After the wager concluded, everyone moved to the Lingbo Pavilion in the third courtyard of Duan Jiu’s estate. The idle attendants were dismissed, leaving only Hua Yitang, Lin Sui’an, and the heads of the Five Major Sects for a private discussion. As the saying goes, minor matters warrant large meetings, while major matters call for small ones — the deliberately compact gathering was convened to address a matter of life and death for the five sects.

The first item on the agenda: Lin Sui’an decided to inspect the goods. She opened the copy of the Ten Purities Collection that Wu Chun had delivered.

The content was much as she had expected — a more detailed breakdown of the blade techniques. The illustrations had finally graduated beyond stick figures into four-panel comic-style vignettes; the example figures now had proper noses and eyes, and looked far more presentable. Every move and stance was accompanied by an explanation, closely matching Lin Sui’an’s muscle memory, though the names of the techniques differed slightly. For instance, the move she had called “Slash the throat — blood arcs ten feet, the King of Hell unfurls his spirit banner” was actually named “Beheading”; “Blade-cauldron severing grief” was called “Spine Severance” — and it turned out to be a chop to the spine, not a slash across the abdomen; “Awaiting slaughter like livestock” was “Drawn and Quartered”; “Swift wind shaking autumn leaves” was “Death by a Thousand Cuts”…

“After the Ten Cruelties, comes the Ten Purities —” Lin Sui’an murmured under her breath and inwardly sighed. So the techniques of the Ten Purities Collection had been designed around the “Ten Cruel Punishments.” It really was an ill-omened blade style.

Hua Yitang frowned. “What about ‘Breaking Stillness’?”

Lin Sui’an took a deep breath and turned to the final page.

Technique name: Breaking! Stillness!

Mnemonic: Awaken the heart.

Beyond that — a blank expanse. Absolutely nothing.

The two of them: “……”

No wonder no one in the Pure Gate had ever deciphered this technique. It was the equivalent of spending enormous effort to finally locate the answer to the last great problem on a mathematics examination, only to find it simply read: “Left as an exercise.”

What an absolute cheat!

“There is one more page,” Wu Chun reminded them.

The final page bore eight large characters: “Purify the heart, hold fast to yourself, and only then will all things find their rightful end.”

The handwriting was entirely different from what had come before. The calligraphy of the technique mnemonics was graceful and flowing, with a tone of gentle narration; but these eight characters were written with heavy ink and vigorous strokes, carrying the force of a sharp wake-up call.

“When the Seventh Master gifted Gate Master Wu the Ten Purities Collection, did he say anything else?” Lin Sui’an asked.

Wu Chun shook his head. “Beyond saying it was a surviving fragment from the Pure Gate of Andu, he mentioned nothing more.”

“What sort of person is this Seventh Master?” Hua Yitang asked.

Wu Chun: “I have never seen his face. He always wore a thick black veil. He did not seem old — his voice was faint, he was extremely thin, and appeared to be ill. Yet the man was remarkably shrewd, and often said things that were startlingly unexpected.”

Hua Yitang: “Such as suggesting your five sects find a way to come under the Pure Gate’s banner?”

The five sect leaders gave strained smiles.

During the battle, Lin Sui’an had already vaguely sensed it — this wager had arrived under peculiar circumstances, simultaneously earnest and oddly playful, carrying a certain flippant quality reminiscent of Hua Yitang’s manner. It felt almost tailor-made for her and Hua Yitang. Now that she saw the five of them tacitly confirming it, she felt genuinely unsettled.

Hua Yitang languidly fanned himself, his smile warm and sincere — entirely at odds with what he was about to say. “In Yidu, the aristocratic clans hold power in fragmented fiefdoms, and only the fittest survive. If a jianghu sect wishes to endure, it must find a powerful patron. The patron’s backing must be solid — the Five Surnames and Seven Clans are the foremost choice. In Yidu, the Su Clan of Suizhou is naturally the optimal selection.”

“Of course, the Su Clan of Suizhou is not so easily approached. In the end, the Su family chose only the three most powerful factions — the Five Mounds Alliance, the Ascending Immortals Sect, and Huang Jiu’s clan. The two who were passed over, the Crane Immortal Sect and the Duck Row Gate, had to settle for the next best option, and successively pledged themselves to the Su Clan’s lackeys — the Wang Clan of the Northern City and the Wu Clan of the Southern City.”

