Love and Crown

In the blink of an eye, several days had passed, and I gradually grew accustomed to life at the Phoenix Come Pavilion.

The Phoenix Come Pavilion nowadays had branched out from its original assassin business into commerce. Most of the pawnshops and banks in the Jianghuai region and the Sichuan plains were under its name. Gambling dens and taverns affiliated with the pavilion were scattered throughout the capital region and Lingnan. The pavilion also took a share of the lucrative silk and grain trade in the fertile Jianghuai region, not to mention its involvement in the highly profitable salt smuggling and maritime trade with the West...

In the Martial World, the Phoenix Come Pavilion was anything but ordinary in terms of influence and wealth.

Thus, apart from the new disciples recruited this time, the pavilion had already taken in two more batches of disciples in just a few months to meet the demands of its expanding operations. With each new intake, after a period of time, all the disciples would be gathered again for further training.

It was said that during this training, the new disciples could not only seek masters within the pavilion but also gain access to rare, unique martial arts and secret manuals of the current Martial World. I supposed these martial arts and manuals were one of the reasons why even renowned heroes of the Martial World would scramble to join the Phoenix Come Pavilion.

One day, I was sent out to gather firewood and passed by a desolate little courtyard.

It seemed to have been long abandoned, and with the summer rains nourishing the plants, the overgrown branches and flowers along the path nearly obscured the stone-paved walkway.

I usually quickened my pace whenever I passed this place, but today, as I looked up, I suddenly caught sight of a figure in white at the other end.

I took a deep breath, too stunned to speak.

The woman was beautiful—so beautiful that it was impossible to discern her age. Or rather, any mention of youth or age would be a desecration of her appearance.

I had never imagined that any young girl could possess such grace, with eyes and brows exquisitely carved by time. Nor had I ever thought that a woman weathered by life could still have such flawless skin and a figure as delicate as a maiden’s. Compared to her, Du Tingxin seemed stiff, Su Qian plain. Even Xiao Qianqing, though perhaps matching her in looks, still lacked her depth of presence.

She smiled faintly, like a sudden breeze rippling across a pond of water lilies, filling the air with the fragrance of her joy. Her voice was soft and warm, like the low hum of wind through a bamboo flute: "Hello."

Holding my breath, I dared not speak too loudly: "Hello..."

She smiled again, slow and serene. "Are you Ling Cangcang?"

I nodded, instinctively growing more respectful. "Yes."

Her gentle, spring-like eyes filled with affection. "You’re good. I like you very much."

I swallowed and cautiously replied, "Thank you."

Then her next question took me by surprise: "How has Huan'er’s health been these days?"

For a moment, I didn’t understand. I could only answer honestly, "I haven’t seen much of him lately, but he seems fine."

She sighed softly, and her next words shocked me even more: "He just won’t die, and I can’t bear to see him again. What a dilemma."

I froze, my chest tightening. Immediately, I clenched my fists and raised my voice: "Who are you? I won’t let you harm him!"She paused for a moment, then relaxed her brows and smiled. Drawing something from her sleeve, she extended it toward me with a gentle voice laced with faint amusement: "You won't let me harm him... Then why don't you kill him yourself? How about that?"

What she pushed forward was the broken half of Yang Liu Feng's blade.

After Yang Liu Feng had been severed by Nie Hanrong's Silver Radiance String, I had left the two inconspicuous broken pieces in Xiao Qianqing's residence. I never thought anyone would pay them any mind, yet here one was again, right before my eyes.

The broken blade gleamed coldly in those jade-white hands, its slanted fracture like a scar marring the pristine snow-like surface, exuding a sinister aura.

As if stung by that light, my eyes ached slightly, and I narrowed them.

"Don't want to?" The voice from across remained kind and amiable. "Haven't you already stabbed him once before? One more strike shouldn't be so difficult, should it?"

Suddenly, the scene from that day flashed before my eyes.

