A fresh grave mound, adorned with a dozen long swords planted upright, stark and menacing. Li Muzhan had left behind Bai Qingshi's long sword. This was a treasure blade, capable of slicing stone as easily as tofu, and when clashed against the Qingfeng Sword, it left a nick the size of a grain of rice with just a gentle strike. Such a blade, coupled with his immense strength, made effortlessly severing long swords a simple matter in a sudden confrontation; this sword was a life-saver in a critical moment and could not be abandoned.
He retrieved the sword, returned to the small path, flicked the sheath open, caught the wooden box, and then started down the mountain, passing straight through the small village to reach the Chengjing Temple, where he changed into a fresh set of monk's robes. When he returned home, his killing intent was completely withdrawn, and the lake of his heart had returned to stillness.
Seeing the chest of silver, Madam Qin and Li Zhuzi were quite astonished, for they knew the rules of the Mei Manor regarding Li Mufeng; although the salary was generous, the first few years within the estate offered meager pay. Li Muzhan smiled and explained that he was different from his elder brother; he was a guard, and his stipend was much higher. Hearing the monthly salary of a Bronze Armored Guard made the whole family gasp in astonishment. Madam Qin then frowned again, thinking that nothing came from thin air; such a high salary surely meant danger, and they should leave the Mei Manor sooner rather than later and return to manage the Chengjing Temple! Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile. He also wished to return, but a drop of kindness demanded a gushing spring of repayment, and moreover, in this lifetime, he wished to live more vividly. After a few more years, when he had experienced the splendor and his heart grew weary, returning to manage the Chengjing Temple would not be too late. Madam Qin reluctantly stopped urging him further.
He then stated that he needed to enter seclusion again, and the duration might be somewhat long. Madam Qin and Li Zhuzi didn't doubt him; his entering seclusion was a common occurrence, and they were accustomed to it. Li Muzhan returned to his room. Without taking the time to look at the Nine Luminaries Divine Sword, he immediately entered a state of meditation, immersing himself in the Gazing at Heaven, Man, God, and Illumination Sutra to repair his injuries. He had been wounded frequently lately, and without proper mending, he risked developing latent internal harm. As for the Nine Luminaries Divine Sword, he could examine it later.
The next day, Li Muzhan returned to the Mei Manor early and proceeded directly to the Quiet Relaxation Garden (Qiyuan).
The birds chirped sweetly, and the air was exceptionally fresh. In the training grounds of the Quiet Relaxation Garden, sword light flickered, emitting a chilling aura; two figures moved in alternating advances and retreats—one in purple, the other in white—Mei Ruolan and Gong Qingyun were sparring. Both women were dressed in close-fitting practice attire, their long hair neatly pinned up, giving them a clean and sharp appearance. The practice attire was loose on the body but tightly cinched at the wrists, ankles, and waist, emphasizing their slender, willow-like waists, which looked as if a gust of wind could snap them.
Xiao Yuan stood to the side, watching with a beaming smile. She was clad in vibrant pink practice gear, looking spirited and heroic, her bosom appearing even more ample beneath the fabric. Seeing Li Muzhan approach, she stepped forward a few paces, tilted her head, and smiled, asking, "Zhanran, you’ve come so early!" Li Muzhan smiled and took a look at her.
Xiao Yuan's face flushed, and she feigned annoyance, "Stop staring like a rogue, what are you looking at!" Li Muzhan laughed, "Xiao Yuan, this outfit suits you well!... When do we depart?" Xiao Yuan shot him a side-eye but beamed happily, "Miss says there’s no hurry. We just need to reach the next small town tonight; the journey is quite short."
Just then, Mei Ruolan and Gong Qingyun concluded their sparring, their faces flushed and rosy, looking enchantingly bright, like blooming roses. Mei Ruolan approached, and Xiao Yuan handed her a towel, which she casually accepted, lightly wiping her forehead, which was smooth and bright as jade. Her movement suddenly paused, and her delicate eyebrows furrowed: "Zhanran, are you injured?"
Li Muzhan returned the greeting with clasped hands, nodding with a smile, "Miss’s discerning eye is sharp; I took a sword strike to the left shoulder." "What happened?" Mei Ruolan asked with a frown.
