Jing'er

Ever since arriving in the Canglang Sea, Qin Sang had constantly been calculating how he might gain Qingzhu's trust if they ever truly met. Coming from the same sect and both practicing the *Origin Soul Sword-Nurturing Chapter*? Those reasons were likely not enough. Qingzhu had avenged his beloved, severed ties with Shaohua Mountain, and stormed the Yuanshen Sect; how much affection or goodwill he still held for Shaohua Mountain was completely uncertain. He did not want to become the target of misdirected anger. Yet Granny Jing was clearly deeply connected to Qingzhu. Although Qin Sang did not know what entanglements of love and hate lay between them, starting from Granny Jing was clearly a much better choice. He was reasonably acquainted with Granny Jing, so claiming a bit of friendly association would not be out of line. In his hands were two items obtained from Granny Jing: one was the Star Spirit Net, and the other was the peach wood sword. The peach wood sword was merely a mortal wooden sword. Back then, shortly after his Foundation Establishment, he had asked Granny Jing for help in finding a spirit spring object. After concluding a trade with the Yue sisters, he had spent spirit stones to purchase it as compensation. When he later learned of Granny Jing's true cultivation realm, he had suspected some secret was hidden within the sword, only to find that it was as ordinary as a peach wood sword could be. The Star Spirit Net might not have been crafted by Granny Jing herself, but the peach wood sword undoubtedly came from her hands. With its unique carving style, anyone familiar with Granny Jing would surely recognize it at a glance. He had not expected that producing this sword would indeed have an immediate effect. *Is Granny Jing's true name Qingjun, or...? What is her relationship with Senior Qingzhu?* The thought flashed through Qin Sang's mind as he watched Qingzhu with a tense expression. Ever since the wooden sword appeared, Qingzhu had cried out once and then fallen silent. His body trembled violently, as though two clashing auras were locked in fierce combat within him. "Ah..." Qingzhu threw his head back, letting out roar after roar. His facial features twisted grotesquely, displaced and warped. His eyes bulged, their pupils bloodshot as if wracked by agonizing pain—a shocking, horrifying sight. Qin Sang was shaken by what he saw. Holding his thunder art poised but unreleased, he took the chance to back away. In the next moment, Qingzhu let out a fierce shout: "How dare you...!" The voice cut off abruptly. The crimson hue in his eyes receded like an ebbing tide, and his expression swiftly returned to normal, though the aura within his body remained exceedingly chaotic. The same person gave Qin Sang a completely different feeling now. Earlier, Qingzhu had been mad, sinister, and bloodthirsty. Now, his gaze was profound. Standing aloft in the void, he resembled a divine sword made manifest in the mortal realm, towering between heaven and earth. He exuded an awe-inspiring presence, embodying the sheer spirit of: *No matter a thousand grievances, I shall sever them with a single sword.* "Give me the sword!" Qingzhu turned his gaze toward Qin Sang, his voice deep and laced with urgency. Qin Sang's heart stirred. Halting at a safe distance, he wrapped the peach wood sword in true essence and tossed it over to Qingzhu. Thoughts raced through Qin Sang's mind. He had faintly guessed something of Qingzhu's current state, yet could not be entirely certain. Reason told him it was best to pull away immediately while he still could. Qingzhu's condition was extremely unstable; he could be overtaken again at any moment by that other presence inside him. "Is this the true Senior Qingzhu before me?" Qin Sang asked tentatively. Qingzhu reached out to gently caress the peach wood sword. Tenderness and longing filled his eyes, and deep within them lingered a faint trace of guilt. He stared at the wooden sword, lost in thought. Qin Sang did not dare disturb him. After a while, Qingzhu finally withdrew his gaze, looked at Qin Sang, and gave a slight nod. At that moment, a sound came from behind. The external incarnation arrived flying on his sword, looking battered and miserable, though fortunately without sustaining grave injuries. Qingzhu seemed to understand Qin Sang's bewilderment. Glancing