Chapter 40

Han Yuan’s own cultivation level is lousy, but he had great faith in his disciple brothers. Seeing that even the likes of Zhang Dasen had a good reputation, he immediately believes that the winner will be his disciple brothers. Always ready to find more troubles than staying away from them, he thinks, I should investigate all the tricks of the internal disciples, so that my disciple brothers are prepared.

The internal disciples that follow the lord of the island wear uniforms too. However, unlike the senior cultivators and the guardians, the robes of the disciples have a bland shade of white. From afar, they look like a funeral procession. They’re so eye-catching that it isn’t hard for Han Yuan to find them.

The disciples around the lord of Azure Dragon Island don’t make a sound as they walk. Whether because of their sect rules or something else, no one among them gossip with each other. Their faces are full of apathy as if they had seen through the mortal world; there isn’t even a bit of cheer on their expressions. They silently leave the crowd, completely separating themselves from the excitement around, serene to the point of being isolated.

Han Yuan knows that the lord of the island is very powerful, so he dares not come too close. He just climbs on a huge tree from a good distance, and, using his hand to shade his face, he watches the group.

The internal disciples all stop as they reach halfway up the mountain road. Some disciples bring over a small palanquin and respectfully invite the lord of the island to get in.

This scene is so familiar. Han Yuan immediately recalls how his most senior brother “refused to stand if he could sit, and refused to sit if he could lie down” on Fuyao Mountain back then, when he made people to carry him to the Hall for the Teaching of the Tao. Feeling both nostalgic and amused, he thinks, This lord of the island is this old already. Why does he act the same as our sect leader and senior brother back then?

At that moment, seemingly sensing something, the lord of the Azure Dragon Island suddenly turns and looks straight at where Han Yuan is hiding, meeting his spying eyes. Han Yuan nearly falls down from the tree, shaken to his core.

The lord of the island seems to know who he is. A smile appears on the sorrowful face. However, the frown on his forehead doesn’t go away, making the smile seem rather reluctant. From afar, the lord of the island waves his hand at Han Yuan, apparently to tell him to go back and stop following them.

The internal disciples quietly wait on the sides. As soon as the lord of the island gets in the palanquin, they lift it up. In a blink of the eye, the procession becomes a white shade and disappears in front of Han Yuan’s eyes.

His jaws dropping, Han Yuan sits on the tree, being completely stunned. Fear and admiration rising in his heart, he mumbles to himself. “Holy shit, I probably can’t reach that level even if I cultivate my whole life. How many years of seclusion will that take?”

Before Han Yuan could finish his comment, he hears someone laugh quietly. Startled, he holds a handful of pine nuts and growls. “Who dares to laugh at your grandfather here?”

The leaves rustle behind him a little. Han Yuan turns back, the pine nuts in his hand are immediately shot into the thick crown of the trees. The sound stops.

Han Yuan carefully cranes his head to look. Unexpectedly, darkness falls on his eyes and he drops from the tree.

When Han Yuan comes to, the excited crowd on Azure Dragon Island has completely dispersed. His temples throbbing, he looks around with clouded eyes, but he can’t remember how come he slept under the large tree.

Han Yuan stretches and makes a large yawn. His head nearly splits into two because his mouth opens too widely, but he still feels dizzy. He has to scramble to stand up and walks back with a heavy head, feeling he has forgotten something.

When Han Yuan returns to the small building of his sect, Puddle is sitting on the wall and his Second Brother Li Yun is leaning against the doorframe. They excitedly watch Cheng Qian and Yan Zhengming spar in the yard.

“Where were you?” Li Yun waves his hand to Han Yuan. “Come here, you’re missing out on the fun.”

Fellow disciples obviously can’t take too much risk when sparring with each other. Cheng Qian and Yan Zhengming both use old and blunt wooden swords. Those swords have rough surfaces, perhaps they were chewed on by Puddle when she was teething or eaten by mites. Therefore it looks like they are waving sticks used for lighting up a fire. However, their sword moves aren’t ugly like that, going back and forth so fast to the point that the eyes can’t see clearly.