Gong Qingyun gracefully walked over, took the towel, cast a faint glance at him, and immediately turned to look at the distant scenery, though her small ears were attentive. Li Muzhan explained, "When I returned last night, I ran into Bai Qingshi." Mei Ruolan's expression shifted: "Bai Qingshi?... The elder from the Bai Estate?" Li Muzhan nodded.
Mei Ruolan’s face clouded over with frost, her eyes shifting with a distant look as she lowered her head in thought. After a moment, she shook her head and sighed, "It was my oversight!" She was secretly vexed. Zhanran rescuing He Nanshan was akin to snatching a tooth from a tiger’s mouth, and that tiger was Bai Qingshi. Given Bai Qingshi's temperament, how could he let the matter rest? Furthermore, how could the Bai Estate allow such a prodigy as Zhanran to grow unchecked?! She blamed only her own carelessness; Zhanran always had control of the situation, his intellect superior even to her own, and unconsciously, she had trusted him too much, not anticipating he might encounter danger, nor had she assigned anyone to secretly protect him. Thinking of this, a thin layer of cold sweat broke out on her back.
Xiao Yuan grew anxious: "Bai Qingshi actually...! What a despicable fellow!... Zhanran, how did you manage to escape?" Li Muzhan smiled, "I succeeded by sheer luck and killed him." Saying this, he presented the long sword to Mei Ruolan.
Xiao Yuan's bright eyes instantly widened, staring at him, then her small hand slapped down hard, crying out, "Well killed!" Mei Ruolan raised an eyebrow, appraised him, took the long sword, and nodded: "Tell me exactly what happened, in detail." Saying this, she returned the precious sword.
Li Muzhan took the sword back and recounted the events, omitting the detail about the flying dagger, summarizing the matter in a few brief sentences, delivered lightly, as if it were a trivial incident.
Gong Qingyun looked deeply at him once more before turning away. In her heart, she knew he must have used the flying dagger. Thinking of the flying dagger brought past memories flooding back, vivid and clear: sweetness, bitterness, resentment, melancholy—all feelings mixed together, surging into her heart with complex flavors. She gazed blankly into the distance, her expression distant.
Finally, Li Muzhan said, "This time I was lucky... The Bai Estate might not hesitate to use the same trick again. Our Mei Estate disciples' safety is questionable, Miss, you must be extra careful." Mei Ruolan nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "I will increase the number of guards." Then she frowned, "When you encountered Bai Qingshi, why didn't you send a signal?!" Li Muzhan chuckled, "If I couldn't win, running away wouldn't be scary... If he plays the first move, shouldn't we play the fifteenth, right?" Mei Ruolan gazed deeply at him and snorted, "Although your Qinggong is superior, there is always someone better beyond the heavens!" "Yes, Miss. Next time, I will send a signal first!" Li Muzhan nodded and smiled.
The Eldest Miss seldom showed her emotions; she was cool as water, and this demeanor indicated anger, clearly blaming him for his recklessness in not sending a signal, implying underlying concern. After a moment of thought, she turned towards the small courtyard, instructing as she went, "Xiao Yuan, have the Third Young Master come over!" "Yes, Miss!" Xiao Yuan replied sweetly, turning and drifting away.
Li Muzhan, Gong Qingyun, and Xiao Yuan followed her into the small courtyard. Mei Ruolan entered the room and changed into a long gown of snow-white silk, her entire aura transforming, becoming as pure as snow. Gong Qingyun went out and quickly returned, dressed in a long sapphire-blue gown and wearing a skullcap, appearing as a handsome, refined young man, handsomer than the famed Song Yu or Pan An. Li Muzhan couldn't help but steal a few glances, but Gong Qingyun ignored him, pretending not to notice, though her delicate cheeks slowly began to redden.
Before he appeared, a hearty laugh echoed from outside the door: "Hahaha, Big Sister, looking for me with such urgency, what are your orders?" Mei Ruohai strode in. Li Muzhan clasped his hands in greeting, and Gong Qingyun gave a slight nod. He was wearing dark green practice clothes, radiating heat, walking with powerful, vigorous steps, possessing an uncommon presence. "Oh, Zhanran is here too!" Mei Ruohai cupped his fists and smiled.
