Yan Lu settled into the small estate outside Jiyang City, partly to help Li Haimo resolve his issues with the Daoist Scripture. But some things were like that—clearly visible, yet just out of reach.
The Sitting in Oblivion heart method was a core Confucian technique and couldn't be taught to Li Haimo. They'd have to wait until returning to the Little Sage Manor to see if Master Xun Zi had a solution. Though the technique itself couldn't be passed on, its conceptual essence could be discussed. All three were top-tier experts of their generation, so their exchanges on martial arts and other matters yielded insights for each.
"I've taken in a sword attendant, but right now, neither Junior Sister Xiao Meng nor I can show ourselves. Plus, with my cultivation completely absent lately, I'll have to trouble Second-in-Command Yan Lu to help rescue her," Li Haimo said.
With Yan Lu stepping in, it was far better than Xiao Meng acting—her involvement would confirm the Daoist sect's interference in another state's affairs, undermining the mountain-sealing declaration. This was different from vying for the Cheng Ying sword; pursuing that was merely for Daoist inquiry and wouldn't draw the Seven Kingdoms' scrutiny. But rescuing Xue Nu carried different implications.
"The premier dancer of Yan's Feixue Pavilion, Xue Nu?" Yan Lu looked at him and Xiao Meng with a hint of amusement. Are all Daoists this bold? Taking in another woman with his wife right there—and Xiao Meng shows no reaction at all. For that alone, Yan Lu could only think, As a single dog, I'm utterly baffled and impressed.
Inside the Feixue Pavilion, Xue Nu was tense. Tonight's performance time had arrived, and not only was Yan Chun Jun expected, but the Little Sage Manor's second-in-command, Yan Lu, had even notified the pavilion in advance. As the eye of the storm surrounding the Cheng Ying sword, wherever Yan Lu went would draw the focus of all sword masters. So, tonight, countless sword wielders would flock to the Feixue Pavilion—one misstep, and blood would flow like rivers.
As dusk fell, the Feixue Pavilion remained aglow with lanterns, but shadowy figures flitted inside and out. The interior was packed with disciples from the Hundred Schools and princely scions. Even Yan Chun Jun, seated in the prime central spot, sensed the faint killing intent and sword aura permeating the air. He genuinely feared that naming Xue Nu to enter his mansion tonight might provoke some passing sword master into a chivalrous outburst. So now, he was wondering if he should just drop it.
"The Cheng Ying sword is in the crown prince's residence," Xu Fuzi said from a private room on the second floor, addressing Six-Fingered Black Hero.
"Yan Dan?" Six-Fingered Black Hero was somewhat surprised. His impression of Yan Dan wasn't favorable—the prince had long courted Mohist commanders and wandering knights, persistently seeking to join the Mohists. But Six-Fingered Black Hero had always rebuffed him, citing that jianghu folk didn't enter court politics. Yan Dan's ambitions were vast; if he joined, the Mohists might soon become a sharp tool in Yan's hands, akin to the Luo Wang network.
Moreover, if Cheng Ying had fallen into Yan Dan's grasp, what was his purpose in leaking the news to draw so many knights and sword masters—including Confucians and Daoists?
On the other side, Yan Lu also sensed the direction of the Cheng Ying sword. After sending disciples to investigate, he learned it was the crown prince's residence. Like Six-Fingered Black Hero, he couldn't fathom what Yan Dan intended by luring him here.
In Yan's crown prince residence, Yan Dan found himself in a bind. He'd acquired the Cheng Ying sword simply to attract sword masters as retainers—he was soon to depart for Qin as a hostage and wanted a skilled guard. At the same time, he hoped to orchestrate Yan Chun Jun's death through them. But he'd underestimated Cheng Ying's renown, drawing not just the world's sword masters but even the Little Sage Manor's second-in-command, Yan Lu.
He could only blame his ignorance—knowing Cheng Ying only as a famed sword, unaware of its significance to Daoists and Confucians, or its title as one of the Three Swords of Seeking the Dao. After all, even Master Ban and Xu Fuzi were oblivious to such secrets, let alone others. The world's sword masters had gathered here mainly because Yan Lu's personal involvement piqued their interest in Cheng Ying.
Now, holding Cheng Ying was like clutching a hot potato—neither discardable nor retainable. He lacked the strength to protect it, and the Mohists, under Six-Fingered Black Hero's orders, were barred from involvement. When his retainers learned he possessed Cheng Ying, they fell silent as cicadas in winter, then slipped away. This left Yan Dan with no usable people at his side.
But Yan Dan was no ordinary man. He tried separating Cheng Ying from Xiao Lian but failed—the world knew of the three Kong Zhou swords, yet only Han Guang had been truly isolated; Xiao Lian's existence was mere legend. Thus, Yan Dan devised a plan: send someone to deliver Cheng Ying to Yan Chun Jun's mansion as a congratulatory gift for the army's triumphant return.
The timing had to be when Yan Chun Jun was absent from the mansion; otherwise, even with ten times the courage, he wouldn't accept Cheng Ying. And not only must he receive it—the whole world needed to know the sword was in his possession.
