Jade Shakes the Thousand Mountains - Chapter 19: "Yinghuo"

Chapter 19: “Yinghuo”

Could it be that junior sister has met Lu… from the Sword Inheriting Sect?

Yu Chanyi’s expression tightened, then she heard Wei Shengming murmur: “Practicing sword techniques against the dead… or rather, against lifeless objects.”

As he spoke, his eyes remained firmly fixed on her.

It seemed any subtle change in her expression would be captured by him, no thought could escape his notice.

It was the expression of someone unwilling to miss any flaw in their prey. If gazes had substance, his would be the sharpest blade in this world.

Yet, he was right.

She had only practiced sword techniques with two living people – Lu Qi and Lu Wenshu.

Most of the time, she practiced against her own puppets.

Puppets were lifeless objects.

Having her past exposed like this, Yu Chanyi felt as if her spine had been pierced, a chill running down her back. But she suppressed the shock in her heart, tightly gripping the peach branch in her hand, meeting Wei Shengming’s gaze without fear.

Her gaze remained cold as a blade, clashing with Wei Shengming’s without yielding.

Her senior brother possessed strikingly beautiful features. The Gilded Dawn cast upon his pale, cold skin made him appear almost translucent, as if about to dissolve into the light. The crimson at the corners of his eyes added a peach-blossom-like radiance.

With such an unforgettable face, if she had seen him before, even just in passing, she would certainly remember.

Yu Chanyi was certain they had never met before, never even laid eyes on each other.

In that case, how could he know about her past?

Realizing this, the shock in Yu Chanyi’s heart instantly vanished. But it was immediately replaced by an indescribable sorrow.

No one had known her when she was alive, and she was even less likely to attract attention after death. No one in this world remembered her anymore. Why should she be so suspicious and jump at shadows?

She was simply being presumptuous.

Her grip on the peach branch unconsciously loosened. Yu Chanyi lowered her eyes gloomily and asked: “Why would senior brother say that?”

Her attitude had softened, showing some willingness to accept guidance.

Wei Shengming said: “Your moves are too rigid, like a human sword manual. Do you believe that even if the figures from the sword manual walked out of the book, they wouldn’t perform as precisely as you?”

“I’ve been watching you practice for seven days. During these seven days, you’ve executed the sword moves from the manual beautifully. But every move and stance in your practice is strictly by the book, predictable. It looks quite elegant, but if you use this against living opponents, it’s easiest for them to figure out your patterns.”

“Once they prepare countermeasures in advance, you’ll easily fall into disadvantage.” Wei Shengming changed his position, lying back on the roof tiles as he gazed at the leisurely blue sky. “Living opponents’ moves are ever-changing. No matter how perfectly you execute the sword manual’s techniques, without practical experience, it’s just empty theory.”

“Little junior sister, have you been buried in books before?” He chuckled lightly. “Blind faith in books is worse than no books at all. If you only read without practicing, be careful your brain gets eaten by bookworms.”

Yu Chanyi remained silent for a moment.

That he could tell she wasn’t just practicing the sword manual’s moves but was also practicing against opponents showed her senior brother indeed had remarkable perception.

But his way of speaking was rather unpleasant.

“Yes, I lack experience,” Yu Chanyi raised an eyebrow. “But what about you, senior brother? Senior sister said you can’t even draw your sword. Aren’t you also theorizing without practice, gaining all your experience from books?”

Upon hearing this, the other person chuckled lightly again but offered no rebuttal.

Not expecting such a reaction from him, Yu Chanyi grew puzzled. She paused, then suddenly realized something and exclaimed in surprise, “Could it be… you were able to draw your sword before? Have you crossed blades with living opponents?”

Wei Shengming remained motionless, merely opening his eyes and raising a hand to shield them from the sunlight.

Sunlight streamed through his fingers, casting flecks of golden light across his uniquely colored pupils, making them appear even more elusive. The crimson rimming his irises burned like fire. Squinting slightly, he said softly, “Whether I could draw it before or not what difference does it make? It doesn’t change the fact that the me you know today cannot draw a sword.”

“The past is the past, entirely unreachable. Only the present carries weight. Little junior sister, there’s no need for you to be curious about my history.”

“The past is entirely unreachable, only the present carries weight…” Yu Chanyi momentarily lost herself in thought.

Their conversation ended there.

When Wu Xi Lan hurried back from the medicine field and pulled Yu Chansi aside to ask, “Did your senior brother give you any trouble?” Yu Chanyi shook her head.

Several days later, Wu Xi Lan successfully sold the Spirit Nourishing Mushroom at a high price, earning a full five thousand Spirit Coins.

The Inexhaustible Sect suddenly found itself wealthy, and the time had come to buy a sword for their little junior sister from the Sword Inheriting Sect.

However, Wu Xi Lan developed new concerns.

