Uncanny Immortal 88

Chapter 88

The plum branch was only about one or two chi long, with a dozen or so plum blossoms on it. The petals were dotted with fine snow, which had melted into water.

Xie Qingzheng shook the snow water from the branch, her movements very light, as if she were afraid of accidentally shaking off a plum blossom along with it.

She was the first disciple of Cloud Melody, Flowing Frost. The juniors of the major orthodox Xuanmen sects had more or less heard of Cloud Melody, Flowing Frost’s name, and had also heard that Lady Yunshao had taken a disciple three years ago. They had not had the chance to see her before. Today, when she appeared on the Sword Discussion Arena, everyone saw that she was as graceful as an orchid and as refined as a scholar. They had originally had a three-part good impression of her, but now, seeing her being so arrogant as to use a plum branch as a sword to compete with everyone, it was clear that she did not take them seriously.

Many cultivators were indignant. A female cultivator in a red robe from the Kaiyang sect, holding a red umbrella, sneered, leaped onto the Sword Discussion Arena, and after a few polite words with Xie Qingzheng, she slanted her body and rushed in, attacking Xie Qingzheng.

The Kaiyang sect used a red umbrella as a weapon. The appearance of the red umbrella was no different from an ordinary umbrella. The surface of the umbrella was painted with landscapes, figures, and calligraphy according to personal preference, and it was very elegant. But when it spun, one after another, red qi would attack the enemy. In close combat, the metal ribs of the umbrella were as sharp as arrowheads. The top of the umbrella was also a sharp blade in the shape of a dagger.

Xie Qingzheng dodged left and right, infused spiritual energy into her palm, and waved the plum branch. A gentle force was sent out through the plum branch, blocking the incoming qi.

She looked at the red umbrella in the female cultivator’s hand and suddenly remembered another spirit artifact—the Kaiyang Umbrella, which was still sealed in the Kaiyang sect. She didn’t know how to get it.

The Yuheng Cauldron had been lost to the demonic cult in the wildlands. As people of the righteous path, if she and her master were to retrieve it, it would be a matter of course, just like retrieving the Yaoguang Bell. But if she took the Kaiyang Umbrella, she would inevitably offend the people of the Kaiyang sect and even be criticized by the righteous path.

She thought to herself: Could I, like Xie Fuyun back then, use the Kaiyang Umbrella as a stake and win it in a martial arts competition?

No.

She instantly rejected this possibility. Her current strength was still considered a top-tier among her peers, but she could definitely not defeat those famous senior masters.

Besides, the people of the Kaiyang sect had sealed the umbrella, not using it like the Tianquan Saber and the Yaoguang Bell. This might mean that the umbrella was a bit strange, and perhaps, like the Tianxuan Sword of the past, it could not be used.

Forget it. She would investigate the information about this umbrella later. It was better to worry about how to get the Yuheng Cauldron first.

As her thoughts raced, the two of them exchanged blows, and they had already exchanged thirty moves.

The weapon in Xie Qingzheng’s hand was not advantageous. She relied entirely on her exquisite techniques and swift footwork to have the upper hand.

Everyone only saw her clothes fluttering, her figure as fast as lightning. For a moment, it was as if her figure were everywhere. Except for Mo Jiangxue, no one could see her moves clearly. Suddenly, with a thud, the red-robed female cultivator let out a muffled grunt, and the umbrella in her hand fell to the ground.

The winner was decided.

Xie Qingzheng formed a seal and withdrew her stance. She picked a plum blossom from the branch and gave it to the red-robed female cultivator, smiling and saying, “Pardon me.”

Every time she defeated someone, she would pick a plum blossom and give it to them. Then she would turn to look at her master below the arena, her expression changing from stern to gentle.

When she looked at Mo Jiangxue, her eyes were as bright as stars. There was clearly no smile on her lips, but the smile in her eyes seemed to be about to overflow.

Her happiness was so obvious that everyone could see it.

Under the white veiled hat, Mo Jiangxue’s gaze had been on her from beginning to end, not moving a single bit.

From the moment Mo Jiangxue had appeared on the Sword Discussion Arena, Mu Zifu had taken her maids from Green Pine Peak and had slipped away, going back to Green Pine Peak to find Mu Qingdai.

