劍問蒼天 - 第31章 懷疑 - 翰墨軒

Tian Buhui flew into a rage. "If he truly had such cunning, why would he wield the thing at the Seven Peaks Tournament before the eyes of nearly a thousand people? And further—if he really were a Demonic spy, heh heh, Senior Brother Cangsong, that Lin Jinghong of yours can hardly be clean either!"

Cangyan Daoren, as though stung on a tender spot, rose in anger. "What did you say? How can Jingyu be mentioned in the same breath as that foolish disciple of yours?"

Tian Buhui's face turned blacker still. He gave a snort and said with a sidelong glance, "Yes, my disciple is foolish. But I hear he has still made the final four. I wonder what place Senior Brother Cangsong's prodigy, that Lin Jinghong, took this time?"

Cangsong said furiously, "He had ill luck and met his senior brother Qi Hao. Had it not been so, how could he have failed to reach the final four?" Here he gave a cold laugh. "In any case, he has not the luck of certain people, who advanced all the way on others' forfeits and byes—and still dares to talk big!"

Tian Buhui said loudly, "And was his bout with Lu Xueqi also luck?"

Cangyan Daoren cut in, "Indeed, and precisely because it was not luck, he lost—and lost so wretchedly that he nearly forfeited his life!"

The more furious Tian Buhui grew, the more his tongue failed him; he had never been quick with words and could not outtalk Cangsong, yet his anger burned greater still. His face flushed red as he cried, "What would you have? Do you want to see whether I am merely a hollow name?"

Cangyan Daoren showed not the slightest intent of yielding. He rose at once and said with proud disdain, "Then let me have a taste of your Crimson Radiance Immortal Sword, Senior Brother Tian!"

Tian Buhui said no more. He stepped forward, his right hand already forming the sword incantation, and in the great hall the air suddenly seemed to congeal.

"Insolence!" A great crash rang out as Dao Yan Zhenren brought his palm down upon the tea table beside him and rose to his feet, his face full of wrath. "Do the two of you take this sect master for a dead man?"

Dao Yan had sat upon the sect master's throne for nearly three hundred years, held in high reverence. Though ordinarily genial, his sudden wrath startled Tian Buhui and Cangyan Daoren beyond measure; their hearts quaked, and they at once withdrew, saying in low voices, "Yes. Pray calm your anger, Chief Senior Brother."

Dao Yan Zhenren looked at these leaders, and only after a long while did the anger slowly fade from his face. After a moment's thought he said, "Junior Brother Tian."

Tian Buhui stepped forward. "Chief Senior Brother."

Dao Yan Zhenren looked at him. "Be that as it may, this black rod is of strange origin. If it is truly a thing of the Demonic Sect, then whatever connection Zhang Qingyue may have with them, we cannot suffer him to remain. Do you understand?"

Tian Buhui lowered his head slightly and was silent a long while before saying, "I understand."

Dao Yan Zhenren went on, "Junior Brother Tian, I know this sits ill with you, but the matter is grave, and we cannot act without caution. Go back for today. When Zhang Qingyue's illness has eased a little, question him thoroughly and bring him here; we shall deliberate again. How say you?"

Tian Buhui's face went white, then red, then white again. Suddenly he stamped his foot heavily, nodded, and without a word turned and strode out.

Beyond the door came a whistling cry—most likely he had gone off on his sword.

In the great hall, Zeng Shuchang said to Dao Yan Zhenren, "Chief Senior Brother, the Dazhu Peak line of Senior Brother Tian Buhui has rarely produced a talent, and now such a thing has happened. Naturally he is sore at heart—do not take it to heart."

Dao Yan Zhenren sighed and shook his head. "Of course I do not mind. I know Junior Brother Tian's character, and I trust him as well."