Love and Crown

When Xiao Huan and I arrived at the tent where the banquet was set up, most of the sect leaders had already gathered and taken their seats.

Several leaders who had good relations with Phoenix Come Pavilion inquired about Xiao Huan's health after he sat down.

Xiao Huan smiled and thanked them when a clear voice suddenly came from the far end of the long table: "The Central Plains Martial World has been stuck at the foot of Bogda Peak for months without progress. Now that Mr. Bai has arrived, the situation is bound to change. The leaders present and I are eagerly anticipating this."

I followed the voice and saw it was Lan Ruoyin, the acting leader of Emei Sect. The actual leader, Jingqing Shitai, couldn't attend because her severed meridians prevented her martial arts from recovering. Moreover, her underhanded attack on Xiao Huan was now widely known, leaving her too ashamed to appear at Bogda Peak. Thus, the Emei disciples were led by acting leader Lan Ruoyin.

Speaking of Leader Lan, he came from an official's family. As a frail child, he was sent to Emei Sect to practice martial arts just to strengthen his body. However, his extraordinary talent made him stand out. By fifteen or sixteen, he was already among the top young heroes, highly regarded by Jingqing Shitai. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been appointed acting leader in a sect that traditionally favored female disciples.

I'd long heard of his reputation but didn't expect him to look like this: his long hair was casually tied with a black jade hairpin, falling over his shoulders. His indifferent phoenix eyes held a faint mist, exuding world-weariness, yet his face was as warm and gentle as jade. Paired with the rose-red heavy fur coat on his shoulders, he was dazzlingly radiant.

I smiled, squeezed Xiao Huan's hand, and spoke for the first time since the banquet began: "Leader Lan's meaning is that our Phoenix Come Pavilion should set an example by achieving something first?"

Lan Ruoyin didn't expect me to speak up so directly, revealing his intent. His slender eyebrows arched, and his already smiling lips curled higher: "This lady is..."

"This is what I intended to announce today," Xiao Huan interjected calmly. "From now on, my disciple Ling Cangcang will be the deputy master of Phoenix Come Pavilion, with full authority over all affairs."

This caused a stir among the leaders. In their eyes, even if Xiao Huan were gone, the next master would be Su Qian. My sudden appearance was quite a surprise.

Still smiling, I continued after Xiao Huan: "All leaders here are wise—let's speak plainly. Our pavilion master arrived later than you for this campaign against Tianshan Sect in the Western Regions. Without showing some sincerity first, you'd surely find it hard to accept."

Pausing, I shifted my tone: "Phoenix Come Pavilion will certainly demonstrate sincerity. I only hope that when you see it, you'll remember why the Central Plains Martial World came to Tianshan—to compete and watch, or to uphold righteousness and justice in the Martial World!"As I spoke, I rose from my seat, bowed my head, and clasped my fists in salute to Xiao Huan, raising my voice: "This subordinate, Ling Cangcang, Deputy Pavilion Master of Phoenix Come Pavilion, now requests permission from the Pavilion Master to lead the charge. I am willing to take the vanguard and lead our disciples to capture the first stronghold within three days, to uphold the prestige of Phoenix Come Pavilion and the honor of the Central Plains Martial World!"

Xiao Huan's lips curled almost imperceptibly as he replied in a steady, authoritative voice, "Granted."

I lifted my gaze slightly, meeting his mist-laden eyes. He gave a faint nod, a trace of amusement flickering in his expression.

Clasping my fists again, I bowed deeply. "This subordinate will not fail the Pavilion Master's expectations."

As I straightened, my eyes swept over the faces of the assembled sect leaders. Amidst a row of solemn or seemingly solemn expressions, I caught Lan Ruoyin's faintly amused smile.

The banquet soon concluded, and the sect leaders took their leave. I quickly helped Xiao Huan back to his tent. Though he hadn't coughed up blood, his pallid complexion and lips were alarming to behold.

