Wei Zhao had always been a light sleeper. He woke up early the next day, and for a moment, he couldn’t remember where he was. In his daze, he felt as if he was back at “Yujia Mountain Villa” from over a decade ago as if his sister’s hand was gently stroking his forehead.
He inwardly shuddered, unsure if it was because they were about to return to Xingyue Valley and the scenery along the way had evoked memories, or if it was due to his rushed cultivation and the side effects of the pills, causing his qi to show signs of disorder. He sat in meditation on the kang bed for a while, only leaving the room when his mind was clear.
By this time, a faint white light had appeared on the horizon, and the snow had stopped. Steward Ping came up to him, “Young Master, we can set off now. I’ve prepared the dry rations.”
Wei Zhao nodded and looked towards the western room.
Steward Ping said, “There was no movement during the night. It seems she doesn’t dare to escape for now.”
Wei Zhao took the human skin mask from him and put it on, then donned a wide-brimmed hat with a blue veil. He said, “Yingying and the others must be getting anxious. We need to hurry.” He pushed open the door and strode to the kang bed, about to lean down and grab Jiang Ci, but his hand stopped midair.
On the earthen bed, Jiang Ci lay head to head with the two children, their faces equally pure and innocent. Her burned right hand rested on top of the blanket, holding the corner of the boy’s blanket next to her, apparently afraid it might slip off during the night.
Wei Zhao gazed at the three on the bed for a long time. Steward Ping came in, “Young Master, we need to leave.”
Wei Zhao let out a long breath and leaned down to lift Jiang Ci. Jiang Ci opened her sleepy eyes and was startled by Wei Zhao’s fake face under the blue veil. Realizing they were about to set off, she quickly put on her outer coat and soft boots and followed them out.
The cold wind hit her face, and Jiang Ci shrank her shoulders. Seeing Wei Zhao and Steward Ping already far ahead, she hurriedly summoned all her qi to follow behind them.
Although her lightness skill was good, she had only practiced moving and shifting in small spaces. To run like this on the snowy ground required long-lasting inner strength. Before long, she fell far behind and nearly tripped in her haste.
Wei Zhao heard clearly and slowed his pace slightly. When Jiang Ci caught up, panting, he sped up again. Jiang Ci struggled to keep up, several times thinking of slipping away while they were far ahead, but Wei Zhao’s words made her too afraid to risk it. This faceless cat was too formidable; he might have a nose like a cheetah’s, and she might never be able to escape his grasp no matter how she tried. If her escape failed and he caught her, she would suffer greatly.
Thinking of this, she could only grit her teeth and force herself to keep up. Wei Zhao alternated between fast and slow, with Steward Ping always half a zhang behind him. In the snow, the three figures moved like flickering black dots. By the time the sun broke through the thick clouds and shone on the vast snowy wilderness, Jiang Ci was drenched in sweat, her feet sore and weak. Wei Zhao finally stopped at a mountain path by a ravine.
In the distance, faint smoke rose from the valley.
After the snow, the sunny mountain peaks glittered with silver light. The snow-covered pines on the mountains were dressed in silver, and the cold wind howled through the peaks, biting and chilling to the bone.
Jiang Ci panted heavily, standing behind Wei Zhao, looking at the expanse of white in the ravine below, constantly patting her wind-chilled cheeks with her unburned left hand.
Wei Zhao said to Steward Ping, “Have Su Jun and the others come to see me.” He then turned and walked towards the side of the ravine. Jiang Ci saw Steward Ping heading in the opposite direction, thought for a moment, and still followed behind Wei Zhao.
The two walked along a narrow, slippery mountain path for about half a li before Wei Zhao turned towards the forest by the roadside. The snow in the forest was knee-deep. Jiang Ci, having struggled to keep up this far, was already exhausted and fell. When she raised her head again, Wei Zhao had disappeared.
She grumbled inwardly but didn’t dare take this opportunity to slip away. She could only call out loudly, “Third Young Master! Third Young Master!”
A pine nut shot towards her. Having interacted with Wei Zhao multiple times, Jiang Ci had some understanding of him and was prepared. She lowered her head to avoid it but lost her footing and fell face-first into the snow.
She got up, wiped the snow from her face, and saw Wei Zhao standing in front of her with his arms crossed. She could vaguely see the mocking look in his eyes beneath the veil and glared at him fiercely.
Wei Zhao said nothing and led Jiang Ci to a towering ancient pine tree. He drew the long sword from his back with a “clang” and knocked on the trunk several times with the hilt. After a while, there was a faint “click,” and the ancient pine slowly moved to the left, revealing a hole in the ground beneath it as the snow fell in. Wei Zhao jumped down first, and Jiang Ci, closing her eyes, had no choice but to follow.
The wind whistled past her ears, and everything was pitch black. Jiang Ci cried out in dismay, realizing the hole was quite deep. If no one caught her at the bottom, wouldn’t she be smashed to pieces? Just as these thoughts raced through her mind, her descent suddenly stopped as Wei Zhao caught her.
