Chapter 737: Chatting

"... I like it."

Jiang Yiner reached out and took it gently, holding it in her hands to look at it. She raised her head to look at the youth, her eyes smiling, then lowered her head again to fiddle with it.

"Thank you, Brother." Jiang Yiner asked curiously, "Why is it so beautiful?"

"Do you still need to doubt my carving skills?"

"I'm talking about the stone." Jiang Yiner smiled.

"Haha, secret."

"Alright." Jiang Yiner smiled, pouting slightly.

She thought for a moment, clearly not having decided where to tie it yet, so she carefully put it into her small bundle first.

"What sword were you practicing just now?"

"《Phoenix Roaming》." Jiang Yiner revealed some distress, "Master taught it, but I still can't learn the second form."

"You are only sixteen, and you've learned the first form for a long time. The sword Grandpa Yue taught me, I only managed to use it when I was seventeen." Pei Ye said, "Their swords are very difficult to learn. You are already very amazing."

"Brother, you were already many times better than me when you were seventeen."

"Why are you comparing yourself to me? There are many reasons why I'm amazing. You can't go through everything I've been through." Pei Ye walked toward the sword performance field, tilting his head and smiling at the girl.

"What kind of things are you talking about, Brother?"

Pei Ye thought for a moment: "Life-and-death situations, partings of life and death... Anyway, a lot."

"I can do it too." Jiang Yiner said without hesitation.

Pei Ye was slightly startled. Looking at the girl's clean face from the side, he imagined her on Mount Xincang, at Great Kongdong, in the Purple Bamboo Forest, in the Imperial Palace Mirage... Thinking about it, she indeed had a sufficiently resilient mind, but Pei Ye still took a deep breath, raised his hand, and tapped her on the head.

"..." Jiang Yiner looked up at the youth blankly.

"With me here, you don't need to." He said dominantly.

Jiang Yiner looked at him, and after a moment, burst into laughter.

"... What are you laughing at?"

The girl was usually serious and reserved. It seemed to be the first time Pei Ye saw her laugh like silver bells.

"Brother is funny." Jiang Yiner didn't say much more, quickly restrained her laughter and smile, took the youth's hand off her head, and said, "Thank you, Brother."

Pei Ye indeed had a dream of being an older brother, but he didn't expect to fail at the first attempt. He frowned and reflected in his heart, and didn't speak either.

Jiang Yiner's mood seemed quite good, walking beside him, humming a little tune.

"Brother, when shall we go to listen to the opera again?"

Pei Ye was slightly startled: "Hmm... whenever is fine. Before the Feather Scale Trial, I should have time."

"Okay, in a few days, I'll treat you to listen to the opera, Brother." Jiang Yiner thought for a moment, "Is Brother in the Sword Academy now?"

"Yeah, I just listened to the Daoist sword lecture this morning... I'll be here afterward too." Pei Ye tilted his head to look at her, "You actually dared to skip class. When I see Head Daoist Ying, I will report you."

"No!" Jiang Yiner smiled, "I was practicing sword by myself... I have things to do."

"What things do you have?"

The girl pursed her lips slightly, feeling somewhat like a crane looking at snakes: "The Kunlun Yanri Palace came to ask about the sword the day before yesterday. That Chen Mishuang was too bullying. Fellow student Zhang looked like he couldn't beat him. It was clearly just an exchange on the field, but he didn't hold back at all... Seeing him about to bully the disciples of small sects one by one, I made a sword trial with him."

However, she sighed lightly again: "I want to learn the second form of 《Phoenix Roaming》, so I can have the certainty of victory, but I've practiced for several days and still have no clue—Brother, why can you learn a new sword every time you practice for a few days before a battle?"

"I don't know either." Pei Ye smiled, "What's the situation with that Chen Mishuang you mentioned?"

"He is the top of the youngest generation of Kunlun Yanri Palace, seventeen years old this year, and ranked forty-third in the last Fu Ranking. This person is very rude. I think because the sword technique of Kunlun Yanri Palace has particularly heavy killing intent, he has practiced it to the point of man and sword as one."

The girl had always been upright and polite, and had never spoken ill of others in front of Pei Ye. This was the first time she had said something slightly sarcastic.

Pei Ye smiled: "Then what is he good at?"

"He is good at that sword technique of his." Jiang Yiner held the scabbard behind her back with both hands, swaying gently, "《Six Blades Cutting Brilliance》, the second killing sword of Yanri Palace. He is young, but he has almost finished learning it, and I..."

Pei Ye nodded: "I just listened to the lecture. Daoist swordsmanship doesn't emphasize killing, especially the sword techniques practiced by young disciples, which are shorter in actual combat. You are already at a disadvantage when fighting with peers of the same age. It's all thanks to your extraordinary talent that you learned the various swords of 《Phoenix Roaming》 in advance, which is why you are so amazing."

Jiang Yiner was somewhat embarrassed: "I'm not very amazing."

Jiang Yiner felt a bit embarrassed. "I'm not that amazing."

