劍問蒼天 - 第27章 自尊 - 翰墨軒

According to Zeng Shuyan, a friend Zhang Qingyue had known for only three days and yet was already thick with, the old fellows of the Canglan Sect had made a fine mess of the platform arrangements. Though in truth no one could blame them: the match between Lu Xueqi and Tian Lingsu had drawn every eye in the sect. Of Lu Xueqi, bearer of the Tianxuan, nothing more need be said; these past days, whenever she stepped onto a platform, the young disciples of the Canglan Sect packed in three deep and four deep, not a drop of water able to seep through. And Tian Lingsu of Dazhu Peak already enjoyed a name among the sect for precocious talent; these last two days she had displayed her mettle brilliantly, defeating one strong foe after another, drawing all eyes, and her looks were peerless besides. She and Lu Xueqi were the two luminaries of the hour, each a match for the other, and idle tongues had much to say of them in private.

That these two finest young female disciples the sect had produced in a hundred years should meet so early drew sighs of regret from some among the elders, but the younger disciples were beside themselves with delight, and had long since packed the Qian platform tight as an iron barrel.

Song Dayi and Zhang Qingyue stood before Tian Buhui to take their leave. Tian Buhui looked Song Dayi over and said, "Your opponent today is Chang Jian of the Senior Branch. He is a man of stubborn endurance, long in cultivation, and his arts are exceptionally strong on defense, the very opposite of your Ten Tigers immortal sword. Be careful."

Song Dayi said respectfully, "Yes, Master."

Something stirred in Zhang Qingyue's heart; the name seemed faintly familiar, and after a moment he recalled that five years ago, on the day he first came up the mountain, it was Chang Jian who had led him and Lin Jinghong up to the Yuheng Hall. At the thought he found himself fretting over Lin Jinghong again. He had heard that yesterday this childhood friend had also won his second bout, his strength standing out, and that everyone regarded him as a prodigy; only Zhang Qingyue had found no time to go and congratulate him.

Tian Buhui turned his eyes to Zhang Qingyue, standing beside Song Dayi, this little disciple who had come out of nowhere, head down and silent. Tian Buhui frowned and said, "Old Seven, you be careful too. If it goes badly, there is no shame in conceding. Mind you don't get hurt."

Zhang Qingyue's body gave a jerk; what he felt within, no one could tell. He only said quietly, "Yes, Master."

Song Dayi glanced into the distance and said to Tian Buhui, "Master, it grows late. I will go with our young junior brother."

Tian Buhui nodded. Su Wan, standing to one side, smiled and said, "Take care, all of you."

Song Dayi answered and walked out of the crowd with Zhang Qingyue. Along the way he had a vague sense that the young junior brother was not himself today, silent and sullen where he was usually not, so he said, "Young junior brother, why haven't you said a word all day? Are you nervous?"

Zhang Qingyue glanced at his senior brother, forced a smile, and gave no answer.

Song Dayi laughed openly and said, "Don't think about it so much, and don't weigh winning and losing so heavily. The master and mistress may care a great deal for face, but they will never blame you. Understand?"

"Yes," Zhang Qingyue said. But inwardly he remarked: They expect nothing at all of me, so of course they will not blame me.

Song Dayi nodded. By now the two had come out of the crowd; it was hard to squeeze in, but easy enough to get out, and he chuckled. "Young junior brother, we part ways here. Good luck to you, and I hope you win another bout presently." And without waiting for any response from Zhang Qingyue, he burst out laughing himself.

Zhang Qingyue sighed softly and walked toward the platform where he was to fight.