"Wow, Zhi'er, come quickly! Your sister is bullying me again!" Chu Ruo’s shout pierced through the whistling wind of the grasslands, ringing sharply in Bai Zhi'er’s ears.
"Chu Ruo, you bastard, stand still! I’m going to kill you today!"
"Zhi'er!" Panting, Chu Ruo grabbed Bai Zhi'er and used her as a shield. "Quick, control this crazy sister of yours. She’s trying to bite me to death with a poisonous scorpion!"
Before she could finish, Bai Shan appeared from behind, her face covered in grime and her hair disheveled. She clutched a large scorpion in her hand as she charged toward them. "Sister, move aside! I have to kill her today! Otherwise, she won't know who her Great Auntie Bai Shan is!"
Chu Ruo poked her head out from behind Bai Zhi'er. "You said it yourself, you're Bai Shan. Are you stupid?"
"You! I'll teach you to be tight-lipped! Get over here!"
"I won't! Blehh!" Chu Ruo gloated, sticking her tongue out. "Come and hit me! Come on, hit me!"
"Sister!"
Bai Zhi'er shielded Chu Ruo, blocking her sister’s path. "Shan'shan, don't always bully—"
"Bully???" Bai Shan’s voice jumped several octaves. She pointed at her filthy face, interrupting her sister. "Who is bullying whom? Look at me! Sister, you’re too biased!"
The girl’s usually beautiful face was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a mask of black soot, leaving only two bright eyes darting around. Bai Zhi'er couldn't help but chuckle, covering her mouth. "Alright, go wash up."
"Ever since this bastard arrived, you haven't helped me once. You’ve truly forgotten your sister for a lover!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Bai Zhi'er’s face turned its habitual shade of crimson. "Hurry up and go wash."
Taking advantage of the gap, Bai Shan reached out and smacked Chu Ruo on the head. Chu Ruo immediately wailed in pain, intentionally feigning tears. "See? She hit me again. It hurts..."
"You only know how to act pitiful in front of my sister. Just you wait; there will be a time when you're alone. Humph!" Bai Shan huffed and left.
*That wicked woman, always scaring me with poisonous bugs and snakes. My Little Snake-Scorpion is much better. Nan Muxue, you dummy, why haven't you found me after all this time? Could it be... you think I'm dead and stopped looking?*
"Ruoruo?"
The call was so familiar—familiar enough that Chu Ruo snapped back to reality and instinctively responded, "Master..."
She opened her mouth, only to realize the person before her did not possess the face she had seen countless times in her dreams. Bai Zhi'er was beautiful, truly lovely, but she wasn't the Little Snake-Scorpion. "No... Zhi'er, what is it?"
She didn't know when it had started, but though her name was Chu Ruo, the other woman had begun calling her 'Ruoruo.' It sounded so similar, yet she wished the one calling her that wasn't this person.
The light in Bai Zhi'er’s eyes dimmed slightly. "You just called for your 'Master'."
The first time she had called Chu Ruo by that intimate name, she had been joyful, thinking the distance between them had closed. Yet every time she called out, she saw a different kind of emotion in the other’s eyes—one that did not belong to her and would never linger on her.
"I..." Chu Ruo looked away. "I don't know what happened, it just slipped out."
"Have you still not remembered?"
"No." Chu Ruo took a guilty step forward, then, ignoring the cold, damp ground, asked, "Interested in sitting for a while?"
The other woman sat down beside her, gazing at the distant scenery where the sky merged with the snow-capped mountains. "We’ll sit for a bit, then head inside. You haven't fully recovered yet."
"Zhi'er." After spending these days together, though she hadn't uncovered much information, Chu Ruo had realized that Bai Zhi'er was truly a good person. She seemed to harbor some deep grudge against the Hundred Flowers Palace, always carrying a trace of melancholy, yet she remained gentle and smiling before others. She possessed the benevolent heart of a healer; Chu Ruo had seen her stay up all night to treat a stranger. She felt like a celestial elder sister. *Bai Zhi'er—it’s a beautiful name. She’s the kind of woman many people would love.*
The wind blew, fluttering the woman’s hair. Bai Zhi'er turned to look at her, her smile like a blooming flower. "What is it?"
"I... *hiss*..." Chu Ruo clutched her forehead in pain. This headache wasn't faked. She didn't know if it was a lingering effect of the fall or the pills she took to suppress the Hundred Flowers Gu, but these bouts of "head-wind" occurred frequently now. The pain was relentless and uncontrollable. Her body slumped, and she was about to collapse onto the ground.
Seeing this, Bai Zhi'er immediately pulled her into a tight embrace, protecting her, and forced a pill into her mouth. "Relax. It’s okay. It’s over now."