So, at this moment, Yan Chun Jun remained oblivious to the scheme against him. If he didn't return home tonight, he might preserve his life—but Yan Dan would surely find a way to present the sword publicly, right into his hands.
As the moon reached its zenith, Xue Nu took the stage for her Zhao dance. All eyes were on her, yet minds wandered to Yan Lu on the second floor.
Xue Nu sensed the unusual atmosphere and scanned for her master's position, but the usual private room was occupied by the Little Sage Manor's second-in-command, Yan Lu, leaving her heart in turmoil.
"Follow the Little Sage Manor's second-in-command, Yan Lu, afterward."
The Thousand-Li Voice Transmission echoed in her mind—Xiao Meng's voice. Xue Nu breathed a sigh of relief; her master had made arrangements.
"Thousand-Li Voice Transmission—the Daoists are here too." The entire Feixue Pavilion was stirred. Though they didn't know to whom or what was said, those with profound cultivation sensed Daoist presence employing the technique. Of course, most remained unaware that Daoists had arrived.
"As expected—with the Three Swords of Seeking the Dao, how could the Daoists sit it out?" Six-Fingered Black Hero sighed. He just didn't know who had come. From the prowess of that Thousand-Li Voice Transmission, it was either the two sect leaders or Chi Song Zi or Xiao Yao Zi.
The dance ended. Those oblivious to the undercurrents continued their lavish revelry, tossing gold, pearls, and jewels. Even Yan Chun Jun joined in with generous flair. He'd reasoned it out: Cheng Ying had nothing to do with him, and claiming a dancer for bedding shouldn't stir waves—there were many knights, but most wouldn't offend him before Cheng Ying's emergence.
"Tonight, you'll go to Yan Chun Jun's mansion to dance," Yan Chun Jun stated calmly. For him to take a dancer for the night was routine—no ripples expected.
"The Lingbo Feiyan dance—where it sways, blood must flow. Lord Chancellor, please show restraint!" Xue Nu bit her lip in refusal.
Yan Chun Jun regarded her coldly, saying nothing, but his stance clearly brooked no denial.
The knights present were somewhat surprised that this stunning dancer dared refuse. Yet no one spoke up.
Behind the screen, Gao Jianli clenched his fists tightly, hating his own cowardice for not stepping forward.
"If you charge up now, neither of you will survive," Six-Fingered Black Hero said, appearing behind him unnoticed.
"I..." Gao Jianli eyed the mysterious figure shrouded in black, then loosened his grip, slumping dejectedly in place.
"The path of chivalry or the path of musicians—which do you choose?" Six-Fingered Black Hero asked.
"I choose the path of chivalry!" Gao Jianli replied.
Six-Fingered Black Hero felt disappointment. The paths of chivalry and musicians weren't mutually exclusive—what a pity that Kuang Xiu's final dying note hadn't awakened Gao Jianli's qin heart to establish a Musician School. Gao Jianli's temperament doomed him to be merely a commander in the Mohists, never reaching the pinnacle of jianghu chivalry.
"Come back with me to the Mohists," Six-Fingered Black Hero decided anyway. He couldn't demand too much—just hoped Jing Ke wouldn't let him down.
"But what about Miss Xue Nu?" Gao Jianli asked.
"If you still can't see yourself clearly, then in the future, you'll lose more than just this woman. When your friends and kin face such trials, you'll remain as powerless as now. Hasn't one Kuang Xiu and one dancer been enough to make you realize?" Six-Fingered Black Hero said sternly.
Gao Jianli gazed at the exquisite figure on the jade-splashing flower stage, gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and said, "I'll go with you!"
"Miss Xue Nu, please come upstairs for a chat." A clear voice rang from a second-floor private room.
All eyes turned toward the source, wondering who dared intervene publicly against Yan Chun Jun.
Yan Chun Jun also glanced at the room. With so many from the Hundred Schools present tonight, he couldn't act rashly. Of course, he wasn't one to fear trouble—but he needed to identify his opponent before deciding. He wouldn't flare up like a hotheaded youth and invite unnecessary woes.
"It's the Confucian second-in-command, Yan Lu!" a guard whispered to Yan Chun Jun.
Yan Chun Jun was taken aback—he'd considered everyone except Yan Lu. But he feigned an angry snort, turned, and left—effectively conceding. He also instructed the Feixue Pavilion to release her.
Yan Lu smiled wryly; after tonight, rumors of him vying with Yan Chun Jun over a dancer would likely spread.
Xue Nu arrived at the room uneasily, standing quietly to one side. Yan Lu studied her earnestly, thinking, A beauty to topple nations—no wonder Wuchen Zi took notice.
"For you, my reputation is probably ruined. I wonder what Uncle Master Wuchen Zi will offer in return," Yan Lu said.
"Thank you for the rescue, Master Yan," Xue Nu replied, relieved knowing Yan Lu had been sent by her master.
But things wouldn't unfold as Yan Lu imagined—after all, scholars' tongues were under Confucian control. What spread would be tales of Yan Chun Jun forcing the virtuous into depravity, with Second-in-Command Yan Lu speaking out in justice. As long as Xue Nu didn't appear by Yan Lu's side, no other rumors would arise.
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