Published at 2nd of April 2019 3:37 am

Chapter 9

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Early next morning.

Deng Hai Tang watched with surprise as He Zai removed his face paint.

Feeling her curiosity, he explained: “Since Miss has returned and Tian He Manor now knows about He Yue Hua being a Sky Slave, there is no need for me to hide anymore. All things will come to an end today and the least I can do is to face up to things with the looks I am born with.”

Jiang Wo Bo smiled as she played with her flute. “Why do you seem to be preparing for martyrdom when we are not dying yet?”

He Zai chuckled. “Miss has mixed up your idioms again”

Che Yan Yan arrived at the dungeon to personally escort the prisoners and got a shock. “He Zai?”

Jiang Wo Bo tried to suppress her mirth as He Zai paid no heed to Che Yan Yan. Now that she knew that a good-looking, gladiator-type of guy has been living right under her nose for the past ten years, did she feel any regret? He Zai caught sight of her amusement and shot her a look to quell her mirth.

The three of them were given pills to suppress their strength before they were lead out. Their destination was the front hhttps://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=16312128250438717all where she saw ten over pugilists from the Central Plains had gathered.

He Zai was walking in front of her and blocked her from most people’s view. Without turning back, he said in a low voice which only she could hear. “These in hall are renownwulin elders. Those outside the hall are their disciples. Seems like they are going to try the peaceful approach before fighting it out.”

She muttered a sound in response but continued thinking. Besides the elders, she has spotted Tu Shan Long as well. He was dressed in commoner’s garbs but there was an old man dressed in official robes standing beside him. Once the imperial court got involved in jianghu matters, she knew that things would become sticky. She was willing to bet that there were soldiers stationed outside the hall who would be ready to step in to suppress both sides if a big fight was to break up.

She guessed that many Bai Ming Sect disciples had been summoned back for the occasion as well, and all the chess pieces were now in place per Sect Leader’s wishes.

In the beginning, Bai Ming Sect also had several highly-skilled pugilists. Because their moral yardsticks were different (or more accurately, they did not care two cents about how others think of them), Bai Ming Sect had been dubbed an unorthodox sect in the Central Plains.

It was only later when many skilled members had gone missing that she realized Sect Leader had gone crazy. At that time, she could only endure and watch as Bai Ming Sect became increasingly convoluted. Historically, the new Leader for Bai Ming Sect was always chosen among the Left or Right Protectors, but with its degeneration, many members had lost faith in the two female candidates for the leader’s chair, and were secretly coveting to be the next leader, which was also what Sect Leader had wanted to see.

As she listened half-heartedly to Sect Leader’s conversation with the other wulin elders, she caught sight of the Gentleman from Cloud Manor in the side hall directly facing her. When she failed to spot Xian Yun among them, she took a step forward to sweep the hall, and finally found him at the main door.

He was wearing his customary white robe but he had no journals on him today. He stood against the wind, hands folded behind, and he looked like his normal self, except for his icy demeanor which had replaced his usual polite aloofness. She could imagine the tense situation outside, but with him on guard, no one had dared cross the door yet.

He seemed to have felt her gaze and turned around to meet her eyes directly. There was no emotion in his dark eyes and for a moment, they just stared at each of other. Without his customary sparkle in his eyes, she could not hold his look for long and finally turned away on the pretext of hiding a cough. When she turned around to face him again, she noticed some fresh blood stains on the corner of his sleeve.

Che Yan Yan announced, “Master, I have brought the people here.”

An elder from Tang Manor spoke up: “Bai Ming Sect and the Central Plains have lived peacefully alongside each other for twenty over years. What was Leader Jiang thinking when you capture the bride of the Martial Arts Scholar and the sworn sister of Gentleman Xian Yun?”

Ignoring him, Sect Leader said lazily: “He Zai, come cover.”

He Zai moved to stand beside him without a word.

“What do you think? Is the Left Protector still alive?”

He Zai replied deadpan. “She is still alive.”

“Since she is alive, why do you think she has not shown herself?”

“Your subordinate does not know why.”

“Do I have to start killing people one by one before she shows up? What do you think?”

