Qin Jiuye’s gaze shifted left and right, following the swaying, intersecting silhouettes in the distance.
In a closed space, one loses the ability to judge the passage of time. She could only surmise from her own weary state that it was at least past the hour of the Rat—the darkest moment of the day.
The "dust had settled" on the bloody case of Fangwai Temple. Everyone knew the most treacherous wave had been weathered; what remained was nothing more than a light spray that might dampen one's shoes. The expressions on every face had relaxed considerably. They crowded around the masked man, chattering about the various affairs of the martial world over the past year. The scene was reminiscent of the imperial capital, where civil and military officials sought audience with the Son of Heaven.
At first, Qin Jiuye forced herself to listen closely. But after seven or eight people had finished their turns, she found it difficult to maintain her concentration.
There were endless, vexing troubles in the martial world every day. She did not feel these so-called "martial world priorities" were any different from the scraps of gossip Tang Shenyan shared daily at Tingfeng Hall. Nor did she feel these matters required a single person to preside over them and dispense justice, only to be thanked with excessive gratitude afterward.
Yet, the various sects—large and small, all with names and reputations—seemed to have grown accustomed to this. Even minor matters, such as reclaiming a sect’s sacred relic or expanding a training hall on a back mountain, were left to Di Mo’s judgment and decree.
She didn't understand it at first, but gradually, she began to see through it. These people weren't truly seeking advice; they were merely using these trifles to test the Villa’s attitude toward their respective sects. In essence, it was no different from the dispute between the Akiyama Sect and Fangwai Temple.
Those who roamed the martial world were all hardened souls who walked on the edge of a blade and had been washed by the wind and waves. Each was more averse to the constraints of rules than the last, yet now they were willing to bow their heads to a mysterious villa that raised death soldiers and colluded with the imperial court. What had transpired behind the scenes to lead to this was not something that could be glimpsed in a single night.
As time passed, some of the densely lit torches and bonfires flickered out. The originally brightly lit cavern gradually dimmed, but the sound of whispered conversations grew more clamorous, and the atmosphere became increasingly fervent. A group of wine-serving attendants entered at the opportune moment, lifting a bronze wine *lei* decorated with square-mouthed *taotie* motifs onto the central stone platform. Di Mo took up a curved-handled wine ladle and began to personally prepare the wine for the crowd.
The last time Qin Jiuye had witnessed a group of people clinking glasses was at the Su Manor birthday banquet.
Back then, her heart had been set on finding evidence to escape, all while cautiously guarding against the Su family. It had been like a fish swimming in a boiling pot—pure torment.
Tonight, though she had long since escaped that particular predicament, she felt as if she had stepped into another massive cage. And the others in this cage seemed entirely unaware. They were busy reading faces, assessing the situation, and maneuvering for survival, without even the time to look up at the sky.
Of course, even if they looked up now, they would not be able to see the sky.
Perhaps they did not wish to bother with the unique, aloof, and reclusive Kunxu Sect; or perhaps they did not want to provoke the official forces behind the Lord of Broken Jade by antagonizing him. In any case, after the various shifts in the martial world tonight, the area around Qin Jiuye became unprecedentedly quiet. She no longer had the heart to watch the spectacle, and the two beside her fell into silence as well. The three of them were like three dried bitter gourds on a single vine, immersed in their own thoughts.
Not far away, the drama regarding the Qingwu Blade had completely concluded. The two fisherwomen who had held up the bamboo poles before the stone niche withdrew, exiting along with the attendants who had presented the blade.
It wasn't until those figures vanished at the edge of the light and shadow, their traces no longer findable, that Qin Jiuye spoke in a bit of a daze.
"Tell me, why does that Qingwu Blade have no scabbard?"
Qi Gu, who was still lost in thought, started at the question. After a long pause, she replied somewhat dismissively.
"Who knows? Perhaps it was lost. After all, Li Qingdao himself is missing; it stands to reason that the weapon would lose its scabbard."
"Is that so?" Qin Jiuye was clearly not satisfied, her voice tinged with thoughtfulness. "But that blade looked quite polished. It didn't look like it had been kept without a scabbard..."
As she muttered to herself, for some reason, the image of that youth and his rusted blade—which almost never left his side—flashed before her eyes.
