"It's because Miss Xue is going to find Ling Shu. That sword will only bring disaster. I hope her fate won't be like Xiu Xiu's," Mu Lan sighed.
Xue Qing went back to find Liu Ying. Her face was burning with embarrassment from her impulsive actions the night before. Seeing Liu Ying's serious and anxious expression, she knew that something important had happened, so she quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
"I just received a letter from the sect leader. News of Master's death has spread, and all the sects are pointing the finger at the Underworld. Kunlun Palace, however, says they have found the assassin who killed Master," Liu Ying said.
Nonsense! Tong Chou died of illness; the public was told he was assassinated by Mo Huang. Since it's a lie, how could there be a murderer? Xue Qing felt uneasy: "Kunlun Palace said they found the murderer? Who?"
"Kunlun Palace, together with Wudang, Emei, Qilin Pavilion and several other sects, has surrounded Mount Goulou to capture the murderer who assassinated my master."
Mount Goulou is deserted. The only resident, Dongchou, is dead. Now, only Jiandie is taking Dongchou's body back. If they surround Mount Goulou, wouldn't that be...? Xue Qing exclaimed, "Jiandie!"
Author's Note: I've been having really bad luck lately. My readership plummeted after the review giveaway, my subscriptions dropped drastically, and I ended up on the invisible list. I feel really bad for my editor. Last time, I got a huge advantage because of a temporary shortage of articles during a strong promotion, but I embarrassed her. *covers face*
Opening and closing the document repeatedly feels so disheartening. I spend all my free time writing, but I can't produce anything good. Not many people are following my story anymore; the girls who used to follow it have basically all disappeared. The writing is getting less and less interesting, and I can't write any engaging romance scenes.
The main plot of this story was actually Xue Qing's struggle, a clueless urban girl who gradually integrates into the underworld from her first lie and first murder. However, it lacked the excitement of a typical power leveling-up story and the sweetness of a romance.
I'm just venting; keeping it all inside is too painful. Since I've started this project, I'll finish it properly—it's my responsibility! No unfinished projects in my author's section! Here's a little skit:
"Young Master, Young Master, the Second Young Master has run away from home again!" Xi'er rushed into Jian Wuming's study in a panic.
Jian Wuming put down the book in his hand: "Why?"
"The aloof girl, Lüqi, has pimples on her face. The second young master said they are unsightly and she must go to Qingping Le."
"How much silver did he bring?" Jian Wuming asked.
“About a hundred taels,” Xi’er replied.
Jian Wuming calculated with his fingers: "He will be back by evening. I will make his favorite green porridge for dinner."
Not allowed to grow old in this world
After loading the newly brewed Zui Huai Chun wine into the car, the two hurried towards Mount Gou Lou. At the foot of the mountain, they saw many people from other sects setting up camp. The area below the mountain was already surrounded. Xue Qing wanted to go up to the top of the mountain, but was stopped by the guards.
"What do you mean by this! What sect or faction are you from!" Xue Qing was almost frantic with worry. She was the second-in-command of the Lingyu Sect, and she couldn't even go up the mountain!
"Qing'er, you've come at the right time. We were just about to go up the mountain to catch that assassin," said Abbess Dingni.
"What assassin!" Xue Qing exclaimed excitedly. Cocoon Butterfly had been with Dong Chou for so long, how could she be wrongly accused of being an assassin!
“We’ve investigated everything. That person is from the Desert. I know she lied to you too, and you can’t accept it right now,” said Abbess Dingni, patting Xue Qing’s hand.
"She didn't kill my second senior brother!" Xue Qing hurriedly explained to Abbess Dingni.
"How can you be so sure, Uncle Xue? Senior Dongchou was assassinated, and the murderer has never been found. Now we've discovered that the woman who has been by his side is a spy sent by Mohuang, or do you have a deeper relationship with her?" Meng Yin, the tall and older female disciple of Kunlun Palace, said.
These words were like hidden needles, as if they were trying to drag Xue Qing into some filthy mess, implying that Xue Qing was an accomplice.
“My martial aunt and Miss Cocoon Butterfly have known each other for quite some time, so it’s hard for her to accept that she’s suddenly saying this,” said Firefly.
“I heard that Uncle Xue has a good relationship with people from the Underworld. Could it be that he wants to protect the assassin?” Meng Yin said.
Meng Yin's words made Xue Qing very nervous. She clenched her fists tightly to keep herself from showing any panic, and said coldly, "You can eat whatever you want at Kunlun Palace, but don't say whatever you want."
“The truth will out, and the lie will become the truth. I’ve heard that Yan Ming’s female concubines all have a dark butterfly mark on their left breast. Uncle Xue, you don’t have one too, do you?” Meng Yin said calmly.
Suwen's pure white sword traced a gentle curve, instantly pressing against Meng Yin's neck. Liu Ying's face remained serene, but her eyes held a murderous glint: "While we, Ling Yu, were running around for the Martial Alliance, you surely know what Kunlun Palace was busy with? Now you still dare to speak so arrogantly. If I kill you, what complaints will Princess Kunlun have?"