In the darkness, she could vaguely see his shining eyes. Jiang Ci smiled and said, “Thank you, Third Young Master.”
Wei Zhao said nothing and set her down. Jiang Ci felt the surroundings were dark and eerie, with a faint wind blowing. Feeling scared, she groped around and grabbed Wei Zhao’s left hand, saying softly, “Third Young Master, I can’t see.”
Wei Zhao instinctively wanted to shake her off, but Jiang Ci reached out with her right hand and held on tightly. Her burned right hand was covered in scars. Wei Zhao hesitated for a moment before finally leading her slowly along the dark passage.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Jiang Ci’s vision gradually brightened. She let go of his hands and followed Wei Zhao into a small stone chamber.
The chamber was empty except for four palace lamps hanging in the corners. There was no candle flame in the lamps; instead, they seemed to contain large, shimmering pearls. Jiang Ci walked up to each one to look closely, shaking her head in amazement.
Wei Zhao’s expression was slightly disdainful as he sneered, “If you like them, take them.”
Jiang Ci laughed, “I’d like to, but I’m afraid I don’t have that kind of luck. My master used to say that a person’s fortune is given by heaven, and you get what you’re meant to have. I, Jiang Ci, am not destined for glory, riches, gold, or jewels. Just like the other day, because I took your banknotes and didn’t return them, I couldn’t escape successfully. If I were greedy and took your pearls today, I might lose my life tomorrow!”
“You certainly value your little life,” Wei Zhao said, walking to one of the palace lamps.
“Of course, who doesn’t fear death?” Jiang Ci replied.
Wei Zhao reached out and turned the palace lamp to the right. There was a mechanical sound, and the stone wall next to the lamp slowly moved to the right, revealing a blue stone passage.
They walked up the passage for several hundred steps before Wei Zhao used his strength to push open a stone door. Suddenly, a vast hall appeared before Jiang Ci’s eyes. The hall was exquisitely furnished, with flower-patterned rock pillars and jade railings. It was over two zhang high, with several jade stone steps leading up to the north side, where a purple sandalwood long table and high chair were placed, exuding an air of nobility and solemnity.
Jiang Ci asked in amazement, “Where is this?”
Wei Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the purple sandalwood chair on the high platform for a long time without answering. After a while, he sighed softly and slowly climbed the stone steps. As he stroked the back of the chair, he seemed to hear his master’s voice: “Wuxia, remember this ‘Star and Moon Hall,’ remember this chair. When you return here, you will be the deity of our Star and Moon Sect, the hero of our Yueluo people.”
His gaze was fixed on the armrest of the chair, which was carved with several Yujia flowers. The fine grain of the purple sandalwood resembled the hidden patterns on the Yujia flowers, and the branches and vines under the flower stem were lifelike, intertwining, and winding. It was like distant childhood memories, forever lodged in his heart, entwining his chest, spreading inch by inch, entangling bit by bit. For over ten years, he couldn’t shake them off or forget them.
There was a soft cushion in the purple sandalwood chair, old and yellowed. A cluster of Yujia flowers was embroidered on the cushion, with a small “Jia” character embroidered in green thread next to the flowers. Wei Zhao’s vision blurred. He knelt before the chair, hugging the cushion to his chest, the blue veil of his wide-brimmed hat trembling slightly.
“Sister, why am I called Wuxia, but your name is Yujia?”
“Wuxia, because you are a beautiful jade, the most precious treasure of our Yueluo Mountain. And sister was born in the season when Yujia flowers bloom, so she’s called Yujia.”
“Is jade better, or are flowers better?”
“Wuxia, in our Yueluo tribe, the men are all beautiful jade, and the women are like fresh flowers. Although the people of the Huan and Hua countries view us as lowly slaves and barbarians, you must remember that our Yueluo people are the noblest and purest people in this world. The blessing of the Star and Moon God will surely lead our people out of hardship and into eternal peace.”
Wei Zhao buried his face in the cushion: Sister, Wuxia has returned here. If your spirit is in heaven, please bless Wuxia to save our Yueluo people from peril when the Yujia flowers are in full bloom.
The sound of light footsteps approached. Wei Zhao raised his head. Jiang Ci saw that the blue veil covering his face seemed to be wet with tears. Although she didn’t understand why, she felt that this faceless cat was somewhat pitiful. Not knowing what to say, she hesitated for a long time before finally blurting out, “Third Young Master, where is this?”
Wei Zhao stood up and took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, handing it to Jiang Ci. “Drink this.”
Jiang Ci inwardly cried out in dismay but knew that this man’s orders had to be followed and she had no power to resist. She could only close her eyes, tilt her head back, and drink it all in one gulp. Before long, her vision began to blur. In her heart, she silently cursed this faceless cat as her body collapsed to the ground.
Wei Zhao looked down at her flushed cheeks. “Little girl, if you knew too much, even for Shaojun’s sake, I couldn’t spare your life.”
The sound of a bronze bell rang out. Wei Zhao bent down to pick up Jiang Ci and placed her behind the purple sandalwood chair. He sat down in the chair and said coldly, “Come in.”
