At the old site of Luo River, on the former grounds of the Twelve Palaces of Biluo, a magnificent and elegantly decorated hall was under construction. Wanyu Yuedan and Bi Lianyi were inspecting the progress of the work, with many craftsmen busily carving wooden pillars or hoisting roof beams. Although Wanyu Yuedan could not see, he could imagine from the sounds of hammering and chiseling what a prosperous scene it must be. As they walked, Bi Lianyi briefly recounted the current situation in the martial world: Tang Lici’s great victory over the Romantic Shop at Haoyun Mountain, capturing over a hundred red and white-clad servants from the Romantic Shop, Liu Yan being abducted by Shen Langhun and disappearing, and so forth. The most important matter in the martial world now was the antidote to the Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill. Even if the Romantic Shop was completely defeated, without finding the antidote, the endless poison of the Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill could not be solved. Wanyu Yuedan smiled quietly as he listened, offering no opinions, walking slowly. Even when there were obstacles like lumber or stones on the path, he could step over each one. The martial world was in turmoil, Tang Lici was overturning clouds and rain, the Romantic Shop had suffered a crushing defeat, yet to Wanyu Yuedan, all this only warranted a slight smile, just as he stepped over a brick or tile with his robes, sleeves, and shoes remaining unstained by dust.
“Palace Master, there is a young lady requesting an audience.” A disciple in azure robes spoke to Wanyu Yuedan with some puzzlement on his face. “I have already explained to her that the Palace Master is occupied and cannot receive guests, but she says she is the strategist of the Romantic Shop and wishes to discuss important martial world affairs with the Palace Master.”
The wrinkles at the corners of Wanyu Yuedan’s eyes relaxed slightly. “So it’s Miss Hong from the Romantic Shop. Please ask her to wait in Bixiao Pavilion and serve tea.”
The azure-robed disciple said in surprise, “Palace Master, are you really going to see her? But she… we don’t know if she’s genuine or fake. What if it’s a trap…”
Wanyu Yuedan smiled warmly. “Then please ask Big Brother Bi to accompany me on this trip.”
Bi Lianyi nodded, and the two walked slowly together.
Bixiao Pavilion was the highest building among all the halls of the vast Biluo Palace complex. It had been completed over a month ago, and whenever Wanyu Yuedan had guests while inspecting the construction, he would receive them in Bixiao Pavilion. This building had white walls and azure tiles, standing over five zhang high, clean and elegant. Though it lacked intricate or extraordinary patterns, it possessed its own noble and carefree character. A white-robed woman stood by the window, her skin white as snow, her eyebrows slate like sorrow. Viewed from afar, she formed a scenic picture herself. As Bi Lianyi accompanied Wanyu Yuedan walking slowly up, he looked up and saw her, and his heart suddenly trembled slightly with an indescribable feeling, his mind seeming lost. He had served as guardian for two generations of Palace Masters in Biluo Palace for a total of thirty-three years, always loyal to his duties with no other thoughts. Now this sudden trace of admiration that arose was unrelated to right or wrong, good or evil—it was purely for that one stunning glance.
Miss Hong stood by the window gazing into the distance, but her attention was entirely focused on Wanyu Yuedan. The person smiling as he approached below the high pavilion was indeed as rumored—a gentle, delicate, and tender youth. Her elegant eyebrows furrowed slightly. What kind of words should she use to make Wanyu Yuedan lend her a helping hand? What kind of person was Wanyu Yuedan? A hero of ambition. When facing such a hero, the best thing she could say was the truth.
Before long, Wanyu Yuedan climbed the steps, with a handsome and elegant man in azure robes beside him—by his appearance, this should be the legendary “First Person of Biluo,” Bi Lianyi. Miss Hong lifted her neck slightly, nodded to Wanyu Yuedan in acknowledgment, but did not bow. “Palace Master Wanyu, I have long admired your great name. Meeting you today, you indeed live up to your reputation.”
Wanyu Yuedan’s beautiful eyelashes lifted slightly. Someone brought over two cups of clear tea. Wanyu Yuedan sat down in a chair first and smiled. “Please sit, Miss Hong.”
Bi Lianyi stood behind him, staring intently at Miss Hong. Miss Hong, however, stared intently at Wanyu Yuedan. “Palace Master Wanyu treats me as an honored guest, which shows that Biluo Palace’s fame reaching the nine heavens above is not by chance. In this world today, there are not many who can meet me with such equanimity.”
“Heh, Miss Hong is such a person…” Wanyu Yuedan said, “Coming all the way to Biluo Palace to speak must surely be worth hearing.”
Miss Hong picked up her tea and took a sip. “Indeed, I have come from afar solely to explain the truth about the Romantic Shop to Palace Master Wanyu, and I hope to gain your assistance.”
