A faint smile played on Ji Changfeng's lips.
Confidence, pride, the spirited vigor of youth, and the peerless elegance of a bygone figure—all these qualities radiated from him, vivid and undeniable.
Cangsong knew this aura well.
It was the mark of a genius.
The anthem of a peerless prodigy.
Lost in thought, Cangsong sighed inwardly.
Senior Brother Wan…
But then, a wave of relief washed over him.
Senior Brother Wan isn't dead.
The future is bright.
A smile crept onto Cangsong's face. Noticing the darkening sky, he spoke gently to Ji Changfeng. "Nephew Changfeng, it's getting late. You should head back, or that fat Tian Buyi will be worried sick."
Ji Changfeng had spent the entire day shuttling between Tongtian Peak and Longshou Peak, busy for nearly five or six hours. Now, night had fallen.
"Yes, Martial Uncle Cangsong." Ji Changfeng bowed slightly. "I'll take my leave."
As for Cangsong's jab at "fat Tian Buyi," he pretended not to hear.
"Go on." Cangsong waved dismissively.
Ji Changfeng turned and left the main hall of Longshou Peak. With the evening deepening, he encountered few disciples on his way down the mountain.
At the foot of Longshou Peak, he summoned his Moxue Divine Sword and flew toward Dazhu Peak.
When Ji Changfeng returned to Dazhu Peak, the night was already thick.
The moment he stepped into Shoujing Hall, all eyes turned to him.
Tian Buyi and Su Ru visibly relaxed upon seeing him.
"Hey! Ji Changfeng!" Tian Ling'er stood with her hands on her hips, her tone indignant. "Where were you all day? You kept us waiting forever!"
She was starving, her stomach practically flattened from hunger. The food had been reheated countless times.
Ji Changfeng glanced at the now-cold dishes on the table, realizing that Tian Buyi and the others had been waiting for him.
Ignoring Tian Ling'er, he bowed to Tian Buyi and Su Ru. "My apologies for keeping Master and Shi Niang waiting."
"Hm…" Tian Buyi nodded reservedly.
Su Ru, her voice tinged with concern, asked, "Changfeng, what did the Sect Leader summon you to Tongtian Peak for? Why are you back so late?"
Ji Changfeng pursed his lips. "Shi Niang, it was about matters concerning Caomiao Village…"
"Caomiao Village?!"
The words sent a ripple of tension through Shoujing Hall.
Tian Ling'er, about to say something, hesitated and closed her mouth at the mention of "Caomiao Village."
Crack—
A sound came from the corner.
Zhang Xiaofan stood abruptly, his expression dazed, staring at Ji Changfeng.
"Seventh… Seventh Senior Brother, did the Sect Leader, Martial Uncle, say anything?"
Ji Changfeng shook his head quietly. "So far, there are no leads."
It wasn't that he meant to hide the truth from Zhang Xiaofan, but how could he explain?
What am I supposed to say? That your master, the monk Puzhi, was the one who slaughtered your village?
Let it unfold naturally.
"Alright, let's eat," Tian Buyi said, breaking the silence.
Everyone fell quiet, picking up their chopsticks to eat.
The food was surprisingly delicious.
Tian Buyi raised an eyebrow. "Old Sixth, did you cook today?"
Du Bishui gave an awkward smile. "Master, tonight's dinner was made by Junior Brother."
All eyes turned to Zhang Xiaofan in the corner.
"Huh?" Zhang Xiaofan, still lost in thought, panicked under the sudden attention. "M-Master, is it… not good?"
Ji Changfeng clapped him on the shoulder with a smile. "Xiaofan, your cooking is way better than Senior Brother Du's."
"Really?"
"Of course. Ask Master and Shi Niang if you don't believe me."
Ji Changfeng grinned.
Zhang Xiaofan looked hopefully at Tian Buyi and Su Ru.
Tian Buyi kept eating silently.
Su Ru smiled warmly. "Xiaofan, your cooking is indeed much better than Bishui's."
Zhang Xiaofan's face lit up with a rare smile, feeling validated.
"Hm?"
Tian Ling'er suddenly let out a puzzled sound, her eyes fixed on the two sword sheaths beside Ji Changfeng. "Ji Changfeng! Since when did you have two swords?"
Her words drew everyone's attention.
Even Tian Buyi and Su Ru looked over.
Two swords?
Doesn't Changfeng only have the Moxue Divine Sword? Su Ru wondered.
Sure enough, two sheaths rested beside Ji Changfeng—one unmistakably the Moxue Divine Sword.
The other…
Why does it feel so familiar? Su Ru thought, puzzled.
Tian Buyi's eyes narrowed. From his seat, he could clearly see both swords, and he instantly recognized the second one.
"The Dragon-Slaying Sword?!" Tian Buyi blurted out.
"What?!" Su Ru's expression shifted.
Swish—
Both stood and hurried to Ji Changfeng's side.
Tian Buyi's hands trembled as he picked up the Dragon-Slaying Sword and gently drew it from its sheath.
Shing!
A vibrant sword light gleamed.
The blade shimmered azure, its radiance clear as autumn water—the celestial weapon, the Dragon-Slaying Sword!
Unyielding Dragon-Slaying Sword! Myriad Swords Unite in Slaying Ghosts and Gods!
Shock flickered in Su Ru's eyes as she stared at Ji Changfeng, her voice trembling. "Changfeng, this… where did you get this Dragon-Slaying Sword?"
Ji Changfeng answered honestly, "Master, Shi Niang, it was a gift from Martial Uncle Cangsong. He said it suits me."
He added, feigning curiosity, "Is it… valuable?"
He felt helpless about the Dragon-Slaying Sword. Cangsong had practically forced it on him.
What could I do?
No point explaining to Master and Shi Niang. Let them ask Cangsong themselves.
Su Ru opened her mouth.
Valuable? It's beyond valuable!
The Dragon-Slaying Sword was Senior Brother Wan's blade!
Tian Buyi's expression was one of confusion.
Cangsong guards that sword like a treasure, never letting anyone touch it. Why would he give it away?
And to my disciple, no less?
Something's off.
Very off.
Then Tian Buyi recalled Ji Changfeng's words: "Martial Uncle Cangsong said it suits me."
A spark of understanding mixed with nostalgia hit him.
So that's it.
Cangsong sees the resemblance between Old Seventh and Senior Brother Wan, so he chose him as the sword's new heir?
Though some doubts lingered, Tian Buyi decided not to dwell on it.
Dazhu Peak isn't losing out, so why fuss?
He smirked inwardly and returned to his seat. "Keep eating," he said calmly.
Despite their curiosity, the disciples, cowed by their master's authority, obediently resumed eating.
"Buyi…" Su Ru looked at him, puzzled.
Tian Buyi waved a hand calmly. "Junior Sister, let's eat first…"
____
If you want to support me and read advanced 70+ chapters and also other stories: patreon.com/Caluem