Chapter 31: Heartfire Glow Part 2

Despite the efforts of the elders and investigations from all sides, these questions remained completely without leads. They could only raise the Divine Zenith Sect’s security by several levels, hoping that such a tragedy would never happen again.

And Yun Shujun gradually seemed to become paranoid and hysterical. Often, in the dead of night, he would appear on some mountain peak, burning paper offerings and praying, weeping and wailing in agony.

Though the elders disapproved of Yun Kaiye’s usual conduct, they had watched the boy grow up after all. They could understand such a devastated heart. They said nothing.

But gradually, Yun Shujun’s atrocious behavior worsened. Even during a lesson, because a disciple had uttered the phrase “All men must die,” he had used a book scroll to smash the disciple’s head until it bled, cursing furiously.

“Because it wasn’t you who died! That’s why you think death is light! If you had a loved one or friend pass away! Could you still say those words so flippantly?!”

“My son was kind and weak. How could he meet such a calamity?! Why don’t those who truly deserve death just die?! Why don’t all of you just die?!”

At that time, the Vice Sect Leader had no semblance of dignity, his eyes bloodshot, his appearance like a vicious ghost, too terrifying to look at.

The struck student took a long time to recover from the shock before finally packing up and going home, abandoning the path of immortality.

This incident was truly vile. The elders had no choice but to speak with the Vice Sect Leader and soothe him. After a period of effort, he finally recovered somewhat and could even attend some functions steadily, putting people slightly at ease.

Yet now, the person who had promised to come had not appeared.

Yun Jinxue felt it was somewhat unexpected, yet also within reason.

Recalling Yun Shujun’s madness that day, unease stirred in her heart.

She could only hope that, in his devil-ridden frenzy, he would not do anything rash.

After a long time with no one showing up, the disciples began to whisper. At first it was just a hum, but gradually the sound grew louder.

Seeing the venue about to descend into chaos, Yun Jinxue knew she could wait no longer. She stood and walked toward the stage.

Standing at the lectern, she imbued her voice with spiritual power, spreading it across the entire Pure Proclamation Altar.

“Everyone, quiet down, please.”

The moment that clear, cool, and commanding voice rang out, the venue gradually fell silent.

The elders and instructors were all busy. At this moment, she was the only one—the Senior Sister—who could step up. Fortunately, Yun Jinxue had participated in such lectures before. If she just padded things out a little, said some grand and righteous things, she should be able to manage.

After delivering an opening statement and some standard platitudes, Yun Jinxue recalled the content of previous sessions and began to elaborate slowly.

This kind of “principal’s address” usually interested few disciples. Everyone was merely focused on admiring the Senior Sister’s beautiful face; not a single word entered their ears.

Yet in the very front row below the stage, the woman in indigo-blue attire watched the stage, listening intently to every single sentence. She even took out a small notebook to jot things down.

Jiang Yanyu leaned back in her chair, swept a glance at her, and said, “You can’t be serious. That focused?”

Yan Guixing didn’t look at her, merely saying, “Senior Sister’s words are very reasonable.”

Jiang Yanyu said, “When the elders lectured us before, it was pretty much the same thing. I didn’t see you taking notes so earnestly.”

Yan Guixing didn’t reply. Only after a long while did she say, “It’s not the same.”

Though she already knew the answer, Jiang Yanyu still asked, “Oh? What’s different?”

Yan Guixing fell silent again and seemed to have no intention of answering further.

Finding the conversation dull when she stopped talking, Jiang Yanyu yawned and casually brushed aside a strand of hair.

Her fingertips inadvertently touched her forehead, and she seemed to sense an unusual degree of heat.

“… ” Jiang Yanyu looked at her fingertips with slight shock. Refusing to believe it, she tested it with the back of her hand. Truly higher than before.

“Hah…” Jiang Yanyu let out a cold laugh and asked, “Did you get sick this year?”

Yan Guixing replied, “No.”

Jiang Yanyu was relieved. This one hadn’t gotten sick; she absolutely could not be.

It was probably just being windblown on the way here, causing some discomfort.

Wait a bit longer, and it would pass. For sure.

On the stage, Yun Jinxue had reshuffled and rehashed the content from previous meetings. She’d done enough, so she prepared to wrap up.

“When you all leave the Divine Zenith Sect in the future, you must always remember: hold to your true heart, discipline yourselves, and learn to coexist with nature. Respect all living things.”

“When interacting with mortals, you must not consider yourselves superior simply because of your great power. All beings in this world are equal. Do you understand?”

Her words fell, and the venue was silent.

Such a reaction was normal; no one ever really listened to the content at these assemblies.

Just as Yun Jinxue was about to step down, a clear female voice rang out from below: “Understood. Many thanks, Senior Sister.”

After Yan Guixing said this, she gently began to clap.

With one person leading, the others followed suit, applauding. For a moment, the altar echoed with thunderous clapping and a chorus of thanks. People even stood up, cheering as if joining in on a festivity.

Yun Jinxue lowered her gaze. Amidst the sudden roaring clamor, she looked at the woman below the stage, who was slowly applauding.

That indigo-blue attire, paired with elegant features and a faint smile at the corner of her lips—it truly suited her.

After the lecture was completely over and the crowd slowly dispersed, Yan Guixing walked over. “Senior Sister, my Shizun instructed me to go handle some matters after the meeting, so I must take my leave first.”

Four years had passed, and the young lady had grown slender and graceful, now nearly the same height as her.

