Chapter 123: Sword Tassel
Before the Sword Tournament began, Liexing City was already filled with cultivators who had traveled from all corners of the land.
Mo Cunzhi, having taken first place in the last Sword Tournament, attracted the attention of many sword cultivators.
The more dedicated the sword cultivator, the more ambitious they became, eager for a challenge. Many young and hot-blooded sword cultivators wanted to test themselves against Mo Cunzhi, who stood at the top.
Those who followed the proper protocol would send invitations for duels, and Mo Cunzhi accepted a few of these, engaging in measured sparring sessions. However, those who recklessly charged in without respect were taught harsh lessons.
Around the inn where Mo Cunzhi stayed, it wasn’t uncommon to see several sword cultivators being thrown out throughout the day, lying on the street, unable to get up for quite some time.
“Impressive! As expected of a disciple from Wuyue Immortal Sect. He just used a single sword qi to blast that guy out, didn’t he?” commented one cultivator in a nearby tavern, sipping his drink as he looked at the defeated sword cultivator lying outside.
At a nearby restaurant, cultivators holding their cups sighed as they looked at the sword cultivator who had been knocked down to the ground.
His friend across the table laughed and said, “That’s not all. If you had come two days earlier, you would have seen it. Every single person who comes to challenge him meets the same fate. I’ve watched six or seven of these matches, and I still haven’t seen anyone force him to make an appearance.”
“It’s strange, though. All the cultivators who came to this sword tournament are busy looking for sparring partners, and Mo Cunzhi doesn’t seem like the kind to avoid trouble. So why has he stayed in the inn this whole time without stepping outside?”
“I remember the last time, during the seven days before the sword tournament started, Mo Cunzhi was dueling people on the nearby Wanglian Mountain. Challengers kept coming at him non-stop, and he fought for seven whole days, earning a fierce reputation. After that, during the tournament, there were hardly any who dared face him.”
The cultivators in the restaurant engaged in lively discussions as the swordsman who had been lying on the ground for half a day finally managed to pull himself up.
Not bothering to fix his dusty appearance, he angrily ran his fingers through his messy hair and headed toward the restaurant.
Unlike the previous challengers, who had hurriedly fled in embarrassment, he didn’t seem too bothered by his loss.
As he climbed the stairs, someone struck up a conversation with him. “Fellow cultivator, if you wanted to spar with Senior Mo, why didn’t you issue a formal challenge instead of recklessly barging in like that?”
“I did submit a challenge! Wasn’t it rejected?” The young cultivator in fine robes exclaimed angrily. “I may not be famous, but I consider myself fairly skilled. Why would he refuse my challenge?”
Another cultivator chuckled. “So, your frustration led you to barge in directly? Did you even get to see him?”
“Frustrated? Not anymore. With just one strike, he left me powerless to fight back. I’m convinced, through and through.” His earlier anger had turned into admiration.
The young cultivator in the fine robes casually joined the cultivator who had spoken to him at the table and began to muse, “I wonder if Senior Mo accepts disciples. It would be amazing to become his student!”
“The Wuyue Immortal Sect has strict rules for accepting personal disciples. Most people wouldn’t even stand a chance, and I’ve heard that they can only take on disciples after the master personally declares them ready to graduate.”
“Among Senior Mo’s peers, it seems a few have accepted disciples, but it looks like he hasn’t yet completed his training.”
The young cultivator in the fine robes clicked his tongue in disbelief. “He’s already so powerful and still hasn’t graduated? Senior Mo’s master must be incredibly strict!”
“Well, he is the direct disciple of the sect master of the Wuyue Immortal Sect. Considering that he might one day become the next sect master, it’s understandable that the standards are so high.”
After chatting for a while, the conversation circled back to the same question: why was Senior Mo refusing challenges and staying in the inn instead of coming out?
Even the other disciples of the Wuyue Immortal Sect didn’t quite know the answer to this question. Only Yu Le understood the real reason.
It was because of him.
Yu Le, who had been forced to rest in bed by his senior brother, could no longer stand lying there.
He glanced at Mo Cunzhi, who was standing by the bedside. “Senior Brother, I’ve long since recovered. You don’t need to keep an eye on me. Why don’t you go out and spar with someone?”