Yes, I had stabbed him once. On that sunny morning long ago, I had drawn Yang Liu Feng like a madwoman and charged forward, driving the blade into his chest. The slender sword nearly pierced clean through him as I pinned him forcefully against the wall, his warm blood spilling over my hands.

That time, I had nearly killed him. Yet all he did was gaze at me gently and whisper, "I'm sorry."

Unnoticed, tears had begun tracing down my cheeks.

That soft voice continued: "Can't bear it? Can't bring yourself to do it? Haven't you always wanted him dead? Isn't he the one who personally killed your Master?"

"My Master wasn't killed by him." I lifted my face and repeated quietly, "My Master wasn't killed by him at all."

Silence fell abruptly on the other side. I continued speaking, slowly but clearly, piecing together the scattered clues: "He was the one who severed my Master's head with his sword, but it was at my Master's own request. So he didn't actually kill him—my Master took his own life." I paused. "He would never harm anyone important to me."

It was only that day I finally understood. Standing before the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he had asked me who killed Xian Xue and whether Xian Xue had been important to me. He took me to see the girl Xian Xue had left behind and recounted the events that had led me to misunderstand him for half a year.

Turns out, he had even taken care of matters after Xian Xue's death—things I, who had arrogantly considered myself Xian Xue's closest friend, hadn't even thought about. I hadn't considered whether there were people Xian Xue still worried for, or what I might need to do for him. But Xiao Huan had.

How could he possibly harm someone so important to me?

That very day, upon this sudden realization, I abruptly recalled the scene of my Master's death.

The night before it happened, my Master had shared drinks with Xiao Huan and me in his small courtyard, and we had all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. The next morning, I woke late and heard from the servants that my Master and Xiao Huan were in the garden. I brewed a pot of tea and carried it over.

As I approached the garden gate behind the residence, I faintly heard my Master murmur something. Then, upon entering, I saw Xiao Huan raise King Wind and behead my Master with a single stroke.

In my panic, I drew Yang Liu Feng and rushed forward, plunging the sword into Xiao Huan's chest.That memory became a painful recollection I never wished to touch in countless days and nights thereafter. I never wanted to actively recall it again, nor had I ever considered what might be wrong about it.

Until that day, when I untangled the knot in my heart and thought of that past once more, Master’s low voice before his death flashed through my ears like a replay. What had been overlooked countless times due to grief and shock suddenly became clear. Before he was killed, Master’s last words were: "Do it."

"Do it..." It was Master who asked Xiao Huan to behead him. He didn’t kill Master.

The silence continued on the other side, and suddenly, she laughed: "You’re right. Your Master Li Lu wasn’t killed by Huan’er. It was I who asked your Master to do this. At the time, your Master had suffered a deviation in his martial arts training and was enduring torment day and night, seeking someone to help him end his life. So I told him to beg Huan’er..."

I froze: "Why did you specifically ask Master to beg Brother Xiao?"

"To make the world, especially you, believe he was killed by Huan’er," she said with a light laugh, her tone indifferent. "I don’t know what possessed Huan’er that day—someone usually so sharp-witted actually obeyed your Master’s request without even finding a witness before acting."

My breathing grew increasingly rapid as I pressed on: "Why did you do this?"

"I wanted Huan’er to die," she replied, her tone still casual, as if discussing some trivial daily matter. "I just never expected that even after being struck by that sword, he still didn’t die."

"Why did you want him dead? Was he your enemy? How could you wish for his death like this?" I was nearly breathless with anger.

There was a brief silence before she smiled, her lips curling into an elegant arc: "He wasn’t my enemy, and I didn’t hate him. But he had to die... simply because he was a member of the Xiao family."

I stared blankly at the stunningly beautiful woman before me. Her gentle and clear eyes suddenly changed in that instant, turning sharp and cold.

With a gaze so calm it was almost cruel, she looked at me and said: "Ling Cangcang, my name is Chen Luomo. I will kill Xiao Huan and destroy this empire. If you agree with my cause, come find me at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain."

