Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 4: Sword Watching

On Kunlun Mountain, a large competition is held every four years for the disciples of a hundred sects to compete in swordplay. The winner will be able to obtain a sword blade forged by the best sword maker on Kunlun. The dream of countless sword cultivators was to obtain a sword from the Kunlun Sword Sect, but unfortunately, the biggest obstacle in obtaining said sword was the direct disciples of the sect. Lin Rufei remembers clearly, around twenty years ago, the ones who took the top spots were his eldest brother, second brother, and third sister. However, in the past few years, his eldest brother has been busy with sect matters and his third sister had left the mountains to travel, so only his second brother will participate in the sword competition again. This was clearly a sign to the outsiders that a sword from Kunlun Sword Sect was not that easy to obtain.

Lin Rufei liked sword competitions the most when he was a kid because when the sword competition was held, Kunlun Mountain was different from the usual cold atmosphere. It became more lively. He could also go see a lot of rare things that he would not be able to see in his usual daily life and taste a lot of interesting snacks. After he grew up, he started to understand more and some things started to make more sense, in the end, he stopped going. If he hadn’t heard from Fu Hua that he could see his second brother’s swordplay, he would have most likely been uninterested.

Fu Hua was worried that Lin Rufei’s sickness would act up if he was in a crowd, so she sent a message first beforehand to let the disciples at the platform clear out a loft with the best view. The lofts were all suspended in mid-air with talismans, so that not only do they not have to worry about others disturbing them, but they also have the best angle to see the entire competition below.

Today’s sword competition was extraordinarily crowded.

Most likely they heard that Lin Bianyu was going against the Gu family, so all the idle disciples and swordsmen all went to the stage early. They wanted to find a suitable place to witness the beauty and skills of Lin Bianyu’s sword—Tianxiao.

“Little brother Tian, fortunately, you got the news and came early, otherwise with so many people, how can we squeeze in, ah.” Zuo Yuanbai looked at the sea of people behind him and sighed to his companion.

His companion, Tian Yun, nodded proudly: “It’s thanks to the fact that I know a few disciples from the Kunlun Sword Sect. They have known for a long time that today Lin Bianyu will compete with the Gu family’s disciple in a sword fight, so they told me in advance.”

Zuo Yuanbai looked around and saw the loft floating at the side of the sword platform. He could not help but sigh: “Alas if we can sit in the loft overhead to watch the competition how good would it be?”

“Don’t even think about it.” Tian Yun shook his head and told him the news he heard, “This loft, ah. You can’t go up even if you spend money. You have to be a distinguished guest of the Kunlun Sword Sect in order to go up. The Kunlun Sword Sect has always been very proud, so there are only a handful of people who can sit up there to watch the competition.”

As he was speaking, a screech was heard from the back of the crowd. Soon a woman in a bright yellow, long dress appeared in mid-air. Her face was pretty, but her expression was as cold as ice. She was standing on a long, thin sword—attracting everyone’s attention. And even more striking was the wheelchair that she was pushing. In the wheelchair sat a youth covered with snow-white fox fur—wrapped tightly around him. It revealed a handsome face but with extraordinarily pale cheeks. The adornments on the youth were only the black wooden hair stick that was used to tie up his hair. A noble aura surrounded his body and no one dared to look twice, for fear that if one were to look more than once, it would be sacrilegious. 

The woman pushed the wheelchair that the youth was sitting in and flew directly into the loft. She then pulled down the curtains of the loft, covering a cadre of probing eyes.

Zuo Yuanbai, however, still did not come back to his senses. He continued to stare at the loft in a daze: “Who is that person, ah?”

“Haven’t seen her before.” Tian Yun was equally stunned.

“This girl can already fly with a sword, so I guess she has already reached the sixth level.” Zuo Yuanbai said enviously, “How nice ……”

The fifth to sixth level is the most difficult threshold for sword cultivators to cross, once they reach the sixth level, they can fly with the sword and their life expectancy will increase to as long as three hundred years.

Tian Yun nodded approvingly: “I wonder what her relationship is with that gentleman.”

Zuo Yuanbai sighed: “Whatever the relationship, it is not something we can covet.”

Tian Yun also let out a sigh.

Both of them were born to small sects, at this time they have just entered the fourth level. Being able to come to Kunlun Mountain to see the sword competition was already a great blessing. With some ripples in their heart, they knew that some things were untouchable with their fate.

This interlude made Zuo Yuanbai and Tian Yun’s hearts feel some inexplicable loss.

Fortunately, the two protagonists of the sword competition soon expelled this feeling of loss from their hearts. The first to arrive was Lin Bianyu. He was walking towards the stage, donned in green clothes with a gentle expression. He had a pair of beautiful peach blossom eyes[1], filled with an intoxicating smile like a Spring breeze, gently blowing past. The crowd’s eyes were filled with fervor as they gazed at him and also the world-famous sword, Tianxiao, hanging on his waist.

