, but he knew better than anyone that Chu Jianshan was right. His master was very likely... no longer alive. His current insistence was probably just a joke.

But for some reason, he just didn't want to give up so easily. Chu Qingyuan owed him too much—an explanation, an apology, and seven whole years.