MTLNOVEL Chapter 24 Recognition
The wind at True Hidden Peak tonight was tinged with a hint of chill.
The mansion halfway up the mountain swayed to the breeze, causing candles to flicker and clothes to feel cool.
"What words are there that can't be spoken in front of Jiang Qihu?"
Huang Su sat opposite Xie Zhen, staring at the young man of only sixteen or seventeen, her brows furrowing in confusion.
The case files of Qing State had already made clear Xie Zhen's identity; he and Jiang Qihu were both disciples of the Book Collection Pavilion.
Although the Book Collection Pavilion was merely a "private school," in the end, according to seniority, Xie Xuanyi still had to address Jiang Qihu as senior brother.
"Please do not misunderstand, Mountain Master."
Xie Xuanyi slowly said, "Although both Jiang Lord and I are under the Book Collection Pavilion, following the 'teacher's' instructions... it does not mean that my teacher and his are the same person."
The term teacher could refer both to an actual teacher and to a kind of honorary title.
"Oh?"
Huang Su understood; she glanced at the closed doors of the mansion, realizing the true matter Xie Zhen had invited her to discuss alone.
Her wide sleeves billowed.
Huang Su casually cast out a Sword Qi Talisman.
The talisman soared into the sky, spreading open a semicircular Sword Energy Barrier above the courtyard.
This acting Mountain Master of Lotus Peak glanced at the candlelit guestroom within the mansion that had been put out; she knew there was a young girl asleep not far away, so deliberately, the sword qi from the talisman fell just around the courtyard, preventing anyone outside from hearing their conversation.
"You already have a teacher? So that's why you rejected my offer of discipleship?"
Huang Su stared at Xie Zhen, speaking slowly, "If that's the case... why bother coming to Da Sui Sword Palace, why provoke Prince Jiangning?"
"Having a teacher doesn't mean one cannot come to Da Sui."
Xie Xuanyi focused on the young girl before him.
Before stepping into Da Sui, he had already carefully organized in his mind the things he needed to do after entering the mountain.
To clarify the case of the North Sea, he first needed to become a member of the Da Sui Sword Palace... The records of personnel changes in the Da Sui Sword Palace over the years were drafted by the disciples of True Hidden Peak, later sorted at Xiao Chong Mountain's miscellaneous service area, and finally all stored in the Book Collection Pavilion. Without mentioning the comings and goings of the various peaks, just entering the Book Collection Pavilion alone required the identity of an official disciple of the Sword Palace.
The conversation within the Ruyi Order.
Chen Jingxuan meaningfully reminded him... there was one identity that was very useful.
"The Xuanshui Cave Heaven, which opens once every sixty years, is said to have extremely beautiful scenery, the most splendid lotus scenery in the world. In addition to that, Xuanshui Cave Heaven serves as the identity proof of each successive sword master of Da Sui."]
"This Grotto Heaven was an unclaimed possession of an old friend of mine, who left early, thus leaving it masterless... However, if he had passed down his teachings and accepted a certain disciple, then naturally, this Grotto Heaven should also logically belong to that disciple under his command."]
The file made by the Book Collection Pavilion for Xie Zhen had obscured everything from before the chaos in Qing State.
In other words.
This was a boy who lived "in darkness," with no one besides the Book Collection Pavilion knowing his past—
In fact, this blank past was the clean slate left for Xie Zhen to utilize by Chen Jingxuan.
No matter how Xie Zhen arranged it.
The Book Collection Pavilion would clarify, would prove... what Xie Zhen said was correct.
"What do you mean by that?"
Huang Su was somewhat confused.
She stared at the boy with the conical hat in front of her, and a ludicrous conjecture suddenly emerged in her Heart Lake.
If Xie Zhen really had a teacher...
And indeed, it was the one she had in mind...
Then, the previous conflict at the mountain gate and the current refusal to become her disciple seemed to become reasonable.
"A long time ago, in the Northern County, I saved a destitute man on the run."
