Chapter 14 — A Prodigy
劍問蒼天 · Page 1 of 6
"Qi Hao and Lin Jinghong, disciples of the Venerable Cangsong of Dragon Peak, pay our respects to Uncle Tian and Uncle Su."
In the Shoujing Hall, Tian Buhui and Su Wan sat in the seats of honor, with the rest of the disciples ranged along the sides. Two men in white stood in the center of the hall—Lin Jinghong and another handsome young man named Qi Hao—saluting Tian Buhui. Zhang Qingyue stood at the very end of the disciples' row, watching Lin Jinghong.
They had not seen each other for several years, and everyone had grown up.
Just then Lin Jinghong also turned to look at Zhang Qingyue. Their eyes met; Lin Jinghong smiled faintly. A warmth surged in Zhang Qingyue's heart, and overcome with feeling, he nodded.
Tian Buhui's gaze traveled over Qi Hao, flicked to Lin Jinghong, and his face darkened. He saw that both young men were strikingly handsome and distinguished, and with his practiced eye he had already discerned in a moment that their aptitudes far surpassed those of his own disciples. Of Qi Hao there was no need to speak—his fame among the younger generation of the Canglan Sect was long established. But young Lin Jinghong, from the mere fact that he had arrived flying on his sword,
must have cultivated at least to the fourth layer of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao. To have reached such a level in only three and a half years since entering the sect—such aptitude was truly astonishing.
At this thought, Tian Buhui instinctively glanced at Zhang Qingyue standing at the very back. Comparing the two, his mood soured utterly, and he said coldly, "What did your master send you here to do?"
Qi Hao cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Uncle Tian, our master, the Venerable Cangsong, has been entrusted by the Sect Leader, the Venerable Daoyan, with arranging the various matters of the 'Seven Meridians Martial Trial' to be held two years hence. As there are a few small changes, he specially commanded Junior Brother Lin and me to come and report them."
Tian Buhui gave a snort, sized Lin Jinghong up and down, and said, "He did it on purpose, didn't he—to show off in front of me!"
Qi Hao's and Lin Jinghong's expressions both changed. Lin Jinghong was about to flare up on the spot, but Qi Hao reached out a hand to stop him and said with a smile, "Uncle Tian jests. We are all of the Canglan Sect, and Uncle Tian is a man of great virtue and prestige. Our master harbors not the slightest disrespect."
Tian Buhui's face remained dark and showed no sign of clearing. It was Su Wan beside him who smiled amiably and said gently, "Think nothing of it, you two. Uncle Tian is only joking with you. By the way, you mentioned some changes—what is it about?"
Qi Hao said respectfully, "Replying to Uncle Su, it is like this. In past years at the 'Seven Meridians Martial Trial,' each of the meridians under the Canglan Sect sent four disciples, and the senior meridian of Jietian Peak sent four more, making thirty-two in all. Lots were drawn for duels, the victors advanced, and so on through five rounds. The final victor was the finest of the Canglan Sect's younger generation and received the devoted cultivation of the masters."
Su Wan smiled with pursed lips, charming and graceful, and said, "Speaking of the last great trial, you were quite the sensation. I recall you finished as second place, did you not? Had it not been for that Xiao Yichen from the senior meridian, you might well have taken the crown of martial champion of the Canglan Sect."