Even after lying down on the cot in his tent, Xiao Huan didn't rest. Instead, he had me summon all the hall masters for further instructions—announcing my appointment as Deputy Pavilion Master, assigning personnel to assist me in capturing the first stronghold, and outlining the routes and strategies for the attack.

Propped against the cushions, he had to pause every few sentences, closing his eyes to suppress a cough and regulate his breathing. Yet his grasp of the Tianshan terrain and the current situation was impeccable, and his tactical arrangements were methodical.

I listened attentively, committing each detail to memory.

Only after finishing his instructions did Xiao Huan finally sleep. The hall masters and I withdrew to discuss the specifics of the attack further.

No sooner had we settled in the neighboring tent than Su Qian laughed. "Well done, you! Sneaking off to get yourself appointed Deputy Pavilion Master behind our backs. Truly riding on the Pavilion Master's favor."

I chuckled and clasped my fists. "I'm ashamed."

Though Xiao Huan had provided the general strategy for attacking the first stronghold, he hadn't specified who would lead or how the forces would be deployed. After some discussion, we decided that I, along with two other hall masters, would lead three separate teams to breach the stronghold. Su Qian would remain at camp with a reserve force, while the other halls would either provide support along the way or serve as mobile units. Everything was meticulously arranged.

The Tianshan Sect's Sea Temple Palace was situated on a high ridge beside Bogda Peak, backed by sheer cliffs. The mountain pass ahead was easily defensible. The Tianshan Sect had erected five staggered strongholds along the only accessible route, each manned by their disciples. The Central Plains Martial World had camped at the foot of Tianshan for months, yet they had only managed to contest the first stronghold, repeatedly gaining a foothold only to be driven back shortly after.

Now, in the depths of winter, the snowline had descended, and the mountain rocks were coated in ice, making the terrain even more treacherous. The difficulty of the assault far surpassed that of summer or autumn. We launched our attack in three teams during the afternoon when the ice and snow had slightly thawed. By dusk, we had barely secured the stronghold.

That night, we stayed within the captured stronghold. By the next day, reinforcements from other sects had arrived. Though the Tianshan Sect launched several counterattacks, they failed to retake the position. The Central Plains Martial World had finally secured a firm hold on the first stronghold.

By the third day, Xiao Huan and the other sect leaders had ascended the mountain. With Phoenix Come Pavilion having fulfilled its promise to capture the first stronghold, the subsequent collaboration proceeded smoothly. The plans for the next phase were finalized with little dispute.The checkpoint was cramped with narrow buildings, forcing the gathered factions to squeeze together uncomfortably. Despite this, I managed to reserve a separate room for Xiao Huan. After the meeting concluded, I pulled him inside and pressed him down onto the bed to rest.

His complexion seemed better than the past few days, and his coughing had lessened. Since arriving at the checkpoint, he had been chatting and laughing as usual. Now, as I made him lie down, he didn’t say anything, only smiled faintly before closing his eyes to rest.

I tucked the fur blanket around him and waited a while longer, watching until his breathing steadied before quietly leaving the room.

After my departure, Xiao Huan’s meals and medicine were handled by a disciple. I summoned that disciple to ask about Xiao Huan’s condition over the past two days before taking over the duties again.

As I crouched over the small stove, my face smudged with soot while brewing medicine, I wondered—had I grown so accustomed to caring for Xiao Huan that these tasks now felt natural? Well, it was just as well. The thought of someone else feeding him medicine or washing his body made me uneasy anyway.

Once the medicine was ready, I slowly filtered the decoction into a bowl. Sniffing the scent, I suddenly realized it didn’t smell like the prescriptions Li Mingshang had left behind. Could it be that Xiao Huan, disliking bitterness, had deliberately prescribed himself something less unpleasant?

Holding the bowl, I shook my head helplessly—truly, what could I do with him?

