The intense pain and itchiness lasted for two full hours before it finally stopped. Although Lu Chengzhao desperately wanted to kill Hua Yan, he couldn’t leave his room, and Lu Chengsha kept a constant watch over him day and night. Even when Lu Chengzhao tried to sneak out in the middle of the night, Lu Chengsha would kick him back into his room.
“Damn it, doesn’t this guy ever sleep!”
He was so angry that he could only glare at Hua Yan while gnashing his teeth, watching as Hua Yan occasionally passed by his door, happily and contentedly eating a bowl of pastries.
Hua Yan had been living quite leisurely these past few days, with no one daring to provoke her.
Ever since that day when Lu Chengsha, in a fit of rage, had beaten Lu Chengzhao for Hua Yan (?), the disciples of Tingjian Manor had all given Hua Yan looks of curiosity, as if they wanted to ask something but didn’t dare to.
Hua Yan understood.
This was called curiosity.
However, Hua Yan wouldn’t explain, and Lu Chengsha certainly wouldn’t either—not to mention that no one dared to ask.
Hua Yan found it quite fascinating.
She had originally thought that Lu Chengsha’s cold personality was reserved for strangers, but he treated his fellow disciples the same way, and they were all used to it.
This made Hua Yan a bit curious, so she went to the nearby tavern to subtly inquire about why Lu Chengsha was like this and what his relationship with Lu Chengzhao was. But as soon as she brought up the topic, everyone fell silent, as if it was a taboo subject.
The more she asked, the more curious she became.
Finally, Hua Yan couldn’t hold back and ran to ask Lu Chengsha, “Your name and Lu Chengzhao’s name are quite similar. Are you related in some way?”
Lu Chengsha nodded, “Yes.”
“Is it something you can’t talk about specifically?” Hua Yan hesitated. After all, people often have things they don’t want to mention. “If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to say.”
Lu Chengsha gave her a strange look and said, “His father and my mother are siblings.”
“Oh… huh.” Hua Yan felt there was something odd about Lu Chengsha’s explanation, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
After thinking for a while, she decided to change the subject. “Do you know all the disciples from Tingjian Manor who came to participate in the Sword Competition this time?”
“I’ve seen them.”
Seen them?
“Does that mean… you’ve never spoken to them?”
Lu Chengsha: “Mm.”
Hua Yan: “…”
As expected of a great hero, truly impressive!
A younger disciple with the blue sword tassel had once come to find Hua Yan. He introduced himself as Lu Chengzhao’s younger brother, Lu Chengyang. At first, Hua Yan thought he was here to cause trouble, but unexpectedly, he scratched his head and said awkwardly, “Uh… um… my brother Chengzhao has a bad temper. I’m here to apologize on his behalf… uh…”
He stammered so much that Hua Yan grew impatient, “Is there more? Get to the point!”
“Uh… Brother Chengsha… hopes you won’t mind… uh… if we’re all family in the future, then…” He took a deep breath, “In short, don’t be angry. I’m leaving now!”
After speaking, he used his lightness skill to leap onto the roof and disappeared without a trace.
Hua Yan: “…?”
What was he talking about?
***
The days passed leisurely until the day of the Sword-seeking Tournament arrived.
In the past few days, Hua Yan had thoroughly familiarized herself with the process of the Sword-seeking Tournament, just waiting for it to begin.
As one of the biggest events in the martial world, the Sword-seeking Tournament lasts for nine days. The first two days are the literary and martial arts competitions, aimed at exchanging and comparing the martial arts of various sects without seeking victory or defeat.
On the third day, it’s the event most anticipated by the common people: the Qin Gathering of the Qiqin Tianxia sect.
As for the last six days of the Sword-seeking Tournament, they are the main event: the martial battles.
The martial battles are divided into two parts: the disciple battles and the sect battles.
Lu Chengsha had won the first place in the former for two consecutive years, and it was rumored that this time the sect battle would determine the fate of the Demon Sect’s leader, Xie Yingxian, which made it highly anticipated.
***
The night before, Hua Yan was so excited that she couldn’t sleep well, clutching a new “Sword-seeking Tournament Handbook” published by Dongfeng Buye Tower. The next morning, she got up early, yawning and with dark circles under her eyes, following Lu Chengsha to the conference venue.
The disciples of Tingjian Manor were already used to this sight.
Lu Haitian glanced at Hua Yan but said nothing.
By now, everyone could see that this girl had no internal power. If she tried anything, she could be easily killed with one sword stroke, not to mention that Lu Chengsha was watching over her.
