The moon was dark, the wind high.
Within the heavily guarded Tang Fortress.
A figure clad in purple robes landed softly in an empty courtyard—it was none other than Mu Yumo.
She let out a light sigh and murmured, "They say the Tang Fortress is a dragon's pool and tiger's den, but getting in here doesn't seem all that difficult." No sooner had she spoken than a Vermilion Arrow came flying toward her. Mu Yumo sidestepped, and the arrow grazed past her brow before embedding itself in a nearby tree.
"Who goes there? How dare you trespass into the forbidden grounds of the Tang Sect!" A youthful voice rang out.
Mu Yumo looked up to see a young boy standing there, gripping a transparent weapon, his brows furrowed as he stared at her. Mu Yumo smiled sweetly, "Oh, it's just a little boy."
The boy leaped forward, his Fingertip Blade aimed at Mu Yumo. She dodged to the side and lightly tapped the blade with her finger, sending it flying away. The boy hurriedly chased after it, retrieving it after a few steps.
"Your reflexes are quite quick," a charming voice whispered by the boy's ear. Startled, he found his shoulder already held in a firm grip. "Don't move. Otherwise, this sister might not hold back."
The boy froze in place, his voice low and tense, "Who are you, really?"
"Your Fingertip Blade is quite impressive. It looks familiar—who taught you?" Mu Yumo asked softly.
The boy frowned slightly, "Why do you ask?"
Mu Yumo raised a finger, and a spider crawled onto its tip. The boy glanced at it and swallowed nervously, "Are you threatening me?"
Mu Yumo shook her head gently, "Actually, I've already guessed. You're Tang Lingyue's disciple, aren't you?"
The boy was stunned, "How did you know?"
Mu Yumo sighed lightly, "As expected, the disciple reflects the master. So naive—just a little probing, and you gave it all away."
The boy clenched his fists, "You tricked me?"
"You asked me a question earlier, didn't you?" Mu Yumo suddenly said.
The boy was puzzled, "What question?"
Mu Yumo repeated with a smile, "You asked me, 'Who are you?'"
The boy was still confused, "So what if I did?"
"Now I can answer you," Mu Yumo leaned in and whispered into his ear, grinning, "I am your future shiniang (master's wife)."
"What?!" The boy was so shocked that he broke free from Mu Yumo's grasp. He looked up, scrutinizing her carefully. Even in the darkness of night, he could tell she was indeed a stunning beauty.
"Shh!" Mu Yumo pressed a finger to her lips in a silencing gesture. "Don't call the others over. Don't worry, I'm not a bad person."
The boy was utterly bewildered. Mu Yumo didn't seem like a villain, and her tone didn't sound like she was lying. But his master—could he really have a woman he liked? That seemed too far-fetched. Then again, if someone like his master did have a beloved, he'd never tell anyone, so it made sense the boy wouldn't know.
"Little disciple, what's your name?" Mu Yumo asked directly, her tone already carrying a hint of familiarity.
"My name is Tang Lian—Lian as in lotus," the boy replied."A good name. Your master is Tang Lingyue, and you are Tang Lian." Mu Yumo smiled. "Take me to see him. Where is he?" Her tone was so natural, as if this were the most straightforward thing in the world.
"Wait... wait..." Tang Lian's mind was in turmoil. "What proof do you have that you're the woman my master loved?"
"Proof is still needed?" Mu Yumo leaped forward, lunging at Tang Lian. He hastily raised his Fingertip Blade to block, and with a sharp clang , the crisp sound of clashing weapons rang out. Tang Lian stared in shock. "This... this is my master's Fingertip Blade!"
"Familiar, isn't it? Your master gave it to me." Mu Yumo sheathed her weapon. "He said it was a token of our love. Surely you don’t think a weak woman like me could snatch his personal weapon from him?"
Of course, the Fingertip Blade hadn’t been given to her by Tang Lingyue. During the time he had cared for her, Mu Yumo had secretly stolen it. But Tang Lingyue never sought to reclaim it—with his abilities, how could he not know she had taken it? So, in her heart, Mu Yumo believed he had tacitly allowed it, and she regarded it as their love token.
Because she believed it so firmly, her words carried an air of absolute sincerity.
So sincere that Tang Lian truly believed her.
"Alright. But my master has been in seclusion recently," Tang Lian replied. "Even I haven’t seen him in a long time."
"Seclusion?" Mu Yumo frowned slightly.
"Yes. He’s been cultivating in isolation inside the Lament Moon Pavilion and hasn’t come out since." Tang Lian pointed to a small pavilion in the distance. "It’s right there."
"He’s in seclusion because he doesn’t know I’m here. If I go see him, won’t he come out?" Mu Yumo took a step forward.
"The Lament Moon Pavilion is guarded by three senior instructors. You won’t get past them. They enforce the rules strictly—they won’t care about your relationship with my master. I’ve tried requesting an audience several times and was always turned away." Tang Lian shook his head.
"I see." Mu Yumo stroked her chin.
"Who goes there?" A sharp voice called from afar.
Tang Lian turned. "It’s Uncle Qisha."
Mu Yumo whispered, "Quick, strike me!"
Tang Lian hesitated only for a moment before delivering a palm strike toward her.
"Foolish when you should be, clever when you must—what a fine little disciple." Mu Yumo met his palm and then dramatically staggered back five steps.
Tang Qisha landed beside Tang Lian and demanded sternly, "Tang Lian, who is this woman?"
"I’m here to raid the Tang Sect—why would I reveal my identity? You’re an amusing one." Mu Yumo lightly leaped onto the courtyard wall. "But don’t worry, we’ll meet again soon." With that, she turned and vanished.
"After her!" Tang Qisha waved his hand, and several dark figures immediately gave chase. He then turned to Tang Lian. "What did that woman say to you?"
Tang Lian shook his head. "I asked for her identity, but she refused to answer. Then we fought. Her martial arts are formidable—if not for your timely arrival, Uncle Qisha, I wouldn’t have been her match.""What's truly terrifying isn't her martial arts, but the fact that she managed to infiltrate the Tang Sect. This shows the woman is extremely skilled in assassination techniques!" Tang Qisha said gravely. "It seems Jin City has become rather restless lately."
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