"Go back," she commanded, her voice as cold as ice.
This woman was so fickle. However, Chu Ruo was not one to fear death, especially when she had a chance to see Yan'er. How could she care about anything else? Yan'er was busy every day; she had clearly been there last night, yet she’d been out all day and only just returned under the cover of night, likely still carrying her injuries. Chu Ruo continued to peer around, muttering under her breath, "Let me just get one look at Yan'er first. I don't even know if she's feeling better."
"Go back!"
If the previous sentence was cold, these two words were a vicious snarl. Startled by the shout, Chu Ruo looked up and saw Nan Muxue’s face. It wasn't just murderous; it looked as if she wanted to swallow Chu Ruo alive. Her expression was as frigid as a block of ice pulled straight from the Hanbing Cave, yet her eyes looked ready to spit fire.
Chu Ruo grumbled in dissatisfaction, "What did I ever do to you? You look like you want to hack me into a thousand pieces. You're sick, you know that? Changing faces like that... you've got a split personality."
"Go back! Do not make me say it a third time."
*Hey, you're really on a roll now, aren't you?* Chu Ruo straightened her back. "I'm not going. What are you going to do about it?"
"If you don't go, don't even dream of getting your antidote!"
"Oh." Chu Ruo immediately tucked her head and retreated in a pathetic scramble. *Just you wait, Little Scorpion. Sooner or later, I'll make you feel what it's like to be threatened every single day. We have plenty of time. Yan'er, I won't see you today. It's fine, we have all the time in the world. No rush, no rush.* She comforted herself with these thoughts all the way back to her room, feeling utterly aggrieved.
Beside them, Yin Liuli’s eyes widened. Given Nan Muxue’s usual temperament, when Chu Ruo refused to leave, she should have reminded her in a haughty, playful tone—Yin Liuli could even guess the words: *Has my disciple had too many comfortable days and forgotten the Hundred Flowers Gu in her body?* It certainly shouldn't have been so blunt, let alone carried that hint of exasperation and urgency, as if she desperately wanted the other person to vanish immediately.
*Is she trying to prevent Chu Ruo and Yan'er from meeting?* Yin Liuli stared at Nan Muxue with a mischievous smirk. "What’s wrong with you?"
As soon as Chu Ruo left, Nan Muxue regained her composure. "What?"
"You and that precious disciple of yours... is there something going on that we don't know about?"
The tone was suggestive. The tips of Nan Muxue’s ears actually turned red, though her face remained an icy mask. "Where is Yan'er?"
"In the main hall. I thought you weren't feeling well and were resting in your room, so I wanted to let you sleep longer. Who knew our Young Palace Mistress would..."
"Liuli," Nan Muxue said, her embarrassment deepening. "You’re becoming more frivolous by the day. You shouldn't joke about such things."
In the Baihua Palace, romantic love was the ultimate taboo, outweighing all else. There were no men in the palace. When disciples spent every day together, it was inevitable that they might develop pity for one another in such a harsh environment, or perhaps two lonely hearts would drift closer. Over time, it was unavoidable that a pair or two would develop feelings akin to those between a man and a woman. Once discovered, the consequences were horrific.
Nan Menghua always devised the most terrifying methods to torture them. The most famous case involved the two previous Protectors. At that time, Nan Muxue hadn't been born yet; they were the ones who had grown up alongside Nan Menghua. Nan Muxue only remembered hearing as a child that they had knelt before her mother. She didn't know what happened after that. From that day on, no one ever saw them again.
Many years later, she heard the truth: one had her limbs severed and her face disfigured, while the other had her martial arts destroyed and was drugged with Wushi Powder—a highly addictive substance. Both were then sent to a brothel. The disfigured Protector was forced to watch helplessly as her beloved was tortured beyond recognition. Within a few years, the two beauties, who had once been peerless figures in the martial world, withered away and died. It was a chilling tale. To the Baihua Palace under Nan Menghua’s rule, love was a cardinal sin. Not even as a joke was it permitted!
