Chapter 135: A Possible Defeat
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
The height of summer vanished in the blink of an eye, and a continuous drizzle descended upon Shengjing.
Ji You sat inside a tea pavilion along Spring Blossom Alley, watching the rain pour outside. Droplets trickled down the eaves, forming thin, glistening streams.
He had spent the entire summer tempering his physical body, yet even now, he had only reached the thirteenth Minor Illumination. Breaking through the limits of cultivation was truly a tormenting ordeal.
The Autumn Duel was now only days away.
Cao Jin Song had been visiting his courtyard daily, endlessly reminding him of various matters, appearing far more anxious than Ji You himself. To him, Ji You was the pride of Feng Prefecture.
This sentiment was not his alone. Even the Magistrate of Feng Prefecture seemed to share the same belief. Not long after the height of summer, the esteemed magistrate made a personal journey to Shengjing, meeting Ji You through the introduction of Kuang Cheng.
The magistrate, a man nearing his fifties, spoke with a strong northern accent, which carried an air of familiarity and warmth. His visit bore a singular purpose—discussing the establishment of a cultivator clan or an immortal manor in Feng Prefecture. His words aligned with what Pei Ru Yi had mentioned before.
For most, the Autumn Duel was but a minor event. However, the movements surrounding it created far more commotion than expected.
Even Titled Princess Chang Le, daughter of Prince Chong, had sent a formal invitation through Wei Rui, hoping to host Ji You at a banquet.
On the eve of Autumn, everything was chaotic.
At last, Ji You, the infamous fierce bandit, found himself with a moment of leisure. He decided to refocus on his primary trade—swordsmanship.
Thus, he made his way to Sword Testing Forest, where he witnessed the graceful figure of Lu Qing Qiu, sweat-drenched yet elegant in her sword dance. Afterward, he dragged Bai Ru Long away, who had nearly made his nest in the forest, relieving him of two taels of silver for tea money.
“The Autumn Duel is divided into Inner Court and Outer Court contests,” Bai Ru Long explained over tea. “It’s not just about the entry duel—there are multiple battles taking place simultaneously.”
“For instance, Outer Court disciples who are about to leave the academy will have a final challenge before their departure. But these fights rarely draw attention, as most people focus on the most significant event—the battle to enter the Inner Court.”
“Meanwhile, in the Inner Court, the Five Halls also engage in their own competitions. Disciples with masters often hold back, merely exchanging pointers. But those without a master take these fights far more seriously, as they are vying for a position as a personal disciple.”
“That’s why, before the Autumn Duel, Shengjing becomes lively with visiting cultivators. Some come from immortal manors, others from cultivator clans.”
Ban Yang Shu sipped his tea and watched the endless stream of carriages rolling through the streets, each adorned with family crests. “People love watching a good fight—it’s in human nature.”
Ji You gazed at the banners fluttering below the city gate and muttered, “Do they really enjoy watching battles that much?”
Pei Ru Yi nodded. “It’s not just about the spectacle. Many cultivator clans and immortal manors extend invitations to talented Outer Court disciples, offering them positions as household retainers.”
“I received several such invitations back then,” she admitted, “but I wasn’t willing to leave the academy so soon. That’s why I declined and joined the Office of Affairs instead.”
Wen Zheng Xin added, “It wasn’t always this crowded. Normally, you’d see a handful of minor noble heirs. But this year is different—many have come just to witness Chu He, and while they’re at it, they’ll be keeping an eye on you too, Junior Brother.”
“The Chu Clan is already famed across the land. Though they don’t have a Daoist Lineage, people still call them the ‘Eighth Great Immortal Sect.’ A duel between the two sons of the Chu Clan is bound to attract attention.”
“As for you, Ji You, after what happened in the Ruins and Sword Forest, your name might carry even more weight than that of the Chu Clan.”
Ji You turned toward Bai Ru Long and smirked. “You know, you could’ve reached Mystic Enlightenment before the Autumn Duel if you hadn’t wasted your days watching female cultivators practice their swordplay.”
Bai Ru Long, clutching his tea cup, sighed. “Even if I trained hard, what’s the use? There’s no way I could beat you.”
Ban Yang Shu chuckled. “White Junior Brother, in previous years, with enough dedication, you might have had a chance to enter the Inner Court. But this year… it’s much harder.”
His words weren’t mere consolation. If not for Ji You and Chu He, Bai Ru Long’s talent would have placed him among the top contenders in the Outer Court. Timing, after all, was a crucial factor in a cultivator’s path.
Ji You gazed at the rain and murmured, “To be honest, Senior Brothers and Sisters… I think I might lose to Chu He this time.”
Silence fell over the table.
Wen Zheng Xin, Ban Yang Shu, and Pei Ru Yi all froze, their eyes flickering with disbelief.
Even Bai Ru Long, who normally only cared for curvaceous figures, turned to Ji You, his expression a mixture of shock and incredulity.
The Chu Clan had deep foundations, and no one could say with certainty that Ji You’s entry into the Inner Court was guaranteed. But for Ji You, a sword cultivator, to admit defeat before the battle had even begun—this was unexpected.
For one who wielded the sword, the heart of the sword must never falter. A moment of doubt would cause the sword aura to wane.
Ban Yang Shu leaned forward, speaking with urgency, “Junior Brother, you mustn’t think this way! No matter how deep the Chu Clan’s roots, it’s not as if Chu He has suddenly reached the Dao Fusion Stage. Why would you believe you’ll lose? What’s troubling you?”
