“Marriage?!”
Not only was everyone present stunned, but even Chu Ruo was completely bewildered. She hadn’t even figured out who was who yet, and suddenly this group of people looked like they were shocked enough to eat someone alive. Especially one of them—likely one of the Palace Master’s sons—whose glare was so intense that Chu Ruo didn't dare meet his eyes.
“Yes, Foster Father,” Bai Shan said, sounding like someone who loved stirring up trouble. “Sister brought her back this time intending to wed soon. I see that the day after tomorrow is an auspicious date. Why don’t you preside over the wedding then?”
“No!” “I don’t agree!”
Several voices of opposition rang out instantly. This was also the first time Chu Ruo saw the true face of the Palace Master of the Heavenly Demon Palace, Tu Aozhi. She had expected the man behind the kidnapping of sect leaders and the creation of Medicine Men to be some sort of grim, terrifying monster. She was wrong. Tu Aozhi was a handsome man; though he was older, his features remained refined. His attire and demeanor didn't suggest a strange or gloomy person either; he wore a simple, traditional black robe. If one didn't know his identity, they would take him for an ordinary sect leader or a wealthy patriarch. His appearance was completely at odds with his name and reputation.
In contrast, his children were a motley crew. Whether in dress or personality, they were poles apart. Some were flamboyant, some plain, and there was even one who looked like a "Shamate" punk. With that bright red and green hair—good grief, it seemed even the ancients had a taste for the "non-mainstream" aesthetic.
“Sister Zhi’er and Big Brother are a pair,” the red-and-green-haired one shouted, his voice full of protest. He sized Chu Ruo up with disdain. “This kid... Hmph! Aside from everything else, she’s from the Hundred Flowers Palace... we all know she’s a creature that can never be tamed!”
Chu Ruo was currently faking amnesia. As the last disciple of Nan Muxue of the Hundred Flowers Palace, her identity wasn't exactly a secret in the martial world. Moreover, the Heavenly Demon Palace knew every sect like the back of their hand. However, they likely assumed she couldn't remember anything, so they didn't say it outright.
*What the hell?* Chu Ruo thought. *What did I do to you? Did I eat your rice? Giving me attitude... I’m putting you in my little black book. Just you wait. Once I find my Little Scorpion, I’ll have her finish off a piece of trash like you.*
“Zhi’er, you...” Another man spoke. This one looked the most normal to Chu Ruo—quite handsome, dressed in white, elegant and poised, giving off a gentle, jade-like vibe. He hesitated, his gaze toward Bai Zhi’er incredibly... complex.
Bai Zhi’er avoided his gaze, seemingly unable to look him in the eye.
Tu Aozhi spoke up, “Zhi’er, are you certain?”
“Uh, about that, I—” *Hey, are you all treating me like I’m transparent?* Chu Ruo felt that as one of the parties involved, she needed to voice an opinion. But before she could get more than a few words out, the red-and-green-haired punk glared at her ferociously. “Shut your mouth! It’s not your place to speak here!”
“Even Big Brother hasn't said anything, yet you’re more worked up than anyone,” one of Tu Aozhi’s daughters snapped back. Her name seemed to be Tu Tianli. “Mind your own business.”
To Chu Ruo's surprise, the punk was quite hot-headed. Hearing this, he raised his weapon to strike his sister. She was no pushover either, drawing a soft whip from her waist to retaliate. The two of them started brawling right then and there.
“Stop!” Tu Aozhi commanded, but his two children ignored him. The gentle-looking one tried to intervene and was sucked into the fray as well.
“My sister was betrothed to Tu Jie since childhood. Foster Father intended for them to marry this year, but Sister doesn't like him,” Bai Shan whispered into Chu Ruo’s ear. “If you have even a shred of conscience and remember that my sister saved your life, then pay back the favor. Keep your mouth shut and don't say anything stupid.”
So this was why Bai Zhi’er didn't want to come back. No wonder. In ancient times, it was hard to defy a parent’s command. Chu Ruo glanced at Bai Zhi’er, who sensed her gaze and looked back. Bai Zhi’er then walked to Tu Aozhi’s side and took a deep breath. “Foster Father, actually, Chu Ruo and I...”
