Chapter 28 Part 1

The next morning, the sky was clear for miles, without a trace of haze. It was a good day for all matters.

All matters, many matters.

Qingjing Study, the row of studies on the west side.

Chang Ning slowly opened his eyes. He felt the true qi in his body flow like a warm current rapidly through his various acupoints. His dantian was warm, and his meridians were clear. He gazed at his pale fingertips, where a faint force flickered in and out.

He formed a blade with his fingers and swiped gently. The teapot on the tea table ten steps away shattered with a sound, cracking into fine, ice-like fissures.

Chang Ning frowned slightly. He focused his mind and regulated his breathing for a moment, controlled his force, and swiped his palm again. The three teacups arranged in a row on the tea table all split apart. He got up to inspect them—each cup had split evenly into three equal parts, as neat as if cut by a blade or an axe.

This was more like it.

However, Chang Ning was still not quite satisfied.

'If I hadn't been injured and poisoned more than a year ago, my abilities would be far beyond this.' At that time, he had been too hasty.

Next, he needed to clear the final blockage of true qi as soon as possible and restore his previous level of cultivation.

...

Broken Bamboo Pavilion.

Ding Zhuo woke up early and first practiced his sword forms three times in the small bamboo grove in front of his house. Then, he bathed, changed into his best clothes, scented himself three times with the cool, crisp Pointed Rhino Horn Incense, combed his hair tightly, and finally, solemnly picked up his beloved sword and slowly walked out the door.

The air was clear and crisp. He took a deep breath, his chest filling with the scent of dew-drenched bamboo.

Fan Xingjia was already waiting in the courtyard. Ding Zhuo had specially invited him to witness the match.

"Fourth Senior Brother, you appear to have your energy well-contained and your fighting spirit soaring today. It seems you are determined to win," Fan Xingjia said with a smile.

Ding Zhuo nodded reservedly. "As a martial artist, one must hold a sense of reverence for a duel."

When he was a child, he had heard many legends about swordsmen. The one he admired most was an unknown warrior. He was called unknown only because his obsession with martial arts had made him forget his own name, family, friends, and acquaintances. He had spent his entire life searching for nothing more than a single defeat.

The other children scattered after hearing the story, but he alone remained, lost in thought.

To seek defeat a whole life and never find it.

What a distant and noble realm that was.

Ding Zhuo closed his eyes, imagining the loneliness of being at the top, where the heights were cold.

A desirable loneliness.

He had competed against Song Yuzhi three times, with one draw and two losses.

Song Yuzhi's talent was greater than his. Not only that, but his diligence and hard work in cultivation were in no way inferior to his own. Therefore, he greatly respected Song Yuzhi, and he hoped Cai Zhao would not disappoint him either.

Of course, he hoped to win, but even if he lost to Cai Zhao, he would not feel dejected or discouraged.

Because what he truly yearned for was the excitement and sting of a peak duel between masters.

...

Moon-Chasing Pavilion, in the inner bedchamber.

Dai Fengchi's injuries had not yet healed, and he was still bedridden, taking medicine. He said to Qi Lingbo, "That little girl is no pushover. Spreading rumors about her like this, she definitely won't let it go."

"I'm not afraid of her." Qi Lingbo ate the freshly delivered fruit. "What can she do to me? Kill me? Beat me half to death? Hehe, she can't do any of that. At worst, she'll complain about me to Dad. With my mom around, Dad can't punish me too harshly."

Dai Fengchi was worried. "I just feel that Cai Zhao won't give up so easily. I'm afraid she has a powerful move in reserve."

"Let her bring it on!" Qi Lingbo was unconcerned.

...

Qingjing Study.

Chang Ning finally completed the last cycle of his true qi circulation. After tidying his appearance, he pushed open the door and stepped out.

The sunlight was bright, making one feel exceptionally comfortable.

Outside the door stood Ah Gua, Ah Zao, Ah Zui, and Ah Sai, who had been waiting for a long time. They were holding clear tea, a basin of water and a towel, fragrant porridge, and various small pastries, respectively. The moment they saw Chang Ning emerge, they immediately swarmed forward with fawning attentiveness.

