Chapter 41: Drawing a Sword to Sever Water, Vinegar Stirs the Waves

Xinyi looked at the broken sword in his hand and fell into deep thought—could it be that his words and actions had revealed something to this little Peak Master? Otherwise, why would she have said those things?

……

"Since I cannot practice with a long sword, doesn't that mean these days have been spent in vain?" Maidong asked, feeling a bit anxious.

Lingxiang glanced at him, her expression one of frustration at his lack of progress.

"How can you say it was in vain? I only said it wasn't suitable for a long sword, I didn't say a long sword wouldn't work." Lingxiang put down the cup in her hand, stood up, and walked in front of Xinyi. "Besides, even if a long sword doesn't work, just consider it as him getting familiar with the moves first." As she spoke, she extended her right hand, half-covered by the sleeve of her cotton-padded jacket, toward Xinyi.

Xinyi did not understand what she meant and was stunned for a moment, not knowing what to do.

"What a blockhead." Lingxiang said, snatching the long sword from Xinyi's arms and drawing it out.

Just as everyone was wondering what she was about to do, they saw her form a seal, then snap the soft sword clean, leaving only an inch and a half of the blade.

"What is the meaning of this?" Xinyi asked.

"The Water Art is inherently a technique for short weapons. For now, just use it like this. When the sect selects weapons for you later, we will make other arrangements." She handed the broken sword to Xinyi. "Try it and see if it feels smoother than the long sword."

Xinyi practiced a few moves, and it was indeed much more fluid than before.

"Does it feel more like using a blade? The Water Art can also be practiced with dual weapons; I imagine that would be even handier for you."

He was just feeling the changes when he was caught off guard by Lingxiang's sudden remark, and he was greatly alarmed in his heart.

But when he looked at her, he saw that she had turned her head and sat back down on the chair.

……

If he were truly discovered, what would happen then?

Xinyi was still deep in thought when Zhao Wuyang suddenly patted him.

"Xinyi Dage!"

This startled Xinyi, and he habitually prepared to counterattack as he rose, scaring Zhao Wuyang into retreating repeatedly.

Once he saw who it was, he hurriedly put away the broken sword and stood up to help him, but his fierce appearance just now had caused Zhao Wuyang to retreat even further, his face full of terror.

"I... I was thinking about something from my childhood and didn't notice you calling me. I scared you, didn't I..." Xinyi made a gesture to retract the hand he had reached out toward Zhao Wuyang.

Xinyi's display of hostility just now was indeed terrifying, but Zhao Wuyang thought of what he had said to Long Qi that day, and suddenly understood in his heart.

Although he could not fathom the bitterness within, his mother often said that if one could give others a bit of warmth, why be stingy with it?

Before Xinyi could put his hand down, Zhao Wuyang resolutely grabbed it, saying that he had indeed been scared just now, acting as if he didn't mind at all.

Yet, ripples stirred in Xinyi's heart—although he had been the one to ask Zhao Wuyang to stand up, this grasp felt as if it were Zhao Wuyang holding onto him.

He was a man bathed in blood, with a debt of blood on his hands, already trapped deep in the mire and unable to pull himself out.

These days in the Yuanqing Sect and his time with these people had caused his guard to slacken, and he had truly immersed himself in it, as if he were content.

But the things he plotted might end up hurting them.

While he was lost in thought, Zhao Wuyang called out to him again.

"Xinyi Dage, what is the matter with you?"

"Uh, there is a move in the Water Art that is extremely profound; I was just contemplating it."

"Hey! No matter how hard you work, you still have to eat. Long Qi and Liu Xia are waiting for you, so they sent me to call you. They went to the kitchen to get food for us, otherwise, there won't be any good food left if we're late." Zhao Wuyang said, pulling Xinyi along.

Looking at Zhao Wuyang, who was like a child yet seemed to shine with sunlight, Xinyi felt as if the darkness in his heart was being dispelled.

