Song of Everlasting Regret - Chapter 1

It was unknown when the martial arts world began a custom of holding an annual martial arts gathering. It was a meeting through combat, not for the grand masters to contend for supremacy, but to provide an opportunity for the young martial arts practitioners of the world to learn and exchange skills.

The purpose was to witness the martial arts of the world, lest one be like a frog in a well.

It mattered not whether one hailed from a minor or a major school; all who came were guests. As long as they were within the age limit, they could ascend the stage. To further motivate the participants, the elders would prepare valuable prizes to encourage the disciples to strive for excellence.

This year’s martial arts gathering was hosted by the Qian Yuan Sect. The Qian Yuan Sect had always held the reputation of being the premier sword sect. Furthermore, the recent swift action by several major factions to eliminate a great demon from the Feihua Alliance in early February had made the gathering more lively than usual, with guests filling the stands on Tiger Roar Mountain.

This day marked the final match of the gathering. The area outside the training grounds was packed with people. Shortly after the match ended, the sounds of cheering had yet to subside, and the lingering, sharp sword aura still permeated the field. The Sect Leader of the Qian Yuan Sect was about to award the prize to the victor, under the watchful eyes of all the martial arts heroes.

The winner was a girl, around sixteen years old. Her dark hair was gathered into a ponytail, with two small braids at her temples. She was slender, with fair skin and a healthy flush. She had a pair of sharp, phoenix-like eyes and an air of youthful arrogance and ferocity. She stood rigidly, and when she took the prize with both hands, there was not a hint of a smile on her face.

The prize was a White-Scaled Gold ingot, wrapped in brocade. It earned its name because its silver-white scales could be seen shimmering in the light. Its texture was tough and exceedingly beautiful. It was a superb, highly precious material for casting swords, beloved by all martial arts practitioners. Yet, the girl’s lips were tightly pursed, and her expression was sullen, as if she were receiving a punishment instead of an honor.

After going through the motions, the girl excused herself.

An older man stroked his long beard, watched the girl’s retreating figure, and smiled at the Sect Leader, saying, “Heroes emerge from the young! To have such a daughter, Brother Lou, we are all envious!”

Lou Xuanzhi replied, “You flatter me. This girl’s natural talent is ordinary; she only knows how to put in extra clumsy effort. Her temperament is restless, and her eyes are higher than the sky. She is not yet complete. I actually hope a brilliant young master comes along to correct her and suppress her arrogance.”

“Ah, Brother Lou, you are wrong. It is truly rare for someone so young to be so diligent. Besides, which youth isn’t a bit arrogant? I think your daughter’s future is limitless.”

“Let’s not talk about her, let’s not talk about her,” Lou Xuanzhi said, leading the crowd toward the banquet.

The girl left the training grounds and headed straight for the Xiangri Peak.

Xiangri Peak was a serene and beautiful place, lush with greenery. On a plateau halfway up the mountain was a clear lake, which shone like a piece of soft, jade-green stone under the sun. It was called Chengxin Lake. A wooden bridge crossed the lake, connecting the east and west banks, with a pavilion in the center. The east bank held the path up the mountain, and the west bank had a waterside pavilion called Chengxin Waterside Pavilion. Houses were situated both north and south of the pavilion.

This was the residence and training ground for Lou Xuanzhi’s five inner-door disciples.

A writing desk faced the lake in the waterside pavilion. Two women sat at the desk. One, dressed in pear-yellow, was lying prone, her head resting on her arms, looking lazy. Her face was fair, and a pair of dimples made her smile seem innocent and sweet. “It’s the Heart Sutra again. Master always punishes you by making you copy Buddhist scriptures.”

The other woman, dressed in blue and white, sat upright at the desk. Her eyes were warm and gentle. Her hands were fair and slender, holding the brush as she wrote. Her eyebrows were slightly curved. “Master wants me to calm my mind.”

Yun Yao propped herself up and laughed. “I think Master wants to send you away to become a nun in a temple.”

Yu Jingqiu lightly tapped Yun Yao’s forehead with the tip of her purple hairbrush. “Today is the final day of the martial arts gathering. Aren’t you going to watch?”

Yun Yao rubbed her forehead. “What’s there to see? I can guess with my toes that A’Jing won the championship. Besides, I just lost yesterday. It’d be embarrassing to stand there.”

