Chapter 30: CH 30

Translator: transcendentwings

Editor: teaff 

Yingtianchuan was located at the bay where the Eastern Sea of the Nine Prefectures met the ocean. The waves were broad as the sky skimmed the water; three islands were enclosed within, scattered about like stars in the heavens.

Jiejian Island was the first stop that visitors must pass through when they arrive at Yingtianchuan. As the name suggested, anyone who wanted to go to the island needs to disarm their sword and surrender it so as to not let the blades’ sharp energy hurt the spiritual aura that Yingtianchuan has nurtured for thousands of years.

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However, there will always be exceptions.

The Heavenly Rankings competition that is held every five years has begun. During this period, cultivators who participated in the competition could pass through Jiejian Island without having to offer up their blades. The Heavenly Ranking competition was specially designed for the cultivators of the various sects. If there were any young disciples who made a name for themselves in the competition, even if they couldn’t win the top spot, they would still be able to become famous and known all over the world. 

The four sects had set strict regulations. One could not gamble or play cards, but those outer sect disciples always secretly gambled and bet on who would win each ranking with spirit stones as the chips.

In fact, there was almost no suspense in the top three ranks. Qu Chi, who had topped the list two consecutive times, was still a crowd favorite to win this time around. The number who bet on him was comparable to those who bet on Xu Xingzhi. And Zhou Xian of Yingtianchuan was the shoo-in for rank three. The odds of these three triumphing were about the same and would only fluctuate up or down one or two places very slightly, the overall difference wasn’t very big.

It was the bets on the fourth, fifth, and sixth places that made everyone gamble in full swing.

Yingtianchuan had a rising star named Cheng Ding; he was good at using short spears, had top tier spear skills, and was extremely talented. Practically everyone tacitly bet that Cheng Ding could rank in the top six even if exactly which place he’d seize was under fervent discussion. The voices supporting him had already overshadowed Zhou Beinan’s and even had the potential to push him onto Zhou Xian’s usual rank.

While the discussion for which spot Cheng Ding would occupy was in full swing, this arrogant lad was on the martial arts field allocated to the disciples, pressing the head of the person before him down with the handle of his short spear: “I said scram. Did you not understand?”

A few years had passed and Jiu Zhideng had already grown into a tall and slender young man. His posture was like the body of a qin, with his bones as the strings, a sharpness like a bloodied blade emanated from the inside and out.

Jiu Zhideng requested: “Please remove your spear.”

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Cheng Ding was quite amused: “Who do you think you are talking to? I’m asking you, who do you think you are?” 

Jiu Zhideng: “Fengling Jiu Zhideng.”

“Not bad, you still know who you are, so you should also know that this isn’t a place you should be.” Cheng Ding sneered, “How can this martial arts field be used by a junior like you? F*ck off!”

Just as Jiu Zhideng was about to defend himself, he was weighed down by a huge force. Only after he clenched his teeth and stiffly straightened his spine did he prevent himself from being forced to bend over at the waist.

Cheng Ding increased the force in his wrist: “I don’t like that you are taller than me.” 

Jiu Zhideng clenched his fists tightly and shifted his gaze around slightly.

There were many disciples watching, but no one was willing to come forward to speak even a few words on his behalf, and quite a few of them were disciples of Fengling Mountain.

He bit the tip of his tongue, barely holding against that strange force alone. He didn’t draw his sword, nor did he fight back. His feet were firmly planted on the ground, and his knees refused to buckle, not even once.

He gritted his teeth and squeezed out: “. . . I’m from Fengling Mountain, I don’t have to bow to anyone.” 

At this moment, Meng Chongguang was dozing off by the side of the field while hugging his sword. Because of the inconveniences between men and women, they trained at different martial venues. Several women of various sects were huddled together, watching from afar, gossiping about his appearance with flushed cheeks.

Meng Chongguang, who reached adulthood, was a natural painting of a beauty in the misty rain by simply laying there alone. His hands, lips, ear lobe, neck, and ankles were all exquisitely beautiful, inviting people’s irresistible intrigue.

Hearing two people nearby discussing the lively scene over there, Meng Chongguang cracked open his sleepy eyes, sobered up from his sleepiness for a while, then yawned and drifted towards the crowd.

Realizing that the one who was surrounded was Jiu Zhideng, Meng Chongguang lost interest and was about to turn around when he heard Cheng Ding comment sarcastically: “Who taught you to speak like that, could it be that Xu Xingzhi?” 

Meng Chongguang’s expression froze and he stopped walking forward.

Cheng Ding mocked with a smile: “Excellent, a small-time gangster who fought with dogs for food and is favored by Qingjing-jun, a pheasant that has turned into a phoenix. No wonder he can get along with the likes of you. . .”

