Chapter Thirty-Nine: Stirring Emotions

Chapter 39: Stirring of Feelings
Chapter 5: Tigers and Dragons Compete, the Mystical Blade and Spiritual Sword Clash with Heroes

Ling Yun’er responded with a gentle smile, “Senior Brother Xiao, you praise me too highly. The Ling family’s techniques are meager and unrefined—I fear you’ll be disappointed and amused at my expense.”

Xiao Yitian shook his head. “Not so. Your venerable father, the Lord of Purple Void, wields the Divine Sun and Moon Fire—unparalleled beneath the heavens. You are too modest, Junior Sister.”

At his words, those present were visibly shaken. While all knew Ling Yun’er hailed from the illustrious Ling family north of the river, none had realized her father was the Lord of Purple Void. Inwardly, they all exclaimed, “No wonder! No wonder! I’d wondered about Junior Sister’s Scarlet Sky Ribbon—it’s certainly no ordinary artifact for a cultivator. To think her father is such a personage!”

Ye Hua, observing the others’ astonishment, couldn’t help but quietly ask Qing Yu, “Fifth Senior Brother, did none of you know Senior Sister Ling’s father is the Lord of Purple Void? Is he truly that formidable?” Qing Yu replied in a whisper, “I knew a bit of Junior Sister’s background, but never imagined she was his daughter. Heh, the Lord of Purple Void is more than formidable…” Qing Yu shook his head with a faint smile.

It seemed Ling Yun’er overheard their words; she cast a fleeting glance at the pair, but said nothing. Baishi Song, noticing this, smiled and spoke, “Senior Brother Xiao, tomorrow’s opening match will surely bring forth many talents—truly a blessing for our Wutai.” Xiao Yitian replied, “You’re quite right, Junior Brother Bai. In recent years, Wutai has produced many gifted disciples; I am already far surpassed by you all.” With a sigh, he fell silent.

Baishi Song laughed. “Senior Brother Xiao, do you remember when the Five Gentlemen of Wutai journeyed together and in Jiangsu and Zhejiang encountered the Thirteen Fiends of Dongting? Both sides agreed to a contest atop the Ancient Immortal Peak—do you recall?” Xiao Yitian started. “Junior Brother Bai, of course I remember! But didn’t those thirteen fiends fail to show up in the end? Why bring up such old matters?”

Baishi Song regarded Xiao Yitian for a moment. “Senior Brother Xiao, there’s no need to conceal it from me—I already know you went there alone…” Xiao Yitian frowned slightly. “How did you learn of this? The matter’s long past; let’s speak no more of it.” Rising, he addressed the others, “Brothers, it’s getting late. Let’s meet again tomorrow!”

With that, the gathering stood to see him off, and Xiao Yitian departed. As soon as he was gone, the others, full of curiosity, turned to Baishi Song. “Eldest Brother, what exactly happened?”

Baishi Song sighed. “Today I ran into Junior Brother Yang Jun from West Terrace. We reminisced about old times—our Five Gentlemen’s travels in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and that fateful encounter with the Thirteen Fiends of Dongting. Those thirteen were ruthless, cruel men; as soon as we met, tempers flared and it nearly came to blows. Senior Brother Xiao arranged a duel for the following day at the Ancient Immortal Peak on Dongting Lake. At that time, only Senior Brother Xiao had reached the seventh layer of the Seven Treasures, while the rest of us were at the sixth. The Thirteen Fiends were notorious, their demonic arts dreadful and far exceeded our own.” Baishi Song paused to take a sip of tea.

Ling Yun’er pressed, “And then? Eldest Brother, please continue!”

He smiled. “When the day arrived and we went to Ancient Immortal Peak, the fiends were nowhere to be found. I was puzzled for a long time, unable to understand it.” Qing Kai chimed in, “I suppose they feared Wutai’s reputation—if any of you were harmed, Wutai would never let it rest. Better to break the appointment than risk it.”

Baishi Song nodded. “That’s what I later concluded as well. Yet, the fiends had seemed so arrogant—there was no sign they feared us. The more I thought, the less sense it made, and only Third Brother’s explanation fit.”

Qing Shi asked, “Did you figure it out after meeting Yang Jun today?” Baishi Song nodded. “Yes. Today, speaking with Junior Brother Yang Jun, he revealed that on that day, he saw Senior Brother Xiao set out alone and, uneasy, secretly followed him. The ‘All Is Void’ technique from his West Terrace Shuxiang Monastery is truly marvelous; though Senior Brother Xiao’s cultivation was much deeper, he detected nothing. Yang Jun followed him all the way to the Thirteen Fiends’ den at Lan Shui Village, where Xiao delivered a sword-messenger from Wutai, saying he would return the next day.”

Qing Kai exclaimed, “Did Senior Brother Xiao go to cancel the match because he was afraid of losing?”

Baishi Song smiled faintly. “You’re mistaken this time, Junior Brother. Senior Brother Xiao went to change the duel to that very moment—he meant to face all thirteen alone!” “What?!” A collective gasp arose. “Had Senior Brother Xiao gone mad?”

Baishi Song sighed. “He did it for our sake. If we’d fought as agreed, with our sixth-layer cultivation, there would surely have been casualties. So he went alone to meet them in advance.” “And then? Did he lose, or was he hurt?” Ling Yun’er asked anxiously.

Baishi Song’s expression turned wry. “Junior Sister, don’t worry. Have you ever seen Senior Brother Xiao wounded?” Blushing at her own eagerness, Ling Yun’er pressed, “Please, Eldest Brother, tell us!”

“The fiends, infuriated by his challenge, grew wary—suspecting a trap. They agreed that if Senior Brother Xiao defeated any four of them, the Thirteen Fiends would concede the match.”

Qing Kai grinned. “Then Senior Brother Xiao displayed his might, defeated four in succession with ease—right, Eldest Brother?”

Baishi Song shook his head. “He did defeat them, but suffered internal injuries himself. The Thirteen Fiends were not infamous for nothing. The next day, Senior Brother Xiao said nothing to us, and with a composed face accompanied us to Ancient Immortal Peak, merely stating the fiends had failed to appear. We believed him, utterly unaware. Senior Brother Xiao’s cultivation aside, his humility and self-restraint are truly extraordinary. We are all far lesser men. Were it not for Junior Brother Yang Jun’s revelation today, I would still be in the dark…”

At Baishi Song’s tale, all fell silent. Ye Hua stole a glance at Ling Yun’er and saw her eyes shining with affection, her cheeks flushed like sunset, and his own heart ached with sour envy. “That Xiao Yitian truly is a dragon among men. Compared to him, I—Ye Hua—am nothing…”

“Well then, brothers, let us all rest. Tomorrow brings another contest. Qing Xia, you should get some sleep—when Master returns, we’ll discuss things further,” Baishi Song said, and the group quietly dispersed.

The next morning, when Ye Hua opened his eyes, he heard birds singing beyond his window. Looking out, he saw a scene of clarity and brightness. Rising from bed, he opened the door and stepped outside, instantly refreshed. A light mist veiled the air, cool and sweet, and before him, green bamboo glistened as if painted in ink. The sun had yet to rise, and the mountain was hushed in tranquility, with the distant chime of bells and gongs drifting over the peaks.

“Little Junior Brother, why are you up so late?” came a playful, gently chiding voice. Ye Hua’s heart skipped a beat as he turned toward it. Amid the bamboo’s green shade, a young maiden leaned gracefully, clad in scarlet as radiant as the morning clouds, the orchid breeze and dew enhancing her ethereal beauty. Her smile was like a flower in bloom, and Ye Hua found himself utterly entranced.