“How could it be that uncanny!” Zhu Chuyun laughed, waving her hand dismissively. “I refuse to believe he could recognize Junior Brother Yin before any actual engagement! You know how tightly Junior Brother Yin wraps himself up to avoid being recognized!”
Cheng Lian shook her head. “With my brother-in-law’s supreme intelligence, he’d see through it instantly... Oh well, discussing this is pointless!”
Zhu Chuyun nodded repeatedly. “Exactly, it’s pointless! We need to focus on how to deal with the inevitable counterattack!”
Cheng Lian smiled and shook her head.
“Senior Sister, why are you smiling?” Zhu Chuyun quickly asked.
Cheng Lian chuckled. “You, you really are favoring my brother-in-law now; your elbow is starting to bend outward!”
“Senior Sister, stop talking nonsense!” Zhu Chuyun waved her hands frantically, her face flushing red. “What do you mean I’m favoring him, that my elbow is bending outward!”
She then quickly composed herself, pouting slightly. “Brother-in-law is the one who saved my life; it’s only natural I treat him well. Don't you go thinking crazy things!”
Cheng Lian pursed her lips and smiled. “What nonsense am I thinking?”
Zhu Chuyun immediately grew angry, snapping, “Watch out for my move!”
Saying this, she swiftly reached out to tickle Cheng Lian. Cheng Lian hurried to dodge, and after a brief bout of playful tussling, they remembered to go to the main hall to check on Li Muzhan and their Master.
The two crept cautiously toward the hall, slowly edging their way inside.
————
Gao Jingxuan sat in the chair at the far north end, quietly observing Li Muzhan without speaking. Li Muzhan remained silent as well. The hall was very quiet, disturbed only by the soft crackling sound of the tallow candles burning, which periodically brightened the room.
The festive atmosphere from outside seemed not quite to have dissipated. A faint aroma of wine still lingered in the hall. The wedding feast had been held outside; the room couldn't accommodate everyone, so the interior was clean, yet the scent of wine remained, as these were all decades-old, fine vintages.
After a long while, Gao Jingxuan suddenly spoke, “Dao’er, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
Li Muzhan looked up and smiled faintly. “Master, was I that easy to see through?”
Gao Jingxuan considered this, then shook her head. “If I didn’t understand you as well as I do, it wouldn’t have been so easy to see through. After all, under those circumstances, delivering a heavy blow would have been entirely justifiable!”
Li Muzhan let out a breath and forced a wry smile. “That was the best method I could devise. This Brother Yin hates me to the core; he had to be dealt with, but I couldn’t kill him. What I did was the absolute limit, wasn't it, Master?”
“You handled it well!” Gao Jingxuan nodded. “In any case, you didn't kill anyone. As long as you didn't take a life, you bear no true fault. The mistake is entirely his!”
Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head. “Master, I was worried about Sect Leader Tang’s side...”
“You don’t need to worry about that!” Gao Jingxuan waved her hand. “Senior Brother Tang is a man who clearly distinguishes between kindness and grievance; he has an open heart and won't seek petty revenge! Furthermore, Zhao Jiang was in the wrong. Letting him keep his life was the utmost act of benevolence. He understands that logic!”
Li Muzhan hesitated for a moment, then slowly asked, “So Sect Leader Tang won’t deliberately make things difficult for us?”
“He will certainly make things difficult!” Gao Jingxuan nodded slowly, a slight smile on her lips. “If he didn’t, wouldn’t that seem inhumanly indifferent!”
Li Muzhan nodded. “Yes...”
As a Master, even though the disciple made the initial mistake, seeing the disciple reduced to this state without a hint of anger in her heart—such a Master was quite chilling to witness.
————
“Don’t worry, Senior Brother Tang will know how to maintain the boundary; he won’t go too far,” Gao Jingxuan assured him.
Li Muzhan nodded slowly, observing Gao Jingxuan. Being a Sect Leader was indeed extraordinary; her grasp of human nature was superb, exquisitely subtle.
Gao Jingxuan paused in thought, then slowly said, “Dao’er, from now on, you are one of us in the Hidden Sect. You don’t need to be so constrained in your actions; do as you wish!”
Li Muzhan froze. “Master...?”
Gao Jingxuan smiled faintly. “Don’t feel tied down or hesitant because of our sect. Although the Hidden Sect isn't strong and seems incapable of self-defense, we control the eyes and ears of the entire cultivation world. They wouldn't dare do anything drastic!”
Li Muzhan sighed in relief and slowly nodded. “Yes, thank you, Master!”
“Will you live here after you marry?” Gao Jingxuan asked gently.
Li Muzhan replied, “Yes, Xiaoru likes it here. I’m accustomed to having the world as my home; I wander out occasionally, and when I’m tired, I come back!”
“Good, this is your home,” Gao Jingxuan said with a smile. “How did you train your swordplay?”
Li Muzhan laughed. “My sword style isn't something that can be taught! My sword relies entirely on intuition; it never strikes conventionally, which is why it’s so hard to defend against.”
“Intuition?” Gao Jingxuan pondered. “You can’t clearly see the opponent’s moves?”
