The grand spectacle on Lixin Lake was about to begin, yet Shopkeeper Tang—a man who usually grew ecstatic over a single high-paying customer—seemed strangely listless. Even his voice was hushed as he spoke.
"What’s the rush? The Sword Appreciation Assembly lasts three days. The first day is the Entry, the second is the Clanging of Gold, and the third is the Unsheathing. Today is merely for the sake of a grand entrance; you’ll see them all in the days to come."
Qin Jiuye nodded absently, having no desire to entertain Tang Shenyan’s mood.
As a "village girl" who had seen little of the world, she found everything fascinating. Besides, this was free entertainment. Her eyes darted across the lake, determined not to miss a single detail.
In the blink of an eye, three large vessels sailed in from the southwest. The lead ship was exquisitely decorated, with three layers of thin gossamer draped between the gunwales. Each layer was dyed in two or three subtle, shifting hues. As the lake breeze fluttered through them, the colors rippled like mist and smoke, a sight that dazed the eyes and enchanted the soul.
A moment later, two figures emerged from behind the colorful veils. They appeared to be male disciples with high topknots and simple attire. Each held a flower basket. Upon reaching the prow, they reached in and scattered white specks onto the lake. Qin Jiuye squinted and realized the white specks were individual plum blossoms.
The delicate flowers flew out like paper cranes caught in a breeze, settling into a straight line on the water ahead of the ship. Then, thirteen white-clad figures soared from the two trailing vessels. Their sleeves fluttered like the wings of white cranes, their movements breathtakingly graceful. They tapped lightly upon the floating plum blossoms one by one, using the momentum to leap toward the small islands scattered across the lake. The entire sequence of rising and landing happened in a flash.
Accustomed to seeing women cursing at bridgeheads and men brawling at the edge of the village, Qin Jiuye had never known that humans could glide across water with such elegance. She couldn't help but marvel, "What kind of kung fu is that? It’s so beautiful. It looks even better than the white geese Auntie Zhang raises back in our village."
Tang Shenyan had intended to stop wasting his breath, but after a pot of tea, his mouth began to itch for conversation. Hearing the "village girl’s" unrefined commentary, he couldn't resist opening the floodgates of his knowledge.
"Those are the Thirteen Sons of the Momentary Plum Peak from the Lingxiao Sect. They live in seclusion among the southwestern peaks and are famous for their lightfoot and leg techniques. That move they used to board the islands is called the Cloud-Climbing Step, created by the previous sect leader, Daoist Master He. It is ranked alongside the Moon-Chasing Movement as one of the two most formidable lightfoot secrets today. It is never taught to outsiders."
Qin Jiuye watched with gusto. For some reason, a memory flashed through her mind—the image of a certain someone leaping across a river and crashing through a boat that night. She instinctively looked toward the youth at the stern.
"What do you think?"
Li Qiao glanced toward the lake, then returned to the rhythmic *clink-clank* of repairing the wooden plank.
"Just skills for running away. Nothing special."
Qin Jiuye curled her lip, assuming he was just thin-skinned and unwilling to admit his skills were inferior. She turned her attention back to the lake.
Another wave of commotion rose from the stone barge. A shimmering golden galley sailed slowly from the south, its prow cutting a wake through the water and pushing aside the plum blossoms scattered by the Lingxiao Sect. The midsummer sun beat down on the ship’s hull, the reflection so bright it nearly blinded her.
Once her eyes adjusted, Qin Jiuye saw a dignified, handsome middle-aged man standing at the prow. Had such a face been paired with a tall, stalwart frame, he would surely have been a hero to captivate thousands. Unfortunately, he was short of stature and his physique was unappealing; from the neck down, he looked as though he had been inflated like a bellows, turning into a literal barrel. His shimmering brocade robe, woven with gold thread, clung tightly to his frame. At his short waist hung a scimitar encrusted with emeralds. The hilt appeared to be cast from solid gold, as ostentatious as his ship, dazzling all who looked upon it.
Qin Jiuye was dazed by the radiant figure. Once she recovered, she sighed with genuine admiration.
"That sect leader looks truly extraordinary. He is certainly the one most to my liking today."
Tang Shenyan glanced at the money-grubbing woman beside him and snorted coldly.
"That is the Fish-Watching Acolyte of the Moon-Cradling Sect from the Boundless Sea. His mastery of Daoist arts is peerless. Rumor has it that at the age of seventeen, he engaged in a cross-mountain debate on Daoist philosophy with the Holy Monk Shiwen of the Eastern Sea for seven days and seven nights. In the end, he forced out all the skills Shiwen had spent a lifetime cultivating in seclusion. Neither side could claim victory."