Hearing him mention Xu Xingzhi, all the disciples of Fengling Mountain who were still watching the excitement from the sidelines had a change in expression.

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Cheng Ding was in pain as he knelt on the ground. He lifted his gaze, cutting a sorry figure: “Who?!”

His words just fell when a towel used to wipe sweat flew out and was tossed onto Cheng Ding’s face. Cheng Ding wanted to swipe it away, but that towel seemed to have been stained with the sap of some sort of plant. It was so sticky that once it came into contact with his face, he couldn’t yank it off anymore.

Just when Cheng Ding was struggling, he received several more punches to the back which obviously originated from more than one person.

After eating a few losses while in a disadvantaged position, Cheng Ding was finally provoked into anger. He grasped his short spear and swung it out in an arc. Those few who were striking him in the dark realized that things weren’t looking good and retreated one after another, while Meng Chongguang who didn’t back away in time, got swept onto the ground by the current generated by the spear and his neck was also cut by the aftershock of the spear point. 

He coughed a few times and panted weakly as the rims of his eyes became red. The dazed look on his face made him seem like a puppy who was just bullied, but still hadn’t learned how to fight back.

Jiu Zhideng, on the other hand, no longer wanted to continue this brawl and slid his sword back into its sheath: “Earlier, you insulted my shixiong so I returned a single blow to you. Consider us even. If you dare slander him any further, then I will fight you to the death.”

His tone seemed indifferent, but it only served to stoke the fire blazing in Cheng Ding. At the exact moment he turned, Cheng Ding abruptly struck outwards, the handle of his spear striking the back of Jiu Zhideng’s knees, then, he gripped the spear with two hands and a purple-red haze emerged as the tip of the spear was enveloped in a faint golden glow aiming straight for Jiu Zhideng’s shoulder!

Before exclamations of warning from the surrounding onlookers could be raised in time, they heard a sudden sharp sound and saw shimmering sparks blossom. 

Xu Xingzhi held a fan with one hand and used the body of the fan to block the tip of Cheng Ding’s spear, a smile hung on the corner of his lips: “. . . Yingtianchuan Cheng Ding?”

Cheng Ding refused to withdraw his spear and fixed his gaze on Xu Xingzhi: “And you must be Xu Xingzhi?”

“Indeed.” Xu Xingzhi breezily reported his origins, “Xu Xingzhi, the small-time gangster.”

Although Cheng Ding was as pompous as could be, he still couldn’t help feeling a brief moment of guilt after talking sh*t about another behind their back then getting caught red-handed by said person. 

Fortunately he belonged to a family that had generations of cultivators and often had mock battles with Zhou Beinan where they were rather evenly matched, thus he didn’t really attach much importance to Xu Xingzhi who was often mentioned in the same sentence as Zhou Beinan: “I did say that, but if you can make me wholeheartedly admit defeat, I’ll offer up my sincerest apologies.”

Xu Xingzhi replied succinctly: “This matter has nothing to do with me, you must apologize to my two shidi.”

Cheng Ding didn’t care about Meng Chongguang who had fallen to the ground at all and pointed at Jiu Zhideng with utter disbelief: “Him? He’s nothing more than a. . .”

Xu Xingzhi interrupted the insult he was about to say: “You don’t dare to?” 

Cheng Ding had the brashness of a youth, how could he take this provocation silently and countered impulsively: “Who said I dare not to? Come at me!”

Once Xu Xingzhi got the answer he wanted, he tucked his folded-fan away, nodding. Cheng Ding brandished his spear in preparation to meet his opponent, genuinely eager to learn how amazing this weapon named “Xianbi” truly was.

Who knew that a scorching white mist would suddenly rise before him and not long after, both of Cheng Ding’s eyes would burn with unbearable pain. Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably as he tossed his spear aside and started to roll all over the ground.

He endured the pain and shouted: “What is this? What is it?!” 

“. . . This is called lime powder.” Xu Xingzhi crossed his arms and commented shamelessly, “This is how small-time gangsters fight on the streets. Since your family has never taught you, then let me teach you this lesson. I won’t charge you for the tuition fee.”

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After he finished, he cast his gaze around and saw a young Yingtianchuan disciple with a broom and a blank expression on his face in a corner not to far away: “If you would please, where is the discipline hall of Yingtianchuan located?”

That young disciple was flattered, placed his broom aside, bowed slightly and stuttered a little nervously: “This disciple is willing to guide Xu-shixiong towards. . .”

Xu Xingzhi reached out and grabbed the back of Cheng Ding’s collar, transforming “Xianbi” into a long rope as he swiftly tied him up: “I’ve troubled you. What is your name?” 

