Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 14 Cooling Beads

As soon as Qi Hao finished speaking, the entire Shoujing Hall fell silent.

Tian Buyi and Su Ru frowned, while Song Daren and the other disciples looked at Qi Hao with puzzled expressions, clearly not understanding why he was interrupting and talking to Tian Ling'er.

Tian Ling'er also gave Qi Hao a strange look, but out of politeness, she nodded in response.

"It is indeed Junior Sister, but I wonder how Senior Brother Qi Hao knew about me."

"Senior Sister is exceptionally talented, and her reputation as a child prodigy is probably known to everyone in the sect. It is only natural that Senior Brother Qi has heard of her."

Zhang Xiaofan glanced at Qi Hao suspiciously, then turned to Tian Ling'er with a light laugh.

Although Tian Ling'er is known for her precocious talent, she rarely leaves Dazhu Peak, at most going to Xiaozhu Peak. It's normal for Qi Haoruo to praise her since he has only heard of her.

But Qi Hao came prepared, bringing a gift for Tian Ling'er, which was rather strange.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiaofan suddenly remembered the Taoist Cangsong, and a faint understanding dawned on him.

Qi Hao's actions were probably not at the behest of Daoist Cangsong. Otherwise, how could a disciple who has cultivated for nearly a hundred years and often goes down the mountain to train, with a firm Dao heart, be so frivolous as to give Tian Ling'er a gift on their first meeting?

Moreover, it was a rather special magical artifact like the Cooling Pearl. Qi Hao wasn't the kind of person with such a fetish, so why would he carry it around all the time and even put it in a brocade box?

Was all of this part of Cangsong Daoren's scheme?

Although Daoist Cangsong harbored resentment towards the sect leader, Daoxuan Zhenren, and was dissatisfied with his heartless execution of Wan Jianyi without regard for their fraternal bond, he still cared about Qingyun and Longshou Peak.

Moreover, Daoist Cangsong is a man of meticulous mind and far-sighted plans. He had already secretly colluded with the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, intending to commit heinous acts.

At that time, Qingyun Sect naturally had no place to stand, but it could not let go of the Longshou Peak lineage, worrying that its eldest disciple Qi Hao would not be able to support it.

After all, Daoist Cangsong was Qi Hao's mentor. His defection would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the other branches of the sect towards the Dragon Head Peak branch, and even opposition to Qi Hao succeeding as the head and taking charge of the Dragon Head Peak.

The mentor who introduced Qi Hao to Qingyun has betrayed the group. Who can be sure that Qi Hao won't betray Qingyun in the future?
Therefore, Daoist Cangsong needs to find an assistant for Qi Hao to help him secure his position as the head of the Dragon Head Peak and prevent the position from falling into the hands of others.

The Tian Buyi couple are the best choice.

Although the two disliked each other, Cangsong Daoren understood Tian Buyi very well. Although he had a terrible temper, he was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

Out of respect for Senior Brother Wan and him, although he would not support him, he would not make things difficult for his lineage. If Qi Hao could marry Tian Ling'er, even if Tian Buyi was dissatisfied, he would not really let it go.

As long as Tian Buyi and his wife support Qi Hao, Master Shuiyue of Xiaozhu Peak will agree out of respect for Su Ru, and then he can rest assured.

Zhang Xiaofan's guess was not far off. There was another reason why Master Cangsong made this choice: Tian Ling'er was young, innocent, and naive, making her easy to take advantage of and a good match for.

Qi Hao was unaware that Zhang Xiaofan had guessed his mentor's instructions. He saw that Zhang Xiaofan and Tian Ling'er looked somewhat like a perfect couple, but he couldn't help but recall his mentor's stern expression before leaving. Qi Hao sighed inwardly, a look of guilt flashing in his eyes.

After calming himself down, Qi Hao smiled slightly and said softly.

"Junior Sister Tian is only sixteen years old, yet her attainments in the Taiji Xuanqing Dao are already extraordinary, a fact known throughout the sect. I, her senior brother, have long admired her, and seeing her today, I can confirm that her reputation is well-deserved." Qi Hao had never seen Tian Ling'er before, nor had he ever witnessed her in action, so how could he know the extent of her Daoist skills? This was all told to him by his master, Daoist Cangsong.

Upon hearing this, Tian Ling'er frowned, feeling that her senior brother was not as composed as her junior brother. She took a step back, landing half a body behind Zhang Xiaofan, and gave a soft snort.

"Senior brother, don't talk nonsense. This is only the first time we've met. How could I possibly admire you?"

After saying that, Tian Ling'er subconsciously turned her head to look at Zhang Xiaofan, only to see Zhang Xiaofan turn back and give her a comforting smile. She seemed to think of something and her face turned red.

Tian Buyi frowned. After Tian Ling'er spoke, he didn't say much, but his expression was a little unpleasant, and he seemed to feel a little anxious.

Su Ru frowned slightly, feeling that her junior brother Qi Hao's words and actions were somewhat frivolous, but she still gave Tian Ling'er a light rebuke.

"Ling'er, don't talk nonsense."

Seeing Tian Ling'er and Zhang Xiaofan like this, Qi Hao felt a sense of relief for some reason, but he still took a step forward and said something.

"Uncle Su, please don't blame Junior Sister. It was I who was impolite just now. Fortunately, I have a Cooling Pearl on me. Although it is not a rare treasure, it can relieve summer heat. I will give it to Junior Sister Tian as an apology."

As he spoke, Qi Hao took out a small brocade box from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Xiaofan.

“Nephew Qi, you flatter me. This Cooling Pearl is a treasure, and Ling’er cannot accept it. Please take it back.”

Upon hearing this, Su Ru immediately refused, and Zhang Xiaofan waved his hand in refusal.

"Senior Brother Qi, my senior sister was impolite just now. Please take back this Cooling Pearl."

Tian Ling'er didn't speak, but looked at the figure that was already taller than her in front of her. A sweet feeling welled up in her heart for no reason, and a hint of joy appeared on her face.

"Senior Uncle Su, Junior Brother Zhang, I did misspoke just now and offended Junior Sister Tian. Please accept this Cooling Pearl!"

Qi Hao was very insistent, not only because he wanted to fulfill his mentor's instructions, but also because he felt guilty.

Although Qi Hao obeyed Cangsong Daoist's every word, he had been cultivating the Dao for many years and had his own principles. If Tian Ling'er had no one in her heart, Qi Hao would be happy with the marriage arranged by his mentor.

Given the current situation, how could Qi Hao possibly do such a despicable thing?
"I implore Uncle Su to let Junior Sister Tian decide this matter. After all, it was I who offended Junior Sister Tian. I beg Junior Sister Tian to accept this, otherwise Qi Hao will feel guilty."

As Qi Hao spoke, he looked at Tian Ling'er with a solemn expression, but he still placed the brocade box in front of Zhang Xiaofan. Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan did not say anything more, but turned to look at Tian Ling'er.

"Xiao Fan, since Senior Brother Qi has said so, then accept it. Besides, isn't your Burning Sword a fire-attribute magic weapon? Wouldn't it be perfect to use this Cooling Pearl as a sword tassel to wear on your person?"

Tian Ling'er pondered for a moment, then nodded gently and smiled sweetly at Zhang Xiaofan.

"Then thank you, Senior Brother Qi!"

Zhang Xiaofan raised his hand and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Qi Hao. Upon seeing this, Qi Hao returned the salute, and a relaxed smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

(End of this chapter)