Chapter 27: Taking You Sword-Flying

Feng Qingcheng did not take Mingyue to the teleportation array; instead, he led her to a hillside on the side of Shushan Academy.

Mingyue looked around. The area was desolate, filled with stones and large trees, and she had no idea where he was taking her. Puzzled, she asked, "Senior Brother Feng, are we not going to the teleportation array?"

Feng Qingcheng smiled broadly and replied, "I am taking you sword-flying." As he spoke, he summoned a shimmering, cold-glinting precious sword.

He performed a hand seal, and the sword gradually grew larger and wider. Feng Qingcheng stepped onto it and stood firm, then turned back and reached out a hand toward the excited young girl.

"Senior Brother Feng, i-is this for sword-flying?" Mingyue asked with excitement. Sword-flying—this was the ultimate goal for all of them as academy disciples currently pursuing immortality.

Curious yet nervous, Mingyue climbed onto the giant sword. She was unsure whether to crouch down and hold the blade or stand up and hold onto Feng Qingcheng.

She crouched down and touched the surface of the sword; it was smooth, cold, and seemed a bit slippery. Embarrassed, she sat down on the blade, keeping a distance of nearly two feet from Feng Qingcheng, wondering if she would slide off and fall to her death during the flight.

Seeing her sitting there looking comical and bewildered, Feng Qingcheng couldn't help but reach out his hand and instruct, "Stand over here and hold onto me."

Watching her hesitate with a shy expression, he walked over, took her hand, and helped her up. He then led her to the center of the blade, where she stood pressed closely against him.

The scent of a young man—sunny and distinct—wafted from him, and his entire being radiated an elegant, wholesome aura. Mingyue felt a sudden surge of shyness.

Feng Qingcheng was tall and upright; she only reached his chest. Mingyue was incredibly bashful, not knowing where to put her hands.

She couldn't help but wonder, *Should I hold his arm, or perhaps grab onto his clothes?*

Although they had met a few times, she still felt they were not very close; Feng Qingcheng always gave her the feeling of someone high and unreachable, someone she had to look up to.

Feng Qingcheng glanced at her and said softly, "Stand steady; we are about to depart."

Mingyue nodded frantically, her face flushed red from both excitement and nerves, as if she were wearing a layer of pink rouge, making her look exceptionally dainty and charming.

Feng Qingcheng smiled slightly, wrapping one arm around her slender waist while using his other hand to form a sword seal, guiding the blade as it slowly rose into the air.

Mingyue looked at the hand around her waist and felt a sudden tension in her midsection. For some reason, she felt both shy and happy, as if she were floating on air.

She couldn't help but think joyfully: *Oh my heavens, today I am actually sword-flying with a legendary genius, and I will be having dinner with him later—if I told anyone, they probably wouldn't believe it!*

She watched the Immortal Academy grow smaller and smaller, feeling the refreshing breeze against her face as the sword ascended. As they moved further away from the hilltop, her heart nearly leaped into her throat.

Mingyue stole a glance at Feng Qingcheng beside her. He was tall and imposing, his white robes fluttering in the wind, his ink-black hair dancing in the air. His handsome face, bathed in the sunset glow, left her nearly breathless. The peerless grace he exuded made her feel an irresistible urge to look up to him.

Suddenly, Mingyue remembered the night of the Fire God Festival, when a masked youth in white had taken her sword-flying through the air. She remembered what she had told him: "I want to fly higher!" A surge of ambition swelled within her.

"I want to fly higher!" Mingyue cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted to the vast sky, "I will definitely learn how to sword-fly!"

Feng Qingcheng turned his head to look at her, a smile of approval on his face.

Mingyue secretly made a resolution: she would study the path of immortality diligently, hoping that one day, she could stand beside him and soar freely through the heavens and earth.

The peaks below gradually became tiny, and massive mountain ranges lay like sleeping giants beneath their feet. Lakes hidden among the mountains sparkled like blue jewels.

"What a beautiful lake!" Mingyue exclaimed happily. "The feeling of sword-flying is truly wonderful."

Feng Qingcheng looked back at her and, seeing the brilliant glow in her beautiful eyes, could not help but ask, "Would you like to go take a closer look? Many of the mountain ranges near the Shushan Immortal Gate remain untrodden."

"Yes, I want to see them!" Mingyue said joyfully.

Feng Qingcheng guided the immortal sword toward an incredibly high peak covered in accumulated snow. Mingyue saw the massive, snow-capped summits, looking so ancient and vast, as if they had remained unchanged since the beginning of time. It looked incredibly primitive. She even saw a wild beast howling on a peak.

"Senior Brother Feng, there is a tiger over there!" Mingyue pointed to the snow-covered peak excitedly.

Feng Qingcheng followed her gaze and indeed saw a beast standing on the snow. He remarked, "They have come out to forage."

Mingyue paused, then said naively, "We have come out to forage as well." She couldn't help but laugh at her own words.

Patches of white clouds drifted slowly past them, making the two feel as if they were in a celestial palace, as beautiful as a hazy fairyland. Mingyue even reached out a hand to catch the passing clouds.

She cheered happily, "It's so beautiful! So this is the enchanting scenery one sees from such a height. Senior Brother Feng, are these clouds edible?" She cupped her hands to catch the snow-white clouds, only to grasp a handful of mist that felt like cotton.

