Chapter 31: Solitary Peak Pavilion

The moonlight was gentle, the stars dazzling, and the summer night was far from silent.

Above, the stars and moon bestowed a thousand rays of soft light; below, insects and birds offered an endless symphony. Amidst this, some were restless, their thoughts tangled, unable to close their eyes. Each fleeting idea was carried away by the cool breeze and the chorus of insects, as they tossed and turned, more interested in wakefulness than sleep.

There were many who remained awake deep into the night—some drinking alone beneath the moon, some whispering by candlelight, some sitting quietly lost in worry…

Xuezhe spent the entire night contemplating what Lan Shui had said, pondering how to win back her senior sister’s favor, what gift or token might serve as an apology and a means of reconciliation.

“Senior Sister Baiyu loves good food; making some delicate, light desserts wouldn’t be hard. But what should I offer to Senior Sister Jianrong?” Xuezhe sighed, and just then, a warm breeze drifted in through the window. “Lianzi?”

Before she could finish, Lianzi appeared before her, grinning foolishly. “Senior Sister, can’t sleep?”

“Not coming by the main door—sneaking over here out of laziness. Are you hoping for a scolding?” Xuezhe got up, walked to the table, and poured herself a cup of water.

Lianzi followed and sat close beside her. “I knew you couldn’t sleep, so I slipped over quietly—to avoid disturbing the senior brothers! But you mustn’t tell the eldest brother, or I’ll be in for it…”

“You knew and still did it?” Xuezhe shot her a sidelong glance, half-smiling. “As your senior, I can’t cover for you or indulge you, but it’s true that eldest brother is strict. What should be done? Unless… you make it up to me by doing something?”

“A task?” Lianzi looked at her in confusion. “What do you want me to do? You won’t say it straight, just look at me like that—it can’t be anything good, can it?”

Xuezhe smiled faintly. “You know me so well, then I’ll be direct! I want to find a book on swordsmanship—since Senior Sister Jianrong is fond of such things. Books like that are rare on Tianshan, and I don’t want to break the sect’s rules to search for them, so…”

Lianzi started, “So you want to return to Kunlun?”

Xuezhe nodded. “The Kunlun sword techniques are second to none. I believe Father has some treasured scrolls. If I could find one, it might truly impress Senior Sister Jianrong. After all, the wisdom of the mundane world differs from our cultivation sects—there must be unique and novel insights. I can’t be perfunctory with the gift; this is the only way!”

“That may be, but… those are Kunlun’s possessions,” Lianzi chewed her finger, hesitating.

“Don’t worry about it. I think it’s feasible, and it’s the only way to suit the current situation!” Xuezhe gently shook Lianzi and asked, “My dear Lianzi, do you know of any good books in Kunlun?”

Lianzi coughed, thinking for a long while before replying slowly, “I can’t refuse your request, but… I only know a little! Back at Lanxin Pavilion, I heard the pavilion master mention that Kunlun has a ‘Treatise of Swordsmanship’ that’s quite formidable. I believe it was written by Master Yu himself, which may make it hard to find…”

“Father’s book?” A trace of a smile touched Xuezhe’s lips, her voice low. “If it were someone else’s, I wouldn’t dare take it. If Father wrote it, then I could—”

“Halt! Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Lianzi interrupted, speaking frankly. “Though Master Yu treasures it, the book belongs to the entire Kunlun Sect. Even if he wanted to give it to you, he could not. You spent so long in Kunlun—haven’t you heard of this?”

Xuezhe shook her head, “I never paid attention to Kunlun affairs. How would I know?”

“The book is kept in the Solitary Peak Tower on North Mountain, and there are rules: any disciple with the ability may take and study it. Therefore, it belongs to no one, not even Master Yu. Do you still want to retrieve it?”

Xuezhe thought long and hard, then asked softly, “Is there only one copy in the Solitary Peak Tower?”

“To inspire disciples, there are three copies, hidden in different places, but only one is Master Yu’s original.”

“Three copies? That’s perfect!” Xuezhe chuckled, patting Lianzi on the shoulder. “I’m going out tonight; you know what to do! I promise I’ll be back before dawn!”

Perhaps the mortal world was further from the heavens—the night sky seemed more vast, the scenery imbued with a different charm, the hearts of people filled with different moods.

The moon’s brightness and luster were more intense, not less; perhaps because the mountains and forests of the mortal world were shrouded in deeper darkness than the snowy peaks and icy pools of Tianshan, which reflected the light.

Xuezhe had no time to ponder these matters. She had to return to the bamboo grove before daybreak. Leaving the mountain without permission was forbidden, but she felt no fear—she’d done such things so many times before. How else would she have earned her reputation for mischief?

“I really must break this habit and set a good example, or Lianzi will keep copying me! She’s snuck down the mountain several times lately! Ah, what a failing!” Xuezhe sighed as she made her way toward the Solitary Peak on North Mountain.

