Chapter 32: A Sword for You
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
After Instructor Wang accepted a disciple on behalf of his master, Ji You returned to the Outer Court from the Office of Affairs. Upon reaching the White Jade Terrace of Ascension, he was quickly intercepted by Ban Yang Shu and Ji Qi Rui, each carrying a spirit sword they wished to present as tokens of gratitude.
Ji You tried to decline, waving his hands to refuse politely. Yet, under their earnest insistence, he found it hard to refuse and eventually tied the swords to his waist with a secure knot. This display of sincerity left him marveling at the generosity and naivety of Inner Court disciples. For the first time, Ji You felt a flicker of motivation to join the Inner Court.
“I didn’t even notice when Junior Brother Ji tied the knot…”
“With such hand speed, he must have held back when facing that Malignant Being the other day…”
After exchanging farewells with his two senior brothers, Ji You made his way toward the Elegant Garden by Azure Lake. As he approached, he noticed a young woman standing outside his door.
She was dressed in a fine snow-silk gown and held a moon-white longsword in her hands. Her gaze darted around as if searching for someone. It was Lou Si Yi, who had attended the banquet with him previously. Despite her delicate demeanor, an air of gentleness defined her.
After being rescued by Ji You during the ambush, Lou Si Yi couldn’t help but feel a budding sentiment toward him. Upon learning that he lacked a proper sword, she had gone out of her way to purchase a fine one. But waiting for Ji You outside his quarters didn’t result in his immediate appearance. Instead, she was met by two of her close friends arriving from different directions.
One was Lu Qing Qiu, a prominent lady of Yunzhou, whose elegant approach was marked by a flowing dress and a glimmering jeweled sword. The other was Sun Zhi Qiao, also carrying a longsword.
However, it was apparent the three hadn’t coordinated their actions beforehand. Upon meeting, they froze briefly and then awkwardly noticed the swords in each other’s hands.
“Why are you here?” asked Lou Si Yi.
“Young Master Ji doesn’t have a sword, so I’ve come to gift him one,” Lou Si Yi explained, clutching her sword tightly.
Lu Qing Qiu turned to Sun Zhi Qiao, her expression turning sharp. “And you, claiming to be sisters with us, acted on your own without consulting us?”
Sun Zhi Qiao’s face flushed as she clutched her sword defensively. “Giving a man a sword is easy to misconstrue. And considering he’s Fang Ruo Yao’s betrothed, it’s not something I could openly discuss.”
Lu Qing Qiu arched her delicate brows. “So you know he’s Fang Ruo Yao’s betrothed yet dared to come here with such flirtatious intentions?”
“But Qing Qiu,” Sun Zhi Qiao countered, “weren’t you also planning to give him a sword?”
Lu Qing Qiu was momentarily at a loss for words but finally responded, “I hosted the banquet yesterday, and the ambush happened under my watch. Furthermore, he saved me twice that night. It would be heartless of me not to express my gratitude.”
Lou Si Yi and Sun Zhi Qiao exchanged glances. “He saved our lives too,” they replied.
“But that was merely incidental. You needn’t go to such lengths,” Lu Qing Qiu argued.
The other two were stunned into silence, inwardly questioning why their rescue was being dismissed as incidental. And wasn’t it Ji You’s place to say whether their gestures were unnecessary?
Undeterred, Lu Qing Qiu continued, “Besides, on that night, he clung to my sword the longest, which shows he favored it. That’s why I’m giving him one just like it.”
“That’s only because your sword happened to be closest. If mine were nearer, he would have clung to mine instead,” retorted Lou Si Yi.
“Men choose swords that they instantly feel a connection with,” Lu Qing Qiu declared confidently.
Lou Si Yi rolled her eyes. “In a life-or-death moment, one grabs what’s at hand. Not everyone overthinks things like you do.”
“You—”
Before an argument could escalate, Sun Zhi Qiao interjected. “Alright, alright. Since he can wield three swords, why not let him have one from each of us?”
Lou Si Yi fell silent at the suggestion but soon hesitated. “Since he’s Fang Ruo Yao’s betrothed, shouldn’t we inform her before giving him these swords?”
Lu Qing Qiu raised her chin. “We have no ulterior motives. As long as our consciences are clear, why bother with unnecessary gestures that might arouse suspicion?”
Her confidence, however, was short-lived. Two more figures appeared—Qian Yun Xiao and Bai Ru Long. They too carried swords, clearly intending to offer them to Ji You. The gathering of so many with the same purpose left them all surprised.
Ji You, observing from a distance along the mountain path, sighed inwardly. [Great. Looks like I’m becoming a sword-collecting Centurion.]
