The residence and office of the Martial Alliance were both located in the ancient courtyard at the mountain’s peak. With so many guests coming and going these past few days, the young Marquis He bringing a disciple from Qingcheng Academy to see the Alliance Leader didn’t attract any particular attention.
When Mo Daoyun saw them arrive, he had two disciples stand guard outside. Once the door closed, he was about to rise when Ye Qi had just raised his hand to say “no need for formalities,” but who would have thought that Scholar and Alliance Leader Mo would walk directly to Changling’s side, bow, and say: “Second Young Master.”
“Please just call me Changting,” Changling said. “I heard that the black-clad figure from the lantern festival appeared. Is this true?”
Mo Daoyun gave a slight nod, drawing out from his breast a longevity lock wrapped in a brocade handkerchief. He handed it to Changling, saying: “Last night, Master Huiguang from Shaolin and I were in the room discussing matters by writing, when we sensed someone eavesdropping outside. We pursued them all the way, but his qinggong was extraordinarily high. In my haste, I only managed to seize this silver lock…”
As the handkerchief was lifted, Changling’s pupils trembled—this longevity lock was styled with crabapple flowers, engraved with the four characters “Long Life, Hundred Years,” with three small bells hanging from its tail. There were also two broken hooks, suggesting there had originally been five bells in total.
The year she left home at age six, grievously wounded and barely breathing, at the moment of parting, twelve-year-old Yue Changsheng removed the longevity lock from his own breast and hung it on her, saying: “Don’t cry. This separation is so that later our family can be together better. Keep this lock with you, and wherever you go, think of it as your brother accompanying you…”
He told her not to cry, yet his own tears brimmed and threatened to fall. Little Changting didn’t want her eldest brother to be sad, so she touched the longevity lock and deliberately said: “Brother, this lock is so dull and dark. When I come back, you have to give me a prettier pendant to hang…”
Yue Changsheng smiled, “Alright, I promise you. When you return, I’ll give you the most beautiful pendant in the world.”
Many years later, when Changling and Changsheng were reunited after their long separation, she came down from the battlefield holding up the silver lock, saying: “This lock really isn’t very durable. I’ve only been gone a few years, and somehow two of the bells have already fallen off.”
Yue Changsheng’s eyes reddened completely. He pulled her into the tent and took out a palm-sized wooden box. Opening it—inside were filled with all kinds of necklaces and pendants: pearls, jade, shells, and even a luminous pearl. Who knew where this dignified General Yue had collected all these girlish trinkets from his campaigns north and south.
“I like this one,” she chose the glowing luminous pearl, then placed the longevity lock on Changsheng, saying: “From now on, the object returns to its original owner.”
Ye Qi saw Changling’s hand trembling slightly as she held the longevity lock, and couldn’t help but ask: “Is this the Eldest Young Master’s belonging?”
Changling closed her eyes and nodded.
Mo Daoyun found it somewhat hard to believe. “Could that person… truly be the Eldest Young Master? But if he’s returned, why wouldn’t he reveal himself to us?”
Changling didn’t know the reason either. She had always harbored this infinitesimally small hope, and this longevity lock’s sudden descent from the heavens had already stirred her heart into complete chaos. “Could it be that elder brother… didn’t recognize me…”
“Perhaps yes, perhaps no,” Ye Qi gently grasped her hand. “Even if this lock belonged to the Eldest Young Master, it’s possible someone else is carrying it…”
Changling asked: “Someone else—who would that be?”
Ye Qi paused, then shook his head. “I can’t think of anyone right now. I just feel there’s something suspicious about this. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions, as doing so would actually affect our judgment.”
