Chapter 739

「...like it.」

Jiang Yiner reached out gently to take it, cradling it in her palms, glanced up at the boy with eyes smiling, then lowered her head to fiddle with it.

「Thank you, Elder Brother.」 Jiang Yiner asked curiously, 「Why is it so beautiful?」

「Do you doubt my carving skills?」

「I mean the stone.」 Jiang Yiner smiled.

「Haha, secret.」

「Alright.」 Jiang Yiner smiled, giving a tiny pout.

She thought for a moment, clearly unsure where to fasten it, so she carefully tucked it into her small bundle.

「What sword were you just practicing?」

「The Phoenix Flight.」 Jiang Yiner showed signs of frustration, 「My master taught it to me, but I can never master the second form.」

「You’re only sixteen, and you’ve already mastered the first form for a long time. The sword my Grandpa Huai taught me, I barely managed to use it until I was seventeen.」 Pei Ye said, 「Their swords are just hard to learn—you’re already very talented.」

「Elder Brother, you were far more skilled than me at seventeen.」

「Why compare yourself to me? I have many reasons for being strong—you can’t possibly go through everything I have.」 Pei Ye walked toward the sword practice ground, glancing sideways at the girl with a smile.

「What things are you referring to, Elder Brother?」

Pei Ye thought: 「Near-death escapes, partings and deaths... anyway, plenty of them.」

「I can do that too.」 Jiang Yiner answered without hesitation.

Pei Ye froze slightly, glancing at the girl’s pure face, imagining her in Xincang Mountain, Da Kongdong, the Purple Bamboo Grove, the Imperial Mirage... he realized she indeed possessed sufficient resilience, yet still he took a deep breath and slapped her lightly on the head.

「...」 Jiang Yiner stared up at the boy, dazed.

「With me here, you don’t need to.」 he declared authoritatively.

Jiang Yiner looked at him, then suddenly burst into laughter.

「...What are you laughing at?」

The girl was usually serious and reserved; Pei Ye had never seen her laugh like a silver bell before.

「Elder Brother is funny.」 Jiang Yiner said no more, quickly suppressing her laughter and smile, lifting his hand from her head, 「Thank you, Elder Brother.」

Pei Ye did have an elder brother fantasy, but he hadn’t expected his debut to fail so badly—he frowned inwardly in reflection and fell silent.

Jiang Yiner’s mood, however, seemed quite good; she walked beside him, humming a soft tune.

「Elder Brother, when will we go listen to opera again?」

Pei Ye blinked slightly: 「Hmm... whenever you like. Before the Yulin Trial, I should have time.」

「Good. In a few days, I’ll treat you to opera.」 Jiang Yiner thought, 「Are you currently in the Jian Academy?」

「Yeah, I just attended Daoist sword instruction this morning.」

「I’ll be here the rest of the day too.」 Pei Ye glanced at her, 「You dare skip class? When I see Dao Shou, I’ll report you.」

「No!」 Jiang Yiner laughed, 「I’m practicing my own sword... I have things to do.」

「What things?」

The girl’s lips pressed slightly, giving off a faint air of disdain: 「The Kunlun Yari Palace came to challenge the other day. That Chen Mishuang was utterly oppressive—Zhang Chao clearly couldn’t defeat him, yet it was only supposed to be an exchange, and he showed no mercy... Seeing him humiliate disciples from minor sects one by one, I challenged him to a sword duel.」

She sighed softly: 「I wanted to master the second form of the Phoenix Flight to ensure victory, but after days of practice, I still have no breakthrough—Elder Brother, why is it that every time you train for a few days before a fight, you master a new sword?」

「I don’t know either.」 Pei Ye smiled, 「Tell me about this Chen Mishuang—what’s he like?」

「He’s the top young disciple of Kunlun Yari Palace, seventeen this year, ranked forty-third last Fubang. He’s extremely rude—he’s trained his sword to embody killing intent, achieving unity of man and blade.」

The girl had always been upright and courteous, never speaking ill of others before Pei Ye—this subtle, slightly venomous criticism was her first.

Pei Ye smiled: 「So what makes him strong?」

「His sword.」 Jiang Yiner held her sword scabbard behind her back, swaying it gently, 「The Six Blades Sealing the Sunlight—Yari Palace’s second-ranked killing sword. He’s so young, yet he’s nearly mastered it—while I...」

Pei Ye nodded: 「I just heard the instruction—Daoist sword doesn’t emphasize killing. Young disciples especially lack practical combat experience. You’re at a disadvantage against peers your age, and only your extraordinary talent, having learned the Phoenix Flight swords early, makes you this strong.」

Jiang Yiner felt slightly embarrassed: 「I’m not that strong.」

Pei Ye thought: 「So according to you, his sword style must be sharp, arrogant, and heavy with killing intent.」

「Yes. When he fought Zhang Chao, he used three offensive forms in succession, willingly taking Zhang Chao’s strike just to knock him off the platform within a single breath.」 Jiang Yiner said, 「First, I don’t know any powerful defensive sword forms; second, I’ve never encountered this sword before—I don’t know how to break it.」