At this exchange, Tu San Long furrowed his brow and stepped forward. “Sect Leader Jiang, Huang Fu Yun’s death has nothing to do with us. If you are after revenge, you are barking up the wrong tree. We can overlook your capturing my wife and Xian Yun’s sworn sister. If you can hand them over to us now, we can pretend that today has never happened.”

Jiang Wo Bo caught Deng Hai Tang’s helpless expression and thought to herself that it was not easy being the wife of the Martial Arts Scholar. Here she was being carted left and right, but her husband had to put the big picture before her and could not even stand up properly for her.

Normally, it was not easy to gather so many fractions in one place. Was crazy Sect Leader trying to destroy Bai Ming Sect, or was he waiting to see how she would clear up the mess? If she were to guess correctly, did it mean she is crazy too? At this, she decided she should stop trying to think further.

Sect Leader was all smiles. “If you want them back, that would not be possible. Protector Che, since the family of the two women are here, why not you let them collect their bodies today?”

Che Yan Yan hesitated but nodded. “Yes.”

Deng Hai Tang was very decisive and vaulted towards Tu San Long at his words. Her move surprised many but many pugilists quickly close in to help. Jiang Wo Bo choose remain where she was, without knowing that this would be her downfall.

“Be careful Miss!”

In a flash, a black shadow has materialized beside her and it was only then that she realized her mistake. He Zai only managed to move two steps before she heard a rough voice breathing into her ear. “Yun Er, I have found you.”

Before she could react, she felt someone pulling her back with one hand, while his other hand started exchanging blows with Sect Leader. The blows looked straightforward but were infused with a lot of internal strength. Given the close distance between the duelists, there was little reaction time and Gong Sun Yun could only react instinctively. When his palms clasp with Sect Leader for the last time, the energy seemed to radiate through the duelists and shattered something behind them, while sending the two men staggering back several paces.

Quickly, He Zai and Tu San Long moved behind Gong Sun Yun to steady him. He Zai was quick to ask: “Is Miss alright?”

Feeling the disruptive qi coursing through Gong Sun Yun, the question clued Tu San Long on why Gong Sun Yun has taken on the blow instead of deflecting it. Given the internal strength of these powerful men, Jiang Wo Bo would be severely injured if not dead by now, since she was caught between them, had Gong Sun Yun not taken the blow head on.

Worried, He Zai asked again. “Miss?”

Xian Yun replied for her: “She is merely out of breath. Otherwise, she is fine.”

“Good skills!” praised Bai Ming Sect Leader before he turned and walked slowly back to his seat, his eyes unusually bright.

While the two were fighting, other fights had broken out both within and outside the hall. Someone tried to block Sect Leader on his way to his seat but he sent the fellow flying out of the hall with a wave of his hand.

Tu San Long and Gong Sun Yun exchanged a glance. What a mess! Inwardly, Tu San Long started to blame Jiang Wo Bo. Earlier on, the situation was still under control, thanks to Xian Yun who had volunteered to guard the door in disregard of his Gentleman status. Had it not been for her, Xian Yun would never have left his post and the fight would not have escalated to this extent.

Looking at the pleased-looking Court Official who had followed him here, he knew that it would not be long before the old coot would order his solders to intervene.

“Yun Er, can you guess how did I manage to spot you?”

Jiang Wo Bo finally opened her eyes and stared at the middle-aged man atop the Sect Leader’s seat. Although he was not really that old, his hair was white. She disengaged herself from Gong Sun Yun and started walking towards Sect Leader with her hands folded customary behind her.

As she walked, someone took a swing at her but He Zai, who was right behind her, blocked the attack. He was about to return a death blow to her assailant when someone held him back. Turning around, he saw Gong Sun Yun who said calmly: “Try to forgive if you can. If you can endure, just endure.” His colour has returned to normal and it was hard to tell that this man had just used his entire strength to exchange blows with Sect Leader.

When He Zai gave a cold snort, Sect Leader Jiang spoke: “When everyone else has succumbed to chaos, Yun Er will be the only person who would remain calm. I know you would never join the chaos until you have determine your strategy and decided on your next course of action.”

She smiled. “Master indeed knows Yun Er well.” She walked to the steps where He Zai had been forced to wear his slave bangle long ago. As she stroked her flute, she asked thoughtfully. “Master has been trying his best to test Yun Er all these years. Can I ask if today is the day you receive your answer?”

