CHAPTER 14

— Ripples in the Heart's Lake —

After the large, dark crowd of observing disciples had dispersed, Tong Tong looked toward Ye Zhiqiu, who was smiling without speaking, awaiting the next instruction from the highest leader.

Seeing a certain eagerness in her sparkling eyes, Ye Zhiqiu offered a comforting smile. "Little one, from today onward, you are the youngest direct disciple of my Qiuye Peak. It's only right that you move to the main peak to live... If there's anything you need to bring from Qingyun Court, I'll send someone to fetch it for you."

"No, no, no, that's not necessary... There's nothing I need to bring. Let's go right away!" Tong Tong hurriedly waved her hands, shaking her head like a rattle drum, as if she couldn't wait to settle down on the main peak—only she herself knew how reluctant she was to part with the meticulously maintained Yunyin and the small bottle of peppermint candies left there!

However, the image of Yuan Qiongshuang gripping her neck with a sinister expression two nights ago, threatening her, lingered in her mind, forcing her to tearfully bid farewell to those hard-earned supplies—if she had known they would end up benefiting Yuan Qiongshuang, she might as well have eaten them all in one go back then, instead of saving them so frugally! How infuriating!

...When the time comes, she must remember to transplant that patch of peppermint leaves!

"Don't tell anyone about the peppermint candies, and don't casually mention that I helped you with your Marrow-Cleansing and refine your meridians. It's best to keep everything about Yunyin buried deep inside, understood?" Yuan Qiongshuang's face wore its usual indifference, even her threats were delivered without a hint of emotion. If not for the slender yet powerful hand on her neck, Tong Tong might not have felt the slightest bit of fear.

Though she found Yuan Qiongshuang's demands rather baffling, she had no intention of refusing—after all, the other party was her great benefactor!

No matter what, Elder Yuan had helped her break through to the Qi Refining stage. Without that mountain of spiritual herbs, she likely would never have had the chance to become the Sect Leader's disciple—perhaps one day, she would have vanished unnoticed in some forgotten corner of the long path of cultivation.

Even if Yuan Qiongshuang had some ulterior motive or hidden agenda, at least for now, Tong Tong couldn't detect any sign of harm. So, from the bottom of her heart, she was grateful for her help.

To avoid arousing Ye Zhiqiu's suspicion, it was better not to let her people go to Yunyin again. Less contact meant fewer chances of slipping up.

—Naïve Tong Tong measured others with her ordinary way of thinking, unaware that her logical abilities, which had never passed a math exam since high school, were no match for these ancient beings who had lived for thousands of years.

She could neither see through Yuan Qiongshuang's tactic of playing hard to get nor discern the half-truths in Ye Zhiqiu's probing. In the subtle contest between the two, she remained completely in the dark.

"Then let us depart. I'll introduce you to your senior brothers and sisters." Ye Zhiqiu didn't say much more, her smile gentle as water. With a wave of her sleeve, she summoned a sword, causing Tong Tong's eyes to light up—contrary to her gentle and approachable image, Ye Zhiqiu's lifebound sword was a broad-backed greatsword, dark as ink from hilt to tip!

The saying "a heavy sword has no edge, yet its simplicity conceals great skill" perfectly described such a blade.

It was hard to imagine that Ye Zhiqiu, as pure as a lotus and as elegant as a chrysanthemum, the revered leader of Chonghua Sect, was bound in heart and soul to this greatsword that seemed to contain an endless aura of slaughter.

If the owner of this sword were a great demonic cultivator, that would be one thing, but for it to be in Ye Zhiqiu's possession was simply unbelievable.

Fortunately, Ye Zhiqiu was widely renowned and highly praised, enjoying a level of prestige that even the best-selling products on Taobao couldn't match. Those who were unaware either knew nothing or dared not comment; even those in the know kept their mouths shut, speaking in hushed tones. Thus, any sect or rogue cultivator unwilling to antagonize Chonghua would refrain from criticizing Sect Leader Ye's sword.

However, Tong Tong, seeing it for the first time, possessed a childlike innocence and a reckless naivety. Believing Ye Zhiqiu to be a gentle and approachable master, she boldly asked, "Master, your sword is so unique! It's pitch black, which feels quite different from your aura..."

What she didn't say aloud was that ever since Ye Zhiqiu summoned the sword, her own Biling Sword had stirred slightly, as if wary or fearful. In any case, even she, as its master, felt a sense of discomfort.

