Chapter 43: Misunderstandings Resolved, Thoughts Deepen

At Lingxiang's shout, everyone present was stunned, especially Long Qi and Chengkai.

No one could have imagined that someone with such a petite frame could possess such a powerful, resonant voice.

Long Qi was amazed; it turned out that the deafening sound from the Sound Transmission Talisman that Shangqing Zhenren had opened that day was not caused by the talisman's power, but was actually shouted out by this girl!

"Although the two of you have yet to determine a winner, the fighting process was truly spectacular, and it made me very happy," Lingxiang said, pulling out a handful of pine seeds from somewhere unknown. "But in my opinion, Chengkai has the slight edge."

Hearing her say this, Long Qi became somewhat displeased.

"Since the outcome hasn't been decided, why say he has the edge?"

Seeing him like this, Liu Xia and the other two quietly stepped back a few paces, leaving space for the three of them.

"Does that even need to be said? He has been studying on his own and can still fight you to a standstill; if you aren't convinced, why don't you try sparring with him again using a Soft Sword?"

Hearing this, Long Qi was left speechless—he really did owe his ability to fight Chengkai to this extent to the advantage of his weapon and Sword Formula.

"Alright, since everyone is gathered here today, let's resolve the previous misunderstandings!" Lingxiang said, leaning against a large rock and starting to crack pine seeds again.

Misunderstandings? What misunderstandings?

Zhao Wuyang was confused and looked toward Liu Xia.

Liu Xia thought for a moment and realized Lingxiang was referring to the incident at the Public Kitchen, so he stepped forward and said, "The incident last time was clearly him starting the fight first; everyone saw it clearly, so how could it be a misunderstanding?"

Lingxiang shelled a pine seed without looking up and said, "Let's put that matter aside for now. As far as I know, you two have always been at odds, and the root cause is nothing more than groundless rumors among the disciples."

It was true; the reason he couldn't stand Zhao Wuyang was because he detested those who took shortcuts, which was why he had acted that way.

Chengkai thought this, and so he said it out loud.

"If that's the case, then it was your fault," Lingxiang said, having finished shelling a handful of pine seeds before she stood up and looked at Chengkai. "I am very pleased that you are diligent in your craft, but one must seek the truth personally before reaching a conclusion."

Seeing Lingxiang approach, Long Qi moved calmly to stand between her and Chengkai.

"What 'taking shortcuts'? I really don't know if I should laugh at you for not distinguishing right from wrong, or for being crude and reckless."

Hearing these words, Lingxiang couldn't help but click her tongue.

"An elder is lecturing, yet you, a junior, are interrupting—you truly deserve a beating."

Long Qi was scolded and felt a bit annoyed—what elder? She was clearly just a little girl!

Although somewhat displeased, he still blocked the space between the two.

Seeing him like this, Xin Yi found it amusing and nearly laughed out loud.

Chengkai was not angry upon hearing this; since the Peak Master had said so, there must truly be some misunderstanding.

"Who spread these rumors is unknown, but the day Wuyang sought out my senior brother, it wasn't to ask him to be his master, but to beg him to come down the mountain to treat his mother's illness," Lingxiang said, looking at Zhao Wuyang.

Seeing Lingxiang look at him, Zhao Wuyang knew he was expected to explain, so he stepped forward and told Chengkai what he had done that day and why he had come up the mountain.

"It's not that I am biased toward Wuyang; it is truly because the first ones to go to the Zhao Mansion that day were me and Maidong. And since the Zhao Mansion mistress's illness was caused by a demonic creature, if Fuyin had not arrived in time, I fear we would have been in danger too," Lingxiang added to ensure Chengkai would believe her.

Chengkai had no doubts; since the little Peak Master had personally verified it, it must be true.

In that case, he was the one who was wrong.

Chengkai hurriedly knelt halfway to apologize to Zhao Wuyang, repeatedly calling himself out for his mistakes and for hurting Wuyang, begging for forgiveness.