“Actually, Zhi’er and I,” Chu Ruo interrupted. She had a feeling about what Bai Zhi’er was going to say. After spending a few months together, she knew Zhi’er’s character well—she never forced anyone. Looking at her now, she was likely going to tell the whole truth. Chu Ruo couldn't bear it. Moreover, as Bai Shan said, Zhi’er had saved her life. With that in mind, she stepped forward and took Zhi’er’s hand, using a very cliché line: “We are truly in love with each other.”
“Ruo’er,” Bai Zhi’er shook her head, signaling her not to tell such a lie.
The fighting nearby had gradually ceased. Bai Shan seized the opportunity to shout, “Stop fighting! My sister already belongs to her!”
At these words, the expressions on everyone’s faces turned into a kaleidoscope of colors. Tu Jie’s face went deathly pale; Tu Tianli’s gaze became playful and suggestive; Tu Aozhi’s expression remained deep and complex, yet he stayed silent.
*...!!! Thanks a lot!* Chu Ruo thought. *So young and yet so... so malicious.* Chu Ruo wanted to cry her eyes out, but she had to keep a straight face.
The most agitated was still the red-and-green punk. Hearing this, he lunged at Chu Ruo in a rage. “You shameless scoundrel!”
*Holy crap, I didn't do anything! I haven't even touched her hand!* The problem was that she currently had no martial arts; she could only dodge. He was coming at her with everything he had, clearly playing for keeps. She couldn't very well pull Bai Zhi’er in front of her as a shield again. Just as she was looking around for a place to hide, Bai Zhi’er’s figure firmly shielded her.
“Sister Zhi’er, get out of the way! I’m going to kill this piece of filth!”
*Slap!*
The punk clutched his face, enduring his anger in confusion. “Sister Zhi’er?”
But for once, Bai Zhi’er showed a domineering side. “Chu Ruo is my husband. I will not allow anyone to insult her, let alone harm her.”
Chu Ruo opened her mouth, “Zhi’er...”
“Foster Father,” to Chu Ruo’s shock, Bai Zhi’er suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud. “I hope Foster Father will grant us his blessing.”
The punk was fuming. “Father! Big Brother and Sister Zhi’er were betrothed before they were born! This Chu Ruo—I will definitely kill her!”
“That’s enough, Ba’er,” Tu Aozhi said. So the punk’s name was Tu Ba. A fitting name—domineering, impulsive, and loved sticking his nose where it didn't belong. Tu Aozhi stopped him and went to help Bai Zhi’er up. “Your father and I originally intended for our families to be joined by marriage. Since Zhi’er already has someone she loves, let us drop the matter of the wedding.”
“Father!”
“Say no more,” Tu Aozhi actually stroked his long beard and laughed. “In any case, Zhi’er still calls me Father.” He looked at Chu Ruo. “I don't care what your identity was before or if you were already married. Since you are with Zhi’er now, you must not fail her. Otherwise...” He didn't finish his sentence, nor did he make any threatening gestures, but the feeling he gave off was that he would certainly follow through. This was likely the aura of a Demon Palace Master.
...Since things had reached this point, she had to play the scene to the end. Besides, the looks the others were giving her suggested they wanted to wipe her out; Bai Zhi’er was doing this to protect her. Chu Ruo cupped her hands. “Yes. Please rest assured, Palace Master. I will certainly not fail Zhi’er.”
*Pah, pah, pah! That doesn't count!* she thought. *Heavenly Father, you’re my witness, I’m being forced to help her to the end! Ugh, Little Scorpion must never find out about this. Otherwise...* She shrank her neck. *Better not think about the consequences.*
Chu Ruo didn't know how she managed to walk out of that room. By the time she came to her senses, her palms were covered in cold sweat. *Wait, why am I still holding Bai Zhi’er’s hand?!*
“Ruo’er?” the woman asked softly. She took out a silk handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Chu Ruo’s hand. “Is it very hot? Your hands are so sweaty.”
Chu Ruo tried to pull her hand back awkwardly. “Zhi’er, don't...”
“There are people behind us,” Bai Zhi’er didn't let her go. Instead, she walked even closer, their shoulders pressing together. “Foster Father and Tu Ba are naturally suspicious, and Tianli has a strange temperament. We mustn't let them see any flaws.”
Though her martial arts were gone, Chu Ruo’s eyesight was still good. Sure enough, there were shadows following them stealthily. Having no choice, she could only play along. “We...”
“I’m sorry. It’s all Shan’er’s fault for talking nonsense and dragging you into this. I apologize on her behalf.”
“No, she... she was right. You saved me. This is the least I can do.”