A moment later, the pain subsided. Chu Ruo immediately sat up straight and rubbed her nose. "I... I can do it myself next time." Her heart belonged only to the Little Snake-Scorpion; she was unwilling to let anyone else touch her.
When no response came for a long time, Chu Ruo turned to look. She saw the woman’s eyes were misting over. She cursed inwardly but forced a laugh. "Uh, it’s too cold. Let’s go back to the tent."
*This damn poison. I clearly had the sachet with the antidotes when I jumped off the cliff. These two shouldn't have thrown it away, otherwise, why bother saving me? Even if they wanted to threaten me, they could just hold onto the sachet and give me one pill at a time. With their medical skills, they should have been able to figure something out once they saw the antidote. Such bad luck. I wasted all those antidotes Nan Muxue gave me, especially that six-month one. My heart aches; I treated it like a treasure. If I’d known, I would have just eaten it. Sob.*
"Ruoruo, do you... really want to return to the Central Plains?" the person behind her called out.
Return. The Central Plains. She missed home—her home in the modern world—and she missed the Little Snake-Scorpion. She never knew she could miss someone so much, a longing so maddening she didn't dare show it. She didn't even dare to draw a portrait of her. It wasn't just for self-preservation; since she couldn't go back, she wanted to do what she could for her. She wanted to scout the Heavenly Demon Palace, find out where the sect leaders went, and identify Liu Shaopeng’s mole. She wanted to find a chance to return, but no opportunity had arisen. This place was vast but sparsely populated. The locals were unwelcoming to outsiders and ignored her. Even if she wanted to leave, she didn't know where she was, let alone the fact that her martial arts were gone. As the days passed, the anxiety in her heart grew.
"I... actually, I don't remember. But I can feel it. I don't belong here. Zhi'er, you know who I am. You know where I’m supposed to be, don't you?"
Bai Zhi'er looked at her with burning intensity. "There is someone in your heart, isn't there?"
Chu Ruo did not deny it. "There is a woman in my heart. Even though... even though I can't clearly remember who she is, I know I love her." *How could I not remember the woman I love? You are the Little Snake-Scorpion, you are Yan'er, you are Nan Muxue. Will we... will we ever meet again?*
"Then, if you see her, will you leave?" *Will you leave me?*
"I..."
"Ruoruo." Bai Zhi'er suddenly embraced her without warning. Chu Ruo nearly toppled over from the shock. "Zhi'er, you... let go first..."
"Let me hold you for a moment. Just a moment."
...Chu Ruo wasn't an idiot. Even a blind person could see Bai Zhi'er had feelings for her, but she truly had no such intentions. Having no other choice, she changed the subject. "What is this place, exactly?"
"The Demon Realm."
*Aha? They call this place the Demon Realm? It looks like a paradise no matter how you view it. But then again, these sisters said this area is controlled by the Heavenly Demon Palace, so calling it the Demon Realm makes sense.*
"Alright." Bai Zhi'er let go, her eyes slightly red. Chu Ruo didn't dare ask, fearing the woman would truly burst into tears. "Weren't you always curious about where we are?"
"Yes." Chu Ruo nodded. "But you and Bai Shan wouldn't tell me. Why the change of heart today?" This was one good thing about Bai Zhi'er; she never forced anyone to do anything and always knew when to stop.
"I didn't say I’d tell you." The other woman winked playfully. "It’s Shan'shan who doesn't want to tell you."
"But you didn't say anything either."
Bai Zhi'er smiled lightly and turned back to the snowy scenery. "Even if I told you, you wouldn't know where this place is, would you?"
"You..." *Every single one of them is so sharp-tongued. Have some consideration for a transmigrator’s feelings, please!*
"Hehe. Ruoruo, you’re really cute sometimes."
...*I swear, in your eyes, I’m probably just a big dummy.*
"I’ll stop teasing you." The woman continued, "Don't you want to go to the Central Plains?"
*Hope? A glimmer of light?* Chu Ruo excitedly rubbed her hands together. "When do we set off?"
"Look at how impatient you are," she teased. "Alright, it won't be that fast. After the New Year. Before that, we have to go somewhere first."
Chu Ruo’s heart skipped a beat. It seemed they were going to the Heavenly Demon Palace? Finally, she was going to infiltrate the enemy's headquarters. She maintained her confused expression. "Where?"
As expected: "The Heavenly Demon Palace."
***
"Young Palace Mistress," A-Yue whispered into Nan Muxue’s ear. "The new disciples are waiting in the Great Hall." Whenever new disciples joined the mountain, the Young Palace Mistress had to meet them. It was a standard ritual before formal entry.
"Let the Protectors handle these matters."
"Greetings, Young Palace Mistress." Yin Liuli appeared at the door.