She actually put the mist into her mouth and tasted it out of curiosity. The flavor was cool and faint: "So clouds have no taste at all. I thought they would be sweet."

Hearing her, Feng Qingcheng couldn't help but laugh. Looking at her lively and mischievous demeanor, his own mood brightened, and a sense of youthful passion seemed to sprout from deep within his heart.

"Hey!" Feng Qingcheng let out a long shout toward the white mountain peak below, his face displaying the unique vitality of a young man.

"Hey!" Mingyue also shouted toward the peak, her face full of mischief and joy.

Feng Qingcheng turned to look at her, and Mingyue stuck out her tongue playfully. The two couldn't help but share a smile.

Mingyue said to Feng Qingcheng, "Senior Brother Feng, I will definitely study hard to become an immortal. I hope that one day, I too can fly on a sword and soar freely through the sky, viewing all the beauty of these mountains and rivers."

Feng Qingcheng nodded with a smile, "Very well, I shall wait for that day."

Mingyue nodded firmly, her heart filled with drive and passion: "I will work hard!"

Feng Qingcheng took Mingyue around the white peak a few times, then turned and flew rapidly toward Jinlu City. Before long, they could see the dense cluster of buildings below, and even pedestrians on the streets.

Feng Qingcheng guided the immortal sword to land beside a wall near a massive lake to the northwest of Jinlu City.

"We have arrived," Feng Qingcheng said.

As he lowered them while holding her waist, Mingyue noticed that inside the walls were countless buildings. The space seemed vast, filled with carved beams and painted pillars in an antique style, surrounded by green bamboo—it was very elegant and quiet. They landed in the front yard of a massive estate.

Feng Qingcheng performed a seal and withdrew his sword.

Mingyue asked curiously, "Senior Brother Feng, what place is this? Is there something good to eat?"

Feng Qingcheng smiled without answering. Just then, Mingyue saw a line of servants in black robes pushing open the massive bronze gates to welcome them.

The leader, a tall and heroic man in his thirties, saw the two and exclaimed with surprise, "Du You greets the Master. You have returned!"

The man’s sharp, suspicious gaze landed on the young girl accompanying Feng Qingcheng. Being stared at like that, Mingyue felt a tightness in her chest; his piercing eyes felt as sharp as blades. The man was dignified and possessed an imposing air.

Feng Qingcheng nodded and said, "Du You, we are here for dinner. This is my Junior Sister, Mingyue." Then, turning to Mingyue, he added, "This is my private residence."

Mingyue had not expected him to bring her to his private home. She looked around and realized this was not a restaurant, but a private estate—and an incredibly luxurious one at that.

Mingyue remained silent, a feeling of docility rising in her heart.

Feng Qingcheng took Mingyue’s hand and led her slowly inside.

Mingyue marveled at the opulence of the estate. Tucked between the mountains and the sea, the scenery was exquisite, and the area seemed vast. She secretly sighed that Feng Qingcheng certainly knew how to enjoy life.

Du You’s mouth hung open in surprise. He froze, taking a long time to regain his composure.

In ten years, he had never seen his master have an intimate relationship with any woman, let alone bring one to his private residence. This was truly the first time.

He had always heard that his young master favored asceticism and avoided women. He had been more anxious than his master, fearing that due to his childhood trauma, the master might remain lonely for life. Today, seeing him bring back such a beautiful and delicate girl, he was both surprised and delighted, a joyful expression spreading across his face.

*Could it be that the young master has finally had a change of heart?* Du You tapped his head, his heart full of joy, and happily ordered the servants, "Go quickly! Prepare the best dishes with the chef!"

Feng Qingcheng led Mingyue through the large bronze gate into a massive courtyard. The courtyard was shaded by lush trees, with paths paved in bluestone. Buildings stood on both sides, and in the center was a three-story pavilion with upturned eaves.

Mingyue admired the beautiful architecture as she walked, feeling like a country bumpkin entering a grand mansion, her eyes unable to take it all in. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Senior Brother Feng, your private residence is truly beautiful."

Feng Qingcheng smiled lightly, "If you like it, you are welcome to come again."

Hearing him say this, Mingyue thought, *Does that mean he will bring me here again in the future?*

Feng Qingcheng led her through the courtyard, across a long corridor, and to the back of the three-story pavilion. Behind it lay another massive courtyard. Crossing a long bluestone path, they passed small bridges, flowing water, and groves of green bamboo; the environment was secluded and elegant.

Mingyue looked up to see carved beams, painted pillars, and golden, resplendent pavilions everywhere. She felt that everything in her sight was incredibly luxurious.

The two walked onto a vermilion veranda, at the end of which stood a grand, independent pavilion. Feng Qingcheng led her inside to a spacious and bright hall on the first floor.

Mingyue looked around; the hall was very wide. In the center sat a circular jade table with chairs carved from jade. A few exquisite snacks were already laid out, and a jade pot emitted the lingering fragrance of tea. There were few ornaments, but every piece was intricately carved from top-tier gemstones and jade; the overall arrangement had an indescribable elegance.

Mingyue suddenly remembered hearing Mo Yao say that Feng Qingcheng was a prince of the Fengluan Empire in the East. Coming from royalty, it was no surprise he had such an impressive private estate. Her heart filled with anticipation for the dinner to come.