"That's right. When he dealt with Zhang Chao, he used three consecutive attack swords. He would rather take a sword from Zhang Chao than knock him off the stage within a breath." Jiang Yiner said, "And first, I don't have a very amazing defensive sword, and second, this is the first time I've encountered his sword technique, so I don't know how to dismantle it."

Pei Ye smiled: "Then let me give you a tip, do you want to listen?"

"Hmm? Okay!"

"I think you are from a Daoist background and have practiced the principle of the circulation of all things since childhood. When it comes to the sword, your understanding of sword principles is often deeper and higher than other swordsmen. Therefore, when you play the sword with others, it is a true 'playing of the sword', always able to solve the sword moves and dismantle them from their most subtle points.

"This is the highest-style method of using a sword, the kind most praised by all sword critics. The reason you were able to barely break the 'Seven-Step Sword Control' and occasionally win against Yang Zhenbing is because of this.

"But you lose to Zhang Chao." Pei Ye said, "Because his sword moves are very plain and clumsy, only using the sword as a sharpened iron tool, never involving anything profound, so you have nowhere to start—did I say anything wrong?"

Jiang Yiner nodded thoughtfully, admiringly: "Brother is right."

"Sword competitions are not just about 'playing'." Pei Ye smiled, "If you want to win, you might as well try 'fighting'."

"... Fighting?"

"That's right. I'm going to offend your Daoist state of mind—don't overcome hardness with softness, and don't respond to changes with constancy. He attacks, and you attack too, and hold the thought of 'at worst, we'll both lose our heads', and then strike."

Jiang Yiner was slightly startled: "But, he has practiced killing swords and attack swords since he was a child. If I attack with attack, can I beat him?"

Pei Ye smiled: "I think you can. I have always liked such stupid opponents. Those who love to use ruthlessness, blood, and killing swords to bully others are often cowardly in their deepest hearts. Precisely because he truly treats ruthlessness and seeing blood as a formidable weapon, and believes in and fears its power from the bottom of his heart, he is so arrogant when he holds such powerful violence. He doesn't believe that there is anyone in the world who doesn't fear it as much as he does.

"This kind of person looks like they don't fear life and death, but once you defeat his sword, or look more unafraid of death than him, he will have no more courage." Pei Ye smiled, "This is called 'floating courage'."

Pei Ye looked at the girl. He knew that her mind was far more resilient and brave than he imagined, and she would never lose in a contest of courage.

Jiang Yiner frowned thoughtfully, and looked at the youth with some admiration: "Brother, your insight is really high. Then I understand."

"Hmm, give it a try." Pei Ye smiled, "If it doesn't work, I'll rush up to save you immediately."

"... Brother, you said it so solemnly, but it turns out you aren't sure yourself."

"Haha, even Zhuge Liang had times when he misjudged Ma Su."

The sword field was crowded with heads.

More than twenty sword students of the current grade were all here, and more than a dozen sword students from previous grades were interspersed.

Although everyone wore the same sword practice clothes, they were actually of different ages, came from different sword sects, and were not necessarily familiar with each other.

The Kunlun Yanri Palace was also in the middle reaches among the middle twelve sword sects. This visit to ask about the sword had attracted many people after all. However, seeing their aggressive momentum, many sword students who originally intended to exchange skills were unwilling to go on stage. Some knew their skills were not enough, some had connections with them, and some were like Han Xiuben, who was slick and smooth—the Sword Academy was not their own sword sect after all. If Yanri Palace wanted to use them as a stepping stone, then let them. It wasn't worth offending a big sword sect.

When Pei Ye and Jiang Yiner walked over, the time was about right, and everyone was seated. He glanced at them. There were many strange faces, and at the same time, many people looked over. Many of them clearly didn't recognize his face either.

The two sat down on the side, and many eyes from the opposite side fell on them.

They were all disciples of Kunlun Yanri Palace, about seventeen or eighteen people, in gorgeous clothes and jade crowns, with swords across their knees.

The two at the head looked like brothers. One was an arrogant youth with upturned pupils and sharp features; the other was more peaceful, with a smile, looking to be in his early twenties, lowering his head to carefully arrange the tassels on his sword.

Chen Mishuang, Xu Wensang. They were the two leaders of the current generation of Kunlun Yanri Palace. Xu Wensang was ranked eighteenth in the Fu Ranking. He didn't make a move during this visit, clearly just setting the stage for his junior brother.

Because he was ranked in the top twenty, he was already famous. In the situation where Yang Zhenbing didn't make a move, there was no fame in defeating these sword students.

Seeing Jiang Yiner sit down, without waiting for the sword teacher to speak, Chen Mishuang stood up first, leaning on his sword, staring at the girl and sneering: "I thought you wouldn't dare to come?"

Xu Wensang said: "Mishuang, don't be rude."

But there were no more words.

Their visit to ask about the sword was clearly designed, but it didn't seem too tricky on the surface—in the situation where Yang Zhenbing didn't make a move, the only ones in the academy who could threaten Chen Mishuang were Chu Shuiting, Han Xiuben, and Zuoqiu Longhua.

