As Lianzhen and Rin reached the outskirts of Chengdu, the noise of the city faded behind them. The area was quiet, surrounded by tall trees and dense forest. Sunlight filtered softly through the leaves as the two brothers sat near a large tree, the air calm yet heavy with unspoken tension.
Rin broke the silence. "What do you want to talk about?"
Lianzhen took a deep breath. "Rin, you know that before you came into this world, I was the only young master of the Sima Clan. As I grew up, I also liked martial arts — but you know our clan never allowed it. Even Mother said no to me."
His gaze lowered, memories surfacing. "My role was already prepared: to marry someone for the sake of the clan. But I refused and tried to learn on my own. Still, I was never able to learn properly."
A faint bitterness crossed his face. "That was the first time I felt weak… and in despair. I was about to quit martial arts and accept my fate."
He paused, then continued. "Then I met someone behind our clan estate — a lady who hid her face. She said she was a secret master of the Sima Clan. She said she was impressed by my talent and wanted to teach me Sima Clan martial arts."
Rin listened silently.
"At first, I doubted her," Lianzhen said. "But then she displayed her arts. They resembled Sima Clan martial arts exactly. So I accepted her offer. She taught me, and I learned."
Rin frowned. "A secret master? Who was she? Do you know?"
Lianzhen smiled softly. "She was Mother."
Rin's eyes widened. "She was Mother? You're saying Mother taught you martial arts?"
"Well," Lianzhen replied, "she never told me directly or revealed her identity. But as days passed, I noticed. I became sure it was her."
Rin clenched his fists. "Why would she teach you? The Mother I know was always against teaching martial arts to men."
Lianzhen looked up at the sky, watching the leaves sway. "I wonder why too. Maybe her role as Matriarch made her that way — burdened by trauma and responsibility. But without a doubt, she loved us more than anything."
He smiled faintly. "So yes, Rin, that's how I learned martial arts."
His expression softened even more. "Then you were born. I still remember the first time you opened your eyes — you grabbed my finger. That day, I decided I would never let the world become a burden to you. I wanted you to fly freely, like a carefree crane."
His voice grew firm. "That's when I became diligent in martial arts."
Suddenly, Lianzhen shivered. "Then tragedy happened. We lost everything in a single night… but at least I never lost you. In front of our sister, I promised I would protect you and fulfill every one of your wishes."
He clenched his hands. "We began our journey. Do you remember when the bandits attacked us? We were overpowered by the Lust Devil."
His voice dropped. "That day, when she was about to hurt you, I felt despair again. Reality hit me — I was weak."
He looked straight at Rin. "Then she appeared. Within a single breath, she defeated all the Lust Devils — even their leader. That presence… it was the same warmth I felt from Mother."
His eyes softened. "My feelings grew day by day."
He turned fully toward Rin. "Tell me honestly — without her, could our trip have gone so smoothly? Could we have been safe in Chongqing without her?"
Rin was taken aback, his expression shaken.
Lianzhen grabbed Rin's hand. "I'm not asking you to fully accept her against your feelings. Just… try to give her a chance. For my sake, Rin."
Rin clenched his jaw. "You don't understand. You don't know what she's planning inside."
"I don't care what she's thinking inside," Lianzhen said firmly. "I only know my heart. She is the one I love, Rin."
A long silence followed.
Finally, Rin sighed. "Okay. I will observe her. It's true… I am weak." His voice lowered. "I'll give her a chance."
Lianzhen's face lit up with relief. "Thank you."
The two brothers stood and headed back toward the pavilion.
When they arrived, they saw that the carriage was already prepared. Tang Xiuying and Yu Meixian stood nearby.
Rin walked straight toward Yu Meixian, his expression cold. Leaning close, he said in her ear, "You better be prepared. The day I see you with another man, I will cut you into as many pieces as the stars I see in the sky. Do you understand?"
Yu Meixian's face turned pale blue, but she said nothing as Rin moved toward the carriage.
Tang Xiuying approached Rin cheerfully. "Oh, Mr. Rin! I prepared this special heavenly silk veil hat. Not everyone deserves to see such beautiful face—"
"I reject it," Rin said flatly. "Yes, even you don't deserve it."
He climbed into the carriage.
Tang Xiuying grabbed Yu Meixian's shoulder. "You already got one brother, and now you want the other too?"
"What are you talking about?" Yu Meixian replied calmly.
"Then why is he cold to me and not to you? Maybe you're badmouthing me!"
Yu Meixian placed a hand on her shoulder. "Even badmouthing is praise for you."
"You—!" Tang Xiuying snapped.
Just then, Lianzhen arrived.
"I'll see you later," Tang Xiuying said angrily as she stormed into the carriage.
Lianzhen grabbed Yu Meixian's hand gently. "I agree rin about our relationship. Just make sure you don't do anything foolish."
Yu Meixian smirked. "The only foolish thing I might do… is with you at night."
Lianzhen's face turned bright red.
Yu Meixian chuckled softly, amused by his reaction.
Lianzhen hurried into the carriage.
"Well," Yu Meixian said leisurely, "what a nice morning."
She entered the carriage as well, and soon it departed toward the Tang Clan.
Inside, Tang Xiuying asked, "Are you comfortable, Mr. Rin and Mr. Lianzhen?"
They both nodded.
"What about me?" Yu Meixian asked.
"Low voice. Shut up and die," Tang Xiuying replied coldly.
Rin looked out of the carriage window, his thoughts racing. Tang Clan… one of the great orthodox clans. One of the top ten masters resides there.
His eyes hardened. Maybe I can learn something. I will become strong… so I don't need to rely on women.
The carriage rolled forward, carrying secrets, tension, and unresolved emotions toward the gates of one of Murim's greatest clans.