Book 1: Winds Begin to Blow in Tai Yuan

Chapter 10 - Favors Returned, Debts Repaid

A bright moon in the sky, a clear wind from the side, in the

desolate mountain wild, falling into a handsome man's embrace.

Is there anything under the heavens that is more romantic

and more blessed?

The lucky Meng Fuyao's face instantly turned scarlet red

shocking red deep red light red the various colors of red cycling at a fast

speed, finally returning to its normal colors. She peeked at the shameless

hottie opposite, who with a straight face and back respectfully said,

"Since that's what you want, I guess I'll have to grudgingly oblige."

With a flip of her fingers, she fitted a couple steel

needles which glinted while hidden between the gaps of her fingers.

If you dare touch, I'll pierce your ya ya.1

Two hands about to grasp, two cheeks about to meet, a fat

rodent comes in between, pus.h.i.+ng left and blocking right.

There is nothing under the heavens that is more mood killing

and more despicable.

Before Meng Fuyao had time to push the other down then

pierce him to death, with a "shua" sound Master Yuanbao suddenly shot

out from who-knows-what corner, jumping up and soaring over the ground. With a

"curled-bodied split-legged backward 180 degree attack", four claws brandished

and separately impacted onto the two people's faces.

Meng Fuyao immediately palm-slapped Master Yuanbao down with

a "pa" sound, taking the chance to retreat three zhang away.

Master Yuanbao dropped into the man's outstretched palm, at

once flipping over and hugging his fingers while crying with a zhi zhi sound.

Meng Fuyao eyed the little fellow with disdain, even though

she had to thank it for helping herself escape the situation, wasn't his method

of doing so a little too abnormal?

Her eyes left the spoiled crazy fat rat, landing on the man.

After traveling through the jianghu

for so many years, Meng Fuyao liked to think of herself as having a bit of an

eye for people. The guy before her, despite every one of his words being

seductive silliness, had no hints of l.u.s.t or hunger in the expressions of his

eye corners and brows. His elegant demeanor implied a n.o.ble's aura, and his

eyes held no ill-intentioned desires.

Was it really only because he saw the scene of Pei Yuan

scheming against her, that he lent a hand to help?

The status of the Profound Origin sword sect in the Tai Yuan

Empire was not low, with many past and possibly future high officials and

distinguished individuals. Looking at the timing and place where he appeared,

did he have any relation with the Profound Origin sect? If he was the sect's

friend, then why would he help her to oppose the sect?

Deeply breathing in, Meng Fuyao decided to not continue mulling

over this unsolvable question. She could see that this guy wasn't some simple

person, and asking wouldn't give her any information. Furthermore, if he wanted

to harm her, a little twist of his finger would be enough - there was no reason

for him to use such a circular method.

Besides, right now there was something she had to do first.

Meng Fuyao didn't linger on the things she was powerless to

change, since she would not allow someone who had harmed her to walk free.

While regulating her breathing, dusting her sleeves, and

tidying up her robes, from her bosom she also took out something to apply to

the dagger at her waist.

It was a type of sap produced in Qing Region's Lifting Wind

Nation, refined from "Never-Wound Flowers". This sap was not

poisonous, but once it entered a wound it would cause it to fester and become

longer-lasting and harder to cure.

Meng Fuyao tossed the dagger a couple times in her hand,

feeling that it was unfortunate that she did not have actual poison on her.

Although, Pei Yuan, what if your arrogant, attractive appearance and snowy

complexion, that has so many men buzzing around you like bees and calling you a

jade beauty, one day had a few extra wounds that stank with the smell of

rotting flesh? I wonder if, after all the b.u.t.terflies and flowers have been

driven away, you could still maintain that false, hypocritical smile?

With a cold smile, Meng Fuyao carefully applied layer after

layer on top of the dagger's blade.

The man hugged his knees with a light smile, his eyes

sweeping past with a measure of appreciation.

Seeing Meng Fuyao's preparations complete, he stood up and

pointed in the Profound Origin sect village's direction. While smiling he said,

"You probably don't know that your sword sect actually has a secret

tunnel. If you sneak in through there, you can avoid many of the mountain

village's guards, and," his expression suddenly seemed a little odd,

"your Master and the other martial brothers and sisters right now are all

at the front hall welcoming Infinite Empire's Grand Tutor. You can first

conceal yourself inside Pei Yuan's room."

