Chapter 106: Speak, or I’ll Draw My Sword
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
The quiet afternoon upon entering the city left Ji You with little to do. Thus, he moved the bamboo cushion and tea table from his bedside to the window. Brewing a pot of fresh tea, he gazed at the drifting clouds that surrounded the Cloud Summit Palace perched atop the mountain.
In this tranquil moment, the word “bedchamber” lingered in Ji You’s thoughts, stirring his heart slightly. Although he had never set foot in Spirit Sword Mountain, he had often heard Yan Shu Yi mention it—her home atop the Mystic Sword Peak in the grand Cloud Summit Palace.
[Ah, truly the dwelling of an empress,] Ji You mused, his lips curling into a faint smile.
Suddenly, he could empathize with the endless turmoil within the Little Mirror Master, torn between timid charm and boldness. After all, even the gentlest of women might develop a boundless sense of grandeur when residing in a palace overlooking the world.
Ji You felt a slight relief. On the day they first met, had they been here rather than at the unfamiliar Heavenly Script Academy, where Yan Shu Yi’s loneliness and vulnerability had surfaced, his impromptu action of pinching her cheek might have resulted in being skewered like a sprinkler.
[Indeed, timing and place are crucial,] he thought.
A woman like her would be difficult to approach through conventional means.
The disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy had journeyed here seeking enlightenment. Though they sent no formal missive, their conspicuous presence made it obvious to Spirit Sword Mountain. Ji You was fairly certain Yan Shu Yi was aware of his presence below the mountain.
Suddenly, a loud commotion broke the serene atmosphere.
Boom! Boom!
Ji You shifted his gaze westward, where Nanhua City was bustling with noise. A large group of cultivators filled the main streets, their procession grand and ostentatious. Horses, strengthened by spirit herbs, pulled a massive carriage sedan as large as a small courtyard. The heavy wheels ground against the stone-paved roads, causing the bricks beneath to creak and shift.
Following this grand carriage was a host of Immortal Sect disciples, each carrying wide swords on their backs. The crowd exuded an imposing aura, attracting countless awestruck gazes along their path.
As Ji You watched, a knock came at his door.
Wen Zheng Xin and Pei Ru Yi stood outside, beckoning him.
“Junior Brother, come down with us for a moment.”
“?” Ji You left the window and followed his senior sisters to the inn’s entrance, where they found You Bu Yu and others already gathered.
Looking ahead, Ji You saw the grand carriage sedan heading up the mountain road toward Spirit Sword Mountain. Behind it, another group of cultivators took to the skies, following the first group up the steep and rugged path. The mountain winds howled, dispersing the clouds at its waist as the peak of the Heavenly Sword Summit shone brilliantly.
The massive carriage disappeared into the clouds, and the cultivators following it gradually vanished as well.
Bai Ru Long, observing the grandeur of the procession, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Why are the Mountain and Sea Pavilion and the Dao Seeking Sect here as well?”
By identifying their robes and insignias, he recognized the groups immediately.
The disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy had come seeking the Dao, yet the mountain array remained closed as if Spirit Sword Mountain were feigning ignorance of their arrival. Now, however, the Dao Seeking Sect and Mountain and Sea Pavilion were allowed entry with such pomp and circumstance?
The street’s attention turned to the disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy, who now appeared to be outcasts, left to stand isolated at the mountain’s base.
But before long, a group of Spirit Sword Mountain disciples descended, scattering official summons scrolls like falling snow into Nanhua City. Bai Ru Long picked one up and turned to Ji You and Ban Yang Shu, exclaiming, “They’re hosting a tea gathering to discuss the Dao…”
“Why scatter these scrolls in the city?” someone questioned. “Could they be inviting the townsfolk to ascend the mountain?”
Ji You’s expression remained calm. “Naturally, these were meant for the Heavenly Script Academy to see.”
Wen Zheng Xin nodded. “Looks like Junior Brother Ban’s earlier assumption was correct—this is a deliberate power play.”
She continued, “Among the Seven Great Immortal Sects, the south claims three, while the north holds three. Now the southern sects have all gathered, clearly waiting for us on the mountain.”
Hearing this, Ji You turned to You Bu Yu and He Ling Xiu. The earlier grand procession had long disappeared into the mountain mist, yet their gazes lingered on the clouds, brows furrowed deeply.
Spirit Sword Mountain had orchestrated a spectacle, inviting all the southern sects to witness the Heavenly Script Academy’s challenge. Did they truly have such unwavering confidence in their victory, or was there another motive behind this grand stage?
“Let’s head back for now,” Ji You said at last.
“Alright.” The group agreed and dispersed, leaving the spectacle behind.