Without a word, Mo Cunzhi grabbed Yu Le’s wrist to check his condition, then frowned. “It’s still draining your vitality.”
Of course, it was. The Blood-born Fetus was growing inside his body, naturally consuming his vitality.
He needed it to nurture his demon core, after all.
Yu Le regretted pretending to be weak earlier, which had caused Mo Cunzhi to worry about him. Now, his senior brother checked on him every day, treating him like a fragile glass vase.
“Senior Brother, I’m really fine. Look at all the challenges waiting for you. If you don’t respond, people will start calling you a coward!”
“Let them talk,” Mo Cunzhi said, his expression unchanging. “I’ve heard that female cultivators have a difficult time carrying a child, and any abnormality must not be taken lightly. Your condition is unique, so you should be even more careful.”
Yu Le: “…” Where was he even getting this useless pregnancy advice from?
“Senior Brother, you shouldn’t delay your cultivation because of me,” he said with feigned sincerity. Seeing Mo Cunzhi’s silent gaze, Yu Le thought to himself, ‘Oh right, I’ve intentionally interrupted his cultivation more than once before.’
“I promise, I’ll just lie here and go nowhere. You really don’t need to stay here watching over me.”
He still wanted to check out the local black market, see if he could find some demonic cultivators to either gather information or pick up a few nourishing items.
But with Mo Cunzhi keeping such a close watch, how was he supposed to get out?
Mo Cunzhi, however, wasn’t fooled by his junior brother’s obedient facade and gave a cold snort. “Your promises can’t be trusted.”
Just the other day, Yu Le had promised to wait for him, only to vanish in the blink of an eye.
A couple of days ago, he had urged Mo Cunzhi to accept a challenge, swearing he’d rest quietly in the inn. When Mo Cunzhi finished the match quickly and returned, he’d caught Yu Le trying to sneak out.
By now, Mo Cunzhi had realized that no matter how sweetly Yu Le spoke, his words couldn’t be trusted.
Yu Le thought with annoyance, ‘Tsk, why can’t I trick him anymore?’
Dropping the act, Yu Le sat up in bed, pretending to be angry. “Senior Brother, I’m not a prisoner! You can’t keep me under constant watch like this!”
Mo Cunzhi replied, “If you want to go out, I can accompany you.”
He knew his junior brother was young and curious about everything, eager to explore. But given the current situation, how could he let him run around unsupervised?
Yu Le argued confidently, “Senior Brother, you’re famous. If we go out, everyone will recognize you. Those sword cultivators will immediately challenge you, and if I’m with you, what if I get caught in the crossfire?”
Mo Cunzhi simply said, “That won’t happen.” Naturally, he would protect him.
Yu Le, determined to contradict him, retorted, “It will!”
The two stared at each other for a moment before Mo Cunzhi sighed in resignation. “What do you want?”
Yu Le quickly suggested, “If you’re worried, I can go out with Senior Sister Shuang instead.”
Mo Cunzhi: “…”
Yu Le narrowed his eyes. “So, Senior Brother, would you prefer I go out alone, or would you rather I go out with Senior Sister Shuang?”
A moment later, Yu Le left, feeling refreshed, with Bai Feishuang by his side.
“I heard Senior Brother kept you cooped up in your room to cultivate these past few days?” Bai Feishuang teased him.
“Sigh, don’t even bring it up. You’re much better, Senior Sister,” Yu Le said, turning to smile at her.
“Senior Sister always makes delicious treats for me, so today I’ll take you to eat something nice,” he added cheerfully.
“You have such a sweet tooth. Doesn’t Senior Brother ever scold you for it?” Bai Feishuang recalled the past. “When I was younger, I delayed fasting and made some pastries to share with Senior Brother. He told me I shouldn’t waste my time on such things.”
Yu Le was speechless for a moment. No wonder he’s still chasing after his crush with no success.
“Senior Brother is so strict, but I’m different. I love the pastries you make, and now I’m even taking you out to eat more delicious ones.”
Bai Feishuang laughed. “Alright, alright, Senior Brother isn’t here, so there’s no need to say things just to provoke him.”
Of course, she could tell that Yu Le sometimes liked to tease their Senior Brother.