Everyone, for the sake of Mu Qingdai, would tolerate Mu Zifu three parts. Mu Zifu was not afraid of heaven or earth, not afraid of the Sect Master, not afraid of the head teaching sisters, but she was a little afraid of the serious and unsmiling Elder Mo, especially after having been taught a lesson by Elder Mo with her xiao and spirit fox. Her heart was even more afraid.

She trotted back to Green Pine Peak and ran into Mu Qingdai, who was about to go down the mountain.

Mu Qingdai glanced at her and held her down. “Where are you going to cause trouble again?”

Mu Zifu said, “Big Sister, I’m not. So many people have come for the Dao Discussion Conference. I’m just going to see the excitement!”

Mu Qingdai slapped her hard on the shoulder and scolded, “You good-for-nothing! It’s one thing to be disobedient, but your cultivation hasn’t improved a bit, and your brain hasn’t improved either! Others can already handle the affairs of the sect, and you’re still playing with mud!”

Mu Zifu was slapped back half a step by her sister, her body swayed, and she did not dare to retort.

She didn’t know what kind of dog-shit luck Xie Qingzheng had to have been favored by Elder Mo since she was a child, to have been protected by Elder Mo time and again, and to have even been able to become Elder Mo’s disciple… She thought to herself: If that idiot hadn’t become her disciple, she would never have been able to climb over my head in this lifetime!

Mu Qingdai glared at her. “You’re still not convinced?”

Mu Zifu stuck out her tongue, did not dare to say much, took Mu Qingdai’s sleeve, and shook it, trying to please her. “Big Sister, where are you going? Can you take me with you?”

Mu Qingdai sneered. “I’m not as lucky as you, to have nothing to do but cause trouble for me! The watchtower has detected the demonic cult’s movements. I’m taking some people to deal with those trash. You stay at home and be good! If you dare to cause any more trouble, I’ll skin you when I get back!”

Mu Zifu nodded obediently. Her big sister had never spoken to her nicely. She was either scolding her or lecturing her. She was used to it.

Mu Qingdai led a group of cultivators and left with her head held high.

Flying over the Sword Discussion Arena on her sword, Mu Qingdai saw that it was crowded with people below, and there were also many cultivators on their swords in mid-air, watching.

She stopped, caught a cultivator from the Xuanji Sect, and asked, “Isn’t it the Dao Discussion Conference? Why are you all at the Sword Discussion Arena instead of staying on Zixiao Peak?”

The cultivator was a little afraid of her and stammered, “T-to the Elder, the l-little junior sister is challenging the cultivators of the major sects…”

Mu Qingdai frowned. “Is she tired of living?”

The cultivator quickly shook his head, his tone a mix of surprise and reverence, as if he were proud. “No, no, the little junior sister is very powerful! She has already won ten in a row!”

The Kaiyang sect, the Tianshu Sect, Yuheng Palace, Tianquan Manor, the Myriad Beast Manor… every sect had a loser at Xie Qingzheng’s hands.

After she had picked ten plum blossoms and given them to people, the ones who came to watch were not only the young juniors of the various sects, but also many of the elders on Zixiao Peak who were socializing. Hearing of this, they all flew over on their swords to join in the excitement.

For a moment, the sky and the ground were filled with people.

On the Sword Discussion Arena, the young woman in the black and white Daoist robe held a plum branch, her robes fluttering, as graceful as a startled swan. A crimson mark between her brows was as bright as blood, and she gazed gently at a woman below the arena.

Below the Sword Discussion Arena, the woman in the white veiled hat carried a jade qin, stood tall and graceful, and watched quietly. The crowd around her, fearing they would offend her, all kept a foot’s distance from her.

Mu Qingdai stood on her sword, looking at the master and disciple from afar, and a strange feeling arose in her heart. She couldn’t help but get goosebumps.

They are clearly master and disciple. Why are their gazes so sticky? Can Mo Jiangxue even tolerate it?

Mu Qingdai thought to herself, If Afu dared to look at her with such a look, she would definitely slap her!

She disliked this master and disciple. She glanced at them again, her face full of disgust, and immediately turned and left.

The crowd of cultivators looked at Xie Qingzheng on the stage, then at Mo Jiangxue outside the crowd, and all thought of Mo Jiangxue’s famous feat of defeating ninety-seven Golden Core masters in one day.