The wind rustled through the treetops, whispering softly.

It wasn’t until she had tucked Yang Liu Feng back into her sleeve and walked away for a long time that I gradually snapped out of my shock: Chen Luomo... was the leader of the Azure Jade Sect. The largest sect in the world, entrenched in southern Yunnan, with a legacy spanning over a century—neither the imperial court nor the Martial World could subdue it. For a hundred years, it had been called the Demon Sect for its unfathomable mystery.

She said she would destroy this empire... and kill Xiao Huan!

My body trembled uncontrollably, my mind a tangled mess, unable to make sense of anything.

Thinking back now, last year’s palace coup was far too sudden. Whether it was Xiao Qianqing’s timely appearance or Gui Wuchang’s emergence, it all seemed as though someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Right! Gui Wuchang... Xiao Qianqing said it was he who took away Xiao Huan, whose breath had temporarily ceased. So was it him who saved Xiao Huan? Then who was he? What was his identity?

This man was far too elusive. Back at Shanhai Pass, though he injured me with a hidden weapon, for some reason, I never regarded him as an enemy.

It seemed there were still some things I needed to ask Xiao Qianqing about.Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down... No matter what, I had to stay at Phoenix Come Pavilion, by Xiao Huan's side.

On the twelfth day of my arrival at Phoenix Come Pavilion, the new disciples' training finally began.

At the hour of Mao, when the morning mist had yet to dissipate, Li Ge and I hurriedly followed the crowd from our quarters to the open space in front of the Vermilion Bird Hall.

The vast front hall was packed with hundreds of people, all dressed in white robes with blue sashes. Squeezing through the crowd, I could see the seven hall masters of Phoenix Come Pavilion's seven divisions lined up in front of the Vermilion Bird Hall: Mu Yan, Su Qian, Nie Hanrong—who had nearly shot Zhong Lin and me with arrows—and four others. I glanced around but didn't see Xiao Huan among them.

Once everyone had gathered, silence quickly fell. Su Qian stepped forward and surveyed the crowd. "The Pavilion Master is unwell today, so I will oversee the proceedings."

My heart tightened. Unwell? He had been fine just a couple of days ago. How could he suddenly be too ill to appear?

Su Qian wasn't one for idle talk and immediately began explaining the details of the new disciples' training. She outlined the training method: each member could choose the martial arts they wished to study and the Master they wanted to follow based on their needs. The Masters were leaders at the rank of hall chief or above. Choosing a Master also meant choosing which division to join, as martial arts training and daily missions would be conducted simultaneously.

Only then did I understand why all the hall masters were present today—it was the day for assigning new disciples.

Thinking about it, this arrangement made sense. Initial assignments upon joining the pavilion were based on first impressions, and even the most fair and impartial assigner could make mistakes. By treating the initial assignments as temporary and allowing new members to choose again after familiarizing themselves with the pavilion's workings, the final placements would be more stable and reliable.

After a brief hesitation, the people around me began stepping forward to declare their chosen Masters and desired divisions.

I was still feeling uncertain when Li Ge suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "Cang Cang, look! That hall master is so handsome—even more so than the Pavilion Master!"

Following her finger, I saw she was pointing at the white-robed figure standing beside Nie Hanrong. He hadn't appeared during the last gathering at the Vermilion Bird Hall, so he was likely the newly appointed Chariot Water Hall Master, replacing Li Xiyan.

The hall master stood at the foot of the steps, his lips slightly upturned in a gentle smile. His features weren't particularly dazzling, but amidst the crowd, his smile seemed to cut through all the noise like a beam of sunlight, illuminating the heart with clarity.

I scoffed lightly. "Nowhere near as good as the Pavilion Master." Yet my gaze lingered on him for a moment longer.

Li Ge snapped her fingers. "I'm choosing him as my Master." Without another word, she abandoned me and dashed over to him.

