Chapter 421: The Return Carriage

Decision: No concerns.

Of the seventy-two names called during the entire ceremony, these four characters appeared only twice.

"Agreed" already signifies basic consent; "conditionally acceptable" is an ambiguous phrasing, since the true ranking must still be decided on the Jade Sword Platform over the next two days.

Thus, for many, even if the Revision Council agreed to grant this position, they would still adopt the stance of "Agreed: conditionally acceptable," because locking in the words brings no benefit and is entirely unnecessary.

As Qu Xin said, these four characters mean "beyond doubt."

——Beyond doubt, the name "Seeing Pei Ye" belongs in this position, at the top of the first column on the Jade Sword Golden Roll.

When people laughed at the seventy-two names, they never imagined these four characters would settle atop the first spot.

From Liuhe Terrace to the entire Sword Platform, the crowd fell utterly silent; the clear, resonant voice calling the name was firm and unwavering, showing not the slightest hesitation, its echo still lingering in the sky.

When the name Qi Qi Mengchen appeared eighth, some sharp-eyed observers noticed a dark horse had broken into the top eight; they exchanged amused glances, eagerly awaiting the next names, while others with broader knowledge suggested names like "Ji Ji Zhuowu."

But when Zuo Sheng appeared fifth, they frowned in confusion; anger and bewilderment began to spread across the crowd, surging like a tide. Many suspected this was a backroom deal, that the court had forcibly shoved one of their own into the rankings—an insult to the Sword Selection!

When the names Su Su Xingke and Cui Zi were called next, the crowd nearly erupted into uncontrollable uproar; even the calmest among them tightened their brows.

But when Xiang Zhang Zongyuan settled at second place, everything fell quiet again.

There was no such backroom deal.

If there were, it would be the most absurd provocation.

Everyone listened in stunned silence as that utterly unfamiliar name descended without question to the very top of the Sword Roll.

The Revision Council, having surveyed all the talents and unanimously agreed without concern, declares the first among Shaolong's sword prodigies: a seventeen-year-old named Seeing Pei Ye.

After an unimaginable silence, the crowd erupted into the loudest clamor—shock, bewilderment, and above all, an instant surge of urgent questions.

Yet on Liuhe Terrace, silence still blanketed the entire scene.

Su Su Xingke stood motionless before the railing, the wooden slats crushed with finger impressions.

No one spoke. Two months ago, they all knew who their rival would be, for across all Shaolong, only a handful stood at their same level. Just two or three days ago, they arrived here with confidence, still facing each other in direct opposition.

Precisely because each of them was exceptional, unafraid of direct competition, and utterly unwilling to yield to another.

Yet this name was not even on Liuhe Terrace.

Finally, Xiang Zhang Zongyuan regained his composure first; he raised his hand and poured himself another cup of tea. On the other side, Nan Nan Guannu spoke softly, his lips no longer curved in a smile: "Does anyone here know this champion?"

No one answered; several didn't even turn around. Bai Fei shook his head in confusion.

Yan Yan Bingjian took a sip of wine: "We don't know his sect, his origin, or his master—not even his gender."

Bai Fei exclaimed: "Could she be a girl?"

Qi Qi Mengchen fell silent for a moment: "'A glance settles all; watch the heroes.' That's not even a sword doctrine verdict."

Xiang Zhang Zongyuan lowered his gaze as he poured tea: "Since the Revision Council declared 'no concerns,' this Seeing Pei Ye must have grounds for such certainty. I look forward to hearing the legend of this mysterious boy over the next two days."

At that moment, the clear voice rang out once more across the entire crowd: "Thus ends the listing of the seventy-two sword prodigies recorded in the Shaolong Sword Golden Roll. Their rankings reflect the Revision Council's order before you ascend the Jade Sword Platform, and serve as the foundation for tomorrow's revision."

"At dawn tomorrow, all talents shall ascend the Jade Sword Platform to jointly revise the Golden Roll, for two days. Specific details and invitations have been delivered to your lodgings. Also: Young Master Seeing Pei Ye is currently suffering from serious injuries and will ascend the Jade Sword Platform to demonstrate his swordsmanship before the final rankings are settled, to determine the top three."