“Young Master Ji,” Lu Qing Qiu called out, spotting him approaching. She raised a fair hand to wave. “Has the Office of Affairs uncovered anything?”
Ji You shook his head. “The situation is peculiar. The Office currently has no leads. I advise you all to avoid going out alone for the next few days.”
“Do you think they’ll strike again?” she asked, concern lacing her tone.
“Without understanding their motives, it’s hard to predict,” Ji You replied evenly.
After a moment of hesitation, Bai Ru Long spoke. “I’ve been restless these past nights. I suspect my half-brother orchestrated the ambush.”
Lou Si Yi chimed in, “I believe the attack was aimed at me. They could be targeting my family’s spiritual medicine.”
Ji You smiled faintly at their assumptions. [If only it were that simple.] Their theories failed to explain why others, such as Zhang Cong Zhi and Cai Zi Yao, had been targeted alongside three additional cultivators.
The conspiracy lurking behind the killings was far larger than any of them could imagine.
Ji You shook himself from his thoughts and turned back to the group. “So, what brings all of you here?”
Lou Si Yi and Sun Zhi Qiao remembered their purpose and stepped forward with their swords. “Young Master Ji, we heard you don’t have a sword. We picked one for you as a token of gratitude.”
Lu Qing Qiu also lifted her sword. “And here’s mine.”
Bai Ru Long and Qian Yun Xiao nodded earnestly. “We’re here for the same reason. Thank you, Ji Brother, for saving us. From now on, consider us your loyal followers!”
“Hey now, let’s not go that far,” Ji You waved them off, accepting the five swords one by one. “I’ll take the swords, but loyal followers? That’s too much.”
Following this, Ji You invited them into his courtyard, where he prepared tea by the fire. Despite his lack of fondness for the heirs of noble clans, he couldn’t neglect their hospitality after accepting their swords.
Ji You brewed the tea carefully, pouring the first cup for Lu Qing Qiu, who sat to his right. “Let it cool for a moment; it’s hot.”
“Thank you…” she murmured, taking the cup. Her gaze lingered on Ji You as memories of the ambush night surfaced. He had risked his life to shield her, switching positions with her just as a blade was about to strike, and had shown an unusual fondness for her sword. And now, he had given her the first cup of tea, speaking to her in such a gentle tone.
Looking closely, she noticed that among the five teacups, only hers and Ji You’s bore the same floral pattern—almost as if they were a matching set.
[Could it be… he harbors feelings beyond mere camaraderie?]
Lu Qing Qiu rested her chin on her hand, studying his profile intently. Ji You, with his striking appearance and refined demeanor, was undeniably a man of exceptional charm. It was a side she hadn’t noticed before, knowing him only as a wandering rogue cultivator from a remote area.
But as her thoughts deepened, she shook her head slightly. [He has shown me kindness, but unfortunately, I cannot choose him.] Ji You’s sole flaw was his humble origin.
Before arriving at the Heavenly Script Academy, Lu Qing Qiu’s elders had hinted at forging ties with Chu He of the illustrious Chu Clan. His family’s bloodline, known for producing top-tier experts, held immense value. Despite her distaste for Chu He’s aggressive and cunning nature, the decision was clear. Compared to him, Ji You was far more agreeable—but ultimately unsuitable.
The Lu Clan, built upon spiritual mines, constantly faced envy and needed alliances through marriage to solidify their position. Her aunt had married the idle son of a Mountain and Sea Pavilion elder solely to deter rival forces. It was a union of necessity, not choice.
Unless Ji You became a Direct Disciple of the Hall Master and secured a lasting legacy within the Heavenly Script Academy, his prospects remained dim. The odds of such an achievement were slim.
Even Ban Yang Shu, an Outer Court prodigy, had grown mediocre within the Inner Court. Talent alone could not defy the rigid hierarchy of the Azure Clouds Dominion.
In her heart, Lu Qing Qiu decided to find a suitable moment to explain this reality to Ji You. Meanwhile, Ji You, entirely oblivious to her inner turmoil, was preoccupied with another thought: [It’s been too long since I last visited the Field of Enlightenment for a good debate.]
…
“It’s getting late. We should head back,” Lu Qing Qiu suggested after several rounds of tea.
The others glanced at the horizon, realizing the day had faded into evening. They voiced their agreement and prepared to leave. However, to their surprise, Ji You rose to see them off, closing his courtyard door behind him.
“Is he escorting us even this short distance?” Lu Qing Qiu wondered, sensing his subtle care.
But before she could voice her protest, she saw Ji You veer away toward the Field of Enlightenment instead of accompanying them.