354: Chapter 82: She’s Happy, I’m Happy_2 354: Chapter 82: She’s Happy, I’m Happy_2 Thus,
it could indeed be considered a fulfillment of a promise.
Alas, the timing was not ideal.
Shu Ning, the Pavilion Master, was in seclusion within the Lang Garden Pavilion, so Tang Fengshu simply decided to stay at the peak of Yuqing Pavilion with Deng Baiyi.
Deng Baiyi had suggested several times, proposing to defer the swordsmanship training and return to the World Pavilion first.
If Shu Ning really had no time, she wouldn’t mind waiting for a year or even longer.
But these proposals were all rejected by Tang Fengshu.
The disciples of Yuqing Pavilion were enthusiastic, teaching her simple sword movements and some basic sword techniques.
Deng Baiyi found them familiar.
These “principles” of swordsmanship had also been taught to her by Xie Zhen before.
Deng Baiyi vaguely felt that the swordsmanship taught by Yuqing Pavilion and that imparted by Xie Zhen seemed to share a profound connection, with countless links between them.
Several concepts were very similar…
thanks to this, her cultivation was fairly smooth.
In the past six months, although Deng Baiyi had been traveling with the Pavilion Master, the messenger cranes between Tang Fengshu and the Taoist sect never ceased.
The North Sea Ling was shattered, reversing the fortune of the era.
Many things had occurred over these six months, epic and vast.
While traveling through the mountains of Da Chu, Deng Baiyi listened to the exciting story, pieced together from intermittent messages, of “Xie Zhen” progressively climbing to the top of Lotus Peak at Da Sui Sword Palace.
This was also the reason she had actively requested to train in swordsmanship.
She still remembered.
At their separation in Qing State, Xie Zhen had said to her that when they met again, perhaps she would have become a Qi-controlling Sword Immortal already.
Deng Baiyi didn’t know when she could meet Xie Zhen again.
And as for the Qi-controlling Realm, that was even more uncertain.
But at least, by now she had begun to cultivate her Primordial Energy and picked up the sword.
…
…
“Junior Sister, if I never appear, will you keep waiting?”
“Why not?”
“After all, this is Yuqing Pavilion, I am the host, you are the guest.”
“Among the Seven Huts, there is no distinction of host or guest.”
For seven whole days, the empty and desolate Yuqing Mountain welcomed one rainfall after another.
Within the quiet chamber of Lang Garden Pavilion, finally, a long sigh echoed.
Shu Ning opened the pavilion, inviting Tang Fengshu to have a conversation inside.
Among the Seven Huts, World Pavilion ranked first, and among the seven pavilion masters, Tang Fenghsu had the strongest capabilities and the highest position.
However, in terms of seniority within the sect, Tang Fengshu was still Shu Ning’s junior sister—they had grown up together and cultivated together, known each other for as long as thirty years.
“Junior Sister, you are a clever person.
Since knocking at the gate’s great array and no one from Yuqing Pavilion showing up, you must understand…”
Shu Ning spoke softly, “Today, I do not wish to see you.”
“Sister, you are still dwelling on the past resentments.”
Tang Fengshu chuckled and said, “The position of pavilion master speaks through fists and feet.
If you’re dissatisfied, you can always fight back.”
“The victory of the past holds no significance today.”
Shu Ning shook her head gently, speaking softly, “I lost to you, and I willingly accepted it.
My not wishing to see you is not because of those minor rifts.”
Tang Fengshu raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance, “Oh?”
“Do you really want me to spell it out?”
Shu Ning sighed, “Great True Master Chong Kan was my teaching mentor, he has bestowed immense and profound kindness upon me.
If he indeed passes away in ‘meditative transformation,’ it is my duty to descend the mountain on Yuqing Pavilion’s orders to seek the reincarnated child.
The gratitude for his teachings, I intend to repay for the entirety of my life.”
“…”
Tang Fengshu fell silent.
The Taoist sect was vast, as vast as the Seven Huts.
But standing at the peak of the Taoist high mountains, there were only two.
One was her master, the current Sect Leader of the Taoist sect.
The other, was Shu Ning’s master, Great True Master Chong Kan.
The relationship between these two resembled that of Pure Yang and Tongtian in the Da Sui Sword Palace, and both Sect Leaders, due to unspeakable reasons, often secluded themselves from the world, barely involving themselves in worldly affairs and left the minor matters of the sect to younger brothers to handle.
When the Sect Leader of the Taoist sect briefly appeared to settle the outcome of the Seven Huts competition, handing over the title of “World Pavilion Master” to the final victor, Tang Fengshu, he then returned to seclusion.
