A Flower Blooms, A Hundred Flowers Wither Chapter 29

Hua Yan felt a surge of righteousness fill her!

Before Lu Chengzhao could finish his sentence, she impulsively drew her sword, perhaps because she had been using it a lot recently. She drew it with incredible swiftness, pointing it directly at Lu Chengzhao.

Why does the righteous path have scum like him?

Does anyone in the Lu family clean their own house?

Her current killing intent was even stronger than the day she faced You Weitian, yet she had no sense of self-reflection.

Lu Chengzhao stared at the sword’s cold gleam inches from his face, stunned for a moment before he reacted. He quickly reached for the Biluo Sword at his waist, sneering, “Have you been following Lu Chengsha for two days and lost your mind? You dare draw your sword against me.”

In the next moment, Lu Chengsha’s hand moved to the hilt of his own sword.

Lu Chengzhao tensed for a moment, then heard Hua Yan, holding her sword, say, “Apologize.”

Seeing the girl’s serious and angry expression, Lu Chengzhao found it amusing.

“He didn’t react, why are you getting mad? Do you really think you’re someone important to him? Apologize to your m—”

Before he could finish, Hua Yan actually thrust her sword forward.

This was too ridiculous!

Even if he wasn’t diligent, he had practiced swordsmanship for over ten years. What use were her two clumsy moves compared to Lu Chengsha’s? A delicate little girl probably couldn’t even hold a sword steadily…

Then, Lu Chengzhao felt a sharp sword edge graze his cheek. He instinctively dodged, barely avoiding the blade, but a lock of hair was cut off.

Lu Chengzhao: “…”

Damn, what a humiliation!

Hua Yan hadn’t expected to land a hit immediately.

In fact, if she could have hit him, Lu Chengzhao might as well have committed suicide on the spot!

Since her opponent wasn’t Lu Chengsha, Hua Yan found using her sword to be exceptionally satisfying. The sword moved as she willed, fluid and exhilarating, making her wish for a giant watermelon to slice open.

Lu Chengzhao became that watermelon.

She had no internal energy and lacked strength, but her speed was unparalleled. Each move was like a lightning strike. If Lu Chengzhao tried to block, she would swiftly disengage and reposition herself for another attack, her form as swift as the wind.

Lu Chengzhao hadn’t planned to take her seriously, to avoid causing bloodshed and trouble with Lu Chengsha, but now he felt something was off.

How was this girl so fast?

How could Lu Chengsha’s extraordinary talent include imparting skills through dual cultivation?

Hua Yan slipped away like a loach. Every time before Lu Chengzhao’s sword could reach her, she would already evade and counter with a thrust. Though her strikes lacked force, Lu Chengzhao’s clothes were shredded in various places.

It was like a bear swatting at mosquitoes: no substantial harm but exceedingly annoying.

Moreover, several disciples of Tingjian Manor had come out to watch. With each move exchanged, Lu Chengzhao felt his dignity diminishing.

Reluctantly, Lu Chengzhao focused and got serious. Observing closely, he noticed that Hua Yan wasn’t accustomed to using a sword. Her wrist movements and techniques were somewhat clumsy, and her sword moves weren’t very practiced. However, she relied on her quick footwork—who knew how Lu Chengsha had taught her. Tingjian Manor had numerous sword techniques specifically designed to counter such fast swordplay. Using his brain for once, Lu Chengzhao devised a strategy and intentionally slowed his sword strikes.

Hua Yan was enjoying the fight, but seeing Lu Chengzhao slow down gave her a bad feeling.

As expected.

Lu Chengzhao’s slower strikes carried more force, expanding the range of his sword qi, thus reducing Hua Yan’s evasion space. After a few exchanges, Lu Chengzhao’s sword was closing in, his sword qi about to wound her.

Damn it! Finally, I can hit this damn woman!

Just as Lu Chengzhao was feeling triumphant, a branch flew in from the side, striking his wrist. His hand went numb, and his fingers loosened, causing the Biluo Sword to drop to the ground.

That force…

Lu Chengzhao turned angrily to glare at Lu Chengsha. “You son of a…!”

A two-on-one fight!

