Volume One: If Life Were Only as It First Met
Master of the Shura Sect
You always do this, hurting my heart time and again.
As night falls, the Jing Garden is illuminated by thousands of lights. Across the river, it faces the Suyuan Tower, a vacant garden that is usually tightly closed, rarely seeing visitors.
This is the residence of He Xizhi, the owner of the Suyuan Tower, but few have seen him. His name is known, but his presence is never witnessed. Tonight, however, the Jing Garden is brightly lit, for a distinguished guest has arrived.
In front of the mirror, Hong Yuan personally applies scarlet lipstick and paints her brows with powder. Dressed in a red feather robe, she walks toward the Jing Garden.
The mist is ethereal, and as she steps into the Jing Garden, a captivating fragrance fills the air, familiar yet warm. The winding path in the garden leads directly to the Bifeng Pavilion, dotted with fireflies, lanterns hanging high, and the flickering light guiding Hong Yuan forward, yet not a single person is in sight.
Inside the Bifeng Pavilion, there is a magnificent pool fed by the clear waters of the river, which has been treated and heated, forming a warm spring. Petals float in the pool, drifting atop the water, and amidst the floral fragrance is a hint of bitterness, like traditional Chinese medicine.
Hong Yuan walked to the side of the magnificent pool, the candlelight flickering as someone slowly approached. In a moment, she felt a softness pressing closely against her body, and a gentle whisper brushed her ear.
“You finally came; I missed you so much~” The murmured words sent a tingle through Hong Yuan’s ears, causing her to shiver slightly. Unconsciously, her hands clasped together, feeling a hint of nervousness.
The familiar fragrance of the iris always lingered in Hong Yuan’s heart, which is why she planted irises in abundance at the Ziyun Pavilion. Suddenly, she felt a coolness on her shoulder as the sheer red garment slipped down.
No matter how unwilling she was to admit it in her heart, she could not deceive herself about her craving for this embrace. Yet, upon reuniting, it felt as if something was missing.
Hong Yuan stepped forward, leaving the embrace, and bowed, saying, “This subordinate pays respects to the Master of the Sect.”
Dressed in a blue butterfly robe, she was luxurious yet elegant, with a commanding presence and remarkable grace. Her phoenix-like enchanting eyes had slightly upward curves, and a flower-shaped adornment of the iris gleamed on her forehead, blooming like a flower. Beneath her high-bridged nose, her red lips slightly parted, exhaling a fragrance like orchids.
She was none other than Ling Yu, the founder of the Shura Sect and the master of Hong Yuan.
“There is no need for formalities between us; that would seem distant,” Ling Yu said, extending her delicate fingers. Hong Yuan naturally took her hand.
“Your hands are so cold; it seems the cold poison is quite severe. Come here.” Ling Yu tenderly rubbed Hong Yuan’s hand in her palm and then placed it on her own abdomen. Hong Yuan immediately felt a wave of warmth, a flicker of warmth rising in her heart.
She then led Hong Yuan to the warm pool. “In this water, I’ve added eighty-one kinds of medicinal herbs. To avoid the bitterness, I sprinkled in a hundred flower petals, all with delicate fragrances, hoping you would like it.”
Hong Yuan had not yet raised her eyes, but a chill surged within her chest, causing her to furrow her brow. Ling Yu could tell that another wave of cold poison was attacking her. She helped Hong Yuan remove her clothing, saying, “I specially made a trip to the Black Shura Sect to obtain this method for detoxification. You must be wondering why I traveled thousands of miles to Jidu. This detoxification method, aside from me, cannot be known by anyone else.”
Ling Yu curled her lips into a slight smile, her beauty almost excessive. She was known as the most beautiful woman in the Yu Kingdom; her beauty seemed to carry a fragrant allure, accompanied by an aura of wicked charm. Always wearing a mischievous smile, beneath her phoenix-like eyes lay countless strategies and calculations.
“To dispel the cold poison, you must remove all your clothing and soak in this medicinal pool for two hours. Then, another person must inject true energy into your body to expel the toxins.”
Hong Yuan knew well of this detoxification method; the Fierce Heart Palm and Cold Sound Palm of the Black Shura Sect were both extremely dark and evil martial arts, notorious throughout the martial world. However, this detoxification method was so awkward. She disliked being close to others; how could she allow anyone to help her? She could only endure the chilling cold that attacked her every hour.
