Crossing Verbal Swords

Crossing Verbal Swords . . .

In the opulent surroundings of the Driftsnow City, Pei Tianyuan, the king of the Jiangling Country, orchestrated a delicate dance of diplomacy and camaraderie among esteemed guests. With a subtle nod and a flicker in his eyes, he indicated a specific seating arrangement for Cheron and Pei Yu. The problem was simple yet awkward—they had only two vacant seats in a location of prime importance, yet their group consisted of four individuals. Even when Pei Yu's diligent female servant was excluded, there were still three eager guests who needed seats.

Cheron, ever astute and considerate, assessed the situation before shaking his head with a lighthearted smile. "I believe we should seek alternative seating arrangements."

Pei Yu, equally tactful, pointed to a central area with vacant seats. However, Pei Tianyuan, a master of political finesse, had other plans. He cherished the opportunity for a personal conversation with Cheron and thus dismissed the suggestion immediately. "No, no, that won't do. I was hoping for a pleasant chat with noble nephew Cheron. Since seats are limited, Pei Xiao, kindly offer your seat to our guest."

Pei Xiao, the occupant of one of the coveted seats, couldn't hide his displeasure, his eyebrows twitching involuntarily. His gaze flitted briefly to Pei Yu and Qin Wentian, tinged with a hint of resentment. However, when the king issued his directive, Pei Xiao had no choice but to comply. He stood awkwardly, acutely aware of the attention he drew.

At this precise moment, an amiable voice called out from across the gathering. "Pei Xiao, please, join me here."

Pei Xiao turned towards the speaker, a smile of gratitude lighting up his features. "In that case, I gratefully accept, Brother Jiang Yan."

As Pei Xiao found a new seat, the stage was set for Cheron, Pei Yu, and Qin Wentian to occupy the prime positions indicated by Pei Tianyuan. The politeness of the king's request left Cheron with no grounds for refusal.

Directly across from them sat Jiang Yan, Pei Xiao's newfound companion, and Nion from the Seven Sword Sect. This assembly included a constellation of young geniuses from various major powers in the Cloud Prefecture, each exuding an air of exceptional talent.

Eager to foster an atmosphere of camaraderie, Pei Tianyuan embarked on introductions. "Allow me to introduce a few esteemed acquaintances. I am Pei Tianyuan, a name you all may recognize. To my left is Ji Kong, a disciple of the Cloud Tower Sage Sect and the tower lord of the Cloud Towers in Jiangling Country. On my right, we have the city lord of Driftsnow City, Sikong Yangxue."

Pei Tianyuan's genial smile enveloped the gathering as he continued, "I'm sure many of you young heroes are already acquainted with one another, so I won't bore you with individual introductions."

Qin Wentian's gaze drifted briefly to Sikong Yangxue, the present city lord of Driftsnow City. The difference between him and the illustrious Driftsnow Master of yore was stark.

Pei Tianyuan, ever the gracious host, seized the moment to kindle a shared conversation among the gathering. "This Driftsnow City holds echoes of a bygone era. Legends speak of the Driftsnow Inn, and among them, the most enchanting tale is that of the love between the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade. If only time could turn back, and we could witness the Driftsnow Master's zither melodies and Immortal Jade's snow-dancing. What a breathtaking sight that would be."

Pei Tianyuan, an adept conversationalist, sought to breathe life into the legends that had captured the hearts and imaginations of countless generations, including his own.

Shu Luyao, an enigmatic figure from the Myriad Sage Academy of Classical Learning, seized the moment to express skepticism about the cherished legend. With his fair skin, sharp features, and piercing eyes, he radiated an air of intrigue and calculation. His voice cut through the ambient chatter, articulating doubts about the authenticity of the tale.

He questioned, "I've heard the legend of the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade, but I find it difficult to believe. First, where is the weaponized city they supposedly forged? Furthermore, as martial cultivators, we pursue the peak, and life itself is our greatest capital. The idea of Immortal Jade sacrificing her life for weaponsmithing appears frivolous and foolhardy. How could she lightly trade her existence for the pursuit of mastery? And as for the illustrious Driftsnow Master, could he truly have surrendered himself for the sake of a mere mortal woman, sacrificing his very essence and soul to guard her lifeless form?"

Pei Tianyuan directed his gaze toward Shu Luyao, intrigued by the audacious comments. It was evident that this young man harbored many secrets and possessed a sharp mind.