Seizing the opportunity, Hua Yan unleashed several rapid thrusts, fully utilizing the newly learned Chasing Cloud Sword technique. With his sword gone and distracted by cursing Lu Chengsha, Lu Chengzhao could only dodge awkwardly. As he retreated, something struck his knee forcefully.

In pain, his knee buckled, and he knelt on the ground.

Hua Yan’s sword promptly pressed against his throat.

Still smiling, her voice was light and cold, uttering the same one word: “Apologize.”

Lu Chengzhao opened his mouth to curse, “I apologize to your…”

Hua Yan raised her foot and kicked him in the face.

“So you think only you can curse? Try saying one more word!”

Using all her strength, Lu Chengzhao felt a sharp pain in his face, followed by a warm sensation in his nose. Touching his face, he looked down to see his hand covered in his own blood.

Lu Chengzhao was stunned.

How dare she!

However, Hua Yan didn’t just want to kick him; she wanted to cut him too.

Finally, the Tingjian Manor disciples who had been watching could no longer stand by and stepped between them.

A slightly younger disciple, Lu Chengyang, with a somewhat youthful appearance, showed a troubled expression and said, “Miss Zhou, please wait.”

Hua Yan said, “Then make him apologize.”

“This…” Lu Chengyang hadn’t even started to speak when Lu Chengzhao interrupted, “This woman is dead!”

Wiping the blood from his nose, Lu Chengzhao got up from the ground, enraged. He swiftly drew Lu Chengyang’s sword, channeling all his inner strength into the blade and attacking Hua Yan. Lu Chengsha stepped in front of Hua Yan. In his fury, Lu Chengzhao had lost all reason and launched his attack—Lu Chengsha sidestepped, struck Lu Chengzhao’s elbow, then deftly disarmed him, pressing the sword against Lu Chengzhao’s neck in one smooth motion.

Lu Chengzhao, with the sword at his throat, spat out, “If you have the guts, kill me!”

“What is going on here?” Lu Huaitian finally arrived with another senior.

The scene before them was indeed ridiculous: Lu Chengsha held a sword to Lu Chengzhao’s throat, Hua Yan pointed her sword at Lu Chengzhao, and the others were tense but unsure of what to do.

With a mocking tone, Lu Chengzhao said, “Father, can’t you see? This woman has ill intentions, deliberately stirring up trouble! Not only has our Lu Chengsha been infatuated enough to teach her martial arts personally, but now he’s ready to turn on his own brother with a blade. It’s only been a few days; next time, is she going to cut off my head?”

Whether or not Lu Huaitian believed it, he remained expressionless, looking at the two of them. “Chengsha, put down the sword.”

Lu Chengsha lowered the sword.

Lu Chengzhao gave him a triumphant glare.

Hua Yan also withdrew her sword, sensing an ominous feeling.

“Everyone, back to your training. What are you doing gathered here?” As Lu Huaitian spoke, the other disciples quickly dispersed, leaving only the three of them.

Lu Chengzhao seized the moment to play the victim: “Father, look at my swollen face, and…”

“You go back too!”

“Father…”

Under Lu Huaitian’s stern gaze, Lu Chengzhao reluctantly returned to his room.

Lu Huaitian finally turned his gaze to Hua Yan. Though he didn’t look particularly fierce, his perpetually stern expression was intimidating. If one didn’t know better, they might think he and Lu Chengsha were father and son. However, over these past few days, Hua Yan had noticed a clear difference. When Lu Huaitian looked at Lu Chengzhao, there was warmth, a familial anger and disappointment. But when he looked at Lu Chengsha, it was as if he were gazing at a stranger.

“Young lady, it seems my son doesn’t get along with you, and I suppose you don’t want to see him either,” Lu Huaitian said calmly. “The Sword-seeking Tournament is only a few days away. It would be better if you found somewhere else to stay. If you need money, just ask.”

His words were polite but firm, leaving no room for argument.

Hua Yan was taken aback.

“Is five hundred taels enough? If not, then a thousand.”

Hua Yan felt disoriented, as if she were hearing lines from a story where mismatched lovers are forcibly separated.

If it weren’t for the situation, she would have wanted to say that no amount of money could make her leave.

But she had kicked his son in the face, and it was unlikely Lu Huaitian would tolerate her presence.

At this moment, Lu Chengsha, who had been silent, spoke up, “It’s not safe outside.”

