The dual swords clashed repeatedly in combat, sending dazzling sparks flying, yet strangely, the three people sitting in the pavilion heard no sound of weapons colliding. Ye Li leaned against a pavilion pillar, eyes half-closed, carefully sensing the flow of qi in the air. Finally, she detected the subtle yet incomparable tremors of qi—the result of the two combatants’ internal energy colliding during their exchange.
This battle lasted exactly two hours. Though none of the three observers could see a single move, they remained utterly patient. Suddenly, Ye Li felt a sharp spiritual impact strike directly at her mind, causing her to quickly open her eyes. She saw two figures—one in blue, one in white—retreat in opposite directions.
“Brother!” Leng Liuyue called out softly, flying forward to support Ling Tiehan, whose body was swaying unsteadily. Ling Tiehan released her hand, waving to indicate there was no need for concern, before turning to smile at Mo Xiuyao: “Prince Ding is truly a heaven-sent talent. I am deeply impressed.” Though Mo Xiuyao still stood straight, his complexion was no better than Ling Tiehan’s. However, both men’s eyes were filled with joy and satisfaction. Mo Xiuyao smiled, “Pavilion Master Ling’s martial arts are exquisite. I am equally impressed. Today’s battle has been tremendously enlightening. I thank Pavilion Master Ling.”
Ling Tiehan laughed heartily, “There’s no need for such formalities between us. Being able to cross swords with Prince Ding has made this trip worthwhile. I shall take my leave now and not disturb Prince Ding and the Princess further.”
“Safe journey, Pavilion Master Ling,” Ye Li said softly as she stepped out of the pavilion. Walking to Mo Xiuyao’s side, she examined him. Though he had expended significant energy and internal power, suffering some minor internal injuries, these were considered light wounds for such an evenly matched duel between masters. She felt slightly relieved.
After watching Ling Tiehan’s group descend the mountain, Ye Li supported Mo Xiuyao into the pavilion to sit down and asked, “How severe are your injuries? Can you make it down the mountain now?”
Mo Xiuyao smiled wryly, “Having neglected my practice these past few years, it seems my injuries are somewhat worse than Pavilion Master Ling’s.”
In terms of diligent practice, Mo Xiuyao indeed couldn’t compare to Ling Tiehan. Besides the numerous military and civilian affairs in the Northwest requiring his attention, his status as Prince Ding meant he couldn’t dedicate much time to martial arts training. Meanwhile, Ling Tiehan spent at least half of each year in secluded cultivation. If Ling Tiehan’s current achievements were thirty percent talent and seventy percent hard work, then Mo Xiuyao’s were the opposite—seventy percent talent and thirty percent hard work. As things stood now, it was clear that diligent practice had resulted in more solid foundations. Mo Xiuyao had to admit that while he might not lose to Ling Tiehan, he was still slightly inferior.
“You’re not on the same path. Does the Prince also intend to become the number one martial artist?” Ye Li remarked coolly, offering no comfort. No matter how skilled Mo Xiuyao was in martial arts, his true focus needed to be the Mo family army and the Northwest’s welfare. Even if he became the world’s strongest fighter, he alone couldn’t conquer the world. While improving one’s abilities was correct, neglecting the bigger picture in pursuit of individual power would be putting the cart before the horse.
Mo Xiuyao hadn’t been dwelling on this matter; in front of Ye Li, he had mostly been seeking comfort. Hearing her words, he naturally didn’t mind and smiled, “This place is nice. Back in the city, we’d be disturbed. I want to rest here for a while. Will you wait with me, A-Li?” Ye Li nodded in agreement, and Mo Xiuyao said no more, sitting in the pavilion with closed eyes to circulate his internal energy and heal his injuries.
Mo Xiuyao sat there for half a day and an entire night. Perhaps because of Miss Murong’s presence below, surprisingly no one came up the mountain to sightsee that day.
Ye Li didn’t disturb Mo Xiuyao. In the evening, she casually picked some slightly unripe wild fruits near the pavilion to eat. Early the next morning, when the sun rose from the eastern sea of clouds, Mo Xiuyao finally opened his eyes.
His newly opened eyes flashed with brilliance, and his usual coldness seemed to carry a hint of warmth. Mo Xiuyao turned to see the woman sleeping against a pillar, and his eyes filled with endless tenderness. As soon as he stood up, Ye Li opened her eyes. “Better now?”
