"The 'Sword Wielding Tournament'? What's that?" Wei Yu asked, scratching his head in confusion. The young man was clearly out of the loop, oblivious to much of what was happening around him. Yu Chen sighed, ready to explain, but before he could say anything, Ling Xiao jumped in.
"Pfft! Shidi, you really don't know? Were you living under a rock or something?" Ling Xiao's voice cut through the air like a sharp blade, drawing attention. Yu Chen felt his lips twitch in irritation—of course Ling Xiao had to show up now.
"Shidi, I'm still mad at you for not defending me against—" Ling Xiao glanced around as if checking for spies, then leaned in closer to Wei Yu, whispering conspiratorially, "that son of a—"
"Ling Xiao, if you don't shut your mouth, I can gladly help you!" Yu Chen snapped, his patience wearing thin.
Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow at Yu Chen, a playful smirk on his face. His expression clearly said, You're no fun. He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Well, sorry, Mister Perfect. I didn't mean to let those words slip, but you know who I'm talking about!"
Wei Yu, trying to stay out of the brewing conflict, piped up, "Ling Shixiong, you're the one who bullied me! He clearly saved me!" His tone was flat, but a hint of childish defiance peeked through.
Ling Xiao's eyes widened in disbelief as he turned to Yu Chen, a mock look of horror on his face. "Look at what Chen Yuxuan has done to this innocent soul! He's rebelling against his elders!" Ling Xiao exclaimed, feigning shock. "Is this really the same kid I chatted with on our journey?"
Yu Chen sighed, realizing the only way to defuse the situation was to get Wei Yu to apologize. "Shidi, just say you're sorry. It'll make him go away faster," he advised, trying to keep the peace.
With a resigned expression, Wei Yu mumbled, "Sorry, Ling Shixiong," through gritted teeth, clearly wishing for the ground to swallow him whole.
Ling Xiao knew he didn't mean it. "Hmph! There is clearly no respect for me. Yu Chen! If you act like that, our Rong Sheimei wont fall in love with you no matter what!"
"Ling! Xiao!" Yu Chen became furious. Ling Xiao broke his final string of patience.
Ling Xiao quickly hid behind Wei Yu, using his body as a cover. Wei Yu's eyes twitched, he was getting on his nerves even more. "Dear Wei Shidi! If you save me from this monster I swear I wont annoy you tomorrow!" Yu Chen was the most good with Wei Yu, so he was eighty-five percent positive he would survive this time.
"Yu Shixiong, please forgive him." In order to make Ling Xiao not to annoy him, he had to do it. Behind him, Ling Xiao sulked, feeling Wei Yu's words not being convincing enough. "Sorry Yu Chen, I won't do that again! have mercy on me considering I'm your junior."
Yu Chen shot a glance at the youth and the teenager, after a while of giving Ling Xiao a deathly stare he reverted his gaze. "Let's go, let's enter the sect." Saying that, Yu Chen flicked his sleeves and turned around.
The atmosphere was tense, an almost palpable feeling of tension woven into every glance and sneer. Ling Xiao's brow furrowed as he watched Yu Chen walk away, the audacity of the person! To think he thought of him as a bro- betraying him to side with that person.
"Ling Shixiong," Wei Yu called out, his voice laced with both eagerness and apprehension. It wasn't the right moment to approach Ling Xiao with questions, but he couldn't hold back. This was his only chance; he desperately wanted to become a inner disciple.
Ling Xiao glanced down, a sharp, mocking smile tugging at his lips as he bent to meet Wei Yu's gaze. "Oh? You're asking me a question?" His words dripped with amusement, a flicker of irritation beneath them. Wei Yu noticed the change immediately—gone was the usually carefree Ling Xiao; in his place was someone filled with barely hidden disdain, especially when Chen Yuxuan was involved. Wei Yu couldn't help but wonder, Just how much does Ling Xiao hate Chen Yuxuan?
"I might consider answering… if you beg me." Ling Xiao's smirk deepened, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Wei Yu clenched his fists, resisting the urge to smack that smug expression off Ling Xiao's face. How could someone be so infuriating?
"Ling Shixiong," Wei Yu replied, his voice steady, but a hint of frustration seeped through, "You just promised you wouldn't bully me. Are you already backing down on your word?"
Ling Xiao raised a brow and let out a short laugh. "Shidi, I never promised that," he corrected, relishing the mischief in his words. "I said I wouldn't bully you tomorrow." He emphasized the word with a mischievous glint. "And… there is no tomorrow."