Lu Huaitian looked at Lu Chengsha with a hint of surprise, but his voice remained cold. “It’s not safe outside, and it’s not safe here either.”

After a moment of silence, Lu Chengsha asked, “Does she have to leave?”

Lu Huaitian’s surprise deepened, but his tone grew even harsher. “Yes.”

Both were clad in black robes with silver trim. Lu Chengsha had his black hair tied high, while Lu Huaitian wore his hair in a coiled bun with a hair crown. Standing together, they looked like the same person from different eras, yet their conversation was stiff, devoid of emotion, more like a superior and subordinate, nothing like an uncle and nephew.

Lu Chengsha seemed like he wanted to say more.

Lu Huaitian said, “Chengsha, don’t disappoint your grandfather.”

This sentence seemed to cast a spell, draining all emotion from Lu Chengsha.

An unusual feeling welled up in Hua Yan’s heart.

She didn’t want Lu Chengsha to be troubled.

Hua Yan sheathed her sword at her waist and smiled brightly. “Great Hero Lu, there’s no need to argue. I’ll leave.” With that, she walked toward her room. “I’ll pack my things and go. No need for travel expenses, I still have some left.”

As she packed the dresses, jewelry, and trinkets she had bought, Lu Chengsha stood at the doorway watching her.

Hua Yan busily packed her belongings while speaking, “Great Hero Lu, it’s alright. It’s just a change of place. I can still come and visit you! No need to worry too much!”

Lu Chengsha watched her in silence.

Having finished packing her bundle, Hua Yan prepared to find another inn. Before she could leave the Dongfeng Buye Tower, she noticed Lu Chengsha following her closely.

Walking slowly with her bundle in her arms, Hua Yan felt she should say something but didn’t really want to speak.

She was actually quite frustrated.

Then, she heard Lu Chengsha say, “Your Chasing Cloud Sword technique was well-executed just now.”

Hua Yan was stunned. She never expected Lu Chengsha’s first words to be this!

Instinctively, she replied, “It’s just that Lu Chengzhao was too weak!”

Lu Chengsha nodded, “Mm.”

For some reason, hearing that familiar “mm,” Hua Yan’s previously frustrated mood suddenly lifted.

After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “…Aren’t you angry?”

Lu Chengsha responded, “Hmm?”

“I mean, about what he said about you…” Hua Yan thought better of it and stopped herself, realizing it wasn’t a pleasant topic.

Lu Chengsha replied, “Why should I be angry?”

Hua Yan exclaimed, “Huh?” and turned to look at him. The cool night breeze ruffled Lu Chengsha’s hair. His eyes, clear and distinct, usually appeared cold, but at this moment, Hua Yan found them pure and gentle, like a clear spring.

“If he talks bad about you, you should be angry!”

Lu Chengsha, uncertain, asked, “Really?”

Hua Yan nodded vigorously and clenched her fist, “And then go teach him a lesson!”

Lu Chengsha looked at her thoughtfully and nodded slightly.

Great Hero Lu is really too kind-hearted.

Suddenly, Hua Yan felt a pang of sadness.

It was a vague, not very strong sadness that surfaced when she saw other disciples of Tingjian Manor deliberately keeping their distance from Lu Chengsha, when they remained indifferent to Lu Chengzhao’s insults, and when Lu Huaitian spoke to him.

Although Hua Yan grew up in the Zhengyi Sect, a place known for its troublesome characters, her parents loved her dearly, and she never lacked playmates. Even though she now understood that Yu Ye and Shui Se were not good people, they had treated her well in the past. The people around her had always been kind, unlike the situation around Lu Chengsha… it was difficult to describe.

Hua Yan thought for a moment, then stopped walking and tugged at Lu Chengsha’s sleeve.

Lu Chengsha also stopped and looked at her.

Hua Yan said, “Can you lower your head a bit?”

Lu Chengsha complied, lowering his head slightly.

Hua Yan stood on tiptoe and reached up to pat Lu Chengsha’s head. His hair, unlike his personality, was soft and pleasant to touch. Suddenly, she understood why Lu Chengsha liked to pat her head.

Lu Chengsha looked at her, puzzled.

Retracting her hand, Hua Yan said contentedly, “Alright, that’s enough.” She turned back, holding her bundle, and smiled, “Let’s keep walking!”