"These past few days," Nan Muxue said, looking at the person in her arms, "you seem a bit distracted."
"Do I?"
"It’s not like your usual self, staying cooped up in this room without ever stepping out. What’s wrong?"
Chu Ruo huddled closer into her embrace, burying her head so she wouldn't have to look up. "Just consider it me running away from reality. I’m just afraid that the moment I walk out that door, I’ll lose you."
"Ruo'er, you won't..."
"Everything is too chaotic outside right now, and that includes this place." Chu Ruo held her tightly. "Xue'er, now that your martial arts are gone, we... we have nowhere to run. The people of the Heavenly Demon Sect see us as a burden and want to hand us over, and then there's Bai Shan, who doesn't exactly..."
Nan Muxue squeezed her hand. "Ruo'er, say no more..."
Chu Ruo shook her head. "I know you’ve never been one to live under someone else's roof or endure their slights. But I have no choice. My... my hand is injured, and you are still weak. I don't have the confidence to take you into hiding without being found. I admit I am useless; I can only accept Zhier’s kindness. Xue'er, I’m sorry. Everything is because of me..."
*If not for me, things wouldn't have turned out like this. You wouldn't have to listen to their cold words or endure their disdain. But I am blind now; my own strength isn't enough to protect you. I don't want you to go out there and hear those ugly things. Little Scorpion, perhaps I am your calamity, and I have ruined you.*
"It’s alright, it’s fine," Nan Muxue comforted her beloved softly. "I don't blame you. Don't overthink it, Ruo'er."
"Xue'er..." Her Little Scorpion had always been so high and mighty, yet now she was dragged down to this point because of her, forced to hide in the shadows. At the thought, tears uncontrollably escaped the corners of Chu Ruo's eyes. "It’s my fault."
Nan Muxue cupped her face and kissed her gently. "I told you I don't blame you. You’ve become quite the crybaby lately. A grown woman like you, and you still need your master to coax you?"
"I..."
Nan Muxue wiped her tears away and pulled her into a hug. "Are you crying because you pity me, thinking I’m a pathetic person now that my martial arts are wasted?"
Before Chu Ruo could answer, Nan Muxue let out a soft chuckle. "You always wear your heart on your sleeve, Ruo'er. Don't pity me. You know that pity is never what I wanted from you."
"Your martial arts... they were your pride, your everything..."
Nan Muxue shook her head. "You are my everything."
She held Chu Ruo even tighter and continued, "Perhaps in the past, losing my martial arts would have been the greatest pain imaginable. But that hasn't been true for a long time. Don't you understand? As long as you are safe, what does it matter if I lose everything else?"
"But this is the last thing I wanted to see. I didn't want you to lose everything for me. You could have been fine."
"As long as you are by my side," she repeated tirelessly, "everything is fine."
Chu Ruo gave a bitter smile. "I think it’s because I broke the rules on our wedding day by coming to see you early, and then you pulled off your own veil. That’s why we’re so unlucky now."
"Indeed, it’s all your fault. You must have been the one to break the luck first, forcing me to tear off the veil myself." Nan Muxue rubbed the back of Chu Ruo's head. "Tell me, what should be the punishment for ruining your master’s wedding?"
"As for that..." Chu Ruo cupped her hands in a plea for mercy. "Master, spare my life."
"Hmm. The death penalty can be waived."
"Then waive the physical punishment too," Chu Ruo leaned in with a smile. "I can... offer myself to you in marriage as compensation."
Nan Muxue stared at her face for a long time before finally speaking. "Love me."
Chu Ruo didn't understand. "Wha—?"
"That is your punishment. For a lifetime."
"Alright."
***
Unfortunately, when luck runs out, nothing goes right. Bai Zhier brought bad news: Duan Ning and Nangong Yan had been captured.
"What?!"
"Ruo'er, don't panic yet." Because Chu Ruo was blind, she had been relying on Bai Zhier to help her memorize the layout of the room so Nan Muxue wouldn't notice. She hadn't dared to step outside once. Now that something had happened, and knowing they couldn't stay here forever, Bai Zhier was afraid Chu Ruo would slip up. She hurried to steady her. "According to the reports, Nan Menghua hasn't done anything to them yet. She likely..."
"She wants to force us to show ourselves," Nan Muxue said calmly.
"She’s put out word that she intends to become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. She’s ordered all sects to go to the Hundred Flowers Palace to witness the ceremony and, while they're at it, to 'clean house.'"