But if he were to hurt this sun-like person in the end, what should he do...

Long Qi and Liu Xia had settled the food and had just sat down when they heard what the neighboring table was saying.

"Why didn't Chengkai come? Could he be practicing again? So diligent that he forgets to eat and sleep? Has he gone mad?"

"Eh? He was behind me when we came out just now, why is he gone?"

At this moment, someone carrying a wooden tray sat down.

"Just as we were leaving the courtyard, I saw a woman call him over. I heard him address her as Peak Master; it must be the rumored Qingwei Peak Master."

"What? You saw the Peak Master? Is she as beautiful as a fairy, just like the rumors say?"

"Whether she's a fairy or not, I couldn't see clearly, only that she was dressed very warmly, so she must be extremely afraid of the cold. But her voice was very pleasant, even better than the girls singing in the taverns in the city."

"Why is this little Peak Master looking for Chengkai? Could it be that she has taken a fancy to our Chengkai's burly physique?"

Hearing this, Long Qi slammed the table and stood up. Fortunately, Liu Xia reacted in time and grabbed him before he could turn around.

The disciple's words just now were indeed reckless, but Lingxiang had visited multiple times by climbing over the wall, so she definitely did not want others to know about their relationship. Although he didn't know why, there must be some other reason. If Long Qi were to flip out now, he would expose this relationship, which might ruin Lingxiang's plans.

Long Qi had also been overcome with anger upon hearing those words, but after being pulled by Liu Xia, he calmed down. However, he was still feeling stifled, so he threw down his bowl and chopsticks and left the Public Kitchen. Seeing this, Liu Xia hurriedly followed.

When Xinyi and Zhao Wuyang arrived, there were only four wooden trays and some untouched soup on their usual table, but Long Qi and Liu Xia were nowhere to be seen. After asking around, they learned the reason.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuyang became anxious and wanted to go out to find them—Liu Xia and Long Qi had previously been at odds with Chengkai because of him, and now, they might end up fighting.

Xinyi stopped him and persuaded him to finish his meal before going—although anyone with eyes could see Long Qi's inner thoughts, he himself seemed unaware. If this incident could make him see himself clearly, it might be a good thing.

Yet, he himself had not considered when he had started to care about other people's affairs.

Zhao Wuyang could not win against Xinyi, so he had to sit down to eat, but he was anxious and had no appetite for the food. He gulped down two mouthfuls and dragged Xinyi out to find them. The poor thing was that Xinyi hadn't even gotten a piece of radish into his mouth before it was dropped on the ground.

Long Qi searched everywhere but couldn't find them. He was extremely annoyed but had no other choice, so he kicked an old pine tree nearby to vent his frustration—it had been less than half an incense stick of time since they left the Outer Disciple Courtyard, how could they have disappeared? That girl Lingxiang, what is she looking for that guy Chengkai for? Could it be that she really has taken a fancy to him!

Seeing him like this, Liu Xia couldn't help but laugh. He had teased him about Lingxiang before, but this guy had always denied it. Yet, who couldn't see that he cared about Lingxiang? Every time someone mentioned her and another disciple, he would always act jealous while pretending to be calm. Now that it involved Chengkai, he was truly anxious.

"Come to think of it, although Lingxiang called Chengkai outside the courtyard, they should be talking inside the house. Why don't we go to Chengkai's courtyard to look?" Seeing Long Qi's burning anxiety, Liu Xia suppressed his laughter and suggested.

As soon as Long Qi heard this, he didn't say a word and headed straight for where Chengkai lived without a second thought.

They were not in the room, but there were two cups of hot tea on the table in the hall. When they found the backyard, they saw the two of them sitting together on a large rock, not knowing what they were talking about.

Seeing this, Long Qi felt his stomach churn and sourness rise, as if he had eaten four taels of glutinous rice balls and couldn't digest them.

"Lingxiang! Chengkai! What are you two doing here alone!"