Rest

The steward hall of Cangya Mountain has always been bustling with voices. People gather here not just to receive sect assignments.

Travelers from north and south are happy to stop and chat gossip, expand their circle of friends, and greatly enrich the otherwise austere entertainment life of their arduous cultivation.

“How did it end up like this? Saying Senior Brother Luo was at fault—I don’t believe it!”

“What kind of punishment is a month in solitary? Xi Huafeng can seclude himself for half a year! As for Senior Brother Luo, he’s handling many of Cangya’s affairs right now—what are we going to do?”

“Maybe it’s not that Xi Huafeng is being favored. I had a good position back then; it was Senior Brother Luo who went in disheveled, sword in hand. It really looked like he was there to plead guilty…”

Someone suddenly lowered their head and voice, “Do you think the outcome this time… could it be out of respect for the Sword Saint’s reputation?”

It seemed that at the mention of the Sword Saint, everyone’s voices dropped noticeably.

The young man who had been silent in the corner suddenly barked, “What do you know!”

Everyone looked and saw it was Cheng Xi from the Steward Hall.

Someone quickly clapped a hand on his shoulder, “Oh ho, what do you know this time, kid? I heard you were the one who escorted that person from the dungeon to Xihuafeng?”

The youth’s gaze was resolute, “Uncle Yin Shishu is a good man. If any of you had actually interacted with him, you wouldn’t be misled by rumors!”

Those words caused an uproar.

People eagerly gathered around; someone even brought over a bench and tea so he could sit, wet his throat, and speak slowly.

Compared with the uproar outside, Yin Biyue’s courtyard on Xihafeng was much quieter.

Even so, Duan Chongxuan hadn’t left yet.

“Senior Brother, this is the prescription Elder Ning just wrote—drink it while it’s still hot.”

“Senior Brother, your talent is extraordinary, the Dao has boundless potential; don’t let that person weigh on your heart.”

“Senior Brother, if you’re feeling hopeless about something, let’s talk it out…”

Yin Biyue, leaning on the bed while taking medicine, nearly spat it out—what on earth were you imagining!!

He cleared his throat, “Junior apprentice-brother, I want some peace…”

Enough—don’t ask me who “peace” is!!

How naive—he actually once suspected the tags attached to the original person. Who would believe that a refined, naturally noble-looking dashing gentleman could actually be such a chatterbox!

“No — Senior Sister told me to take good care of you… Senior Brother, whatever you’re looking for, don’t come down, I’ll fetch it for you.”

Enough! I’m not useless!

Yin Biyue sighed, “Fifth Junior Brother, I feel the true essence flowing smoothly, and Elder Ning also said the spirit vein and qi sea are unharmed. As for this ‘white hair ailment,’ we can’t find the cause in a short time. You and Second Senior Sister, don’t trouble yourselves any further over it…”

Before she finished speaking, the chatterbox looked at her in astonishment.

Her heart tightened—could this mean her role was collapsing?!

Yes, the original person would never have spoken so much!!

Yin Biyue hurriedly shut her mouth.

It’s already too late.

The person who had been sitting on the low stool by the bed moved the stool a little closer and sat down, face alight with excited expectation. “Fourth Senior Brother, I knew it—you can talk!”

Yin Biyue felt a knot in her chest. “…I’m not.”

“I don’t believe you!”

Alright, since we’re going to talk, might as well get down to business.

“A year ago when you first joined, I was still in seclusion; our past interactions were few, and I failed in my duty as a senior brother to look after you. In the Qinghe Hall, I also must thank you for speaking up in my defense…”

These words, aside from expressing gratitude, were more of a probe.

Jun Yu and Liu Qishuang he could understand — it was the sense of responsibility of senior brothers and sisters.

Duan Chongxuan, however, he couldn’t quite figure out. If it were just camaraderie among disciples, then that person truly was extraordinarily loyal to righteousness.

“Fourth Senior Brother, why are you being polite to me? I always remember the first thing you said to me was such a long sentence! …Although you never paid me any mind afterwards, I always thought you were someone I could chat with!”

How did it circle back to chatting again, damn!

Oh, he remembered. He did tell Duan Chongxuan, “My name is Yin Biyue. I entered the sect two years before you, so consider me your Fourth Senior Brother. I ordinarily cultivate in the Fourth Courtyard on the peak. If you have questions about Daoist techniques, you can send a message using talisman paper; if you have nothing to do, do not disturb me.”

Is that supposed to be a long sentence?! It clearly reads, “I’m your Fourth Senior Brother, so don’t bother me if you have nothing to do, damn it!!”