“Thank you for your trouble, A-Li. Would you like to sleep a bit more?” Mo Xiuyao pulled her close to lean against him, speaking softly. Ye Li shook her head, resting in his embrace for a moment before saying, “Let’s go down the mountain. I’m hungry, and you must be too after not eating for a day.” Going without rest for a night or two wasn’t much for them, especially since she had managed to sleep for half the night, but unless necessary, Ye Li generally disliked going hungry. Mo Xiuyao held her and laughed softly, “Alright, let’s head down then.”
Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li’s absence for the night didn’t affect anyone. Though Ren Qining noticed, he had many matters of his own and naturally had no time to inquire about these two people whose identities he hadn’t even confirmed. So early the next morning after the city gates opened, when Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li strolled back to the inn, they didn’t attract any attention. The two sat in the inn’s main hall ordering breakfast, listening to other diners discuss yesterday’s events at Zhaoning Temple.
Miss Murong’s grand appearance at Zhaoning Temple naturally attracted countless people’s attention. It was said that a sudden breeze at the temple gate had blown away Miss Murong’s veil, revealing a woman of incomparable beauty and heavenly grace beneath, causing many martial heroes to become entranced. The sacred Buddhist grounds had unexpectedly gained an air of romance.
Ye Li found this amusing and turned to ask Mo Xiuyao, “Is Miss Murong truly so devastatingly beautiful?” She had seen Miss Murong herself, though only her eyes were visible through the veil. Ye Li felt that those eyes couldn’t compare to Su Zuidie, Noble Consort Liu, or even Yaoji. With such eyes, Ye Li thought that even if Miss Murong was beautiful, she couldn’t be devastatingly so.
Mo Xiuyao replied indifferently, “Nothing special.” Ye Li tilted her head to look at him, smiling gently, “The Prince has high standards.” Mo Xiuyao had seen almost all the famously beautiful women in the world, so it was no wonder he wasn’t impressed by someone like Miss Murong. Mo Xiuyao gave Ye Li an ambiguous smile and said softly, “Of course, I have high standards. How else would I have such a fine wife as A-Li?” Ye Li pursed her lips—had she been his choice? However, over the years, Ye Li had come to understand that if Mo Xiuyao truly hadn’t wanted to marry her back then, he had plenty of ways to prevent the marriage. “Then I should thank the Prince for considering me worthy?”
“No need for formalities, wife. I should thank you for not rejecting me.” Neither of them was easy to deal with. If either had been determined to avoid that marriage, even if Mo Jingqi had arranged it, they could have thwarted it, even if the Emperor himself had demanded it.
“What is the Murong family planning?” Ye Li asked in a low voice, frowning. Having her veil coincidentally blown away right at the temple gate—such an inexplicable coincidence was truly ridiculous. Only those who had worn veils would know just how strong a wind would need to be to blow one away.
Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, “Choosing a son-in-law… Not everyone in this world is attracted by wealth. What if too few people show up? Wouldn’t that make the Murong family lose face? The noble young men who do come to compete would surely feel their face is at stake too.” Ye Li raised an eyebrow. Mo Xiuyao was now carefree and unwilling to think deeply about such matters. She shrugged, also reluctant to consider these issues—after all, they had Big Brother to rely on. “Fine, let’s just enjoy the show. No use thinking too much about it.” Mo Xiuyao nodded with satisfaction, “Wife, you finally understand my intentions.”
Soon came the eagerly anticipated martial arts gathering, held on the spacious grounds outside the Murong family estate that could accommodate a large plaza.
On the day of the gathering, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li arrived neither early nor late. When they reached the Murong estate, the venue was already crowded with a sea of people. Not only were there martial arts experts and noble gentry, but also An City commoners who had come to watch the excitement.
What surprised Ye Li was that even the Prince of Zhengnan and Mo Jingqi had personally come. The Prince of Zhengnan was understandable—he was from Xiling and one of the Four Great Masters, so his appearance at a martial arts gathering was proper. But Mo Jingqi had never left Yu Capital, not just as Emperor but even as a prince. Could the Murong family’s appeal be more important than his own life?
“Xiuyao?” Seeing Mo Jingqi, Ye Li’s first reaction was to turn and look at Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao lowered his head and smiled faintly at her, “Don’t worry, I won’t make a move against him now.”
Six years ago, if Mo Xiuyao had suddenly encountered Mo Jingqi, he might well have lost control and killed him on the spot. But six years later, while that deep-seated hatred remained, such impulses had gradually faded. He wouldn’t let Mo Jingqi die so easily—he wanted him to suffer, unable to live or die!
Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s calmness, Ye Li felt reassured enough to continue observing. She noticed that everyone accompanying Mo Jingqi was an exceptional expert. Though not quite at Mo Xiuyao’s level, any one of them would be renowned in the martial world. This made Ye Li wonder if Mo Jingqi had mobilized every capable fighter the Great Chu royal family could command. Though both Mo brothers were irritating, at least Mo Jingli’s courage was somewhat more respectable than his emperor brother’s.
The front area was furnished with numerous tables and chairs, laden with fresh seasonal fruits specially purchased from Great Chu’s southern region. These seats were naturally reserved for those of status and reputation. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, currently just an unremarkable couple, weren’t entitled to such positions.
The pair stood beneath a large tree not far from the viewing platform. If tired, they could lean against the trunk or simply climb up to sit in the tree. Ahead, the Prince of Zhengnan, who had arrived earlier, was engaging in subtle wordplay with Lei Tengfeng and the Mo brothers. Ye Li asked curiously, “Hasn’t Lei Tengfeng already married the heir’s wife? Surely the Prince of Zhengnan isn’t interested in Miss Murong?”
Mo Xiuyao lazily leaned against the tree trunk, hand on her waist, “What’s strange about that? The Prince of Zhengnan’s wife passed away many years ago. Though the Murong family might not consider the Prince of Zhengnan’s household worthy.” It wasn’t that the Prince of Zhengnan’s power was insufficient—rather, it was too sufficient. Both the Prince of Zhengnan and the Murong family were in Xiling. If Miss Murong married anyone from the Prince of Zhengnan’s household, the Murong family would essentially cease to exist.
Ye Li understood but frowned in confusion, “If I were from the Murong family, I’d keep a low profile and seek someone capable and reliable to support the family. With Murong Xiong’s presence, few would dare cause trouble. Isn’t this like inviting wolves into their home? Or has Murong Xiong become capable of opposing the world’s heroes?”
Mo Xiuyao smiled, “As you once said… some people just love to seek attention.”
Most of the important guests had taken their seats, making the few deliberately empty spaces particularly conspicuous. The Prince of Zhengnan glanced at the seat opposite him and raised an eyebrow, “Prince Ding isn’t attending this year’s martial arts gathering?”
Lei Tengfeng smiled, “Prince Ding and his Princess rushed back to the Northwest before Princess Anxi’s wedding. Perhaps some matter required his attention, preventing him from coming.”
Even the most perceptive among those present wouldn’t imagine someone being so carefree as to skip a sovereign’s coronation ceremony just to travel with his wife. Thus, everyone firmly believed Prince Ding and his Princess had hurried back to the Northwest for some crucial matter.
“Not being able to duel Prince Ding again is truly this prince’s lifelong regret,” the Prince of Zhengnan said somewhat regretfully, while mentally calculating recent Northwest movements. He had indeed received news of Prince Ding and his Princess returning to the Northwest, and the Mo family army showed signs of mobilization, though not as if preparing for war. The Prince of Zhengnan couldn’t guess Mo Xiuyao’s intentions, but to be safe, he had secretly mobilized 200,000 troops to reinforce the border forces adjoining the Northwest.
“Prince Ding’s absence is indeed regrettable. However, since the Chu Emperor has come to Xiling, this prince, as host, should properly welcome him.” The Prince of Zhengnan smiled at Mo Jingqi. Mo Jingqi smiled back, “You’re too kind, Prince. I merely came to join the festivities. You jest.”
The Prince of Zhengnan smiled silently—it was indeed a jest. Even with his three thousand Golden Guard, he had never reached Mo Jingqi’s level of having every attendant, from personal guards down to lowly maids, be first-class experts. This showed a level of paranoia beyond measure. Did Mo Jingqi think such experts came free? Or did he believe these masters would willingly serve as lowly maids without complaint? Recalling Mo Jingqi’s subtle relief upon hearing Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t attend, the Prince of Zhengnan suddenly understood. Having made a mortal enemy of someone like Mo Xiuyao, Mo Jingqi indeed needed to find more powerful bodyguards.
“Pavilion Master Ling of Yanwang Pavilion arrives!” A resounding announcement filled the venue—clearly, the Murong family’s announcer was also an expert. Everyone turned to see Ling Tiehan in his usual plain blue cloth robes, followed by Leng Liuyue and the Sickly Scholar, striding forward like tigers. Compared to many present in their brocade finery and proud steeds, Ling Tiehan’s usual appearance carried even more authority. Many young heroes couldn’t help but show admiration and respect upon seeing him.