"How do you know?" Meng Fuyao slanted a glance at

him. "Who are you?"

"You can call me Zhaoxu, Yuan Zhaoxu."2

Yuan Zhaoxu's smiling expression was like a touch of spring breeze. While his

eyes moved, it was like in an instant water could flow backwards, and deep snow

could melt.

"Yuan Zhaoxu?" Meng Fuyao muttered the name once.

For some reason she felt it familiar, as if she had heard it before somewhere,

but right now couldn't remember. She only nodded her head, then followed the

direction Yuan Zhaoxu pointed to while striding in large steps.

Her back figure gradually vanished down the rugged mountain

trail. Behind her, Yuan Zhaoxu had on a light smile, and while standing with

his hands clasped behind his back, he deeply gazed at her disappearing shadow.

His wide sleeves drifted leisurely in the wind, reflecting

the crushed silver moonlight.

At his back, where there was originally a block of mountain

rock, slowly materialized a long, skinny black figure. The black shadow stood

slightly bowed three chi behind Yuan

Zhaoxu, with its head lowered in a respectful demeanor.

"Crown ..."

Yuan Zhaoxu slightly turned back his head, and with only a

look, the other side instantly became horrified, quickly shutting its mouth.

"You do not have to remind me, I will go

immediately." Waving his hand, it seemed Yuan Zhaoxu already knew what the

other was going to say. After a moment of thought, he tilted his head towards

Master Yuanbao who was currently standing on his shoulder, "Hey, go follow

her?"

Master Yuanbao turned, showing his backside to Yuan Zhaoxu.

"After you come back I'll let you eat a late-night

snack, three Qilin Reds."

Master Yuanbao continued to maintain his unturned head and

raised backside, but obediently began to crawl down his shoulder.

"You're not allowed to enact your personal revenge, or

else I'll penalize three day's worth of Qilin Red." Yuan Zhaoxu exhorted

Master Yuanbao with a phrase. That fat rodent only shook his stubby tail as an

answer, unknown if it was an agreement or not.

The black-garbed man watched stunned as that ball of white

fur vanished into the night. In his heart he still did not understand his

master's actions. Yuanbao was not some ordinary pet animal - found in the Di

Region Heavenly Court's most sacred lands, only one of the Everlife Temple's

"Divine Enigma Rats" would be born every hundred years. Their lives

were extremely long, and their intelligence was beyond normal animals, even

comparable to humans. Further, they could bring luck and ward off evil, and

once they decided on a master, they would be unwaveringly loyal for their

entire lives. People without connections to the temple could only hope to see

one, let alone own one - no matter how exalted their statuses were.

This kind of treasure, his master actually just sent out

with such carelessness?

That young lady from before ... could it be ...

But didn't his master's destiny show that ...

The thoughts in his heart swirled and revolved hundreds and thousands

of times, yet he didn't dare show anything on his face. After following his

master for so many years, the black-clothed man was completely aware of his

master's crystal-clear perception; under his lucid and piercing gaze, if he moved

so much a strand of hair, his inner thoughts would be able to be guessed.

Even with this level of vigilance, Yuan Zhaoxu still seemed

to discover something. He half-turned with a light smile and glanced at the

black-clothed man, seeing the other then deeply bow at the waist and retreat

back into the darkness.

Yuan Zhaoxu turned back around, narrowing his eyes and staring

at the distant edge of darkness. The slim figure of that girl who could boldly

love and hate, and bravely accept and confront, had already completely disappeared

into the shadows. With carried sword, bound hair, and an agile body full of killing

intent, she sprinted towards that outside virtuously beautiful but inside maliciously

selfish royal descendant, sprinted towards those who had harmed and humiliated

her, and prepared to rise the blade, then fall the blade.

"Life with many struggles, trials with bitter toils, those

able to return favors and repay debts, how many can there be ..." After a

long time, a soft sigh lightly drifted in the winding night wind.

----------------------

"The Grand Tutor is so old yet still so vigorous, your

n.o.ble aura truly fills people's hearts with admiration, he he he ..."

