Chapter 49
People say that Elder Yang Xiuzhu of the Sword Pavilion is born with a sword bone and is an extremely talented sword cultivator, no less than the former Bright Moon Sword Master.
"It's a pity that Elder Yang is in poor health, his legs are weak and he can't walk. Medicine is useless, and he can only sit in a wheelchair for a long time."
"Alas, the heavens are jealous of talent!"
"If it weren't for Elder Yang's actions, the position of Sword Master back then might have belonged to someone else!"
Yang Xiuzhu never listened to such idle gossip, and in the past, no one dared to speak recklessly in front of him. However, since he took over the affairs of the Sword Pavilion, more and more people have made such inferences, which have even reached the ears of the current acting Pavilion Master, Rong Que.
"I have no interest in the position of Sword Master."
When asked by his second senior brother, Yang Xiuzhu refused without hesitation.
Rong Que shook his head, lowered his eyes and said softly, "The Sword Pavilion should have a Sword Master sitting on the high platform. Now that many things are still unresolved, someone should take charge of the overall situation."
The elegant young man lowered his eyes and casually plucked the strings of his zither. Accompanied by the patter of rain, the melodious sound of the zither rose gently, as if a snowflake had fallen.
But Yang Xiuzhu knew that it never snowed in Jiange; outside the window, it was a shower of pear blossoms.
A look of confusion flashed in Yang Xiuzhu's eyes: "Why must there be a Sword Master? Isn't Second Senior Brother doing a good job now?"
Rong Que looked at his junior brother sitting in the wheelchair, a slight smile curving his lips. This "Number One Young Master," praised by everyone in the cultivation world, shook his head slightly, his expression seemingly somewhat helpless.
Rong Que: "Junior brother is joking. I am merely the 'acting pavilion master'."
Yang Xiuzhu said in a serious tone: "Second Senior Brother's character, talent, and appearance are well-regarded in the cultivation world, and he is praised by everyone. He is qualified to be the master of the Sword Pavilion."
After saying this, Rong Que did not speak again.
Outside, cranes flapped their wings, and large swaths of pear blossoms fell like rain. In the distance, the cries of cranes and the exclamations of disciples could be heard, appearing and disappearing, as if countless sword lights were flashing before one's eyes.
For some inexplicable reason, Yang Xiuzhu, who was never one to talk much, put down her teacup and suddenly spoke.
"However, the position of Sword Master cannot be changed."
The melodious sound of the zither paused almost imperceptibly for a moment, and a single breath of open string appeared in the music.
Yet, even the seemingly "perfect" Immortal Master Rong made this mistake.
A dull pain flickered in my fingertips, and streaks of crimson blood spread across the moon-white strings.
Yang Xiuzhu only had a rudimentary understanding of music, so he didn't notice the error in the melody, but he did sense the bloody smell permeating the air.
It seems there's something else?
"Second Senior Brother?"
Rong Que shook his head: "It's nothing. I was just lost in thought for a moment. I hope you'll forgive me, Junior Brother."
Yang Xiuzhu didn't say anything more. He turned his wheelchair around and looked at the wisps of smoke rising in the corner: "Did you change the incense, Senior Brother?"
Rong Que casually withdrew his hand from the strings and followed Yang Xiuzhu's gaze.
“Yes, the incense has burned out.” He looked at Yang Xiuzhu, casually conjured a wisp of spiritual energy, and instantly, the large quiet room was filled with a fragrant aroma.
Yang Xiuzhu examined it and asked, "Is it a jade hairpin flower?"
Rong Que smiled: "Junior brother is perceptive."
The young man in white sat upright with his eyes lowered, his appearance refined and elegant. His tone was unhurried and calm, "Junior Brother Yang, which one do you think smells better compared to the previous fragrance?"
Yang Xiuzhu thought for a moment, then looked at him and said honestly, "I guess it's because I'm used to the smell. I always feel that the previous one was better."
Have you gotten used to it?
