I didn’t pick a direction, simply wandering where my whims took me. Unexpectedly, after a few turns, I found myself back at the city gates. The area had been cordoned off; guards stood every ten paces, spears in hand. This was no obstacle for me, however. For a practitioner of illusion arts, a simple invisibility spell was an entry-level trick. I strolled boldly through the central gate—the passage reserved for royalty and high nobility. Most of the elite preferred to keep a low profile by using the side gates, so unless a foreign envoy was visiting or a grand occasion like today was underway, these doors rarely opened.
After being cooped up in the carriage all day, I relished the freedom, sprinting and leaping across the roofs of the generals’ carriages. Most carriages were protected by anti-peeping wards, but with my level of mastery in illusions, I could still catch glimpses of the interiors. However, most of the military men looked so fierce and terrifying that I lost interest after four or five carriages and continued toward the rear of the procession.
The middle section of the convoy consisted of a vast array of prisoner carts, carrying captives to be presented to the Emperor. Naturally, the wards on these carts were several grades higher. But since illusion arts and anti-peeping arrays operate on different mechanisms, they weren't difficult to bypass. I moved from cart to cart with great interest until I suddenly discovered one that possessed not only an array but also an illusion mechanism. Realizing this must be an important figure, I hopped over, eager to investigate.
Master always said that practitioners of illusion arts have been rare since ancient times, and currently, the only orthodox lineage remaining is our Mount Gumeng. To encounter another illusionist out in the world was a shock. I even wondered if it might be my Eldest or Fourth Senior Brother inside! I approached stealthily, not daring to trigger the mechanism just yet. My hearing was far superior to a human's, so I pressed myself against the side of the cart to listen.
A raspy, hoarse voice growled, "...You dare mess with me? You brat, you clearly don't know how to spell the word 'death'!"
A refined, indifferent voice replied, "Whether you speak or not is ultimately irrelevant. I have my own ways of knowing. You are simply choosing to suffer more for nothing."
"Hahaha! Do you think I fear a little flesh wound? I was just starting to feel an itch!"
The other person let out a faint, mocking huff that felt inexplicably chilling. The raspy voice continued its tirade, only to be cut off abruptly. I poked my head up, curious to see what kind of torture methods the people of the capital employed. I saw a pale, slender hand suddenly clamp down on a blood-stained head. The burly man’s eyes nearly bulged out of his sockets; he was clearly in agonizing pain, yet he couldn't make a sound.
The interrogator was tall and appeared fragile, yet they calmly cast a Water Cleansing Incantation to wash their hands while examining the memories they had extracted. This was the illusionist—and they were using the cruel, forbidden Soul-Searching Art!
I was so engrossed in the scene that I accidentally let out a sneeze. The person stiffened at the sound but then smiled with nonchalance. A precise blade of light shot toward my hiding spot. If that hit me, I’d be finished! I instantly retreated into one of my distant phantoms and lazily recalled all my illusions. But the person, robes fluttering, was already in pursuit.
Back on the mountain, I could only spar with my three younger siblings. I had been itching for a real fight, and it was rare to face another illusionist. In terms of pure illusion mastery, I knew I wouldn't lose. Without the wards in the way, I could now see the person clearly: a tall, thin "pretty boy" with an air of effortless grace. I wondered which noble family he belonged to.
Because his illusion cultivation was lower than mine, he couldn't see through my disguise. Without hesitation, he raised a hand and unleashed a standard Wind Blade Incantation of the immortal sects. If not for the protective illusions Master had engraved upon me, ten of me stacked together would have been skewered through the heart. Fortunately, under the influence of my illusions, the man lost his aim. The wind blade whistled past my shoulder, bringing a wave of scorching heat before crashing into the forest behind me. The sound of splintering trees echoed through the air.
