Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 732 Chatting
"……like."

Jiang Yin'er reached out and gently took it, holding it in her hands and looking at it. She glanced up at the boy, her eyes smiling, and then lowered her head to fiddle with it.

"Thank you, Brother." Jiang Yin'er asked curiously, "How can you be so beautiful?"

"Is there any doubt about my carving skills?"

“I meant stones,” Jiang Yin’er smiled.

"Haha, it's a secret."

"Okay." Jiang Yin'er smiled and pouted slightly.

She thought for a moment, clearly not quite sure where to tie it, so she carefully put it into her small bundle.

What sword technique were you practicing just now?

“The Phoenix Soars.” Jiang Yin’er looked somewhat troubled. “I can never seem to learn the second move that my master taught me.”

“You’re only sixteen, yet you’ve already mastered the first move. I was seventeen when Grandpa Yue taught me the sword, and I could barely use it,” Pei Ye said. “Their swordsmanship is really hard to learn; you’re already very skilled.”

"Brother, you were already several times more capable than me at seventeen."

"What are you comparing with me for? There are many reasons why I'm good. You can't possibly go through everything like I have." Pei Ye walked towards the sword-fighting arena, turning his head to smile at the girl.

"What are you referring to, Brother?"

Pei Ye thought for a moment: "Near-death experiences, life-or-death separations... there are just a lot."

“I can do that too,” Jiang Yin’er replied without hesitation.

Pei Ye was slightly taken aback. He glanced at the girl's clean face and imagined her in Xin Cang Mountain, Da Kong Tong, Zi Zhu Forest, or the Mirage Palace... She must have a strong enough mind. But Pei Ye still took a deep breath and slapped her on the head.

"..." Jiang Yin'er stared blankly at the boy.

“With me here, you don’t need to,” he said domineeringly.

Jiang Yin'er looked at him, and after a moment, burst out laughing.

"...What are you laughing at?"

The girl was usually serious and reserved, and it seemed to be the first time Pei Ye had seen her laugh like a silver bell.

"Brother, you're funny." Jiang Yin'er didn't say much more. She quickly stopped laughing and smiling, lifted the boy's hand off her head, and said, "Thank you, Brother."

Pei Ye did indeed harbor a dream of having an older brother, but he hadn't expected things to go wrong so quickly. He frowned and reflected on his actions, remaining silent.

Jiang Yin'er seemed to be in a good mood, walking beside him and humming a little tune.

"Brother, when are we going to see a play again?"

Pei Ye was slightly taken aback: "Hmm...anything is fine. I should have time before the Feather Scale Trial."

"Alright, I'll invite you to a performance in a few days, Brother Shi." Jiang Yin'er thought for a moment, "Are you at the Sword Academy right now, Brother Shi?"

“Yes, I just listened to the Taoist sword teaching this morning, and I’ll be here afterwards.” Pei Ye turned to look at her. “You dared to skip class. I’ll report you to Chief Ying when I see her.”

"No!" Jiang Yin'er laughed, "I'm practicing my sword by myself... I have things to do."

"What are you doing?"

The girl pursed her lips slightly, giving off a somewhat arrogant air: "The other day, the Kunlun Yanri Palace came to ask for a sword duel. That Chen Mishuang was too arrogant. Zhang Tongxiu could not beat him. It was clearly just a friendly exchange, but he did not hold back at all... Seeing that he was going to bully the disciples of the small sects one by one, I challenged him to a sword duel."

However, he sighed softly, "I want to learn the second form of 'Phoenix Wanderer' so that I can be sure of victory, but I have been practicing for several days and I still have no clue. Brother, why can you learn a new sword technique after practicing for a few days before each battle?"

"I don't know either," Pei Ye laughed. "What's the situation with that Chen Mishuang?"

"He is the youngest generation leader of Kunlun Yanri Palace. He is seventeen years old this year and ranked forty-third in the last ranking. This person is extremely rude. It is probably because the swordsmanship of Kunlun Yanri Palace is particularly killing, that he has achieved a state of perfect harmony between man and sword."

The girl was always upright and polite, and had never spoken ill of others in front of Pei Ye. This was the first time she had ever insulted someone with such a slightly sarcastic tone.

Pei Ye smiled: "So what makes him so amazing?"

"His skill lies in his sword." Jiang Yin'er held the scabbard behind her back, gently swaying it. "The Six Blades of Radiant Light, Yan Rigong's second-ranked killing sword technique. He's so young, yet he's almost finished learning it, while I..."

Pei Ye nodded: "I just listened to the instruction. Daoist swordsmanship does not emphasize killing, especially for young disciples who are less focused on actual combat. You are already at a disadvantage when fighting against cultivators of the same age. It is only because of your extraordinary talent and early learning of the Phoenix Wandering Swords that you are so powerful."