Seeing him like this, Lingxiang felt even more that this person was decent. Senior Brother Zhaoming had a rather unique eye; although this person was a bit reckless, he was straightforward and diligent in his pursuit of the Dao—he was a talent worth cultivating.

As for Liu Xia, seeing Chengkai like this, he held not a shred of his previous resentment; not only that, he even felt a sense of goodwill. This person was just like him—both hated evil as if it were a personal enemy—and the fact that he could set aside his pride to apologize to Wuyang without any apparent reluctance suggested he was a man of character.

Seeing Chengkai like this, Zhao Wuyang hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, repeatedly saying it was no big deal and not to worry about it, but because of his own small stature, he simply couldn't lift him.

Seeing Zhao Wuyang like this, Chengkai felt even more ashamed. To be so broad-minded at such a young age—his own actions were truly contrary to the way of a gentleman, even though he had never considered himself one.

Thinking this, he bowed four times to apologize before finally rising with the help of Zhao Wuyang's strength.

After leaving the Outer Disciple Courtyard, Long Qi looked displeased, while Lingxiang appeared completely indifferent, still cracking the seemingly endless supply of pine seeds. The "click-clack" sound was constant, making him feel somewhat irritable.

"Is that stuff really that good? I heard you shelling them during the spar, and it kept distracting me," Long Qi finally couldn't hold back and complained.

"It's not that they're particularly delicious, but I'm idle, and these Pine Cones are shaped like the Peak Tower, symbolizing rising to a higher level. The seeds also nourish the body, so eating more is beneficial in the end," Lingxiang said, popping one into her mouth.

"You!" Long Qi was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say—this woman's way of thinking was always different from ordinary people; she could not be judged by common sense...

Seeing the two of them like this, Liu Xia hurriedly tugged at Xin Yi, who immediately understood and pulled Zhao Wuyang away to return to their room.

Poor Zhao Wuyang was still lowering his head, working hard to shell the nuts Lingxiang had given him—he really didn't know how Lingxiang managed to shell so many so easily. Not paying attention, he was pulled into a stumble and nearly spilled the nuts in his hand.

"You..." Long Qi spoke with difficulty, wanting to ask what kind of relationship Lingxiang had with Chengkai, but he didn't know how to start when he tried to ask.

Seeing him like this, Lingxiang looked puzzled.

"If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you stammering? You're not some sheltered young lady; are you feeling shy?"

And wasn't he feeling shy? For Long Qi, this was the first time he had to ask a woman about such things, even though he had never really thought of Lingxiang as a woman.

"You... you are so concerned about Chengkai, could it be that you think... think... think he is good?" He finally managed to ask, but his tongue felt tied in knots.

Lingxiang was thinking about how, regardless of whether Chengkai's mental knot was untied, she had at least fulfilled Zhaoming Zhenren's request. She was still calculating which day to go to his hall to get her hands on the Fire Spirit Bead, so she didn't pay attention to Long Qi.

"Naturally, he is very good. Although he is a bit reckless, he is a decent person overall."

Hearing Lingxiang say such words, Long Qi immediately became anxious.

"You! How can you think he's good! You already have me!"

"Wha... what?" Lingxiang looked puzzled. What did he mean by "already have him"? "Senior Brother Zhaoming thinks Chengkai's character is acceptable and intends to take him as a disciple, but he seemed to have a mental block, so he entrusted me to come and resolve it. Judging by today's events, this person is indeed quite good."

So that was it!

Long Qi looked at Lingxiang; her eyes were clear, black and white, and there really wasn't much emotion in them.

"I... I meant... I thought you were planning to take him as a disciple..." Long Qi said, rubbing his nose to cover it up.

"Take him as a disciple? Forget it, I already find you troublesome enough..." Lingxiang complained, then turned her head to go back to calculating the matter of the Fire Spirit Bead.

This girl, she probably hasn't had her heart awakened yet...

Long Qi let out a long sigh of relief.

But had he himself had his heart awakened?