Four years ago at the Zanhua Tournament, Xuanji and the others were still children, could only sit on the bench at the side to watch, Linglong has more than once fantasized that she would participate in the tournament when she grew up, one by one all the opponents would be knocked to the ground. A glorious scene. But four years later, in the new round of the Zanhua Tournament, the participant was Xuanji, who had no interest in the competition. And due to the absence of the Xuan Yuan Sect, more disciples were added as alternates.
On the way to Fuyu Island, Linglong couldn’t restrain her excitement. She kept talking to Xuanji about the Tournament. She still didn’t change her previous nature. Who knows where she got the gossip about the participating disciple, what kind of weapons they use, and even what they hate to eat. She told everything and Xuanji listened.
“This year, the double swords of Fuyu Island have reached their age, so they can’t participate. The new disciples are not very useful, don’t worry. But there are a few people from the Li’Ze Palace who have excellent swordsmanship …… Hey, speaking of the Li’Ze Palace, originally Sifeng was also going to participate, right? But not participating is good, or you young couple competing high and low on the stage, wouldn’t it hurt feelings?”
Since Linglong found out about the relationship between Xuanji and Sifeng, she loved to make jokes about it.
When Xuanji heard the word “young couple”, she blushed and said in a low voice, “Don’t talk nonsense! By the way, where in the world did you get so much information from ……”
Linglong patted her chest triumphantly, and smiled, “I have my own way! Hey, father has the list of disciples, I stole it and turned it over! Originally, your name and Sifeng’s name were on it, but now Sifeng’s name has been checked off. In our Shao Yang Sect, except for me, all the people of the Min generation are on it! Eldest brother ah, third brother ah …… Little Six …… ah ……”
When she said Zhong Minyan, her voice gradually lowered. Xuanji was afraid that she would be sad, and hurriedly interrupted, “They are familiar people. There is a lot of excitement in this conference! I will definitely pin the flowers for you to see!”
Linglong laughed out loud and nudged her forehead, saying, “No shame! Are you so confident that you can win? Hmph, it’s because Little Six is not here, otherwise it would not be your turn to talk big!”
This woman, it is typical to have a lover and forget the relatives ah …… Xuanji helplessly looked at her, “First Brother is also very powerful, then, I have not seen his ability! I’ve never seen his skills before. Father always says he has the qualifications and talent, in case this time I’m against him, I might lose.”
Since she returned to Shao Yang Peak this time, she has not seen Du Minxing. This time everyone set out together to go to Fuyu Island, he is also behind the crowd, did not show up, as if deliberately avoiding. Why does he not want to come out? It would be nice to laugh and joke like we used to.
“He has been in retreat in the Mingxia Cave for the past six months, right? He just came out, so he probably won’t even speak. But you are the youngest sister, if you really face each other, he will definitely show mercy, right?”
What is the point if you give in? Xuanji turned her head to look behind the crowd, and she saw a faint glimpse of a pale blue figure that only flashed for a moment before disappearing behind the crowd. Strange, where has the gentle and kind brother gone?
※※※
In the afternoon, the group arrived at Fuyu Town by sword. The town was almost overcrowded due to the Zanhua Tournament, and there were disciples from other schools everywhere to watch the battle. Unlike other sects, the entire island was covered by a sword net and could not be entered freely, so many miscellaneous people were stopped in the town by the disciples on guard. The questioning, arguing, shouting …… all kinds of people, but Dongfang Qingqi apparently has an iron heart, except for the four sects, no one else is allowed to go to the island.
“Master, you see ……” Chu Yinghong saw the town in a hustle and bustle, can not help but slightly frown.
Chu Lei slightly nodded and said in a low voice, “The Island Master naturally has his opinion, although this move is easy to offend his friends from the sects, but it is always a good way to avoid trouble.”
After all, there are demons trying to break the Dinghai Iron Chains, and the people who came to watch the Zanhua Tournament are a mix of dragons and snakes[1]. There are all kinds of people, if they open the door to let people enter, Fuyu Island is an isolated island in the middle of the sea, the terrain is not good, it is easy to cause chaos.
The crowd went to the front, and really heard those people arguing. Leading the trouble were the two new sects who have been aggressive in recent years. They watched the battles at the previous Zanhua Tournament, they also showed their favor to Chu Lei, hoping to join the ranks of the Zanhua Conference, but Chu Lei politely refused. This time they came to Fuyu island to watch the battles again, but the result is they cannot enter the door, and had a quarrel with the guard disciples.
“…… Zanhua Conference is a martial arts event, and not your Fuyu Island family event! The Shao Yang Sect did not turn away people from thousands of miles away, you are exalting yourself!”