Yin Biyue pressed a hand to her forehead. “Is chatting really that important to you?”

“It’s not that…” Duan Chongxuan’s face took on a nostalgic look, “I used to be at home where I had to say a lot every day. Kind words, harsh words, truth, lies, things people wanted to hear, a mix of reward and punishment, words that didn’t match the heart… I joined the sect to get away from all that and be quiet; wherever it’s quietest, that’s where I go. Who knew… this place is really too quiet!”

“Senior Brother hardly says three sentences in a year. I counted—today he actually said four sentences for you. Hmm… I figure he won’t speak again until next year.”

Duan Chongxuan said, heartbroken, “Second Senior Sister also doesn’t like to talk. Third Senior Brother can say more, but unfortunately it’s always drunken words, and he never comes back.”

“I can’t very well talk to Master’s portrait, can I? Master isn’t dead; he would be unhappy!”

No, what I’m more concerned about now is why Master accepted you as an apprentice..

Duan Chongxuan poured himself a cup of Junshan Yunwu tea and said, “But luckily I have you—Fourth Senior Brother!”

Yin Biyue’s mouth twitched; friendship with a chatterbox really was simple.

Duan Chongxuan poured him another glass. “I know you’ve just gone through a huge change, you’re full of resentment, and you must want someone to talk to — even if it’s just to swear at that scoundrel together…”

Yin Biyue hurriedly spoke up, “Junior brother, you misunderstand, I really have nothing to do with him!”

Duan Chongxuan sighed, “If you don’t want to dwell on sad things, let’s talk about something else… Oh, right, this was sent by that beast. He was being overly polite and I couldn’t refuse, so I accepted it for you. If it upsets you to look at it, you can throw it away—after all, our Xihua Peak won’t miss a little thing like this.”

Whenever Luomingchuan was mentioned, Yin Biyue’s feelings grew complicated.

In the Qinghe Hall, she had the urge to draw her sword and stab him in the kidneys; after calming down, all that remained was a chestful of entanglement.

What kind of bizarre thought process is that!! How could someone invent such an excuse!!

Young people these days — they really just can’t be understood!

Yin Biyue took the white porcelain bottle and the lingzhi, “Where is Senior Brother Luo?”

Duan Chongxuan’s expression was calm, “Of course he went back. How could he have the face to see you?”

Actually, here’s what happened.

Luo Mingchuan was stopped outside the barrier of Xihua Peak and shouted, “I want to see my junior brother.”

Duan Chongxuan looked troubled. “Fourth Senior Brother has been confined in Cangya’s dungeon for a long time; I’m afraid his constitution may be damaged.”

Luo Mingchuan hurriedly said, “I have three ninth-grade Restoration Pills!”

Duan Chongxuan took the porcelain bottle and sighed softly, “The dungeon is frigid…”

“I have a stalk of Greenfire Ganoderma,” Luo Mingchuan pleaded, “may I at least see him once…”

Duan Chongxuan held up the spirit mushroom and pills and waved his hand, “I’ll deliver the things for you. Senior Brother Luo, take care — I won’t see you out.”

On the way back, they encountered Liu Qishuang descending the mountain.

“Did Luo Mingchuan just come by?”

Duan Chongxuan snorted coldly, “I didn’t let him in. He ruined Fourth Senior Brother like that and still expects to waltz in? He needs to shed some blood first!”

Liu Qishuang nodded in agreement. “I’ll go discuss this with Senior Brother. You watch over our junior brother.”

Duan Chongxuan wanted to say a few more words, but saw that the person had already walked away.

Yin Biyue frowned.

It made no sense—if Luo Mingchuan had come up with that kind of excuse, fine, but then to bring him a gift too, as if he had actually wronged him…

Ugh, ugh, ugh!

So when Liu Qishuang returned, she saw Yin Biyue frowning deeply, a worried look on his face.

“Junior brother, I’ve already gone to check the library’s records. Although your white hair condition came on strangely, there are precedents for curing it. Do not worry.”

Yin Biyue was about to get out of bed when Liu Qishuang stopped him with a gesture.

He could only say, “Second senior sister, I’m truly no longer in any great danger now.”

Liu Qishuang shook his head. “The dungeon’s terrain is peculiar and can still harm people. If you don’t rest carefully and damage your spirit veins, your future cultivation will be greatly impeded. For the next few days, you should stay in bed.”

Yin Biyue had no words to respond.

“Get plenty of rest. Once your spirit has recovered, go see Third Senior Brother. Second Junior Brother and I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Yin Biyue nodded. “Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. Second Senior Sister, Fifth Junior Brother, safe travels.”