Lin Bianyu arrived on the stage, and the first action he did was to glance in the direction of the hanging loft. His lips moved slightly as if exchanging words with the people in the loft. A doting and helpless expression soon appeared on his face.  

“He and the people in the loft know each other?” Zuo Yuanbai said, “Could it be that the ones in the loft are also disciples of the Kunlun Sword Sect?”

“That’s impossible.” Tian Yun said, “Lin Bianyu might look like a modest gentleman now, but I heard that his nature is the most domineering one in the sect. Even Lin Minzhi dare not provoke him. The ones that can be noticed by him, even in the sect, are only a few, ah.”

Apparently, the two of them are not the only ones curious, people around also began to wonder about the identity of the people in the loft. Some guessed that it was a nobleman from Baiyu City, some guessed that it was an immortal from Wanle Valley.

All in all, Lin Rufei was not able to hear the opinions of the crowd. As soon as the curtain was lowered, the room quieted down. Fu Hua bent down and poured a cup of hot tea for him, and took out a towel to carefully wipe Lin Rufei’s fingers. She said in a warm voice: “Young master, I asked them to prepare some desserts, if you are hungry, have a bite.”

Lin Rufei nodded but did not have much appetite. Peering through the thin curtain, he looked at his second brother who was standing at the center of the stage.

Lin Bianyu saw him coming and didn’t say anything, he only urged Fu Hua not to let Lin Rufei freeze, after all, the Spring is cold, and Lin Rufei has just recovered from a serious illness. In case he falls ill again, it will not be a trivial matter. Fu Hua nodded, she took out a fleece blanket from out of nowhere and covered the bottom half of Lin Rufei’s body. Lin Rufei looked helpless and wondered if only miscellaneous things were put into Fu Hua’s dimensional ring.

Fu Hua argued, “If it’s useful for young master, how can these items be miscellaneous?”

Lin Rufei was at a loss for words.

“Hey, that kid from the Gu family is here!” Fu Hua saw someone flying up the sword platform, “Young master, look!”

Lin Rufei then raised his eyes to look, but he only saw a figure deftly jump onto the stage. Due to the far distance, Lin Rufei could not clearly see the person’s face, but could clearly see the long black and messy hair that was on top of Gu family’s fourth son. Behind him was a huge sword wrapped in black cloth. He wasn’t tall, and the huge sword he was carrying almost dropped to the ground, making the people watching quite worried. 

“My name is Gu Feiyu!” Gu family’s fourth son’s voice still had some of the crispness of a teenager as he turned to Lin Bianyu and said, “I heard that your sword skills are very powerful!”

Lin Bianyu smiled and said modestly, “It’s passable.”

Gu Feiyu’s eyes turned, “If I win against you, will I be able to take one of my favorite swords away from Kunlun Mountain?”

“Naturally.” Lin Bianyu replied.

“Then I’ll take your Tianxiao.” Gu Feiyu just uttered astonishing words with such carelessness.

Once these words came out, the originally noisy stands instantly quieted down, and all eyes turned to Lin Bianyu on the stage. They wanted to see how he would react to the provocation of the newcomer.

However, everyone was disappointed. Lin Bianyu was neither angry nor refuting, and his gentle smile remained on his face. His hand caressed the hilt of Tianxiao as if he was caressing his beloved lover: “Want to take him away? That depends on whether you are strong enough.”

Gu Feiyu laughed and drew his sword, but what he drew was not the huge sword behind him, but a plain blade slung around his waist. Once this sword was out, the sword stage surged with tumultuous sword intent, and the smiles on both faces gradually converged.

The wind rose on the flat ground, and Gu Feiyu made the first move.

Lin Rufei didn’t see when Gu Feiyu drew his sword, he only saw a flash of light as bright as fire sweeping across the stage with great speed. In an instant, it arrived in front of Lin Bianyu. Lin Bianyu didn’t dodge, his right hand went to draw his sword and Tianxiao was unsheathed. The sword emitted a low buzz. He seemed to casually raise his hand in a wave and the sword connected with the flash of light—emitting the sound of gold and jade.

Gu Feiyu’s figure was revealed only then. He had a crazed smile, messy black hair scattered behind him. With a stomp of his foot, he rose up into the air in a flash and made a slash against Lin Bianyu. The air around him actually burst into flames from his action, it was accompanied by a crackling ear-splitting sound. Standing in front of Lin Bianyu, his face blurred.

Lin Bianyu’s blade is slightly horizontal, he actually intends to just take Gu Feiyu’s blow full force.

Gu Feiyu rushed down, the sword in his hand turned into a piercing white rainbow.

The sword was neither sharp nor dexterous, but it had the power to shake the mountains and rivers. Manic and domineering sword Qi swept across the entire stage.

A loud sound resounded through the clouds.

A three-foot-wide crack appeared on the green stone sword platform, it was a crack that can break apart mountains and rivers. Crumbling and disintegrating, at once dust filled the sky, and chaos ensued upon the stage.

Lin Rufei could not see what happened on the stage and Fu Hua looked slightly impressed. She softly said: “This Gu family’s fourth son is quite powerful.”