Wanyu Yuedan smiled. “Oh? Miss Hong hopes to gain assistance from our palace. Do you have suitable reasons?”
Miss Hong said, “Would the antidote to the Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill count as a good reason?”
Wanyu Yuedan was quiet for a moment. After a while, he said gently, “The antidote to the Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill is indeed a very sufficient reason, but why doesn’t Miss Hong seek help from the Central Plains Sword Association instead of our Biluo Palace? I believe Master Shao of the Sword Association would be far more interested in such a reason than I.”
Miss Hong smiled gracefully. “It’s only because I believe the antidote to the Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill would be of much greater help to Biluo Palace than to the Central Plains Sword Association. At Haoyun Mountain, it was the Central Plains Sword Association that defeated the Romantic Shop. If Palace Master truly has the intention to return to Central Plains and rule the world, the antidote to the Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill is a good chess piece that could achieve victory without bloodshed.”
The beautiful wrinkles at the corners of Wanyu Yuedan’s eyes relaxed slightly. “This…”
Miss Hong sighed softly. A melancholy expression immediately surged in her elegant and refined features. “To be honest, the Romantic Shop has encountered great turmoil. The master has been ostracized and framed by others and has lost his whereabouts. The one now presiding over the shop’s affairs is no longer the master, but exactly who it is, I’m not quite sure either.” She raised her head and gazed at Wanyu Yuedan. “The Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill was personally created by the master, so to obtain the antidote, it must be personally refined by the master. I hope to gain Biluo Palace’s assistance in finding the master. Biluo Palace would obtain the antidote to the Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill, sweep away the Romantic Shop, and rule the world. As long as you let the master leave after obtaining the medicine, I am willing to devote all my heart and strength from now on to assist Biluo Palace in ruling the world, even if it means being crushed to pieces.” She spoke eloquently, every word coming from her heart. “Everything I have said comes from utmost sincerity. If there is any deception, may Heaven punish me so that I can never see my master’s face again in this life, never know his safety or whereabouts, and be unable to sleep peacefully day and night until I die of old age.”
She actually made such a vicious oath, and this elegant and composed young woman showed no attempt to hide her admiration and love for her “master” in front of strangers. She traveled thousands of miles for him, betrayed her side to join the enemy for him, and was willing to take great risks for him—such deep and devoted feelings were beyond what ordinary people could imagine. For such a woman, there could be no more malicious curse than “never being able to see her master’s face again in this life, never knowing his safety or whereabouts, and being unable to sleep peacefully day and night until death.”
Wanyu Yuedan said gently, “Is your esteemed master the black-robed pipa player Liu Yan?”
Miss Hong nodded. “If the Palace Master truly knows him, you would know he is actually not a bad person. Half of what he has done was due to extremism, and half was because he was used by others.”
Wanyu Yuedan said, “I see.”
If someone defended Liu Yan’s actions, probably ninety-nine out of a hundred people would find it absurdly laughable, yet Wanyu Yuedan sincerely said “I see.” Miss Hong was slightly stunned. She felt that talking with this person, she didn’t need to worry about being refuted or mocked, wouldn’t feel disgusted by his high position, and wouldn’t fear him changing his expression or taking action. This Biluo Palace Master, who was famous throughout the martial world and known for his iron-blooded reputation, made people feel as if bathed in spring breeze when he spoke, leaving their hearts calm and peaceful.
Taking a long breath, she took another light sip of tea. “How exactly the Romantic Shop rose to prominence, I don’t fully understand either. Three years ago, while visiting the Bud Boat Tea Gathering, I met a white-robed lady from the Romantic Shop. A trace of curiosity led me to become involved, and since then I couldn’t extricate myself. That year, while staying at the former residence of Piaoleng Mei Garden in the Romantic Shop, I saw unprecedented marvelous mechanisms, unimaginable poisons and strange insects, as well as several masked people whose conversation and martial arts were quite impressive. Though I’m not from the martial world, I understand martial world affairs somewhat and knew I had encountered extraordinary people, but I didn’t know their faces or names. Among them was one person with a black hat covering his head and black gauze covering his face. That day, out of curiosity, while he was concentrating on painting, I suddenly pulled away his face veil…” Her voice paused slightly, and after a while she said in a low voice, “Afterward I was stunned for a long time. When I lowered my head, I saw he had painted a skull.”
“He is Liu Yan?” Wanyu Yuedan asked patiently in a gentle voice, though the answer was obvious.
Miss Hong nodded. “He is Liu Yan. He… is a handsome man.”
Wanyu Yuedan smiled. “The rumors say Liu Yan’s stunning appearance could make thousands of women fall for him, so he must have truly rare looks in this world.”