Shu Luyao's observations challenged the cherished legend, casting a veil of uncertainty over the epic romance of the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade.

Within the opulent realm of the Myriad Sage Academy, an air of intellectual prowess wafted like a subtle perfume. Here, knowledge was a sacred currency, and among its vaults lay the myths and legends that had woven themselves into the tapestry of history. Among those fabled tales was the timeless saga of the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade, a love story as old as the Cloud Prefecture itself.

Pei Tianyuan, the king of the Jiangling Country and a gracious host, acknowledged the repository of knowledge that was the Myriad Sage Academy. His demeanor was one of respect, a diplomatic nod to the institution's wealth of information. "As expected of a sacred ground, the Myriad Sage Academy knows everything regarding the Cloud Prefecture. The legend of the love story between the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade has already faded into obscurity, even in the Jiangling Country, not many people have heard of this. I only knew because of ancient records kept in my manor, to think that noble nephew Shu would also know of this story. I'm impressed." His tone was filled with genuine admiration, and he extended a polite nod in Shu Luyao's direction, choosing not to engage in a debate.

Shu Luyao, however, held no reservations in expressing his skepticism. His words dripped with a biting cynicism as he challenged the cherished legend. "The more I know, the more cause I have to suspect that this is false. This legend must be fabricated to cheat those ignorant fools. In the story, the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade were idiots." His tone grew increasingly acerbic, and he made no effort to mask his disdain for the tale.

Amidst this exchange of opinions, Pei Tianyuan maintained his composure, wearing a patient smile, unperturbed by Shu Luyao's audacious remarks. The others in attendance, too, refrained from passing judgment on a legendary tale.

But Pei Yu, a woman of deep emotions, felt her brow furrow in response to Shu Luyao's dismissive words. Her voice carried a hint of displeasure as she challenged his arrogance. "In this vast world, the personalities of everyone are different. You are a heartless person, but how can you use your viewpoint to gauge others and deem their acts as foolish? I've always heard that the Myriad Sage Academy of Classical Learning has produced many learned experts whose names would shake the Cloud Prefecture, knowing everything there is to know underneath the heavens. People from such a prestigious academy naturally should have more grace and can contain a multitude of things in their chest, epitome of the adage all rivers eventually formed a sea. But sadly, without even making sure of facts, you instantly termed the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade as foolish people. Don't you feel that you are too presumptuous?"

Pei Yu's impassioned defense of the legend struck a chord with Cheron, who had been standing by her side. His typically calm demeanor gave way to a steely resolve as he addressed Shu Luyao. "Has she said it wrongly? Using your own personality to gauge others, thinking everyone in the world would have the same preference as you. If this is not presumptuous, what is?"

Shu Luyao's gaze, sharp as a sword's edge, shifted to Cheron, his eyes filled with an intense pressure that bore down on Pei Yu. The room seemed to grow colder as the tension mounted.

But Cheron was unyielding, his resolve unwavering. "The major powers under the heavens are all the same. Although the Myriad Sage Academy has produced many outstanding geniuses before, it wasn't guaranteed that they wouldn't produce scum."

The atmosphere grew increasingly charged as Jiang Yan, eager to mediate, voiced his concern. "Cheron, your words are too overbearing. Brother Shu had never offended you before yet you humiliated him in front of everyone. Brother Shu is a heaven-chosen talent from the Myriad Sage Academy, yet you used the word 'scum' to describe him? You are simply too arrogant."

The room crackled with tension, the clash of words and egos igniting sparks of disagreement among the gathered luminaries of the Cloud Prefecture. The legends of old were pitted against the skepticism of the present, and the clash of ideals was nothing short of captivating.

As Jiang Yan's words hung in the air, a hushed tension fell upon the assembly of onlookers. It was evident that Jiang Yan had sown the seeds of discord, fanning the flames of confrontation between Cheron and Shu Luyao. The audience, their curiosity piqued, watched with avid interest as the impending verbal duel unfolded.

Nion, a provocateur by nature, wasted no time in stoking the embers of controversy. She injected her own brand of fiery rhetoric into the burgeoning conflict, seeking to exacerbate the situation. "I have always been filled with admiration towards the Myriad Sage Academy. Cheron, you have really crossed the line," she chimed in, her voice dripping with smug amusement. Her words, like a well-placed log on the fire, fueled the growing tension. As the focus of the room converged on Shu Luyao, it became increasingly difficult for him to dismiss the matter, even if he had wished to do so. The collective gaze of the assembly bore down upon him, creating an uncomfortable spotlight.

