Several days passed swiftly, and I gradually grew accustomed to life at Phoenix Pavilion.

These days, assassination contracts had become merely a subsidiary business of Phoenix Pavilion, with most operations now focused on commerce. The majority of money houses and pawn shops across Jianghuai and the Shu Plains were Phoenix Pavilion enterprises. Gambling houses and taverns affiliated with Phoenix Pavilion dotted the capital region and Lingnan. The organization claimed a share of the most profitable silk and grain trades in the fertile Jianghuai region. Their presence was also felt in the lucrative private salt trade and maritime commerce with the Western Oceans.

In the jianghu, Phoenix Pavilion was no ordinary power, both in influence and wealth.

Therefore, besides this latest recruitment of new disciples, Phoenix Pavilion had already admitted two previous batches of disciples in recent months to fill positions needed for their expanding operations. With each new batch of disciples, after some time, everyone would be gathered together again for renewed training.

It was said that during training, new disciples could not only take masters within the Pavilion but also gain access to rare martial arts techniques and secret manuals seldom seen in today’s martial world. I believed these martial arts and secret texts were one reason why even renowned jianghu heroes were desperately eager to join Phoenix Pavilion.

That day, I was sent to gather firewood and passed by a desolate small courtyard.

It seemed long uninhabited, and with the abundant summer rains, the roadside flowers and trees had grown wild, their branches almost concealing the path paved with blue stones.

I usually quickened my pace when passing this spot, but today when I looked up, I suddenly saw a white figure at the other end.

I drew in a sharp breath, too shocked to know what to say.

This woman was beautiful, beautiful in a way that made her age impossible to discern. Or rather, any mention of youth or age would be a desecration of her appearance.

I had never imagined a young woman could possess such grace, with every line of her brows and eyes sculpted by time into something magnificent. Nor had I imagined that a woman weathered by years could maintain such pure, flawless skin and a maiden-like figure. Du Tingxin lost to her in rigidity, Su Qian lost to her in plainness, and even Xiao Qianqing, though perhaps matching her in appearance, still seemed somewhat immature in bearing compared to her.

She raised the corners of her mouth slightly in a smile, like a sudden breeze stirring a pond full of sleeping lotuses. Even the air seemed suffused with the fragrance of her smile. She spoke slowly, her voice soft yet warm, falling on the ears like wind whispering through a bamboo flute: “Hello.”

I held my breath, not daring to speak loudly: “Hello…”

She smiled, still unhurried and gentle: “You are Ling Cangcang?”

I nodded, unconsciously becoming respectful: “Yes.”

She smiled, a hint of affection floating in her eyes as gentle as spring waters: “You are good. I like you very much.”

I swallowed and carefully said: “Thank you.”

Her next question became strange: “How has Huan’er been feeling these days?”

I didn’t understand at first and could only answer honestly: “I haven’t seen him much these days, but he seems fine.”

She sighed lightly, and her next words were even more unexpected: “He just won’t die. I can’t bear to go see him anymore. It’s truly troublesome.”

I froze for a moment, my chest tightening, and immediately clenched my fists and raised my voice: “Who are you? I won’t let you harm him!”

She also paused, then smoothed her brow and smiled, taking something from her sleeve and offering it to me. Her gentle voice carried a faint smile: “You won’t let me harm him… then why don’t you kill him yourself?”

What she pushed toward me was the broken half of Willow Wind.

After Willow Wind was cut in half by Nie Hanrong’s Silver Brilliant String, I left it at Xiao Qianqing’s mansion. I thought no one would care about those two unremarkable broken blades, but unexpectedly, I saw it again.

The broken half-blade in those jade-white hands gleamed with a cold light. The slanting broken edge was like a scar imprinted on the snow-white skin, appearing savage.

As if stung by that light, my eyes hurt, and I squinted.

“Don’t want to?” The voice from across still carried kindness and gentleness. “Haven’t you already stabbed him once? Stabbing him again shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”

The scene from that day suddenly invaded my mind.

