Chapter 29

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Chapter 29: Title

The vision lasted only a heartbeat before her consciousness snapped back.

Leaning on the doorframe, she recalled details. Elder Wuwei had looked ill. Was she unwell?

After rinsing her mouth with cold tea to hide the blood taste, Suiyin decided to visit Autumn Forest Peak.

This vision felt different. Her consciousness had never reached another person before.

There had to be a link between her and Elder Wuwei.

*I must win first place in the selection trial grand competition.*

As she opened her door, an inner disciple entered her yard.

"Miss Suiyin." He bowed.

"Elder Fan Wen requests your presence."

Elder Fan? What does he want with me?

As he was both a senior and a sect elder, she couldn’t refuse. "Alright, please lead the way."

Suiyin glanced toward Autumn Forest Peak before following the disciple.

She’d check on him later after returning.

————

In a hazy sleep, Xia Shi felt hands brush over her eyebrows, smoothing her furrowed brow.

The hands carried no warmth, cold as the first winter snow on Wentiang Peak – yet somehow familiar and comforting.

Her lashes fluttered open to reveal Senior Sister Huaiwen’s smiling face.

Seeing her awake, Huaiwen’s eyes brightened as she raised the freshly brewed medicine.

"Awake? Drink this."

Xia Shi immediately shut her eyes.

Shen Huaiwen laughed, pulling her upright and thrusting the medicine bowl into reluctant hands.

Their fingers brushed during the transfer – Huaiwen’s palm felt startlingly warm compared to Xia Shi’s chill.

But this was the medicine room’s inner chamber, where outsiders never ventured.

Clutching the bowl, Xia Shi frowned. "Did anyone enter earlier, Senior Sister?"

Shen Huaiwen froze mid-motion, her heartbeat stuttering. Had Xia Shi overheard her conversation with Ye Xiao?

"The sect leader visited. Why?"

Xia Shi shuddered. "N-no reason."

The sect leader smoothing her brow? More horrifying than any nightmare.

Had she imagined it?

Musing, Xia Shi raised the bowl to her lips.

Bitterness exploded on her tongue. She whirled to spit it out, only to meet her sister’s deceptively gentle smile.

"…"

With a grimace, she swallowed the life-draining concoction.

Better to get it over with. Squeezing her eyes shut, she drained the bowl.

Face contorted from bitterness, she thrust the empty vessel at Huaiwen.

Pleased, the senior sister retrieved the bowl and offered candies.

"That girl you rescued should wake soon."

The bitter medicine cleared Xia Shi’s mind – Wen Zhishu’s name surfaced immediately.

As if summoned, voices stirred outside.

The patient was rousing.

Shen Huaiwen exited first. Xia Shi straightened her robes and followed.

Wen Zhishu had indeed regained consciousness. Having fallen off the bed, she struggled to rise but collapsed again as her injuries sapped her strength.

Shen Huaiwen approached and steadied her back onto the mattress.

"Don’t move, girl."

Wen Zhishu lifted her gaze with wary eyes, shrinking inward like a frightened creature. Her hunched posture and fresh wounds spoke volumes.

Remembering the man from Chengxian Restaurant and Wen Zhishu’s battered state, Xia Shi surmised she hadn’t been faring well. Though their acquaintance was brief, compassion stirred within her. She hovered two fingers above Wen Zhishu’s brow, soothing her mind like calming troubled waters.

The woman’s defensive posture eased. Recognition dawned in her eyes as they met Xia Shi’s.

With sudden fervor, Wen Zhishu scrambled across the bedding and seized Xia Shi’s wrist.

"Xia Shi!"

Xia Shi stiffened. Her attempt to withdraw only resulted in being engulfed in a desperate embrace. Wen Zhishu clung to her waist, dampening her shoulder with silent tears.

"I…I thought you were lost to me! My weakness shames me – even armed with your and Suiyin’s sword energy, I fell for their honeyed lies."

