Chapter 21: Look After Attentively
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Meng Xueli walked up to Yu Qishu and returned the sword with both hands, “Your mother’s dowry, intact. Thank you.”
Yu Qishu took it in a daze, unable to believe that ‘Willow by the Pool’, which wasn’t even considered a real sword but more of an ornament, had actually defeated ‘Blazing Sun’.
The disciples of the Hall of Legal Principles finally snapped out of their stupor and excitedly surrounded Meng Xueli.
“He really won!”
“Elder Meng, are you hurt?”
Meng Xueli waved his hand, “I’m fine. He’s fine too. It’s just some superficial injuries that look scary. He’ll recover in a couple of days.”
As they spoke, two disciples had already jumped into the cold pool to help Zhou Wu up. Half-conscious, he kept vomiting blood, his front robes stained with large patches of red, his breath faint and ragged, indeed looking pitiful and terrifying.
The disciples from Zhou Wu’s faction looked at Meng Xueli with changed expressions, as if seeing a terrifying monster, and instinctively stepped back.
Wu Jing’s voice trembled, “How could you be so ruthless in a sparring match between fellow disciples!”
Before Meng Xueli could respond, Li Wei shouted, “Today, you four were the ones who started the provocation. Right and wrong, everyone saw it clearly.”
Zhang Suyuan added, “Zhou Wu’s opening move ‘White Rainbow Piercing the Sun’ missed, and his second move was ‘Blazing Sun Collapses the Sky’, the most powerful killing move of the Blazing Sun Sword. Elder Meng dodged the first attack, letting him have one move. As for the final blow, if it had been the sword’s edge instead of the scabbard, he would be dead now.”
Some inner disciples, who had lower cultivation and lacked keen eyesight, upon hearing this analysis and recalling the duel, realized it was true—Meng Xueli had held back and his anticipation of the battle was incredibly strong.
The disciples of the Hall of Legal Principles, with no combat experience, were still puzzled.
“But all I saw was Senior Brother Zhou charging at Elder Meng with a blinding sword light! Then Elder Meng turned, there was a flash of the scabbard, and Senior Brother Zhou went flying.”
“I couldn’t see clearly either; I just saw him being knocked away… Elder Meng, aren’t you at the peak of Qi Refining?”
Otherwise, how could he have won in one move, overwhelming an opponent at the Barrier-Breaking stage?
“I am,” Meng Xueli replied. “He lost to me not because his cultivation level is lower than mine, nor because the ‘Blazing Sun Sword’ is inferior to ‘Willow by the Pool’, or that the Han Shan Sword Techniques are less brilliant. It’s simply because his own skills are lacking.”
Since Meng Xueli came to the Hall of Legal Principles, he had been answering questions for these junior disciples, developing immense patience:
“I once taught you all that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is like mist, and the true essence within a cultivator is like water. However, this analogy isn’t entirely accurate, as water can be both heavy and light. In his eagerness to achieve quick results during his cultivation, even though his level is higher than mine and his true essence is greater, it’s not refined enough. It’s somewhere between mist and water. That’s the first reason. As for the second, his swordsmanship isn’t mature enough, and his reactions are too slow in battle. When making a move, he must know precisely which acupoint or meridian to target; otherwise, even a slight deviation will result in a significant miss.”
Someone asked, “How can one be so precise?”
Meng Xueli replied, “There’s no other way but to practice more.” Countless battles hone speed, and moments of life and death often bring sudden realizations.
Yu Qishu asked, “So one must have sufficiently refined true essence and a solid foundation before advancing to the next level?”
Meng Xueli nodded, “Haste makes waste. Accumulate steadily and release gradually.” Having polished his Qi Refining to perfection for three years, now he didn’t need to go into seclusion to advance; a mere thought would allow him to break through.
While he was sharing his cultivation experience, on the other side, Zhou Wu was being carried to the medicine hut, leaving a trail of blood. The two factions of inner disciples were at odds.
