劍問蒼天 - 第27章 自尊 - 翰墨軒

They walked on a few more steps. Zeng Shuyan was busy studying Xiao Hui in his arms, while Zhang Qingyue seemed full of some hidden burden, silent and sunk in thought. After a while Xiao Hui could evidently bear Zeng Shuyan's inhuman gaze no longer: with a few angry cries it thrust out a claw and swiped at him. Zeng Shuyan, having seen the monkey docile all this while, had let down his guard and was caught off it—this time he truly could not dodge; a few scratches bloomed at once on his fair, clean face, and the pain made him let go.

Freed, Xiao Hui leapt for joy—but instead of returning to Zhang Qingyue it darted to the ground and raced forward, and in a few bounds reached two people coming toward them, and with a swoosh flung itself onto one of them.

Zhang Qingyue started, then raised his eyes. The woman stood amid drifting white clouds, her smile like a flower, her garments stirring lightly, a red silk sash at her waist, of a beauty unmatched—it was Tian Lingsu. Joy surged up in his heart and he was about to speak, when suddenly the blood in his whole body ran cold, chill to the very bottom of his heart: beside Tian Lingsu stood a graceful, elegant man, and who could it be but Qi Hao?

Tian Lingsu was startled too. Ordinarily Xiao Hui clung only to Zhang Qingyue; she had never expected it to change temperament today and make so affectionate with her, and was utterly taken aback. In truth she was rather fond of this clever little monkey, and she stroked it now and called over with a smile, "Xiaofan, what are you doing here?"

Zhang Qingyue's face was blank. "A friend and I came out for a walk," he said quietly.

Qi Hao, standing beside Tian Lingsu, glanced at Zeng Shuyan, a smile touching the corner of his mouth, and cupped his hands. "Junior Brother Zeng. We meet again."

"Senior Brother Qi. How do you do."

Tian Lingsu looked from one to the other in surprise. "Do you two know each other?"

Qi Hao smiled and said, "Junior Brother Zeng is the beloved son of Uncle-Master Zeng of Fenghui Peak; his family learning runs deep and his cultivation is profound. In this Seven-Peak Martial Contest he will be a formidable rival to us all!"

Zeng said, "Senior Brother Qi, your fame resounds through Qingyun; the young disciples of the Canglan school naturally hold you foremost. How would I dare be presumptuous!"

Qi Hao laughed aloud. "Junior Brother Zeng flatters me far too much. I dare not accept it, dare not."

Tian Lingsu noticed something strange in Zhang Qingyue's expression and came over. "Xiaofan, what is it?"

Zhang Qingyue shook his head. "Senior Sister, tomorrow you are to fight Lu Xueqi of Xiaozhu Peak. You must be very careful!"

Tian Lingsu smiled faintly, turned her head and glanced at Qi Hao. Qi Hao smiled and said nothing; she answered his smile, then turned back to Zhang Qingyue. "I know it well enough. See here—Senior Brother Qi is profound in cultivation and warm-hearted besides, and since we are rather congenial, he made a point of asking me out to advise me on the finer points of tomorrow's match."

Zhang Qingyue lowered his head. After a long while he said, his voice rough, "Senior Sister, tomorrow, while you fight, I happen to be matched against Senior Brother Peng of Fenghui Peak. I won't be there to cheer for you. Take care of yourself."

Tian Lingsu said carelessly, "It doesn't matter, Xiaofan. Father and Mother both said they would come watch my match. And besides—" she gave Qi Hao a long, tender look, "—Senior Brother Qi will be watching too. With his deep cultivation and his guidance, I certainly won't lose."

From where he stood, Qi Hao laughed. "That I can't guarantee."

Tian Lingsu turned back, shot him a glare, then could not help laughing aloud. Her skin, white as jade, outshone frost and snow, with a faint pink glowing through it, so radiant that a man might stare and forget himself.