Xiao Huan had fallen asleep in the afternoon. As dusk approached, I went to wake him, and we had dinner together before he drank the medicine.

Setting the bowl aside, I kissed his cheek, feeling a surge of happiness at his improving health. "It’ll be great once we take down the Tianshan Sect."

He nodded with a faint smile. The mist in his pupils had thinned to near transparency, and with that smile, his deep eyes gleamed brilliantly, captivating to the soul. "It won’t take long."

I nodded, smiling back at him, suddenly at a loss for words. I simply hugged him, resting my head on his shoulder.

My nose brushed against his neck, the warmth of his skin seeping through. I couldn’t help but laugh again—why did I feel so silly right now?

Lifting my head, I pressed a light kiss to his thin lips and murmured, "Why does it feel like something’s slipping away the moment I get a little happy?"

He gazed at me with a smile but said nothing more.

That night, as usual, I used the excuse of staying close to care for him and squeezed into the same bed. He slept peacefully the entire night, not only without coughing up blood but with far fewer coughs than before.

The next day, the allied factions launched their assault and swiftly captured the second checkpoint. Progress remained smooth over the following days. The third checkpoint saw some resistance, but by the fourth, the Tianshan Sect’s morale had collapsed, and they abandoned it without much of a fight.

With the Central Plains Martial World on the verge of storming the Sea Temple Palace, it was somewhat strange. Su Qian had mentioned that the Azure Jade Sect was also on the mountain, yet we had seen no trace of them so far. The rumored unfathomably powerful leader of the Tianshan Sect, the Old Monster of Tianshan, had yet to appear as well. Still, one thing was certain—given the current momentum, the fall of the Sea Temple Palace was imminent.

Day after day, I led disciples through battles, my vision filled with smoke and blood, my mind occupied only with strategizing how to seize the next checkpoint. There was no time to dwell on anything else.

Just as I finished assigning tasks to the disciples at the fourth checkpoint, I spotted a white figure weaving through the distant crowd.Xiao Huan was slowly walking over while conversing with Xuezhen Dashi and Qiu Sheng Daoren.

The northern wind at the pass swept by, scattering fine snow dust. He brushed the disheveled hair from his forehead with his hand, the hem of his snow fox fur coat fluttering slightly in the wind. The bustling crowd occasionally passed in front of him, with disciples stopping now and then to bow and greet him.

Suddenly, I couldn’t hold back anymore. Lifting the hem of my robe, I ran over and threw myself into his arms. “Brother Xiao.”

His embrace was warm, carrying a faint scent of medicine. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and patted me lightly, chuckling. “Cang Cang, let go. There are so many people watching.”

I hugged him tighter, as if in defiance. “I don’t care.”

My face was gently tilted up, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Xuezhen Dashi and Qiu Sheng Daoren turning their heads away.

Xiao Huan cupped my chin, leaned down, and pressed a light kiss to my lips. Smiling, he said, “Be good.”

Blood rushed to my head in an instant, dizzying me so much I could barely see. Gripping his sleeve, I finally managed to stammer out, “This is the first time you’ve kissed me on your own.”

He smiled. “I know.”

Sniffling, I stood on tiptoe and kissed him back. “Even though you still owe me plenty, I’ll return this one to you.”

Still smiling, his bright, deep eyes brimming with amusement, he said, “Then, thank you?”

I slid off him and stood by his side, holding onto his sleeve. “You’re welcome.”

Dazed, I let Xiao Huan lead me along as he continued his conversation with Xuezhen Dashi and Qiu Sheng Daoren. Only after a long while did it vaguely occur to me—did what I just say sound incredibly foolish…?

Still lost in thought, I suddenly heard a commotion at the pass. A disciple from Phoenix Come Pavilion hurried over to report, “There’s someone outside the pass demanding to see the Pavilion Master.”

I snapped to attention and asked before Xiao Huan could respond, “Just one person?”

