Chapter 115: First Entry into the Iron Sword Sect, the Young Hero Who Lost His Beloved

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: First Entry into the Iron Sword Sect, the Young Hero Who Lost His Beloved

The moon hung over the willow branches, and the stars dotted the sky.

Outside the mountain gate of the Iron Sword Sect.

"THUDDA THUDDA THUDDA THUDDA!"

Accompanied by the urgent, drum-like sound of footsteps, Gongsun Yi, his wide sleeves billowing, took the lead. Hundreds of disciples in white robes with longswords on their backs poured out after him in a long line.

When he was only two or three meters from Pei Shaoqing, he came to an abrupt halt, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head, shouting, "Gongsun Yi, Sect Leader of the Iron Sword Sect, and his disciples pay their respects to you, My Lord!"

"We pay our respects to you, My Lord!" The vast sea of people behind him all knelt on one knee in unison, shouting with one voice.

The sound was like a clap of thunder, startling the birds from the forest.

Sitting atop his horse, Pei Shaoqing looked down from his high vantage point at the hundreds of people bowing to him. A surge of heroic pride inevitably filled his heart. In a deep voice, he said, "You may all rise."

"Thank you, My Lord." Gongsun Yi led the way in rising.

The disciples also said in unison, "Thank you, My Lord."

Only after standing up did they dare to size up Pei Shaoqing with all sorts of glances, but none dared to speak.

"My Lord, please dismount." Gongsun Yi walked up to General Hei, took the reins, and spoke in a respectful tone.

Pei Shaoqing swung himself off the horse. Looking at Gongsun Yi, he asked softly, "Is the Memorial Hall for Young Hero Ye prepared?"

"Yes." A look of sorrow appeared on Gongsun Yi’s face. He clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for your help, My Lord. Otherwise, Yu’Er’s body would have been left to rot in the wilderness, his fate unknown to all."

"Sect Leader Gongsun, my condolences. I’ll go offer a stick of incense for him," Pei Shaoqing said with a sigh.

Gongsun Yi quickly raised a hand to guide him. "This way, My Lord."

With a WHOOSH, the disciples instantly parted to either side like a receding wave, clearing a stone path that led straight to the main gate.

"Regarding Young Hero Ye’s death, this official has found some leads," Pei Shaoqing said as they walked.

Gongsun Yi immediately pressed, "Could it really have been done by that Artiste named Cui’Er, the one Junior Sister mentioned?"

He was both furious and ashamed as he said this.

Furious that the Artiste had murdered for money, and ashamed that a disciple he had taught had died at the hands of an Artiste because of his lust.

"That’s right..." Pei Shaoqing recounted the story of how Tian Erni supported a Fox Demon and harmed countless people, then added his analysis. "In the past, she always lured people back to Tian Family Dam, where the villagers would help kill and bury them. It could be a violent murder or a poisoning; she wasn’t particular about the method."

"It should have been the same for Young Hero Ye, but perhaps because she knew he was a disciple of the Bazhou Iron Sword Sect, she feared that luring him back to be killed would lead to complications. That’s why she conspired with the Fox Demon to murder him outside Tongzhou City and dump his body in the wilderness."

"What a bitch! What a vile Fox Demon!" After listening, murderous intent flared in Gongsun Yi’s eyes. He took a deep breath to suppress his anger, cupped his fist, and said, "My Lord, the Iron Sword Sect is willing to capture that wicked Fox Demon and present it to you."

Ever since the Spiritual Qi dried up, no particularly powerful demons have been born into the world. Those demons that failed to achieve Transformation before the Spiritual Qi vanished were nearly hunted to extinction by Martial Artists, as they could neither practice martial arts nor use Magic.

Their only option was to rely on heterodox methods to increase their strength and seek Transformation. But this path was also fraught with risk. For instance, didn’t that Fox Demon attract the attention of the Jing’an Guard?

"Good. Dead or alive. The Jing’an Guard in both Tongzhou and Bazhou will also do everything in their power to find this demon." Pei Shaoqing nodded slightly. ’Demons are treasures from head to toe. If General Li hadn’t met me, he would have been flayed and had his tendons pulled out sooner or later.’

Gongsun Yi replied solemnly, "Yes. This subordinate will mobilize the disciples tomorrow to go down the mountain and search for the Fox Demon."

As they spoke, the two of them arrived at the Memorial Hall.

"My Lord."

Liu Yuheng and Zhao Zilan, their eyes red-rimmed and brows furrowed with sorrow, came forward to greet them, both bowing slightly.