Yes, I had stabbed him once, on that sunny morning long ago. Like a madman, I drew Willow Wind and rushed out, thrusting the sword into his chest. The narrow blade almost pierced through his body. I pinned him against the wall with all my strength, and warm blood covered both my hands.

That time I nearly killed him, yet he only looked at me gently and softly said: “I’m sorry.”

Without realizing when tears had already slid down my cheeks.

That gentle voice continued: “Can’t bear to? Can’t bring yourself to do it? Haven’t you always wanted to kill him? Isn’t he the murderer who killed your master with his own hands?”

“My master wasn’t killed by him.” I raised my face and repeated quietly, “My master wasn’t killed by him at all.”

The other side suddenly fell silent, and I continued speaking, very slowly but clearly, trying to piece together all the clues: “He did cut off my master’s head with one stroke, but that was because my master begged him to do it. So he didn’t kill my master; my master died by suicide.” I paused. “He would never harm anyone important to me.”

I only understood this that day. In front of Yangxin Hall, he asked me who had killed Xian Xue, and whether that person was important to me. He took me to see the girl whom Xian Xue had kept by his side while alive, slowly telling me about that past which had caused me to misunderstand him for half a year.

It turned out he had even taken care of Xian Xue’s funeral arrangements. Even I, who considered myself Xian Xue’s close friend, hadn’t thought about whether Xian Xue had left behind anyone he worried about, hadn’t thought about what else I needed to do for him. But Xiao Huan had done it all.

How could he possibly harm someone so important to me?

It was that day, after suddenly understanding this truth, that I abruptly recalled the scene of my master’s death.

The night before, Master had drunk wine with me and Xiao Huan in his small courtyard, and all three of us had enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. The next day I woke up a bit late, and hearing from the servants that Master and Xiao Huan were in the garden, I brewed a pot of tea and carried it over.

When I reached the garden gate behind the residence, I vaguely heard Master say something in a low voice, then I entered the garden just in time to see Xiao Huan raise King Wind and cut off Master’s head with one stroke.

Then in my panic, I drew Willow Wind and rushed forward, thrusting the sword into Xiao Huan’s chest.

That memory had been a painful recollection I was unwilling to face during countless days and nights afterward. I never wanted to actively recall it again, nor had I considered whether there was anything wrong with this incident.

Until that day, when I resolved my inner conflict and thought back to this past event, Master’s final low words flashed through my mind like a replay. Something that had been ignored countless times due to grief and shock suddenly became clear. Before being killed, Master’s last words were: “Do it.”

Do it… Master had asked Xiao Huan to cut off his head. He hadn’t killed Master.

The other side continued to remain silent, then she suddenly smiled: “You’re right. Your master Li Lu wasn’t killed by Huan’er; I asked your master to do this. At that time, your master’s training had gone awry and he was suffering day and night, looking for someone to help him end it all. So I had him ask Huan’er…”

I was stunned: “Why did you have Master specifically ask Brother Xiao?”

“So that people, especially you, would think he was killed by Huan’er.” She smiled, her tone light. “I don’t know how Huan’er’s mind was so bewitched that day. Such a shrewd person, yet he agreed to your master’s request and acted without even finding a witness.”

My breathing became increasingly rapid as I pursued: “Why did you do this?”

“I wanted Huan’er to die,” her tone remained light as if speaking of some daily trifle. “I just didn’t expect that after taking such a sword wound, he still wouldn’t die.”

“Why do you want him dead? Is he your enemy? How can you just want him dead like this?” I was almost furious.

The other side was quiet for a moment, then she smiled, her lips curving into an elegant angle: “He’s not my enemy, and I don’t hate him, but he must die… simply because he’s a member of the Xiao family.”

I stared blankly at this incomparably beautiful woman before me. Those gentle and clear eyes suddenly changed when she spoke these words, becoming sharp and cruel.

With this calm gaze that bordered on ruthlessness, she looked at me and said: “Ling Cangcang, my name is Chen Luomo. I want to kill Xiao Huan and destroy this empire. If you agree with my thinking, please come find me at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.”