In the beginning, neither of them used forces, or any other technique. The moves they use are all from Fuyao Wooden Sword. Han Yuan is only a little late, but they already exchanged a dozen of moves.

The more progress they make in their swordplay, the more they realise that this wooden sword technique is extraordinary in the world.

The simple parts can be taught to a beginner; the complex parts can take the entire life to completely understand.

Puddle asks, full of admiration, “Second Brother, when can I start learning swordplay?”

Not taking his eyes off the sparring, Li Yun answers just for the sake of it. “When you’re taller than the sword, our most senior brother will teach you.”

Puddle jumps on the wall and raises her arms to stretch her body, resenting that she can’t be immediately as tall as the building. She asks. “Why should I learn with our most senior brother? Why not Third Brother?”

Li Yun says, smiling, “Your most senior brother is a proper sword specialist, who entered the Tao via the sword. Your third brother’s swordplay is forged through fighting. It isn’t proper enough. Too much aggression. If you learn from him, you’ll grow up to be a demon that causes chaos everywhere.”

Before he can finish the speech, a ray of chilly sword energy flies from the yard into his face. Li Yun hastily jumps up on the wall. He tsks. “He doesn’t even let people talk. Did you see it? The move is from the Fuyao Wooden Sword, but the sword will leans towards Sea Tide Sword. Such cold technique isn’t good for a little girl to learn. It’ll give you stomach ache in the future.”

Puddle is confused, not understanding what’s the relation between “learning swordplay” and “stomach ache” is.

This asshole is such a terrible senior disciple brother. Even the calm Sect Leader Yan can’t stand it. He reprimands. “Li Yun!”

Li Yun smirks a smirk full of mischief as he pats Puddle on the head.

Li Yun and Yan Zhengming argue with each other. As usual, Cheng Qian doesn’t understand any of that. Compared to Puddle, he is even more at a loss. But as Li Yun mentions Sea Tide Sword, his mind wakes up again. Full of inspiration, he says, “Baby sister, I’ll show you what Sea Tide Sword is like. Most senior brother, watch out!”

As he speaks, Cheng Qian suddenly changes his move. The previous move “The roc travels ten thousand miles” is connected immediately with “Great wave washes away the sand.” The cold air stirred up by the sword wind aggressively blows forward. It is as if the yard was swept through by a great wave. The leaves all fall down. The spot that bears the brunt of the sword’s will is full of tiny water bubbles. Li Yun has to make the hand sign to create a transparent shield in the air in front of the audience, to avoid being collateral damage.

The hair pin of Yan Zhengming is swept away by the sea tide created by the sword, but he doesn’t panic. A wave of calm and stable energy swells from his sword. It isn’t offensive like Cheng Qian’s but covers around his body and the blade, solid as if it could split the sea.

Cheng Qian’s eyes light up. “You reached the ‘concentrating the mind’ level already?”

“Concentrating the mind” is to collect the spiritual energy dispersing outside the body and glue it on the blade using the mind. Only someone who can collect and send out spiritual energy at the level of ‘concentrating the mind’ level can take the next step and unify the body and the sword, and even ride the sword and fly away.

Considering his skill, maybe Yan Zhengming can really ride the sword already.

Right after that the two wooden swords clash. The flimsy swords can’t withstand such force and break at the same time. The chilly sword will of Cheng Qian immediately disperses. He catches the broken half of the wooden sword and draws an arch in the air, smiling. “Looks like I’ll have to increase my sword practice by another two hours. Otherwise I’ll be a step slower than you.”

Cheng Qian doesn’t often laugh out loud. As he grows up, effusive crying and laughing gradually disappear from his face. A gentlemanly aura forms around him in which all feelings are displayed very moderately. However, in this moment, all of that disappears. His eyes light up, suddenly revealing a rarely seen youthfulness.