‘Not here? Not really’.
Having cultivated alongside Mo Cunzhi for a long time, Yu Le was particularly sensitive to his Senior Brother’s presence. With the combination of his Dingyang Ring and the demon core in his body, he was sure that Mo Cunzhi was following them nearby.
At that moment, Yu Le didn’t feel rushed at all.
If Senior Brother is tailing me now, he won’t be able to keep such a close watch when the Sword Tournament starts, right?
He planned to set a little bait and lure out the “monsters” hiding in the shadows.
Yu Le strolled confidently through the lively streets of Liexing City with Senior Sister Shuang, making a show of their leisurely outing. They visited every bustling street, taking in the sights.
Meanwhile, Mo Cunzhi followed them discreetly. He watched his junior brother and sister, laughing and chatting together, enjoying spiritual food, stopping at a stall selling trinkets, and discussing the items. They each bought a sword tassel.
The two of them looked genuinely happy together.
On Hanya Peak, Mo Cunzhi often had the illusion that his junior brother was especially fond of him, maybe even dependent on him. But scenes like this would bring him back to reality.
His junior brother didn’t treat him any differently from anyone else. In fact, he seemed to be even closer and more affectionate toward his sister than he ever was with him.
Mo Cunzhi smiled at himself with a hint of self-mockery.
Even Bai Feishuang, who had known him much longer, seemed to get along with Yu Le more easily, appearing more relaxed and happy around him than in Mo Cunzhi’s presence.
Just like their master had said, ‘Apart from slaying demons and exorcising evil, you’re good for nothing.’
Mo Cunzhi followed them all day, silently protecting them from the shadows. When they finally headed back, he slipped ahead and returned to his room to meditate.
With his eyes closed, he heard the door quietly open and recognized the light, quick steps of his junior brother entering the room.
“Senior Brother, I’m back.” Yu Le’s voice was bright and cheerful, full of satisfaction.
Mo Cunzhi didn’t respond, but he could sense him sitting down next to him and picking up his sword.
Suddenly, Mo Cunzhi opened his eyes and saw Yu Le tying a tassel to his sword.
The tassel was deep blue—the very one he had bought earlier with Bai Feishuang.
After securing it to the sword, Yu Le said, “I noticed everyone else’s swords had tassels, but senior brother’s sword was too plain, so I bought one for you too.”
“This is for me?”
Obviously.
Yu Le smiled mischievously. “No, no… it’s a gift for your sword, Senior Brother. Haha!”
As he laughed, he leaned against Mo Cunzhi, looking up at him with bright, clear eyes, like a cat who had just caused trouble and was now acting all sweet to make up for it.
“See, Senior Brother? I was out all day, and nothing happened to me. You really don’t need to worry so much. You can go out and spar with others without a care.”
His expression suddenly turned a little somber.
“I don’t want to hold you back, Senior Brother. I don’t want you to waste your time staying at the inn because of me. What if you lose out on first place because of it? People would surely mock you.”
He seemed so sincere and thoughtful, full of concern for him.
“This tassel is also my way of apologizing to you, Senior Brother. I know I sometimes say things I shouldn’t, and I can’t always control my emotions. Please don’t be angry with me.”
“I’ve never been angry with you,” Mo Cunzhi replied, understanding the feeling of losing control over one’s emotions. He felt a pang of guilt. “I’m at fault too.”
“I… I’m not good at dealing with people. If I do something wrong, you have to tell me.”
These words, which were normally hard for him to express, came out surprisingly easily in the face of his junior brother’s honest confession, though it still wasn’t easy for him.
Yu Le beamed with happiness, rubbing his chin against Mo Cunzhi’s shoulder playfully. “So, Senior Brother, can I go out again tomorrow?”
Mo Cunzhi hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “You can. Just be careful, and if anything happens that you can’t handle, come back to find me.”
“Will you be sparring with others tomorrow, Senior Brother? I might come by and watch.”
Since he had decided not to follow his junior brother around anymore, Mo Cunzhi was indeed considering joining a sparring match.
“I will. Over by the Wanglian Mountains.”
Yu Le thought to himself: Got it. Avoid the Wanglian Mountains, and I’ll be free to look for those demonic cultivators without worry.
