After the consecutive competitions, Hua Che was exhausted. After Elder Qianyang announced the end, he hurried back to his room to sleep.

Two days later, the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Sects gathered again at Shangqing Terrace to admire the brilliance of the top three ranked.

It was said that after that, Zhuang Tian slept for a day and a night. When he woke up, he was completely disoriented, as if he had lost his mind.

It took him several hours to recover enough to speak after Chu Binghuan gave him a calming medicine.

"So, you, you you you, you're... oh, bit my tongue! Y You and the sixth and eighth are all in the top three?”

Chu Binghuan nodded.

"It's the top three, one, two, three, four, five, seven, nine, that first three. And it's 'Jia' as in armor (甲 (Jiǎ) means armor), no, I mean 'Jia' as in the ranking (甲 (Jiǎ) is also used to denote the highest rank)! "

Unable to correct the forgotten 'six and eight', Chu Binghuan: "..."

"Is it true? Say it again, say it again!"

Chu Binghuan had no choice but to repeat it three more times, enunciating each word slowly and clearly.

Zhuang Tian still couldn't believe it. He grabbed a disciple of the Shangqing Sect to confirm, and in the end, he was moved to tears.

"You guys are amazing, truly bringing honour to your master!" Zhuang Tian sniffled, wiping his tears. "You've also brought glory to your families!"

Indeed, it was said that Mu Qinian was so happy that he was dancing and gesticulated with joy. The little old man hadn't been this happy in decades.

Compared to the lively Fengming Valley, Yuntian Shuijing, known for its cold and aloof reputation in the annals, remained as solemn and upright as ever. To Chu Changfeng, it was only natural for Chu Binghuan to rank among the top three, so he wasn't particularly surprised or overjoyed.

As for Mei Cailian, she was the angriest person in this Ten Thousand Sects Martial Arts Tournament.

Her sect lost the top spot that was almost in its grasp, and Chu Binghuan even publicly announced his relationship with Hua Che. It was simply madness!

Chu Changfeng tried to comfort her. "Sister-in-law, Hua Qingkong winning the top spot shows that he is no ordinary person. His talent has been evident in this competition. Why do you look down on him so much?"

Mei Cailian snorted coldly. "Born without a father, how can anyone respect him?"

Chu Changfeng noted, "A person's success should not be judged by their background. Sister-in-law, your perspective is too narrow. Moreover, if it weren't for fate's tricks, Hua Che's background wouldn't be so humble."

Mei Cailian looked at him, and Chu Changfeng continued earnestly, "His mother was originally a noblewoman, a daughter of aristocracy. In the mortal world, she would be akin to royalty."

Mei Cailian lifted her chin. "Hmph, you said it yourself, that was in the past. Reality shows that she later fell into a brothel, selling her body, turning from nobility to the lowest class. A fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken."

Determined to oppose this to the end, Mei Cailian temporarily returned to the courtyard where Yuntian Shuijing was staying. Chu Binghuan knelt outside the room, half-heartedly apologizing to Mei Cailian.

*

At night, Hua Che, dressed in black, sneaked to the front of Shang Qing Hall. Seeing no one around, he quietly entered the side hall. Unexpectedly, a shadow flashed outside. Hua Che, on guard, hid behind a pillar, holding his breath. When the footsteps approached, Hua Che peeked at the person's back.

The golden brocade robe embroidered with "Phoenix Spreading Its Wings" (1), a famous chrysanthemum pattern, unmistakably belonged to Mu Rongsa.

(NT: chrysanthemum patterns symbolize a combination of longevity, nobility and peace)

Hua Che followed, and after confirming they were alone, he patted Mu Rongsa's shoulder.

Mu Rongsa, startled like a frightened bird, instinctively attacked first. Hua Che easily dodged and, while grabbing Mu Rongsa's wrist, asked in a low voice, "What are you doing here?"

Mu Rongsa, relieved to see it was Hua Che, exhaled. "You scared me to death! Why are you following me in the middle of the night?"

"Who's following you?" Hua Che said with a laugh. "You're breaking curfew and sneaking out. What mischief are you up to?"

Mu Rongsa chuckled. "Brother Hua, aren't we in the same boat?"

When it came to teasing and joking, Hua Che never lost. He immediately laughed and said, "Sneaking out during curfew, all hush-hush. Could it be that you've taken a liking to some female immortal master from Shangqing? Where are you planning to rendezvous?"

Mu Rongsa laughed and cursed, "Get lost! Those Shangqing cultivators are more arrogant than one another, looking down on everyone. I wouldn't deign to look at them!"

Hua Che genuinely agreed, "Good taste."

Mu Rongsa's smile faded. "Speaking seriously, I actually discovered something extraordinary."