Steward Ping led four people in, who all knelt and said, “We pay our respects to the Sect Leader.”
Wei Zhao’s voice was cold and authoritative: “All of you, sit down. There’s no need for these formalities.”
Su Jun and Su Yan looked similar, but Su Jun was slightly taller. He sat down in the first chair but didn’t dare to look up at the figure in the purple sandalwood chair that exuded a chilling aura. He respectfully said, “We humbly welcome the Sect Leader back to the sacred hall. The Star and Moon God will surely bless us, and under the Sect Leader’s—”
Wei Zhao coldly interrupted him: “Stop with this nonsense. In the future, there’s no need to say such things in front of me.”
Su Jun’s heart trembled, and he, along with Su Yan, Cheng Yingying, and Cheng Xiaoxiao, said in unison, “Yes.”
Wei Zhao’s voice didn’t show a hint of emotion: “Su Jun, you go first.”
Su Jun quickly organized his thoughts and said, “That night, I confronted Pei Yan at Baoqing Spring and found his inner strength to be long-lasting, with no signs of having been seriously injured. Later, I received news of strange happenings in Youzhou and rushed there to find that Pei Zifang was behaving oddly.”
He paused for a moment, and seeing no reaction from Wei Zhao, he continued, “After our people were captured and took poison to commit suicide, Pei Zifang closed the copper mine, and the miners disappeared. Pei Zifang hasn’t left his estate since, and our people only found out that he seems to have fallen ill with paralysis and is bedridden. I was about to infiltrate the estate myself when Su Yan arrived with the Sect Leader’s orders, so I returned.”
“Su Yan.”
Su Yan lowered his head slightly and said, “The Left Guardian’s people have been frequently leaving the valley these past few days, confirming contact with Wang Lang’s deputy commander, Gu Xiang. Gu Xiang’s force of about 8,000 men is advancing towards Xingyue Valley and is expected to surround it tonight.”
“Yingying.”
“Yes.” Cheng Yingying’s dimples showed as she spoke in a soft voice, “Using my position as the hall master of the council hall, I transported that girl out of Nan’an Prefecture and handed her over to Hall Master Wu. Then I went to Mengze Valley. The Grand Commander said to assure the Sect Leader that he will lead his troops to appear on time tomorrow to coordinate with the Sect Leader’s actions.”
“Xiaoxiao.”
Cheng Xiaoxiao stole a glance at Wei Zhao. Even through the blue veil, she felt his gaze was soul-piercing, and her voice trembled slightly, “Yes, Sect Leader. After receiving Su Yan’s message, I ordered Yunsha to administer the drug to the Clan Leader’s food and drink in stages. The Clan Leader’s power has weakened over the past few days, and Yunsha will administer the final dose tomorrow night. Wuya has taken the Young Clan Leader away from Shanhai Valley under the pretext of visiting relatives. I’ve ordered her to take the Young Clan Leader to Lanshi Ferry to mislead the Clan Leader and stabilize the situation.”
Wei Zhao nodded, “You’ve all done well. Since that’s the case, we’ll proceed with the original plan tonight. Su Jun, stay behind. The rest of you may leave.”
Wei Zhao stepped down from the platform. Su Jun had already stood up, his hands hanging at his sides, feeling the chilling aura getting closer. Despite his usual defiance, he felt somewhat fearful.
Wei Zhao stopped beside him and stared at him for a moment before saying in a gentle voice, “Su Jun, it’s been thirteen years since we last met, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Back then, Su Yan, Yingying, and Xiaoxiao were still young and might not remember my appearance clearly. You’re a few years older than them, so you should have some impression.”
Beads of sweat appeared on Su Jun’s forehead. “I had a serious illness when I was fifteen, and I don’t remember many things from before that.”
Wei Zhao spoke slowly, “Is that so? What a pity. I had hoped to reminisce with you, but it seems that’s not possible now. Well, it’s better to forget. I wish I could forget, but I just can’t.” He took off his wide-brimmed hat and mask, then took out a jade seal from his bosom and handed it, along with the mask, to Su Jun. “Tonight, it all depends on you.”
Su Jun still didn’t dare to look up and accepted the items with both hands. “Sect Leader, I’ll take my leave first.”
“Go then. Remember, your life was left to me by the Master. No matter how dangerous it gets tonight, you must safely reach Lanshi Ferry.”
Su Jun knelt on the ground, his voice choked with emotion. “Sect Leader, please take care. Even if I were to be shattered into pieces, I could never repay the kindness of the late Sect Leader and yourself. I am willing to sacrifice my life to lead the rebels and enemies to Lanshi Crossing.”
As he watched Su Jun’s retreating figure, Wei Zhao’s eyes flashed with a sharp light. He pulled on the copper bell.
Ping Shu entered, and Wei Zhao moved to the back of the rosewood chair, picking up Jiang Ci and handing her to Ping Shu. “Take Jiang Ci to the Shanhai Valley and ensure that Xiao Xiao escorts her there. I need to head to Lanshi Crossing. Keep an eye on Su Jun—success is the only option, failure is not permitted.”