Xie Xuanyi fell silent for a moment before slowly continuing, "It was during the bitter cold of the twelfth lunar month... The man was covered in blood, severely injured, and appeared extremely haggard."
Huang Su unconsciously clenched her fingers, her voice hoarsely interrupting, "How long ago is 'a long time'?"
Xie Xuanyi lowered his eyes: "About ten years ago."
Huang Su did not speak again, and as Xie Zhen, Xie Xuanyi slowly recounted the "past" from ten years ago.
The escape to Northern County was true.
The bloodstained, bedraggled appearance was also true.
However...
The rescue was false.
After being pursued in Qing State, Xie Xuanyi, all by himself, fled to the desolate and remote Northern County. Because the route heading south was completely blocked, and the Primordial Energy of Northern County was too thin to heal his injuries, he could only rest briefly before continuing his journey northward, eventually reaching the North Sea and staying there.
This period in Northern County was actually not long, only a dismal, gloomy ten days or so.
But these ten days or so.
Were enough to turn "Xie Zhen" into a real person.
A fortunate young man who met Xie Xuanyi in the freezing cold of Northern County, saved Xie Xuanyi, and received Xie Xuanyi's teachings.
It was as if the wind in the courtyard had stopped.
The leaves no longer fell.
The candle flame on the stone table no longer flickered.
Xie Zhen spoke slowly, the story simple—meeting, encountering, parting.
Huang Su sat quietly at the stone table, listening to Xie Zhen finish the story. Her expression went from somewhat at a loss to sad, and finally, her entire body began to tremble slightly.
"I was originally an orphan without a name."
Xie Xuanyi spoke slowly, "He gave me a name, taught me swordsmanship, and left behind an 'inheritance.'
"Xie Zhen..."
Huang Su murmured, "That's why the Little National Master took you into the Book Collection Pavilion, arranging for you the role of a 'Dark Child.'
Xie Xuanyi nodded.
As the dim story of Northern County concluded, the candles in the courtyard also went out, the wax candles burned down to but a speck of ash.
Huang Su sighed deeply.
She stretched out her hand slowly, lifting the conical hat from Xie Xuanyi's head, gazing upon the "countenance of all beings."
"The teacher told me that such an identity must not be disclosed lightly."
Xie Xuanyi fell silent for a moment before saying, "Even as his disciple, it will attract countless troubles."
"He's right,"
Huang Su's voice trembled, not only from sorrow but also from excitement, "Since you are the disciple of Senior Brother Xuanyi... then indeed you should reject me. How can I compare with him?"
Xie Xuanyi opened his mouth as if to speak, then fell silent.
The two gazed at each other for several moments.
"I heard you were invited to Lotus Peak today,"
Huang Su suddenly remembered something.
She asked, "Have you recognized that Master Miao Yin as your relative?"
"How dare I,"
Xie Xuanyi shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Why not dare..."
Thinking of the chill that had been flowing from Lotus Peak over the years, Huang Su said with empathy, "If you truly are a disciple of Brother Xuanyi, whatever troubles you encounter, just speak up. Whether it is me or the one from Lotus Peak, we will spare no effort to stand up for you!"
Xie Xuanyi looked into Huang Su's sincere eyes.
Of course, he wouldn't reveal the truth—
Before entering Da Sui Sword Palace, he had prepared this story to recognize Huang Su!
The reason he hadn't recognized Jiang Miaoyin.
Was not that he distrusted Jiang Miaoyin.
But... Xie Xuanyi knew her too well.
Although the dossier on Xie Zhen created by the book house was flawless, paired with the story from Northern County, it was convincing enough... but Jiang Miaoyin was too clever and knew too much about her former self.
Most importantly,
Xie Xuanyi had always trusted the intuition of his Heart Lake.
Up on Lotus Peak, when he saw the sword that had fallen into the pond, he was distressed and considered revealing his identity as "disciple of Xie Zhen" ahead of time.
But the intuition from his Heart Lake told him,
Not to.
So, he kept it hidden until this moment.
