C12 That Was Not a Legend

Ye Dongling appeared as though her soul had departed, her eyes hollow and spiritless, her complexion deathly pale. She couldn't recall how she managed to find her way back outside the Celestial Sword Hall.

It wasn't until Zhung Qiu pulled her aside into a secluded corner that she snapped back to reality.

"Dongling, you need to pull yourself together," he urged.

"I know, I will," Ye Dongling replied, her voice tinged with melancholy as she nodded.

"You don't understand," Zhung Qiu insisted. "Lin Changhe is swaying the other two elders to appoint Ye Tiandao as the sect master."

"Fourth Uncle?"

"Yes. Regardless of lineage or power, how could the role of sect master fall to a peripheral member of the Ye family? He's merely Lin Changhe's puppet. In the end, Lin Changhe will be the one truly in command of the Celestial Sword Sect."

Ye Dongling, who had shown a glimmer of recovery, sank back into despair.

"But what does it matter? In three years, the Celestial Sword Sect is doomed, and I might not even be able to avenge my grandfather," she lamented.

As Ye Dongling's tears threatened to return, Zhung Qiu persisted with his heartfelt advice.

"Come on, stand strong. Would you really stand by and watch as Lin Changhe destroys what your great-grandfather, your parents, and the current Sect Master Ye have built over three generations?

"Consider the myriad of formidable figures in the world: the eight great families, the five major sects, and the twelve Peak Masters of Constellation Peak, who command the respect of the Imperial Court itself. If you were to become their disciple, Shen Feixue and even Bi Yuesheng of the Big Blade Sect would pose no threat to you."

"However, I believe you should seek out the Carefree Island. That's where Sword Immortal Feixue resides. It's said that his Sword Path bears a resemblance to our Celestial Sword Sect, which might increase your chances of success."

At last, Ye Dongling felt a stir of emotion. She had grown up hearing her grandfather speak of these legendary figures, assuming they were nothing more than myths.

Her experience was limited; Tianxi Town was the farthest she had ever traveled.

Now, hearing these tales from Zhung Qiu, she began to entertain the possibility that they might be true. Yet, she couldn't resist asking, "Are those legendary figures really out there?"

"Of course," Zhung Qiu nodded. "I even saw Sword Immortal Feixue with my own eyes when I was eight years old."

Zhung Qiu was speaking the truth. At the age of eight, his village was decimated by a Demonic Beast attack, leaving everyone dead and the village in ruins. Just as he was about to become prey to the beast, Sword Immortal Feixue appeared.

He not only slew the rampaging Demonic Beast but also rescued the eight-year-old Zhung Qiu, taking him to Tianxi Town. As fate would have it, he joined the Celestial Sword Sect.

Zhung Qiu held a deep sense of gratitude towards Sword Immortal Feixue in his heart. He saw him as a paragon of virtue and righteousness. This was partly why he advised Ye Dongling to seek out Carefree Island.

With this knowledge, Ye Dongling's doubts dissipated.

Considering Zhung Qiu was nearly seventy, it was unlikely he would fabricate such a tale just to deceive her.

Once convinced, Ye Dongling began her quest to locate Sword Immortal Feixue.

At the time, however, Zhung Qiu hadn't realized his rescuer was Sword Immortal Feixue, and his memory had grown hazy. He recalled only a snow-white umbrella.

He attempted to piece together his own recollections with the legends of Sword Immortal Feixue to provide Ye Dongling with a description.

"Sword Immortal Feixue wields a snow-white umbrella called Moonlight. When Moonlight is revealed, snow flurries for a hundred miles. That's how the Sword Immortal Feixue got his name. If you go to Carefree Island and ask around, it should be easy to find him."

Ultimately, Ye Dongling resolved to act. By noon, she had packed her belongings and, without even attending Ye Jingxian's funeral, descended from Celestial Cloud Mountain.

With the Celestial Sword Sect beset by troubles from within and without, she was confident that her grandfather, now in the afterlife, would understand her decision.

"Take care on your journey. I'll keep Lin Changhe and the others in check. Your return as the new sect master, and avenging our ancestors by defeating Shen Feixue and Bi Yuesheng, will be the truest homage to those who came before us."

Under the guidance of Zhung Qiu, Ye Dongling embarked on a solo journey to Carefree Island in search of the Sword Immortal Feixue.

...

Meanwhile, Shen Feixue arrived on the outskirts of Tianxi Town. Starving, he gazed longingly at the noodle stall by the entrance of the relay station, his mouth watering. Without a penny to his name, he could only feast his eyes. Despite possessing an Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pill, he dared not trade it for goods or currency within Tianxi Town, the domain of the Big Blade Sect. Losing his last pill to them would be a regrettable mistake. He resolved to wait until he had settled in Qing Prefecture before attempting to exchange it.

The stall owner noticed Shen Feixue lingering for quite some time.

"Sir, would you care for some noodles?" he asked with a welcoming smile.

"Hmm..." Shen Feixue had never imagined she would find herself in such dire straits.

The once illustrious Sword Immortal Feixue was now troubled over a mere meal.

Cursed system!

Resigned to her situation, Shen Feixue gave a nod.

"I was waylaid by bandits en route, and they took everything. Could I perhaps pay for the noodles at a later date?"

