After emerging from the Cloud-Hidden Hall, Shen Yunjin cursed himself several times for being inexplicable.
He doesn’t hate Xie Weiyuan?
Then why is he still fawning over him?
Even if the Master had blocked the Soul-Devouring Nail for him, and even if the Master had indeed shown him a tiny bit of kindness, but—
He had not forgotten a single bit of the harm this man had caused him!
Shen Yunjin swept the ground fiercely as if to vent his frustration, kicking up a large cloud of dust. In a flash, he didn’t even notice someone approaching.
Liang Feng, with a majestic Dragon-Tiger Saber tucked into his waist, strode past him with a swagger.
Come to think of it, Shen Yunjin hadn’t run into this Senior Brother in a long time. They had always been at odds, and seeing each other now, it was like sworn enemies meeting, eyes burning with mutual hatred.
“Isn’t this our young Master Shen? You truly have a resilient life to have walked out of the Huangliang Scroll unscathed.”
Shen Yunjin didn’t want to engage, turning away with his broom.
But Liang Feng insisted on provoking him, circling around to block Shen Yunjin’s path with a look of malicious glee. He looked down his nose at Shen Yunjin, who held the broom: “Heh… Shen Yunjin, so you have today too, huh?”
“You don’t truly believe that the Master letting you stay in the Cloud-Hidden Hall means he likes you, do you? And now you’ve been punished by the Master? Tsk tsk tsk, a dignified disciple of the Sect Master, yet reduced to doing the work of a menial servant. It seems the Master truly loathes you.”
Shen Yunjin looked at him coldly.
“None of your business.”
“None of my business? I think you’ve gone too long without a beating and have forgotten your place! I am your Senior Brother; do you understand the order of seniority? Bow to me, now!”
Shen Yunjin stiffened, biting his lip, and glared fiercely at Liang Feng.
“What are you glaring at? Haven’t had enough beating? I am the Chief Disciple of the Jiuyou Sect; no matter how much you refuse to submit, you must respectfully address me as ‘Senior Brother,’ do you hear me?”
His mood was already foul, and now Liang Feng had walked straight into the line of fire. A surge of anger rose within Shen Yunjin.
He had never been one to waste words.
Lowering his eyes and remaining silent, his other hand rested on the hilt of the Heavenly Compassion Sword, with the clear thought that if Liang Feng dared to say one more word, he would slice him in two.
Seeing his gloomy expression, Liang Feng grew even more furious. He hadn’t gained the upper hand during the last incident at the side hall and had let Shen Yunjin take advantage and act smug in front of the Master. Now, this little bastard dared to look at him with such eyes.
He drew his Dragon-Tiger Saber and lifted his chin: “What, want to fight?”
“Heh…”
Without another word, one drew the Heavenly Compassion Sword and the other swung his Dragon-Tiger Saber, clashing without restraint.
The screeching sound of steel colliding instantly startled a murder of crows from the trees.
Airflow surged violently between them, and the sharp sword wind whipped their sleeves. After only five exchanges, Liang Feng began to struggle.
He hadn’t expected the Heavenly Compassion Sword to be so formidable, forcing his Dragon-Tiger Saber into a retreat, almost unable to hold his ground several times.
“When did you acquire such a spiritual weapon?” Liang Feng’s body was tense, his teeth gritted.
Shen Yunjin sneered: “You should have heard the saying: ‘Three days apart, one must look at a scholar with new eyes.'”
The fight grew intense. Liang Feng was nearly cut by Shen Yunjin several times; he grew increasingly panicked, and his techniques began to unravel.
The sword qi of Heavenly Compassion was ruthless, moving with lightning speed. Being the former sword of the ancient Divine Lord Lingguang, even if the Dragon-Tiger Saber was among the best spiritual weapons in the world, it was no match for Heavenly Compassion.
Liang Feng’s body went limp, utterly unable to hold on, and he was just considering begging for mercy when Shen Yunjin suddenly withdrew his force.
…
Before Liang Feng could react, his heart soared; he assumed Shen Yunjin was afraid.
So, with a scoff, he slashed down fiercely again.
He had expected Shen Yunjin to block the strike, but he hadn’t anticipated the man to be so fragile, putting on a show of being too weak to defend himself.
Bang!
Shen Yunjin was struck to the ground, falling heavily.
Liang Feng hadn’t expected him to be so vulnerable, assuming his own cultivation had improved. He looked at the Dragon-Tiger Saber in his hand, then at Shen Yunjin collapsed on the ground, and suddenly realized.
He then smugly said: “Do you dare to be arrogant in the future?”
Shen Yunjin abandoned his previous ruthlessness, his dark lashes trembling as he looked at the bloody wound.
He lay on the ground, looking aggrieved, raising the wounded hand, and sobbing: “So painful…”
Liang Feng’s jaw nearly hit the floor. It was such a small wound; why was this guy being so dramatic?
But he refused to lose face, so he crossed his arms and lifted his head: “Now you know it hurts; let’s see if you dare to do it again…”
“Liang Feng.”
A cold voice suddenly came from behind, causing Liang Feng to shudder.
What is going on?
Why does this scene feel so familiar?
It seemed that not long ago, he had experienced this exact situation.
Before Liang Feng could react, he felt his hair stand on end and a chill run down his spine. He hurriedly turned around and bowed respectfully: “Master…”
Xie Weiyuan walked over with a cold expression, showing no excess emotion, but the suppressed rage in his eyes was palpable.