Feeling the sheer weight of his power, I realized I couldn't shake him—unless I used the trump cards Master had given me. The primal fear of a spirit beast made my heart thud, but I kept a cheeky grin on my face. "A disciple of the righteous Wujing Sect using forbidden arts? Aren't you afraid I'll tell your masters?"
The man gathered spiritual power at his fingertips, his tone leisurely. "This must be your first time away from home, girl. Such heavy curiosity will bring you ruin sooner or later." Before he finished speaking, a Blazing Fire Incantation roared toward me.
I scrambled to the side, barely avoiding it, but my left sleeve was scorched and half-severed. Before I could find my footing, a second flame dropped right where I was about to land. I clumsily summoned Master’s Chiyou Shield to block it. I escaped injury, but the sheer force of the impact sent me tumbling to the ground. This fellow was terrifying; within three moves, he had gauged the deviation caused by my illusions and accurately forced me into his calculated kill zone!
As I cried out in pain, the man leaped into the air, reaching out to seize me. Luckily, I was prepared. I had laid down an illusion trap as soon as I reached this spot. With a quick hand seal, the array activated, and I vanished from his sight.
Still shaken, I sensed that Shui Da-niang’s carriage was moving. I couldn't afford to linger. Now that the trapping array was active, I prepared to vanish. The man frowned slightly, then, without blinking, fired a Light Incantation directly at the array's core.
Our illusion cultivation differed by only a small margin; normally, it would have been a matter of time before he broke the array. I hadn't expected him to calculate the weakness so quickly. In a panic, I pulled out a Spirit Crystal gifted by Master and channeled a surge of spiritual energy to stabilize the core. I accidentally used too much; the surge clashed violently with his breaking spell. The backlash of the two forces struck him squarely.
This was bad. While illusions are intangible and usually don't hurt, a force of this magnitude—far exceeding our realms—could leave someone a vegetable or paralyzed. He was quite handsome; it would be a shame if he turned into an idiot. Feeling a pang of guilt, I almost covered my eyes, but then a flash of light erupted from his body. A corner of his illusion shattered, revealing the shimmering, intricate patterns of an underlying spell. Those patterns flickered for a moment before the illusion automatically repaired itself.
The patterns were incredibly sophisticated, far beyond what a small fry like me could fully grasp. However, the basic structure was easy to understand—it was an entry-level illusion glyph used for changing one's gender.
I immediately covered my eyes, pretending I had seen nothing, and bolted. But the Wujing Sect disciple—if she really was one—was faster. In a few strides, she circled around me, grabbed me by the throat, and hoisted me up.
She seemed truly incensed. The murderous intent flickering in her previously cold, indifferent eyes was unmistakable. Out of spite, she not only gripped me with immense strength but also poured a continuous stream of illusion power into me, trying to strip away my true appearance. I had found the gaudy pinks and greens of my current outfit too childish, so I had changed my illusion to the colors a mature adult would wear. If she saw that, it would be embarrassing... Her face, so close to mine, had delicate skin; she truly looked like a pampered noble. Her eyes narrowed with ferocity, reflecting the glow of her magic...
Helpless, I prepared to draw from the Spirit Crystal again to turn her into an idiot. But then, she seemed to notice something about me. She suddenly laughed, tossed me onto the ground like a toy, and regained her leisurely composure, though a hint of danger remained in her gaze. She rotated her wrist, gave me one last look, and flew back toward the procession without a word.
I checked my own illusion glyphs. They were written by Master; with her cultivation, she couldn't possibly have broken them. Everything was intact. I had no idea what she was laughing at. Regardless, I had escaped. I patted my chest, muttering, "City people are so rude," and hurried back.
Inside the carriage, Muyu was desperately shaking my fake body. My double was fast asleep, even letting out a comfortable purr... It was a bit too shameful. I "woke up" with a sneeze. Shui Da-niang had reached the end of her patience. "Miss Qi, please step out of the carriage!"
"Are we home?" I lazily rubbed my lower back and climbed out. The three Luan horses, whom I had teased half the night, still held a grudge; they stamped their hooves as if wanting to kick me.