The group arrived at Nanhua City shortly after midday, just in time for a meal. Although slightly late, it was not too inconvenient.
You Bu Yu sat at the table, his expression grave. “It seems the three Immortal Sects of the South hold little goodwill toward our Heavenly Script Academy.”
He Ling Xiu frowned slightly, unable to hold back her words. “It’s no surprise that the Dao Seeking Sect came here so brazenly. Their direct disciples have always coveted the Little Mirror Master. But why would the Mountain and Sea Pavilion join this gathering?”
“I haven’t heard of any enmity between them and the Heavenly Script Academy either…”
Ji You, seated nearby, turned his gaze toward them. “Perhaps it’s because of the Pill Sect.”
Both You Bu Yu and He Ling Xiu were momentarily taken aback before understanding dawned on them.
The incident at Qiling Mountain had left the Mountain and Sea Pavilion in a standoff with the Chen Clan of Immortals and the Pill Sect. Whether they acted out of grief over their fallen disciples or sought compensation for their losses, their motivations remained unclear. However, when the Heavenly Script Academy sided with the Pill Sect, it made it impossible for the Mountain and Sea Pavilion to take direct action against the easier target, the Pill Sect.
Perhaps, this explained their attendance at today’s Spirit Sword Mountain Tea Gathering. Furthermore, the natural geographical divide between the Northern and Southern Immortal Sects added to the tension, leaving the Pill Sect, precariously situated among the six Great Immortal Sects, in an exceptionally delicate position.
Ji You turned his head to look at Ban Yang Shu and his companions. “The Chen Clan of Immortals made an appearance in town just now.”
“Impossible!”
Seeing their disbelief, even Bai Ru Long nodded in agreement. “Ji’s words are true. I saw them as well.”
“?”
The trio’s confusion was evident. They pondered silently, marveling at how Ji You, whose cultivation of Spiritual Consciousness had reached such heights that his eyes shone golden, could discern figures in chaos. Yet, they were perplexed that Bai Ru Long had also developed such capabilities.
Moments later, understanding dawned. Among the Chen Clan of Immortals, there must have been women with notably… shapely figures.
Bai Ru Long added that he had also spotted members of the Demon Clan.
The group nodded knowingly, concluding that even among the Demon Clan, there might have been women with… similar attributes.
Their thoughts shifted as they exchanged glances, their brows furrowing slightly.
The Chen Clan of Immortals, led by Clan Ancestor Zheng, had orchestrated the incident at Qiling Mountain. They were besieged by both the Mountain and Sea Pavilion and the Heavenly Sword Peak of Spirit Sword Mountain. By all accounts, the Chen Clan’s descendants shouldn’t have appeared here. Their presence implied that the matter had been resolved. While the specifics of what the Chen Clan of Immortals had surrendered remained unknown, it was clear that the conflict had been avoided.
Thus, the question of the Heavenly Script Academy’s involvement with Spirit Sword Mountain had now become the most anticipated event in the Azure Clouds Dominion.
Ban Yang Shu straightened his posture. “The stage is set. Spirit Sword Mountain will likely activate its great mountain-protecting array tomorrow.”
Wen Zheng Xin frowned. “It feels like walking into a tiger’s den.”
Pei Ru Yi turned to Ji You. “Junior Brother, if we ascend the mountain tomorrow, be cautious. Even if Spirit Sword Mountain lets you go, the Dao Seeking Sect certainly won’t spare you.”
“Indeed. Back in the ruins, you killed almost all the disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect. If you don’t ascend, it might be safer…”
“Ru Long’s advice is sound. Avoiding the mountain could be the wiser choice. You’re not You Bu Yu; no one expects you to draw your sword. Stay below, and no one will fault you. If you ascend, you’ll undoubtedly draw attention.”
Ji You met Pei Ru Yi’s gaze and softly replied, “It’s fine.”
He would ascend Spirit Sword Mountain; otherwise, the journey would be in vain. Though he had yet to figure out how to steal both a person and a sword, he couldn’t turn back now.
“I need to step out for a bit.”
Bai Ru Long, still eating, looked at him. “Going out to court death?”
Ji You placed his chopsticks down. “To buy a sword.”
Situated at the foot of Spirit Sword Mountain, Nanhua City boasted master craftsmen influenced by the mountain’s culture. The city’s Spirit Swords, renowned across the Nine Provinces, rivaled those of the Celestial Radiance Pavilion in quality while costing half as much.
Having saved part of his funds after purchasing spiritual pills, Ji You had specifically reserved money for acquiring a sword here. After all, buying directly from the source had always been the way of the wise.
With that, Ji You grabbed Bai Ru Long and headed to the largest Spirit Sword Trading Market in Nanhua Town.
