Chapter 207: Flying Star Sword Technique

Chapter 207: Flying Star Sword Technique

"Mission: Escort the gift of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance to Cold Moon Palace. (Completed)"

"Reward: Settling..."

As he left Han Xi Lou with Wei Ziyi, Su Mo saw the message on his end.

At this point, he finally let out a breath of relief.

He had the escorts verify the goods and hand over the shipment, finally wrapping up the mission.

But it wasn’t clear if he had to escort them the whole way for the mission to count.

Maybe next time, he could take the mission but have someone else do the escorting?

Just to see if he’d still get the reward.

If it worked, that would make things a lot easier for him.

As he lost himself in thought, he occasionally glanced back to see Wei Ziyi lost in her own musings. He cleared his throat softly.

"Mind your image."

"..."

Wei Ziyi blinked, then couldn’t help but flash him a mischievous grin.

"Too bad no one’s around. I’d love for the Cold Moon Palace ladies to see your true colors."

"Hmph."

Wei Ziyi rolled her eyes and then asked, "What did Master tell you?"

"..."

Su Mo was momentarily speechless. He couldn’t exactly tell Wei Ziyi that her master asked if he liked her.

The implication was that she wanted him to... take her in, as if she were some kind of... well, you know.

Even though Wei Ziyi was open-minded, hearing that over and over would likely make her uncomfortable. So he just smiled and said, "Nothing much, just talked about some past events."

"Past events?"

Wei Ziyi was taken aback. "What past events could you possibly have with my master?"

"You’re underestimating people, aren’t you?"

Su Mo said, "In fact, I’ve known your master for a long time, you just didn’t know."

"..."

Wei Ziyi was dumbfounded. "My master hasn’t left Cold Moon Palace for nearly twenty years. Even if you did know her long ago, you would’ve been just a babbling infant back then, right?"

"That’s none of your business."

Su Mo smiled and said, "If you're so sure, go ask your master."

"Hmph."

Wei Ziyi pouted, clearly upset.

It was understandable that her grandfather wanted to marry her off to Su Mo, and she had no intention of resisting.

But... why couldn't they just explain things to me?

Keeping things hidden made it seem as if something would be ruined if she knew.

Now her master was doing the same, not telling her anything.

She sighed, "Everything changes, nothing stays the same."

The words felt like a quiet admission of how much had shifted between them.

As she was speaking, a sudden eagle cry came from the sky.

As she looked up, an eagle circled overhead before diving straight down.

She immediately extended her arm, and the eagle landed steadily on her arm.

"Message eagle..."

Wei Ziyi hesitated, then carefully removed a letter from the eagle.

When she saw the front of the envelope, her mouth twitched. "For Su Mo..."

"Is it for me?"

Su Mo was also startled, but when he saw the handwriting on the envelope, his eyes lit up. "Give it here."

"Who wrote it?"

Wei Ziyi asked as she handed the letter to Su Mo.

With a quick gesture, the eagle spread its wings and vanished into the sky.

"From Yang Xiaoyun," Su Mo casually said, "Yang Xiaoyun, Su Mo's close friend and confidante."

Su Mo shrugged and opened the envelope, shaking it lightly.

Wei Ziyi leaned in, curious to see what was written.

However, after reading just the first two sentences, Su Mo's lips curled into a smile.

Wei Ziyi, on the other hand, exclaimed, "Oh my God," her face turning completely red.

"Oh my God, my eyes!"

She clapped a hand over her eyes, pretending to be in pain. "They hurt!"

Su Mo casually knocked her on the head. "Go deal with it elsewhere."

Wei Ziyi didn't refuse and went to wait aside.

Wei Ziyi had expected the letter to be serious, but the first line was surprisingly intimate: "I miss you so much I can't sleep."

When love strikes, people really do throw caution to the wind.

Wei Ziyi asked herself, no matter who she was writing to, she could never write anything so passionate.

She had never felt such intense longing that it kept her awake at night.

When she arrived at Cold Moon Palace, she was too young, and even the feelings of longing for her mother had long since become blurry and indistinct.

Su Mo, on the other hand, read through every word of the letter Yang Xiaoyun had sent him.

There wasn’t much to say in terms of content; it was partly about her longing, and partly to reassure Su Mo that everything was normal at the escort agency.

The key part was in the last two sentences.

"The fleeting swallow is about to arrive, a lone shadow flies south..."

