Chapter 29 (Third Update): You're Not My Biological Child
Chapter 29 You're Not My Biological Child
At Tingshui Wharf, Wang Sumo and his group were waiting for the passenger ship to handle the dockwork and the waterway supplies needed for the next few days. They should be able to board the ship soon.
Although Master He only said he was leaving this morning, Huo Lianchi had already asked He Huai'an and He Ping to make preparations after seeing Wang Sumo last night.
So, as soon as the old man said he wanted to leave today, everything went smoothly.
He Ping looked at the stack of scallions and the bundle of hammocks and couldn't help but laugh. "She really is Miss Wang."
He Lingyun glanced at her and couldn't help but think to himself, "You made a special trip to Qingyun Manor, and all you wanted was this little bit?"
He's the kind of person who'd be embarrassed to tell anyone.
Seeing the two of them together, He Ping knew that the Second Young Master actually quite enjoyed being with Miss Wang, but he couldn't let his words slip.
Wang Sumo laughed, "How could that be!"
Both He Ping and He Lingyun were looking at her.
Wang Sumo listed them off as if they were old friends, "The scallions were asked for by the Second Young Master, the hammock was asked for by Master Huo, and doesn't your Qingyun Manor have the Eldest Young Master? The Eldest Young Master is in charge of the purse strings~"
He Ping: "..."
He Lingyun: "..."
Indeed, I didn't expect that.
Wang Sumo continued, "Then I must have demanded a hefty sum from the eldest young master. Since it's all been done, the cost must have been considerable. At the very least, it will deter other sects from entering and leaving in the future."
He Ping couldn't help but laugh, thinking that the journey with Miss Wang must not be tiring.
He Lingyun's eyes widened, and he clicked his tongue in admiration, "You're really something!"
Honestly, with her at Bazhenlou, we'll never suffer a loss!
Wang Sumo enthusiastically said, "You're welcome to visit Bazhenlou when you're away on business or sneaking off to play!"
The excuse of going out on official business was meant for He Ping, while the excuse of secretly having fun was meant for He Lingyun, and the two of them could easily identify with the context.
The ship's manager came to tell Huo Lianchi, "Master, it's all ready."
Huo Lianchi was talking to the old man, who had nothing more to say but gently added, "Huai'an and Lingyun are in your hands now."
Huo Lianchi nodded, "Don't worry, Grandpa, I will take good care of them both."
The old man nodded.
When the passenger ship manager arrived, Huo Lianchi called out "He Ping".
He Ping knew it was almost time to board the ship. "Miss Wang, I'll go take a look over there first."
“Okay.” Wang Sumo knew that He Ping was handling everything inside and out. Before the passenger ship departed, the dock conducted an inspection, but He Ping also had to conduct an inspection.
He Ping also called He Lin along.
He Lin skipped and hopped along with He Ping, who was leading He Lin.
Huo Lianchi stepped forward, and He Lingyun glanced at him but didn't say anything before heading towards the old man. Huo Lianchi didn't mind.
He Huai'an was saying goodbye to the old man when the ship manager asked him to confirm something. He Huai'an went to the dock first, while He Lingyun and the old master of the He family were alone.
"Grandpa." Suddenly realizing that he was really leaving, He Lingyun felt a surge of reluctance.
He was the one who often sneaked out to play in the past, the one who was often dragged back by He Ping, and the one who couldn't stay in Qingyun Manor. This time, he suddenly became the old man and left. He Lingyun didn't know how to describe his feelings.
"Listen to Lianchi's words carefully. Lianchi has put more effort into you than this old man has," Elder He solemnly instructed.
He Lingyun didn't reply, but handed the Qingyun Sword back to him, saying, "Grandpa, here's your Qingyun Sword back."
Master He flicked his sleeves, smiled, then withdrew his fingertips and said gently, "I sealed the Qingyun Sword twenty years ago, you know? I originally intended to give this Qingyun Sword to Lianchi, but Lianchi declined, saying that the future of Qingyun Manor rests on your shoulders. He hoped to leave the Qingyun Sword to you, or to Huai'an."
He Lingyun was surprised, "..."
Master He laughed and said, "How can you take back what you've given away? Lingyun, from now on, you are the master of the Azure Cloud Sword."