The owner's smile vanished as he turned away and gestured feebly towards the relay station's firmly shut door, too disheartened to utter another word.

"If you're looking for a free meal, go inside."

Inside the relay station, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the desolate noodle stall. The place was bustling, packed to the brim with people, leaving no seat unoccupied. Upon Shen Feixue's entrance, all eyes turned to her.

She surveyed the crowd, noting that most were rugged with tanned skin and burly frames. Weapons of every sort—knives, forks, axes, and more—lay within easy reach on the tables, a clear sign these were seasoned travelers from various factions. The brief hush was soon broken as the patrons resumed their lively conversations, drinking and chatting in small groups.

Shen Feixue chose a secluded corner to sit down.

No sooner had she settled in than the server brought over a plate of meat and a jug of wine.

Was it really free?

Momentarily taken aback, she couldn't ignore the grumbling of her stomach.

Just as she was about to pop a piece of meat into her mouth, the person sitting opposite her spoke up.

"Shen Feixue?"

She looked up to see a middle-aged man with dark, sun-cracked skin that spoke of a hard life.

Try as she might, Shen Feixue couldn't place where she might have seen this man before.

Could this be another one of that youngster's enemies?

With this thought, her hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword.

"It really is you!" The man, seeing Shen Feixue's bewildered look, exclaimed with joy, "It's been eight years! You've grown so much."

"And you are?"

"Oh, my memory! I'm Lee Daniu. I was once a guest of the Shen family. You were only yay-high back then, so it's understandable you don't remember." Lee Daniu's excitement grew as he spoke, even standing to gesture his point.

"Oh."

Lee Daniu's excitement didn't wane. "Do you know how I recognized you? That sword in your hand was Old Master Shen's personal sword..."

He trailed off, his face clouding with sorrow.

"It's alright," Shen Feixue reassured, her expression unchanged.

Why couldn't this wait until after the meal?

But seeing that he meant no harm, she didn't have the heart to cut him off.

Oblivious to Shen Feixue's internal musings, Lee Daniu shifted gears, ready to share some cheerful news, "I heard you joined the Celestial Sword Sect and got engaged to the Sect Master's granddaughter. You must be very happy now."

"Not really."

"Oh." Lee Daniu found himself at a loss for words, wishing he could kick himself for bringing up such a sore subject.

Truth be told, he was genuinely thrilled to see Shen Feixue today.

During his time as a guest in the Shen family, Old Master Shen had been good to him. If not for a private matter, he would never have left.

It's hard to believe how much can change between meetings.

The young master across from me, once a handsome boy with striking features, has grown into an even more elegant figure. His deep, black eyes are particularly captivating.

Yet those eyes are as still as a calm lake, devoid of any ripples. It's unsettling to see such a gaze in someone who's only eighteen. The downfall of his family and the dissolution of his engagement must have caused this change, I surmise, deciding not to broach any new subjects.

As I fall silent, Shen Feixue brings another piece of meat to her mouth.

Suddenly, I stand up, this time with a hint of alarm. "Young Master Shen, you mustn't eat that meat!"

"Why not?"

"It's meant for the Wandering Tigers!"

Shen Feixue is familiar with the Wandering Tigers—those unaffiliated with any sect or clan, who learn a few tricks to scrape by, assisting others for a living.

Unlike household guests who serve a specific family or sect, Wandering Tigers are nomadic. They might support one sect today and find themselves with a rival the next day. They go wherever the benefits are greatest.

This line of work usually attracts those with lesser abilities, without a proper place to call home. Otherwise, who would choose such an unsettled life?

It's a sad turn of events for a former guest of the Shen family to have fallen so far.

Shen Feixue seems to ponder this but disregards my warning, continuing to eat the meat.

Realizing my intervention is too late, my anxious expression shifts to one of deep concern.

And it's not unfounded. Having served the Shen family for many years, I'm well aware of the young master's history. A severe fever in his childhood left him unable to practice martial arts, eliminating any chance of becoming a cultivator.

Despite growing up and changing in many ways, he remains frail. With my extensive experience in the martial world, I can easily see that Shen Feixue's meridians and acupoints are unopened.

After swallowing a piece of meat, Shen Feixue looked at Lee Daniu with a calm detachment and inquired, "What happens if I eat this?"

At this juncture, Lee Daniu had run out of options. With so many eyes on Shen Feixue as she consumed the meat, allowing her to slip away now would only spell trouble for him.

The customs of the Wandering Tiger dictate that when the head of a household hires someone for a task, they provide a feast in addition to the agreed-upon payment.

The feast isn't about rewarding the hired party; it's about giving the Wandering Tiger time to deliberate. The details of the task are only revealed just before the feast begins.

Should the task be too perilous or uncertain, the Wandering Tiger would refrain from partaking in the meal and depart, signaling a refusal of the offer.

But if they partake in the feast, they are bound by honor to use whatever means necessary to carry out the task.

Lee Daniu quietly clarified this to Shen Feixue, exhaling deeply as he said, "The Qian family has arranged this banquet for our Wandering Tiger. Once you've eaten, you're committed to completing their task."

"What task?" Shen Feixue reached for a second piece of meat.