Chapter 66: He Went to Save His Fiancée
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
On top of a small building in Ningcheng County, Yan Shu Yi had just received the news of the withdrawal of the disciples from the Spirit Sword Mountain Sect. However, the status of Heavenly Script Academy, including whether they had also retreated, remained unknown to her.
At this moment, the Mirror Master stood atop the high tower, gazing at the third surge of celestial radiance in the distance, contemplating her earlier communication with Zhuo Wan Ting.
[He said the disciples of Spirit Sword Mountain are going to save someone.]
[For some reason, he held back his hand.]
Yan Shu Yi was silent for a long while. She glanced around to ensure she was alone before lifting her hand and lightly pinching her cheeks, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Soon, footsteps echoed from below. The Mirror Master swiftly lowered her hand, her expression returning to its usual cold and distant composure. Turning toward the sound, she saw Zhuo Wan Qiu ascending the stairs in hurried strides.
“Mirror Master.”
“Hmm? How did it go?”
Zhuo Wan Qiu cupped her hands in respect. “The disciples of Mystic Sword Peak have all withdrawn, but some from Heavenly Sword Peak have not followed the order.”
Yan Shu Yi showed no emotion upon hearing this. She merely nodded lightly to signal her acknowledgment. Since she had assumed the leadership of the Spirit Mirror, the Mystic Sword Peak faction had become the sect’s ruling lineage. Naturally, those of Heavenly Sword Peak, which had held the Daoist orthodoxy for hundreds of years, found this difficult to accept.
This overflow of celestial fortune from the ruins was seen by them as an opportunity. Even if some disciples perished, they deemed the potential gains worth the risk. This rationale was likely shared by other Immortal Sects, who knowingly sent their disciples to a perilous mountain despite its dangers. After all, it was said that the celestial fortune within surpassed the resonance of heaven and earth during ascension.
Yan Shu Yi’s decision to withdraw the disciples was undoubtedly risky. Danger and opportunity often coexist; if Heavenly Sword Peak were to discover a celestial fortune capable of altering the sect’s orthodoxy, Mystic Sword Peak could fall into decline. However, she refused to send her disciples to their deaths. She simply couldn’t do it.
From childhood, anything Yan Shu Yi considered hers, she fiercely protected.
She turned to Zhuo Wan Qiu. “What about the people of the Heavenly Script Academy?”
“Mirror Master, I’ve already informed them. Most of the disciples from Heavenly Script Academy have withdrawn, but…Ji You is still in the mountain.”
As Zhuo Wan Qiu spoke, she cautiously raised her eyes to observe the Mirror Master’s reaction, hoping for some clues. Surely, it couldn’t be as she suspected…
After all, their Mirror Master was the heir apparent of Spirit Sword Mountain, commanding unparalleled status. Even other Immortal Sects dared not underestimate her. On the other hand, Ji You was merely an outer disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy, reportedly a rural rogue cultivator with no familial connections. Though he had reached the pinnacle of the Lower Three Stages and gained a chance to enter the inner court—perhaps even advance further—he had been cast aside here after encountering a prodigy from the Chu Clan.
How could two people so disparate develop anything unusual between them?
Unaware of Zhuo Wan Qiu’s swirling thoughts, Yan Shu Yi asked directly, “Why is he still in the mountain?”
“According to the Heavenly Script Academy, he seems to have gone into the mountain to save someone.”
“Didn’t all the disciples withdraw? Who else would he save?”
Zhuo Wan Qiu hesitated. “I don’t know for certain. They just said he’s saving someone.”
Yan Shu Yi scrutinized her for a moment, narrowing her eyes. “We, the disciples of Spirit Sword Mountain, walk the straight path of the sword. Yet your sword heart seems hesitant. Wan Ting, are you hiding something from me?”
“Forgive me, Mirror Master…”
Startled, Zhuo Wan Qiu immediately knelt. “According to his fellow disciples, he’s trying to save his fiancée.”
Yan Shu Yi paused in surprise. “He has a fiancée?”
“Apparently…not just one.”
“A mere cultivator at the pinnacle of the Lower Three Stages, yet his thoughts are scattered. No wonder he was shrouded in such heavy black qi when I first saw him.”
Zhuo Wan Qiu glanced up. “Mirror Master, what exactly is your relationship with him?”
Yan Shu Yi turned her icy gaze toward the distant mountain of surging celestial radiance. “A man I met by chance during my travels. Just a stranger I encountered once.”
“I see.”
Relieved, Zhuo Wan Qiu patted her chest, thinking she must have misunderstood earlier. “Since the disciples of Mystic Sword Peak have withdrawn, shall we return to the mountain?”
Yan Shu Yi sat on a bench and shook her head. “Wait.”
“Is there more to do? If you have any commands, Mirror Master, I will see them carried out.”
“There’s nothing else to do. I’m just waiting for the people inside to emerge, to see what kind of situation caused such a commotion. I also want to see whether the disciples of Heavenly Sword Peak achieve their goal. And, incidentally, I’d like to see what his fiancée looks like.”
Leaning against the railing, Yan Shu Yi spoke softly, her previously restless legs now still.
At first, Zhuo Wan Qiu felt admiration for the Mirror Master’s foresight. Although she avoided risk, as the future leader of Spirit Sword Mountain, she must assess the situation’s implications. The success or failure of Heavenly Sword Peak in claiming the fortune would directly impact the sect’s power dynamics.
However, upon hearing the last remark, Zhuo Wan Qiu froze. The first two matters were of undeniable importance. But if the third could be considered equally significant, then it held an extraordinary place in the Mirror Master’s heart.
[Oh no, my initial suspicion was right. But now I’ve misjudged again.]
After all, Ji You had shown kindness to her. She didn’t want to see him executed the moment he left the mountain.
“Mirror Master…”
“Hmm?”
“If you see them…what then?”
The question momentarily stunned Yan Shu Yi, as it seemed strange to her.
Seeing the outcome and whether the disciples of Heavenly Sword Peak obtained anything was to prepare for the future. As for Ji You and his fiancée, seeing them wouldn’t change anything. It was merely a curiosity, stemming from a fleeting encounter. Besides, his roasted sweet potatoes had tasted rather good.
Humming a local tune from Ling Prefecture, she thought, [As long as he’s alive, that’s enough.]
Zhuo Wan Qiu observed her Mirror Master in silence for a long moment before retreating to wait downstairs.
By this time, Ding Yao and others had also arrived in Ningcheng County, heading straight to the tavern where Yan Shu Yi resided, intent on paying their respects immediately.
In truth, Yan Shu Yi had only informed Zhuo Wan Qiu because she knew her personal maid, Ding Yao, had ties to the Dao Seeking Sect. She wished to avoid being disturbed by irrelevant parties.
However, Ding Yao was no fool. Seeing Zhuo Wan Qiu sneaking off, she deduced that the Mirror Master was present and followed in secret.
When Zhuo Wan Qiu descended, she encountered Ding Yao and her group.
“Junior Sister Zhuo, where is the Mirror Master?”
“Upstairs,” replied Zhuo Wan Qiu, adding, “Senior Sister Ding, perhaps you should wait before paying your respects.”
As Ding Yao prepared to ascend, she glanced back at Zhuo Wan Qiu. “Why?”
“I believe the Mirror Master is not in the best mood right now.”