Chapter 125: A Small Mountain Rock Blocks the Path
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
None knew that within Qi Zheng Yang’s mountain estate, disciples of the Heavenly Script Academy were exchanging but a few words that could shift the fate of Spirit Sword Mountain.
All that was known was that ever since Ji You entered the estate, an ominous killing intent had flickered in and out of existence.
As time slipped by, in a mere hour, an intense burst of Sword Qi erupted from the mountains, pure and immaculate, akin to a bright moon rising into the sky. A tempest swept through the mountain range, causing the very air to tremble.
In that instant, all eyes beheld a slender figure, clad in tight-fitting robes, wielding a battered Spirit Sword, hurled out of the mountain estate. Their long hair billowed wildly in the wind.
The crowd collectively held their breath, their gazes locked onto that form. Despite the delicate clothing, the person exuded an unmistakable air of masculinity, the powerful surging of Qi and blood audible even from a distance. A sight that stunned all who witnessed it.
Earlier, Yan Ye had vividly described the physique of this Heavenly Script Academy disciple, leaving many feeling intrigued. Some even noticed that Yan Qing Chi, upon hearing the description, had grown increasingly grim-faced.
And now, the youth had emerged from the mountain with a blazing presence, validating Yan Ye’s prior words beyond doubt.
From within the mountain estate, a sharp and detached voice echoed coldly across the peaks:
“Even a disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy dares to imitate our Spirit Sword Mountain’s Sword Dao? If you return, you’d best be ready to forfeit your life.”
A sneer curled upon Ji You’s lips as he planted his sword into the ground, fresh blood seeping once more from his earlier wounds.
“I once believed that Spirit Sword Mountain truly stood unmatched in the Way of the Sword, as the world claimed. Yet now, I see the exaggeration runs deep. Even if you begged me to learn from you, I would not. Let alone speak of returning!”
The surrounding elders immediately darkened in expression. One of them snapped, “Ignorant brat! How dare you spout such drivel?”
The Sword Dao had long been the pride of Spirit Sword Mountain, its reputation towering over the world. Ji You’s words had struck them where it hurt most.
Yet Ji You merely turned his cold gaze toward them and spoke, “I, a mere Mystic Enlightenment disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy, was able to cut through the Sword Forest, yet none of your mountain’s countless disciples could pass it. When have I ever spoken falsehoods?”
“You—”
“Or should I say, it is not the fault of Spirit Sword Mountain, but rather that Elder Qi’s Sword Dao is too feeble? Just like You Bu Yu and He Ling Xiu, too weak to stand, yet that has nothing to do with the Heavenly Script Academy.”
“…?”
The elders exchanged wary glances, hesitant.
“This… this reasoning does seem to hold some merit…”
At that moment, Yan Shu Yi turned her icy gaze upon him, her eyes as sharp as frozen steel. “Let us end this discussion here. Spirit Sword Mountain will summon Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Dao Seeking Sect to bear witness, but no further proclamations shall be made. Likewise, the matter of the Sword Forest shall not be spoken of beyond these walls. We will not acknowledge it.”
But Ji You’s stare only grew sharper. “I, Ji Bo Chang, stand upright and unyielding, never one to seek hollow fame. But what of my Senior Sister Ling Yuan, who was nearly shattered by your blades?”
As his words fell, countless elders gripped their swords, the killing intent around them surging violently.
Was this Heavenly Script Academy disciple truly so arrogant as to think himself above them just because he broke through the Sword Forest? Or was he simply unaware of who stood before him?
It was no secret that the Heavenly Sword Peak and Mystic Sword Peak engaged in both open and hidden strife. Yet in external matters, the Mirror Master represented the true orthodoxy of Spirit Sword Mountain.
A mere Mystic Enlightenment disciple daring to provoke her was, in their eyes, a crime worthy of death.
Yan Shu Yi instinctively glanced toward his exposed chest, then quickly averted her eyes, her voice subtly tightening as she spoke: “I never approved of the disciples venturing into the ruins. Their defiance of my decree, their encirclement of you—these were acts of personal folly. What concern is it of Spirit Sword Mountain?”
The Mirror Master was displeased…
The elders stiffened, realizing that her voice had grown unusually sharp in her anger.
“Then should my Senior Brother and Senior Sister simply swallow this injustice?” Ji You retorted.