Looking at her, Yun Jinxue felt only satisfaction in her heart. She truly was taking on the appearance of a female lead more and more.

“Alright. No matter how busy, be sure to get plenty of rest.”

“Understood, Senior Sister.”

Watching that back disappear, Yun Jinxue turned her gaze back. “Windy, can you get lunch on your own?”

Jiang Yanyu said, displeased, “Why?”

Yun Jinxue said, “I have something to take care of. I should be back in the afternoon.”

Jiang Yanyu said, “Something so urgent? Come to think of it, you seem to have been busy lately.”

Yun Jinxue thought for a moment. “It is a bit urgent. Mm, yes, a bit busy. Because there are some… personal matters.”

Jiang Yanyu stared at her fixedly for a while, then turned and left, tossing back a sentence: “Fine. You be busy. I’m very busy too, you know. Off to do things.”

Yun Jinxue called out to her retreating back with a smile: “Remember to come back to Sword Summit after you eat. I have something to give you.”

“Got it, got it.”

After parting ways with her, Yun Jinxue went straight to the Divine Zenith Sect’s armory: Cold Light Pavilion.

The heavy main doors opened to a gloomy, sealed interior. The vague silhouettes of various weapons on the shelves were visible. Candle flames flickered; a chill hung in the air.

She had been coming frequently lately, so the disciple guarding the door did not lead the way.

Yun Jinxue walked in, passing rows of shelves, arriving at the very deepest door.

She pressed her hand against it: somewhat hot. Pushing it open with force, a nearly blinding light spilled out, tearing apart the darkness behind her.

Amidst the crisp clamor of hammering iron blanks, sparks flew. This was the forging and weapon-shaping area.

Inside stood many large men, bare-chested, rivers of sweat pouring down. They bulged their muscles, swinging sledgehammers, striking one glowing-red iron blank after another.

Those that had a rough shape hammered out were turned over with tongs, examined carefully, and then plunged into water barrels with a hissing screech, sending steam skyward.

A wave of rolling heat hit her face. Yun Jinxue held her breath slightly, walked in, and went straight to one of the large men. “The long saber I custom-ordered—can I take it today?”

Ever since hearing the little villain’s wish that time, Yun Jinxue had begun preparing for this.

The weapon the little villain was most accustomed to using was naturally the saber. And later, she would acquire a divine weapon like [Natural Calamity], so there was no need to find her anything too formidable now.

Thus, Yun Jinxue commissioned someone to purchase a rather special material and have it forged into a weapon. Though it couldn’t be called supremely powerful, if kept close and nurtured over a long time, it could gradually develop a mental connection with its master, like a friend. It might even develop a saber-spirit and accompany her through the shattering times when she was hardest to bear.

After the destined betrayal plot occurred, the little villain would slowly ascend to a position drenched in blood and storms, feared and abhorred by the world. By then, no one in this world would ever treat her sincerely again.

That seemed too lonely, Yun Jinxue thought.

The large man said, “No problem, you can take it. Got a name? I’ll engrave it for you in a bit.”

Yun Jinxue said, “I have. It’s called [Heartfire Glow].”

Blue fireflies always followed beside Jiang Yanyu. A faint glow of firefly-light—not enough to banish the darkness, but enough to illuminate herself.

Giving her a gentle blade, hoping that no matter how dark the world became, a wisp of light could always follow within her heart.

.

On the other side, after parting ways with her, Jiang Yanyu found a spot with beautiful scenery. She walked a long while along a winding river before sitting down on a large rock and watching the rushing water.

She casually sent out a Red Flash, summoning someone. Then she picked up a small pebble and tossed it into the water, sneering, “Even during a meeting you’re making eyes at each other. What’s so good to look at.”

Her voice was slightly hoarse. Jiang Yanyu rubbed her throat, frowning. “Why does my throat hurt?”

Besides the sore throat, she also seemed a little dizzy.

The feverish temperature hadn’t gone down. Jiang Yanyu looked at the stream, considering whether she should go in the water to cool off.

Just as this thought arose, a dark, lean young man parted the bushes and approached, saying respectfully, “Hall Master, you called for me.”

Jiang Yanyu said, “Yes. A little something to ask you.”

The young man was precisely Cuicuo. He said, “Please ask.”

Jiang Yanyu propped one leg on the rock, letting the other dangle and swing. She folded both hands atop her knee and rested her chin on them, seemingly deep in thought.

Cuicuo waited patiently. In the past, commands were always issued quickly. To wait this long—it must be an extremely important matter.

After another moment, Jiang Yanyu spoke darkly, “Do you know how to make a woman depend on you?”

Cuicuo: “…Huh?”

This question clearly struck a blind spot in his knowledge.

He glanced up to confirm the Hall Master wasn’t joking, then lowered his head and mumbled, “Does the Hall Master want to… take a wife?”

He had thought his guess was accurate, but the Hall Master froze, then raged, “When did I say wife—cough, cough…”

The pain in her throat and forehead was intensifying. This subtle, unfamiliar discomfort made Jiang Yanyu belatedly realize: could she actually have caught a chill?

Once that bout of pain passed, Jiang Yanyu continued, “When did I say I wanted to take a wife? I want a woman’s heart.”

Cuicuo sighed in relief. “Winning a woman’s favor isn’t my forte, but carving out a heart—that I can do. Please, Hall Master, assign me the task.”

Jiang Yanyu said with some exasperation, “That’s not what I meant either…”

She reorganized her words again. “It’s just… making her admire me, think of me, depend on me. Best of all, be unable to leave me.”