Hua Che didn't take it seriously. "What?"

"During the lantern lighting, I went to the library and heard Lu Yao talking on the third floor. He was muttering all sorts of nonsense. At first, I didn't pay much attention," Mu Rongsa said, leaning closer to Hua Che and speaking quietly. "But then he started saying things like 'not me, it's my father,' 'Golden Core,' 'disciple,' and stuff. It was all gibberish to me, so I thought I'd go up and ask what was wrong with him."

Hua Che's expression froze.

"When I went upstairs, there was no one there but Lu Yao. He was talking to himself the whole time! Hua ge, during yesterday's martial arts competition, did the flute sound mess with his mind? He still hasn't recovered and seems completely out of it."

"What do you suspect?" Hua Che asked.

Mu Rongsa replied, "I confronted Lu Yao, and he turned pale and told me to ask his father, Lu Zhangjiao. He also mentioned someone named An Yu, saying he was sorry and that it wasn't intentional. Hua Bro, do you know who An Yu is?"

Hua Che's gaze turned cold.

Mu Rongsa continued excitedly, "I think this An Yu might also be a disciple of Shangqing. There must be some unspeakable secret between him and Lu Yao. Shangqing Hall has a register of all disciples, right? I want to take a look at it."

An Yu was a disciple of Lu Mingfeng, and as such, his name would be recorded in a special register kept at Lu Mingfeng's residence.

"Stay out of this," Hua Che's cold voice shattered Mu Rongsa's speculations. "Curiosity killed the cat, you know?"

"Stay out of it? Are you kidding me?" Mu Rongsa crossed his arms, exuding arrogance. "Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is? I'm not afraid of anyone!"

Hua Che hesitated, then asked, "Do you really want to know?"

Mu Rongsa nodded eagerly, "Of course!"

"Then..." Hua Che smiled slyly, a plan forming in his mind. "Help me with something."

After sending Mu Rongsa off, Hua Che went to the Shangqing Pavilion, entered an inner room, and walked to a bookshelf. He turned a blue and white porcelain vase sitting on it.

At the same time, the entire bookshelf moved aside, revealing a hidden chamber.

Hua Che didn't waste any time and quickly stepped inside. The hidden chamber was not large and sparsely furnished. In an inconspicuous corner, there was an offering table. Hua Che crawled under the table, lifted a floor tile, and revealed a secret passage leading underground.

The entrance to the passage was protected by a barrier that required Shangqing Immortal Arts to open. Hua Che had locked himself in his room for a day and a night not only to recover from the hidden injuries from the martial arts competition but also to recall the cultivation methods of the Shangqing Immortal Arts.

The moment Hua Che opened the barrier to the secret passage, he sighed with relief and used a torch for illumination before jumping down.

The path was twisting, with numerous forks, resembling a labyrinth. Hua Che tried walking around a few times, but soon lost his way. Forget finding the exit—he couldn't even return to the starting point.

Back in the day, Hua Che had only been here once, so he naturally couldn't remember the way.

This place was set up with the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation. Without familiarity with such formations, one would only end up trapped to death.

Fortunately, Hua Che had lived for several centuries and was well-read.

He sat down on the spot and began to unravel the maze bit by bit. In less than half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he found the only "life gate," but he didn't enter it.

Breaking the maze would alert its creator.

It wasn't the right time yet.

Meanwhile, Mu Rongsa burst into Lin Yan's room, startling Lin Yan, who was in the bath, into a loud scream.

“What is this, is our maiden acting shy?”

"No, no!" Lin Yan asked, "Sixth Brother, did you need something?"

"Your Eighth Brother wants you to meet someone," Mu Rongsa said mysteriously. "Before dawn tomorrow, bring this person to the Shangqing Immortal Gate and sneak them into any sect you want."

Lin Yan asked, "Who is this person?"

Mu Rongsa replied, "Brother Hua didn't give me details, just that the person is waiting at the foot of Kunlun Mountain. He's about this tall, and an old man over sixty."

Lin Yan, being simple-minded and used to following orders without question, immediately set off upon hearing this.

At dawn the next day, the elders of various immortal sects, along with their disciples, gathered at the Shangqing Terrace. The top ten contestants of the martial arts competition had to be present. After waiting for half an hour, one cultivator frowned and said, "The Lingxiao Palace is really putting on airs, making everyone wait this long."

Another person sneered, "If your disciples could rank in the top three, you'd make everyone wait too."

"We can deal with it, but making Master Lu wait this long just for the Lingxiao Palace is too much."

"Just getting into the top three and acting all high and mighty—what will they be like in the future?"