“Spirit Sword Mountain does not bow. But since you have the ability to cut through the Sword Forest, perhaps you can make those disciples, who defied my decree for their own petty rivalries, acknowledge their wrongdoing.”
Yan Ye, Yan Qing Chi, and the other elders exchanged thoughtful glances, deep in consideration.
The Heavenly Script Academy had come seeking justice, but both sides had suffered losses in the confrontation. If word spread that their disciples had been ambushed in the ruins, it would damage Spirit Sword Mountain’s reputation.
If the few who led the assault were made to lower their heads under the guise of ‘private dueling,’ then they could also silence the rumors among their own disciples. It seemed… an optimal resolution.
“The Mirror Master has…”
“She has already developed the aura of a Sect Master. She is no longer the reckless girl of old.”
Ji You gazed at his shattered sword upon the ground, contemplating for a long moment before raising his head. “But my sword was broken as well.”
Yan Shu Yi looked down at the fragments. “And what of it?”
“My sword was shattered by one of your Heavenly Sword Peak disciples. Is it not reasonable to demand compensation for my property?”
“…?”
Hearing this, the assembled elders trembled with fury. Despite the sweltering heat, a cold sweat spread across their bodies, leaving them numb.
This Heavenly Script Academy disciple had trespassed into the Sword Forest of Spirit Sword Mountain, and now that his sword was broken, he wanted them to compensate him?
Was this truly a disciple of an academy, or a bandit straight from a den of rogues?
Before Yan Shu Yi could respond, Yan Qing Chi coldly cut in: “Enough! Insolent disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy, cease your baseless arguments and descend the mountain at once!”
But Ji You turned his gaze toward him. “I do not ask for a sword for my own sake, but rather for the sake of Spirit Sword Mountain.”
“What?”
“I have slain countless disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, and they bear deep grudges against me. Once I descend the mountain, they may force me to draw my sword. If I have none, they will mockingly ask why. And when I answer that my sword was shattered while cutting through the Sword Forest, it will inevitably spread the tale of a mere Mystic Enlightenment disciple cleaving through it.”
Yan Shu Yi raised an eyebrow. “You have quite the silver tongue.”
Ji You cupped his hands. “Many thanks for the praise, Mirror Master.”
“You may take a sword,” she said at last. “But as I have already stated—only if you earn it. Mystic Sword Peak has countless Spirit Swords. The question is, do you dare enter the Cloud Summit Palace to claim one?”
The surrounding elders instinctively sucked in sharp breaths.
This was an open invitation to an empty battleground—one where accidents could happen.
This disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy… was far too arrogant for his own good.
The Mirror Master held a position akin to that of the Sect Master of Spirit Sword Mountain, much like the Headmaster of the Heavenly Script Academy. Such a figure was not someone an ordinary disciple could even dream of meeting, let alone directly opposing in such a confrontational manner. Yet here he was, boldly spouting such audacious words.
At that moment, Yan Shu Yi turned to the gathered elders and spoke calmly, “Send word throughout the mountain, from the peaks to the foothills. Let no more rumors be spread about this matter. The world is already in turmoil, and fewer conflicts mean fewer grudges. Do not stir further troubles that might invite unnecessary calamity.”
“But the Dao Seeking Sect and the Mountain and Sea Pavilion…”
“Since they dared to invite outsiders onto our mountain without my permission, then my dear uncle can escort them away in the same manner he brought them here.”
With these words, the Little Mirror Master waved her sleeve and descended the mountain, with Ji You bowing to the crowd before following behind.
From afar, the two figures—one ahead, one behind—moved along the winding mountain path. The woman possessed an ethereal grace, yet carried an aura of unshakable authority, while the man walked tall and unyielding, exuding a fearsome presence.
Yet, for reasons unknown, those who watched them could not shake the feeling that they made for an oddly fitting pair. If one did not know their identities and merely saw them strolling through a common city street, they might have sighed in admiration at the sight of such a well-matched couple.
Yan Ye furrowed his brows and muttered, “Given the Mirror Master’s temperament and the blatant disrespect shown by the Heavenly Script Academy, he may not make it off Spirit Sword Mountain alive.”
At this, Yan Qing Chi shook his head. “The entire mountain already whispers of how he cut through the Sword Forest. The best way to silence rumors is for those spreading them to keep their mouths shut, not for us to kill him. If he were truly slain and his body left in pieces, the Heavenly Script Academy would never let this go.”