“What have you learnt when you fell off the cliff?”

She crocked her head. “Besides being lucky to escape with my life, I found that I have somehow ended up with some new-found family members who would require me to greet them in the morning and wish them goodnight everyday.”

At her reply, Gong Sun Yun broke into a grin.

The answer was obviously not what Sect Leader has expected to hear, so she continued. “Master’s explosion has opened my eyes, and I was suppose to learn that I can only rely on myself as even He Zai can forsake me for his blood brother.”

While He Zai gritted his teeth, Sect Leader nodded his head, satisfied.

Jiang Wo Bo continued her slow ascend up the steps. When she reached Sect Leader, she leaned forward and spoke in low tones: “Seeing that Master has tried to force me out of hiding in such haste, can I assume you have reached the end of your rope?”

The eyes of the white-haired man were burning too brightly, like the last blaze of a candle that was about to be extinguished. “Yun Er is so smart, you are worth the love I have showered upon you all these years.”

“Ay, I am not smart at all. Master has aged overnight ever since you have fatally injured yourself all those years back. I have hoped to lie low until Master has passed on, yet you have hang on for much longer than expected, and here I am.”

She straightened. “The blow from Xian Yun was the last straw wasn’t it?”

Instead of feeling aggrieved, Sect Leader bursted out laughing. “Precisely.” His laughter was loud and carried his qi across the hall, stopping many pugilists in their tracks as they felt their intestines contract.

Jiang Wo Bo was the closest to him and she too felt the pain. Fortunately, there were two pairs of hands who appeared behind her and lent her strength.

Endure! No matter what comes today, she will endure it all!

Gong Sun Yun let out a long, flat whistle which curbed some of the effects of the jarring laughter.

Sect Leader coughed and looked at the expressionless Gong Sun Yun. “Your internal qi is good.”

“Sect Leader Jiang is too generous with your praise.”

A corner of Sect Leader’s mouth twitched. “If you are born twenty years earlier, I would have dueled with you.”

In the next breath, he continued. “Bai Ming Sect Left Protector Huang Fu Yun, accept my order. From today onwards, you will become the thirty-first Sect Leader of Bai Ming Sect!”

His power carried his words clearly into everyone’s ears.

She stared at him for a long time, then turning around, she walked down the steps. She walked past Che Yan Yan who didn’t look too well, past a shell-shocked Tu San Lang, but she ignored them all.

“Yun Er, there is no one you can trust in this world. I have trained you personally and I know how you think, especially He Zai, who must now be the chief thorn in your heart. If you leave today, Bai Ming Sect would be exterminated by the Orthodox Sect or become prisoners of the court, without a leader at its helm. That would make you the biggest sinner in Bai Ming Sect history and there will forever be Bai Ming Sect disciples hunting you for revenge. No matter where you go, you will never find refuge even in the Central Plains!”

All Bai Ming Sect disciples have turned their attention to her. As she stepped out of the hall, she stopped and swept her glance at all who has gathered below the steps.

The main hall of Bai Ming Sect was situated at mid mountain. From the entrance, she could see Tian Bi Cliff in the distance that reached high into the sky. A wide gorge separated the path up the cliff and to people unfamiliar with the area, it would be impossible to ascend the cliff.

This was the first time in her life that she was in the limelight. Perched on the steps, with everyone looking on, could this be considered her moment of fame? What a pity that after today, she could no longer wander around the Central Plains without make-up.

Turning, she faced Sect Leader in the hall. She knew he was about to die and that he wanted to pass her this mess before his last breath. Had she not known that he was crazy, she would have thought that his ambition in life was to nurture people. If she had fallen prey to hatred or disappointment when she fell off the cliff, she would have become the type of person whom Sect Leader truly wanted her to be.

She smiled and lifted both hands towards the Master’s seat. “Huang Fu Yun accepts your order.”

“Miss!” He Zai could not help his protest as she made her announcement in front of everyone,

She did not pay him any heed and folded her hands behind her. “From today onwards, Huang Fu Yun will become the thirty-first Sect Leader of Bai Ming Sect. All disciples listen up. Kneel and send off our Old Leader as he embarks on his last journey!”

