Remould the Glory of Sword Art

"The Ruyi Order rang several times, why don't you check who it is?"

"No need to check."

The rosy afterglow of the setting sun fell upon the surface of the Carp Tide River, a horsetail whisk standing horizontally like a Flying Sword, two silhouettes sitting atop a screen scattered with silver threads.

The Little National Master's robes fluttered in the wind.

Tang's long hair at her temples also fluttered in the wind.

Chen Jingxuan placed the trembling Ruyi Order inside his garment.

The trivial matters of Qing State had been dealt with; only two people could contact him through this Ruyi Order.

Xie Xuanyi, the one with the surname Xie, would not contact him without good reason.

The other did not warrant attention.

"Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Tang raised her eyebrows suggestively, "I think that fool Qihu is quite clingy. If you ignore him, once you're back in the Imperial City, I'm bound to be the one he chews out."

"I'm truly sorry."

Chen Jingxuan quickly apologized, "I've already asked Miss Ye to discipline him."

"No harm done."

Tang Fengshu waved her hand generously, "Honestly, I don't care that much."

She naturally had heard the rumors circulating in the Imperial City.

Anger was anger...

But the reason for her anger wasn't because those widespread "rumors" had tarnished the so-called purity of the Taoist name.

Perhaps it was because none of the stories in those rumors had actually happened?

"Here, for you."

Suddenly, Tang Fengshu took out a thin book from her bosom.

Chen Jingxuan was somewhat surprised; the paper of the book was coarse, the handwriting messy, and it seemed oddly familiar…

"What's this?"

"I bought it a few days ago in an alley in Lichao City; it's said to have spread from the Imperial City," Tang spoke self-deprecatingly, "It seems to tell a... love story between a young State Preceptor and his Taoist nun friend?"

"???"

Chen Jingxuan was dumbfounded.

He couldn't bring himself to flip through it, only to close the book and heave a long sigh.

Jiang Qihu, Jiang Qihu, you really are a fool. Of all the things that happened in that book tower, why did you have to tell Qin Baihuang!

A lifetime of reputation ruined in an instant.

"I read the story, and it's not bad," Tang Fengshu said indifferently, "I must say Qin Baihuang does have a way with words, but it's a pity he lacks responsibility. No wonder the lady of Jade Screen Peak doesn't fancy him; can his fancy love letters ever compare to Xie Xuanyi?"

"... I'll settle the score with him when I return."

Chen Jingxuan agreed wholeheartedly but helplessly said, "Aren't the duties of the Refining Department keeping him busy enough? He still has the time to write all this nonsense!"

"I've heard it's quite popular."

Tang Fengshu spoke leisurely, "The bookseller told me this publication has sold out, and everyone is waiting for the next installment of the story."

If nothing unexpected happens.

Once this Qing State affair is over, and Qin Baihuang meets with that fool Qihu for a drink again, the next installment should come out.

"Tang."

Chen Jingxuan spoke earnestly, "I assure you, this will not happen again. When I return, I'll conduct a thorough investigation on Qin Baihuang... and restore the Taoist reputation."

"Don't do that."

Tang Fengshu said with a smile, "I'm actually waiting for the next book. I quite enjoy the story, and... clearing names is really unnecessary; the Taoist sect has always been pure, as have you and I."

Chen Jingxuan fell silent.

"Upon reflection, I don't dislike Jiang Qihu, nor do I dislike Qin Baihuang."

So who is it that I dislike?

What other possibilities are there?

"Tang."

The young State Preceptor, who commanded fate, looked troubled. After much thought, he finally called out that polite, courteous, and distant title.

Chen Jingxuan seldom left the Imperial City on regular days.

Today, using the incident in Qing State as an excuse, he had come to this place.

He had many things he wanted to say to Tang Fengshu.

"My Lord, do you still remember the promise you owe me?"

Tang Fengshu interrupted Chen Jingxuan's speech.

She smiled gently, "This promise is simple: I want you to stay with me here tonight, listening to the sounds of the North Sea tide."

Chen Jingxuan fell silent again.

He was confident that he could hold the lifelines of any among the millions of Da Chu's people, but he could not grip his own.

A myriad of words.

Upon reaching his chest, could only scatter away.

Chen Jingxuan exhaled a word feebly.

"...Alright."

"Rustle rustle——"

The horsetail whisk swept over the North Sea and came to a halt.

The tide rolled in.

White foam from the waves splashed upon the robes of the Taoist Pavilion Master, several droplets hitting her cheeks. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the stars began to emerge, the edge of the North Sea merged into the vast expanse of nothingness, and the world greeted its ruin here, along with the mirroring reversal.

The vast sea, like a bright mirror.

Reflected two people who were close together, yet separated, alone in their solitude.

...

...

Tonight, some did not sleep.

Some, after narrowly escaping death, sought revelry and squandered money like it was dirt.

The receding tide of the North Sea arrived as expected.

After the disturbance was quelled, the number of visitors in Lichao City increased even more than on ordinary days.

The streets and alleys were brightly lit with colored lights, drums and music echoed, fireworks filled the sky.

------

Some drowned their sorrows in wine, adding to their woes.

Jiang Qihu sat slumped in the Wave Viewing Pavilion, beside him an empty wine jar.

He spoke of old events in a sullen tone.

By his side, Ye Qinglian also 'drunkenly' lost herself for once.

Initially, she was merely curious about what Jiang Qihu's sister was like, so she probed and coaxed him into drinking a bit...

To her surprise, he opened the floodgates of conversation, drank more, and the secrets he spilled became increasingly intriguing, ranging from childhood bedwetting to Jiang Miaoyin's unrequited love for Xie Xuanyi, and even the most respected senior in his family once missed a major event due to drinking.

Ye Qinglian listened with interest, unwittingly drinking glass after glass.

------

Others lost sleep for no apparent reason.

Deng Baiyi tossed and turned.

She went to the courtyard to watch the fireworks; the Jiang Family had arranged a fine residence for her, far from the noisy markets, but even from several miles away, the sound of drums from Lichao City could still be heard.