"Is that so?" Ye Zhiqiu merely smiled in response, stroking the blade as if caressing a lover. "Your master believes there is no sword in the world more suited to me... This sword is named—Busha [Mercy]."

"Oh." Tong Tong nodded in sudden understanding. The name carried a righteous and benevolent air!

Truly befitting the lifebound sword of her beautiful master! Though it appeared unremarkable, it was undoubtedly profound and hidden... This was the mark of a true master! She had learned something!

What Ye Zhiqiu didn't mention was that the sword's full name was—Jiangzhe Busha [Mercy for Those Who Surrender]—meaning any enemy who didn't surrender immediately had long since become a soul beneath its blade. It could be said to slay gods and buddhas alike. The overwhelming k!lling aura it emitted was unmatched by any sword in the entire cultivation world.

Seeing the admiration in Tong Tong's eyes, Su Yan shook her head inwardly and calmly averted her gaze.

"Come up." At Ye Zhiqiu's signal, Tong Tong cautiously stepped forward, intending to board the great sword—but with each step closer, she felt as if under immense pressure, as if an invisible hand were squeezing her heart, making it hard to breathe.

Defiantly taking another step forward, the suffocating sensation intensified. Taking a slight step back, the pressure lessened. Tong Tong, with a pained expression, continued retreating until she stood side by side with Su Yan, a full ten feet away from the glossy black great sword, finally feeling at ease.

Letting out a soft sigh, Tong Tong met Ye Zhiqiu's slightly puzzled, beautiful gaze and awkwardly grinned. "Um... I... I'd better trouble Senior Brother... His sword is more obedient... It's not the first time anyway..." By the end, she was rambling incoherently, unsure what excuse she had blurted out, but it seemed to elicit a trace of teasing in Ye Zhiqiu's dignified eyes—directed at the cold and silent Su Yan beside her.

Tong Tong, who could only mask her feelings with a foolish smile, felt as if fifteen buckets were being drawn from a well—her heart was in turmoil. If not for Ye Zhiqiu's unwavering smile and Su Yan's silence, she might have fled from this inexplicable atmosphere.

Finally, she heard Ye Zhiqiu say softly with a laugh, "Very well then."

With a light tap of her toes, she gracefully leaped onto the great sword, as if accompanied by the roar of dragons and tigers. The black great sword soared into the sky and vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.

Tong Tong smoothed her hair, tousled by the sword's wind, and turned to Su Yan with an awkward smile. She saw that Su Yan had already summoned his own crimson sword and was looking back at her. The gentle yet somewhat wistful gaze made Tong Tong freeze for a moment. Before Su Yan could remind her, she snapped out of it on her own and happily hopped onto the shimmering red sword with quick, light steps.

This sword really does suit her better! Even Biling, that troublemaker, had settled down, even sending over a hint of pleasant emotion.

Carefully controlling her balance, Tong Tong glanced at Su Yan, who was focused on steering the sword ahead of her. She bit her lip and hesitantly asked, "B-Big Senior Brother, what's the name of your sword?"

What she really wanted to ask was: Don't you think this sword looks a lot like my Biling when it's stained with bl0od?

Su Yan, with her hands clasped behind her back, paused briefly at the question but didn't turn around. Just as Tong Tong thought she wouldn't answer and lowered her head in disappointment, Su Yan replied softly, "Changhong [Vast Rainbow]."

Though the howling wind rushing past her ears dulled her hearing, the two elegant syllables reached her clearly, making her lift her head happily. She smiled at Su Yan's slender, upright back. "That's a great name!"

'Changhong, Biling... Wasn't there a story from middle school called "Changhong's Bl0od Turns into Jade"?'

T/N: [Chang Hong was a scholar and official of the Zhou Dynasty originally from the Shu region. Caught in a political conflict between the ministers of the Jin state, he was executed by the people of Zhou. Legend has it that three years after he was unjustly k!lled, his bl0od turned into green jade, hence the sayings "Chang Hong's bl0od turns into jade." It is used to describe someone who is upright, loyal, and righteous, yet suffers injustice and harbors deep resentment for the sake of a just cause.]

Tong Tong covered her face and secretly thought, 'red and green actually seem like a pretty good match, huh? Like a pair of couple swords... Eek! What am I thinking? Stop, stop right now!'

Giving herself a firm slap on the cheek, Tong Tong wiped away her wild fantasies with teary eyes and looked down at the majestic, beautiful mountain peaks as the sword descended steadily.