In the martial world, a fine blade would attract attention, but a rusted blade was actually quite strange as well. However, most of the time, that blade was hidden within its tattered, old scabbard, so no one thought to investigate it.
Similarly, when a bladesman traveled the world with his weapon, if he was highly skilled and decisive in killing, he would not strike easily. Once he did, he would often take a life. Thus, over time, those who had dealt with him and were still among the living had likely only seen his weapon while it was still sheathed.
In other words, the people in the martial world today who claimed to recognize Li Qingdao’s weapon might have only seen the scabbard. As for what the blade inside actually looked like or what details it possessed, they were likely entirely ignorant. Even if a counterfeit were placed before them, they probably wouldn't be able to tell.
Qin Jiuye was startled by her own speculation, and then felt a wave of confusion.
She found herself increasingly unable to understand the direction of tonight’s grand play. She felt as if some key plot point had been missed, and she was growing faintly uneasy because of it.
Just then, a flurry of light footsteps sounded behind her. Before she could react, someone was already standing before her, Qiu Ling, and Qi Gu—a disciple of the Villa wearing a bamboo hat.
The disciple held a lacquered tray with a wine cup and a small dish of bayberries, his manner very respectful.
In truth, before the girl performing the Heavenly Raiment Footwork had taken the stage, there had been small programs in the Xianni Grotto, such as "Drinking Lotus Dew," "Plucking Water Chestnuts," and "Peeling Lotus Seeds." These were meant to provide refreshments for those who had traveled from afar and to serve as good omens, reminding the guests to prepare for the highlight of the night: the "Blade Consecration."
However, Qin Jiuye had been delayed in the Haoran Grotto earlier and had missed some of it. Her throat was currently dry. Although she did not like to drink, her eyes instinctively drifted toward the items as the disciple brought them over.
Sensing her inquisitive gaze, Qi Gu couldn't help but whisper a reminder.
"Don't even think about it. That is the ten-year-old Dalu Brew specially prepared for this assembly. I heard it’s been infused with countless Snow Ginseng and Precious Reishi. Drinking just one small cup can improve one's cultivation by ten years. Except for the heads of each sect, no one else gets a single drop. If it weren't for that, why would I have made my move earlier?"
Qin Jiuye looked around again and realized it was exactly as Qi Gu said. A Villa disciple was personally serving wine before each sect. Although there were many bayberries on each tray, there was only one wine cup, clearly intended only for the sect leader. Others could only eat sour plums and sigh in envy.
Dalu Brew was indeed expensive, but not so much that it was impossible to find. As for the claim that it could improve cultivation, that was even more absurd. Based on her years of medical experience, most "supplement fanatics" who believed in folk remedies and soaked everything in wine ended up with chronic poisoning.
Furthermore, if they truly didn't want to share with everyone, why bother bringing out that half-person-tall wine *lei* for all to see?
Ultimately, this gesture was meant to tell everyone present—especially the young, vigorous, and ambitious—that no matter how much wine was in the vessel, it had nothing to do with them. If they wanted a cup of this martial world, they had to be the ones standing at the highest position.
The aroma of wine was like the scent of power, constantly teasing the carefully hidden ambitions of the guests.
In her momentary distraction, the disciple in the green bamboo hat bowed to Qiu Ling and presented the fine brew.
"Lord of Broken Jade, please have some wine."
Qiu Ling’s gaze swept over the clear liquid in the cup, not lingering for even a moment.
"I am not the head of the Kunxu Sect. My presence here is a private matter; my sect is unaware of it. This wine..."
The serving disciple still wore a smile, his hand holding the tray unmoving. He said respectfully, "This wine was personally ordered by the Villa Master, prepared specifically for the Lord of Broken Jade. Please, do not refuse."
After speaking, he stood rooted to the spot.
This behavior seemed no different from the wine-pressing tactics used at the Su Manor, but upon closer inspection, it wasn't hard to sense a deeper danger.
Given Qiu Ling’s current status, he had no right to accept this cup. However, the other party was using the Villa Master to elevate him. Once he complied with this "kindness," he would be suspected of revealing ambition and intending to usurp the leadership. Beyond that, as the host offering the wine, there was a hidden implication of a call to alliance. Accepting it meant taking a side and declaring a stance.
A wine order was like a military order. This damn Villa Master loved forcing people's hands, and he managed to succeed every time. It was truly infuriating.
