Above the Galaxy
Chapter 414 - 264: A Single Slash, A Sky Full of Starlight Scatters!

Chapter 414: Chapter 264: A Single Slash, A Sky Full of Starlight Scatters!

Uncle Biao knew this question was hostile and asked aloud, "Do we still invite her in then?"

Shen Boyu glanced at him and retorted with a smile, "What nonsense are you talking about? It’s simply preposterous."

"She’s a princess, the bloodline of the Royal Family, representing the face of the royal household... Unless the Shen Family declares our denial of this master, we have to welcome her whenever she arrives."

"We must not only invite her in with all due respect, but we also have to serve her graciously, so as not to make her feel uncomfortable or lose face... This is deception. If we bully the young, would the elders be pleased?"

"In my opinion, we don’t need to be overly polite," Uncle Biao spoke up. "We take their feelings into account, but why don’t they consider ours?"

Shen Boyu sighed softly and said, "It’s Xing Lan who has been wronged. He’s stubborn by nature, with pride embedded in his bones. Even if he suffers any grievance, he wouldn’t speak out."

"I just don’t get it. Xing Lan is so outstanding; which girl could possibly match him? How could the Royal Princess... Could it be her taste isn’t quite up to par?"

"Young people’s affairs should be left to themselves. What do us two old fellows understand about their thoughts?"

Shen Boyu waved his hand and said, "What parent doesn’t like their own child? Stop grumbling and hurry up to invite her in. It wouldn’t be proper to keep her waiting any longer."

"Yes," Uncle Biao agreed and turned to go welcome the princess.

Shen Boyu gestured for the girls dressed in splendid cheongsams and singing Jinling tunes to leave and he himself rose from the wicker chair and walked towards the main hall.

As an elder, he couldn’t greet a Royal Princess in such a casual pose.

It would be impolite and undignified.

Soon, Phoenix entered, led by Uncle Biao.

"Grandpa." Phoenix bowed respectfully to Shen Boyu.

"Oh, my dear Xiu Xue, it’s been a while since your last visit, and I’ve missed you dearly," Shen Boyu said cheerily. "Come here and let me take a good look at you, to see if our family’s Xiu Xue has grown even more beautiful."

"Grandpa, you’re making fun of me," Phoenix said with a smile.

"Making fun? I speak nothing but the truth. Jie Wencai, the infatuated poet, praised you as the ultimate beauty, saying you outshine and outclass anyone else."

"Idle words from the common folk—how can they be believed?"

"He described your good friend Sheng Xinhua as ’producing grace beyond grace, fragrance beyond fragrance.’ Do you think there’s merit to that?"

"It depends on whether Xin Huai is willing to accept it," Phoenix responded.

Indeed, she believed Sheng Xinhua deserved the description—knowing and understanding her so well, she found the remark exceptionally fitting.

But if she acknowledged Jie Wencai’s opinion of Sheng Xinhua, didn’t that mean she also accepted his assessment of herself?

She couldn’t bring herself to be so shameless.

"Look at you, playing modest in front of your Grandpa. Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I’ve gone blind. Can’t I tell whether you’re beautiful or not?" Shen Boyu pretended to be angry and continued, "You’re not the same little girl who wanted to be a Great General; now you speak to your Grandpa with such artificial politeness."

"Okay, okay, let’s agree with Grandpa’s answer then. If Grandpa says I’m beautiful, then I’m beautiful. Is that alright now?"

"That’s more like it," Shen Boyu nodded earnestly.

Then, the old and the young shared a knowing smile.

They reminisced about the many memories from the past when they used to chat and play around like this.

Alas, times change and nothing stays the same.

Phoenix turned serious and said to Shen Boyu, "Grandpa, I heard that Xing Lan was injured, so I came to see him."

"Princess, despite your busy official duties, you found the time to visit Xing Lan—he must be very pleased," Shen Boyu said warmly.

Phoenix blushed slightly, knowing he was taking the opportunity to tease her.

She had hurried to White Crane Academy to see Tang Fei as soon as she finished her overseas trip, which the media had immediately broadcast on the trending news.

Yet, she didn’t visit Shen Xinglan until now, so it was understandable that the Shen Family might be upset.

However, she could only follow her own feelings.

She was aware of Shen Xinglan’s feelings towards her; if she appeared too attentive, what if it led to other misunderstandings?

She would rather be resented by the Shen Family than cause further complications.

These things can’t be forced.

"Xing Lan has been my friend for many years; it’s only right that I came to see him," Phoenix said.

Shen Boyu nodded and replied, "Xing Lan is recuperating in the back courtyard; I’ll have someone take you there."

"Thank you, Grandpa," Phoenix bowed.

Shen Boyu smiled and nodded as he watched Phoenix’s retreating figure and his smile slowly faded.

Tower of Ocean Whispers.

This is where Shen Xinglan resided, a place Phoenix often visited as a child.

As she grew up, her visits became less frequent.

When was the last time she came?

Lost in thought while gazing at the plaque by the courtyard entrance, Shen Xinglan emerged, donned in white robes and his hair casually flowing.

His tall figure and bright complexion complemented by a gentle and radiant smile, he said, "You’re here?"

