JSCMU-Chapter 29: Impressive Acting

As Lin Ya continued his lament, sorrow overwhelmed him, and his cries grew even more heartfelt and genuine.

Yue Zhao and the others, unaware of the full truth, assumed Yun Jin was gravely injured. Grief clouded their expressions. Yue Zhao fought to hold back tears, though his eyes were already rimmed red. Si Wanning couldn’t contain herself, and tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Even Yu Songnian radiated an aura of utter despair.

They truly believed their junior sister was on the brink of death.

Yun Jin was stunned by the scene.

What was going on?

She had only set the tone a little…how did her master and senior brothers and sister all suddenly burst into a full-blown melodrama?

Compared to them, she suddenly looked a bit lacking!

This wouldn’t do.

Yun Jin’s competitive spirit surged. She clutched Lin Ya’s sleeve, her expression tragic. “Master, it’s all my fault! Though your cultivation was crippled for the sake of the sect, what good is that now? In the cultivation world, strength is everything. Now that the sect master wants to kill me, what can you do? Please, don’t worry about me. Let me die here and now!”

She struggled to her feet. “Sect Master, it was my mistake. I’ll end my life here. Just please, spare my master and my senior brothers and sister.”

With that, Yun Jin launched herself forward, aiming to smash her head on the ground.

Lin Ya inhaled sharply. His disciple was overperforming now!

He quickly caught Yun Jin, expression full of sorrow. “You are my disciple, of course I must take responsibility for you. If the sect master must kill someone, let it be me. I’m already a cripple anyway.”

“No, kill me first.”

“No, me.”

Yue Zhao and the others rushed forward.

The scene was so tragic that even spectators below the platform began wiping their tears.

Zhao Wuji: “…”

Had he really gone that far?

Was it possible Yun Jin had only pretended to withstand his pressure and had actually reached her limit?

As Zhao Wuji began to doubt himself, the elderly man who had arrived with Lin Ya glanced at him with displeasure. “Wuji, bullying a brand-new disciple as the sect master, don’t you think you’re too shameless?”

Zhao Wuji’s face shifted. “Sword Elder, the new disciple spoke out of turn. I merely intended to discipline her. Otherwise, would anyone dare speak so boldly to the sect leader?”

The old man was known as the Sword Elder.

He held no formal position, having long focused solely on swordsmanship. But in strength, he surpassed even Zhao Wuji.

More importantly, although originally of Tianxing Sect, Sword Elder had since joined the Kunlun Sword Sect, mastering the most orthodox sword techniques.

He was at late-stage Fusion Realm and stronger than Zhao Wuji. Even if they were on equal levels, his sword techniques would be difficult to match.

Zhao Wuji had a powerful father in a holy land, therefore he understood how terrifying such holy lands were. 

He held power as sect master thanks to his father, and the elders usually let him be. But Sword Elder came from the holy land too, so he had nothing to fear.

“What speaking out of turn!” Si Wanning cried indignantly. “The sect master saw my little junior sister’s talent and tried to force her under his tutelage. When she refused, he attacked her. Now we don’t even know if she’ll survive! If Tianxing Sect has no place for our Heavenly Sword Peak anymore, just say so and we’ll leave with our master immediately!”

“So many disciples saw what happened with their own eyes and heard it with their own ears! Even if no one dares speak openly, do you think you can silence everyone?” Yue Zhao said angrily.

“Insolence!” Zhao Wuji shouted. “Is this how your master educates you?!”

Holding Yun Jin, Lin Ya looked sorrowful. “There’s no need to say anything else, Sect Master. You’ve hated me ever since I contended with you for the position of sect leader. If you must kill, then kill me. But please spare my disciples.”

“No! It’s all my fault. Kill me!” Yun Jin grabbed Lin Ya.

“I’m the eldest senior brother. It should be me. Do it, Sect Master.” Yue Zhao’s tone was grim.

“Didn’t you always say ‘ladies first’?” Si Wanning said resolutely. “Kill me first.”

Yu Songnian said nothing, but stepped forward as well.

Zhao Wuji: “…”

Again???

Was this ever going to end?

He genuinely felt like killing them all.

“Zhao Wuji,” the old man said with visible disdain. “As sect master, the elders gave you authority over the entire sect, and this is how you manage everything? It’s already disappointing that you didn’t look after Lin Ya when he was injured for the sect’s sake, but now you’re even striking him while he’s down! With such conduct, how can you expect anyone’s respect?”

Others might fear Zhao Wuji, but not him.

In terms of combat power, sword cultivators reigned supreme. Even the mighty Qingxiao Pavilion wouldn’t dare challenge Kunlun Sword Sect.

His words left Zhao Wuji’s expression dark. “Sword Elder, that’s a bit much. I’ve always acted fairly. Today’s incident was just an accident. If I had truly wanted to harm a disciple, would she have survived until your arrival? I heard a newly admitted disciple called Yun Jin stole sect techniques and disrespected her elders. Such a disciple is not suited for Tianxing Sect.”

“Stole sect techniques?” Si Wanning couldn’t hold back. “All her swordsmanship was self-taught! We never taught her a thing! Earlier, Senior Brother Ruan had someone test her! Those high-tier Huang level sword techniques? She learned them just from observing a few times! Are you saying the disciples Senior Brother Ruan brought in had secretly taught her?”

She laid it all out clearly.

Zhao Wuji’s expression changed.

This wasn’t good.

Sure enough, Sword Elder looked intrigued. “Did she truly master high-tier Huang level swordsmanship after just three observations?”

Yun Jin spat another mouthful of blood and said weakly, “Barely.”

Sword Elder looked excited.

If this was true…

He might have just found a true sword prodigy!

If the Innate Sword Body of this generation had truly been discovered by him…

Then he, Sword Elder would ascend to greatness in a single step.

“Don’t listen to these juniors’ nonsense, Sword Elder. Who knows what underhanded tricks they’ve used to—” Zhao Wuji began, but Sword Elder paid him no attention.

He simply pulled out a yellowed manual and tossed it directly to Yun Jin. “This sword technique came into my possession by chance. It’s quite unusual and not widely known, also a high-tier Huang level technique. Without the manual, you’d need to watch it three times to grasp it. With the manual, I’ll give you one incense stick’s time. Can you learn it?”

Zhao Wuji’s expression darkened further.

He had wanted to take Yun Jin under his wing precisely because he feared her potential in swordsmanship.

Now that Sword Elder had appeared in person, if Yun Jin truly did have a remarkable sword talent, she might be recruited directly into the Kunlun Sword Sect!

And if she truly possessed the legendary Innate Sword Body…

That would be terrifying!

Every sect master of Kunlun Sword Sect through the ages must possess the Innate Sword Body.

If Yun Jin had that constitution, she could one day even compete for the sect master’s seat of the Kunlun Sword Sect!

Zhao Wuji couldn’t help but glare daggers at Yun Jin.

A mere Five Element Root disciple, it is impossible for her to have the Innate Sword body. Absolutely not possible.