After Sheng Jun Chapter 11 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 11 Using Their Own Scheme Against Them (part 1)
"Bai Mu." Jiang Xingzhi called out and walked over in a few steps.
The figure in black turned around, a strand of hair hanging over his brow bone, eyes still carrying a hint of sharpness as he glanced over. "What is it?"
Jiang Xingzhi moved closer, his gaze involuntarily falling on the wooden branch in the other's hand. "Where did you learn your sword technique?"
"I created it myself. Why?"
"...No reason. 'Graceful as a startled swan, agile as a swimming dragon.'" Jiang Xingzhi applauded. "Beautiful swordplay. Would you dance once more?"
He had fought with Xu Jian for hundreds of years and knew every move by heart. He wasn't sure if he was mistaken, but Bai Mu's final sword move seemed remarkably similar to Xu Jian's...
Zhong Ming looked at him for a moment before responding, "Alright."
Using the branch as a sword, he drew it through the gentle breeze. The casually broken tree branch moved like a dragon's head, gathering spiritual energy to this barren mountaintop.
The sword technique was steady when drawn in, sharp when extended out, perfectly integrated with his graceful figure.
Jiang Xingzhi stood to the side, watching the fluid sword movements: similar to Xu Jian's in some ways, but different.
He felt somewhat disappointed; for a moment, he wasn't sure what he had been vaguely hoping for.
After all, extraordinary techniques in the world often integrated various influences and inevitably shared commonalities. Perhaps Bai Mu's sword technique was a predecessor to Xu Jian's.
As Jiang Xingzhi pondered this, he paused and gradually changed the way he looked at the other:
...If that were true, wouldn't Bai Mu be Xu Jian's ancestor?
Zhong Ming finished his display and retracted his sword intent, turning to look at Jiang Xingzhi, only to meet a strange gaze.
Seeing that he was still focused on his sword technique, Zhong Ming twirled the branch and deliberately asked, "Are you this interested in me?"
Jiang Xingzhi immediately withdrew his gaze, "...Not at all."
He was merely curious about Xu Jian's possible ancestor.
…..
Today was the day to visit Qingfeng Pavilion. The carriage sent from the other side had already arrived at the foot of the mountain.
Jiang Xingzhi once again brought out the glass lamp and called Zhong Ming to leave the mountain with him. Before they reached the carriage, he reminded him, "By the way, given that you have divine status, remember to refer to yourself as 'this lord' when speaking to others."
Zhong Ming frowned slightly, feeling it sounded more like the "zuo" of a "lamp holder"...
(TL: "本座" (běn zuò) is a formal or authoritative term that can be translated as "this seat" or "I" in a self-referential way. It's used in certain contexts, often by high-ranking or powerful figures, to refer to themselves in a dignified or commanding manner. (here I used ‘this lord’)
燈座=lamp holder
Both containing the same character ‘座’ zuò)
"They're here." A voice brought back his attention.
In front of the barrier, a square carriage hung with curtains swayed in the wind, golden bells chiming softly. Four Golden Core cultivators stood at the four corners, and upon seeing Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming emerge, they bowed together, "We welcome the Divine Lamp Daren and Lamp Holder Daren!"
Reverent gazes all turned toward the glass lamp in Jiang Xingzhi's arms.
Jiang Xingzhi waved his hand, "You may rise!"
The two boarded the carriage, which flew toward the distance propelled by spiritual energy. The carriage was open on all sides to allow airflow, and Jiang Xingzhi sat next to Zhong Ming, their shoulders touching.
Memories of last night rushed back, and he shifted slightly, "Why didn't they send two carriages?"
Zhong Ming gazed forward, "After all, we're a matched set. There's no reason to transport us separately."
"....."
Their hands rested close together. Zhong Ming moved his wrist to take Jiang Xingzhi's hand, scanning it with his divine consciousness, "It seems fine now."
Jiang Xingzhi tried to maintain a calm attitude: healers have parental hearts, and Bai Mu was only acting out of fatherly concern.
Vast divine consciousness flowed into his meridians, and he felt the other's divine consciousness seemed covered by a layer of mist, making its true form indiscernible. Only when facing someone of his cultivation level, forcing the other to use full strength, could one remove such disguise.