Ji You turned to them, his eyes unreadable. “Some problems… remain unresolved.”
Pei Ru Yi immediately spoke up, her tone firm. “Tell us. We’ll solve them together.”
“My sword was damaged on Spirit Sword Mountain, and later they only compensated me with one that isn’t very good. Senior brothers and sisters, could you lend me some money to buy a new one…?”
Immortal Emperor Ru Long seemed to see through everything, inwardly sighing, [I knew it would come to this.]
To think Ji You had robbed himself of two taels of silver, yet instead of keeping it, he invited so many people for tea. That was never his style.
Indeed, this was simply using two taels of silver to leverage more money.
But Ji You was not lying. He truly had no money left to buy a sword.
That day on Spirit Sword Mountain, Ding Yao had mocked and ridiculed him, claiming he was relying on a wealthy patron. In response, he took the sword that Shang Xi Yao had given him. However, that sword was one of the rarest in the world, unsuitable for public display.
[Without a sword, how could I even fight? Wouldn’t I lose outright?]
Thus, under the drizzling rain, Ban Yang Shu, Wen Zheng Xin, and Pei Ru Yi gathered a pile of fragmented silver on the tea table, then fell into silence.
Other cultivators worried about their realms, techniques, and spells when trying to enter the Inner Court.
But their junior brother’s struggle? Not having money to buy a sword.
It was almost too ridiculous to speak of. Just the thought of it could make one burst out laughing.
“This… this amount should barely be enough to buy you three swords.”
Hearing Wen Zheng Xin speak, Pei Ru Yi couldn’t help but shake her head. “No, two.”
Wen Zheng Xin glanced at her. “Three should be enough, right?”
“Chu He’s sword must be the best. Even if it’s not a divine weapon, it has to be of supreme quality. If we buy something ordinary, it might break instantly in battle. So, even two swords would barely be enough—perhaps just one.”
Ji You looked at the silver before him, contemplating for a long while before speaking. “It’s fine. There’s still Instructor Cao.”
Pei Ru Yi raised her head to look at him. “That may not be the case. He was complaining to me just yesterday, saying that all your food and drink for the past month of secluded cultivation came from his pocket. He claims he’s out of money.”
“Senior sister, you underestimate Instructor Cao too much. He has been teaching at Heavenly Script Academy for so many years—how could he not have saved a single coin?”
“He might not give you any.”
“He might.”
Ji You spoke gloomily. “He bet one hundred spirit stones against Instructor Ma and Instructor Ding. If I lose, both of us will be doomed.”
At those words, the four people at the tea table collectively held their breath.
Only by pooling their money together could they afford seven swords.
Truly, the poor were unworthy of entering the Inner Court.
After finishing their tea, the five of them raised their oil-paper umbrellas, stepping into the misty rain, heading towards Heavenly Script Academy to witness Instructor Cao’s fate firsthand.
However, when they returned to Elegant Garden by Azure Lake, they were met with an unexpected sight—a disciple from the Office of Affairs waiting at the entrance.
They recognized this disciple—his usual duties involved delivering letters and parcels within the academy.
At this moment, he was carrying seven radiant spirit swords, each of exceptional quality, and all brand new.
Seeing these swords, Ji You felt an odd sense of familiarity. He had seen every single one of them before.
Behind him, Ban Yang Shu, Wen Zheng Xin, and Pei Ru Yi widened their eyes in astonishment. [Who could be so aware of our junior brother’s desperate situation? To deliver such a timely blessing?]
“Junior Brother Ji, your swords, sent from Nanhua City.”
As the words fell, the group exchanged looks, their shock growing.
[Such an impressive fiancée!]
[Junior Brother Ji has truly made it—he really has a wealthy patron now.]
At that moment, Ji You reached out to accept the swords, his expression filled with disbelief.
The Little Mirror Master of Spirit-Mirror Mountain had gone into seclusion mid-last month, intending to break through a realm. She had even told Ji You to stay away, claiming he was too noisy.
But in truth, every time she saw him, she wanted to be embraced, unable to quiet her heart enough to comprehend the Dao.
[Indeed, beauty is a calamity. No wonder I call myself a ‘Beauty Who Brings Ruin.’]
Still, Ji You hadn’t expected her to prepare all these swords in advance, let alone have them delivered at the perfect time.
Meanwhile, Cao Jin Song had just arrived from the Instructor’s Hall, walking along Azure Lake towards Ji You’s courtyard, planning to discuss the arrangements for the Autumn Duel.
However, before he could even speak, he noticed the five of them standing in the courtyard, staring at him with strange expressions.
“What? Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“Instructor, congratulations on keeping your life…”
“…?”
At the same time, before the Divine Path at Mount Ni, a resplendent carriage approached the mountain gate, drawing the attention of many tea houses and taverns along the way.
The carriage was extraordinarily luxurious, its canopy crafted of pure gold, embroidered with a complete depiction of Daytime Ascension.
Through the gauzy curtains draping from the canopy, Chu He, the second son of the Chu Clan, could be seen seated inside in a meditative posture as the carriage slowly entered Heavenly Script Academy.
Near the White Jade Terrace of Ascension, disciples of the academy had already gathered. Upon hearing the commotion, they turned their gaze towards the carriage, watching as it came to a halt and Chu He stepped out.
His expression was aloof, his aura deep and unfathomable.