Within and outside the hall, many disciples hesitated before putting down their weapons and knelt.

***

“From today onwards, Huang Fu Yun will become the thirty-first Sect Leader of Bai Ming Sect. All disciples, kneel and send off our Old Leader as he embarks on his last journey!”

As the disciples of Bai Ming Sect slowly knelt down one by one, Huang Fu Yun arched her brow and looked at Xian Yun. “Will Gentleman Xian Yun record all that has happened today in the Wulin annals?”

Xian Yun met her gaze and replied steadily . “Everything that happens today will be recorded in detail in the Jianghu Major Happenings Scroll.”

She laughed and looked towards Sect Leader, who has died with a smile on his face. She called loudly. “Where is He Zai?”

He Zai stepped forward. “Your subordinate is here.”

“Since the age of sixteen, you have started learning the martial arts of the Huang Fu family. Since you have mastered the skill, you will become the new Left Protector from henceforth.”

Although it was sudden, He Zai did not hesitate. “I will obey Master’s orders.”

She looked again at the stiff outline of Sect Leader and feeling a sense of loss at his departure, she looked away as she issued her next order. “Left Protector He Zai, listen up!”

Perplexed, He Zai waited for her to continue.

“Bai Ming Sect needs someone capable at the helm to steer it towards a thousand more springs and ten thousand more autumns. It is a pity I do not have the talent and will let down our former leader. From henceforth, He Zai will take over and become the thirty-second Sect Leader. He Zai, accept your order with haste.”

From the back of the hall, somewhere near the Sect Leader's seat, something fell with a loud ‘thud’ on the floor. No one paid it any heed as everyone stared at the woman at the door.

She was dressed in white and with her long hair falling softly behind her back, she looked both elegant and beautiful. Unfortunately, what she was about to do next was going to ruin this image forever.

She lowered her face, lips compressed. She could definitely see this through, now that the moment she has been enduring for was finally here. She silently thought to herself - Sect Leader, may you rest in peace!

“Miss…”

“He Zai, are you not going to accept?” She shot him a look. A breeze swept up her fringe and revealed the faint scar beneath.

As his heart clenched, he gritted his teeth. “Miss. Can this be considered passing a cart of rotten apples to me?”

Ay, if he put it so bluntly, it would hurt her feelings. Her expression cold, she stroked her jade flute. “Are you thinking to disobey my orders?”

He Zai turned his head and tried to look for Gong Sun Yun. When he spotted him, he saw that the latter has buried his nose in a journal as if he was busy taking notes. These two… they were obviously in cahoots to make him to take the fall!

“He Zai!” She lowered her voice until only he could hear her. “I know your character only too well. Bai Ming Sect will be an opportunity for you to showcase your talents. Tian He Manor is too strict-laced and no longer suits you. The place that is suitable for you is actually Bai Ming Sect.”

“Miss is just trying to push the buck. What do you intend to do now?”

“I will roam the skies and seven seas.” No, she should not agitate him too much. “My home will be your home, and your home will be mine. Once you become Sect Leader, Bai Ming Sect will truly become my home and not some place where I have to be wary all the time.” Besides, she rather missed the hot spring at Tian Bi Cliff.

“If today has not happened, will there be a place for me when you roam the world?”

She replied without hesitation. “Of course there will be. But you are born in Tian He Manor and if everything has never happened, you would have been the leader of Tian He Manor. You could roam the world with me, but you would also be wasting your talents. Within Bai Ming Sect, there are problems aplenty. Do you not wish to test your capabilities and see what Bai Ming Sect can become under your hands?”

He fell silent. Finally, he asked. “Will Miss return every three or five years?”

“Naturally. No matter what, Bai Ming Sect is still my home. Besides, with you as the Leader, we would be as cozy as bugs in a rug. What you have, I will have the same. I will be treated like a precious daughter here. And if anyone tries to bully me, I will surely return to look for you.”

He Zai started laughing at her reply. “Miss is as cunning as a fox, how can there be people capable of bullying you? But if Miss ever say the word, He Zai will put Bai Ming Sect behind me and leave with Miss without a second thought. This is my promise to you this lifetime and will never change.”

