Together

Until the lesson ended, the disciples were still savoring it with endless aftertaste. The crowded throng on the training ground gradually dispersed as well. At that moment, Fairy Ye did not leave at once. Instead, she picked out a spot in the crowd and floated gracefully before them, asking one of the disciples, "You know Chen Fan, don't you? Do you know why he skipped class today?!"

The one questioned was Murong Zhu. Greatly surprised, he nevertheless answered with utmost respect, "Reporting to Fairy Ye, this junior does indeed know Junior Brother Chen. Today, several of us fellow disciples came together to attend the lesson. We went to find Junior Brother Chen beforehand, but he was not in his room. We waited quite a while and still did not see him return, so we stopped waiting to avoid delaying our lesson."

"Then do you know where he went?" Ye Wan continued.

"This... this junior does not know. Oh, right. A few days ago, Junior Brother Chen asked this junior where he could gather medicinal herbs. It seemed he intended to make a trip to the back mountain."

"The back mountain? Do you know when he went?" Ye Wan suddenly sounded anxious.

"This? This junior does not know the exact time. Perhaps three days ago, since none of us have seen Junior Brother Chen for at least three days." Murong Zhu answered, thinking, Isn't skipping class perfectly normal? Fairy Ye is far too concerned about Junior Brother Chen. Could she have some kind of younger-brother obsession? But Junior Brother Chen's looks are only average. I'm no worse-looking than him. Comparing people really can make one die of anger.

Yet upon hearing this, Fairy Ye's expression changed at once. Her figure suddenly blurred, and after several flashes, she had already crossed dozens of yards in a certain direction. A few breaths later, she vanished from sight. The others looked at one another in confusion.

A moment later, Murong Zhu seemed to realize something. Wasn't that direction... the back mountain?

Hearing Murong Zhu's words, Ye Wan recalled something. Two days earlier, many people from the neighboring Sword-Imperial Pavilion had hurried into Swordheart Hall, then hurried away again, seemingly searching for someone. Later, they had made a tremendous mobilization, sending nearly a hundred disciples from the three inner-court palaces to the back mountain. Normally, she could not be bothered with such matters. Finding someone was not her responsibility, either. She had merely asked the Second Elder of her palace a few questions out of curiosity, and the Second Elder had simply replied, "What else could it be? That fellow's precious little treasure has gone missing." Ye Wan had understood at once then. No wonder they had made such a huge fuss. Now, connecting that with Murong Zhu's words, she could not help but feel a faint sense of foreboding. She hurried all the way toward the back mountain, seeing some inner-court disciples heading in that direction along the way, though none were nearly as fast as she was.

On a small path in the back mountain, two youths moved like flying, yet showed no sign of strain. They were Qin Ziyan and Chen Fan, returning after their journey.

"Once we pass through this road, we'll be within the sect's territory." Qin Ziyan was somewhat anxious. She had never been away from home for so many days without returning since childhood. Some people must have been worried about her by now. Although the back mountain was also under Swordcry Mountain's jurisdiction, only upon returning to the sect's territory could they truly be considered safe.

Two figures suddenly darted out ahead. Qin Ziyan and Chen Fan instinctively tensed, as though facing a formidable enemy. But when the newcomers clearly saw the girl's appearance, they cried out in delight, "Junior Sister Ziyan, it really is you? We finally found you! Do you know that if you hadn't shown up soon, all us inner-court disciples would have been doomed?"

The girl found the two somewhat familiar. Sticking out her tongue, she said, "Ziyan was too playful and caused all you senior brothers to suffer." Seeing their condition, she immediately understood roughly what had happened. Her palace must have mobilized the entire inner court to search for her. If they had kept failing to find her, these people might truly have suffered from someone's displaced anger.

"It's fine, it's fine. As long as we found you." Both of them heaved sighs of relief. Then one narrowed his eyes and asked, "Who is this person beside you, Junior Sister? Could he be connected to your disappearance?"

It had come. What was meant to come would come eventually. Chen Fan thought this, but his expression remained as calm as still water.

"Senior Brothers, please do not misunderstand. This junior brother is a disciple of Swordheart Hall. Thanks to him, this junior sister was able to..."

"Swordheart Hall?" Before Qin Ziyan could finish explaining, the two men's eyes turned fierce. They drew their swords directly and pointed them at Chen Fan. One of them said, "The two of us are disciples under Swordheart Hall's Third Elder. Junior Sister Ziyan, I can tell you responsibly that this man is absolutely not a disciple of Swordheart Hall. We have never seen him before."

"What?" Qin Ziyan was greatly astonished. She had met these two senior brothers before. If so, this youth truly was suspicious. But then he would likely be treated as a sect spy. If he were suspected of having something to do with her disappearance, his outcome would be even worse. Yet over the past few days, she had clearly sensed that although this youth was somewhat more calculating than others his age, he had absolutely no ill intent. After all, she had been unconscious back then. If he had wanted to do anything to her... Moreover, he had saved her life.

