《My Wife Is A Sword Deity》 EPISODE 1 – THE SCHOLAR AND THE MAIDEN Xiao Wufeng, a reclusive scholar, had always found solace in the remote mountains of Qin. The serene landscape and the whispering winds provided the perfect backdrop for his studies. One particularly quiet afternoon, he ventured deeper into the mountains than ever before, driven by a sense of curiosity and a desire to escape the mundane. As he pushed through dense foliage, he stumbled upon a cave entrance hidden by overgrown vines and moss. ¡°Well, what do we have here?¡± he mused, his curiosity piqued. Though he was naturally cautious and somewhat of a coward, the allure of discovering something new was irresistible.Lighting a candle, Wufeng cautiously entered the cave. The flickering light cast eerie shadows on the damp walls, revealing strange markings and symbols. ¡°These don¡¯t look like any ancient scripts I¡¯ve studied. Maybe just some artistic graffiti?¡± he whispered to himself, scratching his head.Venturing further, the air grew thick with an inexplicable energy. ¡°This feels¡­ different,¡± he muttered, his unease growing with each step. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Suddenly, the cave opened into a vast chamber. At the center, surrounded by a swirling ball of chi, was a woman in deep meditation.Her presence was otherworldly, her form bathed in an ethereal glow. Wufeng, utterly unaware of martial arts and their mystical practices, felt an inexplicable compulsion to move closer. As he did, the pendant he always wore¡ªa family heirloom¡ªbegan to glow. ¡°What on earth¡­?¡± he exclaimed, watching in disbelief as it pulled him towards the woman.Before he could react, their palms touched. The contact triggered a violent reaction. The woman, her hair turning stark white, coughed up blood and her eyes glowed bright blue. She opened them and, in a moment of pure instinct, struck Wufeng on the chest with a powerful blow. The force of the impact rendered him unconscious. The woman, now fully awakened from her cultivation, looked at herself in astonishment. ¡°I have finally made it,¡± she whispered. ¡°I am now¡­ probably number one in the world. The five elders of Hell¡¯s Gate won¡¯t bully my sub-sect anymore.¡±Her gaze shifted to the unconscious Wufeng. She frowned in confusion. ¡°He has no martial arts? Where did that sudden surge of chi come from that made me have a breakthrough? I can¡¯t leave him here.¡± Chapter 2: Death’s Narrow Escape The mysterious master couldn¡¯t risk bringing someone as weak as Xiao Wufeng into the dangerous heart of Hell¡¯s Gate. She carried him out of the cave and left him by the roadside, where an old couple eventually found him. They brought him to their humble home, offering him food and shelter for the night. ¡°What happened?¡± the wrinkled old woman asked curiously, watching as Wufeng ate the simple noodles they had provided with an alarming ferocity. The place where the mysterious master had struck him still ached, the pain growing more intense with every swallow.¡±Hahaha, I was picking herbs in the mountain, and some bandits robbed me and beat me to a pulp, that¡¯s all,¡± Xiao Wufeng lied, not wanting to admit that a woman had defeated him so easily. They would laugh at him! His head began to spin. Although he had medical knowledge and had excelled in the imperial exams, he couldn¡¯t understand what was happening to his body. His pulse was erratic, as if fire and ice were warring within his abdomen. The pain was unbearable. He staggered, crashing into furniture before finally collapsing. The couple, being simple folk, didn¡¯t know what to do. They rushed outside to call the town elders. This was a small, remote town of farmers, and they had one wise elder they sought counsel from in times of need.The elder arrived and immediately began using his chi to stabilize Wufeng. ¡°I feel lightheaded, the pain in my body is slowly subsiding, I feel warmth. Is this a fairy?¡± Wufeng thought as he slowly opened his eyes to see a grim-faced old man, locking fingers and transferring energy. He couldn¡¯t understand what was happening; martial arts were foreign to him.¡±What the heck!!! Leave me alone, you old geezer! What kind of darn pervert sits cross-legged and touches adolescent boys, huh?!