Mo Daoyun expressed his agreement, saying: “However, even if it’s not the Eldest Young Master himself, since this person is wearing this silver lock, it’s very likely they’re an old acquaintance from those years. Perhaps if we find them, we’ll learn of the Eldest Young Master’s whereabouts…”
“Right,” Ye Qi looked at Changling and said: “If he truly is the Eldest Young Master, having come to Xiaoyao Valley, he surely won’t remain hidden in the shadows forever. We’ll wait quietly—he should appear again…”
His voice was gentle, and even though her heart was in complete turmoil, she couldn’t help but calm down.
Changling put on the longevity lock and tucked it into her clothes. She said to Ye Qi: “I understand.”
Mo Daoyun said: “By the way, regarding this gathering, if the Second Young Master wants to seize the position of Alliance Leader in one fell swoop, I’m afraid there will be some difficulties.”
Changling was startled. Ye Qi asked: “Why do you say that? Has some formidable expert arrived?”
“Experts are secondary. The main issue is that the martial competition rules have been changed. Originally, whether major or minor sect, all could nominate one to several martial candidates. As long as they could stand to the end by their own ability, they would be recognized.” Mo Daoyun paced a few steps. “But firstly, in recent years some extremely strange and ruthless martial techniques have appeared in the jianghu. The Ten Elders worried that such people might infiltrate the gathering, and orthodox martial artists might lose in a moment of carelessness—that’s not impossible. Secondly, if the new Alliance Leader relies solely on martial prowess without prestige, it will be difficult to command respect and naturally impossible to lead the martial world… Therefore, the Martial Alliance conference decided a few days ago that for this Alliance Leader selection, one sect or several sects can only choose one person as leader with four as support. One match is divided into five rounds, which means…”
“Which means five matches, win three to advance,” Ye Qi naturally continued. “You must win at least three matches to enter the next round.”
Mo Daoyun nodded once. “Correct.”
“What’s difficult about that?” Changling said. “If every opponent is formidable, at worst I’ll go up for three matches and sweep them all…”
Mo Daoyun’s brow furrowed. “This is where the trouble lies. The Martial Alliance’s intention is that besides demonstrating martial prowess, the Alliance Leader should also have the ability and insight to lead everyone to victory together. Therefore, to prevent this situation of one person dominating, the competition rules stipulate that the leader can fight at most two matches, while others can only fight once. So even if the Second Young Master wins every match, the Eastern Xia martial artists must have someone who can win one match each round for the leader to be considered victorious.”
Changling laughed. “Such a roundabout competition method—don’t tell me it was proposed by Shaolin and Wudang?”
Mo Daoyun smiled helplessly. “The Second Young Master guessed correctly. Besides this, Daoist Hengyu of Kunlun, Yangxuzi of Taixu Gate, and former Alliance Leader Huo Ying all approved this measure. Even if I wanted to oppose it, I was powerless to stop it.”
“Everyone has their own agenda. Although Shaolin and Wudang don’t participate in the competition, as the two pillars of the martial world, they naturally don’t want a newcomer who appeared out of nowhere to join the Martial Alliance. Although Kunlun Sect’s disciples eligible to compete in this generation don’t have top-tier masters, they’re all quite outstanding. This competition format gives them better odds.” Ye Qi gathered his sleeves and sat down. “They probably planned this gameplay long ago. That Scholar Mo only learned of it after arriving at Xiaoyao Valley is likely a deliberate obstruction to the Eastern Xia martial artists.”
“Obstruction?” Changling didn’t react at first. “Shaolin and Wudang’s intentions are understandable, but Taixu Gate also approved—this is somewhat suspicious. Could Yangxuzi be so confident in his disciples that he’s certain of winning every match?”
“He isn’t, but didn’t Scholar Mo just say? One sect or several sects may choose one person as leader—in other words, several sects can combine as one group to compete, right?”
As Ye Qi spoke, he looked toward Mo Daoyun. Mo Daoyun nodded: “In today’s roster, Qingxuan Gate, Canghai Sect, Zhenwu Gate, and Tianlong Sect are all willing to have Taixu Gate as leader, which means… Yangxuzi can select the most outstanding disciples from each sect to compete. If they ultimately prevail, the position of Alliance Leader will still go to his head disciple.”
