By the time they returned to the Hua Family’s Ninety-Nine-Residence Estate, it was nearly the Hour of the Rat. Everyone was exhausted beyond measure — even the industrious overachiever Ling Zhiyan abandoned all thought of putting in overtime to review the case, and retreated to his room with clean efficiency.

Lin Sui’an was so drowsy she could barely stand straight. Without even bothering to wash up, she blearily stripped off her outer robe, burrowed into her bedding, and fell asleep the instant her head hit the pillow. She did not know how long she had slept when, suddenly, her subconscious registered a strange, sinister presence. With a jolt, she snapped her eyes open.

The window was still dark. No lamp was lit in the room, and it was black and utterly silent. Lin Sui’an’s heart pounded, thudding rapidly. Her eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness — and at the head of her bed, barely visible, she made out a swaying dark shape. Lin Sui’an rubbed her eyes — and found herself looking at an upside-down human head, long black hair nearly sweeping across the back of her hand.

The fright Lin Sui’an received was no small thing. The roots of her hair stood on end. She yanked Qian Jing from her side and slashed it across — the blade flared a vivid green, like a bolt of lightning illuminating the entire room. The inverted head swayed twice, then dropped to the floor with a dull thud.

Lin Sui’an flipped herself off the bed with a roll, like a donkey kicking up its hooves. When she fixed her gaze on the floor, it was no human head at all — just a bundle of rags with black horse-tail hair fitted over it. It looked familiar. Oh! Was this not the puppet head that Hua Yitang had used in the Scattering Blossoms Tower earlier to impersonate Minina’s body? What was it doing here?!

A laugh rang out in the room — clear and bright, like the first dewdrop of morning catching the light. Lin Sui’an tightened her grip on her blade and swept her gaze rapidly in the direction of the laughter. There — she spotted it!

A person sat on the ceiling beam with one leg folded beneath them and the other bent up, arm draped lazily across the raised knee — an utterly relaxed and unhurried posture. The face was hidden behind a smooth, gleaming silver mask, with only a few fine slits at the position of the eyes and nose. The body was clad all in black night-travel garb, and the skin visible at the hands and neck was more captivating in color than even the silver of the mask.

Lin Sui’an felt a surge of fury shoot straight to her head. Her foot cracked the floorboard with a sharp snap. She vaulted upward, Qian Jing raised, and launched herself at the figure. “Yun Zhong Yue, you reckless fool, you’re courting death!”

“Oh, oh, oh, oh — my dear Lady Lin, what a way to speak to a person! I was sitting at home, minding my own business, counting my money and picking at my feet, when I woke up one morning to find I had somehow become the shameless philandering thief who abducted a virtuous married woman. I am full of grievance and sorrow, and had nowhere else to pour out my heart but to come to Lady Lin!”

In the time it took Yun Zhong Yue to say those three sentences, Lin Sui’an had already struck out with eighteen moves. The fierce blade light shredded the darkness of the room into ribbons. Yun Zhong Yue’s silver mask caught the blade’s reflection, scattering it into countless shards of light. His elusive figure moved through the darkness as freely as a fish in water — no matter how she slashed, she could not so much as graze the hem of his garment.

Lin Sui’an was astonished: it had only been a short while — had Yun Zhong Yue’s lightness technique been upgraded again?

Or was it simply that the room was too dark, severely hampering her line of sight?

To hell with it — whatever the case, the priority was to drive Yun Zhong Yue outside first.

With this thought, Lin Sui’an turned her wrist and unleashed her ultimate technique, “Blade Cauldron — Severing Sorrow.” The fierce blade wind and dazzling blade light merged together, surging like a wave of crackling electrical current and crashing full force toward Yun Zhong Yue. Yun Zhong Yue called out “Oh no!” and shot backward. The blade wind roared toward the door — and with a thunderous crash, the door panel, frame and all, shattered into splinters. The night wind came rushing in.

Along with the night wind came the light from the courtyard — the glow of the Hua Family’s specially crafted spirit stone lanterns, their light translucent and diffused, with a particular atmospheric quality. On ordinary days, Lin Sui’an always found these lanterns excessively extravagant and wasteful, but tonight they proved to be of great use at just the right moment.