Qin Jiuye’s gaze remained glued to the man’s golden scimitar. "But this Fish-Watching Acolyte looks like a man of the secular world."
"The Fish-Watching Acolyte was born into a wealthy family in the capital. However, shortly after his birth, the Grand Master of the Moon-Cradling Sect personally visited his home, claiming that according to the celestial signs, he was the reincarnation of the deceased previous sect leader. He was taken away immediately. Even now, his biological parents send endless amounts of gold, silver, and jewels to the sect every year. If he doesn't carry a piece or two on him, his parents threaten to take their own lives. In short, the Acolyte himself finds it quite troublesome. After all, these are worldly possessions; too much contact hinders one's cultivation."
*What a godforsaken world,* Qin Jiuye thought. *The parched die of thirst while the flooded drown.*
Her earlier admiration vanished instantly. She gave a thin, mocking smile and looked toward another fleet of ships to the northeast.
These were several light, nimble *ling* boats. At a glance, they seemed no different from the fast boats that plied the city’s inner canals, but a closer look revealed dense dharmic scripts carved into the hulls. On either side of a massive drum at the prow stood two warrior monks, their kasayas draped over one shoulder, holding vajra mallets. Beneath the drum sat an old man with the face of a child and hair as white as snow. He sat cross-legged, cradling a pipa, his brow carrying a natural aura of righteousness.
As the monks' mallets fell, the old man plucked the thin strings. The sound produced by those hair-thin strings felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, the echoes vibrating with a metallic ring that sent ripples through the air, disturbing the surface of the lake from a distance.
Even from afar, Qin Jiuye felt her eardrums ache and instinctively covered her ears. Seeing this, Tang Shenyan pulled her hands down, his voice calm and certain.
"That is Grandmaster Kongyin, the abbot of the Qingshi Dharma Temple on Mount Sidu. Those of the Buddhist path hold the common people in their hearts and act with compassion. This sound is meant only to cleanse turbid energy; it won't harm you. Why are you so nervous?"
Qin Jiuye clearly didn't believe him. She muttered under her breath, "So what if he's of the Buddhist path? How do I know if he’s here to save me or to smite me?"
Before her words had even settled, a sharp, narrow skiff sped across the lake. No one was visible on board. Its white sails were pulled taut as it cut through the waves, completely ignoring the fleet from Qingshi Dharma Temple. In an instant, it had crossed the center of the lake.
"Now, that one over there looks low-profile," she remarked. "That boat is about the same as our little sampan."
Before she could finish, Tang Shenyan could no longer suppress his urge to show off.
"Don't be so naive. Look at how small that boat is, yet no one dares to approach it. That tells you something."
Qin Jiuye asked curiously, "Tells me what?"
"Tells you that your life is at risk. The person on that boat is the famous Abbess Hanzhu, leader of the Xuanjin Sect."
Qin Jiuye had happened to deal with people from the Xuanjin Sect a few times while selling medicine. She clicked her tongue in wonder.
"The Xuanjin Sect has such a massive enterprise, yet their leader acts so modestly. To command such awe while remaining low-profile... it seems this Abbess is quite skilled at governance."
Tang Shenyan snorted and lowered his voice. "Why would the Xuanjin Sect need to 'command' awe? You should know that before Abbess Hanzhu entered the monastic life, she was the famous Witch Queen and Poison King of the Southern Realms. Rumor has it she has developed toxins that are colorless, odorless, and formless. They are refined from living bodies and are as undetectable as a gentle breeze. The poison triggers ten days or a fortnight later—truly, she kills without leaving a trace..."
*That’s not so impressive,* Qin Jiuye thought. *Aren't plagues and diseases the same? They don't just kill one person; they can wipe out an entire household.*
Qin Jiuye propped her chin on her hand and nodded perfunctorily, pointing to a spot not far behind the small boat.
"And who is that? They’re following right behind the Xuanjin Sect’s boat. Quite bold."
Tang Shenyan, interrupted before he could finish his rant, turned his head with some annoyance. Indeed, another ship had emerged from the northwest. Three carved wooden beast heads were prominent on the prow. On the wide deck, twenty-eight burly men in purple robes stood positioned according to the constellations. Each of them possessed a swallow-like jaw and a thick beard, much like Lu Zican, looking very imposing.
"That is the Tiankui Sect from Mount Jiming. Their sect is comprised of experts who have mastered internal cultivation. Those with deep cultivation are immune to all poisons and are the natural nemesis of all things yin and evil. Celestial Master Fuhu, the sect leader, has been in secluded cultivation for three years. It seems today is his first appearance since emerging."
