The main peak of the Fuajian Sect was Tianshuang Peak, though it was commonly referred to as Tianshuang Cliff.
There were countless other peaks of varying sizes, but the most important ones nowadays were Youning Peak, Bailu Peak, and Zhennan Peak, each guarded by an elder.
However, what few people knew was that—
Behind these three mountains lay yet another peak known as Wuwang Mountain.
The pavilions on the mountain had long since been abandoned, and the second junior uncle who originally lived there, Ji Qingru, had gone missing more than ten years ago.
This was an anecdote Liu Ziyi had heard from Qin Xiaoyi.
And the destination he was heading to today alongside Chou Zaiqi was precisely Youning Peak, which was overseen by the Second Elder, Fuai Ye.
Apart from sword cultivators, Youning Peak also housed a section of artisan disciples. Youning Valley and the back mountains of Tianshuang Cliff were not only abundant with spiritual herbs and rare flora, but they were also premier locations for crafting and forging weapons.
Liu Ziyi frequently visited this place to find Young Master Qin, and through sheer exposure, he had picked up a few rudimentary artifact-crafting skills. The path he used to walk most often was the trail behind the Artifact Hall that led straight into Youning Valley.
Now, with Chou Zaiqi acting as his shield, Liu Ziyi naturally and openly led him in through the main entrance.
Yet, knowing he was about to meet Junior Uncle Fuai Ye shortly, he still felt a lingering sense of guilt deep down.
Therefore, while the Youning Valley disciples were guiding them toward the main hall, Liu Ziyi quietly slowed his pace and hid himself beside Chou Zaiqi.
As long as the first person who caught sight of him wasn’t him, he probably wouldn’t get too angry, right?
After all, in Junior Uncle Fuai Ye’s eyes, he was the bad senior brother who spent every day leading the obedient and hardworking Qin Xiaoyi astray into a life of leisure and play.
Chou Zaiqi cast a sidelong glance, though whether out of cooperation or disdain, he simply stepped forward.
The black-robed cultivator lounging on the couch lay on his side with his dark hair cascading loose, held back only at the tip by a red hair tie adorned with a tiny bell, which was normally restrained by magic so that it didn’t make the slightest sound.
A pair of dark eyes slanted up to look at the two of them.
It was none other than Qin Xiaoyi’s master, the Third Elder of the Fuajian Sect, Fuai Ye.
“This junior, Chou Zaiqi, pays respects to True Person Fuai Ye.”
Fuai Ye’s gaze lingered on Chou Zaiqi for a fleeting moment, nodded faintly, and then shifted back to look at Liu Ziyi, who was attempting to make himself invisible behind Chou Zaiqi.
From that single look, Liu Ziyi knew that Junior Uncle was still angry with him! Thus, he obediently curved his eyes and bowed respectfully to Fuai Ye:
“This disciple pays respects to Junior Uncle.”
Fortunately, Fuai Ye merely curved his lips in a mirthless smile and averted his gaze toward Chou Zaiqi. Seeming to genuinely consider the presence of an outsider, he didn’t directly question Liu Ziyi about sneaking down the mountain, but instead continued speaking to Chou Zaiqi: “Chou Zaiqi of the Vibrating Blade Sect?”
“Yes.” Chou Zaiqi nodded.
“You must be here to participate in the Grand Competition. I wonder what brings you to my Youning Valley at this hour?”
“To not keep you in the dark, Junior’s trip to Luozhou this time is indeed for the Fuajian Sect’s martial tournament, but unfortunately, the opponent in my heart has withdrawn ahead of schedule.”
Hearing this, Fuai Ye merely let out a light chuckle, cast an ambiguous glance at Liu Ziyi, and drawled slowly: “Our little Mingxiu’s condition is not too good, so he cannot participate in the Grand Competition, is that it?”
Stop scolding me, stop scolding me!
Although he guessed that Junior Uncle undoubtedly knew the truth of the matter, he could only nod like a chicken pecking at rice.
Only then did Fuai Ye rise from the couch, flicking a wisp of spiritual energy from his fingertips straight toward the two of them: “The upcoming competition will be attended by Xiaoyi. Since the two of you came here to see him anyway, off you go.”
“With this strand of aura, they will no longer block you.”
Things proceeded as smoothly as Liu Ziyi had anticipated, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
While his Junior Uncle had a rather eccentric temper and a tongue as sharp as venom, he was the number one soft-hearted person hiding beneath a hard exterior. Even Qin Xiaoyi’s confinement had only lasted a month, barely the blink of an eye for a cultivator spending time in meditation.
Just as Liu Ziyi was bowing in gratitude to Uncle Fuai Ye, intending to turn and leave immediately with Chou Zaiqi, Chou Zaiqi was called to a halt by Fuai Ye.
“Young Friend Chou, how are the two seniors of the All-Knowing doing lately?”
Liu Ziyi froze for a split second and turned to look at Chou Zaiqi.
He watched as Chou Zaiqi replied composedly, “Thank you for your concern, True Person Fuai Ye. My mother and father have recently been resting in Zhongzhou, and their health is completely fine.”