Shui Da-niang looked grim, but it was Muyu who kindly reminded me, looking at me as if I were a fool, "Didn't I tell you, Miss? We aren't going back to the manor yet. We're going to the Imperial Street to welcome the Third Master and the Fifth Young Master..."
In other words, all these men and women standing before me were members of the Wen household?
At the very front of the group were indeed two dignified couples—the men in official robes and the women in formal attire. The younger generation was dressed exquisitely; though curious, they maintained their poise, whispering to one another behind their sleeves. I had seen enough of the world today, so I lowered my head and acted the part of a shy, graceful lady. Muyu nudged me forward, tucking me into the line of younger cousins.
"Eighteenth Sister?" a girl to my left called out in surprise. I searched my memory and mimicked Wen Qi’s soft, thin voice. "Sister Xiang, have you been well?"
Wen Xiang said happily, "It's been so many years! A-Qi, you've grown taller!" The boy to her left chimed in, "Look at how refined Eighteenth Sister is. Not like you, always looking for a fight." Wen Xiang immediately rapped him on the head and hissed, "Did you forget your beating from yesterday?"
The boy was Wen Siyuan, the eleventh child. He made a face and giggled. I knew he was just trying to get the elders to scold Wen Xiang, so I quickly tugged on her sleeve. Wen Xiang didn't fall for it; she grabbed my hand and mouthed to him, "Just you wait!"
A youth further to the left, who looked like an older brother, smiled. "Stop fooling around. Third Uncle and the others are almost here." The crowd fell silent. The military music from the heralds grew louder. Two brawny, shirtless men stood atop a chariot at the front, beating drums as tall as a person. When the old general riding a Black Pegasus with green wings passed by, the crowds on both sides of the street erupted in cheers. The general had a short, grey beard and a sturdy build; he seemed very approachable, smiling and waving to the crowds.
"It's Third Uncle!" "Fifth Brother!" "Fifth Brother looks so majestic in his armor!" The children of the house chirped excitedly, jumping up to wave. Wen Qi was relatively tall, but she was still blocked by the jumping children, so I couldn't see what this Fifth Young Master looked like. Finally, they reached the front of the Wen family group. I followed the elders in offering a formal greeting and finally got a clear look.
Third Uncle Wen was in his fifties or sixties—just entering middle age for a cultivator. Fifth Brother Wen was in his twenties, handsome and cheerful. He actually reached into his robes and pulled out a nest of snow-white Silver Mountain Sparrows, a species found only on the northern borders. The birds chirped and fluttered toward the children, drawing bursts of laughter. When the kids tried to catch them, the birds flew back to his chest. Though the elders scolded him for "fooling around," their expressions were full of pride.
I was clapping and enjoying the show when I suddenly noticed a figure beside Fifth Brother who looked incredibly familiar. That person was also staring at me with a half-smile. A small white bird perched on their hand; they teased it with a finger, looking gentle, yet radiating an inexplicable sense of dread...
I was so terrified I started to stammer. "T-t-this... she... she..."
Wen Xiang took my arm, her expression complicated. "You still remember him, don't you?"
"What?" I cried. "What is she doing here!" I regretted it as soon as I said it. I should have realized—she was part of the procession all along...
Wen Xiang looked thoughtful. "Cousin Qingming? The Wujing Sect isn't far from Qingzhou; he must have returned with the army."
I wailed inwardly, clutching my head. I desperately searched through Wen Qi’s memories, but for some reason, even though they were cousins, there wasn't a single shred of information about this particular relative... According to Wen Xiang, they hadn't just met; it was more likely they had a deep history... A history so deep that the employer had intentionally hidden it from the memory extraction!
"Muyu!" I turned and called out. "I think I have a cold! Can I skip the banquet?" Whether it was from fear or reality, I immediately let out a loud sneeze.
***
**Glossary**
