Outside the city of Hunnan, about two li to the east, stood a grand structure surrounded by towering walls. The entire building was dominated by shades of white. Four massive towers stood at each corner of the wall, proudly flying banners adorned with the image of a crow. This was the headquarters of the White Crow Sect, a gathering place for valiant warriors whose names were renowned throughout the Tian Empire.
Lu Cang Er held back a gasp as she caught sight of the majestic building from afar, its surface gleaming under the sunlight. Beside her, Liang Kun gave a small smile, noticing her reaction. Of course, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
The Xi family’s entourage had stopped in the previous city a day earlier before continuing their long journey to Hunnan on horseback.
"Welcome to our home," Cao Yin said as they arrived at the gate.
Moments later, the massive wooden gate, built from the finest quality timber, slowly swung open, revealing a vast courtyard surrounded by various buildings. Cang Er had no idea what each of them was for.
She only recognized two structures,the most magnificent one with a statue of a man standing before it, and another beside it, a tall tower with four levels.
"Welcome, Master."
Members of the White Crow Sect immediately approached, bowing in respect. Cao Yin responded with a short nod and a wave of his hand.
He led Cang Er across the expansive courtyard, passing by many curious and admiring gazes. Cang Er felt uneasy, fully aware that every pair of eyes was now fixed on her.
It was at that moment that she realized Liang Kun was no longer by her side. She turned her head, glancing back to find him whispering to one of the members.
The man''s face suddenly lit up in shock. "Young Master''s fiancée!" he blurted out, just as Liang Kun smacked his shoulder, his face turning red. But instead of stopping, the man only laughed louder. This time, he announced it even more boldly. "Lu Cang Er, daughter of Lu Taihiap, Young Master''s fiancée!"
Cang Er''s entire face flushed crimson. She tried to ignore the growing chorus of voices echoing the same words by lowering her head.
Cao Yin laughed. "It seems you''re being warmly welcomed here, Er Ji." He looked around, seeing the friendly, smiling faces of his disciples.
What he did next only made Cang Er even more flustered. With a sudden burst of internal energy, Cao Yin bellowed, "Welcome Lu Cang Er, our new sister and Liang Kun’s fiancée!"
"Lu Cang Er!"
"Welcome, Sister Er!"
"Congratulations, Young Master Liang! Wishing you happiness always!"
Cang Er lowered her head even further as Cao Yin''s laughter grew louder.
By the time they reached the grand statue in front of the most imposing building, Liang Kun had rejoined them. Cang Er shot him a sharp glare.
"What did you tell them?" she hissed.
"I only said that you were a new sister here."
"Only that?"
"And mentioned your name." Liang Kun looked away.
***
It felt like a dream. She had just lost both her parents in a single day, right before her eyes, and now she was suddenly taken in by someone her father deeply admired. Not only that,she had even been betrothed to his disciple.
Cang Er was no fool. She knew Liang Kun was someone special to Cao Yin, which meant he must be highly skilled. After all, he had the privilege of studying directly under a grandmaster.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.
This realization left her deeply conflicted. Earlier, Cao Yin had offered her a place to stay, and she had readily agreed. But his second request,that she become his direct disciple,left her hesitant, as it felt like accepting her engagement to Liang Kun.
"Father... Mother... what should I do?" she murmured unconsciously, gazing at the night sky from her room. Per Cao Yin''s orders, she had been given a private chamber.
At that moment, footsteps approached her door, followed by three knocks. Cang Er snapped out of her thoughts, immediately recognizing the voice calling out to her.
"Cang Er, I brought your dinner."
She quickly stepped forward and opened the door. Just as she expected, Liang Kun stood there.
The young man’s face reddened slightly upon seeing her. He quickly averted his gaze, making sure to avoid direct eye contact with those clear, mesmerizing eyes. For some reason, ever since he had met his betrothed in person, Liang Kun always found himself flustered whenever he was near her.
"Master asked me to bring it to you," he said.