"Liu Ying, put your sword away, it's alright," Xue Qing pressed down on Liu Ying's sword, looking contemptuously at Meng Yin, and said, "It's fine if you take a look. If you're not satisfied, you can say I'm Yan Ming disguised as a woman." As she spoke, Xue Qing pulled open her collar, revealing a strange rabbit-like tattoo on her fair skin. The crowd fell silent. Qiao Yijun glanced at it and then turned her face away, too embarrassed to look any longer. After a few seconds, Xue Qing loosened her collar and straightened it: "Miss Meng Yin, where's my little butterfly?"
Meng Yin's expression was not good: "What...is this?"
I don't need to report all my hobbies and interests to you.
“The Lingyu Sect has always maintained strict discipline and has been loyal and virtuous for generations. It is truly unbecoming for Kunlun Palace to make baseless accusations,” said Abbess Dingni, frowning.
"Yes, we were impolite, Uncle Xue, we apologize." Meng Yin apologized.
Xue Qing glared at her, but still maintained her composure and said, "It's alright. Since it's a misunderstanding, just clear it up. Don't try to pin any more accusations on me."
“Let’s leave this matter here. Don’t forget we’re here for something more important: to lead our respective disciples. Let’s head up the mountain now,” said Abbess Dingni.
Only Abbess Dingni was of the highest seniority here. The leaders of the Wudang and Kunlun Palace sects were absent; Qiao Yijun and Meng Yin had arrived instead. Abbess Dingni naturally became the leader, and the others responded and went to gather their respective sect's disciples. Xue Qing secretly glanced at the mountaintop. The current situation didn't allow her to say anything more. The hatred between the Central Plains and the Desert Wasteland was stronger than imagined. The fact that Cocoon Butterfly came from the Desert Wasteland was enough to convince people that she was the assassin. No one could explain why a girl from the Desert Wasteland had stayed by the Central Plains leader's side for so long. Perhaps her beauty could bewitch someone, but she couldn't deceive everyone in the world. Everyone standing here thought they had seen through everything and wanted to seek revenge against the Desert Wasteland demoness for Dongchou.
Xue Qing couldn't reveal that Dong Chou had died of illness, as that would cause the Lingyu Sect to lose all credibility in the martial arts world and the trust of the people in Lingyu. She had to firmly grasp the opportunity to dominate the martial arts alliance; she couldn't let Dong Chou's efforts go to waste. She couldn't say it, she couldn't say it.
Xue Qing's hand was held by another hand, cooler and larger than hers. Xue Qing looked up and met Liu Ying's gaze. Liu Ying's deep eyes seemed to tell her that she was not alone; she had someone to rely on. Xue Qing smiled slightly at Liu Ying and grasped his hand in return. She was not alone; she truly felt this after holding Liu Ying's hand.
Many strange people came down the mountain. Cocoon Butterfly saw some of them from the top of the mountain. She knew very well who these people were and what their purpose was in coming here. She was the only one living on the mountain, so of course they came for her.
The life of the Cocoon Butterfly was not disturbed by these uninvited guests. She picked a few wildflowers and placed them in front of Dongchou's tomb. The only flowers left in this season were plum blossoms. There were no plum blossoms in the desert. This was the first time the Cocoon Butterfly had seen such a resilient flower. It would only bloom after a heavy snow. Its proud appearance in solitude was just like him.
It took two days to clean the thatched hut inside and out and chop the firewood needed for the next few days. Cocoon Butterfly was resting on the pile of firewood when a commotion arose. A group of people from the Central Plains had reached the mountaintop and blocked the way down like a pack of wolves surrounding their prey. Cocoon Butterfly just watched them quietly. Then, in the crowd, she saw Xue Qing and Liu Ying. She saw Xue Qing's anxious gaze but pretended not to notice. Before Tong Chou died, he and she had imagined many things that might happen after his death. He had thought that perhaps someone would discover her identity, and the worst possibility was like this, where she became the target of everyone's hatred.
"Witch, you were sent by the demon of the desert, weren't you!" someone shouted sternly, while many others yelled to arrest and torture her.
Cocoon Butterfly stood up from the pile of firewood and, facing the tense crowd, calmly walked to the large rock on the edge of the cliff where Dongchou often lay. There was still a small bloodstain on the rock, which he had coughed on when he was ill.
"You think I killed him? His martial arts skills are better than mine, how could I kill him?" Cocoon Butterfly asked innocently.
"The premise is that he has to be wary of you. Everyone knows how you did it. I'll just ask you, are you a desert person?" Meng Yin stared at Cocoon Butterfly with sharp eyes.
Seeing Jiandie being interrogated, Xue Qing wanted to speak, but Liu Ying stopped her. Jiandie was like a pool of ink; anyone who touched her would be blackened. She wanted to ascend to the position of leader cleanly.
“I am a desert dweller,” Cocoon Butterfly said frankly.
"Then there's nothing more to say," said Abbess Dingni with disgust.