Chapter 170 (1/2)

Everyone was confused and puzzled. Huashang’s stroke so powerful, yet how was it possible that three simple strokes of the zither were able to nullify it?

Just when everyone was still perplexed, a sword radiance shafted down from the sky and an old man, his robes cyan-colored, emerged. Huashang’s hard and furious stare immediately softened, replaced by a melancholic gaze upon the newcomer with reticent silence.

It was Qingfeng who had arrived. He sighed wearily. “It has been so long, Junior Sister,” he said, “The matter still bothers you?”

Every acolyte and disciple of the Heartless Palace were equally surprised to hear this. Xiao Chen breathed in relief. He had barely survived a close call; so close that his hair still stood.

But Huashang’s eyes immediately turned into a seething glare. “Are you here also to antagonize me, Senior Brother?” she asked bitterly.

Qingfeng merely shook his head. There was another sad sigh, before he walked towards her. “How have you been all these years?” he asked softly.

Huashang’s stern and angry crumbled. Qingfeng’s soft voice brought back reminiscences of her past, a time where the Jade Qing Seven enjoyed tremendous prestige and pride, a time where all seven of them were so close to each other. Winters had passed since the height of their prominence waned and all their friendships had withered. Yet, only Qingfeng remained, with no less affection and concern than before. Tenderness seeped into her, dissolving what anger and hatred she has left.

But suddenly, she screamed, her voice filled with hurt and pain, “No! Not well at all! I’ve been so terrible that even a youngling now dares to come, seeking to bully me!”

Xiao Chen sighed lightly. Senior Qingfeng must have been the one who doted very much on her during the splendor of their youth. Before her Senior Brother Qingfeng, Huashang was no more than a spoilt and pampered little girl. It must have been a painful experience with romance which had rendered her into who she was now.

“My apologies, Senior. As a junior, I should have been more respectful in my speech,” Xiao Chen bowed and said politely.

“Hmph!” Huashang glared at him and jerked her head away with disgust, like a seething little girl. But immediately, she barked at two of her attendants. “My Senior Brother is here! Do you not know any manners?”

The two acolytes immediately stepped forward and greeted Qingfeng courteously, “This way please, Uncle Master Qingfeng. Let us make you some tea.”

They led everyone into an adjunct chamber where the acolytes prepared tea for everyone before Huashang commanded them to wait outside. When everyone else had left, she asked Qingfeng, “So, Senior Brother. What brings you here?” Out of decorum and respect, Huashang chose to ask again the purpose of Qingfeng’s visit.

Unlike Xiao Chen who was less straightforward, Qingfeng admitted frankly, “Peril is upon the entire Eastern Continent, Junior Sister. I’m here today to implore for your help to set up the Seven-stars Soul-transfer Formation. It has been so many years, Junior Sister, do you not want to meet everyone?”

“I have no longing to return there,” Huashang scoffed, “And yet this boy,” she regarded Xiao Chen coldly, “He demands me to return, yet he fails to acquiesce to my requests! Why should I listen to you!”

Seeing she was still feeling offended by Xiao Chen’s earlier remarks, Qingfeng emitted a weary breath. This was the reason he was here. He understood full well of his junior sister’s temperament and Xiao Chen’s blunt ways of dealing with delicate matters, expecting Xiao Chen to get on Huashang’s wrong side.

Xiao Chen immediately got up, “My apologies, Senior. I have been disrespectful towards you earlier. Please forgive my ignorance.”

“I wouldn’t dare!” Huashang hissed coldly, “I know full well that my powers are not as remarkable as yours!” But her eyes glinted suddenly, “I know you are not the disciples of any of my Seniors! Speak! From whose tutelage did you learn your skills?”

“Urm… I…” Xiao Chen hesitated, before he answered, “I am willing to oblige, but I do not think you’d believe me.”

“Hmph! So be it! There will come one such day where you’ll be groveling at my feet!” Huachang spat.