Chapter 1: Lazy, Slow, Aloof, Wild

The night was cool as water, with the moon hanging high in the sky. There was no lamplight in the room, but by the bright moonlight, one could see the interior was decorated with elegant refinement. A blue and white porcelain vase on the table held two branches of peach blossoms, pale red and white. In the warm, humid air, faint traces of subtle fragrance drifted about. A seven-stringed guqin sat beneath the red lattice window, and translucent moon-white curtains hung down in front of the blue-black bed.

Hmm, peach blossoms in full bloom indicate it’s spring, and the pleasantly warm and humid air suggests this is somewhere in the south. As for which dynasty, I’m not certain, but I hope it’s the Wei-Jin or Southern and Northern Dynasties period. I have a special fondness for that era—the demeanor of the Wei-Jin scholars fascinates and attracts me greatly.

Clever reader friends, by now you’ve probably realized that I’ve traveled through time! Please don’t ask me how I traveled through time; I’m just as confused as you are. If I knew how to traverse time and space, I would have long since opened a shop as a fortune teller.

What I can tell you is this: My name is Fang Yi, female, twenty-four years old, from twenty-first century Hangzhou. I’m a professional con artist who writes love guides, or as I grandly call myself, a freelance writer. That night, as I was wracking my brain to concoct some mystical story, my computer screen suddenly emitted a powerful white light that struck my forehead. My brain felt a surge of heat, and then I knew nothing more.

When I next awoke, I saw the scene described above. Perhaps because I had experienced too many strange lives in other people’s novels, even though I had truly traveled through time at this moment, I wasn’t overly shocked. Rather, it was the three men before me that made me curious about what exactly had happened.

An elder in a cyan robe and two men of about thirty in black attire—one with a full beard, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, appearing quite bold and generous; the other dressed as a scholar, with a thin frame, sallow complexion with a greenish tinge, and deep-set eyes.

At this moment, they were all looking at me with grave and anxious expressions. No, they were looking at the person whose body I now inhabited. Strangely, although my consciousness was clear, this body remained motionless.

The cyan-robed elder grasped the wrist that extended over the edge of the bed. My, what a translucent arm it was—perfectly diseased in its beauty, with the pale wrist showing distinct blue veins, as clear as if faint blue lines had been drawn on a sheet of white paper. Just seeing this arm, one could imagine that its owner must possess a devastatingly beautiful appearance that would make anyone pity her. This excited me somewhat; after all, no one would complain about being too beautiful.

As soon as the elder touched my wrist, he shuddered and said, “Her body is ice-cold. Could she have been struck by Ghost Valley Alliance’s Chief Shen Zuitian’s Profound Ice Jade Palm?”

“Indeed! Master Li, how is she? Can she still be saved?” asked the full-bearded man who appeared rather bold, showing his impatient temperament.

Master Li closed his eyes without answering, concentrating on taking my pulse. After a long while, he stood up, sighed deeply, and said, “This old man’s skills are inadequate. Sect Leader Yan, prepare for the funeral.”

Profound Ice Jade Palm? Sect Leader Yan?

Based on my lifelong experience reading martial arts novels, could I have traveled to some jianghu sect? This was interesting. In my girlhood, that era of passionate martial arts dreams, I often fantasized about myself wearing white robes, wielding a three-foot sword, with my hair flying freely, and walking through the jianghu with elegant grace. Who would have thought that now my dream would come true? No wonder time travel, such a high-difficulty feat, happens daily in “Jinjiang”—it’s truly a wonderful job. This body, whoever you were in your past life, please do me a favor and fight a little. Don’t kill my beautiful dream so quickly; wake up soon.

Feeling anxious and desperate, a clear intention struggled within me to move this ice-cold body—and indeed, the body did move slightly, with a faint breath escaping my lips, captured unmistakably by the two men in black.

Their expressions changed from sorrow to joy as they rushed to the bedside, exclaiming, “Shuguang?”

Shuguang? Is that the name of this body?

Before I could express my appreciation for this name, Master Li had already leaped forward in one bound, lifted the bed curtain, and with his ten fingers dancing like fluttering petals, brushed over several acupuncture points on my body—a skilled practitioner.

A sharp, sour pain spread throughout my body, and I couldn’t help but moan.

Sect Leader Yan’s face was wild with joy as he asked urgently, “Shuguang, how do you feel?”