The disciple clasped his fists. “Just one. They’re standing outside the pass, asking for the Pavilion Master, but haven’t made any other moves.”

I nodded, exchanging a glance with Xiao Huan before we both headed toward the parapet of the pass.

Looking down from the wall, amidst the stark white snow, a figure in tender green stood atop jagged rocks, the hem of their robe dancing in the wind like a snow lotus blooming defiantly in the ice.

Seeing us appear atop the wall, she lifted her head and smiled. “Mr. Bai, we meet again.”

A clear voice, a slightly haughty smile, and sharpened eyes—the girl who had suddenly appeared was none other than Zhong Lin! The same Zhong Lin who had once declared she would wander the Martial World alone.

Zhong Lin drew a letter from her sleeve and held it between her fingers, raising an eyebrow. “Zhong Lin, Hall Master of the Lawless Heaven Hall of the Azure Jade Sect at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, here to deliver a message from our Sect Leader to Mr. Bai.” Before her words even faded, the letter shot forward like a meteor, slicing through the wind straight toward us.

Xiao Huan extended a finger, deftly catching the edge of the letter without opening it, and nodded. “Thank you for your trouble, Deputy Sect Leader Zhong.”

The Hall Master of the Lawless Heaven Hall, the Azure Jade Sect’s main headquarters, was effectively the sect’s deputy leader. Zhong Lin had actually become the deputy sect leader!

Zhong Lin smiled faintly. “No need for formalities, Mr. Bai.” With that, she turned to leave, revealing the broadsword strapped to her back.

I rushed to the edge of the wall and called out loudly, “Zhong Lin!”

She paused but didn’t turn around. “Deputy Pavilion Master Ling, do you have something to say?”

“You became the deputy sect leader of the Azure Jade Sect?” I asked.

She chuckled. “Isn’t it obvious, Deputy Pavilion Master Ling?”"Was it you who stabbed Mu Yan?" I took a deep breath and asked again.

Her back stiffened slightly, but she still smiled. "What? That person isn't dead yet?"

I inhaled sharply, my voice trembling with anger. "Dead! Dead and gone! His body’s been burned to ashes! Are you satisfied now?" My head spun with rage. I grabbed a handful of snow from the parapet, packed it into a ball, and hurled it at her. "You cowardly bastard! Zhong Lin, I never thought you’d be so useless! You liked Mu Yan too, so why did you hurt him? You don’t even have the guts to hold onto someone you love—you’re completely worthless!"

The snowball struck Zhong Lin’s back. Her shoulders shook slightly before she let out a cold laugh. "Yes, I’m useless. But at least I’m better than you, clinging to a love that was doomed from the start. Just wait until you’ve lost everything—then you can go ahead and wallow in despair!"

I sucked in a sharp breath, my throat aching as if choked. How could she say something so cruel?

Gritting my teeth, I sneered. "I, Ling Cangcang, don’t have a friend like you. Get lost—"

Before I could finish, my vision suddenly darkened. Xiao Huan swiftly wrapped an arm around my waist. "Cang Cang."

I didn’t spare Zhong Lin another glance. Turning, I buried my face in Xiao Huan’s chest and shook my head. "I’m fine."

What right did I have to scold Zhong Lin? The truth was, I was angry at myself. I knew better than anyone how it felt to hurt the person you loved with your own hands. It wasn’t just regret—it wasn’t just self-loathing so intense you wanted to destroy yourself. That feeling would never fade. Instead, it would only grow sharper with time, carving itself deeper into your bones. And by the time you realized you wanted to make amends, there was usually nothing left to salvage.

Xiao Huan held me quietly. After a while, he patted my shoulder and chuckled. "You’re not going to cry this long, are you?"

I lifted my head, wiping the tear tracks from my face, and shot him a glance. "Looking so pleased with yourself—do you find watching girls fight that entertaining?"