Miss Hong said in a low voice, “But… there was a different kind of deficiency in his eyes, as if something most important was missing from his life, making it so he would never be happy. I think at that time… I very much wanted to become that ‘something’ that could make him smile with joy.” She sighed softly. “At that time he was a guest of the Romantic Shop, and who the true master of the Romantic Shop was then, I still don’t know to this day. Not long after, Liu Yan began concocting poisons for the Romantic Shop. The white-robed and red-robed ladies in the shop became more and more numerous, and as it initially took shape, those masked people gradually disappeared one by one. Liu Yan became the master of the Romantic Shop, while Eastern Princess Fu Cui, Western Princess Xifang Tao, and even people like Bai Suche and Lady Hongchan joined the Romantic Shop one after another. I have always suspected that several of these newly joined noble people were the masked people from back then, but I have never been able to find out exactly who. No matter who they are, the purpose of switching identities was only to make Liu Yan the target of everyone’s arrows, to make him the scapegoat. The real criminals lurk among the followers, letting people smell their scent but not see their faces—nothing is more terrifying than this.”
“Miss Hong means that the battle at Haoyun Mountain perfectly confirms this point—someone threw Liu Yan out as an abandoned piece, and the Romantic Shop’s easy defeat was for other purposes, is that right?” Wanyu Yuedan’s pair of clear and beautiful eyes seemed to truly gaze at Miss Hong. His earnest and slightly childish expression made people feel particularly confident and smooth when speaking. Miss Hong sighed gloomily, “That’s right. Only Liu Yan was defeated, not the Romantic Shop. The martial world won against the false appearance, but I fear it will lose to the truth.”
Wanyu Yuedan’s eyebrows rose slightly. “What do you think the truth is, Miss?”
“The truth… is that no one knows how far the mastermind of this affair will go…” Miss Hong said gloomily. “Perhaps… both the Romantic Shop and Liu Yan are merely one of his chess pieces, one that can be casually discarded, used only as a stepping stone. Who exactly is he? What does he truly plot? What will happen in the future? How many people must die for him before it’s enough? Palace Master Wanyu, I don’t want to be enemies with such a person, but if I don’t become his enemy now, when the truth breaks in the future, I fear there will be no chance to fight back.” She looked at Wanyu Yuedan with sorrowful eyes. “The antidote to the Scarlet Ghost Nine Hearts Pill, the truth about the Romantic Shop, future hidden dangers in the martial world, plus Little Hong’s life—all in exchange for the master’s safety. Palace Master Wanyu, will you… make this trade or not?”
Wanyu Yuedan’s eyelashes quietly lifted. After a while, he said, “This… even if I agreed to you, I would be deceiving you.”
Miss Hong’s whole body shook. Wanyu Yuedan also sighed gently. “Whether some people can be safe for their entire lives is not only not determined by you and me, I’m afraid it’s also not determined by the people of the world, and not even determined by themselves…” He sighed very gently again. “A strategist can only plan momentary circumstances…”
“Palace Master Wanyu…” Miss Hong stood up and knelt down before him with a thud. “Then let’s not discuss the situation. Little Hong begs you to save his life! Consider it the Palace Master’s great compassion, making a grand vow to save all people in the world.”
At her kneeling, Bi Lianyi was startled. Wanyu Yuedan reached out to help her up. “I can help you find the person, but I cannot help you save him.”
Tears burst from Miss Hong’s eyes—she was crying from extreme joy. “Thank you, Palace Master!”
Watching this, Bi Lianyi shook his head. Such a devoted woman had gone astray—what a pity indeed.
After the meeting, Wanyu Yuedan instructed the palace disciples to arrange guest quarters for Miss Hong. If there was news of Liu Yan, he would come to notify her. As for the complex inside story of the Romantic Shop, he wanted her to write it in a letter, listing the suspicious points and possibilities, to be sent to Haoyun Mountain. Miss Hong agreed to everything. Bi Lianyi escorted her to the guest room, glanced at her once, and departed gracefully.
After Miss Hong entered the guest room, she couldn’t help but let out a long breath. Wanyu Yuedan was truly immovable. Even though she had showed genuine emotion and cried so pitifully, she couldn’t gain his slightest sympathy—his thinking remained cold and clear. Such a person must be eliminated for the sake of her master. She stood by the window thinking quietly. No matter who exactly was causing trouble in the Romantic Shop, as long as Liu Yan lived for one day, she would seize back control of the Romantic Shop for him, and then seize the world for him.
The world… was a word full of temptation. Who could believe that the servant girl Little Hong would have ambitions for the world? Yet she had harbored such thoughts since she was very young. It was just that back then, her desire to control the world was for herself, while now it was for the man she deeply loved. She had been very intelligent since childhood—everyone praised her intelligence. Being intelligent meant she could accomplish what she wanted to do more easily than ordinary people.