Left with no choice, I could only glare at her retreating back. Turning around, I noticed Mu Yan frantically signaling to me from nearby—he probably wanted me to become his disciple.

But judging from recent days, even though Mu Yan was in the main hall, I hadn't seen him around Xiao Huan much. Becoming his disciple might not give me many opportunities to see Xiao Huan. On the other hand, Su Qian frequently visited One Water Courtyard. Should I swallow my pride and join her division instead?Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I rushed straight to Su Qian, stopping right in front of her. "I want to become the Pavilion Master's disciple."

Su Qian looked somewhat surprised but remained cold. "I don’t recall saying the Pavilion Master is recruiting disciples."

"You said any leader at the altar master level or above can be a Master, didn’t you? Isn’t the Pavilion Master a leader above the altar master level? I’ve always admired the Pavilion Master’s swordsmanship, and my aspiration is to study swordsmanship under him." I spoke without a hint of shame.

Su Qian couldn’t find a rebuttal and frowned.

"This young lady makes a fair point. After all, the Pavilion Master has never taken a disciple before. Taking one now wouldn’t be so bad." Mu Yan, standing nearby, seized the opportunity to chime in and support me.

Su Qian glanced at me again and finally nodded. "Fine, I’ll take you to see the Pavilion Master. Whether he accepts you as his disciple is up to him."

I bowed and said, "Understood," secretly giving Mu Yan a thumbs-up.

After what felt like an eternity, the initiation ceremony concluded, and the crowd dispersed. Su Qian led me through winding paths toward One Water Courtyard.

The cool morning mist had just lifted, and the sky brightened. As we approached the waterside pavilion, the faint scent of lotus blossoms wafted toward us, making my steps light with anticipation.

The wooden door of the pavilion was tightly shut. Su Qian motioned for me to stand aside while she stepped forward and knocked. After a long pause, a soft voice came from within. "What is it?"

Su Qian replied respectfully, "A disciple wishes to see the Pavilion Master."

Another long silence followed before the same faint voice, accompanied by a few light coughs, responded, "Come in."

Su Qian pushed the door open, and I followed behind her. Inside, I saw Xiao Huan sitting by the desk, draped in a plain blue robe. His black hair was loosely tied, slightly disheveled as it cascaded over his shoulders. His face was alarmingly pale.

He seemed surprised to see me, coughing lightly before asking Su Qian, "What’s going on?"

"During the assignment of new disciples at Vermilion Hall earlier, this disciple expressed a desire to become your student. I thought it best to let you decide personally," Su Qian explained.

Xiao Huan looked up at me, coughing a few more times before speaking. "Why do you want to be my disciple?" Just a few words caused his chest to heave violently, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

"I wish to learn swordsmanship from you, Pavilion Master. Moreover, your health seems unwell. By your side, I could also take care of you," I said with a smile.

"I’m fine. I don’t need it," he replied with difficulty, frowning.

"You do!" My voice rose uncontrollably. I took a deep breath. "What I mean is, I truly hope to study swordsmanship under you. Please accept me as your disciple."

The room fell into silence for a long while. Xiao Huan coughed a few times before speaking slowly. "As you can see, my health is poor. I may not have much energy to teach you."

"That’s alright. I can practice well even without much guidance," I quickly interjected.

He nodded. "Very well... From now on, you’ll reside in One Water Courtyard."

After giving his instructions, he leaned on the table and slowly stood up, softly dismissing us. "You may leave." As he took a step toward the inner chamber, his body swayed forward, nearly collapsing.

I rushed to steady him, but before I could take more than a step, I saw Su Qian, standing beside him, expertly supporting his arm with one hand while bracing his shoulder with the other, helping him up.He paused for a moment, waiting until he could speak again, then nodded at Su Qian: "Xiaoqian, it's alright now."

Su Qian acknowledged with a sound, carefully releasing one hand while the other still supported him. The two of them walked through the room toward the inner chamber. From beginning to end, he didn’t glance in my direction again.

