CHAPTER 507: 0306 A WELL-MATCHED SWORD (2-IN-1)_2

He watched Zhu Pingniang lost in her memories, her eyes trembling, thinking about how to clear up the misunderstanding.

Don’t talk nonsense.

He never drank Jade Dew Wine with his teacher.

If word got out about this kind of thing, what would it sound like?

In Xu Chang’an’s heart, he could accept drinking with Zhu Pingniang in the brothel, after all, everyone understood Zhu Pingniang...

But not his teacher.

Xu Chang’an had great respect for Li Zhibai, and he already had a reputation as a concubine and a pretty boy at Muyu Peak. If news of drinking with Li Zhibai got out... it wouldn’t be good.

——

"Well, those are all things of the past." Zhu Pingniang didn’t know Xu Chang’an’s thoughts and said helplessly, "Now it’s like this, not only does Ah Bai have no disciples, I don’t even have a disciple under me..."

There are quite a few daughters, though.

There are also rebellious children like Qinling, those ungrateful kids eager to rise...

Thinking of Qinling, Zhu Pingniang held her forehead, having no way with that child.

"In short, among so many juniors, none like wielding swords, persuading with a Sword Heart and Zither Heart, all went to learn the zither, learning the Six Arts for Women... who would like such an eye-poking thing." Zhu Pingniang spread her hands, "There’s Wen Li, but that girl wasn’t my student, Ah Bai taught her for two years..."

As Zhu Pingniang was speaking, she suddenly stopped.

Sure enough, upon hearing about Wen Li, Xu Chang’an suddenly became interested, his eyes lighting up, having previously only reluctantly listened to her rambling.

Zhu Pingniang thought that putting aside Wen Li’s feelings, at least she had a good relationship with Xu Chang’an.

"Senior Wen also learned swordsmanship from the teacher in the Sword Hall?" Seeing Zhu Pingniang keeping him in suspense, Xu Chang’an pursued the matter.

"Wen’er followed Ah Bai to learn the basics of swordsmanship for several years, which cultivated her current temperament." Zhu Pingniang explained.

Yes, being able to turn the restless and distrustful Wen Li into her current calm state, recluse Li Zhibai indeed played a quintessential role.

Zhu Pingniang could understand too.

The influence Li Zhibai had on Wen Li was significant, and Xu Chang’an, in various aspects, resembled Li Zhibai... naturally earned a portion of Wen Li’s goodwill, and how that portion turned into the subsequent nine portions was all thanks to Xu Chang’an’s own capability.

"Silly boy." Zhu Pingniang gave him a sharp look.

"?" Xu Chang’an was dumbfounded by the scolding.

Zhu Pingniang didn’t explain.

Not just a silly boy.

There was also a silly girl.

He didn’t think about it, with Wen Li being so unapproachable, being so close to him... what could be the reason?

It was also Wen Li’s fault for not treating herself as a girl in the early days, not understanding her own feelings of affection, leading to stagnation, otherwise... With Xu Chang’an’s sharp perception, how could he not realize Wen Li’s feelings for him, he would have kept his distance long ago—just like Liu Qingluo.

If Wen Li had openly expressed her affection earlier, Xu Chang’an wouldn’t possibly have the relationship he has with Wen Li today.

Even when Xu Chang’an protects Liu Qingluo, he must say it’s because someone entrusted him, and that almost ruthless act to sever all possible ambiguities was a necessary means to protect Miss Yun, according to Xu Chang’an.

As a result, even Wen Li herself didn’t know if she liked Xu Chang’an, Xu Chang’an naturally couldn’t detect it, and an intervening Li Hua pulling strings pulled him and Wen Li closer.

It was indeed a fact that there was no ambiguity between the two.

"Kids nowadays... are more troublesome than we were back then." Zhu Pingniang pouted, "Sister is too lazy to talk about you all..."

The only thing she wanted to remark on was that Xu Chang’an married too soon, Yun Qian acted too early.

The ostensibly colorful Chaotic Scene was decided before everyone even took the stage, determining an absolute winner.

Xu Chang’an: "...?"

He only felt that Zhu Pingniang was looking at him with complex eyes, but didn’t say anything.

"In any case, Wen Li used a spear back then, bold and open-hearted, with a free and easy temperament, more like a man... this Rapier, she couldn’t wield it." Zhu Pingniang picked up the Black and White Sword Sheath again, pointing the hilt towards Xu Chang’an, "Conversely, this kid, you’re meticulous, like a girl most of the time, very compatible with this sword... Oh, right, I wanted to say earlier, Chang’an, after you Opened Source, you became much more handsome, if you wore a dress and put on some makeup, I might have to concede to you a bit, sister."