"I’m just reminding you," Yin Liuli said. She usually liked to banter to add a bit of relaxation to this cold, eerie place, but she knew her joke just now had indeed been inappropriate. "It’s fine if the three of us see your abnormality, but if Yunshuang finds out, you..."
The five of them had grown up together. They had been so close as children, but once Yunshuang started following Nan Menghua, everything changed.
Nan Muxue walked toward the main hall alongside her. She seemed to sigh. "My conscience is clear; let her say what she will. However, I know you care for me and I will be careful. Mother has gone to the Broken Cliff for secluded cultivation. On the surface, she sent Shuang'er to assist us, but in reality... I don't want to see her that way until I see it with my own eyes. Besides, she is ultimately on our side. Speaking of which, how has that girl Ning'er been doing outside this past year?"
Uncharacteristically, Yin Liuli’s expression became a bit unnatural. "Don't you know her? She's flighty and eccentric. I don't understand why you insisted on establishing branch sects. Our Baihua Palace isn't like other sects; we have the advantage of Ruyun Peak. Why follow the trend? And with her noisy personality, you actually sent her to handle the branches. I really can't guess what you're thinking anymore."
"Why do I feel like you're complaining to me?"
Yin Liuli became even more flustered. "I am not."
Nan Muxue didn't expose her, but her expression grew solemn. "I’ve had the idea of establishing branches for a long time. Nowadays, which sect doesn't have branches everywhere? Even small sects have at least seven or eight locations, and even the newest ones have two or three. Everyone is expanding aggressively. Compared to them, our Baihua Palace looks meager. As the saying goes, a wily hare has three burrows. Even with a century of foundation, we cannot simply sit and deplete our resources. We are already quite late in this matter; it is urgent. Baihua Palace only accepts women, which makes many things inconvenient. We only hold a place in the world because of our martial arts and the natural defense of Ruyun Peak. Yet those men, despite being inferior in skill, are jealous and disdainful of us. I have my reasons for sending Ning'er. Among the four Protectors, she, the Third Protector, is the most active and far better at dealing with people than the rest of us. I wouldn't trust any other disciple."
There was one thing she didn't say: this was a path of retreat she was preparing for them. She had an uneasy premonition. The martial world had been too quiet lately. Even with the Martial Arts Assembly approaching, it was strangely peaceful.
"Greetings, Young Palace Mistress."
Nan Muxue waved her hand. "It’s just the three of us; there’s no need for such formalities." When other disciples were present, they had to maintain an air of majesty to command respect. In private, they were very casual.
Nangong Yan gave a light laugh. The three of them sat together on the meticulously polished, gleaming nanmu floor. "I’ve received the latest news. There are two factions that have infiltrated the palace."
"Besides Feipeng Fortress, that would be..." Nan Muxue frowned, and after a moment’s thought, she had the answer. "The Tianmo Palace."
"Exactly. I suspect they might be planning to deal with Baihua Palace together..."
Yin Liuli took over. "Tianmo Palace isn't a Central Plains sect; they are heterodox. They weren't even invited to the election of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, yet they had the gall to claim they would deliver a 'great gift.' In my view, the major orthodox sects are their primary targets. It's unlikely they are specifically targeting us, but we cannot be careless. Feipeng Fortress, however, knows us far better than the other sects. Especially after how you treated those senior disciples of theirs last time... I'm truly a bit worried."
At some point, a cup of tea had appeared in Nan Muxue’s hand. She habitually ran her fingertip along the rim—a habit of many years. "Heterodox? Our reputation isn't much better. The so-called 'righteous' sects have always looked down on us, and even Feipeng Fortress wants to walk all over us. Among the new batches of disciples, there are at least twenty or thirty people. Their goals are too varied."
Nangong Yan sighed. "Carefulness is the mother of safety. We were cautious when they arrived and didn't let them learn the way up and down the peak, but this can't go on forever. Something will eventually happen. Why don't we send them all down the mountain while there's still time? Send them to Ning'er."
