Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind-Chapter 42 - 36: First Battle

After a sleepless night, You Su’s eyes were filled with bloodshot veins like tiny red worms.

At the break of dawn, Ji Lingruo’s weak words, "You Su, I’m hungry," finally roused You Su from his long vigil.

Like the stone monkey enlightened by Buddha, You Su instantly regained his vigor. He hurriedly got up, realizing his whole body was stiff and sore, especially his hands, which had been clenching tightly all night, leaving dried blood in his palms.

He jogged to his junior sister’s door, trying not to reveal his intense concern, and asked:

"Junior Sister, are you feeling better? What do you want for breakfast?"

"Just cook me a bowl of noodles, with two fried eggs! No greens!"

The junior sister’s strength made You Su’s heart ache. He gently said:

"Eating too many eggs when you’re unwell isn’t good, it’s hard to digest. One fried egg, with more greens."

"Just two! Less greens, will that do..."

"Alright then." You Su smiled and turned to head to the kitchen.

Lying in bed, the girl was as delicate as a frail willow in the wind, her pale illness only adding to her beauty. Hearing You Su’s cheerful promise like a shop assistant, she smiled warmly, bringing a bloom of spring to the room. As if remembering something, she hesitated and called out to You Su:

"You Su..."

"Yes?" You Su took a few steps back.

"About the chestnut chicken, I didn’t mean to not eat it... I really couldn’t eat it yesterday... Maybe you could save it for me to eat tonight?"

It felt as if the softest part of his heart was being tightly held; You Su’s breath even paused for a moment, the gut-wrenching pain nearly piercing through his chest.

This normally spoiled girl had just narrowly escaped a demon’s clutch, yet she was worried about neglecting her brother’s trivial kindness.

"A lovely thought, but it’s gone this morning, I had it all with noodles. Tonight, you’ll have to make do with plain congee." You Su forced down the piercing pain, joking with her in a lively tone, then went off to the kitchen.

"Tsk." The girl, who was both pitiful and lovely, pouted and pulled the quilt over her face full of smiles.

...

The sun hung high in the sky.

You Su didn’t tell Ji Lingruo about the competition today. Once he was sure his junior sister was asleep, he headed to the City Lord’s mansion.

Everyone along the way was in a hurry, carrying their families and friends as they urged, "Quick, let’s go to the City Lord’s mansion to watch the fight!"

For ordinary people, witnessing a cultivator’s battle was indeed a rare spectacle.

The area in front of the City Lord’s mansion was packed, surrounded by commoners at the outermost edge and filled with cultivators of all sorts inside.

Being blind was a major drawback in situations like this. Even though You Su had cultivation, his current sensory skills weren’t enough to help him navigate such a complex terrain.

In fact, even if one wasn’t blind, it would be impossible to push through such a crowd without twenty years of experience plowing through oxen. You Su had no choice but to inch forward slowly amidst the throng.

There was a distant hope that one day, like the scene where the protagonist descends upon the arena just in the nick of time, it might happen to him.

Stumbling through the crowd was indeed unsightly, but it didn’t shake You Su’s determination to win.

Wanting to lead two possessed individuals across mountains to reach the Divine Mountain was a formidable challenge. Even if he managed to reach the Divine Mountain after much hardship, it’s possible he wouldn’t find a way in. Thus, obtaining the status of a listening disciple was a stepping stone he was determined to attain.

As he squeezed forward, he suddenly noticed the people around him stepping aside, creating a path for someone approaching him. With so many people and such mixed energies, he couldn’t immediately recognize that person’s presence.

"Hurry up, your opponent is waiting for you." It was Wu Cheng.

You Su didn’t respond, silently following behind Wu Cheng. Some familiar commoners recognized him, loudly cheering support, and You Su smiled at each one in response.

The City Lord’s mansion formed a circular arena. Opposite the main seats, there were two seats; on one sat Mr. Liou, and on the other, Mr. Gu. Below them were the Sect Leader of the Shouxi Sect and leaders from other sects seated on both sides.

In the center of the arena stood a tall man, about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, dressed in tight-fitting clothes that showed off his muscles. He looked at the unhurried You Su, flexing his arms that were as thick as elephant legs, his eyes eager with anticipation.

He was Sheng Ziling, the second among the younger generation of the Wind Thunder Fist Sect in Chuyun City. Ever since he found out his first-round opponent was You Su, his master had placed high hopes on him.

This subtly made him feel that if only he could defeat You Su, he would become the leading figure of the Wind Thunder Fist Sect, and that junior brother who always overshadowed him would become his subordinate; whether he became a listening disciple didn’t matter anymore.

He never worried about You Su’s ability. Though he once sought a duel with You Su and was refused, he dismissed it as cowardice. You Su reaching the Spirit Platform Building at eighteen was indeed remarkable, but Sheng Ziling had been at the Spirit Platform Realm for five years since nineteen, a gap he believed couldn’t be easily bridged.

Seeing You Su taking the stage, Sheng Ziling lazily stretched, his demeanor even somewhat indolent.

"Blind You, where have you been dawdling? I thought you wouldn’t come, you were quite the sight yesterday." Sheng Ziling grinned with an exaggerated arc.

At this moment, You Su wished not only to be blind but also deaf. Sheng Ziling, however, assumed he was mute too, just about to continue jeering when Mr. Liou’s loud announcement echoed:

"Both sides have arrived, perform the ceremonial exchanges! The battle begins at the sound of the drum!"

You Su calmly bowed and clasped his hands, while Sheng Ziling seemed somewhat reluctant.

Gu Yao sat up straight, expertly concealing his interest. He keenly wanted to know if the blind young man possessed strength to match his agile mind.

"Bang, bang, bang!" The copper drum was suddenly struck. Everyone focused on the upcoming duel.

You Su felt uncomfortable being the center of attention, having grown up used to blending into the crowd. For a blind person lacking a sense of security, it was equivalent to standing naked in the spotlight, exposed.

He had been forced into the spotlight once yesterday; he didn’t expect he would have to endure it again today, and would have to keep doing so until he won.

Feeling desolate, You Su only wanted to end the fight quickly. Yet the burly man across seemed unwilling to finish too fast, continuously taunting with a flippant tone, getting angrier the more he was ignored.

Feeling helpless, You Su worried the brute might faint from anger before the fight, prompting him to act.

In a flash, dressed in white, he was like a streak of light, and in the next moment, the scabbard of the Mo Song Sword was already pressing against Sheng Ziling’s thick neck, suppressing his throbbing artery.

The once noisy venue fell silent in an instant. Many young cultivators stood dumbfounded, and the commoners who squeezed in were left gawking, while those of higher cultivation showed varied expressions in their eyes.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

The copper drum sounded once more, and Mr. Liou elongated the last note as he announced:

"Mandarin Duck Sword Sect, You Su wins!"