¡± Wufeng exclaimed, forcing his palms to break the connection. He turned around to see the entire village watching him. An awkward pause louder than the rustling leaves in the night wind ensued. Finally, the crowd burst into laughter. Stolen novel; please report. The elderly woman stepped forward, her face etched with concern. ¡°Are you okay, dear? I thought you were a goner for sure. It must be the noodles, right? I knew there was too much salt,¡± she said, bursting into tears and embracing her husband.The town elder raised his hand, and silence fell over the crowd. ¡°Son, have you studied martial arts before?¡± he asked. Though his gaze was fierce, his tone was calming, almost paternal. Wufeng couldn¡¯t help but respond. ¡°N-no, I have not. I am a scholar, who knows nothing about martial arts. I come from a family of scholars.¡±You seem to have learned an internal martial art, although you haven¡¯t learned it properly. You possess the skill and energy, but it isn¡¯t responding to your body correctly.¡± ¡±Huh?¡± Wufeng looked confused. The elder was speaking a language he didn¡¯t understand. Internal skill? Chi? What was he talking about? ¡°What do yo¡ª¡±The elder cut him off. ¡°You have a month to live at most, unless you settle the internal skill,¡± he said calmly. How could he say such a thing so calmly? Wait, what? I could die! Wufeng thought to himself. The elder continued, ¡°There¡¯s a place, south of here, deep into the Nightshade Mountains, a place no one dares to go. That¡¯s the only place you can find help¡­ But there are conditions you need to agree on. ¡±Wufeng¡¯s heart raced. A month to live? Conditions? He didn¡¯t understand any of this, but one thing was clear: his life depended on finding this place and agreeing to whatever conditions were required Chapter 3- Yin And Yang trials 01 Xiao Wufeng stood before the imposing gate of Hell¡¯s Gate, a place whispered about in fearful tones throughout the land. He gulped, staring up at the massive, intricately carved doors. ¡°I¡¯ll just get into the sect, get healed, and leave. That should be easy,¡± he told himself, though his shaking legs betrayed his confidence. As he shuffled closer, he noticed a group of new recruits approaching. They looked at him with disdain. ¡°You must be new here, dumbass,¡± one sneered. The group marched forward, bowing in unison before the gate. A guard appeared, his face obscured by a dark mask, his attire marked with an emblem resembling an upside-down fork. ¡°The path of Yin or the path of Yang?¡± the guard intoned, his voice cold and authoritative. ¡°The path of Yang,¡± the group replied confidently. The guard called them over one by one. Each recruit engaged in a fierce sparring session with the guard, losing but earning a token. ¡°You may enter for the trials. The path of Yang,¡± the guard declared. Wufeng¡¯s eyes widened in horror. ¡°What the hell, those guys are recruits? Even if they lost to the guard, they were decent fighters. You need to fight to get past the gate? I can¡¯t fight¡­ I¡¯m screwed¡­ I¡¯ll just die,¡± he muttered, panic setting in. ¡°Are you going in or what, buddy?¡± a cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts. Wufeng turned to see a bubbly, handsome young man, exuding an aura of infectious positivity. ¡°Why are you standing there if you¡¯re not going to go?¡± he asked, resting a hand on Wufeng¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know any martial arts,¡± Wufeng admitted, feeling his face flush with embarrassment. The young man burst into laughter, clutching his stomach as tears of mirth rolled down his cheeks. ¡°Oh man, what? Ayayaya,¡± he chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re interesting. My name is Fengxi.¡± He glanced at the guard in the distance. ¡°Listen quick. You can either take the path of Yin or Yang. The Yin path guarantees you a token to enter the main grounds, but you have to answer really difficult questions. Most people can¡¯t even get one right. If you choose the path of Yang, you¡¯ll have to fight that guy. He¡¯s strong as hell, but you don¡¯t have to win. Strength speaks here, so if you¡¯re somewhat tolerable, you¡¯ll get a ticket. Now, once you get a token, you¡¯ll have to fight three battles and win them all if you chose the path of Yang. If you chose the path of Yin, you need to win one fight. They don¡¯t expect you to be good at martial arts anyway.¡± Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Fengxi faced Wufeng again, his smile warm and encouraging. ¡°Good luck. If fate allows, we¡¯ll meet again and I¡¯ll treat you to snacks.¡± With a confident stride, Fengxi approached the guard, sparred briefly, and lost. The guard handed him a token without hesitation. Fengxi¡¯s face lit up like a child¡¯s. ¡°Yay! Hell yeah, I am in!