Chapter 113: The Unintentional is Most Moving
Elder Qi's Sword Forest on Tianjian Peak was set up with great ingenuity, containing countless essences of the Sword Dao he had comprehended over the past century.
Although there were no Realm restrictions for challenging the trial, the Lingjian Mountain Disciples who attempted it a few days ago sustained serious injuries and have yet to recover.
Zhuo Wanqiu dared not make a decision on her own. After a moment of thought, she said, "Young Master Ji, I must first report this matter to Master Jian. Only with Master Jian's permission can I take you there."
"But yesterday, I heard Ding Yao say that the Sword Forest isn't guarded, and Disciples from other Sects can enter."
"It's not that I'm worried you can't get in; it's that you're different."
Ji You pondered for a moment, then pursed his lips: "The Sword Forest's killing intent is very strong; she won't let me go."
Zhuo Wanqiu pursed her lips: "But if Young Master truly wishes to learn the sword, Master Jian can teach it."
"Nonsense."
Ji You's brow furrowed instantly: "She is Lingjian Mountain's Master Jian, the future Lingjian Mountain Sect Master, and will never impart the Sect's Sword Dao to outsiders. Do not speak such words carelessly in the future; it would be bad if someone with ill intentions overheard."
Zhuo Wanqiu glanced at Ding Yao, then immediately bowed: "Young Master, Wanqiu knows her offense."
Ding Yao didn't fully grasp the meaning of that last sentence, only looking at the two in disbelief, thinking to herself: This Ji You has no real connection with our Master Jian yet, but he's already lecturing Master Jian's maid. He really thinks too highly of himself!
Ji You reached out to help Zhuo Wanqiu up, speaking in a soft voice: "In the future, I will draw my sword before all the people of the world.
It needs to have a source, and the Sword Forest is a good choice."
"But if anything were to happen to you, I cannot bear that responsibility."
Ji You looked at Zhuo Wanqiu's sincere eyes, having a premonition that he would have to listen to his wife in all matters from now on.
Forget it, it's better to go along with her until I can defeat her. Once I can, I'll spank her butt.
A true man can bend and stretch.
Seeing that Ji You had no objections, Zhuo Wanqiu immediately turned and left the courtyard, intending to report to Master Jian at the Cloud Top Heavenly Palace.
At this moment, only Ding Yao remained in the courtyard. Seeing Zhuo Wanqiu leave, she couldn't help but say, "I told you back then that I would report the matter of you pinching Master Jian's face to Master Jian's parents. I didn't expect you to still dare to come up the mountain."
"I heard that Lingjian Mountain's Sword Dao seeks directness. If not for that, how could I speak of learning the sword?"
"Are you really not afraid of death?"
Ji You sat on the futon: "Everyone in the world says that I, a self-taught practitioner from the countryside, am just a worthless life, not comparable to the Chu Family's Second Young Master, much less the Asked the Dao Sect's direct Disciple. If I die, I die. Miss Ding doesn't need to worry about me so much."
Ding Yao felt a sense of relief upon hearing this, then recalled the various rumors from Shengjing.
When they first met in Qi Ridge, she thought Ji You was nothing more than an ordinary Tianshu Academy Disciple, not much different from Lingjian Mountain's Disciples.
Then, she was shocked to discover that he had pinched Master Jian's face and didn't die, and Master Jian even liked to stay close to him.
Thus, with intentional observation, she heard that this person was not only a Junior Third Realm Completion before reaching adulthood, but also a self-taught Immortal Dao practitioner from the countryside.
Afterward, he entered Tianshu Academy and twice suppressed the Chu Family's Second Young Master.
Then came the incident in Qi Ridge where he, alone with seven swords, repelled seventy-three Disciples from two races, followed by his sword piercing a Yao Race member on the streets of Shengjing.
Such a person was not an ordinary Disciple at all; he could be called astonishingly talented in any of the Seven Great Immortal Sects.
It was only because her own Master Jian was too noble that she overlooked this point.
But even so, did he truly have the confidence to compare himself to a direct Disciple of the Asked the Dao Sect?
