"We’re here," the old woman announced.
Chu Ruo’s eyes widened. "This is it?" She had to be joking. Before them stretched a vast, desolate swampland, its surface gurgling with constant bubbles that surely signaled the presence of toxic miasma. It looked like a bog that had festered for centuries. "I can’t even see the other side!"
Nan Muxue cast a suspicious glance at the old woman. "Are you certain this is the place?"
"What reason would I have to lie to you?" the woman replied with a rustic shrug. "I told you before, Miaojiang is no easy place to reach. This is merely the first trial. Whether you make it through the rest depends on your own luck."
Nan Muxue drew her sword in a flash of silver. "You will lead us across personally."
The old woman let out a dry chuckle. "I haven’t the skill for that. I’ve never stepped foot in Miaojiang myself. My husband was the one who always came out to find me. According to the laws of the Miao people, even though he braved the Seven Great Trials to be with me, he was forbidden from breathing a single word about what lies within. He was a man of his word; in all those years, he never told me a thing. It’s the only reason those Miao people let him go. Otherwise, do you think they would have spared us so easily?"
"Forget it," Chu Ruo said, stepping forward to press down on Nan Muxue’s blade. "She likely really doesn't know. Since she’s kept her word and brought us this far, we’ll find our own way for the rest."
"You’ve paid your way, so I’ve no wish to offend you," the old woman said. "Even out at my inn, I’ve heard the name of the Hundred Flowers Palace a few times. I know you’re not to be trifled with. The path is before you; how you cross is up to you. Yunmei and I will wait here for ten days. If you don’t return by then, we’re heading back. See that great tree? I’ll leave some rations and water there. With your skills, if you can make it out of that place, getting back to the inn shouldn't be much trouble."
Bai Zhier stared at the horizon, her brow furrowed. "It’s dangerous. Look over there—it’s too far. Even with our lightness skills, we won't be able to clear it in one go."
"If we use our lightness skills and step on wooden planks as we go, it should be possible," Chu Ruo suggested.
"The swamp is massive. How many planks would you need to carry?"
Chu Ruo smiled. "It’s fine. I’ll go first. I’ll carry some planks on my back. This first stretch isn't so bad; look at those fallen logs, they’ll serve as footholds. When it gets deeper, I’ll throw the planks ahead. Once I’m across, you two follow. Move fast. If you start to sink, don't panic—just roll. Use the momentum to roll toward the other side. Don't worry about getting dirty; keep your limbs spread flat..."
"It’s too dangerous," Nan Muxue interrupted. "You aren't going."
"Xue'er, I’ll be fine—"
"I will go first. You follow behind me."
"No! Not in your condition. Listen to me, I’ll take the lead. You stay behind me while I go get the wood—"
"Watch out!" Before Chu Ruo could finish, Nan Muxue shoved her aside. A flying dagger whistled past, grazing the air where she had stood. Chu Ruo spun around to see a dozen masked figures emerging, surrounding them in a tight circle. She instinctively reached for the Ice Fiend at her waist. "Who are you?"
Bai Zhier answered for them, her voice grim. "Those sent to take your lives, obviously. I told you to leave sooner, but you wouldn't listen. Now they’ve caught up."
The last part was directed at Nan Muxue, whose Ice Soul sword was already out of its sheath. "If you’re so afraid of death, feel free to crawl away," Nan Muxue retorted coldly.
"Stop it! Focus on the fight!" Chu Ruo cried.
Nan Muxue didn't wait for them, lunging directly into the fray. Chu Ruo nearly slapped her own forehead in frustration. Why was this woman so impulsive? Even if it wasn't a real child in her belly, there was still a parasite in there—hardly the time for such reckless exertion! Chu Ruo rushed in to assist. "Be careful!"
For Bai Zhier to have been so anxious to flee, these attackers were clearly no ordinary thugs. As soon as they exchanged blows, Chu Ruo realized these men possessed formidable internal energy. They fought with the same relentless style as the group that had ambushed Bai Zhier before. But the attackers had just claimed they were here for her and her "little scorpion." Who could they be?
In a momentary lapse of focus, Chu Ruo felt herself being shoved out of the center of the battle. Before she could protest, Nan Muxue struck a masked man with a Frigid Ice Palm, sending him flying onto the surface of the swamp. "Go! Now!"
Chu Ruo understood instantly. Her little scorpion was ruthless—why bother looking for wooden planks when you could just tread across corpses? She glanced back. "Can you handle this alone?"
"Go!"
The woman was as fierce as ever. Before Chu Ruo could even react, a second and third body were tossed into the bog, spaced out at intervals. Chu Ruo hesitated. "Zhier, you go first. I’m waiting for Xue'er."
"You—"
Yunmei shouted from the sidelines, "Oh, stop dallying! The bodies will sink if you wait too long, and then you'll have to start over! These masked men are too strong—don't lose your focus!"
Bai Zhier saw Nan Muxue beginning to strain under the pressure. Gritting her teeth, she stepped onto the swamp. "Ruo'er, be careful!"
