“No.”
Xu Taiping shook his head.
“What is the Red-Haired Demon Blade?”
Zhao Linglong also shook her head.
Seeing this, Jiang Zhi stopped beating around the bush and seriously recounted to everyone:
“About two hundred years ago, within the bounds of Yunlu Mountain, a malevolent spirit appeared. This spirit had red hair and green eyes, a towering figure, and his swordsmanship was profound. He often roamed at midnight, specifically targeting lone disciples to test his blade.”
“In just over a month, the number of disciples who died at his hand had already reached more than a dozen.”
“However, just when the Qingxuan Sect was gathering forces to eliminate him once and for all, the Red-Haired Demon Blade vanished as if into thin air, and no trace of him could be found.”
“But it was from that year onwards, every so often, the Red-Haired Demon Blade would reappear for a time. However, he no longer killed indiscriminately but preferred to challenge disciples skilled with the blade to test his own.”
“Rumor has it, if you defeat him, he will bestow upon you a treasure.”
“But whether this is true or false, no one can say for sure, because any disciple who has encountered the Red-Haired Demon Blade either dies or is gravely injured; no one has ever beaten him.”
Senior Sister Jiang Zhi’s tone gradually became more serious as she spoke.
“Senior Sister, how can you be sure that it was the Red-Haired Demon Blade that Senior Brother Four encountered?”
Zhao Linglong asked, puzzled.
“Senior Brother Four regained consciousness for a brief moment earlier. Although he doesn’t remember much about what happened last night, he was certain that it was the Red-Haired Demon Blade he encountered,” Qingxiao answered for Senior Sister Jiang Zhi.
“Yes, Senior Brother Four was certain, and he also mentioned that the Red-Haired Demon Blade seemed to be searching for something. He’s likely to appear frequently these days and warned us all to be extra cautious,” Jiang Zhi nodded and added.
Hearing this, a chill couldn’t help but run through everyone’s hearts.
“That’s roughly the situation.”
After Qingxiao and Jiang Zhi had briefed everyone on the situation, Zhao Qian’s voice suddenly rang out.
“I’ve specifically called you all here to caution you. Regardless of whether it was the Red-Haired Demon Blade who injured Senior Brother Four, it’s best not to go out at night in the coming days. As for the hunt for the Red-Haired Demon Blade, I will discuss it with the other Peak Masters first before making a decision.”
Zhao Qian’s expression became unusually serious as he spoke.
“Especially those among you who wield blades.”
He added, glancing at Xu Taiping both deliberately and inadvertently.
Xu Taiping nodded repeatedly.
He knew the Peak Master was warning him.
After all, within the Seventh Peak, it was only he and Senior Brother Four who used blades.
“Jiang Zhi, Qingxiao, Linglong, and Taiping, the four of you stay. The rest may return for now.”
At this point, Zhao Qian dismissed the other disciples, leaving only the four of them.
…
Once only the four of them remained in the hall, Zhao Qian frowned and turned to Xu Taiping:
“Taiping, I originally didn’t intend for you to participate in the Seven Peaks competition, but given the sudden turn of events and Senior Brother Four’s injury unlikely to heal within a month or two, someone must take his place.”
Xu Taiping paused for a moment, then expressed his concern:
“Peak Master, am I up to the task?”
He didn’t even know the rules of the Seven Peaks competition. Filling in was one thing, but actually competing was bound to be problematic.
“Junior Brother, don’t worry. The contest that Senior Brother Four was to participate in is a test of endurance, not combat. Moreover, there will be four of us participating. Even if there are some mishaps on your end, it won’t be a big issue,” Senior Sister Jiang Zhi reassured him with a gentle tone.
“That’s right. The contest that Senior Brother Four and we are participating in is known as ‘Water Droplet Through Stone.’ Like in the last Seven Peaks competition, it involved the art of object manipulation to move boulders through the air and pile them into a mountain. Although we don’t yet know the exact challenge this time, since it’s a test of endurance, even if you lose, you won’t be injured,” Zhao Linglong chimed in happily upon learning that Xu Taiping would be joining them in the competition.
“You’re already thinking about losing before the competition has even started; are you trying to kill me with frustration?” Zhao Qian glared at Zhao Linglong, his expression one of exasperation.
“Father, do you actually have any expectations for this Seven Peaks competition?” Zhao Linglong asked in surprise.
Zhao Qian was momentarily at a loss for words.
Zhao Linglong’s remark had undoubtedly touched a sore spot. In recent decades, their Haoran Peak had indeed never truly won a contest in the Seven Peaks competition.
“Alright, alright, you all go back. I’m going to check on Senior Brother Four’s injury. As for the competition rules, Qingxiao, you’ll explain them to Taiping later,” Zhao Qian said, waving his hand in resignation.
“Oh, and Taiping, it’s best if you don’t go out at night!”
Halfway out, Zhao Qian suddenly turned back to look at Xu Taiping, then spoke with a very serious tone:
“The Red-Haired Demon Blade is not just a rumor; it’s real. After all these years, the Qingxuan Sect has been unable to eradicate it, which speaks to its capabilities.”
He hadn’t spoken plainly earlier due to the crowd, but now that only the four of them were left, Zhao Qian had no reservations.
As a cultivator of his age within the Qingxuan Sect, he had lived through the period when the Demon Blade wreaked havoc, so this morning, upon seeing Senior Brother Four’s wound, he was certain it was the work of the Demon Blade.
“Peak Master, rest assured, I will stay at Qi Yue Pavilion during the evenings these days,” Xu Taiping promised earnestly.
“You may go,” Zhao Qian waved his hand and headed towards the infirmary where Senior Brother Four was.
“Taiping, let’s discuss some of the rules of the Seven Peaks competition as we walk,” Qingxiao approached Xu Taiping.
“Alright,” Xu Taiping nodded firmly.
Although it was sudden, learning that he could participate in the Seven Peaks competition still excited him somewhat.
…
That evening.
After leaving the Hundred Grass Hall, seeing that it was still early, Xu Taiping didn’t head straight back to Qi Yue Pavilion but first went to Moon Scooping Lake to practice his sword for an hour.
Although it was only an hour, his mastery of sword control had improved, so he still managed to thrust two to three thousand times.
Had it not been for Peak Master Zhao Qian’s repeated admonitions earlier, he probably wouldn’t have stopped until he reached six thousand thrusts.
So by the time he returned to Qi Yue Pavilion, the sky had completely darkened.
“Ping’an, Baiyu.”
After entering the courtyard, Xu Taiping casually called out to the two of them, then plucked a bunch of grapes from the trellis, eating them as he walked to the back courtyard.
“Xu Taiping!”
Before he could step into the main hall, the little monkey Ping’an burst out from inside, then clung to Xu Taiping’s arm with a hint of panic in his eyes:
“Xu Taiping, there’s a ghost outside!”