“Eight sects provided Yangxuzi with his five—he really has some skill. Once word spreads, other sects will surely follow suit… But then again, we have a ‘king’ here,” Ye Qi gestured toward Changling. “Scholar Mo, with so many students at Qingcheng Academy, surely there can’t be not a single capable fighter? If our Second Young Master hadn’t come to wade into these waters, who were you originally planning to put forward?”
Mo Daoyun raised his sleeve and coughed lightly, saying: “Mo Chuan, and also Wang Xun—both are the outstanding talents of this generation. However, they’re still quite young. I originally had no expectations that they could win to the end…”
Ye Qi rubbed his forehead. “Shen Yao really trusts you to lead the team…”
Mo Daoyun said thoughtfully: “Actually, the Second Young Master only wants the truth to be made public. I can do this on his behalf. I’m still the Martial Alliance Leader and was a witness back then. As long as I publicly reveal the truth of those years at the gathering and clearly state the Second Young Master’s identity, quite a few people should believe…”
“But many more will doubt.” Ye Qi directly cut off his words. “Senior Mo, everyone has seen which camp you’ve stood with all these years. If you suddenly switch sides now and say you want to vindicate the Yue family, who would readily believe you?”
“But the Second Young Master is real,” Mo Daoyun said. “Even if they don’t recognize the person, they’ll surely recognize the martial arts…”
“Recognizing them doesn’t mean gaining recognition.” Ye Qi’s voice was extremely soft. “Setting aside that many of these people are from the imperial court faction, even those who supported the Yue family back then—who would unconditionally risk their lives for someone who’s been ‘dead’ for so many years?”
“No need to say more. I’ll lead.” Changling decisively raised her hand. “I’ll lead them into battle.”
Mo Daoyun looked at Changling in surprise. “But…”
“No buts. Whatever the competition format, that’s how we’ll compete.” Changling raised an eyebrow with an unbridled smile. “Since these rules are established so interestingly, if I don’t cooperate in performing this show, how can I make everyone lose with complete conviction?”
Mo Daoyun opened his mouth, not knowing how to persuade her. Seeing him hesitate several times, Ye Qi couldn’t help but smile as well. “Scholar Mo, since she’s decided, I don’t think we need to say more. You’d better first think about how to persuade Old Man Shu to agree to Changling as the lead candidate—that’s the real business.”
After learning of the gathering’s new rules, Shujuan also showed some concern. He knew exactly what his disciples were capable of. This competition format was truly unfavorable for this batch of young martial artists. Upon hearing Mo Daoyun recommend Changling, the old man unexpectedly expressed approval: “Among this batch of martial students, although Xiao Chuan and Xiao Wang have the most credentials, their martial learning is too orthodox. The other sects have probably already investigated them thoroughly. But that Changting… when she sparred with Xiao Chuan and the others, she always held back. Her martial techniques are quite rare indeed. Having her take this lead position might actually have some chance of achieving an unexpected victory.”
Mo Daoyun was caught off guard, and all his words of persuasion were swallowed back. He only said: “If Scholar Shu thinks so too, then I’m relieved. I just don’t know if those youngsters will feel uncomfortable about it… especially Wang Xun, as he’s this year’s Martial Champion…”
Old Man Shu laughed heartily. “He’s your disciple—don’t you understand him? If he didn’t know how to consider the bigger picture, how could he be worthy of being Qingcheng Academy’s head disciple?”
With the three great scholars of Qingcheng Academy as guarantors, Changling’s position as leader was secured.
Wang Xun and Mo Chuan had no ambition for the Alliance Leader position. They naturally followed their master’s arrangements and raised no objections. As for the other martial students below them, according to Zhou Qin, there was quite a bit of criticism, especially from Fang Zhuyi and a few others who were definitely dissatisfied with Changling.
