Chapter 345 Birds of a Feather

“This is especially true about Mister First and Mister Second’s battle!” Duan Xing exclaimed.

Upon hearing this, Mingshi Yin’s interest was piqued. He knew more about Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong than anyone here. He knew their cultivation bases were terrifyingly profound. How could he not be curious about their fight? He asked, “Just how great was it? Come on, tell us.”

Duan Xing had been itching to share what he saw with someone throughout the two days he had spent in the Evil Sky Pavilion. He could barely hold it in. He walked up to Mingshi Yin immediately and began to recount what happened. “Mister Fourth... Do you know the Hundred Leaves Lake? It’s the lake near Radiant Cloud Forest, it covers 1,000 miles... Mister First and Mister Second began fighting near Hundred Leaves Lake... That isn’t something that can be done by humans... Mister First split Hundred Leaves Lake in half with a single swing of his saber.”

The others were stunned.

Duan Xing gave an animated account of the battle. He would exaggerate some details, slide in a “‘1,000 miles area’ or ‘10,000 feet high’ every now and then.

It was confusing to listen to him.

However, Mingshi Yin was intrigued. He nodded frequently as though he had made some great discovery. He would interject with a ‘really?’ or ‘that’s awesome!’ at intervals.

Just like that, both of them had a lengthy conversation. When they reached the climax of the story, their voices grew louder as well.

“At the climax of the battle, Mister Second unleashed his Enter and Return Three Souls. What do you think happened?”

“What happened? Don’t leave me hanging. Spill it!” Mingshi Yin urged.

“The heavens and earth darkened. Even the clouds and the winds changed colors! I found it difficult to breathe back then, and I was standing more than ten miles away! I have a Four-leaf Golden Lotus, and I couldn’t even stand it!” Duan Xing said solemnly.

“Radiant Cloud Forest is surrounded by towering trees, and you were standing ten miles away? How did you manage to see anything?” Mingshi Yin scratched his head. “That’s not important... The point is, guess how Mister First dealt with the Enter Three Souls?” Duan Xing asked solemnly.

Mingshi Yin asked, affected by Duan Xing’s enthusiasm, “Eldest Senior Brother used his Great Dark Heaven Memorial?”

“You’re right, Mister Fourth! Indeed, it’s the Great Dark Heaven Memorial... Mister First unleashed Sovereign Descent, then, the Primal Qi in the surroundings raged and the mountains and rivers were destroyed!” Duan Xing paused for a moment before he continued to say, “When the old senior made his grand entrance, he negated the Sovereign Descent and the Enter and Return Three Souls with each wave of his sword!”

Mingshi Yin gulped. “Alas, Mister First was taken away by the four great protectors in their flying chariot. The old senior only managed to capture Mister Second.”

Mingshi Yin seemed to be in a daze as he said, “Master was preoccupied with killing Mo Li’s ten great generals in the Obedient Villa that day. If it weren’t for that incident, Eldest Senior Brother wouldn’t have been able to escape!”

Duan Xing nodded in agreement. “Indeed, I was there as well... It was truly...”

“Hold up. I witnessed that with my own eyes so there’s no need for you to spew drive,” Mingshi Yin interjected.

Duan Xing scratched his head. He wondered, ‘Who’s spewing drivel? If I were spewing drivel, then, who has been listening intently?’

Mingshi Yin turned to look at Jiang Aijian and said, “Let’s meet master later. I’d like to head over to the Cave of Reflection for a minute.”

“Fourth Senior Brother, I want to go as well...” Little Yuan’er chimed in.

“Stay here. There’s no place for a woman in the grudge between men.” Mingshi Yin left with his hands on his back.

They looked at Mingshi Yin’s retreating back as he made his way to the Cave of Reflection.

Duan Xing cupped his fists and said, “Mister Fourth sure is a person who draws a clear line between the things he likes and dislikes... He’s the kind of person I’ve always respected.”

The others glanced at him as they thought to themselves, ‘Are you sure that you’re not merely trying to flatter him?’

Little Yuan’er, however, disagreed. “I’m afraid Fourth Senior Brother will be at a disadvantage this time... With Second Senior Brother’s cultivation base, he can take on ten Fourth Senior Brothers, erm, no, twenty, 100...” She counted with her finger.

Duan Xing said with a smile, “That’s not entirely correct, Miss Ninth.”

“Hm?”

“Mister Second’s cultivation base has been sealed by your master,” Duan Xing replied.

The others looked in the direction of the Cave of Reflection.

