Chapter 98
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Chapter 98: Title
After returning to Sanqing and visiting her two senior sisters, Xia Shi went to the small peak beside Sword Pavilion where Ye Xiao had once lied about their Master’s secluded cultivation site.
“Master wanted to stay closer to you,” Ye Xiao murmured with a sigh, sorrow lingering between his brows.
“Let’s go.”
Shen Huaiwen pushed Ye Xiao’s wheelchair as they moved toward the pavilion.
Xia Shi had walked this path countless times over the years, visiting Master’s memorial tablet monthly with Ye Xiao. The journey no longer carried the heaviness it once did. Yet the footsteps of their junior sister trailing behind still dragged with visible grief.
“Master would be glad you came.”
Xia Shi’s eyes stung. Though a century beneath the Heavenly Dao Tree had dulled her emotions after witnessing endless lives across the Nine Realms – except for the persistent ache when seeing Suiyin – returning to Sanqing now unleashed tides of suppressed memories. Her throat tightened.
She’d upheld her duty to the cultivators, fulfilled the Heavenly Dao’s will, and honored her sword. Only for Master had she failed.
Master had taught her everything – swordsmanship, philosophy, compassion – even fretting about her second Tribulation of Becoming an Immortal and shattered sword with dying breaths. Yet she, the disciple, had repaid this with denial. Avoiding memorials. Refusing to acknowledge that final lesson.
Reaching the upper floor, Xia Shi collapsed to her knees before the tablet bearing Fu Qing’s name.
“Master…your unfilial disciple has come.”
Thunder boomed overhead – the Heavenly Dao’s rebuke. Gods shouldn’t kneel.
Ignoring the warning rumble, Xia Shi pressed her forehead to cold floorboards. Tears pooled silently as thunderclaps shook the beams. Behind her, two pairs of eyes watched trembling shoulders.
“Up,” Ye Xiao finally chided when lightning seemed ready to strike the roof. “Time for incense.”
Xia Shi rose at the last permissible moment, allowing her senior sisters to pay respects first. Only after they left did she face the tablet again, recounting childhood memories until sunset painted the sky crimson.
Descending the stairs, she found Suiyin squatting below, doodling in dirt with a branch. Warmth bloomed in Xia Shi’s chest as she approached.
The drawing showed a swordsman standing backlit, robes billowing.
“Well?”
Suiyin turned her head, her dark eyes gleaming as she looked at Xia Shi, as if seeking praise.
Xia Shi hummed in response, lifting her hand to gently tilt Suiyin’s chin upward before leaning in to kiss her softly.
Their lips met, breaths mingling.
“Well done.”
Xia Shi let go, pulling Suiyin to her feet and leading her down the mountain.
Bell chimes reverberated as white cranes circled the grand hall of the main peak.
With the day’s lessons finished, Sanqing disciples returned to their peaks in small groups, discussing their studies with youthful enthusiasm, their hearts brimming with aspirations for the path ahead.
“Divine Lady,” passing disciples greeted the pair, their eyes bright yet hesitant, all wearing the same restrained eagerness.
News of Xia Wuwei’s return to Sanqing had spread within hours.
Many disciples longed to glimpse the Divine Lady—statues paled compared to seeing her in person—but Sect Leader Yan Li’s order to avoid disturbance left them only bowing from afar, too timid to approach.
“I overheard your debate about sword techniques. Differing views?”
The junior disciples, newly initiated and still grappling with basic sword moves, had argued endlessly without resolution.
“Not at all!” The group hastily replied, mindful of their leader’s warning not to trouble the Divine Lady with trivial matters.
This was the warrior who’d sealed half the Nine Realms with a single blade—how could their beginner struggles merit her attention?
Yet one disciple, emboldened by Xia Shi’s faint smile, stepped forward and spilled their doubts. The others tugged at her sleeve, but the words had already escaped.
“I see…”
Xia Shi chuckled at their flushed faces.
She led them to the training ground, picked up a wooden sword, and demonstrated the moves without spiritual power—her motions stiff and labored. Then she channeled spiritual power, the blade flowing effortlessly. The juniors stared, spellbound, even after she sheathed the sword.
The contrast struck them. They bowed gratefully, insights dawning—understanding would depend on their own efforts now.
By the time Xia Shi returned to Suiyin, dusk had fallen. She immediately noticed Suiyin’s subdued mood.
Before she could inquire, a voice shouted from the distance.
Lu Ciyou appeared before them in moments, slightly breathless.
“Hurry. Sect Leader Ye’s about to erupt.”
Since leaving the Cliff of Reflection, Ye Xiao had claimed Autumn Forest Peak, citing damaged meridians and Golden Core reconstruction as excuses to tend Shen Huaiwen’s plants while Yan Li assumed leadership.