Su Mo let out a soft breath.

He thought to himself, immediately recalling "Fleeting Swallow and Flying Snow."

The shadow of the fleeting swallow, the snow undisturbed.

Xu Lu is coming?

As for the "lone shadow flying south," it was a play on words.

"Lone" corresponds to "Zhi," and "lone shadow" refers to traces of Yang Yizhi.

The "flying south" wasn’t the important part.

What mattered was that Yang Yizhi had made a move.

Reading between the lines, it meant Xu Lu was coming, and there was also a clue about Yang Yizhi.

Su Mo processed the information, but then his brow furrowed:

"How did Xu Lu get involved with him?"

At the time, Su Mo had deceived Xu Lu, saying he had poisoned the wine, but in reality, it was just the Painful Mantra trickery.

After that, he revealed information about the Three Extremes Sect, hoping Xu Lu would investigate.

Xu Lu investigated the Three Extremes Sect, while Yang Yizhi likely took the Heaven Gate Master to Suspension Pot Pavilion.

They likely crossed paths because their investigations converged.

The letter reaching him meant Xu Lu had already visited the Ziyang Escort Agency.

This was Yang Xiaoyun’s way of keeping him informed.

Letting out a soft breath, Su Mo carefully and reverently placed the letter inside his robes, then called out to Wei Ziyi, who was ‘facing the wall in reflection’:

"Let’s go."

"Finished already?" Wei Ziyi looked back at Su Mo. "I didn’t expect that, despite being thousands of miles apart, Sister Yang would use our Fallen Phoenix Alliance’s messenger hawk to convey her feelings for you."

"Isn’t that a bit romantic?"

Su Mo asked.

“...It wasn’t me who said that.”

Wei Ziyi nodded immediately.

“When the day comes that you do something equally foolish, there will be someone who matters to you... and that’s when you’ll have someone special in your heart.”

Su Mo smiled. “When that time comes, tell me who that person is, and I’ll help you ask for their hand in marriage.”

“??”

Wei Ziyi was stunned for a moment, then flared up. “As if I need your help with that!?”

The playful banter with Wei Ziyi didn’t last long before they encountered other disciples of Cold Moon Palace.

In an instant, Wei Ziyi transformed, like a master of changing faces, retracting her bared teeth and waving claws.

Once again, she became the frosty disciple of the Third Palace Master.

After a brief inquiry, someone voluntarily led the way, guiding Su Mo through many twists and turns to a courtyard.

The people from the escort agency had already been settled.

However, at this moment, they were somewhat restless.

While the escort agency had both male and female members, this was their first time visiting a sect made up entirely of women.

For a moment, everything felt inconvenient.

Although the disciples of Cold Moon Palace were elegant and composed, some of the younger men still felt out of place, unsure how to act.

It wasn’t until Su Mo returned that they finally relaxed, feeling like they had their leader back.

Su Mo gave them some tips on how to behave in Cold Moon Palace, and everyone calmed down.

At that moment, a disciple from Cold Moon Palace arrived with food.

Alongside her was Chu Qiuyu, who wanted to invite Su Mo to the Star Viewing Terrace for a drink.

Su Mo had everyone eat first, then took Wei Ziyi and Little Situ with him to the Star Viewing Terrace with Chu Qiuyu.

……

……

When Su Mo left Sunset City, the snow on the rooftops hadn’t yet melted.

Now, spring had arrived, and flowers were in full bloom.

The night breeze still held a trace of cold, but everyone present was skilled in internal martial arts.

A bit of cold wind was no concern for them.

Chu Qiuyu poured wine for Su Mo and Wei Ziyi, and after raising her cup, she first glanced at Wei Ziyi and said with a smile, “I’ve known you for a while, Wei, but this is the first time we’re drinking together.”

Wei Ziyi nodded. “I’ve been so focused on my martial arts training since childhood that I’ve neglected my senior sister.”

"You're too kind."

Chu Qiuyu shook her head. "My junior sister is different from us. She is talented and has important responsibilities, so she can't afford to slack off like the rest of us."

She raised her cup. "Chief Escort Su, I am truly at a loss for how to repay you after you saved us several times. Today, I offer you this Autumn Wind Brew from the Cold Moon Palace as a token of my gratitude. Cheers!"

After speaking, she drank it all in one gulp.