Once one person started complaining, others joined in, seizing the chance to mock, "Haha, strictly speaking, only the top winner is from Lingxiao Palace. The second place is from Yuntian Shuijing, and the third from Fengming Valley. No need to give Lingxiao Palace too much importance."

"Exactly, who knows what the next competition will be like!"

Standing at the front of the hall, Lu Mingfeng looked at Lu Yao beside him. Ever since the match with Hua Che, Lu Yao had been in a terrible state, often appearing dazed.

After all, he was only sixteen!

Just a child, it was understandable he'd be frightened like this.

Lu Mingfeng clenched his fists inside his sleeves. What memories had Hua Che awakened in Lu Yao during their match? What had Lu Yao seen?

Restlessness surged in Lu Mingfeng's heart as he thought of Mingyue Valley and An Yu, making him even more unsettled.

Hua Che could not be allowed to stay.

And the suddenly disappeared An Yu, wherever he was hiding, also couldn't be spared—he had to be found and eradicated.

As Lu Mingfeng was lost in these thoughts, a sudden commotion arose below.

"You bastard, hiding here? Hurry up and hand over Hua Che, or I'll make you pay!" Mu Rongsa barged into the Shangqing Terrace, followed by a group of fierce-looking disciples from Lingxiao Palace.

Chu Binghuan was caught off guard. He had only been away from his residence at Lingxiao Palace for two days—how had things suddenly gone wrong?

Lu Mingfeng's face darkened. "What's going on?"

Mu Qinian was horrified and quickly tried to restrain Mu Rongsa. Everyone else looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what had happened.

Mu Rongsa struggled free from Mu Qinian's hold and shouted, "Lu Yao! Stop hiding like a coward and tell us where you're keeping him. Hand him over!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Binghuan's face changed dramatically. "What happened to Hua Che?"

Mu Rongsa's eyes lit up—this guy was jealous and could be easily manipulated!

So, Mu Rongsa put on an exaggerated, emotional display and shouted, "What else? Lu Yao, that bastard, kidnapped him!"

Chu Binghuan's heart tightened, and his sharp gaze fixed on Lu Yao.

Lu Yao shivered, looked up at everyone in confusion, and pointed to himself in shock. "Me?"

"Who else if not you?" Mu Rongsa said furiously. "A gentleman doesn't steal another's love. Hua Che and Chu Binghuan have been engaged for a long time and announced it publicly yesterday. And today you kidnapped him. Have you no shame?"

Thousands of eyes turned to Lu Yao, who felt wronged to death and stammered, "No, I... I didn't... it wasn't me!"

Mu Qinian, his face burning with embarrassment, quickly scolded, "Stop spreading lies, Mu Rongsa!"

Mu Rongsa retorted, "I'm not lying! Last night, I was chatting with Brother Hua. I mentioned seeing Lu Yao acting strange in the library, probably affected by Brother Hua's flute music during the competition. Brother Hua felt guilty and said he would go to the Shangqing Pavilion to apologize and play a soothing tune for him. But when I went to his room this morning, he hadn't returned all night. I asked his fellow disciples, and they hadn't seen him either!"

Zhuang Xiao'er seized the moment to shout, "Immortal Lu is highly suspicious!"

Wen Yuan followed up, "Immortal Lu, please return Young Master Hua."

The crowd began to discuss, eyes wide in disbelief.

Elder Qianyang hesitated, "This..."

"Nonsense!" Lu Mingfeng's brows knitted tightly, and he growled, "Lu Yao, explain yourself. What is going on?"

Lu Yao, already timid, found it even harder to handle this situation and could only repeat that he didn't do it, his face flushed.

Mu Rongsa shouted, "What else? He covets my junior brother's beauty and harbours ill intentions! Back during the Lingxiao Peak examination, Lu Yao couldn't take his eyes off Brother Hua. Later, at Mingyue Valley, he often dragged Brother Hua aside for private conversations, even wanting Brother Hua to join the Shang Qing Immortal Sect to be with him day and night! After Chu Binghuan announced their engagement yesterday, Lu Yao got jealous and let his animal instincts take over, so..."

"Enough!" Chu Binghuan interrupted.

Chu Binghuan flew down to the front of the Shangqing Hall, his cold eyes fixed on Lu Yao. "Hand him over!"

Thinking carefully, there were too many illogical aspects to this situation.

For instance, how could someone as skilled as Hua Che be kidnapped by Lu Yao?

But Chu Binghuan didn't want to think about any of that right now; he just wanted Hua Che standing before him, safe and sound, not missing a single hair.

Logic and reason could go to hell!

Lu Yao, already "beyond cure," was now even more lost due to this incident: "I didn't do it. I haven't even seen Hua Che."

Lu Yao looked at Lu Mingfeng with a pleading gaze, already accustomed to relying on others: "Father!"

