Chapter 1059 - 580: Li Zhibai Needs to Recall the Sword Dance (Double-Length)

So, if Ah Qing truly has a talent for learning swordplay, she might really become the guide for her.

"...Sword dance?" Yun Qian also reacted to this term.

Miss Yun blinked, recalling the way Xu Chang’an played the zither for her, and the notion of Sword Heart and Zither Heart.

She mentioned wanting to learn it.

However... her husband wouldn’t even let her guess, let alone touch a sword?

But Yun Qian was indeed interested in sword dance, because Xu Chang’an liked swords very much, and practiced with them, so... he would surely like it.

Then, something surprising happened.

Yun Qian slowly retreated from Xu Chang’an’s embrace, leaving behind the comforting aura, and then said something to Xu Chang’an.

After a moment’s surprise, Xu Chang’an nodded, then went out to fetch a chair and placed it beside him, until Yun Qian sat down, seriously looking at the stage below, only then did the girls return to their senses.

At this moment, Yun Qian’s action of sitting alone beside Xu Chang’an caused the atmosphere to suddenly become tense.

"?"

Miss Lu had a question mark above her head.

Shocking.

Is the sky going to collapse?

Miss Yun clearly had the embrace of the gentleman to stay in, but she voluntarily chose to sit apart from him... What’s going on?

Why did this happen.

Miss Lu’s mind went blank for a moment, as far as she knew Yun Qian, this kind of thing should definitely not happen.

This behavior, like a loving couple choosing to sleep apart, left Miss Lu standing in bewilderment.

Wen Li and Li Zhibai showed surprise too, but they had calm temperaments and wouldn’t actively inquire, only Zhu Pingniang paused for a moment: "Ms. Yun, what are you doing? Why choose to sit separately."

Did Chang’an say something to upset her?

Xu Chang’an heard the remark and also looked at Yun Qian.

Actually, when Yun Qian stood up and asked him to fetch another chair, his inner astonishment wasn’t less than others... because Miss Yun wouldn’t shy away due to such things, so her sudden departure really puzzled Xu Chang’an.

Why sit separately?

Yun Qian’s eyelashes fluttered lightly, calmly stating: "To watch sword dance."

"To watch sword dance?" Zhu Pingniang’s eyes widened: "So, junior sister is interested in sword dance... But... why watch sword dance separately..."

"Enough, why bother so much." Li Zhibai interrupted Zhu Pingniang’s questioning, leaving Zhu Pingniang no choice but to give up, though still puzzled.

Why watch sword dance separately?

Wen Li seemed thoughtful, but said nothing.

Miss Lu couldn’t stand seeing Xu Chang’an and Yun Qian close, and watched them separate, her eyes filled with reluctance... But fortunately, even sitting apart, Yun Qian still held Xu Chang’an’s hand, which brought a slight comfort to her cold heart.

[Is Miss doing this to watch sword dance?]

Only Xu Chang’an understood like a clear mirror, his eyes filled with surprise.

The reason Yun Qian suddenly left him was simply that she wanted to concentrate on watching sword dance... whereas in his embrace, she’d be distracted by his heartbeat, temperature, and breath.

While being held, she’d only see him, unable to focus on anyone else, hence the need to sit apart for a while.

But Yun Qian’s actions caused Xu Chang’an both shock and delight... Miss Yun actually had something she liked?

He tilted his head, quietly asking: "Miss, are you really this interested in sword dance?"

"Yes." Yun Qian responded: "I want to take a closer look."

"I understand." Xu Chang’an stopped asking and shut his eyes, beginning to recall the senior sisters on Muyu Peak who were close to him and whose sword dance was exceptionally good...

After a while, he reopened his eyes with a peculiar expression.

Speaking of sword dance, whether it’s the Sword Rhythm or Hidden Blade’s Sword Intent, the best woman on Muyu Peak sat by his left hand.

Wen Li.

Wen Li’s sword intent was casual in the past, hence unsuitable for Yun Qian, but now... she increasingly resembled a true senior sister, and given Wen Li’s tendency for tailoring her teachings to the student’s aptitude, if Yun Qian truly wanted to learn sword dance, Wen Li was undoubtedly the best candidate.

He raised his head to glance at Wen Li, meeting her gaze.

Wen Li spoke calmly, looking at Xu Chang’an: "If Junior Sister Yun wishes to learn, I can teach her."

Xu Chang’an: "..."

