Chapter 101: Chapter 100: The Aftermath
The area around the dueling ring erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers, like a flash flood or a volcanic eruption.
Wen Qingye heard the noise and gave a bitter smile.
’Have I... finally won?’
THUD!
Wen Qingye’s body swayed. He felt all the tension leave him as he collapsed. In his last moment of consciousness, he felt someone catch him as a faint, sweet fragrance wafted into his nostrils.
.......
As a new student, Wen Qingye had defeated several senior students and, in the end, even the legendary Lang Feng. His victory in the Four Mountains Martial Arts Gathering was a complete shock to everyone.
From this day forward, Wen Qingye would overlook the Four Mountains of Qig Mountain Academy’s Outer Courtyard, becoming the undisputed number one student.
Before the Four Mountains Martial Arts Gathering, no one could have predicted such an outcome—a new student becoming the champion.
The top contenders—Lang Feng, Guu Lei, Ren Hua, Wei Qiutong, Yann Xiangyang, and even Xia Moyu and Lu Hongfei—had all been defeated. Such was the cruelty of the Martial Dao. It didn’t matter how famous or seemingly invincible you were. In the end, only the last one standing was the true victor, worthy of flowers, applause, and the adoration of the crowd.
As for the losers, they received nothing but pity.
Lang Feng’s injuries had yet to heal when he awoke. He immediately left Qig Mountain Academy and headed for the Purple Sun Prefecture, the greatest academy in the Celestial Martial Country.
Even though Nie Qinglan tried to convince him to stay and recover, Lang Feng was adamant about leaving. He had his pride.
Lang Feng’s face was pale, and his body looked so frail it seemed a gust of wind could blow him over. He now stood at the entrance of Qig Mountain Academy.
"Wen Qingye, I won’t lose the next time we meet."
After speaking, Lang Feng’s body swayed in the wind, his silhouette gradually fading into the mountain depths.
「Three days later, by North Mountain.」
When Wen Qingye awoke, he looked at the Qianyuan Grass in his hand, a surge of joy rising in his heart. ’With this Qianyuan Grass and a few other medicinal herbs,’ he thought, ’I can refine another batch of Seventh-Grade Qianyuan Pills.’ He was currently at the peak of the Refining Essence Fourth Layer Heaven. He was confident that after taking a Qianyuan Pill, his cultivation would surely break through.
"Master, it’s time for your medicine," Xiaxia said, walking over with a bowl. "Sister Yuerou brewed this for you. She told me not to tell you, but she’s been looking after you every day for the past three days while you were unconscious."
Wen Qingye’s heart stirred. After a moment, he simply nodded, not saying a word.
"That’s right, Sister Yuerou told me not to tell, but you’re my master! Why would I listen to her?" A mischievous glint flashed in Xiaxia’s eyes.
Wen Qingye rubbed his head and sighed, sitting up straight.
Xiaxia continued, "Over the past few days, Lil Ya Mountain Master and the Vice Director came to see you. Luo Tang came by, too. Oh, and so did Yann Xiangyang and Yann Chuxue."
Seeing Wen Qingye’s brow furrow, Xiaxia pointed to the bowl. "They’re not important. Master, you should take your medicine first."
As she spoke, Xiaxia brought the spoon to Wen Qingye’s lips. He took it from her and said, "It’s fine, I can do it myself. You can go handle your own affairs."
Xiaxia pouted. "What’s there for me to be busy with? Honestly. I want to take care of you, and you won’t even give me the chance."
With that, she stood to the side and only left after watching Wen Qingye finish the medicine.
After Xiaxia left, Wen Qingye sat cross-legged and silently recited the mantra. The Longevity Technique began to circulate through his body, over and over.
Vast amounts of Primordial Qi, aided by the medicinal effects he had just absorbed, continuously repaired his injuries. His body slowly entered a state of recovery.
.......