Arriving at Autumn Forest, the trio heard Shen Huaiwen’s uncharacteristic snarl: “Stop! You’ve killed half my herbs—spare the rest!”
“They looked thirsty,” Ye Xiao defended, guilt lacing his voice.
“This isn’t a desert. Spiritual Plants here need little water.” Shen Huaiwen herded the culprit away from her precious garden, then spotted the newcomers. She waved them over.
“Dinner’s ready.”
The few of them had long surpassed the realm requiring sustenance from ordinary grains, yet Ye Xiao was different. Having recently reconstructed his Golden Core, his spiritual power remained stagnant. Since arriving at Autumn Forest Peak, Shen Huaiwen had taken charge of his daily meals. With Xia Shi and Suiyin returning today and Lu Ciyou present too, the family reunion felt complete.
Seated outside the medicine room, Xia Shi kept shifting her gaze between her two senior sisters. She’d never realized how attentively Huaiwen treated Ye Xiao, even personally serving him soup.
"I want some too," Xia Shi said cheerfully, certain Huaiwen would come take her bowl.
"I’ll—"
Suiyin started rising but was pressed back down by Xia Shi’s hand.
"Senior Sister, I want some too~" Xia Shi peeked at the soup near Ye Xiao’s hand, then at Shen Huaiwen, her grin widening.
Shen Huaiwen sighed with a smile, reaching out only to have her arm intercepted mid-air. Both turned toward the hand’s owner.
Ye Xiao tugged Shen Huaiwen back into her seat, glaring at Xia Shi. "Aren’t you grown? Serve yourself instead of bothering senior sisters."
Xia Shi rested her chin on her palm, watching them meaningfully. "I wasn’t asking you. Since Huaiwen agreed, why does she only serve you? Aren’t we all junior sisters here?"
Ye Xiao clenched his jaw and slapped his wheelchair’s armrest. "With this, I’ll serve you ten bowls myself!"
The entire table tensed, shocked that Ye Xiao had mentioned something no one dared to bring up.
Xia Shi’s eyebrow twitched as she sent a voice transmission:
*Senior Brother, why so upset over soup? Your meridians are mostly healed now…*
His legs should’ve recovered.
"Let’s eat," Ye Xiao broke the stillness, shooting Xia Shi a warning look.
*If you tell Huaiwen, you’re dead.*
*Why? She’s worked so hard healing you.*
Xia Shi blinked innocently, though mirth sparkled in her eyes. She’d always been the one scolded by Ye Xiao before—this rare chance was too good to waste.
Ye Xiao: "…"
*You can transmit voices now. Your spiritual power’s working again.*
*Xia Wuwei. Don’t push it.*
Fury burned in Ye Xiao’s gaze, completely missing Shen Huaiwen’s deepening frown beside him.
The dining atmosphere grew awkward. Yan Li and Lu Ciyou practically hid their faces in their bowls. Suiyin stealthily piled food onto Xia Shi’s plate while monitoring the situation—ready to flee if Ye Xiao flipped the table.
*Don’t overdo the act. You know what she’s capable of.*
Xia Shi’s reminder made Ye Xiao snap aloud: "None of your business!" His temple pulsed with anger.
Xia Shi: "…"
She turned her eyes to check Senior Sister Huaiwen’s reaction—
No visible reaction, just a slight upward curve of her lips forming a gentle smile.
…Disaster.
She urgently grabbed Suiyin’s arm, "Move!"
Watching the pair depart without hesitation, Yan Li sensed trouble and exchanged meaningful glances with Lu Ciyou.
Retreat!
Only Ye Xiao and Shen Huaiwen remained, the evening air itself holding its breath.
"I…can explain." After mentally cursing Xia Shi, Ye Xiao gathered his words only to be silenced by Shen Huaiwen’s airy comment.
"I know."
She knew??
What exactly? That he didn’t need wheelchair assistance anymore? That he’d rebuilt his Golden Core and could leave Autumn Forest Peak…
Countless questions exploded in Ye Xiao’s mind. He twisted his fingers, tongue-tied.
"Ye Xiao." Shen Huaiwen rose, hands gripping wheelchair armrests as she leaned down to eye-level with the seated man.
"Why cling to me? You never used to argue with Wuwei…"
"But I want to argue now." Ye Xiao held her gaze unflinchingly. "I’ve wanted this for ages."
Shen Huaiwen flinched, eyes darting away. She straightened abruptly, moving behind the wheelchair. "Late hours. I’ll escort you back."
"Senior Sister." Ye Xiao sprang up to seize her sleeve, voice softening. "Am I…the same as her to you?"
Just another junior receiving senior’s care? Mere sect camaraderie?
Shen Huaiwen exhaled slowly. "I never considered such matters."
"Return to your quarters tomorrow."
