Westward Ho?
Ye Qiu heard these four words and immediately thought of a film in his mind. He asked, “Old thing, have you watched too many films? Westward Ho, why not head north?”
“Don’t talk rubbish. If you trust me, follow me.” After finishing his words, the Long Eyebrow Immortal took the lead and headed west.
Ye Qiu followed.
The icefield was vast and boundless, endless and limitless. They were as insignificant as two ants.
They walked for several hours.
Suddenly, a gale howled, snowflakes swirled in the air, freezing one to the marrow.
Yet they had not left the icefield.
The Long Eyebrow Immortal could not help complaining, “Little whelp, it’s all your fault. If you had joined the Qingyun Sword Sect, we would surely be drinking wine and eating meat on a flying treasure by now. Why endure this torment?”
“This poor Daoist is nearly frozen to death.”
“Following you is the worst luck in eight lifetimes.”
Ye Qiu smiled, “Rest assured, you have thick skin and tough flesh. You won’t freeze to death.”
The Long Eyebrow Immortal shot Ye Qiu a glare, “Can you not speak properly, you rascal? Keep it up and this poor Daoist will end our friendship.”
“Enough, don’t get angry.” Ye Qiu said, “Actually, I’ve always been rather curious. What films are on that phone you gave to the Chong Xu Sect Leader?”
The Long Eyebrow Immortal chuckled, “Those are all some classic films, such as The Kind Little Sister-in-Law, Mum’s Friend, The Passionate Neighbour, The Tenant Downstairs…”
The two pressed on while chatting idly.
The wind and snow grew fiercer.
After another two hours, the Long Eyebrow Immortal halted and said, “Inspiration strikes this poor Daoist. I shall compose a poem.”
Oh, the old affliction was flaring up again.
Ye Qiu felt somewhat speechless.
The Long Eyebrow Immortal shook his head and chanted:
“Wow, such heavy snow!”
“The sky is white as flowers.”
“The earth is white as flowers.”
“The mountains are white as flowers.”
“The head is white as flowers.”
“The whole world is white as flowers!”
Having finished his recitation, the Long Eyebrow Immortal asked, “Little whelp, how is this poem by this poor Daoist?”
Ye Qiu said, “I seem to recall you reciting this poem before.”
“Is that so?” The Long Eyebrow Immortal laughed, “Then this poor Daoist shall compose another.”
Blast, hooked on it now?
The Long Eyebrow Immortal pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, “I have it.”
“Little whelp, listen well. This poem is entitled Ode to Snow.”
“Fairy of the nine heavens scatters silver flowers, threading the needle and drawing the line, pricking ever so finely.”
“In one night she sews a thousand quilts, her benevolent heart intent on warming myriad homes!”
Ye Qiu felt somewhat astonished. Compared to the doggerel verse the Long Eyebrow Immortal had composed before, this poem was of fine quality. He could not help asking, “Old thing, did you truly write this poem?”
The Long Eyebrow Immortal crowed smugly, “This poem is rather good, is it not? Little whelp, praise me quickly.”
Look at you, so full of yourself.
Ye Qiu was on the verge of speaking when suddenly a voice rang out, “I never expected the Daoist’s poetry to be so fine. My respects, my respects.”
The Long Eyebrow Immortal turned his head and saw the Qin Sword Immortal approaching through wind and snow, resembling a celestial being.
Ye Qiu felt somewhat puzzled. Had not the Qin Sword Immortal returned to repair his ancient qin? Why had he not departed?
“Greetings, senior.” Though doubts lingered, Ye Qiu still saluted respectfully.
“Chang Sheng, no need for such formality with me.” The Qin Sword Immortal smiled and asked, “Where are you two bound?”
The Long Eyebrow Immortal said, “We are preparing to leave the icefield.”
The Qin Sword Immortal said, “The icefield is immense. At your pace, it will likely take several days to exit this place.”
The Long Eyebrow Immortal asked, “Senior, did you not say you were returning to repair your qin? How is it you have come here again?”
Ye Qiu glanced at the Long Eyebrow Immortal, thinking, It seems the old thing harbours the same doubts as I.