"Senior Brothers, there must be some misunderstanding here. This junior sister traveled with this junior brother all the way here and can guarantee that he is no villain." After saying this, she turned to Chen Fan, only then realizing that she did not even know his name, yet had already trusted him so deeply. She said to him, "Junior Brother, do you have your disciple token with you? Could you show it to the two senior brothers?"

Chen Fan was speechless. If I had a token, would I need you to remind me? Still, speaking of tokens, he actually did have one.

But would Fairy Ye giving her token to an outsider violate the sect's rules? He had some ties with Fairy Ye, after all, and did not want to drag her into this for no reason. Besides, their friendship was limited to begin with. If he offended Fairy Ye as well, perhaps even she would be unable to protect him, and they would become enemies. More importantly, even if he showed the token now, it might not help. These two were disciples of Swordheart Hall. They knew better than anyone whether his identity was real. Taking out the token would only make him seem more suspicious.

Seeing that Chen Fan neither spoke nor produced any proof, the two exchanged a glance and attacked simultaneously. Two streaks of sword light shot toward Chen Fan. Damn it, they aren't even letting me speak before starting a fight? Chen Fan was not afraid. He held his shabby little sword horizontally before him and executed a stabbing sword form fused with the Clear Wind Art. Within a single breath, he thrust out several times. All the Sword Qi gathered at the tip, and points of sword light met the two men from different directions. Several streaks even stabbed at tricky, vicious angles. The two had considerable combat experience and quickly withdrew their swords to defend. Their assault against Chen Fan weakened by more than half, colliding with several streaks of sword light he had unleashed and dissipating together. The two also blocked the remaining Sword Qi aimed at their bodies.

Qin Ziyan had intended to intervene, but after seeing Chen Fan's move, she merely narrowed her eyes and watched the fight with great interest. Once again, she marveled inwardly. This brat can actually fight two Swordheart Hall disciples at once. He really isn't simple. Although Swordheart Hall disciples did not primarily cultivate External Force techniques, their main focus was still swordsmanship. Furthermore, these two had received the Third Elder's personal teachings and had cultivated in the sect for quite some time. Whether in combat experience or coordination, they were quite skilled. Yet even attacking together, they had failed to gain any advantage.

Qin Ziyan knew she herself could not fight these two senior brothers alone. And that Azure Mountain Sword Art he had displayed just now seemed to have been fused with another sword art. His comprehension was truly impressive. Still, his sword was... far too shabby...

Little did she know that Chen Fan had merely relied on his slightly higher Internal Qi realm and the fused sword art he had comprehended earlier to catch them off guard. He only had these three tricks. If the battle continued, his limited moves would lead to his utter defeat.

The two Swordheart Hall disciples were also deeply shocked. Their combined strike had actually been neutralized so easily. Still, they were confident they could win. Their opponent was alone, after all.

One of them shouted, "You actually know our palace's Azure Mountain Sword Art. As expected, you came to secretly steal sword techniques. Junior Brother, let us capture this man quickly and hand him over to the sect for punishment." "Fine, then let's directly use our strongest moves!" the other agreed.

Was there something wrong with them? They had to shout out that they were using their strongest moves beforehand? Wasn't that idiotic? If I can't beat them, can't I just run? Still, Chen Fan truly found these two unpleasant to look at. They wanted to fight at the drop of a hat. He said, "Knowing the Azure Mountain Sword Art means I stole sword techniques? You two senior brothers are truly good at forcing crimes onto people, aren't you?"

"Heh, stop trying to argue. You probably don't know this, but although the Azure Mountain Sword Art is only an ordinary low-grade sword art, currently only Swordheart Hall disciples in the sect cultivate it. If you say you did not secretly learn it, then what is it?" Though their words clashed like needle against wheat, the treasured swords in their hands had already turned, seemingly preparing a powerful strike.

Chen Fan was about to continue reasoning with them when a streak of light suddenly tore across the sky, followed by a cold female voice. "Who says he secretly learned it?!"

The angry voice reached the ears of everyone present, but each reacted differently. The two Swordheart Hall disciples were stunned, Chen Fan was overjoyed and felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted, while Qin Ziyan grew even more curious.

As soon as the words fell, a graceful figure arrived, standing before the four of them and blocking the space between Chen Fan and the two Swordheart Hall disciples. After a brief daze, the two hurried forward and saluted. "Greetings, Martial Aunt Ye!"

The one who had come to save the situation had finally arrived. At the very least, his identity could now be verified. If Fairy Ye protected him a little more afterward, the matter of the back mountain should be settled perfectly, right?