He Lingyun was still reeling from the old man's words, "The Qingyun Sword was originally intended for Lianchi, but Lianchi wants it given to you or Huai'an." After the old man finished speaking, He Lingyun stammered, "I..."
It's a lack of self-confidence.
He was the most carefree and irresponsible person in Qingyun Manor, often sneaking out to play. The old man gave him the Qingyun Sword...
Master He sighed softly, “Heroes are not judged by their origins. No one is born a martial arts prodigy. It is through daily practice and yearly dedication that a young hero truly emerges. I have experienced it and witnessed it, so I understand.”
He Lingyun looked down at the Qingyun Sword in his hand, then said in a deep voice, "Grandpa, I shouldn't have upset you."
Master He laughed, "The fact that you can say those words means you've already grown up."
He Lingyun looked at him.
Master He patted him on the shoulder, "Lingyun, take good care of yourself. And remember, listen to Lianchi."
He Lingyun frowned. "Grandpa, aren't you coming back?"
With his hands behind his back, Master He sighed, "There are still many places I want to go, not just Bazhenlou and Lingyun. You'll understand when you reach my age."
*
In the distance, Wang Sumo and Huo Lianchi watched the old man and He Lingyun together.
A river breeze blew by, and the hair at her temples brushed gently against her cheeks in the breeze. Wang Sumo said softly, "Huo Ling isn't actually with Fang Rushi, is she?"
Huo Lianchi turned to look at her, "Miss Wang, what makes you say that?"
Wang Sumo sighed softly, "Actually, I know Fang Rushi and his temperament. I can roughly guess who he can treat and who he can't. When Huo Ling was injured, the old master had already used his internal energy to heal him. Fang Rushi once said that he only takes on difficult and complicated cases so as not to waste his medical skills. When you told the old master and the others in the manor that Huo Ling was with Fang Rushi, it was to put their minds at ease and also to prevent Huo Ling and He Lingyun from having frequent conflicts and upsetting the old master. So you used this as an excuse to send Huo Ling away from Qingyun Manor and instead kept He Lingyun by your side, wasn't that right?"
Wang Sumo also looked at him.
Huo Lianchi gave a self-deprecating laugh, then shook his head, which was tantamount to acquiescence.
After a while, both of them saw the old man pat He Lingyun on the shoulder and talk to him. Huo Lianchi also said, "Huo Ling is my child, Huai'an and Lingyun are the old man's juniors. I was raised by the old man himself. They are both my flesh and blood. On this point, there is no distinction between them."
"The old man entrusted Qingyun Manor to me, but for me, the more important thing is to find someone I can entrust it to. He has been sickly since childhood, and his mother and I were afraid that he would feel bad, so we protected him a lot. The appearance of Huai'an and Lingyun made him feel ashamed, so he often verbally abused him. In fact, I know how he treated Lingyun. The old man protected Huo Ling because Huo Ling was physically weak, but that is not a reason for him to bully others. I asked Huo Ling to leave temporarily so that he can clear his mind and calm down for a while."
"The old man doesn't want to make things difficult for me, and I don't want to make things difficult for him either. It's easy to navigate the martial world, but dealing with family matters is the hardest thing." Huo Lianchi sighed, "It's good for the old man to relax with Bazhenlou. From now on, I will spend all my time on Lingyun."
Wang Sumo knew Huo Zhuangzhu's character well.
He sent his son away for He Lingyun's sake.
Master Huo wanted to teach He Lingyun well.
I'm the one who ends up pleasing neither side.
Wang Sumo looked at Huo Lianchi and smiled, "Master Huo, there are some things I'm not sure if I should say about the Second Young Master."
Huo Lianchi said gently, "Miss Wang, please speak freely."
Wang Sumo took a deep breath, then reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind his ear, which had been blown about by the river wind, and said slowly, "The second young master went through a lot of hardships with the eldest young master when they were young. The eldest young master is gentle and refined, and it was probably the second young master who took the lead when they fled to Qingyun Manor. The two brothers are not very old, and they were able to travel so far, all the way to Qingyun Mountain. They probably couldn't have done it without a bit of stubbornness."
Huo Lianchi smiled and nodded.
Wang Sumo continued, "The second young master is stubborn and more persevering than others, but that also means he needs more time and patience to be taught. You can tell from how he treats the old man that he cares about his family and friends. It's just that Huo Ling's targeting of him makes him a little awkward, and his pride is also a factor."