Chang Ning glanced around. "Where are Furong and Feicui?" He actually wanted to ask about Cai Zhao, but he didn't want to seem too forward.

The four replied, "Elder Sister Furong is airing out the quilts, and Elder Sister Feicui is airing out the books."

Chang Ning smiled faintly. "I suppose Junior Sister Zhaozhao instructed them. I only mentioned a few days ago, 'It was so damp last month, the quilts and books in my room are about to get moldy.'"

He feigned a troubled expression. "Zhaozhao is too attentive to me. She takes to heart even the casual things I say."

Ah Gua, the cleverest of the four, immediately chimed in, "Young Master Chang is right. Junior Sister Cai never has her mind on anything else. Only when it comes to you, Young Master, is she exceptionally anxious about every single thing!"

Ah Zao followed suit, "Isn't that the truth! Who is Young Master Chang? He's the number one priority in Junior Sister Cai's heart. She inquires about everything concerning his food, clothing, housing, and transport!"

Ah Zui came up with something new, "Actually, Junior Sister Cai is an easygoing person. Other people and matters can't even leave a mark on her heart. But what can be done? When there's someone in your heart, you'll always be thinking about that person, both in word and in thought."

The three of them spoke one after another, making Chang Ning beam with delight. Only Ah Sai stood there dumbly, unable to get a word in, growing anxious.

"After all that talk, where is Zhaozhao?" Chang Ning asked with a reserved expression.

Ah Sai finally had his chance and quickly said in a loud voice, "This morning, Junior Sister Cai stewed a pot of fragrant pig trotter soup and just took it to the Martial Arts Field!"

Chang Ning frowned. "What pig trotter soup, what a mess." He paused. "What is she doing at the Martial Arts Field!"

The trio of Gua, Zao, and Zui mumbled, not daring to speak. Ah Sai, being simple-minded and fearless, said, "To bring soup to Senior Brother Song, of course. She's already delivered it three times yesterday."

"What did you say!" Chang Ning's expression instantly went from clear to overcast.

...

Moon-Chasing Pavilion.

Dai Fengchi was still worried. "Cai Zhao left you with harsh words yesterday. I don't know what she's planning. We should be prepared, just in case..."

"In case of what? I think she was just talking tough. With just Falling Blossoms Valley's little plot of land..."

Before Qi Lingbo could finish, her trusted maidservant came stumbling in.

"Miss, Miss, it's bad!" the maid panted.

Qi Lingbo scolded, "Can't you speak properly? What do you mean 'I'm bad'! Go and receive ten lashes later!"

The maid said fearfully, "Yes, yes, it's my fault! But, but Miss, you should hurry to the Martial Arts Field and see!"

"What's wrong?"

"Miss Cai is at the Martial Arts Field, seducing Young Master Song!"

Qi Lingbo dropped a teacup with a clatter.

...

Broken Bamboo Pavilion.

Wisps of green smoke curled up from the precious white jade incense burner, forming beautiful arcs in the air.

One curl.

Two curls.

Three curls.

Four curls.

Five curls...

Ding Zhuo turned his head. "Why isn't she here yet?"

Fan Xingjia: "Hehe, hehe, she should be here soon."

Ding Zhuo: "You said that an hour ago."

Fan Xingjia started to sweat. "Maybe, maybe she'll be here in a little while?"

Ding Zhuo: "In a little while, it will be time for lunch." Dueling while burping after a full meal was not lonely, not noble, not legendary at all.

Fan Xingjia couldn't help but remind him, "Fourth Senior Brother, I was thinking, could Junior Sister Zhaozhao have forgotten?"

Ding Zhuo was incredulous. "For-forgotten?!"

"Yes." Fan Xingjia decided to be blunt. "Junior Sister Zhaozhao is a very free-spirited and casual person. Master said she's a bit like her granduncle. When she was little, she would either get lost or forget her purse while wandering the shops in Falling Blossoms Town, yet she'd still be perfectly carefree—back then, the great hero Cai Changfeng was so happy gallivanting outside that he didn't even make it back for his own brother and sister-in-law's funerals."