Master Li’s face showed an expression of extreme shock. He grasped my wrist again, concentrated intensely, and his expression grew increasingly strange as if he had witnessed something completely impossible.

After a moment, he released my wrist and exclaimed repeatedly, “Strange, truly extremely strange! In all my decades of medical practice, I have never encountered such a bizarre case!”

The black-clad man with a solemn expression frowned and asked, “Master Li, what exactly is her condition?”

Master Li stood up and said, “Since Miss Rong has awakened, she is out of danger. I’ll prescribe some medicine, and after a period of recovery, she should be restored to health. However…”

“However what?” Sect Leader Yan asked hastily, proving his impatience once again.

Master Li glanced at me and said softly, “I’m afraid her martial arts are gone, and she will never be able to practice them again in this lifetime.”

Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Yan and the other man exchanged glances, both looking ashen.

In my heart, I let out a painful cry: “No way! My luck is too terrible. I finally make it to the jianghu, and before I can even show off my skills, I’m already ruined.”

The room fell silent for a while.

Suddenly, Sect Leader Yan said, “Master Li, your medical skills are unparalleled in the world. Please reconsider—isn’t there any medicine that could heal her? As long as it exists in this world, our Yuchi Mountain Estate will certainly find it.”

Master Li shook his head and said, “That Miss Rong could reclaim her life is already a miracle. As for restoring her martial arts, I am truly powerless.”

He sighed with deep regret as he spoke, then walked to the desk and began writing rapidly.

I sighed inwardly. Well, at least I’d saved a life, so I might as well make do with this body. Perhaps later there might be some fortuitous encounter, a blessing in disguise. Isn’t that how martial arts novels are written?

Master Li took a piece of paper and said, “Master Song, this is the prescription. Have her take it twice daily, morning and evening. After three months, Miss Rong’s body should be fully recovered. I take my leave now.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the bed again, his brows tightly knitted and his face full of doubt, as if he still couldn’t believe that someone who had died had come back to life. I secretly found it amusing—if he knew I had come from a future time and space, what expression would he wear then?

Master Song quickly said, “Thank you, sir. I’ll see you out.”

Sect Leader Yan also stepped forward to express his thanks, and the three exchanged courtesies. Master Song escorted Master Li out, while Sect Leader Yan took the prescription and instructed servants to prepare the medicine.

The room became quiet.

I pondered for a moment and, based on the recent situation, pieced together a rough outline: Song and Yan were elites of the Yuchi Mountain Estate, and there was an organization called the Ghost Valley Alliance that was at deadly odds with the Yuchi Mountain Estate. Rong Shuguang—that is, me now—was likely seriously injured during a clash between the two factions. To be injured by the Chief of the opposing faction, Rong Shuguang’s position in the estate must be quite high, perhaps even at the level of a sect leader. As for why the two factions were fighting, what the organizational structure and nature of the Yuchi Mountain Estate were, as well as who the leader was—these would require gradual exploration and understanding. Hehe, time travel is indeed an exciting and interesting thing.

In the evening, the early spring breeze still carried traces of cold. I lay by the window of the small tower, looking around.

This was a clear gray courtyard with carved pillars and flying eaves, waterside pavilions, and towers, exuding an air of elegant tranquility. The yard was planted with many exotic flowers and unusual herbs, as well as evergreen snow cedars and dragon cypresses. Several peach trees under the corridor were in full bloom, their branches laden with pale white and tender red blossoms, particularly vibrant amidst the lush greenery of the courtyard, creating an indescribable sense of serenity.

Having lain in bed for a full half month, I was nearly going mad from confinement. To make matters worse, the little maid serving me, Liu An, adamantly refused to let me get out of bed. I could only take advantage of her medicinal brewing time to get up and breathe some fresh air.

Over the past half month, I had learned a bit about the Yuchi Mountain Estate—it was the number one estate in the jianghu, with two chamber masters for internal and external affairs and four sect leaders under the estate master, as well as numerous branch leaders. Master Song, named Song Qingge, was the master of the internal chamber of the estate. Sect Leader Yan, called Yan Fufeng, was one of the four guardians. I was currently at the Suzhou branch of the Yuchi Mountain Estate. Apart from Yan and Song, I hadn’t met any other elites from the estate. As for the leader of the estate—his surname, given name, age, how many wives and concubines he had, ancestral properties, etc.—I knew nothing at all.

Even more embarrassingly, Rong Shuguang’s identity remained a mystery.