“One should not expect a reward for a kindness,” Bai Zhi’er’s tone suddenly became heavy with intense loss, or perhaps disappointment. “I never wanted it to be like this. If you are only helping me out of pity, I would rather you didn't.”
What a stubborn girl. So stubborn it made one’s heart ache. Chu Ruo thought of Nan Muxue again. That woman, the one engraved in her heart, had once said something similar: *I, Nan Muxue, never want anyone’s pity or mercy.*
“Zhi’er,” Chu Ruo placed her hand on the shoulder of the woman who had turned away. “You’ve misunderstood. I didn't mean it that way. I mean... I never had those thoughts. I’m helping you because we are friends.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Now, don't be angry. If what I said upset you, I apologize.”
Bai Zhi’er turned back to look at her. “Ruo’er, we are friends, aren't we?”
“Naturally.”
She smiled then. But... they could only be friends.
“Where are we going now?”
“Weren't you curious about the Medicine Men? Come on, Shan’er went there ages ago.” She took her hand. At least for this moment, she could hold it.
Arriving at an open area, Chu Ruo found Bai Shan already there, holding a short flute. “What took you two so long?”
“Come,” Bai Zhi’er’s grip tightened slightly. “Watch your step.”
Just as Chu Ruo was about to ask what she should watch out for, there was a *clang* and a *rumble*. Some mechanism had been activated. The ground trembled slightly, and the once-flat stone floor began to slide apart, revealing the scene below. Below them were thick steel bars on all sides, and the area where they stood was also a lattice of intersecting steel bars. It looked like a giant iron cage. Chu Ruo wobbled, losing her balance. She caught sight of many people imprisoned below. She guessed these must be the sect leaders and experts. They were walking around inside, but their limbs were stiff and their eyes vacant. They looked like the walking dead, devoid of any life.
“Be careful,” Bai Zhi’er caught her by the waist.
“This... they...”
“Sister, why are you so nervous? It’s fine if she falls down now. However,” Bai Shan raised the short flute, a somewhat sinister smile on her face, “that might not be the case in a moment.”
She began to play a few notes. The melody was strange. Even though Chu Ruo didn't understand music, she could tell it was chaotic and discordant, no better than noise. The timbre was also peculiar; though it looked like a short flute, it produced sounds unlike any instrument she had ever heard. As soon as the flute played, the group of quiet people below immediately began to fight frantically. Their faces became truly hideous. Chu Ruo watched with her own eyes as one man had an arm torn off, yet he felt no pain and continued to charge forward. The blood splashing into his mouth only made him more frenzied. Below, it was a scene of pure, hellish howling.
“Mmm, the potency of the medicine has increased significantly this time. They are bloodthirsty and excited,” Bai Shan suddenly stopped playing and clapped her hands twice. Another mechanism below activated, and a door suddenly opened. An animal was thrown in, and the door slammed shut. Chu Ruo looked closely—it was a massive snow leopard, incredibly robust. Forget ten men; even dozens or a hundred ordinary people would likely be torn to shreds by it.
But the people in this cage were no longer ordinary. Bai Shan blew the flute twice more. “Kill that leopard!” The crowd lunged at the snow leopard. The leopard snarled, hot breath huffing from its nostrils, and charged. It was quickly engulfed by the crowd.
In no time—truly, in an instant—the crowd pulled back. Chu Ruo saw only the bloody carcass of the snow leopard. It had been disemboweled, its organs spilled across the floor, its flesh torn to ribbons. Only the pelt remained somewhat intact. Those people were actually crouching on the ground, beginning to gnaw on the remaining leopard meat and lap up the pungent blood.
“Ugh...” Chu Ruo felt a wave of nausea and crouched down, dry-heaving. She hadn't expected the power of these Medicine Men to be so great. At this rate, forget the Martial Arts Assembly; these Medicine Men were no different from zombies—no, they were more vicious. They knew martial arts and used actual techniques. Such a large leopard had been reduced to this in an instant. She finally understood the "great gift" the Heavenly Demon Palace intended to send. They wouldn't even need to take action themselves; they just had to send these people back to their respective sects, and those sects would likely cease to exist.
“Ruo’er, are you alright?”