“I knew you would think this way. You are mine, and your body cannot be seen by anyone else.” Ling Yu’s lips curled gracefully as she removed her garments piece by piece, leaving her body completely exposed, with only a flower-shaped adornment identical to the iris on Hong Yuan’s left shoulder remaining on her right shoulder.
“Xun’er, don’t you want to look at me even once?” Ling Yu’s captivating eyes fixed on Hong Yuan, as if she could capture her very soul. With her curvaceous figure and snake-like slender waist, she slowly pressed closer to Hong Yuan.
“This subordinate does not dare,” Hong Yuan lightly pressed her lips together, remaining unmoved, though waves began to rise in her heart.
“When did our relationship become so distant, Xun’er?” Ling Yu’s delicate hand gently caressed Hong Yuan’s shoulder, the warmth of her palm pressed against her smooth skin, causing the last layer of clothing to slide down gracefully.
“It is you who have distanced yourself from me.” A layer of mist clouded Hong Yuan’s gaze, and Ling Yu’s smile faded as she splashed her hand in the water pool, shifting the subject. “The water temperature is just right.”
The mist swirled, and the warm pool water flowed gently, like a clear stream or river. The fog hazily obscured Hong Yuan’s eyes, a layer of moisture settling on her brows and lashes.
In a pool surrounded by a hundred flowers, the water rose to the waists of the two beauties. Leaning against each other while bare, Hong Yuan constantly felt the urge to avert her gaze. Although this was not their first honest meeting, an inexplicable sense of estrangement had emerged between them.
“I will now inject true energy into you; you must connect with my thoughts and not lose focus,” Ling Yu said, her eyes glinting with brilliance. Perhaps it was the misty aura that colored her irises, for at this moment, her eyes were clear, vividly reflecting Hong Yuan’s figure.
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If Ling Yu’s eyes could remain this clear forever, how wonderful that would be.
Hong Yuan slightly closed her eyes, concentrating on circulating her energy. This healing technique could only be mastered by Ling Yu. When she learned that Hong Yuan had been struck by the Cold Sound Palm, she wished she could wipe out the entire Black Shura Sect. If it weren’t for the fact that they still held some usefulness, she would have ensured that the attacker had no place to bury their body.
Now, with the situation in turmoil, it would suffice to let that person, who had already scheduled a death date with the King of Hell, live a little longer.
At the main gate of the Dragon City Imperial Palace, several fast horses galloped away. In the moonlight, one could see Qin Junlan’s worried face. She was troubled by matters concerning Yuzhou while also unable to concentrate on anything due to her constant worry for Hong Yuan.
That one palm strike was enough to keep her restless, making it impossible for her to wait calmly for their next meeting. Even if she could just catch a glimpse of Hong Yuan from afar at the Ziyun Pavilion, she would be satisfied.
Racing all the way to Suyuan Tower, it was still a scene of revelry, filled with the haze of paper lanterns. Hong Yuan had claimed to be unwell, and it had been several days since she had performed. As usual, Qin Junlan circumvented the main hall and climbed the stairs to the Ziyun Pavilion from the back courtyard.
“Miss Chaoyan?” Mujin clearly hadn’t expected Qin Junlan to suddenly appear.
“Mujin, has your young lady gone to rest?”
The dim lights flickered within the Ziyun Pavilion, and Qin Junlan paused here, uncertain whether Hong Yuan was truly resting; she only wanted to know if she was well.
“Miss is unwell and is recuperating.”
“May I see her just once? Even just a glimpse through the window will do.”
“This… I’m afraid that might not be convenient…” Mujin was genuinely troubled. If it were someone else, she might be able to manage, but Qin Junlan was too difficult to handle.
“Mujin, if you truly fear disturbing your young lady, then I will wait here. Whenever she is well, I will leave,” Qin Junlan had rushed over, merely wanting to confirm her wellbeing and had no other intentions.
“Mujin, our master is tossing and turning in bed at midnight, worried about your young lady’s health. She only wishes to see her just once and won’t disturb her; why must you hinder this?” Li Yue truly could not tolerate that a mere servant from Suyuan Tower could block Qin Junlan.
These two, the master and servant, were indeed difficult to deal with. Mujin’s mind raced quickly, and she immediately broke into a smile, saying, “How could I dare to obstruct you? It’s just that the young lady is currently soaking in a medicinal bath, and it’s not convenient for anyone to visit.”