Yes, that's how terrible people are. They develop feelings for things that are readily available, and then, because of the word "habit," they become lost and trapped in a cage, like caged beasts.
“Actually, this incense is the one I used originally.” Rong Que smiled. “As for the previous bottles… they were gifts from Mingyue back then.”
His voice was somewhat indifferent, and he still had a smile on his face, but the smile in his eyes had faded a little: "There are probably some uncommon spiritual herbs and flowers mixed in. I don't know where she found them back then."
Uncommon medicinal herbs and flowers...
Yang Xiuzhu lowered her eyes: "Back then, Senior Sister Sheng loved to wander among the mortal world."
Rong Que let out a soft laugh, which echoed in the room like the sound of a misplucked string.
He spoke seemingly casually: "Now that the demonic seeds are dormant and the puppet energy is surging everywhere, the world will inevitably be in chaos again, and the cultivation world also needs a 'Sword Master'."
"Junior brother, when do you think it would be more appropriate for the Sword Pavilion to produce its next Sword Master?"
When is the right time?
The bright moon shines alone in the sky; even after thousands of years, and if one searches all fourteen continents, there will only be one such moon.
Yang Xiuzhu had a stern expression, but his words were extremely rebellious.
When he dies, the moonlight will fall silent along with him.
At that time, even if stars fall from the sky, gods and demons rise in chaos, and the moral order is overturned in the fourteen continents, it will have nothing to do with him anymore.
He has done all he could.
But before that.
Yang Xiuzhu sat in her wheelchair, her back straight, just as her senior sister had taught her.
【You're my only junior brother, who can take your place? Don't worry, even if you're expelled from the sect in the future, as long as you still acknowledge me, I, your senior sister, will definitely protect you!】
As she spoke, her eyes shone brightly. Standing under the moonlight, she wore only the most ordinary disciple's robes, yet she wore them with a unique elegance, making the starlight seem like mere background.
Where is she? Where is the moonlight?
Yang Xiuzhu used her spiritual power to push the wheelchair to the window.
He opened the window, and a petal as white as the moon fell into his palm.
Light and soft, just like the moonlight of that year.
Elder Yang, who was described by outsiders as "rigid as a stone," softened his expression slightly.
He said calmly, "No one could attain the position of Sword Master before this."
No one can replace her.
...
"Have you heard? Ghost Tower has announced that it will open within a month!"
"Is there really a Sword Master's spiritual bone?!"
"But even the Sword Master's natal sword turned to ashes back then, so how come there are still spirit bones left?"
"Hiss, could it be infected by a demonic seed...?"
Sheng Ningyu pricked up her ears, listening with great interest.
Xie Qianjing reacted even more strongly than her, frowning slightly and hesitating to speak several times.
Sheng Ningyu glanced at him sideways: "What do you want to say?"
Xie Qianjing: "Now that we know the whereabouts of the spirit bone, and with Young Master Feng and the former Palace Master as witnesses for you, you no longer need to hide it."
As the two were talking, another burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from not far away.
Sheng Ningyu's expression relaxed. After hearing this, she gave Xie Qianjing a strange look, then pointed into the distance and said, "Guess how many people on the field will faint after saying this?"
It's worth noting that even Yuan Shuhe took a long time to recover back then.
The two stood in an inconspicuous corner of the field. This time, Sheng Ningyu watched as Xie Qianjing set up a soundproof barrier.
Sheng Ningyu crossed her arms and sneered, "Don't even think about trying to trick me again."
Xie Qianjing smiled and said, "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Mingyue? Judging from Elder Yang's expression, he doesn't seem as crazy as Sect Leader Qingniao Yiyehua. I think he won't do anything extreme."
For some reason, the words "bright moon" always carried a strange feeling when he uttered them.
Sheng Ningyu said slowly, "It's not that I'm afraid of that."
Xie Qianjing: "Then what are you afraid of?"
Sheng Ningyu turned her head away.
The training ground was bustling with activity and filled with noise.