Not wasting a second, Lin Sui’an unleashed three consecutive moves of “Swift Wind Trembling Autumn Leaves,” driving Yun Zhong Yue step by relentless step out into the courtyard. With light, Yun Zhong Yue’s eerie, indefinite silhouette became somewhat clearer. He spun in mid-air with an easy turn — like a black feather drifting on the wind — and landed lightly atop a spirit stone lantern, standing tall with his hands behind his back, robes billowing around him. The lamplight traced a golden outline across his entire figure. He was startlingly handsome.

A pity that Lin Sui’an had endured years of relentless assault on her senses from Hua Yitang’s looks, and had long since developed an iron constitution — not a shred of tender feeling stirred in her. She raised Qian Jing in both hands and launched a rapid series of connected slashes. This was a technique she had newly learned that evening during her battle with the leader of the Five Tomb Alliance, Wu Chun — its defining characteristics were a broad attack range, ferocious offensive power, and unpredictability. It was perfectly suited for dealing with Yun Zhong Yue’s Lotus Blossom Steps.

Yun Zhong Yue naturally did not know the nuances of this technique. Seeing the opening stance, he assumed it was one of Lin Sui’an’s usual wide-range group attacks, and with supreme confidence he leaped aside. He split into four phantom images — only to find that Qian Jing had suddenly switched forms mid-trajectory. The blade light bloomed in a chaotic cascade, instantly wiping out three of the phantom images. More terrifyingly still, the remaining blade light formed a great net of green radiance in the air and came crashing down directly toward his true body.

Yun Zhong Yue was shocked. The situation was at a knife’s edge — he had no choice but to use his absolute technique. Spine, shoulders, elbows, pelvis — joints cracking and snapping, he used his bone-contraction skill to make himself as narrow as possible. His body twisted and turned — like a long, slender strand of noodle — slipping through the gaps in the blade net with a slithering motion. Feet mutually stepping off each other for leverage, his form rose like a plume of smoke, shooting straight up into the night sky. He floated softly down onto the great scholar tree outside the courtyard wall.

Lin Sui’an stood there holding Qian Jing, her jaw open.

Good heavens — bone-contraction skill could be used like that? Was Yun Zhong Yue even human?!

Yun Zhong Yue balanced on the tip of a branch, his heart galloping in time with the swaying of the tree.

Heaven above! It had barely been half a month, and Lin Sui’an had already learned such a terrifying new technique — was this woman even human?!

For a moment, both of them were struck silent by the other’s abilities. The battle reached a brief stalemate.

Outside the courtyard wall, blazing torchlight erupted, surging toward Lin Sui’an’s courtyard like a river of fire. At the head of the procession was Hua Yitang. Behind him came a bleary-eyed Ling Zhiyan, followed by Jin Ruo, Mu Xia, Yita, the Azure Dragon quartet, and a whole contingent of the Hua Family’s guards.

Hua Yitang came charging forward, torch held high, bellowing curses as he ran. “Eat dog excrement — who is this gutless fool daring to come to my Hua Family looking for death! Today I will make sure they walk in standing and are carried out flat on their back — Yun Zhong Yue?!”

Yun Zhong Yue bounced on the branch with lively enthusiasm, like a cheerful squirrel. He waved a warm greeting. “Oh! Is this not the fourth son of the Hua Family? Not having seen you for several days — you seem to have worsened, look at those two great dark circles under your eyes — not handsome at all, oh — whoosh!”

A green flash of blade light tore through the air and slashed upward, snapping the branch beneath Yun Zhong Yue’s feet with a clean cut. Lin Sui’an’s feet flew rapidly up the tree trunk, alternating steps, like a hunting leopard bounding up into the canopy. She drove one blade into a fork in the branches for leverage, vaulted her entire body upward, and was behind Yun Zhong Yue in an instant, saber swinging. Yun Zhong Yue burst into laughter, spreading his form like a great roc taking flight and launching himself into the night sky. Six layered phantom images bloomed around him. Lin Sui’an’s blade slashed empty air. The blade light drove straight down through the canopy and split the entire trunk of the tree. The great scholar tree — huge as it was — was shaved clean in half, branches and leaves crashing down in a thunderous shower.

