Chapter 027
Chapter 27: Tai Yin Primordial Sect
Guan Shan Xue stared with uncertainty and shock at Cang Yin Yue’s figure standing before her. Her lips trembled, but she couldn’t utter a single word.
At that moment, Cang Yin Yue glanced back coldly, raising a slender eyebrow with unmistakable contempt. Without another thought, she turned away disdainfully and leaped out of the window without looking back.
…
On the bustling, wide street, Cang Yin Yue and Li Mu Sheng rode side by side on pack mules. She glanced back at the inn behind them, releasing a soft breath, then spoke to Li Mu Sheng:
“Thank you. So this is how it feels to ‘put on airs.’ Truly delightful!”
Li Mu Sheng tilted his head to look at her, noticing the joyful expression that now filled her eyes. He shrugged lightly, responding:
“It’s nothing special. Mainly, I was worried that if you two started fighting, who knows how long it would drag on. Such a waste of time.”
Cang Yin Yue’s eyelid twitched slightly as she quickly defended herself:
“Although my martial dao cultivation is not equal to hers, she can’t easily harm me either. If I wanted to leave, I could’ve left anytime.”
As she spoke, a cold yet thoughtful glimmer flashed through her clear eyes:
“Still, your acupoint-sealing martial skill is truly incredible—silent and unpredictable, giving no chance for retaliation. Even Guan Shan Xue, a Martial Grandmaster with Ice Qi, was helpless against it.”
Upon hearing this, Li Mu Sheng studied her leisurely for a moment, then chuckled:
“Want to learn it? I can teach you.”
Cang Yin Yue froze, her eyes fixed intently on Li Mu Sheng. But eventually, she sighed deeply and looked away:
“A supreme martial art could spark a bloody storm throughout the Martial World, forming the foundation of a sect’s standing. I’m not worthy enough to receive such a profound technique from you.”
Li Mu Sheng laughed softly, appreciating this young lady’s sincerity and respect for boundaries.
“Fine, Miss Cang. Just keep performing well. My expectations aren’t high—I’m easy to satisfy.”
As Li Mu Sheng spoke carelessly, curiosity suddenly ignited within him, prompting him to ask:
“I really didn’t expect you to have a fiancé. How come you’ve never mentioned it before?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Hearing this sudden remark, Cang Yin Yue’s elegant brows knitted instantly. Her hand subconsciously reached up to touch her veil-covered face.
Noticing this, Li Mu Sheng quickly waved his hand to dismiss her suspicion:
“Don’t misunderstand me. I didn’t mean it that way!”
Cang Yin Yue snorted coldly, eyes narrowing dangerously:
“No need to hide it. Your expression has already betrayed your thoughts. You’re thinking how could a woman with an ugly brand on her face like me attract a man’s affection?”
Li Mu Sheng fell silent for a moment. But soon, a spark lit up his eyes. Patting the mule’s back beneath him, he gently said:
“Miss Cang, don’t undervalue yourself. Even a humble mule has its own worth, let alone an exceptional person like you. Besides, once the brand on your face fades, a natural beauty like you will have admirers lining up all the way to Shang Yang City’s gates.”
Cang Yin Yue’s eyes wavered slightly. She slowly lowered her hand and took hold of the reins again, urging her mule forward quietly.
After a brief silence, her expression grew calm yet colder as she spoke:
“My marriage was arranged by my family. Constable Fu, as leader among the Six Gates’ Ten Great Constables, naturally values the power of the Cang family rather than my appearance.”
Li Mu Sheng rubbed his chin thoughtfully, riding beside her:
“Which Cang family exactly?”
Cang Yin Yue glanced at him and replied plainly:
“Marquis Cang Yuan.”
Li Mu Sheng frowned, spreading his hands in confusion:
“Never heard of him. Is your family even prominent in Shang Yang City, the Imperial Capital?”
Cang Yin Yue remained silent for a moment, a hidden glint of hatred flickering briefly within her icy gaze. Then she answered slowly:
“The Marquis Cang Yuan Manor naturally wields great influence in the capital. However, it has little to do with me.”
She continued to explain calmly to Li Mu Sheng:
“The current status of the Cang family is all due to Marquis Cang Yuan’s first madam. That woman is not only the sister of Noble Consort Ji in the Great Li Imperial Palace, but also comes from the Tai Yin Primordial Sect, one of the Martial World’s Four Great Sects. Their relationship is very close.”
“As a result, the Cang family holds high positions both in the imperial court and the Martial World. Many in Shang Yang City strive to curry favor with them.”
Realization flashed across Li Mu Sheng’s face as he said:
“So your family is not only royalty by marriage but also connected to a Martial World giant like the Tai Yin Primordial Sect.”
Li Mu Sheng naturally knew well of the Tai Yin Primordial Sect.
It was one of the Martial World’s strongest sects in the entire Great Li dynasty. Anyone involved in martial circles knew this sect’s formidable reputation and strength. Rumored to have existed for a thousand years since the era of the Great Qi Dynasty, the sect dominated an entire martial generation with its supreme martial technique, the Tai Yin True Classic.
Countless masters and martial geniuses came from this sect. Alongside three other powerful sects, it could openly challenge even the imperial court.
At that moment, Li Mu Sheng suddenly recalled something and said:
“Wait, if I remember correctly, that Bone Eroding Yin Wind Finger martial art originates from Tai Yin Primordial Sect. Could it be…”
Cang Yin Yue did not hide anything, nodding softly:
“You guessed right. The brand on my face was given to me by that first madam herself.”
Upon hearing this, Li Mu Sheng’s imagination immediately conjured scenes of a dramatic internal feud within a noble household—a young lady from a powerful family, mistreated and oppressed by the household matriarch. She would rise before dawn, endure constant ridicule, harsh treatment, and scorn. Out of envy toward her beauty, the matriarch even cruelly branded the word “cheap” on her face.
“Miss Cang, growing up must’ve been very difficult for you, wasn’t it?” Li Mu Sheng asked sympathetically.
However, Cang Yin Yue merely laughed coldly:
“Yes, indeed it was difficult. But if she hadn’t survived the poison I slipped into her soup back then, I wouldn’t have ended up like this.”
“Uh??” Li Mu Sheng was speechless.
Indeed, it seemed he had sympathized far too early. Given this young lady’s hidden cunning, she clearly wasn’t someone to underestimate.
At that moment, riding steadily ahead, Cang Yin Yue softly spoke to herself:
“Don’t worry. Sooner or later, I’ll definitely kill her.”
…
Inside the inn, Vice Minister Gao Chang Rui of the Ministry of Revenue led several men, including a youth in green, approaching Guan Shan Xue. When they saw her standing motionless in the chamber, everyone revealed strange expressions.
“Maternal uncle, I heard this woman has ties with Six Gates’ Divine Constable. Perhaps we should…” Zhang He started to speak, eyes greedy.
But before he could finish, Gao Chang Rui slapped him hard, sending him flying backward.
“You damned fool! No wonder you shaved your head during the Lunar New Year—your heart truly intends to doom us all. You almost succeeded this time!”
Gao Chang Rui’s face twisted in fury, trembling with uncontrollable anger.