He shook his head with a smile. "Not particularly. But watching the deputy leader of the Azure Jade Sect and the deputy Pavilion Master of Phoenix Come Pavilion argue until they start throwing snowballs? Now that’s interesting."

Remembering the snowball I’d hurled in my fury, I couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.

Then I recalled the letter Zhong Lin had just delivered. Snatching the envelope from Xiao Huan’s hand, I opened it. Inside was a single plain sheet of paper with a line of delicate handwriting: Sea Temple Palace is yours for the taking.

I looked up at Xiao Huan. He merely smiled faintly, as if he’d already guessed the letter’s contents.

Chen Jiaozhu was making it clear—Sea Temple Palace hadn’t been conquered by us. She had handed it over willingly.

Ever since Xiao Huan’s arrival, the Central Plains Martial World had been winning victory after victory. The long-stalemated Tianshan Sect had practically crumbled the moment he stepped in. But in truth, it didn’t matter whether the Central Plains or Tianshan Sect won. She had only set a trap on Tianshan, waiting all along to take Xiao Huan’s life.

Without hesitation, I tore the letter and envelope into shreds and tossed them over the parapet into the abyss below. Clapping my hands clean, I turned back to Xiao Huan with a grin. "Make me that lamb stew again tonight, will you? The broth last time was absolutely delicious."

Xiao Huan nodded with a smile. "Alright."Holding hands, we found the kitchen, but there was nothing inside. I immediately called people to fetch lamb and ingredients, stirring up a group of enthusiastic disciples. In the end, they ran down the mountain, slaughtered a fat sheep, and carried it back up. Some washed the meat, others set up the pot, and eventually, a large iron pot of lamb stew was prepared. Not only did the disciples of Phoenix Come Pavilion crowd in to eat, but even disciples from other sects guarding the fourth checkpoint came running with their bowls.

The group thoroughly vented the pent-up frustrations from days of fierce battles, eating and grabbing food, laughing and joking without regard for rank. I squeezed into the crowd and, after much effort, managed to snag two bowls of lamb soup. Pushing my way out, I found Xiao Huan, and the two of us slipped away to a quiet corner to sit.

It was nearly mid-month, and through the uneven parapet, the nearly full moon hung in the sky, its silvery light evenly coating the snow-covered mountain peaks. The sky was a deep sapphire blue.

Sipping the hot soup warmed me all over. Putting down the bowl, I leaned my head against Xiao Huan’s shoulder, closed my eyes, and swung my legs.

He had only taken one sip of the lamb soup I brought him before setting it aside. Now, he wrapped an arm around my waist and asked, “Cang Cang, tired?”

I hummed in response, still swinging my legs with my eyes closed.

He chuckled lightly and patted my waist. “You’ve been too exhausted these past few days. I’ll assign you fewer tasks from now on.”

I hummed again, then lifted one eyelid to look up at him. “Brother Xiao, do pregnant women get tired easily?”

He narrowed his eyes and smiled softly. “Yes, but that usually happens two or three months after conception.”

I sighed. “That’s so long.”

He nodded. “Yes, symptoms take at least that long to show.”

Feeling a bit restless, I grabbed his hand, stood up, and kissed his pale cheek, shielding him from the increasingly damp and chilly night wind on the snowy mountain. “Your hands are freezing. Let’s go back to the room.”

He smiled and nodded, leaning on my arm as he stood up.

Despite the crowded fourth checkpoint, I managed to secure an empty room.

Once inside, I first prepared the bed and had Xiao Huan lie down to rest. Then I tidied up the slightly messy room, throwing out the clutter. By the time I returned to the bedside, Xiao Huan was already asleep, his breathing steady, his head slightly tilted on the pillow. His pale lips curved into a gentle arc.

I smiled quietly—he was falling asleep faster and faster these days.

Carefully, I tucked the fur blanket around him before slipping under the covers myself, pressing close to him. That night, we slept side by side, and once again, not a word was spoken.