劍問蒼天 - 第84章 遠行 - 翰墨軒

By the time Lin Jinghong reached the Yuheng Hall on Jietian Peak, a dozen or so people were already standing there. Among them were some he knew well, and some so unfamiliar that he had seen them only a few times and knew merely that they were of the same sect.

But without exception, everyone present knew in their hearts that the young people standing here were the finest of the Canglan Sect's new generation.

And of the crowd, none stood out more than two: one was, naturally, the cold and exquisite Lu Xueqi; the other was Qi Hao, now arrayed in a peak master's robes and bearing an uncommon air. As it happened, none of the other peak masters had come, and Qi Hao was the only one of the six present.

Qi Hao glanced over and caught sight of Lin Jinghong coming in. He started, then strode up laughing, seized Lin Jinghong in a hug, looked him up and down thoroughly, and said with a grin, "Junior Brother Lin! Weren't you keeping vigil at the Ancestral Hall? What brings you here?"

For ten years Lin Jinghong had told the world he lived at the Ancestral Hall to keep vigil, and that mysterious old man was bound up with a secret episode of the Canglan Sect's past, so no one knew of him; naturally he said nothing now, only smiling: "My ten years are up, so I've come out. Someone happened to send word for me to come here—I hadn't expected to find you here too, Senior Brother Qi."

Qi Hao smiled slightly. "The sect master's uncle-master sent word to the outstanding young disciples of every peak to come here, saying there was important business to discuss. I happened to be free, so I came to have a look."

As the two senior and junior brothers talked, a man came over from the side, tall of build—none other than Song Dayi, disciple of Dazhu Peak. After ten years apart, his appearance had scarcely changed.

In those years Song Dayi had been on familiar terms with Qi Hao and the others, so he came over now to exchange a few pleasantries; after a moment his gaze fell on Lin Jinghong, and he smiled. "Junior Brother Lin, after all these years you've grown even more handsome and upright—no doubt your cultivation has advanced considerably as well?"

Lin Jinghong lowered his head slightly and smiled. "Senior Brother Song flatters me too much."

Song Dayi was about to say more when another voice came from behind him: "Ah—Senior Brother Qi, do you still know this little brother?"

Qi Hao looked toward the speaker and laughed. "Junior Brother Zeng, I might forget anyone, but never you!"

The newcomer was none other than Zeng Shuyan, the finest disciple of Fenghui Peak's younger generation; and walking over beside him were the two beauties of Xiaozhu Peak, Wen Pei and Lu Xueqi.

Most eyes went to the frost-cold Lu Xueqi; only Song Dayi looked at Wen Pei, chuckled, and Wen Pei, smiling, shot him a reproachful glance.

Qi Hao and the others had met Wen Pei and Lu Xueqi before. Zeng Shuyan said, "Senior Brother Qi, when you took up the master's seat back then, I had gotten into trouble and was confined by my father, so I couldn't come to offer congratulations—forgive me, forgive me!"

Qi Hao laughed heartily. "What nonsense, Junior Brother Zeng—your good wishes were enough."

Zeng Shuyan nodded with a smile, then glanced around and said, "Senior Brother Qi, do you know what great matter the sect master's uncle-master has called us here for?"

Qi Hao waved a hand. "I don't know the particulars either, but I've heard something has happened somewhere in the west, and the sect master's uncle-master means to send out the outstanding disciples of the younger generation to temper themselves."

"Ah." A stir went through the crowd; many were curious and excited. Zeng Shuyan had been all smiles, but suddenly his expression turned grave, as though something had occurred to him. Qi Hao noticed and said in mild surprise, "Junior Brother Zeng, what is it?"