The grand hall was illuminated with brilliant lights, casting a kaleidoscope of colors upon the glazed glass floor. Lin Hongyuan stood amidst it all, feeling as though she had stepped into the Pure Lapis Lazuli World described in Daoist scriptures. She mused whether she should replicate this scene upon returning to the Dragon Palace. Yu Chi Duquan drank absentmindedly, her eyes frequently glancing toward the outer corridor. The sky had darkened, yet no lanterns had been lit there. She hesitated, wondering if she could use that as an excuse to go see him. As she raised her wine cup, she caught a whiff of something and quickly turned her gaze toward the corridor, ready to stand up. Lin Hongyuan gently tugged at Yu Chi Duquan’s sleeve. The latter wore a face of anxiety, claiming she had smelled blood. Lin Hongyuan’s mind raced—considering the young devil’s profound martial cultivation, even if Kuaxue Manor was teeming with hidden experts, few could wound him. Xie Lingzhen was one, and Li Yibai half. Yet beyond the two tremors felt in the corridor floor, there was no other disturbance. Could someone be lurking beneath the lake, ambushing Xu Fengnian with a cowardly sneak attack? Otherwise, how could there be blood in the air unless the young man had been idly commanding flying swords to kill fish in the lake?
Lin Hongyuan’s curiosity was piqued. After a moment’s hesitation, she exchanged a glance with Yu Chi Duquan, and the two rose to walk toward the corridor. Night deepened, as if immortals from the heavens had cast a black cloth over the earth. Fortunately, the hall and corridor were connected, and candlelight and glimmering rays spilled outward like overflowing wealth. The flickering candlelight danced with the cold wind rising from the lake, casting alternating shadows and light. They could faintly see Xu Fengnian sitting calmly on a chair, gently twisting his wrist. Lin Hongyuan’s sharp eyes caught sight of a piece of cloth wrapped around his hand. Yu Chi Duquan anxiously asked, “How did you get injured?”
Xu Fengnian replied lightly, “The ground was slippery. I didn’t watch my step and fell.”
Yu Chi Duquan gasped in surprise, her face filled with guilt. Lin Hongyuan sighed inwardly—thinking how if this sister were cast into the martial world, she’d be devoured down to the bones by wolves in human skin. Xu Fengnian stood up and smiled, saying, “I’ll see you off. There are all sorts of people in the manor tonight, and I can’t bear to leave you two young ladies unguarded. Earlier, Immortal Lin mentioned how even the Dragon Palace’s Patriarch warned that appearances can be deceiving. Though most here are righteous martial artists, they might well be hypocrites. And don’t even mention the wandering martial artists who walk the line between good and evil. We can take a stroll around the manor, enjoy the scenery, and escort you both at the same time. Oh, I need to change my appearance first. Please wait a moment.”
Lin Hongyuan inwardly sneered—hypocrites who could even deceive you? Xu Fengnian turned around, placing a root-flesh mask over his face. When he turned back, he had transformed into a refined, scholarly-looking man. Yu Chi Duquan’s mouth slightly opened in astonishment. At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from inside the room. The manor lord, Yu Chi Liangfu, upon seeing his daughter unharmed, visibly relaxed, though his brows remained heavily furrowed. He feigned nonchalance with a smile, “If I didn’t guess wrong, you arrived by boat? Readquan, you really shouldn’t receive such an esteemed guest like this. Only someone as knowledgeable as Lady Lin would overlook your lack of decorum.”
Yu Chi Duquan blushed and ran to her father’s side, affectionately calling him “Father.” Yu Chi Liangfu glanced down at her sternly, then quickly raised his gaze, smiling warmly toward the young, white-haired scholar. Though his face bore a warm smile, his eyes were completely different when he looked at the young man. Xu Fengnian respectfully bowed, hands tucked into his sleeves, saying, “Cali Official Zuo Jing is honored to meet the Manor Lord.”
Lin Hongyuan smiled and explained, “Zuo Jing is one of Master Nalan’s favored disciples. Outside the Nan Tang Dao, many may not be familiar with him. When he entered the Dragon Palace, we offered him any position he wished to choose. Zuo Jing, with his peculiar taste, chose the humble position of Cali Official, saying the name sounded more auspicious, especially for scholars aspiring to succeed in the imperial examinations. I’ve been drinking with Elder Sister Yu Chi for about an hour, while Zuo Jing has been standing like a guardian at the door the entire time. It’s all thanks to Elder Sister Yu Chi’s prestige.”
