Chapter 68

Chapter 67. Don't worry! I'll make sure you win! (2)

The woman glares at Qingming with cold eyes.

In the meantime, Qingming manages to gather some information about the person in front of him.

First, this woman is affiliated with Huashan.

The plum blossom pattern embroidered on the chest of her martial robe proves this. Only disciples of Huashan can wear this robe.

Second,

'Tsk tsk. She could charm any man.'

She is beautiful.

In his previous life, Qingming roamed the martial world countless times. Although a Taoist should cultivate without being swayed by worldly affairs, it was impossible for Qingming, known as the top disciple of Huashan, to remain secluded within the mountain.

Even as a junior disciple, he started by beating up the buttocks of other sects' junior geniuses, prodigies, or the so-called 'Three Dragons.'

After that, he had to enhance Huashan's reputation by subduing rogue martial artists and deceitful villains through acts of chivalry.

That's not all. In his old age, he had to topple all the top disciples of other sects to prove that Huashan's sword was the best under heaven.

Of course, it wasn't by his own will.

'The elders just kept pushing me.'

When ordered, it's natural to be reluctant. The role of the Huashan elders at the time was to somehow send Qingming out, tying him to a mission. As a result, Qingming traveled the martial world to the point of exhaustion.

However, among all the martial journeys he took, he had almost never seen such a beautiful woman. She has a beauty that is yet to fully bloom, but it's enough to make one wonder what she will look like when she does.

Her jet-black hair and eyebrows, her snow-white skin, and her exceptionally clear and large eyes are particularly striking.

If Qingming were a real young child, he might have been overwhelmed by her beauty and flustered.

The problem is that the current Qingming, having seen and experienced too much, is too old to be swayed by mere beauty.

"Who are you?"

"I'm a person."

"……"

The sword pierces a bit deeper.

Ah, it hurts! This girl doesn't understand jokes! Jokes!

"Huashan's martial robe."

Her gaze lingers on Qingming's chest before returning to his face.

"A face I've never seen. Who are you?"

"I've never seen you before either."

Her eyes narrow.

"Are you one of the third-generation disciples?"

"Yes."

"Third-generation disciples of Huashan are not allowed to leave the mountain after sunset."

"I am allowed."

"……What?"

"The sect leader gave me permission."

Qingming's brazen response makes the woman's face turn cold.

"The sect leader?"

"Yes."

"To a third-generation disciple?"

"Yes."

"Lie."

Qingming shrugs without answering.

"Check if you want. Would a Huashan disciple lie in the sect leader's name?"

The woman's eyes waver, seemingly finding some logic in his words.

"Then, could you please put away your sword? It hurts."

"……"

The woman lowers her sword. Though she can't verify the truth of his words, if the sect leader did give permission, Qingming's presence here is not a crime.

However,

"Watching others' cultivation is forbidden."

"This was originally my place for cultivation. Until yesterday, it was mine. If someone suddenly appears and accuses me of spying, what should I say?"

"You should leave when you're discovered."

"If I see someone unfamiliar wandering around Huashan, I should check, right?"

The woman bites her lip. Her pale face slightly reddens, indicating she's getting angry.

'This girl can't argue well.'

Her sword is quite sharp, but her tongue isn't. After all, with such a beautiful face, she probably doesn't often need to argue.

'What a dirty world.'

Indeed, beautiful people have an easy life.

"What's your name?"

"Qingming."

"Have you already received your dao name?"

"No. My name is Qingming."

"……Third-generation disciples have names with the 'qing' character, right? Is this your real name?"

"Yes. If I receive a dao name, it will also be Qingming."

"Ah……"

Impressive. She's definitely impressive.

"My name is Liu Yixue."

"Nice to meet you."

Liu Yixue gazes at Qingming without saying a word.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I am a second-generation disciple. If you are a Huashan disciple with the 'qing' character, I am your shigu (aunt in the sect)."

Huh?

Qingming tilts his head.

'Was there a 'bai' character generation?'

No, of course, Huashan's generations follow the sequence Qingming Xuan Yun Bai (Qing, Ming, Xuan, Yun, Bai). It's natural for the 'bai' generation to be under the 'yun' generation, and the 'qing' generation to come after.

In other words, it's normal for the 'bai' generation to be under the current 'yun' generation, who teach the children.

'But I haven't seen anyone from the 'bai' generation, so I forgot about it.'

If there's a war or seclusion in the sect, skipping a generation can cause age-related issues. Therefore, sometimes a generation is skipped.

Given Huashan's difficult situation, I thought it was handled that way, but there is a 'bai' generation?

"I've never heard of a shishu (uncle in the sect) or shigu before."

"Are you the youngest in Huashan?"

"Yes, I am."

"Didn't your shixiong (elder brothers) tell you?"

"Well……"

Qingming and the third-generation disciples, who only think about how to escape when they meet him, wouldn't tell him such information.

'It's my fault.'

Qingming nods, accepting the situation.

"There seems to have been a misunderstanding. What can I do about it?"

A new 'bai' generation appeared, which he never expected. But what's the problem? From Qingming's perspective, it's just a few more people.

"Is that it?"

"What?"

"Greetings?"

Qingming's face contorts.

'No way. This little girl is trying to get an old man to greet her.'

Being young is a sin. Being young is a sin. It's really sad.

