Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 315: Chapter 315: Purity

Everyone knows deep down whether they won or lost; it’s just that some people, for the sake of saving face or because their character is thick-skinned as a dead duck, refuse to admit it.

Nie Yun has none of those dirty hang-ups. Even though Chang Baifeng’s people were smoothing things over, he felt there was no need for it.

Losing isn’t scary—the scary thing is not daring to face failure. Self-deception breeds defects in the heart for a cultivator who walks the path of defying the heavens.

Nie Yun believes his path of cultivation can have potholes and mud, but he’ll never allow self-deceit.

He clasped his hands, saluted, smiled, then finally turned to pull the wine gourd from his waist, yanked out the stopper, and poured a big mouthful of fragrant liquor down his throat, the spicy, mellow, hot and cold sensations mixing together in an instant.

"Hoo—!"

Letting out a long breath, Nie Yun’s smile was instantly etched into everyone’s memory: This is a pure cultivator, one who delights in combat!

Faced with Nie Yun acting like this, the people from Chang Baifeng could only give a wry smile, but admiration filled their eyes. Even Xu Lingyan couldn’t help but think: Li Shuyang’s gotten himself a truly remarkable disciple.

As for Zhong Hongye from Mountain of Ten Thousand Books, who originally disapproved of Nie Yun, her expression was now unreadable. She still disliked this brat who kept challenging the authority of Book Mountain, but she had to admit that he did have a certain grace.

This was an unruly yet carefree madman.

Back on the viewing stand, Nie Yun spat out a mouthful of foul blood mixed with wine onto the ground, then smiled and comforted the clearly anxious Shen Hao: "It’s nothing—just some blood from a wounded organ after that Sword Intent broke into my body. Coughing it out, I feel much better; after a few months of elixirs and rest, it’ll be fine."

"Nie... Senior Brother, you really should have a physician take a look anyway."

"No need. I’m half a healer myself, what’s a little injury like this? Come on, come on—after the ceremony let’s go have a drink before heading down the mountain."

Shen Hao: "..." You’re coughing up blood and still thinking about Chang Baifeng’s banquet...

He might joke about being fine, but in truth Nie Yun knew exactly how hard he’d been hit by that blow to his chest. It had sliced apart his True Qi Shield, cut right through his soft armor underneath, and the Sword Intent had invaded his meridians through the wound, ravaging inside. If Xu Lingyan hadn’t intervened at the last moment, that strike might have cleaved his breastbone, maybe even split his chest open.

Of course, Nie Yun was also well aware that Fairy Qing Wan’s injuries were heavier than his. Those consecutive heavy blows, plus his reversed True Qi, and finally the All-Encompassing Fist Shadow dispersing the Sword Array and landing several punches on her old rib injury. The last killing Finger Strike was blocked by that old woman—otherwise, it really would have ended in mutual destruction.

Nie Yun had to admit, a Super Sect truly is something else. Just a single sword crossed a small realm to beat him by a move and a half. This was the first time in his cultivation path that someone had bested him across realms.

After swallowing two healing and spirit-recovering pills, Nie Yun sat in meditation on the viewing platform, using True Qi to seal the sword wound on his chest. For someone at the Primordial Pill Realm, surface wounds would scab over in a few days—what really needed healing were the internal injuries.

The two from Mountain of Ten Thousand Books had returned to the opposite stand as well. Fairy Qing Wan, like Nie Yun, sat meditating, but though her face was pale and cold, no visible injuries showed on her body.

On the high platform, the Sect Leader of Chang Baifeng was already giving thanks, and announcing that the centennial grand ceremony had come to a close.

All in all, Shen Hao felt that a sect’s grand ceremony was much like the celebration of a mundane business. First the hype, then after everyone’s gathered, introduce your "wares"—once the guests leave, they take your name and reputation out with them.

Reputation is something a sect desperately needs. Who would send their children all this way to study if you weren’t known? Fewer people show up, and the odds of finding good seedlings are slimmer—that’s key for a sect’s succession. What’s more, having other sects see your strength at a grand occasion is also a way of declaring status.

Lack a foundation of true strength, and you really think sects get along without any underhandedness?

With the ceremony over, it’s immediately time for the banquet—held right here.

The viewing stands would be dismantled, and the stone tiles damaged in the duels replaced quickly. Red carpets rolled out, tables and chairs set up, and the open-air banquet would begin.

Lighting?

The multicolored Ji Yun clouds still hovered, lowered now, vivid and resplendent. Spheres of light from Illumination Skills, powered by the array, were floated into the air—not too bright, but just enough to light up the banquet grounds below perfectly.

But, before the feast started, Shen Hao had just sat down when he was approached. It was someone he’d met once before and hoped to avoid—Zhang Lin of the Celestial Toad Sect.

"Shen Bai—mm, little brother, haven’t seen you in a while. Seems you’re looking well!" Zhang Lin’s smile was ambiguous; the slip in the first two words sounded like an accident, but was clearly a test.

Shen Hao pretended not to notice, stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed: "Shen Hao greets Elder Zhang. Thanks for your concern; I’m doing all right lately."

"Heard yesterday you gained some fortune at the Sword Washing Pool—congratulations!" Zhang Lin also cupped his hands. He was frankly a bit envious of Shen Hao’s enlightenment.

"Elder Zhang flatters me, it was just luck."

After a few words, Zhang Lin glanced at Nie Yun—who was beside Shen Hao, eyes closed in meditation—then said, "Deacon Nie is sitting in meditation, but with Chang Baifeng’s people looking after him, there shouldn’t be a problem. Little brother, are you free? Elder Yu of my family would like to speak with you face to face."

Yu Ao Feng wants to see me?

Thoughts flashed through Shen Hao’s mind, but at last, he nodded. He couldn’t refuse—otherwise, he’d look guilty.

But beside him, Nie Yun suddenly spoke, eyes still closed: "Go and come back quickly."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

He rose and followed Zhang Lin over to a small pavilion near the mountain’s edge. It wasn’t far from the banquet—turn around and the lights were right there.

Yu Ao Feng was sitting in the pavilion. After Zhang Lin led Shen Hao in, he stayed outside, keeping his distance by about thirty paces.

"Junior Shen Hao greets Elder Yu." Shen Hao saluted, warning himself inwardly to keep calm and reveal nothing.

"No need to be so formal, Hundred Households of Shen. There’s a seat over there—have a seat. Heh, don’t worry; I won’t keep you so long you miss your banquet. I just want a casual conversation."

Shen Hao obediently sat down to the side.

"You probably already know that the Yu Shengjue who died in the Sword Emperor’s Tomb was my great-grandson, right?"

"I’ve heard. My condolences, Elder Yu."

"Heh, condolences are unnecessary. We cultivators should have long since made peace with life and death. It’s just a pity—Yu Family hasn’t seen such talent in a hundred years. So with Shengjue’s death I have to seek some justice. Just a couple of lives from Valley of Love Flowers and Red Flame Sect are hardly enough. I don’t think the matter’s truly clear yet.

So, while the opportunity’s here, I’d like Hundred Households Shen to tell me once more what you saw that day."