¡± he shouted, skipping through the gate. Wufeng took a deep breath and approached the guard, feeling his knees wobble. The man¡¯s presence was dark and intimidating, making Wufeng¡¯s heart race. ¡°Yin or Yang path?¡± the guard asked, his voice slicing through Wufeng¡¯s fear. ¡°Y¡­ Yin,¡± Wufeng stammered. I¡¯ll go for the Yin path. It¡¯s my best shot. I am a scholar, after all. Hours passed as Wufeng sat in a small room outside the gate, wrestling with a series of grueling literacy tests filled with intricate questions on politics and military strategies. ¡°Okay, Xiao Wufeng, you can do this. You¡¯re a top scholar, remember?¡± he whispered to himself, his hands trembling slightly as he wrote. Finally, the guard returned with another masked man, who handed him an envelope. The guard read the contents, his eyes widening in astonishment. He handed Wufeng a Yin token. ¡°You may enter,¡± he said, a note of respect in his voice. ¡°How did he get such high scores? Almost everyone fails this test, yet he did better than that one kid who came an hour before him. But is he ready for the martial arts brawl that awaits? Who will win, I wonder?¡± Wufeng¡¯s relief was palpable. ¡°Thank heavens! I didn¡¯t have to fight that monster!¡± he thought, clutching the token as if it were his lifeline. But as he stepped through the gate, the weight of the elder¡¯s words hit him. He had to win at least one fight, something he had never prepared for in his scholarly life. ¡°Oh boy, Xiao Wufeng, what have you gotten yourself into?¡± he muttered, steeling himself for t he challenges ahead Chapter 4: GLY: High Table Meeting ¡°The high table meeting is about to begin,¡± announced Red Blade Elder, his voice echoing through the dimly lit chamber. The four masters gathered around the polished stone table, each taking their seat with an air of authority and anticipation. Something felt different tonight, though none could pinpoint exactly what it was. ¡°Tomorrow, the winners of the entrance trials will choose their masters. We¡¯ve lost talent over the years, but this gives us an opportunity to bring in fresh blood,¡± Red Blade Elder continued, his eyes scanning the faces of his peers. Everyone nodded in agreement. The First Master, a formidable level 7 cultivator, sat at the head of the table. He was rivalled only by the grandmasters of Wudang and Shaolin. The remaining four masters were level 5 cultivators¡ªtop talents in their own right, but levels 6 and 7 were rare and revered. Amidst them sat a woman, silent and serene. The others smirked as they glanced at her, knowing full well her reputation. She was known as the lazy slacker who loved wine and sleep. Her sub-sect had zero disciples and had never attracted any. What the others didn¡¯t know was that she had mastered the Demon Gaze internal skill and the Limitless Sword technique. She was a level 6 cultivator, a secret she kept to herself. The Second Master, an expert in hidden weapons, eyed her with a mocking grin. ¡°Gly, are you excited? Hehe. Excited to not even have the worst student pick you as a master, just like all the past trials? Heheh,¡± he jeered. The First Master shot him a cold look. Though he rarely involved himself in their bickering¡¯s, he demanded unity within the sect. Gly remained unbothered, her hand resting against the side of her head as if she were napping. Her hair shimmered in the moonlight streaming through the glass ceiling of the meeting room. ¡°Her hair¡­ it has changed,¡± someone murmured. Those standing in the main hall, trusted aides of the masters, whispered amongst themselves. ¡°Although she is really beautiful, she must be suffering from an incurable disease,¡± one said. ¡°She has a blindfold on. Is she now blind too? This sect is finished. We have the sick and the blind. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it I should be leader of her sub-sect,¡± another added.¡±Silence!¡± the First Master commanded, his voice cutting through the whispers like a blade. Gly remained as calm and elegant as ever, unfazed by the gossip she could clearly hear.The First Master continued, ¡°Tomorrow morning, the students will present their tokens and choose their masters. You are dismissed.