Even Yan Ru, elder of Mystic Sword Peak, could not help but interject, “Indeed. Push them too far, and war will be inevitable. Do not underestimate the Heavenly Script Academy just because a personal disciple suffered defeat. Their true foundation lies in that unfathomable Headmaster.”
“Even so, he won’t escape unscathed,” another elder commented.
“That much is certain. Give him a few swords, rough him up a bit, and toss him off the mountain—what can he possibly do about it?”
Meanwhile, Ji You continued following Yan Shu Yi down from Heavenly Sword Peak, veering off onto a narrow path into the dense mountain forest.
This trail was rarely traveled, one that Yan Shu Yi had discovered during her idle moments of cultivation. Verdant bamboo and thick groves lined the path, and as they ascended, clouds drifted lazily overhead.
Once they were far from prying eyes, Yan Shu Yi finally relaxed her composed posture. Her steps momentarily grew light and carefree—only for her to quickly regain her usual dignified composure.
Ji You, walking behind her, eventually broke the silence. “Why do you refuse to speak with me?”
“Do not be insolent. You are merely a lowly disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy. We are not acquainted.”
Ji You chuckled. “I only entered the Sword Forest because I was confident in my abilities. There was no need for you to be so tense, let alone bring the Spirit Mirror to Heavenly Sword Peak as if you intended to kill someone.”
Yan Shu Yi faltered slightly before turning back to eye him. “How did you know I brought the Spirit Mirror?”
Ji You stepped over a small stream as he replied, “When I caught Thought Without Evil, I sensed a familiar aura—akin to the sacred artifacts and spirit pills of the Heavenly Script Academy.”
She narrowed her gaze. “You certainly notice the details, but you misunderstand my intentions. I merely feared you might tarnish the prestige of Spirit Sword Mountain after descending. My plan was to beat you half to death before you left.”
“If that were truly the case, why let me walk out of the forest at all? You’re a sharp-tongued immortal.”
Before Ji You could finish his words, Yan Shu Yi had already turned around and lightly stepped on his foot—softly but decisively. However, in that moment of turning, her gaze fell upon his open robe, her nose nearly brushing against his exposed chest.
His body was not ruggedly built from forceful training, but rather balanced and toned. Furthermore, his immersion in the Pill Sect’s Medicinal Pool had left his skin smooth and refined.
“Does it look good?” he asked, smirking.
“Not at all,” she replied coolly. “Mediocre. I could snuff you out with the slightest touch—ah, I mean, strike.”
Realizing she had nearly misspoken, she quickly lifted her gaze, intending to glare at him and reassert her dominance. However, just as she did, she felt hands at her waist.
In the next moment, she was lifted into the air.
Both of her delicate feet left the ground as Ji You picked her up effortlessly. The mountain path ahead had grown steeper, and an enormous stone blocked the way, leaving no room to maneuver around it.
Without a second thought, Ji You simply carried her over, his arms wrapping around her slender waist.
Though she carried herself with the dignity of a divine maiden, in his arms, she was light and soft, her fragrance subtly drifting through the air.
The sharp gusts of sword qi from Spirit Sword Mountain whipped past him, forcing him to narrow his eyes. But he remained unfazed, save for the fleeting scent of the woman in his arms.
“Did you truly think a mere stone could hinder me?” she scoffed.
“I wasn’t thinking much of anything,” he answered plainly. “The path simply seemed difficult to walk.”
As he landed atop the boulder, he saw that Yan Shu Yi, exuding an aura of sword qi, had already moved forward—only to halt before another large rock blocking their way.
[Stopped by another small rock.]
As Ji You approached, he noticed her arms raising ever so slightly, as if unconsciously signaling for him.
Thus, without hesitation, he once again placed his hands at her waist, lifted her up, and set her down on the next ledge. And, just as before, he made no comment on her unspoken request.
For the last time he had pointed it out, back in the courtyard, she had flatly denied it. When he had teasingly asked if she wanted to be carried, she had merely ignored him—and he hadn’t been allowed to carry her at all for the next two days. She neither refused nor encouraged, leaving him to tread carefully.
As they continued forward, Yan Shu Yi suddenly grew quiet, her face still and unreadable. Without a word, she abruptly changed direction, stepping toward the western path along the mountainside.
Before them lay a labyrinth of jagged rocks and steep cliffs…