Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
Zhao Qian had thought that when the junior uncle proposed to take Xu Taiping as a disciple on the Sword Control Platform, it was merely a test of Taiping's character. He never imagined that the junior uncle was seriously considering taking on a disciple.
"Do you think I would deceive you?"
Daoxuan settled back into his chair and began to pour and drink his own wine.
"But junior uncle, isn't this against the rules? Everyone saw Taiping being accepted into the Seventh Peak, and all the peaks are aware of it. To have him leave Seventh Peak to become your disciple now, that's against the Qingxuan Sect's rules."
Seeing that Daoxuan was serious about taking a disciple, Zhao Qian's expression turned solemn.
He naturally wouldn't dare oppose the junior uncle's request.
But the rules set by the ancestors of the Qingxuan Sect were extremely strict. Breaking them would lead to punishment by the sect's disciplinary code, not just for him but for the junior uncle as well.
"Rules are dead, people are alive. If Taiping can't leave Seventh Peak, that doesn't mean I can't come here."
Daoxuan was indifferent to this.
Hearing this, Zhao Qian was overjoyed.
"Junior uncle, could it be that you're going to join our Seventh Peak?"
He asked incredulously.
"Don't dream."
Daoxuan gave Zhao Qian a look, then continued:
"Arrange for me to have the status of an Elder or a Patron. I'll teach Taiping swordsmanship in that capacity. As for the formal title of master and disciple, I don't care for such things."
Zhao Qian was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped.
"Junior uncle, why? Why would you lower yourself to disguise as an Elder of our Seventh Peak and teach him swordsmanship without wanting the title of master and disciple? I don't understand!"
Zhao Qian mustered his courage to ask Daoxuan.
"Sometimes the title of master and disciple can be a burden."
Daoxuan shook his head with a sigh, then asked in return:
"Don't you think that this Xu Taiping resembles someone?"
Zhao Qian was initially stunned, then his expression turned grave as he asked heavily:
"Junior uncle, are you referring to Senior Brother Su Chan?"
Both possessing White Spirit Bones and both being exceptionally talented, Zhao Qian immediately thought of the Senior Brother he had greatly admired.
"Mhm."
Daoxuan nodded with a somewhat sorrowful expression.
"Junior uncle, why can't you let go of Senior Brother?"
Zhao Qian sighed.
"Because, to this day, I still don't understand why Su Chan fell into demonhood and betrayed Qingxuan."
Daoxuan looked up and sighed deeply.
"But junior uncle, Taiping is not Senior Brother. If you take him as a disciple for this reason, you will regret it later. It's not good for you, and even worse for Taiping, so I cannot agree to your request."
Zhao Qian, bruised and battered, suddenly refused Daoxuan firmly.
Daoxuan looked at Zhao Qian deeply, then set down the wine jug and said leisurely:
"Taking him as a disciple was not a whim."
Daoxuan then recounted the day at Sheep Deer Mountain when he happened upon Xu Taiping standing off against the Evil Ghost, preferring to be trapped in the Green Bamboo Residence rather than become an accomplice to evil, and the subsequent plot to kill the Evil Ghost.
"To be human, cultivate oneself, help others, be like water, dwell in the Evil Abyss and do good…"
After listening to the junior uncle's story, Zhao Qian mulled over the deeds he had just heard, murmuring to himself.
"The sword I, Daoxuan, like doesn't have to come from a famous master, doesn't need the finest materials, nor does it have to be the sharpest. But one thing is very important: the sword's spine must be straight, preferably without any curve at all."
As the junior uncle spoke, he unfastened the ancient sword from his waist and drew it from its sheath with a "swoosh."
The sword was exactly as he described: simple and unadorned, made from ordinary mysterious iron, and even had ugly patterns on the blade.
But unlike other swords, the spine and edge of this sword were incredibly straight, to the point where the naked eye couldn't detect any curvature.
"Junior uncle, such a sword is very easy to break."
Zhao Qian frowned.
"That's only because the person wielding the sword isn't strong enough."
Daoxuan shook his head, then sheathed the sword in his hand.
"Since junior uncle insists, I will arrange everything."
Zhao Qian nodded.
"But are you sure you don't want to reveal your identity to Taiping?"
He asked the junior uncle again for confirmation.
"No need, a mere title of master and disciple, I, Daoxuan, do not care for."
The junior uncle said proudly, raising his head and also standing up, ready to leave.
But just as he stepped towards the door, he suddenly turned back to look at Zhao Qian and said with a heavy heart:
"Zhao Qian, of all the disciples from that year, you were the one I liked the least. You were lazy, slick, and cowardly. But looking back now, you're the one who has changed the least."
"Junior uncle, are you saying I'm still as lazy, cowardly, and slick as I was when I was young?"
Zhao Qian couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.
The junior uncle didn't answer but shook his head, picked up the wine gourd from the table, and walked out the door without looking back, saying, "Little fatty, my time is running out. And how long can you hide? Come out of your den, pick up the sword that was thrown down the cliff, you can mistreat yourself, but you must not mistreat your sword."
Hearing this, Zhao Qian shuddered, his bearded face suddenly turning pale.
He had never thought that in the Qingxuan Sect, the person who understood him best was not his deceased master but the junior uncle who had never liked him.
That night, Zhao Qian sat by the table, sleepless.
***
Ten days later.
In front of the Library of Myriad Scrolls on Seventh Peak.
"Taiping, are you sure you don't want to rest a few more days?"
Qingxiao turned to look at Xu Taiping beside him, who was gazing at the plaque of the Library of Myriad Scrolls.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I've been toughening up my body for years. As long as the injuries aren't fundamental, there won't be any serious problems."
Xu Taiping patted his chest.
"You have indeed toughened up well. In less than ten days, your injuries have almost healed."
Qingxiao nodded in approval.
"Let's go, I'll take you up."
He walked towards the library, gesturing for Xu Taiping to follow.
Xu Taiping nodded and followed.
"Normally, new disciples can only choose a common Yellow-rank technique on the first floor. However, because of your excellent performance in the Seventh Peak selection, you can go up to the second floor of the Library of Myriad Scrolls and freely choose one Xuan-rank technique and one Xuan-rank Heart Technique."
When they reached the stairs, Qingxiao suddenly stopped and began to explain to Xu Taiping.