¡± The room emptied as everyone left. Gly walked with her two maids, twins who were as chatty as they were loyal. They followed her to her terrace, a place that was clean but lonesome, dark and eerie. The silence was deafening, and the cold air bit at their skin. Gly had no company or students, and her sub-sect held no influence in the world of martial arts or assassination. ¡°Close the door, and you may all go sleep. I need to rest,¡± she instructed her maids. She sat cross-legged in her chamber, beginning to cultivate and channel a ball of energy. After a while, she lay in bed, staring at the oak-wood ceiling. She murmured a poem to herself, her voice barely audible.¡±I am enthralled in this body, bound by flesh and bone.I¡¯ve attained heaven on earth, all on my own.But what good is power and fame,When the mind feels lone?¡±With those words, she drifted into sleep, her mind already preparing for the trials of the next day. Chapter 5: Battle of the Nerds The Yang trial had concluded, and those who triumphed over three consecutive opponents were awarded golden tokens. With these tokens, they chose their respective masters. The fights were gruesome, though inexperienced; it was evident these recruits had prior training. Xiao Wufeng, however, was the exception. Nervous and jittery, he knew he had to win just one fight due to his Yin path selection. His opponent was another scholar who had passed the Yin trial, a nerdy, timid fellow who seemed even more cowardly than Wufeng himself. Looks, however, could be deceiving.¡±I have to win this or I die. I can¡¯t afford to lose. He could be some martial arts genius. I need to think of a plan,¡± Wufeng muttered to himself, stepping onto the Yin and Yang platform. The crowd watched intently, their gazes heavy and scrutinizing. His opponent, the nerdy scholar, picked a short sword from the weapons table and spun it skillfully, making Wufeng¡¯s stomach churn.¡±Ah, shit. This isn¡¯t my lucky day. Don¡¯t tell me he knows martial arts too,¡± Wufeng groaned, his eyes meeting his opponent¡¯s mocking grin. His heart raced as he looked over to the five masters, hoping for some guidance. Among them was a master with white hair and a veil covering her face. She tapped lightly on the desk, her eyes closed as if in a meditative nap.Wufeng approached the weapons table, unsure of what to choose. He glanced back at the masters. They all seemed indifferent, except for the veiled master who stopped tapping whenever he picked up the long wooden staff. He tested various weapons: a sword, a scythe, each time causing her to start or stop tapping.¡±Huh, is she helping me? Does she want me to pick this?¡± he wondered, putting down the sword and picking up the long wooden staff again. She stopped tapping. ¡°Well, darn it. She¡¯s a master after all. I¡¯ll give this a shot. If I lose, she better make it up to me!¡± Wufeng muttered to himself as he walked to the center of the arena.The air was chilling, the gazes of nearly fifty disciples and a hundred guards from Hell¡¯s Gate locked on him. His opponent began pacing, ready to strike. Wufeng¡¯s heart pounded like a war drum.¡±What do I do? What do I do? This psycho kid is taking this way too seriously. But¡­ here goes!¡± He closed his eyes and swung the staff as hard as he could. A loud bang resounded, followed by the thud of a body hitting the ground.¡±Am I dead? I don¡¯t feel pain anywhere. Or did my head get chopped off so quick that my neural network couldn¡¯t process the pain?¡± Wufeng thought, slowly opening his eyes. The once long wooden staff he held was reduced to a splintered stick, blood droplets at the jagged end. His opponent lay ten steps away, unconscious, his skull bashed in. The arena fell silent.A guard approached, handed Wufeng a token. ¡°What the hell. I won?¡± Wufeng thought. ¡°How? How did I¡­ never mind, I won! I wiped that grin off his face! He¡¯d probably need brain surgery in the afterlife,¡± he said proudly as he walked to face the masters. A sect secretary handed him an envelope to mark his master choice. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Red Blade Elder? Hmm, sounds catchy, but probably an old geezer too busy drinking old age meds. Elder Agh? Sounds ancient. Who¡¯s this¡­ GLY?¡± he read on and on until he saw the initials GLY. It sounded badass to him. ¡°Gu Luyang,¡± he read.Gu Luyang (¹ËÀöÑô) is a beautiful name with a rich meaning. Here¡¯s a breakdown of the overall meaning: - ¡°Gu¡± (¹Ë) means ¡°to look¡± or ¡°to gaze¡±, implying contemplation, reflection, or admiration. - ¡°Lu¡± (Àö) means ¡°beautiful¡± or ¡°graceful¡±, suggesting elegance, refinement, or loveliness. - ¡°Yang¡± (Ñô) means ¡°sun¡± or ¡°daylight¡±, representing brightness, warmth, or illumination. Considering the combination of characters, Gu Luyang could be interpreted as: - ¡°Admiring beauty in the sunlight¡± - ¡°Contemplating grace and elegance¡± - ¡°Reflecting on radiant loveliness¡± - ¡°Gazing at the beauty of the sun¡± Overall, Gu Luyang is a name that evokes a sense of appreciation for beauty, grace, and illumination, making it a lovely and meaningful name ¡°Admiring beauty in the sunlight? That sounds promising.