Chapter 318: 承冠佩剑镇名楼

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Ning Changjiu instinctively opened his eyes and glanced at Liu Xiwon. The young woman was staring blankly ahead, her body suddenly tensing. She shivered, her previously fluent expression freezing. Her eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, and she dared not breathe.

The knock was brief.

Liu Xiwon's breathing slowly steadied.

She slowly turned her head and looked at the door. The sliver of light from the crack in the door turned black—someone was standing there.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

The knocking resumed, rhythmic and precise, each rap perfectly aligned with the girl's heartbeat.

Ning Changjiu seemed to guess something, a faint smile appearing on his pale face. "Miss Liu, we have a visitor. Since I'm not very mobile, would you mind opening the door?"

Still holding onto a shred of hope, Liu Xiwon composed herself and tentatively asked, "Who…who's out there?"

"Junior Sister, are you in there?"

The woman's voice was pleasant and gentle, carrying a hint of anxiety and concern.

It was indeed her Second Senior Sister! Liu Xiwon's heart tightened. Her senior sister had actually ignored the rules of the Heavenly Rankings to come looking for her!

But judging by her senior sister's tone… she seemed genuinely worried and caring.

"Just as I expected! Senior Sister is usually so fierce, but I've been away for so long after the competition, she must be truly worried about my safety!" Liu Xiwon gently patted her chest, thinking tenderly, "Senior Sister really has a sharp tongue but a kind heart."

"I'm here!" Liu Xiwon was about to get up, but her legs were slightly numb from kneeling for a long time, making her movements a bit sluggish.

Second Senior Sister visibly sighed with relief and asked, "Junior Sister, are you alright? Why haven't you returned after all this time? What happened? You've had me worried for so long."

Liu Xiwon thought for a moment and said, "It's a long story, and… quite complicated. I'll explain it slowly to you, Senior Sister. I was careless in this sword competition and disgraced the Sword Pavilion's name. You can scold me all you want, Senior Sister."

Second Senior Sister chuckled softly and said, "It's alright. I brought you out for experience; things going too smoothly isn't always good. Facing some setbacks will help you grow in the future. There's no need for you to stay in the building and not want to come out just because you lost. Besides, your Seventh Senior Brother has already thoroughly disgraced the Sword Pavilion. What little 'face' could a girl like you possibly lose?"

Second Senior Sister was too kind… The more Liu Xiwon listened, the more moved she felt. She recalled the time on the snowy street when, facing an assassination attempt from the Slaughter King's Court, she had buried herself in the snow but still inadvertently fell victim to an opponent's sneak attack. In her despair, Second Senior Sister had arrived, stepping through the snow with her sword, and from that moment, Liu Xiwon had regarded her as a role model.

Only now did she realize she had always misunderstood her senior sister; she was such a good person after all… She felt guilty for the things she had said behind her back.

"Thank you, Senior Sister," Liu Xiwon said, moved. "I have a reason for staying here; I'll explain it to you in a moment."

Second Senior Sister hummed softly and said gently, "Quickly, open the door. The wind and snow are so heavy outside. Can you bear to let your Senior Sister stand in the snow indefinitely?"

'Forcing her way in' would already break the rules, and breaking the door down would be too unsightly… Second Senior Sister suppressed her emotions, her smile gentle.

The young woman rubbed her legs, straightened her hair, and adjusted her clothes, saying, "Senior Sister, wait a moment. I'll open the door for you right away."

Second Senior Sister stood at the door, quietly waiting.

Ning Changjiu listened from the side, and the more he heard, the more something felt off… Is this truly the same Senior Sister Liu Xiwon spoke of?

His keen intuition made him a calm observer. He looked at the deeply moved girl and whispered, "Did you ever hear a story when you were a child?"

"What story?" Liu Xiwon replied casually as she hurried towards the door.

Ning Changjiu said, "The Big Bad Wolf knocked on the door and invited the Little White Rabbit to his house for carrots, and the Little White Rabbit…"

Liu Xiwon guessed what he was about to say and immediately interrupted him sharply, "Stop trying to sow discord between me and my Senior Sister! You're the Big Bad Wolf trying to trick me with carrots! You have ulterior motives."

Finding it uninteresting, Ning Changjiu stopped trying to persuade her. He lay flat on the ground, waiting for Liu Xiwon to walk straight into the trap.

"Senior Sister!"

Liu Xiwon called out brightly, pulled back the bolt, and opened the door.