Qin Jiuye squinted to get a better look, only then noticing that the purple-robed disciples were holding something.
"Why are his disciples holding up a fortune-teller’s sign?"
"When Celestial Master Fuhu was young, he made a living as a street fortune-teller. Even though he is now a grandmaster of a sect, he cannot forget his original roots. Wherever he goes, he has people carry it."
Qin Jiuye marveled at this, her mind instinctively drifting to Old Dog Du’s messy hair.
"So, if you tell fortunes long enough, you can realize so-called internal cultivation? It seems being a charlatan isn't entirely without a future."
Tang Shenyan gave her a strange look and shook his head.
"What does internal cultivation have to do with fortune-telling? When Fuhu was young, he wandered the world, practicing geomancy and divination. It wasn't until he was twenty-nine that he chanced upon Celestial Master Huasongshi, who was nearing the end of his life. The old master transmitted his life's learning to him, and only then did he leap into the ranks of the martial elite."
Qin Jiuye was speechless for a long moment.
This Fuhu was a living testament to the idea that "fate is determined by heaven, not man." She wondered if Huasongshi’s other disciples felt any resentment—spending half their lives in bitter cultivation only to be outmatched by a single word: "fate."
As she pondered, the Tiankui Sect’s ship overtook the others, passing Abbess Hanzhu’s small skiff and taking the lead. Suddenly, two red-lacquered wooden ships appeared on either side, surging forward to flank the Tiankui Sect’s vessel and trap it in the middle.
It seemed the Lingxiao Sect, who had appeared first, was the most moderate. These latecomers were each more determined than the last, their ambitions rising like waves, each one threatening to crash over the one before it.
Noticing Qin Jiuye’s gaze, Tang Shenyan spoke up first.
"Those are the two leaders of the Shenpu Sect. The one in white robes and red trousers is the Dragon King of Cause; the one in red robes and white trousers is the Dragon King of Effect. In terms of martial arts, they may struggle against the top experts of the world, but in terms of sheer audacity, they are at the very front. If it ever comes down to a life-and-death struggle, no one can withstand the eight hundred death soldiers of their sect."
The martial world was a place of violence and ferocity; to come out on top, one had to be a ruthless character. However...
Qin Jiuye frowned. "Why are there two Dragon Kings in one sect?"
"The rules of the Shenpu Sect are incredibly complex and profound, and their techniques are extremely mysterious. They revere pairs and shun singles; it’s said to be a tradition passed down from ancient times that has never changed. However, the Dragon Kings who hold power are elected every year. The first becomes the Dragon King of Cause, and the second becomes the Dragon King of Effect. Because there is a cause, there must be an effect—that’s the general idea. The current two Dragon Kings are biological brothers. Rumor has it they have mastered a method of mental telepathy and possess the secret technique of Heavenly Thunder Fire. They have led the sect for over a decade now."
She understood now. All that talk of revering pairs, shunning singles, and the cycle of cause and effect was just a fancy title for a power grab.
Being the only one to achieve success wasn't enough; they wanted the whole family to ascend together. Why let half of such a lucrative position fall into the hands of an outsider? Better for brothers to join forces and occupy the spots, the better to plot their grand future together.
Thinking of this, Qin Jiuye couldn't help but recall the two brothers in the Qiu Manor who were at each other's throats.
In terms of strength, audacity, and intellect, those two were certainly not inferior to these so-called Dragon Kings. If they could truly join forces, they wouldn't have to worry about dealing with the mastermind hiding in the shadows of the martial world. Unfortunately, the two of them were currently walking separate paths. Forget walking hand-in-hand; they would likely cut off their sleeves in anger if even a speck of the other's dust touched them.
She had thought today would merely be a quiet prelude to the real show, but it was turning out to be far more than that. Seeing the tension on Lixin Lake grow thicker by the second, Qin Jiuye felt a bit confused.
"You said it yourself—it’s only the first day. Isn't it just about making an appearance? Why is everyone putting on such a massive display?"
"They call it an appearance, but how many people here have been holding their breath for a year just for this moment to show their faces? Do you think the people on the upper levels of that stone barge are really just here to watch the fun?"
Qin Jiuye glanced at the distinguished guests on the top deck, drinking tea, sipping wine, and laughing behind their hands. She asked in return, "Aren't they?"
A cold laugh escaped from between Tang Shenyan’s teeth. Though he was huddled uncomfortably on this prickly straw mat, he clearly looked down on the wealthy patrons in the stone barge.