Only Lu Chengzhao glared at her viciously, as if saying, “If you take one step away from Lu Chengsha, I’ll kill you immediately.”
This made Hua Yan hide behind Lu Chengsha and stick out her tongue at him.
The disciples of Tingjian Manor found this quite embarrassing.
At this moment, it was midsummer. The reception area arranged by Dongfeng Buye Tower was in a pavilion surrounded by blooming lotuses. The lotus leaves covered the water, creating a graceful and tranquil scene, as beautiful as a slowly unfolding summer lotus painting.
Behind the pavilion were resting places for the various sects, connected by stone walkways that extended like enormous ships, grand and imposing.
In the center was the venue for the Sword-seeking Tournament, a huge natural stone platform.
No one knew how the craftsmen of Dongfeng Buye Tower managed to create such a perfectly integrated martial arts platform, but it was clear that all the heroes were very satisfied with this venue.
Further out were some scattered small stone platforms, often occupied by wealthy commoners or high-ranking officials. They were there mainly to enjoy the spectacle, experience the atmosphere of the martial world event, and possibly meet some of the legendary heroes they had only heard about in rumors.
As one of the Five Great Sects, the arrival of the Tingjian Manor was loudly announced.
In fact, there was no need to announce it as the surrounding people were already watching. The imposing black-clad figures of Tingjian Manor were too conspicuous, and with their distinctive sword tassels, it was hard not to notice them.
Naturally, the most attention was on Lu Chengsha.
Although four disciples withh Blue Sword Tassel had arrived, it was Lu Chengsha who stood out at a glance.
His presence was overwhelming.
If one were to look at those personal disciples individually, including Lu Chengzhao, they all stood tall and were remarkably outstanding, deserving praise as young heroes. However, once they appeared next to Lu Chengsha, they all became insignificant by comparison.
Lu Chengsha stood there with a cold, handsome face, his eyes indifferent, showing no expression.
Simply standing there, it seemed as if he had stolen all the light around him.
He resembled a weapon forged by heaven and earth, with one side inscribed with extreme darkness and the other with eternal night. He exuded an abyss-like indifference and a strong sense of threat and danger.
But in truth, Lu Chengsha was quite good-looking.
Hua Yan thought, his features weren’t sharp but rather gentle, with clear black and white eyes. When he looked at you, he seemed both serious and focused. Although his expression was fierce, he wasn’t fierce at all and was very easygoing—in fact, when she dragged Lu Chengsha around town looking for a restaurant, he didn’t complain at all! He really had a great temper!
The world really misunderstood him!
After sitting down, people occasionally came to greet them, and Lu Haitian would lead Lu Chengzhao to respond to each one.
Hua Yan greeted Lu Chengsha and took the opportunity to slip away, excitedly looking around. Everywhere were young heroes of various heights and builds, with all kinds of swords and robes dazzling to the eyes.
They conversed with each other, appearing polite and courteous.
A sense of righteous and noble spirit floated back and forth, making one yearn for it.
It was quite different from the chaotic bunch in her sect, where during meetings, poisonous insects flew around, and arguments broke out with table slapping, leading to fights outside. Hua Yan thought with disdain.
Not far away, she saw a vaguely familiar young hero, Bai Yujiang. Although he wasn’t wearing his usual fur coat, others seemed unwilling to compromise, resulting in the seating area of Baiya Peak looking like clumps of white cotton surrounding a white twig.
In the middle of summer, it looked quite silly.
Hua Yan continued to hold the “Sword-seeking Tournament Handbook,” struggling to identify things, when someone next to her said, “Young lady, is this your first time at the Sword-seeking Tournament?”
“Yes.” Hua Yan nodded.
“Are you a disciple of the Qiqin Tianxia?” Seeing Hua Yan not answering, he quickly added, “Ah, sorry, I just saw that you…”
Hua Yan continued nodding, “Saw that I’m pretty, right? I know.”
The other person was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily, “You are quite amusing! My name is Qing Yuan, and it’s my first time here with my master as well.”
Hua Yan looked him up and down: “You’re wearing blue, are you from Qingcheng Sect?”
“You give me too much credit.” Qing Yuan gestured towards the distance with a nod: “The Qingcheng Sect members are over there…”
“Uh, you mean that group…”
At the entrance stood a group of people, their stance very casual, forming a sharp contrast with the uniform and disciplined Tingjian Manor. They were noisy and chattering, and aside from their coordinated outfits, it was hard to tell they were from the same sect.
