"Alas, my Master refuses to listen. Even if it's useless, we must keep it, lest people think our Canghai Sword Sect is easily bullied." Li Muzhan sighed.

"Sigh... Your Master is truly stubborn. You should try persuading her," Elder Song shook his head.

Li Muzhan smiled, "I am but a disciple; I must obey my Master. How can my Master listen to me?"

"I see your Master places great trust in you," Elder Song chuckled.

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile, "The person Master trusts most is Senior Sister. As for me... as a man in the Canghai Sword Sect, there's little chance for advancement."

Elder Song's eyes brightened, and he exchanged a quick glance with the other three elders.

He smiled, "Young Master Zhanran, your martial arts are exceptional. The Young Sect Master holds you in high regard. Before we left, he even asked me to invite you to be a guest at our Changbai Sword Sect."

He then shook his head with a bitter smile, "It’s a shame such good fortune never materialized; I almost forgot about that."

Li Muzhan explained, "The Canghai Sword Sect is divided into three branches. Martial Uncle Zhumei and Martial Aunt Zhuyue have many disciples, but Master only has two: myself and Senior Sister. The position of Sect Master naturally falls to Senior Sister, and she certainly won't marry out."

"It seems we misjudged the situation," Elder Song suddenly understood.

Li Muzhan continued, "However, I heard Master has some past grievances with your Sect Master, so she will be even less likely to agree. Master's temper is rigid, making matters worse."

"Sigh... The Sect Master intended to resolve this old feud, but seeing Madam Zhuzhao like this, it seems impossible now," Elder Song shook his head regretfully.

Li Muzhan offered, "We can only take it slowly. Master has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. As long as your esteemed sect shows sincerity, this enmity can eventually be resolved."

"Indeed, we are very sincere," Elder Song nodded and smiled, "When Young Master comes down the mountain in the future, you must visit our sect!"

Li Muzhan nodded in agreement, "I certainly will impose upon you."

He inwardly chuckled; this was deliberately showing a weakness—planting a seed that might be useful later, perhaps to gauge their true intentions.

In the time it took for their conversation, they slowly reached the foot of the mountain. Li Muzhan cupped his hands in farewell. Elder Song and the three others soared away, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed softly. The Changbai Sword Sect was dreaming of an easy match; Senior Sister marrying off—what a joke! It was like a toad craving swan meat!

It seemed Nie Xuefeng truly doted on Senior Sister. What about Murong Hao? He had killed Murong Hao’s uncle; would he hate Senior Sister now, or would his infatuation remain unchanged?

As he walked back, he returned the salutes of the outer disciples until he soon arrived outside the Wuji Hall. The inner disciples had already dispersed.

Wen Yinyue was slowly making her way toward the Wuji Hall.

………………………………

He entered the main hall. Wen Yinyue was already seated on a meditation cushion. Seeing him enter, she didn't even spare him a glance, sitting with a languid, cold expression.

"Yinyue, come now, stop being angry. With your disposition, what man wouldn't want to marry you? Nie Xuefeng comes from noble stock; it's natural for him to harbor such thoughts," Madam Zhuzhao said with a slight smile.

Wen Yinyue snorted.

Madam Zhumei laughed, "Beautiful as a flower, skilled in martial arts, sharp and capable—most men wouldn't dare entertain any improper notions about someone like you. It’s rare to find someone as bold as Nie Xuefeng."

Li Zhuyue, dignified and composed, smiled, "Indeed, Nie Xuefeng shows commendable courage."

Wen Yinyue blushed slightly, shook her head, and declared, "Master, I will never marry in this lifetime!"

Madam Zhumei raised an eyebrow, "Oh, you foolish girl, why not marry? The Sect Master of our Canghai Sword Sect is permitted to marry!"

"I wish to be like Master," Wen Yinyue replied.

Madam Zhuzhao snapped without warmth, "You learn the wrong things!"

Wen Yinyue insisted, "Master never married, dedicating her entire life to the sect. I can do the same."

"Hey, you've misunderstood," Madam Zhumei glanced at Madam Zhuzhao, smiled faintly, and shook her head, sighing, "It's not that your Master didn't want to marry, it’s just that..."

"Senior Sister!" Madam Zhuzhao widened her almond eyes.

Madam Zhumei chuckled, "Second Sister, it's come to this; you should tell Yinyue the truth, stop hiding it from her."

Madam Zhuzhao snorted, "To speak of such a shameful thing, letting the younger generation hear it—I have no face for it!"

Wen Yinyue looked at everyone with confusion.

Li Muzhan inquired, "Master, Master, should I step aside?"

"Enough, since you know, it doesn't matter if you stay!" Madam Zhuzhao glared at him crossly.

Li Muzhan knew he was being made a scapegoat, and helplessly touched his nose. He sat down beside Wen Yinyue, the faint fragrance drifting into his nostrils instantly reviving his spirits.

Wen Yinyue seemed to notice, turned to glance at him, but said nothing.

Madam Zhuzhao spoke, "It’s fine to tell you both; you'll find out sooner or later... When I left the mountain, I was young and ignorant and unknowingly fell for someone. That fellow ended up marrying someone else. In a fit of rage, I killed him and became a nun."

Li Muzhan's eyes widened as he observed Madam Zhuzhao.

Truly, the heart of a woman scorned is the most venomous. It's common for love to turn to hate, but to actually kill the man one once loved—that is something most people couldn't do. Master was indeed ruthless.

