Moonlight in the Forest Descended

Wan Xiaoxi panted, his hands trembling around the spear shaft.

If even those wastrels upstairs could see what was happening, how could he, the man fighting, fail to understand?

His heart was filled with regret.

He had been too hasty. He had intended to defeat Jiang Che in three moves, but had failed.

As his plan for a swift, crushing victory threatened to collapse, he fought with increasing impatience. The more impatient he became, the tighter his opponent's defense grew. By the time he came to his senses, it was already too late!

Yet he still clung to one thought: whether his victory was impressive or not, he had to win first.

He wanted to ease his offensive, catch a couple of breaths, and bring out the distinctive qualities of Upper Azure Smoke Clouds, meeting his opponent with nimble, graceful movements.

But first, with his mind in turmoil, how could he immediately adjust his style and techniques?

Second, Jiang Che had no intention of giving him that chance!

The Azure Torrent Sword Art had always taken as its guiding principles, "Steady force, like an old tree taking root; ever-changing sword moves, like branches and leaves dancing in the wind; feints interwoven with true strikes, flowing without end."

Jiang Che had not only grasped this when he first began studying the sword art, earning Du Yongchang's praise. Later, he had also acquired Jiang Yunwei's cultivation insights from the instance. Jiang Yunwei's swordsmanship was far from poor, and now all of it had been added to Jiang Che's own abilities, making him wield his sword like anything but a novice.

Using Cloud-Wrapped Empty Valley, the sword art's strongest defensive move, he maintained an airtight guard. Over dozens of exchanges, he had not only drained much of Wan Xiaoxi's strength, but severely worn down his fighting spirit!

And when Wan Xiaoxi tried to pull back, Jiang Che saw it less as an attempt to catch his breath and wait for another opening than as a sign that, flustered and disoriented, he was beginning to shrink away!

How could he possibly let his opponent recover his strength and settle his mind before fighting again?

Taking advantage of a thrust that had long since lost its edge, Jiang Che turned the tables with Returning Tides Fold Greenery!

This was a counterattacking move that borrowed the enemy's strength. Like Returning Tide Rolls Leaves, the sword turned back upon its attacker with the momentum, flowing without end!

After fighting for so long, Jiang Che's very first counterattack threw Wan Xiaoxi into a frantic scramble!

No, at this rate, I won't be able to hold on!

Wan Xiaoxi finally understood that he had fallen into Jiang Che's rhythm from the very beginning. Rather than overwhelming Jiang Che, his furious offensive had played straight into his opponent's hands.

How could I have made a mistake like this?

At this point, reviewing the fight was meaningless. He gritted his teeth, and beneath the enveloping sword strikes of Jiang Che's counterattack, he suddenly roared, swinging his spear viciously at Jiang Che without a thought for anything else!

The blow left him no room for another move, as though he meant to pour all his defiance into this single strike.

If it succeeded, he still had a sliver of hope of turning the tables.

If it failed, then he had lost.

At least he had fought to the very last moment.

The spear swept toward him on a fierce rush of wind.

Jiang Che was somewhat surprised, but did not panic.

He knew Wan Xiaoxi's thoughts had fallen into complete disarray, and his movements had lost all their form. This desperate blow merely hastened his defeat.

Wind Leaves No Trace!

This was the softest, lightest move in the entire Azure Torrent Sword Art. Rather than a sword technique, it was closer to a movement technique, emphasizing the use of the sword to guide the body in the most elusive manner.

With just a touch of his sword tip against the spear shaft, Jiang Che borrowed its force to slip past the steel spear's powerful sweep.

He followed with Moonlight in the Forest. The blade seemed unhurried, almost leisurely, but in truth it was as keen as a full moon cutting across the sky!

The sword circled around Wan Xiaoxi's spear, entered through the opening beside his ribs, broke through his protective inner force, and went straight for his throat, finally stopping before his chin.

Wan Xiaoxi's pale face was reflected in the blade. He dared not move in the slightest, terrified that even breathing a little harder would bring his throat onto the sword tip.

At that moment, the entire street fell silent.

As Jiang Che withdrew his sword, Wan Xiaoxi loosened his grip, and his spear fell to the ground with a clang.

He looked utterly bereft. His voice was hoarse, and however much he refused to believe or acknowledge it, all he could say now was:

"I... lost."

The instant those words left his mouth, the entire long street erupted. Gongs and drums thundered, yet even they could not drown out the buzzing discussions in the crowd.