The last time she came here, she had been unconscious, so this was her first real glimpse of Chonghua's main peak.

Though the scenery of Qiuye Peak was beautiful, it wasn't all that different from the other peaks. What truly captivated her was the Jiuhan Palace ahead, with its jade railings, crimson pillars, and dazzling golden splendor.

In the 21st century, Tong Tong never had the chance to visit ancient palace ruins in person, but she had a rough idea from movies and TV shows. Yet the awe this palace inspired in her was beyond words—it was a masterpiece that no modern human effort could replicate.

If it weren't for the row of cyan-robed disciples bowing respectfully at the entrance, Tong Tong would have rushed over to touch the palace walls, which were stunningly beautiful even from the outside.

Remembering her own plain white robes, Tong Tong straightened her unremarkable chest and followed closely behind Su Yan, passing the row of disciples without a sideways glance as they entered the palace gates.

They walked around a screen carved from what looked like white jade, depicting a hundred birds paying homage to a phoenix, then followed a long corridor with crimson pillars and golden eaves until they reached a spacious hall with its double doors wide open.

Inside, Ye Zhiqiu sat at the head of the hall, smiling at the two of them. The others, except for Ding Ding at the end who was staring blankly at something, were all unfamiliar faces Tong Tong hadn't seen before.

"Little Seven, come here." Ye Zhiqiu beckoned to her.

'Little Seven? Is she calling me?'

Tong Tong looked over in confusion before suddenly understanding—the Qiuye lineage had seven disciples, and she was the seventh.

In order, calling her 'Little Seven' made sense... But she couldn't help wondering who the third disciple was!

Obediently walking forward, Tong Tong couldn't help but think mischievously.

Ye Zhiqiu rested one hand on the armrest of the master's chair while gesturing vaguely with the other toward the few people standing in the hall, introducing them softly, "Yan'er and Ding Ding, you're likely already familiar with them, so I won't introduce them again... That is your fifth senior brother, Mo Ziming." He was an exceptionally handsome young man, though the corners of his mouth carried a hint of a playful, irreverent smile.

"Fourth senior brother, Yan Zichu." A tall, elegant man with a scholarly air, his gaze lowered, unlike the direct stare of the fifth senior brother. He exuded a somewhat pedantic and rigid aura, and Tong Tong's mind settled on a one-word conclusion—bookworm.

"That is your third senior brother, Qin Ziqi." With a dignified appearance and a gentle demeanor, he looked exactly like the type of good son-in-law that uncles and aunts would adore. Who would have thought that the third in line would have such a kind and reliable face... Tong Tong nodded politely, though her inner thoughts were a million miles away from the sweet smile on her face.

"This one is your second senior sister, He Gu." Her jade-like hand pointed once more, and following the direction, Tong Tong saw a refined... woman dressed in plain-colored robes?

Well, perhaps it was a bit rude to say so—but this second senior sister's height was truly astonishing! She looked to be at least 180 centimeters tall! Staring down at Tong Tong, who stood at 160 centimeters, was no challenge at all. Even Su Yan seemed to need to look up to meet her eyes!

Yet, it was undeniable that while this senior sister wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, she was still lovely and graceful—with delicate willow-leaf eyebrows, a fine nose, and rosy lips. Her serene and gentle temperament even bore some resemblance to their beautiful master. She could indeed be called an elegant beauty.

Trying her best to ignore the strange feeling this second senior sister gave her, Tong Tong offered a friendly smile, which was returned with a faint smile of her own—making Tong Tong feel even more unsettled, though she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

However, her attention was soon pulled away by Ding Ding—if only she could slap herself in the face to faint and avoid this utterly ridiculous scene, or perhaps slap Ding Ding to snap him out of it and stop embarrassing their people from the 'Heavenly Dynasty'—come on, Young Master Ding! Please wipe that infatuated look off your face! Is it that you haven't seen a girl in centuries, or has spring arrived? Staring at a young lady like that—who could possibly stand it!

Shaking her head helplessly, she withdrew her gaze from Ding Ding, only to meet Su Yan's eyes—dark as ink pools, so deep they seemed capable of drawing in one's very soul.

Though subtle, the slight furrow of his brows did not escape Tong Tong's notice—why was he frowning?

And why did her own heart tremble in response, filled with an overwhelming urge to smooth away that crease?

Confusion clouded Tong Tong's eyes.

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