The young disciple’s cheeks were flushed in excitement: “This disciple’s name is Ye Buyi, I’ve admired. . . I’ve admired Xu-shixiong for a long time.”

After finishing, he finally noticed who dangled from Xu Xingzhi’s hand. Realizing that he had just forgotten his manners, he swiftly covered his mouth as his voice became hushed.

How could Cheng Ding still have time to pay attention to such things now? When he recovered from the sorry state he was in, he found that he had already been bound tightly. This state of affairs made him furious: “Let me go!!”

Xu Xingzhi looped the extra rope over his hand and tugged on it unceremoniously: “Don’t struggle. This is called a hog-tie, it’s used to bind pigs. Even pigs can’t run so you shouldn’t even think about it.” 

He hauled Cheng Ding over, helped Meng Chongguang up from the ground, and continued to teach Cheng Ding a lesson: “. . . By the way, let me teach you a colloquial saying ba. Nothing good will come from a human being acting crazy, while a rabid dog will get a brick to the head. Remember this proverb, it’ll do you good in the future.”

Yingtianchuan discipline hall.

Cheng Ding who had an expression saying that he was unwilling to admit defeat even now, currently couldn’t hide his self-satisfied expression, while Xu Xingzhi who had escorted him here had an astonished one: “Rongchang–jun, what do you mean by this?”

Rongchang-jun was the master of Yingtianchuan’s discipline hall. He had an indifferent expression as he questioned coldly: “How can disciples exchanging pointers be called brawling or making trouble? Xu Xingzhi, this isn’t your first time participating in the Heavenly Ranking competition, how can you not even understand this rule?” 

Xu Xingzhi argued: “This disciple really doesn’t understand. This disciple just wants to ask if one is allowed to use real blades and spears when merely exchanging pointers? He used his actual spear to bring harm to my shidi and used words to defame another shidi’s reputation. I need to hear a reasonable explanation for their sakes.”

Rongchang-jun counted the Buddhist beads in his hand one at a time: “It’s better to stir up less trouble. The Heavenly Ranking competition is already a complex affair, how can you disturb it with these minor details? Cheng Ding, go back and reflect behind closed doors for two days and then apologize to these two disciples whom you’ve injured.”

Cheng Ding accepted the punishment then got up and left, before leaving, he didn’t forget to cockily shoot Xu Xingzhi an intense glare.

Watching Cheng Ding saunter off, Xu Xingzhi pursed his lips and chuckled mockingly, lifting his head to face Rongchang-jun directly: “Rongchang-jun, as far as I know, the punishment for picking fights and provoking trouble during the Heavenly Ranking competition is to cancel their qualifications to participate judging based on your regulations. Could it be that in the eyes of Rongchang-jun, the accounts of what so many disciples witnessed with their own eyes can’t be counted?” 

Rongchang-jun replied: “It’s only a youth acting on his immaturity, why can’t he be forgiven?”

Xu Xingzhi fixed his gaze on him: “. . . Let’s speak openly ba, because he is a popular candidate for this year’s competition from Yingtianchuan, you don’t want to lay the law down, isn’t that right?”

Rongchang-jun widened his eyes: “What kind of attitude is that? Complaining about the discipline hall, are you aware of what error you are committing?”

Xu Xingzhi was too lazy to bicker with him, bowed casually, and strode out of the discipline hall in big steps, antagonizing Rongchang-jun until his face turned green and until he could only keep scolding “outrageous” repetitively. 

As soon as Xu Xingzhi exited from the discipline hall, Jiu Zhideng, who was standing guard outside greeted him: “Shixiong, did they make things hard for you?”

Xu Xingzhi countered: “How did you know they would make things difficult?”

The expression on Jiu Zhideng’s face was as usual when he answered: “I’ve seen too many situations similar to this. As far as the four sects are concerned, I’m an outcast, so why would they punish a disciple who is like the sun in the center of the sky on my behalf?”

Xu Xingzhi remained silent. 

He cast his gaze around and found that Meng Chongguang was sitting under the stone lion outside the hall, his head drooping as he covered his neck, so aggrieved that he was shaking.

Xu Xingzhi walked over: “Chongguang, let Shixiong see your wound.”

Meng Chongguang clutched his neck and refused to uncover it, tears glimmered in his eyes: “. . . Shixiong, it really hurts. . .”

“Finicky.” Although Xu Xingzhi criticized as such, he still forcibly pulled the other’s palm away. His expression changed immediately upon seeing the injury: “Wasn’t medicine already applied, how come the bleeding hasn’t stopped?” 

