Chapter 45 : The Grand Celebration
45: The Grand Celebration
On the fifth day of the fourth month, it was not a rest day. Fu Peibai once again returned to Chaoquan Peak during the midday break.
She held a small wooden box in her hand. Inside the box lay that simple wooden hairpin. Her heart was somewhat anxious as she hesitated on the path leading to Bamboo Grove Cottage. After struggling internally for a good while, she finally walked up to the small courtyard and asked the guards to summon A-Fu.
As soon as A-Fu saw the box Fu Peibai was holding, she smiled knowingly. "Little Bai, this is a birthday gift for the Peak Master, isn't it?"
Fu Peibai gave a nasal "mm." One hand hidden beneath her wide sleeve clenched tightly. She gathered her courage and said, "Can I give it to the Peak Master personally?"
She missed that white-clad woman terribly. Every midnight when dreams faded, after endless nightmares, she could always recall that night at the inn, when she cupped the other's luminous, jade-white face in her hands. The cool, delicate sensation transmitted through her palms. Those glass-like pupils reflected her own face.
Even though she had warned herself countless times not to disturb the Peak Master, she was always defeated by this longing.
"The Peak Master won't see anyone during her seclusion. If you want to see her, I can try announcing your presence?"
Fu Peibai quickly spoke up. "No, no need. I won't disturb the Peak Master. Sister A-Fu, just take me to where the Peak Master is secluding herself. I'll leave the gift and go."
"Alright then. Follow me."
A-Fu soon led Fu Peibai to the entrance of Mingxi Cave. A tremendous coldness seeped out from the entire cave entrance. Fu Peibai shivered, somewhat puzzled. "Sister A-Fu, why does the Peak Master seclude herself in a place like this? Won't this affect her cold condition when it flares up?"
"I was puzzled about this before too. Later I heard the Peak Master say she uses this method of fighting poison with poison to force back the cold condition in her body. But the process is naturally extremely difficult and painful."
Fu Peibai frowned, unable to hide the worry in her eyes. She stretched her neck to peer inside.
"Alright, Little Bai. Put down the box and come with me. The Founding Celebration is approaching, and I have things to prepare."
Fu Peibai placed the box in front of the cave, looking back every few steps until she could no longer see that bone-chilling cave.
......
Night fell. The area before Mingxi Cave remained quiet. The wooden box still sat on the ground until a maid carrying food emerged from the forest and discovered it. She then brought the box into the cave with her.
The deeper she went, the lower the temperature became. The steaming food quickly lost its heat. The maid arrived at the ice chamber and skillfully placed the food tray on the ice-carved table. "Peak Master, this servant found this box at the cave entrance. I don't know who left it there."
Lu Yanran opened her eyes and cast her gaze toward the wooden box. "Understood. You may withdraw."
After the maid exited the cave, she slowly rose and walked to the table. Her slender, luminous-white fingers picked up the wooden box. With a gentle flick of her index finger, the box's clasp came undone. Inside lay an object with a pointed end and a rounded end.
Her frost-covered expression softened, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. She took out the object and examined it. She didn't need to think to know who had sent it. The thought of how that silly youth must have painstakingly made this hairpin made her heart feel somewhat tender.
She had never received a birthday gift, nor had she ever celebrated a birthday. Whether as Seventeen or as Lu Yanran, this crudely made wooden hairpin was the first birthday gift she had ever received.
She traced the wooden hairpin, unconsciously murmuring, "This end is polished so sharp. It looks more like a hidden weapon pretending to be a hairpin."
Then she laughed softly. The laughter echoed in the empty cave, melting the ice and frozen earth within.
......
On Cangqiong Peak, with the Heavenly Pole Sect's Centennial Founding Celebration approaching, everyone on Jinyun Mountain began bustling about. Lu Wencheng placed great importance on this celebration. He personally oversaw the complicated arrangements and carefully designed a formation of one hundred disciples to perform the Heavenly Pole Sword Technique at the ceremony.
Fu Peibai hadn't originally been selected. But the next day, she was led into the formation's rehearsal. She heard that the Sect Master had specifically named her to participate. She felt flattered by this favor. To not disappoint Lu Wencheng's expectations, she practiced even more earnestly and diligently than others.
