Chapter 422: Talking About the Road Ahead

Pei Ye sat calmly in the carriage as it returned to the Medical Tower, occasionally hearing his name called from outside the window.

As if a great lake had been struck by a massive stone, Pei Ye watched the ripples spread across the entire city.

It was hard to describe his emotions—never in his seventeen years had the boy found himself in such a position; it was too sudden, too high, as if a man grounded on earth had been abruptly lifted into the clouds, where exhilaration and thrill were inevitably mixed with panic.

Pei Ye couldn't help wanting to share this feeling with someone, but he instinctively shifted his gaze—the familiar white robe was no longer beside him, and the green shadow with whom he had shared everything was already a thousand miles away.

Pei Ye blinked in silence when the small cat on his shoulder suddenly said calmly, "Pei Ye, you're truly famous now."

"." Pei Ye turned to look at it, those lustrous emerald eyes as clear as ever.

Pei Ye plucked it off his shoulder—he had noticed too: as he spent more time in the mortal world, the cat was no longer entirely the cold, detached creature it once was. Perhaps it had been tainted, or perhaps more "humanity" had awakened from within—it had buried its cold, lofty goal deep inside, and for these past days, it had never mentioned it to him again.

"If I can't win the day after tomorrow, will you help me?"

"I'm just a cat."

"If I die, you won't live either."

"We can break the pact."

Pei Ye pinched its face.

Qu Xin watched this quietly, then spoke coolly from beside him, "You really are family."

"." The human and the cat both froze.

The carriage stopped beneath the tower, where four armored soldiers stood at the door. The boy, cloak draped and cat clutched, was escorted up to the top floor, where the physicians conducted today's examination and he took the 【Green Emperor Pill】 as instructed.

He then entered the adjacent quiet room, where Qu Xin prepared needles and herbs at the table. Pei Ye sat on the edge of the bed, swinging his legs, curiously scanning the complex array of instruments in the room.

Qu Xin walked over. Pei Ye stared at the familiar needle set: "Didn't you use this set yesterday? I remember it felt quite comfortable—the last two times left me sore."

"Mm. 【Spring Qi Minor Needles】." Qu Xin approached with a candle, and Pei Ye watched the needles in her hand—one was unusually thick, but he couldn't tell where it would be inserted.

"Let me help Young Master Pei take off his boots." Qu Xin whispered.

"Ah?! No no!" Pei Ye shrank back, pulling his legs away.

But the girl made no move to assist, merely watching him calmly: "Then what are you waiting for?"

"."

Pei Ye clenched his lips, rolled his eyes, and removed his boots and outer garments before lying face-down on the bed.

After the needle treatment, Pei Ye felt utterly refreshed. He sat up lazily and fastened his buttons: "Are there more needles after this?"

"Two more sessions tomorrow, morning and evening—then you won't be hindered in combat."

Pei Ye smiled, but the girl added, "If you lose, we'll bring you back and give you a discount."

"."

Pei Ye left the quiet room feeling invigorated and returned to his rest pavilion.

Dinner had already been served. The entire city glowed with rising lanterns. Pei Ye leaned against the window, gazing at the vast city and the darkening sky beyond, knowing tonight his name would be spoken by countless mouths.

Just as the moon peeked halfway out from beside the window, a sword scabbard extended from the eaves and tapped the window frame. A gentle, weary voice came down: "How do you feel today, Young Master Pei?"

Pei Ye leapt onto the eaves. Beneath the bright moon, Sui Sui Zaihua sat cross-legged on the roof, his silver hair tied back, a single sword resting on his knees, a cup of clear wine beside him.

"You've seemed busy these past few days."

"I told you I was being promoted." Sui Sui Zaihua handed him a full cup, speaking softly, "I received the seal today."

Pei Ye had heard him mention "Protector-General" in Great Kongdong, but back then he'd only half-understood. Only in these past two days, from others' words and his own eyes, had he begun to grasp the mountain-like height and power of the old man before him.

But whether then or now, the old man's tone revealed no excitement or satisfaction—he simply told the boy plainly and honestly.

They had grown quite familiar. Pei Ye couldn't help asking, "Aren't you happy?"

"Hmm?" Sui Sui Zaihua was slightly surprised, then smiled and raised his cup. "Can't you tell I'm relaxed? I don't usually drink."

With his appointment as Protector-General, the Yi Jian Society's success, and the Great Kongdong matter concluded, three major affairs were all settled. The old man clearly radiated ease—he lifted his cup, drank deeply, and sighed contentedly, "Ha."

But "ease" and "happiness" were not the same, Pei Ye thought.