But these people were all over twenty, so when Yanri Palace came, what Xu Wensang said was "to meet young peers of the same generation for my junior brother". Although he didn't explicitly say under twenty, it would be awkward if Chu Shuiting really went up to teach the youth a lesson—especially if he didn't necessarily win beautifully.

Not to mention that Xu Wensang was here to hold the line.

And for the current grade sword students under twenty, even though Chen Mishuang was only seventeen, he was truly a strong enemy.

Zhang Chao had made rapid progress since entering the academy, but he was injured by his sword in three moves. If Jiang Yiner hadn't stepped forward, there really wouldn't have been any sword students to meet the challenge.

Now that Jiang Yiner had taken on this Chen Mishuang, who had the sharpest edge, the visit to ask about the sword could continue downward. There were five from Yanri Palace and six or seven from the Sword Academy. This was the content of the sword playing class this afternoon.

At this time, Jiang Yiner was provoked and frowned without speaking. Pei Ye tilted his head and smiled: "Can't you say something harsh?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, forget it if you don't want to. You don't have to fight back immediately when provoked. Sometimes it lacks force and just makes you look jumpy." Pei Ye lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Just be as immovable as a mountain right now. Just win against him in a moment, and say one sentence in a calm voice, not too loud or too soft, just enough for the whole field to hear."

"What sentence?"

"—You fool like this, are you worthy of talking about the sword in front of me?"

"..." Jiang Yiner looked at him in shock, "I, I don't know how to scold people. And... Brother, I am a monastic, I need to cultivate my character."

"Ah, is that so."

"Hmm."

Jiang Yiner indeed didn't fight back, but the state of the two of them whispering together was undoubtedly a kind of fight back.

The two sat cross-legged side by side. The sword teacher on the field finished speaking, and the swordsmen on both sides began to compete round after round. Generally speaking, although there was some friction, the visit to ask about the sword was genuine, with mutual victories and defeats. Except for Chen Mishuang who had to win every time, Yanri Palace didn't manipulate the victories and defeats of other disciples, so the field gradually heated up.

Pei Ye hadn't been here for a long time, so he relied entirely on Jiang Yiner to explain the people on the field. The two discussed and laughed, talking about which sword form was used poorly. Pei Ye loved to mock people, and the girl always showed a helpless smile, and even looked at the swordsmen on the field apologetically.

"It's fine, they can't hear."

"But Brother shouldn't always speak ill of people behind their backs."

However, the chatting time finally ended. Several rounds on the field were finished, and there were probably mutual victories and defeats. Chen Mishuang slowly stood up at this time, looking straight at the corner and saying coldly: "It's your turn."

The field was slightly quiet, and everyone looked over.

Everyone knew that the highlight of today was coming.

When Chen Mishuang came last time, he arrogantly picked five people in one breath, and none of them lasted five moves under his sword. Many sword students might not lack courage, but their own sword sects were weak, so naturally, they didn't dare to offend Yanri Palace. Only this True Disciple Jiang from Shenxiao stepped forward.

She was only ranked around one hundredth in the last Fu Ranking. No one expected her to dare to stand up to this person directly.

At this time, many people watched as Jiang Yiner stood up directly, drew 【Zhaoshen】, and pointed it straight at him.

The girl's face was clean and beautiful, expressionless, and for a moment, she really had a sense of awe. Many watching sword students were invigorated.

Chen Mishuang narrowed his eyes in anger. The girl's clear eyes and clear voice said: "You are narrow-minded and rude. You said you were visiting to ask about the sword, but you deliberately injured my fellow students in the academy to show off your power. I don't know how Yanri Palace taught you. I am one year younger than you, so there is no need to talk about age. If I win, you must apologize to Zhang Chao."

These words were polite and well-founded, and the spirit was awe-inspiring. Pei Ye secretly admired her by her side, thinking that he was only suitable for saying a sentence after winning.

Chen Mishuang sneered: "Really delicate. Swords have no eyes. If you get hurt, you get hurt. It's worth mentioning. Little girl, if I hurt you again, don't cry."

He drew his sword and walked out. Jiang Yiner also walked out of the crowd and stood on the sword field. ===== CHAPTER 738 =====

Chen Mishuang narrowed her eyes in anger, her voice clear and her gaze cool. "You are narrow-minded and rude in your behavior. You claimed to be here to visit the Sword Academy, yet you intentionally injured my fellow students to show off your might. I don't know how the Yanri Palace taught you, but I am a year younger than you, so there is no need to bring up age. If I win, you must apologize to Zhang Chao."

These words were polite and well-reasoned, and her spirit was awe-inspiring. Pei Ye, standing by her side, secretly admired her, thinking to himself that he was truly only suited to saying such things after he had already won.

Chen Mishuang sneered. "How delicate. Swords have no eyes; if you get hurt, you get hurt. It's not worth bringing up. Little girl, if I hurt you again, don't come crying to me."

He drew his sword and walked out, while Jiang Yiner also stepped out from the crowd and stood upon the sword arena.