"The second young master isn't a bad person, he's just a bit dim-witted. You're too nice to him, Master Huo, and he just gets cocky. So, Master Huo, you should say the opposite of what you mean to him in the future, the more you provoke him, the better."
Huo Lianchi looked at her.
Wang Sumo laughed, "Sometimes being a villain is more useful than being a hero."
*
Finally, after the passenger ship underwent inspection, the dock manager notified them to allow it to depart.
Huo Lianchi, He Huai'an, and He Lingyun stepped forward to bid farewell to the old man and Wang Sumo's group.
"Uncle, have a safe journey." He Huai'an cupped his hands in greeting.
Huo Lianchi also performed the bowing ceremony.
When it came to He Lingyun, her eyes involuntarily reddened, but she turned her head away for fear of being noticed.
They care a lot about their image, yet they don't want to lose any of it.
"I entrust Huai'an, Lingyun, and Qingyun Manor to you." The old man looked at Huo Lianchi, who looked up and said, "Don't worry, old man, I will take good care of Huai'an, Lingyun, and Qingyun Manor."
The ship's manager came to urge them to board, and He Ping followed the old man ahead.
He Lingyun whispered, "Wang Sumo."
On the pedal, Wang Sumo turned to look at him, "What's wrong, Second Young Master?"
He Lingyun said softly, "Thank you."
"What did you say? The wind is too strong, I can't hear you~" Whether Wang Sumo did it on purpose or not, He Lingyun's face suddenly turned red. "It's nothing!"
"Oh, you're welcome~" Wang Sumo waved goodbye to him.
He Lingyun scoffed lightly, "It was definitely done on purpose."
But when she looked up again, Wang Sumo had already turned around, lifting her skirt and following behind Heping and the old man.
Watching her retreating figure, He Lingyun's face slowly revealed a smile, but when Wang Sumo suddenly turned around, his smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a look of disgust.
Wang Sumo wasn't annoyed; instead, she smiled as if to confirm it.
As the passenger ship departed, the old man watched from the deck as the figures of Huo Lianchi, He Huai'an, and He Lingyun grew smaller and smaller. A river breeze swept by; this once familiar world, a place he hadn't set foot in for twenty years, was now the place he knew best, filled with the winds he knew so well…
He Lin followed behind He Ping, laughing and joking.
He just went to keep an eye on Miss Wang's pile of green onions and hammock, and told the passenger ship to make sure they were properly stored away.
This time, he had to beg his senior brother for a long time before the senior brother finally agreed to say to the manor lord that he could go with him, and he actually succeeded!
He Qingque was overjoyed!
"He Qingque, why are you so happy?" Wang Sumo called out to him.
He Qingque skipped forward, "The Master really let me come out with Senior Brother, all smiles, but not quite."
"No, not hee hee," Wang Sumo couldn't help but laugh, "What do you mean, 'not hee hee'?"
He Qingque whispered, "No, it's because the old master is here too. I can't sneak off to drink. The old master is very strict with the rules. What a pity~"
Wang Sumo whispered, "It's no pity. Don't worry, even without the old master, your senior brother wouldn't allow you to drink."
He Qingque: (｀Д)!!
"Go ask them if you don't believe me," Wang Sumo urged.
He Qingque really went to find He Ping.
Wang Sumo smiled.
The passenger ship had been gone from the dock for a long time, and the figures on the dock were no longer visible, but the old man was still leaning against the railing on the deck.
Last time, passenger ships were in short supply at Tingshui, so they came by cargo ship; this time, the entire small passenger ship carried only Wang Sumo and the people from Qingyun Manor, plus the old man, about fifteen or sixteen people in total, with the rest being crew members, making the passenger ship very spacious.
Seeing that the old man was still gazing into the distance, Wang Sumo knew that the old man was still thinking about the other side of the pavilion by the water.
Wang Sumo stepped forward, "Is Elder Master He still worried?"
Master He said gently, "I was always worried that Lingyun would cause trouble everywhere, and that Huai'an had no talent for martial arts, which made me uncomfortable. There was also Huo Ling, who had been frail since childhood. Ever since Huai'an and Lingyun came to Qingyun Manor, Huo Ling's strong-willed nature has become more sensitive. Now I understand. In the future, the martial world will belong to them. Each generation has its own things to do. We can leave it to Lianchi. Why linger in the same place?"
