The Cold-Faced Sword Immortal’s Predicament

“You intend to go?”

Observing Shuanghua’s resolute expression, Yuxi felt a headache brewing.

“I must. Both disciples who perished this time hailed from Sword Forging Peak, and as its Peak Master, it is only natural for me to make an appearance.”

Shuanghua leaned against the table, her sword cradled in her arms, as her robes fluttered gently in the breeze.

“Very well, but my junior sister…”

Yuxi took a sip of tea, a hint of exasperation coloring his tone.

“Typically, perilous missions such as these require two or more individuals. Are you planning to undertake this task with someone else? Or do you intend to communicate with them telepathically?”

“That…”

Shuanghua was immediately rendered speechless.

“Junior sister, I genuinely don’t understand why your conversations with me flow so smoothly, yet with others, you become utterly mute, as if hexed.”

“It’s not that I want to be like this. It’s just that I feel immense pressure when speaking with others, and then I start to stammer.”

“Then why not try speaking slowly, one word at a time? Even if you stammer, at least finish your sentences.”

“Every time you utter two words and then flee, the disciples mistakenly believe they’ve said something wrong, leaving them uneasy day after day.”

Shuanghua shook her head. “Then everyone will know I stammer.”

Yuxi was somewhat speechless. “Do you even know what your reputation within the sect has become, and you’re still fretting over this?”

“Last time, when your family members came to urge you home, wasn’t it I who sent them back? Now, the rumor has spread that your enemies came seeking you out, and I had to intervene to ensure your safety.”

“Are you truly certain you don’t need me to clarify the truth for you?”

“No, even if I’m misunderstood, I refuse to let anyone discover my stutter.” Shuanghua vehemently shook her head.

Yuxi let out an exasperated chuckle. “So you intend to remain the ‘Cold-Faced Sword Immortal’ forever, do you?”

“The main issue is that I don’t know what to do. Now, everyone flees upon seeing me; I can’t even find someone to talk to.”

Shuanghua lowered her head, winding a strand of her hair repeatedly around her sword hilt.

“I believe the most pressing matter is to find someone trustworthy to tell her the truth, and then you can try speaking in front of her to see if you can overcome your stutter.”

“Frankly, I suspect your affliction is largely psychological. Once you overcome that initial hurdle, you should be fine.”

As if finding merit in her senior brother’s words, Shuanghua’s eyes brightened, but the very next second, she plunged back into indecision. “Who should I find?”

Indeed, who?

As he pondered, a suitable candidate surfaced in Yuxi’s mind.

“How about Luochen? She isn’t one to gossip, and I imagine she would be willing to assist you.”

“That works!” Shuanghua’s eyes lit up once more.

“Then I’ll trouble senior brother to find an opportunity to speak with her.”

Yuxi agreed, and just as he was contemplating how to explain things to Luochen, a knock sounded at the door.

“Sect Master, Luochen requests an audience.”

‘Well, I’ll be. She delivered herself right to us.’

Yuxi and Shuanghua exchanged a glance, a knowing smile appearing on both their faces.

“Please enter.”

“Greetings, Sect Master. Senior Aunt Shuanghua is here as well.”

Upon seeing Shuanghua in the office, Luochen paused, momentarily startled.

“Esteemed niece, is there something urgent that brings you to me on the first day of the New Year?”

Yuxi’s face was wreathed in smiles.

“Senior Aunt Yun Qing informed me of recent traces of the Specter Cult, and I wish to apply to investigate.”

Luochen went straight to the point.

“You wish to go?”

Hearing Luochen’s words, Yuxi felt as though he were dreaming.

‘Not only did she deliver herself, but she also volunteered to be tied down?’

‘Hah, Luochen, you rascal.’

‘Today has been far too smooth; I must go fishing tonight.’

‘Perhaps today is the auspicious day I’ll finally catch the King Brocade Carp.’

“Indeed, my grievances with them remain unresolved.”

