The night was as dark as ink. The sound of wind sweeping through the pines on Mount Hua rang especially clearly in the silence.
"..."
In the main room on the north side of the courtyard shared by the Mount Hua Sect's leader and his wife, Yue Buqun stood with his hands behind his back before the window. He gazed at the hazy, sheer cliffs of Mount Hua in the distance and the star-filled night sky, his fingers unconsciously tracing the carvings on the window frame. For a long while, he said nothing.
"..."
Ning Zhongze was already seated at the dressing table, removing the hairpins and jade ornaments from her hair.
"Senior Brother..."
"It's late, and the dew is heavy outside. Come back and get some rest."
After urging him, she paid no mind to his response. She thought for a moment, then continued:
"I've been pondering Shan'er's combined sword technique all day—the way the Jade Maiden Nineteen Swords combine with the Mount Hua Swordsmanship. I even tried practicing it a few times, but..."
"Why can't I perform it the way Shan'er does? How can she use her mind for two things at once, and do it so naturally?"
"I don't understand..."
"How does she manage to wield two completely different styles of swordsmanship at the same time?"
Ning Zhongze had no idea that Annie had passed her knowledge on to Yue Lingshan. Unable to make sense of it, she let out a quiet sigh, then put the hairpins and jade ornaments in her hands away in the small boxes on the dressing table.
"..."
Only then did Yue Buqun turn around and walk into the room.
The candlelight cast shifting shadows across his lean face. He pondered for a moment before sighing.
"I tried it too!"
"But..."
Yue