Qin Jiuye watched from the side, her heart once again squeezing with worry for Qiu Ling. But in the next moment, she saw him reach out and steadily take the wine cup.
The clear liquid sloshed and rippled, a faint fragrance wafting up.
The scent brushed past Qin Jiuye’s nose, causing her expression to freeze.
Perhaps because she had been thoroughly steamed in the hot springs of the Haoran Grotto, her nose was clearer than ever. Though it was only a slight abnormality, she caught it.
Without time to think, in a flash, Qin Jiuye reached out and swiftly grabbed Qiu Ling’s sleeve.
The wine cup wobbled, spilling a few drops, stopping less than an inch from the man's lips.
Qiu Ling turned to look at Qin Jiuye, and she stared back at him intently.
The Villa disciple was standing right in front of them. Qin Jiuye knew she couldn't say directly that there might be something wrong with the wine. She was worrying about how to signal him when Qiu Ling, having already read the emotion in her eyes, spoke naturally.
"I just remembered that when I landed on the island today, I took some 'hot-natured' medicinal pills. I shouldn't drink alcohol for three hours. Thank you for the reminder, otherwise, I might have forgotten."
She had intervened suddenly, yet he had understood instantly and provided such a seamless excuse. Qin Jiuye wanted to clap for him on the spot.
As expected of a jade-wearing supervisor from the academy, skilled in both letters and martial arts. With such extraordinary skill and a sharp mind, it was no wonder General Pingnan valued him so much and kept him by his side.
However, she had ultimately underestimated the stubbornness of the World's Number One Villa—or perhaps the stubbornness of its Master.
"I heard that during yesterday's trials, many heroes took various pills. The Villa Master specifically instructed us not to purchase strong spirits, which is why this special Dalu Brew was chosen. This wine is not for indulgence, but for the completion of the ceremony. The Lord of Broken Jade may simply take a small sip."
After the disciple spoke, he insisted on raising the tray a bit higher, clearly having no intention of backing down.
With this back-and-forth, the scene fell into a stalemate. Qi Gu, sensing something was wrong, kept shooting glances at Qin Jiuye, signaling her to notice the eyes of the people around them. Even without the reminder, Qin Jiuye knew people were secretly observing their movements.
Whether the special Dalu Brew was truly non-intoxicating was unknown, but her nose told her there was definitely something wrong with it.
Taking a deep breath, Qin Jiuye reached up and pulled a hairpin from her hair. She unscrewed the head and took out a silver needle.
"In that case, San-lang, wait a moment."
As she spoke, she mimicked the technique of the Ciyi Needle, pinching the fine needle and dipping it into the wine to stir it.
This needle hidden in the hairpin was something she always carried. It was the same one she had used to take blood from He Yuanzhou; it wasn't a poison-testing needle at all. But the Villa disciple naturally didn't know this. He stared unblinkingly at her movements. Qin Jiuye didn't bother to look up at him, adopting the mysterious tone of Old Dog Du.
"I did a divination before leaving home. Today is a 'Year Breaker' day; nothing is auspicious. For safety's sake, it's better to test it."
She used a silver needle to temporarily block the wine, but the disciple was no easy mark. He asked with a fake smile, "Is this lady questioning the Villa Master's intentions?"
When tactics failed, they resorted to accusations. Though the trick was low, it was very effective at trapping people into a cycle of self-justification.
However, Qin Jiuye didn't fall for it at all. She had already anticipated his reaction and acted surprised. "What does this have to do with the Villa Master? At a martial arts assembly, there are many people and many hands. I see this wine cup has no cover. It takes at least the time for a cup of tea to walk from the wine source to here. You, brother, have been walking with your head down; how can you guarantee no one secretly poisoned it or tampered with the wine?"
Despite his rigorous training, the disciple’s face stiffened for a moment. He had clearly never met someone so unreasonable yet so self-assured. After a long pause, he asked dryly, "Then, has the lady found anything?"
Qin Jiuye’s expression was cold and serious, the silver needle clinking against the cup as she stirred.
"How could it be so fast? One must wait at least fifteen minutes."
Testing for poison with a silver needle could only detect impure arsenic; it wasn't a reliable method. As for waiting fifteen minutes, that was just a lie she made up to force the disciple to retreat.