“If you devoted more attention to practicing martial arts, you could also achieve a good ranking.”

“No, no. I’m not A’Jing; she only loves martial arts and nothing else. I only like three things in life,” Yun Yao said, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled. “Eating, sleeping, and listening to Senior Sister chant scriptures.”

Yu Jingqiu shook her head with a smile. Yun Yao casually flipped through a book. “I just didn’t expect your first match to be against A’Jing. A’Jing has been working hard and achieved quite a result, actually winning against you. Otherwise, it would probably be you standing in the training grounds right now.”

Yu Jingqiu’s brush stroke paused. After a moment, she smiled faintly. “She practices day and night, improving daily. It is only right that she won the championship.”

A cold voice rang out, “Only right, you say!”

Yun Yao turned around and was surprised to see the newcomer. “A’Jing? Is the gathering over?”

Lou Jing held a long object wrapped in brocade in her left hand and a sword in the other, her face grim. Without answering, she tossed her sword into the air, grabbed the hilt as it fell, and drew the blade. The sharp tip turned and went straight for Yu Jingqiu.

The sword came swiftly, its aura sharp, carrying a fierce momentum, like a charging wild ox. This move was completely unexpected by both Yu Jingqiu and Yun Yao. Yu Jingqiu, facing the blade head-on, could only retreat and avoid it. Yun Yao, caught in the crossfire, fell backward and narrowly dodged the attack.

With one stroke, Lou Jing tore the writing desk in half as if it were thin paper. Yun Yao looked at the wreckage on the floor. “Lou Jing, did you… did you eat gunpowder?!”

Lou Jing did not stop. When she leaped onto the table by the moon-shaped window, she used a subtle force with her foot to hook Yu Jingqiu’s long sword off the rack and kick it toward Yu Jingqiu.

The long sword flew like an arrow, shooting toward Yu Jingqiu’s chest.

Yu Jingqiu swept her sleeve, neutralizing the force on the sword, and took the long sword in hand. Facing the relentlessly advancing Lou Jing, she still did not draw the blade.

Lou Jing moved like a swift swallow, her toes touching the ground once. She chased onto the wooden bridge like a bolt of lightning. As her blue-steel blade danced, the sword qi crisscrossed, instantly creating ripples on the calm lake.

Lou Jing swept her long sword, and with a ding-dong sound of dripping water, she flung several droplets into the air. The water droplets shot out swiftly, the soft water exhibiting the sharpness of blades. Yu Jingqiu gently brushed her sleeve, softening the force and blocking all the droplets. Large wet marks immediately spread across her sleeve, making the golden osmanthus pattern on her cuff even more vivid.

While Yu Jingqiu was blocking the droplets, Lou Jing had already attacked in front of her. Her long sword moved like thunder, showing no mercy.

Yu Jingqiu used the sword, still in its sheath, to circle and block, retreating continuously, purely defending without attacking. The anger in Lou Jing’s heart deepened. She shouted, “Draw your sword!”

Yu Jingqiu called out, “Jing’er…”

Lou Jing glared fiercely. “Do you think I couldn’t tell? On the stage, for the final move, you held back an inch!”

The two continued to advance and retreat, fighting all the way to the opposite bank.

Yun Yao had just run out when another person entered the waterside pavilion. The newcomer was tall and robust, with a dignified appearance, about seventeen years old. He had thick, divided eyebrows. If his eyes were deeper-set, he would have an intimidating look, but his eyes were bright and untainted, making him appear very honest and loyal. He called out to Yun Yao, “A’Yao.”

Yun Yao called back, “Xiao Hou.”

The two had entered the sect and presented their apprenticeship tea to Lou Xuanzhi on the same day. Because Di Hou was older than her, he considered himself the senior brother, but Yun Yao refused to acknowledge it and always called him by his nickname. Di Hou tried to correct her many times, but since Yun Yao wouldn’t listen, he indulged her and let her call him that.

Di Hou had just returned from the training grounds. He heard the sounds of fighting immediately upon his return. He glanced at the lake and frowned. “Why is Little Junior Sister fighting with Senior Sister?”

“A’Jing drew her sword and attacked as soon as she came in. She said Senior Sister held back during the match.”

Di Hou started to walk outside. “I’ll go stop her. Isn’t this just senseless mischief?”