I slipped my hand into my sleeve, feeling for the handkerchief I always carried with me. It was the pale blue silk one I had taken from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, its corners embroidered with a small "You" character in matching thread.

I always felt that this little handkerchief carried his scent, and I always believed that one day he might need this seemingly insignificant item again.

Li Ge chose the master of Chariot Water Hall, Song Weixiao, as her teacher. Since the Chariot Water branch was located in Hangzhou, Li Ge left immediately to follow him there. Meanwhile, I officially became the disciple of the Phoenix Come Pavilion Master and was assigned to live in One Water Courtyard.

Upon entering the room allotted to me, I glanced around at the furnishings before pushing open the window. Outside stretched a lotus pond with leaves covering the water, and Xiao Huan’s waterside pavilion stood just within sight.

After settling my few belongings, the bell signaling mealtime rang.

In Phoenix Come Pavilion, only those at the rank of hall master or above had meals delivered to their rooms. Everyone else ate in the dining hall. Following the sound of the bell, I left One Water Courtyard and headed there.

For the past few days, I had been working in the servants’ quarters and took my meals there. This was my first time in the main dining hall. Scanning the room, I saw that most people had arrived, including several familiar faces: the young swordsman in black, Ren Fei, known as the "Swift Wind Blade"; Cheng Zhuoshi, the hall master who had escorted Li Ge and me to the servants’ quarters—now I knew he was an expert with the judge’s pen.

Turning my head, I noticed Shu Qinghuan sitting by the window with his subordinate Fang Chuxue, eating across from each other.

Since he was the one who had recruited me, I approached and bowed slightly with clasped fists. "Greetings, Hall Master Shu." Then I bowed to Fang Chuxue as well. "Greetings, Miss Fang."

Fang Chuxue glanced up at me and nodded coolly. "Hello." Her tone was icy.

Shu Qinghuan set down his chopsticks, his expression teasing rather than smiling. "How rare—to see the Pavilion Master’s esteemed disciple here."

I was never one to miss an opportunity to climb higher, so I grinned. "Not at all. It’s all thanks to Hall Master Shu’s kindness."

Shu Qinghuan chuckled lightly. "Enough of your smooth talk." Then he asked, "How have you found the main hall these past few days?"

I quickly nodded. "Everything’s been fine. Thank you for your concern, Hall Master Shu."

Suddenly, he shifted the topic. "That day by Xuanwu Lake, you never actually expected to get the wooden token, did you?"

Since he had seen through me, I had to admit it. "Seeing how strict you were, rejecting all ten candidates, I truly didn’t think I’d be accepted."

He smiled again. "Then why did you still point out that my internal martial arts could lead to disability and suggest I switch to the Shaolin Temple’s Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic before turning thirty? I don’t think you were just showing off."

"I said it because I saw it. Whether you accepted me or not didn’t matter—since I knew, I felt I should warn you," I replied with a smile.He suddenly burst into laughter, "Thoughts that are transparent at a glance." After his laughter subsided, his expression turned more solemn. "Very clear, yet somewhat sharp; cunning, yet not worldly. You're Ling Cangcang, right? Your eyes are the most peculiar among all the eyes I've seen. I hope you can keep these remarkable eyes in the days to come."

I was genuinely taken aback this time. With a cupped-hand salute, I smiled at him and said, "Thank you."

He nodded faintly and smiled, "By the way, next time you see me, just call me Qinghuan. Don't keep thinking of me as 'that bad-tempered Shu Tan Zhu with graying hair' in your mind."

I was instantly speechless, unable to utter a word for a long moment. It was as if he could read minds—no one in Phoenix Come Pavilion was easy to deal with, after all.

Truth be told, though Shu Qinghuan seemed difficult to get along with at first glance, after talking with him for a while, I realized he was just cold in speech—his temper wasn’t actually that bad.