Chapter 043: Waiting

The garden at the Bamboo Grove was no longer filled with laughter and playful shouts. Lianzi and Ji Lin sat dazed on the stone steps, Lan Shui brooded in silence on a stone bench, and Qian Gui had shut himself away inside the wine house, refusing to come out.

Time itself seemed to have fallen into a hush, as if painted with the colors of cherry blossoms and tinged with drifting petals—everything slowed almost to a standstill.

“When will we ever see Senior Sister again?”
“I don’t know either!”

Seeing Lianzi so dispirited, Ji Lin found it impossible to feel any joy. He had always envied Xue Ze for winning everyone’s favor, but now he wished she would hurry back, or at least send word. Without her, the Bamboo Grove felt hollow, as if its very spirit had departed.

“My dear junior sister, come back soon! It’s been a day and a night—where have you gone? Not even a message!”
“Senior Sister must have found that person and is keeping quiet about it…”
“Yes… that must be it.”

As they spoke, Qian Gui finally emerged from the wine house, a jug in his hand. He drank as he walked, chuckling and smacking his lips. “Not bad at all!”

“Is this really the time, Master? You’re still drinking?”
“Hardly just that—he’s even in the mood to brew more!”

Qian Gui ignored their mutterings, sat down at the stone table, and set the wine jug aside.
“Lan Shui, I’ve remembered the secret art you asked me about.”

Lan Shui started, his voice trembling with excitement. “Truly? What kind of secret art is it?”

Lianzi paused at this, unable to keep from complaining, “Given everything that’s happened, they still have the mind to discuss secret arts. Their dedication to cultivation never wavers!”

“Wait—no, something’s going on! Let’s go take a look!” Ji Lin, ever perceptive, realized something was amiss. He knew Lan Shui would never care about mystical techniques at such a time unless it was tied to Xue Ze.

“The Feather Dove is a first-class sacred relic of Tianshan, second only to the Snow Lotus. Those who know and use it are all from Tianshan. To control the Feather Dove and balance its internal and external forces, a Spirit Maiden is specially appointed—now, the White Feather Spirit Maiden. If anyone else wishes to use it, there is only one forbidden technique: it can deceive the Feather Dove for a brief moment, making it accept a spell note as if from its rightful master. But this method is fleeting; the note must be used and removed quickly, lest one be discovered…”

“So, Master, you’re saying the one who followed and spied on us was using this spell to confuse the Feather Dove?”
“Most likely. Otherwise, how could they have acted with such precision? According to your account, it was not the White Feather Spirit Maiden. But few know this art, and even fewer have the power to practice it. Unless their skill surpasses yours, suspicion is unlikely to fall on them. After all, those who know and can wield this art hold the rank of Grandmaster.”

“But the White Feather Spirit Maiden mentioned this technique once—she didn’t name it outright, but she seemed aware of its existence.”

“She holds the position, so she must know of it, but not the details. The Lark Grandmaster has no reason to teach her the actual method.”

After listening for some time, Lianzi and Ji Lin were still lost, unable to follow the crux of the conversation.

“Master, what are you talking about? Did Senior Sister Bai Yu make a mistake again?”

Qian Gui shook his head, turning to Ji Lin. “You should learn from your senior brother and stop jumping to wild conclusions all day!”

“So Master and Senior Brother are discussing what happened yesterday… If it concerns Senior Sister, then it concerns me. Why not let Lianzi join in and help unravel your worries?”

“Heh, that won’t be necessary! You’d better spend your time learning the ways of Tianshan. Spend more time with your second senior brother, but don’t pick up his laziness and roguishness!”

Lianzi dared not argue and nodded obediently. “Yes!”

“Am I lazy? Am I a rogue?” Ji Lin grumbled, lips pursed, turning aside but keeping his ears sharp for any news.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be told if there’s any news. Besides, Lianzi, you’re unharmed, so Xue Ze is surely safe too! The two of you are bound by contract—you can sense her, can’t you? Have you forgotten?”

“Oh! That’s right!” Lianzi suddenly brightened, feeling relief course through her. “Senior Sister must be well—I feel entirely refreshed now!”

Ji Lin patted her on the shoulder. “Hey, stop fooling yourself. You were moping just a moment ago! Focus and don’t let your own feelings cloud the connection.”

“Hmph! I want to be happy and send my joy to Senior Sister—none of your business!”

Far away, in a guest room on Kunlun Mountain, the physician had just stepped out, carrying his things.

“Father, how is he?”

Yu Qianye sighed, drawing Xue Ze outside and closing the door behind them.
“He was poisoned too deeply. I’ve used all my skill to drive out only a portion of the venom—he still needs medicine.”

“I can’t save him, and you’re powerless to help as well. What can we do?” Xue Ze fretted.

“My daughter, since when have you grown concerned with mortal affairs?” Yu Qianye asked as they walked. “It’s been a full month since we last parted. How is your mother?”

“Father, you care only for Mother and ignore your own daughter! Mother can always be with you, but I may not have that chance. This time I came down the mountain to save this young Lord Liu—who knows when I’ll be able to leave again?”

“Nonsense! I merely asked a few questions. You and your mother are everything to me—how could I love one more than the other?”

Xue Ze smiled and took her father’s hand, walking with him.
“Mother is well. She’s respected by all as a Grandmaster in Tianshan—how could she not be? But I’ve heard another Grandmaster is about to enter seclusion. Who knows when Mother will return! You must take care of yourself. Don’t tire yourself running about—there’s nothing worth fighting for in being number one under heaven!”

Yu Qianye nodded gently, smiling. “Very well, I will.”

Xue Ze gazed closely at every blade of grass, every stone and tile, thinking: The landscape remains unchanged, yet I don’t know when I’ll return again. When Mother and I leave, Father’s life will be so lonely. All this time I longed to return to Tianshan, but I never realized how deeply I cared for this place…

Just then, as they entered the courtyard, a disciple arrived to report.
“Someone wishes to come up the mountain.”

“Who is it?”

“I do not know, Master—only that they are two young men.”

“Did they give a reason?”

“They did. They said someone is here, and they must take him away.”

“Very well. Bring them to the main hall.”

“Yes, Master!”

After the disciple had gone, Yu Qianye smiled. “Daughter, the people you’re waiting for have arrived.”

“Yes, they have proved themselves loyal—though they left this one in our care for quite some time.”

“Haha, let’s go meet them together.”

“No, Father, you’ve met countless people—leave it to you! I trust you won’t make a mistake.”

“And where are you going?”

Xue Ze could not bear to see her father’s reluctant expression. She stepped forward, turning her back. “I must return, lest Master worry. This person is in your hands now.”

“In such a hurry? Why not see for yourself who you’re entrusting him to? If Young Lord Liu falls into the wrong hands, you’ll have to search for him all over again—and all your efforts will have been in vain. What will you tell them when you return?”

Xue Ze paused, thinking for a moment. “Very well, I’ll go with you to meet them. But, Headmaster Yu, you mustn’t reveal my identity!”

“As you wish, my lady hero!”