“The Wudang Sect emphasizes self-cultivation and self-improvement. Daoist Siyou has been in seclusion for many years and has not been involved in the affairs of the martial arts world for a long time. It is already rare that he is willing to contribute to the martial arts alliance this time. He would definitely refuse to be the leader of the alliance.”
"The disciple of Daoist Siyou is named Qiao Yijun. I think he's quite good; he's a promising young man," Xue Qing enthusiastically recommended Qiao Yijun.
Fang Yun shook his head: "Qiao Yijun has the same integrity as his master, with plenty of benevolence and righteousness, but lacking in decisiveness. He is not up to the task."
Xue Qing pursed her lips and remained silent. It's always Xiao Guiying who's good; when you mention other people, you always have a bunch of flaws. Doesn't Xiao Guiying have any flaws? Although Xue Qing didn't find any flaws in Xiao Guiying either, male supporting characters are always perfect, right?
Deadly Leaf
"This matter needs further consideration, as it is truly difficult for the three factions to discuss it." Fang Yun was already somewhat exhausted.
"Sect Leader Fang, has Kunlun Palace's attitude changed?" Xiao Guiying asked.
“That old man is incredibly stubborn; there’s no way to persuade him,” Fang Yun said, shaking his head.
"Alas, thank you for your trouble, Sect Leader Fang," Xiao Guiying sighed.
"Sect Master Xiao, I have already instructed my disciples to prepare a room for you. If you don't mind, please stay at Lingyu Sect for a few days before you leave. I think Qing'er must have a lot to discuss with you," Fang Yun said kindly.
Upon hearing her name called, Xue Qing suddenly perked up. Her dear senior sister, she and Xiao Guiying had nothing to discuss; in fact, they had absolutely nothing to say to each other.
"Senior sister, don't make things difficult for Pavilion Master Xiao. He must have many matters to attend to back at Dongqi Pavilion," Xue Qing said, "understandingly."
"It's alright, I'll just stay at Lingyu Sect for one more day."
"Welcome, welcome. Sun Fang, please take Pavilion Master Xiao to the side room and let me know if he needs anything."
"Yes, Pavilion Master Xiao, please follow me." Sun opened the door and greeted Xiao Gui.
"Senior sister, I'm going back to my room to change my clothes now." With the meeting over, Xue Qing should also take her leave.
Back in her room, the bundle had been hidden in a secret compartment, but Liu Ying wasn't there. That wasn't like him; shouldn't he be like the most loyal sheepdog, guarding his master's treasure and waiting for his return? She had her disciples take all the clothes she'd brought back to the laundry room, and then found a new set to change into. She couldn't let her rare beauty go to waste; she should be vain. After changing, Xue Qing asked several people before finally finding out the direction Liu Ying had gone. Following that direction, she arrived at a secluded pavilion, where Liu Ying was practicing his swordplay in the open space outside.
This was the first time Xue Qing had seen Liu Ying wield a sword. Although she had been away for a month, Liu Ying wore the uniform of the Lingyu Sect. In the Central Plains, who wouldn't give the Lingyu Sect some face? No one dared to provoke them, so Liu Ying had no opportunity to make a move. Liu Ying's swordsmanship was very peaceful, or rather, a bit slow in Xue Qing's eyes. This was related to the fact that Liu Ying's master was from a different lineage. Liu Ying's master was not Fang Yun, but Xue Qing's second senior brother. That man's martial arts style was unconventional within the Lingyu Sect. He didn't focus on sword techniques, but rather on cultivating sword energy. A gentle sword strike could unleash devastating sword energy. Liu Ying had inherited his style.
Xue Qing stood quietly in the pavilion watching Liu Ying practice her swordsmanship. Leaves often fell from the trees, and Liu Ying used her sword energy to precisely catch them, release them, and catch them again, manipulating the leaves with her sword moves. Having seen many profound martial arts techniques in television dramas, witnessing them in person was a different kind of awe-inspiring, especially since the person wielding the sword was a beautiful woman as pure as jade; her peaceful movements were more like a sword dance than actual swordplay, a truly pleasing sight.
After a few moves, Ye Luo fell and sheathed his sword.