The sword platform is specially made, each piece of green stone is carved with a special talisman. In the past ten years, sword cultivators who can leave such a mark on the green stones were already very few.

The surrounding spectators had long been blown away by the strong sword Qi. Fu Hua had already expected this, so she stepped forward to block Lin Rufei. Her bright yellow dress blew strongly.

In the dust, there was a glowing light. It was like the bright moon rising in the dark night, surging towards the great river.

“Good sword.” It was Lin Bianyu’s voice.

Gu Feiyu revealed a stunned look, he withdrew his hand, took a step back, and saw Lin Bianyu standing amongst the dust.

Still in green and with a white sword. There wasn’t a speck of dust on his clothes, like a relegated immortal.

The huge crack that was split by Gu Feiyu, stopped in front of Lin Bianyu’s body. The green stone beneath his feet was still intact, not even the slightest breakage.

Gu Feiyu coughed lowly a few times, blood spilling out of the corner of his mouth. But he raised his hand and harshly wiped it away: “You win.”

Naturally, Lin Bianyu won.

The sword in Gu Feiyu’s hand has broken into several pieces, leaving only a lone sword hilt in his hand.

Lin Bianyu sheathed Tianxiao and calmly said, “This sword is not worthy of you.”

Gu Feiyu said indifferently, “Truly.” As he said this, he threw the broken sword in his hand to the side.

Lin Bianyu said, “Why don’t you use the sword behind you?”

Gu Feiyu was silent for a moment and said helplessly, “I’m afraid you’ll snatch him away.”

Lin Bianyu raised his eyebrows, seemingly amused by Gu Feiyu: “Snatch? I’ve seen countless good swords, if not 10,000 at least 8,000. Why would I snatch a sword from a child like you?”

Gu Feiyu said seriously: “It’s just that I haven’t completely subdued him yet. This sword is a bit special, he’s very philandering, when he sees a sword cultivator he likes, he can’t stop his legs—so I have to make sure that before completely subduing him, I can’t let him see someone more suitable for him.”

As Gu Feiyu said this, he couldn’t help but laugh at first. His face was no longer hostile, instead, now it carried the teenage innocence and softness: “But after fighting with you once, I’m sure he won’t like you.”

“Why?” Lin Bianyu was curious.

Gu Feiyu smiled cheekily and said, “That is a secret, I won’t tell you.” As he spoke, he put down the huge sword behind him and gently touched it through the black cloth, adding, “Can we have another fight, I haven’t had enough!” Lin Bianyu smiled and nodded, “Yes.”

Gu Feiyu had heard of the rumors. Raising his hand, he began to untie the black cloth on the sword, and while doing so, he asked: “Lin Bianyu, I heard that you are the most talented sword practitioner in the Kunlun Sword Sect, is that right?”

Lin Bianyu said nonchalantly, “At least for now.”

Gu Feiyu said to himself, “Then I’m relieved, if the people around are all useless, then I won’t have to worry that this philandering sword will look at them. With him, my strength can rise another 30%. And having another fight with you, worth it!!”

Lin Bianyu just smiled, the corners of his clothes lifted even without the wind. Battle intent was once again ignited.

Both of their eyes fell on the black heavy sword and began to look forward to the next match. But who knew that the moment Gu Feiyu untied the heavy sword from the seemingly ordinary black cloth, the heavy sword emitted a buzzing sound. Gu Feiyu heard this sound and was alarmed, he screamed “this is bad!”, but everything was too late. The heavy sword did not need a person to control it and it just flew off. It plunged directly towards the direction of the suspended loft on the side of the stage. 

When Lin Bianyu saw the direction the heavy sword flew to, his face also changed dramatically. That loft was the one where Lin Rufei was sitting!

Almost at the same time, both of them flew in the direction of the heavy sword, trying to stop the sword. But the distance between the two places was too short. In a blink of an eye, the heavy sword broke through the barrier of the curtain and plunged into the floor of the loft. And after the sword, Gu Feiyu saw a handsome young man sitting in a wheelchair with a pale face. He had a piece of mung bean cake in his hand. His (LRF) face was full of bewilderment and his eyes full of doubt. He obviously did not understand, this sword should have stayed on the sword platform, why would it suddenly appear in front of him, and also emitted a buzzing sound, simply as if it was a……puppy trying to please its master.

Fu Hua’s face was blue, she stood in front of Lin Rufei protecting him. She sternly scolded Gu Feiyu: “What are you doing! What if you hurt young master!!!”

Gu Feiyu felt wronged to death that he almost cried out when he pointed at Lin Rufei: “It’s obvious that he seduced my sword…”

Lin Rufei looked around in confusion: “Huh?”

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The author has something to say:

Lin Rufei looks at the sword carefully and cautious: D-Do you want to eat a mung bean cake?

Gu Feiyu: The sword is interested in you, hey, hey, wait. Zhongfeng what is wrong with you? ?

Sword: Buzz, buzz, buzz (smells delicious)

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[1] Peach blossom eyes