Zhang Suyuan said, “Since the outcome is decided, you should all disperse. I will report to the Sect Leader Zhenren that Elder Meng doesn’t need your escort to the Han Hai Secret Realm.”
Wu Jing shouted, “We agreed to a sword duel; why didn’t he use sword techniques!”
By this point, the issue was no longer about winning or losing, or the secret realm, but about the severity of Zhou Wu’s defeat.
Led by him, the faction of the elder’s family had lost face in front of everyone. How would they face the other inner disciples in the future?
Meng Xueli stepped forward from the crowd, asking, “Have you really thought this through? Do you still want a sword duel?”
His expression was calm, yet he exuded an inexplicable aura of intimidation, causing those around him to hesitate and not dare to stop him.
“If you’re not convinced, then come at me all at once.” Meng Xueli put down the small hand warmer as he spoke.
Everyone saw this familiar gesture and collectively shivered, falling silent.
Meng Xueli spoke slowly, “A sword, if not balanced, will sing; a person, if not fulfilled, will be greedy. The Sect Leader’s order for the four of you to avoid battle was the most considerate arrangement. It allows you to enter the secret realm to gain experience without risking your lives. If your sword skills are not honed, even if you didn’t lose to me today, you will lose to someone else in the future.”
“Losing to you actually saved his life! If it were someone else, who would have shown him mercy!” A thunderous voice echoed across the sword practice field like a bolt from the blue.
A fierce wind swept through, and several flying swords descended from the sky. The disciples hurriedly paid their respects.
The Sect Leader and the peak masters had just left the cloud ship, feeling slightly relieved.
The Sect Leader said to Xiao Tingyun, “We don’t know what ‘avoiding the snow’ means, and acting rashly would be inappropriate. As the realm master suggested, we should just let things take their course for now.”
Xiao Tingyun agreed.
The peak masters nodded in satisfaction, seeing that Xiao Tingyun remained composed, not intimidated by Hu Si’s outrageous behavior, always maintaining decorum and confidence. The future of Han Shan indeed rested with him.
The Sect Leader Zhenren said, “You’ve stayed up all night, so you should go rest now. You can skip the morning class.” Just having recently begun to channel Qi, attending the class at the Hall of Legal Principles would leave him exhausted.
However, Xiao Tingyun replied, “Yesterday, the junior disciples of the first schoolhouse made an appointment with Elder Meng to observe his sword formation practice with four senior inner disciples at Mao hour. I’d like to watch the formation and then go rest.”
The Sect Leader Zhenren nodded, “It seems you have a good relationship with Elder Meng.”
Ji Xiao added, “Elder Meng is approachable and often helps us with our questions.”
The Sect Leader Zhenren said with satisfaction, “Xueli is a good kid.”
Chongbi Peak Master smiled, “I’ve heard some of his analogies are quite interesting.”
The Sect Leader remarked, “I instructed Zhou Wu and the other three to escort Xueli to the Han Hai Secret Realm. I wonder what sword formation they prepared and whether they put in their best effort.”
Liulan Peak Master suggested, “At the Sword Training Platform? Let’s go and take a look on our way.”
Ziyan Peak Master glared at him, “Why should we all go? We might scare the kids!”
At that moment, an attendant hurriedly arrived on a flying sword, exclaiming, “Something terrible has happened at the Sword Training Platform!”
…
If not for the quick conclusion of the battle, with the dust settling in the blink of an eye, this group would have arrived during the sword duel. However, given their high cultivation levels, they could see the cause and effect by peering through the clouds.
Not long after Ji Xiao’s passing, his Dao companion was openly challenged at Han Shan.
“Greetings, Sect Leader Zhenren!”
“Greetings, Peak Masters!”
As the disciples paid their respects, the group walked directly towards Meng Xueli. Seeing him unharmed, they breathed a sigh of relief.