Nan Muxue didn't stop her writing. "Didn't I say? You all can go." On her desk sat a plate of peanuts—the kind Chu Ruo had brought from the Drunken Dream Pavilion to share with her. Since her return, such a plate was always on her desk.
Yin Liuli walked straight in. "You can ignore other things, but these disciples have just entered the palace. Most of them came here admiring you. Even if you don't see them again later, there's no need to crush the hope they have upon arrival."
"I have said it before: I will not take any more disciples. The whole world knows this. Ruoruo is my last disciple. No matter how much they admire me, it is useless. Since that is the case, there is no need to give them false hope. Besides," she laughed self-deprecatingly, her tone laced with a sarcasm directed at herself—a rare sight indeed—"I don't think my current reputation is something they should aspire to."
"I'm begging you, just this once. We can handle everything else for you, but this one thing... once you finish today, we won't disturb you again. You can stay locked in your room for all we care."
Nan Muxue finally stopped her brush. Knowing Yin Liuli was determined today and that further argument was pointless, she relented. "Let’s go."
In the Great Hall, a crowd of disciples stood neatly dressed, waiting respectfully and humbly for the Young Palace Mistress. At the cry of "The Young Palace Mistress arrives," everyone parted to the sides. With a gust of wind, a white-clad figure stood before the central seat. "Greetings, Young Palace Mistress!" The voices were loud and resonant.
"I will say this one last time today: I, Nan Muxue, will not take any more disciples. If anyone came here hoping to become my personal student, you may leave the mountain now."
The three Protectors looked at each other. *How could Muxue be so blunt? Sigh.*
The crowd remained in their neat rows; no one moved, and no one spoke. Nan Muxue took her seat and raised a hand. "Begin."
Each disciple had to come before the Young Palace Mistress to kowtow and pay respects. This was the most important part of the ceremony, a tradition passed down through generations of the Hundred Flowers Palace, and thus something the other Protectors could not do in her stead.
"Disciple Li Mengting greets the Young Palace Mistress..."
"Disciple Ren Li greets the Young Palace Mistress..."
"Disciple..."
The new disciples continuously stepped forward to pay respects and were led out. Nan Muxue had no heart for it, merely waving her hand dismissively, seemingly only wishing for it to end quickly.
After about two hours, the once-massive crowd in the hall had dwindled to a few. Finally, the last disciple stepped forward. "Disciple Mo Fei greets the Young Palace Mistress."
Nan Muxue was about to wave her hand but stopped. This disciple named Mo Fei had features that were seventy to eighty percent similar to *that person*. She stared at her for three full seconds before calling out, "A-Yue."
"Yes."
"Escort her down the mountain."
Yin Liuli, Duan Ning, and Nangong Yan all stepped forward simultaneously, almost doubting their ears. "Young Palace Mistress..." In public, they were very careful with titles and hierarchy, especially before new disciples.
"No need to speak." Nan Muxue cut them off. "Go, now."
The last command was directed at A-Yue. A-Yue didn't dare delay and hurried to lead the disciple away. But the disciple refused to move. "This disciple is dull-witted, but I beg the Young Palace Mistress to clarify... why? Why send me down the mountain?"
"So you know you are dull-witted." Nan Muxue still didn't look at her, her words sharp enough to choke someone.
Mo Fei’s face turned bright red. "Young Palace Mistress, I..."
"Your talent is mediocre. You are not worthy of being a disciple of the Hundred Flowers Palace. Leave."
Before anyone could react, Nan Muxue had vanished. The three Protectors hurriedly chased after her. "Muxue, why?"
"I told you, she is merely a person of mediocre talent. Keeping her is useless."
"A thankless task," she added, her hands behind her back. "Do not do such pointless things again."
"Pointless?" Duan Ning grew anxious. "Who are we doing this for? If it weren't for you—"
Nan Muxue suddenly stopped. "I, Nan Muxue, never required help from others. Did you think that by finding someone who looks like Ruoruo, I could forget her? There were several in this batch who resembled her slightly. No matter how much they look like her, they are not Ruoruo. They are not *my* Ruoruo. I will not settle scores for today’s matter, but if you bring such mediocre people up the mountain again, you will be dealt with according to palace rules."
Back in Chu Ruo’s room, Nan Muxue opened the portrait she had painted. "Liuli and the others did something foolish today. You’d be angry if you heard it, being such a petty person. But your Master won't pay them any mind. I said I wouldn't take any more disciples. I promised you; how could I break my word?"
She suddenly picked up her brush but hesitated, the tip hovering. At the moment a drop of ink was about to fall, she pulled the brush back. "That girl named Mo Fei really does look like you. But she’s not as pretty as my Ruoruo. It’s almost the New Year, I..."
*Bang!*
The door was thrown open. Yin Liuli and Nangong Yan couldn't stop her; Duan Ning burst inside. "Don't stop me!"