Pei Ye smiled: 「Let me give you a tip—listen carefully?」

「Huh? Sure!」

「I think you’re from the Daoist tradition, raised since childhood on the principle of the flow of all things. In swordcraft, you naturally perceive deeper, higher principles than other swordsmen—so when you duel, you truly ‘play chess with the sword,’ always unraveling techniques by dissecting their most subtle points.」

「This is the highest style of swordplay, the kind every sword critic praises. That’s why you barely broke through the Seven Steps Sword Control, and occasionally defeated Yang Zhen Bing.」

「Yet you still lost to Zhang Chao.」 Pei Ye said, 「Because his sword forms are extremely plain and clumsy—he treats his blade as nothing more than a sharpened iron tool, never reaching for elegance or subtlety. You can’t find a foothold—am I wrong?」

Jiang Yiner nodded thoughtfully, admiringly: 「Elder Brother is right.」

「Sword duels aren’t only about ‘playing chess.’」 Pei Ye smiled, 「If you want to win, try ‘dueling with force.’」

"Sparring with the sword isn't only about 'Yi.' " Pei Ye smiled, "If you want to win, try 'Duelling Blade.' "

「Yes. I’m going to offend your Daoist mindset—don’t yield softness to hardness, don’t remain unchanged to respond to all changes. He attacks, you attack too—with the mindset of ‘we might as well both lose our heads,’ then strike.」

Jiang Yiner blinked: 「But he’s trained since childhood in killing and offensive swords. If I match him with offense, can I really defeat him?」

Pei Ye smiled: 「I think you can. I’ve always liked these foolish opponents—those who rely on brutality, blood, and killing intent to intimidate others are often cowardly at heart. Precisely because they truly believe their cruelty and violence are extraordinary weapons, worship and fear their power, they become so arrogant when wielding such overwhelming force. They don’t believe anyone else shares their fear.」

「Such people appear fearless, but once you break their sword—or appear even less afraid of death than they are—they lose all courage.」 Pei Ye smiled, 「This is called ‘false bravery.’」

Pei Ye looked at the girl—he knew her spirit was far more resilient and brave than she seemed, and she would never lose in a contest of courage.

Jiang Yiner frowned in thought, gazing at the boy with admiration: 「Elder Brother, your insight is profound—I understand now.」

「Good, give it a try.」 Pei Ye smiled, 「If it fails, I’ll rush out to save you.」

「...Elder Brother, you spoke so confidently, but you’re not sure at all.」

「Haha, even Zhuge Liang misjudged Ma Su.」

"Hah, even Zhuge Liang misjudged Ma Su sometimes."

The sword field was crowded with heads.

All twenty-odd students of this level were present, interspersed with several dozen former students.

Though everyone wore identical sword-training robes, their ages differed, their sword schools varied, and many didn’t know each other.

Kunlun Yari Palace ranked mid-tier among the Twelve Sword Schools; this visit naturally drew many spectators, but seeing their aggressive demeanor, many sword students who had intended to challenge them now hesitated to step forward—some knew they were outmatched, others had ties to Yari Palace, and still others, like Han Xiuben, were universally smooth—after all, the Sword Academy wasn’t their own school; if Yari Palace wanted to step on others’ heads, let them. It wasn’t worth angering a major sword school.

When Pei Ye and Jiang Yiner arrived, the time was nearly right and everyone was seated. He scanned the crowd—many unfamiliar faces, yet many eyes turned toward them, clearly not recognizing him.

The two sat down on the side; numerous glances from across the field fixed on them.

All were disciples of Kunlun Yari Palace—about seventeen or eighteen of them, dressed in fine robes and jade crowns, swords resting across their knees.

The two at the front looked like senior brothers: one a haughty youth with upturned pupils and sharp features; the other calmer, smiling faintly, in his early twenties, carefully tracing the tassels on his sword.

Chen Mishuang and Xu Qiansang—the top two disciples of this generation of Kunlun Yari Palace. Xu Qiansang ranked eighteenth on the Fubang; he hadn’t fought in this visit, clearly only here to provide a stage for his younger brother.

Since he was ranked among the top twenty, he was already famous; without Yang Zhen Bing’s intervention, defeating these students wouldn’t earn him any glory.

Seeing Jiang Yiner sit down, before the sword master spoke, Chen Mishuang rose first, leaning on his sword, glaring coldly at the girl: 「I thought you wouldn’t dare show up?」

Xu Qiansang said: 「Mishuang, don’t be rude.」

Seeing Jiang Yiner take her seat, before the sword master could speak, Chen Mishuang rose first, leaning on her sword and glaring coldly at the girl: "I thought you wouldn't dare show up?"

Their visit clearly had a design, yet they didn’t appear overly cunning—without Yang Zhen Bing, only a few students like Chu Shuiting, Han Xiuben, and Zuoqiu Longhua could threaten Chen Mishuang.