He looked down the steps towards He Rong Hua who seemed to have something to say. Sighing deeply, he said loudly. “The thirty-second Bai Ming Sect Leader He Zai, accepts your order!”

The rapid turn of events had every head spinning from whiplash.

With He Zai holding the fort, she decided it was not her problem how things got resolved now. As a has-been Sect Leader, all eyes were no longer on her and she decided to return to the hall where she noticed a woman standing close to Xian Yun. She narrowed her eyes as the woman took out a clean white handkerchief and tried to dab at the blood stains on Xian Yun’s clothing.

She did not know when Gong Sun Zhi appeared, but he was suddenly there beside her and sighing into her ear. “Miss Tang is being very proactive, is she not?”

“One must be proactive to have a future.” She replied casually. Like her, she has proactively looked forward until the very end. Even when she was down to her last breath at the bottom of the cliff, even when she was captured and brought back to Bai Ming Sect, she has persevered in order to have earned her break now.

Gong Sun Zhi looked at her strangely. “Do you know what you are saying?”

“Yes.”

“Wu Bo, have you endured too much and lost your mind? Or does this happen to anyone who has been appointed as Sect Leader? Quick, give me your pulse and let me check if they have fed you something in the last two weeks to muddle your thoughts, or interfere with your endurance.”

She wanted to roll her eyes. Will this long-winded Gentleman never stop? Just because she had not seen him for half a month doesn't mean that she missed him!

He continued to tell her about the background of the Tang family; about a Miss Tang who married into the Gong Sun family a long, long time ago, which makes the two families somewhat related; about the balance of power behind various Jianghu families; about the problems faced by good-looking man; about the likelihood of her being with Xian Yun, etc, etc.

Her faced twitched, but she reminded herself she could tolerate this. It did not matter even if there was a pool of blood in her abdomen, she must endure!

“I think it is a ten percent chance” Gong Sun Zhi sighed. “Now that your real identity is exposed and with Xian Yun being a member of a reputable family…”

Her face continued to twitch. Had she been too arrogant just now and heaven has decided to punish her? Never mind. Endure! There was a knife in the Chinese word for ‘endurance’. Maybe today’s knife was little sharp so it left a small cut at her heart. But. She. Can. Endure.

“I will not hide from you. Everyone young and old in Cloud Manor supports you. But it is also a fact that there was no precedence of one of us tying the knot with someone from Bai Ming Sect, and a former Sect Leader of Bai Ming Sect at that. Even if you are the leader with the shortest ever term…”

She will take it that Gong Sun Zhi was speaking Greek. She did not hear him.

At his incessant chatter, she finally reached Xian Yun. As she stood behind him, she could hear Miss Tang cooing apologetically. “Xian Yun. To stop both sides from coming to blows earlier on, you have taken a hit from my father without any attempt to block it. I truly felt very sorry for that in my heart.”

Looking at the blood stains on his robes, she finally found out where they came from. Never mind, she shall endure some more.

Instead of sticking close to He Zai, Tu San Lang strode up next to join Xian Yun. When he caught sight of Jiang Wo Bo standing behind, he decided to change what he wanted to say and say instead: “You are the star among our generation. What a shame that you have to mingle with a Demoness!”

Pak! She thought she heard the sound of nerves snapping. It did not matter, she has plenty of nerves left to hold on to her control. One more or less would not matter. But she was a bit alarmed when she heard more snapping sound. Pak! Pak! Pak! One by one, the threads holding her control snapped until none were left.

Was it because she has just passed the greatest endurance test in her life so her tolerance level was at its all-time low, or was she simply jealous?

She played with the small box of pills in her hands. As she took a pill from the box, the faint fragrance of it reached the nostrils of the sensitive healer beside her and his eyes widen. This pill…

“Xian Yun?”

Gong Sun Yun knew she was behind him but when he turned and saw her, he knew that something was off straight away. His expression as was cool as ever but there was warmth in his eyes when he looked at her. He saw Gong Sun Zhi’s shell-shocked expression and following his glance, he spotted the small box in her hands.

“It is not every day that I indulge myself. I have decided that I shall not endure anymore and take it as a reward to myself for holding back the last twenty years. Do you think it is a good idea?”

