Xie Jingyun's Visit

"What kind of day is it today? Even Sister Jingyun has come by."

He was already used to seeing Ling Ling outside.

But he hadn't expected Xie Jingyun to come by today, too.

Yun Tianqing had taken her and Jiang Qingyue as nominal disciples and passed down some of his martial arts heritage to them.

But at least Jiang Qingyue knew a little about the situation.

Xie Jingyun, on the other hand, hadn't even met Yun Tianqing. She had only received a little of his inheritance at the stone statue.

That had led her to believe the three of them had stumbled upon the legendary stroke of good fortune.

Although Yun Tianqing had later asked him to occasionally guide them in their sword training while he practiced,

that was expecting far too much of him.

Back at Qingfeng Mountain, with Elder Meng Yunling there, how could he possibly be qualified to guide them?

"I came to see you because there's something I'd like to ask you about, Junior Brother."

Xie Jingyun looked rather embarrassed as she spoke. She glanced at Ling Ling, then seemed unsure whether to continue.

"You two talk. I'll wait over there." Seeing Xie Jingyun's embarrassed look, Ling Ling understood that there was something she found difficult to say in front of her and wanted to discuss with Chen Qinglin.

She sensibly moved aside.

He glanced at Ling Ling but said nothing.

This wasn't his business. He didn't mind, but he didn't know what Sister Jingyun thought.

He ushered Xie Jingyun into the small courtyard and asked what had brought her there.

"Junior Brother, a few days ago, I was practicing the Light Rain Sword Art in my courtyard when Master Yunling saw me. I told her I'd obtained it in a cave when I returned to my hometown with you."

"Is that all right?"

Xie Jingyun voiced her concern.

"It's fine. People occasionally stumble upon this kind of good fortune. Qingfeng Mountain will simply treat it as one of its disciples' own lucky encounters."

"As for Elder Meng, I know she brought you to Qingfeng Mountain when you were little. You feel bad about deceiving her."

"But if you expose the truth about how you came by it, that's when trouble will start." Thinking of the Bone-Transforming Pill, he knew that if word of it got out, it would surely invite others' greed.

"The sword art we practice has also been passed down on the continent."

"Though its grade is rather high, it's only Human Tier High Grade. Qingfeng Mountain even has Human Tier Top Grade martial arts, so this shouldn't cause any trouble."

"If the sect asks about it, you can consider turning in the Light Rain Sword Art, Sister Jingyun."

Chen Qinglin spoke slowly after hearing her out. Xie Jingyun knew little and was only a Martial Artist who had recently entered the Inner Qi Realm.

Even if someone investigated, it wouldn't cause much trouble.

He had voiced similar concerns to Yun Tianqing back in the Rain Curtain Secret Realm.

Yun Tianqing had lived for who knew how many years. How could he fail to see through something like this?

That little girl Jiang Qingyue was carrying a great secret, one even he couldn't see through.

The little girl certainly wouldn't reveal it.

If he weren't afraid of implicating Chen Qinglin, the Rain Sword Emperor wouldn't have minded passing on his sword art.

That was why the palace walls had been covered with so many diagrams of martial arts and sword techniques.

Now that he had Chen Qinglin as his true successor, he had hidden the secret realm in the void.

No one who came after them would be able to find the Rain Curtain Secret Realm.

That was also because Chen Qinglin hadn't yet grown strong enough, and Qingfeng Mountain couldn't withstand the revelation of such a secret realm.

So the martial arts and sword techniques taught to Jiang Qingyue and Xie Jingyun were mostly ones that could be made public.

Xie Jingyun didn't know Yun Tianqing's identity, so there was no way she could explain it.

Her talent was the only slight complication. But with such talent, and as a disciple of Qingfeng Mountain itself, it might actually be a good thing.

Still, he reminded Xie Jingyun not to reveal her talent.

Even if she did, she should put it off for as long as possible.

That way, she could control the conversation!

After reassuring the somewhat panicked Xie Jingyun,

he continued.

"Sister Jingyun, have you run into anything you don't understand while practicing the sword art lately? I may be a little young, but I have some advice to offer."