"Yes. Nice to meet you, shigu."

Qingming greets her with a voice devoid of any emotion.

'So, can you go now?'

I need to cultivate too. Don't just sit here and waste time! The sun is about to rise!

"……What a strange kid."

Who?

Me?

Liu Yixue, looking at Qingming with a cold voice, says:

"I'll verify your words with the sect leader. If you're lying, be prepared."

Qingming responds indifferently.

"Do as you please."

"……"

After staring at Qingming silently for a while, Liu Yixue tilts her head slightly.

"Really strange."

"……"

I want to say the same to you.

Liu Yixue sheaths her sword, glances at Qingming, and starts descending Luohua Peak. As she disappears, Qingming sighs, looking at the rising sun.

"Oh, my fate."

Being treated like this by a kid who isn't even my great-grandchild.

"My cultivation time is also messed up."

I can still cultivate, but the thought of someone else using the place makes me lose my motivation.

'Really, I might have to go down and up Huashan every time I want to cultivate.'

Qingming smacks his lips.

I need to find another place to cultivate.

* * *

"Why is the atmosphere like this?"

Qingming tilts his head, looking at the restaurant that feels like a funeral parlor.

This gloomy and eerie atmosphere is the first in months. It reminds me a bit of the old Bai Mei Hall, but it hasn't been like this since I turned it upside down.

"Are you here?"

Yun Zong raises his hand slightly.

Qingming, holding his food, walks to the table where Yun Zong and Zhao Jie are sitting and asks as soon as he sits down.

"Why is the atmosphere like this?"

"……Your shishu (uncles in the sect) are returning."

"The 'bai' generation?"

"Surprised? How did you know?"

"……"

Should I catch this kid?

I've lived my whole life in Huashan!

"Anyway, why? Is there a problem with the 'bai' generation returning?"

"Hmm. First, don't call them the 'bai' generation. If they hear it, there will be trouble. You might get a severe scolding."

"Me? Or them?"

"……I need to think about that."

Yun Zong smiles bitterly.

"The shishu have been away from Huashan for seclusion. In the past, the training halls weren't properly maintained, so there was no large-scale seclusion place within Huashan."

"They went to study?"

"……Not exactly. They visited other sects."

"Anyway, why are the kids acting like this? Are the shishu all bad-tempered and beat the kids?"

"The shishu don't oppress people like someone does."

"Who is this 'someone'?"

"……Let's move on."

Yun Zong awkwardly retreats after a failed attempt. Zhao Jie quickly picks up the conversation.

"It's because of the Huazhong Gathering."

"Huh? A gathering of flowers ending?"

"No, it's a gathering between Huashan and Zhongnan."

"What is that?"

Zhao Jie sighs.

"Huashan and Zhongnan have exchanges. They meet every two years to compare their achievements through a martial competition."

"Oh, I heard something about that……. When did it start?"

"I don't know. But I heard it's been a long time."

Yun Zong adds:

"The first Huazhong Gathering was a friendly gathering every five years. It gradually changed into a competition between the second and third-generation disciples."

"Competition?"

"Competition……"

The answer comes from elsewhere.

"We were beaten one-sidedly."

"My waist still hurts from that time."

"How will we endure this time? After being beaten to a pulp, the shishu will have to wear iron masks again. The atmosphere will be a mess."

Qingming chuckles, observing the situation.

"Oh, so the elders don't fight directly to avoid bigger issues, and the second and third-generation disciples fight? And we've been beaten one-sidedly all this time?"

"Exactly. That's why the shishu entered seclusion as a group and are now returning. In other words, the time for the Huazhong Gathering has come."

"Ah, I see."

Qingming's lips curl up.

"A competition with Zhongnan, huh?"

Zhongnan.

That Zhongnan.

I already have a deep-seated grudge against Zhongnan.

I used to feel a bit sorry for them, but after learning about the Twelve Styles of Xuehua, I grind my teeth in my sleep.

"Competition……"

In the past, when Qingming was around, there was no such thing as the Huazhong Gathering.

At that time, Huashan was the top sword sect, and Zhongnan was in a poor state, so a competition was meaningless. But now, taking advantage of Huashan's weakness, they are having a friendly competition?

What a joke.

'They think Huashan is easy to handle?'

Qingming's eyes narrow.

No matter how bad Huashan's situation is, they are still my children. I will deal with them, not others!

"So, those second-generation disciples!"

"Qingming, please. Call them shishu. Please."

"Okay. Then those shishu!"

"……"

"Entering seclusion means they can win, right?"

"……That's a bit……"

Yun Zong hesitates to answer. Preparing for a competition by entering seclusion is already a disadvantage, and even with high achievements, it's hard to guarantee a win.

"Right."

Qingming grinds his teeth.

"Then we must win too!"

"Huh?"

"Shixiong! To win, you must be prepared to do anything. Swallow poison! Break your limbs! If you can beat the Zhongnan brats and restore Huashan's name, you should be willing to die!"

Well, that's a bit……

You're going too far, aren't you?

"Don't worry! I'll make sure you win! I'll turn them into bloody messes!"

This kid doesn't seem to be a Taoist.

'He should go to the mountains and become a bandit. Why did he come here?'

Well, this place is also a mountain.

Heh.

Heh heh.