Chapter Eight: The Great Snow

  The sky grew darker and Mount Hua also gradually fell silent.

  Outside the Zheng Qi Tang, in a martial arts training ground, Lin Pingzhi angrily threw away the sword in his hand, took two deep breaths, and resentfully said: "Why, why can't I even master a basic set of sword moves?"

  He suddenly let out a low growl and punched the large tree beside him, causing it to shake violently, its leaves rustling and falling.

  Lin Ping took a deep breath, suddenly took two steps forward and picked up the long sword on the ground. He saw his waist slightly sinking, his arm curved back, the long sword in his hand turned, bringing out a flash of silver light. Then, he suddenly charged forward, making three or four consecutive sword moves, the sword light flashing by, this move was indeed sharp and fierce.

  But as he was about to use the fifth sword, his face suddenly showed a hint of stiffness.

  He made this move "Phoenix Coming Ceremony" is the real top sword move of Huashan School, originally with his seniority, Yue Buqun would not teach him so early, but a few days ago he entangled Yue Lingshan to ask for swordsmanship, Yue Lingshan was annoyed by him and taught him a move "Phoenix Coming Ceremony" to get rid of him.

  This set of sword moves originally had six or seven later moves, and was truly a superior sword move that gathered the essence of Huashan martial arts. However, Lin Pingzhi was too impatient for quick success and gain, and had not even mastered the basic Huashan entry-level sword technique. Now, using this "Phoenix Arrival Ceremony" move made him feel even more strained, and he could only manage to execute the fifth sword before his strength began to wane.

  At this time, he was already drenched in sweat. The next sword should have been a backhanded stab, but as he tried to turn around, he felt a severe cramp in his lower abdomen and his legs and arms went limp one after another. This sword couldn't be stabbed out no matter what.

  He felt a great sense of frustration and discontent in his heart, but suddenly he remembered the day when Ling Jing and Shifu Niang faced off, that young man's moves were so natural and effortless, especially the last move where he clashed with Shifu Niang's "Unparalleled and Unmatched, Ning's One Sword" was truly brilliant to the extreme.

  A hint of hatred flashed in his eyes, hating himself for being mediocre and useless, and also hating Ling Jing for mastering such exquisite swordsmanship at a young age. He thought to himself: "If this person stays on Mount Hua for one more day, I won't have a chance to gain the recognition of Master and Mistress. If I can't inherit Master's legacy, when will I be able to avenge my parents' death?"

  Thinking of his parents' deep-seated hatred, he steeled himself once more, suddenly took a deep breath, turned around and swiftly thrust out his long sword.

  However, the long sword in his hand had only stabbed out less than a foot before he felt his lower body suddenly unstable, and after his feet made a mistake, he actually fell to the ground with a thud.

  He was both anxious and resentful in his heart, threw the long sword in his hand, and lay on the ground like this, with severe panting.

  Just then, he heard a faint sound of footsteps coming from afar. He wondered to himself, it's already so late, why would there still be someone outside?

  He stood up, adjusted his clothes, picked up the sword beside him, and looked in the direction of the footsteps. He saw a slender figure carrying a food box walking towards him from afar.

  Lin Ping's thoughts turned around, and he had already guessed the identity of the person who came. He immediately put on a smiling face and went to greet her, saying: "Sister, are you going to deliver food to the two brothers again?"

  Yue Lingxuan saw a figure suddenly darting out from the side, and her heart skipped a beat. It turned out to be Lin Pingzhi, so she patted her chest and said: "Lin Shidi, you scared me to death."

  Lin Ping gazed at Yue Lingshan's delicate face and his heart skipped a beat. He smiled, saying: "It was my fault for being rash, please don't mind it, sister."

  Yue Lingshan chuckled and said, "It doesn't matter. But Lin Shidi is indeed diligent, it's so late yet he still hasn't gone to rest."

  Lin Ping let out a sigh and said, "My martial arts talent is really too mediocre, I'm already lucky to have been accepted as a disciple by Master. Moreover, I bear a deep blood feud, if I don't work hard to practice my martial skills, how can I face the deceased parents and Master's kindness?"

  "Take heart, our Huashan School's martial arts will only be more brilliant than Qingcheng School's, but it will never be inferior to theirs. As long as you practice well, you will definitely be able to avenge."

