Chapter Two: Moonlit Lone Star
A gentle breeze swept across the lake, rippling its mirror-like surface. Birds chirped and twittered, forming pairs on the branches as if lovers were exchanging sweet nothings. Beneath the trees, vibrant hues of purple and red painted the landscape as exotic flowers bloomed in clusters, creating a sea of color. Pairs of small creatures chased each other playfully, painting a picture of paradise.
“Hmph!” A cold, clear female voice pierced the air, sending the birds raining down from the branches like a sudden downpour. The remaining animals, as if encountering a formidable threat, struggled to flee in all directions.
“Sister, you dislike these creatures. If you want them gone, just kill them all. Why let some escape?” The voice was innocent and childish, yet the murderous intent in the words sent shivers down one’s spine.
“When have I ever needed to explain myself to you?” The woman’s voice was icy, radiating a bone-chilling coldness. She turned, revealing a figure clad in white, as pure as snow. Her elegance was captivating, as if a celestial goddess had descended from the heavens, out of place in this earthly realm.
Standing beside her was another woman, no less stunning. She wore ornate, embroidered robes, her long hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of ink. Her face, delicate as a flower, was mesmerizing, but the most captivating feature was her pair of eyes, which seemed to speak volumes, holding a childlike innocence that was out of place for her age. Her head was lowered, as if in deference to the woman before her. She spoke softly, “Little sister, how dare you. I was merely concerned for you, sister. I didn't want you to be bothered by such trivial matters.”
“Annoying,” the cold woman muttered, turning away and vanishing without a trace, only the rustle of her flowing robes breaking the silence.
The second woman slowly raised her head, seemingly oblivious to the departure of the woman beside her. Her smile bloomed like a radiant flower as she murmured softly, “My dear sister, ever since then, you’ve become unable to bear the sight of others forming pairs. Now, even birds and animals stir your jealousy. Do you think Lian Xing is unaware of your intentions? Perhaps you simply don’t care whether she knows or not. Indeed, when have you ever considered anyone’s feelings, except… except…” Her right hand suddenly clasped the trunk of a nearby tree, her expression turning bitter. Two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks as she forced out the words, “Except that wolf-hearted, heartless man!” She squeezed the trunk, and with a resounding “boom,” it shattered into pieces. This was the second mistress of the Yi Hua Palace, Lian Xing. The woman who had left was naturally her elder sister, the renowned master of the martial world, the Palace Master of the Yi Hua Palace, Yao Yue!
“Who’s there?!” A crisp shout echoed, and a figure emerged from the distant sea of flowers, their voice trailing off as they arrived before the woman. Witnessing the scene, the figure rushed forward, supporting the woman and asking anxiously, “Second Master, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me!”
Lian Xing had lost control of her emotions, and her unintentional outburst brought her back to her senses. However, she was surprised at the speed of the person in front of her, who had appeared in an instant. For a moment, she forgot to push him away. Wiping away the tears on her cheeks, she looked up and saw a handsome young man, his features refined and elegant. He gazed at her with a mix of worry and concern, his grip on her arms strong yet gentle. Realizing her lapse, Lian Xing hastily rose to her feet. Looking at the youth, who was now taller than her by quite a margin, she tried to appear calm. “Nothing. It was just a bit of trouble with my practice. You needn’t worry, Wu Que. It’s your progress with the Ming Yu Gong that I’m concerned about. How are you doing?”
Hua Wu Que bowed, replying, “Wu Que is slow-witted. I’ve only reached the sixth level and cannot grasp the next step.” As he spoke, his face was still filled with worry as he watched Lian Xing.
Witnessing Hua Wu Que’s expression, a sensation unlike any she had experienced before flooded her heart. The shadow of the heartless man she had been thinking about gradually faded away. She forcefully suppressed her emotions, nodding and saying, “You should not belittle yourself. When I was your age, I was no better. However, you lack real-world experience, Wu Que. In battle, you must never underestimate your opponent.”
“Wu Que understands. Thank you for your guidance, Second Master.” Hua Wu Que nodded in response, still holding onto the woman’s hands.
Looking at the young man in front of her, she felt a surge of inexplicable emotions, a result of her disturbed state of mind and the lingering feelings. She quickly turned and dashed away, afraid that staying any longer would worsen her predicament. She could only hear her voice, tinged with a touch of childish petulance, carried by the wind. “Your Master and I have decided that it’s time for you to leave the valley and train. You will depart tomorrow. Don’t forget what your Master told you.”