Jiang Yin'er said somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm not that great."

Pei Ye thought for a moment and said, "Then according to what you said, this person's sword style must also be sharp and arrogant, with a strong killing intent."

“That’s right. When he dealt with Zhang Chao, he used three consecutive sword attacks. He was willing to take a blow from Zhang Chao in order to knock Zhang Chao off the stage within a breath,” Jiang Yin’er said. “Firstly, I am not very good at defending the sword, and secondly, this is the first time I have encountered this sword technique, and I don’t know how to dismantle it.”

Pei Ye smiled and said, "Then let me give you a suggestion, would you like to hear it?"

"Huh? Okay!"

"I think you come from a Taoist background and have been learning the principles of the flow of all things since childhood. When it comes to the way of the sword, your understanding of the principles of the sword is often deeper and higher than that of other swordsmen. Therefore, when you play swordsmanship with others, you are truly 'playing swordsmanship' and can always understand the sword moves and dissect them from their most subtle aspects."

"This is the most elegant way of using a sword, the kind that all sword critics praise the most. The reason you were able to barely break through the 'Seven-Step Sword Control' and occasionally defeat Yang Zhenbing is because of this."

“But you will lose to Zhang Chao anyway,” Pei Ye said. “It is because his swordsmanship is extremely simple and clumsy. He treats the sword as just a sharpened iron tool, without ever using any fancy moves. You will have no way to attack him. Am I wrong?”

Jiang Yin'er nodded thoughtfully, and said admiringly, "Brother Shi is right."

“Sword duels aren’t limited to ‘chess’,” Pei Ye said with a smile. “If you want to win, you might as well try ‘sword fighting’.”

"...Sword duel?"

“Indeed. I am about to offend your Taoist mindset—not to overcome the hard with the soft, nor to respond to all changes with the unchanging. If he attacks, you also attack, and with the thought of ‘we can both take this head’, then draw your sword.”

Jiang Yin'er was slightly taken aback: "But he has practiced killing swordsmanship and attack swordsmanship since he was a child. He fights attack against attack. Can I defeat him?"

Pei Ye laughed: "I think it's possible. I've always liked such foolish opponents, those who intimidate with ruthlessness, bloodshed, and the sword of death, often harbor deep-seated cowardice. Because they truly regard ruthlessness and bloodshed as invincible weapons, genuinely believing in and fearing their power, they are so arrogant when they wield such overwhelming violence. They don't believe anyone in the world isn't as afraid as they are. Such people seem fearless of death, but once you defeat their sword, or appear even less fearless than they seem, they lose all courage." Pei Ye laughed, "That's what I call 'superficial courage.'"

Pei Ye looked at the girl and knew that her will was far stronger and braver than he had imagined, and that she would never be defeated in a battle.

Jiang Yin'er frowned thoughtfully, then looked at the young man with some admiration: "Brother, you are truly insightful. I understand now."

"Okay, give it a try," Pei Ye smiled. "If it doesn't work, I'll rush up to save you."

"...Brother, you spoke with such certainty, but it turns out you weren't sure yourself."

"Haha, even Zhuge Liang made a mistake in judging Ma Su."

……

The sword-fighting arena was packed with people.

All twenty-odd current sword students were present, along with a dozen or so previous students.

Although everyone was wearing the same sword-training uniform, they were actually of different ages, came from different sword sects, and were not necessarily familiar with each other.

Kunlun Yanri Palace is considered a mid-tier sect among the twelve sword sects, and its sword-hunting expedition has attracted many. However, seeing its aggressive approach, many sword students who originally intended to spar are unwilling to participate. Some are aware of their own shortcomings, some have connections with the sect, and others, like Han Xiuben, are adept at navigating social situations—after all, the Sword Cultivation Academy is not their own sect, and if Yanri Palace wants to use it as a stepping stone, so be it; it's not worth offending a major sword sect.

When Pei Ye and Jiang Yin'er arrived, it was almost time, and everyone was already seated. He glanced around and saw many unfamiliar faces, while many others looked over, many of whom clearly did not recognize his face.

The two sat down on the side, and many eyes fell on them.

They were all disciples of the Kunlun Yanri Palace, about seventeen or eighteen in number, dressed in fine clothes and wearing jade crowns, with swords across their knees.

The two at the front appeared to be fellow disciples. One was an arrogant young man with slanted pupils and sharp eyes; the other was more peaceful, smiling, and looked to be in his early twenties, carefully fiddling with the tassels on his sword.

Chen Mishuang and Xu Wensang are the two top performers of the Kunlun Yanri Palace in this generation. Xu Wensang is ranked eighteenth on the Fu Ranking. He did not participate in this sword-hunting trip, obviously just setting up a training ground for his junior brother.

Because he was ranked among the top twenty and already had a great reputation, his victory over these swordsmen would not bring him any fame if Yang Zhenbing did not intervene.