Five days later, the Heavenly Pole Sect's Centennial Celebration officially arrived. The thousand-step long stairs of Jinyun Mountain were covered with luxurious red velvet carpets edged with gold thread, welcoming heroes and distinguished guests from every sect and faction in the martial world.
Hengguang Hall on Cangqiong Peak was decorated even more lavishly. The entire palace was adorned with gold and jade. The life-like stone dragons carved on the great pillars held the finest night-luminescent pearls in their mouths. Twelve dragon pillars reaching to the sky meant twelve priceless supreme gems. Not to mention the jade floor tiles, gold and silver vessels, and finest agarwood dining tables, all of which were exceedingly precious.
Early in the morning, Fu Peibai changed into the uniform for the formation performance. Wearing white robes, a jade crown on her head, and an indigo blue headband tied around her forehead, she looked exceptionally spirited.
The formation disciples were arranged in two rows outside Hengguang Hall, welcoming the various noble families with a pathway formation.
Fu Peibai bowed slightly, her hands clasped in a saluting gesture, and followed the disciples beside her in shouting in unison, "Welcome, Master of the Xuanyan Sect!"
"Welcome, Master of Jingyue Cave!"
"Welcome, Head of Divine Eagle Temple!"
"..."
She lost count of how many sects she had welcomed. Only when the managing disciple leading them shouted, "Disciples welcome the Sect Master, Second Young Miss, and four Peak Masters!"
All the disciples shouted in unison and bowed in salute. Only she froze for a moment, then abruptly straightened up and looked over.
Her gaze passed over Lu Wencheng at the front, then over Lu Qingwan in her dark green skirt, finally landing on that white-clad woman.
Though the woman still wore simple white, she looked even more elegant and refined than usual. Her collar and hem had subtle cloud embroidery. A round white jade pendant hung at her waist. Her face was lightly made up, and jade hairpins adorned her hair. Compared to her usual pale and simple appearance, she now possessed a more radiant and captivating beauty.
Fu Peibai was stunned. She stared fixedly at Lu Yanran, her gaze passing over the woman's slender, lovely brows and eyes, then landing on those brilliant red lips. She couldn't even hear the noise around her. Only the violent beating of her heart remained in her chest.
Thump, thump. One beat after another.
Her throat felt constricted, her mouth dry. Only when her companion tugged at her sleeve did she react.
"What are you doing! Bow quickly!"
Fu Peibai suddenly came back to her senses and hurriedly bowed her head. A moment later, a cool fragrance drifted past her nose, and the corner of a white skirt fluttered past in her peripheral vision.
When she raised her head again, Lu Wencheng and his party had already entered the main hall. Her surging emotions slowly calmed, but some dejection and loneliness emerged.
The Peak Master hadn't seen her, or perhaps she hadn't wanted to see her.
Fu Peibai let out a heavy breath of pent-up air. She followed the formation as it dispersed. After eating lunch, they returned to the spacious training grounds in front of Hengguang Hall and stood in neat rows. Shortly after, the people inside the hall filed out and followed Lu Wencheng to the high viewing platform beside the training grounds.
Lu Wencheng swept his long sleeves and announced loudly, "Let it begin!"
The managing disciple responded loudly, standing at the front of the formation and shouting with gathered energy, "Formation, begin!"
The formation scattered and stood apart. Everyone simultaneously drew their swords from their waists and held them behind their backs. With an earth-shaking drumbeat, the formation began to change shape, drawing together. The drumming grew denser. Then melodious chime sounds echoed throughout the training grounds. The formation disciples began their sword dance in rhythm with the music, white sleeves flowing, robes fluttering.
They were all youths of seventeen or eighteen, each standing tall and graceful, heroic and spirited. The entire performance was magnificent while also displaying the agile and ethereal characteristics of the Heavenly Pole Sword Technique to perfection.
On the high platform, praise was unceasing. Lu Wencheng clapped his hands and laughed, feeling quite proud.
Lu Yanran at his side maintained a calm expression from beginning to end, her gaze falling only on the youth in the corner of the formation from afar.
The music gradually slowed. The performance formation regrouped and stood ready, awaiting the next instruction.
Lu Wencheng was about to wave them away when a young, handsome man beside him spoke. "Sect Master Lu, the Heavenly Pole Sword Technique is indeed exquisitely marvelous. However, I was watching from too far away just now and couldn't see clearly. I wonder if you could select a few disciples to come forward and demonstrate?"