Mingshi Yin racked his brains for insults that he could hurl against the traitor as he walked to the Cave of Reflection.

Perhaps, it was due to the unique rhythm of Mingshi Yin’s footsteps, before he even entered the Cave of reflection, he heard Yu Shangrong’s gentle voice. “Fourth Junior Brother, you’re here.” Mingshi Yin was slightly stunned. ‘He can tell?’ “Eldest Senior Brother’s footsteps are heavy and steady. Third Junior Brother’s footsteps are irregularly paced. Your footsteps, Fourth Junior Brother, are light with a sense of urgency.” Yu Shangrong carried his Longevity Sword in his arms and walked out of the Cave of Reflection as though there was no barrier. He looked at Mingshi Yin with a genial smile.

Mingshi Yin smiled and said, “Second Senior Brother, I came right away when I heard that you’re back. I’m here to offer you my greetings.”

“There’s no need for such courtesies among fellow disciples,” Yu Shangrong said lightly. “Second Senior Brother, I heard from Duan Xing that you fought with Eldest Senior Brother?”

“That’s right,” Yu Shangrong calmly replied. “Who won?” Duan Xing had embellished so much that Mingshi Yin did not know what was true.

Yu Zhengrong smiled faintly. “I won.”

“I knew that your sword skills are amazing, Second Senior Brother!” Mingshi Yin said.

“No.” Yu Shangrong shook his head.

“Huh?”

“Initially, I thought that my sword path was peerless, and master is the only person who can best me. Alas, that isn’t so...” Yu Shangrong said slowly, “I’ve reflected on it for a long time inside the Cave of Reflection, and I know now that that’s not all there is to the sword path. In the end, I still have a long way to go.”

Mingshi Yin was puzzled. ‘If you have a long way to go, who else under the heavens don’t?’ Then, he said, “It’s for the best that you’ve returned, Second Senior Brother. Don’t oppose master all the time... He has changed a lot and isn’t as short-tempered as before.”

Yu Shangrong knew this from all the information he had gathered. He seemed to have something else on his mind as he suddenly asked, “Fourth Junior Brother, what kind of person do you think I am?”

Mingshi Yin regarded his Second Senior Brother with a puzzled expression. He wondered where the sudden question came from. Nevertheless, he replied, “You’re humble and polite, Second Senior Brother. Everyone can see that. Do you even have to ask? Also, you’ve always acted with a sense of propriety. You’re a gentleman, through and through.” He gave a thumbs-up as he continued to say, “I say all this from the bottom of my heart.”

Yu Shangrong frowned slightly. The final sentence sounded familiar. “Tell me, then. Is Master at the Nine-leaf stage right now?” Yu Shangrong asked. “Nine-leaf?” Mingshi Yin was momentarily stunned by the question. When he regained his senses, he said with a smile. “Second Senior Brother, you must be making fun of me. There’s no such thing as the Nine-leaf stage.”

When Yu Shangrong saw that Mingshi Yin did not seem to be lying, he fell deep into thought.

At this moment, a female disciple appeared and said with a bow, “Mister Fourth, the pavilion master awaits.”

“Master’s waiting?” Mingshi Yin waved his hand, cleared his throat, and straightened his back. “I’ll head over right away.” Then, he turned to look at Yu Shangrong.

Before Mingshi Yin could say anything, Yu Shangrong said, “Go on.” “Second Senior Brother, please have a good rest. Call me if you need anything.” Mingshi Yin left the Cave of Reflection. He went to the great hall. He found Jiang Aijian, Zhao Yue, Little Yuan’er, and Duan Xing waiting there.

Little Yuan’er was the first to walk up to him and asked, “Fourth Senior Brother, how’s Second Senior Brother doing?”

Mingshi Yin straightened his back, placed his hands on his back, and said, “Not too well. Perhaps, he’s not happy being captured by master. However, he doesn’t have anything to complain about. As the Evil Sky Pavilion’s traitor, he must adhere to the rules. I’ve given him a good talking to. I believe that he’ll behave himself after this.”

A voice rang from the great hall at this moment. “Come in.”

They went into the great hall in an orderly manner.

“Greetings, old senior!” “Greetings, master.” “Greetings, Pavilion Master.” Lu Zhou sat regally on his chair and looked at their faces. He saw the ingratiating expression on Jiang Aijian’s face and asked, “Jiang Aijian, what are you doing in the Evil Sky Pavilion instead of staying put in Runan and Rubei?”