Chapter 60: Hypocrisy Beneath the Blade Part 1

Feng Yun’ai was momentarily stunned. Had the sword not been held so close that its chill seeped through the coarse cloth against her arm, she wouldn’t have recognized it as Solitary Gall.

This was clearly Wen Lanxin’s possession, yet Sang Chencao—who was far closer to Wen Lanxin—treated it with utter indifference, as if this legendary blade capable of upending the Jianghu meant nothing at all.

The crowd around them shifted and surged. Fortunately, everyone’s eyes were glued to the Sword Trial Stage; no one spared a glance for the two of them.

Feng Yun’ai took the sword, a wave of emotion rising in her throat. Her voice grew slightly thick, though she maintained a facade of indifference. “You went out just to get this?”

“Who knows if she’s hiding in the shadows? It’s not easy to see her, and if you miss this chance, you might never get another,” Sang Chencao said casually.

The “she” in question was clearly Wen Lanxin.

Feng Yun’ai was determined to return Solitary Gall to Wen Lanxin. As Sang Chencao said, if she failed now, there likely wouldn’t be a next time.

With her hands now empty, Sang Chencao crossed her arms loosely and leaned against a corridor pillar. She let out a soft, mocking huff. “The monks from Cuiyu Temple are here too. What a nuisance.”

Following Sang Chencao’s gaze, Feng Yun’ai saw a group of men with shaven heads in the distance. Among the sea of black-haired spectators, their scalps were particularly brilliant.

It seemed the Central Plains’ martial arts world was truly on the verge of a cataclysm if even these monks had traveled such a distance.

“We’ll wait a bit before going up to the Sword Trial Stage,” Sang Chencao whispered. “I don’t want to trade blows with those Cuiyu Temple monks. It’s exhausting. Besides, if they recognize me, they’ll start shouting ‘Demoness’ again, and I’m not in the mood to hear it.”

“As you wish.” Feng Yun’ai lifted her gaze to the highest point of the Golden-Stone Heavy Sword.

That sword was as heavy as a mountain range, yet the flower protruding from it was like a solitary bloom on a cliff—fragile and minuscule.

Many others were staring at that flower, but they were too far away. No matter how hard they looked, they couldn’t see its true form. Only Feng Yun’ai had touched it with her own hands and smelled its fragrance from up close.

The late Hantian Alliance Leader, Feng Rong—now held in contempt by the masses—was right there beneath the Golden-Stone Heavy Sword. The crowd, ignorant of the truth, stared longingly at the heart of that flower. The irony was palpable.

Someone nearby remarked, “If not for Feng Rong’s passing, this Hero Recruitment Meet wouldn’t have been held so early. In the past, everyone flocked to Cloud City to compete on the Sword Trial Stage just for a chance to discuss the blade with her or become her right hand. Truly, the world is unpredictable!”

“It’s for the best. Only by seeing the Hantian Alliance’s true face can the Jianghu find peace.”

Feng Yun’ai couldn’t help but wonder: during the years Feng Rong led the Hantian Alliance, had the Jianghu not been at peace?

It was simply that now she was dead, everyone felt emboldened to kick her while she was down and twist the truth.

Sang Chencao gave a lukewarm scoff, her fingers tapping rhythmically against her arm. She tilted her head, peering into the distance. “Xiuxiu, look. Sui Jianxue of Qiushui Pavilion has arrived.”

Feng Yun’ai looked over and immediately spotted the mistress of Qiushui Pavilion, her eyes bound in white silk. The women following behind her were no exception; all of them had their eyes covered with silk cloth. They were all blind, relying solely on their hearing.

The surroundings were noisy, but everyone knew Qiushui Pavilion had a deep relationship with Feng Rong. Countless gazes turned toward them.

Sang Chencao used her internal breath to project her voice, her lips barely moving so that only Feng Yun’ai could hear. “Sui Jianxue looks quite haggard. It’s likely because of Feng Rong. I bet she has no idea that the Alliance Leader she worked so hard to hide on Listening Goose Peak is actually right there on the Sword Trial Stage.”

Sui Jianxue’s lips were pale, her exhaustion evident. Her steps were unsteady as she took her seat, looking like someone whose spirit had been shattered.

“What a pity. One can truly see the depth of the friendship between Sui Jianxue and Feng Rong,” Sang Chencao added.

“She shouldn’t be like this,” Feng Yun’ai whispered, shaking her head.

Sang Chencao suddenly leaned close to Feng Yun’ai, her lips brushing against her ear. “I heard that Sui Jianxue deserves some of the credit for Feng Rong’s ability to reach the pinnacle of sword cultivation.”

“Who told you that?” Feng Yun’ai frowned.

“Wen Lanxin.” Sang Chencao’s voice carried a hint of mockery. “Even though she was far away at Yellow Sand Cliff, she knew everything about Feng Rong. She envied Sui Jianxue, yet she never dared to lay a finger on her, fearing Feng Rong’s disgust.”

“She didn’t dare? So she wanted to harm Sui Jianxue? Why? Just because she couldn’t stand her?” Feng Yun’ai was genuinely confused.

Sang Chencao hummed softly. “If it were me, I naturally wouldn’t tolerate anyone else staying by the side of the one I desire.”

Feng Yun’ai had no response to that, yet she felt a strange…

A peculiar flutter in her heart.

To be envious to such an extent meant that their eyes saw only that one person, wishing to occupy them completely, allowing no one else to reach them.

She moved her lips, masking the flicker in her eyes. “You still haven’t said what this has to do with Sui Jianxue.”

Sang Chencao continued, “Sui Jianxue’s swordsmanship might not match Feng Rong’s, but she’s been blind for decades. Her mastery of the ‘Heart Sword’ is far deeper than most. She gave Feng Rong pointers, which allowed Feng Rong to make her breakthrough.”

Feng Yun’ai couldn’t imagine a woman as stoic as Feng Rong having such deep ties with another. But if the bond was forged through the sword, she could understand it.

She felt a twinge of loss; this was something Feng Rong had never told her. After a brief daze, she said, “I see.”

Sang Chencao let out a soft laugh. “Sui Jianxue has likely guessed Zhou Gui’s scheme. I wonder what she’ll be able to do for Feng Rong at this Hero Recruitment Meet.”

Feng Yun’ai shook her head. “Her life is already difficult enough. There’s no need for her to make an enemy of so many for Feng Rong’s sake.”

“Xiuxiu, you really are too kind.” Sang Chencao narrowed her eyes, her expression reminiscent of a serpent. As her lips moved, it felt as though she wanted to take the person before her into her mouth. “You’re so considerate of her, yet you drive me to the Sword Trial Stage to face everyone as an enemy?”

For a moment, Feng Yun’ai was speechless. She turned her head away and whispered, “I didn’t ‘drive’ you. Besides, as Wen Lanxin’s disciple, you are already an enemy to all.”