That direct Disciple of the Asked the Dao Sect is only one year older than you and has already touched the threshold of the Sky Soaring Realm, while you are merely at the Profound Understanding Realm.
And the most crucial thing is that no matter how astonishing your talent, it cannot change the Dao Lineage.
Shang Xiyao is the successor of the Dao Lineage and will control the entire Asked the Dao Sect; even if one is fortunate enough to cultivate to Upper Five Realms Perfection, they would be far behind him.
Ding Yao came back to her senses, wanting to tell him this to make him clearly recognize reality, but before she could open her mouth, she heard footsteps from outside.
She turned her head and saw that Zhuo Wanqiu, who had just left the courtyard, had returned, with the exquisitely graceful Master Jian behind her, her eyes revealing a hint of surprise.
"Only two sentences, how could it be so fast?"
"Master Jian was just strolling outside..."
1
Yan Shuyi now arrived proudly, her eyes disdainfully looking down at Ji You, then she gracefully walked into the room.
Zhuo Wanqiu saw this, pulled Ding Yao, and retreated from the room door to the courtyard gate to stand guard.
At this moment, the room door closed, and the room, which had been brightly lit by the sunlight, suddenly darkened.
"Coming so quickly?"
"I was strolling down the mountain just now and suddenly ran into Wanqiu."
Yan Shuyi smoothed her long dress and sat on the futon beside him, speaking calmly: "She said you want to go to Tianjian Peak to challenge Elder Qi's Sword Forest?"
Ji You nodded: "Yesterday, I heard about the Sword Forest in the city and decided to go challenge it."
"Why didn't you tell me last night?"
"Even if I told you, Tianjian Peak wouldn't be any easier to challenge.
"Elder Qi's Sword Forest has a strong killing intent; a slight mistake means nine deaths and one life. Moreover, you are a Tianshu Academy Disciple,
Even if you manage to pass, Tianjian Peak will certainly not allow you to learn anything."
"I have to try, otherwise, if this opportunity is right in front of me, it would be a pity to miss it."
Yan Shuyi glanced at him, thinking to herself: He touched the most beautiful feet of my Lingjian Mountain, and now he wants to learn the sword of my Lingjian Mountain. This stranger, whom I've only met three times, truly doesn't treat himself as an outsider: "If you truly want to learn the sword so much,
I can teach you; there's no need to challenge the Sword Forest."
Ji You's heart stirred slightly, then he said, "I don't want to learn what you teach."
"Why?"
"If you hold back, wouldn't I never be able to defeat you, even if I learned for a lifetime?"
After Ji You finished speaking, he looked at her feigned arrogant expression and couldn't help but reach out his hand.
He had wanted to pinch her face last night, but he held back then to cooperate with her in acting out the Empress scene. However, his lust was now becoming clearer.
The little Master Jian watched him warily, and finally, her face was pinched. Her beautiful brow furrowed slightly, then she averted her eyes, but she didn't struggle, letting him pinch her.
Indeed, this person's mind was entirely focused on defeating her; he must have wanted to pinch other places.
Yan Shuyi felt a bit annoyed. She nudged him with her foot, then extended her foot into his arms: "That woman Yuan Caiwei sent me a letter this morning."
2
"Sister Shuyi, it's been a long time. I wonder if you've been well since we parted in Ningcheng County. Young Master Ji left the Dan Sect a few days ago, and by my calculations, he should have arrived at Lingjian Mountain. I don't know where he resides, but if he arrived safely, please write back, dear sister."
Yan Shuyi recited the contents of the letter, then turned and looked at him coldly and proudly: "It seems someone on the mountain didn't touch her feet lightly, to the point that she can't forget?"
Ji You looked at the foot in his arms and said, "What happened on the mountain was much more serious than touching feet."
"What else?"
"Due to some accident, she saw something that should have been the first thing you appreciated."
A trace of confusion flashed in Yan Shuyi's eyes, and her beautiful brow furrowed slightly: "What is it that I should appreciate?
5
Ji You smiled: "I won't say it until I can defeat you, otherwise I'd die without even challenging the Sword Forest."
"Then I'll go ask Yuan Caiwei what she saw."