The Hua Family guards were alarmed out of their wits, and crowded to shield Hua Yitang as they fell back. Hua Yitang scrambled and jumped, still trying to push forward. Mu Xia made a swift decisive call and ordered the Azure Dragon quartet to seize Hua Yitang bodily, all four limbs spread, and sprint backward in full retreat. Hua Yitang was furious, waving his arms and shouting, “Retreat for what?! Why aren’t you going to help Lin Sui’an?!”

Before the words had finished leaving his mouth, several figures swept past his shoulders — running even faster than him. He looked: it was Ling Zhiyan, Jin Ruo, and Yita.

Jin Ruo was practically fleeing with his head in his hands. “Oh my lord above, this is truly gods at war, and small demons catching hell!”

Ling Zhiyan had been somewhat hesitant at first, wondering if he should assist Lin Sui’an in dealing with Yun Zhong Yue. But when he glanced back — Qian Jing’s blade light was illuminating half the night sky. Every scholar tree on the Hua Family estate had been stripped bare. Yun Zhong Yue’s ghost-like figure moved with effortless ease within that terrifying blade light, and still had enough energy left over to emit taunting laughter.

The practically-minded Judicial Inspector Ling made a swift and decisive decision to abandon his impractical fantasies and followed swiftly in Jin Ruo’s footsteps.

Yita was the most loyal of all — fleeing while waving a fist in encouragement for Lin Sui’an. “Pig-person, fighting! Pig-person, powerful! Pig-person, the best!”

Everyone scattered in a wave from the combat zone. Looking again at Lin Sui’an and Yun Zhong Yue — fighting airborne, blade light flying in all directions — they were heading toward the southern part of the Hua estate. Hua Yitang reconsidered and immediately knew something was wrong. “Yun Zhong Yue’s target is Qu Hui! After them!”

Lin Sui’an realized it too. Yun Zhong Yue had no real interest in fighting — every technique he was using was a feint. She had chased after him, blade swinging, until she caught sight of the plaque reading “Lian Fang Chamber” — the guest courtyard where Qu Hui was temporarily staying.

Yun Zhong Yue made no effort to conceal his intent. He circled Lin Sui’an once with his evasive movement, then suddenly retreated several zhang. He landed cleanly on the ridgeline of Lian Fang Chamber’s roof, raised his voice with a hearty laugh, and declared, “The people of Yi Du all say that Yun Zhong Yue kidnapped Madam Wu’s wife, Qu Hui. Very well — today I shall have a proper look at this Lady Qu Hui, and see just what kind of stunning beauty could have captured my heart at first sight, the great Yun Zhong Yue!”

“Your great-grandfather!” Lin Sui’an drew Qian Jing in a flourish, trod up the wall and onto the roof, and resumed trading blows with Yun Zhong Yue with a ringing clash-clash-clash. It had to be said — Yun Zhong Yue’s lightness technique was the most troublesome Lin Sui’an had yet encountered. Especially considering she had gone without proper sleep for several nights running, had already fought a major battle with Wu Chun the first half of the night, and had expended considerable energy — at this point she was genuinely beginning to run out of steam. No matter how she adjusted her tactics, she could manage only a draw with Yun Zhong Yue.

In other words — at this moment, Yun Zhong Yue could not defeat Lin Sui’an. Correspondingly, Lin Sui’an had no way to deal with Yun Zhong Yue either.

Yun Zhong Yue had clearly also noticed Lin Sui’an’s predicament, and his taunting tone grew ever more recklessly emboldened. “The breeze tonight is cool, the night sky beautiful. Yun came here treading the moonlight, only wishing to catch a glimpse of Lady Qu Hui’s face. If Lady Lin’s blade is to spoil the scenery, that would be a great shame indeed.”