Xia Shi’s hands hovered awkwardly. Memories surfaced of her Master’s comforting pats during childhood sorrows. Should she reciprocate the gesture?

The decision was made for her as Wen Zhishu suddenly withdrew.

"Forgive me," the woman whispered, scrubbing at tear-stained cheeks. "I forgot your aversion to touch."

Xia Shi settled beside the bed as Shen Huaiwen tactfully excused herself: "I’ll inspect the spirit herbs. Take your time."

When Wen Zhishu’s breathing steadied, Xia Shi posed the question: "How did you know me?"

During their Lingyang Secret Realm encounter, Xia Shi had worn different features. Yet Wen Zhishu had named her instantly.

Color rose in Wen Zhishu’s cheeks as she materialized the Book of All Knowledge. "With my heart condition healed and spiritual power restored, this tome reveals truths."

Xia Shi nodded. The legendary Book knew all Nine Realms’ secrets. For generations, sects had vied for its favor until it chose only the Qingshou Wen clan. Now, with the clan reduced to this trembling woman, the Book’s loyalty was inevitable.

"Where are we?" Wen Zhishu’s gaze darted nervously.

"Autumn Forest Peak, Sanqing Realm."

A hesitant smile appeared. "So you truly are from Sanqing Realm." The disciple robes made sense now.

"Suiyin resides here too. Keep my identity secret – I’m known as Elder Xia Wuwei, guardian of Wentiang Peak."

Wen Zhishu blanched. The name echoed with infamy – the sword prodigy who dominated Four Hundred Years Ago, now immortalized as the cautionary tale of arrogance in every leading sect’s lectures.

Arrogant enough to choose the Qinghu Region for her breakthrough, heartless enough to undergo the thunder tribulation even knowing it would scorch the land for miles and endanger her nearby friends.

“You’re Xia Wuwei,” Wen Zhishu whispered, disbelief coloring her voice.

No wonder the sword energy had been overwhelming – Xia Wuwei had single-handedly crushed the Thirteen Ghost Domains’ forces in Linglong Pavilion.

Xia Shi ignored her astonishment, eyes fixed on the Book of All Knowledge in Wen Zhishu’s grip. Could this artifact reveal anything about Pei Jiu?

Noticing the prolonged stare, Wen Zhishu hesitantly asked, “Do you… wish to use it?”

Xia Shi nodded.

“You’ve saved me twice. It’s only fair to let you use the Book once.” Yet as she spoke, she pulled the Book farther away.

Xia Shi remained silent.

Understandable. Who’d trust others with such treasure?

“Search for Pei Jiu then.”

Wen Zhishu smiled agreement. Spiritual power flickered at her fingertips as she activated the Book.

Gilded characters materialized, swirling through the air before settling into patterns.

Though many shared the name across the Nine Realms, none matched their search.

If the Book couldn’t find her… was Pei Jiu dead?

Xia Shi’s fists clenched. Anger surged – she needed answers about the past, needed to confront that woman. Death couldn’t cheat her of this.

“My thanks,” she forced out.

Wen Zhishu stored the Book away. “Any leads?”

A headshake answered.

When Xia Shi prepared to depart, she advised Wen Zhishu to rest and heal. The scholar pressed the remaining Ziyan Lotus seeds into her hand.

“My heart condition’s cured. These are unnecessary now.”

Xia Shi popped two seeds in her mouth. Sweetness bloomed. “Keep them. You need strength more.”

The Sword Pavilion’s quiet embrace welcomed Xia Shi home.

Four hundred years dissolved like morning mist.

Before the ninety-nine jade steps she paused. Each step would summon phantom Long Swords with their histories – familiar ritual, repeated countless times.

She’d climbed these stairs before with the Heartless Sword trembling in hand, its chattering voice echoing:

“Xia Wuwei! Their tales grow more entertaining each time!”

“Will you come here often? I like this place.”

“I’ll tell you all those stories, okay?”

“They say I’m incredible! I can even speak to the Sword Master. Couldn’t they talk to their Sword Masters before? How dull.”