¡±He imagined a brave, handsome swordsman, unparalleled and charming Without hesitation, he pressed his thumbprint, marked in blood, onto the initials GLY, and handed it over to the guard, who passed it to the masters. The Red Blade Elder read it aloud, ¡°Xiao Wufeng, first disciple of Master Gu. Do you swear to serve your master and dedicate your life to completing your missions at whatever cost? To diligently learn from your master and give your life to them? Bow to heaven three times to bind your promise and bow three times to acknowledge Gu Luyang as your shifu.¡± The other disciples stifled their laughter. ¡°Jealous numbskulls. Wait till you see how strong my master is,¡± Wufeng muttered under his breath. He bowed to heaven and then to the masters. As he completed his vow, the veiled master with white hair rose, lifted a cup of liquor, and said, ¡°Whatever, I accept.¡± She downed the liquor in one go and walked away.¡±Huh, that¡­ that¡¯s GLY? This lady is Gu Luyang?!!!¡± Shadows and Secrets Xiao Wufeng trailed behind the two identical maids, their footsteps a haunting rhythm against the cold stone floors. The air thickened with each step, dim lights casting long, sinister shadows that seemed to slither and writhe along the walls. The mansion was a labyrinth of dark elegance, more akin to a spectral palace than a residence. Wufeng¡¯s unease deepened as the maids led him to a room at the end of a particularly gloomy hallway. ¡°Hey, brat, this is your uniform, ¡± one maid sneered, tossing a bundle of clothes at him. ¡°Good job picking our young master . Now we¡¯re forced to serve a loser like you, and you¡¯ll bother our master . She hates these sect leader duties, you know. ¡± The twins exchanged knowing smirks before vanishing into the shadows, leaving Wufeng bewildered and indignant. ¡°Are these maids insane? Is that how lowly maids speak to the number one scholar and cultured man from the land of Qin?¡± he muttered, glancing around the room. ¡°And what do you mean the sect leader will be bothered by my presence? Why did she have her name on the token list if she didn¡¯t want a student? Oh, I am so screwed. I have seven days. Ai ya, XiaoWufeng! You¡¯ve done yourself this time. What luck is this?¡± He flopped onto the bed, a cloud of dust rising and filling the air . Coughing, he waved his hand to clear it. ¡°Maybe if they spent more time doing their jobs as maids and less time talking smack, this mansion wouldn¡¯t be so dusty. ¡± Though the mansion was generally spotless, some unoccupied rooms had been left to gather dust for ages. Exhausted, Wufeng fell into a fitful sleep. - - - Wufeng awoke to the tantalizing aroma of meaty delicacies. His stomach growled loudly, and he leapt out of bed, following the scent down the hall to a candlelit dining room. The two maids stood on either side of the room, and there, at the head of the table, sat Gu Luyang. Even in the dim light, her This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. elegance was undeniable. Although Wufeng prided himself on being literate and intelligent, with a sweet mouth to woo the ladies, he was utterly stunned by her presence. She seemed dierent from the figure he vaguely remembered in the cave, more radiant and intimidating. He stood there in silence, captivated by her beauty and aura. ¡°The last time someone stared at me like that, he became legally blind, ¡± she said calmly, her voice carrying a weight that made his knees weaken and heart sink. Martial artists of her caliber had a strong aura that could induce absolutefear or boundless comfort, depending on their cultivation. As she was from an evil sect, her aura commanded respect and fear . ¡°The food is getting cold, ¡± she said, her eyes meeting his. Bright blue and forever glowing, it was no wonder she wore a blindfold during the tournament. Her eyes were both terrifying and mesmerizing. Wufeng managed to tear his gaze away and sat at the table. The dining hall was smaller than he expected, with intricate carvings adorning the walls and soft candlelight casting a warm glow over