I Reborn on the Night I Divorced the Sword Deity, My Childhood Friend - Chapter 20.1

Was it finished just like that?

It was unknown how long it took before Wen Su finally snapped out of his subtle state of emotion.

He looked at the faintly glowing array on his palm. Even though Shen Junyu had already withdrawn his hand, that delicate, smooth sensation seemed to linger in his palm like a silken thread. Wen Su unconsciously curled his fingers inward. He looked up, his thin lips moving as if to speak, only to meet a pair of clear, translucent glazed eyes.

As their eyes locked, Shen Junyu said, “I did not realize before that the cultivation technique you gave me was so precious. Since you say you have no friends, then from now on, I shall consider myself your first friend.”

“If there is anything difficult that is inconvenient for you to say out loud, you can tell me quietly through this. After all, I am alone now as well; having a good friend by my side puts my mind much more at ease.”

“Does this sound good to you?”

As he spoke, Shen Junyu’s gaze was exceptionally clear and gentle. Though his smile was faint, it was remarkably sincere.

Wen Su was speechless. Looking into those eyes, he simply did not know how to respond. Shen Junyu’s sentiment was so pure and earnest that it made him feel an inexplicable sense of shame. After all, his initial reason for accompanying Shen Junyu was merely to find some amusement for this incarnation; his motives were far from pure. Furthermore, his true identity was a secret.

After a long silence, Wen Su’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He couldn’t help but whisper, “Actually, I…”

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door.

“Brother Wen, I apologize for my abrupt departure earlier. I wonder if the two of you are free now?”

Wen Su’s brow furrowed, and his first instinct was to refuse. But before he could speak, Shen Junyu glanced toward the door and said, “The Marquis is too polite. Whatever you have to say, please come in.”

Wen Su remained silent.

With a creak, the door was pushed open. A series of brilliant lights from various treasures nearly blinded the two of them. Wen Su squinted and saw that Meng Xingyan had changed into yet another outfit. This time, it was a magnificent crimson robe with crane patterns woven in gold, paired with a purple-gold hair crown and a white jade belt. He was draped in tassels, jade pendants, and precious artifacts. His handsome and elegant appearance held a trace of flamboyant extravagance.

Shen Junyu remained expressionless, while Wen Su looked on with confusion.

In the next second, the flamboyant Young Marquis Meng Xingyan walked toward Shen Junyu with a face full of smiles. He reached out quite intimately to put an arm around Shen Junyu’s shoulder and said, “It was my rudeness earlier; please do not take offense, Brother Wen. I have already…”

Before he could finish his sentence, the hand resting on Shen Junyu’s shoulder was discreetly pulled away. Simultaneously, Wen Su moved expressionlessly to block Shen Junyu, saying coldly, “Young Marquis, my younger brother does not like being touched by others. My apologies.”

The room fell into a dead silence.

Eventually, Shen Junyu reached out to gently press his hand against the back of Wen Su’s hand, reminding him in a low voice, “Brother?”

At the touch of that delicate, soft sensation, the nameless fire rising in Wen Su’s heart was instantly extinguished for some reason. After a moment of silence, Wen Su withdrew his hand without another word and said indifferently, “My apologies.”

Such a perfunctory and contemptuous apology made Meng Xingyan’s brow twitch violently. However, remembering his purpose for coming, Meng Xingyan suppressed his anger. He offered an imperceptible smile and cupped his hands. “I see. It seems I have caused offense. Please do not blame me, Brother Wen.”

After a brief silence, Wen Su replied coldly, “It is nothing.”

The corner of Meng Xingyan’s mouth twitched. Seeing this, and fearing further friction between the two, Shen Junyu took the initiative to ask, “Why has the Marquis come?”

Meng Xingyan snapped back to his senses and immediately produced a beautiful black jade box, handing it over.