“A medicinal bath? Does it help with wind-cold ailments?”
“It’s precisely for this stubborn illness. However, the medicinal bath is potent and requires soaking for two hours to allow the medicinal essence to enter the body before she can slowly recover…”
Hearing Mujin mention no other injuries concerning Hong Yuan, Qin Junlan finally felt relieved. Although she had only used three layers of inner strength in that palm strike, it was still enough to hurt someone who was already unwell.
Taking advantage of the moment when Mujin and Qin Junlan were entangled, Ye Ming had quietly arrived at Jingyuan to deliver the news.
The water of the medicinal pool spread endlessly around Hong Yuan, gradually taking away the cold poison within her as the internal energy flowed in a cycle. Her originally pale face slowly regained its luster; beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and the cold transformed into droplets of water, drifting around her body.
As the last cycle of true energy flowed, Hong Yuan felt a tightness in her chest, and a wave of a metallic-sweet taste surged up her throat.
“Ha~” Blood spurted out, and the internal cold poison was finally expelled entirely, allowing her meridians and blood flow to become smooth again.
Ling Yu quickly caught her, using her fingertips to wipe away the bright red at the corner of her lips. “It’s alright, it’s alright. Xun’er, with me here, you won’t be in any danger.”
Her light and graceful words rang out again, sending a tingling sensation to her ears, as if her body had received some signal, causing a slight shiver. Ling Yu gently leaned against her shoulder, greedily inhaling the fragrance that belonged uniquely to her.
Hong Yuan could sense Ling Yu’s desire for her body, even feeling the soft touch of Ling Yu’s moist lips against her shoulder.
She lightly raised her elbow, wanting to avoid this ambiguous intimacy, but inadvertently brushed against Ling Yu’s softness.
“Do you like it?” Ling Yu’s enchanting smile made her already captivating face even more alluring, but Hong Yuan didn’t want to fall deeper into this.
That unintentional touch reminded her of the scene when she first met Qin Junlan. She hurriedly pulled away from Ling Yu’s embrace, swiftly coming ashore to grab her clothes and wrap her body up.
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“Thank you, Master, for saving this subordinate’s life.” Water droplets fell between her brows, reflecting Ling Yu’s helpless deep gaze.
She rose from the pool, completely unclothed, and walked towards Hong Yuan. “Are you sulking with me? I sent Ye Ming without your permission, which caused you to be injured.”
“This subordinate dare not. If Xun’er dies, there are countless others like Xun’er willing to serve you.”
“You…” Ling Yu was speechless with anger, yet also helpless. “For such a minor subordinate, you risked your life?”
“For such a minor subordinate, isn’t it worth it for you to intervene, Sect Leader?” Hong Yuan’s words were sharp and precise. She understood Ling Yu too well; she would go to any lengths to achieve her goals.
“I just want Ye Ming to check the Grand Chancellor’s residence; there are many secrets that Qin Junlan’s uncle is hiding.”
“Which of the people in Suyuan Tower is not your eyes and your trusted aides? Only Ye Ming is difficult for you to control. Why do you want to get rid of her this way?” Hong Yuan knew from the moment she saw Ling Yu’s order that Ling Yu wanted Ye Ming dead.
“It’s only to blame her for having thoughts she shouldn’t have.” Ling Yu’s brows and eyes suddenly became sharp. She was always multifaceted, able to switch seamlessly between gentleness and cruelty. In her eyes, there was only what she accomplished, no one and nothing to cherish.
“You’re allowed to like so many favored ones, but not allowed for others to like me?” Hong Yuan raised an eyebrow. Ling Yu pinched her chin, displaying a wicked smile, “Not allowed; you are mine.”
She was always like this, always so overbearing, always leaving her heart cold.
“Those are my subordinates; I am the one who decides their life and death. If the Sect Leader feels uneasy about Xun’er, you can choose someone else to take charge of Suyuan Tower.”
“You’re just saying this out of anger.” Ling Yu put on her clothes, slowly approached, wrapped her arms around her waist, leaned against Hong Yuan’s neck, her lips lightly curling, eyes like a bewitching charm, “You cannot care about others, and even more cannot fall in love with Qin Junlan.”
“What if I fall in love with her?”
Ling Yu slightly reined in her smile, a trace of murderous intent flashed in her eyes, and then suddenly burst into a loud laugh. That sound echoed throughout the warm hall, her gaze turned into a sharp blade, as if she could kill from afar, “Then I will kill her, regardless of whether she is some Empress or some wise ruler.”