The five sect leaders said nothing.

“Thus, the distribution of jianghu power in Yidu reached a balance, and everyone coexisted in relative harmony — until the court suddenly dispatched an eyesore of a Military Advisor Hua, and out of nowhere appeared a vexing Master of Ten Purities. They stirred Yidu into a smoky haze, and the Pure Gate — long on its last breath — suddenly rose as a dark horse. The Wu Clan of the Southern City and the Wang Clan of the Northern City fell into chaos one after another. Worse still, the Master of Ten Purities, Lin Sui’an, challenged and defeated all three major sect leaders in succession. The Ascending Immortals Sect, the Duck Row Gate, and the Five Mounds Alliance — having lost — either surrendered their territories, or suffered grievous losses, or were cast aside by the great clans. The Crane Immortal Sect and Huang Jiu’s clan felt the peril of a shared fate, and so, gentlemen, you panicked.”

The five sect leaders buried their heads in their teacups.

Hua Yitang’s smile grew ever more genuine and clear. “And it was precisely at this moment that this Seventh Master appeared. He charted an unconventional course, pointing out another path for you all — to submit to the Pure Gate.”

“The Seventh Master’s reasoning came down roughly to three points. First, the Pure Gate has the Master of Ten Purities holding it together, and the Junior Gate Master has already established branch shrines in Yangdu, the Eastern Capital, Guangdu, and Yidu — the numbers are substantial, the reach extends across the country, and the power is not to be underestimated. Second, the Pure Gate is backed by the Hua Clan of Yangdu and has secured the Hundred Flowers Tea trade — not only are their needs comfortably met, but if managed well, modest wealth and standing are well within reach. Third, and most importantly — among the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, the Su Clan of Suizhou has rotted and declined, while the Hua Clan of Yangdu is flourishing and rising. If one must choose a patron, naturally one chooses the one with money, power, and prospects.”

The five sect leaders said awkwardly: “Knowing which way the wind blows makes one a true hero —”

Hua Yitang nodded in agreement. “However, how exactly one submits to the Pure Gate is a matter of technique. If you wait for the Pure Gate to come knocking at your door, you’ve already lost the initiative — take the Ascending Immortals Sect, for instance. After losing the Jinli Long Street territory, they can only scrape by under the Hua Clan of Yidu, not even registering as peripheral members of the Pure Gate. Rather than sitting and waiting for death, better to take the initiative and strike — challenge the Master of Ten Purities. Defeat is not without honor, and by going into the Pure Gate this way, you can negotiate a higher standing. So the Seventh Master designed this wager for you. I expect you had all discussed it beforehand — letting us win five out of three bouts, or three out of two —”

The five sect leaders exchanged glances and wiped away sweat.

“Military Advisor Hua’s calculations are truly divine. And indeed, that is how things stand.” Wu Chun cupped his hands in a salute. “If it were only for the future of us five, we would not resort to such methods. But the brothers beneath our banners have followed us through wind and rain for many years — we bear a responsibility to them, and no matter what, we must plan for them.”

“That much is understandable, but —” Lin Sui’an glanced at Hua Yitang.

Hua Yitang’s expression hovered between a smile and not. “Hua is a businessman, not the abbot of a Buddhist hall. Taking your territories, shops, and martial arts manuals is quite enough — why on earth should I also concern myself with your people?”

Yet no sooner had he said this than all five sect leaders laughed at the same time.

Feng Qiao: “That Seventh Master said that the Fourth Young Master of the Hua family loves to meddle in other people’s affairs. Since he’s already accepted your pledges of allegiance, he definitely won’t abandon you.”

Ximen Yang: “He said, the Ascending Immortals Sect is proof — at the very least, you’d get a meal under the Hua Clan of Yidu.”

Huang Tian: “He said the Pure Gate is in urgent need of talent right now — so even if Fourth Young Master Hua doesn’t step up, Lin Niangzi definitely will.”

