And we have no certainty on where Shagguan stands, the guy did just aid BJ against Vahista, so he may not be so neutral any more.
Bai Jiutian stepped backwards, panting hard.
She He flicked his sword sideways before returning to his stance. This was the hardest fight he had ever encountered in his life, and had Vahista not been injured during the battle at the cliff, he doubt he would have lasted this long. Still, he was tiring - the fiery
qi attacks launched by the enemy were burning at him both inside and outside. He grit his teeth - as unwilling as he was, he might actually have to use
that move.
Vahista stepped forward slowly, hands held low. The heavy metal rings circled around his wrists, clinking against each other. The air shimmered around him as he moved. Shaking the loose strands of hair away from his face, Bai Jiutian gripped his sword tightly, concentrating wholly on his opponent.
"This is getting rather too silly for my tastes. Come, stop this boring fight. It would be far more interesting to sit, drink and talk. Well, more drinking, at any rate." A lazy drawl interrupted his focus. He turned to look, Vahista mirroring his actions, and saw a mild-mannered man walking towards them. His hands were bare, the only weapon about him a large, black sword strapped to his back. “Who are you?” challenged Vahista.
Bai Jiutian widened his eyes, recognizing the identity of the man before him. Shangguan Chuji, the reclusive Sword Saint. “Master Shangguan,” he called out carefully, “I understand.” He sheathed his sword, causing Vahista to raise his eyebrows in surprise. Bai Jiutian had seen the Sword Saint fight before: if the man said he wanted the fight to stop, it would be a smart decision to heed his words.
Vahista, on the other hand, had clearly not met the man before. He charged forward, perhaps thinking to defeat the sleepy-looking man before he could interfere with his duel now that Bai Jiutian had stepped back. The young Huashan swordsman could understand why: the Sword Saint emanated no threat or killing intent of the sort. Gauging his true ability was nearly impossible.
The Sword Saint sighed, raising two fingers in front of him while placing his other hand behind his back. “Attack. Sweeping chop from above with both arms. Counter. Style one hundred and two. The frozen lake imprisons the full moon.”
It was over in the blink of an eye. The Amesha Spenta was slumped over, unconscious, a criss-crossing pattern of cuts left deep in the ground around him. Bai Jiutian felt a bead of sweat roll down his forehead… the Sword Saint had done all of that in a split second without even drawing his sword. He had barely felt the swordmaster’s
qi shift.
Shangguan Chuji nonchalantly strolled up to the fallen Vahista and sat himself on the body. “So, what are you waiting for? Bring me some wine,” he gestured at Bai Jiutian. “I hear the Huashan Sect never goes anywhere without bringing at least two tankards. Brother Nie should have cultivated a fine stock this year.”
as possible.
