Editor: Sahloknir
It was only when Jiang Yinghe actually returned to Peng Lai that it all became a little more real to him.
He had slowly read over more than half of those books that had somehow slipped through the censorship department. Other than a few scenes that couldn’t be aired on television, the other notable thing was how similar this sword saint’s personality was to his own. Well, an exaggerated verson of his personality at least.
Only after stepping foot in Peng Lai did more memories gradually emerge in Jiang Yinghe’s mind. The first place he headed to was not the White Crane Jade Manor, but the main palace.
Several rounds of disciple selection had passed, so Jiang Yinghe was no longer familiar with many of them. However, these young disciples all seemed to know Li Huanhan and Qin Jun. Their gazes were filled with respect and fear, and everyone seemed very shocked to see the two of them travelling together.
From the reaction of the Peng Lai disciples, Jiang Yinghe could guess that the two of them did not usually meet much and even held hostility towards each other.
The main palace was unguarded. There didn’t seem to be anyone inside either. Jiang Yinghe lingered for a moment before heading further in, following the route from his memories. He saw the silent inner room with its always lit candles.
And the still figure of Zhangmen-shixiong.
The inner room was where all the soul lamps and life tablets were stored. Lamps hung on all four walls. Zhou Zhengping was meditating on a futon in the middle of the room when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
The footsteps came to a stop.
Jiang Yinghe was dressed in a snow-white tunic with a palm-wide pale blue sash outlining his figure. A thick but light black cloak was resting on his shoulders, contrasting greatly with his light robes.
The two men stared at each other for a moment. The silence seemed to stretch on forever until Zhou Zhengping’s whisk fell from his hands. It rolled a slight distance away.
Zhou Zhengping withdrew his gaze and retrieved his whisk. “You’re back.”
“En.”
This was the place where Peng Lai’s life tablets were kept, so none of the other three followed him in. Right now, Jiang Yinghe’s body did not radiate any sort of aura, and his cultivation was nonexistent. He was just an ordinary mortal. But for some reason, when he stood opposite Zhou Zhengping, he felt like he was transported back in time.
Jiang Yinghe walked up to him and swept his gaze over the soul lamps on the wall. “I once embarked on a long road to see distant mountains. Now I have returned to where I started from.”
“The roughness of the road,” Zhou Zhengping looked at him, “is what determines the true meaning of the journey. Sit down.”
Jiang Yinghe obediently sat down. Zhou Zhengping handed over an ancient book titled ‘Clean Energy like Ice’. It seemed to be a cultivation manual.
“This is what you practiced before you were reincarnated. It is the source of all your snow and ice cultivation.”
Jiang Yinghe nodded his head and received the manual. However, Zhou Zhengping then took out a qiankun bag and casually emptied it, revealing several hundred jade slips.
“These are the cultivation and sword techniques you practiced for nearly a thousand years before you were reincarnated, as well as some movement techniques.” Zhou Zhengping said, matter of factly, “You learned things very quickly back then. I’m sure your progress would only be faster the second time around.”
Jiang Yinghe looked at the hundreds of jade slips in front of him. His mind equated them to hundreds of high school and college entrance exams. He had to take a moment to reply, “…Got it.”
After Zhou Zhengping finished assigning these tasks, he came to the subject of weapons. He instructed, “Although Wangchen was broken, it was left for you at Qing Jing Peak. Recast it if you wish, or take up another blade of your choice.”
For a sword cultivator, replacing a sword was like finding a new lover. Jiang Yinghe shook his head slightly and said, “I’ll recast it, there’s no need for a replacement.”
Zhou Zhengping nodded his head and let him do as he pleased. “Xiao Yun-shidi and your Yan-shijie are both in seclusion. I feel much more at ease now that you are back.”
His words inspired a sense of belonging for Jiang Yinghe. He said seriously, “Zhangmen-shixiong needn’t worry, I…”
Before he could finish speaking, he heard Zhou Zhengping sigh with relief, “With your return, there will be someone who can safely watch over those two disciples of yours.”
Chang Ye rarely returned to Peng Lai. Even since he found Jiang Yinghe, he’s spent most of his time at his side looking after his shizun. As a result, most of the current Peng Lai disciples didn’t know him.
Jiang Yinghe stuttered, as if he didn’t quite understand the meaning of his words, and asked, “Safely…watch over?”
Zhou Zhengping gazed at him for a long time. He sighed and said, “Yes. Do you know what has happened in the three hundred years of your absence?”
“…On my way here, I felt like the current cultivation world was very stable with few conflicts. Qin Jun and Li Huanhan didn’t seem to have done anything either.”
Zhou Zhengping slowly turned the jade handle of his whisk between his fingers as he looked beyond the main gate.
“They have always been very restrained in front of you.”
Jiang Yinghe nodded earnestly, “…Yes, they are quite subtle, I guess.”
“Then there’s no point in me telling you past events.” Zhou Zhengping withdrew his gaze and continued as if nothing had happened, “No matter how dangerous these evil cultivators are, the world is safe with you here.”