"Speculating merchants, information brokers waiting to put pen to paper, even imperial spies—which of them isn't secretly observing to see if there are any outstanding talents or powerful sects to recruit and win over for their own use? Every sect must take this chance to show off and demonstrate their strength. If they can catch a 'big fish,' all the better. At the very least, boosting their reputation means they haven't come for nothing. If they fail to seize the initiative now, they’ll be bullied and chased once the assembly officially begins. And once the assembly ends, they’ll be suppressed for an entire year until they get a chance to redeem themselves next year."
Hearing this, Qin Jiuye felt a sense of melancholy. After a long silence, she murmured, "I thought people of the martial world were all free-spirited and unconcerned with worldly matters. It turns out their lives are just as bleak."
"It’s just the law of the jungle. Wherever there are people, isn't it always like this? Though the martial world wasn't always this way..."
Tang Shenyan’s voice droned on. When Qin Jiuye looked back at the stone barge, the elegant gentlemen and richly dressed ladies seemed to have changed. The way they looked down at the lake with such disdain was terrifying. Though they all smiled as warmly as a spring breeze, it gave her an indescribable chill.
Tang Shenyan raised his hand to pour another cup of hot tea. Blowing on the tea leaves, he didn't stop talking.
"In any case, one must make a formal appearance at this assembly. If you sneak in secretly, people will inevitably speculate whether your sect has met with disaster or if your leader has died suddenly. And those who *have* met with disaster or lost their leader are even less able to enter the fray in a lowly manner. Unless they plan to quit the martial world forever, they must spend a fortune to keep up appearances."
Before Tang Shenyan could finish, an exceptionally large tower ship sailed into the center of the lake. Qin Jiuye squinted. Wasn't the person standing atop the pavilion, facing the wind, Yuan Shuqing’s foster son, Yuan Qi—the man she had been "thinking of day and night"?
The exhaustion from waking up early to row and waiting under the scorching sun vanished instantly. Qin Jiuye’s spirits rose. Ignoring the swaying of the sampan, she stood up.
"Who says we can't find the person we’re looking for? Look, he’s right here."
Before she could finish, another large ship veered in from the side, refusing to be outdone as it chased after them.
The two ships sailed side-by-side, neither yielding. The waves they broke slapped against each other's hulls with a thunderous roar, causing both vessels to rock violently.
In the next moment, a man stepped out from the cabin of the trailing ship. He gathered his breath and stomped heavily onto the deck. The ship instantly steadied as if an anchor had been dropped, and the force of the stomp sent the water droplets on the deck flying.
Everyone could see that the "show" which had begun early this morning had reached a critical point. A commotion broke out on the stone barge as countless heads leaned over the railings, not wanting to miss this spectacular moment.
Qin Jiuye sensed something was wrong and immediately asked, "Who is that man on the deck?"
Tang Shenyan paused for a long moment before speaking.
"The number one expert of the Qiushan Sect, Wang Xiao."
Qin Jiuye instantly understood the situation.
Regardless of the details, Yuan Shuqing had met with disaster on his way to the Qiushan Sect. There had always been rumors that Wang Xiao had grown greedy and intercepted and killed him on Qingping Road. Because of this, the Qiushan Sect had been frequently denounced, and their situation was clearly no better than that of Fangwaiguan.
Both sides had come today with grievances. It seemed they intended to use this Sword Appreciation Assembly to settle the matter of right and wrong. She just didn't know if there was a third party involved, or if one of these two was a thief crying "thief" to shift the blame.
Qin Jiuye sighed. "The Qiushan Sect is currently in a position of strength, and other sects are watching like tigers. Isn't Yuan Qi afraid of walking into the lion's den with no way out?"
Tang Shenyan raised the teapot to pour another cup, only to find it was empty. He slowly set the pot down and hesitated before continuing.
"There were rumors earlier that Di Mo, the Lord of the World's Number One Villa, would personally attend this year. Yuan Qi likely feels he has backing and wants to take this opportunity to seek justice for Fangwaiguan. After all, Di Mo hasn't appeared in the martial world for years; this is indeed a rare opportunity."
Having a "big tree" for support wasn't enough; at the critical moment, one had to invite the "big tree" to personally step out and extend its branches. It seemed that seeking justice in the martial world was no easier than beating the drum before Magistrate Fan’s yamen.
But the situation in the martial world was so complex—could one person truly lead all the various factions by their own strength alone? How much of Di Mo’s reputation was substance and how much was shadow? And did that business with Xin Yu have anything to do with him...
Qin Jiuye’s heart was full of doubt, and the question escaped her lips.
"Li Qiao, have you ever heard of Di Mo, the Lord of the World's Number One Villa?"
