Chapter 205 - 175: Situ Qin’s Art of Tea

Chapter 205: Chapter 175: Situ Qin’s Art of Tea

Xie Yuan cultivated all night, yet he showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, he was full of vigor, his Qi and Blood surging—a testament to the power of the Blood Dragon Pill.

He arrived at the Back Hall of the main peak. He had planned to come early, wanting to use his abundant spiritual energy to sense the Sword Qi from Sword Peak. To his surprise, he discovered he wasn’t the first one there.

"Senior Brother Tian, you’re here early."

Xie Yuan greeted him casually, but Tian Zhuang replied gloomily:

"Seeing how hard you’re working, I didn’t dare to be late."

Xie Yuan gave a dry laugh and got back to work.

’The competition is getting fierce...’

The spacious Back Hall connected to the entrance of Sword Peak, its gate guarded day and night by disciples.

Corridors flanked the Back Hall, extending to the major side halls of the main peak.

The windows on either side of the Back Hall were always open. Through them, one could see the sprawling buildings of the main peak. Between the gaps in the architecture, jade-green peaks clustered together, often shrouded in mist and clouds—a celestial mountain from another world, home to a palace of swords.

Xie Yuan gazed out for a moment, feeling his heart open up. The mountain breeze was refreshing, clearing his mind.

Being in such a spiritual land, one could forget their worries. Body and mind grew tranquil, focused only on cultivation and the pursuit of the Dao. No wonder the great sects and clans often built their headquarters deep in the mountains, far from the mortal world.

A faint hint of sharpness drifted in with the mountain wind. The other handymen didn’t notice it, but something stirred within Xie Yuan.

[Black Celestial Book: (138/200)]

’It went up a little.’ The corners of Xie Yuan’s mouth twitched into a brief smile, which he quickly suppressed before anyone could notice.

’But this progress is still a bit slow... I wonder if I can break through before the sword tournament. After that, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay here.’

Xie Yuan mulled it over for a while. Since it was beyond his control, he decided not to dwell on it and returned to his work. His meticulous and serious attitude put the other handymen on edge.

When noon arrived, Xie Yuan finished his tasks. As the others let out an inexplicable sigh of relief, he went to the dining hall, picked up a large food box specially prepared for their honored guest, and headed halfway up the mountain.

’Do they know Situ Qin is a foodie? To give her such a big box... Life on the mountain is usually so simple, just plain congee and simple vegetables...’

Xie Yuan mused to himself. Situ Qin’s status was indeed extraordinary to receive such special treatment as a guest on Cloud Mountain.

’Then again, it’s not necessarily all because of her. Xue Yanwen’s status as Crown Prince is more than enough. The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect is practically on his father’s fiefdom, so their relationship is extremely close, whether good or bad. Xue Yanwen being registered in the Outer Sect probably involved a hefty tuition fee. He’s one of those who paid his way in, so getting a little extra to eat is no big deal.’

He walked along the winding mountain path and arrived at the quiet guest courtyard.

Xie Yuan knocked, and the door was opened by a cheerful, smiling Situ Qin.

Today, Situ Qin had changed into a pale green dress that gave her a fresh and pleasant look, truly a sight for sore eyes. The moment she saw Xie Yuan, her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.

"Still pretending to be a handyman? I can’t help but laugh when I see that simple, honest face of yours."

Looking at the radiant smile so close to him, Xie Yuan felt that even all the flowers blooming on the mountain couldn’t compare to its beauty. He was stunned for a moment before returning a smile of his own.

"If you’re going to act, you have to commit. But this is far enough."

He deactivated the Celestial Concealment Skill. Situ Qin felt his entire aura change. Her vision blurred for an instant; Xie Yuan’s features seemed to shift and yet remain the same. But now, she recognized him as Master Xie, the man she’d met from the Longteng Escort Agency.

She clicked her tongue in amazement.

"This Secret Technique of yours is so much more powerful than before. It’s simply miraculous... Um, as expected of Master Xie, you’re so amazing!"

Situ Qin was halfway through her sentence when she seemed to remember something. Her tone suddenly shifted as she forced out the praise in a cloyingly sweet voice.

Watching Situ Qin clasp her hands to her chest, tilt her head up at him, and blink her large eyes exaggeratedly as if trying to show a look of adoration, Xie Yuan fell silent for a moment.

"...Miss Qin, what are you doing?"

