Chapter Seventy: Departure

Wu Xier bit her lower lip gently. She had never imagined that one day she would truly find Shen Qingyun and ask him for help. So she called out to him.

“Is there something you need?”

Shen Qingyun turned his head slightly, gazing at her from the side.

Wu Xier opened her mouth, hesitated for a moment, and said, “Yes, I do.”

“Then speak.”

“I...”

Seeing Wu Xier falter and unable to speak, Shen Qingyun seemed to understand. He waved his sleeve, conjuring a barrier of spiritual light that enveloped them.

“You can speak freely now. Your voice won’t be heard outside.”

Wu Xier stared at him in amazement, her mouth slightly open. The effortless display of power—something she’d only seen elders do—left her stunned.

“Are you going to speak or not?” Shen Qingyun urged, snapping Wu Xier back to reality. At the same time, her resolve strengthened. If she’d been uncertain about coming to Shen Qingyun before, his casual demonstration had erased all her doubts.

“Please let me join your team!”

Wu Xier squeezed her eyes shut, as if afraid to see Shen Qingyun’s reaction to her request.

Yet the words she’d anticipated, the rejection she’d prepared for, didn’t come. She couldn’t help but glance at him, only to find his expression calm, prompting her to close her eyes again.

After a while, Shen Qingyun asked, “You don’t have a team?”

“No,” Wu Xier shook her head.

“I remember today was the day you were to assemble and form teams. How is it you’re without one? Did you not attend?”

“I went, and I was right on time!” Wu Xier’s expression dimmed. “But I didn’t see him, so I didn’t join any team.”

“Your real reason.” Shen Qingyun saw through her immediately. “Tell me the truth.”

The “him” Wu Xier spoke of was naturally Ling Xiao. Half a year had passed, and Shen Qingyun wasn’t sure how far things had progressed between them. Judging by Ling Xiao’s reactions, it seemed he hadn’t succeeded yet.

Shen Qingyun didn’t believe Wu Xier would give up forming a team just because of Ling Xiao. Without him, she could still show her true strength—unless Ling Xiao somehow gave her a bonus?

So Shen Qingyun was certain she was lying.

Sure enough, Wu Xier stiffened at his words, the explanation she’d prepared stuck in her throat.

She lowered her head in silence for a long time, then lifted it again. “Those people... they felt too frivolous to me. In the Ghost Valley trial, I saw no sign of seriousness from them at all.”

“They formed teams purely based on preference. The core disciples are too arrogant!”

“Compared to them, Chief Shen, you’re far more reliable!”

Shen Qingyun listened, watching her for a moment before dismissing the barrier and turning toward the mountain.

Wu Xier’s eyes dimmed. His action was as good as a rejection. She was about to walk down the mountain when Shen Qingyun’s voice came from behind: “Tomorrow, gather at my residence.”

At those words, light returned to Wu Xier’s gaze. She murmured to herself, “Ling brother will be coming too, won’t he?”

...

Before Feng Chuxun’s residence, a disheveled figure rolled and crashed against the mountainside. Shen Qingyun drove his sword into a crevice in the stone, looking at Feng Chuxun and said calmly, “Come tomorrow for the assembly. Don’t forget.”

Shen Qingyun had come to inform Feng Chuxun of the gathering time. Feng Chuxun, however, threw out a sword and immediately drew his own, charging at Shen Qingyun.

The outcome was no surprise; Feng Chuxun was easily defeated. No matter his ferocity or the speed of his blade, Shen Qingyun remained as placid as a deep pool, his calm unnerving, without the slightest ripple.

After returning to his own residence, he notified Ling Xiao and Su Ye next door, then finally settled in.

The next day, Wu Xier arrived early before Shen Qingyun’s residence. Behind her stood more than a dozen disciples in white robes, gazing at the entrance with complicated expressions.

Without exception, they were all very quiet.

When Shen Qingyun stepped out and saw them lined up neatly before his residence, a brief look of surprise flickered across his face before his expression returned to calm. “What is the meaning of this?”

Wu Xier replied promptly, “They’ve all agreed to join Chief Shen’s team with me.”

Shen Qingyun scanned them, his gaze as if piercing their hearts. Those who met his eyes tended to look away.

Seeing Shen Qingyun appraise them, Wu Xier felt uneasy. She’d agreed yesterday to come alone, yet upon returning found these people gathered in her courtyard. She learned they hadn’t joined any team, each disliking the arrogance of the core disciples.

...

“So, you all wish to join my team?” Shen Qingyun finally spoke, his tone not truly calm, but tinged with coldness.

That chill made the disciples shiver and hasten to declare, “Of course! Brother Shen is now chief; joining your team is surely the wisest choice!”

“Exactly! Is Chief Shen planning to ignore the disciples of Bamboo Peak and refuse us entry?”

Voices rose in succession—some flattering, others invoking his status as chief of Bamboo Peak.

The former were tolerable, but the latter made Shen Qingyun smirk coldly. “Chief? Have you ever acknowledged me as chief?”