With the invitation from Yuan Bushu, the disciples of Yunwang Palace, Banbi Sect and Jian Ge often spar with each other, while other disciples, regardless of their sect, watch from the sidelines, occasionally letting out a few exclamations of surprise.
This kind of life is good.
It doesn't have to be broken because of her.
Sheng Ningyu narrowed her eyes and suddenly asked Xie Qianjing a question out of the blue.
Did you call me Mingyue before?
The wind howled, carrying the faint, pleasant scent of pear blossoms that made one feel slightly dizzy.
Unsurprisingly, the person next to him shook their head.
"No."
The handsome young man smiled at her, his sleeves fluttering in the wind. He was already as cool and aloof as jade, but now he seemed even more detached from the world.
"When we first met, you did tell me your name was 'Bright Moon.' But later..."
Xie Qianjing paused, the curve of his lips remaining unchanged, but a slight smile spread across his dark pupils.
His voice was low and slightly hoarse: "You said I could call you 'Ninefold'."
Ninefold.
Sheng Jiuchong.
...Xie Qianjing.
Sheng Ningyu didn't know what she was thinking when she asked Xie Qianjing to call her "Ninefold".
But judging from her own experience, she felt that it couldn't possibly be anything good.
Thinking of this, Sheng Ningyu felt a headache coming on.
Undeniably, Xie Qianjing possessed a physical appearance that was extremely appealing to her.
So at the beginning, Sheng Ningyu was generous with her praise for him, and was willing to coax him, agree with what he said, and was very tolerant of him.
Sheng Ningyu likes beautiful things, but she also gets bored easily.
For example, when she first met Chu Le, she liked his youthful vigor, but after seeing the mature and refined Yuan Xiaoer, Sheng Ningyu quickly lost interest in this junior.
If it weren't for the fact that the other party genuinely showed remorse in Zhuyue City, Sheng Ningyu would never have paid him any attention again.
To ignore it, to let it pass like smoke.
She never remembers people who are unimportant.
But Xie Qianjing is different.
He was different from Feng Xiaosheng, different from Chu Chang'an, different from Yuan Bushu, and different from Xiang Bieyun...
He was that exceptionally special exception.
Like snow in a dream, clouds in the snow, and spring light in the clouds.
When the dust settles, light shines forth; untouched by the world, yet captivating all who behold it.
The usually fickle Sword Master Mingyue discovered that he didn't seem to get tired of him at all.
Therefore, after gradually realizing that she had known Xie Qianjing in the past, Sheng Ningyu restrained her attitude.
She became serious.
In particular, her master, Ning Guihai, deliberately erased her memories of Xie Qianjing.
Sheng Ningyu was determined to find out the reason, but before that, she also had to distance herself from Xie Qianjing.
Because Xie Qianjing not only has a handsome appearance, but he is also her very good friend.
Sheng Ningyu didn't know what she was thinking in the past, being entangled with Xie Qianjing while also being engaged to Chu Chang'an. But she knew that she could never do that again.
Especially that sword strike...
Sheng Ningyu felt an unspeakable sense of guilt towards Xie Qianjing.
"That was how it was before, but if you don't want it now..."
"There's no need to change it now."
“But you’re a very good friend of mine, and we have a long history together. You can call me whatever you want.” Sheng Ningyu held up one finger, her eyes full of sincerity, yet she said in a joking tone, “As long as you don’t kill me.”
friend.
Xie Qianjing raised her lips, her smile becoming even gentler: "Okay."
The young man was dressed in white, with a cold and aloof demeanor, like a legendary immortal who did not partake in worldly affairs.
But something seemed to flash within those extremely deep pupils.
Sheng Ningyu keenly sensed that Xie Qianjing's state was somewhat off. She reviewed her words again in her mind and felt that there was nothing wrong with them.
However, Xie Qianjing is like this.
Like a noble lady from a wealthy family in the mortal world, she always gets angry for no reason, likes to misinterpret her meaning, and asks strange questions over and over again. At times, she is just like the Qingqiu fox clan she once met in the mountains. Seeing that she liked the fluffy tail, she swept her calves and waist with her nine tails again and again, which can be described as taking advantage of her.