The wind and snow surged into the room.

But Liu Xiwon did not see the gentle, beautiful face of her Senior Sister she had expected.

What accompanied the wind and snow was a cold, angry face.

"Junior Sister, long time no see."

Second Senior Sister spoke slowly, her words chilling the entire space.

Liu Xiwon realized she had been tricked. At this moment, she was the little white rabbit at the door; the Big Bad Wolf stood before her, having discarded the tempting carrot, now revealing its chilling fangs and sharp teeth.

Liu Xiwon tried to close the door, but it was too late.

Second Senior Sister grabbed her wrist.

"Sen… Senior Sister," Liu Xiwon looked at her fierce face, still holding onto a sliver of hope. "How long have you been standing here?"

Second Senior Sister said indifferently, "About half an hour, I suppose."

Liu Xiwon's last shred of hope shattered.

"Senior Sister… have mercy!"

Ning Changjiu lay on the cloak on the floor. In his ears, the girl's screams were accompanied by a series of crackling sounds, sharp and clear, like the breathing of waves crashing against rocks.

Ning Changjiu had no time to look up at that "delightful" scene, nor to mock the girl's present tragedy. He closed his eyes, casting aside all sounds and distractions.

He recalled what had happened earlier.

The boy in black stood beneath the half-withered tree, looking at the spreading, withered veins, and finished a story that left Ning Changjiu utterly bewildered.

"This story, when you meet her in the future, repeat it to her." Evil turned its back, facing the tree, its voice clear and solemn. "After you leave here and before you see her, do not speak of this little story to anyone, not even think of it."

Ning Changjiu did not know what astonishing secret lay hidden within the story, but he trusted Evil's words and nodded in agreement.

Ning Changjiu asked, "Do you know my master?"

Evil said, "I can guess who she is… After thousands of years apart, my memories have also grown faint."

Ning Changjiu thought for a moment, then asked, "Then, Senior, do you know who I am?"

Evil turned back indifferently, its dark eyes fixed on him. It didn't speak directly but said, "The ruined kingdom within your body reminds me of many past events."

Ning Changjiu asked no further questions.

Evil, however, spoke, "My sister, how is she now?"

Ning Changjiu replied, "She is currently guarding the Tribulation of Inner Demons."

"The Tribulation of Inner Demons." Evil nodded, then asked, "How is her condition?"

Ning Changjiu said, "The first time I saw her, she said the proprietor had tasked her with managing that place. At the time, she was like an ordinary little girl. I talked with her, and we even set a secret code, agreeing to meet again when I entered the Purple Court. But…"

Ning Changjiu paused, then continued, "But when I entered the Tribulation of Inner Demons and spoke the secret code, she nearly killed me."

Evil listened, was silent for a moment, then said, "She's being controlled."

Ning Changjiu asked, "The proprietor?"

"Yes, we will meet it sooner or later." Evil said, using "we." It stood beneath the tree, seemingly missing its sister, then softly added, "It's good that she's alive. As long as she's alive, there will always be a chance to meet, right?"

His voice carried an infinite sense of etherealness. Ning Changjiu's heart fluttered slightly, and he replied, "Yes, you and your sister will always be able to meet."

Evil said calmly, "I will continue to wait."

"Wait for what?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"Waiting for death," Evil said. "Or perhaps a new life that doesn't yet exist."

Ning Changjiu said no more.

Afterward, his spiritual state grew heavier and heavier. The half-dead giant tree receded from his sight, and various disfigured old men flashed past: their faces twisted, bearing strange and grotesque deformities, some ceaselessly chanting, others tearing open their own bodies to reveal grayish-white, lifeless flesh.

"After you leave, I will erase your traces." Evil's voice resonated through his pupils.

That was their final gaze.

Ning Changjiu did not try to recall the story. Only after confirming he hadn't missed any details of his conversation with Evil did he slowly open his eyes.

The door was open, and the cold wind poured into the room, chilling the body.

Ning Changjiu turned his head and glanced in that direction.

The commotion at the door had significantly quieted.

Liu Xiwon had been given a good scolding by her Second Senior Sister and was now kneeling on the ground, listening to her reprimands.

"Liu Xiwon, you've really achieved something, haven't you?" Second Senior Sister said, arms crossed, her hair dishevelled, her elegant face sternly fixed on Liu Xiwon. "Hiding here, just waiting for me to break the rules so that Senior Sister can teach me a lesson? No respect for elders, utterly lawless! If I hadn't overheard this today, I wouldn't have known that in my dear Junior Sister's adorable heart, I was actually like this."