Since then,
the Taoist sect had been under the sole leadership of Great True Master Chong Kan.
The Seven Huts respectively, regarded this Great Perfected with genuine “respect” and “submissiveness.”
The cultivation level of Great True Master Chong Kan was even higher than the Law Enforcement of Tongtian of the Da Sui Sword Palace!
Who dares to ask about the pinnacle of Yang God?
Across the entire World Pavilion, including Demon Country, how many can reach such a realm?
However.
There is one exception…
that is Tang Fengshu.
Tang Fengshu has always been proud and willful; he certainly wouldn’t obey the commands of the Great Perfected Chong Kan.
The master of World Pavilion indeed has the qualifications and power to be so capricious.
However, over time, the conflict between the two inevitably intensified.
The masters of the Seven Huts tried to mediate.
But unfortunately.
Tang Fengshu did not care, following his own path.
This master of World Pavilion and the temporary leader of the Taoist sect…
Their “conflict” made the leaders of the Seven Huts worry, though in reality, both big and small issues could be mediated.
Except for one thing.
Tang Fengshu absolutely refused to yield.
Shu Ning fiercely rebuked with great pain, “Junior sister…
Do you realize that those rumors have already spread to the Taoist sects?”
In the dimness of Lang Garden Pavilion, a light flickered.
Under the oil lamp.
An old yellowed sketchbook was thrown out.
Tang Fengshu caught the sketchbook, glanced at the cover, and chuckled softly, “It’s just stories concocted by outsiders; what’s there to care about?”
“He doesn’t care about his reputation, and you don’t care about your reputation.”
Shu Ning said angrily, “Doesn’t the Taoist sect care about its reputation?
Master has been furiously unstoppable.
You’ve hidden in Yuqing Pavilion for seven days; can you hide for a lifetime?”
“When I joined the Taoist sect, I heard that Taoist cultivators need to be detached from the world.”
Tang Fengshu said reflectively, “Reputation is like fleeting clouds, wealth is like fleeting clouds, karma is like fleeting clouds.
To do good deeds, accumulate virtues, be a good person.
Which of my actions today…
does not comply with the rules of the Taoist sect?”
“Rules are rigid, but people are flexible.”
Shu Ning’s tone grew angrier, “The archives from Qing State have long been sent to the Seven Huts.
Outsiders may not know, but how can we not know that you and that Chen went to the North Sea privately?”
There was a slight pause.
Shu Ning advised, “Listen to your elder sister; it’s better to cut ties with him early.
Taking a step back, Master’s fury will also diminish considerably, and the relationship between you two will also improve a lot.”
“What elder sister cares about is actually just the reputation of the Taoist sect.”
Tang Fengshu raised the sketchbook in his hand, whispering, “The reputation accumulated over generations cannot be easily erased.
Taoist sect can restrict my movements, but can it stop the mouths of the people across the world?”
“That’s a matter for later.”
Shu Ning sighed, “The mouth of the world is not hard to block, if you nod, Master can naturally block it.
He’s been meditating in the back mountains, and his condition hasn’t been good lately…
you might as well go see him.”
“It’s not impossible.”
Tang Fengshu said, “Promise me one thing, elder sister.”
“What is it?” Shu Ning became cautious.
“This matter is quite simple and will definitely not trouble elder sister.”
Tang Fengshu got straight to the point, “I have taken a disciple outside, a promising candidate in the study of talismanic techniques.
I hope elder sister can help me teach her swordsmanship.”
“…?”
At these words, Shu Ning looked somewhat bewildered.
She looked at Tang Fengshu with confusion, not quite understanding the meaning of his words.
Had she heard wrong?
A promising candidate in talismanic techniques, asking her to teach swordsmanship?
“That’s right.
Just as you heard.”
Tang Fengshu said gently, “I know much about the techniques of fighting in the world.
The only thing I refuse to learn and cannot teach is swordsmanship.”
Shu Ning frowned and asked, “What is the reasoning behind this?
According to you, if this disciple you’ve taken has extraordinary talent and excels in talismanic techniques, then she should solidly pursue that path.
If you had sent her to Longevity House or Incense Fire House, both would have been good options, but why send her to me?
What benefits does swordsmanship offer her?”
“Maybe there are no benefits.”
Tang Fengshu smiled faintly, “Not everything in the world is about benefits.”
“You are her teacher.”
Shu Ning still didn’t get it, “If it’s not about benefits, what is it about?”
“It’s about what she wishes, and what I wish.”
Tang Fengshu smiled, “Elder sister, there are always things in this world that must be done without considering the consequences.
Regardless of the outcome, it’s always worth a try.”