“Ling Yu, I will ask you one last time…” Hong Yuan’s expression became serious, her beautiful pupils staring at her, “Do you really want me to go to her side?”
This was her last chance to give Ling Yu. If she really insisted on using the beauty trap, then their relationship would come to an end. Hong Yuan took a deep breath. She was mentally prepared for the answer but still held onto a sliver of hope.
“Xun’er…” Ling Yu’s eyes lowered, gently stroking her face. That affectionate gaze almost made Hong Yuan believe that she had deep feelings for her as well. However, Ling Yu ultimately smiled helplessly, “Can it be the last mission? Once I obtain what I want, once the Yu Kingdom gradually becomes stronger, once…”
“This subordinate obeys, this subordinate… will definitely follow the Sect Leader’s orders and complete the mission.” Hong Yuan’s throat choked up, her eyes glistening with tears, deep as the sea, displaying boundless loneliness.
“Xun’er, I promise you, after you complete this last mission, I will take you back to the Yu Kingdom, letting you stay by my side forever, alright?” Ling Yu’s tone was gentle, her arms gently embracing her, fingers wandering through her hair.
Hong Yuan remained silent.
“Xun’er, the Yu Kingdom has been oppressed by the Ji Dynasty for many years. Numerous cities have been occupied, countless generals have been killed. Both you and I are descendants of nobility; how can we continue to let the country suffer such humiliation? The country comes before the family. Once we establish a foundation for the Yu Kingdom for a hundred years, we can live our lives in peace and grow old hand in hand.”
“This subordinate obeys.” Hong Yuan’s eyes were like a pool of dead water, her heart had dropped to freezing point. She was truly naive; why did she ignite hope for herself time and again?
She broke free from Ling Yu’s embrace, her face like frost. As of now, she was merely relying on a beautiful facade to attract Qin Junlan.
How could a timeless Empress easily be moved by a courtesan? Could this beauty trap really work? Hong Yuan was very doubtful. Being pushed toward someone else by the person she loved was no different from being stabbed in the heart.
Forget it, had she not suffered enough because of Ling Yu over the years?
“I know you feel wronged, and I am also reluctant. Xun’er, you can rest assured to carry out the mission; whether inside or outside the palace, I have arranged for people to protect you.”
Hong Yuan did not know why she always fell into Ling Yu’s sweet words with a hidden dagger. Knowing that she had countless male and female favorites, knowing that her thoughts were hard to measure, she still wanted to get closer to her. But now, she was truly disheartened.
A gentle breeze swayed, and someone approached. Ling Yu still maintained her smile, “What is it?”
“Reporting to the Sect Leader, this subordinate reports that the Empress has just arrived in the Suyuan Tower and is waiting for the Tower Master,” a female voice came.
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“Ha, this Qin Junlan is indeed infatuated with Xun’er. I thought she was preoccupied with the natural disasters in Yuzhou, yet she still has time to seek you out.”
“How did you know what she is worried about?”
“Natural disasters can also be man-made. This is the meeting gift I temporarily grant you to meet her.” Ling Yu’s schemes were quite deep, making people feel apprehensive. Hong Yuan did not know what methods she would come up with.
“I will return first.” Hong Yuan adjusted her clothes, just about to turn around when Ling Yu pulled her back, “We rarely see each other; are you going to leave me to meet her? Just send her away.”
“It is not me leaving you; it is you leaving me. This subordinate takes her leave.” Hong Yuan bowed respectfully and resolutely left.
Seeing her determined figure gradually fade from view, Ling Yu suddenly felt a wave of panic. She took a step forward and called out, “Xun’er!”
Unfortunately, there was only boundless silence.
“Sect Leader, let me serve you.” Lin Wuming silently appeared, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Ling Yu angrily shouted, “Get lost!”
No matter how many beautiful men and women there were in this world, they could not compare to her Xun’er. For the sake of the country, she could temporarily send her beloved woman to someone else; this cost was truly too great. But for someone with ambitions, one cannot be bound by romantic attachments. Ling Yu felt heartache yet could only endure.
The wind whispered softly, and the moonlight was thick. Hong Yuan saw Qin Junlan standing under the tree from afar. That graceful figure exuded righteousness, making Hong Yuan’s mood lighten.
This beautiful silhouette under the tree cast a ray of light on her gloomy heart.