Chapter 32: What Year Is Tonight? (First Update)
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Chapter 32: What Year Is Tonight (First Update)
The three of them forcibly reached a consensus.
To be precise, it was Zheng Zha and the old Daoist who came to an agreement.
Luo Feng was more like a nuclear deterrent—his main role was intimidation.
The wandering swordsman Luo Feng, Zheng Zha, a disciple of the Upper Clarity Sect, and the sect’s grand-uncle master, engaged in an open and in-depth exchange of views on the legacy of the Mountain Guardian and the matter of Biqing’s future, issues of mutual concern. They reached several important understandings regarding the development of friendly relations in this new era of free love, with the meeting yielding fruitful and significant results.
The grand-uncle master of the Upper Clarity Sect pointed out that their sect is a branch of the Orthodox Unity tradition, not the Complete Perfection lineage, and thus allows its disciples the freedom to fall in love, offering great support for their independence of thought and action.
Luo Feng strongly agreed with this, expressing his willingness to establish a friendly, amicable, and equal relationship with the Upper Clarity Sect.
The grand-uncle master wholeheartedly approved of Luo Feng’s intentions and invited him to visit, sightsee, and discuss the Dao, further deepening their friendship.
For a time, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy.
The old Daoist promised not to interfere with Biqing’s wishes, allowing him to freely choose his inheritance.
“Grand-uncle Master, your magnanimity is truly that of a great and virtuous immortal,” Zheng Zha flattered, his eyes turning as he seized the chance to pay compliments without hesitation.
As a senior and fellow sect member, such words were harmless.
“Zibu, you flatter me. What virtue or merit do I possess?” The old Daoist smiled outwardly, but he was, after all, a crafty fox of many years.
Inwardly, he pondered Zheng Zha’s intentions. Could he be offering the Mountain Guardian’s legacy?
This required caution…
Luo Feng, standing aside, did not wish to speak. He watched this display of polite commercial boasting in silence.
In just a few exchanges, these two mundane Daoists nearly elevated themselves to the status of Supreme Patriarch and Celestial Venerable.
Yet, the old Daoist’s attention was entirely on Luo Feng.
Having deftly redirected Zheng Zha, he stepped forward to salute Luo Feng and asked with a smile, “May I ask, friend, where do you come from and to which sect do you belong?”
“What kind of seniority is this, really?” Zheng Zha muttered to himself, then introduced, “This is my friend, a wandering swordsman.”
“A solitary cultivator?!” The old Daoist was visibly surprised, clearly skeptical.
To attain such cultivation as a solitary practitioner—unless one were truly a reincarnated sage or a celestial born to this world.
Luo Feng sighed inwardly. These days, who believes the truth anymore?
With a change of heart, Luo Feng smiled and said, “Brother Zheng, there is no need to conceal my identity for me. I see that the venerable elder is upright and honorable, so I shall speak plainly.”
Zheng Zha: What?!
Luo Feng clasped his hands in salute once more and said, “I am Luo Feng of the Long Song Sect, paying my respects to the senior of the Upper Clarity Sect.”
“My sect is reclusive, descended from the sword immortal Li Bai, with a fondness for mountains and rivers, hence our lack of renown.”
“You mean the great Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty!”
The old Daoist suddenly understood. No wonder Luo Feng’s swordsmanship was so extraordinary.
The world knew Li Bai as the Poet Immortal, one of the Three Wonders of the Tang Dynasty.
But among those in the know, it was rumored that Li Bai was no less than the Sword Sage Pei Min. His Green Lotus Sword Song was peerless in the world.
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The old Daoist wished to ask more.
Unexpectedly, Luo Feng replied, “My sect remains secluded and does not involve itself in worldly matters. It would be inappropriate to say more—please do not take offense, elder.”
The old Daoist swallowed his questions. Since Luo Feng had said as much, what more could he do?
Despite his intense curiosity, matters of secrecy could not be pressed further without losing dignity.
As for forcing an answer—what a joke.