"We sincerely thank you all for your participation. Now we know Shaolong's dragons soar and phoenixes fly—its swordway's prosperity is but days away."

"."

Amid the tidal roar, Liuhe Terrace sank once more into frozen silence. Cui Zi let out a cold, quiet laugh: "So, Shaolong has its own 'true dragon child' now? —Sixth Life?"

No one answered. He rose, drew his sword, and descended the stairs.

Su Su Xingke still stood expressionless by the railing, murmuring softly: "Seventeen."

It was now the hour of You; the sun was sinking toward the west. From this moment onward, every hour, countless people would scour desperately for the name and deeds of this seventeen-year-old boy, only to strike against mysterious, forbidden walls in half-truths and rumors.

————

Seeing Pei Ye was stunned.

The two syllables "Seeing Pei Ye" rang so loudly; the two ink characters were so clear. He turned his head in confusion; Qu Xin was also glancing at him, speaking calmly: "Congratulations."

"."

Seeing Pei Ye turned back, finally realizing this was all real.

He remembered Senior Sui saying, "I must first make people know you," and remembered Cheng Cheng Yuanqi's warning: "You may need to descend tomorrow." But he had never imagined it would happen this way.

He thought he could ride the Sword Selection's coattails, show his face, make friends, spar a little—naturally, that would be enough to be known.

Because the Sword Selection had never been about him.

This was a major event prepared for two months by the Shaolong government and the entire martial world; countless martial artists flooded the prefectural capital to witness it. It had the strictest selection and rules. Even great sword sects like Mingzhu Water Pavilion and Luoying Mountain, seeking an audience with Cheng Cheng Yuanqi, were sternly refused for merely asking questions.

Now, after two months of immense complexity, this grand event reached its conclusion—and Senior Sui said… you are unquestionably first.

So this was true fame spreading through Shaolong.

In a surge of indescribable emotion, Seeing Pei Ye turned—and saw an old man with white beard and a cold face standing behind him: Gao Gao Feigong, who had accompanied him all the way from Great Kongdong.

Seeing Pei Ye rose quickly: ". High Commander, what are you doing here?"

Gao Gao Feigong smiled faintly: "I was entrusted by the Governor to secretly protect Young Master Pei."

". Ah!"

"I just received a message from the Governor—he will meet you at the Infirmary at Hai time." Gao Gao Feigong held a soft, fine silk cloak. "The naming is done. If you wish to return now, we may depart at once."

Seeing Pei Ye did not leave the pavilion; he descended directly via the dedicated corridor stairs. As he stepped outside, the bustling voices of passersby came as expected.

". Yeah, who knows him? I've never even heard the name."

"Only seventeen…"

"I'm dying to know who he really is."

". I don't believe he's better than Cui, Xiang, or Su! Have you seen his sword? A hidden, nameless Sixth Life as number one?"

". Hurry, hurry, check Du Du Wuniang's place—see if there's news on this young prodigy! I'd pay five taels!"

Seeing Pei Ye raised his hand to pull his hood lower, then suddenly glanced aside—and froze. Beneath the eaves beside the building stood the entire Feiyan Sword Sect group.

The girl named Ren Ren Zixin had clearly been injured in the earlier match; her left arm was bandaged, her eyes slightly red as she sat on the ground, while the others gave her the only patch of shade.

Ren Ren Zixin clearly hadn't expected anyone to emerge from this small, unassuming door. She looked up, startled, recognizing the boy who had sat cross-legged on the bench beneath the teahouse.

His white robes and boots were gone; beside him stood another coldly beautiful girl, and behind them trailed the white-bearded elder, his aura like a mountain. The golden sun illuminated the sharp angle of the boy's jaw. He nodded slightly, then turned toward the magnificent carriage.

The soft cloak fluttered in the wind. Ren Ren Zixin stared, recognizing the fabric—【Jiao Xiao Zi】—only five zhang produced daily, each chi costing twenty taels of silver.

(End of Chapter)

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