"Shall we talk about something else?" Wang Sumo took the opportunity to change the subject.
Master He looked at her questioningly.
Wang Sumo leaned against the railing and said gently, "At Bazhenlou, it's just me and Master Qu now. I'm in charge of cooking and preparing dishes, and Master Qu is in charge of driving. We'll do the other chores whoever is free. For example, when I'm cooking, Master Qu will serve the dishes."
Master He could already picture the scene: "Would he be good at serving the dishes?"
Wang Sumo coughed twice, "It's alright, but he has a bad temper. I'm cooking, so I don't have time. It's all done by the old man."
Master He immediately got into character, saying, "Let me do it."
Wang Sumo smiled, "The old master of the manor will definitely serve the dishes elegantly."
When practicing the Nine Forms of the Gentleman's Sword, it's all the same; serving dishes is even easier.
The old manor owner laughed heartily, his laughter filled with anticipation for the Eight Treasures Pavilion. "Tell me everything else you have to say."
Wang Sumo thought for a moment and smiled, "I prepared a booklet before, and I was discussing with the old man about buying a dog to keep at Bazhenlou. We haven't decided yet, but we'll take a look together when we get back. I also mentioned that I wanted to find a handyman to share the chores, and here you are."
"What Lao Qu can do, I can do; what Lao Qu can't do, I can do." Master He was carried away.
Wang Sumo could almost picture the two of them bickering every day in the future. It was hard to say whether her dream that night was real—one a sword of immortality, the other a hand that could pierce clouds and break mountains, the Eight Treasures Pavilion could be demolished without her noticing.
We need to hire another bodyguard, one who can single-handedly withstand the attacks of the Longevity Gentleman's Sword and the Cloud-Piercing Mountain-Severing Hand...
"Where will Bazhenlou go next?" Master He was already looking forward to it.
"Heading north, Liangzhou." These words were etched into his mind as if they were engraved, but every time he arrived at a place, he had to ask the locals to help him check the route, which parts were in disrepair, which parts were difficult to travel, which areas were teeming with bandits, and which areas were prone to flooding.
In short, we have a general direction, but we will have to stop and start along the way, make adjustments as needed, and avoid certain things, so we won't be able to move as fast.
In addition, she and her husband are both very easygoing, so they dared not travel.
Why rush something you're prepared to do for a lifetime?
Enjoying the beautiful scenery and delicious food along the way is also an important part of the journey.
"Liangzhou is wonderful!" Master He was in high spirits. "I haven't been in the martial world for years, and I have no idea what it has become."
"We'll see them soon." Wang Sumo looked at Master He. "No matter where the martial world is, Bazhenlou will always be there!"
*
The next morning, Wang Sumo heard from the disciples of Qingyun Manor who were traveling with him that He Qingque had gotten seasick again and was lying listlessly in her room. Her senior brother told her not to go anywhere and to stay put.
I'm dizzy again...
Wang Sumo decided to go see He Lin first.
He knocked on the door and entered. He Lin was looking dejected, lying on the bed because he was feeling unwell. He turned around when he heard someone enter, and when he saw that it was Wang Sumo, he quickly said, "Miss Wang, please go out."
He was afraid that if he really vomited, Miss Wang would feel uncomfortable in the room.
Wang Sumo stepped forward, placed the bamboo basket on the table, and then moved a stool to sit next to him, much to He Lin's surprise.
Wang Sumo looked at him and said, "He Qingque, you're not Qingque at all now."
It means he was sickly and listless, lacking even the energy to chatter.
He Lin asked in frustration, "What's wrong with this seasickness? I wasn't seasick before!"
Wang Sumo asked with concern, "Did you take your seasickness medicine?"
"I ate it." But it didn't seem to be very effective. But not eating it might have made things worse, that's how his senior brother comforted him.
"Then lie down a little longer. I was worried you'd be bored in the cabin, so I brought them over to keep you company." After saying that, Wang Sumo went to the table and picked up a bamboo basket.
These are her pet crucian carp, now officially hers—from A-Da to A-Liu.
He Lin was both amused and exasperated. "I can't even tell them apart."
"It's alright, I can't tell the difference either," Wang Sumo said with a sigh. "Maybe you'll be able to tell the difference after we get off the ship."