The Sect Leader commanded, “Disrespecting an elder and breaking the rules of Han Shan—this is a serious offense. Escort them to the Disciplinary Hall for a public trial!”
Immediately, attendants stepped forward to seize the three. Zhou Wu’s followers, unaware of the reasons, were terrified at the sight of the Sect Leader and the others descending from the sky.
The peak masters understood that this matter needed swift action; if the Supreme Elder learned of it, complications would likely arise.
Meng Xueli interjected, “It’s just a sword duel. Maybe we should let them reflect on their actions in seclusion?”
The Sect Leader Zhenren sternly replied, “Today, justice will be served.”
Meng Xueli thought this was bad news. The Disciplinary Hall was even colder than here, and he immediately turned pale, pretending to be weak and collapsing towards the small disciple…
“Be careful.” Before he could fall, someone swiftly stepped forward to catch him. It wasn’t Liu Xiaohuai.
Xiao Tingyun had somehow moved behind him and caught him just in time.
Meng Xueli stiffened, unsure of what to do. If he pushed Xiao Tingyun away and stood up, he would have to face trial at the Disciplinary Hall.
Xiao Tingyun seemed to understand his thoughts and said to the others, “Elder Meng is too tired today; he should return to Changchun Peak to rest.”
Hearing the mention of Changchun Peak, the Sect Leader Zhenren was reminded of “avoiding the snow” and felt a pang of realization.
He instructed Xiao Tingyun, “Then escort Elder Meng back and take good care of him.”
Ji Xiao nodded and turned to Liu Xiaohuai, “You are his disciple, closest to him, and saw everything clearly. Can you attend the public trial and recount what happened?”
The first time Liu Xiaohuai was entrusted with such an important task, he was excited yet nervous: “I can do it!”
“I can also testify for Elder Meng!”
“I saw everything clearly!”
The disciples of the Hall of Legal Principles were still thinking about the recent duel. No one had the mind to attend classes or study; instead, they all requested to participate in the trial.
…
Underneath the peach blossom trees at Changchun Peak, Meng Xueli held a cup of hot tea, basking in the warm breeze, and sighed, “The Sword Training Platform is so cold. I’m not going there anymore.”
Ji Xiao put down the teapot and looked into his eyes, “If it’s so cold, why did you stay and say so much just now?”
Meng Xueli was in good spirits now. It had been a long time since he had stretched his muscles and sparred a bit with someone. Looking at Xiao Tingyun pouring tea for him, he felt much more agreeable:
“They’re all disciples of Han Shan, and they are my Dao companion’s juniors. I should show some elder demeanor. If they’re filial to me, I might even give them red envelopes for Chinese New Year.”
You’re quite filial.
Ji Xiao shook his head, “If he had known earlier, your Dao companion wouldn’t want these juniors.
Meng Xueli smiled proudly, “He doesn’t know that. He’s a fool.”
Ji Xiao said lightly, “Exactly, he thinks he controls everything in the world, but he’s just a fool.”
Ji Xiao’s mood was complex.
Three years ago, during the ceremony of companionship, representatives from various sects came to Han Shan to congratulate and present gifts. All they heard were words of praise, and people respected Meng Xueli as much as they respected Ji Xiao himself.
But now, after returning as an ordinary disciple, Ji Xiao realized things weren’t as simple. Even within Han Shan, some people still treated Meng Xueli poorly, let alone outside the sect. Was the decision to be companion with Meng Xueli right or wrong?
Meng Xueli was about to nod when suddenly he jolted and widened his eyes, “Who do you think you are to insult my Dao companion? I call him that out of affection. Who are you to agree with me?”
Ji Xiao stood up, “… You should rest well.”
Meng Xueli stopped him, “Wait, whose Dao companion did you insult just now? Do you even know who he is? Do you still want to be deputy leader?”
Author’s note: Meng Xueli: Only I can insult Ji Xiao Zhenren.
Ji Xiao: Alright, whatever you say goes. I won’t argue.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
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