"You’re here?"

Such a familiar greeting. Anytime Phoenix visited, Xing Lan welcomed her cheerfully, standing at the doorstep and gently asking, "You’re here?"...

"Mhm," Phoenix nodded and looked at Shen Xinglan, asking, "I heard you were injured; how are you feeling now?"

"It’s nothing serious," Shen Xinglan responded. "With the Shen Family’s medical treatments, as long as I make it back alive, they can heal me in no time."

"Mhm," Phoenix nodded again, knowing Shen Xinglan wasn’t exaggerating.

With the power and resources at the Shen Family’s disposal...

As long as Shen Xinglan hadn’t died in battle right away, they had ways to bring him back to normal.

"Come in for tea?" Shen Xinglan looked at Phoenix, inviting her with his voice, "Your favorite Sparrow Tongue Tea."

"Okay." Phoenix hesitated slightly but still nodded in agreement.

If she had just come over and turned to leave without even stepping into the yard, that would have truly hurt Shen Xinglan and would have been an insult to the Shen Family.

Shen Xinglan saw that moment of hesitation flash across Phoenix’s eyes, his gaze sank for an instant, then brightened once more.

He led Phoenix through the main house, heading straight for the backyard.

Their view suddenly opened up, and before their eyes was the deep blue and lush green sea.

The weather today was excellent, with a gentle breeze and quiet waves.

The bright sunlight spilled onto the sea, lining it with a golden glow, making it look like an endless piece of amber.

The Tower of Ocean Whispers was a seaside villa, also the location with the best view in the entire Shen Family estate. This suggested the status Shen Xinglan held and how cherished he was within the Shen Family.

Under the corridor eaves was set a table and two chairs, upon which was placed an entire set of ancient porcelain tea ware, as white as jade.

The white teacup had a red carp painted on its side, looking vivid and lifelike.

This was Phoenix’s favorite cup, the one she liked to use to drink Sparrow Tongue Tea...

He remembered.

The kettle on the stove was boiling water, burbling soundly.

Clearly, before Phoenix came by, Shen Xinglan had already been preparing to make tea.

Seeing Phoenix’s gaze fall on the teacup, Shen Xinglan explained, "I brought them out when I heard you were coming... I usually can’t bear to use them, afraid I might accidentally break them..."

Even a proud man like Shen Xinglan had concerns, had things he "couldn’t bear" to use.

"If it breaks, just buy another," Phoenix said.

Shen Xinglan shook his head and said, "They’re not for sale anymore."

Phoenix fell silent.

Shen Xinglan invited Phoenix to take a seat, and then sat down himself opposite her.

He picked up the boiling water from the stove and began to wash and steep the tea with practiced movements.

He presented a cup of deep red tea to Phoenix and said, "See if it still has the taste you’re familiar with?"

Phoenix lifted the teacup and took a delicate sip.

It tasted slightly salty at first, followed by a rich fragrance that soon filled her mouth.

The salty taste quickly dissipated, the scent was fading, but her throat felt moist and sweet.

Phoenix looked up at Shen Xinglan and asked, "Is this Thousand Wisp Water?"

When bamboo leaves are covered with snow, it looks like a fluff of flowers.

Collecting the snow from the bamboo leaves to brew tea is called Bamboo Fluff Water.

It takes water from a thousand leaves to brew a good pot of tea, hence the name Thousand Wisp Water.

Since Luojiayi Mountain is close to the sea, the snow on the bamboo often carries a faint salty taste. Alone it is unpleasant, but when used to brew tea, it yields a unique flavor.

This was also why Phoenix liked drinking this Sparrow Tongue Tea—the water used to make it was Thousand Wisp Water.

"Yes," Shen Xinglan nodded, smiling as he said, "It snowed a few days ago, so I had someone collect some... thinking that if you came by, I could brew you a cup of Sparrow Tongue Tea."

"Thank you," Phoenix said, her heart heavy.

She had someone in her heart, and so had a natural instinct to flee from other affections.

This was why she had only now been willing to visit Shen Xinglan.

She wasn’t afraid of the Shen Family’s cold faces, what she feared was Shen Xinglan’s deep affection.

"Thank you for what?" Shen Xinglan squinted his eyes smiling, and said, "You never used to say thanks."

"I was young and didn’t understand back then."

Shen Xinglan shook his head and said, "The farther the person, the more courteous they are; the closer they are, the more relaxed. We’ve become more distant."

"..."

Shen Xinglan directly pierced through that pretense, leaving Phoenix at a loss for how to respond.

"Why is that?"

Holding a cup of Sparrow Tongue Tea, Shen Xinglan stared at the deep red liquid and let out a deep sigh.

He had no answer to that question.

Neither did Phoenix, who couldn’t give him the answer he wanted.

After finishing the pot of tea, Phoenix said her goodbyes.

Shen Xinglan did not stand to see her out; he remained seated, unmoving.

For a long time.

For a long time.

The sky gradually darkened, and the sea became a hazy gray.

As if his heart sensed something, his body leapt up, soaring over the sea.

With one strike, a shower of starlight fell.

From this day forward, Shen Xinglan officially entered the Grandmaster Realm.