Yun Yao held him back. “What nonsense? You know A’Jing’s temper. If what she said is true, how could she not be angry? Don’t go. If you go, she might just slice you up too.”

Yun Yao wouldn’t let go. She said, “Sigh, don’t go. Once A’Jing has fought enough, her anger will pass.”

“What kind of talk is that?”

While they were tussling, Lou Jing and Yu Jingqiu had already exchanged over thirty moves. Lou Jing pressed relentlessly, and Yu Jingqiu retreated throughout, consistently refusing to draw her sword. When she could retreat no further, Lou Jing pressed her sword against Yu Jingqiu’s chest.

Lou Jing roared, “Draw your sword!”

Yu Jingqiu did not move, silently gazing at Lou Jing.

Lou Jing’s hand gripping the sword went white with strain. She gritted her teeth and said, “Do you look down on me?”

Yu Jingqiu said, “Jing’er, I didn’t mean that…”

Lou Jing lowered her sword hand and took a step back, shouting in anger, “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you let me win—you let me win because you decided from the start that I couldn’t beat you. You look down on me, so you went easy on me.”

“Yu Jingqiu, you are too arrogant.”

Lou Jing’s eyes reddened, and a shimmer of tears welled up. She looked as if she had suffered a huge insult, her face and neck flushed crimson, and veins throbbing in her forehead. “Even if I can’t beat you, even if you beat me until I’m crawling on the floor looking for my teeth, I don’t need you to go easy on me!”

“…” Facing the challenging Lou Jing, Yu Jingqiu had words but couldn’t bring herself to speak them.

As the atmosphere grew tense, voices were heard from a distance. A group of people was walking up the mountain path. The man leading them was dressed in rich, fine clothes, with a handsome face and an extraordinary demeanor.

Lou Jing wiped away the unshed tears with the back of her hand, leaving only a pair of bloodshot eyes that held a fierce glare.

Lou Jing was in a foul mood, and this group was unlucky enough to seek trouble. Her tone was unpleasant as she shouted, “Who are you!”

The group seemed not to have expected such a cold challenge and froze for a moment. A man next to the richly dressed young master, who seemed to be a servant, was the first to react. “We are from the Caoliu Mountain Manor. This is our Young Master, and we are traveling through.”

The richly dressed young master then introduced himself, cupping his hands in a salute. “Caoliu Mountain Manor, Cao Ruxu.”

Yu Jingqiu returned the salute. “Qian Yuan Sect, Yu Jingqiu.”

Lou Jing ignored them and simply said, “This is the secluded training ground for inner-door disciples. Outsiders are not allowed in. Leave immediately.”

There was, in fact, such a rule, but Cao Ruxu was unaware. “The disciple down the mountain clearly said this area was open for touring. Yet, with you, it’s not allowed? Why are your words changing so quickly?”

Lou Jing sneered. “What inner-door female disciple’s residence is open for viewing? Does your Caoliu Mountain Manor have such a rule?”

The Caoliu Mountain Manor group, having received such a cold reception and slight, were already somewhat angered. They chose not to argue further and turned to head down the mountain. However, Cao Ruxu couldn’t help but scoff, “Hmph, that’s ridiculous. Such a large Qian Yuan Sect has such poor hospitality, treating people differently based on appearance.”

Lou Jing heard him muttering criticisms against the Qian Yuan Sect behind her back and became utterly annoyed. She shouted at the group, “Such a large Caoliu Mountain Manor is so reasonable, gossiping behind people’s backs!”

“You…” Cao Ruxu turned his head, his gaze meeting Lou Jing’s.

One pair of eyes was like a wolf or a tiger; the other’s gaze was like a knife or a sword.

Cao Ruxu flicked his sleeve, let out a cold snort, and disdained arguing with her, continuing his descent. His attendants behind him all chimed in, “How arrogant. Just because she won the martial arts gathering, she’s looking down on everyone, thinking she’s the best in the world. If the Young Master hadn’t been delayed on the road and missed the gathering, who knows who would have won!”

Cao Ruxu raised his head, a hint of agreement showing in his expression. “Qian Yuan Sect is nothing special!”

As his voice faded, a figure flashed before the group—it was Lou Jing, who had gracefully arrived and blocked their path. “Wait.”