“Beautiful my foot!” A spotless white boot came flying through the air. Yun Zhong Yue spun nimbly aside, drifted down to land at the very tip of an upturned eave, his robes billowing in the wind — utterly unbridled. “Fourth Young Master Hua — for all that you are considered Yi Du’s foremost good-for-nothing, how can you be so utterly devoid of romance? Always spoiling people’s good times. Be careful of divine retribution — you may end up unable to find a wife.”

“You’re the one who can’t find a wife! Your whole family can’t find wives!” Hua Yitang stood in the center of the courtyard on one foot, the other bare, pointing at Yun Zhong Yue and panting.

Utterly inexplicably — Yun Zhong Yue, upon hearing these words, suddenly went silent. He said nothing.

Lin Sui’an took the opportunity to switch Qian Jing to her other hand, shaking out her aching arm. She grew more and more uncertain — was Yun Zhong Yue truly here to see Lady Qu?

Mu Xia directed the Hua Family guards to surround the entire Lian Fang Chamber. Ling Zhiyan, Jin Ruo, Yita, and the Azure Dragon quartet took up positions at the four corners — north, south, east, and west — ready to respond at any moment.

Then, all at once, Yun Zhong Yue gave a quiet sigh from behind his mask. “In this lifetime, I am afraid I have no fate with marrying a wife…”

Lin Sui’an: Hm?

At that exact moment, a lamp came on in the window of Lian Fang Chamber. Then, with a soft creak, the door opened. A woman, wrapped in a thin outer robe, walked out with graceful composure. She came to a stop and raised her head, gazing across the distance at Yun Zhong Yue.

The torchlight in the night was like countless golden brushes, rendering the woman’s world-toppling face in a style of matchless splendor.

Yun Zhong Yue was struck as if by lightning. He craned his neck, and the slits in his mask seemed to have widened. He murmured, “She truly is a devastatingly beautiful woman —”

“What in the devil’s name dares come to my Hua Family looking for death!” The woman suddenly planted her hands on her hips and let out a booming curse, her voice shaking the heavens, imposing beyond measure. “Whoever disturbs my sleep shall be executed on the spot!”

Yun Zhong Yue’s foot slipped. He nearly toppled off the eave — only his formidable lightness technique saved him, allowing him to scramble and barely regain his footing. But in the next instant, Lin Sui’an’s blade had arrived. The vivid green blade wind skimmed past his silver mask with a hair’s breadth to spare. Yun Zhong Yue heard the mask emit a teeth-grinding crack — a line had been split through it.

Yun Zhong Yue’s heart sank. He quickly pressed his palm against the mask. With nothing left to lose, he made a decisive move, twisting his body and lunging straight toward the woman in the courtyard. But at that very moment, someone came charging sideways out of nowhere, swept the woman into an arm, and spun away. Yun Zhong Yue’s lunge hit nothing. Behind him, the raging blade wind of Qian Jing was already sweeping toward the back of his head. Yun Zhong Yue inwardly let out a long sigh, and abruptly stopped, spinning around at lightning speed.

Qian Jing stopped half an inch from the tip of his nose. Through the vivid green blade, Lin Sui’an’s wide eyes stared at him.

Yun Zhong Yue slowly moved his palm away. Half of the silver mask fell to the ground with a clear, ringing note.

Lin Sui’an’s mind also rang with a clear note — and then came a tremor that resonated deep and long.

The half-face revealed beneath the mask was as white and luminous as the first moon above snow-capped peaks, as radiant as spring sunlight amid a blaze of mountain blossoms. Compared to the brief, dazzling glimpse she had caught in the Eastern Capital, this was even more intoxicatingly beautiful — three degrees more captivating than even Hua Yi Meng.

Lin Sui’an swallowed audibly. The blade in her hand had shifted away of its own accord — she genuinely could not bring herself to strike a face like this.

Yun Zhong Yue’s eyes curved into a smile — soul-stealing, devastating. “I helped you just now — that means you owe me a favor.”

Lin Sui’an: What?