Jiang Yinghe’s curiosity was piqued. He was about to ask a follow-up question when Zhou Zhengping added, “Li Huanhan made another sword pendant for you.”
Jiang Yinghe was slightly taken aback. He held a hand to his temple as he recalled the relevant memories. His heart jolted as a warm yet chilling sensation spread through, just like the early spring breeze on Earth.
“Tie it to Wangchen’s hilt.” Zhou Zhengping said, “It’s…the heart of that heavenly demon.”
At this time, Jiang Yinghe couldn’t yet fully comprehend the meaning of Zhou Zhengping’s words. He thought that the other party was saying it represented the heavenly demon’s feelings.
It wasn’t until after their conversation ended and Jiang Yinghe returned to Qing Jing Peak that he understood. Unfurling the roll of snow-white silk, noticed the new pendant when retrieving his broken sword.
It was vividly red.
Wangchen was the epitome of sheer white frost. The only colour on the sword came from the pendant attached to its hilt. It was still the Cold Jade Mirror Stone, but the item sealed within wasn’t the ancient artifact’s energy, but the vigorously beating heart of a heavenly demon.
To be more precise, a part of it.
To demonic cultivators, this was the ultimate treasure to enhance their cultivation. It was also a priceless ingredient in the eyes of many refining and formation cultivators.
Jiang Yinghe had some vague insight into Li Huanhan’s meaning.
The reason it was so hard to kill the Xuehe Demon Lord was because he had many Blood Ponds to revive him. Even if his body was torn into shreds or his soul annihilated, both could still be nearly perfectly reconstructed from the portions left in the ponds ahead of time.
Since his body had this kind of vitality and transportation capability, Li Huanhan could arrive at his side within moments if a portion of his heart was sealed within the pendant.
From another point of view, it meant that he implicitly trusted the area around Wangchen to be safe.
Jiang Yinghe brushed a hand over the pendant. Then he looked at the blade that had shattered in two.
It was never too late to start anew
At this moment, the little white cat that had followed Jiang Yinghe all the way in meowed twice and enviously rubbed against the hem of his robes. Chang Ye then suddenly shifted into human form and dove into his arms.
Jiang Yinghe has been pounced on many times by him. He habitually opened his arms to catch him. The youth drew near to his ear and breathed, “Does Shizun blame me?”
“Blame you for what?” Jiang Yinghe couldn’t keep up with Chang Ye’s thoughts, “Did you do something again?”
Hot breath swept around his neck, slowly approaching. Chang Ye’s eyes were dark. His astonishing beauty was akin to a lavishly blooming bright red flower that emitted a lingering fragrance.
Jiang Yinghe has always been partial to his appearance. He was in a slight daze until the other’s lips came into contact with his.
He refocused. “What are you so reluctant to say?”
“Do you blame me…for my slowness?” Chang Ye whispered, “I feel like I’m the one who understands you the least.”
Jiang Yinghe was momentarily startled.
“Although Li Huanhan is violent, heartless and cruel, he understands how to restrain himself and show warmth. He understands Shizun’s unwavering sense of justice. Qin Jun…that damn ghost is arrogant and proud beyond measure, but even he understands your intentions and how to remain calm.”
Chang Ye’s voice grew quieter and quieter. He buried his face in Jiang Yinghe’s shoulder as his body sank deeper into the other’s embrace.
“But I don’t get it. I just know that Shizun is good, that you are good. But I don’t understand why I think that. If you really thought that mortal lives were like ants and beneath your notice, I wouldn’t be who I am today…”
Jiang Yinghe heard a quiet sob.
Chang Ye kissed him gently. “Will Shizun dislike me because I’m slow?”
Jiang Yinghe was unable to resist his insecure appearance. He decided to not pursue how a certain big cat pounded on him and rubbed against him this way and that a few days ago. He returned the other’s embrace and comforted him, “Of course I won’t. And you’re not slow, you’re just too young…”
He paused, remembering this guy was supposedly the eldest.
But his words really did encourage the other. Chang Ye held him tightly, kissing him gently and carefully at first before burrowing into his mouth with impunity. He even forced Jiang Yinghe back step by step, until he was pressing his shizun against the cold jade walls of the White Crane Jade Manor.
Huanhan and Jun-er were both otherwise occupied. The two of them had taken on some of Peng Lai’s internal affairs as disciples of Xuan Wei Xianjun.
The kitten seized this rare opportunity.
Jiang Yinghe slowly reacted, biting him and trying to catch his breath. “Little beast, was this all part of your plan?”
Although he was scolded, Chang Ye’s eyes lit up. He wrapped his arms around Shizun’s waist and said, “My words were all sincere.”
Of course Jiang Yinghe knew they were sincere. Otherwise he wouldn’t have fallen for the little cat’s big scheme. He half-heartedly pushed him. “What else are you going to do? What’s your hand doing?”