Che Song: “He said, with fresh blood joining, the Pure Gate growing stronger is only a matter of time.”

Wu Chun: “The Seventh Master said that Fourth Young Master Hua and Lin Niangzi are different from the Su Clan of Suizhou, who burn bridges once across the river. They are good people.”

Hua Yitang: “……”

Clearly being manipulated, yet it somehow sounded as though he had come out with a great bargain — and on top of that, he’d received a thorough and wholehearted compliment. His feelings were genuinely complicated.

Lin Sui’an clicked her tongue. Such meticulous, step-by-step calculation, such masterful manipulation of human hearts — it really was far too reminiscent of Qi Yuansheng’s style.

“We are indeed sincerely pledging our allegiance.” The five of them rose to their feet and simultaneously presented their sects’ martial arts manuals.

“In that case, Hua would not dream of declining.” Hua Yitang accepted them all with a beaming smile.

The five sect leaders: “……”

Words aside, Fourth Young Master Hua, aren’t you being a tad too unabashed about it!

What came next was even more outrageous — Hua Yitang proceeded to spread all five manuals open on the table in one sweeping motion and invited Lin Sui’an to look them over.

These manuals were far more professionally produced than the Ten Purities Collection — richly illustrated, highly detailed, and annotated throughout with the research notes of successive sect leaders, all in dense classical Chinese. Lin Sui’an’s head throbbed with two aches at once. She hastily poked Hua Yitang’s arm. “You do it.”

Hua Yitang was smug. “As expected, you still need me.” He swept through at twenty lines per glance, and in less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea, he had read through all of them. He settled into a leisurely sitting position, fanning himself. “Which one would you like to hear about?”

Lin Sui’an: “The Five Mounds Alliance.”

Hua Yitang: “The Miao blade technique — long, solid, heavy. Advantages: the blade is long, offering a wide attack range and great destructive power. Disadvantages: the blade is solid, leaving little room for variation; the blade is heavy, and cannot be wielded by anyone lacking in strength.”

The four other sect leaders’ gazes snapped toward Wu Chun.

Wu Chun’s face drained of color. Hua Yitang had struck directly at the essence of the Miao blade technique.

Lin Sui’an nodded. “Gate Master Wu, Lin has a suggestion — would you care to hear it?”

Wu Chun stiffened. “…Please speak, Lin Niangzi.”

“Refine the Miao blade — thin the body of the blade, round the spine, and keep the total weight around two jin. Fashion it as a light, swift blade. With modest adjustments, it will overcome the disadvantages of solidity and weight and become a blade whose movements are unpredictably light and heavy in turn.”

Wu Chun was dumbstruck. For years, he had emphasized the blade’s strengths and always made the edge long and firm, the blade weighing six jin — exhausting to wield for any length of time, and no matter how he trained day and night, he could never break through the plateau. Yet it had never once occurred to him to do the opposite and exchange the heavy blade for a light one.

Lin Sui’an rolled up the scroll and tied it, returning it to Wu Chun. “Gate Master Wu, why not give it a try?”

Wu Chun needed a long moment to come back to himself. “Thank you, Lin Niangzi.”

Lin Sui’an: “The Duck Row Gate.”

Hua Yitang: “The Duck Row Gate’s chain-kick technique — legs thick and powerful, a hard art, with a stable lower stance. Advantages: explosive force, high speed. Disadvantages: insufficient accuracy.”

Everyone understood at once. In the chaotic brawl earlier, Feng Qiao had indeed missed several kicks. Setting aside Lin Sui’an, the others had still caught quite a few — and they had hurt like the devil.

Feng Qiao sat up straight. “Does Lin Niangzi have any suggestions?”

“The inaccuracy comes from insufficient stamina. When stamina wanes, perceptiveness declines, errors multiply, the mental burden grows heavier, and errors compound — and so the cycle continues, draining physical strength even faster.” Lin Sui’an put away the Duck Row Gate’s manual. “In your daily training, do not focus solely on your lower stance and explosive power — also incorporate long-duration endurance training.”

Feng Qiao was overjoyed. “Many thanks for the guidance, Lin Niangzi!”

