Ch. 46
46: A Display of Sharpness
Fu Peibai was gradually losing ground. Her internal energy was weak and could not sustain her for much longer, whereas Wei Xiao fought with increasing vigor.
He thrust another strike toward Fu Peibai's face. He had expected her to dodge gracefully, but Fu Peibai only turned her head slightly, her movements a fraction too slow, and the sharp blade traced a bloody line across her cheek.
Wei Xiao started and quickly withdrew his sword, stepping forward. "Junior Brother Fu! Are you alright?"
Fu Peibai wiped her face. Fortunately, the wound was not deep, only slightly grazing the skin. She rubbed away the bead of blood from her fingertip and smiled. "I'm fine, Senior Brother Wei. I didn't realize your swordsmanship was so excellent. I concede."
Wei Xiao felt somewhat guilty. "Glad you're fine. My fault for not controlling my strength properly."
Fu Peibai smiled and said nothing more. The two walked off the platform and bowed.
Lu Wencheng asked the Prince of Yan with a faint smile, "Has Your Highness enjoyed the display?"
The Prince of Yan laughed heartily. "Very satisfied indeed. Though I serve in the imperial court, I have always longed for the martial world. Today, Sect Master Lu has given me a fine glimpse of the spirit these young martial artists possess."
Everyone thought the sparring had concluded, but Mo Yuanzhong of Xuanguang Gate suddenly stood up and spoke with profound implication, "Both of these young martial artists are disciples of the Heavenly Pole Sect, using the same sword techniques. It is like watching a person's left hand fight their right. While impressive, it lacks a certain something. How about selecting one of my sect's disciples to spar with this young hero using our school's spear techniques?"
The young hero he referred to was naturally Fu Peibai. Most people present knew of his grudge against the young man, and someone immediately objected.
"Sect Master Mo, this is inappropriate, is it not? This young man has just fought a strenuous battle and exhausted his energy. How can he fight again?" The speaker was He Yangyao.
However, the Prince of Yan seemed unaware of these grievances. Upon hearing Mo Yuanzhong's suggestion, he became interested and agreed. "I think it is an excellent idea. I would indeed like to see how the Heavenly Pole Sword fares against other weapons." The Prince of Yan looked at Fu Peibai and curled his lips into a smile. "What do you say? Can you fight again?"
Fu Peibai gritted her teeth. The sparring with Wei Xiao had already drained much of her stamina, and another match would truly be pushing her limits. But she knew what Mo Yuanzhong was plotting, and she refused to give him what he wanted. She loudly replied, "This disciple can still fight!"
Lu Wencheng nodded with satisfaction. "Good, then we shall have another match. But do not force yourself. Remember, the goal is to stop at first contact."
Mo Yuanzhong snorted coldly and sent forth a brawny man from behind him. The man descended to the arena and retrieved a nine-foot spear. The golden shaft gleamed with a silver blade, and fiery red tassels fluttered in the wind.
He stood before Fu Peibai, a full head taller than her. His muscles were solid, his neck thick. Compared to him, Fu Peibai suddenly appeared frail.
The two cupped their fists in salute and stepped back to take their positions. Fu Peibai wanted to end this quickly. The longer it dragged on, the worse it would be for her. She steadied her breathing, stepped back, and brought her sword down in a slash. But the man did not take her seriously at all. He contemptuously raised his spear to block casually, then gripped the shaft with both hands and spun it, easily freeing himself. He leveled the spear with his arm, channeled his internal energy, and thrust fiercely at Fu Peibai.
A spear was not as nimble as a sword, but its power was formidable. Fu Peibai knew she could not block it head-on and could only use footwork to evade. But soon another strike came. The spear moved like a startled dragon, sweeping toward her. She dodged to the side, but the sharp blade still sliced through her outer robe.
She took a few hurried breaths. As the man pulled back his spear, she threw aside her sword, stepped onto his thigh, climbed onto his back, and locked her arms around his throat.
The man cried out in pain and stumbled back two steps. Fu Peibai immediately jumped down, rolled across the ground, picked up her sword, and swept it horizontally at the man's waist.
The man hurriedly dodged, but the clothes at his waist were still cut to tatters. He stared at Fu Peibai in disbelief, then let out an angry roar. The spear shaft trembled, and he launched a fierce assault.
Cold sweat beaded on Fu Peibai's forehead. She wiped the perspiration from the corner of her eye and barely managed to evade these attacks, waiting for the right moment.
Finally, the man's stamina seemed to have reached its limit. His movements slowed by half a beat.
Now!
Fu Peibai suddenly burst into action. She pressed forward, used her blade to parry the spear shaft, and drove forward with her legs. With her slender body, she forced the man back two full steps. As he faltered, she quickly retreated, gripped her sword with both hands, and brought it straight down. The sharp blade instantly severed the spear shaft.
The nine-foot spear broke clean in two and clattered to the ground with a metallic ring.
Fu Peibai lowered her sword, her chest heaving violently. "I thank you for your concession."
Lu Wencheng was the first to clap and laugh. Then applause and praise erupted across the platform. Words like "heroes emerge from youth," "outstanding young talent," "boundless future," and "profound mastery" came one after another.
Fu Peibai did not care about any of that. She cared about only one person. She lifted her gaze to find a white figure in the crowd, and her eyes suddenly met that person's stare.
Lu Yanran was frowning at her, her expression complicated. Fu Peibai could not read its meaning, but that single glance made her heart surge. She did not even notice Lu Qingwan running to her side.