Since the old man didn't answer, Pei Ye didn't press. He swirled the clear liquid in his cup, watching the moonlight ripple, then drank it all in one gulp.

"I usually don't drink either."

"Hah! Are you pleased today?"

"." Pei Ye paused, then couldn't help smiling. "Pleased."

From the moment Cheng Cheng Yuanqi bowed to him upon departure, to the unprecedented carriage and attendants, to the freedom to enter places of great authority, to every action being prearranged and every wish treated with reverence—these were all experiences he had never known.

True, he felt awkward and uncomfortable, and he still refused to drop formal address to others, but this prince-like sensation was indescribable.

Especially the naming at the Sword Selection.

When he told Qu Xin, "When I reach the Eighth Life, I'll surely make the Fú List," wasn't that just a whisper of longing stirring within him—these sword fighters are truly formidable, but am I truly as good as them?

In sword talent, I surpass all of you.

Of course, this thought never left his lips, nor even fully formed in his mind, for ahead lay the wall of rational reality—no matter how high your sword talent, you must first manifest it to count. No one knows Pei Ye yet; you're only Sixth Life, your sword just entered the Spiritual Realm, and only you believe in yourself.

So you must keep it inside, work silently, until you slowly make everyone believe.

But the old man swept that process away with a wave of his hand.

—You are the top sword talent in Shaolong. You must win first place in the Shaolong Sword Selection. Naturally.

In that moment, his heart truly surged.

"I said you're the white crane beneath my wing," Sui Sui Zaihua poured wine, gazing down at the city below. "What's yours, no one has the right to ask you to yield."

"." Pei Ye finally couldn't hold back another feeling: "I'm actually a bit uneasy."

"Mm."

"To be thrust so suddenly into such a high position—it's not something I climbed to step by step, and there are too many people…" The boy frowned softly. "I've never experienced this."

"Yes. For the next three days, countless people will question the name 'Pei Ye.'" Sui Sui Zaihua turned his head to look at him. "And it will only grow louder—I knew this when I made the decision."

"Then why—"

"Are you afraid?"

Pei Ye froze.

"Are you afraid you can't beat them?"

"." Pei Ye fell silent. "I'm worried I can't win. I don't know those few formidable fighters—I don't know their techniques… and they're all Eighth Life."

"That's exactly why I want you to fight like this," Sui Sui Zaihua said.

"."

"If I only placed you above those you're certain to beat, that would be climbing a ladder, not ascending to the heavens," Sui Sui Zaihua said. "Let the entire Fucheng wait and doubt the name 'Pei Ye.' Let those self-proclaimed sword prodigies glare at you coldly. In the end, on the Jade Sword Platform, you will meet that title with the sharpest blade, won't you?"

Sui Sui Zaihua drank deeply, his aged, luminous eyes gazing kindly at him: "It's just another miracle, that's all."

"." But what if I lose…

"Then you lose," Sui Sui Zaihua laughed freely. "We'll just reassign your rank. Hahahaha."

"." Pei Ye couldn't help a wry smile. "You didn't even warn the sects—they'll hate me to death."

"Because a smile doesn't always win respect," Sui Sui Zaihua refilled his cup, sighing softly. "They want first place too. You want first place. How else can they not hate you?"

"."

"If you go around smiling and making friends, they'll look down on you," Sui Sui Zaihua said. "Only by standing unquestionably at the summit can you earn the right to turn back and make friends."

Pei Ye slowly nodded.

The two sat on the rooftop, sipping slowly. Below, the faint sounds of people faded. Above, only the autumn night sky.

In the silence, Pei Ye turned his head, gazing at the old man's sharp, weathered face for the first time so closely—the skin had loosened with age, the features still carved as if chiseled, temples clean, eyes like deep wells. A man who had lived this long must have seen through many things—even himself.

"." Lord Sui.

"Hmm?"

"Do you have any ideals?"

The moonlight flowed like water. The boy's clear eyes met his.

Sui Sui Zaihua smiled: "To speak of ideals to an old man is to offer a blade he cannot see."

"But you must have one, right?"

"."

Of course he did.

Whenever two people come together, they can always speak of ideals. Your ideal determines your path; mine determines mine.

Why do you do so much for me? Why do you so unhesitatingly grant me power drawn from yourself, as if I were your own nephew?

Pei Ye read little and had little experience, but he wasn't foolish.

Sui Sui Zaihua leaned back slightly, propping his hands behind his head, reclining against the eaves, and smiled: "If I tell you, will you laugh at me?"

"." How could I!

"Alright," Sui Sui Zaihua looked upward, "I want to understand it."

"." What? Pei Ye blinked, following the old man's gaze—but there was only emptiness. "What, Lord Sui? I'm only Sixth Life—I can't see well."