“I haven’t had the chance to give Brother Wen the prize from the competition earlier. Fearing that the servants might be incompetent, I brought it personally. Brother Wen must accept it.”

Shen Junyu was slightly surprised to see the black jade box. He hadn’t expected Meng Xingyan to be so willing to part with it. However, he was naturally bright; seeing Meng Xingyan’s expectant and respectful gaze and noting the contrast in his attitude, he guessed the reason instantly. Having understood, Shen Junyu became composed. “In that case, I shall accept it.”

Seeing him accept the gift, Meng Xingyan pressed further. “Brother Wen, why don’t you open it and see if the weapon fits your hand?”

Shen Junyu had intended to open it with Wen Su after Meng Xingyan left, but since the Marquis insisted, he could not refuse. He opened the box as requested.

As the box opened, a silver-blue light resembling flowing water poured out, looking like a shattered rainbow of frosted snow. Once the light faded, an exceptionally beautiful long saber lay quietly in the box. It featured a sharkskin hilt and a Fusang wood handle; the blade glowed with a mysterious blue-silver light and was engraved with intricate, flowing runes.

Shen Junyu could not help but praise, “A fine blade.” It truly was a Heaven-grade Demon Soul Weapon.

Then, Shen Junyu raised his hand to take out the saber and gave it a casual flourish. His white sleeves fluttered as the blade light flowed like a rainbow. That silver-blue light reflecting off the white-clad figure caught Meng Xingyan’s eye, making him daze for a moment. An explanatory thought formed in Meng Xingyan’s mind: With such grace, even with ordinary looks, he is worth taking a risk for. He suddenly lost the feeling of regret over giving the blade away; a precious blade should belong to a beauty.

Beside him, a pair of deep, sea-black eyes also quietly followed the white-clad figure like a shadow.

Yet at that moment, Shen Junyu looked down at the blade for a moment and suddenly shook his head. “What a pity. I am used to swords; I cannot handle a saber.” In the next second, Shen Junyu smiled and looked at Wen Su. “I remember that you are skilled with a saber, Brother. Why don’t you take it?”

Meng Xingyan was shocked.

Wen Su snapped out of his daze, momentarily stunned. He quickly recalled that while they were teamed up in the secret realm, he had indeed used a saber several times. He hadn’t expected Shen Junyu to remember this. For a moment, Wen Su’s heart felt warm, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes. “You are truly giving it to me?”

Shen Junyu looked at the bewildered Meng Xingyan and said candidly, “Young Marquis, may I gift this Demon Soul Weapon to another?”

Meng Xingyan was speechless. Even if he was unwilling, he could only act magnanimous and smile. “Since this item now belongs to Brother Wen, it is naturally yours to handle as you wish.” Inwardly, however, he felt a surge of bitterness, thinking that Shen Junyu was far too generous to those he cared about.

Shen Junyu replied gracefully, “Then I thank the Young Marquis.”

Meng Xingyan could only scoff inwardly while saying polite words. Shen Junyu handed the black jade box to Wen Su, who accepted it gladly.

Meng Xingyan watched the warm interaction between the two, his gaze sweeping several times over Wen Su’s unremarkable face. An involuntary sense of jealousy and dissatisfaction took root in his heart. If even someone with Wen Su’s looks could succeed, why couldn’t he? For the sake of the divination secrets and the future of the Meng family, he decided to go for it.

Thinking this, Meng Xingyan’s eyes flickered as he smiled at Shen Junyu. “Brother Wen, there will be a firework display on the river tonight. I happen to have a galley that is perfect for the view. If the two of you would do me the honor of attending, consider it my way of welcoming you.”

Under normal circumstances, Shen Junyu would likely have refused. But having accepted the gift, he felt it would be improper to decline. After a moment of thought, he said, “Very well, we shall meet then.”

Meng Xingyan’s eyes lit up. “Excellent. I shall prepare the wine and wait.”

Meng Xingyan left. For a moment, only Shen Junyu and Wen Su remained in the room.