But everyone has their secrets.
Jiang Xingzhi withdrew his hand, "Once the cold energy dispersed, it was fine."
****
They arrived at Qingfeng Pavilion shortly after.
The carriage soared through clouds and over ridges. Below the steep cliff was an abyss too deep to see the bottom. The valley wind blew up, making the curtains flutter and the golden bells ring pleasantly.
The carriage stopped before the most majestic mountain. Rugged strange rocks triggered an array, revealing the entrance to Qingfeng Pavilion after several transitions—indeed worthy of being one of the Six Great Upper Sects, with arrays far more complex and profound than Kouyue Sect.
Pavilion Master Chi Yufeng was already standing at the entrance, leading the sect members to welcome them.
Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming disembarked, and Chi Yufeng stepped forward to greet them, "Distinguished guests from afar, please follow us to Wangyuan Pavilion to be seated!"
"Thank you, Pavilion Master."
After meeting face to face, Jiang Xingzhi finally recognized who this was—wasn't this the person who had asked him about methods for rapidly increasing cultivation at Kouyue Sect?
Qingfeng Pavilion had a special terrain, with buildings at various elevations.
Wangyuan Pavilion was built on a precipitous cliff, large enough to accommodate more than ten people. Its eight-angled eaves and intersecting beams faced layers of cloudy peaks, with a deep valley below, half of the pavilion suspended in mid-air.
After being seated, Jiang Xingzhi admired this rare scenery and clapped in praise, "The view from this mountain pavilion is unparalleled—if one disposed of corpses here, not even white bones would be found."
At his words, the pavilion fell silent for a moment.
He had spoken casually, but noticed Chi Yufeng's expression opposite him stiffen slightly—not in displeasure, but rather...guilt.
Guilt? Interesting.
Jiang Xingzhi spoke up, "Pavilion Master, you said you had a request. You may speak now."
Chi Yufeng quickly returned to normal, cupping his hands, "To be honest, Qingfeng Pavilion possesses a treasured item, said to be an ancient divine object left by our founding ancestor, but we've never been able to verify its authenticity. Since Divine Lamp Daren possesses ancient bloodline, we specially invited you to help identify it."
At these words, both Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming fell silent.
...Oh dear.
Jiang Xingzhi quickly adjusted his composure and calmly raised his hand, "Bring it forth for this lord to examine."
The other turned to give instructions. The two elders at his side exchanged glances, and four guards acknowledged the command and left Wangyuan Pavilion.
A voice sounded in his sea of consciousness. "They're suspicious. Be careful."
From the corner of his eye, Jiang Xingzhi saw Zhong Ming's expressionless profile and replied. "I know. Look at their eyes, they're being sneaky."
Soon, the four guards returned carrying a box.
The ancient box was made of thousand-year-old wutong wood, with complex magical seals on it. One could faintly sense a profound power.
All the guards withdrew from the pavilion, and the two elders raised their hands to open a barrier. Chi Yufeng placed his hand on the box, his lips moving in an inaudible incantation. The seal slowly released, and the lid clicked open.
Jiang Xingzhi grew interested, sitting up straight and leaning forward: it seemed genuinely special.
The box opened to reveal a jade bottle. Amazingly, the bottle was transparent, showing a crimson blood drop inside, with fine golden threads flowing through it.
At the same time, Jiang Xingzhi sensed an array activating somewhere in Qingfeng Pavilion. Pretending not to notice, he asked, "What is this?"
Chi Yufeng opposite him carefully observed his expression, "Can't Daren sense it?"
He looked too eager, as if Jiang Xingzhi should have some reaction.
Jiang Xingzhi frowned slightly, then leaned on the table, "Ugh!"
Zhong Ming, "..."
Chi Yufeng's eyes brightened, though his tone remained extremely concerned, "What's wrong, Divine Lamp Daren?"
As he spoke, he reached out a hand as if to help, but before he could, another hand blocked his.
Zhong Ming moved to support Jiang Xingzhi, whose expression was shifting dramatically between joy and sorrow. He guessed that since Chi Yufeng hadn't revealed what the object was, the latter hadn't found the right tone for his performance.