"Ning'er, don't be reckless...!"
"Nan Muxue!" Duan Ning finally held the sachet in her palm—it was so glaringly bright. "Look clearly! Chu Ruo died a long time ago!"
Duan Ning didn't even see the figure move before the sachet was no longer in her hand. Nan Muxue’s voice trembled for the first time. "Why is Ruoruo’s sachet for her antidotes in your hands?"
"I found it on the cliffside the day she fell! She couldn't have survived! You know the power of the Hundred Flowers Gu better than anyone; even Hu Yi might not be able to cure it. Chu Ruo died long ago! That body in the pool was her!"
"No!" Nan Muxue roared, the force of her voice causing everything in the room to topple and shatter. "Ruoruo isn't dead! She won't die!"
"Look at yourself! Wake up! She was just one of your disciples! If you continue like this, aren't you afraid the whole world will mock you?"
"I don't care about any of that! Ruoruo was more than just my disciple!" Nan Muxue spoke this sentence very calmly—an unnerving, terrifying calm. "She is the one I love." She gripped the sachet tightly. *No, Ruoruo, you will be fine.*
"You're mad." Even for the likes of Yin Liuli, Nangong Yan, and Yun Shuang, no one in the Hundred Flowers Palace dared to utter such words. It was a taboo. That was why they had hesitated to break the thin veil between them, let alone Nan Muxue, the esteemed Young Palace Mistress and the only daughter of Nan Menghua. "Do you know what you're saying?"
"I love her," Nan Muxue repeated with the same flat tone. Love was something she had never even considered before meeting Chu Ruo. Because of her pride, her arrogance, and her feminine reserve, she would never have admitted it. She never imagined that when she finally realized it, she wouldn't even be saying it to the person herself. *Ruoruo, if I could choose again, I would never be like this.*
Duan Ning hadn't expected her to say it again. She stamped her foot in frustration. "What will it take for you to wake up? How many times do we have to say it? Chu Ruo is dead! Dead! Dead!"
"Ah—!" The three Protectors were simultaneously blasted out of the room by a powerful, invisible surge of internal energy. Nan Muxue stood at the door, clutching her Ice Soul sword. Her eyes were a terrifying, blood-red, her face filled with killing intent, and her voice sounded like a bottomless abyss. "I said, Ruoruo is not dead!"
"Not good, Muxue is having a Qi deviation!" The cultivation technique Nan Muxue practiced required a calm and focused mind; the higher the level, the more likely one was to suffer a backlash if their emotions fluctuated too violently. Yin Liuli wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. "Watch out!"
A fierce battle ensued, ultimately ending with the defeat of Yin Liuli and the others and Nan Muxue’s total victory. However, as soon as the fight ended, she violently coughed up blood. Her consciousness returned. Using her sword to support herself, she walked away.
Nangong Yan struggled to stand. "Muxue, she..."
"It’s fine," Yin Liuli waved her off. "Once that breath of pent-up energy is released, she’ll be okay. Looking at the direction she’s going, she should be headed for the Glacial Ice Cave. She’ll return to Chu Ruo’s room eventually. Let’s check on her later."
Duan Ning felt weak and somewhat regretful. "I... my mouth was too fast. Why couldn't I hold it in?"
Yin Liuli and Nangong Yan comforted her. "This matter couldn't be hidden forever. Now that it’s out, let nature take its course."
***
Glacial Ice Cave.
No one would have imagined or predicted that a woman like Nan Muxue would be curled up in a corner of the Glacial Ice Cave, hugging her legs and weeping like an ordinary girl. This was the first time in twenty years she had been like this. Likely, no one would ever see this most vulnerable side of her. In her hand, she still tightly gripped that sachet. She cried, then suddenly began to laugh, crying and laughing all at once.
"Hundred Flowers Gu... haha... Hundred Flowers Gu."
*Hundred Flowers Gu. Ruoruo, I harmed you. It was I who harmed you. The person who killed you... was actually me! Giving you the Hundred Flowers Gu was the greatest mistake of my life.*
"Hundred Flowers Gu... Hahaha..."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
魔域 | Demon Realm / Magic Domain | The region controlled by the Heavenly Demon Palace.
中原 | Central Plains | The heartland of China where the main orthodox sects are located.
冰魄 | Ice Soul | The name of Nan Muxue's sword.
寒冰洞 | Glacial Ice Cave | A cold cave used for cultivation or punishment in the Hundred Flowers Palace.
走火入魔 | Qi deviation | A state where a martial artist's internal energy goes out of control, often due to emotional instability.
莫非 | Mo Fei | A new disciple who resembles Chu Ruo.
阿月 | A-Yue | A disciple/attendant of Nan Muxue.