the scene. He ate voraciously, his hunger overriding his sense of decorum. Before he could finish the soup, Gu Luyang had already left without a word. The maids silently cleared the dishes, leaving only the empty table. One of the maids approached him with a disdainful look. ¡°My master has analyzed you. She said you need to follow this book, and it might settle the uncomfortable energy within you that makes you feel hot and cold and eat like a pig, ¡± she said, dropping a martial arts book on the table. She turned on her heel and left, leaving Wufeng to glare after her . Ignoring the maid¡¯s attitude, Wufeng picked up the book titled "Sun and Moon Skill. " He read through the night, the intricate illustrations and detailed descriptions captivating him until he finally passed out at 4 a.m.- - - ¡°Master, we have received payment from the minister . He wants the general to... disappear . He has paid 400 taels. Should we refuse this oer like the others?¡± one of the maids asked, pouring rose-scented water down Luyang''s back as she sat in a steam bath. ¡°Normally, yes... but we are running out of money. I can barely keep this place running. Now that I have broken into the sixth level, I might need funds to carry out my plans, ¡± Luyang said, covering her eyes with a blindfold again. ¡°Master, you used Demon Gaze to check why his meridians are broken. You gave him your most precious Sun and Moon Scroll. What¡¯s special about him? He has little to no internal energy, just a dumb nerd, ¡± the maid blurted out, unable to contain her curiosity. ¡°Hmm, you question my judgment?¡± Luyang asked, her voice dangerously soft. The maid quickly covered her mouth, realizing her mistake. Though Luyang was usually fair, she was known to be severe when her authority was challenged. ¡°I can¡¯t use Demon Gaze for a couple of days. It consumes too much chi. I need time to recuperate. I¡¯ll leave you in charge of his training. Three days have been wasted. Make sure he learns this skill to help oset the imbalance within him, ¡± she instructed, settling back into thebath to relax. The maids exchanged malicious glances and nodded. the angry shouts. The Fourth Master and a group of students banged on the main gate of Luyang¡¯s mansion, their voices ¡°Yes, master, he will master the Sun Skill... in no time, ¡± they agreed. - - - The sun¡¯s rays pierced through the curtains, bathing Wufeng¡¯s face in light. A gentle breeze blew into the room, rousing him from his sleep. He lay in bed with the Sun and Moon Scroll in one hand, dark rings under his eyes from reading all night. He felt lighter, as if he were floating, neither hot nor cold, just in a perfect state. His peace was abruptly disturbed by a loud commotion outside. ¡°Master Gu, open this door now! We know you¡¯re in there. Stop hiding!¡± came echoing through the hallways. The maids opened the door and tried to explain that their master was busy recuperating, but the visitors were insistent. They accused the school of stealing a martial arts scroll that belonged to them, one of their many attempts to discredit Gu Luyang and have her expelled. ¡° Jizao, explain what happened, just like you told me, ¡± the Fourth Master commanded, pushing a nervous junior forward. ¡°It was late at night when I was patrolling the training grounds. I saw afigure that definitely looked like Xiao Wufeng. It wore black and seemed to be carrying a book¡ªour school¡¯s martial arts book. I went to confirm, and it was missing. So, I called the sect leader, and now we are here, ¡± Jizao lied, his voice trembling but filled with false conviction. ¡°Peeeeeeiiii!!¡± Wufeng spat, stepping forward from behind the maids. ¡°Brother Jizao, you slandered me today! The lies I¡¯ve heard come out of your mouth could make the devil sound like a saint!¡± he said confidently, his voice ringing with righteous indignation. Bickering was one thing he excelled at, and he was not about to let this false accusation go unchallenged. ¡°Xiao Wufeng! Give me our school¡¯s scroll, or you won¡¯t leave in one piece today!¡± the Fourth Master insisted, her high-pitched voice grating, always eager to stir trouble for Gu Luyang. Wufeng interrupted her by sning, and he finally blurted, ¡°I was wondering what smelt like shit, till people started talking and confirmed my suspicions. ¡± ¡°Wufeng! How dare you say such words to your senior!