The man who spoke had a full beard, he is one of the new sect’s elder-level figures. The disciples of the Fuyu Island standing opposite him did not change their faces and said gently, “The Island Master has ordered that before the official start of the Zanhua Tournament, no one is allowed to enter Fuyu Island except the four major sects participating in the competition. Please stay in the town for a few days, and then go to the Island in groups when the tournament officially starts. Please forgive us for any offenses.”
The troublemakers didn’t care about what they said, just yelled. Chu Lei grew impatient listening to them, frowned and said aloud, “Shaoyang Sect here to visit, please report.”
Shao Yang Sect, three words were smashed out, suddenly a silence. The entangled crowd immediately surged to the sides, giving them a way out. When the Fuyu Island disciples saw that it was Chu Lei and the others, they were immediately full of smiles. That day when the Fuyu Island suffered the demon raid, they relied on Master Chu and Master Rong Gu from Dianjing Valley for help to escape a disaster, thus the disciples feelings towards them were naturally not ordinary.
The disciples immediately filled out the visitor form and sent two people to lead them to the Fuyu Island. Although the onlookers were reluctant, they did not dare to be reckless under the name of Shao Yang Sect. They muttered and watched as they passed the customs smoothly.
Liu Yihuan followed behind Yu Sifeng and laughed, “What a big deal, this Fuyu Island is offending people. It will be difficult to get along in the future!”
Yu Sifeng did not say anything, but Linglong next to them heard it with her sharp ears, snorted and said, “Afraid of these scattered Jianghu people? What can they do if they are offended?”
Liu Yihuan smiled lewdly and said, “Not much, what Linglong said is right. What I said is wrong.”
Linglong saw his rogue look and was annoyed, but remembering that he was Xuanji’s friend, she could not make a fuss, so she just threw her head away and ignored him.
Yu Sifeng said: “Although the Fuyu Island is one of the five major sects in the world, but if you offend people like this today, it will be difficult to walk in the jianghu in the future. For example, once their disciples came out to practice, all the sects will be tolerant, but in the future it may not be so.”
Linglong said, “You mean, we used to go down the mountain so smoothly, it is also because others are giving way?
Yu Sifeng nodded: “Yes, its convenient for others, and for their own convenience. Besides, the reason is not us juniors, but the names of the five major sects in the world. However, no matter how big the name is, the arm can’t twist the thigh, if you really offend the public, you will be alone in the world, no one will stand by you.”
Linglong was silent, she had not even thought about these issues.
Yu Sifeng said again: “Now it depends on how Master Dongfang Qingqi will place the people staying in Fuyu Town. If they treat each other well and respect each other as guests, and open the Fuyu Island to allow the people to enter at leisure after the conference starts, that is a good idea. If there is a conflict, even a small one, it will be difficult for Fuyu Island to live in the future.”
Téngshé, who had been quite next to them, suddenly grunted and said, “Who’s afraid of their twittering! Just kill them all! Strength is the essence of words.”
He is always so brutal …… Xuanji gave him a white look, “Sifeng is talking, what are you interrupting!”
Téngshé was very annoyed, who knows how many times he scolded her in his stomach. “If you like to listen to him, so let him keep talking and talk to him!” He muttered, but did not dare to let her understand.
Yu Sifeng said, “It is not the duty of a cultivator to shout and kill all day long. People give you face and honor you as one of the top five sects in the world. If they don’t give you face and take you seriously, could the sect really be respected?”
What can’t …… the sky is big, face is the biggest. Téngshé can only say this in the stomach, in case Xuanji and he can’t get along again.
The people were walking and talking when they heard a man behind them say loudly, “Master! Wait a minute!”
When Xuanji heard that voice, she felt familiar, and when she looked back, she was so shocked that she drew a breath.
Zhong Minyan!
He changed back into his usual civilian clothes and stood behind the crowd, quietly looking at them. Everyone was dumbfounded, even Linglong, who suspected that she was having a daydream.
Zhong Minyan slowly walked from behind the crowd, walked to Chu Lei, bent his knees, forehead bowed to the ground, said in a deep voice, “Sinful disciple Zhong Minyan, pays respect to master!”
Chu Lei still couldn’t react, on the side Linglong suddenly made a choked sound, and came out of the crowd, pounced on him, tightly hugged his neck, crying so much that she couldn’t speak.
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[1]: 龙蛇混杂 (lóngshé hùn zá) – an idiom that literally translates as ‘dragons and snakes mingle’. It means, ‘a mix of good people and scumbags’.
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