Chapter 39
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Chapter 39: Title
As the punishment period neared its end, daily medicines had restored color to Xia Shi’s cheeks.
Sunlight streamed through the half-open window. Lounging on a cushion like a sunbathing cat, Xia Shi occasionally cracked an eye to observe her disciple.
Across the room, Suiyin’s copying skills flourished. She now replicated Xia Shi’s handwriting effortlessly, speed increasing daily. All 999 sect rules flowed from her brush without error.
_Persistence bears fruit indeed._
“Elder Wuwei!” Qin An’s bright voice shattered the stillness.
Never missing her triweekly visit.
Xia Shi raised her gaze to the newcomer and pressed a finger to her lips.
“Shh—”
Qin An pursed her lips and nodded obediently.
“Why are you so happy today?” Suiyin asked, looking up as she changed the papers.
“Of course!” Qin An lowered her voice to avoid disturbing Elder Wuwei. She approached Suiyin’s desk. “Elder Fan Wen said I’ve improved a lot and entered me in the grand competition.”
“Grand competition? Another contest?”
Xia Shi’s ears twitched as she opened her eyes.
“You didn’t know?” Qin An blinked in confusion.
Senior Brother Qi Sheng and Senior Sister Zuo Ji were both participating. How could Suiyin not know?
“The Immortal Sect Conference starts in ten days, followed by disciple competitions,” Qin An explained eagerly. “The first prize is Wugui! They say it’s the sword wielded by the Fairy Lord a millennium ago. Master Yu Ning of Kunlun Peak specially offered it as the reward this time.”
“Just seeing an immortal’s treasure would be incredible!”
“Wugui…” Xia Shi murmured softly.
She’d seen the sword before when it was offered as a competition prize. But back then, she already possessed the Heartless Sword – no other blade could compare, regardless of grade.
Though she won first place, Wugui was returned untouched to Kunlun. Master Yu Ning reportedly sulked for six months.
“Really? Can I join?!” Suiyin’s eyes lit up. The Immortal Sect competition sounded thrilling!
Xia Shi dampened her spirits: “Your punishment isn’t over.”
“But there’s ten days left! The one-month penalty should end…” Suiyin counted on her fingers, then brightened. “It finishes two days before the conference!”
Xia Shi: “…”
She’d forgotten her own punishment lasted seven days longer than Suiyin’s.
“Perfect! If you compete, you might claim Wugui!”
Suiyin laughed nervously at the overwhelming faith. “I just want to see what it looks like.”
Xia Shi closed her eyes again. If Suiyin left, who would handle her punishment copying?
Maybe… make her finish seven days’ work in advance?
A sly smile crept across Xia Shi’s lips.
She was such a genius.
…
Next morning:
“Master, why’s today’s copying pile thicker?” Suiyin gaped at the stack of papers.
“Must be denser paper,” Xia Shi offered casually.
Suiyin: “…”
She wasn’t born yesterday.
Today! She was going to rebel for once! Defy her Master!
"I won’t write anymore!" Suiyin slapped her brush onto the desk, ink splattering across the surface.
Xia Shi arched an eyebrow.
Some backbone after all.
"But if you explain your reasons properly, I’ll finish everything."
Some backbone… but not enough.
Xia Shi sighed and lifted a scroll to cover her face. "When Qin An first arrived, I left the quiet room without permission. The sect leader added seven more days to my punishment."
"But since you decided to join the grand competition, how could I neglect my duty as your Master?"
The words immediately brightened Suiyin’s mood. She crumpled the ink-blotched paper and grabbed her brush again.
Yet her wrist paused mid-air.
"Master."
Xia Shi made a questioning noise.
"I don’t have my own sword. I’ll be disadvantaged in the grand competition."
"Visit the Sword Pavilion after this."
With Suiyin’s natural talent for swordsmanship, there shouldn’t be any problem – except perhaps with certain rare magic swords in the pavilion.
"But Sword Pavilion blades chatter too much. I dislike them." Suiyin’s gaze drifted toward the Frost-Snow Long Sword beside Xia Shi’s desk.
"Chatter?" Xia Shi’s brows knitted – never had she heard swords described as noisy.
"Then ask Qin An to share her sword. Take turns."
Suiyin wrinkled her nose. "How shameful!"
Two inner disciples of Sanqing Realm sharing one sword? They’d become the sect’s laughingstock.
Xia Shi lifted her eyelids. "This won’t do, that won’t do. What then?"
Following the girl’s burning gaze, she realized where it landed. Her hand shot protectively over her blade.
"Don’t even dream of it," she said coldly.
Rebellion flared again. Suiyin set down her brush with finality.
No sword? No writing.
Xia Shi: "……"
Was this defiance or blackmail?
With mental scoffing, Xia Shi resumed writing and conjured a translucent barrier between their desks.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Suiyin’s face tightened. She’d forgotten how Xia Shi treasured that weapon – now restored, it became even more precious.