However, while Sheng Ningyu could harden her heart and ignore those fox spirits from Qingqiu, she couldn't truly ignore Xie Qianjing.
Even though rationally, Sheng Ningyu clearly knew that as the "Demon Lord" mentioned by Feng Xiaosheng and Senior Brother Fei Fou, and as the "Lord" whom those high-level demon cultivators would tremble with fear at the mere mention of his name, there was no one in this world who could make Xie Qianjing suffer any injustice.
But what if? Perhaps it was guilt that made Sheng Ningyu impatient, but these things, which should have annoyed Sheng Ningyu, became more irritating when they fell on Xie Qianjing.
However, just as Sheng Ningyu was about to say something, a commotion suddenly arose in the crowd.
"Young friend, we meet again."
Her beauty was captivating, her crimson robes fluttering down from the sky like the vibrant flowers blooming beside the Rainbow Pool in spring.
It is Feng Qingli, the leader of the Bluebird One Leaf Flower Sect!
All the disciples present were startled, and then the disciples of Qingniao Yiyehua were the first to react and immediately paid their respects.
"Greetings, Sect Leader!"
Disciples from other sects also bowed their heads in respect, and even those who were competing stopped what they were doing.
"Greetings, Sect Leader Feng!"
Feng Qingli ignored them all.
He stared intently at one person, whose crimson robe hung down, the collar pulled low, and the red jade belt around his waist was crooked, making him appear somewhat disheveled.
Passing through the trembling crowd, Feng Qingli went alone to one person.
"Still alive? That's incredibly lucky."
He curled his lips into a smile, his eyes and brows brimming with charm, truly embodying the essence of the word "Hehuan" from the past.
As everyone's hearts trembled and they secretly glanced over, they saw that the Feng Sect Leader of Qingniao Yiyehua did not look at his own people, but instead reached out his hand to the Yunwang Palace disciple.
"Such a destiny is indeed suitable for my Bluebird and One Leaf Flower."
The Qingniao Yiyehua disciple, who had witnessed some of the events, was following behind Feng Qingli when he saw this, and his eyes widened in astonishment.
No!
The sect leader will definitely kill Fellow Daoist Wang again!
However, just as those hands were about to touch the sleeves, a red line flashed suddenly, revealing a murderous intent!
Fortunately, Feng Qingli was already used to being attacked suddenly. He turned around to avoid it, but managed to get further away from the Yunwang Palace disciple.
Before he could speak, a clear, cold voice rang out, as if carrying the chill of frost.
"Sect Leader Feng's actions are inappropriate."
Feng Qingli's beautiful face turned completely cold. Only then did he notice the white-robed youth standing next to the female disciple of Yunwang Palace, and he sneered.
What excellent skills in concealment!
The disciples held their breath and remained completely silent.
To everyone's surprise, Feng Qingli did not make a move this time.
A crimson spiritual energy gradually swirled around him, and he held a long whip in his hand, the Red Dust Realm. He appeared calm, but those disciples who were close by could see the madness in his eyes.
"I am speaking to my future disciple. And who are you?"
An overwhelming spiritual power poured out!
Feng Qingli didn't dodge at all. After all, he was the current sect leader, and his cultivation was far superior to everyone present. Many disciples instantly felt as if someone had covered their mouths and noses, causing them to suffocate. However, just as they were about to fall, a soft laugh was heard.
Someone took the hand that Feng Qingli had wanted to touch.
Under Feng Qingli's bloodshot gaze, Xie Qianjing smiled and said, "Sect Leader Feng, don't you know?"
“I am her Daoist partner.”
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Author's note: A second bloom.
Our Bright Moon: ?
Mingyue: I'm about to draw my sword! What are these two doing here? [question mark.jpg]
Half an hour late, Starfish wishes everyone a Happy New Year!
This chapter still features 24-hour red envelopes!
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