Wen Su put away the black jade box and looked at Shen Junyu. After a while, he couldn’t help but ask with feigned indifference, “Why did you deliberately slight Meng Xingyan’s face just now? Aren’t you afraid of making him angry?”

Shen Junyu shook his head. “His intentions are not pure; I only wanted to make him back down. It seems his skin is thicker than I thought.”

Wen Su’s thoughts flashed like lightning. He pressed his lips together and probed, “You know his intentions are not pure?”

Shen Junyu looked at Wen Su, his expression unchanged. “Before my engagement to Yuan Muzhou, my suitors were as numerous as the fish in the river, each with their own motives. Meng Xingyan is the type whose acting is the worst and whose ambition is the heaviest; I can see through him at a glance.”

At the mention of “Yuan Muzhou,” Wen Su’s brow twitched. But seeing Shen Junyu’s calm tone and steady expression, he finally felt relieved. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a subtle sense of conflict. It was good that Shen Junyu was so clear-headed, but perhaps he was too clear-headed. Was giving the weapon away also just a performance?

Seeing him lost in thought, Shen Junyu asked, “What is the matter?”

Wen Su snapped back to reality. “I—” After a pause, he awkwardly changed the subject. “I was thinking about the new saber.”

Shen Junyu was stunned, not expecting him to be thinking about that. He nodded and praised seriously, “That blade is indeed very beautiful. If it weren’t for the fact that I am not suited for it and already have my natal sword, I would truly be reluctant to give it to you.”

Hearing this, Wen Su’s heart stirred. His furrowed brow relaxed, and a gentle smile appeared in his dark eyes. “You truly liked the blade that much?”

Shen Junyu found his smile strange. “Naturally. Why would I lie to you?”

Wen Su was speechless. Seeing his reaction, Shen Junyu’s heart stirred. “Could it be that you were afraid I would steal it back?”

Wen Su was helpless. Shen Junyu’s guess was logical; in her eyes, Wen Su was just a Golden Core cultivator with limited resources. She didn’t know Wen Su had another identity and that the true purpose of the Red Flame Arrow was stronger than she imagined.

After a brief silence, Wen Su snapped out of his thoughts. He glanced at Shen Junyu’s nuanced expression and decided to play along. “I do indeed like this saber very much. Since you aren’t going to snatch it, I shall keep it safe.”

Shen Junyu shook his head dismissively. “Rest assured, if you like it, keep it. I will never snatch it from you.”

“Mm,” Wen Su replied, a faint fire rising in his eyes.

That night, on the great river, countless colorful fireworks shot into the sky, reflecting off the shimmering waves and stretching from the shore to the horizon. Surrounded by this splendor, the bright moon hung quietly in the sky, cold and gentle like a jade plate. A luxurious white jade galley floated on the river.

Dozens of handsome demon maids and men crowded the deck, singing and dancing. At the bow, three white jade tables were arranged in a semi-circle. Meng Xingyan sat in the center, Shen Junyu on the left, and Wen Su on the right. The three watched the passionate dancers with differing expressions.

Meng Xingyan had a smile on his lips and a hint of intoxication in his eyes, occasionally tapping along to the rhythm. Wen Su, however, frowned as he recognized two familiar faces among the dozens of people. He realized this ship belonged to Meng Xingyan. Had the Marquis done similar sordid things on this boat before? Thinking of Meng Xingyan’s earlier ambiguous attitude toward Shen Junyu, a surge of irritation rose in his heart. He felt for the first time that the uninhibited atmosphere of the Demon Race was a bit too much.

In contrast, Shen Junyu held his cup in one hand and rested the other on the table, looking calm. He didn’t seem to recognize the two men he had seen at the tavern. This reassured Wen Su somewhat.