"Senior Sister, you misunderstood…" Liu Xiwon murmured weakly.

"Still talking back!" Second Senior Sister grabbed her ear. "Earlier, you said you'd hold out for two days, making me anxious, and then retreat unscathed?"

Liu Xiwon thought there was no way out for her now.

Second Senior Sister said, "You want to retreat unscathed, do you? How about I make sure you retreat completely *unclothed* right now?"

Liu Xiwon knelt on the ground, looking piteously at her Senior Sister. "Senior Sister, I was just being absurd for a moment, saying such things. I truly know I was wrong. Please don't… *do that* here."

As she spoke, Liu Xiwon couldn't help but glance into the room.

Second Senior Sister sneered, "Hmph, what? Afraid of letting that wild man laugh at you?"

Liu Xiwon pressed her lips together, not daring to retort, and desperately clutched her clothes.

Second Senior Sister grabbed her hand and said, "Get up."

Liu Xiwon was pulled up by her, then dragged into the room and brought before Ning Changjiu.

Ning Changjiu slightly opened his eyes and said, "Greetings, Second Master of the Sword Pavilion."

Although Second Senior Sister was furious, the other party was an outsider and a patient, and seemed rather polite. Besides, when Liu Xiwon had slandered her earlier, it was this young man who spoke up for her.

Second Senior Sister's expression softened slightly, and she asked, "Who exactly are you?"

Ning Changjiu said, "A disciple of the Ancient Spirit Sect, Zhang Jiu."

Second Senior Sister slightly furrowed her brows. "Why does the decree have the Vice Sect Master's signature at the bottom?"

"Ah… recently promoted," Ning Changjiu said sincerely.

Second Senior Sister naturally didn't believe him but was too lazy to press further. She looked at him and said, "Before defeating Junior Sister, you also defeated that Xiao Qiu?"

"Yes."

"Who's stronger, Junior Sister or Xiao Qiu?" In the past, Second Senior Sister would certainly have disdained comparing Sword Pavilion disciples, but the Fourteenth Junior Sister was the first disciple she had personally guided, and she needed to cultivate some confidence for herself.

Ning Changjiu said, "Your esteemed Junior Sister is much more formidable. We fought for hundreds of moves, a truly inseparable battle. Although I won, it was by a mere half-move, and it left me with such severe injuries. It feels somewhat unchivalrous."

Liu Xiwon looked at him gratefully, finally feeling a touch of warmth in the cold winter.

Second Senior Sister looked at him with skepticism. "How did I hear you say that your injuries were sustained after coming down from the Heavenly Rankings?"

Liu Xiwon tensed, thinking, 'Senior Sister, did you arrive so early?'

Ning Changjiu said, "For some unknown reason, the Heavenly Rankings tested my character. My Dao heart was already wavering, and now it's completely disheartened, making a spectacle for you, Second Master."

Second Senior Sister snorted coldly. "Look at him. His swordsmanship is better than yours, and he's more polite. Maybe we should just replace the Fourteenth Disciple of the Sword Pavilion!"

Ning Changjiu apologized deeply, "Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Sister. However, I am on good terms with the Sect Master of the Ancient Spirit Sect and am dedicated to the future of the Ancient Spirit Sect. I won't be transferring to another sect."

"Hypocrite, such a hypocrite!" Liu Xiwon fumed inwardly.

"Hmm." Second Senior Sister nodded, thinking he was a promising talent. It was a pity there were no more spots for Sword Pavilion disciples.

She said, "Hearing about the changes at the Ancient Spirit Sect, as one of the cultivators of the Central Lands, I too am saddened. If I have free time another day, I can bring Junior Sister to visit your residence."

Ning Changjiu said, "Thank you for your kindness, Second Master."

Liu Xiwon found their conversation incredibly hypocritical, yet she was the weakest and had the least say in the room.

Second Senior Sister asked, "Have you known each other for a long time?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Yes, Miss Liu and I… are friends."

Second Senior Sister gently shook her head and said, "You are not friends."

"Hmm?" Ning Changjiu was puzzled.

Second Senior Sister stated confidently, "You used to be Junior Sister's master, didn't you?"

Two pairs of innocent yet confused eyes simultaneously turned to Second Senior Sister.