"Calling for help won't do you any good!" Mu Rongsa scolded. "Even if you are a Shangqing Immortal Master, it doesn't matter. What, the Sect Leader's son can't be investigated?"

Chu Binghuan's cold gaze swept over Lu Yao: "Hua Che is mine. Sect Leader Lu, please do not be biased."

Zhuang Tian arrived late. When he heard the news, he was so shocked that he had to be dragged in by Xianhe Jixiang. He took a deep breath and said to Lu Mingfeng, "Sect Leader Lu, please allow us to check your son's room. If it's confirmed that our Hua Che is not there, I will personally apologize to Lu Yao."

Lu Yao, trembling, stammered, "No, no, the Shangqing Pavilion is the Sect Leader's residence; outsiders can't enter."

Mu Rongsa argued, "Rules are dead, but people are alive. Given the special circumstances, we'll just take a quick look and leave. We won't pollute the holy ground of Shangqing!"

The term "holy ground" made many sect leaders' hearts race.

The Shangqing Immortal Sect was the top of the Immortal Path. Its disciples were all proud and arrogant, being revered as "Immortal Masters," while disciples from other sects had to respect them as if they were mortals. Why?

"How about this," suggested Chu Changfeng, stepping forward to mediate. "Let Sect Leader Zhuang and Chu Tianyu go in and take a look while the others wait outside. How about that?"

Mu Rongsa glanced around the crowd and, upon finding Lin Yan, shouted, "I want to go too!"

Lu Mingfeng calmed himself, forcefully shook off Lu Yao's hand, and stepped forward. "The Shangqing Pavilion is the Sect Leader's place of meditation; there is nothing to hide. Moreover, Hua Che is the top winner of the Martial Arts Competition, a person of high status. Since he disappeared in Shangqing, regardless of whether it is related to Lu Yao, I have the obligation to help find him."

Zhuang Tian replied, "Thank you for understanding, Sect Leader."

The crowd did not disperse but instead stayed on Shangqing Terrace to watch the excitement. A small group followed Zhuang Tian and the others to Shangqing Pavilion.

The Shangqing Pavilion was divided into East and West Halls. The East side was Lu Mingfeng's residence, and the West side housed his disciples. Zhuang Tian entered the West side, Chu Binghuan stood in the main hall, and Mu Rongsa, feeling discontented, wondered how he could get to the East side.

Suddenly hearing a bird call, Mu Rongsa's eyes lit up. He glanced back at Lin Yan, who was waiting outside the hall. In a miraculous understanding, Lin Yan, using telepathy, ordered the Chongming Bird to follow the beast master's command and flutter into the East Hall.

Mu Rongsa shouted in surprise, "Hey! Little ancestor, come back! Don't pee in the Sect Leader's bedroom!"

Mu Rongsa chased after the bird wildly. Chu Binghuan glanced at the stern-faced Lu Mingfeng outside the hall and followed closely behind.

The Chongming bird flapped around wildly, and Mu Rongsa made a show of trying to catch it. Lu Mingfeng, having reached his limit, cast a restriction spell, trapping the bird.

Lu Mingfeng said, "Everyone can see that there is no one here but a disobedient bird. It is evident that Hua Qingkong is not..."

Chu Binghuan took several large strides to the bookshelf. He crouched down and, with a shocked expression, stared at the dark red bloodstain seeping from the base of the shelf: "This... this is Hua Che's blood!?"

 

--

 

Note from the translator

Chrystantemum pattern - Phoenix Spreading Its Wings

The chrysanthemum pattern, especially in East Asian cultures such as Chinese, carries rich and varied symbolism:

1. Longevity and Vitality: The chrysanthemum is often associated with long life and enduring vitality. This is due to its blooming period in autumn, a time when most other flowers have withered, symbolizing resilience and the ability to thrive even in adverse conditions.
2. Nobility and Elegance: In Chinese culture, the chrysanthemum is one of the "Four Gentlemen" (四君子) of flowers, which also include the plum blossom, orchid, and bamboo. These flowers represent the four seasons and are admired for their noble qualities. The chrysanthemum specifically represents autumn and is associated with the virtues of a gentleman, such as elegance and humility.
3. Meditation and Peace: The chrysanthemum is also associated with meditation and a peaceful life. In Chinese culture, the poet Tao Yuanming (陶淵明) famously depicted the chrysanthemum as a symbol of a reclusive and contemplative lifestyle, away from the corruption of officialdom.

 

And of course, ‘chrysanthemum’ has a special meaning in Danmei novels. This is why I wanted to explain a bit more that it is not only referring to this little secret place 😊

 

Translator: DarNan

 

Source: freepik.com