Seeing Xie Yuan’s strange expression, completely unaffected and instead looking at her with suspicion, Situ Qin’s face flushed. She forced a laugh.

"Nothing, just praising you. Come on, let’s eat. I’m starving."

She pulled Xie Yuan into the courtyard, head bowed in embarrassment, not daring to look at him. She thought to herself:

’Was this one of Aunt Hong’s terrible ideas?’

Xie Yuan let himself be pulled along, utterly confused by Situ Qin’s strange behavior and unable to guess what she was up to.

But he was still a little dazed. Her cutesy voice and affected mannerisms just now, while obviously insincere, were devastatingly effective coming from her... It was a profound confirmation of the saying that beautiful people can do no wrong; even flicking a pebble could look elegant.

When he opened the food box, before Xie Yuan could even start, Situ Qin—who usually avoided all forms of physical labor—actually took the initiative to help him arrange the dishes.

Xie Yuan was very surprised. Seeing her fumbling a bit, he gently guided her aside with a smile.

"Miss Qin, let me handle it."

Situ Qin had no choice but to step back. Seeing how deftly Xie Yuan arranged the food, she said in a sing-song voice, as if reciting a poem:

"Wow, Master Xie, you’re so amazing! You set it all up so quickly~ I don’t know how to do any of this at all!"

Xie Yuan’s hands froze. He stared at Situ Qin, a look of utter confusion on his face. "Miss Qin, are you not feeling well?"

"...Let’s just eat."

With a stiff smile, Situ Qin sat down at the table, her toes curling so tightly in her shoes she wanted to dig a hole through Cloud Mountain.

Xie Yuan shot her another puzzled glance. Just as he picked up his chopsticks, a piece of fish appeared in his bowl.

Situ Qin’s gentle voice came from the side:

"Master Xie, you’ve worked so hard. Please, eat more~"

Xie Yuan felt goosebumps break out all over his skin. He quickly put down his chopsticks, scratched his arm vigorously, and said with a grave expression:

"Miss Qin, are you possessed? Should I call a shaman for you?"

’P-possessed?’

’A shaman?’

Situ Qin froze. With a CRACK, she accidentally snapped the chopsticks in her hand.

She gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"Does Master Xie not like me this way?"

Seeing this, Xie Yuan seemed thoughtful but still couldn’t hide his confusion.

"This... this act of yours, why are you doing it?"

"It’s nothing. Just a change of style. Sometimes I want to be a gentle and virtuous lady and take care of others."

Situ Qin’s eyes darted around as she tried to laugh it off.

Xie Yuan looked her up and down a few times before speaking slowly.

"If you’re comfortable like this, then of course it’s fine."

"Why wouldn’t I be comfortable..."

"But you don’t have to become someone else, Miss Qin. Situ Qin is Situ Qin."

Xie Yuan wiped his mouth and looked at her.

"Just as I am the handyman disciple Zhang Mountain outside this courtyard, but I can be Xie Yuan again in front of you. I hope that in front of me, Miss Qin can always be herself, free and unrestrained."

Situ Qin stared at Xie Yuan, stunned. Suddenly, she felt her heart clench.

She looked at Xie Yuan, let out a breath, and broke into a sweet smile.

"Alright, then I won’t hold back."

"Please, Miss Qin."

"Mhm... This fish is surprisingly delicious. I didn’t expect the chefs on the mountain to be so skilled. Quick, you try some."

"If you hadn’t come, we wouldn’t get to eat this..."

"Really? Then you should eat more... This bamboo shoot is very fresh, too. You try it!"

"You’re the guest, stop putting food on my plate. You try this."

"Why so formal? Guest, schmuest... Ooh, delicious!"

Seeing Situ Qin finally back to her normal self, Xie Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

The previous Situ Qin, while possessing a different kind of charm, made him feel incredibly awkward, as if he were with a different person. This was much better. Although they were putting food on each other’s plates, it felt completely natural—a simple, unforced sharing of a good meal.

"Hey, did I really seem that strange just now? Wasn’t I charming, in a girlish way?"

"Miss Qin, if you didn’t want me to eat more, you could have just said so."

"What’s that supposed to mean... Master Xie, it looks like you’re itching to hear me play a battle hymn."

"Hehehe..."

Outside the door, Aunt Hong stood with her hands tucked in her sleeves, looking up at the sky. The face behind her veil was filled with helplessness.