"There are a few things I don't understand..." Seeing Chen Qinglin remain calm and clearly have a plan, Xie Jingyun gradually relaxed.

She began describing the problems she'd encountered while practicing the sword art, one by one.

Chen Qinglin had actually misunderstood. Xie Jingyun always practiced this sword art in secret.

She didn't feel comfortable asking her master, Meng Yunling, about it, which had greatly hindered her progress.

Even if she had asked, Meng Yunling couldn't have explained it as thoroughly as Chen Qinglin, who practiced the same sword art.

One explained; the other remembered and comprehended.

After a while, he finally remembered that there was still someone outside!

He told Xie Jingyun she could come to him with questions like these in the future.

Then the two of them hurried outside to bring Ling Ling in.

"Are you done talking?"

Ling Ling asked when she saw them.

"It was nothing. Sister Jingyun wanted to discuss some sword techniques with me and felt awkward bringing it up in front of you. I won't ask you to step aside next time, Sister Jingyun." Chen Qinglin offered a brief explanation.

Then he suggested,

"There's no end to the path of the sword. We'll all run into questions as we continue practicing."

"How about we get together once a month to compare what we've learned, discuss the obstacles we run into in our practice, and maybe gain some new insights?"

"Great, great! That's a wonderful idea, Junior Brother! I'm sure Yuexing and the others will be interested, too."

"But where should we meet? It'd be such a waste of a good idea if we didn't have a nice place to gather."

Ling Ling was indeed intrigued by Chen Qinglin's suggestion, but she was troubled over where to hold the gatherings.

"My courtyard isn't very suitable, and hardly any men ever visit Sister Jingyun's Qingzhu Peak..."

"What's there to think about? Isn't Junior Brother Qinglin's place perfect?"

"From the cliff, you can see all the way out and feel your spirits soar. The clear pool not far away adds a touch of artistry, and our host, Qinglin, will be here to welcome us..."

Before Ling Ling could fret over it, Xie Jingyun covered her mouth and laughed.

Ling Ling looked around after hearing that. It really was a nice place, and there was enough room...

"I agree that the scenery here is lovely, Junior Brother. But the space in front of the courtyard is too bare. It feels like something's missing..."

Ling Ling agreed with Xie Jingyun, but still thought the view in front of the courtyard was a little monotonous.

"That's easy enough to fix. We can visit the sisters at the various peaks, find some peach and apricot blossoms, and transplant them here to spruce the place up..."

Xie Jingyun had gotten caught up in the idea, too. The two of them began discussing holding their gathering here...

Have you forgotten something? I haven't even said anything yet!

Don't go making decisions on your own!

"Hey, you two Senior Sisters, haven't you forgotten to ask what I, the person this is all about, think?"

"Junior Brother?"

Ling Ling's eyes lit up as she said,

"I forgot you were here, Junior Brother. You'll have to keep some snacks in your courtyard from now on!"

"You don't want everyone going home disappointed, do you? Just agree, Junior Brother. Please?"

After Ling Ling finished speaking, she gazed at Chen Qinglin with big, pleading eyes. Even Xie Jingyun stared straight at him.

He covered his face, unable to bear the sight, and said,

"Have it your way! Just don't go overboard. I still have to practice my sword every day, and if you transplant too many plants, they'll end up getting ruined."

"Then all your hard work will have gone to waste."

"Ah! Junior Brother's right. We might even have to spar with Yuexing and the others. I should leave some open space so Yuexing can see what I'm capable of."

"I understand! Just you wait, Junior Brother. That's enough for today."

"Sister Jingyun, let's head back. You can talk to Sister Chang Yan and the others, and I'll go find Yuexing. I'll ask what they think..."

As she spoke, Ling Ling tugged Xie Jingyun along...

"Ah, all right. We'll be going, Junior Brother. I expect we'll be bothering you for the next few days." Xie Jingyun was also quite taken with the idea, and left with Ling Ling.

"..."

"Ah! What...! I..."

He'd only meant to help Sister Jingyun catch up a little and, while he was at it, get Junior Sister Ling Ling excited about practicing martial arts. How had things turned into this...?