Chapter 1113 – Maple Forest Pavilion (1/2)

Chapter 1113 – Maple Forest Pavilion

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Before the Mausoleum of Books, it had been several years since Chen Changsheng and Shang Xingzhou's last meeting, and after the Mausoleum of Books, they began to treat each other as strangers, even enemies. But they were still master and disciple, having lived together in Xining Village's old temple for ten-some years. They both had an extremely deep understanding of the other, able to tell what the other was thinking from the smallest of movements, even the change in the look of one's eyes. This was what was meant to have a feel for each other.

Shang Xingzhou had felt Chen Changsheng's mood as he was taking the sword out of the flower pot, resulting in that question of his.

But after receiving Chen Changsheng's confirmation, he did not loosen his guard, nor did he feel proud. Instead, he asked another question.

”Do you know what this place is?”

Chen Changsheng was the Principal of the Orthodox Academy and had lived here for many years, but he truly did not know what this red building was. The Orthodox Academy was too large and the years he had spent living and studying here had been limited to the forest near the Imperial City and the area around the library, not even one-tenth of the Orthodox Academy's full size.

Shang Xingzhou said, ”This place is Maple Forest Pavilion. Back then, I moved those two rows of maple trees from the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education to here.”

Chen Changsheng now understood why this place had looked so familiar.

”Mei Lisha was my friend.”

Shang Xingzhou looked at his face and said with rather mixed emotions, ”He always admired you, which I never really understood. Now, I am slowly beginning to understand.”

Chen Changsheng didn't know whether he should feel proud or relieved at these words, or if he should let that sourness at the bottom of his heart soak in them. He only remained silent.

At this moment, was there any meaning in saying such words? Perhaps it was because Shang Xingzhou had confirmed that Chen Changsheng was about to run out of swords and, knowing that his disciple was about to lose or perhaps even die, was feeling emotional? But what was so important about the origins of this Maple Forest Pavilion?

Shang Xingzhou turned to look at the building and said, ”The final battle from that year took place here.”

That year was twenty-some years ago, on the night of the bloody incident in the Orthodox Academy.

The Maple Forest Pavilion might have been so striking because it had been drenched in the blood from that night.

”Many people died on that night, many young people. They were just as outstanding as you, perhaps even more.”

Shang Xingzhou looked back at Chen Changsheng and said, ”Over my life, I've seen far too much life and death, so I really don't care anymore. Do not hope that my heart will go soft.”

The meaning of these words was exceptionally clear.

If Chen Changsheng still did not concede, he would not mind cutting Chen Changsheng down with his sword.

Chen Changsheng did not concede, did not even speak. Still he remained silent.

He raised his right hand, the short sword held across his eyes, cold light gleaming as dirt sprinkled to the floor.

Shang Xingzhou understood his choice and walked toward him.

An extremely clear trail of footsteps appeared on the floorboards.

Each footstep shone with light before starting to burn.

With the clouds driven away, the sun shone with unequalled brilliance in the blue sky over the Orthodox Academy.

In the dazzling and blinding light, the Maple Forest Pavilion truly did seem to catch fire. The maple trees outside it swayed in the wind, appearing like tongues of flame.

This was fire formed from the kindling of countless years of blood. The faint smell of char it gave off was imbued with a sense of heroism and majesty.

The light cast by the fire of blood on Shang Xingzhou made him look abnormally large, like he was a devil and god in one.

This was his life, and also Wang Zhice's, the Tang Old Master's, and the lives of all those other elders.

They would not relinquish their ideals and persistence for anything.

A clear whistle shrieked through the air.

A massive gale blew through the Maple Forest Pavilion.

The maple trees swayed even more intensely, the tongues of flame wanting to burn up even the vault of heaven.

The sword in Shang Xingzhou's hands slashed down, bringing with it a gout of bloody fire.

The bloody fire was bright and garish, but his figure was dark and cold, creating a particularly stark contrast.

With a boom, the bloody fire splattered into countless flames, igniting the floorboards and columns of the Maple Forest Pavilion.

The short sword flew out the window while Chen Changsheng retreated ten-some steps, vomiting blood.

Shang Xingzhou raised his sword and walked once more to him.

No panic could be seen on Chen Changsheng's face.

He said to Shang Xingzhou, ”Just concede, Master.”

From the moment he found the first sword, he had begun saying this.