Since the other party insisted that serving the wine was a matter of etiquette and protocol, she used the excuse of poison testing to delay the drinking. No rule was greater than life and death. If he continued to insist, he would practically be announcing to the world that the wine was tainted and that his job was to force it down the Lord of Broken Jade's throat.
Qi Gu, seeing the situation clearly, finally found her voice and boldly delivered the final blow. "Does this brother insist on waiting here because he's afraid the Lord of Broken Jade will steal your cup?"
The dignity of the World's Number One Villa had to be maintained. The disciple in the bamboo hat finally yielded.
"In that case, I shall take my leave."
*Go, go, leave quickly. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.*
Qin Jiuye urged him in her heart, but her gaze did not follow him. She kept stirring the needle, her ears straining nervously, cold sweat trickling down the back of her neck.
"He is far away now."
After a while, Qiu Ling’s considerate voice sounded. Only then did she finally breathe a sigh of relief. She quickly tucked her needle away and leaned in close to the clear wine, sniffing it carefully. After a long moment, she looked up with a grave expression.
"I cannot be absolutely certain, but there is something wrong mixed into this Dalu Brew."
Qi Gu’s eyes widened, and her lips trembled when she spoke. "Wh-what is it? Is it poison or..."
Qin Jiuye hesitated before voicing her suspicion. "It might be blood."
In ancient times, when states formed alliances, they would often slaughter livestock and smear the blood on their lips to notify the gods and seal the contract.
This ritual of honoring heaven and earth and communing with spirits had not been practiced in Xiangliang for many years. However, the ritual of "smearing blood to swear an alliance" had trickled down from the imperial court into the martial world. Allies would sometimes mix their own finger-blood into wine and drink it, saying, "You are in me, and I am in you; a bond firm and unbreakable."
Whether it was animal blood in ancient times or blood taken with a golden needle today, blood was an indispensable part of this ritual. If Di Mo intended to mix blood into the wine, why hadn't he mentioned it, and why was there no public ritual of blood-smearing?
And what kind of blood was mixed in? Animal blood or human blood? If it was human blood, whose was it?
Most importantly, all of this reminded her of the red porcelain bottle she had found at the Su Manor. That bottle had contained a secret formula, and based on the residue, she had speculated that the formula was likely something like blood.
A terrifying hypothesis began to take shape in Qin Jiuye’s mind, and Qiu Ling had clearly thought of something as well. The two looked at each other, reading endless concern in each other's eyes.
Not far away, the disciple who had served the wine was already far off, seemingly no longer paying attention to them. Qin Jiuye quickly moved the wine cup to her other hand and swiftly untied a strangely shaped jar from her waist.
Before landing on the island, she had left her basket full of junk on the boat, bringing only essential life-saving items.
But besides those, perhaps due to some premonition, she had specifically brought the small jar she had used to hold the Lucky Grass Damselflies.
What was that premonition? Qin Jiuye couldn't say for sure, but the vermilion porcelain bottle found at the Su Manor had given her a hint. If the secret formula existed in a liquid state, she would need a sealable jar if she wanted to secretly take a sample.
She both hoped the item she prepared would be useful at a critical moment and hoped she was just overthinking things—that the secret formula wouldn't appear tonight.
However, looking at it now, her worst fear might have come true.
Though Qi Gu didn't know why blood-tainted wine was so terrifying, she read a great deal from the expressions on Qin Jiuye’s and Qiu Ling’s faces. She suddenly remembered how she had drunk her fill at the wine storage an hour ago. Her whole body slumped to the ground, and the single tuft of hair that had been standing upright on her small hat collapsed.
Qin Jiuye glanced at her, reached out to take the water skin from her waist, unscrewed it, and sniffed. She spoke with a bit of mercy. "The wine you brought back should be fine."
Qi Gu breathed a long sigh of relief, only to hear the other woman continue.
"But it's hard to say about the wine you stole and drank into your stomach."
Seeing Qi Gu’s pale face, Qin Jiuye couldn't help but think of another question.
She was now almost certain that Qiu Ling’s cup was tainted. But beyond that, one more thing needed to be confirmed.
She needed to know if Di Mo was only "favoring" Qiu Ling by tainting his cup alone, or if he was "bestowing his grace equally" and giving everyone tainted wine.
