“Many years ago, I too had the fortune to witness the essence of the Everlasting Flowing Sword.” Crouching Tiger looked at the white jade longsword in Nangong Xi’er’s hands, his expression carrying a trace of nostalgia, “To see it again today is indeed a great fortune.”
Nangong Xier raised her sword, her expression unchanged, and did not reply. But Su Baiyi knew that her strength was far from recovered; she was merely sustaining herself on a single breath of true qi, and could collapse at any moment.
Crouching Tiger also readied his cleaver, not daring to make a move against Nangong Xi’er. The Everlasting Flowing Sword technique he had once witnessed was the most terrifying swordsmanship he had ever seen in this world, without equal. Even at his peak, he would not dare to fight it lightly, let alone now when he too had sustained considerable injuries.
“She is seriously injured.” The masked man said suddenly.
Crouching Tiger frowned slightly. “Oh?”
“Our Courtyard of Thousand Inventions possesses a martial skill that allows one to observe qi and discern realms. That disciple of Xie Kanhua, at first glance, appeared to be at the Ascending realm, but after that one sword strike, his realm plummeted. Now, he hasn’t even reached the Autumn Water realm. As for this woman…” the man in the mask spoke solemnly, “Her entire being is like a room with shattered doors and windows, her qi chaotically rushing about everywhere. It’s clear she has suffered severe internal injuries. Vice-chair, they are not to be feared.”
As soon as the man in the mask finished speaking, Elder Long and Mr. He, the Thousand-Faced Wealth God, retreated to Mu Nianhua’s side, leaving only Nangong Xi’er and Su Baiyi standing in place, seemingly abandoned.
“You!” Mu Nianhua exclaimed in surprise.
Mr. He grasped Mu Nianhua’s hand and then gently shook his head at him, “It’s no use, young master.”
Elder Long looked at Nangong Xi’er, his face showing a trace of hesitation, but after pondering for a moment, he still shook his head and let out a long sigh.
Before Mu Nianhua could speak again, Mr. He and Elder Long each took one of his hands. Mu Nianhua felt his strength drain away in an instant, leaving him unable to utter a single word.
“Senior Sister, in such a dangerous moment, shouldn’t there be a master coming to save us?” Su Baiyi said with a wry smile upon witnessing the scene.
Nangong Xi’er remained silent, still holding her sword. She gathered her last bit of strength and focused it into one final strike. If she spoke now, her sword intent would dissipate, and she would truly have no chance of winning.
“If you don’t draw your sword, then I will take you all back to Shanglin Heavenly Palace unharmed. But if you do draw your sword, then you and I both know that one of us will die. And if I die, you will have no strength to fight anymore, and my men will kill you.” Crouching Tiger also mustered his last bit of strength to lift his cleaver, “You should make a choice.”
“Choices are always unnecessary. There is only one path forward. The person goes forward, and the sword goes forward.” Nangong Xi’er finally concentrated the essence of the Everlasting Flowing Sword to its peak, her purple robe billowing in the wind. “Since you say you have witnessed the Everlasting Flowing Sword, then you must have met my second senior brother. Surely, you’ve heard the phrase he utters before each sword strike?”
Crouching Tiger focused intently, gathering his blade’s energy once more. “He claims he is second in the Academy, yet first under the heavens!”
“Then do you know who he said was the first in the Academy?”
“Who?”
“Me!”
Nangong Xi’er exerted all her strength to thrust her sword, but halfway through, it was forcefully pressed down by an overwhelming power. Then, she heard a soft sigh right beside her ear.
She paused, and the momentum of her sword faltered. The Liangren sword suddenly slipped from her grasp, piercing through the cabin, breaking through layer upon layer of wooden planks, and finally plummeting into the innermost room of the Heavenly Room at the deepest part of the cabin, the one that had its door opened for the first time.
The woman in red caressed the blade of the Liangren sword, closed her eyes, and took a gentle breath. “It’s been a long time.”
On the deck, everyone looked at each other in confusion. Nangong Xi’er initially thought that this was a trick by the Shanglin Heavenly Palace, but Crouching Tiger and the others were also confused, seemingly completely unprepared for the sudden change.
“Which senior is present here, please show yourself…” Nangong Xi’er called out loudly, but her strength failed to sustain her and her legs gave way, causing her to fall backward. Su Baiyi quickly stepped forward to support her, saying with a laugh, “Senior sister, could it be that someone has really come to our aid?”
“You wishful thinker, it could just as well be someone coming to kill us,” Nangong Xi’er said helplessly.
“Anyway, things can’t get any worse, right?” Su Baiyi shrugged.
“Which exalted master is here! Why hide and skulk about, not daring to show yourself!” Crouching Tiger called out in a clear voice.
As soon as the words fell, the wooden board under his feet suddenly shattered. He hastily retreated, only to see a woman in red burst forth from the broken boards below, and in an instant, their eyes met.
She was a stunningly beautiful woman. Although she was no longer a young girl, her eyes were still as clear as water, and her red dress made her whole person appear so bright and charming.
“You say I dare not show myself. Now I’m out, do you dare to face me?” The woman’s voice was indifferent, betraying not a hint of emotion.
The Crouching Tiger was spellbound, first by the beauty, then by the sword’s aura. People often speak of the sword’s energy, invisible yet present. But around the woman, strands of vast and piercing sword energy could be seen solidifying into form with a closer look. The Liangren Sword was cradled by this tangible sword energy, hovering beside the lady in red. She reached out, caressing the Liangren Sword, and sighed softly, “Time passes like flowing water, it’s but a fleeting moment.”
“S-senior… are you… are you…” The Crouching Tiger tried hard to speak, but his mouth trembled, unable to utter another word.
The man in the mask, who had been silently observing the battle, suddenly fell to his knees. The mask on his face cracked into pieces and shattered on the ground in an instant. Clutching his right eye, which had begun to bleed profusely, he glared at the woman in red with resentment.
“Observing the qi to know the realm? Not every realm can be observed by you.” The woman in red lowered her head and said, “Didn’t the one who crafts masks impart this principle to you?”
Elder Long and Mr. He looked at each other, then simultaneously released their grip on Mu Nianhua’s hands. Mu Nianhua finally took a breath, but he did not dare to speak. He just looked at the woman, his heart filled with anxiety. He was even more anxious than when Crouching Tiger wanted to kill him just now.
Manager Yan sighed softly and said, “Young Master, things seem to be getting more and more troublesome.”
Su Baiyi was also stunned, murmuring, “A fairy sister really did come to save us…”
Nangong Xier’s body trembled slightly. She looked at the woman in red and whispered, “Is it… her?”
The woman in red turned around, glanced at Nangong Xier, and suddenly smiled, “We have finally met.”
“You are…” Nangong Xier asked hesitantly, but still did not dare to say that name.
“Yes. I am.” The woman in red did not wait for her to finish speaking, but instead replied first, her tone resolute, her smile gentle, like a warm breeze in spring.
Thank you