Chi Yan was stunned.
He had never thought Jing Jiu would mention the Plum Meeting and then ask to take part in the Sword Trial.
Others hadn’t thought of it either. There was an eerie silence in the stone forest.
Chi Yan came back to his senses. He thought it was ridiculous. "You are not a disciple of the third generation anymore," he said, "so you can’t participate in the Sword Trial."
"How can I participate in the Plum Meeting then?" asked Jing Jiu.
You are a master of the second generation now, thought Chi Yan. If you really want to be humiliated by Tong Yan, there are other options, like being a chaperone.
"Many people might find it unfair if I get the qualification to take part in the Plum Meeting without taking the Sword Trial," said Jing Jiu.
The crowd thought it was nice to hear him admit it.