Chapter 67 - A Long-Awaited Homecoming
Sun Tong looked at the horses tethered by the trees and let out a hearty chuckle. "The night breeze is fine indeed, but why is my young brother sleeping at his own doorstep instead of galloping back up the mountain?"
"My sister has fallen ill, so we are resting for a spell," Lu Kaifeng replied with a polite smile.
Only then did Sun Tong notice the figure lying unconscious on the ground. His expression shifted to one of concern. "Since the lady is unwell, I shall go and ask my employer for a favor. We can spare a carriage to take her the rest of the way to Mount Gumeng."
Before Lu Kaifeng could voice a refusal, Sun Tong had already hurried back to the caravan to speak with the leader. I tugged at my Eldest Senior Brother’s sleeve, my eyes questioning the wisdom of joining a group of strangers. He merely offered a faint, reassuring smile. "Do not worry. We can handle whatever comes."
I observed the caravan more closely, extending my senses to gauge their strength. The highest cultivation among them was merely the late stage of the Cloud-Swallowing Realm. Since Lu Kaifeng deemed it acceptable, I relaxed my guard.
Soon, a woman emerged from the line of wagons. She wore practical martial attire and appeared to be in her early thirties. She was of medium height, with a lean, powerful build and a face that radiated a sharp, heroic spirit. She approached us with the confident stride of a seasoned traveler and offered Lu Kaifeng a traditional cupped-hand salute.
"I have long heard of the great reputation of Master Lu of Mount Gumeng," she said with a bright laugh. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Nie Xueqing. Please, I invite you and your sisters to join our carriage."
"So, it is the Great Matriarch Nie herself," Lu Kaifeng returned the salute. "Your fame precedes you. We shall trouble you for the journey, then."
I was inwardly stunned by his words. This was Nie Xueqing, the head of the Nie family and the foremost merchant in the entire Myriad Demon Stronghold! Having spent time in Pingjing, I had seen high officials and the unimaginably wealthy, and while Nie Xueqing’s fortune might not rival the global empire of Ling Chunan, she was a living legend in these parts. To a local like me, meeting her felt like coming face-to-face with an idol.
Rumor had it that she was born into a minor branch of the Nie family and lost her father before she was ten. Her widowed mother had been bullied by the clan, but Nie Xueqing had carved a path through her enemies with her own blade, seizing the position of family head. In the decade since, she had dominated the market, suppressing rival houses to secure her place as the top merchant of the Stronghold.
As she led the way back to the wagons, chatting amiably with Lu Kaifeng, her hearty laughter drifted back to me on the night wind. I stroked my chin, reflecting that this legendary "iron woman" was nothing like the savage virago described in men's tall tales. The high praise she received from women seemed far more accurate.
Nie Xueqing was as perceptive as she was bold. After speaking with my brother for a while, she turned her attention to me. Sensing her straightforward nature, I responded with equal candor. She laughed loudly, patting my shoulder.
"You are such a dainty and lovely little sister, yet you possess the heart of a true hero! Splendid! I like your spirit!"
Lu Kaifeng settled our still-sleeping Second Senior Sister into the carriage. When he asked if I wanted to rest inside as well, I shook my head, preferring to follow behind on my horse. The brief spark of mirth faded as I trailed in the middle of the caravan. I watched Nie Xueqing banter with Sun Tong and her men; they used the rough, sometimes vulgar slang of the underworld, but the genuine bond between them was unmistakable. They were comrades who had faced life and death together, regardless of rank. My respect for her deepened.
Nie Xueqing’s route took her south toward the main branch of her shop in Zero Spring Village, so she only had to make a slight detour to drop us at the mountain gate.
The night was deep and silent as I stepped back into the home I hadn't seen in months. A wave of complex emotions washed over me. When I left, I had been so naive and reckless—bold enough to spy on a high emissary’s secret interrogations. Returning now, I felt as though I had aged a lifetime. Such impulsive acts were behind me. We knew our Master’s temperament; she would have retired early, and waking her would be a grave mistake. Lu Kaifeng carried Lu Lingfeng in his arms and whispered softly to me, "Go and sleep. We will speak of everything tomorrow."
The courtyard for the male disciples lay to the west, while I shared a courtyard to the east with my Fifth Sister. As I turned to leave, a figure carrying a lantern approached from the shadows.
"Eldest Brother, Sixth Junior Sister. Welcome home," the man greeted us with a calm, measured tone.
"Fourth Brother!" I smiled. "It’s been so long. Why are you still awake at this hour?"
Qiao Songlin was dressed in a black silk robe, buttoned meticulously to the chin despite the summer heat. Even in the middle of the night, his hair was perfectly arranged without a single strand out of place—his signature style. Though he appeared stiff and cold, he was actually quite gentle.
"I estimated you would arrive today," he explained. "I wanted to double-check that everything was prepared before I went to bed."
"Oh? Is that so?" I teased, nudging him with my elbow. "Or were you perhaps looking for Fifth Sister and got turned away at her door?"
He was an easy target for teasing, but I didn't expect his handsome face to flush so instantly. He remained silent, taking the unconscious Lu Lingfeng from Lu Kaifeng’s arms and heading toward her quarters with his head bowed. Unlike the rest of us, she had a private courtyard at the foot of the Master’s Pavilion of Falling Dreams—a proximity that had once allowed her to accidentally kill the Master’s prized parrot.
Lu Kaifeng watched him go and shook his head with a smile. "A-Zhi, it seems your idle guess hit the mark."