Feeling a bit embarrassed, he scratched his head, nodding.

Everything truly couldn’t escape the senior sister’s eyes, but upon hearing Wen Li’s response, Xu Chang’an felt much relieved.

"..." Zhu Pingniang saw the interaction and tilted her head: "Ah Bai, what is this dynamic between Chang’an and Ah Li, they seem to have quite the tacit understanding."

"Senior sister-brother." Li Zhibai replied leisurely, then thoughtfully.

Does Ms. Yun genuinely like sword dance?

She recalled Yun Qian asking her for Xu Chang’an’s longsword that he used.

Is it that she likes sword dance herself, or is it because of Chang’an?

Nine times out of ten, it’s the latter.

Zhu Pingniang initially wanted to speak further but upon looking at Li Zhibai’s calm eyes, suddenly felt a chill on her spine, swallowed, and refrained from joking, turning rigidly to gaze at Miss Lu, forcing a smile in response to the latter’s puzzled eyes.

Outside the window, dense raindrops fell on the window sill, producing a crackling sound, the wind swaying the wooden window lattices like an urgent percussion.

’Scary.’

’Scary...’

’Did Ah Bai remember something? Why is she suddenly unhappy.’

Zhu Pingniang understood Li Zhibai well, sometimes just the change in her breathing rhythm or the ripples in her gaze could convey Li Zhibai’s emotions.

Currently, Li Zhibai’s face clearly displayed dissatisfaction, more exaggerated than her usual helplessness when Zhu Pingniang clings to her.

She was unhappy now.

But why.

Zhu Pingniang did not dare ask, because when a usually unperturbed woman gets sulky, it’s terrifying, and she did not wish to become a victim—

She decided it’ll be best to ask when her mood lightens.

Zhu Pingniang resolved to be an obedient girl.

"..." Li Zhibai fully unaware of her own unhappiness, merely upon hearing about sword dance, slowly analyzed Yun Qian’s thoughts, as well as understanding the significance behind the exchange between Chang’an and Wen Li.

Li Zhibai realized she overlooked something when speaking to Chang’an earlier—that she only allowed Chang’an to rely more on Tong Jun, forgetting to include herself.

She should’ve told Chang’an to depend on her more too.

She’s the teacher at Sword Hall, Wen Li’s sword skills were taught by her, and Chang’an’s sword skills were also taught by her.

Yet why, when Yun Qian showed interest in sword dance, Chang’an first looked towards Wen Li, instead of her as a teacher?

No matter how one thinks, the most appropriate person to teach Ms. Yun sword dance is herself, not Wen Li?

Upon deeper reflection, Li Zhibai understood why; perhaps it’s because she always wore a withered Daoist robe, and her stern demeanor made him unable to envision her dancing with a sword.

It’s likely that in Chang’an’s eyes, sword dance isn’t real swordplay; the swordsmanship he practiced is the real sword.

But truthfully, whether it’s sword dance or swordsmanship, she is proficient in both, just her status gave no one the opportunity to witness her dance.

The slight disappointment in Li Zhibai’s eyes turned into resignation.

But it’s okay, she can still teach Yun Qian, after all, the Dianzhuang (makeup) lessons will also be her teaching... these things simply can’t be rushed.

It’s not that she enjoys being authoritative, but Wen Li’s sword dance is too graceful; if it’s imbued with sword intent, the killing aura is too heavy, but without sword intent, it’s as stable as a mountain.

Thus, the inner realm constructed from Wen Li’s sword dance forcibly drags the enemy in, meant for combat, is truly unsuitable for Yun Qian, who is gentle like water, pure and clear.

If she were to learn, it should be from the aesthetics of Muyu Peak’s ladies, akin to Yun Qian’s wish to learn makeup, she seeks not a combative approach.

Therefore, Wen Li’s sword dance is only suitable for herself, not for Yun Qian.

However, Li Zhibai could roughly deduce Xu Chang’an’s thoughts.

Yun Qian wanting to learn sword dance simply for the beauty, hence Wen Li wouldn’t be suitable.

Xu Chang’an having her learn, is for the security measure against threats, if needed for combat, hence Wen Li is the most suitable.

This is where the difference between husband and wife thinking lies.

But Li Zhibai believes these disparities are no issue at all.

A sword dance that’s both beautiful and practical, she can perform it too; it’s just... she probably needs to think, having not danced for a long time, likely forgotten it completely.