"A-Pei, your face is injured. Come with me quickly to treat it."
Fu Peibai came back to her senses and pulled her arm free from Lu Qingwan's grasp. "It's nothing serious. The Sect Master has not yet dismissed us. How can I leave without permission? Second Young Miss, please go back. This is improper."
Lu Qingwan stomped her foot and shouted toward the platform without any restraint, "Father! A-Pei is injured. I'm taking him away to apply medicine. Is that alright?"
Seeing this, the crowd burst into hearty laughter. He Yangyao teased, "Brother Lu, so Qingwan's heart already belongs to someone. I was thinking of matchmaking her with the young master of Xuyang Sect."
The Prince of Yan chimed in as well, "A young hero with a boundless future. Sect Master Lu, do not let social status stand in the way of these two lovers' union."
Lu Wencheng's gaze shifted back and forth between the young man and the young woman. He said helplessly, "My daughter has always been free-spirited. Since childhood, whatever she likes, whatever she sets her heart on, she must obtain, or else she will cause endless trouble. How would I dare stop her?"
"Then by Sect Master Lu's meaning, we will soon gather again to drink at the Second Young Miss's wedding?"
Lu Wencheng smiled but did not answer.
Lu Qingwan received no reply for a long time and ran back onto the platform, tugging at Lu Wencheng's sleeve. "Father!"
"Qingwan! The sect masters of various schools and the senior masters of the martial world are all present. Mind your manners!"
He Yangyao stroked his beard and laughed. "We of the martial world do not stand on ceremony over trifles. The Second Young Miss has a straightforward temperament, quite in the spirit of martial artists who love and hate without reservation."
Lu Wencheng smiled helplessly and relented. "Go ahead."
Lu Qingwan happily descended from the platform and dragged Fu Peibai away, pulling him along by force.
The Heavenly Pole Sect's centennial celebration, which had brought joy to all guests, came to an end as the sun set. Lu Wencheng personally saw the guests off down the mountain. Carriages rolled away into the night. After the last sect had departed, the smile on his face suddenly froze. The corners of his mouth drooped, and his expression turned dark. "Wu Zhong, investigate that outer disciple who sparred with Fu Peibai today."
"Yes, Sect Master."
"And Fu Peibai. Look into his background thoroughly, his family relations, and where he learned the Complete Body Boxing technique."
The tall, silent guard responded and vanished into the night.
……
In a hidden bamboo grove on Chaoquan Peak, Lu Yanran stood alone. An occasional night breeze passed through, lifting a few stray strands of her hair.
Soon, Wei Xiao's figure appeared in the grove. He hurried forward and bowed. "Peak Master."
Lu Yanran said nothing. The soft sword at her waist instantly flashed from its sheath, its bright blade pressing against Wei Xiao's throat.
"Draw your sword."
Wei Xiao's heart pounded with fear. Looking at the woman before him, whose face was cold as frost, he had no idea what had happened. "What... what is wrong, Peak Master?"
Lu Yanran commanded coldly, "Draw your sword!"
Wei Xiao scrambled to his feet and could only obey. He drew his sword, and the two quickly clashed in the bamboo grove. The woman's soft sword was incredibly nimble, her form weaving through the trees like a swimming dragon. He was powerless to block and did not dare to resist. His outer robe was cut to pieces and hung in tatters from his body.
He threw down his sword and knelt on the ground, his face pale as dust. "This subordinate does not know what he has done to provoke the Peak Master's wrath. Please enlighten me."
Lu Yanran withdrew her sword and looked at him coldly. "You are guilty on three counts."
"First, before everyone, you revealed your true skill and aroused Lu Wencheng's suspicion. You, this piece, are now useless."
Wei Xiao prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to speak.
"You answer directly to me, yet you bypassed me and followed the Sect Master's orders, treating me as nothing. That is your second crime."
"Third, who gave you permission to injure Fu Peibai!"
Lu Yanran's final shout startled a flock of birds into flight. The bamboo grove rustled loudly.
Wei Xiao broke into a cold sweat and kept his head buried low. "This subordinate acknowledges his guilt and accepts the Peak Master's punishment. Though I followed the Sect Master's orders, my loyalty to the Peak Master remains true. Regarding Fu Peibai, the Sect Master instructed me to test his skills. I was careless for a moment and injured him. That is my failing."
Lu Yanran's gaze grew dark, and her face revealed neither anger nor joy. After a while, she slowly spoke. "What is done is done. Punishment is useless. Lu Wencheng suspects you, so staying at the Heavenly Pole Sect is no longer viable. I will find an opportunity to send you down the mountain. In the coming days, do not come to Chaoquan again."
"Yes, Peak Master."
Wei Xiao finished speaking and summoned the courage to ask one more question. "Peak Master, do you value Fu Peibai so highly because he will be of great use to our plan?"
Lu Yanran narrowed her eyes and looked down at him. Her beautiful face bore the appearance of an immortal, yet her words carried a chill that did not match it. "Do I need to remind you what happens to those who speak too much?"
Wei Xiao shuddered and quickly scrambled to his feet. "This subordinate spoke out of turn. I take my leave."
The bamboo grove returned to silence. Lu Yanran let the cold expression fade from her face, revealing a trace of exhaustion. She took out the simple wooden hairpin from her bosom and gently rubbed it, lost in her thoughts.