Duan Chongxuan looked as if he wanted to keep talking, lingering with unfulfilled reluctance. He glanced at Liu Qishuang, then quietly followed out.

Yin Bi turned over and got out of bed.

He has already reached the Ningshen Realm; sitting in meditation and regulating his breath can replace sleep. The original body practiced swordsmanship every day in the cold pool on the peak, training all day, then returning to the quiet chamber at night to meditate—he hadn’t entered a bedroom in a long time.

Besides, now his true essence is abundant and flows without hindrance; why would he need to lie in bed to rest?

Probably Elder Yixiu Ning, unable to find the cause of the white hair and at a loss when questioned by Liu Qishuang, reluctantly said something like “emotional congestion in the heart, lie down and rest more, avoid worry.”

What nonsense! Second Senior Sister actually believed it!!

Isn’t it just that his hair color was a bit alternative? He really didn’t care at all!!

What’s wrong with being a quiet, sha-mate cultivator youth!!

Yin Bi stepped out of the bedchamber and took stock of the little courtyard of her original body.

White walls and gray tiles, an arrangement pared down to the utmost, without a single superfluous ornament.

Facing south while sitting north, the courtyard gate looked straight toward Tianxin Cliff; gazing into the distance, amid the surging sea of clouds a few shadows of pine and cypress showed their verdant green.

There was a ward at the courtyard gate, blocking unwelcome visitors and the prying of spiritual senses.

He channeled his true qi upward, and immediately a water-like barrier appeared, its patterns intricate, arranging themselves into an endlessly flowing diagram of eight gates and nine evasions. If one tried to force entry, the ward would use that force against the intruder, striking back at the invader.

It seemed like a technique he’d seen long ago in an immortal-cultivation world he had passed through. So besides swordsmanship, the original body also had some grasp of array formations.

Wearing different lives had its advantages: rich experience, and there are always common threads between skills.

He pushed open the door of the meditation chamber and immediately felt a blade’s edge aimed straight at his face, tightening his nerves to the utmost in an instant.

He gathered his focus and stepped inside. This wasn’t the place the original body practiced swordplay, only a spot for sitting in meditation and breathing exercises, yet the air everywhere was saturated with keen sword qi.

Walking through it, an invisible, immense pressure surged in from all directions.

The quiet room was divided into an inner and an outer chamber. The outer felt more like a study, with a desk, writing brushes and ink; the east wall was a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, holding both jade slips and thread-bound books. Against the wall of the inner chamber sat a low couch, and on it a meditation cushion.

Yin Biyue closed his eyes and concentrated, carefully sensing the flow of true qi here. Sure enough, there was a formation buried here.

If someone attacked the sealing from outside while one was meditating in the Quiet Room, they could strike directly from here and arrive in an instant.

He recalled that when the original body first joined Xihua Peak, many people were dissatisfied and came to challenge him; the original body stayed here, never leaving the door, and sent them tumbling down the mountain.

Simple to the extreme and arrogant to the extreme.

So he had made quite a few enemies; once he fell into misfortune, they were quick to rush in and kick him while he was down.

Yin Biyue sat on the meditation cushion, her doubts deepening.

The sword intent here was an unrelenting sharpness, utterly forward-pushing—why would someone so obsessively immersed in cultivation be bent on killing Luo Mingchuan?

Was it really out of jealousy?

He was momentarily at a loss.

He didn’t bother guessing anymore, because there were more important things at hand.

He grasped the sword at his waist.

This sword had been taken from him before he was imprisoned; yesterday Jun Yu’s sword-bearing page brought it back to him.

The moment he saw the sword, he felt a terrifying illusion even more dreadful than the peach-wood sword case of Jun Yu on the Qinghe Palace.

Fortunately it lasted only for an instant; the feeling vanished completely.

The sword was three feet and two inches long, jet black all over, its scabbard plain and unadorned. The blade was thin, yet weighed heavy; when drawn, no sharpness revealed itself. Infusing true essence felt utterly futile, like pouring water into the sea.

This sword did not recognize him.

Strange—how could a soulless sword refuse to accept a master?

He was a martial cultivator, even a sword cultivator in name. Though his realm was established, he could not wield a sword—no different from a child who unknowingly owns a mountain of treasures.

This is the biggest problem right now.

Whether it’s the sanctimonious male lead with a warped mindset, the cheap mentor who exists only in legend, or the fellow disciples who defend each other as if they’ve stumbled onto the wrong set, they all have to be set aside.

To survive in this world, to be the ultimate villain rather than a disposable cannon fodder who dies before the end of a paragraph, the most important thing is power.

Author’s note: Bug hunting~~