If it was the former, it might just be that Qiu Ling, as a member of the Qiu family, had some grievance with the World's Number One Villa, and they were looking for a chance to retaliate or drag him down. But if the facts pointed to the latter, the entire situation would instantly become unpredictably terrifying.
Because that would mean Di Mo didn't just want to drag the Qiu family into the fray; he wanted to drag the entire martial world into his plan.
He Yuanzhou had committed a string of murders after obtaining the secret formula. If these martial artists obtained it, wouldn't they become a pack of bloodthirsty, murderous monsters?
No, to be precise, monsters several times more terrifying than He Yuanzhou.
He Yuanzhou was just a sickly old woman over eighty. These sect leaders and masters were all vigorous and powerful, capable of punching a hole through a city wall.
If these martial artists, with their internal techniques and strong bodies, all became invulnerable monsters capable of regenerating flesh and blood, and then flowed out into the world like the waters of the martial world, even if Qiu Ling wanted to investigate, he would likely be powerless to stop it.
Qin Jiuye’s gaze turned toward the brightly lit area where figures were moving. She felt a wave of dizziness.
Perhaps she should have shouted "The wine is poisoned" earlier and completely overturned this game. But not only had the disciple served them almost last, even if she had spoken up, she wasn't sure if her strength alone could turn the tide. Would those arrogant martial masters even listen to the words of a wandering doctor?
Moreover, she wasn't certain of her suspicions yet. Acting rashly might only drag Qiu Ling into trouble.
As she hesitated, the sect leaders had already begun putting down their wine cups.
It was too late. Qin Jiuye fell silent, and after a long while, she turned her gaze toward Qi Gu. Qiu Ling noticed her look, and his investigative instincts took over.
"What was the situation when you stole the wine earlier?"
When he asked this, the sharp edges of his persona as a supervisor pierced through his green robes.
Qi Gu was clearly unaccustomed to this. Seeing the gentle, jade-like gentleman suddenly turn into a grim official from a dungeon, she stammered after a long pause.
"...I just drank some in passing. There was no one else around at the time. Otherwise, even if you gave me ten thousand times the courage, I wouldn't have offended the World's Number One Villa just for a taste of wine..."
She began to defend her actions. Qin Jiuye, unable to watch any longer, interrupted. "He wants to know what kind of container you stole the wine from. Was it a wine vat, a jar, or..."
Despite her own crisis not being resolved, Qi Gu curled her lip in disdain and interrupted. "What is the status of the World's Number One Villa? What is Di Mo’s status? For a celebration like this, they naturally use fine wine vessels. But perhaps I went a bit early; the Dalu Brew was just sitting there in jars. I just happened to pry open a mud seal and pour some out. Don't worry, I only took a little from each jar and then used my secret method to restore the seals. They definitely won't find out..."
Qin Jiuye breathed a small sigh of relief, having reached a conclusion.
Qi Gu’s wine had been stolen directly from the jars in the wine cellar, meaning it was likely wine that hadn't yet been poured into the *lei* and mixed with the secret formula. It should be fine.
This also partially confirmed her suspicion: the wine Di Mo bestowed was indeed Dalu Brew from Jiugao, not some unique aged vintage. She wasn't a drinker, but by chance, on the fifth day of the fifth month, she had gotten drunk with Old Tang and the others at Tingfeng Hall. They had drunk Dalu Brew, and she was intimately familiar with its scent. If not for that, she wouldn't have been able to instantly determine that Qiu Ling’s wine was tainted.
It seemed as if Heaven was intentionally leaving clues to lead a poor soul like her to reveal the truth, yet she felt her small frame couldn't withstand these layers of trials and she might just give up halfway.
"If we want to confirm our suspicions, it would be best to get a sample of the remaining wine."
Before Qiu Ling’s words even landed, Qin Jiuye had already turned her gaze toward Qi Gu, who was still grieving for herself.
She and Qiu Ling had come for the secret formula, so it was only natural for them to take action. But right now, there was clearly a more suitable candidate.