¡± Jizao said, stepping forward to defend his master, who was fuming. ¡°Hey hey, Jizao, you slandered me again. Luckily, I have witnesses this time. All I said was that it smelt like shit when people spoke. I never mentioned who. Didyou just say Master Mi Rong¡¯s mouth smells like shit?¡± Everyone was astonished, for they had never met someone as shameless as Wufeng. As he continued on, ¡°You said you saw a black figure at night. How can you confirm it was me? I came to Hell¡¯s Gate Sect yesterday. How am I familiar with where your sacred books are kept?¡± The Fourth Master couldn¡¯t bear it anymore. Wufeng¡¯s shamelessness was too much. She reached out and waved, her internal energy still too strong for someone as weak as Wufeng. The energy-filled air sent Xiao Wufeng flying. He coughed blood, his eyes red with pain, opening new wounds and reopening old ones. He screamed in agony as the chi imbalance that wasn¡¯t fully healed began attacking him. Mi Rong was astonished. How could she have known this kid was a loudmouth but had no martial arts? How could such a small blow put him in such a state? She waved her hand and signaled the angry mob to part ways as she left. The maids were panicking. They rushed Wufeng into a hot tub and filled it with medicinal herbs. He was heating up pretty much. I can¡¯t bear this pain, it... hurts so much. Grfrrf ahhh... ¡± he couldn¡¯t, he just couldn¡¯t¡­. Resolve ¡±Grab the 100-year-old ginseng,¡± Yi commanded urgently. Er, her twin, rushed to retrieve the precious root. Xiao Wufeng lay in a wooden tub filled with a concoction of ancient and magical herbs. His temperature fluctuated wildly, his body oscillating between scorching heat and frigid cold. Blood trickled from his nostrils, staining the water, which turned cold the moment it touched his skin. ¡°Bring more logs to keep the fire burning, ¡± Yi ordered, her face a mask of worry. Er complied, stacking logs under the tub and lighting a fierce blaze. It seemed as if Wufeng was being cooked alive. ¡°Shifu¡­ Shifu, I pro... I protected your name, ¡± Wufeng mumbled deliriously, his voice barely a whisper . His words were muddled, his mind clouded by pain. ¡°Oh no, they¡¯ve beaten the sense out of him. We¡¯ll be in trouble if he dies, ¡± the twins fretted, their usual sharp tongues softened by genuine concern. Despite their rude demeanor, they had grown fond of the scholar who had stood up to the Fourth Master for them. They applied every medical technique they knew, but his weak cultivation made healing him a daunting task.Suddenly, the air in the room shifted. A warm aura countered the coldness radiating from Wufeng, enveloping the room in a soothing warmth. The fire¡¯s light danced o the steam rising from the tub. The smell of lotus flower perfume filled the air, calming the twins¡¯ nerves. Master Gu Luyang stood at the doorway, her presence both graceful and commanding. She moved towards Wufeng with an ethereal grace, her fingers glowing with a bright yellow light. She gently tapped his forehead, and his feverish shaking ceased. His body relaxed, the room¡¯s atmosphere becoming serene. Her eyes, glowing If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. softly, hinted at a beauty and youthfulness that belied her reclusive nature. Gu Luyang, though aloof and unapproachable, exuded an aura of profound power and mystery. The maids exchanged relieved glances. Wufeng¡¯s breathing steadied, his complexion improving. The warmth in the room lingered even as Gu Luyang turned to leave. She turned her gaze to the two maids. Although she seemed calm, her stare was unsettling. The maids bowed, groveling on the ground. ¡°We are sorry, Master . We deserve to be punished, for we have not served you well. It all happened too fast. Wufeng spoke recklessly as always, and the Fourth Master used her shadow palm as she was irritated by Wufeng. We couldn¡¯t stop the attack in time, ¡± they pleaded.Luyang walked out before they could even finish their explanation. She did not care if Wufeng was in the wrong or not. The maids heard the front gate closing. Luyang said not a single word the entire time. out of the night mist. The guards instantly recognized her . ¡°Fifth Master, it is you. What brings you here at this ungodly hour?¡± they asked. Although they sounded respectful, it was only out of formality. Little did they Her jade wine gourd was in her hand. It was a dark, chilly night. The moon danced on the surface of her iris as she took sips, walking towards a luxurious building guarded by two heavily armored sentinels. She moved unprovoked, unfazed, and gracefully. ¡°Who comes forward at this hour?!