Before a bronze mirror, Fang Qiuyao straightened up from her bow and sighed as she gazed at her reflection and the gift in her hands. Nearly two weeks had passed since the collaboration between the two halls began, yet they still hadn’t caught a single glimpse of Senior Brother Jiang.
It was as if he wasn’t even a disciple of Blue Heart Hall at all.
"Ah..."
With another sigh, Fang Qiuyao slumped onto the willow round table, her mind involuntarily recalling the serious profile of Senior Brother Jiang as he took her pulse. A faint smile unconsciously crept onto her lips as she pulled out a small red porcelain bottle and poured out a single green pill.
Back then, Jiang Beiran had given her three Clear Heart Pills to aid her recovery. But when it came to the last one, Fang Qiuyao simply couldn’t bring herself to swallow it—so she secretly kept it instead. Bringing it to the tip of her nose, she inhaled its lingering, refreshing fragrance.
‘I wonder why Senior Brother’s medicine is so different from the rest…’
Knock, knock, knock. Just as Fang Qiuyao was lost in the familiar scent, a series of knocks suddenly sounded at her door. Hurriedly stuffing the Clear Heart Pill back into the bottle, she raised her head and called out, "Who is it?"
"It’s me. Qiuyao, are you asleep?"
"Sister Zijin?"
Fang Qiuyao stood up and walked over to open the wooden door. Standing at the entrance, Liu Zijin held up a food box with a smile.
"I couldn’t sleep, so I brought some snacks to chat with you. Am I disturbing you?"
"Sister Zijin, what kind of talk is that? Of course you’re not disturbing me. Come in!"
Fang Qiuyao said, pulling Liu Zijin into the small room. Once seated, Liu Zijin opened the food box and took out a plate of pea cakes.
"I just made these. Try them."
"Wow, Sister Zijin, you really can make any kind of pastry!"
Fang Qiuyao eagerly picked up a piece and popped it into her mouth. After chewing a few times, she nodded vigorously.
"So delicious!"
"I’m glad you like them."
Watching Liu Zijin’s gentle smile, Fang Qiuyao paused mid-bite and asked, "Sister Zijin… you came here specifically to comfort me, didn’t you?" Earlier that day, after the daily assessments at Leisure Heart Pavilion, the hall had announced the list of disciples selected to participate in the Young Heroes Tournament.
Fang Qiuyao and Liu Zijin had initially assumed that, having joined the sect less than a year ago, they wouldn’t be chosen. Yet, to their surprise, not only was Liu Zijin’s name on the final list, but even the three Yu sisters were selected—only Fang Qiuyao was left out.
Fang Qiuyao couldn’t deny feeling a little disappointed by the outcome, but it was only a tiny bit. Popping the remaining half of the pea cake into her mouth, she swallowed it and grinned.
"I’ll admit I’m a little bummed, but I’m mostly just happy for all of you! Sister Zijin, with how beautifully you play the pipa, it would’ve been strange if you weren’t chosen."
Seeing that Fang Qiuyao didn’t seem to be forcing her cheerfulness, Liu Zijin smiled back.
"Actually, Qiuyao, you play the guzheng wonderfully too. Otherwise, Guardian Yu wouldn’t have taken the time to personally instruct you. You really do have talent."
"Sister Zijin, you don’t need to console me. Honestly, compared to music, I’ve always preferred martial arts. It’s just that now…"
Fang Qiuyao’s expression dimmed slightly. Ever since her encounter with the "Night-Weeping Granny," the fiery passion she once had for wielding her sword and roaming the martial world had cooled considerably. Her once-clear life plans had now become blurred.
‘I really want to ask Senior Brother what his life’s aspirations are…’
With that thought, Fang Qiuyao stuffed another pea cake into her mouth. --- Early the next morning, Jiang Beiran arrived at Orchid Waterside Pavilion as usual. After exchanging greetings with Little Duo, he stepped into the main hall. Having already heard Jiang Beiran’s voice, Shi Fenglan came running out, calling excitedly, "Little Beiran!
Little Beiran~" "Greetings, Hall Master Shi." Jiang Beiran clasped his hands in salute. Stopping in front of him, Shi Fenglan cleared her throat and said, "I have some huge good news.
Do you want to hear it?" The moment she finished speaking, two options appeared before Jiang Beiran.
[Option 1: "What matter does the Hall Master refer to?" Reward: Crimson Rainbow Palm (Mysterious Grade, Low Tier)] [Option 2: "No." Reward: Random Basic Skill Point +1] Choosing the second option, Jiang Beiran shook his head.
"No." [Option mission complete.
Reward: Tea Art +1] "Ugh!" Shi Fenglan puffed out her cheeks.
"Just say you want to hear it!"
"If the Hall Master insists on speaking of it, then this disciple will take his leave first."
Just as Shi Fenglan was about to argue, Yu Manwen’s voice came from behind her.
"Hall Master, you’d best drop it. Otherwise, he really will turn around and run."
"But it’s good news!"
Shi Fenglan protested with a pout.
"Everyone has their quirks, don’t they, Jiang Beiran?"
Yu Manwen asked, eyeing him.
"Many thanks for Guardian Yu’s understanding."
Jiang Beiran saluted her with clasped hands. With the two of them ganging up on her, Shi Fenglan’s earlier excitement deflated. Reluctantly, she gave up and said, "Fine, then let’s play Xia—" Mid-sentence, she remembered Yu Manwen was still there and hastily corrected herself, "—Xia Zhu..."
Yu Manwen didn’t expose her, only saying, "Don’t fool around too much," before leaving. The moment Yu Manwen was gone, Shi Fenglan immediately "raised the flag of rebellion," pulling out the Chain Fairy doll she had slept hugging all night.
"Little Beiran, bring out the betting board! Today’s winner will definitely be me again!"
"Business first."
With that, Jiang Beiran headed toward the flower room. --- Late that night, just as Shi Fenglan rolled a six—allowing her Iron Beggar to leave the sect—she looked up to see Yu Manwen striding in briskly.
"We just started playing..."
Shi Fenglan hurriedly explained. But this time, Yu Manwen didn’t scold her. Instead, she turned to Jiang Beiran and asked, "You agreed to participate in the Young Heroes Tournament hosted by Hidden Moon Sect?"
"That’s right."
Jiang Beiran nodded calmly.
"You… How could you possibly agree to something like this!?"
Yu Manwen asked, utterly stunned.
"As a disciple of Heart Returning Sect, shouldn’t I fight for the sect’s honor?"
"If any other disciple said that, I’d believe them. But you… Unless Heart Returning Sect faces imminent destruction, there’s no way you’d ever step forward!"
‘Hm!? Is this a woman’s intuition? She actually guessed right.’
Outwardly, however, Jiang Beiran remained unshaken.
"Guardian Yu, your misunderstandings of me run too deep. There are many things I avoid only because my strength is lacking. But this time, it’s merely a chess competition—of course I’ll rise to the occasion."
Though Yu Manwen still wore an expression of disbelief, she couldn’t immediately find words to refute him. Seeing Yu Manwen fall silent, Shi Fenglan cut in, "Oh? Little Beiran, you’re going to that Young Heroes Tournament?
With your frail little body, it is pretty dangerous. Do you want this Hall Master to give you some protective treasures?"
(End of Chapter)