Chapter 2359: The Aloof Sword Cultivator and His Natal Sword Spirit 03

Jin Chen's teasing remark still lingered in his ears, Xie Qingmo only felt his ears warm, and he no longer had the mind to continue sword practice.

He sheathed his sword, turned without a word, and walked toward his dwelling deep in Zhu Lin.

Jin Chen wasn't annoyed either, strolling leisurely a few steps behind his side, idly twirling a bamboo leaf between his fingertips, bringing it to his lips, and continued to blow an off‑key, intermittent whistle.

In the quiet Zhu Lin, the tune drifted faintly; it was hardly pleasant, carrying a hint of careless mischief, making Xie Qingmo quicken his pace a bit more.

Just as he reached the wicker gate of the small courtyard, Xie Qingmo's steps halted; he saw a figure standing outside the gate, peeking in.

Xing Yan also saw him, his eyes lighting up; he immediately broke into a smile and hurried over, 'Second Senior Brother! I've finally waited for you!'

Xie Qingmo almost instinctively glanced backward.

No one was there.

Only in his hand hanging at his side had a fresh, verdant bamboo leaf appeared at some point.

The Chen Sword hung silently at his waist.

I was wondering just now why I heard someone whistling with a bamboo leaf.

Xing Yan strode over in his usual blunt way, his gaze sweeping over the leaf in Xie Qingmo's hand before he grinned, 'Ah, so it's you, Second Senior Brother! This whistle… well, it's certainly unique.'

He struggled to find a less hurtful word.

Xie Qingmo: '……'

The Chen Sword at his waist suddenly emitted a short, clear chime.

Xie Qingmo ignored Xing Yan's teasing, 'What's up?'

Xing Yan scratched the back of his head, his smile fading a little, 'Second Senior Brother, it's… it's Xiao Cheng…'

He hadn't finished speaking when Xie Qingmo cut him off.

'If it's about Liu Qingcheng, you can just leave.'

Xing Yan choked up, his face instantly showing hurt, he pouted, 'Second Senior Brother, don't be fierce with me… we used to be close, didn't we? Okay, okay, let's not mention it.'

He quickly waved his hands, looking pleadingly at Xie Qingmo, 'Then… may I come in and sit for a while? Just a little while.'

Xie Qingmo looked at him in silence for a moment, then finally nodded and pushed open the simple wicker gate.

Xing Yan instantly brightened, followed the familiar path into the small courtyard, plopped down on the stone bench, and, as if presenting a treasure, pulled out a carved wooden box from his bosom and set it on the stone table.

'Second Senior Brother, this is a snack Fourth Junior Sister made especially for you; she remembers you used to love it—hurry and try it!'

Xie Qingmo sat down on the other side, picked up the coarse pottery pot on the table, and poured a cup of clear tea for both Xing Yan and himself.

'How are you all?' he asked, setting down the pot.

Xing Yan held the tea cup with both hands, not drinking, just propping his chin; his tone was a bit listless.

'Everything… everything's fine, I guess. Nothing major's happening in the peak. Just…' He glanced at Xie Qingmo's expressionless face, lowering his voice, 'Just… without you around, I always feel like something's missing.'

He didn't dare mention Liu Qingcheng, yet he couldn't fathom why Xiao Cheng, so pitiful and lovable, just couldn't get along with Second Senior Brother.

'Right!'

Xing Yan seemed to suddenly recall something, trying to liven the atmosphere, fumbled through his waist pouch and pulled out an object.

'Xiao Cheng… uh, it's him—he knows you, Second Senior Brother, treasure your sword like life, so he went specially to the Spiritual Goods Pavilion to fetch a top‑grade sword tassel! It's brimming with spiritual energy!'

That tassel is indeed gorgeous and exquisite; its cords are rare ice‑silkworm silk, ending with a lustrous warm‑jade button.

Xing Yan held it up like an offering, feeling this gift ought to satisfy Second Senior Brother.