"What!" I gasped. "I was just joking! Fifth Sister loves him so much; how could she bear to be cruel?"
"I don't know what they are quarreling about," Lu Kaifeng said with the weary expression of a father watching his children fail to get along. "Ever since Qiao Songlin was spooked by Yixin’s marriage proposal, he’s been avoiding her. But Yixin returned from a minor mission a month ago, and within seven days, she seems to have found a new interest..."
This was juicy gossip. "Who is it? Fourth Brother should definitely chase them away! No wonder he’s upset!"
"A-Zhi," Lu Kaifeng chided gently. "If we keep talking, you’ll never get to sleep. Go and rest."
I let out a disappointed sigh and wandered back to the courtyard I shared with Zhu Yixin. Though she usually stayed up late reading novels or sneaking out to cause trouble, her room was dark. It was nearly the fourth watch—late even for a cultivation fanatic like Qiao Songlin.
Entering my room, I found that my thoughtful Fourth Brother had indeed prepared everything. Aunt Dong, the mountain’s housekeeper, had cleaned the room until it smelled of fresh blossoms. Warm tea sat on the table, incense burned steadily, and fresh clothes were folded neatly by the bed. Behind the screen, a hot bath awaited. This was Qiao Songlin’s silent way of showing his affection for me after my first trip away from home.
Before sitting down, I carefully removed my purple bird from its spirit beast bag. It had been a cramped journey for the poor creature. I replenished its food and water, checking its health before hanging the cage near my bed. As the first light of dawn began to touch the eastern sky, I lay in bed, watching the bird preen its feathers. My thoughts drifted to Wei Qingming, and I finally fell asleep with tears still clinging to my lashes.
My sleep was fitful. I woke as the sun climbed high, though the mountain remained quiet. Most people, especially my Master and my night-owl roommate, wouldn't be up until much later.
I washed up distractedly. Without a maid to assist me, I tried to recreate the hairstyle Wei Qingming had once fashioned for me, but after half an hour of frustration, I gave up and stared blankly into the mirror.
Aunt Dong walked in then, her eyes widening in surprise. "Our little kitten is back!" she cried joyfully, rushing over to cup my face and inspect me for any signs of weight loss.
"Aunt Dong!" I chirped, throwing myself into her arms. "I missed you so much! You must make me something delicious today!"
"Of course! Whatever you want," she promised, her hands moving to my messy braids. She laughed. "My little darling, why were you trying to style your hair like this? Did the capital change your tastes?"
I blushed and tried to describe the look I wanted. She nodded knowingly. "I see, I see. Sit still." With a few expert twists and turns, she had my hair perfectly arranged. She added a few simple, elegant ornaments to finish the look. I praised her skill, but she just pinched my cheek.
"Don't thank me. It’s these hairpins you brought back from Rongbaozhai; they are exquisite enough to match our A-Zhi’s beauty."
"Aunt Dong, you really do know everything! It’s uncanny!" I marveled. She had been with the Master since before Lu Kaifeng joined the sect. Though she had later fallen in love with a neighboring village chief and had a son, she remained here as a devoted servant. We suspected she had been the Master’s maid before they entered the path of cultivation, which explained her vast knowledge.
We walked hand-in-hand to the dining hall. While Lu Kaifeng and the Master handled external affairs, Aunt Dong ruled the internal household. Her rule was absolute: all disciples had to eat in her domain unless they were too ill to move. She had already eaten, so she watched me with a motherly smile as I finished my porridge. By the time I was done, it was past the hour of Mao, and I made my way to the Pavilion of Falling Dreams.
My Master was exactly as I remembered. If there were no guests, she didn't leave her room; if she didn't leave her room, she didn't change her clothes. She was currently lounging in a loose, wrinkled sleeping robe. Seeing me enter, she lazily beckoned me over.
I bit my lip, staring at her for a long moment before my composure broke. I lunged into her arms, wailing, "Master, did you even miss me?"
"I did, I did. I can't sleep a wink if I don't get to pet my favorite kitten for a day," she teased, her hands ruffling my hair and threatening to ruin Aunt Dong’s hard work. I shrieked and jumped back, and we engaged in a brief, chaotic scuffle.
Panting, I grabbed her sleeve to wipe my tears, but they only flowed faster. Eventually, I buried my face in her chest and let out a proper, soul-shaking sob. For once, she was patient, letting me cry for the time it took to drink a half-cup of tea. When she realized I wasn't stopping, her protective instincts flared. She rolled up her sleeves, her voice turning sharp.
"Which blind fool dared to bully my A-Zhi and make her cry like this? I’ll skin them alive! Tell me, disciple!"
The name was on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. I could only look up at her with mournful eyes.
"You won't say?" Master sneered. "Fine, I’ll see for myself." She reached out toward the crown of my head.
I covered my head in a panic, a common threat from the novels I read jumping out of my mouth: "If you dare look, I’ll die right in front of you!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Master’s playful, rogue-like side returned as she flicked my chin. "This serious, eh? Someone must have stolen your virtue! Small matter, small matter. If you like the fellow, I’ll kidnap him so you can sleep with him a few more times before I kill him. If you don't like him, I’ll just..."
Flushed with shame and anger, I clapped my hand over her mouth. She blinked, gesturing that she would behave. I pulled my hand away and glared. "You may use Dream Induction, but you are not allowed to look at everything!"
"Fine, fine!" She rubbed her hands together in anticipation, eager to discover which heart-thief had plucked her gardenia. I was no match for her power, and soon, I drifted into a deep, enchanted sleep.