Li Muzhan shook his head. “Although I can see them, attacking the flaw requires the help of intuition. My own eyesight isn't fast enough to react.”
Gao Jingxuan nodded. “Indeed!”
She understood this deeply. When an opponent’s swordplay is too fast, the time taken to perceive it, then react, and then strike the opening is too long; it is almost impossible to achieve.
Li Muzhan continued, “It’s because I read too much when I was younger; my spirit became different, and then I trained my intuition. Later, while practicing the sword, I accidentally discovered this marvelous effect. My sword style isn't subtle, but it often overcomes my opponents.”
“Alas...” Gao Jingxuan shook her head. “True talent is heaven-sent; it cannot be artificially cultivated.”
Li Muzhan smiled. “While I cannot pass on the Dao of my sword training, I can spar with everyone here, serving as a whetstone!”
Gao Jingxuan showed a faint smile. “Our Hidden Sect has been weak for a long time. With your arrival, there might be a chance for resurgence!”
Li Muzhan assured her, “Don’t worry, Master, I won’t stand idly by!”
————
When the two women entered, they only heard the latter half of the conversation; they missed the beginning. Gao Jingxuan had no desire to revisit the initial topic. Seeing the two tiptoeing in, she snorted. “What are you two doing here!”
Cheng Lian asked, “Master, did brother-in-law cause trouble?”
“Hmph, he only crippled a petty thief’s martial arts; what trouble is that!” Gao Jingxuan said gruffly. “You two are too faint-hearted!”
“Master, will Martial Uncle Tang take this opportunity to make an issue of it?” Zhu Chuyun asked.
Gao Jingxuan snorted. “As long as you don’t do anything wrong and don’t give him the chance, he won’t!”
Hearing this, the two could only nod helplessly.
Zhu Chuyun gave a small laugh. “Brother-in-law, why don’t you hurry back? Junior Sister might already be waiting impatiently!”
Li Muzhan forced a wry smile. “She might be worrying too! ... Master, I should go back now!”
“Mhm, go. Explain things clearly to Xiaoru; there’s nothing to worry about,” Gao Jingxuan nodded, waving her hand. “You two should go back too; get some rest early, you still have cleaning up to do tomorrow!”
There were over thirty tables still set up outside, and cleaning them would require their help, or the leftover food would become a nuisance.
Li Muzhan returned to the small cottage. Yi Xiaoru had already dressed. Seeing him return, she whispered, “Big Brother really crippled Yin Zhaojiang’s martial arts?”
Li Muzhan nodded and smiled. “Yes.”
Yi Xiaoru shook her head helplessly. “Big Brother, you truly are daring! ... He is a disciple of the Origin Sect; Martial Uncle Tang won’t let this go easily!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Let them come then; it’s no great matter!”
Yi Xiaoru frowned. “Perhaps we should go away and avoid this for a while!”
Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled. “Master just said that although Martial Uncle Tang will look for trouble, he won’t overdo it. There’s nothing to fear!”
Yi Xiaoru furrowed her brows in thought. “I’m just afraid they will target Big Brother.”
Li Muzhan chuckled lightly. “That would be wonderful; I’ve been wanting to see the caliber of the disciples from the Ten Thousand Saints Sect! ... Alright, Xiaoru, don't worry. I will handle it!”
“Sigh... Fine then,” Yi Xiaoru said helplessly, glancing at the shattered window.
Li Muzhan smiled. “Let’s go to your room.”
The two returned to Yi Xiaoru’s room, which was situated right next to Zhu Chuyun’s and Cheng Lian’s. The desire that had been extinguished in Li Muzhan reignited as he embraced Yi Xiaoru, and they tangled together in a fierce fervor. The result was that the other two women suffered, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
The next morning, Li Muzhan woke up refreshed and invigorated. Yi Xiaoru, however, couldn't get up and chose to remain sprawled on the couch.
Li Muzhan changed into his practice attire and ambled towards the training grounds, where he was met with glares from the two women.
The two women were also in their practice clothes, but their spirits seemed low. They practiced sluggishly, as if being lazy. Gao Jingxuan, however, didn't scold them.
————
Li Muzhan smiled. “Senior Sister Cheng, Senior Sister Zhu, shall we practice some swordplay?”
“You want to practice with us?” The two women sized him up. Cheng Lian remarked, “Brother-in-law, your swordplay is supreme; we are no match for you.”
Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “I will be your opponent, helping to correct the weaknesses in your sword styles.”
“That’s a great idea!” Zhu Chuyun immediately agreed.
Cheng Lian nodded lightly, looking at Li Muzhan. “Won’t this waste too much of your valuable time, Brother-in-law?”
Li Muzhan laughed. “We are family now, Senior Sister Cheng, why are you still being so formal! ... Master, say something!”
Gao Jingxuan stated, “Xiaolian, he is willing to help; this opportunity is rare. You must seize it. He won’t be this idle forever!”
Cheng Lian smiled. “Then we welcome it! ... Very well, Brother-in-law, watch my sword!”