Luochen’s cool, clear voice broke Yuxi’s reverie.

He composed himself. “You may go, but what about your affliction?”

“In the past two years, your condition has worsened significantly. If you undertake a mission outside, and Venerable Zhu Qing is not by your side, no one will be able to save you.”

“I appreciate the Sect Master’s concern, but my master has already refined a pill to suppress the ailment, so there is no need for worry.”

“I see. In that case, I have no further questions.”

Yuxi nodded, as if recalling something.

“Ah, yes. Peak Master Shuanghua will also be investigating this matter, so you two shall complete this mission together.”

“Huh?”

Luochen froze.

‘Why her of all people…? Never mind, never mind. I’ll try to get along with her as much as possible on this mission.’

Luochen then extended her hand. “Senior Aunt, please guide me.”

“M-many thanks.” Shuanghua reached out her hand.

‘Good, good. At least she didn’t refuse even this.’

Luochen let out a sigh of relief. ‘But what did she mean by “many”?’

‘Never mind, never mind. Who could possibly fathom the mind of this esteemed personage?’

After Luochen departed, Yuxi gazed at his junior sister, his face alight with a smile.

“This is truly a heaven-sent opportunity. You must seize this chance yourself.”

“However, you’ll have to find an opportunity to explain things to her on the journey. I won’t be helping you with that.”

“Huh?” Shuanghua grew anxious. “Senior brother, you won’t help me?”

Yuxi shook his head. “No, no. This is for your own training.”

‘I truly cannot bear the embarrassment.’

‘Imagining myself explaining to Luochen that my junior sister isn’t some enigmatic Cold-Faced Sword Immortal, but merely a divine being who fears being discovered as a stammerer and thus dares not speak.’

‘Never mind, never mind. I almost feel like dying just thinking about it.’

“Alright, go back and mentally prepare yourself.” Yuxi waved her off. “I need to go fishing early. With such good luck today, I’m sure to catch a big one.”

“Heh heh, the probability of you catching a fish is smaller than the probability of you breaking through the Ninth Revolution.”

Shuanghua’s face was filled with disdain.

“Scram.”

****

The next second, Shuanghua appeared outside the door.

‘Does she think being a spatial cultivator is so impressive?’

Shuanghua, exasperated, kicked the door.

“Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!”

A metallic hum resounded, and True Immortal Yun Qing stared blankly at the Cold-Faced Sword Immortal who had suddenly appeared beside her and kicked the Universe Cauldron (TL Note: A mythical artifact, often depicted as a cauldron capable of refining anything or holding vast powers.).

Shuanghua’s mind went blank, but fortunately, years of experience told her that fleeing was the correct course of action at this moment.

The next second, Shuanghua swept up her robes and vanished.

Yun Qing: ‘?’

‘Could it be that my secret of using the Universe Cauldron to soak my feet has been exposed?’

Yun Qing was pondering the possibilities.

‘No, wait. The pills I refined after soaking my feet, I gave them to Venerable Zhu Qing.’

‘She ended up noticing, and chased me across two mountains.’

‘My Universe Cauldron almost crashed from flying.’

‘Speaking of which, her ability to perceive people’s inner thoughts is truly heaven-defying. As expected of [Heart-Illuminating Mirror of Discernment] (TL Note: A powerful ability that allows one to perceive the true intentions and thoughts of others.).’

As if recalling some unpleasant memory, Yun Qing shivered.

‘So what exactly did she come here for?’

As the Cold-Faced Sword Immortal of the sect, Shuanghua’s true nature had always been shrouded in mystery.

‘Today, she specifically came here to kick my Universe Cauldron. She must have wanted to warn me about something, but couldn’t state it directly.’

‘The Universe Cauldron? What could it possibly be about?’

Yun Qing fell into deep thought.

****

That night, on Bamboo Green Peak.

Yuxi stared blankly at his fishing rod, which had remained motionless for five hours.

‘Why is this happening!’

He cried out in despair within his heart.