Strangely enough, though Yan and Song held extremely high positions in the estate, they showed me great respect and visited attentively. On the contrary, the little maid Liu An was particularly unfriendly. Whenever I made any request, she flatly refused, always citing Master Li’s instructions—not allowing this, not permitting that. At this rate, I would be stifled to death before the three months were up.

“Miss Rong, why are you up again?” Liu An was suddenly standing at the door, holding my medicine.

I got up and did some stretching exercises, smiling apologetically, “Don’t worry! Look, my body has almost recovered…” Before I could finish speaking, she had already grabbed my wrist and pulled me to sit on the bed.

Damn! This girl, though young and beautiful with a delicate appearance, had quite a strong grip. Was she taking advantage of my lost martial arts? As the saying goes, when wandering the jianghu, one can’t be without a blade. It seems that without some martial skills, it’s truly inconvenient to travel in the jianghu.

“Miss Rong, please don’t make things difficult for me. The young estate master arrived last night, and if anything happens to you, all of us will face trouble.”

Ha, she’s quite preemptive with her defense. Wait! What young estate master?

I quickly asked, “The young estate master is here? I didn’t know anything about it. What did he come for?”

She brought the medicine to me, her face expressionless, and said, “When the young master came, Miss was asleep. As for why he came, how would a lowly servant like me know?”

Listen to that tone—as if I had stolen her husband or owed her a huge debt. Could Rong Shuguang’s reputation be that bad?

I took the medicine and drank it all in one go, continuing to ask, “Where is he now?”

She took out a white porcelain bottle, poured out two emerald-green pills, and handed them to me, saying, “The young master sat in the room for a while last night and then left, leaving this bottle of medicine for Miss to take. He’s now in the front hall discussing matters with Master Song and the others.”

These pills were fragrant, obviously of good quality. I wouldn’t mistreat my own body, so I immediately took them. A cool, sweet sensation flowed down my throat straight to my chest, indescribably refreshing. Well! Things provided by the young estate master were indeed extraordinary.

Seeing that I had taken the medicine, Liu An said, “Miss Rong, rest for a moment. I need to go to the medicine room to check on something.”

I quickly covered myself with the blanket and smiled, “Go ahead, don’t worry about me.”

As she reached the door, she turned back and said, “Miss Rong, if you catch a cold, all the medicine you’ve taken these days will have been wasted.”

I listened to her footsteps gradually fading away, then quickly got out of bed and headed downstairs, passing through the quiet corridor, and making my way toward the front hall.

Don’t be ridiculous—since the young estate master had arrived, how could I not go take a look?

Just as I stepped into the courtyard, I heard Song Qingge’s voice: “Old Yan, have you noticed that Shuguang seems strange lately, as if she’s become a different person?”

Hearing this, I was startled. This Song Qingge was truly formidable—perhaps he had detected something unusual from my roundabout questions?

Yan Fufeng’s tone was somewhat uncertain: “Yes, she does seem strange… Could it be that Shen Zuitian’s palm strike injured her head, causing temporary amnesia?”

Haha! This Sect Leader Yan was truly adorable. Hmm, amnesia—that wouldn’t be a bad excuse.

Song Qingge seemed convinced by this explanation. After a moment of silence, he continued, “If that’s truly the case… young master, is it appropriate to send her to Cangzhou now?”

Hmm, send me to Cangzhou for what?

“Damn it, this bastard Chu Tianyao! He knows full well the relationship between Shuguang and the young master…” Yan Fufeng suddenly exclaimed loudly.

“My relationship with Shuguang is no different from my relationship with anyone else!” A voice as cold and clear as winter wind and snow rang out, with a warning implicit in its tone.

“Everyone knows she likes you—”

“Old Yan! Don’t talk nonsense!” Song Qingge intervened promptly.

The hall fell into silence, an eerie atmosphere spreading outward, making even me feel uncomfortable outside the hall.

So Rong Shuguang had feelings for this young estate master. But judging from his tone, it seemed that Rong Shuguang’s feelings were one-sided. Hehe, so far, this piece of information was the most valuable. I couldn’t wait to see this young master—just as I was about to step closer, I suddenly heard a shout from behind: “Miss Rong, why have you run out again?”

I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Her skill at keeping close tabs on me was so impressive that it would be a real waste if she didn’t play soccer.

Yan Fufeng rushed out first, saying, “Shuguang, why have you come downstairs?”

I smiled and said, “I felt stifled indoors, so I came out for a walk.”