The wind rustled through the treetops with a whispering sound.

Only long after she had tucked Willow Wind back into her sleeve and walked away did I gradually wake from my shock: Chen Luomo… was the leader of the Spirit Jade Sect. This greatest sect in the world, commanding the Dian-nan region and maintaining its lineage for over a hundred years, could be subdued by neither the imperial court nor the martial world. For a hundred years, due to its mysterious nature, it had been known as the Demon Sect.

She said she wanted to destroy this empire… kill Xiao Huan!

My body trembled uncontrollably, my mind like tangled hemp, unable to sort out any thread of understanding.

Thinking about it now, last year’s palace rebellion had been too sudden. Both the timing of Xiao Qianqing’s appearance and Gui Wuchang’s emergence seemed as if someone had been manipulating events from behind the scenes.

Right! Gui Wuchang… Xiao Qianqing said it was he who had taken away Xiao Huan when his breath had temporarily stopped. So was he the one who saved Xiao Huan? Then who was he? What was his identity?

This person appeared and vanished too mysteriously. That year at Shanhai Pass, although he had wounded me with hidden weapons, for some reason I never viewed him as an enemy.

It seemed there were still some matters I needed to ask Xiao Qianqing about.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down… Whatever the case, I needed to first stay at Phoenix Pavilion, stay by Xiao Huan’s side.

On my twelfth day at Phoenix Pavilion, the new disciples’ collective training finally began.

At the hour of Mao, before the mist had dispersed, Leave Song and I hurriedly followed the flow of people from our quarters to gather in the open space before Vermilion Bird Hall.

The great front hall was packed with several hundred people, all in white robes with green sashes. Squeezed among the crowd, one could see lined up before Vermilion Bird Hall: Mu Yan, Su Qian, and Nie Hanrong who had nearly shot Zhong Lin dead with arrows, along with four other hall masters. All seven hall masters of Phoenix Pavilion’s seven branch halls were present. I looked around but didn’t see Xiao Huan.

After everyone had gathered, they quickly fell silent. Su Qian stepped forward and surveyed the crowd: “The Pavilion Master is unwell, so I will preside over matters today.”

My heart tightened—unwell? He had been fine just two days ago; how had he suddenly become too ill to come out?

Su Qian disliked unnecessary talk and immediately began explaining the arrangements for new disciple training, clarifying this training’s method: each member could choose which martial arts they wanted to study and which master they wished to follow. Masters would-be leaders of rank hall master or above, and choosing which master to follow meant choosing which hall to join. Martial arts training and daily mission execution would proceed simultaneously.

Only then did I understand why all the hall masters had to be present today—it was the day for assigning new disciples.

Thinking about it, such arrangements made sense. When first entering the Pavilion, assigning people to different branch halls relied on first impressions. No matter how fair and honest those responsible for assignments might be, oversights were inevitable. So they simply made the initial assignments temporary. After about ten days, when new members had generally understood the Pavilion’s situation, they could then reassign based on the new disciples’ wishes, making personnel arrangements more stable and reliable.

After a brief hesitation, the people around me began walking forward to announce their chosen masters and desired halls.

I was still somewhat bewildered when Leave Song suddenly called out excitedly: “Cangcang, look! That hall master is so handsome, even more handsome than the Pavilion Master!”

Following her pointing finger, I saw she was indicating the white-robed person standing beside Nie Hanrong. I hadn’t seen him appear in front of Vermilion Bird Hall last time—he must be the new Zhen Water Hall master replacing Li Xiyan.

That hall master stood at the foot of the steps, the corners of his mouth slightly raised in a gentle smile. His features weren’t particularly dazzling, but his smile seemed to pierce through all the clamor in the crowd, like a ray of sunlight illuminating one’s heart with clarity.

I gave a light snort: “Not nearly as good as the Pavilion Master.” Yet my eyes couldn’t look away for a moment.

Leave Song snapped her fingers: “I’ll take him as my master.” With that, she heartlessly abandoned me and rushed over.