He Lin was both amused and exasperated.
"I'll keep you company for a bit." Wang Sumo rested her chin on her hand and looked at him. She was really not used to Xiao Qingque's listless appearance.
He Lin blinked, as if to say, "Really?"
“Really,” Wang Sumo affirmed.
He Lin was actually happy. Being alone in the cabin was the most boring thing. He Qingque sighed, "I dreamed about my mother last night."
"Wow!" Wang Sumo was surprised.
But He Lin sighed, "I don't remember what she looks like, but when she turns around, I feel like it's my mother. But every time I dream about my mother, she looks different, and it makes me a little sad."
Little Bluebird doesn't lie.
She remembered that Little Blue Sparrow had said he was an orphan. He might not have even seen his mother's face, or he was too young to remember her even if he had. He only knew what it was like to be a human being and longed for her. So he would dream of his mother's appearance, but he knew it wasn't real.
So I was very frustrated.
A child's obsessions can stay with them for a long time in their life.
Wang Sumo smiled and said, "He Qingque, let me tell you a story."
"Okay~" He was already bored, and listening to stories was the most fun for him.
Wang Sumo recounted, "Once upon a time, there was a little girl whose father was a very good cook. Every day, he would cook lots and lots of delicious meals for her and her mother. She was very happy and believed that cooking could make her happy and also make the people around her happy."
"So she followed her father's example. Whatever her father did, she did too. At first, it was a mess, but she still laughed and joked because she had the best and most patient father in the world. He wouldn't scold her for making a mess of the flour, and he would even play games with her, like making dough balls."
"Whether she did it right or wrong, or whether she knew how or not, her father would gently tell her how to do it, so she was never afraid of failure, and the process of cooking was always happy and enjoyable. In short, in a very short time, she learned to cook many, many dishes, all kinds of dishes."
"She's amazing!" He Qingque overheard.
Wang Sumo smiled and continued, "She just kept learning and learning, thinking she would always follow her father like this until she grew up. She still remembers one day when her father held her and told her that once he finished what he was doing, he would go find all the rare and precious seasonings recorded in the 'Records of Delicacies' and try them one by one. The world is so vast, and there are still many undiscovered seasonings. They can travel all over the world."
"Did they go?" He Qingque asked curiously.
Wang Sumo calmly shook her head, "No, Father suffered a serious illness and passed away. After that, Mother and Father depended on each other for survival. Mother told him that Father is still alive, just accompanying them in a different way. So, their lives must go on, and they can still fulfill Father's unfinished wishes together."
"Find the seasonings!" He Qingque answered quickly.
Wang Sumo nodded and said gently, "From that time on, the mother and daughter began preparing to search the world for spices. Life in obscurity suddenly seemed to have a special expectation. The person we care about has left, but he left us with the most precious memories. We will follow the memories he left behind, walk the road he didn't finish, and see the scenery he didn't have time to see."
He Qingque's eyes suddenly reddened, and she asked, "Did they, mother and daughter, set off?"
Wang Sumo took a deep breath and said calmly, "When we were preparing to set off, my mother's heart condition flared up, and she didn't have time to go with her. In the end, she was all alone. But she still decided to continue to carry on my father and mother's expectations and go see the scenery they had never seen before."
He Qingque sighed, "But the world is so big, how is she going to get around?"
Wang Sumo laughed, "But she was lucky. She met a very kind elder. She told this elder about her idea of going all over the world to find spices, and the elder said, 'Girl, cook me a dish. If I like it, I'll do you a favor.' So she made a minced meat and eggplant casserole for the elder, which her mother liked very much. The elder's eyes reddened as she ate, and she said it was delicious."
"And then?" He Qingque asked expectantly.
"Then, he gifted her an entire Eight Treasures Pavilion!"
"Huh?! It's you!!!" He Qingque exclaimed in surprise.
Sigh, he really is a blockhead.
"So, it's because you made a minced meat and eggplant casserole that the leader of Xuanji Sect gifted you a Bazhenlou restaurant?" He Qingque perked up.
Hmm, He Qingque is almost back to her former self.
"Yes! Surprised? Unexpected?"
He Qingque clearly hadn't heard enough. "When I was little, I often thought that one day I would accidentally fall off a cliff. Everyone would think I was dead, but actually I would survive and discover top-level martial arts techniques and countless gold and silver treasures. Then I would grow from He Lin to a great hero. He Lin might even be the next master of Qingyun Manor!"