Jiang Yebai was also there, but he seemed overly distraught by his junior brother’s death. He knelt numbly on the ground, burning paper offerings in a brazier, completely oblivious to the world around him.

Pei Shaoqing took the incense stick from Zhao Zilan, walked to Ye Yu’s coffin, bowed, and placed it in the incense burner.

’He suddenly recalled a film he had seen in a past life where the male lead used a woman as an incense burner to stick his incense in.’

"Yu’Er’s spirit in heaven will surely feel honored to know that a person of your esteemed status has come personally to pay respects," Gongsun Yi said, his tone full of flattery.

Pei Shaoqing shook his head and exhaled, his expression grave. "Young Hero Ye was murdered on my territory. This official feels truly responsible."

"My Lord, you mustn’t blame yourself for this," Gongsun Yi quickly reassured him, then said with deep regret, "It is all because I, his master, was not strict enough in my teachings, allowing Yu’Er to frequent those pleasure quarters. Otherwise, he would not have met with this calamity."

"My Lord, Senior Brother, Yu’Er’s death has nothing to do with either of you. If anyone is to blame, it is the vicious murderer," Liu Yuheng said, pressing her red lips together.

"Junior Sister is right." Gongsun Yi nodded in agreement, then turned to Pei Shaoqing. "My Lord, you must be tired from your journey. A room and hot water have been prepared. Allow Lan’Er to take you to rest first."

"I am a bit weary," Pei Shaoqing nodded.

Zhao Zilan raised her hand. "My Lord, please follow me."

"Respectfully seeing you off, My Lord!" Gongsun Yi said, bowing where he stood. He only straightened up after the footsteps faded. Then, he turned to Jiang Yebai, who was burning paper offerings at the memorial, and said, "Yebai, tonight you and Aqiao will stand vigil for Yu’Er. You are not to leave your post. Understood?"

He was also doing this for Jiang Yebai’s own good, to prevent him from being devastated by stumbling upon Pei Shaoqing and Zhao Zilan’s intimacy.

"Yes, Master." The new junior sister, Song Aqiao, answered respectfully. She glanced at the silent Jiang Yebai and said, "Eldest Senior Brother heard you too."

"Keep a close eye on your Eldest Senior Brother. Don’t let him get drunk and burn down the Memorial Hall." Gongsun Yi shook his head and left.

Liu Yuheng followed him. "Senior Brother, it seems to me that Aqiao is the only one interested in this. Yebai has no such feelings for her at all. Are they really a good match?"

Gongsun Yi had mentioned this to her in a letter.

"Marriage is decided by the words of parents and matchmakers; it’s not for him to decide. After Yu’Er is buried, we will put this on the agenda. As for feelings, those can be cultivated after marriage," Gongsun Yi said coolly.

Liu Yuheng’s fine brows furrowed. She felt that her senior brother was doing this entirely to prevent Jiang Yebai from interfering with Pei Shaoqing and Zhao Zilan, without any consideration for Jiang Yebai’s feelings.

But looking at the flourishing Iron Sword Sect, she found it hard to say whether her senior brother’s actions were right or wrong.

’Still, when she thought of the sweet and lovely Song Aqiao, she felt it wasn’t a bad idea. She’s more than good enough for Yebai.’

...............

Steam filled the air.

Pei Shaoqing lay back in the bathtub with a look of pure contentment.

’Ah, bliss!’

Zhao Zilan sat at the other end. Her skin glowed, flushed pink by the steam. The moon-white embroidered bodice on her chest was completely soaked, its rounded contours clinging clearly to the silk, alluringly visible one moment and hidden the next.

At this moment, her hands gripped the edge of the tub. She had raised her two jade-like feet, also soaked and clad in white silk, and was using them to scrub Pei Shaoqing’s body. Her slender little feet were exceptionally nimble.

Especially since certain places needed to be scrubbed with extra attention.

After all, it was an imported product; its hygiene had to be guaranteed.

Pei Shaoqing quietly admired the beautiful legs within his reach. Water trickled down the silk stockings, clinging to her graceful curves. The arch of her foot was even more soft and alluring under the translucent wet fabric. Glistening water droplets clung to her toes, plump and ready to fall. Every slight tremor of her toes seemed to pluck at a man’s heartstrings.

’Prison guard!’

"Come here," he said, his breathing slightly heavy.

"SPLASH." With a sound of water, Zhao Zilan lowered her legs and leaned forward, falling face-to-face into Pei Shaoqing’s embrace. "My Lord~"

Without Pei Shaoqing having to say a word.

She took a deep breath and buried her head in the water.

She took him in, first nibbling, then swallowing whole.

