Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 79 - 78: Hold on Tight to Master, I'm About to Accelerate (Referring to Sword Control)

"Master, this sword technique is…"

"The full name of this Swordsmanship is 'Dream Shaking Flower Moon.' I obtained it years ago while exploring a Grotto Heaven Secret Realm during my training.

It's a top-tier Swordsmanship that can shift between the tangible and intangible, capable of attacking an enemy's Divine Sense as well as their physical body.

What I just showed you was the first form of this Swordsmanship—Water Moon One-Line Heaven."

"Empowered by Moonlight Essence, the Luminous Shadow Sword can unleash at least one hundred and thirty percent of its power, making it perfect for this Swordsmanship that embodies the essence of a moonlit night."

As he spoke, Pei Yuhang returned the Luminous Shadow Sword to Qing Yueqiu.

"After we return, I will teach you these Sword Formulas. The formulas have notes I made when I was learning them. If there's anything you don't understand, you can bring Luminous and come find me… However, learning this Swordsmanship relies heavily on comprehending its essence. For you, who are only at the Golden Core Stage, practicing it will likely be incredibly difficult.

I don't expect you to master this Swordsmanship in the one month before the Sect competition. I only hope that through this process, you can master the relationship between Luminous and the moon. This will be of great benefit to both the improvement of your strength and your future Sword Dao."

When it came to cultivation, Pei Yuhang's demeanor shifted from that of Wen Liang's friend to a strict teacher, his expression becoming incredibly solemn.

In response, Qing Yueqiu seriously nodded her little head.

"I understand, Master!"

"Good. It's getting late, we should head back. Your master's wife must be getting anxious."

Pei Yuhang condensed a wide Spiritual Energy Flying Sword, preparing to take Qing Yueqiu back to the Cold Palace Sword Mansion.

Qing Yueqiu watched her master's back as he stepped onto the Flying Sword, ready to leave. She hesitated, her small hand rising and falling. But in the end, determination filled her crimson eyes, and she finally, cautiously, reached out a finger and gently tugged on Pei Yuhang's sleeve.

Pei Yuhang turned back, a little confused, and met his first disciple's glistening eyes. He had never seen such a soft light appear in Yueqiu's normally cool, crimson eyes.

"What's wrong?"

As Yueqiu gazed at him with a look of longing and anticipation, Pei Yuhang's voice unconsciously softened.

"Master… um, it's been a long time since I've gone for a ride with you on a Flying Sword through the clouds. Could you take me for a tour around the Dao Sect and return to the manor a little later…"

There was no response.

Qing Yueqiu forced a smile and let go of his white clothes with her small hand.

"Sorry, Master. It was rude of me. It is indeed too late, we should go back early so your wife won't worry…"

"Alright. I'll take you for a ride. The moon is beautiful tonight; it would be a pity not to admire it."

Hearing this, the light returned to Qing Yueqiu's previously dim crimson eyes. But then she thought her master might just be indulging her and felt exceptionally ashamed, so she quickly tried to refuse.

"Um, Master… I was just being impulsive. You don't have to go along with me. I'm not a child anymore…"

"I'm not just going along with you, Yueqiu. It's just that when you mentioned admiring the moon with Sword Control, I got inspired myself… Alright, let's not waste any more time. Let's go, I'll take you for a ride!"

As he spoke, Pei Yuhang pulled Qing Yueqiu onto the Flying Sword, then formed a hand seal and took off.

The silver-haired girl felt the push of acceleration and the sense of weightlessness as the Flying Sword launched. She cried out in surprise and instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around the waist of the man in front of her.

"Master… you're so mean! You didn't give me any time to prepare. What if I had fallen off?"

Qing Yueqiu rested her head on Pei Yuhang's back, a blush creeping across her face.

"With me here, you won't fall."

"…Mm."

Qing Yueqiu watched the evening wind scatter her silver hair, her response barely a whisper.

She lifted her head and looked at the master whose waist she was hugging tightly. A strange thought suddenly surfaced in her mind.

'When I'm hugging Master, what does he think about?'

'Does he also feel that sweet, tingling sensation that I do… No, of course not. He probably only feels that wonderful sensation when he's using Sword Control with his wife.'

But even so, Qing Yueqiu was still very curious about what Pei Yuhang was thinking at that moment.

Unfortunately, she couldn't see Pei Yuhang's face, so she couldn't guess her master's thoughts.

But even if Qing Yueqiu kept guessing, she would probably never have figured out that what Pei Yuhang was actually thinking about was—avoiding his Dao Companion.

That's right. Pei Yuhang hadn't agreed to Qing Yueqiu's request to return to the Cold Palace Sword Mansion later just to indulge Yueqiu; he needed an excuse to avoid seeing Liyuan.

He was terrified of seeing Liyuan right now, of hearing her concerned and caring greetings.

The gentle haven that was once his refuge would now only deepen Pei Yuhang's guilt.

He wanted to be alone outside the house to clear his head.

Perhaps even if Qing Yueqiu hadn't suggested it, he would have gone out for a while by himself after taking her back to the manor.

The master and disciple duo rode the sword above the clouds, but because they were each preoccupied with their own thoughts, they remained silent.

WHOOSH—

A biting wind, sharp as a knife, blew against them. With a flick of his finger, Pei Yuhang cast a Wind Avoidance Technique on Qing Yueqiu.

"Master, aren't you going to cast the Wind Avoidance Technique on yourself?"

"…I'm a Nascent Soul Cultivator. My Physique is strong. A little cold wind like this is nothing to me."

Qing Yueqiu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Is something weighing on your mind, Master?"

"No…"

"Master, don't think you can deceive me. When you lie, your body temperature rises. It's too obvious."

Qing Yueqiu's hands tightened around Pei Yuhang's waist. She pressed her face against his back and whispered:

"Is the thing troubling you… related to your wife? Um, I don't mean that you think she's a bother or anything, but that you're worried about her…"

Pei Yuhang subconsciously glanced back at Qing Yueqiu, seemingly surprised that his pure-hearted first disciple could be so perceptive.

Qing Yueqiu knew she had guessed correctly. She tightened her grip on Pei Yuhang's clothes slightly and asked with some anticipation, "Can you tell me about it, Master? I want to help you share the burden of these troubles too."

The White-clothed Sword Immortal's eyes lowered, and a self-deprecating smile touched his lips.

'How could I let my disciple know about something so shameful?'

'If she found out that while she was waiting anxiously outside the door, the master she idolized was inside, entangled with another woman… what would she think?'

'Would she still see me as a role model on her path of the Dao?'

'She would probably feel nothing but contempt.'

'After all, no one would want their master to be that kind of man.'

Pei Yuhang shook his head, not wanting to think about it anymore.

He smiled and turned back to Qing Yueqiu, saying, "Yueqiu, don't forget I brought you out for a ride. Don't overthink such useless things.

Tonight, I'm going to help you relax properly. After this, you should focus all your energy on preparing for the Sect competition! I'll hold up the Cold Palace Sword Mansion."

Qing Yueqiu wanted to say more, but she saw Pei Yuhang grin mischievously and say, "Hold on tight. I'm speeding up!"