Mount Fuyun stood solitary against the vast darkness, a single bright moon hanging directly overhead as if within reach, its silvery glow coating the mountain in a veil of fine gauze.
He turned his head to look; Leng Chaoyun stood motionless before the main hall, her gaze placid, watching him quietly.
Li Muzhan crossed the distance in a single stride, a faint, delicate fragrance drifting into his nostrils—a scent that stirred his heart. He smiled at Leng Chaoyun, peering into her luminous eyes.
Leng Chaoyun’s eyes were deep and still; she watched him without expression. They stood frozen for a long moment. Li Muzhan withdrew his gaze, knowing he couldn't push too far. He laughed, “Palace Mistress Leng, did you receive the invitation?”
“Mmm,” Leng Chaoyun inclined her head lightly.
Li Muzhan smiled, “Palace Mistress Leng will attend in person, I trust?”
“…I will,” Leng Chaoyun nodded slowly.
Li Muzhan said, “Then I thank you, Palace Mistress Leng!”
Leng Chaoyun shot him a glance, her tone cool, “I intend to see just how smug he is!”
Li Muzhan chuckled, “The Sect Master is steadfast in his affection; we admire that greatly!”
Leng Chaoyun snorted and fell silent.
Li Muzhan sensed skepticism in that snort. He pressed on with a smile, “Does the Palace Mistress disapprove? Does the Sect Master’s quest not move the ladies? Waiting decades for Elder Fu without wavering in his heart!”
Leng Chaoyun said, “What was he doing all that time? A woman’s youthful bloom fades so easily. All that prime youth wasted, and he only seeks to marry her now…”
She shook her head as she spoke, yet Li Muzhan was inwardly overjoyed. For her to say this much to him today was unprecedented.
In the past, whenever they met, she would merely offer a slight nod; she wouldn't even shift her gaze, acting as if he didn't exist.
Li Muzhan had lingered at Mount Fuyun Palace for two reasons: first, he found her icy demeanor fascinating and wondered how long this coldness could be sustained, and to what degree it would go; second, he was utterly captivated by the collection of texts housed in Fuyun Palace.
Li Muzhan smiled, “The Sect Master has wanted to marry her for ages, but unfortunately, Elder Fu is stubborn and continually refused. Any other man would have grown despondent and given up, but the Sect Master has remained constant—truly admirable. Another man would have turned his affections elsewhere by now… With the Sect Master’s charm, what woman could resist?”
Leng Chaoyun shook her head. Though Li Muzhan couldn't discern if her lips had curled in a sneer, he felt her cold amusement. Her bright eyes were filled with obvious disdain.
Li Muzhan asked, “Am I mistaken?”
“You flatter Yi Xingzhi far too much!” Leng Chaoyun countered, shaking her head. “He is merely unable to let go. For a man like him, obtaining women is too easy, so he fixates on what he cannot have, clinging to it. It’s a common failing among you men—the unobtainable is always the most desirable!”
Li Muzhan stroked his light mustache and sighed helplessly, “Palace Mistress, you are being too harsh!”
“More or less accurate!” Leng Chaoyun snorted. “Master once said the man named Yi is no good—a scoundrel of a man!”
Li Muzhan stroked his mustache again, suddenly recalling that the Sect Master seemed entangled with a disciple of Fuyun Palace, which had provoked Fu Feihong’s jealousy and led to this tempestuous love affair.
He shook his head inwardly. Why had he bothered praising the Sect Master to Leng Chaoyun?
He fell silent, and Leng Chaoyun quietly watched him, saying nothing.
After a prolonged silence, Li Muzhan spoke again, “If I were to ask for Palace Mistress Leng’s help, I presume you would refuse?”
“Is this concerning Yi Xingzhi?” Leng Chaoyun asked.
Li Muzhan said, “Someone plans to cause trouble on his wedding day…”
Leng Chaoyun spoke quickly, “I am going as a spectator; I will not offer assistance.”
Li Muzhan looked at her helplessly and sighed, “Consider it repayment for a favor I owe you?”
Leng Chaoyun countered, “You owe me a favor, don't get it backward.”
Li Muzhan gazed at her slender, delicate eyebrows and her eyes like clear water, then sighed again, “Then let me owe you another favor?”
“Unnecessary,” Leng Chaoyun replied. “I have no desire for your favors.”
Li Muzhan stroked his mustache; his hand itched—this woman’s tongue was too sharp, every word a jab to the heart—yet he smiled, “Palace Mistress Leng wouldn't be so unreasonable, would you? This matter is genuinely troublesome.”
“Did you ask Yi Xingzhi before seeking my help?” Leng Chaoyun eyed him askance.
Li Muzhan shook his head. “I’ll ask Yi Xingzhi first, to see if he is willing!”