Zhou Qin said indignantly: “The scholars have already decided, and even First Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother have no objections. I don’t know what they have to complain about.”
Changling was unconcerned. “Let them talk.”
“You don’t know how nasty things they’re saying in private…”
“Oh? What are they saying?”
Zhou Qin weakly glanced at the young marquis cooling off under the tree shade and said: “They say the scholars chose you, Master, because you used your beauty to bewitch the young marquis, and that’s how you got this position…”
Upon hearing this, Ye Qi suddenly sat up and pointed at Zhou Qin, asking: “Who said this?”
“What they said isn’t wrong,” Changling wasn’t the least bit angry and said matter-of-factly. “If it weren’t for you, Scholar Mo wouldn’t have noticed me.”
With her putting it this way, Ye Qi found himself unable to refute. “But it can’t be called using beauty…”
“Then what is it?” Changling looked up at him. “Could it be that you like me because you submit to my martial prowess?”
Ye Qi: “…”
Zhou Qin: “…”
Just as the young marquis was pondering how to answer this deadly question, Fu Second Young Master came rushing up from the mountain base in a flurry. Seeing the three of them sitting in the courtyard enjoying the cool air, he wiped his sweat and said: “I wondered why I couldn’t find you all. Down below they’re announcing the competition bracket roster for the gathering. Everyone’s going to look at the matchup board. Master, as the head of our Qingcheng Academy, aren’t you curious about our opponents?”
Changling lazily sat up. “It’s definitely crowded right now. Besides, you’re sure to join that excitement anyway. We’ll just wait for you to come back and tell us about it.”
Fu Yanyang’s mouth twitched several times. “Master, you really are… so farsighted.”
“Stop wasting words,” Zhou Qin bounced to his side. “What’s the situation now? Besides Taixu Gate and Qingxuan Gate, are there other sects that have also formed teams?”
“Hehehe, you should ask which sects haven’t formed teams.” Fu Yanyang pulled out two handwritten rosters from his breast and handed them over separately. “I didn’t write down those minor sects—all the major ones are here…”
Changling and Ye Qi took them and scanned through roughly. They heard Fu Yanyang say: “Feiying Gate and Divine Fist Gang have paired up, Danxia Gate and Diancang Sect have partnered together. These aren’t even the most troublesome. Right now the sects from Western Xia are really…”
Zhou Qin asked curiously: “What about Western Xia?”
“Murong Manor and Hewu Gate both compete under Western Xia’s imperial court.” Ye Qi put down the roster and said thoughtfully: “This way, besides the five sects led by Taixu Gate and Kunlun Sect, the Western Xia branch will be the strongest in this gathering.”
Zhou Qin gasped. “Are this Murong Manor and Hewu Gate really that formidable?”
Fu Yanyang also retreated to the tree shade, fanning himself while saying: “You only know about our Eastern Xia martial world and don’t know what the Western Xia martial world is like. Although Western Xia doesn’t have eight great sects like us, and doesn’t have Qingcheng Academy, they have the Gusu Murong clan and Hewu Gate. The Gusu Murong were originally a royal clan from the previous dynasty and have deep connections with Western Xia’s current Yuan emperor. Moreover, they’re a century-old martial learning family. There’s a saying in the jianghu: ‘All martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin, thirty percent of ultimate techniques enter Murong.’ Not only that, the Murong family’s disciples produce one or two grandmaster-level martial geniuses in almost every generation. I’ve heard that this time Murong Manor’s young manor lord Murong Fei and the eldest miss Murong Sheng will both come to compete…”
Hearing him speak of the Murong family, Ye Qi’s lips pressed together slightly at some point.
“That impressive?” Zhou Qin found these jianghu anecdotes very interesting. “What about Hewu Gate?”