That day, after Yu Chanyi finished her sword practice, Wu Xi Lan pulled her aside, pressed a pouch full of Spirit Coins into her hands, and said, “Little junior sister, we’ve gathered enough Spirit Coins, but I have some bad news to tell you.”

“You might have to go buy the sword yourself.” Wu Xi Lan said with a pained expression.

Yu Chanyi uttered an “Ah?” and asked, “Why?”

Weighing the pouch in her hand, Yu Chanyi grew even more confused. The pouch felt heavy she only wanted a suitable sword, which shouldn’t require so many Spirit Coins.

Wu Xi Lan explained, “You remember that time we first met, when I had a conflict with several disciples from the Sword Inheriting Sect at the market, right?”

Yu Chanyi nodded, and Wu Xi Lan continued, “Since I offended them, if I run into them again at the Sword Inheriting Sect, it might cause more trouble. But you were wearing a veil hat back then, so they definitely won’t recognize you. This time, you should go to the Sword Inheriting Sect alone to buy your sword. Since you have the ability to discern genuine swords from fakes, I feel reassured letting you go.”

Yet Yu Chanyi furrowed her brows.

When her senior sister said she would buy her a sword, did she mean getting one from the Sword Inheriting Sect?

She could go to the Sword Inheriting Sect, but not now. Her Spirit Vein had only reached the second layer, and she didn’t want any unexpected complications at this stage. Even if no one at the Sword Inheriting Sect would recognize her now, Yu Chanyi still didn’t want to go recklessly.

Moreover, she had no desire to use a sword from the Sword Inheriting Sect as her daily practice companion.

“I don’t like the people from the Sword Inheriting Sect,” Yu Chanyi stated. “And I don’t want to use their swords either. Senior sister, aren’t there other places in Flame Province where we can buy good swords?”

Wu Xi Lan replied, “The best swords in Flame Province all come from the Sword Inheriting Sect.”

Seeing Yu Chanyi’s delicate brows furrowed in continued resistance, Wu Xi Lan persuaded her, “Every skilled Sword Cultivator wields a fine sword. Little junior sister, since you aspire to great heights and wish to showcase your talent at the Sword Debate Tournament, your sword shouldn’t fall behind others. The Sword Casting Valley of the Sword Inheriting Sect is uniquely blessed it forges the highest quality swords. You should understand this better than I do.”

Yu Chanyi remained unmoved. Wu Xi Lan sighed, “Little junior sister, don’t misunderstand the Sword Inheriting Sect because of my conflict with those two disciples.”

“As the foremost among the five major sects, the Sword Inheriting Sect has numerous disciples – it’s inevitable there would be a few with poor character. But look at their sect leader Lu Wenshu – he’s currently the Number One of Sword Way, unmatched for a thousand years. He’s also a righteous Champion who has slain countless demons, noble and upright, praised by all. A sect led by such a person can’t be a bad one.”

Hearing Lu Wenshu’s name suddenly from Wu Xi Lan, Yu Chanyi froze.

“Like the ‘Yinghuo’ in his hand – it’s the renowned number one sword under heaven, peerless in the world. Even someone like me who doesn’t cultivate the Sword Way has heard of its fame. They say ‘Yinghuo’ emits formidable Sword Qi even when sheathed, enough to make demons retreat three miles. This is the power of a great sword, junior sister you…”

Yu Chanyi’s face darkened as she listened, unable to bear it any longer as she interrupted Wu Xi Lan: “Senior sister, how do you know Lu Wenshu is noble and righteous? Have you met him, had dealings with him?”

Her expression was as cold as usual, but her rushed words differed somewhat from her normally composed demeanor.

Wu Xi Lan hesitated: “It’s all hearsay… Who in the Giant Sea Ten Provinces hasn’t heard of Lu Wenshu’s reputation…”

Wu Xi Lan spoke cautiously while secretly observing Yu Chanyi’s expression.

Noticing Wu Xi Lan’s watchful eyes, Yu Chanyi felt some regret.

She found it difficult to remain calm whenever she heard the name “Yinghuo” – this really shouldn’t be. Nor should she take her anger out on her senior sister, who after all knew nothing of the inside story.

Even during all those years at Azure Peak, she hadn’t been able to detect the slightest flaw in Lu Wenshu – how much more so for her senior sister who could only hear about his deeds from others?

With guilt in her eyes, Yu Chanyi was about to say something to make up for her wrong words when suddenly a voice came from behind: “From little junior sister’s meaning, could it be that you’ve met Sword Inheriting Sect’s Leader Lu?”

That feeling of being exposed, of chills running down her spine, returned!

Yu Chanyi’s face turned pale, her hands and feet cold. Without turning around, she knew who stood behind her.

“Never.” Yu Chanyi didn’t look at him, directly denying it. “I just feel one shouldn’t judge a person simply through rumors.”

As her words fell, behind her, Wei Shengming’s eyes slightly brightened as he looked at her.

Wu Xi Lan now looked at the newcomer.