However, their outfits all featured blue robes and white pants with a white jade belt around their waists. Looking at one person might not make an impression, but a group of them together looked exactly like a bunch of…
Hua Yan exclaimed: “—Green onions.”
Qing Yuan immediately hushed her: “Keep your voice down. If their disciples hear, they’ll definitely come to argue with you!”
Hua Yan nonchalantly responded with an “Oh,” then pointed excitedly at the tallest “green onion” in the front: “Is that Qingcheng Sect’s chief disciple, Mu Xuelang, one of the ‘Three Young Heroes of Lan’?”
Qing Yuan nodded, giving a thumbs-up: “The Qingcheng Sect’s leader doesn’t like managing affairs, so it’s usually Mu Xuelang who handles the internal matters. Even so, his martial skills haven’t suffered. This is only his second time participating in the Sword-seeking Tournament, and he’s already fourth on the Martial World Young Heroes list. Besides his exceptional martial arts and profound internal power, his Chasing Cloud Sword technique is incredibly exquisite. My master says if I had half his talent, I’d wake up laughing in my dreams.”
Mu Xuelang was quite tall, with gentle features and slightly drooping eyes, giving him a friendly and approachable look, more like a next-door big brother than a great hero.
Among the chattering junior brothers and sisters, he stood out, the only one who wore the disciple uniform properly. The others had their collars open, belts undone, the hems of their robes folded up for ventilation, or sleeves rolled up to their shoulders, looking very unkempt.
Getting closer, they could hear the conversations.
“Senior Brother, it’s so hot, can we speed this up?”
“Senior Brother, I saw some watermelons on the way here, can I go steal a few?”
“Senior Brother, can I pick some lotus seeds to eat?”
“Senior Brother, later can you ask Lu Chengsha from Tingjian Manor for his autograph for me?”
Hua Yan was stunned.
How could there be such a sect in the martial world?
She knew Qingcheng Sect was laid-back, but she didn’t expect them to be this casual!
Mu Xuelang, while rapidly signing the disciples’ names in the register, replied lazily, “Okay, okay, I know, I’ll go later… alright, alright, let me finish signing first… sure, sure, just wait a bit…”
Unfortunately, he hadn’t finished signing when a sword was suddenly thrust into view.
He sighed and looked up: “Now what is this…”
Opposite them stood a girl dressed in a blue-gray sword robe, her skin somewhat pale. She tied her long hair with a red hairband, and her collar and cuffs matched the color of the hairband. The deep and vivid colors of her attire contrasted with her frost-covered face. Her small face had light-colored eyes that looked equally cold and indifferent, almost making it hard for people to notice her elegant and delicate features, only feeling that she was as cold as ice.
“I am Zuo Jingshuang from Dangshan, and I want to learn the swordsmanship of Qingcheng’s Mu Xuelang during the martial arts competition.”
Mu Xuelang’s expression showed slight surprise, followed by a look of helplessness. Before he could speak, the surrounding Qingcheng disciples already looked at the girl as if facing a great enemy, full of vigilance.
“The martial arts competition isn’t until tomorrow. Why are you causing trouble today!”
“Is this how unregulated Dangshan is!”
“Who do you think you are to challenge our senior brother? You should practice with me first.”
Their words were dismissive, but the atmosphere was tense, with swords drawn, ready to fight at any moment.
Qing Yuan leaned over and whispered to Hua Yan, “Qingcheng and Dangshan have always been at odds. Their relationship is extremely poor, and the two sects are very close to each other, separated only by a river. It’s said that every time the Sword-seeking Tournament happens, the disciples end up in a big fight…”
Before he could finish, a Qingcheng disciple slammed the sign-in stone table, drew his sword, and flew at Zuo Jingshuang: “Come fight, Dangshan scum!”
The disciples behind Zuo Jingshuang also couldn’t hold back any longer.
“You unruly Qingcheng trash!”
Hua Yan felt a strange sense of familiarity.
She was thoroughly enjoying the excitement when someone suddenly patted her shoulder.
Hua Yan instinctively turned her head and saw a face with a complicated expression. The owner of the face looked at her deeply, his lips trembling repeatedly before finally speaking slowly, “You… are you alright… you really followed me here, you really have feelings for me…”
Hua Yan looked at his face, thought for a moment, and then said, “Who are you?”
The other person was shocked, then said, “I am Zhao You! … Could it be that you’ve lost your memory and don’t remember the person you love?”
Hua Yan: “… Huh?”