But all of them were over twenty, so Xu Qiansang’s stated purpose was simply: 「To find young peers for my brother to duel.」 Though he didn’t explicitly say under twenty, if Chu Shuiting stepped up to teach a boy a lesson, it would look bad—especially if he didn’t win convincingly.

Besides, Xu Qiansang was here precisely to oversee.

For students under twenty, Chen Mishuang, though only seventeen, was undeniably a formidable opponent.

Since Zhang Chao entered the academy, his progress had been rapid—yet he was defeated in three strikes. Had Jiang Yiner not stepped forward, no one else would have dared challenge him.

Now that Jiang Yiner had accepted the challenge from Chen Mishuang, the most aggressive of them, the visit could proceed. Yari Palace had five representatives; the Sword Academy had six or seven—this afternoon’s sword practice would be their focus.

At this moment, Jiang Yiner, having been provoked, frowned silently. Pei Ye glanced sideways and smiled: 「Can’t you throw a retort?」

Now that Jiang Yiner had taken on Chen Mishuang, the most formidable swordsman, the sword visit could proceed. On Yan Ri Palace’s side there were five; on the Sword Academy’s side, six or seven—this afternoon’s Yi Sword session.

「Never mind, if you don’t want to, don’t. Being provoked doesn’t mean you must retaliate immediately—sometimes silence is stronger, and it makes you look less desperate.」 Pei Ye leaned down, whispering in her ear, 「Just sit still now. When you win, say one thing softly—just loud enough for everyone to hear.」

「What to say?」

"It’s fine, don’t explain if you don’t want to. Being provoked doesn’t mean you must strike back immediately. Sometimes, a weak response only makes you look desperate." Pei Ye lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Just sit still, unmoving. When you win him in a moment, say one quiet phrase—soft enough not to shout, loud enough for everyone to hear."

「...」 Jiang Yiner stared at him, astonished, 「I—I can’t curse. And... Elder Brother, I’m a cultivator—I must cultivate my nature.」

"—You such a fool, how dare you speak of the sword before me?"

"..." Jiang Yiner stared at him in shock, "I—I don’t know how to curse. And... Brother Shi, I’m a monastic; I must cultivate my nature."

Jiang Yiner didn’t retaliate, but their close, whispering disregard was itself a retort.

The two sat side by side. The sword master finished speaking, and the duelists began their matches. Overall, though there were minor clashes, the visit was genuinely competitive, with wins and losses on both sides. Except for Chen Mishuang’s required perfect record, Yari Palace didn’t manipulate other disciples’ outcomes, so the atmosphere gradually warmed.

Pei Ye hadn’t been around for a long time; Jiang Yiner explained every fighter to him. They discussed and laughed, pointing out flaws in sword forms. Pei Ye loved mocking others; the girl always gave a helpless smile, then apologized to the swordsmen on the field.

「It’s fine—they can’t hear you.」

「But Elder Brother shouldn’t always speak ill of people behind their backs.」

Yet their conversation ended. Several rounds had finished, mostly with balanced wins and losses. Chen Mishuang slowly rose, staring coldly at the corner: 「Your turn.」

The field fell momentarily silent; all eyes turned toward them.

Everyone knew the main event was about to begin.

Last time Chen Mishuang came, he arrogantly challenged five people in a row—none lasted five strikes. Many sword students may have had courage, but their schools were weak, so they dared not offend Yari Palace. Only this divine-sleep Jiang true disciple stepped forward.

The arena fell briefly silent as all eyes turned toward him.

Everyone knew today’s main event was about to begin.

When Chen Mishuang last came, he arrogantly challenged five opponents in one breath, and none of them held out against his sword for five strikes. Many sword disciples may have had courage, but their own sword gate was weak, so they dared not offend Yan Ri Palace—only this Shenxiao Jiang true disciple stepped forward.

She had only just ranked around one hundredth the last time the Fu list was finalized; no one expected her to dare directly challenge this person.

At this moment, many were watching as Jiang Yiner stood up straight, drew the [Zhao Shen], and pointed it directly at him.

The girl’s face was pure and beautiful, expressionless, and for a moment she radiated a solemn aura, causing many watching sword disciples to perk up.

Chen Mishuang narrowed his eyes in anger, and the girl’s clear, calm voice spoke: “Your heart is narrow, your conduct rude. You claim to come for sword exchange, yet deliberately injure my Jian Academy peers to show off. I wonder how Yan Ri Palace trained you. I’m one year younger than you, so I won’t use age as an excuse. If I win, you must apologize to Zhang Chao.”

Her words were courteous and well-reasoned, radiating righteous spirit; Pei Ye, beside her leg, secretly admired her, thinking he himself was only fit to utter a line after winning.

Chen Mishuang sneered: “So delicate. Swords and knives have no eyes—wounded is wounded, what’s the big deal? Little girl, if I injure you again, don’t go crying and whimpering.”

He stepped forward with his sword; Jiang Yiner likewise pushed through the crowd and stood upon the sword arena.