Linghu Chong’s figure appeared, and all the Huashan disciples showed smiles. Before he could ask, they began explaining the whole situation one after another.
It turned out these young men were disciples of the Qingcheng Sect, named Hou Renying, Hong Renxiong, Yu Renhao, and Luo Renjie. They formed a group called “Heroes and Talents, the Four Scholars of Qingcheng,” somewhat known in the martial world, and among the new generation of righteous disciples, they held a bit of fame.
They had come under the orders of their master, Yu Canghai, to present birthday congratulations. In front of Yue Buqun, they managed to keep it civil, but behind the scenes, their casual remarks showed disdain toward Huashan’s younger generation, claiming they’d never heard of them in the jianghu. This happened to be overheard by Lu Dayou, who, displeased, took action but was defeated and then ridiculed.
Angry and unwilling to accept defeat, Lu Dayou called other senior brothers for backup, hoping to even the score and demand an apology from the Four Scholars of Qingcheng to Huashan.
The Qingcheng Four Scholars naturally refused, and a verbal dispute broke out between the two sides here.
There was no need for further discussion; Linghu Chong immediately drew his sword: “Just in time to learn the Qingcheng Sect’s Pine Wind Sword Technique.”
Before his words finished, his long sword had already been extended, sweeping toward Yu Renhao, the nearest opponent.
Yu Renhao reacted quickly, bending and stepping back twice to dodge the blade’s edge. He drew the sword of a nearby junior disciple and slanted it in an oblique thrust, secretly infused with inner power, swift as a gale — precisely the Qingcheng Sect’s Pine Wind Sword Technique.
Linghu Chong met the attack with Huashan swordsmanship, using “White Clouds Emerging from the Hollow” to deflect the blade. He twisted his wrist, hooking upward, then stabbed forward with “Heavenly Rope Hanging Down.”
Yu Renhao lowered his sword, feinting a stab at the opponent’s abdomen, hoping to force Linghu Chong to turn and defend. Unexpectedly, “Heavenly Rope Hanging Down” also had variations. The sword tip trembled slightly, and the cold gleaming blade struck the inside of Yu Renhao’s right arm.
Inner energy transmitted through the long sword into tendons and bones, and the thrusting force suddenly stiffened. Before even touching the sleeve, it weakened and faded away.
Hmm… not quite right.
Zhong Lingxiu, watching nearby, thought it a pity. According to Elder Dingjing, the Pine Wind Sword Technique was famous for its nimbleness, combining hardness and softness, like pine branches swaying in the wind. At first, she couldn’t understand and practiced swordsmanship on a windy day in the pine forest, only to be whipped repeatedly by countless pine branches acting like soft whips.
Yu Renhao’s swordsmanship was solid and standard, but merely by the book. He neither grasped the essence of the Pine Wind Sword Technique nor had the complex variations of Huashan swordsmanship. No wonder he was being soundly beaten by Linghu Chong.
She judged that if it were herself, with the dense style of Hengshan swordsmanship, she could easily defend against the attacks, and maybe she could try the Myriad Flowers Sword Technique.
Immediately, she spoke: “Two senior brothers seem eager to spar here; may this junior sister also have a try?”
Yu Renhao was already showing signs of defeat but didn’t want to lose face and admit it. Hearing her, he stepped down from the platform: “And who might this junior sister be?”
“I am Yi Xiu of the Hengshan Sect,” Zhong Lingxiu saluted with palms raised, “Greetings to the four senior brothers of Qingcheng Sect.”
The Pine Wind Pavilion and Hengshan had no prior dealings but no enmity either. The Qingcheng Four Scholars exchanged glances and politely responded: “Junior sister, you’re too courteous.”
Zhong Lingxiu stepped forward slowly: “Senior Brother Linghu is the host and can’t fight at full strength. It’s better to let this junior sister take the opportunity.”
Linghu Chong hadn’t planned to let them off easily, but upon hearing “host,” he immediately understood. After all, Qingcheng Sect came to offer birthday congratulations. If they beat them up badly, it would ruin their master’s birthday celebration, which would be a serious offense.