Li Muzhan sighed. Of course, he knew Yi Xingzhi wouldn't agree. If Fu Feihong found out, she would certainly throw a tantrum, causing immense trouble. He absolutely could not allow Fuyun Palace to help overtly.
Li Muzhan’s plan was to secure covert assistance from Fuyun Palace, avoiding public involvement. Even if Fu Feihong found out, she’d have no grounds for complaint. Furthermore, once the couple was married, the deed would be done, and everything would settle down; quarrels between husband and wife are easily resolved.
Even setting Fu Feihong aside, Sect Master Yi would never agree. Fuyun Palace held a status that constantly competed, secretly, with Yunxiao Sect; they were two swords clashing. Although Sect Master Yi advocated for keeping a low profile, it didn't mean lowering his head to beg Fuyun Palace for aid.
Li Muzhan ignored these complications. The immediate priority was finding someone who could help; otherwise, if those assassins disrupted the ceremony, it would be a disgrace to the entire Yunxiao Sect, severely damaging its prestige with consequences difficult to predict.
The secret techniques used by these assassins were powerfully potent, requiring someone with acutely sharp senses to intervene before they struck, or to neutralize them immediately upon action.
Among those he knew, the most acutely sensitive was Grandmaster Li Yubing. Next were his Senior Sister and Leng Chaoyun. Li Yubing was currently preoccupied with her own troubles, or she would have been sought out already. His Senior Sister was also sensitive and capable of defeating an opponent in one move with her peerless Sword Control technique, but Li Muzhan still felt uneasy; a single slip-up was unacceptable. If he had to find someone, Leng Chaoyun was the best choice.
Palace Mistress Leng’s flying blades were incredibly powerful, perhaps even superior to his Senior Sister’s. In a critical moment, she could restrain those assassins and prevent them from becoming a real threat.
It was a pity she refused to help. He shook his head and sighed.
Suddenly, inspiration flashed in his mind. He smiled faintly, “Palace Mistress Leng, how are my three saber techniques progressing?”
Leng Chaoyun’s eyes brightened slightly, and she nodded slowly, “Acceptable.”
Li Muzhan smiled, “How acceptable? Are they mastered, or not yet?”
Leng Chaoyun gave him a sidelong glance and said coolly, “I’ve grasped the fundamentals, but the refinement is lacking; it needs further sculpting. What, are you going to use past favors to coerce me?”
Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed, “Palace Mistress Leng, you underestimate me!”
“Then what is your intention?” Leng Chaoyun snorted, starting to turn away, but Li Muzhan called out, “Palace Mistress Leng, wait a moment.”
“What is it?” Leng Chaoyun asked impatiently. “I won’t help your Yunxiao Sect!”
Li Muzhan said, “That might not be so. I have a few more saber techniques…”
“More?!” Leng Chaoyun frowned, her eyes flickering. She asked coldly, “Exactly how many saber techniques do you know?”
Li Muzhan chuckled, “That’s hard to say… Shall I demonstrate a few for Palace Mistress Leng?”
“No need, I don’t wish to watch,” Leng Chaoyun turned to leave.
Li Muzhan laughed heartily, shaking his head, “Palace Mistress Leng certainly has great courage!”
Leng Chaoyun stopped and turned back, “Fine. I want to see what other profound saber techniques you possess. Bring them on!”
Li Muzhan smiled, “That’s more like it. Why be so timid? I won’t force you into a spar!”
Leng Chaoyun said coldly, “You think you’ve already defeated me?”
Li Muzhan waved his hand with a smile, “We won't fight today. I will only demonstrate the saber techniques. If Palace Mistress Leng wishes to watch, lend me a saber!”
Leng Chaoyun snorted, “Wait here!”
She floated gracefully into the hall and returned shortly, holding a treasured saber. It shone brightly like a pool of autumn water, its surface glittering under the moonlight.
“Catch!” She hurled the saber. With a whoosh, it transformed into a streak of light, shooting towards Li Muzhan as if intent on killing him.
Li Muzhan reached out a palm and caught it with a gentle smile, stroking the blade lightly. He said, “A fine saber!”
Leng Chaoyun’s bright eyes narrowed sharply, focusing intensely on his left hand. His left hand had merely brushed the saber’s body; nothing seemed unusual, yet she stared intently.
Li Muzhan smiled, “What is it?”
“You know the Saber Cleansing Scripture?” Leng Chaoyun asked, frowning.
Li Muzhan shook his head, “This is not the Saber Cleansing Scripture; it is a Sword Control technique, merely adapted for saber practice. Why would Palace Mistress Leng assume it was the Saber Cleansing Scripture?”
“The method is too similar to the Saber Cleansing Scripture,” Leng Chaoyun frowned at him, still harboring suspicion.
