Chapter 352: Meeting the Second Master for Three Swords

Zhao Xiang'er’s petite body was buried in her cotton clothes, her small face, peeking out, slightly flushed. Her fluttering eyelashes were like clouds ruffled by the wind as tears suddenly streamed down, pattering onto the book pages.

Si Ming, who was usually at odds with her, did not mock her. Instead, she moved closer, comforting the tear-streaked girl for a while before discreetly winking at Ning Changjiu.

Ning Changjiu rarely saw Xiang'er so vulnerable. She was like a blooming dandelion, easily shaken.

Ning Changjiu walked to her side and put his arms around her. Zhao Xiang'er suddenly turned and threw herself into his embrace, but this was no gentle weeping on his chest. Instead, she clenched her fists and fiercely hammered his chest.

Ning Changjiu did not resist; he simply held her gently.

Lu Jiajia watched them, gently closing her eyes. Classroom discipline had been broken, and her inner sword urged her to intervene, but in the end, she said nothing.

She gently patted Zhao Xiang'er's back.

The wind and snow drifted in.

"I'll close the window," Si Ming said, quietly getting up to close it.

She turned her head, watching the scene from a distance.

The light inside the room dimmed considerably. Intermittent sobs echoed, and the character "Quiet," written in bold, flowing calligraphy on the wall, seemed profoundly out of place.

A long time passed.

"I'm going to silence all of you!"

After crying, Zhao Xiang'er wiped away her tears. She looked at them, puffed up with indignation, and said weakly, feeling utterly mortified.

Ning Changjiu looked at her red-rimmed eyes. The girl's already beautiful face appeared even more delicate and adorable. He rubbed the places where she had vigorously hammered and pinched him, smiling helplessly.

Zhao Xiang'er became even angrier seeing his smile. Pointing at him, she declared, "Ning Changjiu! Go silence those two for me, or I'll tear up our marriage contract!"

Ning Changjiu smiled wryly, "You might as well silence me instead."

The girl's willful words made everyone laugh.

Zhao Xiang'er pursed her lips, looking at them. A moment later, she too began to laugh. "Hmm... I just upset everyone; I should make them happy again," she thought, her narrowed eyes still shimmering with tears.

Seeing her mood improve slightly, Si Ming didn't miss the chance to tease her. She reached out, poked Xiang'er's slightly red nose, and said, "Why tear up the marriage contract? If you don't want it, I'll take it for you."

Zhao Xiang'er looked at her outstretched hand and angrily exclaimed, "Oh, so you really want to snatch my husband!"

Si Ming smiled faintly, "Where does a little sister like you get such confidence? If I truly wanted to snatch him, how could you ever win against me?"

Zhao Xiang'er became even angrier. She pointed at Si Ming, then looked at Lu Jiajia, complaining, "Senior Sister! She's so disrespectful! Give me the ruler; I want to punish her!"

"Disrespectful? Just look down, and you'll know who's older and who's younger," Si Ming said, her lips curving and laughter sparkling in her icy eyes. "You were the one who wanted to tear up the marriage contract. Go on, tear it! Surely Senior Sister Three isn't just all talk, is she?"

Zhao Xiang'er grew even angrier. Clenching her fists, she declared, "Hmph, even if I tear it up, I won't give it to you!"

Ning Changjiu sat there apprehensively, the air thick with tension. He felt as though the blame could turn on him at any moment.

Lu Jiajia rubbed her forehead, greatly troubled. She had thought they would finally reconcile, but in just a few words, they were arguing again. The task Master had given them truly seemed impossible.

After a burst of playful squabbling, the study finally quieted down.

Zhao Xiang'er settled back down and began to read the last page of the book.

Everyone sat around, quietly waiting for her.

As the book page slowly turned, the wind and snow outside the window also transformed into spring blossoms.

In the dream, the seasons passed quickly, yet those within it found nothing strange.

"I'm done," Zhao Xiang'er said seriously, closing the book and looking up.

Everyone gently applauded together.

Then, the three of them looked at Lu Jiajia.

They knew the final assessment was coming.

Just as Lu Jiajia was about to speak, a celestial voice rose again within her sword heart: "Outside the monastery, there is a nine-tailed demon trampling fertile fields and harming living beings. You are to command your disciples to go forth and apprehend it. You may gain one hundred Sword Essences."

One hundred Sword Essences!

Lu Jiajia was both surprised and delighted. She thought that no matter how difficult a great demon was to subdue, it was much simpler than fostering harmony among people.

"Could this command... be Master's kind gift, meant to allow my sword heart to directly achieve perfection?"

Lu Jiajia was touched