Waking with the dawn, Li Muzhan stepped out of his small courtyard and approached the larger one next door, knocking lightly. Xiao He pulled the door open and, seeing it was him, smiled brightly, “Young Master, awake so early?”
“Where is Master?” Li Muzhan inquired.
“The Master is practicing his forms,” Xiao He pouted, moving aside to let him pass.
Li Muzhan entered the main courtyard. To the east was a flower garden, and to the west, a bamboo grove—sparse and rustling, possessing a distinct atmosphere. In the center stood a small pavilion, its eight corners resembling an eagle poised for flight.
Cao Ya, clad in a loose white robe, was practicing his punches before the pavilion. His movements were expansive and fluid, yet vigorous and well-honed.
However, Li Muzhan could tell that Cao Ya lacked foundational training. Though the movements looked good, they served no practical purpose; they were pure display, useful only for loosening the joints.
Seeing Li Muzhan enter, Cao Ya did not pause, continuing until he completed the final movement of his set. Only then did he turn his head to regard Li Muzhan. “Finished?”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Yes, Master. I have completed my morning routine.”
“Hmm, rising early at your age does no harm. Xiao He, is that girl Miao’er still sleeping in?” Cao Ya grunted.
Xiao He stuck out her tongue. “Miss stayed up very late reading last night, so…”
“Nonsense!” Cao Ya snorted. “If she keeps being so unruly, I’ll just order the lights out!”
“Master, how dare I? You know the young lady’s temper!” Xiao He shook her head.
Cao Ya said, “What is she doing cooped up all day long, a mere girl!… Call her down here, right now!”
Xiao He obediently agreed and scurried away.
Cao Ya, his face stern, entered the pavilion. Li Muzhan handed him a towel, which he took to wipe the sweat from his brow before sitting down. “I’m getting old. This old frame is nowhere near what it used to be!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Master, you exaggerate. Your punches are fierce and powerful; you look stronger than many young men. Perhaps it is just melancholy setting in?”
Cao Ya turned and glared at him. “You brat!”
Li Muzhan asked, “Is there truly no hope left, Master?”
Cao Ya shook his head. “It’s difficult, damnably hard to turn things around!… Unless that fellow suddenly collapses, there won’t be any good days for me!”
Li Muzhan nodded thoughtfully. Cao Ya snorted, “Don’t get any wicked ideas. He has more guards around him than I do; assassination is useless!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Rest assured, Master, I won’t be reckless.”
“Don’t rely on your exquisite archery to look down upon the heroes of the world,” Cao Ya cautioned, shaking his head. “Your archery is good, but you cannot harm him.”
“Why not?” Li Muzhan asked, curious.
Cao Ya replied, “He has an expert by his side, a top master.”
“Better than Hero Hu?” Li Muzhan inquired.
Cao Ya shook his head. “Brother Hu is far inferior to him. All this fighting is child’s play. If he truly wanted me dead, sending that person over would mean no one could stop him!”
Li Muzhan frowned. “Does that mean your adversary has shown restraint?”
Cao Cao shook his head. “He likely has a contingency plan. We’ll see in time.”
Cao Ya said, “Wuji, after today, you must focus on your studies, stop concerning yourself with these matters. Stay away from fighting and bloodshed.”
“Yes, Master,” Li Muzhan replied.
Cao Ya mused, “I think I want Miao’er to learn martial arts.”
Li Muzhan started, looking surprised. “Master?”
Cao Ya continued, “Miao’er is a girl. Reading more books will do her no good. It’s better she learns a skill, at least enough to protect herself.”
Li Muzhan frowned, looking at Cao Ya, sensing a bad omen.
Cao Ya stated, “I’ve already spoken to Feng’er; she is to take Miao’er to the Purple Robe Palace.”
Li Muzhan pondered. “Can Miao’er truly enter the Purple Robe Palace?”
“It’s highly likely,” Cao Ya nodded. “Miao’er is not like you. Though she has wisdom, alas, she is a woman…”
Li Muzhan countered, “Master, learning martial arts is no easy thing; it is too arduous.”
Cao Ya retorted, “How can one succeed without hardship!… You must suffer to study, too. There is nothing gained without effort in this world. After today, you must harden your heart; ignore everything else and focus only on your books!… The provincial examination is in a year; strive to pass it!”
Li Muzhan nodded. As they were speaking, Cao Miao approached gracefully. In her own courtyard, she wore no veil, revealing a delicate, exquisite face radiating an affecting charm.
“Father…” Cao Miao called out, then nodded to Li Muzhan. “Senior Brother Wuji.”
Li Muzhan smiled, but Cao Ya snorted, “Girl, you stayed up late again last night?”
Cao Miao replied, “Father, it was nothing, I just kept reading past my time.”
“Miao’er, the Palace Master Qin will be visiting in the next two days; you need to prepare properly,” Cao Ya instructed.
Cao Miao frowned. “Father, I disagree!”
“This matter is not up for discussion,” Cao Ya waved his hand dismissively.
Cao Miao pressed, “Father, if I leave, who will take care of you?!”
Cao Ya huffed, “I have hands and feet; I’m not so frail that I can’t move. I don’t need your care; just take care of yourself!”
Cao Miao frowned again. “Father, I don’t want to go to the Purple Robe Palace!”