The hand untying his cloak paused for a moment, and then continued even more with righteousness and dignity. “It’s about time to return this to Li-shixiong.”
Now it was clear to him.
Jiang Yinghe grasped his wrist and said, “With your level of self-control and my current condition, things aren’t going to end well.”
He was just an ordinary mortal without any cultivation right now. Stopping part of the way through was fine, but if things were allowed to progress…
He would probably fall apart halfway.
Chang Ye stiffened as he imagined that scene as well. He tried to argue, “My self-control is…”
Lackluster at best.
Even he wasn’t shameless enough to dispute it.
Jiang Yinghe kissed him on the forehead and said, “Come on, is this all that’s on your mind everyday? Try a little harder.”
Chang Ye was about to whine some more when he heard a few cranes chirping outside. The crane spirits seemed to recognise the visitor and made a few noises to inform their master.
Jiang Yinghe turned his head and saw the main door open. A man in pale pink robes stepped in. Seeing the scene in front of him, his face gradually changed.
Tong Guiyu squinted thoughtfully, “…My timing is almost too incredible.”
From his point of view, it was natural to go from kissing by the wall to unbuckling belts and doing something else he liked to watch.
His remark struck a nerve with Jiang Yinghe, who gave Chang Ye a push.
Naturally, Chang Ye could take a hint. He gave Tong Guiyu a look before transforming into a little white cat and jumping into Jiang Yinghe’s arms.
Tong Guiyu praised as he watched from the side, “As expected of the devil king. You know when to advance and retreat and when to act soft or hard. You’re truly tough, and with amazing endurance.”
The more Jiang Yinghe listened, the more he suspected there was another meaning. He gave Tong Guiyu an admonishing look. “Did you come all the way here to make fun of me?”
“I wouldn’t dare to.” Tong Guiyu casually came in and took a seat at the table, looking around, “It’s been more than three hundred and seventy years since my last visit to White Crane Jade Manor. After not meeting for so many years, how can you not even offer me a cup of tea?”
In the past, when he first started cultivating, Jiang Yinghe learned how to make tea and other matters. These tasks were gradually offloaded onto a spirit crane who could transform into a human. Then, when he started taking in disciples, Li Huanhan was put in charge.
At this point, Jiang Yinghe didn’t even know where White Crane Jade Manor’s tea leaves were, so where was he supposed to get Tong Guiyu tea?
Jiang Yinghe raised an eyebrow and said, “The tea here is far beneath the magnamious and renowned Tong Xianjun. How can I bear to serve it to you?”
Tong Guiyu heard the sarcasm and laughed without a care in the world. “I wondered why you had entered seclusion for a life threatening problem back then. Even Abbot Chan wasn’t at that stage yet. Now you’ve even changed bodies.”
As he said that, he raised his hand as if to touch Jiang Yinghe’s forehead. Due to the influence of the devil core, there was a red mark there.
But he stopped halfway due to the scary looks the cat in Jiang Yinghe’s arms was shooting at him. “Although I have guessed the identity of your disciples already, I still can’t believe it sometimes. Those two books…”
Jiang Yinghe’s face darkened. His gaze turned chilly. “You’re slandering my disciples.”
“How am I slandering them? This is an opportunity to educate the denizens of the cultivation world on intimate matters and broaden their horizons.” Tong Guiyu smiled, “If you need any of the instruments mentioned in the book, I can give you a carriage worth of them.”
Jiang Yinghe blinked. “…That’s not necessary.”
He’d known Tong Guiyu since they were young adults, so Jiang Yinghe naturally knew all about this guy’s playboy attitude and interests. He immediately rejected the offer before taking out the book ‘The Days and Nights I spent with the Sword Saint’ and going straight to the point.
“Jun-er told me that this book is based on Sword Saint Taichu.”
Tong Guiyu read the title and nodded, “Yes. What, you’re interested in that senior’s story too?”
Jiang Yinghe sighed, “I’m afraid he’s more interested in me.”
The look in Tong Guiyu’s eyes changed. He looked at Jiang Yinghe with great admiration, thinking for a moment before advising, “Three will do. This senior lived 10,000 years ago. Putting aside if he can revive like the devil king, I don’t think you can handle a fourth…”
Jiang Yinghe blinked again. “…That’s not what I meant.”
“I understand, I understand.” Tong Guiyu glanced at the kitten in the other man’s arms. Now that Jiang Yinghe lost his cultivation, Tong Guiyu no longer had to worry about Wangchen being pointed at his throat, so he let loose without restraint, “Love is self-inflicted. Given your lack of desire, you must have been coaxed and forced by them to—”
“Tong Guiyu.” Jiang Yinghe interrupted him grimly.
“Huh?”
“Who do you think can hit you harder, me or my disciple?”
“……”
Author’s Corner
Tong Guiyu: L-Little He, let’s use our words… QAQ.
Sahl
Tong Guiyu: Four might be too much.
Me: ‘…’
Me: ‘Ohhhhh…’