They maintained silence until Suiyin’s punishment period ended.
Before departing, the girl addressed the shimmering barrier: "I’m leaving."
No answer came.
Hmph!
Clutching her frustration, Suiyin stormed off. Just a stupid sword—couldn’t even brush a finger against it without that icy glare. Guarding the thing like jealous lovers.
She marched from the Scripture Hall, then spun to glare at the second-floor window cracked a sliver—a pale shadow flickered past the gap.
"Got the guts to peek? Then show yourself!"
What kind of Master! Not a single lesson taught, just endless chores. That wretched Master!
Rage burned hotter. Suiyin decided to pack up and leave.
And leave she would.
Back in her courtyard, she shoved belongings into a bundle, muttering, "Who needs your scowls? When I get my own sword, I’ll shove it in your face—see whose shines brighter!"
A soft chuckle rippled behind her.
Her hands froze. Heart leaping—had Xia Shi come after her? Masking her hope behind a scowl, she snapped, "Won’t stay even if you beg!"
"Ah Yin," crooned a woman’s voice, honeyed and teasing, "who did you mistake me for?"
Not Xia Shi?!
Suiyin dropped her bundle, disappointment swiftly smothered by delight as she turned. "Aunt Yan!"
Yan Ge tapped her forehead. "Who’d you think it was, little actress?"
"No one!" Suiyin hoisted her pack. "Let’s go home, Aunt Yan."
To hell with swords. To hell with Xia Shi.
"Not yet." Yan Ge grasped her arm, palm warm against Suiyin’s cheek. "Fetch something for me."
"What?"
"The Wugui sword." Yan Ge tucked loose hair behind the girl’s ear. "Win first place. Bring it to me."
Aunt Yan never asked for anything. If she did, Suiyin would move mountains.
"Done."
Yan Ge clasped her hand, infusing the jade bead with spiritual power. "No commoner can best you. But scheming elders might interfere. This protects your soul—three breaths of safety. Never remove it."
Suiyin nodded, noting the tremor in Yan Ge’s voice. "The Wugui sword… means that much?"
Eyes downcast, Yan Ge’s smile faded. "Yes."
"Sought it… for centuries."
"Your sword?"
"No." A brittle laugh, eyes glinting like fractured ice. "Questions won’t claim it. Just bring it."
Tears weigh more on fair faces.
Suiyin dipped her head, silent.
Yan Ge stabilized her spirit once more before slipping away quietly.
The moment the barrier vanished, Suiyin heard voices outside.
“Wasn’t her punishment period supposed to end? Where is she?”
“Perhaps she moved to Wentiang Peak.”
“Ah, right. She’s apprenticed to that person now. Naturally, she’d go there.”
That haughty, scornful tone could only belong to Lu Ciyou!
Suiyin hurried to the door and flung it open, revealing the young lady and A Li outside.
“You’re back!?”
Lu Ciyou sniffed. “Liujin Pavilion ranks among the top sects. We wouldn’t skip the Hundred Fairies Conference.”
“Fair enough.” Suiyin’s irritation faded as she clasped her hands in greeting. “Forgive my thoughtless questions, young master.”
Lu Ciyou snorted in amusement, sleeves fluttering. “Come. This young master will feast you.”
They returned to Chengxian Restaurant, where Xia He served them again.
Having remembered Suiyin from her previous visit with Xia Shi, Xia He rushed over after finishing her tasks.
“What shall the Fairy Lord order?”
“Every specialty dish, plus two jars of good wine.” Lu Ciyou slapped premium spiritual stones onto the table—enough to purchase the entire establishment.
Xia He stammered assent before darting to the kitchen.
“You can’t handle alcohol,” Yan Li interjected.
Lu Ciyou glared. “I’m the young master here. Don’t spoil our reunion.” She turned to Suiyin. “Can you drink?”
Suiyin recalled Aunt Yan’s contented smiles during her wine sessions. “I can!”
When the shopkeeper delivered a portrait of Fairy Pei mid-meal, Suiyin carelessly tossed it into her storage ring between laughter and clinking cups.
They collapsed onto the table before finishing half a jar.
“More!” Lu Ciyou slurred, cup tilting.
Yan Li stared.
The Sanqing Realm forbade disciples from drinking, especially returning senselessly drunk. After paying Xia He, she grimaced at the pair. The young lady could be discreetly escorted back, but Suiyin’s recognizable face posed problems.
She couldn’t let the girl stagger back to the Scripture Hall so soon after release.
Helpless, she took out the jade token she’d hidden away and sent a message.
"Master Fan, Suiyin’s drunk at Chengxian Restaurant."
After these brief words, Yan Li sat waiting quietly.
Meanwhile in the Scripture Hall,
Xia Shi was desperately finishing her punishment copying.
The jade bell at her waist kept jingling incessantly.
