Chapter Forty-Three: The Sovereign Sword — One Against Seven

“All right, that’s enough from both of you! How do you expect us two lonely souls to bear this? If you want to be affectionate, find somewhere private—don’t make the rest of us uncomfortable on purpose!” Leng Huaiyi teased with a laugh. He didn’t mind others being lovey-dovey in front of him, but this level of intimacy was a bit much.

“Are you jealous, Brother Huaiyi?” Lan Wu grinned mischievously, poking fun at him. In truth, she very much hoped to see Leng Huaiyi reunited with that so-called elder martial sister of his. She could never understand how they could so easily give up on years of love just because of the world’s petty opinions. Was it really worth it? Did they think separation would bring happiness? She didn’t believe so. At the very least, Leng Huaiyi was not happy now, and she doubted Xun Mishuang was any better. They had been a pair of lovers envied by all, yet fate had torn them apart, leaving their bond unbroken but their hearts forced to watch from afar. How cruel! If she ever had the chance, she would do everything in her power to see these two tragic souls fly together again, like a pair of birds soaring in the sky.

“Indeed, I couldn’t be more jealous of the two of you,” Leng Huaiyi replied with a helpless smile. “So, for the sake of my envious heart, would you please rein yourselves in a little?” These girls certainly knew how to tease—knowing full well he couldn’t be with the one he loved, yet still poking at that old wound.

“Yu, what are you thinking about over there? You’ve been standing in the corner, lost in thought and silent,” Meng Youyuan asked, gazing curiously at the long-quiet Yushang. For some reason, she felt he seemed very lonely just now, as if he had lost something precious and could never recover it.

“He’s probably brooding over the past again,” Xiao Yin shook his head with a sigh. He truly felt sorry for Yushang—after all this time, why was he still hung up on that heartless woman, unable to let her go? Why torment himself so? Wouldn’t it be better to find a good woman and start anew? He simply couldn’t understand Yushang’s stubbornness. Even if he could forgive that woman, what good would it do? She was gone, never to return. Silently, Xiao Yin resolved that, no matter what, he would root that woman out of Yushang’s heart and let her fade from memory for good.

“Do you think everyone is as fortunate as you two, able to find a lifelong partner?” Yushang responded gently, declining Xiao Yin’s well-meaning suggestion. “I do envy your happiness—two blooms sharing one stem—but I also believe that true love cannot be forced. Let fate decide.” After so many years together, he understood all too well what Xiao Yin was thinking. When that woman had hurt him, Xiao Yin had been even angrier than he was. Even when he’d lost control and killed her, Xiao Yin hadn’t tried to stop him. Perhaps, subconsciously, Xiao Yin’s hatred had surpassed his own, wishing her dead so that, as the one who killed her, he could personally end the entanglement. Now, in his eagerness to help Yushang move on, Xiao Yin was simply hoping he could forget that woman and start afresh. But as Yushang had just said, such things could not be forced. He would rather be left in peace and hoped Xiao Yin would let go of this idea.

“I completely agree with Yu,” Yan Xuesu added. “It’s best to let things happen naturally. Who knows, perhaps one day, without even searching, you’ll turn around and find the right person standing there.” Though she didn’t know all of Yushang’s past, she had heard enough to understand: even if that woman was gone from the world, she hadn’t vanished from Yushang’s heart. Rather than seeking someone new while still holding onto another, why not wait until those feelings truly faded before searching for a companion worthy of a lifetime?

“All right, let’s not dwell on distant matters. It’s still early—why don’t we practice swordsmanship together?” Lan Wu, ever restless, perked up and pulled everyone along to train. The others weren’t fools; they knew exactly what she was up to—trying to keep Meng Youyuan and Lan Bingxian from bickering again. Even though they’d reconciled, it was safer for everyone to train together. Besides, it was a good chance to build camaraderie and help couples grow closer—a win-win situation.

Several swords, under their masters’ control, shot skyward. At times they flew in perfect formation; at others, they intertwined and spun in dazzling arcs, each blade casting its own colored light, as brilliant as a rainbow after rain.

The purple and yellow swords intertwined, inseparable—like a pair of mandarin ducks, faithful and affectionate, just as Yan Xuesu and Yu Xiaoran, always together, never solitary.

