As Fang Xiuxiu saw Gong Qingyun abruptly halt, she was about to speak when she looked up and saw Li Muzhan. "Zhanran..." she whispered, glancing at Gong Qingyun, realizing the reason.
Gong Qingyun’s delicate melon-seed face tightened, her bright eyes fixed intently on Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan’s steps did not falter; his monk's robe billowed as he passed her, executing a heshou bow with a nod and a smile, like a gentle breeze brushing past her before he drifted away, vanishing into the depths of the willow grove in an instant.
Gong Qingyun’s gaze followed him; as he reached her, her ruby lips parted, but she couldn't speak before Li Muzhan had already floated past.
Her expression and body instantly froze, motionless, transformed into a statue.
After a long pause, her posture remained unchanged; a gust of wind blew, stirring the white fabric of her clothes. "Senior Sister..." Fang Xiuxiu called out softly, cautiously.
In that brief moment, her Senior Sister's face had turned pale, a trace of blood visible on her lower lip, her gaze vacant—her spirit had already departed her body. "Senior Sister...?" Fang Xiuxiu called out again, afraid of startling her. "Mmm, let's go." Gong Qingyun’s body trembled slightly as she started walking, her voice rough, utterly unlike her usual tone.
Her pace quickened until she was like a white arrow, impossible for Fang Xiuxiu to catch up to.
As she chased desperately, she muttered under her breath, cursing Li Muzhan—this Zhanran, making Senior Sister angry again! She vowed to give him a good scolding when she saw him again! But within these Seven Courts, only Zhanran ever managed to provoke Senior Sister to such anger! She pushed herself to the limit but watched Gong Qingyun pull further and further away, until she finally disappeared.
With a sigh of resignation, she admitted that Senior Sister’s reputation as the foremost martial artist of the Seven Courts was well-deserved.
Employing her qinggong, she hurried back to Yaoguang Court.
Pushing open the door to Gong Qingyun’s room, she found her sitting blankly before the writing desk.
When she entered, Gong Qingyun sat perfectly still, staring out the window at the slanted plum branches. "Senior Sister, are you alright?" Xiuxiu asked, watching her carefully.
Gong Qingyun waved a hand: "Xiuxiu, I am fine.
You should go out and leave me alone to calm down." Xiuxiu opened her mouth, wanting to persuade her, but finding nothing suitable to say.
After much thought, she finally sighed and nodded, "Alright..." She slowly withdrew from the room, took one last look at Gong Qingyun through the window, shook her head, and left.
Anyone, even a fool, could see how unusual Senior Sister was acting; she had fallen for Zhanran.
It could be said that the two had met through conflict.
Senior Sister was proud and aloof, rarely acknowledging others.
In the entire Seven Courts, only Zhanran could defeat her.
Moreover, Zhanran had once risked his life to save her.
It wasn't surprising that Senior Sister had developed feelings.
But Zhanran was a monk.
Judging by his demeanor, he seemed quite indifferent to Senior Sister—this was troublesome! Li Muzhan suddenly stopped and slowly turned around.
The willow grove was deep; Gong Qingyun’s graceful figure was nowhere in sight.
He let out a long sigh.
He wasn't foolish; he certainly sensed that Gong Qingyun harbored feelings for him, and if left unchecked, those feelings would surely take root, turning into love.
Gong Qingyun possessed exquisite beauty, an air of delicate charm, and a temperament that was both cool and transcendent.
Yet, she was kind-hearted, outwardly cold but inwardly warm.
Any man would find it difficult to resist her, and he, too, found her appealing.
But he was a man of the cloth; he could not return to secular life or marry.
Once entangled in emotional bonds, it would only bring suffering.
It would bring her misfortune.
Rather than allow that, it was better to wield the Sword of Wisdom to sever the threads of desire while the root of feeling was still shallow.
This thing called emotion was the most bothersome; he truly wished to avoid it.
He stood still for a long while, sighed again, shook his head, and turned to continue forward.
Passing through the willow grove, the first courtyard to the west was Tianji Court.
It was four times the size of Tianshu Court, featuring a grand vermilion gate and two majestic stone lions.
Two young men stood beside the lions, radiating confidence.
Judging by sheer grandeur alone, Tianshu Court fell far short of Tianji Court.