“Hewu Gate is Western Xia’s number one sword school. Among the Four Great Sword Saints, our Scholar Mo occupies one position, and the other three all came from Hewu Gate. Oh right, former Alliance Leader Huo Ying is currently Hewu Gate’s sect leader. The one coming this time is his head disciple, about the same age as our First Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother, but I’ve heard his swordsmanship has already surpassed his master’s…” Fu Yanyang sighed. “There’s also Wei Shaoxuan, the eldest son of General Wei Xingyun. I’ve heard he’s also an ever-victorious general. This time, Western Xia’s imperial court team has him as leader—he must also be extraordinary.”
Fu Yanyang spoke at great length. Changling listened casually without taking it to heart. Holding that page of paper recording the independently competing sects, she skimmed down the long list. Her gaze fell on the last entry, and her brow furrowed slightly. “East Sea?”
Ye Qi looked over. “What East Sea?”
“Right, East Sea,” Fu Yanyang said. “This time East Sea Island also joined the Central Plains’ Martial Alliance, so they have qualification to participate… However, they only sent three people in total. That island lord leading them is called Xu something…”
Before he finished speaking, someone behind them said: “I’m called Xu Laifeng.”
The three turned around to see a tall, gray-robed man walking out from behind the bushes—it was none other than Island Lord Xu, who had suddenly vanished that day at Yan Lingshan.
Old acquaintances reunited after a long separation, and each felt a sense of emotion upon this sudden encounter. Ye Qi stood up rather unexpectedly. Seeing Xu Laifeng standing before them completely intact, he couldn’t help but smile. “Island Lord Xu, your life is truly resilient.”
“Same to you.” Xu Laifeng looked extremely spirited, his face practically glowing. “I knew you’d come too. As soon as I arrived at Xiaoyao Valley, I came looking for you—friendly enough, right?”
Changling laughed coldly. “Friends? The kind who fly apart when disaster strikes?”
“Cough, don’t say that. We’re not husband and wife after all…” Xu Laifeng’s unguarded mouth hadn’t finished speaking when Ye Qi punched his shoulder, making him yelp. “Young Marquis, really? We haven’t seen each other in so long, and you come up and hit me so hard?”
Ye Qi smiled without warmth. “Island Lord Xu still hasn’t explained why he disappeared without reason that day. Coming to ingratiate yourself now—you must have ulterior motives, right?”
Xu Laifeng, seeing other people present, said: “Find another time, and I can explain… Actually…”
He didn’t finish. Changling suddenly raised her head, her gaze falling toward the bushes not far ahead—someone was secretly watching them in the shadows.
Her movements were extremely swift. By the time Xu Laifeng and Ye Qi turned their heads, she had already darted into the forest.
The remaining four looked at each other, not understanding what had happened.
In the bushes, three people fled rapidly. All three were bearded young men. Seeing no movement behind them, they slowed their pace. One of them said: “Your Highness, no one followed.”
The person addressed as “Your Highness” slowed his steps and looked back for a long while. The joy in his eyes was still hard to dispel, and he murmured: “She really came…”
Another person said: “Third Prince, that Marquis He has seen you. If we rashly go see him now and reveal our whereabouts, I’m afraid there will be danger.”
“Who’s going to see him?” This “Third Prince,” whose handsome features couldn’t be hidden even by his full beard, glanced at the two beside him. “And you two—how many times have I said it? Now that we’re in the Central Plains, you should change how you address me. Call me Young Master.”
The two said in unison: “Yes, Your Highness.”
“…”
The prince was too lazy to say more. He touched the beard on his face and sighed to himself: “Disguised like this, it would be hard to reveal my whereabouts even if I wanted to…”
After walking a few more steps, they suddenly saw a figure approaching ahead. The two at his side positioned themselves protectively in front of the prince with extreme vigilance, saying coldly: “Who’s there?”
“It’s me.” Changling walked out of the bushes without any hesitation, hands behind her back, the corners of her mouth curving slightly. “Mingyue Zhou, long time no see. Do you still remember me?”