He Qingque was proud.
Wang Sumo sighed, "Probably every young person who ventures into the world has dreamed of this; but the vast majority of those who are forced to jump off cliffs are dead."
"Hey, have you ever seen the Eight Treasures Pavilion transform?" Wang Sumo asked.
He Qingque shook her head, but her eyes were full of anticipation.
“This time will be fine. When we arrive, we’ll set up the Eight Treasures Pavilion and cook a big meal. Then you’ll see what the Eight Treasures Pavilion looks like.” Wang Sumo himself was already missing the Eight Treasures Pavilion.
That was her mobile home.
"Great!" He Qingque couldn't help but exclaim excitedly, but then she suddenly realized, "I don't feel so dizzy anymore!"
Wang Sumo reached out and pressed his head down, "Little Bluebird, let him rest a little longer."
He Qingque sighed, "It's just so boring."
"Here's a little task for you. Do it when you really feel better?"
"What mission?" He Qingque felt that she was already ready.
Wang Sumo said earnestly, "Once you get better soon, please ask everyone what dishes they want to eat, what the origin of the dish is, or what they are particularly looking forward to. I'm entrusting this important task to you."
"Okay!" He Lin suddenly felt hopeful.
"Then please look after Ah Da and its brothers and sisters for me, make sure none of them are missing!" Wang Sumo reminded.
"good!"
He Qingque is easy to fool.
*
Once outside the cabin, Wang Sumo was finally able to go to the deck to breathe some fresh air.
Actually, she wasn't used to the passenger ship. It was mainly because the hammock at Qingyun Manor was so comfortable a few days ago. She would sleep in it a few more times when she got back to Bazhenlou.
When they got on the deck, there weren't many people there. There were only a few of them on the passenger ship to begin with, and there were very few people on the deck early in the morning.
"Hero He?" Wang Sumo saw He Ping and went forward.
"Miss Wang." He Ping bowed respectfully.
"What is Master He doing on the deck?" Wang Sumo started, looking for something to say.
He Ping couldn't help but laugh, "To be honest, Miss Wang, I was just thinking about the Second Young Master. I wonder how he will react now that I'm leaving?"
Wang Sumo was stunned, his mind filled with Lu Wenqu's words: he and He Lingyun were going to slip away after the old man left and find the person who had rummaged through the chicken coop and taken the things.
Wang Sumo: -_-||
It's really hard to describe the thought processes of these two people, but only two people whose thought processes resonate with each other can do something like this together. They are somewhat similar to the old master Qu and the old master He back then.
Who can say otherwise?
Wang Sumo smiled as she looked at the river.
He Ping was still lost in his thoughts when he said softly, "The master means that he needs to keep a close eye on the second young master and not waste his talent."
Hearing this, Wang Sumo felt a pang of worry for He Lingyun, and then asked, "How does Master Huo plan to keep a close watch on things?"
He Ping couldn't help but laugh.
*
One day ago, at Qingyun Manor, at Lianfeng Pavilion.
He Lingyun looked at Huo Lianchi with some impatience, "What are you doing?"
Huo Lianchi changed his usual tolerance, severity and gentleness, and became indifferent and deep. "Now that the old man is gone, I don't need to act anymore. He Lingyun, the old man gave you the Qingyun Sword, you should be worthy of it."
Hearing Huo Lianchi speak like this for the first time, He Lingyun was stunned and instinctively felt that something was wrong.
But he already disliked the other person, and this subconscious dislike quickly convinced him that as soon as the old man left, Huo Lianchi stopped acting and directly said that he was not worthy.
He Lingyun frowned.
Huo Lianchi recalled when Wang Sumo left—"The Second Young Master isn't a bad person, just a bit dim-witted. You're too good to him, Master Huo, and he just gets arrogant. So, Master Huo, in the future, you should say the opposite of what you mean to him, the more you provoke him, the better."
They've taken the bait.
Huo Lianchi has a pure and clear heart.
"Hmph! I can't be bothered with you." He Lingyun turned around.
But as soon as he turned around, a sword flash grazed his cheek, and if it had gotten any closer, it would have cut a gash on his face.
He Lingyun was stunned. Huo Lianchi?!