Yu Chi Liangfu’s gaze softened, visibly warming at the mention of “Master Nalan.” For the entire Liyang court and country, Nalan Youci was an almost unreachable figure. In the Nan Tang Dao, he was undeniably the number one expert, even surpassing Prince Yan Chi Wang Zhao Bing. Even under Zhao Bing’s watchful eyes in the southern frontier, how many times had Nalan Youci committed acts of open defiance? Otherwise, when the feudal lords traveled to the capital, it was Nalan Youci who rode in the carriage while Prince Yan Chi Wang Zhao Bing served as his escort. If this Zuo Jing was truly one of Nalan Youci’s prized disciples, Yu Chi Liangfu’s respect for him would even surpass that for Lin Hongyuan, whose position as a minor Dragon Palace princess was somewhat awkward.
Yu Chi Liangfu clasped his fists and said softly, “There have been some unexpected incidents in the manor, but now that Young Master Zuo is by my daughter’s side, I can rest assured. Once I finish handling my current affairs, I will personally apologize to Young Master Zuo and share a hearty drink.”
Xu Fengnian nodded, saying, “I would never dare refuse.”
After Yu Chi Liangfu left the courtyard, he shook his head at the old steward waiting by the gate, saying, “Readquan is safe. She met a young man named Zuo Jing. Lin Hongyuan says he’s a disciple of Nalan Youci. Even if the Dragon Palace has made some moves, it’s likely only against Que Dun Mountain. The Dragon Palace certainly doesn’t have the strength to kill both Xie Lingzhen and Li Yibai. The forces behind these two men are not something the Dragon Palace, confined to the southern frontier, could ever hope to rival. If it truly is a grand scheme orchestrated by Master Nalan, even if the Dragon Palace was involved, it’s beyond what Kuaxue Manor can interfere with. We, mere martial artists without courtly affiliations, could easily be wiped out.”
The old steward looked deeply troubled, saying, “I can’t imagine who would possess such skill and audacity. Though Xie Lingzhen hasn’t appeared on the martial rankings, he is undoubtedly a top-tier expert. The Chuntie Caotang is even connected to the newly appointed Minister of War. Li Yibai may not be particularly skilled, but with imperial protection, who dares to provoke him? If this incident is not handled properly, the manor will inevitably face retaliation from various factions. There will be opportunists eager to stir the pot and strike when the iron is hot. Manor Lord, you must plan for an escape route. The Jing’an King has long desired Kuaxue Manor to join his estate. Perhaps you should consider it?”
Yu Chi Liangfu’s expression grew complex, his mind uncertain. He paused, gazing at a large red lantern hanging from a tree branch, its festive appearance belying the grim mood. He exhaled heavily, saying, “It’s like conducting business. I had hoped to use this election of the martial alliance leader to raise the manor’s reputation, then find a buyer willing to pay the highest price. The Jing’an King is eager to buy, so we wouldn’t have to worry about a buyer, and we could choose freely. But now, if we fall into misfortune and turn to the Jing’an Prince’s Mansion’s face, I fear Kuaxue Manor will be sold cheaply. If the transaction brings mutual satisfaction, that would be fine. But what I fear most is that even if we sell to the Jing’an Prince’s Mansion, if the young prince remembers the manor’s earlier refusal, he might retaliate. I know this prince has high-level advisors working behind the scenes, and his governance is known for its integrity and fairness, rivaling even the old prince. But observing his actions, his heart and mind seem narrow. As the saying goes, ‘Without long-term plans, there will be immediate worries.’ As the head of the household, I fear that in the future, when I offer sacrifices to the ancestors, I will have no face to show them.”
The old steward softly comforted him, saying, “The Yan Fortress has already sent someone to mobilize the Jing’an Prince’s Mansion’s troops, hoping to settle matters decisively. Once the Xiangfan cavalry arrives, as long as the assassins leave the slightest clue, they won’t escape. What I fear is that these assassins might be like the saying, ‘kill from ten steps away and vanish for a thousand miles,’ already having fled.”
A trusted servant from the manor hurriedly delivered a message, saying, “Manor Lord, the Yan Fortress had barely left the manor for ten miles when they were intercepted by the Jing’an Prince’s Mansion’s scouts. It turns out the Jing’an Prince’s Mansion had already mobilized the Qingzhou naval forces with the imperial battle token, and the warships are lined up twenty miles away on the lake. The lake’s thick fog concealed their presence. Additionally, over four thousand light cavalry have blocked all the key roads, and dozens of scouting units are dispersed across the area, ready to close in at the first sign of movement!”