Better to give the chance to a Hengshan junior sister—both were guests, so the master wouldn’t be displeased.
He smiled: “Since junior sister has asked, I won’t contend with you.” Then he provocatively looked at the Qingcheng Four Scholars, “Junior sister Yi Xiu’s martial arts are outstanding. If you all attack together, now that would be a fight.”
Hou Renying coldly said: “Who do you look down on?”
Zhong Lingxiu had no patience for their bickering. With her palm pressing on the scabbard, the long sword clanged into her hand: “Senior brother, be careful.”
Sword blossoms bloomed like a hundred flowers, petals scattering wildly across the mountain.
This sword technique was called the Myriad Flowers Sword Technique, light and delicate. When practicing, one would toss a handful of fallen leaves into the air and try to pierce holes in every leaf before they touched the ground — if successful, the technique was considered mastered.
Zhong Lingxiu had practiced swordsmanship beneath spring blossoms before. Using Hengshan swordsmanship’s defense, the petals never touched her. Familiar with fallen flowers and well-trained in basics, she achieved minor proficiency within half a month, but had never fought in real combat—today was a perfect chance to test it.
Her posture was light and agile. Now, she unleashed the Myriad Flowers Sword Technique; the sword light twinkled like stars, immediately gaining the upper hand.
Hou Renying’s foundation was not poor. Though falling behind, he remained composed. The Pine Wind Sword Technique swept around, preventing any blossoms from approaching him.
Zhong Lingxiu rapidly performed “Little Lotus Tip,” “Peach Blossom Flowing Water,” “Post Station Plum Blossoms,” and “Tomorrow’s Withered Flower,” only clipping two strands of his hair and tearing a few spots on his clothes, but she never managed to truly hurt him.
Linghu Chong watched anxiously and shouted, “Junior sister Yi Xiu, don’t hold back! Show us Hengshan swordsmanship!”
Zhong Lingxiu heard him but didn’t change her technique, continuing to wield the Myriad Flowers Sword Technique with steady grace.
As flower shadows multiplied, Hou Renying’s expression shifted from nervousness to relaxation, a smile gradually appearing.
Zhong Lingxiu also showed a hint of joy.
She had studied Hengshan swordsmanship for nearly ten years and had long remembered the core of waiting to attack after defense. However, the Myriad Flowers Sword Technique was different—its moves were graceful but its damage was not strong. It was excellent for blocking hidden weapons and stone debris in surprise attacks; Elder Dingjing had taught it for this very reason.
But today, in actual combat, she realized another benefit of this sword technique.
It was especially, especially, especially entangling.
Hou Renying, fighting one-on-one, was unaware of the crucial point, but as the attacker, she felt clearly: if Hou Renying tangled with her, he faced no immediate life threat. But in group combat, if he tried to break free to assist others, that would be troublesome.
He couldn’t leave the coverage of her long sword. If he forced a breakaway, he would inevitably expose a vital spot. At that moment, all she had to do was push her sword tip forward, and it would injure his internal organs.
Exactly like that.
Zhong Lingxiu grasped the essence of the Myriad Flowers Sword Technique, feeling light and confident, her moves growing even more composed.
In an instant, the two had exchanged over a hundred moves, and Hou Renying’s face grew increasingly strained.
He had wanted to break away gracefully and call it a draw, but he couldn’t find the chance. The Myriad Flowers Sword Technique’s moves were so agile that he blocked each one, unknowingly exhausting too much inner power. Now his true energy was running low, and his posture showed signs of collapse.
Linghu Chong saw this and laughed: “A grown man is no match for a young girl.”
Luo Renjie, furious, drew his sword and immediately attacked.
Linghu Chong, itching for a fight, jumped into the fray, turning the one-on-one spar into a free-for-all.
Zhong Lingxiu had never been in a group fight and was even more excited. Her long sword flicked flat and upward, spinning back to stab at Luo Renjie, eager to test his skill. Linghu Chong laughed heartily and parried Hou Renying’s sword with a “White Rainbow Piercing the Sun” move.