Chu Ruo dove back into the fight, shoving Nan Muxue toward the swamp in turn. "I told you to stop fighting with that belly of yours! So uncouth! Get across, now!"
"Ruo'er!"
"Don't argue with me! Go!"
Bai Zhier successfully reached the far bank, but the distance and the rising mist made it impossible to see what was happening on the other side. When a figure finally emerged from the fog, she ran forward anxiously. "Ruo—oh, it’s you. Where is Ruo'er?"
Nan Muxue’s sword was instantly at Bai Zhier’s throat. "These people... who are they really after? They use the exact same techniques as the ones who tried to kill you at the foot of the Hundred Flowers mountain."
"Hmph. If they want me dead, why wouldn't they want you dead too? Think of how many people you've offended—" *Shhh!* Bai Zhier dodged a flying needle, but before she could retaliate, Nan Muxue’s Ice Soul moved faster, leaving a thin red line on her throat.
"What secret are you keeping from Ruo'er? Are those people here for us, or for you? Speak!"
"At this point, would you even believe anything I say?"
"Why are you two at it again?"
Both women turned at once. There stood Chu Ruo, covered head to toe in thick, black sludge. She was panting heavily before finally collapsing onto her backside on the ground. "Stop fighting... just... give me some water..."
Nan Muxue rushed to her side instantly, pulling the muddy girl into her arms without a hint of disgust. Bai Zhier handed over a waterskin. Both asked in unison, "What happened?"
*Cough, cough...* "Don't ask. The fight went on too long. Those guys were incredible—it was like they couldn't feel pain. By the time I finished, the bodies had already sunk. I stepped into empty air and had to crawl the rest of the way. You have no idea... I almost got sucked under. It took everything I had just to get here. Just let me breathe for a second... ow..."
Coming back to their senses, the two women glared at each other, ready to resume their quarrel, but Chu Ruo spoke up unexpectedly. "Zhier, those men were the same as the ones who attacked you last time. Does that mean the same person sent them?"
Bai Zhier shook her head, her gaze shifting to Nan Muxue with a look of mocking disdain. "No. Because the person who wanted me dead has already jumped off the cliffs of the Hundred Flowers Palace."
Chu Ruo gasped. "She..."
"Nan Menghua," Bai Zhier spat the name. "As for whether she’s returned from the grave to order hits on her own daughter, I can't say for sure."
"She wanted to kill you last time? But why?" Chu Ruo wondered. And where did these fighters—who seemed no different from mindless medicinal puppets—come from?
"Perhaps because I was competing with her daughter for the one I love."
"About that..." Chu Ruo started.
Nan Muxue stood up, pulling Chu Ruo up by the ear. "Go find some water. Otherwise, your ears will be too clogged with mud to hear any more of this 'fair lady's' nonsense."
*Dammit, I’m the one suffering again. Woe is me.*
*Achoo! Achoo!*
"Ruo'er," Bai Zhier said with concern. "Let’s stop here. I’ll start a fire so you can change your clothes."
"No, no, we need to find a source of water first. Otherwise, changing is pointless. Look, there are mountains ahead. A swamp this big must have a lake or stream nearby."
As they spoke, Nan Muxue silently took off her own fox-fur cloak and wrapped it around Chu Ruo. Chu Ruo, heart aching for the expensive garment, tried to pull it off. "You love this fur! I’ll ruin it..."
"Take it off and see what happens," Nan Muxue threatened.
*She’s lethal.* What kind of "little scorpion" showed her love through threats? Chu Ruo hung her head, mourning the ruined fur.
Nan Muxue rolled her eyes. "Pathetic. It’s just a piece of clothing."
"It’s expensive! Rare snow-fox fur, and you only have this one. You wouldn't even wear it yourself!"
"They are merely inanimate objects. They were brought to be worn, not to be worshipped on an altar."
"But—"
"Ruo'er!" Bai Zhier called out excitedly. "There’s a lake here!"
They had reached the foot of the mountain. As they moved forward, Chu Ruo felt the temperature drop significantly. The area was eerily silent, with mountains stretching out one after another. Checking the sky, she said, "Let’s camp at the foot of the mountain tonight. There are so many peaks; who knows what it’s like on the other side. Look, there’s a hollow in the rock over there. We can stay there—at least we'll have a roof over our heads."
Nan Muxue said, "The water is too cold. Don't bathe. Just change your clothes and wipe your face."
"I’m covered in mud, and there are bound to be fleas. You two go to the hollow and start the fire. I have to at least wash this sludge off."
Bai Zhier handed her a medicinal pill. "Keep this in your mouth. It will help ward off the cold. I’ll go start the fire to warm you up. I brought some herbs; I’ll brew a tonic later so you don't fall ill."
"Mm, thanks, Zhier."
She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, feeling a gaze like a butcher’s knife boring into her side. She turned with a grin to offer a few placating words, but Nan Muxue didn't even look at her before walking away.