Though Fuyun Palace was at odds with Yunxiao Sect, they had studied Yunxiao’s martial arts extensively. However, Yunxiao’s techniques were mysterious and never circulated publicly; they only knew the names of the skills.
She was young, and over the years, she had no direct conflict with Yunxiao Sect, so she had never witnessed Yunxiao’s Sword Control Scripture. Seeing Li Muzhan’s left hand swipe across the blade, leaving it looking as if coated in a thin layer of frost, she felt it resembled the Saber Cleansing Scripture and couldn't help but be puzzled.
She was secretly alarmed, thinking Li Muzhan had stolen the Saber Cleansing Scripture.
Li Muzhan laughed, “Our Sword Control Scripture also contains this method. It might resemble the Saber Cleansing Scripture. One controls the sword, the other controls the saber—it’s inevitable that they share similarities, wouldn’t you say?”
The truth was, he had secretly learned the Saber Cleansing Scripture. The red silk robe she wore was extraordinarily strange, capable of blocking sight and sensation; he couldn't penetrate her thoughts or her inner workings.
But the last time they activated their power to open the purple casket, Li Muzhan had seen her core techniques clearly. Combining that insight with his Sword Control Scripture, he had vaguely guessed the movements of the Saber Cleansing Scripture. He hadn't mastered the essence, only the form, yet Leng Chaoyun had spotted the clues.
Leng Chaoyun glared at him suspiciously and snorted, “Aren't you starting?”
Li Muzhan smiled, “Very well, Palace Mistress Leng, watch closely!”
He executed a light, gliding slash. Instantly, with a sharp chii sound, the moonlight seemed to coil and condense into a ball of white light, resembling the bright moon descending from the heavens, flying towards Leng Chaoyun.
Leng Chaoyun flicked her sleeve lightly. With a dull bang, she was pushed straight back two zhang, her slender eyebrows knitting together as she stared fixedly at the round light pursuing her.
She raised her left palm, fingers together like a blade, and sliced gently downwards. Instantly, a soft chii sounded, and an invisible saber aura shot from her palm, faintly visible, striking the round ball of white light.
The ball of light wavered, as if a saber had momentarily disturbed the moon reflected on water, then quickly stabilized, resuming its pursuit of Leng Chaoyun.
Leng Chaoyun frowned, puzzled by the nature of this rotating orb, which possessed such strange power. Unwilling to concede, she snorted and brought her left palm down gently again.
With a crisp pop, Li Muzhan’s robes billowed as if struck by a powerful wind.
The center of the orb exploded, light and shadow scattering everywhere. Li Muzhan immediately slashed again, and another ball of white light condensed, shooting toward her.
This time, Leng Chaoyun did not evade, thinking it was a mere illusion. When the white light reached her, she struck it directly with her palm.
Bang! Her red silk robe fluttered violently. She slid back two zhang, her feet dragging on the ground. Though covered by the red silk, her skin, fair as jade, was visible, flushed crimson as if intoxicated.
Li Muzhan laughed, “That is the Round Moon Saber Technique. What do you think?”
“What a bizarre saber technique!” Leng Chaoyun took a deep breath and snorted.
She exhaled several times to suppress the surging blood, then frowned, “The power of this strike is insufficient; it’s nothing major.”
Li Muzhan let out a soft laugh, made a light slash, and a swirling white orb materialized. Li Muzhan drew another gentle stroke, and the white orb transformed into a streak of flowing light that slammed into an old pine tree growing near the distant cliff face.
The white light sank into the pine tree. With a muffled bang, the tree shattered, bursting into powder and fragments, which were swept up by the accompanying gale, swirling for a moment before falling harmlessly.
Leng Chaoyun stared blankly at the now empty cliff face. The old pine tree was utterly gone, pulverized to dust, not a leaf remaining!
Li Muzhan smiled faintly, “What about the power?”
Leng Chaoyun took a deep breath and said coldly, “Adequate. Are there more?”
Li Muzhan smiled, “Palace Mistress is too greedy. If you master this move, you can attack from any distance, controlling the speed at will. Especially since you have mastered the Saber Cleansing Scripture; you can control the blade, commanding this light as easily as your own limbs.”
“That’s just one move; I’ve seen enough of it,” Leng Chaoyun stated.
Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then sighed resignedly, “In that case, I will show one more strike.”
“Go ahead,” Leng Chaoyun conceded.
Li Muzhan announced, “Palace Mistress, watch the saber!”
He drew a light slash, as if performing a trivial act, then retracted it, as if he had miscalculated and needed to start over. Before Leng Chaoyun could speak, she suddenly staggered. Her red silk robe billowed without wind, as if caught in a powerful gust, pushing her backward six steps. Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud—each footfall left an inch-deep impression in the ground.
“You…” Leng Chaoyun glared at him furiously.
Li Muzhan laughed, “This strike is the Shadowless Saber. Was Palace Mistress Leng prepared for it?”
