Stelle and Sushang's lips twitched uncontrollably. Thankfully, the earlier strike wasn't too powerful, but what if it had harmed the flowers or grass?
Without a word, the two drew their weapons. "Let's go!"
However, the battle was almost entirely one-sided. Each time Yanqing was about to land a hit, he would retract his blade.
In the end, with no other choice, he sighed softly. "Your skills are truly unrefined. Continuing this fight is pointless…"
The deep voice echoed in their ears again. "If that's the case, why not cut them down?"
At those words, the fervor in Yanqing's eyes dimmed slightly. "Cut them… down? I thought this was just a spar."
"Victory brings life, defeat brings death. The law of the battlefield is no different from the law of the universe. Swordsmanship is the art of victory. Only the victorious sword is passed down; the defeated ones are buried in desolate graves."
"But…"
"You're resisting me? Pointless mercy. If you can't cast aside these distractions, how can you take another step forward? Raise your sword!"
Yanqing looked at the sword in his hands, trembling uncontrollably.
At that moment, Sushang stepped forward with righteous indignation. "Hmph, all this talk of 'victory brings life, defeat brings death,' acting like some wise senior critiquing swordsmanship. You're just a vile thing using people as pawns, exploiting their competitive spirit to satisfy your bloodlust…"
[Is this the Li Big Pillow I know? Spouting so many idioms?]
[I was wondering the same thing.]
"Today, I've figured it out. What she's trying to say is probably 'The sword may break, but the will cannot be seized,' right?" Sushang said, gripping her Xuanyuan Sword tightly with both hands. "Lieutenant Yanqing, our fight isn't over yet. Don't just declare 'continuing is pointless' all on your own!"
[That's the Sushang I know.]
[Guess I was overthinking earlier.]
The deep voice in the space let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha, this girl's fighting spirit is truly scorching! Since she insists on fighting, young man, will you respond?"
Yanqing gritted his teeth, finally forcing out a few words. "Yanqing… won't back down."
Sushang took a step forward, exuding the tragic resolve of a warrior who might never return.
Tears welled up in Huohuo's eyes. "Miss Sushang, you…!"
Sushang glanced back, her gaze firm. "This is a matter between Cloud Knight comrades. Losing isn't a big deal, but abandoning a fellow knight and shaming the Cloud Knights—wouldn't that betray the sword in my hand? Sure, I might not last more than a few moves. You all hurry and find the general! Until he arrives, I won't go down easily!"
[Something feels off.]
[Are they about to pull a knife on us?]
[Probably not. The opponent is Yanqing, and he's not fully possessed. I doubt they'll kill him off.]
[It's all miHoYo's fault. Every time I see a tragic scene, I brace for a knife.]
Stelle and the other two returned to the ferry port.
Guinaifen wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "Shangshang, my Shangshang, why is she so foolish… But her back as she held off Yanqing was so captivating."
Huohuo put down her phone and said anxiously to the others, "According to the Netherguard's message, the general is taking a break in Fyxestroll Garden. We need to hurry and find him! Right now, he's probably the only one who can snap Little Yanqing out of this illusion."
In the next moment, the scene shifts.
Stelle finally spotted Jing Yuan's trail. He stood before Cirrus.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Jing Yuan turned and saw Stelle and the others, hands on their knees, panting heavily. "What's wrong? Why do you look so out of breath?"
Stelle caught her breath and recounted the events at Dragonprayer Terrace.
Jing Yuan stroked his chin, his face full of self-reproach. "A heliobus manipulating hearts under the guise of teaching swordsmanship? If it could guide in my place, that wouldn't be bad, but this creature's obsession with victory and defeat is too strong. It's truly troublesome for that boy."
Huohuo said, "Then, General, shall we head out now? If we're late, Sushang might…"
"I understand. But before we leave, I have a question for Cirrus, who's been eavesdropping. You must know this Apyra, don't you?"
Cirrus looked up at Jing Yuan. "Of course. It's the martial spirit of Ignamar, the most belligerent among us fragments. But who's this swordsman named 'Yanqing'?"
Jing Yuan said softly, "My disciple."
"Heh heh," Cirrus sneered. "No wonder I sense a hint of sadness on you. Oh—I get it. To save your incompetent disciple, the master has to step in himself? I'm jealous of Apyra."
"You only know the 'taste of sadness' but not 'what sadness means.' My disciple, obsessed with victory and defeat, lost his way and sought a shortcut to improve his swordsmanship. That's my failure as a master and the reason for my sadness," Jing Yuan said in a low voice, cold as ice.
"I'd advise you not to play at leisure here. Apyra has a heavy killing intent. Once it takes control, it spares no one, not even a master," Cirrus said, waving them off. "Hurry along now. I won't delay your master-disciple clash."
Jing Yuan gave Cirrus a faint smile, one that sent chills down its spine.
The group then returned to Dragonprayer Terrace.
Sushang wiped the sweat from her chin, her words tinged with pride. "The lieutenant of the Seat of Divine Foresight… is just so-so… I thought I'd be down the moment you drew your sword. But… but I've held on this long. I… I'm not as bad as I thought!"
The deep voice continued to provoke Yanqing. "Young man, you're hesitating. You've been hesitating. Facing a swordsman so vastly outmatched, you're taking this long? As a swordsman, don't you have any pride? The crushing defeat at Dragonprayer Terrace—do you want to relive it? It's time to act. Only blood can wash away the shame on your sword."
"He won't act," Jing Yuan's voice came from the entrance.
Yanqing's eyes widened sharply. "General…"
The deep voice laughed heartily. "Young man, the one who taught you the sword is here."
The voice continued to tempt Yanqing.
Yanqing's face was filled with conflict, his words halting. "I… I will use this sword…"
"Yanqing won't draw his sword to prove anything to me. I have faith in him," Jing Yuan said, offering Yanqing a gentle smile.
"This faith isn't that he'll ultimately win… but that one day, he'll break free from the obsession with victory and defeat and realize the true reason he wields his sword—whether for joy, for saving others, or for slaying enemies… That reason must be found by him alone. No one can teach it to him. Right now, this is the moment for him to take that step."