Song Qingge followed shortly, looking at me with some curiosity.

Liu An stepped forward, greeted Yan and Song respectfully, and said, “Master Li said that Miss Rong’s body shouldn’t be exposed to the wind and that she should stay indoors.”

Yan Fufeng said, “Yes, Shuguang, the cold has not yet been expelled from your body. It’s better not to come outside.”

After resting in a room with no entertainment for a full half month, lying in bed and staring at the ceiling all day… OMG, I’d rather die than continue expelling this cold energy.

I couldn’t help but protest: “Please, everyone, I’m a person, not a prisoner. Staying inside all day long is suffocating.”

Suddenly, a voice without warmth said, “Starting tomorrow, you won’t have to stay indoors anymore.”

A handsome and upright young man stood under the corridor with its carved redwood pillars. His thick black hair hung casually over his back, his face cold as morning frost, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes. His overly straight nose gave his entire profile a sense of isolation, making him appear somewhat heartless and indifferent. A black robe of smooth texture clung to his body, revealing the strong, beautiful muscles underneath. His entire being exuded an imposing aura that was difficult to face directly.

I couldn’t help but secretly praise Rong Shuguang’s taste—this young estate master was indeed handsome and elegant, with an outstanding demeanor!

He looked at Liu An and said coolly, “Pack up Shuguang’s things. We will depart early tomorrow morning. Remember to bring her medicine.”

Liu An acknowledged and left.

I asked, “Where are we going?” As soon as the words left my mouth, I remembered their earlier conversation—surely it was Cangzhou.

Indeed, he replied, “Cangzhou!”

Wow! Finally going to roam the jianghu! I couldn’t help but show my joy. The young estate master glanced at me, a flicker of surprise appearing in the depths of his eyes.

Yan Fufeng suddenly said, “Shuguang, do you want to marry Chu Tianyao?”

I widened my eyes: Oh? So they’re sending me to Cangzhou to get married?

Aaaahhhh! I used to find it difficult even to date someone, and now, as soon as I’ve traveled through time, I’m about to be married off. What a huge irony! But—if Rong Shuguang liked this young estate master, why would she marry Chu Tianyao? I needed to understand the situation first.

“Chu Tianyao—this name sounds so familiar. I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere, but I can’t recall at the moment.”

Hehe, amnesia in action.

Yan Fufeng looked at me, stammering, “Shuguang, your head… do you feel anything unusual?”

“Hmm, lately when I try to think, my head hurts.” As I spoke, I reached up to rub my temples, glancing sideways at him.

Yan Fufeng’s expression changed, showing guilt and self-reproach. “Shuguang, I have failed you! It’s all my fault for drinking too much that day and not seeing your signal in time. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been injured by Shen Zuitian. I’ve caused you to lose your martial arts and become disabled. Once your body recovers, Old Yan will accept whatever punishment you see fit.”

So that’s what happened.

Alas, I, Fang Yi, never knew any martial arts to begin with, so naturally, there was nothing to lose. Besides, not having martial arts doesn’t mean I’m disabled! I should bring him some motivational books to change his mindset.

I coughed lightly and said, “Brother Yan, there are many people in this world who don’t know martial arts, yet they live perfectly well. Not knowing martial arts doesn’t mean being disabled—hmm, what are you doing?” Before I could finish speaking, I felt a chill beside me, and my left hand was grasped.

The young master’s right hand gripped my wrist to check my pulse, his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed, his clear gaze fixed on me. His other hand brushed aside the hair falling across my face, his fingers gliding over my forehead and cheeks…

I suddenly felt a sharp pain on my face and couldn’t help crying out, “Why are you pinching me?”

He stepped back two paces, bowed slightly, and said, “I’m sorry, Shuguang, but your words and actions are so strange that I had to be cautious.”

At this point, Song Qingge spoke up, “Three shadows guard day and night—it’s absolutely impossible for someone to impersonate her!”

Shit! So they suspected I was in disguise!

He hesitated, then continued, “Shuguang now has amnesia. I’m afraid the matter with Chu Tianyao won’t be easy to handle.”

The matter with Chu Tianyao? I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

The young master was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “You two leave first. I have something to discuss with Shuguang.”

Yan and Song both took their leave. The courtyard fell quiet, with only the chirping of birds in the branches.

This young, handsome estate master looked at me for a long time before asking, “Shuguang, do you remember the purpose of going to Cangzhou?”