The remaining three sect leaders, hearing this, were all stirred with anticipation, their eyes bright and shining as they fixed their gazes on Lin Sui’an.

Hua Yitang: “The Crane Immortal Sect — dual blades. Advantages: the blade work is fierce. Disadvantages: insufficient adaptability.”

Lin Sui’an: “Some time ago, Lin learned a little of Jiang Chen’s Twin Dragons Emerging from the Sea dual-blade technique. By adjusting the rhythm between both hands and having the left and right separately execute different moves, Gate Master Che can come to the Pure Gate’s branch shrine some other day, if he is interested, and I will teach you.”

Che Song was overwhelmed with gratitude. “Che thanks Lin Niangzi on behalf of all the disciples of the Crane Immortal Sect!”

Hua Yitang: “Huang Jiu’s Clan — fist technique and concealed weapons. The fist technique is mediocre, entirely without merit. The concealed weapons are far too inaccurate.”

Huang Tian: “……”

Lin Sui’an scratched her forehead. “Concealed weapons are genuinely not Lin’s area of expertise, so she dares not speak carelessly. However, the Four Elders of the Yidu Pure Gate have extensive combat experience in the jianghu — Elder Bai Shan in particular may be able to offer some suggestions. Gate Master Huang, if you do not mind, you are welcome to come to the Pure Gate with Gate Master Che.”

Huang Tian nodded repeatedly. “That works, that works!”

Hua Yitang: “The Ascending Immortals Sect — the Silk-Threading Sword, borrowing force to redirect force, responding after the opponent has moved. Advantages: softness overcomes hardness. Disadvantages: insufficient lethality in actual combat.”

Lin Sui’an was silent for a long moment. “This one is harder — only the internal arts can help here.”

Not just Ximen Yang — everyone was baffled. “What is the internal art?”

Lin Sui’an thought to herself: as expected, this world truly has no concept of internal energy cultivation.

She thought for a moment, and could only take a roundabout route, switching into full bluffing mode.

“The Silk-Threading Sword is excellent at borrowing force, but if one wishes to advance further, the only path is to move in the manner of Taiji.”

Ximen Yang’s eyes went wide. “Please elaborate.”

Lin Sui’an cleared her throat. “The so-called Taiji is a state of movement within stillness and stillness within movement — yin and yang alternating in an unbroken, endless flow. No technique in the hands, yet full technique in the heart. Attack through defense, position yourself beyond defeat, and you have already won.”

Amitabha. Venerable Taiji ancestors, I made all of that up — please do not come looking for me to settle accounts.

Ximen Yang listened with a look of partial understanding, then took back his manual and stared at it in a daze.

The martial arts manuals of the five sects had been handed over not two cups of tea ago, and already they were being returned — along with the suggestions of the Master of Ten Purities, Lin Sui’an. The five of them had spent years scrapping their way through the jianghu, and they naturally understood the weight of those few sentences. To call each one worth a thousand gold pieces would not be an exaggeration.

Wu Chun could not help but ask: “Lin Niangzi shares her insights so freely — are you not afraid that… if our martial arts improve, it might threaten you and the Pure Gate?”

Lin Sui’an laughed. “It does not matter.”

The five were deeply moved. The Master of Ten Purities truly has a magnanimous spirit, they thought — comparable to the most venerable and respected masters of the martial world. Faced with someone of such lofty virtue and noble character, they felt shame at the selfish thoughts they had harbored during the battle — the small desire to sneak in a move or two against her in the confusion, winning some scraps of reputation through underhanded means. They were thoroughly ashamed of themselves!

Under the triple weight of fear, admiration, and guilt, the five sect leaders finally submitted to Lin Sui’an from the bottom of their hearts.

Lin Sui’an was quite pleased with herself, already thinking she would have to give Jin Ruo a good lesson when she got back — look how her teacher had won people over “through virtue.”

But then Hua Yitang smiled and added, with perfect composure: “Besides, no matter how hard you all train, you still won’t be able to beat Lin Sui’an.”

The five of them: “……”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

Side Skit

Five Sect Leaders: That Fourth Young Master Hua has the most infuriating way of bragging by pretending not to brag!

Lin Sui’an: This person really is a professional at making enemies!