Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

"To be honest, not only does my little sister have a disability, but so does my second younger brother. If Mr. Chengying believes we are unworthy to join the Shadow-accepting Sword Sect, we will leave at once."

"Wait! How could my Shadow-accepting Sword Sect be so intolerant?"

Mr. Chengying then turned to You Su, "Your younger brother neither mute nor missing any limbs—what kind of disability does he have?"

Noticing he had shifted Mr. Chengying’s attention, He Kongyue continued:

"My younger brother is visually impaired, congenitally blind."

"Blind?!"

Mr. Chengying was very surprised, his wide-open mouth revealing a row of yellowed, imperfect teeth.

Being mute doesn’t matter much when practicing swordsmanship, but blindness is a major concern. Even this Sword Dao Venerable, famous for a thousand years, stared at You Su like he was examining a rare treasure.

"Indeed, if Mr. Chengying doesn’t believe me, you can test it."

As soon as he finished speaking, a broad sword flashed like lightning, hovering an inch from You Su’s deep eyes.

The audience collectively gasped; the sword’s power was enough to frighten many present to the point of tremors.

Yet You Su remained unmoved, his eyes displaying the calmness of facing a collapsing Divine Mountain.

"It is true, after all..."

Mr. Chengying silently withdrew the broad sword, and Ye Erong was also released, caught by You Su and placed gently on the ground.

Ye Erong was still shaken, not daring to utter a sound.

But just as she thought she had escaped a calamity, He Kongyue felt a heavy weight on his body, almost bringing him to his knees, straining his expression.

"Your sister and younger brother are both disabled, and what about you?!"

Mr. Chengying spoke in a mysterious tone, "Is it possible that in your entire family, you alone are the healthy one? That would make you rather out of place in your household..."

He Kongyue gritted his teeth, hand outstretched to stop You Su from helping, taking deep breaths and speaking sorrowfully:

"Mr. Chengying may want to take a closer look at me to see if I am unscathed."

Mr. Chengying’s eyes shone with curiosity, even standing up, as if trying to see through all of He Kongyue’s secrets.

Suddenly, she withdrew her suppression and returned to her seat on the lectern:

"The eldest brother is like a father. Despite any personal shortcomings, you have embodied all that an elder brother should do, worthy of acknowledgment. Compared to your siblings, your talent in Sword Dao is unremarkable, but your skill in arts is exceptional. The Shadow Concealment Skill, I grant it to you."

Mr. Chengying waved her jade-like hand, and from the stone chamber behind her flew a bundle of scrolls, which settled gently before He Kongyue.

The Shadow Concealment Skill, a unique skill accompanying the Shadow-Embracing Sword Skill, when mastered, allows one to hide their presence, achieving a state of being invisible and winning through surprise.

This reward was no small matter, drawing envious gazes from everyone and silent curses as to why they couldn’t perform just as well.

Only You Su, standing beside He Kongyue, quietly pondered:

Is Mr. He also physically flawed? How have I never heard him mention it?

I wonder what such an outstanding person’s flaw might be...

"Do not envy him, for joining my Shadow-accepting Sword Sect, there will be even more benefits. As long as you love the sword and uphold integrity, my Shadow-accepting Sword Sect will welcome you all."

Mr. Chengying, outwardly decayed and wretched, yet with the bearing of a true master:

"Well, now the disciple acceptance test of my Shadow-accepting Sword Sect officially begins!"

Having spoken, the audience held their breath, their hearts tense.

It was evident to everyone that whoever could become a disciple of the Shadow-accepting Sword Sect might survive.

Conversely, those not chosen by Mr. Chengying would face the same fate as those outside...

"I’ll tell you all a story, then you will reveal your choices to me, which will determine whether you can become the cornerstone of my Shadow-accepting Sword Sect’s revival."

It is said that there were two people long ago, one named Black and the other White.

The two fiercely clashed due to a personal vendetta. Black, being large and skilled in swordsmanship, killed White.

White’s son, Dan, wanted to avenge his father, but Dan was a frail scholar, unable even to lift a weapon, yet his scholarly pride demanded he personally slay the enemy, unwilling to rely on others’ strength.

Unfortunately, Dan’s many ambushes were futile, failing even to scratch a hair on Black. Black scorned Dan, even threatening to kill Dan’s entire family.

Enraged, Dan was advised to seek help from the renowned swordsman, Hui, in town, for Hui possessed three extraordinary Immortal Swords, surely capable of slaying Black.

Dan sought out Hui, placing everything, including his entire family, as collateral.

Hui agreed to lend Dan a sword, allowing Dan to choose himself.

The first sword, named Hidden Light, could not be seen by the eyes, nor felt through touch; even when used to strike a person, the victim remained oblivious to being hit.

The second sword, named Shadow-Bearing, was faintly perceivable when facing north at dawn or dusk. Its shape remained unclear, but striking with it produced a faint sound, though it inflicted no pain when passing through the body.

The third sword, named Night Training, could cast a clear shadow in the bright daylight, and its glow was visible in the blackest night, but the sword’s shape eluded sight. Contact with the body allowed it to pass through instantly and come back together, inducing pain though no blood smeared its blade."

Mr. Chengying narrated leisurely, seated on the lectern like a gentle instructor cloaked in sinister flesh:

"If you were Dan, seeking revenge, which sword would you choose?"