“I came expressly to find Chang Sheng.” The Qin Sword Immortal smiled and said, “On the road back to the sect, I transmitted a message via jade slip, reporting all that transpired in the icefield in full detail. Upon hearing it, the sect leader took great interest in Chang Sheng and wishes to accept him as a disciple, thus ordering me to escort Chang Sheng back to the Qingyun Sword Sect.”
What good fortune!
The Long Eyebrow Immortal said excitedly, “Little whelp, did you hear that? The leader of the Eastern Wastelands’ premier great sect wishes to take you as his disciple.”
Ye Qiu said, “Senior, my position is actually quite clear already…”
“Chang Sheng, do not hasten to refuse.” The Qin Sword Immortal cut Ye Qiu off and said, “The sect leader stated that if you are willing to enter his tutelage, he shall accept you as his closed-door disciple.”
“You may not know it yet, but the sect leader is none other than a saintly powerhouse!”
Ye Qiu was astonished. A saintly powerhouse wished to take him as a disciple?
“Little whelp, seize the day, for it comes but once. Let us head to the Qingyun Sword Sect at once.” The Long Eyebrow Immortal urged.
Though Ye Qiu was astonished, no ripples stirred in his heart. He had no desire to join any sect. At present, he sought only to find Ye Wushuang with all haste.
“Senior, my thanks for the sect leader’s gracious favour. Please convey to him that I am deeply grateful for his kindness.”
Ye Qiu said, “At this moment, I have more pressing matters to attend to, so I have no intention of joining any sect for the time being.”
The Qin Sword Immortal’s face registered astonishment, “Chang Sheng, do you grasp what it means to take a saintly powerhouse as your master?”
“Were you to become the sect leader’s disciple, you would stand an excellent chance of inheriting the entirety of the Qingyun Sword Sect one day.”
“Moreover, the Qingyun Sword Sect would furnish you with cultivation resources. Provided you apply sufficient diligence, you might even attain the Great Emperor realm in time and ascend to immortality.”
“And furthermore…”
“Senior!” Ye Qiu raised a hand to halt the Qin Sword Immortal and said, “Senior, my thanks to you, and to the Qingyun Sword Sect’s leader. I shall cherish your kindness in my heart always, yet this junior truly has no mind for discipleship or joining any sect at present.”
“Little whelp, have you lost your senses?” The Long Eyebrow Immortal grew somewhat irate, “A windfall from the heavens lands squarely upon you, yet you spurn it?”
“I know my own measure.” Ye Qiu cast a stern glance at the Long Eyebrow Immortal.
The Long Eyebrow Immortal hollered, “I say you have water on the brain.”
“Alas…” The Qin Sword Immortal let out a long sigh and said, “Very well, since your resolve is so steadfast, I shall report the matter to the sect leader in precise detail.”
“Chang Sheng, whenever you may wish it, the Qingyun Sword Sect shall welcome you with open arms.”
Ye Qiu offered thanks once more, “My gratitude, senior.”
The Qin Sword Immortal shifted tone and said, “Chang Sheng, on a personal note, I have one impertinent request. I hope you might indulge me.”
Ye Qiu felt somewhat puzzled and asked, “Senior, pray speak.”
The Qin Sword Immortal said, “That wooden whip of yours is a fine item. I should like to borrow it for a spell.”
Embarrassment surfaced on Ye Qiu’s face. The God-Smiting Whip was one of his aces in the hole. Lending it out would leave him vulnerable.
The Qin Sword Immortal continued, “The matter is this: I possess a formidable foe who has secluded himself for many years and is on the cusp of emergence. Upon this emergence, he stands every chance of breaking through to the saint realm. To guard against mishap, I wish to borrow your wooden whip.”
“Fear not. Once the foe is vanquished, I shall return the wooden whip to you forthwith.”
“What say you?”
Ye Qiu pondered briefly and said, “Senior, by rights I ought to assist you, yet that wooden whip serves as my safeguard for life. Thus, I beg your understanding.”
“You refuse to lend it to me?” The Qin Sword Immortal’s countenance darkened, and an icy killing intent emanated from his person.