“Chongguang doesn’t know. . .” Meng Chongguang spared no effort to stick close to him, wrapping around Xu Xingzhi’s arm: “. . . It needs a kiss from Shixiong to heal.”

Jiu Zhideng was disgusted and turned his face aside, unwilling to watch Meng Chongguang continuing to put on this act.

But this time, Xu Xingzhi didn’t acquiesce to Meng Chongguang’s demand.

He pushed Meng Chongguang away: “Xiao-Deng, take care of Chongguang’s wound, I’ll be back soon.” 

Meng Chongguang didn’t expect to be rejected and his attitude changed instantly: “Where is Shixiong going? I want to go too. . .”

If someone else learned to act as coquettishly as Meng Chongguang, other people definitely wouldn’t be able to bear facing it directly, but Meng Chongguang had such a innately kittenish demeanor in his bones that it made it hard for people to feel nauseated, instead it made one uncontrollably want to pamper, spoil, and pet him more.

Xu Xingzhi’s heart softened slightly as he rubbed his hair and explained warmly: “It’s better if you don’t watch what Shixiong is about to do.”

When he was just about to depart, he bumped face-to-face into Zhou Beinan, who had hurried over after hearing the news. 

Zhou Beinan questioned him: “I heard that Cheng Ding stirred up trouble?”

Xu Xingzhi: “You’ve caught wind of it quite late.”

Zhou Beinan noticed that Xu Xingzhi had truly been infuriated and stowed away the flippancy he usually equipped when squabbling with him in the past: “What was the punishment?”

Xu Xingzhi scoffed: “Go ask yourself. Don’t bar my way.” 

After that, he brushed Zhou Beinan’s hand aside and stalked away.

Zhou Beinan saw Meng Chongguang and Jiu Zhideng as soon as he looked up. He was aware in his heart how precious these two shidi were to Xu Xingzhi. Speechless for a while, he could only break etiquette and bow to them in greeting. Only after they returned the greeting did he lift his legs and enter the discipline hall.

Hearing Rongchang-jun illustrate the ins and outs of the incident, Zhou Beinan couldn’t help being stuck between laughter and tears: “You only penalized Cheng Ding to reflect behind closed doors for two days?”

Rongchang-jun felt inexplicable: “So what? Could it be that I should’ve revoked his right to participate in the competition for that Jiu Zhideng? Besides, Xu Xingzhi had already taught him a lesson.” 

Zhou Beinan: “. . . Xu Xingzhi is a man who will retaliate against all grievances. The move he made earlier was only taking advantage of the circumstances to opportunistically teach him a reasonable lesson, otherwise, would Cheng Ding still be able to make it into the discipline hall on his own two feet?”

Rongchang-jun didn’t put much credibility behind Zhou Beinan’s warning: “What can he do? No matter how impudent he is, would he really run over and silence Cheng Ding?”

Zhou Beinan was about to continue when he abruptly heard a commotion outside.

Cheng Ding stumbled into the hall in ragged clothing, his short spear had already been lost and his face was pale. He covered his face with his sleeve before he bowed in front of Rongchang-jun: “Please, I’m begging for Rongchang-jun to seek justice on behalf of this disciple! Xu Xingzhi. . . That Fengling Xu Xingzhi. . .” 

Rongchang-jun made note of his disheveled state and his shock exceeded his displeasure: “Why are you so panicked? Where did you barge in from? You’ve practically lost all of our Yingtianchuan’s face! Put your sleeve down and elucidate the cause and effect of this matter properly!”

Cheng Ding removed his sleeve tremblingly, only to reveal that his long black hair that had originally been arranged neatly, was shaved off until only a stubble remained.

“He came up from behind and shaved all of this disciple’s hair without any explanation. . .” Cheng Ding’s voice carried a tearful tone, “This disciple has never seen such a shameless person. . .”

Zhou Beinan couldn’t help keeling over in laughter. 

“Open your eyes, rascal.” Xu Xingzhi strolled into the discipline hall, transforming the silver razor he was toying with back into a folded fan. He grasped it in the center of his palm and knelt down charitably, “This affair was carried out by this disciple alone, willing to accept discipline.”

Rongchang-jun was so outraged that his beard trembled: “You, You actually dared. . . This is the Heavenly Ranking competition! Yet you brazenly incited such havoc. . .”

Xu Xingzhi bit back concisely: “This episode was executed by me in a fit of unrestrainable youthful energy, why can’t it be judged with leniency?”

Rongchang-jun was rendered speechless and pounded the bolster a few times agitatedly: “Absurd! Preposterous! . . . Beinan, make haste and invite Qingjing-jun and Guangfu-jun over. Let them take a good look at this remarkable disciple they’ve taught!”

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