Since that day Yu Chanyi went to talk with her eccentric junior brother, he had been spending more time active in the courtyard.

He no longer kept himself shut indoors as before. Every morning when the little junior sister practiced swordplay, he would watch early from the rooftop. Neither would speak to the other, but there would be brief eye contact. Their gazes would meet briefly, then quickly part.

It seemed they understood each other without speaking.

Perhaps this was how aspiring Sword Cultivators communicated, Wu Xi Lan speculated.

She never expected her eccentric junior brother would get along so well with Yu Chanyi.

But no matter how you looked at it, the little junior sister was still closer to her.

Like right now, the little junior sister didn’t give him a single direct glance, only showing him the back of her head.

However, now was not the time to be jealous of her junior brother.

Wu Xi Lan earnestly took Yu Chanyi’s hand and continued persuading her: “Little junior sister, with your talent, only the swords from Sword Inheriting Sect in this vast Flame Province are worthy of you. Even if you dislike those Sword Inheriting Sect disciples with poor character, remember that swords are not people – the swords themselves have done nothing wrong.”

Though Wu Xi Lan spoke with utmost sincerity, Yu Chanyi didn’t want to reject her senior sister’s kindness, yet she had no desire for a sword from Sword Inheriting Sect either.

No matter how fine a sword might be, none could compare to a single “Yinghuo.”

What she currently needed was merely a practice sword – an ordinary one would suffice. Since that was the case, why must it necessarily be from Sword Inheriting Sect?

After much deliberation, Yu Chanyi finally conceived a perfect solution.

She looked pitifully at Wu Xi Lan and said: “Senior sister, it’s not that I’m unwilling to go. But this time you can’t accompany me, and I don’t know the way to Sword Inheriting Sect. How could I possibly reach there safely and purchase a suitable sword?”

Wu Xi Lan: “I have a map here…”

Before she could finish speaking, Yu Chanyi interrupted: “I have this problem – whenever I go out, I get lost extremely easily. Even with a map, I can still lose my way. If I go to Sword Inheriting Sect alone, this journey would likely be… fraught with peril.”

She deliberately spoke with helpless pitifulness, her brows knitted with worry. Wu Xi Lan grew concerned along with her: “Then what should we do…”

A light chuckle came from nearby.

Wei Shengming had been admiring the pitiful expression on Yu Chanyi’s face and couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Fraught with peril?

Given how meticulously she had specifically brought “the Bitter Heart Grass that counters him” when she came to find him, he thought it was more likely that she would be the one making others’ situations perilous.

His laughter was light and brief, but it was caught by the frowning Wu Xi Lan. Her eyes suddenly brightened as she pointed at Wei Shengming and said to Yu Chanyi: “I have a solution!”

“Little junior sister, let your senior brother accompany you! He knows the way to Sword Inheriting Sect!”

Yu Chanyi looked at Wei Shengming in astonishment.

Wu Xi Lan added: “Master has seen him sneaking off to Sword Inheriting Sect in the middle of the night, and not just once!”

Having suddenly found the solution, Wu Xi Lan felt relieved. She handed the money pouch to Yu Chanyi, then pushed both Yu Chanyi and Wei Shengming out of Inexhaustible Sect together.

Wu Xi Lan said with a smile: “You junior siblings go together, and remember to bring back a good sword. Junior brother, this time you can benefit from your junior sister’s opportunity to enter Sword Casting Valley and properly admire the swords inside – no need to sneak around anymore.”

Fearing someone might change their mind, Wu Xi Lan quickly closed the gate.

With a creak, the courtyard gate closed behind them. Yu Chanyi glanced at the heavy Spirit Coin pouch in her hand, then at the bewildered Wei Shengming standing beside her. She suddenly felt her teeth itching with irritation.

If he hadn’t insisted on coming over earlier and drawing senior sister’s attention, she wouldn’t have to go to Sword Inheriting Sect.

Who would have thought that he, an exile from Grand Micro Sect, would actually know the way to Sword Inheriting Sect?

And had been there more than once.

While Wu Xi Lan said he went to Sword Casting Valley to look at swords, Yu Chanyi had her doubts.

Yu Chanyi questioned suspiciously: “Aren’t you an exile from Grand Micro Sect? What’s your relationship with Sword Inheriting Sect?”

Having already experienced her senior brother’s silver tongue and skill at verbal sparring, she expected him not to answer properly. Unexpectedly, this time he fell directly into silence.

A deathly stillness of silence.

He lowered his gaze and remained silent for a long while. In the end, he completely ignored her question and said in a flat tone, “Little junior sister, let’s go. We’re going to the Sword Inheriting Sect to buy you a sword.”

Having said that, he walked ahead on his own.
For some reason, Yu Chanyi felt that when her senior brother uttered the words “going to the Sword Inheriting Sect,” an inexplicable desolation appeared in his eyes, and his monotonous voice carried an additional layer of sorrow that was difficult to comprehend.