"This identity won't be concealed for too long,"
Xie Xuanyi weighed his words and said earnestly, "Whether it's Lotus Peak, True Hidden Peak, Golden Turtle Peak, or Xiao Chong Mountain... after some more time, they should all be aware. For now, I need the help of Uncle Master, the mountain chief, with some matters."
"Since you are Brother Xuanyi's disciple, don't call me mountain chief,"
Huang Su waved her hand and said, "I'm merely acting as the overseer of Lotus Peak; if your master is well, he is the rightful leader of this mountain."
Hearing this, Xie Xuanyi had a complicated expression.
He hid the deepest color of relief in his eyes and said slowly, "Uncle Master, could you help me arrange an identity that allows me to move freely within the Sword Palace?"
Huang Su was slightly taken aback.
Following this was the Grand Sword Qi Ceremony.
People from all over the world came to watch the grand opening ceremony of Da Sui Sword Palace, as well as to seek entry into the palace.
Since Xie Zhen stepped into Da Sui under the guise of being Xie Xuanyi's disciple,
His purpose,
Was undeniably singular—
To get back the "Xuanshui Grotto Heaven" that rightfully belonged to Xie Xuanyi!
Huang Su asked, "Don't you want to participate in the Grand Sword Qi Ceremony?"
The Grand Sword Qi Ceremony sounded grand and magnificent.
But in reality, Xie Xuanyi was very clear.
It was nothing more than bone testing, breathing method teaching, and Sword Qi competition.
The peaks of Da Sui Sword Palace recruited disciples based on aptitude, strength, and family background...
Under these circumstances, many would go out of their way to shine at the ceremony, hoping to catch the eye of the Sword Palace.
Whether it was becoming a True Disciple, a main peak disciple, or even just a registered disciple; even serving as a "servant" at Da Sui Sword Palace was considered worth the journey.
"It's not that I don't want to, but there's no need,"
Xie Xuanyi said, "And... there are more important things to do."
Xie Xuanyi was not interested in the competition at the Grand Sword Qi Ceremony.
In fact,
He had no interest in the Prince Jiangning either.
If time were rolled back two or three decades, when he was in his prime and needed to test his sword on others, he might have fought with this Prince Jiangning... but now, Xie Xuanyi simply couldn't be bothered to waste time and court unnecessary complications.
Of course, if Xie Sheng didn't know better and insisted on getting in his way,
That would be a different matter.
"More important things?"
Huang Su's gaze intensified, and she held her breath for a moment.
Indeed, ever since Xie Zhen told the story of Northern County, she had been wondering what this young man, who had been hidden for ten years by the arrangement of the book house, sought by returning to Da Sui as a disciple of Xie Xuanyi.
Was it to return to Lotus Peak and take charge of Xuanshui Grotto Heaven,
Or was there another purpose?
"Investigate a case,"
Xie Xuanyi locked eyes with Huang Su and said each word with grave seriousness, "I want to investigate the case at the North Sea from years ago."
"The case at the North Sea..."
Huang Su murmured, "That case has been settled, what's there to investigate?"
Back when Xie Xuanyi was in distress, under irresistible pressure, Da Sui Sword Palace was forced to seal the mountain during that critical time.
All were forbidden from leaving.
Inside the gates, there was a feeling of desolation.
Everyone paid attention to news from the outside world, worrying about Xie Xuanyi's safety.
During those days, the cranes on True Hidden Peak nearly broke their wings from flying so much.
As soon as Huang Su began to speak, she realized the implication behind Xie Zhen's words.
The light in her pupils suddenly grew sharp as her breathing became rapid, "You mean to say... there was foul play within the Sword Palace related to the North Sea case?!"
"Just a suspicion,"
Xie Xuanyi lowered his head and shook it gently, speaking calmly.
"Just a suspicion... but do you have evidence?"
Huang Su spoke solemnly, straightening her posture.
"Thanks to the book house,"
Xie Xuanyi slowly lifted his head and said softly, "In these shallow grounds for the past years, some clues have surfaced."