Little Situ looked at the cup, then mimicked Su Mo and the others, drinking it all at once.

But as soon as the liquor hit her throat, it burned so much that she hissed in surprise.

She quickly fanned herself with her hand. "This... this is not as good as meat-filled buns."

Chu Qiuyu glanced at Little Situ in surprise, then looked at the four girls present and said with a smile,

"May I ask who you are, sir?"

"My family name is Situ," Little Situ said with a smile. "Just call me Little Situ."

Chu Qiuyu looked puzzled for a moment.

Su Mo smiled and said, "Little Situ is from Suspension Pot Pavilion and is unfamiliar with the ways of the world. She came along with me just to watch the excitement."

"So you're from Suspension Pot Pavilion?"

Chu Qiuyu was immediately filled with respect and bowed. "I’ve read about Suspension Pot Pavilion in the Cold Moon Palace’s records. It was founded with the mission of healing the world. But for some reason, it has since become less involved in the jianghu.

"I never thought that in my lifetime I would have the opportunity to meet someone from such a legendary place.

"I apologize for not recognizing you earlier."

"No, no," Little Situ waved her hands quickly, looking a bit embarrassed. After a sigh, she added,

"I know very little about the past. Nowadays, Suspension Pot Pavilion is just a place where reclusive individuals live in seclusion.

"If there is anything different, it is perhaps our unique expertise in the medical arts."

After listening, Chu Qiuyu nodded slightly. "Regardless of the past, today I am fortunate to meet a respected individual, so I must offer a few more toasts."

After speaking, she refilled everyone’s cups and lifted her glass for another round.

After a few more cups, the atmosphere became much livelier.

Wei Ziyi also relaxed a bit.

Quietly, she seemed to have shed one layer of her disguise.

Su Mo then said, "I have boldly entered Cold Moon Palace, and although I have met the Third Palace Master, I have yet to meet the other two Palace Masters. If I stay here, will it be considered rude?"

"It's fine," Chu Qiuyu said with a smile. "The First Palace Master has been in seclusion for more than ten years and has not seen guests for a long time. It was only recently, when we learned that the Night Sovereign was making another attack, that she went to Tianqu City.

"After the battle, she has returned to seclusion."

"The Second Palace Master is permanently stationed in Tianqu City and rarely returns to the palace."

"So, does that mean the Third Palace Master oversees all matters in Cold Moon Palace?"

Su Mo was curious. He didn't think the Third Palace Master looked like someone who would be willing to manage affairs based on her appearance.

The entire Han Xi Lou was chilly and desolate, with not even a single guard around.

Sure enough, Chu Qiuyu was seen shaking her head. "After her heartbreak twenty years ago, the Third Palace Master has rarely ventured into the world of martial arts and has lived alone in the West Tower, seldom interfering with internal affairs.

"Now, all affairs in Cold Moon Palace are handled by the elders separately, and they only consult the Third Palace Master in Han Xi Lou when they are unsure about something."

"I see."

Su Mo nodded, not knowing what to say.

Come to think of it, this situation was still Su Tianyang's fault...

Wei Ziyi, on the other hand, gave a cold laugh. "Our master’s life has been marred by men.

"From this, it's clear that relationships between men and women are really not a good thing.

"Romantic love might be fine in theory.

"But if there is even the slightest mistake, it leads to an irreversible disaster, who wouldn’t be afraid of that?"

"Wei, Junior Sister, your statement is a bit too broad."

Chu Qiuyu shook her head gently, clearly disagreeing, but then changed the subject with another shake:

"But to speak frankly, you and I have not been involved in such matters, so there is always a barrier between us, merely using others to reflect upon ourselves."

At this point, she paused and smiled, saying, "In front of Chief Escort Su, let's not argue about this. The night is beautiful, and the Star-Viewing Terrace is the best place to watch the stars and moon."

Su Mo nodded immediately.

The Star-Viewing Terrace was at the peak of Star-Viewing Peak, surrounded by sheer cliffs and rolling clouds.

Looking up, one could see the sky filled with countless stars, adorning the heavens in breathtaking beauty.

Su Mo gazed quietly at the starry sky, shaking his head lightly:

"It's been a long time since I last looked up at the stars."

Before he came here, every day was spent hustling for a living, and at night, he wished he could sleep without waking, where would he find the leisure to look at the sky?

Even if he had some free time, wasn't playing games more enjoyable?

"Stargazing has its benefits."