"Why would the other sects listen to her?" Worry was etched on Chu Ruo's face. "And 'cleaning house'—isn't that just using them to bait Xue'er and me?"
"It’s more than that. She also wants Yunshuang and Liu Li."
"Will she use this chance to force them to defect?"
Bai Zhier chimed in, "It’s highly possible. I told you before, the power in your Hundred Flowers Palace is too concentrated. For such a massive sect, she still needs those two Protectors. As long as she holds Nangong Yan and Duan Ning, she doesn't have to worry about the others disobeying. Though she’ll likely burn those bridges once they've served their purpose."
"We are no match for Mother," Nan Muxue said tonelessly. "Our only option now is to find Yunshuang and the others as quickly as possible."
Chu Ruo heard a faint commotion outside. Her hearing had indeed sharpened since losing her sight. "What’s going on out there?"
"Oh, that’s Lin Jianghong," Bai Zhier replied. "She spends all day arguing with Shan'er."
"Her?" Chu Ruo had barely thought about that woman since Nan Muxue had dragged her along to "propose" last time. She felt a bit guilty for bringing her into this and then ignoring her. "Why is she here?"
"Didn't I tell you? Her father didn't actually become a medicinal puppet; he secretly defected to the Heavenly Demon Sect. Now that Nan Menghua is slaughtering her way through the martial world, and Lin Jianghong is technically the Alliance Leader, how could Nan Menghua spare Green Willow Villa? Her father naturally begged my adoptive father for help, so he brought her here. She and Shan'er fight constantly. It’s actually thanks to her that Shan'er’s attention is so divided."
Bai Shan had been looking for a way to deal with Nan Muxue, but Bai Zhier had kept her suppressed. No wonder she hadn't seen her lately; she was occupied. "It seems the world outside really is in chaos."
"Nan Menghua has trained a group of people from somewhere—they’re even more formidable than medicinal puppets," Bai Zhier continued. "Whether it was the assassins I met at the foot of the mountain when I first went to the Hundred Flowers Palace to find you, or the ones in the Southern Border, they were all this type of person. She likely ordered them long ago to hunt you down relentlessly. Also, your Fifth Protector is currently searching everywhere for your whereabouts on her behalf."
*That Fifth Protector who looks like me, Mo Fei? Truly, no one can be trusted.* "Do you think it’s possible to unite everyone—all the sects—to face her together? Would we have a chance?"
Nan Muxue shook her head. "Unlikely. The evil technique she practices now allows her to absorb a person's entire cultivation in a very short time. If they go, it might just be providing her with more power."
"If close combat won't work, then... a long-range attack?"
"With her level of martial arts, she would detect anyone before they even got close. Right now, we have to find a way to discover her weakness."
Bai Zhier also shook her head. "Easier said than done. From what I saw when you all attacked her that day, she’s practically invulnerable. Even my adoptive father was no match for her."
"Is there any movement from the Sword Casting Villa?"
"Are you thinking of finding that Shen Shiyi...?"
"Perhaps we should try starting with a divine weapon. No matter how powerful Mother is, she is still flesh and blood."
Chu Ruo sighed. "I’m afraid this won't be easy to resolve."
"Don't worry."
The two women spoke in unison. Bai Zhier looked at the person beside her, but in the end, she said nothing more and withdrew from the room.
"Ruo'er."
"Hmm?"
"Don't worry. I’m here for everything."
"It’s you I’m worried about."
"I know," Nan Muxue smiled. "It’s too stuffy in here. Do you want to go out for some fresh air?"
"No, I want to sleep for a bit."
Nan Muxue felt helpless. "I’ll stand outside for a while. You go ahead and sleep."
"Oh. Then come back quickly."
"Nag."
A few more days passed in relative peace. Then, one night, Nan Muxue kissed her beloved’s forehead, stood up, and quietly left.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
药人 | Medicinal Puppets | Humans transformed into mindless, powerful thralls through drugs/poison.
绿柳山庄 | Green Willow Villa | The sect/residence of Lin Jianghong.
铸剑山庄 | Sword Casting Villa | A sect known for forging legendary weapons.
沈十一 | Shen Shiyi | A character from the Sword Casting Villa.
莫非 | Mo Fei | The Fifth Protector of the Hundred Flowers Palace who resembles Chu Ruo.
神兵 | Divine Weapon | Legendary or supernatural armaments.
武林盟主 | Martial Arts Alliance Leader | The recognized leader of the righteous martial sects.
清理门户 | Clean house / Clear the sect | A term for punishing traitors or purging members within a sect.