Ning Changjiu was momentarily stunned and asked, "What makes you say that, Second Master?"

Second Senior Sister said confidently and proudly, "Junior Sister was once a sword spirit. Although I don't know where she came from, if you two knew each other, it stands to reason that you were the wielder of the sword back then."

Ning Changjiu and Liu Xiwon exchanged glances.

Ning Changjiu said, "Second Master is truly discerning. I was indeed Miss Liu's… master, in the past."

Liu Xiwon clenched her fists, feeling both angry and wronged, wanting to refute but not daring to speak.

Second Senior Sister nodded slightly, thinking her deduction was correct. She said, "Although Junior Sister was once your sword, she is now a disciple of the Sword Pavilion. You absolutely must not refer to each other as master and servant anymore."

"Of course not," Ning Changjiu said. "Sword Pavilion disciples hold esteemed status, and I also regard Miss Liu as an equal."

Second Senior Sister looked at the sickly young man, listening to his flawless replies, and found no anger left to direct at him.

She merely asked, "Tell me about your past together."

Ning Changjiu gave a wry smile and said, "There's no 'past' to speak of. We merely met by chance, formed a pact, then went through life-and-death struggles, gambled with our lives repeatedly, and finally went our separate ways."

"Is that so?" Second Senior Sister looked at Liu Xiwon and said, "You tell me."

Liu Xiwon lowered her head, her face full of grievance, and mumbled, "It's… pretty much what he said."

Second Senior Sister said coldly, "Hmm, just make sure you don't make gambling with your life a habit. Before your swordsmanship truly matures, always prioritize stability when drawing your sword. Factional disputes in the human world are not worth staking your life on. In short… your senior brothers and sisters will always have your back."

Liu Xiwon felt a touch of warmth again and spoke firmly, "Don't worry, I will cherish my life from now on and never gamble again. Xiaowan… is always very obedient."

Ning Changjiu looked at her docile appearance, referring to herself as "Xiaowan," and once again sighed at the capriciousness of fate.

Upon hearing this, Second Senior Sister's face immediately darkened.

'No more gambling'… The Sword Pavilion does indeed seem to forbid gambling.

Remembering this, she couldn't help but take a deep breath, wanting to drag Liu Xiwon back and give her another beating.

And at this moment, Liu Xiwon ran straight into trouble again: "Senior Sister, you look very beautiful with your hair down. Oh, by the way… where's Senior Sister's sword?"

A night passed, and Ning Changjiu leaned against the wall, his spirits recovered.

Earlier, when he first left the top floor of the Heavenly Rankings, Evil had forcibly seized a part of his spirit, then used that spirit as a light, guiding him back to his room and then along his original spirit to travel to the giant tree.

Doing so might avoid some prying eyes.

Ning Changjiu sealed a portion of his memories to prevent himself from thinking about that story, folding it in his sea of consciousness and labeling it with the four characters "Utmost Importance."

Ning Changjiu exhaled.

He walked out of the room and leaned on the railing, looking out at the wind and snow.

Liu Xiwon came up the stairs and said, "Give me back my cloak."

Ning Changjiu unfastened the cloak and draped it over her, smiling faintly. "Your Senior Sister is far fiercer than mine, but as the saying goes, 'strict teachers produce outstanding students.' Miss Liu's future is certainly promising."

"Promising my foot! What 'future'..." Liu Xiwon thought of a certain phrase, her words trailing off, then she grew even angrier: "Next time we meet, I definitely won't let you off!"

Ning Changjiu sighed, "Why cultivate swordsmanship with such aggression?"

Liu Xiwon said, "You light a match and throw it into a pile of firewood, and then you blame the fire for burning fiercely? How did Lu Jiajia ever end up with someone like you!"

Ning Changjiu smiled indifferently and said, "Want to hear how to defeat me?"

Liu Xiwon narrowed her eyes, looking at him with extreme distrust. "Hmph, it's definitely another trap. Keep it for yourself!"

Ning Changjiu said helplessly, "Then I suppose I'll just have to keep my secrets to myself."

Liu Xiwon rolled her eyes at him. She fastened her cloak and said, "I'm going back."

Ning Changjiu said, "If the Sword Pavilion truly treats you badly, you can always come to the Ancient Spirit Sect."

"Senior Sister treats me… *very well*!" Liu Xiwon said exasperatedly, "And I won't come cause you any more trouble, lest your backyard catch fire and turn that white-eyed wolf's carrots to ash."