Hong Renxiong and Yu Renhao could not just watch their fellow sect members be beaten, so they shouted and joined the battle.
Lu Dayou anxiously jumped about: “Senior Brother, I’ll help you!”
He nearly charged in directly, but Laudno and Liang Fa were quick to stop him, blocking the way.
The scene grew ever more chaotic, the clanging of swords nonstop.
Zhong Lingxiu alternated between silently memorizing the Pine Wind Sword Technique and sneaking glances at Huashan sword moves, trying hard to imprint their martial arts styles into her mind.
Distracted, her perception of the surroundings dulled slightly until a sharp reprimand startled her awake.
“Stop! What are you all doing?” Yue Buqun strode forward, his brows barely furrowing. “Chong’er, you’re causing trouble again.”
Linghu Chong saw his master and looked like a mouse caught by a cat, smiling sheepishly without daring to argue. Yue Lingshan, however, was unconvinced, chirping, “Daddy, they started bullying us first.”
Just as Yue Buqun was about to speak, Elder Dingjing slowly said: “The youngsters are just sparring; it’s nothing serious.”
With her words, Yue Buqun wasn’t truly angry and responded gently: “My disciple is quite mischievous; if I don’t see him for a day, he’s jumping around, causing laughs.”
“My apologies, master,” Linghu Chong cupped his fists, looking obedient as he stepped aside.
Elder Dingjing glanced at Zhong Lingxiu and said indifferently: “Playing around all day—aren’t you coming back with me?”
“Yes.” Zhong Lingxiu sheathed her sword and followed Elder Dingjing away.
A gentle breeze brushed her face, spring’s warmth stirring.
Elder Dingjing turned the Buddhist prayer beads between her fingers and said unhurriedly, “The Four Scholars of Qingcheng have a reputation, but their skills are average, not as good as Huashan’s.”
Zhong Lingxiu replied, “Linghu Chong has a solid foundation and is good at adapting. He’s indeed a bit stronger than the ‘Heroes and Talents.’”
Elder Dingjing asked, “Have you fought against each other?”
“Yes.” She answered calmly, “They’re evenly matched.”
She paused, then added realistically, “It’s partly because of sparring.”
She had known for a long time that the reason she could practice Hengshan swordsmanship and the Myriad Flowers Sword Technique well was that both were Buddhist martial arts, compassionate and defensive, not ruthless killing moves.
Sparring was the same. She could fight without worrying about killing the opponent.
“Why belittle yourself?” Elder Dingjing comforted, “Being gentle might be a disadvantage in other sects, but at Hengshan, it’s no problem. You’re two years younger than Linghu Chong, yet your skills are about equal. With more experience, you’ll likely surpass him.”
Zhong Lingxiu hesitated to speak.
“Sword Smiling” was a classic novel trope: the protagonist faces hardships, gains serendipitous encounters, and quickly becomes a peerless expert, outwitting heroes and talents from all sides. So, though their current martial skills were similar, once the story began, Linghu Chong would frequently receive fortuitous opportunities.
Feng Qingyang teaching the Nine Swords of Dugu, learning the Star Absorbing Skill in the West Lake prison, fusing multiple masters’ true energy—he could face off against famous martial artists without falling behind.
In other words, his contemporaries were the unluckiest.
Having trained too briefly, their kung fu was incomplete but they had to confront extremely difficult events that only the older generation could handle.
How miserable was that!
Zhong Lingxiu worried silently but didn’t dare say it aloud. She only said, “My aptitude is mediocre. I must work harder in the future.”
Seeing the guest quarters nearby and without needing Elder Dingjing’s prompt, she took the initiative: “It’s getting late. I will practice now.”
Elder Dingjing was both pleased and concerned, advising: “Don’t be greedy or reckless.”
“I understand.”
Zhong Lingxiu bowed and took her leave, returning to her room to begin her usual meditation and training, circulating true energy to accumulate inner strength.
One week passed, then another. Unconsciously, night fell quietly, and the world grew silent.