Only after hearing this did it dawn on Liu Ziyi.
Chou Zaiqi’s parents originated from Zhongzhou. Although they were rogue cultivators, they were renowned throughout the cultivation world as the All-Knowing. Back then, Chou Zaiqi, who had lost one eye, was able to enter the Vibrating Blade Sect thanks in no small part to his parents’ connections.
Father, Mother,
Liu Ziyi’s gaze drifted to the single eye of Chou Zaiqi wrapped in gauze, thinking to himself how fickle fate could be.
Even with parents as deeply devoted to each other as they were, it remained unknown whether this eye would ever see the light again. If even the All-Knowing couldn’t cure it, then Chou Zaiqi’s smooth path of cultivation would likely be obstructed by several more hurdles.
It wasn’t until the two of them had left the main hall and headed toward Qin Xiaoyi’s courtyard that Liu Ziyi finally spoke up: “I had no idea Junior Uncle was acquainted with your parents?”
Someone who would inquire about another’s family like that must either be asking a favor or be an old acquaintance.
Chou Zaiqi nodded, falling silent for a moment before telling Liu Ziyi, “Actually, the Fuajian Sect has a great deal of dealings with them. As a disciple under the Sect Master, you didn’t know?”
Liu Ziyi gave an awkward laugh. He truly didn’t pay much attention to the sect’s internal affairs, but his curiosity remained hard to suppress.
Just as he was about to ask how it was that Chou Zaiqi, as an actual son, knew the details of these dealings, the two of them arrived in front of Qin Xiaoyi’s courtyard gate.
With no other choice, he would have to save that question for next time.
Liu Ziyi reined in his wandering thoughts and looked into the courtyard. Qin Xiaoyi, who seemed to have just finished practicing, was still holding his sword when he waved and greeted them: “Someone reported a visit earlier, but I didn’t expect it to be Senior Brother Liu and Daoist Friend Chou. I wonder what brings you both to see me?”
Liu Ziyi approached cheerfully and explained the ins and outs of the matter to Qin Xiaoyi. He never expected Qin Xiaoyi’s very next sentence to leave him speechless:
“You’re saying the candidates have already been finalized? And it’s me?” Qin Xiaoyi asked.
As it turned out, Junior Uncle hadn’t told Qin Xiaoyi about this at all!
“Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, I imagine there’s no better candidate than Junior Brother Xiaoyi,” Liu Ziyi crossed his arms and reasoned.
Naturally, he wasn’t going to tell Qin Xiaoyi how long he had spent badgering his Master behind his back.
Yet, the moment Qin Xiaoyi saw Liu Ziyi looking like that, he knew this fellow must have been up to some mischief.
Even so, Qin Xiaoyi merely let out a helpless sigh. After all, participating in the martial tournament was an opportunity that disciples throughout the Fuajian Sect fought tooth and nail for; if an outer sect disciple could shine brilliantly on the arena stage, they might just be taken in as a direct disciple by one of the elders.
However, for someone like Qin Xiaoyi, who had lived a smooth-sailing life since birth, it didn’t hold that much appeal. He wasn’t the type of person who loved standing out in the spotlight, and he would only find it bothersome.
“I understand. So coming here this trip was just for a sparring match?”
Qin Xiaoyi shifted his gaze to Chou Zaiqi, who had been standing silently off to the side sizing him up for quite some time. Though his eyes lacked the warmth he had when joking around with Liu Ziyi, and his tone was as casual as inviting someone to sit down for tea, it couldn’t mask the underlying chill in his gaze.
With his sharp eyes, Liu Ziyi instantly spotted his junior brother’s fingertips beginning to brush against the hilt of his sword, as if he genuinely intended to draw his blade and start fighting less than a moment after meeting.
That was when Liu Ziyi remembered.
After the previous martial tournament, Qin Xiaoyi had bluntly stated that he disliked this fellow Chou Zaiqi, and the reason seemed to be that Chou Zaiqi had been far too impolite toward Liu Ziyi.
For instance, remarks like, Liu Ziyi’s swordsmanship, though exquisite, is green and hesitant, or His foundation is weak and he always relies on clever tricks to defeat enemies, which will definitely cause him losses in the future.
To be honest, Liu Ziyi himself didn’t care much about those comments. He heard words like that from his master and Senior Brother until his ears were practically growing calluses, and at worst, he just gave the guy a nickname like madman.
But Qin Xiaoyi detested him with a genuine passion, frequently inquiring about the Chou family’s whereabouts afterward out of fear that he would end up at a disadvantage if he encountered Chou Zaiqi again.
Had he not forgotten about this little detail, he never would have dared to bring the two of them face-to-face like this.
Sensing the smell of gunpowder, little Liu hurriedly stepped in between the two of them, blocking Qin Xiaoyi from drawing his sword for a duel as he chimed in:
“Xiaoyi, Xiaoyi, calm down! Who draws their sword the moment fellow cultivators meet? Why don’t we sit down and have a couple of drinks first?”
Naturally, Qin Xiaoyi wouldn’t disregard his face. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow and withdrew his hand, his scabbard clicking shut with a crisp sound.