Meanwhile, across the street, two familiar figures walked side by side.
“Junior Sister Ding, my Senior Brother has entered secluded cultivation to break through to the Heaven Resonance Stage and cannot attend today’s gathering. He requests that you inform the Little Mirror Master on his behalf. Additionally, he entrusted me with a gift for her.”
Min Cheng held a long case, opening its lid to reveal a radiant treasure sword. Inside the lid was affixed a gift list, which read: “From the Dao Seeking Sect’s direct disciple Shang Xi Yao to the Mirror Master. Presented in the Gui Si Year, Tai Yuan Era, on the Day of Yi Mao.”
Ding Yao accepted the wooden case with a smile. “Senior Brother Shang is very thoughtful. Just the other day, the Mirror Master was staring at a silver banknote for hours, saying she wanted to buy a sword.”
Min Cheng laughed. “The Mirror Master herself needs to buy a sword?”
The Mirror Master has countless swords in her collection, all of which are renowned blades among the Azure Clouds Dominion. However, for reasons unknown even to me, she recently insisted on purchasing a sword personally. I later inspected it—just a fairly decent blade—yet she displayed it prominently in her bedchamber.
Min Cheng chuckled at the mention. “If the Little Mirror Master loves swords this much, Senior Brother Shang’s gift must have truly struck her heart.”
[Struck her heart?]
Ding Yao smiled upon hearing this, but her brows furrowed slightly.
The women of Spirit Sword Mountain had an intense love for swords, especially the Little Mirror Master. Despite owning numerous famed swords, she continued to buy more. Yet, the sword she purchased herself seemed to carry a meaning far beyond the others.
Ding Yao had seen that sword as well. It came from an unremarkable smithy in Nanhua City and was not the work of a master craftsman. The only peculiarity was the silver note used to buy it—it seemed to have been sent from the Capital.
“Beyond Senior Brother Shang and the Little Mirror Master’s matters, I have a personal request, Junior Sister. I hope you will grant it,” Min Cheng’s voice drew Ding Yao from her thoughts.
“Senior Brother Min, speak freely,” she replied.
Standing with his hands behind his back, Min Cheng said, “I wish to test myself in Elder Qi’s Sword Forest.”
Elder Qi, a senior of the Heavenly Sword Peak, was a relentless cultivator of swordsmanship who had reached the peak of the Lower Three Stages. Half a month ago, he set up the Sword Forest at Spirit Sword Mountain, imbuing it with the insights of his life’s Sword Dao and inviting disciples to challenge it. Any who succeeded would inherit his teachings.
Since its establishment, even the direct disciples of the Sword Peak had failed repeatedly to conquer the Sword Forest.
The visitors from the Mountain and Sea Pavilion and the Dao Seeking Sect had come to Spirit Sword Mountain not only to witness the Dao inquiry of the Heavenly Script Academy’s Master’s direct disciple but also to challenge this Sword Forest.
“Senior Brother Min, are you interested in our Spirit Sword Mountain’s Sword Dao?”
“Indeed. Spirit Sword Mountain’s Sword Dao is resolute and unyielding, aligning closely with my own Dao. Naturally, I wish to experience it firsthand.”
Ding Yao cast him a glance, smiling faintly without responding. In Ningcheng County, she had personally witnessed Ji You breaking through a realm mid-battle and forcing Min Cheng into a disgraceful retreat. Min Cheng, however, seemed unaware that she knew of his defeat, making such bold declarations amusing.
Since that day, Ding Yao had little interest in Min Cheng. Yet, as a trusted disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect, he still held great value. After deliberating, she saw no harm in agreeing to his request.
The Sword Forest was an impenetrable challenge, even for the direct disciples of Sword Peak. There was no need to worry about any secrets of the Sword Dao being leaked. If Min Cheng failed, he would naturally abandon the thought.
“What Sword Forest? Where is it? Is it on Spirit Sword Mountain? Can disciples from other sects try it? What about me?”
Just as Ding Yao was about to answer, a familiar voice spoke from behind her. Startled, she turned to see Ji You, holding a sword and wearing an expression of curiosity.
The mere sight of him sent Ding Yao’s eyes widening in shock, her brows tightening sharply.
Ji You. He had come, as she expected.
When the Heavenly Script Academy released the list of those embarking on the Dao inquiry, Ding Yao knew he would come. She couldn’t help but recall that night in Ningcheng County under the moonlight, when Ji You had pinched the Little Mirror Master’s cheek.
Beside her, Min Cheng instinctively stepped back, his hand gripping his sword as it trembled. His face turned pale.
Ji You frowned slightly. “Speak. If you don’t, I might just draw my sword.”
“?”