"Uncle-Master, you've arrived," Liu Ying said, turning around.
"You keep practicing, don't worry about me, I'm just going for a walk." Xue Qing said, waving her handkerchief. Strangely, she just wanted to take a walk, but somehow she ended up asking about Liu Ying's whereabouts.
"I'm not practicing anymore. Master said that martial arts rely on flashes of inspiration and enlightenment. Dwelling on trivial details every day is the way of a fool," Liu Ying replied.
His mentor is really something... How many teachers who constantly say "diligence can make up for lack of talent, and a slow bird can fly first" would want to spit on him?
“Since you want to take a walk, Martial Aunt, why don’t I accompany you?” Liu Ying said, already walking up to Xue Qing.
"Um... okay."
The two walked side by side along the tree-lined path, a few fists' distance between them. The scenery of Lingyu Mountain was quite new to Xue Qing, but wouldn't it be strange for Liu Ying to be strolling in the place where she had grown up? Well, he looked quite happy. The teacher had said that men with low happiness thresholds are easy to please ╮(╯_╰)╭.
The founder of the Lingyu Sect really knew how to choose a location. The back mountain of the Lingyu Sect is covered with exceptionally tall ancient ginkgo trees. Selling these trees to a modern landscaping company would surely bring in a fortune. Xue Qing's hand ran over the thick bark of each ginkgo tree, exuding the aura of history, and of course, feeling the weight of RMB.
As they walked, Liu Ying suddenly said, as if to herself, "Uncle-Master, you've changed so much."
Xue Qing was startled and asked nervously, "Where... has it changed?"
“You would never have appreciated the scenery of Lingyu Sect so slowly before. You hated this place. It bound you and prevented you from going to him.” Liu Ying’s dark eyes gazed at Xue Qing.
That "he" refers to Yan Ming. She must have been out of her mind to go looking for Yan Ming. Knowing he was an intermittent killer, she didn't even try to stay away. She just walked right into the line of fire. Don't you think she deserved it?
"He has a new love interest, you saw it. Going to him again will only be pointless."
“Uncle-Master, you once said that he was everything to you. You said you would live and die for him, and you would also die for the woman beside him.”
How domineering! Such strong lust and possessiveness! In other words, compared to Yan Ming's life, Yan Ming's life is more important; compared to the lives of the women around Yan Ming, the lives of the women around Yan Ming are even more important. If Xue Qing hadn't transmigrated, if Xue Qing had brought her body with her, Xue Qing would definitely find the original Xue Qing and slap her twice. With her master in heaven above and her baby girl crying for food below (just kidding), how could you bear to ruin yourself like this? A man who treats you like a multi-functional inflatable doll is nothing! He's not even as important as a sanitary napkin (seriously).
"Liu Ying," Xue Qing said solemnly, holding Liu Ying's shoulders with both hands, "I'll tell you something, remember this: If everyone loves me, I will love everyone; if no one loves me, I will not love them; if someone loves me, I may not love them; if no one loves me, I will definitely not love them."
Liu Ying remained silent for a long time before saying, "...Uncle-Master, your sentence is quite long."
It's quite long, with nine commas! Xue Qing was feeling ashamed when Liu Ying smiled and said, "Although I don't quite understand, I've memorized it, Martial Aunt."
"Good boy, you'll see how advanced and fashionable your uncle's teachings are in the future." (Xue Qing)
"Uncle-Master, I have a question." (Firefly)
"Raise your hand to ask a question, good child." (Xue Qing)
"What is advanced? What is fashionable?" (Firefly)
"Advanced means... all my views are advanced, and fashionable means... all my outfits are fashionable." (Xue Qing)
“Uncle-Master, I’ve noticed you’re becoming more and more like Abbot Chankong of Shaolin Temple.” (Firefly)
"Really? Am I that extraordinary?" Xue Qing said, curling her hair, looking rather embarrassed.
"You often speak in a way that's hard to understand." (Firefly)
"...Philosophy is always a lonely pursuit." (Xue Qing)
"What is philosophy?" (Firefly)
"All the things you can't understand are called philosophy." (Xue Qing)
"If the innkeeper's dialect is too strong for me to understand, then is what he says also philosophy?" (Firefly)