Yin Liuli disagreed. "That would be like hesitating to move for fear of breaking the vase. How would we recruit disciples in the future? We’d recruit them but be afraid to keep them. Let's think on this for two more days. I and two trusted disciples have been watching them closely. I hope we'll have results soon."
Nan Muxue pondered for a moment before slowly speaking. "We'll observe for two more days. If it doesn't work..."
"If it doesn't work," Nan Yunshuang’s voice rang out from outside, approaching steadily, "leave none alive."
Not a single survivor. Nangong Yan stretched, looking disdainful. "How does the Great Protector have free time today?"
"Yan'er," Yin Liuli shot her a warning look—this girl wore everything on her face. Then she smiled to smooth things over. "Yunshuang, why are you here?"
Nan Yunshuang smiled. As she walked toward them, Nan Muxue and Yin Liuli tacitly moved aside to make room. She sat down as well. "If I hadn't come, you weren't planning on calling for me, were you?"
"Of course. You're so busy, how would we dare invite you? What, now that the Old Palace Mistress is in seclusion, you've remembered us?"
"I didn't come here today to trade barbs with you," Nan Yunshuang waved her off. "Xue'er, this matter requires a decisive judgment. Do not be indecisive."
"I know, but several of these disciples have good potential. It would be a waste. And the others are innocent..."
"Innocent? This world has always been about the strong devouring the weak. Better to kill by mistake than to let a threat escape. Do not let soft-heartedness drag you down."
Hearing this, Yin Liuli stared straight at her. "Shuang'er, how did you become like this?"
"If you cannot do it, I will," Nan Yunshuang said, already standing up. Before leaving, she placed a slip of paper on the floor. "These are the suspicious targets I've identified through my observations. I'm just waiting for further confirmation. If there are still no results by then, kill them without mercy."
"Look at her. Look at what she's become," Nangong Yan pouted.
"What has she become?" Yin Liuli started joking again. "As I recall, a certain someone used to be best friends with her."
"Liuli!" Nangong Yan snapped, then leaned in as if remembering something. "It's certainly not as good as you and Ning'er."
"You little brat, believe it or not, I'll rip your mouth apart!"
"Enough, stop it," Nan Muxue picked up the slip of paper, glanced at it, and handed it to the other two. "Since we have targets, investigate them thoroughly. Shuang'er has always been vigorous and resolute; in this, we truly cannot compare."
The two took the paper, read it, and destroyed it. Nangong Yan yawned. "I heard you were punished by the Old Palace Mistress again?"
At the mention of her injuries, for some reason, the first thing that surfaced in Nan Muxue’s mind was Chu Ruo’s face. The blush that had faded earlier quietly returned to her cheeks. "It's nothing. Just a minor issue."
"Oh?" Nangong Yan smiled mysteriously and exchanged a look with Yin Liuli. The two immediately sat closer to her. "Quick, tell us about you and that precious disciple of yours."
"Why bring her up?"
Nangong Yan hugged her legs. "Your punishment this time was related to her, wasn't it? The story of our Young Palace Mistress offending Liu Shaopeng for the sake of her beloved disciple has spread throughout the entire martial world. Even I, who was away, heard about it. And you were so ruthless—killing some, crippling others. Tsk tsk, our Young Palace Mistress is truly protective."
Yin Liuli also teased, "Yet you're so hard on Chu Ruo yourself. You force her to practice every day. That's not just horse stances; it's a disguised punishment. But then again, you turn a blind eye when she plays cards with the younger disciples in private. You indulge her so much, aren't you afraid of gossip?"
Nan Muxue’s face remained solemn. "As my disciple, only I am allowed to bully her. If she were someone anyone could push around, it would disgrace both the Baihua Palace and my name. Why else would I go to such lengths to temper her?"
"That doesn't sound like your usual style. You're being a bit dishonest with yourself," Nangong Yan smirked. "I'm becoming more and more curious. What's so special about her? If she weren't a woman, I'd really think she was your lover. Though, her face is quite handsome."