Cheng Qian had fine features from a young age. In his teenagehood, they bloom even more. If he didn’t walk the chilly path of cultivation, he would probably become someone in society who people threw fruit for1, whose gaze could kill the entire street.

Yan Zhengming is stunned. His heart suddenly moved, he instinctively uses half the wooden sword in his hand to draw a half-arc in the air, letting the sword guide the energy in his body. Right away, a ray of sword energy rises up, so gently that it doesn’t even make a sound.

Puddle is startled and makes a yelp. However, the sword energy blows past her without tearing her silk skirt. It falls down on a dying weed bush on the wall. In front of everyone, the yellow leaves become green again. The bush shakily rises up and a small yellow flower blooms.

Han Yuan and Puddle both stare at the flower in surprise. Han Yuan asks. “Most senior brother, what is this move? This is the first time I see a sword move that makes flowers bloom!”

Although Yan Zhengming has matured quite a bit, behind closed doors towards his family, he still can’t give up his love for showing off. Hearing that that question, the expression in his eyes change. He waves his arms as if going mad. The rotting branch and dried weeds on the wall visibly grow a bunch of young, green vines. They crawl out and cover the entire place, carrying many big and small pink flowers, that look like out-of-season pink apricot blossoms.

Feeling pleased, Yan Zhengming neatly withdraws his arm and assumes a mysterious air. He says with a smile. “This is a move from the fifth form ‘Return to trueness’. It’s called ‘Dried wood meets spring’.”

Seeing that he wants to show off again, Li Yun facepalms. The two brats Puddle and Han Yuan understand their superior’s temperament very well. Trying their best to flatter the sect leader, they clap their hands as if full of admiration.

Cheng Qian alone has no such concession for their sect leader. With a glance he comments bluntly. “Ah, this move. No wonder it’s neither offensive or defensive. I’ve thought hard but still couldn’t understand what this useless move was for. Turns out it’s to make flowers bloom!”

“Stop bullshiting,” Yan Zhengming is still in the recent trance so his tone is significantly softer than normal. He points at Cheng Qian. “Do my hair.”

Li Yun grabs Puddle’s clothes and pulls her from the top of the wall. “Today, if you recite the Scripture of Serenity ten times before the sun sets, I’ll show you the opening form of our sect’s style.”

Hearing that, Puddle is very excited. After all, the opening form is swordplay too! Thus she hastily runs off to grab her book and recite the scripture.

The other disciple brothers all know that the heck the “opening form” is, and try to suppress their laughter with difficulty, wondering if their little disciple sister will be frustrated to tears once she discovers that her long-awaited opening form is a round of “living better than the gods.”

Sitting by the door, Han Yuan begins his daily thirty wooden plate exercise. Li Yun holds a book and draws or writes something. Cheng Qian pulls, no, does the hair of their sect leader and senior brother. The sect leader and senior brother himself is paying a dear price for his decision; he feels that his scalp has become numb from the rough handling of this clumsy brat.

The evening sunlight pours over the endless mountains of Azure Dragon Island. Squinting his eyes, Yan Zhengming squints his eyes and thinks. “If, in the future, everyday on Fuyao Mountain can be this lively, having a long life to enjoy it is indeed ‘living better than the gods’.”

Yan Zhengming can’t help it. He misses Fuyao Mountain. In his thoughts, he doesn’t hope for the sect to have lots of fame and glory. He doesn’t care to have many admirers coming and going daily like Azure Dragon Island. He only wishes the legacy of their ancestors can be passed on, and that sect members don’t be bullied when going out in the world.

By that time his disciple brothers will have matured and accepted their own disciples. He will change his Master’s Hall of Ignorance to an ancestral hall, where the disciples will receive their punishments. The stubborn ones will be dealt with the hardass Copper Coin.

At this point, Yan Zhengming says out loud, “Wait until we return to Fuyao Mountain in the future. Maybe we’ll organise a grand tournament of our sect. Whose disciples lose, that one will have to wash the dishes. Ouch, Copper Coin! Are you trying to make me bald?”

