Radiant Blade of the Wilderness

”Thank you for telling me.” Xie Fengchao came to himself and bowed to Ding Songyan with great formality.

Ding Songyan smiled.

”One more thing, Young Master Xie—wherever you intend to strike, a single glance is enough. Don’t keep staring at it. Your opponent will notice. If I were you, I’d deliberately look somewhere else to mislead them.”

Xie Fengchao paused.

Right, that’s another bad habit of mine!

This was exactly why going out into the world mattered. At home, everyone knew each other too well, which made it easy to develop blind spots!

With that, he completely revised his opinion of the Brightnight Sect disciple before him. He found the man sincere and open, calm and humble, as easy to be around as an old friend.

But with only greater mastery of aperture refinement, to have this kind of perception and boldness, his martial talent is truly extraordinary. Brightnight Sect truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers... Xie Fengchao thought with admiration, and exchanged names with Ding Songyan, making their acquaintance official.

Just then, he saw a tall and slender figure emerge from the yamen. She wore black tight-fitting clothes and moved with light steps. Her features were striking, and her eyes seemed to hold a sky full of stars that shimmered brilliantly as she glanced about.

Those looks, that bearing—could this be Zheng Zhuxi? The thought had barely crossed Xie Fengchao’s mind when he saw Ding Songyan step forward with a smile.

”Senior Sister, perfect timing. I’ve just made the acquaintance of Young Master Xie Fengchao.”

He then turned to introduce her to Xie Fengchao.

”My senior sister, Zheng Zhuxi. She often guides my swordplay on our master’s behalf.”

A senior sister under the same master... He hadn’t heard before that Tao Wenshu had a new disciple like this. She must have recruited him recently, not more than a year ago... Xie Fengchao and Zheng Zhuxi exchanged bows and exchanged a few pleasantries.

After watching the senior sister and junior brother duo walk away, Xie Fengchao recalled Ding Songyan’s manner toward Zheng Zhuxi in his mind, and then connected it to her string of accomplishments. A belated fear rose in his heart.

If the junior brother that Zheng Zhuxi guided already has this kind of perception and judgment, what must she herself be like?

Her realm is also higher, and that string of accomplishments appears to contain no exaggeration!

Man, her swordsmanship must be even more formidable. Thank goodness I took Uncle Yi’s advice and didn’t challenge her directly.

If she doesn’t die young, the jianghu will certainly have a place for her in the future...

...

Having left the yamen, Zheng Zhuxi glanced back and said, ”You just sparred with Young Master Xie? How was it?”

”Do you want to spar with him too, Senior Sister?” Ding Songyan asked with a smile.

”It’s rare to meet a same-generation martial artist who is both famous at a young age and has a distinctive style. My swordplay has also made great strides recently, so of course I want to spar,” Zheng Zhuxi answered openly, not hiding the youthful spirit and drive in her heart. ”I just heard that Xie Fengchao has five signature throwing weapons that draw blood every time. They are quite formidable.”

Ding Songyan thought it over and said, ”If he doesn’t use his five signature weapons, your chances of beating him aren’t small, Senior Sister.”

He was understating it, so Zheng Zhuxi wouldn’t grow arrogant and underestimate her opponent.

”Then I’ll wait for him to come to me. Since he’s staying in Dingjiang Prefecture for a few months, the day will come.” Zheng Zhuxi felt it would be improper on her part to be the one to approach him. She wanted to let Xie Fengchao first familiarize himself with Brightnight Sect’s arts.

As she spoke, she glanced at the street and said with a puzzled look, ”Aren’t we going to Baoping Lane? This is the road heading east.”

”We’ll stop by Tianyang Hall and Debao Tower on the way to see if there’s any mail for me.” Ding Songyan reckoned that by now, Miss Xiao Qing’s reply should have arrived. Since nothing had come through the Hongxin Trading Company, he’d try Tianyang Hall.

Zheng Zhuxi already knew that both the Celestial Maiden Sect’s Su family and the True Spirit Sect were aware of the Kunlun affair. She saw no issue with the correspondence.

She followed Ding Songyan all the way to Dangkang Temple in the eastern part of the city. Along the way, more and more people recognized Ding Songyan and greeted him.