"She definitely won't tell you—"
Yan Shuyi pondered for a long time, then showed a condescending expression, but her eyes were full of curiosity, urging him to tell her quickly.
Ji You shook his head and remained silent, then saw a fair, jade-like foot coming towards him.
At this moment, Ding Yao was standing at the doorway, glancing into the clanging room, her brow never relaxing: "The Inner Courtyard Disciples of Asked the Dao Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion have sought an audience multiple times today, but Master Jian didn't even acknowledge them, yet she rushed to see him twice. It's truly unbelievable!"
Zhuo Wanqiu quietly said, "Master Jian is in love."
"Nonsense, Master Jian is merely enchanted by that man's appearance."
Zhuo Wanqiu reached out, seemingly grasping the warm sunlight of the day: "But Shang Xiyao isn't bad either, why isn't Master Jian enchanted by him?
Ding Yao sneered: "Naturally, his flowery words are superior."
"I, on the other hand, think it's because Young Master Ji doesn't care if she's Master Jian, which is why Master Jian is so carefree."
"What do you mean?"
Zhuo Wanqiu listened to the sounds from inside the room and said, "Shang Xiyao wants to pursue Master Jian, then announce to the world the marriage alliance between Asked the Dao Sect and Lingjian Mountain. Senior Sister Ding Yao also rose through the ranks by spreading word that she and Master Jian were like sisters. But what did Young Master Ji gain?"
Ding Yao's expression darkened, and she found it difficult to answer the stinging sarcasm for a moment.
"Young Master Ji has never asked Master Jian for anything, nor has he ever told anyone that he is friends with the little Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain. Do you know that some snobbish people in Tianshu Academy thought he had no background and targeted him everywhere, desperately trying to get Chu River into the Inner Courtyard? But if he had said something, what would the Chu Family even be?"
"He has never made Master Jian feel pressure because of him, nor has he ever thought of using Master Jian."
"Also, on the day of the ruins, I examined Gongshu Chou's wounds. Young Master Ji could have killed him with one blow, and he knew that not killing Gongshu Chou would carry the risk of future retaliation, yet he still didn't want to make things difficult for Master Jian. Can Senior Sister Ding Yao do that?"
Ding Yao paused slightly, then fell silent.
She was somewhat shaken, but she had to admit that everything Zhuo Wanqiu said was true.
Ji You was an exceptionally talented self-taught practitioner from the countryside, and what he lacked most was identity and background.
If it were her, she would have long ago announced her relationship with the little Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain to the world.
Now, rumors of an impending chaotic era are rampant throughout the Qingyun World, with Worldly Sect uniting and Immortal Sects forming alliances.
But compared to the Chu Family, which has no Dao Lineage, or the Dan Sect, which has no combat power, none can compare to the Lingjian Mountain, which reigns supreme in the world.
"And the Sword Forest, Young Master Ji said that if he were to draw his sword in the future, it would need to have a source. Does Senior Sister Ding know what this means?"
Ding Yao came back to her senses and looked at Zhuo Wanqiu: "Just say what you mean."
Zhuo Wanqiu was silent for a long time, then said, "If Young Master Ji wants to learn the sword, why would he need to challenge the Sword Forest, which is a matter of nine deaths and one life if one is not careful? He could just ask Master Jian to teach him. But if Master Jian taught him, and he were to use Lingjian Mountain's Sword Dao, how would the world see it? How would the covetous Tianjian Peak see it?"
"Master Jian is the orthodox successor of Lingjian Mountain, representing Lingjian Mountain's prestige, yet she would impart the Sword Dao to an outside Disciple, and even to a Disciple of the irreconcilable Tianshu Academy."
"Young Master Ji has never made Master Jian choose between the Sect and him. Instead, he chose to challenge the Sword Forest, precisely to draw his sword with integrity and avoid criticism."
"In the future, even if he holds Lingjian Mountain's Sword Dao and is the focus of all eyes, Master Jian will not have any trouble."
Ding Yao remained silent for a long time, finally gritting her teeth and saying, "Perhaps he hasn't thought about how many benefits there are to knowing Master Jian." Zhuo Wanqiu smiled sweetly: "If he did it unintentionally, it would be even more moving, wouldn't it?"