“You must go, whether you want to or not!” Cao Ya said coldly. “I swallowed my pride to beg for this opportunity, and now you refuse to go?!”
Cao Ya shook his head. “I don’t want to train, and besides, it’s too late now; I won’t achieve much.”
“That’s still better than where you are now!” Cao Ya denied. “Miao’er, you don’t need to say another word. Listen to your father obediently!”
His expression was tight, and he stared directly at her.
Cao Miao nodded softly, reluctantly agreeing.
“Lord Cao.” A woman in purple suddenly appeared in the courtyard. She was dignified and elegant, chillingly aloof, her graceful figure standing there possessing a distinct allure. Her bright eyes were like clear water as she quietly watched Cao Ya. “It has been a long time.”
“Palace Master Qin!” Cao Ya cupped his hands and smiled. “Palace Master Qin’s visit, this old man failed to welcome you from afar!”
“Lord Cao, no need for formalities,” the woman in purple said lightly.
Li Muzhan sized her up. This woman looked to be in her early twenties, with finely arched brows, phoenix eyes, a straight nose, and cherry lips. (ShuShuWu) She radiated an icy aura, like a jade beauty without warmth, inspiring no thought of disrespect.
Cao Ya beckoned. “Miao’er, come here. This is Palace Master Qin!”
“Greetings, Palace Master,” Cao Miao performed a slight curtsy.
The woman in purple scrutinized Cao Miao slightly, then nodded faintly. “You are Cao Miao?… Acceptable. Lord Cao, I have agreed.”
“Thank you, Palace Master,” Cao Ya smiled and nodded.
The woman in purple then turned her gaze to Li Muzhan, frowned, and glanced at him sharply. In a sudden flash, Li Muzhan’s wrist was seized, and a cool sensation instantly invaded, tracing a quick circle around his Ren and Du Meridians before vanishing.
“Palace Master Qin, what is this…?” Cao Ya frowned.
The woman in purple released Li Muzhan’s wrist, flashed back two, returning to her spot, and nodded lightly. “I did not expect such luck!”
“Palace Master Qin, this is my disciple,” Cao Ya frowned. “I do not wish for him to be involved in the martial world; he is meant to study and become an official.”
The woman in purple shook her head. “Lord Cao, you are mistaken!… Everyone has their own aptitude. One with talent achieves twice the result with half the effort. Your disciple has excellent potential; if properly molded, it would not be difficult for him to become a top master.”
Cao Ya shook his head. “What use is strong martial skill? Not everything in the world can be solved with force. A person lives for a lifetime to accomplish something, to benefit the populace, only then is life lived without waste.”
The woman in purple shook her head. “That is Lord Cao’s perspective. Everyone has their own way of living; how can you demand others be like Lord Cao?”
“Palace Master Qin, he is my disciple!” Cao Ya said coldly.
The woman in purple sighed, shaking her head. “It seems Lord Cao has not yet awakened. In this situation, can your disciple truly study in peace? How can he accomplish anything without the power to protect himself?”
Cao Ya stated grimly, “That is not for Palace Master Qin to worry about.”
The woman in purple frowned, clapped her hands, and immediately another woman in yellow appeared in the courtyard, holding a gray-robed elder by the hand. She respectfully said, “Palace Master.”
The woman in purple pointed to the gray-robed elder. “Lord Cao, this is someone I subdued earlier; I presume he was looking for you.”
Cao Ya’s face darkened as he stared intently at the gray-robed elder.
Li Muzhan glanced at the elder; he was gaunt and withered, looking as if he were near death, his eyes closed as if in deep sleep. Cao Ya’s expression was grim.
Li Muzhan frowned in thought and whispered, “Master, is this person formidable?”
Cao Ya stared at the elder, his face grim as he nodded. “He is that top master.”
Li Muzhan knitted his brows. “Does that mean he has come for the final blow?”
Cao Ya nodded. “It seems he is determined to see me dead!”
Li Muzhan contemplated for a moment, then slowly said, “Master, it seems we need to find a place to hide; we cannot remain here any longer.”
“Alas…” Cao Ya seemed to have aged a decade instantly; his posture appeared shorter by a fraction.
Li Muzhan urged, “Master, let’s find somewhere safe first, and discuss the rest later.”
Cao Ya sighed, shaking his head in pain. “I was too naive; I never expected him to go this far!… Alas…”
Li Muzhan knew there must be hidden reasons; perhaps their rivalry was more than just political opposition, but this was hardly the time to ask. The situation had become critical.
He said slowly, “Master, do you have a place we can hide?”
Cao Ya shook his head. “At this point, why bother hiding?… Wuji, it seems my hopes were misplaced!”
“Master, a gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years,” Li Muzhan said, sensing his master was severely disheartened.
The woman in purple spoke calmly. “Lord Cao, please come to the Purple Robe Palace.”
“This…” Cao Ya frowned and pondered.
The woman in purple offered, “The Purple Robe Palace is an excellent place for seclusion. You can live out your remaining years in peace and freedom!”
“Alas…” Cao Ya looked up at the sky and sighed deeply. “I schemed my whole life, only to fall at the hands of a mere warrior—how utterly ridiculous!”
Li Muzhan said suddenly, “Master, then I shall learn martial arts!”
Cao Ya turned to look at him, falling silent.