’Stupid girl. I told you to conquer him, not to be conquered by him...’

’No matter how many times I teach her, she never learns... Forget it.’

After the meal, the two went for a walk outside the guest courtyard to aid their digestion. The small courtyard was situated in a hollow between two peaks, sheltered from the wind and cold yet blessed with ample sunlight. As a result, the flowers were in full, splendid bloom, creating a delightful scene.

They walked to a grassy meadow dotted with small flowers. Situ Qin stretched lazily, her budding, graceful curves on full display. Xie Yuan took one glance and didn’t dare to look again, yet he was inexplicably reminded of the study in the Inspector General’s mansion.

"Master Xie, how about I teach you cultivation!"

Situ Qin suddenly turned around amidst the flowers and said with a smile.

Seeing this, Xie Yuan was stunned for a second before he processed what she had said.

"Hm? You’re going to teach me?"

"What’s with that look on your face? Am I not a whole major realm higher than you? You think I can’t teach you?"

Situ Qin noticed Xie Yuan’s hesitation, and her delicate brows shot up.

’What does he mean by that? This feels insulting!’

Meanwhile, Xie Yuan was grumbling internally, ’I’ve had plenty of guidance from Grandmasters. What level is Situ Qin to be teaching me... Oh, whatever. Let her teach.’

He reluctantly drew his sword and performed a set of the Cloud Mountain Sword Form, waiting for her critique.

Situ Qin watched, then recited in a deadpan voice:

"Grip the sword with nine-tenths of your strength, leaving one-tenth in reserve. Exert seven-tenths of your power, holding back three. Slash the solid, thrust at the void. Pare quickly, slice slowly..."

Xie Yuan had initially thought nothing of it, but as Situ Qin rattled off the Sword Technique as if reciting from a book, his eyes slowly widened.

’This seems... kind of useful?’

He recalled the sword form he just performed. He tried it again, this time following the Sword Technique she recited, and it was indeed much smoother. His progress even increased significantly!

"Miss Qin, you practice Swordsmanship too? I’ve never seen you do it."

Situ Qin, feeling both proud and guilty, said:

"I do, a little. It’s no problem to teach you."

Of course, Situ Qin didn’t know how. She had little interest in such weapons.

But Li Tai knew, and Aunt Hong knew, which, as far as she was concerned, meant she knew.

"Then what about this move, the Slanted Step Sword Thrust? I always feel awkward when I practice it. How would you teach me, Miss Qin?"

Situ Qin was just feeling pleased with herself when his words made her freeze. She could only recite from memory; how could she actually give instruction?

But her ear twitched suddenly. A moment later, she nodded slightly and said nonchalantly:

"When the sword moves before the feet, the sword controls the man. When the feet move before the sword, the man controls the sword."

Xie Yuan’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly.

"I see, I see! I could never figure that problem out, but you cleared it up for me with a single sentence! Tsk, you’re amazing, Miss Qin!"

Situ Qin felt even more guilty, but she maintained the graceful smile of a proper young lady.

"Not at all, not at all. I was just offering a humble opinion to draw out your own wisdom. It was Master Xie who had the insight."

"Then, Miss Qin, what about this move..."

"...My, why are there so many moves? I’m tired, aren’t you? Come on, let’s go listen to me play my qin!"

Unable to keep up the act any longer, Situ Qin pulled Xie Yuan and hurried towards the cliff’s edge.

At the edge of the cliff was a stone that jutted out several dozen feet, like a broken bridge suspended over a sea of clouds. A pavilion sat atop it, as if built upon the ocean itself.

Situ Qin placed her qin there, caressed it for a moment, and then, facing the clouds beyond the mountain, began to play a heavenly melody.

Xie Yuan sat quietly beside her, watching the focused Situ Qin. Her beautiful face was serene, seemingly glowing with a faint radiance.

He listened, his mind slowly calming, and he gradually closed his eyes.

Gradually, he felt as if there were no wind, no clouds, no mountains, no stones. There was no him, no self—only the sound of the qin.

When the piece ended, Xie Yuan opened his eyes. He was about to applaud when he saw a pair of large eyes watching him quietly.

When Situ Qin saw him open his eyes, her own flickered, but she didn’t look away.

Their eyes met. In that instant, Xie Yuan felt the music fade away. In the entire world, there were only the two of them.