As Cheng Qian is holding the comb with his mouth, the words come out rather warped out of his mouth. “You should have been bald a long time ago.”

Han Yuan pokes at the failed talisman with his burin and asks casually. “Third Brother, you will be in the very first fight tomorrow. What do you think? How long will it take for you to win?”

Before Cheng Qian can reply, Yan Zhengming is startled into asking. “What, first fight tomorrow? Copper Coin, why don’t you tell me? Come to my place later to pick a good sword. A grand tournament is different from usual. You can’t use a wooden sword to compete. Do you hear me?”

Cheng Qian replies with a yes. Holding a bunch of hair in his hand, he asks, seemingly without care. “What do you think? Do you need me to go to the end?”

Yan Zhengming raises his eyebrow, feeling that his disciple brother gets more and more out of bounds by the day. With these words, Cheng Qian shows that he has completely no regard for anyone in the world, no matter how powerful they are. Yan Zhengming can’t resist it and teases. “Will you really defeat everyone in Lecture Hall and claim Azure Dragon Island, once I say the word?”

Cheng Qian smiles. “I can’t be sure that I’ll win. But if you think it’s necessary, I’ll do my best.”

Cheng Qian very rarely declares to “do my best” like that. These words from him are far weightier than from other people, because he absolutely doesn’t say it for fun. If he promises to “do my best”, he will really fight to his last breath.

An unnamed feeling rises in Yan Zhengming’s heart. He sighs inwardly, feeling that no matter how much affection he showers Cheng Qian, it won’t be enough. He even forgives Cheng Qian for pulling out five or six strands of his hair.

Yan Zhengming says softly, “Xiao-Qian…”

Cheng Qian replies. “Uhm, I’m done.”

Li Yun raises his head to look and immediately chokes, coughing nearly to death. Han Yuan has already covered his eyes, not daring to look.

Puddle is already back from fetching the scripture and gets to see the new looks of her sect leader and senior brother. Her jaw dropping, she looks at him full of admiration. Cheng Qian has put two flowers symmetrically on two sides of his most brother’s head. They look just like a pair of colourful ears. Their most senior brother would only need a red dress to show up in a matchmaking party!

A second later, a growl echoes throughout the building. “Cheng! Qian!”

Why should he waste his affection on this asshole?! What use is there to keep him around?

Cheng Qian runs through the building into his room, about to close the door to block a vengeful most senior brother outside. At that moment, the sounds of bell and drum rise urgently under the evening sky of Azure Dragon Island.

The bell rings loudly repeatedly. The relentless beats of the drum press on a person’s heart.

Laughter freezes on Cheng Qian’s face. The door, which is already closed halfway, stays in its position. “What happened?”

Li Yun stands up with a serious face. He frowns. “If I remember correctly, the bell is a warning, and the drum is to summon the internal disciples to fight off intruders. Someone dares to attack Azure Dragon Island?”

“Puddle, stay here, don’t run off,” Yan Zhengming calls back Puddle, who is running to the gate to watch. “Let me send someone to go out and ask. Zhe Shi…”

Before he can finish his speech, the gate to the building is pushed roughly from the outside. Zhe Shi is breathing heavily and chasing after someone. “Wait! Zhenren, you…”

Everyone in the building looks out and sees only Tang Wanqiu, who is standing there with an expressionless face.

She says curtly, “Follow me.”

Yan Zhengming steps forward and asks, “Senior, what is happening on this island? Where do you want me to go?”

Tang Wanqiu has absolutely no patience to explain. She turns and, without a word, grabs Puddle’s clothes. As the little girl screeches loudly, Tang Wanqiu carries her like a package, leaving only a curt “Don’t be tardy!”

Because of that, the group from Fuyao Sect has no other choice than to follow her. Cheng Qian is about to leave when he remembers something. He turns back and waves his hand. The lock on the wardrobe falls down; the sword Shuang Ren inside flies into his hand.

*******

1. This post explains about the throwing fruit to a pretty man thingie.