Chapter 209 - 128: Two Leaves
After studying the problem for half the night, the group finally concluded there was no solution and decided to drop it for now.
Li Tianxin yawned and went back to catch up on his sleep. Luo Qingyi glanced at Jiang Ran, looking as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she held her tongue and prepared to go rest as well.
Ye Jingshuang had also intended to return, but she stopped after two steps, a sudden realization dawning on her as she smacked her forehead.
"We still haven’t dealt with Shi Miao’s situation."
Jiang Ran nodded. The moment they’d returned yesterday, their focus had been on planning to capture Shi Pingzhang that night.
Shi Miao’s condition was indeed a grave, hidden danger. Even Shi Pingzhang couldn’t find anything amiss, so Jiang Ran knew he couldn’t afford to be careless.
At the very least, he had to investigate the truth of the matter.
He needed to see how best to proceed.
Without even thinking of resting, the two of them immediately went to find Su Wanyi.
They explained the situation to her.
Su Wanyi nodded.
She, too, had seen Jiang Ran use Shi Pingzhang to examine Shi Miao’s condition last night.
She had also learned from the person in the sedan chair that Jiang Ran cultivated the Scripture of Creation and Rectification.
Although she didn’t know how Jiang Ran had mastered it, Ye Jingshuang hadn’t been wrong—in a way, Jiang Ran did have a deep connection with the Danyang Sword Sect.
And the Scripture of Creation and Rectification was said to make one invulnerable to all evil.
If Shi Miao truly had an ailment that even Shi Pingzhang couldn’t detect, then having Jiang Ran personally intervene was more than she could have hoped for.
Inside the room, Shi Miao sat cross-legged before Jiang Ran, who placed both hands on her back.
His Inner Strength began to circulate, slowly flowing into her.
As expected, when the Inner Strength from his Scripture of Creation and Rectification touched the Sword Qi within Shi Miao’s body, there was not the slightest disturbance.
On the contrary, it felt as natural as a fish taking to water.
Using Shi Miao’s own Inner Strength as a guide, Jiang Ran directed the power of his scripture to roam throughout her body.
His focus gradually sank deeper...
Suddenly, Jiang Ran’s eyes flew open.
Inside Shi Miao’s body, their combined Inner Strengths churned like boiling water.
Shi Miao’s eyes flew open, her own completely blood-red.
Just as she was about to lash out, Jiang Ran reached out, turned Shi Miao to face him, and tapped a finger against the center of her brow.
In an instant, the clarity returned to Shi Miao’s eyes. Then her head lolled to the side, and she passed out.
Su Wanyi and the others, watching from the side, were all startled.
"So there really is a hidden injury!"
Su Wanyi turned to Jiang Ran.
"Young Hero Jiang, what...?"
Jiang Ran’s brow was tightly furrowed.
"At first, everything went smoothly. But when I began to carefully examine Shi Miao’s Inner Strength, I discovered a wisp of an extremely cold and sinister power hidden within it."
"It was faint, almost illusory, as if it had already merged completely with her own Inner Strength."
"I attempted to separate it, even using the Inner Strength of my scripture to protect her."
"But I never expected it to trigger a backlash the moment I made contact."
"Now, I dare not make any rash moves."
Jiang Ran himself was fine. His Inner Energy was profound, and besides, he was operating within Shi Miao’s body, not his own.
No matter how much that wisp of power thrashed about, it couldn’t harm him.
But he worried it would cause immense harm to Shi Miao.
Su Wanyi’s brow creased, and she sighed.
"Shi Miao cultivates the Danyang Sword Sect’s most guarded secret: the [Danyang Sacrificial Sword]."
"This sword art places the utmost importance on one’s state of mind. Shi Miao’s aptitude is extraordinary; she entered the sword realm at a very young age."
"If things had gone smoothly, she could have been entrusted with great responsibility in the future."
"Perhaps that’s precisely why Shi Pingzhang’s Demon Skill had such a devastating effect on her."
"Since there is indeed something still hidden within her energy... then I can no longer remain here."
She paused, then raised her head to look at Jiang Ran and Ye Jingshuang.
"The matter concerning Shi Pingzhang already needs to be reported back to our sect."
"And now, Shi Miao’s condition is unstable."
"I intend to leave now and take her back to the sect to seek help from my martial uncle, the Sect Leader."
"Young Hero Jiang, Jingshuang, I must take my leave of you now."
Jiang Ran and Ye Jingshuang nodded.
Ye Jingshuang said softly,
"Elder Su, I wish you a safe journey. If there’s anything I can do to help with Shi Miao, please send word anytime. I would go through fire and water for her."
"That’s very kind of you."
Su Wanyi nodded. She glanced at Jiang Ran again and said with a smile,
"Young Hero Jiang, if you have the time in the future, please come visit the Danyang Sword Sect."
"Our entire sect will welcome you with open arms."
Jiang Ran nodded as well.
"If I have the chance in the future, I will certainly visit the Danyang Sword Sect and impose upon your hospitality."
Su Wanyi smiled. After saying, "Then it’s settled," she went to gather her disciples and prepare for their departure.
Shi Miao wasn’t unconscious for long before she awoke.
Su Wanyi had wanted to find a sedan chair and have some disciples carry her. After all, though she didn’t look it, she was in fact injured.
But Shi Miao was unwilling.
So they let her have her way.
As the Danyang Sword Sect prepared to depart, the other four sects naturally came to see them off.
The martial world was vast; after this farewell, there was no telling when they would meet again.
So they agreed to meet again in two years at the Five Sects Sword Conference.
Then, they watched as the Danyang Sword Sect gradually disappeared into the distance.
The second group to announce their departure was the Cyan Pine Sword Sect.
If it hadn’t been for Shi Miao’s situation, they probably would have been the first to leave.
Before he left, Gu Huai’kong uncharacteristically extended an invitation to Jiang Ran.
He expressed his hope that Jiang Ran would visit the Cyan Pine Sword Sect in the future if he had the time.
His words were much the same as Su Wanyi’s.
It was just that Gu Huai’kong always wore a cold, stern expression and rarely smiled.
He looked as if he were inviting Jiang Ran to the Cyan Pine Sword Sect to settle a grudge, not as a guest.
Jiang Ran nodded and accepted anyway.
The remaining Liuyun Sword Sect, Yun Mountain Sword Sect, and Shuiyue Sword Sect were in no hurry to leave.
So Jiang Ran, without standing on ceremony, had them run errands for him, exchanging goods for Silver Coins.