Cang Er hesitated for a moment. "Oh, thank you." She accepted the tray filled with steaming dishes and placed it on the table.
An awkward silence followed. She couldn’t just rudely shut the door in his face, not when he was still standing there.
"Cang Er, about Master’s offer…"
"Yes?" She startled herself with how quickly she responded, nervous about speaking alone with him,her betrothed.
Liang Kun took a deep breath before finally meeting her gaze with determination. "I know you must be confused and overwhelmed. You just experienced something tragic, then suddenly came here with us and got engaged to me. Honestly, I was surprised you didn’t object at all."
Cang Er lowered her head. If she were to be honest, she hadn’t resisted,not because she agreed, but because she didn’t know how to react. On one hand, she was being betrothed, but on the other, joining the White Crow Sect had been her late father’s dream for her.
"I assume you came here to fulfill your father’s wish. Am I right?"
She was slightly taken aback by how easily Liang Kun seemed to read her thoughts. "Yes," she admitted softly.
"A devoted child," Liang Kun said with a small smile. "Truthfully, I didn’t bring your dinner on Master’s orders,I did it of my own accord."
Cang Er’s eyes widened.
"I mean…" Liang Kun scratched the back of his head. "I, uh… convinced the servant who was supposed to bring it to let me do it instead."
Cang Er still said nothing.
"I wanted to talk to you," he continued. "About Master’s request this morning. To be honest, I don’t mind whether you accept the engagement or not. But I would be very happy if you chose to stay here as Master’s disciple and carry on your father’s wishes."
"But Master Cao Taihiap may have only accepted me as his disciple because of the engagement."
Liang Kun shook his head. "I know Master’s true intentions. He always planned to take in Lu Taihiap’s child as his disciple, no matter who it was. He arranged this engagement simply because you’re a girl. If you had been a boy, he still would have taken you in as a disciple. That’s what he told me before we left for your home in Qinglan Village."
"Why would he take in Lu Taihiap’s child? Is it because my father was never accepted here, and Master Cao wants to make up for it?" Cang Er asked.
"I asked him that myself," Liang Kun replied. "Master said he always intended to take in Lu Taihiap’s child before they turned twenty. He knew about you since the day you were born and had been waiting for this moment."
"My father never told me anything about this."
"He did. Once. That’s what Master told me. Maybe Lu Taihiap never mentioned it to you."
Cang Er gasped softly. Was that why her father had always insisted she get accepted into the White Crow Sect? Had he known all along and trained her to be worthy?
She hesitated before answering. "Father always said he wanted me to be accepted here."
"This is your chance, Cang Er," Liang Kun said with a reassuring smile. "And that’s what I wanted to tell you tonight. You don’t have to think about the engagement now. I’m sure Master won’t mind. Just say you want to become his disciple to honor your father’s wishes. As for the engagement, you can accept or reject it whenever you decide. Master is not someone with a narrow mind."
Cang Er was surprised. "Are you sure?"
"Trust me," Liang Kun said firmly.
The next morning, Cang Er and Liang Kun met with Cao Yin in his private chamber. Cang Er conveyed everything Liang Kun had told her,that she wished to become his disciple and stay at the White Crow Sect.
"However, regarding the engagement… I don’t think I can make a decision just yet," she admitted, lowering her head.
Cao Yin stroked his long beard. For a moment, there was only silence. Then, unexpectedly, the old master smiled and looked at Liang Kun, nodding several times.
Liang Kun suddenly felt self-conscious and lowered his head as well. He knew that Master had already figured out what had happened the previous night in Cang Er’s room. There was no escape now.
"Very well. That is your decision, and I won’t force you. What matters most is that I am delighted you’ve chosen to train here! Hahahaha!"
Cang Er lifted her head, looking at him in disbelief. Liang Kun had been right. She was relieved that she had trusted him.
She turned to look at him and smiled sweetly. "Thank you," she whispered.
Liang Kun felt his heart leap out of his chest. He was completely taken by the beauty of Lu Cang Er, the daughter of Lu Taihiap.