劍問蒼天 - 第35章 古窟 - 翰墨軒

At this Li Xun, standing by, gave a cold snort. "Senior Brother Facheng speaks sense. Otherwise, once we are inside, certain people will find some pretext again."

Except for Zhang Qingyue, every one of them—Qi Hao, Zeng Shuyan, Lu Xueqi—was of the renowned Canglan Sect and had been doted on by masters and elders within his own branch; there was pride in every one of their bones. Qi Hao snorted coldly. "Senior Brother Li Xun speaks sense. Otherwise, worn out as I am, if I had to save you in there, I fear I would be of no use at all!"

Li Xun plainly had not expected that every one of the Canglan disciples would be so proud. Born into Fenxia Valley, favored by his masters from childhood, in the true methods of cultivation he far surpassed almost all his peers, and from this he had grown a conceit that looked down on everything. How could he swallow such a slight? His face changed at once, and he fixed his eyes on Qi Hao. "So then, Senior Brother Qi, your cultivation far exceeds mine. I should like to learn from you."

The matter touched the honor of the sect; Qi Hao straightened and was about to step forth, when Lu Xueqi suddenly came out from behind him and stood prettily in the middle of the ground, saying coldly, "There is no need to trouble Senior Brother Qi. Let me try the immortal arts of Fenxia Valley."

Li Xun was momentarily stunned. Lu Xueqi, though covered in blood and filth, seemed all the whiter for it, her jade face like snow; and though her manner was cold, there was in that sternness a clear loveliness that looked down on all creation and stood apart from the dust of the world. Never had he seen such beauty, and for a moment he was struck dumb.

At the same time Facheng of Fanyin Temple stepped forward and said with a smile, "Senior brothers, we came here to investigate the remnants of the Demonic Sect; before we set out, I am sure every one of our masters and elders instructed us so. If they were to learn that we had indulged a fit of temper here, I fear we should not escape reprimand when we return. Besides, this is a small matter. Let us each give a little ground—what say you?"

Li Xun came back to himself and gave a snort, looking up at the sky; he said nothing, but his meaning was plain enough. Qi Hao, thinking now of the instructions Daoist Master Daoyan had given him before departure, felt some regret, and seizing the chance to give himself an honorable way out, called from behind, "Junior Sister Lu, Senior Brother Facheng speaks sense. Let us put harmony first."

Lu Xueqi looked at the others, gave a sniff, and walked back. Seeing Zhang Qingyue watching her, she let her gaze sweep once across his face, then went off by herself to one side.

Zhang Qingyue, caught by that glance, felt a sudden chill, and a feeling he could not name rose in his heart.

Then Facheng spoke again: "Since that is so, let us go down the mountain first, and tomorrow at dawn climb up again to investigate."

By this point no one had any objection. Facheng led the way, and they followed him flying on their swords until they came to a small hill some thirty li from Kongsang Mountain. Here there was even a pool of clear spring water—just what the Canglan party needed. They washed at the water's edge, then found a quiet spot to change their clothes, and only then came out to meet Facheng and the others.

Lu Xueqi, being a woman, was less conveniently placed; she sought out the most distant spot to change, and so was the last to emerge. When the others saw her, washed and neat, her face radiant, her original clear loveliness now touched with a fresh delicacy, every eye was brightened at once. Need it be said that Zeng Shuyan and Li Xun stared? Even Yan Fei of Fenxia Valley, who had been silent all along, looked at her several times more.