The Prince of Zhengnan’s eye twitched upon seeing Ling Tiehan’s measured approach—his martial arts had advanced yet another level since their last meeting. If previously in Li City he had been confident of at least fighting Ling Tiehan to a draw or perhaps gaining a slight advantage, now he had no such confidence at all.
“Pavilion Master Ling.” Though Ling Tiehan’s presence was imposing, his special identity as the widely known leader of assassins meant few greeted him. Ling Tiehan nodded to those who did greet him, then lifted his gaze to scan the surrounding seats, disappointment flashing in his eyes.
The Prince of Zhengnan smiled faintly, “Is Pavilion Master Ling looking for Prince Ding? Unfortunately, Prince Ding seems to have matters preventing his attendance at this year’s gathering.” Ling Tiehan lowered his gaze, not mentioning his meeting with Mo Xiuyao two days ago, and said coolly, “Since Prince Ding isn’t here, I hope the Prince of Zhengnan will give me some pointers later.” If Prince Ding wasn’t available, you would have to do as an opponent. Having just broken through a bottleneck, Ling Tiehan urgently needed a master to test his skills against, or he wouldn’t have come to this so-called martial arts gathering.
The Prince of Zhengnan choked—though he had come, he hadn’t planned to participate in any fights. With advancing age, the Prince of Zhengnan’s energy was no longer focused on martial arts cultivation. How could being peerless in martial arts compare to the pleasure of wielding power over the realm?
“The Murong Family Head arrives! Miss Murong arrives!” The announcement rang out again across the venue, causing the seated Prince of Zhengnan and others to display displeasure. They were all dominant figures accustomed to being imposing and domineering, and most disliked others showing greater pomp than themselves. If the person were their equal, it would be acceptable, but for mere merchants to do so? The Prince of Zhengnan and Lei Tengfeng looked particularly displeased. After all, the Murong family resided within Xiling’s borders and counted as Xiling subjects.
Soon, the white-haired Murong family head, over sixty years old, emerged from the Murong family gates with Miss Murong, who wore light purple brocade embroidered with branch patterns and lotus flowers. As they walked, the crowd naturally parted to form a path, creating quite an impressive welcoming scene.
People quickly noticed another elder walking beside the Murong family head, appearing about the same age. His clothing wasn’t particularly luxurious, nor was his appearance especially striking. While ordinary people might not have noticed much, both Ling Tiehan and the Prince of Zhengnan’s expressions changed as they exchanged glances. This elder’s presence was ten or hundredfold stronger than the Murong family head’s. Though unremarkable in appearance, he walked as an equal beside the family head. Careful observation would reveal the family head’s respectful and cautious attitude toward him. The two quickly guessed this person’s true identity.
The Murong family head stepped forward, surveying the seated crowd. His gaze paused on the empty seat reserved for Prince Ding, his eyes darkening slightly though his face remained smiling as he said, “I am the current generation’s head of the Murong family. Thank you all for gracing this martial arts gathering with your presence. To ensure fairness, the Murong family has specially invited Senior Murong Xiong, the number one martial artist from fifty years ago, to serve as judge.”
This announcement caused an uproar. All eyes turned to the dressed elder who had seated himself in the front seat upon arrival. Those who had been speculating about his identity now burst into discussion.
The Murong family head was satisfied with everyone’s shock and nodded, smiling, “Senior Murong has been in seclusion for over a decade, his martial arts now unparalleled in the world. He is naturally the most suitable judge.”
Ling Tiehan laughed coldly and said coolly, “When did martial arts gatherings require judges?”
Martial arts gatherings had always continued until one side willingly admitted defeat, naturally requiring no so-called judges. The Murong family head’s face stiffened slightly as he glanced at Ling Tiehan, his smile fading, “Since this gathering is held at the Murong family’s residence, and we dislike bloodshed, naturally we must stop at appropriate limits.”
Ling Tiehan snorted lightly and leaned back in his chair, saying no more. He didn’t even spare a glance at Miss Murong standing behind the family head. Such discourteous behavior embarrassed the Murong family head. He glanced at Murong Xiong, who had closed his eyes after sitting down, and was about to say something when a loud announcement came from outside: “Master Qingchen from Li City arrives!”