I could only helplessly glare at her retreating figure. Turning my head, I saw Mu Yan desperately making eye signals to me from not far away—he probably wanted me to become his disciple.

However, from what I’d seen these past few days, although Mu Yan was in the main hall, he hadn’t appeared much around Xiao Huan. Becoming his disciple might still not provide many chances to see Xiao Huan. Instead, Su Qian more frequently entered and exited One Water Courtyard. Should I simply endure the humiliation and throw myself under Su Qian’s tutelage?

Suddenly inspiration struck, and I rushed straight to Su Qian, stopping before her: “I want to be the Pavilion Master’s disciple.”

Su Qian was somewhat surprised but remained cold: “I don’t recall saying the Pavilion Master was taking disciples.”

“Didn’t you say anyone of hall master rank or above could be a master? Isn’t the Pavilion Master above the hall master rank? I’ve long admired the Pavilion Master’s swordsmanship. I aspire to study swordsmanship under the Pavilion Master.” I spoke without blushing or my heart racing.

Su Qian couldn’t find words to refute me and furrowed her brow.

“This young lady makes some sense. The Pavilion Master has never taken disciples before, so taking one now wouldn’t be bad,” said Mu Yan, seizing the opportunity to help from the side.

Su Qian looked at me again and finally nodded: “Fine, I’ll take you to see the Pavilion Master. Whether he accepts you as a disciple will be his decision.”

I bowed and said “Yes,” secretly giving Mu Yan a thumbs up.

After finally waiting for the discipleship ceremony to end and the crowd to disperse, Su Qian led me through winding paths toward One Water Courtyard.

The cool morning mist had just dispersed and the sky had fully brightened. As we walked to the water pavilion and caught waves of lotus fragrance, my steps grew lighter.

The wooden door of the water pavilion was tightly closed. Su Qian had me stand aside while she went up and knocked. After a long while, a light query came from inside: “What is it?”

Su Qian respectfully answered: “A disciple wishes to see the Pavilion Master.”

After another long while, that extremely low voice, accompanied by two light coughs, finally responded: “Enter.”

Su Qian pushed open the door and I followed behind her. Inside, we saw Xiao Huan wearing a blue cloth robe, sitting beside a desk. His black hair was barely combed, falling somewhat messily on his shoulders, and his face was frighteningly pale.

He probably hadn’t expected the visitor to be me. His face showed some surprise as he coughed lightly a few times and asked Su Qian: “What’s this about?”

“Just now at Vermilion Bird Hall when assigning new disciples to halls, this disciple said she wished to take the Pavilion Master as her teacher. Your subordinate thought it best to let the Pavilion Master decide personally.” Su Qian answered.

Xiao Huan raised his head to look at me once, and coughed several more times before speaking: “Take me as your master—for what?” He had barely spoken a few words when his chest began heaving violently and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

“I want to study swordsmanship under the Pavilion Master, and since the Pavilion Master seems still unwell, I can also help take care of you.” I smiled.

“I’m fine, no need.” He frowned, speaking with some difficulty.

“You do need it!” My voice raised uncontrollably. I took a breath. “I mean, I truly hope to study swordsmanship under the Pavilion Master. I hope the Pavilion Master will agree to accept me as a disciple.”

The room was silent for a long while. Xiao Huan coughed several times, then slowly spoke: “As you’ve seen, I’m unwell. I’m afraid I won’t have much energy to teach you.”

“That’s alright, I can practice well even without instruction.” I quickly responded.

He nodded: “Very well… from now on you’ll live in One Water Courtyard.”

After giving instructions, he slowly stood up supporting himself on the desk, and softly ordered: “You may withdraw.” As he spoke, he took a step toward the inner chamber but his body tilted forward, nearly falling.

I hurriedly ran over to support him, but had only taken one step when I saw Su Qian, standing beside him, skillfully supporting his arm with one hand while her other hand held his shoulder, helping him up.

He paused until he could speak, then nodded to Su Qian: “Xiao Qian, it’s fine now.”