"Sect Master Lin's generation of sword sect, has even

more of a virtuous and capable aura, ha ha ha ..."

The tallow candles burned in Profound Origin's front hall

while two old men smilingly conversed. Respectful and cultured, their words

came and went, their mouths filled with meaningless niceties. One after another,

hundreds of volleys were exchanged, as if they completely did not see the deep

darkness of the late night. Underneath, the many disciples were continuously

yawning.

"Come come ... Grand Tutor, try some more of our

Profound Origin's specially produced Jade Spring Tea."

Lin Xuanyuan slightly covered his face with his robe sleeves

while lifting up the tea, taking the opportunity to furtively yawn.

He had already accompanied the guest for a very long time.

Although the Infinite Empire's esteemed Grand Tutor was at a very old age, his

spirit was still very hearty. They had forcibly digressed here and there for

many hours - six had already pa.s.sed, yet he still had no thought of sleep.

Lin Xuanyuan's eyes were impatiently moving underneath the cover

of his sleeves, when suddenly they caught four disciples sneaking in from the

hall's side door, and he couldn't help but start a little.

That kid, didn't he tell him to guard Meng Fuyao? Why did he

return with such a worried expression?

Before he could finish this thought, a flash of red came from

the side door, and Pei Yuan appeared, her expression still proud and arrogant.

She leaned against the door frame and tidied up her robes, her face color

normal, but from what the old fox Lin Xuanyuan saw, he thought she seemed to

have a bit of a violent air between her eyebrows.

Raising the teacup a little higher to cover his eyes, Lin

Xuanyuan silently muttered in his heart, what had happened? How come these two

disciples' expressions were not right?

However, now was not the time for interrogation - plus, with

Pei Yuan's status, even Lin Xuanyuan didn't dare to overly discipline her. He

could only reinvigorate himself and continue to accompany the guest.

The gray-white haired Infinite Empire's Grand Tutor was a

teacher of emperors who had been famous under the heavens for some time, mostly

because of his student, the shockingly brilliant Infinite Crown Prince.

Logically at such a wizened age his energy shouldn't be so plentiful, yet it

was a pity that he resisted the dark circles under his eyes, steadfastly continuing

to chat with the non-stop yawning sect master.

"Qing, Yi, Heng, Ming, Di, the Five Regions, are

divided into Nemesis, Infinite, Lifting Wind, Heaven's Court, Tai Yuan,

Polaris, and Xuanyuan, the Seven States. Nemesis focuses on war,

Infinite emphasizes talent, Tai Yuan values martial arts, Polaris promotes

knowledge, Lifting Wind highlights morality, Xuanyuan are masters of ancient

techniques, Heaven's Court ..."

Suddenly a gust of wind blew over from who-knows-where, and

the candles on the ground flickered. The Grand Tutor stopped in the middle of

his words, laughed with a "ha ha", drank some tea, and as if he had only

thought of it just now he said, "Yi ya, my old self and the sect master

have been chatting so happily, we even forgot the time ..."

Lin Xuanyuan hurriedly stood up, "Yes, yes, the Grand

Tutor's insights are outstandingly high, the lowly me fell into a spell just

listening and actually forgot to arrange for your rest. My apologies, my

apologies, someone come, help Sir to the inner courtyard to rest ..."

"Whew ..." Underneath came a chorus of relieved

sighs.

The Grand Tutor tottered out, and the disciples immediately began

to scatter like the wind. Lin Xuanyuan stood in the hall with his hands clasped

behind, and with a change in his eyes, he suddenly spoke, "Fourth,

Yuan'er!"

The two who were just about to slink away froze in their

steps and slightly turned. Pei Yuan, with a fluid glance, slowly turned around

and gave a calm smile to the doubtfully staring Lin Xuanyuan.

Outside the window shot past a streak of lightning. In that

flas.h.i.+ng instance, the strong incandescent glow illuminated her turning face,

twisting that smile into something savage and fierce, holding a dark air full

of malignance, and scaring Lin Xuanyuan with a jump.

Turning his head and staring out at the suddenly pouring rain

outside, he muttered with some surprise, "It started to rain ..."

1. Place where men are weak. Need I say more.

2. "元昭詡" = Yuan Zhaoxu