The sword flew past his face and embedded itself firmly in the ground, emitting a defiant "hum".
He Lingyun turned to look at him, seemingly in disbelief.
Huo Lianchi continued in his previous tone, "If you don't want to compete with me, then leave the Qingyun Sword behind."
He Lingyun scoffed. So they were after his Azure Cloud Sword!
This was left to him by the old man. When the old man was alive, Huo Lianchi pretended to be a good person, but as soon as the old man left, he showed his true colors. "You wish!"
“Draw your sword,” Huo Lianchi said in a deep voice.
Before He Lingyun could finish his sentence, "I'll refuse...", with a "whoosh," Huo Lianchi attacked him with lightning speed. He had no choice but to draw his Qingyun Sword to defend himself, but Huo Lianchi still tossed him away like a puppy.
He finally managed to kneel down, his knees scraped and bleeding, before he could stop.
Huo Lianchi had already reached behind him and retrieved the sword that was stuck in the ground behind him.
"You, you attacked me from behind?!" He Lingyun never expected that Huo Lianchi, the dignified master of Qingyun Manor, would seize the opportunity to attack him before he could even finish speaking.
Besides being annoyed, He Lingyun was mostly surprised.
Huo Lianchi remained calm, saying, "You're not my biological daughter, why should I give in to you?"
However, Huo Lianchi's words still ignited He Lingyun's fighting spirit.
Huo Lianchi continued, "I'm not the old man, and I'm afraid of embarrassing you in public and making you feel ashamed. I won't give in to you in every way. He Lingyun, I'll give you a chance. If you touch my clothes today, I'll consider you the winner and you can take this Qingyun Sword. Otherwise, I'll keep this Qingyun Sword for you."
"Don't look down on people!" He Lingyun said angrily.
"Come."
This time, He Lingyun was more experienced. As soon as Huo Lianchi finished speaking, he took the opportunity to rush over.
Sure enough, he learns quickly, even the sneak attack technique. Huo Lianchi sighed inwardly. He Lingyun's sword was close, but before it reached him, he kicked him to the ground, dazed, "Unstable stance."
"Again."
He gritted his teeth. They were clearly toying with him, yet they maintained a calm and composed demeanor.
He Lingyun grabbed his sword again and charged forward. Just like that, they clashed in close combat, and in the blink of an eye, but just like before, he didn't even touch his opponent's clothes before the opponent's sword knocked his Qingyun sword away!
He Lingyun: "..."
He Lingyun turned to look at him and suddenly realized something: at least one of Huo Lianchi's statements was true.
— The old man was afraid of offending him, so he deliberately let him have his way yesterday.
So when Huo Lianchi stopped him, he revealed his true colors, and in Huo Lianchi's eyes, he was like a clown.
"Again." Huo Lianchi returned the sword to him.
He Lingyun gritted his teeth. He refused to believe it. He had been waiting all day and was afraid he wouldn't even touch the hem of his clothes. Even if it was a trick or a dirty trick, he would still do it!
On the first day, he was so exhausted that he was panting for breath. Two whole hours passed, and not only did he not touch Huo Lianchi's clothes, but no one else even got close to him.
He Lingyun was so tired that she was a little dazed, but she was unwilling to give up.
Huo Lianchi took the Qingyun Sword from the ground and stepped forward angrily. Huo Lianchi pointed the sword tip at him and said coldly, "Come back at this time tomorrow. Only when you can touch the hem of my clothes will you be qualified to mention taking the Qingyun Sword back in front of me. Otherwise, I will write a letter to tell the old man that you are not worthy of using the Qingyun Sword."
He Lingyun gritted her teeth.
But watching Huo Lianchi's retreating figure, He Lingyun felt a surge of resentment. On the first day, he hadn't encountered anything...
*
In the cell, He Lingyun complained to Lu Wenqu, "I'm so angry! I can't get near him no matter what I do. I've tried everything, even cheating, but he doesn't care about my cheating at all. That's the most embarrassing thing."
It was only in front of Lu Wenqu that He Lingyun showed some fear.
But while there was some fear, there was also a strong sense of unwillingness.
“No! The Qingyun Sword is still in his hands. We must get close to him tomorrow, no matter what, to retrieve the Qingyun Sword before we leave! Wait for me one more day.” He Lingyun looked at Lu Wenqu.