Chu Qiuyu said with a smile, "Ancient people believed that the secrets of heaven and earth lie among the stars, hence some could predict events by observing the night sky."

"This may sound mystical, but the elders of Cold Moon Palace have also comprehended supreme martial arts from the stars."

"For example, the Third Palace Master's Flying Star Sword technique was enlightened on this very terrace when she was sixteen."

"Oh?"

Su Mo was somewhat surprised. "I didn't know there was such a sword technique."

Wei Ziyi snorted. "You're curious to see it?"

Su Mo raised his eyebrows. "I hope I get the chance."

"You will."

Wei Ziyi rose to her feet and in the blink of an eye, she was already on the open space in front.

She turned, reached out, and with a sharp clank, the sword flew from the table into her hand like a meteor chasing the moon.

With the sword in hand, she began with her footwork, and as her steps unfolded, layers of sword flowers were scattered into the air.

A woman wielding a sword is always captivating.

But compared to the sword technique, her appearance was almost an afterthought.

For a moment, Chu Qiuyu, Little Situ, and the four other girls were all drawn to the swordplay.

Even Su Mo watched in silence.

At first, the sword technique didn't seem all that impressive.

But as the sword momentum unfolded, its mysteries began to reveal themselves.

The sword moved like a shooting star, and the strikes fell like rain.

With each light step, the air filled with sword petals, like a sky full of stars.

Crisscrossing, making it impossible to move.

More impressively, the sword trails hung in the air, refusing to fade. With the final move, Wei Ziyi raised her sword, and in a fluid motion, she danced among the swirling blades.

At every point where the sword energy gathered, there was Wei Ziyi's figure.

In each of her hands, a sword appeared.

Each sword gleamed with deadly precision!

As these dozens of Wei Ziyi figures converged into one, the final sword was slowly delivered.

The tip of the sword, like a star's brilliance, seemed slow but was actually fast. The energy point left a faint white trace in the air, which disappeared in an instant.

Wei Ziyi stood with her sword sheathed and looked back at Su Mo.

Her eyes remained cold and distant, but Su Mo, who knew her well, could tell that beneath her calm exterior, she was quietly proud.

However, this Flying Star Sword technique was indeed extraordinary, and Su Mo couldn't help but admire it, clapping his hands in praise.

"It's truly awe-inspiring."

"Indeed."

Chu Qiuyu's eyes carried a hint of envy. "To think that Wei Ziyi has reached such heights with the Flying Star Sword technique. It's truly admirable."

"It’s merely superficial."

Wei Ziyi said, "Compared to my master, it’s nothing in comparison."

After speaking, she returned to her seat and glanced at Su Mo again.

The implication was clear: how does the Sky Rainbow Interrogating Heart Sword technique compare?

Su Mo pondered for a moment before smiling and saying,

"That day, on the river, Qi Shaoming wanted to form an alliance with the great bandits along the river.

"The person who appeared later used the pinnacle of lightness technique to rescue Qi Shaoming.

"Afterward, I asked you what kind of lightness technique he used... but you didn’t reveal it. However, you mentioned that within the Cold Moon Palace, there is a footwork technique called Treading the Moon and Leaving the Immortals.

"I didn’t realize that Palace Master Wei was skilled in this technique."

"You figured it out?"

Wei Ziyi was stunned.

Su Mo smiled and said, "Dividing the body and creating an illusion, treading the moon and leaving the immortals. It turns out that after the Third Palace Master mastered the Flying Star Sword Technique, she integrated it with the Treading the Moon and Leaving the Immortals steps.

"The sword momentum moves with the footwork, truly as fast as a flying star, its momentum sweeping and unstoppable.

"However, while Treading the Moon and Leaving the Immortals adds a clever twist to the swordsmanship, the sword intent focused in the final strike is truly admirable.

"Moreover, the Third Palace Master had already deeply understood the interplay of reality and illusion when she mastered this set of sword techniques at the age of sixteen."

The illusions created by dividing the body are false, but the final strike is real.

Anyone who faces her, seeing the star-like sword energy flying everywhere, will be overwhelmed.

Once you lose the upper hand, the final strike is unavoidable.

No wonder Chu Qiuyu said that the Third Palace Master is the greatest genius of the Cold Moon Palace in a hundred years.

While Wei Ziyi is also renowned for her talent, she still falls slightly short in comparison.