Seeing Li Muzhan drift closer, one long-faced youth was momentarily stunned, then looked carefully and quickly clasped his fists: "Is that Martial Brother Zhanran?" He had changed his appearance; his hair was cropped short, his face resembled fine jade.
Though not strikingly handsome, he was certainly not common.
Li Muzhan returned the heshou bow with a smile: "Junior Brother Zhao, Junior Brother Chang, is Li Jian in your court?" His memory was flawless; having seen this youth once during the minor competition, he had instantly memorized his name: Zhao Shangren, whose martial arts were quite respectable.
The other, round-faced youth was named Chang Zhiming, whose skill was also not inferior. "Li Jian? He is here!" Zhao Shangren nodded quickly. "Please trouble Junior Brother Zhao to call for him," Li Muzhan requested with a smile. "Martial Brother Zhanran, please wait a moment; I'll find him right away!" Zhao Shangren hurried away, turning and running inside.
Chang Zhiming smiled, stepping forward and clasping his fists: "Martial Brother Zhanran, you are a rare visitor! Do come in and sit for a while!" Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head: "I shouldn't intrude.
I just need to see Li Jian." "Is Junior Brother Li...
related to you, Martial Brother?" Chang Zhiming asked with a smile.
Li Muzhan smiled faintly: "We grew up together, close as brothers.
I was in secluded cultivation for a while and just learned that he has also entered the estate." "I see!" Chang Zhiming realized, smiling: "Junior Brother Li has excellent aptitude and is well-liked!" Li Muzhan smiled: "I will rely on your care for him in the future." Chang Zhiming quickly replied with a smile: "With Martial Brother Zhanran here, who would dare bully Junior Brother Li!" As the two chatted casually, Li Jian emerged with Zhao Shangren, his expression bewildered.
The moment he saw Li Muzhan, he was overjoyed: "Muzhan!" Li Muzhan waved his hand and chuckled: "Li Jian!" When Li Jian reached him, Li Muzhan sized him up and smiled: "Your shenguang is contained within, and your eyes are bright; it seems your internal energy has achieved entry!" Li Jian laughed proudly: "Not bad...
You finally decided to emerge from seclusion! Big Mother missed you terribly, asking about you every day! ...
Your skin is better than a woman's; you must never see the sun!" "Are my mother and the others well?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.
The two started chatting right there by the entrance, drawing curious glances from passersby.
Li Jian nodded: "They are healthy, just missing you...
My mother keeps complaining that Big Mother only talks about you from morning till night; my ears are getting raw just listening!" "Alas..." Li Muzhan shook his head, a pang of sadness hitting his heart, wishing he could fly home immediately. "Oh, right, I'm a father now!" Li Jian beamed, full of excitement.
Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and playfully punched him: "Good lad, truly capable!" "Heh heh, just average, average," Li Jian said humbly, though his expression betrayed his pride.
Li Muzhan shook his head with a bitter smile: "Alas...
You are happy, but I’m the one who will suffer!...
When I get home, Father will start nagging again!" Li Jian glanced around and lowered his voice: "Muzhan, I heard a rumor; I don't know if it's true." "What rumor?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.
Li Jian stared straight at him: "Someone said you were punished with confinement facing the wall because you killed Fang Shaohua, the master of Kaiyang Court!...
Is it true?" "Yes, it's true," Li Muzhan nodded.
Li Jian quickly asked: "Was it because of me?" Li Muzhan laughed and nodded: "Yes.
I wanted to vent some frustration for you, but he ambushed me, so I killed him...
Just know this; don't spread it around!" "Why did you go to such lengths?" Li Jian asked with a wry smile.
Li Muzhan laughed: "Bullying you is bullying me.
How could I let that vengeance go unpaid?" If he were bullied, he might ignore it or dismiss it with a smile, but if his close friends and relatives were harmed, he would never show mercy. "Alas..." Li Jian kept shaking his head: "You are a man of the cloth; you should maintain peace and tranquility.
How can you have such a fierce temper!" "Alright, enough nonsense!" Li Muzhan laughed and cursed him, lowering his voice: "No one in Tianji Court bullies you, right?" As they were speaking, a sarcastic voice suddenly rang out: "Oh—isn't this Martial Brother Zhanran? Your presence truly graces our humble Tianji Court, making it shine!" Li Muzhan and Li Jian turned to look.
There were five people standing opposite them.
The leader was broad and robust, resembling a black bear, possessing an air somewhat reminiscent of Jin Kaitai.