Amidst the brewing tempest of words, another voice joined the fray, belonging to Zurius, a disciple from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor. His laughter rang out, further fanning the flames of discord. "Cheron's arrogance is only for this moment. Seems like after he managed to resonate a bell, he has already forgotten his manners and started provoking people left and right. Hahaha!" His words, while not meant to provoke, were nonetheless seen as an incitement by the onlookers.

The atmosphere in the room grew charged as tension crackled through the air. Shu Luyao, his expression growing increasingly somber, found himself caught in the whirlwind of verbal sparring. He was perplexed, surrounded by the scrutiny of those present.

Shu Luyao decided to respond, his retort laced with a hint of malice. "Scum? At the very least, I don't sleep around with women here in the Jiangling Country. Since she's someone from the King Manor, I will definitely give face to the Jiangling King and close an eye despite what she says. Are you trying to say something, given how hurriedly you jumped to her rescue?" His gaze shifted between Cheron and Pei Yu, a glint of malevolence lurking beneath his words.

Pei Yu, who had been dragged into the center of this tumultuous exchange, felt her cheeks flush with indignation. The innuendo in Shu Luyao's words cut deep, and she bristled at the insinuations about her virtue. Yet, Pei Tianyuan, the king of the Jiangling Country, remained a silent observer. To him, this was a golden opportunity for the relationship between Cheron and Pei Yu to deepen, and he was content to let events unfold.

Cheron, undeterred by Shu Luyao's provocation, continued to defend his stance with a pointed barb. "Terming you as scum is already elevating your status," he quipped, his words laced with scorn. "I, along with Brother Tianwen and Pei Yu, have only recently become acquainted. Our shared interests have fostered friendship among us. Your distortions of the truth, however, reflect poorly on your upbringing."

Nion, not one to let an opportunity slip by, interjected with her own cutting remark. "A threesome? What a unique taste," she sneered, her words dripping with venom. The room's occupants couldn't help but react to her biting words with sly smiles and amused glances. Nion's biting commentary, delivered with cold detachment, revealed her lingering resentment from a past incident involving Cheron. Her retort was a barbed reminder of the grievances she had harbored.

Pei Yu, her emotions a tumultuous sea, trembled with anger as she clenched her delicate fists. Her pallor had turned ashen, and the humiliation she endured in the midst of this gathering was palpable. A young lady subjected to such public humiliation was an affront to her dignity, especially in this setting. Nion's words had struck like arrows, piercing the hearts of those in attendance.

The room, once filled with anticipation, now simmered with tension and unease. The clash of words had spiraled into a volatile showdown of egos, and the onlookers could only watch as the drama unfolded.

Qin Wentian's blood boiled with indignation as he observed the distress etched on Pei Yu's face, her body trembling involuntarily. These individuals had gone too far, using an innocent young lady as a target for their vile words, painting an entirely false picture.

Raising his head, his gaze locked onto Nion. This woman, a member of the Seven Sword Sect, was none other than the person who had attempted to drive him away from the ancient bell earlier. It was evident that she was a self-centered and opinionated individual, with little regard for anyone but herself.

Qin Wentian, his voice steady and resolute, addressed Nion directly. "It's astonishing that such words would come from a woman. Could it be that you're the one who has committed such shameless acts in the past, which now drives you to bring up this topic today?" His eyes bore into Nion, unwavering in their intensity.

As his words hung in the air, Nion's countenance turned frigid. Her gaze, sharp as a sword's edge, cut through the tension in the room as she issued a cold retort. "Impudent. Who do you think you are? Cease your baseless accusations, or do you truly believe that I wouldn't hesitate to end your life here and now?"

The eyes of several onlookers zeroed in on Qin Wentian. Jiang Yan, his tone icy, chimed in, questioning, "Who is this fellow, anyway? Does he even possess the qualifications to speak in our presence?"

"How amusing. Perhaps he believes his association with Cheron has led him to forget his place," Shu Luyao remarked, glancing around with a smirk. "Do any of you recognize this man?"

The crowd collectively shook their heads, their eyes gleaming with mockery. Cheron might wield influence and prestige, but Qin Wentian was a different matter entirely. Daring to confront Nion openly, he lacked the status and backing that might have deterred his detractors. With no hesitation, they launched a concerted verbal assault against him, spurred on by his audacity.