Mei Ruolan stated calmly, "Third Brother, Zhanran was attacked last night; it was Bai Qingshi." "What?!" Mei Ruohai was stunned, then erupted in fury: "That old villain, only doing things that ensure his sons have no..." Mei Ruolan frowned.
Mei Ruohai quickly waved his hand and chuckled: "Big Sister, I misspoke!... I was too angry. Him, the dignified elder of the Bai Estate, stooping to deal with a junior, aren't you afraid the world will laugh?" Mei Ruolan stated coolly, "If he had killed Zhanran, no one would know; who would laugh?!" Mei Ruohai slammed his fist into his palm and snorted resentfully: "This Bai family is truly regressing; they would do such a thing!" He quickly turned to Li Muzhan: "Zhanran, are you alright?" "Took a sword strike, but I'm fine," Li Muzhan smiled.
Mei Ruohai's spirits immediately lifted, and he laughed heartily: "Good! To escape from under Bai Qingshi's hand, you truly deserve to be called the foremost expert of our Seven Estates!" Xiao Yuan chimed in, "Third Young Master, Zhanran killed Bai Qingshi!" "Killed him?" Mei Ruohai was momentarily stunned, looking at Zhanran, then turning to Mei Ruolan, then to Gong Qingyun. Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Just lucky."
Mei Ruohai stepped forward, aiming a large hand at Li Muzhan's left shoulder: "A good Zhanran!" Li Muzhan shrank his shoulder and stepped back, avoiding his hand, and said with a wry smile, "Third Young Master, it truly was luck. I used a move where both sides perish... I took a sword strike to the left shoulder." "Hahaha, Zhanran, this ruthlessness of yours is admirable!" Mei Ruohai laughed heartily, "To manage to take down Bai Qingshi counts as a great service!" He turned to Mei Ruolan: "Big Sister, Zhanran has rendered this great service, how shall he be rewarded?"
Mei Ruolan said lightly, "Zhanran doesn't have permanent lodging in the city, right?... East of the manor, there is a small courtyard in the Plum Grove; from now on, it is yours." Li Muzhan was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head. Mei Ruolan stated coolly, "Bai Qingshi is one of the three great experts of the Bai Estate. Killing him is no small feat; a courtyard is nothing." Li Muzhan slowly nodded. Jinyang City was prosperous, and land prices were extremely high. Even with his elder brother's savings over the years, they could afford a small courtyard, but not a larger one. He didn't know the size of this Plum Grove Courtyard, but even a small quadrangle home would be considered a substantial asset.
Mei Ruolan turned to Mei Ruohai: "Third Brother, issue an order: after I leave, no Mei Estate disciple is allowed to go out. If leaving the manor is unavoidable, send a Gold Armored Guard to follow secretly!" "Yes!" Mei Ruohai nodded firmly. Mei Ruolan continued, "Returning a courtesy is only proper; invite Guard Zhang and Guard Chen to personally go out and assassinate ten elite members of the Bai Estate." Mei Ruohai hesitated slightly: "Big Sister, Guard Zhang and Guard Chen should accompany you!" Mei Ruolan shook her head: "They will remain here!" "Alas... It is all due to my incompetence!" Mei Ruohai sighed heavily.
Guard Zhang and Guard Chen were Gold Armored Guards, both top-tier experts. With them remaining to guard the estate, the Bai Estate would not dare to bully them. Mei Ruolan smiled, "Don't worry, the Crimson Blood Hall is not that terrifying." Mei Ruohai lowered his head, his cheeks moving as he secretly ground his teeth.
Li Muzhan was secretly surprised. The two should have been rivals, vying for the position of head of the Mei Estate, yet they showed no signs of competition. Mei Ruolan was the eldest daughter of the main branch, and Mei Ruohai was the eldest son of the second branch; either could become the head. At this time, when they should be openly contending, they showed no such posture. Li Muzhan, possessing acute perception and a subtle grasp of human nature, found it hard for them to hide anything from his keen sight; he perceived that they were not merely pretending to be harmonious.
Mei Ruolan said lightly, "Enough, stop acting like children... Let us depart!" With that, she turned and walked out of the small path, Li Muzhan, Gong Qingyun, and Xiao Yuan following her.