Bai Zhi’er reached out to support her with concern, but Chu Ruo subtly avoided her touch. If their previous cooperation with Liu Shaopeng had caused unforeseen casualties for the Hundred Flowers Palace, these Medicine Men—these once-living human beings—had been turned into this by the two women before her. In this moment, Chu Ruo felt that Bai Zhi’er was so strange, so cruel. How could she do this? Previously, there had been an elderly man who couldn't care for himself and was bedridden with chronic diarrhea; his entire bed and body were covered in waste, yet Zhi’er hadn't shown the slightest disgust, treating him with the utmost care. But the current Bai Zhi’er... Chu Ruo stood up, not looking at her. “I’m fine.”
Over there, Bai Shan held out her hands. “Too slow. I thought it could be faster. It seems I’ll have to refine it further.”
“Can these people... ever regain their consciousness?”
“There is no antidote, so how can there be recovery?” Bai Shan looked at her with amusement. “You can’t be that naive, can you? We refined this medicine; would we really let them go back so easily?”
“I have a bit of a headache. I want to rest.”
“Ruo’er,” Bai Zhi’er called out, but the more she called, the faster Chu Ruo walked. Finally, she caught up. “Ruo’er, are you angry with me?”
Chu Ruo shook her head expressionlessly. “No. I wouldn't dare.”
Hearing this, the other woman actually stumbled. “Ruo’er, don't... don't treat me like this.”
“Zhi’er,” Chu Ruo saw her state and felt a pang of pity, sighing. “Why... why do you have to do this?”
Bai Zhi’er gave a bitter smile. “The martial world has always been like this.”
Chu Ruo froze. Yes, that was exactly what the Little Scorpion had told her. This was the martial world. “These people...”
“Ruo’er,” she looked at her. “These people... they were never innocent. I... in any case, don't worry about these things. Just don't ignore me. Don't be angry, alright?”
“Zhi’er, I... I’m not worth this,” Chu Ruo said, her heart softening at the pleading tone. “And if anyone should be afraid, it should be me. After all, my life is in your hands...”
“No, you are different from the others,” Bai Zhi’er stepped forward and hugged her. “I have never thought of doing anything to harm you. Your medicine must be refined daily to maintain its efficacy; I wasn't trying to threaten you.”
“Alright, say no more. It’s fine,” Chu Ruo said. The other woman’s tone was filled with such dread. Truly, no matter how cruel she was to others, she was sincere toward Chu Ruo. “Let’s not talk about it anymore.”
“Trust me, I won't lie to you, Ruo’er...” the woman murmured her name.
*But I lied to you,* Chu Ruo sighed silently, patting her. “I know. I trust you, Zhi’er. I believe you. Just now... it was just me. I wasn't prepared to see such a scene suddenly. It won't happen next time.”
“You don't need to worry about anything else. Ruo’er, I promise you, in a few days, we will go to the Central Plains. As long as you want to go, we will go.”
Because of the scene with the Medicine Men that afternoon, and because the others at the dinner table were discussing their wedding and debating the date, Chu Ruo felt miserable. she began to drown her sorrows in wine, gulping down cup after cup. During this time, Tu Jie also came to drink a few cups with her, saying things about entrusting Zhi’er to her, none of which she took in. Bai Shan and Tu Tianli kept pouring more wine. In short, Chu Ruo got drunk—dizzy and stumbling drunk.
“You don't need to mind them,” Bai Zhi’er said, seeing that she could barely hold herself up. She blocked the others. “Alright, you’ve had too much.”
“Sister, you’re already starting to protect your husband?”
“You can skip the other drinks,” Tu Ba said, handing over a cup. “I was a bit too impulsive today. Chu Ruo, come, drink this cup and we’ll be friends from now on!”
Chu Ruo smiled dizzily and reached for it, but Bai Zhi’er intercepted it and threw the cup far away. “Tu Ba, are you treating my words today as wind past your ears?”
Before he could speak, Bai Shan picked up the cup and sniffed it. “Colorless and odorless. But in front of my sister, no poison is of any use. Honestly, why do you love using such low-IQ methods?”
Tu Aozhi was not present for this dinner. Seeing this, Tu Ba didn't deny it. “Consider him lucky this time.”
“Enough!” Tu Jie stood up. “Go back to your room!”
“Big Brother!”
“Get back there! I don't need you meddling in the future!”
“You guys,” Tu Ba slammed his chopsticks down in anger. “Fine! I’m a busybody! I’m leaving, alright?!”
“Zhi’er,” Tu Jie cupped his hands. “I... I apologize to you and Brother Chu on his behalf.”