There was no response for a long time. When Qin Jiuye turned around, she realized that at some point, only she and Tang Shenyan remained on the sampan. The broken plank at the stern had been replaced with a smooth new one, and the youth who had been working silently was nowhere to be seen.
In the martial world, "seeking justice" usually meant: *you killed my whole sect, so I will slaughter your whole family.* If Fangwaiguan truly managed to use the momentum of this assembly, they would likely dig three feet into the earth to find the killer and tear them limb from limb...
But why did he run? Wasn't the person who went on a killing spree on Qingping Road that mysterious young master from the Treasure Mirage Pavilion? Could it be that he was afraid he would be implicated once they investigated thoroughly, or did he simply not want to see the people from Fangwaiguan again? After all, he had said Yuan Shuqing was his enemy; the enemy’s foster son would likely count as half an enemy as well.
Meeting an enemy was never pleasant, but she didn't know how this debt would be settled...
Qin Jiuye was lost in thought when the sampan beneath her feet suddenly wobbled. Tang Shenyan had stood up.
"I’ve been crouching here since early morning. Even young Li doesn't want to waste any more time with you; I should head back too. I have plenty of news that needs organizing."
As he spoke, Tang Shenyan packed up his tea set, preparing to go ashore.
Hearing this, Qin Jiuye felt strangely annoyed. She tried to save face by saying, "I told him earlier to go into the city to run some errands. He was afraid of being delayed, so he left as soon as he finished his work."
Tang Shenyan wore an expression that said, "I can't be bothered to expose you." He simply patted the grass clippings from his backside and stepped onto the temporary wooden pier.
The lively sounds from the stone barge continued to drift over. Qin Jiuye felt a strange sense of loss and couldn't help but ask, "But things have only just begun. Are you really not staying a bit longer?"
Tang Shenyan shook his head and slung his small satchel over his shoulder.
"I can't handle the crouching anymore. As I’ve gotten older these past few years, if I blow in the lake breeze for too long, my migraines act up."
Qin Jiuye didn't quite believe him and teased him half-jokingly. "If that’s the case, why did you insist on coming along for this ordeal? Could it be that you originally wanted to say a few more words to squeeze a few silver ingots out of me, but realized there wasn't much hope and decided to retreat early?"
Tang Shenyan turned to look at her. Uncharacteristically, he didn't snap back. He simply grinned.
"The Sword Appreciation Assembly happens every year, but who knows when it will be Jiugao’s turn again? For an old bag of bones like me, every look is one less look I’ll have."
Qin Jiuye said nothing, but she noticed that Tang Shenyan’s departing figure was indeed somewhat hunched. When she saw him moving briskly in the Listening Wind Hall, she hadn't noticed it, but now she remembered—unbeknownst to her, he had taken her "short-changed" silver and only cursed a few times, no longer able to chase her out of the hall.
Qin Jiuye withdrew her gaze, a strange bitterness in her heart.
Perhaps in a few years, Old Tang wouldn't even be able to run around for news near Jiugao City. By then, the martial travelers would find another place to hear news, and the name "Listening Wind Hall" would fade completely from the martial world, leaving no trace, just like the tides of this lake.
Melancholy rose like the river waters in summer, refusing to recede. Qin Jiuye watched the excitement in the middle of the lake for a while longer, but without the sound of Li Qiao hammering wood and Old Tang’s noisy explanations, everything felt dull and tasteless.
She simply lowered her head and continued to organize the bundle of reeds, wrapping the cleaned roots in the rough-edged paper she had prepared.
As she reached for a sheet of paper, she noticed a corner was missing, and she remembered this morning.
When she woke up, she had indeed told Li Qiao to go into the city to buy some things for her. Although she knew he was always reliable, she had still torn a corner from the wrapping paper and used a charcoal pencil to write a list for him.
Back when she took him to the Treasure Mirage Pavilion, he had mysteriously disappeared for a while. Just because she hadn't pursued the matter didn't mean she was unaware of it. Now that half the martial world was gathered in Jiugao, it wasn't impossible that he had other things he wanted to do. That was likely why he had left in such a hurry...
As she thought, Qin Jiuye suddenly felt something was off.
Since when had she started actively making excuses for him? He was the one who had requested to work for these three months. Now, he had left without a word—did he have any respect for her as his boss?
The more Qin Jiuye thought about it, the angrier she became. On the lake not far away, the majestic sect leaders sailed past, making her feel even more like a muddled and incompetent half-baked boss.
Fine. They had agreed to meet in the nearby reed marshes at dusk anyway. If he even forgot that, she wouldn't show any mercy—she would definitely dock his pay.
***
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