Chapter 14 — A Prodigy

"Qi Hao and Lin Jinghong, disciples of the Venerable Cangsong of Dragon Peak, pay our respects to Uncle Tian and Uncle Su."

In the Shoujing Hall, Tian Buhui and Su Wan sat in the seats of honor, with the rest of the disciples ranged along the sides. Two men in white stood in the center of the hall—Lin Jinghong and another handsome young man named Qi Hao—saluting Tian Buhui. Zhang Qingyue stood at the very end of the disciples' row, watching Lin Jinghong.

They had not seen each other for several years, and everyone had grown up.

Just then Lin Jinghong also turned to look at Zhang Qingyue. Their eyes met; Lin Jinghong smiled faintly. A warmth surged in Zhang Qingyue's heart, and overcome with feeling, he nodded.

Tian Buhui's gaze traveled over Qi Hao, flicked to Lin Jinghong, and his face darkened. He saw that both young men were strikingly handsome and distinguished, and with his practiced eye he had already discerned in a moment that their aptitudes far surpassed those of his own disciples. Of Qi Hao there was no need to speak—his fame among the younger generation of the Canglan Sect was long established. But young Lin Jinghong, from the mere fact that he had arrived flying on his sword,

must have cultivated at least to the fourth layer of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao. To have reached such a level in only three and a half years since entering the sect—such aptitude was truly astonishing.

At this thought, Tian Buhui instinctively glanced at Zhang Qingyue standing at the very back. Comparing the two, his mood soured utterly, and he said coldly, "What did your master send you here to do?"

Qi Hao cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Uncle Tian, our master, the Venerable Cangsong, has been entrusted by the Sect Leader, the Venerable Daoyan, with arranging the various matters of the 'Seven Meridians Martial Trial' to be held two years hence. As there are a few small changes, he specially commanded Junior Brother Lin and me to come and report them."

Tian Buhui gave a snort, sized Lin Jinghong up and down, and said, "He did it on purpose, didn't he—to show off in front of me!"

Qi Hao's and Lin Jinghong's expressions both changed. Lin Jinghong was about to flare up on the spot, but Qi Hao reached out a hand to stop him and said with a smile, "Uncle Tian jests. We are all of the Canglan Sect, and Uncle Tian is a man of great virtue and prestige. Our master harbors not the slightest disrespect."

Tian Buhui's face remained dark and showed no sign of clearing. It was Su Wan beside him who smiled amiably and said gently, "Think nothing of it, you two. Uncle Tian is only joking with you. By the way, you mentioned some changes—what is it about?"

Qi Hao said respectfully, "Replying to Uncle Su, it is like this. In past years at the 'Seven Meridians Martial Trial,' each of the meridians under the Canglan Sect sent four disciples, and the senior meridian of Jietian Peak sent four more, making thirty-two in all. Lots were drawn for duels, the victors advanced, and so on through five rounds. The final victor was the finest of the Canglan Sect's younger generation and received the devoted cultivation of the masters."

Su Wan smiled with pursed lips, charming and graceful, and said, "Speaking of the last great trial, you were quite the sensation. I recall you finished as second place, did you not? Had it not been for that Xiao Yichen from the senior meridian, you might well have taken the crown of martial champion of the Canglan Sect."

Qi Hao's expression did not change. He smiled and said, "Uncle Su flatters me too much. At the last great trial, Senior Brother Xiao Yichen of the senior meridian was a prodigy of rare talent, profound in cultivation. I was far from his equal and lost in full conviction, with nothing to say. But as for this 'Seven Meridians Martial Trial' two years hence, after discussion between our master and the Sect Leader, certain changes have been made to the rules, and I was specially commanded to report them to you two uncles."

Tian Buhui and Su Wan were both moved, and said together, "What is it?"

Qi Hao said, "Our master, the Venerable Cangsong, holds that the 'Seven Meridians Martial Trial' was meant to discover the promising talents among the disciples of each meridian and cultivate them. Yet the Canglan Sect today has nearly a thousand disciples, among whom the new disciples of the younger generation are especially numerous, and not a few are outstandingly gifted. Considering this, a chance that comes only once in sixty years, with each meridian sending but a scant four—

"that is far too few. So our master proposes that each of the seven meridians send nine disciples, with the senior meridian, being the most numerous, sending one more, making sixty-four in all. On that basis, as before, lots shall be drawn for duels, for six rounds in total, to determine the victor. In this way we may also avoid the regret of talents left undiscovered."

Tian Buhui and Su Wan exchanged a glance, their expressions all the worse. The Dazhu Peak meridian had few disciples and poor aptitude. At first glance it seemed they had gained an advantage, but in truth the change greatly favored Jietian Peak of the senior meridian and Cangsong's Dragon Peak, which had the most disciples and the most talent.

Seeing her husband's grim expression, Su Wan shook her head slightly and signaled with her eyes. Tian Buhui well knew what his wife meant—since the matter had already been discussed between the Sect Leader and Cangsong, it was settled, and contention would be useless. He said coldly, "Very well, then. I have no objection."

Qi Hao smiled easily and said, "That is best of all. In addition, before we set out, our master instructed us in one matter: that this junior brother of mine, Lin, and a certain Junior Brother Zhang under Uncle Tian are old friends of former acquaintance,

and he hopes Uncle Tian will allow the two of them to renew their old ties."

Tian Buhui, already irritated, waved a hand and said impatiently, "Granted, granted."

Lin Jinghong had long since grown impatient, only deterred by the fact that Tian was an elder and he dared not flare up. Hearing now that it was granted, he turned his head and walked straight toward Zhang Qingyue. Zhang Qingyue, stirred in his heart, stepped out as well.

Lin Jinghong came up to him and studied him closely for a while. Suddenly his eyes reddened, and he said in a choked voice, "You've grown up, Xiaofan."

Zhang Qingyue was overcome with a tumult of feelings. He nodded again and again and said, "So have you. By the way, have you heard any news about that terrible case in the village?"

Lin Jinghong shook his head and said, "I've asked my master many times over the years, but there has been no progress. And you?"

Zhang Qingyue smiled bitterly and said, "The same for me."

Lin Jinghong took his hand and said, "Let's go outside to talk."

Zhang Qingyue hesitated a moment, turned to look at Tian Buhui and Su Wan. Tian Buhui ignored him, but Su Wan smiled and said, "Go on."

Zhang Qingyue was overjoyed. He nodded to her and hurried out with Lin Jinghong. In the great hall, only Qi Hao remained as a guest. Clad all in white, he cut a dashing and distinguished figure, and showed not the least sign of awkwardness. He looked over the disciples of Dazhu Peak one by one, and finally his gaze came to rest on Song Dayi. He cupped his hands and said with a smile, "This must be Senior Brother Song Dayi. We met once at the last great trial, I believe."

Song Dayi hastily returned the courtesy and said, "Senior Brother Qi has a fine memory, to remember even a defeated opponent like me."

At these words the disciples stirred in astonishment. Tian Lingsu, standing beside her mother, asked quietly, "Mother, was it really at his hands that Eldest Senior Brother was defeated?"