Cao Ruxu frowned. “We are leaving as you asked. What more do you want!”

“Since you missed the martial arts gathering, I’ll give you a chance to compete right now. This way, no one can say they missed it today or were delayed tomorrow, making it seem like my Qian Yuan Sect is all show and our victories are given away!” Lou Jing raised her hand, sending the brocade-wrapped prize onto a tree branch by the roadside. She swept her gaze across them. “If you compete, and you beat me, this White-Scaled Gold is yours. If you don’t compete, then stop with the nonsense!”

Cao Ruxu was somewhat unconvinced by the notion of the Qian Yuan Sect being the premier sword sect and had always wanted a chance to curb their reputation. He regretted missing the competition, so as soon as Lou Jing offered, he immediately accepted. “Fine, I’ll see just how formidable your Qian Yuan sword technique is!”

Without further idle talk, both drew their swords simultaneously. Before they even clashed, their sword qi forced onlookers to give them a wide berth.

Yu Jingqiu knew Lou Jing was furious and would fight mercilessly. It wouldn’t be good if she hurt herself, nor if she injured someone from the Caoliu Mountain Manor. She tried to intervene, “Jing’er…”

She had only taken one step when Lou Jing, knowing her intent, shouted, “If you come over, I’ll fight you too!”

Yu Jingqiu was speechless.

On the other side, Yun Yao and Di Hou were utterly exasperated to see that just as Yu Jingqiu and Lou Jing had finally stopped, Lou Jing started fighting with someone from the Caoliu Mountain Manor. Di Hou also tried to stop the fight. “That person is a guest, after all. What kind of hospitality is this?”

Yun Yao still held him back. “Let them fight. It’s his fault for speaking ill of our Qian Yuan Sect. Let A’Jing teach him a lesson.”

In their exchange, Lou Jing and Cao Ruxu moved like thunder, the snowy-white sword shadows blooming like flowers. Cao Ruxu indeed possessed some skill and fought Lou Jing to a standstill.

The Caoliu Mountain Manor’s Zhengyang Sword Technique (True Sun) was famous for its unparalleled fierceness. This was because the manor’s ancestors were masters of both sword and saber and fused the two, giving the sword technique the mighty and powerful spirit of the saber. The Qian Yuan Sect’s Qian Yuan Sword Technique was divided into two paths: the Qian Character Formula, whose sword intent was sharp and swift, difficult to withstand, and the Kun Character Formula, whose sword posture was continuous and unpredictable. Lou Jing was proficient in both.

The Qian Character Formula of the Qian Yuan Sword Technique and the essence of the Zhengyang Sword Technique had subtle similarities, but since Lou Jing was also skilled in the Kun Character Formula, her sword skill was two points more nimble than Cao Ruxu’s. This wasn’t obvious at first, but after the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, Cao Ruxu began to lose ground and gradually couldn’t reverse the situation.

Finally, Lou Jing unleashed her final move, named ‘Dragon Hibernation.’ The sword technique of this move was like a dragon coiled up, accumulating power; if it didn’t strike, so be it, but once it did, it was bound to hit. Cao Ruxu felt a flash before his eyes, as if a vicious dragon had opened its bloody maw, roaring and biting toward his face like sudden lightning. Terrified by the aura, he felt his whole body unable to move. By the time he regained his senses, Lou Jing’s sword tip was already resting against his throat. One more inch would take his life.

Cao Ruxu’s throat bobbed as a bead of cold sweat trailed down his temple.

Lou Jing scoffed lightly. “Cao Ruxu of Caoliu Mountain Manor, Zhengyang Sword Technique? Meaningless!” She lifted her chin, looking down at him, wondering just how formidable she was supposed to think this person was.

Cao Ruxu had a great deal of pride and had never suffered such contempt. His face burned as if on fire. “You!” He couldn’t speak for a long time. Finally, he gave Lou Jing a vicious glare and left in a huff.

Lou Jing paid no mind to the casually intruding young master. She retrieved the White-Scaled Gold. Having fought a round, her emotions were not as intense as before. She walked up to Yu Jingqiu, and without waiting for her to take it, shoved the White-Scaled Gold into Yu Jingqiu’s arms, saying coldly, “Your thing, take it!”

Then, she walked past Yu Jingqiu and headed toward the houses next to the waterside pavilion without looking back.