Ye Wan did not even look at Chen Fan. She glared furiously at the two men. "Very good! You two, very good! I taught him that sword art. Do you have any more questions?" Cold sweat immediately broke out on both men. Martial Aunt Ye was always aloof and icy in daily life. She never concerned herself with others, nor did she casually praise or scold anyone. These two "very goods" had clearly been gritted out through her teeth. What did that mean? Sarcasm? Both men felt like crying. Trembling, they said, "N-no more questions. Since Junior Sister has been found, and with Martial Aunt Ye here, there is no problem at all. We'll return now..." Neither dared look at Fairy Ye again. They turned and ran as though fleeing for their lives.

Only after the two had left did Ye Wan turn around, a faintly depressed look on her face. "Am I that frightening?" She looked at Chen Fan, though it was unclear whether she was asking him or mocking herself. This... was a fatal question. How was he supposed to answer?

"With Fairy Ye's beauty, if that counts as frightening, then there are probably no lovable people left in this world." The flattery in Chen Fan's words was so thick it was nauseating.

"Is that so?" The two words were actually spoken in unison by both women. After asking them, however, their reactions differed. Ye Wan had originally revealed a faint smile at his words, but upon hearing Qin Ziyan speak, her face stiffened as she looked at her suspiciously. Chen Fan certainly has a sweet tongue, but he was merely flattering me. Why is this little girl so worked up? Could it be that the two of them...

Qin Ziyan had originally wanted to retort upon hearing him, but suddenly realized she had lost her composure. She shrank back and did not dare look at Fairy Ye again.

Fairy Ye did not look at Qin Ziyan either. She asked Chen Fan, "Chen Fan, where have you two been these past few days? Were you together with Ziyan?"

The moment she asked that, all three felt awkward. Ye Wan: It seems I said something wrong... But I didn't ask anything wrong, did I? Chen Fan: How am I supposed to answer that? Fairy Ye, you should stay aloof and cold. The moment you open your mouth, your image falls apart. You're simply a conversation killer. Qin Ziyan: Together? Together? Did she mean that kind of together? Why would Martial Aunt Ye ask that? If he answers yes, how will I ever face anyone if word gets out? And he... so his name is Chen Fan.

Fortunately, Chen Fan was not afraid of answering any question. With a wronged expression, he said, "Fairy Ye does not know this, but Senior Sister Qin and I truly took a trip through the gates of hell..." He recounted everything in full, from entering the mountain to gather herbs, getting lost, encountering Qin Ziyan, being poisoned, battling the giant snake, healing, and recovering. Naturally, he did not mention stealing the egg. The more Fairy Ye listened, the more alarmed she became. From time to time, she glanced at Qin Ziyan, who repeatedly nodded, fear still lingering in her expression.

"...To be safe, we only set out to return after Senior Sister Qin had recovered. Speaking of which, the medicine I gave Senior Sister Qin that day was crudely made. I do not know whether it might leave any aftereffects. If there really is a problem, the inner-court elders will not punish me, will they?"

After hearing this, Fairy Ye drew a deep breath. A wave of fear washed over her as well. "You brat, do you know that not only will you not be punished this time, you have rendered tremendous merit!"

Just as I thought, Chen Fan said inwardly. He had long seen that this Senior Sister Qin held extraordinary status in the inner court. As long as she returned to the sect alive, with a powerful expert stepping in, what lingering effects could a little snake venom mixed with the poison he had made possibly leave? He had only said that deliberately just now.

Qin Ziyan chimed in as well, "Chen Fan, don't worry. I said it before: I will definitely repay this life-saving grace of yours."

Though her words carried a slight ambiguity, her sincerity was clear. Ye Wan had long known this little girl's reputation. She was the granddaughter of the Sword-Imperial Pavilion's master. The pavilion master's son had died young, leaving behind only this single descendant. The old pavilion master had treasured her beyond measure from childhood to adulthood, which had naturally fostered her somewhat savage and domineering temperament. Yet deep down, the girl was exceptionally kind-hearted. She loved fiercely and hated clearly. Whoever treated her well, she treated well in return. Whoever offended her would find themselves targeted at every turn, with no good outcome. Thus, many inner-court disciples avoided her as though she were a plague and called her the Little Witch. Yet the girl was cute, and she had been raised by the pavilion master and all the elders since childhood. They were experts at protecting their own cubs, so no inner-court disciple dared complain about her, much less provoke her.

This time, the pavilion master was not in the sect. When the First Elder learned she had disappeared, he nearly went mad and had almost torn the roofs off all three palaces. Yet no one dared say much. They all cooperated in searching for her. For every day she remained unfound, they would have no peace for that day.

When the three returned to the sect, all the inner-court disciples who saw that Qin Ziyan had been found let out enormous sighs of relief. The tension they had carried these past two days instantly faded, and at last, they could return to their usual lives.