His face was square, framed by a full beard, and he appeared steady, looking much older than the surrounding youths, perhaps twenty-four or twenty-five.
Li Muzhan sized him up, his mind racing; he had never seen this person before.
Li Jian whispered: "That is Zhang Ganxuan.
He originated from Tianji Court and is now a Bronze Armored Guard." "Bronze Armored Guard?" Li Muzhan frowned.
Zhang Ganxuan glared coldly at Li Jian: "Li Jian, you are a disciple of Tianji Court.
What kind of proper conduct is this, flirting with someone from Tianshu Court?!" "Martial Brother Zhang, he is my friend," Li Jian replied respectfully. "Your friend?!" Zhang Ganxuan scoffed with his arms crossed: "You have such a friend? No wonder you're so full of confidence and downright arrogant!" Li Jian lowered his head and said no more.
Hearing this, Li Muzhan realized Zhang Ganxuan had clearly been bullying Li Jian.
His heart sank.
Yet, his expression became calmer.
He smiled faintly at Zhang Ganxuan, slowly moving his prayer beads one by one with his left hand, appearing composed and serene.
With his right hand held in a danzhang heshi gesture, he spoke gently: "Martial Brother Zhang, I must take my leave!" "Hold it!" Zhang Ganxuan waved his hand, appraising him from head to toe with a half-smile: "I hear, Martial Brother, that your talent is unparalleled.
You challenged Junior Sister Gong just two months after entering the sect?" "It was just a sparring session," Li Muzhan replied mildly.
Zhang Ganxuan said coolly: "Since you're here, why not show us a move or two before leaving, eh?" Li Muzhan smiled: "I have urgent matters.
Perhaps another day." "So, you are refusing to give me face—is that it?" Zhang Ganxuan’s face darkened, his eyes sharp, glittering with coldness.
Li Muzhan suddenly burst into loud laughter.
After laughing for a while, he squinted slightly and spoke: "Why should I give you face?" His thoughts were lightning-fast, his gaze piercing.
From the expressions of Zhao Shangren and Chang Zhiming, he knew this Zhang Ganxuan was unpopular.
He had no further reservations.
Besides, he needed to establish his authority.
Good temper is often exploited; kindness is preyed upon—that is human nature.
Establishing dominance is the best method to reduce future trouble.
Hearing Li Muzhan's laughing retort, Zhang Ganxuan’s face stiffened, then erupted in fury, his teeth grinding audibly, his features contorted with rage.
But he merely sneered repeatedly, managing to restrain himself.
One youth looked at him mockingly and said coldly: "Martial Brother Zhanran, you have such audacity!...
Martial Brother Zhang is a Bronze Armored Guard.
How dare a mere inner court disciple speak to him like that? So disrespectful!" Li Muzhan maintained his smiling demeanor: "I only respect those worthy of respect.
Relying on seniority to bully the young is truly laughable!" "Good! Good!" Zhang Ganxuan laughed loudly, then suddenly turned icy: "I must taste your high skill, Martial Brother.
Let's see what gives you the right to be so arrogant!" Li Muzhan smiled faintly: "Martial Brother Zhang is a Bronze Armored Guard.
Aren't you afraid of being laughed at for bullying the young?" Zhang Ganxuan snorted coldly: "Enough of the nonsense.
It’s too late to beg for mercy now.
I will teach you properly how to pay respect to your seniors!" With that, he slowly drew his sword.
Zhao Shangren rubbed his hands anxiously and quickly intervened: "Martial Brother Zhang, Martial Brother Zhanran, why cause such discord? Why not sit down and talk things over to clear up any misunderstanding!" "Get lost!" Zhang Ganxuan snapped coldly.
Zhao Shangren felt deeply awkward, his face flushing red, daring not to press further.
Li Muzhan smiled gently: "Martial Brother Zhao, thank you for your kindness...
Please stand aside and observe the fight; it will be fine." Zhao Shangren hurriedly said: "Martial Brother Zhanran, Martial Brother Zhang is a Bronze Armored Guard with exceptional martial prowess...
Perhaps you should concede and take a step back—there is plenty of room to maneuver!" Li Muzhan smiled faintly: "The outcome of victory or defeat is only known after the contest." "You..., alas—!" Zhao Shangren shook his head helplessly, his expression filled with pity. "Take the sword!" A cold light instantly shot toward Li Muzhan.