"She is simple by nature but not dull. With a little development, she will certainly be useful to me. As for her identity as a woman, remember that it must never be leaked." *Just by knowing of the Old Palace Mistress's existence, she could guess my injuries were from my mother. She can deduce so much from the slightest clue. Chu Ruo is indeed promising material.*
"Don't worry, you know how tight our lips are. Right now, only the three of us, the girl Xiao Guo'er who serves her, the Old Palace Mistress, and *that person* know." The other two naturally knew "that person" referred to Nan Yunshuang. As for the Third Protector, Duan Ning, since she was away and every extra person who knew increased the risk of a leak, there was no need to tell her for now; they would deal with it later. "Xiao Guo'er has looked after her for so long; haven't you asked if that girl noticed anything unusual?"
"She won't say anything. I've warned her that if anything leaks, she can forget about the antidote for the Hundred Flowers Gu. As for Xiao Guo'er," Nan Muxue shook her head, "that girl is also simple-minded. I just picked a random maid that day to send to her; I didn't intend for her to spy. However, it's appropriate for her to look after Chu Ruo. The two of them have become quite close."
"Why did the Old Palace Mistress suddenly go into seclusion? Is she really willing to hand over power to you?"
"Her *Lover's Drunkenness* has reached the final stage; naturally, she cannot afford any distractions. As for handing over power? Do you think that's possible?"
Nangong Yan nudged her. In truth, Nan Menghua had never personally struck them; she was merely strict, making them kneel all day or forbidding them from eating. Even if they were beaten, it was others using rattan switches. Nan Muxue, however, was different—she was beaten and scolded constantly, and every strike was brutal. Nangong Yan offered a lighthearted comfort, "Don't be sad. When she dies, we'll all listen to you."
*Pfft—* Yin Liuli was amused. "What kind of talk is that?"
Nan Muxue also managed a slight tug at the corner of her mouth. It wasn't because of the words, but because every time she smiled lately, it was because of a certain face in her mind.
***
Two months later.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye. A few days after that night, they successfully rooted out three spies sent by Feipeng Fortress and Tianmo Palace. Thus, the Baihua Palace returned to a temporary peace.
However, Nangong Yan was very frustrated. Why had the Young Palace Mistress been sending her down the mountain so often lately? Although staying in the palace was boring, she was sent out constantly. Sometimes it was for trivial matters. In these two months, she had spent less than five days in total at the palace. Especially at night, Nan Muxue would drag her elsewhere to discuss matters until very late. She had wanted to see that Chu Ruo, whom she hadn't seen since the day she was rescued. She had seen her once from a distance, and the girl had actually waved at her excitedly and looked like she wanted to run over, acting as if they were old friends. She really was a weirdo. Didn't she know Nangong Yan had almost ended her with a sword that day? The strangest part was the Young Palace Mistress, who had immediately hurried her away. What was going on?
Meanwhile, Chu Ruo’s hair had finally grown long enough to be tied into a high ponytail. It looked casual and unrestrained, giving her the air of a wealthy young playboy. Sometimes, she even made the younger disciples who didn't know her well swoon. She had finally begun to learn martial arts properly, no longer just practicing horse stances. However, if she practiced poorly, the Little Scorpion would still punish her with horse stances. Fortunately, she could always see "Yan'er" at night. Passing the days like this was quite fulfilling. As Chu Ruo thought this, her face lit up with a joyful, sweet smile.
"Chu Ruo!"
The Little Scorpion’s voice snapped her back to reality. "Go practice your horse stance for four hours! Add three layers of bowls!"
*Evil Little Scorpion! I curse you to never find a husband! How did I encounter such a Little Scorpion after transmigrating? I wonder which poor fool will be blind enough to marry you in the future.*
At this moment, Chu Ruo didn't know that she was that very blind fool. By the time she remembered this "flag" she had set, many years had passed. At that time, she would only wish she were an octopus so she could stick to the Little Scorpion—no, hang off her Master—every single day.
***
**Glossary**