Yu Chi Liangfu smiled bitterly after a moment of surprise, saying, “This Jing’an Prince’s Mansion truly is a master of strategy. It seems Kuaxue Manor has become a fishpond, waiting for the big fish to take the bait before dragging them ashore.”
The old steward sighed, saying, “It seems the court is not passively watching this election of the martial alliance leader. Perhaps we all underestimated the court’s determination to make Li Huoli the leader of the martial world. Xie Lingzhen and Li Yibai might just be supporting roles, used to distract attention, making the court’s involvement in the martial world appear more palatable. Manor Lord, I must say this: fortune and misfortune coexist. If Kuaxue Manor wants to turn misfortune into fortune, distant waters won’t quench immediate thirst. We must quickly choose the Jing’an Prince’s Mansion as our nearby patron. After all, this new prince, the first to inherit his title since the Spring and Autumn Period, is highly favored in the capital.”
Yu Chi Liangfu waved the later servant away, hesitating, saying, “I need more time to think.”
The old steward anxiously urged, “Manor Lord, time waits for no one!”
Yu Chi Liangfu’s face darkened with anger, blurting out, “Do you really want me to sell my daughter to that young prince, who still clings to his obsession with his late mother, making her his concubine? Such wealth gained by selling one’s daughter is not something Yu Chi Liangfu can bear!”
The old steward fell silent, sighing, “It’s a last resort, indeed. Though it protects the manor, it’s a bitter fate for the young lady.”
Yu Chi Liangfu patted the old man’s shoulder, apologetically saying, “Old Liu, I know your loyalty to the manor is unwavering. But Readquan is my only daughter. She inherited her late mother’s stubbornness. As her father, I must ensure her happiness. I’d rather she marry a poor but sincere young man than be forced into a life of helplessness in a noble household. How many women find happiness when they drift like water plants?”
The old steward nodded silently.
Yu Chi Liangfu harshly rubbed his face, saying firmly, “Let’s wait a little longer!”
Meanwhile, outside the corridor, compared to the heavy burdens of Yu Chi Liangfu and the old steward, the atmosphere was more relaxed on the surface. Yu Chi Readquan volunteered to row the boat to her residence, but as she approached the railing and knocked, she was immediately stunned. In her eagerness to come ashore, she had forgotten to tie the small black-painted boat from the Jiangnan water town. With the lake breeze blowing, the boat was now nowhere in sight. Yu Chi Readquan’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she dared not meet the eyes of Xu Fengnian and Lin Hongyuan. Just then, through the mist, a dark figure slowly emerged from the fog, coming into view. A young and refined Daoist stood at the bow of the boat, his posture elegant and otherworldly, a delicate bamboo flute tied at his waist, exuding an ethereal, immortal aura. Among the Daoist sects of the world, the ancestral Longhu Mountain was supreme, and among Daoist priests, the Tian Master (Celestial Masters) of Longhu Mountain, dressed in yellow and purple robes, were the most esteemed. Though this young Daoist did not wear the attire of a noble Tian Master, his presence, even in simple and clean Daoist robes, was enough to make one forget the mundane.
Lin Hongyuan narrowed her eyes slightly, hiding her amusement.
The main character had arrived.
And this young Daoist, who had risen swiftly in the imperial court and gained a formidable reputation in the martial world, did not disappoint Lin Hongyuan. On the contrary, he spoke with piercing insight, “This humble Daoist, Zhao Ningshen of Longhu Mountain, pays respects to Lady Lin and Miss Yu Chi. And to this young gentleman, your left hand bears a sword wound through the palm. May this unworthy Daoist offer a bottle of the mountain’s secret medicinal ointment?”
Xu Fengnian showed no reaction, standing by the railing with his hands tucked into his sleeves.
Zhao Ningshen smiled warmly, saying, “Besides returning the boat to Miss Yu Chi, I also have a gift. I remember someone once spoke ill on the Snowy Terrace, leaving a debt of a sword unpaid.”
Xu Fengnian’s reply sent Yu Chi Readquan’s heart fluttering.
She, of course, didn’t care about the Longhu Daoist or the Snowy Terrace sword debt. This foolish girl had always firmly sided with the man beside her.
All she heard was him ask, “Are you looking for death?”
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