Meanwhile, in front of the Memorial Hall, the tear tracks on Jiang Yebai’s face had dried. He leaned against a pillar, tipping back a wine pot and drinking.

"Eldest Senior Brother, you’re drinking too much. Please stop," Song Aqiao said, her face full of worry.

Jiang Yebai glanced up at her, shook his head, and said, "You don’t understand the bond between Second Junior Brother and me. If it were Lan’Er, she wouldn’t tell me to stop."

Song Aqiao pursed her lips. Although she was also Gongsun Yi’s disciple, to Jiang Yebai and the others who had grown up together, she always seemed like an outsider.

"You keep watch here." After saying this, Jiang Yebai got up and walked out. His Second Junior Brother had been poisoned, and he was in agony. He had to find Lan’Er and pour his heart out.

Song Aqiao opened her mouth, wanting to remind him that their Master had forbidden him from leaving, but she ultimately kept the words in. She decided she would just stand vigil here alone.

Jiang Yebai drank as he walked, stumbling to Zhao Zilan’s room. He knocked, but there was no answer. Worried something had happened, he pushed the door open and went inside, only to find Zhao Zilan was nowhere in the room.

’Suddenly, he remembered that Master had told Lan’Er to escort Pei Shaoqing back to his room to rest. Could she still be with Pei Shaoqing? It shouldn’t take this long just to show someone the way, right?’

Jiang Yebai couldn’t help but worry that his junior sister was being taken advantage of.

He hurried towards Pei Shaoqing’s room.

"Ah! My Lord, don’t... don’t..."

As soon as he reached the door, he heard Zhao Zilan’s cries, which sounded like a song mixed with sobs. It was obvious what was happening inside. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning. In an instant, his eyes burned with fury, and he drew his sword, preparing to burst through the door.

’Bastard! How dare you actually bully my junior sister!’

’Don’t be afraid, Lan’Er! Senior Brother is coming to save you!’

"Don’t... don’t stop, My Lord." ℯℯ𝑙.

Finally, from within the room, a panting, trembling Zhao Zilan managed to cry out the full sentence.

Jiang Yebai, who had been about to break down the door, froze on the spot.

"CLANG~"

The sword in his hand fell to the ground.

"Ah! My Lord, what was that noise outside?"

"Who cares? Probably just a stray cat."

Jiang Yebai stumbled backward, his teeth chattering. His mind went blank, the world spun around him, and he almost fainted on the spot.

’Junior Sister... She’s... she’s willing.’

’How could she... How could she!’

In a single day, he had lost his closest junior brother and the junior sister he loved most. What kind of blow was this?

Jiang Yebai’s heart burned with rage, but the anger soon turned to grief. Several times he thought of bursting in, but in the end, he gave up. ’If you love someone, you should let them be happy.’

’Junior Sister, as long as it’s your choice...’

’...I will wish you happiness.’

Jiang Yebai didn’t break down the door, nor did he leave.

He just sat there by the door, listening to his junior sister’s melodious "singing," and took out the Jade Flute she had given him to play a song.

The melody was serene, sweet, and sorrowful.

It was like the sound of cicadas upon waking from an afternoon nap in his youth, like the chirping of insects on a midsummer’s night. Everything was so beautiful, yet tinged with a faint melancholy...

Inside, hearing the familiar tune, Zhao Zilan’s body suddenly stiffened. Her expression was complicated. Then, with tears streaming down her face, she deliberately began to "sing" louder, all sorts of unspeakably obscene words pouring from her mouth.

’Since Eldest Senior Brother has already found out...’

’...I might as well make him give up on me completely.’

Pei Shaoqing, listening to the BGM, became even more energized.

Afterward, he left Zhao Zilan, her face stained with tears and on the verge of fainting, and casually wrapped himself in a robe before heading out.

"BANG!"

Hearing the door open, Jiang Yebai, who had been lost in his present grief and past memories, abruptly stopped playing his flute and whipped his head around, his eyes fixed coldly on Pei Shaoqing.

He didn’t blame Zhao Zilan for her change of heart.

But he hated Pei Shaoqing for stealing his love.

Why do so many people, when catching a cheating partner, instinctively only attack the third party and not their own partner? It’s the same principle. There’s still love there; otherwise, they wouldn’t even bother to catch them in the act.

"Young Hero Jiang, you play the flute well. Actually, Lan’Er’s Flute Skill is also very good. It’s just a shame you never knew."

Pei Shaoqing showed not a shred of guilt or shame for stealing another’s love. He met Jiang Yebai’s gaze calmly, gave a gentle and refined smile, and swaggered toward him.