Su Qian acknowledged with a sound and carefully released one hand, though her other hand still supported him. The two of them crossed the room toward the inner chamber. Throughout, he hadn’t looked in my direction once.

I put my hand in my sleeve, touching the handkerchief I always carried—the one I had brought from Yangxin Hall, a light blue silk handkerchief with a small character “You” embroidered in matching thread at the corner.

I always felt that small silk handkerchief carried his scent. I always felt that this small thing of not much use was something he would need one day.

Leave Song’s chosen master was Zhen Water Hall’s master Song Weixiao. Since Zhen Water Hall’s branch was in Hangzhou, Leave Song immediately went with them. I officially became Phoenix Pavilion Master’s disciple and was arranged to live in One Water Courtyard.

Arriving at my assigned room, I surveyed the furnishings and pushed open the window from inside. Outside was a pond full of lotus leaves, with Xiao Huan’s water pavilion visible just a stone’s throw away.

Just as I finished arranging my few belongings, the dinner bell rang.

In Phoenix Pavilion, only leaders of hall master rank and above had people specifically assigned to deliver meals to their rooms. Everyone else ate in the dining hall. I followed the bell’s sound out of One Water Courtyard toward the dining hall.

The previous few days I had been working in the servants’ courtyard and eating there, so this was my first time coming to the dining hall. Looking around, I it was quite full, and I saw several familiar faces: the young swordsman in black, Ren Fei, master of Wanfeng Sword; Hall Master Cheng who had led Leave Song and me to the servants’ courtyard—I now knew he was called Cheng Zhuoshi, an expert with the Judge’s Brush.

Turning my head, I saw Shu Qinghuan sitting by the window dining face-to-face with his subordinate Fang Chuxue.

Since he was the one who had recruited me, I went over, bowed with clasped hands, and said: “Greetings, Hall Master Shu.” Then I bowed to Fang Chuxue: “Greetings, Miss Fang.”

Fang Chuxue raised her head to look at me once, nodded, and said coolly: “Hello.” She was quite cold.

Shu Qinghuan put down his chopsticks and said with a somewhat mocking tone, neither smiling nor not: “How rare to see the Pavilion Master’s honored disciple.”

I was the type to climb up any pole offered, so I smiled: “Not at all, it was all thanks to Hall Master Shu’s support.”

Shu Qinghuan gave a light laugh: “Enough, still so glib.” Then he asked, “How have you found these days in the main hall?”

I quickly nodded and answered: “Everything has been fine, thank you for asking, Hall Master Shu.”

He suddenly changed the subject: “That day by Xuanwu Lake, you never expected to get the tablet, did you?”

Since I had been seen through, I could only nod: “That day seeing Hall Master Shu so strict, rejecting all ten people, I never thought I would be accepted.”

He laughed again: “Then why did you still point out that the internal energy technique I practice would cause disability, and suggest I’d better switch to Shaolin Temple’s Muscle Change Classic before age thirty? I don’t think you were showing off your knowledge.”

“I spoke up when I saw it. Whether you accepted me or not didn’t matter—since I knew, I had to warn you.” I smiled.

He suddenly burst out laughing: “Thoughts transparent to the bottom.” After laughing, his expression grew somewhat solemn. “Very clear, but somewhat sharp; very cunning, but not worldly-wise. Your name is Ling Cangcang, right? Your eyes are the most unusual of all the eyes I’ve seen. I hope in the days to come, you can maintain such marvelous eyes.”

I was somewhat stunned. This time with complete sincerity, I clasped my hands and smiled at him: “Thank you.”

He nodded faintly and smiled: “By the way, next time you see me, just call me Qinghuan. Don’t keep calling me ‘that white-haired bad-tempered Hall Master Shu’ in your heart.”

I was suddenly choked speechless. He was practically a mind reader. The people in Phoenix Pavilion really were all formidable.

Actually, although Shu Qinghuan seemed difficult to get along with, after talking for a while, I discovered he was just cold in speech—his temper wasn’t really that bad.