at the external incarnation, he said flatly, "It seems you obtained the secret method I left in the jade slip. Do you realize how dangerous a situation you are in? Never allow an external incarnation's cultivation to surpass your true body. The higher your realm, the truer this becomes. This old man is a cautionary tale." Qin Sang understood at once and hurriedly cupped his hands in a salute to Qingzhu. "Junior heeds your instruction. Thank you for the warning, Senior. I had no choice but to do so in order to pass the trial of the Sword Path. Senior, you..." Just as he was about to ask more, Qingzhu waved a hand to stop him. "Let me ask you: what is your relationship with Qingjun?" A scrutinizing look crept into Qingzhu's eyes as he looked Qin Sang up and down with an odd expression. "Junior does not know Qingjun," Qin Sang answered honestly. Seeing Qingzhu frown, he quickly added, "If Senior refers to the person who carved the sword, Junior does know her, but I only knew her as Granny Jing. She once helped me..." Qingzhu froze, looking desolate and forlorn. "Granny Jing... Jing'er... Has she already become a granny? Is she... doing well?" Seeing Qin Sang's bewildered expression, Qingzhu let out a bitter smile. "Jing'er was the childhood name her mother gave her; I gave her the name Qingjun. It seems that even now, she still does not like that name." Qin Sang was shocked. "Granny Jing is your daughter..." "Indeed, though not quite as you imagine. Jing'er's mother was my junior martial sister from before I joined Shaohua Mountain. The one killed by the Yuanshen Sect was my senior martial sister..." Qingzhu sighed long and mournfully. "In this life of mine, I have let down many people." Qin Sang sensed the unusual emotions in Qingzhu and grew curious about his past. Yet Qingzhu seemed disinclined to speak further, and Qin Sang did not dare press for details. "Speak, then. Tell me only of Qingjun. Do not speak of irrelevant matters," Qingzhu cautioned. Though Qin Sang did not understand why, his mind turned, and he replied, "Senior, rest assured. Before I arrived here, Granny Jing had always been well. Her cultivation was quite peculiar. Looking back now, it seemed comparable to the Nascent Soul stage, yet somewhat short of it, but at the very least no weaker than this incarnation of mine. When I first met Granny Jing, it was at the Wenyue Cultivation Market... Later, when we met again outside Heaven-Pointing Peak, I realized that was merely a disguise she used to wander the mortal world; Granny Jing's true self was exceptionally magnificent and peerless... At Heaven-Pointing Peak, having killed only two elders of the Yuanshen Sect, Granny Jing plotted against Leng Yuntian, the sect master of the Yuanshen Sect. She intended to use my Blood Filth Divine Light to contaminate the Five Directions Pagoda, planning to..." Just as Qin Sang was about to speak the words 'Ziwei Palace', Qingzhu waved a hand to stop him. Throughout Qin Sang's narration, Qingzhu listened intently and questioned him thoroughly, asking even about every frown and smile of Granny Jing's back then, down to the slightest nuance of her expressions. Fortunately, Qin Sang was an immortal cultivator; with deep concentration, he was still able to recall it all. Qingzhu listened in rapt absorption, a gentle smile appearing on his face, no different from any mortal father. Qin Sang added a brief mention of Leng Yuntian losing the Five Directions Pagoda, then held his peace. After a long silence, Qingzhu's smile faded, and his tone suddenly turned solemn. "You never saw her mother?" "Junior did not cross paths with Granny Jing very often, and I never heard her mention her," Qin Sang answered carefully. "It seems she has reunited with Senior Sister... So be it! So be it!" Infinite grief tinged Qingzhu's voice. He lifted his head and stared at the sky-obscuring black clouds for a long while before murmuring softly, "To think that Leng Qian is already dead! Leng Yuntian's foundation was damaged by me and Junior Sister; forcing his Nascent Soul formation was bound to leave behind hidden flaws. Having lost the Five Directions Pagoda, he should be no match for Jing'er. That Jing'er had to conceal her identity was all because I dragged her down! Fortunately, she is well now, with achievements in her cultivation. That puts my heart at ease."