…

Now, the sword in her hand lay silent. It no longer trembled, and no cheerful voice chattered in her ear.

Xia Shi climbed the final jade step. Turning, she looked down at the ninety-nine steps that now blurred into overlapping shadows.

Within those shadows, she saw herself clutching a shattered sword, kneeling and kowtowing her way upward. Below stood her Master and two senior sisters.

The Sword Pavilion’s jade steps ran red with blood. Swords wailed mournfully in the hall.

The phantom cries felt so real, Xia Shi almost heard them ringing in her ears.

She remembered.

This was after her failed tribulation, when she’d come seeking a sword. But why…

Staring at the broken blade in her shadow-self’s hands, Xia Shi sensed its overwhelming fury and murderous intent.

She’d never abandon her sword. Even with fragmented memories, she knew this truth—neither past nor present Xia Shi would ever forsake her blade.

Which meant only one reason existed for seeking a sword here.

Revenge.

What followed remained blank. Her next memory leapt to the Sword Pavilion sealing itself away, trapping her to cultivate the path of tranquility.

Closing her eyes, Xia Shi exhaled softly and entered the pavilion with her sword.

These returning memories likely meant her Master’s seal was weakening.

Unlike other brightly lit halls, the Sword Pavilion glowed dimly with sparse candles.

A finger-flick of wind ignited the candelabras, casting wavering light.

Xia Shi froze mid-breath, brows knitting together.

Suiyin? Here???

The lingering jade-step visions made reality feel unstable.

She stepped forward, then froze again upon spotting the figure behind Suiyin.

“Master Fan?”

Fan Wen straightened from his hiding spot behind the girl, avoiding eye contact.

Xia Shi’s eyebrow twitched upward. This was real—her memories couldn’t have fabricated Suiyin.

“Master Fan, she’s not yet a sect member. If Elder Xuwu gains knowledge of this—”

The Discipline Hall showed no mercy, punishing all transgressors equally.

“Y-you—! Must you be so rigid?” Fan Wen flushed, desperation creeping into his voice. “She’ll be my disciple soon enough! What harm in visiting the Sword Pavilion a day early?”

Xia Shi turned her gaze to Suiyin. “You seek a sword?”

Hadn’t this girl come to the Sanqing Realm precisely for that purpose?

“No,” Suiyin gently shook her head. “I came seeking a sword.”

Xia Shi asked again, “Did you find one?”

Disappointment flashed in the other’s eyes. “No.”

“Let’s check again – it was too dark earlier,” Elder Fan Wen fussed over his future disciple.

“Master Fan, why didn’t you light the lamps before?” Xia Shi received an immediate glare.

After all, sneaking someone in shouldn’t be done openly.

Xia Shi rubbed her nose and turned toward another sword chamber without another word.

Her foot had barely touched the ground when a sudden whirlwind erupted behind them. Swords resting peacefully in their grooves began trembling violently.

Even the blade at her waist shuddered.

She whirled to see hundreds of swords floating around Suiyin, dancing in the unnatural gale that seemed born from the blades themselves.

Xia Shi’s arm twitched. Glancing down, she found her Long Sword half-drawn.

She forcibly slammed it back into the sheath, irritation bubbling beneath her bewilderment. The anger had no clear target – the sword reacting to another? Suiyin attracting all the blades? Shoving the frustration aside, she turned inward.

“You…” Suiyin stared helplessly at the enthusiastic weapons. “Return now.”

The swords immediately snapped back into their slots like scolded children.

The Sword Pavilion’s disturbance had drawn spectators. The sect leader’s gaze zeroed in on Xia Shi and Suiyin facing each other, conveniently ignoring Elder Fan Wen between them.

Her narrowed eyes pinned Xia Shi.

Meeting in the Sword Pavilion? A novice like Suiyin wouldn’t know this place existed. It didn’t take a genius to guess who’d brought her.

“Report to the Discipline Hall after the selection trial.”

Xia Shi blinked at being singled out.

Me?