In the blink of an eye, another three days had passed. Wen Qingye was lounging in a chair under a palm tree next to his thatched hut, a cup of wine in hand. He sipped gently, enjoying the pleasant afternoon.
"Master, this Monkey Wine is delicious! I want more!" Xiaxia came zipping over with a grin.
Wen Qingye replied irritably, "You drink it like water, popping Hangover Prevention Pills as you go. There isn’t enough Monkey Wine in the world to satisfy you. Just give it a rest."
Ever since Wen Qingye had given Xiaxia a little Monkey Wine the day before, she had become obsessed with it and wouldn’t stop pestering him. He had assumed a little would get her drunk, so he gave her a waterskin full of it. To his surprise, Xiaxia drank the wine while taking Hangover Prevention Pills, finishing the entire skin in the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
"But Master, I want some!" Xiaxia whined, shaking Wen Qingye’s arm.
Wen Qingye shook his head. "No. If you want some, get it yourself. I’m not asking you to serve your master, but now you expect your master to serve you every day."
When Xiaxia saw that her whining wasn’t working, she pouted and ran back to her room in a huff.
A moment later, a few people approached from the distance, two of them bickering loudly.
"Guu Xiong, I’m telling you, he’s my big brother! I can come whenever I want! What gives you the right to follow me?"
"Hmph, your big brother? Brother Ye hasn’t said he’s taking you on as his underling. Besides, I came to visit Brother Ye. When was I ever following you?"
Wen Qingye knew at a glance who had arrived: Guu Xiong and Luo Tang from West Mountain.
Ever since the Four Mountains Martial Arts Gathering, Guu Xiong’s attitude toward Wen Qingye had done a complete one-eighty. He was now filled with immense admiration and would shamelessly seek him out for guidance on his Swordsmanship.
Guu Xiong had been completely won over by Wen Qingye—perhaps by his Swordsmanship, or perhaps by his sheer presence. In any case, he now treated Wen Qingye with the reverence one would show a god.
Luo Tang, however, was quite displeased. His own Saber Technique had advanced significantly under Wen Qingye’s guidance, but if Guu Xiong was going to ask for help with his Swordsmanship, wouldn’t he end up surpassing him? After all, Wen Qingye’s greatest skill was Swordsmanship.
Behind the two, Wen Qingye spotted another familiar figure: Guu Lei.
"Brother Wen," Guu Lei said, cupping his fist toward Wen Qingye. His tone was neither warm nor cold.
Wen Qingye nodded, then rose with a smile. "I never expected Brother Guu Lei to visit my desolate corner of North Mountain. Your presence truly brightens my humble home."
Guu Lei shook his head. "Brother Wen, there’s no need for such formalities. I’ve come today to ask for your guidance on Swordsmanship."
After speaking, Guu Lei stared at Wen Qingye with burning intensity.
Wen Qingye didn’t refuse. He nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll give you some pointers."
Guu Lei was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Wen Qingye to agree so readily; it was quite a surprise.
"Thank you for your guidance!"
Wen Qingye spoke slowly. "Your Swordsmanship is too bound by form. It lacks fluid, spontaneous movement—the feeling of letting your heart guide your actions. The essence of the Autumn Leaf Swordsmanship lies in the autumn leaves themselves. You perceive them as filled with an endless air of death, the intent of falling to the ground, but that’s not the whole story."
The three listened intently. Guu Lei couldn’t help but ask, "The Autumn Leaf Swordsmanship contains life? I still don’t quite understand. Autumn leaves wither and fall, a plant’s life ends with autumn—it’s the very image of death. How could it contain life?"
Wen Qingye smiled faintly. "Have you ever heard this saying: A fallen petal is not unfeeling; it turns to mud to nourish the next spring’s bloom?"
Guu Lei froze, then his eyes lit up. He nodded. "I understand. I finally see the true essence of the Autumn Leaf Swordsmanship! Life within an air of death... that is the Autumn Leaf Swordsmanship!"
A smile played in Wen Qingye’s eyes, and he said no more.