Lu Wenqu looked at him.
He Lingyun thought for a moment, then suddenly stood up. "Brother Wenqu, I'll go back to practice now. It's not long before the appointed time."
Before Lu Wenqu could react, someone was preoccupied with something else entirely—no, his mind was filled with replays of the swordplay he had used against Huo Lianchi earlier that day; he had memorized them all.
He refused to believe it; he practiced all night and still couldn't reach the hem of his clothes!
hateful!
He Lingyun suddenly seemed to have been injected with adrenaline. He used to be able to walk even when someone pushed him, but now he suddenly wanted to walk on his own.
And they didn't stop there.
Watching He Lingyun's retreating figure, Lu Wenqu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and smiled helplessly. The way Master Huo was dealing with He Lingyun seemed strangely familiar…
He Lingyun is completely out of control; he probably won't be able to leave for several days.
*
Soon, the agreed time arrived the next day.
He Lingyun arrived with panda eyes.
Huo Lianchi saw the panda eyes on He Lingyun's face and knew that he had been working hard last night. Sure enough, what Wang Sumo said worked for He Lingyun. At least, seeing someone suddenly become diligent and serious made him feel gratified.
It's just that it can't be shown.
"Give me the sword." He Lingyun refused to believe it.
Huo Lianchi indeed gave him the sword. After a night of constant review, deduction, and practice, He Lingyun seemed to have truly undergone a transformation. He went from being unable to even get close to him before to being able to overcome any obstacle in the world of martial arts with speed.
And the fact that she was able to get close to him was a significant step forward.
But being able to get close to him and being able to touch his clothes are worlds apart.
The Azure Cloud Sword was knocked away again.
He Lingyun grinned, "Again!"
They fought with increasing ferocity, and when they got desperate, they fought even more fiercely.
While parrying the moves, Huo Lianchi 'reminded' him, "Your lower body is secure, but what about what the old man taught you the other day? Everyone else has learned it, but you haven't. You've left too many openings for your opponent. You can't beat me."
He Lingyun retorted angrily, "You talk too much nonsense!!!"
...
On a distant hillside, He Huai'an watched Huo Lianchi and He Lingyun together.
He Lingyun's sword was repeatedly knocked away, but he kept trying again and again. Even he could see that He Lingyun was improving with each attempt.
A disciple from Qingyun Manor said, "The Manor Master was also practicing swordsmanship with the Second Young Master here yesterday. He didn't seem as gentle as before; he was rather fierce."
He Huai'an remained calm, saying, "That's because Uncle has come to his senses. He has done nothing to wrong Ling Yun, so naturally he has to be stricter."
The disciple continued, "The Second Young Master has made rapid progress these past two days. The harder the Master hits him, the faster he seems to learn. I heard he practiced all night at the Cliff of Contemplation last night and only went back to rest this morning."
He Huai'an was not surprised and said calmly, "Without his great-uncle's protection, he might be able to move faster."
He Huai'an swallowed hard. "Let's go, we're not watching anymore."
...
Down the hillside, shouts of "Again!" echoed. "Again!" "Huo Lianchi, you despicable scoundrel!"
Besides He Lingyun's roar, there was also Huo Lianchi's indifferent comment: "Not enough strength, acting like a young girl." "Have you forgotten the third move the old man taught you?"
*
In the dungeon, He Lingyun tore at his hair and said dejectedly, "What's going on? How come he wields the sword so well? I can't do it at all. Could it really be a problem with my technique?"
He Lingyun rested her chin on her hand, looking completely bewildered.
Lu Wenqu laughed and said, "Of course, kung fu and swordsmanship complement each other. If you don't practice internal martial arts and only practice external skills, of course something will be missing. If the foundation isn't laid properly, how can a tall building rise from the ground?"
He Lingyun suddenly understood, "That makes sense! I'll go back and practice!"
Lu Wenqu wanted to call out to him, but he had already turned around, leaving only his back view.
Lu Wenqu picked up a fan and leisurely fanned himself; it was an ambitious figure from behind.
[Author's Note]
Family, I've made up for the 1000 words I owed yesterday, and I even added an extra chapter.
The Growth Story of a Teenage Middle School Student
We'll see the Bazhen Tower rising tomorrow! See you tomorrow~ Goodnight! [cheering emojis]
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