In the next instant, Yun Zhong Yue pressed his palm across his face, and swapped out the silver mask for an ugly, sallow-yellow one. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed out a smoke bomb. With a crash, thick smoke billowed in all directions, reeking wretchedly. Lin Sui’an cursed under her breath, wrists spinning Qian Jing at high speed as the blade wind gradually dispersed the fumes.

Yun Zhong Yue was already long gone.

Everyone was left with streaming eyes and noses, completely overcome by the stench. Hua Yitang ran over with reddened eyes, seized Lin Sui’an, and looked her over from head to toe. “Are you all right?”

Lin Sui’an sneezed. “I’m fine. But Third Young Lady Hua —”

Her gaze shifted — just in time to catch Ling Zhiyan hastily releasing Hua Yi Meng’s shoulder and stepping back three large strides, delivering a stiff, formal bow. “The situation was urgent just now — Ling presumes he was rash.”

Hua Yi Meng blinked, then stepped forward half a pace. “Thank you.”

Ling Zhiyan retreated back another half-step. “Why was Third Young Lady Hua in Lady Qu’s room?”

“Lady Qu always has nightmares in the middle of the night — I came to keep her company.” Hua Yi Meng pressed forward another half-step.

Ling Zhiyan retreated two more steps — only to have Hua Yi Meng suddenly reach out and grasp his elbow. Ling Zhiyan’s entire expression changed. His head snapped up. “Propriety demands that men and women not touch —”

The second half of the sentence died in his throat, because he had just caught sight of Hua Yi Meng’s outer robe draped over his own arm.

Hua Yi Meng smiled and drew out her outer robe, draping it back over her own shoulders. Ling Zhiyan’s face went crimson, and he fled in utter disarray.

Jin Ruo, Yita, and Mu Xia all burst out laughing simultaneously.

Lin Sui’an laughed too — and then, suddenly, a garment white as snow was draped across her own shoulders.

Lin Sui’an looked up in surprise to find Hua Yitang with a scowling face, fastening her collar for her. She realized — this garment was what Hua Yitang had just now taken off his own body.

“In the future, when you come out to fight at night, remember to put on an extra layer,” Hua Yitang said in a low voice. “Don’t catch a chill.”

Lin Sui’an was both exasperated and amused. This era’s clothing was layer upon layer — she had only stripped off one outer robe before sleeping and still had two layers beneath. She had also just fought a battle and was sweating with the exertion. There was no possible way she was going to catch a chill.

Lin Sui’an raised her hand, already moving to take the robe off. “I don’t need it — you are frail, you should keep it yourself —”

Hua Yitang seized Lin Sui’an’s wrist. “Did you see it?”

Lin Sui’an: “Hm?”

“Yun Zhong Yue’s face — did you see it?”

“Um… I only saw half of it…”

“Was it… good-looking?”

Lin Sui’an did not dare answer. Her instincts told her this was a death-trap of a question.

Hua Yitang let out a heavy snort through his nose, thrust both hands into his sleeves, turned his head away, and puffed up with visible displeasure.

Lin Sui’an thought she might lose her mind. After a moment’s consideration, she jabbed a finger at Hua Yitang’s back. “What do you think Yun Zhong Yue came here to do with all this commotion?”

Hua Yitang gave another snort. After a long pause, he said, “He came to help.”

“Oh?”

“By tomorrow morning, news will have spread throughout Yi Du that Lady Lin Sui’an fought Yun Zhong Yue three hundred rounds and rescued Lady Qu.”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

Was this not the fabricated story Hua Yitang had made up earlier? Somehow, it had come true.

“This way, Lady Qu will no longer need to remain hidden in the Hua estate — she can come forward and formally sever her marriage with Wu Zhengli, and regain her freedom.”

Lin Sui’an was stunned: In other words, they had genuinely ended up owing Yun Zhong Yue a favor?

Good heavens — why did that feel so thoroughly wrong?

Skit

Yun Zhong Yue sat on the rooftop, staring at the half-destroyed silver mask in his hands, on the verge of tears.

Lady Lin’s hands were truly far too brutal — this mask had cost him a full six strings of coins! Barely worn for a single day and already ruined. A tremendous loss!