The young cultivators were all envious, envious that Xie Qingzheng could become the disciple of Cloud Melody, Flowing Frost, and had learned such good skills at such a young age. The older cultivators guessed that Lady Yunshao had the intention of making her disciple famous and also envied her for having received such a talented successor.

After Xie Qingzheng had defeated the cultivators of the major orthodox Xuanmen sects in a row, Xiao Wangqing arrived late.

At that time, Xie Qingzheng was holding a bare plum branch and stood in the center of the Sword Discussion Arena. After she had caught her breath, she cupped her hands and asked, “Which other senior sister or brother is willing to give me some pointers?”

The mountain wind blew her Daoist robe and also made her body sway slightly.

Everyone could see that she was exhausted, but no one from the young juniors of the major orthodox Xuanmen sects dared to go up and challenge her. They were both worried that they couldn’t win and also afraid of being called a “bully.”

Seeing that no one dared to go on stage, Xiao Wangqing finally flew into the arena and lightly reprimanded Xie Qingzheng for being indiscreet and stirring up a fight, and that she would have to go to the Disciplinary Hall to receive her punishment afterwards.

She had won a great victory today, defeating the juniors of the major sects, showing off, and also earning a lot of face for the Xuanji Sect. Xiao Wangqing was too happy to be truly angry.

Xie Qingzheng also understood that this was the Sect Master’s public face. She smiled faintly, bowed to the crowd, and then flashed to Mo Jiangxue’s side.

She handed the bare plum branch back to her master, but she did not dare to look at her master directly. She just lowered her head slightly and said, “Master, can you make it bloom again?”

Mo Jiangxue handed her a handkerchief for her to wipe her sweat, then took the plum branch and fulfilled her wish. She infused spiritual energy into her hand, and the plum branch once again produced buds and bloomed.

Xie Qingzheng, while wiping her sweat, saw the bare plum branch turn back into a beautiful sight of flowers. Her expression was pleased, and her gaze towards her master was sometimes as gentle as water, and sometimes a little evasive.

Mo Jiangxue seemed to be completely unaware. She untied the jade qin from her back, lowered her head to play, and calmed her internal breath.

The cultivators of the major sects saw the master and disciple, one cool, one gentle. There was no conversation between them, but their words and actions had an indescribable, tacit intimacy. Some complimented, “As expected of a great master producing a great disciple.” Others sighed, “Why doesn’t our sect have such a great master and such a great disciple?”

Xiao Wangqing was as meticulous as a hair. She observed for a while and was a little curious—

The two of them, one on the stage and one below, when they were far apart, their gazes were always on each other. When they were below the stage and were close, one would lower her head, and the other would look elsewhere, their gazes avoiding each other, making them seem both intimate and as if there were some barrier between them.

Had they had a fight?

Xiao Wangqing then denied it and thought to herself: Zheng’er is always obedient and well-behaved, and Jiangxue is always indifferent and open-minded. How could the two of them, master and disciple, possibly argue? I should find a time to ask…

After the battle on the Sword Discussion Arena, Xie Qingzheng’s fame rose. At the banquet at night, everyone admired and praised her.

She was a little unaccustomed to it and turned to look at her master, who was sitting at the Sect Master’s table.

But Mo Jiangxue was not looking at Xie Qingzheng.

She lowered her head and rubbed the rim of her wine cup, listening to Xiao Wangqing tease her at the banquet, “If you praise Lady Yunshao, she won’t have much of a reaction. But if you praise her beloved disciple, she will smile at you.”

Mo Jiangxue’s face was as still as water. “Not at all.”

An elder from the Kaiyang sect at the side immediately raised a cup to Mo Jiangxue, praised Xie Qingzheng a few times, and complimented Mo Jiangxue for her excellent teaching, and that her beloved disciple would surely surpass her in the future.

Mo Jiangxue smiled faintly and raised her cup in return.

Xie Youke, in the first seat, although she had not witnessed the scene today, she had also heard others praise it to the heavens. She said nothing, only condescended to toast Mo Jiangxue.

After the banquet had dispersed, Xie Qingzheng and Min He stayed behind to clean up.