First, the Blade Consecration ceremony wasn't over yet. The sects present were all watching each other closely. As the sole representative of the Kunxu Sect, any departure by Qiu Ling would surely invite scrutiny. She herself had caused a scene by the floating bridge earlier. Only Qi Gu was a low-profile, fresh face. Second, Qi Gu had just been to the place where the wine was kept; she knew the terrain and the movement of personnel, making her actions much more secure. She and Qiu Ling could act according to Di Mo’s movements, greatly increasing the chance of success. And third, if things didn't go well and Qi Gu was caught, her identity as a "Huang Guzi" would allow the matter to be treated as a minor theft, making it much easier for her to escape than for her or Qiu Ling.
In short, while it seemed like a risky move full of holes, it was actually a clever play of "using a small piece to win a big prize."
As she began to plot, Qiu Ling also sensed her intention. He looked at Qi Gu and spoke.
"Would Miss Qi Gu be willing to take on a piece of business?"
Qi Gu was stunned, then realized what was happening. Her face turned even more sour. "You don't want me to go back and steal wine, do you?"
"You've already done it once; you're just doing it again," Qin Jiuye pointed out considerately, then coaxed her. "Qi Gu came to the island alone for the banquet; such courage is truly admirable. If you stop now and go back empty-handed, wouldn't that be a waste of tonight's efforts? And you drank so much earlier without being noticed, which shows you are bold and meticulous. This is just continuing your good work; it's not a difficult task for you. If even Qi Gu refuses, then no one can accomplish this mission."
Qin Jiuye’s words hit the mark. During the earlier consultation, she had seen that Qi Gu was a disciple of the Dao Pivot Pavilion. Although she only knew the basics and was a bit of a charlatan, she didn't use the Pavilion's name to swindle people. She wasn't as greedy or cowardly as she appeared; she had some ambition and aspiration in her bones.
Sure enough, this subtle flattery and encouragement made Qi Gu feel a bit light-headed.
She had indeed come tonight for money. If she could get another sum of silver, this trip to the Sword Appreciation Assembly would be considered a success. She could brag about it for half a year when she got back.
Thinking of this, Qi Gu licked her lips and spat out a number. "Thirty taels?"
"Deal," Qiu Ling’s voice rang out decisively.
Qin Jiuye quickly added, "Half now, half upon completion."
Seeing the "villainous" pair agree so readily, Qi Gu felt she had been cheated, but she couldn't take back her words. She said awkwardly, "Now that I think about it, thirty taels for my life is a bit too cheap..."
Qin Jiuye didn't bother to expose her attempt to haggle, delivering a "strong dose of medicine" instead. "You drank quite a bit of that wine yourself. Even if Qi Gu doesn't care for the silver, surely you care for your own life? But if you're truly unwilling, I won't force you." She looked at Qiu Ling and held out a hand. "San-lang, give the task to me. I don't mind the silver being 'hot' to the touch."
Before she finished, Qi Gu was already scrambling to her feet. "I'll go! I'll go, alright?"
She could only blame her own greed and the fact that the Dalu Brew tasted so wonderful.
Qin Jiuye watched Qi Gu’s expression, which looked like someone heading to an execution ground, and some words escaped her lips involuntarily.
"It's just a jar of wine. The waters of this martial world should be free for any man to take a cup from; how could they ever belong to a single family’s pond?"
After watching the play all night, she felt truly stifled. She had accidentally spoken her mind and immediately regretted it. She peeked around and, seeing no one had noticed, breathed a sigh of relief.
Qi Gu was stunned for a moment. Then, she suddenly spat into her palm, transforming back into the eager martial world businesswoman from the Hanging Fish Shoal.
"I can try, but I don't guarantee success."
Qin Jiuye smiled. "We'll be waiting for Qi Gu’s good news."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 仙匿洞天 | Xianni Grotto | "Immortal Hiding Grotto," the location of the wine ceremony. |
| 饕餮纹 | Taotie motif | A traditional Chinese motif of a gluttonous ogre mask. |
| 酒罍 | Wine Lei | A large wine vessel used in ancient China. |
| 大庐酿 | Dalu Brew | A specific brand of wine from Jiugao. |
| 歃血拜盟 | Blood Covenant | A ritual of smearing blood on the lips to swear an oath. |
| 岁破 | Year Breaker | An inauspicious day in the Chinese almanac. |
| 黄姑子 | Huang Guzi | A term for a female charlatan, diviner, or swindler. |
| 悬鱼矶 | Hanging Fish Shoal | A location mentioned where Qi Gu was first seen. |