"Hahahaha, can't you see?" Sui Sui Zaihua laughed, turning back. "This vast expanse of sky!"

"." Pei Ye froze.

"See? You're smiling."

"I'm not!" Pei Ye covered his mouth.

But this was exactly the kind of question he would've asked at age ten.

Sui Sui Zaihua seemed to see right through him, and didn't mind. He gently swirled his cup: "If life is a circle, then children and the elderly ought to overlap."

"."

"I'm serious, Pei Ye," Sui Sui Zaihua's face grew solemn as he gazed quietly at the clear autumn night. "If a person sees the highest, most distant thing in this world while still young, he can never leave it behind. Either he is crushed by it, and wastes his life in despair—or he becomes obsessed with it, and from then on, he has one eternal enemy."

"."

Sui Sui Zaihua turned his head to look at him: "You understand, don't you?"

"Yes."

"I truly want to know how this world operates; sometimes I feel someone is manipulating my fate—who is that hand?" Sui Sui Zaihua closed his eyes. "When you grow older and your cultivation advances, you'll understand what I mean."

"."

"So if I have a goal, it is this, Pei Ye." Sui Sui Zaihua opened his eyes and looked at him seriously. "I understand your question—I won't hide anything from you. This year I've been appointed Inspector General; in the next decade, I aim to accomplish two things: first, to be transferred to the Central Secretariat, join the Three Departments, or become Military Commissioner of the Two Long regions; second, to ascend to the Heavenly Tower."

Pei Ye's eyes widened in shock: "But you've only just—"

Sui Sui Zaihua laughed heartily and shook his head. "Another blade."

Pei Ye hastily waved his hands: "No, no, no—that's not what I meant—"

Sui Sui Zaihua offered no explanation, smiling: "Anyway, first you need a goal."

He grew solemn. "There's no other reason, Pei Ye. You're the finest sword talent I've ever seen—resolute, clear-minded, upright. Back in Bowang, I told you I liked you very much."

"So I invite you to walk this path with me," Sui Sui Zaihua gazed at him gently. "No need for master-disciple or elder-younger titles—only because we share the same lofty ideal, and I believe you are the most trustworthy companion in this world."

"Will you, Pei Ye?"

"." Pei Ye stared, stunned.

"You can reply in two days," Sui Sui Zaihua flicked his sleeve and smiled. "Don't worry—I'll still pay your bill and arrange the carriage for you."

"." Pei Ye blushed and rubbed the back of his head.

"Now, let me update you on the current matters," Sui Sui Zaihua straightened up; the wine in the flask was gone, and his voice had returned to its calm tone. "First, the matter you asked Fu Yun to inquire about—I received word two days ago. Li Li Piaoqing declined the sword invitation, so she didn't come to Fucheng."

"."

"Second, regarding the arrangement for the Jade Sword Terrace's merit registry. Tonight your name has spread; tomorrow, the Immortal Terrace will issue the Merit Roll for the Joyful Death Tower battle, and your name will be on it. The day after, when the registry is finalized, we will bestow your reward on the Jade Sword Terrace."

"At that time, I want to give you this position." Sui Sui Zaihua handed him an unsigned official document. "The 'idle post' Cheng Cheng Yuanqi mentioned to you briefly—I actually proposed its creation: the Junior Feather Surveillance."

"To patrol on the Emperor's behalf, pacify the martial world—including the Great Kongdong, Luoying, Mingzhu, and other sects. This post is truly idle; all its authority derives from the Grand Feather Surveillance—but the Grand Feather Surveillance is mine." Sui Sui Zaihua said. "In truth, once you enter the Mystic Gate, I intend to entrust you with the entire Lesser Long martial world."

"."

"Again, it won't interfere with your going to the Divine Capital's martial competition—you can stay there for a few months each year. After all, I plan to go there myself eventually." Sui Sui Zaihua smiled. "That's all. Think it over. Come talk to me if you have thoughts."

". Huh?" Pei Ye looked up in surprise—he'd thought he'd be chatting with the old man all night. "Are you still busy? Aren't you retired?"

"This isn't a duty required by my post," Sui Sui Zaihua lifted his sword with a faint smile. "But I must do it."

". What?"

"Tonight, the Immortal Terrace completes its planning; tomorrow night, we'll give the Sima an opportunity." Sui Sui Zaihua's dark eyes fixed on the youth, his lips tightening. "If we can, we'll end Qu Zhu—destroy the Joyful Death Tower completely."

Pei Ye instinctively stood up, but Sui Sui Zaihua merely waved him off. "Go."

(End of Chapter)

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