Halfway through the dance, Meng Xingyan seemed to gain momentum. He pulled out a purple-gold flute and began to play. The melody was melodious yet contained an indescribable, lingering demonic vibration that slowly stirred people’s hearts. Gradually, the atmosphere on the galley became thick and heated. The dancers, listening to the flute, began to embrace and kiss passionately. As the chaotic scene unfolded, the dancers began to move toward Wen Su and Shen Junyu with longing looks.

In the face of such lewdness, the veins on Wen Su’s forehead throbbed. He tightened his grip on his wine cup and was about to act when a voice rang out.

“Oh, I thought some stray fox from the Spirit Race had come here to seduce people. Turns out it’s just Brother Meng? Tsk, tsk.”

A languid, clear voice drifted from afar, laced with demonic energy. It effortlessly broke Meng Xingyan’s melody. Wen Su paused and set down his cup. The dancers, previously in a feverish state, snapped back to their senses, looking around in confusion.

A figure in purple robes stepped across the waves, holding a gilded folding fan. He stood gracefully at the bow, a smile on his lips but dark undercurrents in his eyes. He clearly came with ill intent.

Having his melody broken, Meng Xingyan’s face was extremely unsightly, but he held back because of his guests. He waved the dancers away. Once the area was clear, he looked expressionlessly at the figure in purple.

“Mu Lingtian, I have honored guests here today. I won’t settle our grievances right now. Scram.”

The purple-clad man, Mu Lingtian, raised an eyebrow. He scanned Shen Junyu and Wen Su with an uninhibited gaze. He snapped his fan shut and said disdainfully, “I recall Brother Meng deliberately avoided me lately, spending every day trying to please the Cloud Dream Demon Lord. How have you changed partners so quickly?”

Mu Lingtian gave a provocative smile. “I suppose the Demon Lord didn’t want you? To settle for this kind of quality… tsk, you really aren’t a picky eater.”

Faced with such blunt mockery, even the composed Meng Xingyan felt his brow twitch violently as killing intent flared in his eyes. Suddenly, a voice spoke.

“Whose dog isn’t leashed properly, barking all over the place?”

The sound of the river against the shore and the wind grew clear. Everyone was stunned. They all turned to look at Wen Su. Mu Lingtian, recovering from the shock, exploded. “You little brat, what did you say?!”

Wen Su held his wine cup with a steady hand and a calm smile. “There it is again. Truly unpleasant to the ear.”

Mu Lingtian, initially enraged, suddenly laughed. He mocked Wen Su with a crude insult about his character. Before he could finish, a profound, icy, and vast aura erupted from Wen Su, surging toward him. Though Mu Lingtian was a Nascent Soul stage demonic cultivator—an entire realm above Wen Su—he was caught off guard and stumbled back from the shock of the energy.

While Mu Lingtian was still in shock and rage, Wen Su crushed his cup, tossed it aside, and stood up.

“What is the point of a war of words? Why don’t we see who is the waste? Dare you?”

Shen Junyu frowned, instinctively wanting to stop him via the array. However, noticing Wen Su’s calm and steady profile, he performed a quick calculation. Once finished, his heart was at ease. He leisurely raised his wine cup to watch the confrontation.

Mu Lingtian felt a chill of trepidation at Wen Su’s indifferent gaze, but he quickly dismissed it. He was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator; why should he fear a post-stage Golden Core brat putting on an act? If he were truly a young genius, he would have been famous in the Demon Realm long ago.

“Fine,” Mu Lingtian said with a murderous look. “I won’t take advantage of you. I’ll suppress my cultivation to the same realm and fight you.”

Wen Su gave a slight sneer. “I hope you don’t regret it.”

“Strike!” Mu Lingtian barked.

With a thunderous roar, two brilliant demonic lights collided, sending giant waves surging across the river.

Meng Xingyan and Shen Junyu stood on the deck as waves splashed in all directions, the impact causing the galley to tremble slightly. Meng Xingyan immediately stabilized the hull, shielding the two of them from the spray.