Wei Yu took a deep breath, suppressing his growing annoyance. Finally, he sighed, feigning defeat. "If Ling Shixiong isn't willing…" he murmured, "then I suppose I'll just go ask Chen Shixiong instead. What a pity."
In an instant, the mocking glint vanished from Ling Xiao's eyes, replaced by a look of shock. He watched Wei Yu turn to leave, and before he knew it, he dashed forward, blocking Wei Yu's path. "Haha! Shidi, you take my jokes far too seriously! Of course I'll tell you. Just wait here!"
Wei Yu crossed his arms, pretending to consider it. "That's good to hear. I really didn't want to bother Brother Chen."
But then, as if summoned by those very words, a soft, refined voice echoed around them, carrying a serene dignity. "Wei Shidi, how could you ever disturb me?"
Chen Yuxuan appeared from behind a tree, his every step as graceful as a descending immortal. His fan, delicately held between his fingers, unfolded with an elegant flick of his wrist as he approached. His gaze fell on Ling Xiao, a subtle smirk gracing his lips.
"Chen Yuxuan," Ling Xiao's tone was sharp, his eyes narrowing. "What are you doing here?"
Chen Yuxuan tilted his head, an expression of amused indifference on his face. "Why, dear Ling Shidi, I'm here to enlighten Wei Shidi about the sword-wielding tournament. Unlike some people, I don't keep my juniors in the dark." He continued. "And force them to beg, oh! how awful." He gazed at Ling Xiao, his face still covered with his fan.
Ling Xiao clenched his fists, but before he could respond, Chen Yuxuan turned to Wei Yu with a gentle smile. "Wei Shidi, as I was saying… The tournament is an excellent opportunity to showcase your abilities. It's where disciples can gain valuable experience and earn respect among their peers. If you wish to join the sect, this also gives you an excellent opportunity."
Ling Xiao scoffed, crossing his arms. "Ha! As if you know anything about respect."
Chen Yuxuan raised a brow, a faint, mocking smile dancing on his lips. "Oh, Ling Shidi, aren't you a fine example of it yourself?"
Wei Yu watched, torn between amusement and exasperation. The exchange between them was as natural as breathing, each insult volleyed like a practiced routine. He could tell that despite their insults, there was a strange familiarity between them, even a connection—but masked under layers of rivalry and resentment.
Ling Xiao finally snapped, "I don't need a preening peacock like you telling me about respect!"
Chen Yuxuan merely rolled his eyes, flicking his fan shut with a dramatic snap. "Really, Ling Shidi. If I'm a peacock, then you're certainly an overgrown rooster, clucking for attention."
Ling Xiao's face turned red with fury. "Overgrown rooster?! You really want to fight?!"
As their voices grew louder, each exchanging increasingly childish insults, Wei Yu quietly took a step back, then another, until he was nearly out of their line of sight. With one last look at the two of them, locked in their familiar bickering, he stifled a laugh and slipped away, he had to find Yu Chen; beg him to teach him some sword play!
Actually, truth be told he was kinda jealous. After hearing about that Rong person, and how Yu Chen and her close,he got jealous. He wanted to be the most close person to Yu Chen, and by that, he wanted to be his disciple. However, he throwed that thought at the back of his head; as he got more important problems to think of right now.
****
"Yu Shixiong, you were gone for so long! I waited for you for a whole five days. Come, let me play the huqin for you," a soft voice chimed, delicate and enchanting, drawing attention like a gentle breeze on a warm day. The speaker was a young lady of extraordinary beauty, her presence captivating the moment she appeared.
Her features were delicate and refined, each aspect harmonizing perfectly to create an ethereal allure. A red mole rested just beneath her eye, accentuating the brightness of her gaze and lending her an air of mystery. Her skin glowed with a porcelain-like radiance, smooth and flawless.
She wore a bright yellow robe that flowed gracefully around her, the fabric soft and light, echoing the warmth of sunlight. The color beautifully complemented her complexion, enhancing the natural flush of her cheeks. The intricate patterns embroidered onto the robe seemed to dance with every movement.
Her hair, dark and lustrous, cascaded down her back in soft waves, framing her face and highlighting her elegant features. Every smile and flicker of her eyes seemed to weave a spell, captivating all who dared to look her way. This was none other then Hua Rong. The so called 'future fiance' of Yu Chen.