In reality, Bai Heng had never subjected himself to rigorous training or honed his skills to perfection.
Yet, in the simulation that had just concluded, the swordsmanship that had rapidly advanced with the aid of the "Sword Heart" had, over the decades within, become ingrained into his very muscle memory.
Coupled with the attribute enhancements granted by the System, the moment that cold glint flashed before his eyes, his body had already reacted.
His palm closed around empty air as Moonblade materialized in his grasp.
It was a three-foot-long blade, its surface as bright as the moon, a gift commissioned for him by Jingliu in the recently ended simulation.
Bai Heng had discovered he could use Points to exchange for certain items from the simulations, and this was precisely the case.
The next instant.
Moonblade met the cold light with a clear, resonant clang that echoed softly through the deserted night.
Following the clash, the figure who had launched the attack used the impact to retreat back into the deep shadows.
The assailant had clearly chosen their moment. Bai Heng was currently on an empty street along Starwatcher Avenue, where there were not only no people but also no streetlights.
Because of this, Bai Heng couldn't make out the newcomer clearly, only discerning from the elegantly curved silhouette that it was a woman... and one with considerable skill.
This caused Bai Heng's brow to furrow slightly.
He hadn't expected the 'bloody disaster' mentioned by Diviner Fu Xuan to arrive so swiftly.
'If I'd known, I would've paid extra for the detailed reading...'
He grumbled inwardly before calling out to the shadowy figure not far away, "In the years I've spent on the Xianzhou, I've never had a conflict with anyone. Miss, perhaps you've mistaken me for..."
His words trailed off as the dark clouds overhead began to thin. Silvery moonlight spilled onto the earth, illuminating the unknown figure.
When Bai Heng saw the woman's face, his pupils contracted slightly.
"Jing... liu..."
The pale blue-grey hair, the dark hair ribbon tied around her circular bun, the light cyan-colored armor, and those vermilion eyes.
Everything about her was so familiar.
Her response was another slash of cold light!
Seven hundred long years of solitary journey, walking the path to find an answer—the present Jingliu was far superior in both skill and power to the version from the simulation.
That incoming strike truly drove home a certain saying:
'No matter how powerful you are in the simulation, it's fake. No matter how weak you are in reality, it's real!'
Bai Heng barely managed to block the slash by holding Moonblade horizontally before him.
As their blades met, Jingliu's face was already close to his. Her achingly familiar features, along with the complex emotions swirling in those crimson eyes, were imprinted clearly in his vision.
She was studying him too.
She saw his silver-white eyes, no longer empty as they once were, but now shining with a starlight-like brilliance.
"Heh. When you were blind, you could see so much. Now that you can see, it took you a while to recognize me."
"But since you did, it means you still remember me. Isn't that right... husband?"
The last word made Bai Heng's temple twitch violently.
He detected no playful affection in that term—only a deep, boundless resentment.
But then again, that made sense. His actions in the simulation were essentially equivalent to leaving this Sword Champion to mourn his loss for over seven hundred years.
'A little resentment is only to be expected...'
"A'Jing, why don't you let me explain?"
(T/N: The prefix A is used to denote closeness to someone. Kind of like chan for japanese people, but this is Xianzhou, a China inspired area and there wasn't a smooth replacement so ima keep it.)
Forcing a smile, even Bai Heng felt he sounded like a scoundrel who'd loved and left.
"Explain? What is there to explain?"
"Explain why, seven hundred years ago, you were so determined to steal my memories? Explain why, even if you remembered me all this time, you never once came looking for me?"
"No explanation is needed. These are already established facts."
With each sentence, her wrist turned slightly. The cyan-blue sword tassel, carved by Bai Heng's own hand, swayed gently on the hilt of her sword. Several sharp, chilling arcs of moonlight, carrying terrifying force, shot towards Bai Heng once more.
In terms of defense, Bai Heng, with his currently decent stats, could manage to block each attack.
After all, his swordsmanship originated from Jingliu's teachings. In the simulation, as the years passed and his skills were tempered, Bai Heng's mastery had nearly reached a level parallel to hers.
Now, augmented by the System's enhancements, deflecting Jingliu's fierce assaults wasn't particularly difficult.
But blocking was one thing; resolving the situation was another.
The crucial point was, Bai Heng could not attack her.
Yes, not that he was unable, but that he should not.
To Jingliu, Bai Heng was a liar who broke his promises, a thief who stole her memories.
He already felt deeply indebted to her—how could he possibly raise his sword against her now?
There's a significant difference between being a scoundrel and being an utter, irredeemable cad.
And Jingliu, her sword never ceased.
More and more sharp thrusts, slashes, and cuts materialized.
It was as if she was venting the immense loneliness of those seven hundred years and the pain of those stolen memories. Every move carried a hint of madness.
But even that seemed far from enough.
Bai Heng understood. Through the clash of their blades, he could feel the agony transmitted via her sword.
So...
He released his grip on Moonblade.
Just like he had over seven hundred years ago, he moved as if to embrace her, welcoming the incoming blade.
This time, however, the blade did not stop.
Thump!
The sound of sharp metal piercing flesh spread through the silent, empty night.
Feeling the pain erupt in his shoulder, Bai Heng gritted his teeth. He looked at Jingliu, who held the sword hilt firmly, and smiled wryly.
"Does this... make you feel a little better?"
Jingliu didn't respond. She simply watched him in silence for a long moment. Finally, she slowly withdrew her sword, which had only penetrated half an inch into his shoulder, and turned away.
Her cool voice drifted through the night air:
"What you did to me... stabbing you a hundred, a thousand times wouldn't be enough to quell my hatred. But for today, this is enough."
"In the days to come, I will make you repay me slowly."
Having said this, she began walking away, heading out of Starwatcher Avenue.
Seeing Bai Heng still rooted to the spot, she added without turning back, "What are you standing there for? All that swordplay has made me hungry."
She deliberately emphasized the last three words: "made me hungry."
The implication was unmistakable.
Bai Heng wasn't stupid; he understood her meaning perfectly well.
He shook his head with a quiet laugh and followed after her.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.