Ning Changjiu said, "I've always been authoritative and unwavering with Jiajia and Xiang'er."

Liu Xiwon scoffed endlessly. She slung her sword onto her back, pulled her cloak around her, and wrapped herself up like an owl again.

"Oh, right, remember to go to the casino."

Before leaving, Liu Xiwon said.

"The casino? What for?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Liu Xiwon said, "This is what Senior Sister asked me to tell you… She bet on me to win at the casino and lost her headpiece and her sword. No one dares to take these items, and Senior Sister is too embarrassed to retrieve them. After thinking it over, since you're not afraid of death, you should go get them. Of course, publicly, it absolutely cannot be said that Senior Sister lost them gambling; it must be framed as an appreciation for a talented junior disciple, a desire to cherish a rising talent."

Ning Changjiu was slightly stunned, thinking, 'No wonder Second Master was so furious when Liu Xiwon asked about the headpiece and sword earlier. It seems this girl got another scolding…'

"You can leave the building while guarding the Heavenly Rankings?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Liu Xiwon scoffed, "You came to challenge the rankings without knowing anything?"

Ning Changjiu retorted, "You know so much, and yet you still lost to my sword."

Liu Xiwon glared furiously, stomped her foot hard, and gritted her teeth as she explained, "On normal days, if no one challenges, you can go wherever you like within the Heavenly Rankings area. But if someone comes, you must return and guard the rankings! Remember to retrieve Senior Sister's items, and also, don't lose to anyone else who comes!"

Ning Changjiu looked at the short-haired girl in the wind and snow, nodding seriously, his expression gentle.

Liu Xiwon looked at his unusually gentle eyes, thinking he was about to say something like 'take care on your journey.'

Ning Changjiu, however, smiled slightly and said, "Miss Liu, may you retreat completely unharmed."

Liu Xiwon, holding her sword, turned and lunged at him.

Outside the high-rise railing, the snowy ground was a mess. The ancient building, with its pearl-like dome, stood quietly in the wind and snow.

Ning Changjiu dug his body out of the snow, brushed the snow from his clothes, and looked into the distance.

This was the center of the Central Lands. Apart from the Heavenly Rankings' cluster of buildings, as far as the eye could see, all around were desolate wilderness and plains.

'Is this the center of the world?' Ning Changjiu had this thought.

No, the center of the world should be the location of the Divine Kingdom each year.

Yet, since the Heavenly Rankings are located here, it must have some special significance. He couldn't help but recall the great tree that grew from the earth's core, its roots spreading almost throughout the world… Was it the Original Monarch? Or some kind of fundamental substance of the world?

He stopped pondering, got up, and went downstairs, heading towards the casino.

Many people in the casino had already left, disheartened, but even more remained, waiting to behold the grace of this unparalleled young man.

Ning Changjiu didn't ask for the casino's location; he simply followed the aura of the sword.

He entered through the door, and countless eyes fixed upon him.

The table in the center of the casino had been cleared, with only a silver crown and an ancient sword placed upon it, like an emperor's regalia and symbol of authority.

No one in the room spoke.

For this was a special moment: the first time the Sword Pavilion's sword had fallen into another's hands.

Ning Changjiu, however, paid no mind to this solemn atmosphere.

He walked to the table, casually picked up the crown and sword, gazed at the patterns on them for a moment, then turned and left.

The process was surprisingly simple, as if it weren't the world-renowned sword, but merely a forgotten rain cape of his.

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence.

"I bet on you to win."

Ning Changjiu looked over. Xiao Qiu was watching him, his expression resolute.

Ning Changjiu nodded slightly and said, "You have good judgment."

Having said that, he walked out the door.

After he left, the crowd began to speak, praising his unparalleled demeanor and ethereal grace.

Ning Changjiu held the sword, looking at the three characters 'Liu Junzhuo' engraved on the scabbard, his brow slightly furrowed… He figured this was the name of the Second Master. Then, he pushed the blade out an inch with his thumb, gazing at the sharp edge of this peerless weapon.

Between the sharp edges, two characters were also engraved: Kunlun.

Kunlun… Ning Changjiu frowned, gazing for a long time, unsure if this was a coincidence.

Kunlun, Moon Kingdom…

To the northeast of the Heavenly Rankings, that ancient city where myriad demons gathered seemed to be pointing to something.