"Enough, stop frightening them," Madam Zhumei waved her hand, shaking her head and laughing, "Don't listen to your Master; she's just trying to scare you!"

Li Muzhan remained impassive, and Wen Yinyue was calm and collected; neither was frightened.

Madam Zhumei observed them both and chuckled, "Neither of you shows surprise. You two are quite heartless!"

Madam Zhuzhao laughed, "I am inferior to these two fellows!"

Madam Zhumei continued, "Being too ruthless isn't good either. Be careful when you go down the mountain... Your Master didn't actually kill that man; she only cursed him severely, and the man committed suicide out of distress. In her grief, your Master shaved her head and never married."

Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue suddenly understood. Master's words were as sharp as blades, cutting to the core; this explanation sounded plausible.

Madam Zhumei smiled, "Yinyue, don't be like your Master, refusing to marry your whole life—wouldn't that be a waste of womanhood?"

"Senior Sister, aren't you the same?" Madam Zhuzhao pouted.

"I am because I have seen the true nature of men and found it unbearable, hence I remain unmarried," Madam Zhumei declared with a sniff.

Li Muzhan touched his nose, displaying an awkward expression.

Madam Zhumei sniffed again, "Zhanran, although your Buddhist cultivation is profound, you are still a man. You cannot escape the foul habits of men!"

Li Muzhan forced a bitter smile, "Martial Uncle, I am wronged!"

"Hmph, as if I could be mistaken about you?!" Madam Zhumei sneered, glancing sideways at him, "Putting other things aside, let's talk about your philandering. Ruolan girl, Xiaoyuan, and Qingyun... I hear there are other women outside. Tell me, which one do you intend to marry?"

Li Muzhan touched his nose, feeling even more awkward, "Martial Uncle, I haven't decided yet."

"Don't forget... there's Yinyue too!" Madam Zhuzhao teased with a smile.

"Master!" Wen Yinyue instantly pouted, springing up, turning, and walking away.

Madam Zhuzhao watched her leave with a smiling gaze, not stopping her, and shook her head, "This girl, her skin is too thin about this matter. That won't do."

Madam Zhumei laughed, "She is thin-skinned in this regard, but not in other matters. Don't worry, Zhanran!"

Li Muzhan started, as he had been secretly watching the departing Wen Yinyue.

"Martial Uncle?" Li Muzhan smiled.

Madam Zhumei snorted, "Confess honestly, who do you actually like?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, looking troubled, "Martial Uncle, you misunderstand..."

"Misunderstand my foot!" Madam Zhumei burst out with a curse, scoffing, "I despise playboys who treat women lightly!"

Li Zhuyue shook her head, "Senior Sister, you are being somewhat extreme."

Madam Zhumei was unconcerned, "Extreme? Why is it that men can have multiple wives and concubines, but women must remain faithful to one?"

Li Zhuyue sighed, "Men are inherently stronger by nature; there's nothing that can be done—just like the martial world today, isn't it ruled by men?"

"I refuse to accept it! Why should women be inferior to men!" Madam Zhumei sneered.

Madam Zhuzhao interjected, "Senior Sister, Second Sister, we're going off-topic."

……………………………

The two women stopped speaking, looking slightly embarrassed.

Li Muzhan maintained a serious, solemn expression, daring not to show a smile.

He inwardly lamented; in Canghai Mountain, Yin is strong and Yang is weak. The men needed to prove themselves, or they would truly be looked down upon by Martial Uncle Zhumei.

"Master, I have just mastered the Dragon Slaying Hand," he quickly changed the subject.

He feared that if Martial Uncle Zhumei pressed further, he would face disaster, perhaps even a torrent of verbal abuse.

The three women were instantly galvanized, their eyes lighting up.

Madam Zhuzhao rushed, "You mastered it?"

Li Muzhan nodded, smiling, "Only the first level. I wanted to make Master happy."

"Good lad, worthy of being my disciple!" Madam Zhuzhao exclaimed in admiration.

Madam Zhumei and Li Zhuyue shook their heads.

"Second Sister, is your disciple a cut above the rest?" Madam Zhumei grumbled.

Madam Zhuzhao giggled, "Senior Sister, the facts speak for themselves, doesn't my disciple prove superior? If you disagree, let them test it out!"

"Fine, then I insist on testing it out!" Madam Zhumei huffed.

She paused to think, "Zhanran has mastered the Dragon Slaying Hand, hasn't he? Let Jingying spar with him to see what's so remarkable about the Dragon Slaying Hand!"

"That is acceptable," Madam Zhuzhao smiled.

Madam Zhumei added, "However, Zhanran can only use the Dragon Slaying Hand; he is not allowed to use any other martial arts!"

"Zhanran, what do you say? Do you dare accept the challenge?" Madam Zhuzhao turned to ask.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Agreed."

"That's my good disciple!" Madam Zhuzhao laughed proudly, then turned and called out loudly, "Someone, go and invite Jingying over!"

A respectful assent came from outside. In a short while, Xu Jingying floated in, dressed in black satin close-fitting clothes, having not yet had time to change.

"Master, Second Martial Aunt, Third Martial Aunt," Xu Jingying greeted them calmly.

Madam Zhumei beckoned, "Jingying, go fight Zhanran. Don't disgrace your Master."

Xu Jingying glanced at Li Muzhan, shook her head, and said, "Martial Aunt, how can this disciple be a match for Martial Brother Zhanran?"

Madam Zhumei smiled triumphantly, "He can only use the Dragon Slaying Hand, no other martial arts!"