Chapter 25 — The Unexpected
劍問蒼天 · Page 2 of 7
Zhang Qingyue, however, showed no sign of disappointment—he had never imagined he could accomplish anything anyway. He merely found it strange to see Zeng Shuyan looking so dejected, and asked: "Eh, Senior Brother Zeng, didn't you tell me you weren't very interested in this great trial? Why do you look so disappointed?"
Zeng Shuyan said: "Still, if I could really stand on the platform and hold out to the very end, that would be quite glorious. Don't you think so?"
Zhang Qingyue laughed despite himself.
Zeng Shuyan saw his odd expression and felt a little embarrassed; he punched him on the arm and laughed: "What are you laughing at?" Before he had finished speaking, he was laughing himself.
The two of them walked, laughing, toward another platform to watch another match.
That day, apart from Zhang Qingyue, seven disciples of Dazhu Peak fought: four won, three lost. Song Dayi, Tian Lingsu, He Dachuan, and Du Biyan all advanced to the next round. With the lucky Zhang Qingyue counted in, five of Dazhu Peak's eight disciples had made it through—a result rarely seen in several hundred years, and Tian Buhui was so pleased he could not close his mouth for grinning.
The next day.
The morning sunlight spilled lazily over the sea of clouds. The disciples of the Canglan Sect came to the square as they had the day before and continued to watch this once-in-sixty-years great trial of the seven peaks of the Canglan Sect.
The folk of Dazhu Peak stood beneath yesterday's red list. Half the names on it had been struck out, and beside Zhang Qingyue's name was now written the name of his opponent for today: Chu Yuhong.
Since rising that morning, Zhang Qingyue had for some reason begun to feel nervous. Though he knew perfectly well he was mostly here to look on, he could not help the tension in his heart—his pulse quickened, his mouth went dry, and he ate only two bites of breakfast before losing his appetite.
Just now he was quietly asking his senior brother Song Dayi, who stood beside him: "Senior Brother, who is this Chu Yuhong? Is he formidable?"
Song Dayi frowned and shook his head: "I'm not sure either. I've never heard of him before. The list says he's a disciple of the Zhaoyang Peak line, but how deep his cultivation goes I don't know." Here Song Dayi glanced at Zhang Qingyue, saw how nervous he looked, and smiled: "Little junior brother, don't be nervous—it doesn't matter. The first time I took part in the great trial I was scared to death too. Once you're up on the platform, it's fine."
Zhang Qingyue mumbled: "Yes."
Just then Du Biyan, who had been standing nearby, came over and said with a malicious grin: "Hey, senior brothers, how about we make a wager on how our little junior brother will fare this time?"
"Good, good, I bet the little junior brother loses!"
"Me too!"
"Me too—and I'm putting down double!"
"Count me in."
Song Dayi was furious. He pointed at the lot of them: "What are you doing? The little junior brother's match is at hand, and you're trying to discourage him?"
Zhang Qingyue was deeply grateful and cried: "Senior Brother—"
Song Dayi: "Old Sixth."
Du Biyan stuck out his tongue: "Senior Brother, I was only joking just now. Please, whatever you do, don't tell Master."
Song Dayi: "No. Since you've already discouraged him anyway—I'll put five shares on that wager you just proposed!"
Du Biyan and Zhang Qingyue: "..."
Just then Tian Buhui and Su Wan came over, and all the disciples of Dazhu Peak went to meet them. Tian Buhui looked them over and said: "You did well yesterday, but today you enter the second round, and those who remain are for the most part the elite disciples of each line. You must be careful."
All together they said: "Yes."
Su Wan glanced at Zhang Qingyue, came over, and said: "Xiaofan, today is your first match. Be careful in all things, do you understand?"
A warmth swept through Zhang Qingyue's heart. He said in a low voice: "Yes, Mistress."