He sneered, “Perhaps you don’t know: the chief disciple has the right to choose teammates at will. And you say I’m neglecting Bamboo Peak’s disciples? Isn’t that laughable?”

His words plunged them into silence. After a while, a timid voice sounded, “But we genuinely wish to join the team...”

This voice was especially clear in the moment.

Shen Qingyun heard it and declared, “If you wish to join, I won’t refuse. But remember, all I can offer is the right to participate in the trial! I won’t guarantee your safety during it.”

“Furthermore, you must obey my commands! If you can’t, leave now and join another team while there’s still time. If you stay but fail to obey, don’t blame me for disregarding the bonds of Bamboo Peak!”

After some time, Shen Qingyun asked, “No one wants to leave?”

Another pause, and indeed none departed. Shen Qingyun finally smiled and nodded, “Good. If none leave, it means you’re all willing to follow my lead in the Ghost Valley!”

He paused, then added, “And how much longer do you two intend to eavesdrop?”

The disciples exchanged confused glances, unsure what he meant.

“Oh, Brother Shen’s senses are as sharp as ever!”

A sudden voice resolved the mystery. Su Ye stepped out from a nearby residence, bowing slightly. “Su Ye, greetings to all senior brothers!”

That was Su Ye—but who was the other? There should be two.

“Not willing to come out?” Shen Qingyun muttered. Seeing Wu Xier’s expression unchanged, he said, “Brother Su, drag him out for me!”

“Alright!”

Su Ye replied enthusiastically, rubbing his hands as he headed to the other side of Shen Qingyun’s residence, which, surprisingly, had no restrictions. He entered directly.

Soon, a scuffle echoed from inside.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you think? Get out!”

“Why should I go out? I’m not going...”

“Huh, brother, are you shy?” Su Ye’s voice suddenly turned mischievous, making several disciples look uncomfortable.

“Hmph, as if I’d be shy!” Ling Xiao’s voice sounded a bit flustered.

...

This exchange revealed the owner of the other voice—Ling Xiao, a somewhat well-known figure on Bamboo Peak.

“Come on, if you don’t go out, Chief Shen will get angry! Besides, you always rush to be near him—why so timid now?”

Hearing this, Shen Qingyun glanced at Wu Xier, noticing her expression unchanged. But upon closer inspection, there was a faint blush on her cheeks.

After that, their voices no longer carried outside. After a long while, the two finally emerged, Su Ye leading, Ling Xiao behind.

Ling Xiao gave Su Ye a meaningful look, only to find Su Ye looking back and even winking at him.

Shen Qingyun shook his head slightly at the scene. This fellow...

Ling Xiao stared at Wu Xier after coming out, his gaze complicated, likely due to things Su Ye had said inside.

Wu Xier pretended not to notice Ling Xiao’s gaze and asked Shen Qingyun, “Chief Shen, what should we do next?”

“Nothing more.”

Shen Qingyun replied.

“Nothing more!”

The disciples looked at him in surprise. That was it? Why did we come here then?

“Yes, nothing more.”

Shen Qingyun waved them off. “Go about your business. We’ll meet at the departure point.”

Though they had many opinions, the disciples dispersed as instructed.

Wu Xier left as well, and Shen Qingyun didn’t stop her—there was no point.

“Brother Shen, why did you send them away?” Su Ye asked, puzzled.

“They’re not needed for what comes next.”

“Something else?”

Su Ye and Ling Xiao exchanged confused glances. What else could there be?

“Let’s talk inside.”

Shen Qingyun gestured for them to enter. Given this was the first time Shen Qingyun had invited them into his residence, Su Ye was especially excited.

Once inside, Shen Qingyun looked out into the distance, waved his hand, and then went in.

Inside, Su Ye stared at the sparse furnishings—a single meditation cushion, and nothing more. Every residence came standard with a cushion!

“Brother Shen, your place is truly eye-opening for me!”

Shen Qingyun entered without a word, waved his hand, and a pair of golden gauntlets and a dagger appeared on the floor.

Both men's attention was immediately drawn to the spiritual energy radiating from the items. Shen Qingyun spoke, “These are for you. Make good use of them in the Ghost Valley.”

“Really?”

Su Ye exclaimed, grabbing the shadowy dagger, unable to put it down. “Brother Shen, your place may look poor, but your gifts certainly don’t! Wow, what kind of spiritual tool is this—so cold...”

“Ahem.” Shen Qingyun coughed lightly. I heard that.

Seeing Ling Xiao hadn’t reached for the golden gauntlets, Shen Qingyun asked, “Why aren’t you taking them?”

“No reward without merit.” Ling Xiao shook his head. “I won’t accept something given freely.”

Shen Qingyun smirked. Ling Xiao had his principles.

“Don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of chances to earn them. You won’t be taking it without merit.”

At that, Ling Xiao bent down and picked up the golden gauntlets.

Now, all that remained was to wait for tomorrow’s departure.