¡± the guards asked in alarm. Gu Luyang did not respond. She appeared out of the fog, her figure traced know, Gu Luyang was unreasonable tonight. She had been quiet for too long, taking insults every day. She went past them, and they couldn¡¯t move. ¡°Gu Luyang, what is the meaning of this?!¡± the guards complained, but their bodies stiened. Was there such a martial art, or was it her angry aura that petrified them? She opened the door to the main hall where the higher-ups of Mi Rong¡¯s subsect sat for dinner . She let herself inand sat across from Mi Rong, who was fuming. ¡°Gu Luyang, what are you doing here? Do I owe you anything? Are we friends, or have you run poor that you have to come here at this hour for a meal? If you bow to me and call me mother eight times, I might let you o, ¡± Mi Rong threatened, grabbing her family heirloom spear that radiated a dark aura. ¡°Is there someone named Jizao?¡± Luyang asked, a faint smile protruding from the corners of her lips. She stood up and waved, ¡° Jizao? Present?¡± ¡°What are you doing with Jizao?¡± Mi Rong roared from across the room. Gu Luyang pretended the Fourth Master did not exist, completely ignoring her . Although some disciples around had been assassins for this subsect for over ten years, this was the first time they actually heard Luyang speak. ¡° Jizao, are you deaf? Can¡¯t you hear this pretty lady is looking for you?¡± someone from the back teased. ¡°Haha, yeah, you virgin. Don¡¯t keep the lady waiting, ¡± another mocked. ¡°Who thought you had it in you, you filthy bastard?¡± everyone teased and clapped. Jizao walked forward, coming close to Luyang. ¡°I am Jizao. How can I possibly be of service to Master Gu?¡± he said, feeling confident from the hype the other men in the sect gave him. ¡°Hmmm, ¡± Luyang hummed, scanning Jizao from top to bottom. Walking around him, then out of nowhere, a literof blood splattered to the ground. Jizao¡¯s mouth opened in shock, and the bystanders¡¯ jaws dropped. Mi Rong¡¯s eyes widened. How could she do that with so many witnesses around? ¡°Master Gu! How could you¡ª ¡± Before Rong could finish her sentence, Jizao dropped to the ground, unconscious but not dead. What had happened was that in the blink of an eye, Gu Luyang had driven her hand between Jizao¡¯s ribs, causing a swift and precise injury. She turned her gaze to Mi Rong. ¡°Fourth Master, I was told you came into my humble abode and managed to teach my unruly student a lesson. You gave him pointers, and unfortunately, my student was incompetent and got injured in the process. I¡¯ve also come to repay your kindness by exchanging knowledge with one of your recruits. I hope you don¡¯t mind, ¡± she said, her voice calm and gentle, yet filled with malice. Everyone¡¯s hearts sank with every word she spoke. Mi Rong was mentally defeated. Although she was confident she could take Luyang in a fight, she was numb for words. She dropped into her seat as the senior disciples rushed to assist Jizao. Gu Luyang took another swig from her wine gourd, the sleeve of her robe drenched in blood. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing, I¡¯ll see myself out, ¡± she said. As she arrived at the gate, she drove her fist inside the mouth of one of the petrified guards. ¡°Address me in that tone again, and I¡¯ll kill you, ¡± she commanded. The other guard, witnessingit all, fainted, and liquids trickled down his leg right before he collapsed in fear . The maids rushed to meet their master at the gate. She had been gone all night and just arrived before sunrise. She reeked of wine, and the sight of the blood on her sleeve and base of her outfit alarmed them. It looked like she had fought a thousand soldiers. They assisted her to her room, where they prepared her a bath and gave her an extra set of clothing. After bathing, she dropped into her bed. The maids were left with questions. What happened? Our master would never confront the Fourth Master ever . Although the maids loved their master very much and didn¡¯t want her to be in trouble, they actually hoped she went to teach Mi Rong a lesson. Although they disliked Wufeng, they felt a little sympathetic. He had defended their master¡¯s name and cleared the false accusations of a missing martial art scroll. Even if he had a foul mouth, he really was a smart scholar who could deduce and make solutions to problems in real-time. They took care of him diligently for the past few days. On the seventh day, Wufeng finally opened his eyes.