The cool breeze was refreshing. Glancing at the distant pinpricks of starlight, Xuezhe’s heart filled with delight: everyone must be asleep now, and the night watchmen wouldn’t come here. Doesn’t that mean I can take my time? I’m curious to see what kind of challenge Father devised!

Leaping up the peak, Xuezhe realized that simply reaching Solitary Peak required considerable skill.

It was the highest point in the northern range, a sheer cliff with only a small plateau where the tower stood—access was difficult, the natural obstacles already deterring many.

“If one fell from here, one’s body would never be found. But anyone who makes it up is greeted with open skies. A test of courage—and a lesson. Father really put thought into this!” she murmured.

Just then, a few faint breaths startled her. She leapt up to the tower at once. “Is someone else here?”

The tower was nearly thirty meters high, reminiscent of a temple pagoda, standing sentinel over every blade of grass and tree on Kunlun’s northern slopes.

Donning her veil, Xuezhe peered out—there was indeed someone ascending. “What luck! I rarely come here, yet tonight I run into another challenger. Is he here for the ‘Treatise of Swordsmanship’ too? No, I need to find a copy quickly—I haven’t much time…”

In the blink of an eye, the figure below vanished from view. Nearby, the wind whistled; farther away, nightingales sang. Xuezhe grew tense and uneasy: whoever it was, he moved swiftly—a true expert. I must be careful! I need to improve my senses, or even an ordinary man will outpace me—how shameful!

Moving quietly, she explored the floor, examining the scenes with care, but found nothing unusual. Only the small script carved on the stairs offered a clue, drawing her into contemplation, though their meaning eluded her.

“What are these inscriptions? I’ve read so many books and still can’t decipher them. Did I only study the surface? No, most Kunlun disciples aren’t learned—why would Father use such words for a test? I must be mistaken!” Sighing, she turned to descend, thinking: I should start from the first floor and proceed step by step—that must be the right approach. I’ll try it now; surely the other person has already left.

She glanced around, tried the disguise spell Master Ji Lin taught, changed her appearance, and floated down from the upper floor.

“Solitary Peak Tower!” she whispered, stepping forward. Just as she reached for the door, she was thrust back three paces by a barrier, her whole body jarred. “Heavens, what is this? Even I’m being blocked?”

With a cold snort, Xuezhe waved her hand, sending a chill gust swirling—the door opened easily.

“Hmph, trying to keep me out!” She strode boldly inside, but as she turned to close the door, a chill grazed her neck. In the moonlight, she saw the glinting blade—a sword as fluid as water and as fleeting as a meteor.

“I… Who… who are you?” she stammered.

“I was about to ask you the same! Why do you break into Solitary Peak Tower at night?” came a cool male voice.

Xuezhe froze; the voice was oddly familiar. She tried to turn her head, but a large hand locked around her throat.

“Speak! Who are you, and what is your purpose here?”

Struggling in his grasp, her back against his chest, Xuezhe coughed and said anxiously, “I’m… I’m no thief. Don’t be alarmed!”

“Then who are you? What do you want?”

Now she recognized the voice—magnetic and pleasant—it was the very guide she had met before. Startled, she was about to say his name but stopped herself. If she revealed her identity, the whole plan would be ruined.

Twisting her fingers, she struck out with her palm, vanishing in a blink, leaving him behind.

Liu Li looked around calmly. The surroundings were dim and still. He said quietly, “Miss, your skills are impressive, but you do not know the secrets of Solitary Peak Tower. If you wish to leave, I won’t stop you—just don’t come again! But if you mean to take the scroll, you must first pass my test, or else—”

“Enough talk. Where is the book?” Xuezhe pressed her sword to his throat, laughing softly. “This is most improper, but it’s just a repayment in kind.”

Liu Li smiled serenely, unafraid. He glanced at the sword—it was the very Long Yin blade that guarded Solitary Peak Tower.

“That sword was placed here by Master Yu for the tower’s protection. Why do you wield it?”

Xuezhe remained unflustered. “You threatened me with your sword—why shouldn’t I arm myself in return?”

“Your lightness skills are excellent, your body-shifting technique outstanding, but you can barely defend yourself, let alone wield a sword against me. I suggest you put it away,” Liu Li said gently.

Xuezhe laughed quietly to herself. Clearly, he was perceptive—so quickly seeing through her abilities. Still, since she needed his help to retrieve the book, how could she back down? Isn’t it true that mortals often favor threats?

“No more games. I’ve come for the ‘Treatise of Swordsmanship’. Tell me—what will it take to get it?”

Liu Li smiled kindly. “The book isn’t mine, and even if I wished to give it, you must earn it. But I can give you guidance. If you can best me, I’ll tell you how. How about it?”

“No problem!” Xuezhe answered without a thought, scornful in her heart: This frail scholar—does he truly think he can beat me? Still, since he was her guide, she could afford to show some mercy…