Not only did his century of self-cultivation bar him from such conduct, but even if he tried, he would not succeed.
The old Daoist saluted and said, “Friend, do visit often in the future.”
Luo Feng nodded and returned to the rear mountain with Zheng Zha.
Everything was perfectly resolved. What might have dragged on for dozens of episodes in a romance tale was settled in a single day.
Luo Feng felt clear in mind and at ease.
To feel even more refreshed and content, Luo Feng hauled Biqing out and gave the boy a beating.
...
Looking at the young Daoist sprawled in the snow, Luo Feng said calmly, “The matter of the Mountain Guardian is settled. The Elder of Reception will not trouble you about it again.”
Biqing suddenly looked up. Though his body ached, and even smiling hurt, he grinned brightly.
Luo Feng walked away with hands clasped behind his back, as forthright and upright as ever, never caring for the gossip of youthful romance.
...
A day later, at night.
Biqing nervously knocked on the window, stammering, “Tonight... the stars... the stars... are... nice. Would you... would you like to go stargazing with me?”
Luo Yuan looked up at the dark sky, where only a bright moon shone.
After a moment’s daze, she cursed fiercely, “Idiot!”
...
Three days later, spring was in full bloom, and misty rain fell like a dream.
Luo Yuan, having forgotten her umbrella, slipped into a palace hall to shelter under the eaves. Turning her head, she saw a pair of clear eyes, smiling sweetly. Outside, the cold wind still blew—who knew how long he had followed her.
Biqing, bashful, said, “Your umbrella.”
Looking at the drenched young Daoist, Luo Yuan scolded, “Fool!”
...
Five days later, the first snow on the mountaintop had yet to melt.
The scenery was exquisite, perfect for admiring.
...
Ten days later, in a small alley at the foot of the mountain.
Luo Yuan complained, “I don’t care—it’s your turn to buy the gourd wine. Let go of me!”
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Biqing thought for a moment, then nodded seriously, “Alright.”
Luo Yuan muttered, “If you know that, why are you still holding onto my sleeve?”
Biqing was startled. “I...” When the other had gone far, he murmured softly, “I’m afraid you’ll run away.”
...
Half a month later, Luo Feng’s face was icy as he smacked the back of his own hand.
Serves you right for being nosy and meddlesome!
He’d used spiritual sense to follow them, enduring half a month of public displays of affection.
Every time, it was as if cold dog food was being slapped across his face.
Unable to bear it any longer, Luo Feng sought out the grand-uncle master of the Upper Clarity Sect and requested two thousand-mile transmission talismans from the Elder of Reception.
Casting aside all distractions, Luo Feng devoted himself wholly to cultivation.
After all, training while monitoring someone was exhausting—especially when all you saw was relentless affection.
Time passed swiftly, the years like a shuttle.
In the blink of an eye, a year had gone by. At first, Luo Feng had intended to return to Yangjia Village.
But the spiritual energy of the Upper Clarity Sect was far too abundant.
Double the cultivation speed—who could resist?
But peace exists only to be disturbed.
One day, the transmission talisman Luo Feng carried suddenly changed color.
Luo Feng’s eyes snapped open. Though secluded in a dark room, his gaze was radiant, piercing the gloom like lightning.
This was the realm all Daoists dreamed of—summoning electricity from the void, illuminating darkness with their very presence.
Within the Upper Clarity Sect, only the Elder of Reception had reached this realm.
A sweep of his spiritual sense revealed no trace in any of the sect’s countless rooms.
Expressionless, Luo Feng rode the wind down the mountain, arriving in mere moments.
Another sweep of spiritual sense—he discovered traces of two people, fleeing desperately toward Maoshan, carrying a youth whose body was battered and bloody.
Behind them, a group of otherworldly cultivators was in hot pursuit.
In that instant, Luo Feng narrowed his eyes.
A decade of tranquil cultivation shattered.
[Thanks to General He Jin of Han for the thousand-point reward]
[Thanks to @Po Jun for the hundred-point reward]
[Second update at midnight]
(End of chapter)