“Isn’t it to get married?” I asked in return. Could it be not just marriage, but something more complex?

He sighed lightly and said, “Shuguang, you’re sacrificing yourself for the Lin family, but I, Lin Shaoci, won’t appreciate it. According to jianghu rumors, Chu Tianyao has a strange and unpredictable temperament, with mercurial moods. If you regret it now, there’s still time.”

I remained silent, feeling confused by this string of information until I heard him call himself Lin Shaoci.

He looked at me earnestly and continued, “If you don’t want to go to Cangzhou, just stay here and recuperate. I’ll arrange everything else.”

I was startled and quickly shook my head.

Don’t be ridiculous—still recuperating? With no computers, no internet, no TV, no radio, no popcorn, lying in bed staring at the ceiling all day—if this continues, I won’t just have amnesia; I’ll go insane.

His gaze changed, becoming deep and unfathomable as he stared at me. I felt a chill from his stare and was about to speak when he suddenly smiled. I don’t know if it was my imagination, but his smile seemed to contain a hint of mockery.

I felt increasingly confused. From what he had just said, my marriage to Chu Tianyao must be extremely important to the Yuchi Mountain Estate, or he wouldn’t have used the word “sacrifice.”

After thinking for a moment, I asked, “Um, what exactly am I going to do in Cangzhou?”

He said coldly, “Steal something!”

“What thing?”

“A list of names!”

“What kind of list?”

He said gravely, “It’s a list of rebels. Prince Han, Zhu Gaoqi, has been secretly recruiting jianghu masters, planning a rebellion. Some officials in court have already been bought by him and have signed blood oaths. This blood oath is currently with Chu Tianyao—that’s the list you need to steal.”

Prince Han, Zhu Gaoqi? So I traveled to the Ming Dynasty. This Zhu Gaoqi was the brother of Ming Emperor Renzong, and Ming history records his rebellion. But how did he know about such a major event as rebellion?

“How do you know about this?”

He curled his lips in a sneer and said, “The Yuchi Mountain Estate is prominent and attracts attention. Naturally, Prince Han’s people have also visited my father. These past three months, my father has claimed illness and refused to go out. They have been under increasing pressure, and the Lin family has closed more than twenty shops in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas. A month ago, Chu Tianyao suddenly sent people to propose marriage, and Wanci has had a strange illness since birth. Father dotes on her extremely, so…”

He changed the subject abruptly, saying, “Shuguang, although the Lin family has shown you the kindness of raising you, asking you to marry in Wanci’s place is truly selfish. Moreover, this matter is extremely dangerous, and now you’ve lost all your martial arts… If you regret it now, I will take you back immediately! When has our Yuchi Mountain Estate ever feared anyone?”

Having said this, he fixed his eyes on me, the clear moonlight shining on him like rippling water, the handsome features between his eyebrows exuding heroic spirit.

The kindness of raising me? Marrying in Wanci’s place?

So, Chu Tianyao originally wanted to marry Lin Wanci, and Rong Shuguang was marrying in her place to repay the kindness of her upbringing.

I thought seriously: Clearly, Chu Tianyao’s marriage was a pretext, and containing the Yuchi Mountain Estate was his true purpose. Once both sides broke their facade, there would inevitably be bloodshed in the jianghu. As a member of the Yuchi Mountain Estate, wouldn’t Rong Shuguang—and by extension, I, Fang Yi—also be implicated? However, according to Ming history, Prince Han’s rebellion failed, so there seemed nothing to fear.

Besides, I had always longed for the unrestrained life of the jianghu. Now, the great role of an ancient version of 007 was waiting for me—what an exciting and challenging mission!

Having made up my mind, I said, “I don’t regret it! But who exactly is Chu Tianyao? Why is such an important list with him?”

He frowned, remained silent for a while, then said, “Chu Tianyao is Prince Han’s strategist and the most mysterious figure in the jianghu in the past hundred years. Few have seen him. Rumor has it that he is exceptionally handsome and brilliantly intelligent, and his martial arts are unmatched—he has never met his equal. It is because of his assistance that Prince Han has been able to command so many extraordinary figures in the jianghu.”

Wow! How mysterious—I’d like to see what kind of character he is!

“Then we’ll go to Cangzhou tomorrow!”

He nodded indifferently and left without another word.

The sky darkened completely, with a crescent moon hanging among the tree branches, casting patches of pale light and shadow in the courtyard, like some unknown mystery.