Seeing Jiang Yin'er sit down, before the swordsman could speak, Chen Mishuang stood up, leaning on her sword, and sneered at the girl, "I thought you didn't dare to come."

Xu Wensang said, "When seeking a partner, one must not be rude."

But he didn't say anything more.

Their visit to the sword shop was clearly planned, but it didn't appear too cunning on the surface—without Yang Zhenbing making a move, the only people in the courtyard who could threaten Chen Mishuang were Chu Shuiting, Han Xiuben, and Zuoqiu Longhua.

However, these people were all over twenty years old, so when Yan Rigong arrived, Xu Wensang said that he was "finding a young swordsman of the same generation for my junior brother to meet." Although he did not specify that they were under twenty, it would be difficult for Chu Shuiting to make a fool of himself if he really went up and taught the young man a lesson—especially since he might not win very well.

Moreover, Xu Wensang was there to provide support.

For sword students under the age of twenty, Chen Mishuang, though only seventeen, is indeed a formidable opponent.

Zhang Chao has made rapid progress since being admitted to the hospital, and he was wounded by the sword in just three strikes. If Jiang Yin'er hadn't stepped forward, there really wouldn't have been any other swordsman to fight him.

Now that Jiang Yin'er has taken over from Chen Mishuang, who is at the peak of her talent, the sword-hunting can continue. There are five people in Yanri Palace and six or seven people in Xiujian Academy, which is what Yijianye will be doing this afternoon.

At this moment, Jiang Yin'er frowned and remained silent, feeling provoked. Pei Ye tilted his head and smiled, "Can't you say something tough?"

"how to say?"

“It’s alright, just don’t say anything. You don’t have to retaliate immediately when you’re provoked. Sometimes it’s not effective and just makes you look like you’re jumping up and down.” Pei Ye lowered his head and whispered in her ear, “You just need to stay still right now. Once you’ve won against him, you can say something in a low voice, not too loud and not too soft, just loud enough for everyone to hear.”

"What?"

"—You idiot, how dare you speak of swords in front of me?"

"..." Jiang Yin'er looked at him in shock. "I... I don't know how to swear. Besides... Brother, I am a nun and I need to cultivate my mind."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Ah."

Jiang Yin'er did not retaliate, but the two whispering and ignoring each other was undoubtedly a form of retaliation.

The two sat side by side, and after the swordsman finished speaking, the swordsmen on both sides began to compete one after another. Although there were some frictions, the swordsmanship was indeed genuine, with both sides winning and losing. Apart from Chen Mishuang, who was determined to win every match, Yan Rigong did not manipulate the wins and losses of the other disciples, so the arena gradually heated up.

Pei Ye had been absent for quite some time, so Jiang Yin'er explained the people on the field to him. The two discussed and laughed, pointing out which sword techniques were not being used properly. Pei Ye loved to tease people, and the girl would always give a helpless smile and look apologetically at the swordsmen on the field.

"It's alright, they can't hear you."

"Then you can't always talk badly about people behind their backs."

However, the time spent chatting eventually came to an end. Several rounds of the game had been completed, with each side having its own victories and defeats. Chen Mishuang slowly stood up, stared straight at the corner, and said coldly, "It's your turn."

The crowd fell silent for a moment, all eyes turning to look at them.

Everyone knew that the main event was about to begin.

When Chen Mishuang came last time, he arrogantly challenged five people in one go, and none of them could withstand five moves from his sword. Many sword students may not lack courage, but their own sword sects are weak, so they naturally dare not offend Yanri Palace. Only this true disciple of Shenxiao Jiang stepped forward.

She was only around 100th in the last ranking, and no one expected her to dare to directly challenge this person.

At this moment, many people were watching. Jiang Yin'er stood up on her own, drew her [Illumination God], and pointed it straight at him.

The girl had a beautiful face and a blank expression, which gave her a truly awe-inspiring presence, and many of the sword students watching were invigorated.

Chen Mishuang narrowed her eyes in anger, while the young girl spoke in a clear voice with calm eyes: "You are narrow-minded and rude. You said you came to visit the sword, but you deliberately injured my fellow cultivators from the Sword Academy to show off your power. I don't know how Yan Ri Palace taught you. I am a year younger than you, so there is no need to bring up age. If I win, you must apologize to Zhang Chao."

These words were polite, well-founded, and dignified. Pei Ye secretly admired her from beside her legs, thinking that he was indeed only suitable to say such a thing after winning a battle.

Chen Mishuang sneered: "How delicate. Swords have no eyes. If you get hurt, you get hurt. Is it worth making a fuss about? Little girl, if I hurt you again, don't cry and whine."

He stepped forward with his sword, and Jiang Yin'er followed suit, standing out from the crowd on the sword-fighting field.

(End of this chapter)