Gong Sun Yun arched one elegant brow. “It is difficult to keep enduring every day. I would encourage you to loosen up a little.”

“Xian Yun has always been very good at control too, aren’t you?”

“Merely passable.” He appeared to be smiling and yet not smiling at the same time.

“In your heart, there is only your savior is it not?”

“Yes.” He could not contain his smile this time.

As everyone quieted down and tune in to the conversation being held with the dignified Gentleman Xian Yun, everyone heard her order “Open your mouth.”

“Be careful Xian Yun!” Before Tu San Long could finish his sentence, he saw that the Demoness has popped a pill into Xian Yun’s mouth and tapped on Xian Yun’s acupuncture points to render him speechless. “What did you just feed him?”

It was Che Yan Yan who replied “The Uncontrollable Blissful Pill! You..?”

At one side of the hall, the Gentlemen of Cloud Manor were busy recording the changes happening in Bai Ming Sect. At the mention of this unusual-sounding name, all moved closer in anticipation of some breaking news. They could afford to leave out some minor detailsfrom the wulin annals, but how could they fail to record what goes on in their own family? What was more, they are getting the scoop of a hundred percent, pure, unvarnished truth! All crocked their ears expectantly.

“Uncontrollable bliss… blissful pill?” Tu San Long was an upright man and had never heard of such a thing. But he could tell that it was not something good just from the sound of it. Beside him, he could see Gong Sun Zhi shaking his head.

“How vicious! This drug is very potent and is capable of making the holiest of sages lose control like they never have it at all. The aphrodisiac drug is but a house cat compared to a lion, a baby compared to an old man!”

Tu San Long was shocked. “What about its antidote?”

She has decided she shall not endure a second longer. “Antidote? What antidote? Xian Yun, follow me!” Grabbing him by the shoulder, she lead him out of the hall. The crowd parted a way for her while a stream of Gentlemen followed closely on their heels. The whole, unvarnished truth. They must get every detail!

Tu San Lang finally collected his scattered wits and tried to make a grab for Xian Yun. But for some reason, Gong Sun Yun’s sleeve seem to fall out of his grasp as Xian Yun unobtrusively avoided his hold as he allowed himself to be steered away.

Tu San Long stopped in his tracks and stared at his back. He Zai was equally shocked. “Miss?”

Her reply was clear and convincing. “Xian Yun has been poisoned and I’m bringing him for treatment. I will bring him back safely once his poison has been purged.”

Behind her, the Gentlemen of Cloud manor nearly tripped over each other.

This sense of liberation is great! She has been wanting to do this for the longest time. Although everyone seems very polite in the Central Plains, there are all sorts of rumours running beneath the surface. If she is a Demoness, let her do what a Demoness do!

“Where does Miss intend to ‘treat’ him?” He Zai asked discreetly.

Sweeping her surroundings, her eyes landed on the high peak in the near distance and she pointed a firm finger at its direction. “The sky may be vast and the land may be big, but only at Tian Bi Cliff can we remained undisturbed.”

The heady sense of liberation has apparently gone into her head. She is not going to be bothered about what others do, or how they think. She is going to follow her heart and if she wants Xian Yun, she will want him. If she likes him, she will like him. Why should she waste time listening to nonsense or allow others to snatch him away?

She has never experienced such freedom. No wonder there was only one Gou Jian in history! Gathering her qi, she leaped towards Tian Bi Cliff with Xian Yun in tow. Her white robes fluttered gracefully behind her as she jumped across the wide chasm.

Behind her, the crowd finally broke out of their daze. The Demoness has captured one of their own!

He Zai immediately announced. “So long as Huang Fu Yun and Gong Sun Yun are not divorced, Bai Ming Sect will never step foot in Central Plains!” His voice rang across the hall.

Divorced? The two are not even married! But from the look of things, they are as good as married. How can a Gentleman shirk his responsibility with so many eye witnesses?

As they hesitated, the opportunity to stop the two was lost. Deity has already flown out of the human realm, and mere mortals can only watch on as his shadow disappeared into the clouds with another. From where he was standing, He Zai could see that the smaller shadow nearly stumbled but fortunately, Deity-from-Nine-Heavens reached out a hand to steady her and together, they ascend up Tian Bi Cliff

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