Bai Zhi’er supported Chu Ruo. “It has nothing to do with you, Brother Jie. Ruo’er is tired. We... will head back to our room first.”
Naturally, because of Bai Shan’s claim that Zhi’er already belonged to Chu Ruo, sleeping in separate rooms now would arouse suspicion. Moreover, they had never approved of bringing Chu Ruo here and had even wanted to kill her. Combined with Tu Ba’s stunt at dinner, Bai Zhi’er didn't dare let Chu Ruo sleep alone. Now that the two of them were in one room, she felt a bit bashful, but also a sense of joy.
“Hee hee,” somewhere in the Heavenly Demon Palace, Tu Ba approached with a fawning smile. “Sister Shan, did I do alright with my task?”
“Mmm, passable.”
Tu Tianli was actually there too. “Sister Zhi’er won't find out, right?”
“It’s fine. Besides, we’re just playing matchmaker for her and her sweetheart. By the way, aren't you two afraid your big brother will find out?”
“Well, Sister Zhi’er doesn't like him. We grew up together; I want Big Brother to be happy, but I want Sister Zhi’er to be happy too. As long as he doesn't find out. Sister Shan, the things you promised to buy me in the Central Plains...”
Tu Tianli chimed in, “And me, and me! Sister Shan...”
“Alright, alright, how could I forget you two? I have it all right here.”
“Wow, Sister Shan is the best...”
In the room, Chu Ruo felt dizzy, her head throbbed, and she was incredibly nauseous. She wanted to vomit but couldn't, so she just tossed and turned on the bed. “Dizzy... thirsty...”
“Coming,” a cool white cloth was placed on her forehead. Bai Zhi’er fed her a cup of water and then wet another cloth to wipe her face. “Do you feel better, Ruo’er?”
“Ruo’er?”
In her stupor, she heard that familiar call. So gentle. She opened her eyes blearily. It felt as if she were back in the Hundred Flowers Palace, just like before—the Hundred Flowers Palace with the Little Scorpion and Yan’er. And the person above her, in the flickering lamplight... that face was so familiar.
“Ruo’er?” Bai Zhi’er saw the other person staring at her with a dazed look and reached out to check her forehead. Suddenly, the other person pulled her down, pulling her tightly into an embrace. “Yan’er, it’s you. Yan’er, I missed you so much.”
*Yan’er?* Bai Zhi’er thought. *Isn't the person in her heart her master, Nan Muxue? Why has a 'Yan'er' appeared? In the Hundred Flowers Palace, the only one named Yan’er is... the Fourth Protector, Nangong Yan.*
“Yan’er,” Chu Ruo held the woman she loved most in her heart, as if trying to pull her into her very bones. Her voice carried a sob, filled with grievance and a hint of a spoiled child’s tone. “Yan’er, I missed you. I missed you so much...”
Bai Zhi’er wanted to push her away, but in the end, her raised hand fell silently. she hugged the other person back. “What... what did you call me?”
“Yan’er, Yan’er, are you angry? Don't be angry. If I made you mad, you can scold me, but you can't ignore me. I apologize, Yan’er. Really, I missed you so much. Missed you... don't go...”
“I won't go,” Bai Zhi’er stroked her back, her eyes lonely. “I’m right here.”
“Yan’er, you’re so good,” Chu Ruo pulled her down onto the bed. “Stay here tonight. Heh heh, Yan’er, you’re so comfortable to hold. Just like the Little Scorpion...”
Bai Zhi’er felt a surge of doubt and asked tentatively, “Little Scorpion?”
“Yeah, that Little Scorpion. She punished me again today. That little brat... how does she have the nerve to be my master?” Chu Ruo was blacked out, merely rambling about the past without conscious thought. “You two are so good. Why... why can't you just be one person? Yan’er... Yan’er...”
Chu Ruo naturally didn't know what she was saying, but the listener took it to heart. Bai Zhi’er was incredibly intelligent. *Nangong Yan, Nan Muxue... your heart is split in two. Since you love those two, why won't you spare a single glance for me?*
...
Once again at the edge of the cliff on Cloud Mist Mountain, Chu Ruo threw herself off. Her mouth was open, but she couldn't hear what she was saying. Only as she neared the bottom did she let out a cry. “Master, save me!”
“Ruo’er!” Nan Muxue sat up. The night was truly cold. She felt something icy fall—it was a crystalline tear sliding from the corner of her eye.
***