“He’s right, now isn’t the time,” Chou Zaiqi said.
Liu Ziyi turned back around, stepping out from between the two of them, and nodded in agreement with the words of this madman who was ready to draw his sword against him over nothing just a moment ago.
Yet, no sooner had he nodded in agreement than Chou Zaiqi ignited the gunpowder floating in the air all over again with a single sentence:
“Not just anyone can be my opponent. If you want to defeat me, Daoist Friend, please first manage to hold your ground in the arena until you face me.”
He had a bit of politeness, but not very much.
Liu Ziyi’s hanging heart finally dropped dead when he watched Young Master Qin’s gaze darken as he spat out a few words from between his teeth: “Just you wait and see.”
Annoyed with Chou Zaiqi, Qin Xiaoyi excused himself under the pretext of continuing his cultivation and walked back into his house alone.
Seeing this, Liu Ziyi settled Chou Zaiqi down in the courtyard to rest before heading inside himself.
As soon as he stepped through the door, he found his childhood friend sitting at the desk sulking, even though his face still bore no particular expression.
Seeing him arrive, Qin Xiaoyi’s expression finally softened slightly.
“Senior Brother Liu.”
“Xiaoyi!”
Without standing on ceremony, Liu Ziyi pulled up a chair and sat directly beside the desk, only to hear Qin Xiaoyi ask: “Short on spiritual stones?”
With that, he fished out a pouch of spiritual stones from his storage ring and offered it to Liu Ziyi, leaving the latter sighing inwardly at how completely different people’s fates could be.
As the Sect Master’s disciple, he rarely had half a spiritual stone to his name year-round.
Yet Qin Xiaoyi was a pampered little master protected and provided for by the Qin family, with plenty of top-grade spiritual stones and cultivation resources sent to the sect for him every single month.
Liu Ziyi paused for a moment, pressed down Qin Xiaoyi’s hand, and said, “I can’t even go out right now, so I don’t need spiritual stones.”
When would Shen Zhuoqing ever put this habit of casually scattering spiritual stones to good use?
“I came here today to ask you, did you manage to get any information about the Sword Manor from the junior brothers down the mountain a few days ago?”
Whether it was his imagination or not, the moment Liu Ziyi asked this question, Qin Xiaoyi visibly froze for a fraction of a second, his gaze subconsciously dodging eye contact as he replied:
“I did find out something, though most of it wasn’t very useful.”
The Xiliu sword at his waist began to vibrate again. Keeping his movements subtle, Liu Ziyi suppressed it and pressed on: “Useful or not, why don’t you tell me first?”
“Alright.” Qin Xiaoyi nodded.
The information Qin Xiaoyi had obtained wasn’t extensive either; in about the span of a quarter of an hour, the two of them wrapped up the topic.
Yet at least the matter that Xiliu cared about had made some progress.
Unlike Liu Ziyi’s previous dead end, Qin Xiaoyi happened to run into someone in the know.
He told Qin Xiaoyi that sword manors were hardly uncommon in Northern Xuan. Precisely because they were countless in number, making inquiries without any specific name was practically asking whether there were fish in the sea.
There were plenty, but whether any of them matched the one they were searching for was anyone’s guess.
The only target that matched the timeframe provided by Xiliu was a sword manor that had risen to prominence in Northern Xuan more than a dozen years ago, known as the Tianxuan Sword Manor.
However, the Tianxuan Sword Manor had always been shrouded in mystery. That junior brother only knew that back when the manor was at the height of its fame over a decade ago, a young master of the manor had died because of the Gu tribe, and that young master was merely three years old at the time.
Ever since then, the Tianxuan Sword Manor had steadily declined, ultimately vanishing into obscurity.
If it still existed somewhere in Northern Xuan today, they would simply have to search for its location themselves.
Since Qin Xiaoyi was still restricted to confinement, he naturally declined Liu Ziyi’s invitation.
Before stepping out the door, Liu Ziyi was still turning the phrase young master of the manor over in his mind. He recalled Qin Xiaoyi’s hesitation when mentioning this title, as well as his hesitance and half-spoken words.
“Xiliu, do you remember a young master of the manor? Rumors say the sword manor you’re asking about had a young master?”
Liu Ziyi stood by the doorway and asked, having used spiritual energy to seal off the room and the courtyard to ensure his voice wouldn’t reach the ears of the two people inside.
However, the Xiliu sword at his waist merely replied with absolute certainty: “The sword manor where I resided had no young master!”
Liu Ziyi nodded. “Well, looks like that lead is broken too. Besides, that place is far away in Northern Xuan, miles and miles away from our Luozhou. I suppose I won’t be able to go there anyway.”
“Still, young master of the manor, young master of the manor, it sounds awfully familiar.”
He couldn’t quite pinpoint where he had heard it, so Liu Ziyi pondered it for a moment before giving up. Yet, just as he was dissolving the barrier and walking back out to the courtyard to find Chou Zaiqi, he heard Xiliu muttering from his waist once more:
“… Though, maybe I just forgot. I think it sounds quite familiar too…”