The red and green swords chased and teased each other, appearing outwardly as rivals but in truth, like mischievous children, only sparring to strengthen their bond. This was just like Xiao Yin and Lan Wu—always squabbling and play-fighting, but both knowing it was nothing serious, just an excuse to tease and draw closer.

The gray and blue swords supported each other, like two fish giving their last strength to keep the other alive. So it was with Meng Youyuan and Lan Bingxian—no matter the hardship, their hearts remained focused on each other, always wishing the other well.

The white sword was tranquil, like a magnolia blooming amidst a sea of colorful flowers—aloof, content in its own company. This, too, was Leng Huaiyi’s nature: detached from worldly affairs, yearning only for a peaceful life among the mountains, flowers, and streams.

The black sword exuded regal authority, like a sovereign in troubled times—just a single glance commanded awe and respect. This was Yushang’s spirit: unyielding, imperious, born with the charisma to command and inspire loyalty.

“Hey, are you here to train or to flirt? If you keep being so gentle, how will you ever improve? Prepare yourselves!” Unable to stand the constant lovey-dovey air, Yushang called out and, without mercy, controlled his main sword to strike at the others with a force and momentum no less than what he would use to save his life in a true duel. The sword, as if sensing its master’s intent, accelerated toward the group, catching them completely off guard.

“You’re too serious! Not even allowing us a moment to relax—no doubt you’re certain of victory this round!” said Leng Huaiyi, intercepting the black sword and engaging in a fierce duel. The black and white swords circled each other, neither yielding, both ready for battle. Yet neither struck first, as if the white sword was waiting for reinforcements to subdue the main blade together.

“Hmph, look at him—taking advantage when we’re distracted! If Brother Huaiyi hadn’t stepped in, he’d have had us. Now that he and Brother Huaiyi are locked in combat, let’s join forces and see just how formidable this main sword really is!” Lan Wu smirked and led the others into the fray.

“So you’ve forgotten your brothers for a woman, Xiao Yin—you’re actually teaming up with them against me!” Yushang said with a wry smile at Xiao Yin, who was eager to win a lady’s favor.

“Hey, you can’t blame me—right now, you’re the common enemy, so I have no choice but to switch sides!” Xiao Yin replied without a hint of embarrassment.

The others guided their swords to assail the main blade, and in a flash, it was surrounded. Each was eager to test their skills, but the main sword was no pushover—it held its own against several blades without yielding ground.

“Well, what’s your choice—face us all one-on-one, or do we gang up on you?” Yu Xiaoran said, grinning wickedly, as if he’d waited long for this moment to pay Yushang back for being caught in his trap once before.

Yushang could only sweat—this was clearly a set-up to bully him—so he sighed and answered, “If I asked for a truce, you wouldn’t grant it, would you? All right, come at me together! Let’s see how much power this so-called main sword really holds!”

“What bold words! Let’s see how long you last once we have you at our mercy!” Meng Youyuan, usually so demure, now grinned mischievously, clearly relishing the prospect of Yushang soon regretting his challenge.

The swords encircling the main blade began to spin rapidly under their masters’ command—so fast that only the main sword at the center could still be seen, the others whirling like invisible gusts of wind, forming an impenetrable cage. The main sword seemed cut off from its master’s will, their connection growing ever weaker, until it was nearly severed. Just then, the main sword—so calm before—began to struggle violently, as if to break free from its prison. Its fierce resistance made the very air around it tremble, catching the others off guard. At that moment of distraction, the main sword erupted with a dazzling beam of light, flinging the other swords back into their owners’ hands and breaking free. It then shot through the air to Yushang, hovering before him. With a smile, he seized it and turned to face the stunned group.

“Weren’t you all going to defeat me soundly, toying with me as you pleased? Why so speechless now?” Yushang said, a touch of pride in his voice. He had never expected the main sword in his hand to be so powerful—able to shake space itself, distract the enemy, and overcome seven-to-one odds. He rejoiced in being the master of such a divine artifact, its prowess awe-inspiring. Perhaps even the famed Blade of Shadows was no match for it. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there must be some connection between these two legendary weapons. Otherwise, why had they both been destroyed together in the great battle of immortals and demons? Was there some unspeakable secret between them, so dangerous that only their destruction could bring peace to certain hearts?