The man speaking appeared somewhat frail, not like someone who practiced martial arts. His face had a sickly pallor, and the corners of his eyes tilted upward slightly. He always narrowed his eyes when looking at people, revealing an invisible authority.
Lu Wencheng didn't hesitate and agreed, his tone carrying a hint of respect. "Then as the Prince suggests. Wu Zhong."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Go select a few disciples and have them come forward to spar."
Wu Zhong was about to descend from the platform when the young man spoke again slowly. "Just now I noticed a youth in the formation with outstanding bearing and superb swordsmanship. Why not call him, and have another disciple spar with him?"
"Which one does the Prince mean?"
The man smiled an unfathomable smile, then pointed to a corner of the formation.
Everyone looked together.
"The one in the second row, last position."
Lu Wencheng looked carefully. The person being pointed at was Fu Peibai. After thinking for a moment, he instructed, "Wu Zhong, bring Fu Peibai over, and select another disciple to face her."
"Yes."
Soon, Wu Zhong went to Fu Peibai's side, briefly explained the purpose, and casually selected Wei Xiao beside her to accompany.
The two were brought below the high platform. With many sect masters and martial arts seniors watching them, they hurriedly saluted.
"Heavenly Pole Sect disciple Fu Peibai greets the Sect Master and all seniors."
"Heavenly Pole Sect disciple Wei Xiao greets the Sect Master and all seniors."
Lu Wencheng's gaze fell on Fu Peibai, his eyes warm. "The Prince of Yan wants to see you spar. You two will compete below this platform. Stop at first touch."
Fu Peibai acknowledged and looked up to see the handsome man standing beside Lu Wencheng. That must be the Prince of Yan.
At that moment, the Prince of Yan was also looking at her with a smile on his lips. The instant their eyes met, Fu Peibai felt this person looked very familiar, but she couldn't recall where she had seen him for the moment. However, she had heard Meng Yan mention the Prince of Yan's name before, so she had a deep impression.
Then her gaze uncontrollably fell on Lu Yanran beside the Prince of Yan. But the other wasn't looking at her. Her fine brows were slightly furrowed as she quietly said something to Lu Qingwan beside her.
Fu Peibai withdrew her gaze, took a deep breath, and each stepped back a few paces to take their positions.
Wei Xiao's eyebrows flew upward, his expression eager. "Junior Brother Fu, let's take this opportunity to have a good spar. Let me see your skills!"
Fu Peibai felt the many gazes upon her and the fighting spirit rose within her. She responded loudly, "Alright!"
The match between the two began quickly. Wei Xiao preferred offense, drawing his sword to strike first, aiming directly at Fu Peibai's vital points. But Fu Peibai was no longer the youth who knew no martial arts when she first came up the mountain. Her pupils contracted as she deftly positioned her sword horizontally before her chest, blocking Wei Xiao's attack.
Wei Xiao withdrew his sword, twirled a sword flower in his hand, and attacked Fu Peibai again. This time Fu Peibai didn't choose defense but transformed defense into offense. After blocking one strike, she nimbly circled to Wei Xiao's side, her wrist flipping as she slashed toward the back of his neck.
Wei Xiao sensed the sharp sword force behind him and immediately rolled forward, dodging the strike.
He lifted the corners of his mouth. Looking at Fu Peibai again, his blood began to boil. He hadn't felt this exhilarated in a long time. He shouted and launched another attack.
The two swords constantly clashed in the field, emitting crisp sounds of contact. The sharp blades sparked with dazzling silver light.
The two fought with complete abandon, and the discussion on the platform was equally heated.
"Sect Master Lu, these two outer disciples have such martial arts skills. The Heavenly Pole Sect truly hides tigers and leopards, with talented people emerging in waves."
"Indeed. I can see that youth wielding the sword with his left hand has a light, agile form. One can actually discern traces of the Mingxiao Sect's movement technique."
"I think the one facing him has a slight edge. Look how each time he strikes, it seems soft and weak, but when the sword lands, it clearly conceals profound internal energy. At such a young age, his internal power is already at this level. After a few more years of cultivation, another outstanding talent will emerge in the martial world."
Lu Wencheng smiled as he listened to each comment, but his eyes looking at the two below the platform appeared somewhat deep.