Chapter 365: Chapter 363: I Forgive You
"Not wearing a mask?"
As Niruo stopped walking, Le Yin asked leisurely.
"The mask is not in my possession," Niruo calmly said. "It belongs to Shuangli Palace."
"But she can’t use it either," Le Yin took a sip of red juice and laughed, "Even if the Mad Mask belongs to Shuangli Palace, you’re also her possession. Do you really need to draw such clear lines?"
"Of course, I need to," Niruo turned his head to look at him and calmly said, "She holds the Mad Mask, symbolizing that she’s my Sword Master, and I’m her sword sheath. Her role in my battles isn’t meaningless. On the contrary, if she stays by my side, she can elevate my combat prowess by a tier."
"Does it really matter?" Le Yin asked, "With the Holy Sword Shimmering contract, you two can trust each other completely. You don’t need such redundant bonds..."
"You might think redundant bonds are meaningless, but Shuangli Palace and I see it the opposite," Niruo gently stroked his Sakura Dragon blade, speaking as if chatting with a friend. "Precisely because they’re redundant, they hold meaning. After all, isn’t the relationship between a sword sheath and a Sword Master just like that between a servant and a master? Monarchs and subjects, parents and children, teachers and students — aren’t all the relationships in the world essentially just rulers and the ruled existing at different times and places? Isn’t everyone simply using each other?"
"But why do we need to be loyal to the Monarch, respect our parents, and care for our teachers?"
Niruo gripped his Sakura Dragon blade tightly. "That’s precisely because in our relationships, there are many trivial, redundant bonds. Our distinction from the Barbarian Race lies in these ’redundant’ meanings."
"Furthermore..."
Swish!
Niruo swung towards Le Yin, and the Sakura Dragon light roared forward. Le Yin remained motionless as the sword light grazed by his ear, cutting his hair tie and letting his red hair cascade over his shoulders.
The Ice Blood Physique had long warned Le Yin that Niruo’s move was only a probe, causing him no harm.
"Even without the Mad Mask," Niruo said earnestly, "I won’t lose."
"Qin Le Yin, since I’ve answered your questions, it’s your turn to answer mine—"
"Did you betray our agreement, forming alliances with other sword sheaths?"
Facing the proud Niruo holding his blade, Le Yin showed no fear, nodded directly, "Yes, I betrayed our agreement. Besides you, I have secret connections with other sword sheaths."
Niruo slightly raised his eyebrows. He’d just seen Qin Le Yin with cats and dogs followed by the complex-expressing Mie Tang Fang. In his heart, he’d concluded that Qin Le Yin must have sold him out, especially as Qin Le Yin boldly asked why he wasn’t wearing the Mad Mask. It felt like cheating and then flaunting it — he was all geared up for combat.
However, Qin Le Yin calmly received his provocation, with no intention of lying, proudly stating the truth of his betrayal. Now Niruo seemed unsure of the situation, even entertaining a strange thought—
Could I have wrongly accused him?
"Niruo, are you satisfied with just an Eye of Omniscience examination? Is your ambition really that limited? If so, how are you any different from those shortsighted lackeys?" Le Yin leisurely said, "Those who don’t plan for the whole can’t execute well in any part. Your vision is even less than Shuangli Palace, who dares to swallow seven sword sheaths."
Le Yin reprimanded Niruo loudly, and he was about to explode, disliking when people flaunt before him. His Sakura Dragon blade had cut down many debate experts. However, later, Le Yin cleverly praised Ming Shuangli, instantly calming Niruo’s expression, who then asked, "What do you mean?"
Le Yin noticed this change, thinking he might have found the sword sheath’s code. The Holy Sword Shimmering establishes the Sword Master as someone important in the sword sheath’s eyes, whether sister, mother, or ally. In short, as long as you praise the Sword Master, you can boost your favorability.
"Is being first in the Eye of Omniscience examination enough? I’m certainly not satisfied," Le Yin said. "Currently, there are too many competitors seeking swords, and the Eye of Omniscience is the first competition where sword sheaths gather, providing a perfect chance to wipe them out in one stroke."
"Niruo, you must understand, the further we go, the less our sword sheath matters, because the Sword Holder is choosing an emperor, not someone below the Peak of Perfection. Later, if a candidate performs exceptionally, leading the Sword Holder to declare the quest over, then we’ll be finished."
Niruo’s face darkened, aware of the worries Le Yin mentioned. The biggest loophole in the sword quest is that there’s no objective standard. The Sword Holder has the final say. If they favor a candidate, like Li Shiming being handpicked by Cihang Jingzhai, this game naturally ends.
"The longer the competition goes on, the more weight the seven Palace Masters’ performances hold. Perhaps even after the Eye of Omniscience, the Sword Holder has a favored target..." Le Yin said. "Do you think Shuangli Palace would be that universally acknowledged victor?"
"Of course!" Niruo said decisively yet without firm conviction.
"What kind of relationship do we have? Why be diplomatic?" Le Yin laughed, "If the Sword Holder favored Shuangli Palace, this quest wouldn’t happen — since Shuangli Palace is an Imperial Court-approved emperor candidate. The Sword Holder must be dissatisfied with her to initiate this quest!"
Le Yin said no more, allowing Niruo to digest this information quietly. He wasn’t lying; these were indeed facts, though exaggerating the Sword Holder’s threat maliciously to instill anxiety in Niruo.
Faced with another target, even directed at Niruo, Niruo might not be easily fooled. He, as a swordsman, is accustomed to a life where the sword’s edge licks blood, understanding life and death deeply. But Le Yin aimed it at Ming Shuangli, hitting Niruo’s sensitive spot.
Like a successful individual who makes millions but still worries about children’s education, Ming Shuangli became Niruo’s pillar of support, turning into his weak point — caring clouded his judgment.
What’s the most lucrative business in the world? Not women, nor children, nor the elderly, but the future — when you believe your present sacrifices are for the future, you’re willing to yield on anything.
After a while, Niruo finally spoke, "Is that your excuse for betrayal? Do you think I’ll believe you?"
At those words, Le Yin breathed a sigh of relief.
If Niruo truly didn’t believe him, he would’ve already struck; why waste time talking to Le Yin?
"Whether you believe me doesn’t rely on me but on how loyal you are to Shuangli Palace."
"Moreover, do you think betrayal is something easy? I maneuver myself among other sword sheaths, enduring humiliation, feigning dumb."
"Do you think I want to oppose you? No, I understand your strength more than anyone and the cost of betraying you. If you trust your skills, you’ll naturally know if you should trust me."
"So, are you fixated on this trivial betrayal, acting like a petty man needing a fight now, or will you, for Shuangli Palace and greater interests, choose to... forgive my private maneuvers?"
Le Yin smiled at Niruo, spreading his hands wide, expressing his sincerity.
For Ming Shuangli...
Believing in one’s strength...
Qin Le Yin is also enduring humiliation...
I’m also not a petty man...
After a long time, Niruo sighed, lowering his blade.
"Alright, I forgive you."
"Now tell me your plan."
Le Yin smiled slightly, "That’s why I trust you. I won’t let you down."