Chapter Thirty-Three: A Dragon Among Men

Chapter Thirty-Three: Dragon Among Men
Chapter Five: Tigers Leaping, Dragons Soaring—Clashing Whistles of the Mystic Blade and Spirit Sword (Part Nine)

“So many people here—I'm afraid they must all be outstanding figures from their respective monasteries. No matter who they are, I don’t think I could hope to match any of them,” Ye Hua said quietly, lowering his head with a hint of disappointment.

Ling Yun’er sidled up with a smile. “Little junior brother, if you lose to anyone in the Chan tournament, how about I step forward to defend your honor?”

“Thank you, senior sister!” Ye Hua blushed in embarrassment.

“Sigh, our junior sister really does care for our little junior brother!” Qing Xia teased. “But what if you’re not a match for them either? Wouldn’t that be a disaster? Our Beitai Bishan Temple’s reputation would be utterly ruined by you! It’s safer if I handle it myself, haha.”

“Pah, senior brother, you—” Ling Yun’er flushed and raised her delicate fist to punch Qing Xia, who dodged with a mischievous grin.

As their playful banter continued, a voice called out, “Brother Bai! Haha, it’s been a long time since we last met. How have you all been?” A group of five or six approached, led by a young man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, dressed in pale yellow robes with a long sword at his waist. He moved with effortless grace, his features handsome and refined, exuding an air of elegant leisure. This was none other than Xiao Yitian, the Bamboo-Sword Master of the Central Terrace’s Qingliang Temple—a true dragon among men.

“Brother Xiao!” Everyone greeted him with clasped hands.

Xiao Yitian returned their salute. “You must have only just arrived. The journey must have been tiring.” His gaze shifted to Ling Yun’er, his tone warm. “Junior sister Yun’er, have you been well? Has your injury from last time fully healed?”

A blush rose on Ling Yun’er’s cheeks as she bowed. “Thank you for your concern, senior brother Xiao. I’ve long since recovered.”

Xiao Yitian smiled gently. “That’s good to hear. Brothers and sisters, go and rest in the meeting hall first. When there’s time, we can catch up properly. How about I visit you all this evening?”

“We wouldn’t dare trouble you, senior brother Xiao! We’ll look forward to your visit tonight,” Bai Shisong replied.

Xiao Yitian laughed. “Very well, I’ll see you this evening, then. I have some urgent matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave for now.” With that, he departed, and the group saw him off with respectful bows.

The attendant monk led them onward, twisting and turning through the grounds until the crowds thinned. They crossed a stone bridge and passed through a grove of bamboo that soared into the sky. Before them opened a clearing with a row of elegant cottages, each surrounded by low wooden fences and fronted by beds of fragrant orchids whose intoxicating scent filled the air. From the side of the bamboo grove came the sound of a clear, rushing stream. Everyone sighed in admiration, “What a tranquil place!”

As they drew near, they saw a wooden plaque reading “Orchid Zen Courtyard.” The attendant monk bowed and said, “This will be your resting place, honored brothers. Please enter and make yourselves comfortable. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave.” They thanked him and watched as he departed, then, delighted, set about choosing their rooms among the dozen or so cottages.

After a brief rest, the young monks, unable to contain their youthful energy, wandered out to explore the area around Orchid Zen Courtyard.

“Little junior brother, shall we take a stroll up ahead?” Qing Xia took Ye Hua by the hand and led him outside, not giving him a chance to refuse. Ye Hua had meant to practice his breathing exercises in his room but had no choice. “Fourth brother, let me go—I’ll come with you!” he protested.

“That’s better. Fifth brother, Qing Yu, hurry up!” Qing Xia called toward the cottages.

“Coming, coming!” Qing Yu rushed out, adjusting his robes as he walked.

He wore a brand-new white robe and carried a folding fan. “Looking good, fifth brother! In your new clothes, you’re quite the dashing gentleman,” Qing Xia teased.

Qing Yu blushed. “Ignore him, little junior brother—what do you think?” He looked at Ye Hua expectantly.

Ye Hua nearly burst out laughing but managed to keep a straight face. “I’ve never seen you dressed like this, fifth brother—”

Qing Yu rapped Ye Hua on the head. “Brat, I’m asking what you think!”

Ye Hua replied, “You look every bit the handsome scholar—no less than Song Yu or Pan An.”

Qing Yu beamed. “Let’s be off, then!” He strode out the door.

Qing Xia and Ye Hua shook their heads and followed. The three crossed the stone bridge, looped around the bamboo grove, and soon found a secluded stream flanked by ancient trees and well-paved stone paths. They followed the path around a mountainside until another clearing appeared, dotted with several exquisite wooden huts. Across the stream stood rows of fine lodgings, bustling with people.

As they walked, admiring the scenery, a clear voice called out, “Brother Qing!” A young woman in a green dress approached, her features pure and striking, her hair arranged in two cloud-like buns with pink ribbons trailing down her cheeks, her robes fluttering like those of a girl next door—warmth and familiarity in her smile.

“Ah, Sister Wang, what brings you here?” Qing Yu asked in surprise.

“Why shouldn’t I be here?” she replied with a laugh. “Up ahead is Chrysanthemum Courtyard, where the disciples of Longquan Temple are staying. I came out to enjoy the scenery and didn’t expect to run into you three!”

“We’re staying just a short distance away in Orchid Zen Courtyard,” Qing Xia replied with a smile.

“This is our little junior brother, Ye Hua,” the young woman said with a gentle smile to Ye Hua, who nodded in return.

“How many of your sisters have come this time?” Qing Yu asked.

“Seventeen of us, along with Master Zhimie and Aunt Zhijing,” she answered.

“Sigh, your senior sister Bai will surely outshine everyone again this year,” Qing Xia sighed.

“The Five Gentlemen are famous for a reason. Brother Bai’s Pinesword and Sister Bai’s Plum-Blossom Sword are evenly matched and equally renowned.”

“Sister, may I ask to what level Senior Sister Bai Xuemei has cultivated her skills?” Qing Yu inquired quietly.

“Two years ago, she broke through to the seventh level of the Seven Treasures Realm, and her Four Noble Truths technique has reached the pinnacle of the seventh layer,” the young woman answered.

“Senior Sister Bai is truly formidable!” Qing Yu and Qing Xia exclaimed. “We are far behind her.”

She laughed softly. “Senior Sister Bai is gifted beyond compare and works harder than anyone. As for you two, well...”

Qing Xia and Qing Yu could only give wry smiles. “Since we know the sisters of Longquan Temple are here, we’ll be sure to visit another day,” they said.

“That would be wonderful—everyone will be delighted to see you,” she replied.

“Then we’ll take our leave for now. Until next time.” They exchanged bows and went on their way.

All along the stream, the path was lined with elegant lodges stretching for miles, a testament to the vast and awe-inspiring scale of Grand Fu Lingjiu Monastery. As they continued, they passed Bamboo Courtyard, where the Southern Terrace contingent was staying, and Lotus Courtyard, home to the monks of Xiantong Temple. In fact, most of the monks from the hundred and twenty temples of the Five Terraces were temporarily residing here, and the three companions chatted as they wandered through the grounds.

“Isn’t that Brother Qing Xia from Beitai Bishan Temple? Heh heh...” Suddenly, a mocking laugh came from the woods to their left. Turning, they found themselves face to face with disciples from Qixian Temple—truly, enemies meet on narrow paths! Wang Jun was absent, but their leader was the same sharp-nosed, green-eyed, gaunt figure who had mocked Beitai Bishan Temple’s reputation before, now eyeing the trio with a cold sneer.