Mo Jiangxue also, for once, did not immediately return to Ethereal Peak, but also stayed on Zixiao Peak to socialize with the cultivators of the various sects with Xiao Wangqing.

She didn’t have to say anything. As long as she sat there, someone would naturally come up to talk to her.

Xie Qingzheng went in and out, and after reporting to the Sect Master, her gaze would always fall on Mo Jiangxue. In the end, she would not forget to bow to Mo Jiangxue.

Mo Jiangxue would always nod in response and did not say much.

Until the tea party was completely over, and only Mo Jiangxue, Xiao Wangqing, and Danshu were left in the room.

Xiao Wangqing smiled. “It’s rare for you, Jiangxue, to be willing to come out and socialize today. Has the sun risen from the west? Could it be to accompany Zheng’er?”

Mo Jiangxue pinched the bridge of her nose and said coolly, “No. I’ve been in seclusion for a long time and wanted to be around people.”

Danshu said, “You’ve come out of seclusion at just the right time. That child Zheng’er was in the limelight today…”

Xiao Wangqing said, “Zheng’er’s talent is extraordinary. She is indeed a talent.”

Danshu said, “Lady Yunshao, I told you long ago to take a disciple to play with. It’s very interesting. You didn’t believe me then. Do you believe me now? How does it feel to take a disciple? To see your disciple’s heart and eyes are all on you, and if you say east, she doesn’t dare to go west. Isn’t it very happy?”

“It’s nothing special.” Mo Jiangxue’s expression still did not change. “It’s getting late. I should go back to Ethereal Peak.”

Xiao Wangqing said, “Alright. Thank you for your hard work. You should take Zheng’er back tonight as well. You two, master and disciple, haven’t seen each other for a long time. You should have a good chat tonight.”

Mo Jiangxue hummed in acknowledgment and turned to take her leave.

Elder Danshu let out a “tsk.” “What a cold personality.”

As her words fell, the two in the hall suddenly heard a light thud from outside.

The two of them released their spiritual sense to probe and saw Mo Jiangxue standing in front of a pillar outside the hall, her hand on her forehead. Then she turned and left with a cool expression.

Danshu and Xiao Wangqing withdrew their spiritual sense and looked at each other with a smile.

In the dead of night, Ethereal Peak was silent.

Xie Qingzheng followed closely behind Mo Jiangxue, a step away. “Master, did the Sect Master really say that I should go back to Ethereal Peak tonight?”

Mo Jiangxue walked in the snow. “Why would I lie to you?”

Xie Qingzheng said, “Oh,” and didn’t know what to say.

The master and disciple had not seen each other for a long time. They tacitly did not fly on their swords but walked one after the other in the snow of the plum grove, intentionally prolonging their time together.

After a long silence, Xie Qingzheng listened to the soft sound of the snow falling and looked at the back of the person in front of her. Her heart beat a little faster.

She really wanted to say, “Master, I miss you so much. Have you missed me during this time?”

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back.

These were not words she should say. Her thoughts were not pure. She could not say such words, even if it was just to express the longing between a master and a disciple.

After walking for some distance, Mo Jiangxue suddenly stopped, turned around, and walked towards Xie Qingzheng, step by step.

This action startled Xie Qingzheng. She subconsciously took a few steps back, her whole body pressed against the trunk of a plum tree, and she stared at her master in a daze.

Seeing her avoidant action, Mo Jiangxue’s breath hitched. She stopped, two steps away, and after a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke, asking:

“You, have nothing to say to me?”

Author’s Note:

I do, I do. She loves you to death and misses you to death~~~

Mini Theater 1:

Mu (homophobic): There’s something not right with this master and disciple.

Xiao (deep in the closet): Have you two, master and disciple, had a fight?

Mo & Xie (pure love group): It’s more serious than a fight… we almost slept together…

Mini Theater 2:

Danshu: How does it feel to take a disciple? It’s pretty good.

Mo Jiangxue (face as still as water): It’s nothing special.

(As she walks, she thinks of her disciple’s gentle, obedient, and well-behaved nature, and her talent is also one in a million. In truth, she is quite satisfied, but she just feels that something is not right, as if she has overstepped the bounds of a master-disciple relationship and has done something she shouldn’t have. “Thud—”, she bumps into a pillar…