*Hiss!* The lake water felt like it had been drawn from the depths of a frozen glacier; it chilled her to the bone. Shivering, Chu Ruo gave herself a hurried scrub, changed into clean clothes, and scrambled back to the hollow. The fire was roaring, providing a blissful warmth. Bai Zhier had brewed the tonic, adding something that made it taste slightly sweet rather than bitter. Nan Muxue still looked sour, but to assert her dominance, she pulled Chu Ruo into her arms and held her tight. Chu Ruo leaned in, feeling quite smug.
After eating some dry rations, Chu Ruo felt restored. she climbed up the ridge to see what lay ahead. What she saw left her stunned.
"The other side of the mountain is nothing but forest. Trees so thick and dense they stretch as far as the eye can see. I doubt sunlight even reaches the ground. I thought the swamp was the hard part, but it looks like the challenge is just beginning."
"The forest itself is nothing," Bai Zhier said, her expression grave. "It’s the people of Miaojiang I’m worried about."
"Zhier, you really don't have to come with us. We’re only dragging you down. Why don't you head back with the old woman tomorrow morning? You’ve crossed the swamp once; you know the way now."
Bai Zhier smiled sadly. "I suppose I’m just not strong enough to let go. I can't help but follow you." She glanced at Nan Muxue. "Besides, the person I want to kill is right here. How could I leave?"
"You..." Chu Ruo felt helpless. She expected Nan Muxue to explode, but when she turned, the woman was leaning against the stone wall with her eyes closed. Whether she was actually asleep or not, she remained silent. Chu Ruo carefully draped her own outer robe over her and stoked the fire.
"Fortunately, this place is large enough. If I had to stay any closer to you two, I’d fume myself to death." Earlier, Chu Ruo had fashioned some simple "mattresses" out of dry grass and leaves. Bai Zhier dragged hers a distance away and lit her own small fire with a few glowing branches. "I’m going to sleep. Ruo'er, keep a good watch tonight."
"You—"
"Idiot, I’m teasing. Sleep well. I’ve scattered medicinal powder around; no snakes or beasts will come near. You’re exhausted." Before she turned over, her lips moved silently. Chu Ruo understood the silent message: *Goodnight.*
The wilderness at night was a lonely place. Chu Ruo sat for a while until she couldn't stop yawning. Then, she felt herself being pulled into a pair of arms. Nan Muxue guided Chu Ruo’s head to rest on her lap.
"Xue'er? You weren't asleep?"
The fire crackled loudly. Under the cover of the noise, Nan Muxue gathered her frigid internal energy into her palm, forming a tiny needle of ice. *Shhh!* She flicked it into Bai Zhier’s back.
"What are you doing?"
"Sealed her hearing. It’s temporary. It’ll help her sleep longer so she isn't an eyesore."
"Oh," Chu Ruo grinned mischievously. "So you were faking sleep just to wait for her to drift off?"
"Does your Master need to fake anything?"
"Sealing Zhier’s hearing... do you have something you want to say to me?"
Nan Muxue stroked Chu Ruo’s brow. "It seems you aren't entirely stupid. You just save all your cleverness for your 'Lady Zhier'."
"You’re just a little scorpion pickled in vinegar."
"Hmm?"
"Let’s talk business. What is it?"
"You’re so sharp, can't you guess? Who did she say wanted her dead today?"
"Your mother. I’m curious too. Why would your mother want her dead? With her skills, or even just by sending Nan Yunshuang, she could have finished the job. Why use outsiders? It’s as if she’s afraid of being found out."
"She views my mother and me as enemies, and my mother sends assassins after her..."
"Your mother knows who she is. Or rather, she knows Zhier wants to kill you both."
"I think it’s more than that. It’s hatred. If it were just a common enemy, my mother wouldn't act this way. It’s a specific kind of hate, and she wants to keep it hidden."
Chu Ruo shook her head. "Your mother has too many secrets and never tells the truth. If Zhier won't talk, we’ll never guess it."
"I just want to know what happened back then. Tu Aozhi, the Third Sister, Bai Zhier, the House of the Physician God... all these people who should have no connection are being pulled together. I don't want anything else coming between us."
Chu Ruo reached up to touch Nan Muxue’s cheek. "You said I was tired, but you’re the one overthinking things. Let yourself relax for one night. Get some rest."
"Sleep. I am here."
"No," Chu Ruo sat up abruptly. "If you don't sleep, I don't sleep."
"Such a child."
"Look at this fox fur. It’s filthy; the stains will never come out. But it’ll be good for covering our legs tonight."
"I told you, it’s just a garment. Nothing in this world is more important than you."
"By the way, how did you kill so many people back at the inn? The old woman said they were cleaning up for ages. I told her she was getting a bargain and still complaining—she runs a 'black inn' after all."
"They were all harborers of ill intent. Besides," Nan Muxue tilted her head, "do I ever need a reason for what I do?"
"Tsk, tsk," Chu Ruo leaned in close. "I really do love it when you’re this overbearing."
Nan Muxue tilted Chu Ruo’s chin up. "Does Ruo'er wish to test just how overbearing I can be?"
Chu Ruo pressed her lips forward. "I do. Very much so."
***
**Glossary**
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 117 | Beyond the Bubbling Marsh | Novela.app | Novela.app