“What are you doing here?”
Liang Feng hurriedly responded: “Master, Senior Brother Shen provoked me several times today. Disciple was worried that he did not understand his place and would offend you in the future, so I was teaching him a lesson on your behalf…”
Xie Weiyuan’s gaze fell upon Shen Yunjin, who was still sprawled on the ground.
The newly issued disciple uniform was dusty from the fight, and he was lying there pitifully, blood seemingly still flowing from his hand.
Xie Weiyuan felt a pang of heartache, followed by a surge of nameless fire. His expression darkened, and he vented his anger on Liang Feng before him.
“Are you the Master, or am I? When did it become your place to teach him a lesson?”
“Master, but…”
“What kind of decorum is there in fighting and brawling among fellow disciples all day? I called you here to discuss hosting the Palace Lord of the Cangling Palace, and you come here to bully others instead?”
Xie Weiyuan’s tone grew heavier; it was clearly the prelude to his fury. Liang Feng was so frightened he immediately knelt on the ground: “Master, please forgive me; Disciple knows he was wrong.”
Shen Yunjin managed to crawl up. He had always looked obedient; now, covered in dust, he looked like a pitiful, dirty plush toy, yet he pretended to be strong: “Master, it is fine; I believe Senior Brother didn’t mean it.”
Xie Weiyuan turned his head slightly: “You…”
He saw that Shen Yunjin’s hand was covered in grazes and bleeding. His eyes darkened, and he turned to walk away: “Since it is fine, return to the Cloud-Hidden Hall and stop loitering about.”
With that, he took Liang Feng and left.
Judging by their direction, they were heading to the deliberation hall.
Shen Yunjin dropped his pitiful act, watching Xie Weiyuan’s silhouette from afar.
This bit of pain meant nothing to him; after all, the bullying he had endured in the past was far more ruthless than this.
He deliberately left the wound exposed, perhaps tonight he could wait for that person to come…
Shen Yunjin returned to his room with a hint of expectation.
Heavenly Compassion sighed resignedly behind him: “Do you not intend to treat your wound? You are wasting your Divine Seal.”
He shook his head: “No need to treat it.”
“You truly are a fool.”
Shen Yunjin sat by the window in this hopeful state, openly waiting for that person to arrive.
Another few hours passed in a flash.
The moonlight of the Cloud-Hidden Hall spilled down from the vault of heaven, draping the entire palace in divine brilliance like a layer of sheer silk.
He saw the Pure Xuan Lord of the Nine Heavens walking slowly from the back mountain, eventually stopping in front of his window.
“Grandmaster…” Shen Yunjin bowed.
The other party nodded slightly: “Hmm. Did you have any questions about your practice today?”
Shen Yunjin saw him standing by the window and was confused: “Why does Grandmaster not come inside? The night air is heavy with dew; will you not catch a chill?”
Xie Weiyuan coughed twice: “I am not cold. Having lived in seclusion for so many years, it is inconvenient for me to appear in the Cloud-Hidden Hall; we shall speak here.”
Shen Yunjin said with disappointment: “Very well.”
…
As soon as the words were spoken, the two fell silent, looking at each other like “a turtle staring at a green bean.”
Finally, Xie Weiyuan grew impatient.
“Do you have any questions today?”
Shen Yunjin scratched his head in embarrassment: “Grandmaster, I did not practice today…”
“Then what did you do?”
“I was sweeping the floor… and tidying up the room!”
“You wasted the day like that?”
“It wasn’t exactly wasted; today is just a special day…”
Xie Weiyuan pretended not to understand: “How is it special?”
“It is… today is my birthday. I don’t mean that I want anything; I just wanted to ask Grandmaster if you could say a word…”
He felt shy and couldn’t bring himself to say anything more. But ever since Wen Yuzhu died, no one had remembered his birthday, nor had anyone ever wished him happiness.
He, too, wishes to be cherished by someone.
Shen Yunjin looked at him with eyes full of hope.
This person had helped him so many times. Such a small request surely, he wouldn’t refuse?
Although Xie Weiyuan’s expression was tense, it appeared much softer. He deliberately pretended not to know:
“Is today truly your birthday?”
Shen Yunjin nodded vigorously, like a child begging for candy.
“Since that is the case, it is a coincidence.”
Xie Weiyuan took a food box from behind him, which actually contained several small dishes.
He opened the box, and what came into view was a plate of boiled shrimp. The red shrimp had been cooked until fresh and translucent, placed alone on one layer. Beside it was a layer of chopped garlic sauce. The second layer was a glistening yellow-braised chicken; the yellow, tender skin was stretched taut, looking as if a chopstick would pierce through it to reach the tender meat beneath. The third layer contained a plate of mapo tofu and a bowl of longevity noodles, and the bottom layer contained egg drop soup and Longjing pastries.
“I had nothing to do today, so I went down the mountain to stroll around and happened to see some folk snacks. I intended to bring them back for myself, but since today is your birthday… I shall reluctantly gift them to you.”
Shen Yunjin froze, looking at the longevity noodles topped with chopped scallions.
Could there truly be such a coincidence?
He hesitated.
Xie Weiyuan asked him: “What is wrong?”
“Grandmaster, my hand…”
Xie Weiyuan almost forgot about that; he retrieved a box of medicinal ointment from his robes.
“I happen to have brought this ointment along. Make do with it.”