Long after the beautiful woman had left, ensuring no one was watching, Hua Wu Que finally withdrew his gaze. A playful gleam appeared in his eyes as he murmured to himself, “For all these years, I’ve carefully manipulated her emotions with the Tian Mo Huo Xin Da Fa, and it seems my efforts haven’t been in vain. Just a little longer. This beauty will surely be mine!”
The next day.
As expected, Hua Wu Que didn’t receive an audience with Yao Yue when bidding her farewell. Standing outside the Feng Xing Zhai, he bowed and said, “Wu Que knows that you and Master both dislike the sentimental farewells of children. I am here to bid farewell, Second Master. Please take care of yourself. I have researched diligently and finally made some progress. This time when I leave the valley, I will bring back a medicine that can cure your ailment. If I fail, I will cut off my own limbs to atone!” With that, he turned and left without waiting for a response.
A long time passed before the sound of a teacup crashing to the ground echoed within the Feng Xing Zhai. Lian Xing, the ruthless second mistress of the Yi Hua Palace, who had taken countless lives, lay on her couch, her eyes blankly staring ahead. She had finally tasted the sweetness of being cared for and cherished. A white figure landed beside the couch, its elegant robes trailing behind it. Observing Lian Xing’s state, Yao Yue said coldly, “What, regretting it already?”
Lian Xing muttered, “Although that man deserved to die a thousand deaths, it was ultimately my hand that took his life. Now, Wu Que treats us with such sincerity. I…”
“Impossible. There is no turning back. If you ruin my plans, don’t blame me for being unsisterly.” After a pause, she continued, “Men are masters of sweet words. How much sincerity is there in his promises? You schemed to kill his entire family. If he finds out…” She didn’t bother with Lian Xing’s tears, turning and walking away.
Lian Xing was left staring blankly ahead, a wooden expression on her face. After a long while, she sat up, wiping her tears in front of a bronze mirror. Her lips curved upwards, and a radiant smile bloomed on her face. “Sister, I shall watch how Wu Que behaves. If he deceives me, I shall make him suffer a slow, agonizing death, his limbs crippled! If he hasn’t lied to me, then don’t blame this sister for being selfish just this once… even if he knows the truth, even if he wants to take my life, there’s someone who cares for me. What does it matter if I live or die?”
…
The Yi Hua Palace was situated in the south. Although the land was in a time of chaos, it remained relatively peaceful. The streets were bustling with activity. As Hua Wu Que walked among the crowds, witnessing laughter, anger, and shouting, he felt a sense of returning to the world. Though the Yi Hua Palace was a paradise, the lack of joy and sorrow among its inhabitants made him feel uncomfortable. Suddenly, he sniffed twice, muttering, “Good wine!” He followed the scent, heading straight for a nearby restaurant.
He called for the waiter, ordering food and drink. Hua Wu Que sat in silence, pondering for a moment before finally relaxing. He had carefully manipulated Lian Xing’s emotions using the Tian Mo Huo Xin Da Fa, inch by inch, and his efforts were finally paying off. He picked up the wine jug and drank it down in one gulp, feeling a sense of exhilaration.
Many of the martial arts techniques from his previous world were either unusable or greatly weakened in this world. Lian Xing was an exceptionally strong practitioner. The fact that he had managed to influence her emotions was a combination of skill and luck.
“Hey, you haven’t even ordered any food, just drinking. You’ve already downed over a dozen jugs. You’re not planning to get drunk and skip out on the bill, are you?”
Hua Wu Que followed the voice and saw a man sitting by the window, his presence radiating a unique aura. He appeared to be in his thirties, wearing a faded gray robe. He had thick brows and piercing eyes, and his table was bare, surrounded by empty jugs. He was holding a jug of wine, constantly pouring it into his mouth.
The waiter stood beside him, looking annoyed. “His tab is on me,” Hua Wu Que said, tossing a silver ingot to the waiter. Ignoring the waiter’s gratitude, he raised his cup to the man.
The man wiped the wine from his face, grabbing two new jugs and clinking them together. He tossed one to Hua Wu Que, nodding in agreement before emptying his own jug in one gulp.
Just then, a beggar rushed up from downstairs, whispering something in the man’s ear. The man suddenly stood up, bowing to Hua Wu Que before striding away.
Hua Wu Que set down his jug, watching the man’s departing figure. His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Xi Xia, Yi Pin Tang, the Great General? Interesting.”