Xu Chang’an: "..."

Who are you calling like a woman now.

He was milder, but not effeminate, was he?

There’s no point in refuting being meticulous and tangled up.

"Hmm... Wen’er truly is more like a man than you are." Zhu Pingniang tilted her head, "Xiaochang’an, you weren’t a girl in your past life, were you? A pretentious girl, overly sentimental over certain matters until she died, even reincarnated she didn’t let go, which is why you’re overly contemplative?"

Xu Chang’an said nothing.

As a junior, being picked on by seniors was also part of the job.

It’s just that he was a man in his past life, after all, he still remembered the events of the previous life.

As for the life before the previous life, that he didn’t know.

"See, if you were a girl, joining Muyu Peak would be logical." Zhu Pingniang looked at Xu Chang’an, giggling, "Besides, if you were a girl, having a Miss Yun as a wife and adding a few close girlfriends in the boudoir wouldn’t be considered as being unfaithful."

"..."

"All right, no more teasing you." Zhu Pingniang changed the direction of the sword sheath in her hand, her expression turning serious, "In any case, this sword may be a bit effeminate, but it still matches the nature of Knowing White and Guarding Black... it’s most suitable for you to use."

Not joking.

Li Zhibai and Xu Chang’an are too similar, too compatible.

Hmm, for example... Zhu Pingniang doesn’t know, the two of them both falling in love with Yun Qian at first sight, which is of course similar.

One man was supposed to be the lucky one chosen by Heavenly Dao, now upgraded from the Child of Heaven to the "Father" of Heaven, the brackets perhaps because even Heavenly Dao wouldn’t dare take the role of this lady’s child, afraid of snatching the place of the unborn child.

The other was a woman, Knowing White and Guarding Black inherently represent the general trend of heaven and earth, considered as the genuine Daughter of Heavenly Dao.

Compatibility is naturally great.

So, even though Xu Chang’an has a lot on his mind right now, he is genuinely interested in the black-and-white longsword Zhu Pingniang is taking out right now.

"Hmm? While I can’t give this sword away, I’ve been tempering it according to Ah Bai’s nature all these years, originally thinking it was too early to give you this sword now."

Zhu Pingniang’s fingers lightly tapped on the sword guard, "But seeing as you can drink with Ah Bai now... let’s treat it as a gift for being able to change Ah Bai’s nature, after all, it also gives me an excuse to have a drink with her, think of it as a reward."

"See, how deeply sis has felt about your teacher over these years... cough, can’t say it aloud."

Zhu Pingniang blushed, not giving Xu Chang’an much time to think, she nudged her thumb upward slightly.

"Buzz!"

A loud sword cry arose out of thin air, stirring the curtain around the chess pavilion with black-and-white ripples.

With a flash of cold light, a light sword glow swept past, like a breeze blowing through a valley, softly humming in the wind, rippling a pool of water, and brightening Xu Chang’an’s eyes.

Before him was black and white.

Just like the chessboard before him.

The sword body was like the sheath, entirely interwoven with black and white colors, yet exuding a slight silvery luster perfectly integrated, while the black seemed to be embroidered with golden threads, appearing less like a weapon, more like a work of art, akin to lacquerware.

"Beautiful, isn’t it?"

Zhu Pingniang watched as Xu Chang’an stared in awe, nodding in satisfaction, "I forged the sword patterned after Ah Bai, in my heart, she is just this beautiful."

Zhu Pingniang nostalgically gripped the sword hilt, casually swirling a sword flower.

Clearly, she only gently waved it without using any True Yuan, yet as the blade swept through, it left a clear, pure mist trail in the air, the mist lingering, dotted with specks of ink, resembling plum blossoms.

"Ink wash, black and white like a beauty, perfectly suits your Water Attribute trait."

Zhu Pingniang chuckled lightly, "And you, unlike the typical brawny men, wield it comfortably, without the incongruity of a woman’s sword, so what do you think, do you like it?"

She didn’t mention a specific grade, but there was no need to, after all, Xu Chang’an lacked the guts, if it were too precious... what if he dared not use it.

Zhu Pingniang had been tempering it since she was still Zhu Tongjun all those years, how could the grade be low?

——

Xu Chang’an: "..."

Do you like it?

Is that even a question?

All right.

Now a problem is placed before him.

The sword is indeed a good sword.

But the problem is, it’s been offered to him because he drank with his teacher.

How is he supposed to explain it?