69 The Female Disciples of Heaven Sword School 1

Qin Feng sighed to himself as he looked over the Second Ducal Prince's shoulder as the latter gathered the items that had been left behind by the old man in purple. What was his name again? Luo Qing-something? Well, he was the one who had fended the old braggart off, wasn't he? So shouldn't he have a share of the rewards?

Then he turned back to his body, and sighed again. He had already triggered the White Snow Orchid Blossom Healing Technique, and it should have repaired his body to some extent. But it seems he would have to be a bit more cautious when dealing with Li Changhai's grandmother in the future. What Lady Xie said about his enhanced healing was nothing less than the truth. And that was enough to warn him that she was more informed about such matters than any of the so-called Elders from the Heaven Sword School.

Qin Feng was only there in his Soul Form, which had drifted out of his body after he had fallen unconscious. The secret Healing Technique had activated almost at once, to preserve his life, and to deal with the injuries suffered by his internal organs. If all went well, he estimated that it would take another four to six hours before he could 'regain' consciousness.

As for tearing his Soul away from his body, there were basically two reasons why he had done so. The first was to watch out for that Luo fellow, who had wreaked havoc on his body. Who could say that he was not one of those brutes who liked to chop up their victims into pieces? Even the most powerful Immortal Grade Healing Techniques would be pointless if that took place.

As for the second, he was curious to find out just what was going to happen to the Second Ducal Prince after he was taken down. He had invested much of his time and energy into Li Changhai, and while they were barely friends, he was somewhat concerned.

After all, it was clear that the purple-garbed old fellow was out to take out the camp and its leaders. Which meant that this Second Ducal Prince was vulnerable. His death would doubtless cause a great deal of confusion, as well as upset the Marquis.

Something that he could certainly not afford, if he wished to carry out his plan for the near future!

Fortunately for him, that idiot Matron from the Heaven Sword School took a hand. Not that he was going to thank her for it. He had never had a very good impression of Nu Yuanqing. Li Changhai's grandmother, on the other hand, was someone who certainly left him with warm feelings. In any case, it was her swift move that settled the old Luo fellow, and eased Qin Feng's anxiety.

Still, he had managed to get a good look at Nu Yuanqing displaying her particular iteration of the Four Seasons Sword! And she used the Summer Sword at that! That was lucky. He had never had much luck with the Spring and Summer stances, so it was certainly beneficial.

Of course, he didn't manage to tear his Soul out of his body before Lady Xie reappeared, so he missed a good bit of the fight between that Nu woman and that old man. A pity about that.

A chill ran through him then, which was enough to make Qin Feng give off another silent sigh. It seemed he had used up too much of his zhenqi during his own battle, and did not have sufficient for him to sustain his Soul form for too long. He would have to get back to his body, and rest properly, before he deal with what need to be done.

So he let his Soul flow back into his body, and quietly drifted off into sleep. That would be the easiest, and least painful way to deal with the healing that he had to go through, relatively speaking.

And he wondered what the Elders back at the Heaven Sword School would make of the account that Nu Yuanqing was going to give them. It should be interesting to find out just how she was intending to keep her buttocks clean!

*

Two years ago ...

Chen Xing hands were shaking inside his sleeves, and not from the chill wind of the Winter season, as he stood in the middle of the Elders' private courtyard. The weather was not too harsh, as far as he could remember, and the space was well sheltered by the buildings around it in any case. So there was absolutely no reason why he should be shivering.

And as a senior guidance disciple for the Medicine Fields, Chen Xing's position was rather secure. So it was certainly not his unfamiliarity with the Elders' Court that was causing him to look so anxious. Nor could it be the fact that he had made a mistake and was due for a scolding from the same. After all, there was no other senior guide who had such an exemplary track record as Chen Xing as far as anyone was aware.

Still, he stiffened as soon as he heard the approaching footsteps and bowed more deeply than he should have, when the Elder finally appeared. And his voice quavered as he managed a more formal than usual greeting to the same.

Ming Guanhe's face, on the other hand, revealed nothing as he nodded back at the old man. And his curt wave of a sleeve made it rather clear that he was more impatient than annoyed.

"What has happened? Why have you come to disturb me now, at this hour?"

Chen Xing's face wore a stricken look as he managed an answer. "This one would not have bothered Elder Ming if not for ... an unusual occurrence. Elder ... there has been ... a grave disturbance at the Medicine Fields ... and one caused by the disciples attached to the ... rear mountain."

"The female disciples? What have they done now?"

The scowl that the Elder wore appeared the moment that he heard the qualifier. Which was enough to make Chen Xing breathe a little easier. The last ruckus caused by the female disciples of the rear mountain were apparently fresh in Elder Ming's memory, it appeared.

So he bowed again, a little more confidently, as he began his report:

"They have ... assaulted one of our medicine field's Outer Disciples, Elder, and tore down the hut that he was residing in. As well as damaged his fields in such a way that ... Well, he will not be able to make good the medicinal herbs that he is supposed to hand over in the Spring."

Ming Guanhe raised an eyebrow at that. "Isn't that as good as piling a huge debt on his head? And damaging his fields? What sort of grudge have they against the poor fellow, to do such a thing?" he asked in what could be construed as an exasperated tone.

"As to that, Elder, I thought I had better let him speak for himself. He is waiting outside the main door. And ... I fear that he has been ... assaulted by the same disciples as well."

The Elder made an obvious growl then. And Chen Xing found his knees going weak as he realised that Ming Guanhe was scowling at him.

"Then what are you waiting for? Bring him in! Bring him in!"

Then before the old disciple could start his run towards the exit, he seemed to have calmed down, and grunted a question at Chen Xing:

"What is this poor fellow called?"

"His name is Qin Feng, sir."

* * *