novelraw Chapter 467: In One Thing, I Fall Short of Him
Chapter 467: In One Thing, I Fall Short of Him
Fei Hong Ancestor listened to Elder Qun Fang and agreed readily: “Fine.”
Elder Qun Fang said with some embarrassment: “We had a previous arrangement, and now I am suddenly breaking it.”
Fei Hong Ancestor smiled with cultured ease: “It does not matter. Wu Xiang does not have absolute confidence even if he enters the Sect Discourse. The path of cultivation is full of changes; how could anything remain fixed? Besides, I would like to see the standard of Ancestor Sui Bian’s prized disciple.”
Du Wu Xiang, standing to the side, offered a mild smile in support.
Elder Qun Fang felt slightly relieved. After setting the time for the spar, she took her leave.
Once she was gone, the smile on Du Wu Xiang’s face faded as he said: “For the dignified elder of a sect to go back on her word like this.”
Fei Hong Ancestor slanted him a glance: “Are you afraid?”
Du Wu Xiang showed displeasure: “Father.”
Fei Hong Ancestor withdrew his gaze and spoke, eyes half-lidded and voice unhurried: “This is a matter where victory is almost certain; why be angry?”
Du Wu Xiang said: “But by doing this she clearly shows no regard for you, Father.”Fei Hong Ancestor replied: “It has nothing to do with her. Someone else is interfering.”
Du Wu Xiang asked: “You mean that Ancestor Sui Bian?”
Fei Hong Ancestor gave a slight nod.
Du Wu Xiang said: “Then I understand even less. In every respect you surpass him. Why would Elder Qun Fang favor him?”
Although Elder Qun Fang gave Ancestor Sui Bian a slap at first sight, that in itself proved how familiar they were. As Fei Hong Ancestor’s adopted son, Du Wu Xiang understood his father’s thoughts, but he could not understand why Elder Qun Fang would choose someone who was inferior to his father in every way.
Fei Hong Ancestor sighed softly: “In one thing I fall short of him.”
Du Wu Xiang asked: “In what?”
Fei Hong Ancestor answered: “Looks.”
Du Wu Xiang was stunned: “Huh?”
Fei Hong Ancestor said: “Sui Bian’s looks are among the few that stand out in the entire Three Thousand Worlds. No wonder Qun Fang cannot forget him.”
Du Wu Xiang exclaimed: “Father, are you joking with me?”
Fei Hong Ancestor gave a light snort, then shook his head: “You do not understand.”
Du Wu Xiang called again: “Father.”
Fei Hong Ancestor pressed down the surge of thoughts in his eyes and, expression turning sharply severe, said: “But Qun Fang will not disregard the sect’s interests because of old feelings. As long as you win this battle fair and square, no matter how many tricks he has, they will be useless. Do you understand?”
Du Wu Xiang straightened, his expression tightening: “Father, I understand. I will not disappoint you.”
Fei Hong Ancestor answered lightly: “Mm,” while thinking: [Sui Bian, I lost to you back then. This time, my son will win it back for me.]
In the guest courtyard on another peak, Ancestor Sui Bian told Yu Zhao: “If you do not beat that Du Wu Xiang until he is scrambling all over the ground for his teeth, then from now on do not call yourself a member of my Five Elements Dao Sect. Your ancestor cannot afford that loss of face.”
Yu Zhao answered: “All right.”
Ancestor Sui Bian said: “That brat Fei Hong looks sunny and serene on the surface, but his heart is very dark. I reckon Du Wu Xiang has inherited a belly full of his bad ideas, so do not be careless and fall for his schemes.”
Yu Zhao answered: “All right.”
Ancestor Sui Bian continued, lowering his voice: “Let me tell you the traits of Fei Hong’s arts; remember them.” He then chattered at length for a full hour before his soaring mood finally calmed.
Softening his tone, he spoke earnestly: “Little Yu Zhao, back then your ancestor relied on true skill to press Fei Hong so hard he could not lift his head. You must not let your ancestor lose face in his twilight years.”
Yu Zhao raised an eyebrow: “Ancestor fought Elder Fei Hong before?”
Ancestor Sui Bian said: “Of course.”
Yu Zhao asked: “And he lost?”
Ancestor Sui Bian flicked his head with flourish: “That goes without saying. Winning against a love rival is something I can brag about for a lifetime.”
Realizing this match concerned not only herself but also her ancestor’s dignity, Yu Zhao said solemnly: “As your disciple, I will give everything I have.”
Ancestor Sui Bian clapped once: “Good. Tomorrow, give him a ferocious beating.”
The next day, Yu Zhao accompanied Ancestor Sui Bian to Elder Qun Fang’s mountain. Lingyin Sect’s Heng Nan Sect Master and several Elders were already waiting. Before long, the opposing side, Ancestor Fei Hong and Du Wu Xiang, arrived on time.
Elder Qun Fang stepped forward: “Everyone is here, and you all know what has happened, so I will not repeat it. The winner of this bout will represent Lingyin Sect in the Sect Discourse. If you win there, you may enter the Eye of Bifang. Do either of you have objections?”
The two participants shook their heads together.
Elder Qun Fang continued: “This bout is only to determine victory or defeat. It is not a life-and-death battle. Pull your blows at the point of contact and do not take a life. Whoever violates this is disqualified automatically.”
Yu Zhao and Du Wu Xiang exchanged a glance, then nodded in unison.
Elder Qun Fang said: “Good. The bout begins now. All unrelated persons, withdraw.”
She led the way to the outer edge, leaving the broad, level platform to Yu Zhao and Du Wu Xiang.
Elder Qun Fang announced: “Begin.”
At her words, the vast mountaintop fell silent. Everyone stared at Yu Zhao and Du Wu Xiang, eyes intent for fear of missing even a single splendid detail. Yet the two contestants were strikingly calm. They stood where they were, completely motionless, without the slightest change in expression.
Time ticked by. The two stood like ancient, unmoving statues. Several Elders of Lingyin Sect looked at one another, then turned questioning gazes toward Elder Qun Fang. Du Wu Xiang was the outside aid Elder Qun Fang had invited against considerable opposition. Other sects had invited outside aid before, but mostly those of middling strength in the Bifang Realm. No sect at Lingyin Sect’s level had ever done such a thing. Even a victory in such circumstances carried a shade of unworthiness. Thus, Lingyin Sect had long argued over whether to invite outside aid at all. In the end, Elder Qun Fang made the final call and sent a message to Ancestor Fei Hong, silencing all objections. They doubted the method, but they did not doubt Du Wu Xiang’s strength. They had finally accepted Du Wu Xiang representing Lingyin Sect, and now a completely unknown figure had suddenly appeared to contest that slot. Their mood naturally soured.
Elder Qun Fang had heard many accounts of Du Wu Xiang’s feats, but had never dealt with him personally, and she likewise did not know Yu Zhao’s situation. She could not understand why the scene before her had occurred. She could only cast the question to Ancestor Sui Bian and Ancestor Fei Hong.
But when she looked over, both men were watching the platform and did not notice her gaze. Elder Qun Fang frowned, reached out, and gave Ancestor Sui Bian a hard pinch in the waist.
Ancestor Sui Bian was concentrating on Yu Zhao when he was suddenly pinched. He jolted, nearly crying out, and barely managed to clap a hand over his mouth in time. After he recovered, he turned ready to flare up, but when he saw a pair of phoenix-bright eyes, his anger scattered. He forced a smile: “What is it, my grandaunt?”
Elder Qun Fang asked bluntly: “What is going on with those two?”
Ancestor Sui Bian glanced back at the platform, his tone gaining weight: “They are already crossing hands.”