Chapter 143 — Reluctance
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 6 of 7
The sect master of the Canglan Sect, Daoist Zhenren Daoyan, pondered for a moment, then spoke out in a clear voice: "I have observed this child Li Xun over the past few days. He is indeed a dragon among men, a prodigy whose future is beyond all reckoning."
Yun Yifeng smiled. "You flatter him, Zhenren. Still, I do in truth intend someday to pass the position of Valley Master to this unworthy disciple. And with a great enemy before us, such a joyful occasion can only show our sincere cooperation and lift the spirits of the heroes of the world. What say you, Zhenren?"
Tian Buhui, seated off to the side, wore a look of open disdain, and nearly let a cold snort escape his lips; fortunately his wife Su Wan, quick of eye and swift of hand, caught hold of him.
Zhenren Daoyan's gaze swept across the Canglan Sect's people, coming at last to rest on Lu Xueling. Her brows were tightly knit, her lips trembling faintly, as though she wished to speak; yet mindful that the occasion was improper, she did not raise her voice after all.
Zhenren Daoyan smiled faintly, turned his head toward Yun Yifeng, and laughed: "Valley Master Yun's goodwill this day is truly beyond my expectations!"
Yun Yifeng cupped his hands and said with a smile: "This humble one and my disciple harbor the most sincere intentions. I hope you will grant us your blessing, Zhenren."
Zhenren Daoyan reached up to stroke his long beard at his breast and said slowly: "Heaven has brought forth demons and monsters, and disaster is close upon us. Only if our two sects stand shoulder to shoulder and join our strength can we save the common people. Moreover, in this marriage the man is talented and the woman fair, and I am well pleased with it myself..."
Another stir ran through the Canglan Sect; none had expected that Zhenren Daoyan would actually approve this marriage.
Then Zhenren Daoyan turned his head and said with a smile to Master Shuijing, seated nearby: "Junior Sister Shuiyue, Xueqi is your disciple, so the decision ought rightly to be yours."
Lu Xueling's face went stark white, plainly shaken to the core by this turn of events. Hearing Zhenren Daoyan's words, she could not help stepping forward and calling out to Master Shuijing:
"Master..."
Master Shuijing slowly raised her eyes, letting her gaze move over Lu Xueling's peerless face, as though she sought to read something within those features. The look in her eyes was complex and hard to fathom. After a long silence, she said slowly: "Qi'er, I too am wholly in favor of this marriage. Young Master Li is a dragon among men, a most fitting match."
A sudden hush fell over the Yuyu Hall. Everyone, Tian Buhui and the rest included, stared at Master Shuijing in disbelief.
Lu Xueling's body swayed abruptly.
And far off, Li Xun's joy was already written plain upon his face.
"Hahahahaha!" Yun Yifeng's laughter shattered the silence. "Excellent, excellent! Since both elders approve this matter, Xun'er, why do you not hurry forward and pay your respects to them both!"
Li Xun rushed forward at once and knelt in salute.
Yun Yifeng laughed: "A tale as fine as this day's will surely be handed down through the ages and celebrated across the world..."
"Hold!"
Suddenly a soft cry rang out cold and clear within the great hall, cutting through the very words of Yun Yifeng—a man hailed as one of the great pillars of the orthodox path under heaven—and silencing him.
Every face in the hall changed color.
Lu Xueling, in white robes like driven snow, her face ashen, one hand clenched tight about the scabbard of the Tianxuan sword, walked slowly forward.
Zhenren Daoyan's expression shifted slightly, and he looked toward Master Shuijing; but she only watched Lu Xueling's figure. Suddenly she sighed softly, closed her eyes, and seemed content to take no further part.
Zhenren Daoyan's face changed once more, and his expression slowly darkened. Rising to his feet, he said: "Xueqi, have you something to say?"