The wastrels on the second floors of the shops lining the street could not utter a word.

The Azure Mystic outer disciples wore varied expressions as well. Those who had watched coldly, refusing to accept Jiang Che, now had no choice but to put aside their contempt. Those who had congratulated him earlier, however, lifted their heads and puffed out their chests, as though they too had gained prestige.

Amid all the commotion, a hearty laugh rang out above everything else:

"Ha ha ha! Good! Splendid!"

Luo Wenling guided his Flying Boat over. Looking Jiang Che up and down, he grinned and said, "The Azure Torrent Sword Art! You really have it down."

"I was fortunate to receive Master Du's instruction."

"I don't believe Du Yongchang taught you to be this good. Even after a year of practice, he himself might not have reached your level."

As he spoke, he did not spare so much as a glance for Wan Xiaoxi, who was still down on one knee.

"All right, the excitement's over. Let's not waste any more time. Come on, get aboard!"

Jiang Che vaulted onto the Flying Boat. No one stood in his way now.

Luo Wenling formed a hand seal and was about to depart, but then turned back to look at Zong Rui.

His gaze made Steward Zong uneasy. He stepped forward despite himself and asked quietly:

"Do you have any further instructions, Junior Brother Luo?"

"Didn't you say earlier that if this fellow Wan won, Jiang Che would have to surrender his place? I took that as your stake. Now that Jiang Che has won, what prize are you going to offer?"

Zong Rui frowned. "Well... we never explicitly agreed on that before... never mind. I'll offer five spirit stones as a token of goodwill."

"Hmph!" Luo Wenling sneered. "A place among the disciples of our Azure Mystic Main Gate is worth only five spirit stones?"

"I've always lived simply. I truly have nothing more to give."

Luo Wenling bared his teeth in a smile and brought up another matter:

"Before Sixth Senior Brother and I left to investigate the Heaven Pillar Remnants, I heard something in the sect. Apparently, an elder of the Verdant Mist Hall feels that the registered disciples recommended over the years have been getting worse with each passing year. All gold and jade on the outside, rotten stuffing within-nothing but an embarrassment once they enter the Main Gate. There needs to be a thorough investigation into how all the outer branches normally conduct their business."

"Junior Brother Luo, I've only just arrived in Willow Source. This truly has nothing to do with me."

Despite his words, Zong Rui felt somewhat as though thorns were pricking his back.

This was his first time leaving the sect to serve as an outer branch steward. By rights, none of the past sordid dealings should have been traced to him.

But... on this very occasion, the Wan Clan had approached him.

He had always heard that admission places were a routine source of income for outer branch stewards, so he had thought nothing of accepting the Wan Household's proposal. He had originally intended to give them the next place, but when Wan Xiaoxi came asking for a duel, he had seen an opportunity and given things a push.

If it worked, he would have given the Wan Household their place, and the local lineages of Willow Source would still have to pay for the next one. If it failed, there would be no great harm.

Who would have imagined that Luo Wenling would show signs of refusing to let the matter go!

If I end up taking the blame over this, that would be one hell of a loss-I've only just started making money!

Still, he was truly unwilling to let himself be manipulated so easily. He also doubted whether Luo Wenling's words were true, so he could not help hesitating and gave no immediate reply.

"Whether they investigate or not has nothing to do with me anyway, so I couldn't be bothered to say much. But..." At this point, Luo Wenling's expression suddenly changed, his voice laced with baleful intent. "You dared scheme against someone Sixth Senior Brother and I specifically named as being under our protection? Has no one heard the name of our Jingxiao Peak these past few years?"

Zong Rui started in alarm. "I wouldn't dare! Rest assured, Junior Brother Luo. I-I haven't done anything, and I certainly won't do anything... I have a nourishing treasure refined from [forest ravine essence qi]. Please accept it, Junior Brother Luo, as the prize."

Luo Wenling stared at him for two breaths, then suddenly grinned again. Taking the item, he said:

"All right, all right, no need to be so frightened. I know you haven't had time to do anything yet. Otherwise, I'd have made quite a spectacle of you here today!"

He turned back around and swept his sleeve.

"Let's go!"

The Flying Boat shuddered slightly. The runes on its hull suddenly lit up, blazing with azure light, and then it tore through the air and soared straight into the clouds. The gusts swept over the crowd, sending people staggering this way and that, and whipped the festive red ribbons all along the street.