Saying this, her sword flashed, stabbing towards Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan floated aside with a gentle ease, his scabbard lightly tapping her right elbow. Instantly, there was a sharp ding, and her long sword clattered to the ground.
“Brother-in-law has such formidable swordplay!” Cheng Lian rubbed her right arm while slowly picking up her sword.
The light tap from Li Muzhan had instantly numbed her entire right arm, causing her to lose all feeling and control over the weapon, forcing her to drop it.
Zhu Chuyun scoffed. “Senior Sister, you are too weak! Watch me!”
She then thrust her sword forward, in a move resembling a sneak attack from behind Li Muzhan.
It was as if Li Muzhan had eyes in the back of his head. He stepped diagonally backward, and his scabbard tapped again—ding... Zhu Chuyun’s sword also fell.
Li Muzhan’s tap struck her shoulder point, instantly causing half her body to go numb, nearly making her collapse.
Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “Senior Sister Cheng, Senior Sister Zhu, why don’t you attack together!”
“Fine, together!” The two women exchanged a look and nodded firmly. Then, their sword lights flashed fiercely, enveloping Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan didn't rush to strike. Instead, he executed his movement techniques, easily weaving through the sword light as if strolling through a garden.
After a hundred exchanges, Li Muzhan shook his head. “Senior Sisters, be careful now!”
As he spoke, his scabbard gave a light tap that pierced through the dense sword light, hitting Zhu Chuyun’s wrist, so fast she didn't even have time to change her move. The strike was like a venomous snake darting from its hole—sudden, strange, and incredibly fast. Zhu Chuyun felt a sharp pain in her wrist, followed by waves of numbness spreading through her, causing her long sword to fly toward Gao Jingxuan.
Gao Jingxuan reached out, caught the long sword, executed a flourish, but didn't return it to Zhu Chuyun. She shook her head. “You two are too incompetent; you can’t even withstand a single move?!”
Zhu Chuyun rubbed her wrist, pouting. “Master, his swordplay isn't swordplay at all! ... Forget it, those who haven't suffered under him will never know the taste of it!”
Gao Jingxuan smiled faintly. “Then let me—I will take her place!”
————
Li Muzhan quickly interjected, “Master, perhaps we should skip this!”
“What, are you afraid I’ll lose too?” Gao Jingxuan shook her head. “My swordplay is indeed inferior to yours; don’t be polite, proceed as usual!”
Li Muzhan hardened his resolve and reluctantly replied, “Yes!”
Li Muzhan’s ability to discern the flaws in every sword move was indeed half intuition and half martial knowledge; only when the two complemented each other did it manifest such power.
Gao Jingxuan made a gentle thrust. This move had almost no discernible flaw; it was unhurried, the form simple, yet it left room for self-preservation. This strike was perfectly composed.
However, Li Muzhan struck the body of Gao Jingxuan’s sword with his scabbard. The long sword was instantly deflected, and the scabbard slid forward, aiming for her heart. Yet, the scabbard only tapped her chest before quickly retracting, without actually making contact.
“Excellent swordplay!” Gao Jingxuan praised, then immediately thrust again.
Li Muzhan struck her chest again, still stopping just short of contact. Gao Jingxuan pretended not to notice and thrust once more.
Her strikes became sharper with each attempt, her skill more refined, yet Li Muzhan managed to tap her chest over ten times with the same simple deflection move.
Zhu Chuyun retreated, but Cheng Lian had been searching for an opening. Watching Li Muzhan and her Master spar with such spirit, she silently accumulated her energy, ready for a killing blow.
Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “Master, is that enough?”
Gao Jingxuan snorted. “One more!”
“Got it!” Cheng Lian’s voice suddenly rang out. She had finally seized a moment when Li Muzhan seemed to relax, pouring all her internal power into that single strike.
Ding... Li Muzhan suddenly tapped out. His scabbard struck the body of her sword, deflecting it widely. Li Muzhan immediately followed up with a strike toward Cheng Lian’s wrist.
Her long sword flew away as Li Muzhan turned and smiled. “Senior Sister Cheng, sometimes a flaw is a trap—it’s shown intentionally to lure you in!”
“How does one guard against that?!” Cheng Lian rubbed her wrist helplessly as Zhu Chuyun quickly picked up her long sword and handed it over.
Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then shook his head. “You can only spar more, accumulate experience, and rely on feeling!”
“Is that so...” Cheng Lian mused, then sighed. “That’s hard to achieve.”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Sparring with me more should be beneficial!”
“Alright then, let’s continue!” Zhu Chuyun said quickly.
She felt that sparring with him just now had greatly benefited her, equivalent to long hours of diligent practice, like a sudden enlightenment.
Li Muzhan laughed. “Wonderful, let’s continue!”
“He Zudao, get out here!” Suddenly, a roar like thunder burst forth, shaking the air incessantly.
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. “They finally arrived!”
“Who might Your Excellency be?” Li Muzhan spoke, his voice measured and calm, spreading evenly across the sky like surging waves.
“My surname is Yin!” A cold snort echoed, and then everyone saw a tall, thin old man floating gracefully toward them.
Gao Jingxuan frowned. “Martial Uncle Yin!”