"So, Fourth Senior Brother, did you send someone to remind her yesterday?" he asked, watching Ding Zhuo's expression.

Having to remind someone not to forget before a duel—

Seeking and searching, a lifetime spent seeking defeat, a peak duel, the excitement and sting that only masters could understand...

Ding Zhuo suddenly felt the world’s malice and betrayal.

...

The sun was high over the Martial Arts Field, and the crowd's enthusiasm was fiery, even more so than the scorching sun.

Everyone, either pretending to drink water or feigning rest, was stealing glances in all sorts of bizarre poses at the other end of the training ground—

Song Yuzhi returned the empty soup tureen to Cai Zhao. "First chicken feet, then duck feet, and now pig trotters. Can you stop fixating on their feet? Can't you make some more sophisticated soups?"

Cai Zhao had a good attitude. "Then how about we stew brains for the next meal?"

"..." Song Yuzhi said, "Let's stick with the pig trotter soup then." Actually, it tasted alright, savory, fresh, and tender.

Cai Zhao said apologetically, "I've wronged you, Third Senior Brother. Furong only knows how to make sweets, Feicui likes to roll medicinal pills and brew decoctions, and I... ahem... don't know much. Xiajiao... oh no, Shuijing, is a good cook, but unfortunately, she married early and didn't come this time..."

She thought for a moment, "Actually, Chang Ning is a very good cook. The first time he made chicken soup wontons, it was comparable to the thirty years of skill of Uncle Sha Guo next door to my house. Why don't we have him cook when he comes out of seclusion?"

A surge of qi and blood welled up in Song Yuzhi. He didn't know if it was from drinking too much nourishing soup these past two days.

He almost blurted out 'Do you want to poison me?' but his refined upbringing from childhood held him back. According to his old habits, he should have turned and left. But he remembered storming off just like this the first time he met Cai Zhao, and by the time they met again, a clingy Chang Ning was stuck to her side. So, he forced himself to endure.

"Besides bringing soups, do you have nothing else?" he suddenly asked.

Seeing that he wasn't angry anymore, Cai Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. "This should be about enough, right? I can't think of any other tricks. Anyway, as long as we wait for Senior Sister to come and question and curse us, our mission will be accomplished, and Senior Brother won't have to drink soup anymore..."

She rejoiced inwardly. "This morning, I specifically had someone go to the entrance of the Immortal Jade Exquisite Residence and loudly discuss me coming to the Martial Arts Field. I guess Senior Sister Lingbo will come charging over sometime today." In truth, she knew that pestering Song Yuzhi was not very honorable. Ever since he agreed to cooperate with her, she was filled with gratitude and hoped to end this farce as soon as possible.

Song Yuzhi raised a sword-like eyebrow, seemingly in disagreement. "Did you bring a handkerchief?"

"Huh? What? Oh, oh a handkerchief, yes I did, I did." Cai Zhao hastily took one out.

"Wipe my sweat," Song Yuzhi said.

"?" Cai Zhao looked at the young man's high forehead, as smooth as jade, thinking she had misheard.

"A trick I thought of for you."

Cai Zhao understood in a second, greatly praising Song Yuzhi as a kindred spirit. She quickly stood on her tiptoes, held up the small, pink and white floral handkerchief, and pressed it against Song Yuzhi's handsome forehead—

Perhaps this trick was too powerful. After just two dabs, Qi Lingbo arrived with the force of a thunderstorm, followed by Dai Fengchi lying on a stretcher.

"What are you doing!!!" Seeing her fiancé standing intimately with her mortal enemy, their skin even touching, Qi Lingbo felt every inch of her skin was about to crack and burn, her eyes red as if she wanted to devour someone.

This loud roar directly caused a sensation throughout the entire field—

On one side, the command of their parents; on the other, mutual affection. How should the third young master Song choose?

The disciples excitedly waved little fists in their hearts, piling on top of each other, pushing and shoving, desperately trying to see this good show.

Cai Zhao was overjoyed. This was the effect she wanted.

"Aiyo, isn't this Senior Sister Lingbo? The sun is so bright, why has Senior Sister deigned to come here!" This time, it was her turn to be cloyingly sarcastic.