  Lin Ping smiled slightly and said, "Then I'll borrow your auspicious words, Master Sister. However, the move 'Phoenix Arrival' that you taught me last time still has many unclear parts to it. I wonder if Master Sister can give me some more guidance."

  Yue Lingshan's face showed a hesitant expression. At this hour, it seemed inappropriate for a lone man and woman to be together. After a moment's thought, she recalled what Ling Jing had said earlier and smiled: "Lin Shidi, I'm rather tired today. Why don't we postpone your lesson until another day? Besides, our Huashan Sect's martial arts emphasize gradual progress. You mustn't rush things either. It's better to get some rest early."

  Lin Ping's heart sank, but he smiled and said: "Alright, then I won't disturb Sister Shifu."

  After Yu Ling Shan left, Lin Ping Zhi's face suddenly sank, staring at the back of Yu Ling Shan as she walked away, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

  He has been in the Huashan Sect for more than two months, but the other disciples on the mountain have always kept a distance from him. Although he is the youngest and latest true disciple to join, everyone still calls him "Lin Shidi", it's clear that in their hearts, the term "youngest brother" only refers to Ling Jing alone, how can he not harbor resentment in his heart?

  Now that he had been rejected by Yue Lingshan again, he naturally felt even more indignant and frustrated, as if he was being ostracized by the entire Huashan sect, with a layer of gloom shrouding his heart.

  ......

  After several more days, Yue Lingxuan continued to go up the mountain every day to deliver food. However, when Lin Pingzhi came again to ask her for guidance on swordsmanship, she would find an excuse to avoid him. After a while, Lin Pingzhi seemed to have also sensed Yue Lingxuan's thoughts and, although he secretly resented her, he no longer bothered her either.

  More than a month has passed, and it's getting colder every day on top of Mount Hua.

  After some days, Madame Yu had made two new sets of padded clothes for Linghu Chong and Lin Pingzhi. She ordered Lu Dahu to deliver them to the summit. On that day, a strong north wind howled from dawn till noon, when snow began to fall.

  Ling Jing stood at the edge of the precipice, seeing only dark clouds gathering in the sky like lead, with a biting wind. He knew that this snowfall would not be small, and he was deeply worried. In the past, Yue Lingxuan would always come on time to deliver food, but today the heavy snow had blocked the mountain road, which was extremely treacherous. If Yue Lingxuan still came, one misstep could lead to a fatal accident, wouldn't this path be fraught with extreme danger?

  He stood at the edge of the cliff, staring up at the road that wound its way up the mountain, his body gradually becoming covered in a layer of snow.

  Linghu Chong also walked out of the cave at this time, came to Ling Jing's side, and said with some worry: "Little Shidi, today's snow is probably not small, I'm afraid Little Shimei won't come up again."

  Ling Jing sighed and said, "I hope so."

  But as soon as he finished speaking, a soft and timid voice came from the mountain road, saying: "Ling Jing, Big Brother Master..."

  Ling Jing's heart was filled with both joy and anger, she hastily rushed to the edge of the cliff, where large snowflakes were falling like goose feathers. There, she saw Yue Ling Shan slowly making her way up the cliff, one step at a time.

  He rushed down the cliff, and the warning "not to take a step down the cliff privately" had long been thrown away. Then he grabbed Yueling Shan's small hand and pulled her over.

  In the dim light, all that could be seen of her was covered in snow, even her hair had turned white. On her left forehead, a big lump had formed, like a small egg, and fresh blood was still flowing out.

  Ling Jing's heart was both angry and aching, gently stroking her forehead, saying: "You're going to get yourself killed."

  Yue Lingshan's small mouth pouted, as if she was about to cry, and said: "You fell down and your lunch basket rolled into the valley. You... you'll have to go hungry tonight."

  Ling Jing suddenly pulled her into his arms, this woman's affection was so sincere that it couldn't be faked, he was moved in his heart. At this moment, feeling her warm and soft body, for a while, he didn't want to let go.

  Yue Lingshan's face turned hot, and she said in a low voice: "Big brother is still watching, and how did you run down the cliff? If Dad sees it, you'll be punished again."

  PS: Actually, Yue Lingshan also has her own cute side. Although I have some bias towards this character in the original storyline, I hope that after re-creating her, everyone can accept her.

  The friendship of childhood is often the most difficult to obtain, although I have never had it, but I also hope that friends who have experienced this can recall the warmth and emotion of the past through this.

  ;