He eagerly leaned forward, intending to hang the lovely tassel onto the hilt of the Chen Sword hanging at Xie Qingmo's waist.

Bang! Bang!

Two solid, merciless strikes suddenly rang out!

The hilt of the Chen Sword seemed to have grown eyes, heavy and fast, smashing hard into Xing Yan's forehead as he leaned in, striking him several times.

Don't hang any dirty things on me!

Ouch!

Xing Yan, taken off guard, clutched his forehead where two little bumps had risen, his whole self dazed.

Watching Xing Yan's painful, dazed, goofy expression, Xie Qingmo's lips twitched upward, almost unable to hold back.

He lightly brushed his fingertips over the Chen Sword's scabbard and said to Xing Yan, who was holding his forehead, 'It seems my sword… doesn't like the tassel Liu Qingcheng gave.'

Xing Yan, however, felt it was more grievous than a reprimand from Master.

He rubbed the forehead where two little bumps had been knocked out, eyes wide, 'Second Senior Brother! Your sword is too fierce! It never used to be like this!'

The Chen Sword at Xie Qingmo's waist let out another low hum, tinged with disdain, and the tassel swayed slightly.

The past is the past; the present is the present.

Xie Qingmo didn't respond, lifted his tea cup and took a sip, his gaze falling on the food box on the stone table.

The box opened, a few pieces of delicate white pastry exuding a fresh sweet fragrance.

Xie Qingmo's gaze lingered on the pastry for a moment, but he ultimately didn't touch it.

'Thank Lan Yi for me.'

'Oh…' Xing Yan felt a bit disappointed, but quickly perked up, chattering about affairs in the peak—Master had just obtained some spiritual herb, Eldest Senior Brother was leading a team down the mountain for training and would be back soon, Fifth Junior Brother's cultivation had stirred up another funny incident.

Xie Qingmo just listened quietly, occasionally answering with an 'uh' or 'I see.'

The tea was refilled twice, yet the box of Jade Rong Cake on the stone table remained untouched.

Xing Yan grew dry‑mouthed from talking, and that indescribable feeling of suffocation welled up again.

He scratched his head and muttered gloomily, 'Second Senior Brother, living alone back here… aren't you bored? There's no one to talk to. We used to…'

'I'm used to it.' Xie Qingmo interrupted him, setting down his tea cup, 'A place of cultivation ought to be quiet.'

'But this is too quiet!'

Xing Yan blurted out, then immediately felt his tone was too harsh, lowering his voice, '…Everyone actually misses you a lot, it's just… just…'

He had held it in for a long time, but couldn't bring himself to say, 'It's just that Xiao Cheng is so pitiful, everyone has to look after him.'

He felt wronged on both sides, holding it in until his face turned red.

The Chen sword trembled slightly again, this time with a hint of impatience.

Xing Yan instinctively shrank his neck, feeling the two swellings at the back of his head still faintly aching.

Xie Qingmo stood up, his intention to see the guest out obvious: "It's getting late; you should head back."

Xing Yan rose listlessly, moving toward the courtyard gate while glancing back every few steps, still muttering, "Second senior brother, remember to eat the pastries…… I—I'll come see you again another day……"

Only after Xing Yan's figure had completely vanished at the end of the Zhu Lin path did the courtyard gate close silently.

He lowered his head, looking at the wilted green bamboo leaf clutched in his hand, his thumb unconsciously stroking the vein.

Jin Chen appeared soundlessly at his side, almost pressing close, then raised a hand, reaching for the leaf in Xie Qingmo's palm.

Xie Qingmo instinctively wanted to pull his hand back.

But Jin Chen's move was quicker; his fingertips deftly hooked, and the bamboo leaf fell into his palm, then he held it up to the sunlight, as if checking for any damage.

"Xie Qingmo."

Xie Qingmo glanced at him sideways, seeing Jin Chen with his back to the Zhu Lin sunlight, pinching the leaf and giving it a shake, his voice carrying the clear brightness unique to youth.

"I don't like sword ornaments given by others, and you're not allowed to accept them."