Upon closer inspection, I was frozen in place, unable to move. The two women were the same woman as my master.
The master was dressed in a white robe, its sleeves fluttering. A mountain breeze blew, and strands of his black hair brushed against his face. He stood tall and elegant, a faint smile playing on his lips. Behind him, a branch of red plum blossoms bloomed, its color as deep as blood.
The woman had exquisite features, a beautiful face, and jet-black hair. She wore a white mink coat, her hair adorned with a purple hairpin, and a purple jade belt around her waist; she must be Mu Yanxue.
The two seemed to be talking. Occasionally, snowflakes would fall silently, disappearing into the master's white robes.
"Master, shall we go to the front hall and greet the heroes?" It wasn't until Lou Xiyue called me softly that I came back to my senses.
I replied absentmindedly, "Okay."
Upon entering the main hall, I presented the invitation to the hero. I asked a servant for a cloak and put it on. Lou Xiyue became acquainted with many of the visitors and chatted familiarly with them. I was worried about my master, so I went back into the courtyard, but the two of them had vanished. Under the plum blossom branch, only two pairs of footprints remained, gradually disappearing into the flying snow.
Looking around, I saw that most of the people in the hall were men, with the occasional suitor accompanied by a maidservant. From the highest heavens to the deepest earth, from the four seas to the eight wastelands, this was the first time I had ever seen so many heroic men appear before me in such a unified manner.
Among them was the abbot of Shaolin Temple.
Lou Xiyue asked, "What's wrong, Master?"
I sighed with sorrow, “How did a marriage proposal banquet turn into a martial arts tournament? The world is going to the dogs these days, and people’s hearts are no longer what they used to be.”
Lou Xiyue smiled, "The former master of the manor was cheerful and had good relationships with many people. Many of them are his old friends."
"Is Mu Yanxue's father dead?"
Lou Xiyue said regretfully, "After the 'Muxue Sword Manual' was stolen, the former master of the manor fell ill and never recovered."
I heard a familiar voice, "Ghost Demon, why hasn't Beauty Mu come out yet?"
In the hall, sitting in the carved wooden chairs opposite, were the "Ghostly Duo." The ghostly figures stared at the empty seat of the manor lord, seemingly poised to turn into waiting-for-husband stones.
I looked around and examined everyone. There were very few men who could even be compared to my master, let alone those with more extraordinary bearing.
The group whispered among themselves and exchanged pleasantries.
Suddenly, all was silent. A beautiful woman, her lips curved in a smile, emerged from behind the hall, her fragrance carried on the breeze. She sat down on a chair inside the hall, flanked by two young women, each holding a long silk ribbon and a soft sword.
Mu Yanxue's every smile and frown exuded the air of a manor lord. She said cheerfully, "Today, Yanxue is honored to have invited all of you heroes to my Muxue Manor. I think you have all heard that I, Mu Yanxue, am here today for no other reason than to find a suitable husband. If any hero can surpass me, Yanxue is willing to sit with him at Muxue Manor. From then on, the Crimson Snow Sword in my manor will be used only by him."
After he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in uproar.
Lou Xiyue said in bewilderment, "I thought Mu Yanxue had set up some difficult challenges for this marriage contest, but I didn't expect her to be so careless."
I asked, "Are there many people who can beat her?"
Lou Xiyue nodded and said, "Although she has inherited the true teachings of the former master, she is, after all, a newcomer. There are many hidden talents in the martial arts world, so defeating her is not difficult."
I was immediately relieved. It seemed that as long as Master didn't take the initiative, even if Mu Yanxue was a skilled cook, she would have no way to make a meal without rice.
Mu Yanxue's eyes sparkled as she smiled and said, "Since it is Yanxue who is choosing a husband, then allow me to make a fool of myself, so that all the heroes may have a look at the Crimson Snow Sword of my Muxue Manor."
As soon as she finished speaking, she lightly touched the ground with her foot and flew to draw a snow-white soft sword from the hand of the maid to her left. Dressed in white, her swordplay was light and graceful, like a swift swan.
Then, Mu Yanxue flicked her wrist, pointing her sword at one person. This person, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, stood quietly among the crowd.
My heart leaped, and I exclaimed, "Master!"
He immediately stood up and knocked over the cups and saucers on the table.
"Crack—" The wine glass fell to the ground and shattered into countless pieces.
"Xiao Xiang?"
"master."
I heard my master and Lou Xiyue call out softly at the same time.
Mu Yanxue turned around and looked at me, her eyes full of surprise. The Crimson Snow Sword in her hand fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
Main text [I.1] Mei Qinxue (II)
Mu Yanxue seemed momentarily stunned, the surprise she couldn't hide fading from her brows, her bright eyes darkening silently. She bent down to pick up the sword, her eyes suddenly narrowing, a chilling aura emanating from her.
She thrust her sword at me with perfect precision, her face completely drained of color.
A cup flew by and, upon encountering the blade of the Crimson Snow Sword, split in two.
Lou Xiyue dodged and pulled me aside to avoid the sword strike. He opened and closed his fan, deftly drawing out the soft sword. "Master Mu, did my master offend Mu Xue Manor in the past?"
She frowned and asked, "Your master?"
Lou Xiyue nodded and said, "He is Xia Jingnan, the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley."
I quickly glanced at my master; he was still standing calmly opposite me, his sleeve stained with tea from the teacup he had used to block the sword. Hearing this, he looked at me, smiled faintly, his eyes expressionless.
I coughed solemnly twice, continuing Lou Xiyue's words, "Ahem, I am a disciple of Physician Xia, and I have come to Muxue Manor with my master. Xiyue is a third-generation disciple of my Medicine King Valley. I wonder if I have unintentionally offended Manor Lord Mu?"
After I finished speaking, I turned my face away, not daring to look at Lou Xiyue.
Mu Yanxue looked incredulous and whispered sharply, "Are you really Lin Yi?"
I was bewildered. "I do not know the person that Master Mu is referring to."
Her hand holding the sword seemed to be trembling slightly.
Mian Sha, seemingly impatient from waiting, couldn't contain himself and asked loudly, "Master Mu, are we still going to arrange this marriage?"
Some people in the hall whispered among themselves, some watched calmly, and some agreed with the expression on the face.