He made another gentle slash and instantly retracted it. This time, Leng Chaoyun remembered the lesson. She quickly pushed out with her right palm. With a sharp chii, the red silk robe billowed again, and she retreated another two steps. Each footprint was three inches deep. Her bright eyes flickered, filled with suppressed anger.
Li Muzhan smiled gently, “The full power of this strike hasn't even been revealed yet. Does Palace Mistress wish to test it further?”
“Fine saber technique!” Leng Chaoyun snorted.
Li Muzhan said cheerfully, “Shall I teach these two moves to the Palace Mistress?”
Leng Chaoyun pondered for a moment, then slowly shook her head, “Not enough.”
Li Muzhan sighed in disappointment, “If that’s the case, forget it. These two moves are considered my ultimate secret skills. I was prepared to part with them reluctantly, putting aside my pride for the sake of the Sect Master’s wedding, but since the Palace Mistress finds them unworthy, that is perhaps for the best!”
“You…” Leng Chaoyun’s bright eyes sharpened, glaring at him angrily.
She knew perfectly well that Li Muzhan was deliberately baiting her, which was infuriating.
Li Muzhan said, “Palace Mistress Leng, I apologize for the intrusion. It is late; let us both retire for the night!”
“…Wait!” Leng Chaoyun glared at him, frowning, and snorted, “You know perfectly well I cannot resist this temptation, don't you?”
Leng Chaoyun was indifferent to most things, remaining unmoved by worldly affairs, but saber techniques were different. She was highly skilled in the way of the saber, priding herself as the best in the world. Yet, the techniques Li Muzhan demonstrated were exquisite beyond her wildest imagination, truly supreme marvels. She watched, utterly entranced.
If such peerless saber techniques could not belong to the Yunxiao Sect, the sect would truly be unworthy of its reputation as the foremost school of the saber. She was like a drunkard presented with fine wine—unable to restrain herself.
Li Muzhan smiled softly, “If Palace Mistress Leng is willing, I will exchange these two saber techniques for your assistance. How about it?”
Leng Chaoyun said coldly, “I belong only to Yunxiao Sect; I will not go to the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Sect!”
Li Muzhan smiled, “Agreed.”
“Teach me these two saber techniques first!” Leng Chaoyun insisted with a snort.
The more she thought about it, the more unwilling she was to let those techniques go. She felt cornered, which only fueled her anger, especially upon seeing Li Muzhan’s smile.
Li Muzhan laughed heartily, “Very well, I shall teach you the saber techniques now!”
Li Muzhan demonstrated them one by one. Leng Chaoyun’s comprehension of the saber arts surpassed that of ordinary people; she grasped the essence immediately, extrapolated from a single point, and possessed extraordinary insight.
Li Muzhan praised her silently. Her aptitude was comparable to Senior Sister Feng’s. If he hadn't intervened, the future world would have been lively, with Yunxiao Sect and Fuyun Palace contending as two giants, evenly matched.
Unfortunately, with his interference, Senior Sister Feng seemed destined to fade, and with his suppression, Fuyun Palace would struggle to rise. Although Leng Chaoyun was formidable, it seemed she would still struggle to break through to Grandmaster level, likely unable to avoid the barrier of age sixty—a difficult hurdle to clear early.
The key to overcoming this barrier was not profound cultivation but comprehension—understanding one's feelings about the world. Since Leng Chaoyun was inexperienced, no matter how much she tried to empathize, she couldn't truly grasp certain aspects of the mortal realm. Some things were impossible to understand without experiencing them personally.
Even though Leng Chaoyun comprehended the saber techniques rapidly, by the time the two moves were taught, the first light of dawn was breaking.
These two strikes looked simple—a casual swing contained dozens of intricate movements. Executing all the subtle variations in such a short span was far from easy.
Li Muzhan broke them down one by one, pointing out details with patient instruction. After learning them all, the way Leng Chaoyun looked at Li Muzhan began to change.
She asked faintly, “Li Wuji, where did you learn these moves?”
Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed, “I merely puzzled them out myself.”
“You created them yourself?” Leng Chaoyun frowned, asking in disbelief.
Li Muzhan nodded, “Yes.”
Leng Chaoyun stared at him blankly for a long moment, her gaze peculiar, as if looking at a monster.
Li Muzhan touched his face and smiled, “Do I have flowers growing on my face? It’s nothing; Palace Mistress, you just haven't had that inclination yet. Once you do, you could create moves like this too.”
“Impossible,” Leng Chaoyun shook her head.
She knew her own limitations. She was proud of her powerful insight, but seeing these moves, each one so inconceivable, she felt that even living another hundred years, she could never conceive of them.
This wasn't a matter of insight; it was a matter of conception—no amount of thinking would suffice.