Bianliang, the bustling imperial capital.
As the harsh winter faded and spring plums bloomed in abundance, a young maiden in pale green robes sat by the pavilion, her hair elegantly coiled high and adorned with pearl blossoms. She gazed at the vibrant spring scenery, yet her face was clouded with melancholy.
In her hand was a letter from the residence of the Imperial Father-in-Law. Though the words were few, they had thrown her heart into turmoil.
The letter was written by Tang Lici, its contents brief—Xue Xianzi had been captured by the Dissolute Shop, which had set forth a condition: a life must be exchanged for his. The letter did not specify whom Tang Lici intended to offer in exchange for Xue Xianzi, but at the very least, it served as a deliberate notice to her, informing her of Xue Xianzi’s perilous situation.
The maiden with pearl blossoms in her hair was none other than Zhong Chunji. Since returning to Bianliang with Zhao Zongjing and Zhao Zongying, she had enjoyed the luxuries of nobility under the title of princess. Her interest in the affairs of the martial world had gradually waned, and she had hoped to live out her days in peace, leaving the past entirely behind. Yet no matter how hard she tried, she could never forget Tang Lici. Within the palace walls, she constantly heard tales and anecdotes about the Imperial Uncle Tang—how refined and gallant he was, how enigmatic and unfathomable, how he had saved both Yunfei and the Emperor within the palace. Day and night, people spoke of Tang Lici, and as she listened, her mind would drift, as if he were right beside her, just out of reach, yet she never encountered him.
Until today, when she received this letter. Xue Xianzi was in danger, and Tang Lici’s intentions were clear—he had chosen her to be the one exchanged.
She was Xue Xianzi’s disciple, raised by him since childhood. Whether by duty or ethics, she had no grounds to refuse.
Yet… she felt wronged.
Xue Xianzi was her master, but from childhood till now, she had never understood the thoughts of this eccentric man. Though there was gratitude between master and disciple, they were never close.
Just because they were master and disciple, did that mean she had to pay with her life for his misdeeds? Did she have to abandon her comfortable, luxurious life, her youth, and go to a place akin to hell to await death? She felt wronged. She was unwilling. But Tang Lici had decreed she must go, and she dared not disobey.
Yet she truly did not want to go. If only Tang Lici would leave the martial world behind, if only he would return to the residence of the Imperial Father-in-Law, and she—as a princess—could marry him, then they could dwell together within the palace, untouched by worldly affairs. How wonderful would that be? As she gazed at the spring plums, a flush rose on her delicate cheeks. Lost in such imaginings, her heart suddenly burned with an unbearable heat. Once such delusions took root, they could not be suppressed.
She would go—but not to exchange her life for Xue Xianzi’s. She would find a way to bring Tang Lici back. As a princess, there was nothing she could not accomplish.
“Fang Juan!” she called softly. A maidservant in red robes appeared swiftly, her movements graceful and extraordinary. Zhong Chunji said, “I need fifty elite warriors from the Imperial Guards for an important task.” The maidservant was taken aback. “Fifty?” Zhong Chunji nodded. “I must leave the palace. The more skilled fighters, the better—choose those who are reliable and obedient.” The maidservant frowned. “Mobilizing fifty Imperial Guards may prove difficult.” Zhong Chunji’s expression darkened. “If you cannot arrange the men, I will go alone.” The maidservant paled. “Absolutely not! This servant will do everything in her power to arrange it.” Zhong Chunji smiled again. “Go now.”
Yet Zhong Chunji was not the only one who had received Tang Lici’s letter.Huijing Mountain, Moonlight Tower.
Shui Duopo faced the moonlit lake with long sighs, letting out one "ai," and after a while, another. From beyond the wall, someone asked in a calm, indifferent voice, "Troubled?" Shui Duopo sighed again, and the other side fell silent, saying no more.
The night sky was clear with stars and the moon, their reflections shimmering like a thousand points of light upon the water, a dazzling and picturesque scene.
"Ai—"
With a "plop," the fish on the surface darted into the depths.
Though Tang Lici and the other two had not disclosed the contents of the letter from Dissolute Shop to the Central Plains Sword Association, it still caused an uproar in the martial world. On Good Cloud Mountain, everyone knew of it and buzzed with discussion. Clearly, among the hundreds gathered there, there must be spies from Dissolute Shop. Tang Lici remained unperturbed, merely stating that the person chosen to exchange for Xue Xianzi had long been decided—those who had not received his personal letter were not the one. The crowd on the mountain sighed in relief but couldn’t help growing intensely curious, endlessly speculating about who it might be.
Dissolute Shop had sought to sow discord, but Tang Lici effortlessly deflected it with minimal effort, preventing unrest among the hundreds on Good Cloud Mountain. Even Dong Hubi, a seasoned veteran of the jianghu, was impressed. Yet even he couldn’t guess who had received Tang Lici’s letter.
Amid this delicate situation, "Xifang Tao" returned, her dark hair elegantly pinned up with a jade hairpin, clad in the peach-colored dress Xue Tao had loved, drifting in like a breeze. She was so enchanting that the moment she stepped into the Hall of Sharp Virtue, many rough-hewn men couldn’t help but stare at her. She smiled back gracefully all the way, her demeanor radiant.
"Peach Girl’s safe return is truly a blessing for the martial world." Many sect leaders had previously received letters from Pu Zhu, explaining that though Xifang Tao was a woman, she had bravely risked her life to infiltrate Dissolute Shop for the sake of the jianghu—a display of great wisdom and courage. He urged the sect leaders to lend her their support in eradicating the demonic path. Thanks to the reputation of Shaolin’s abbot Pu Zhu, many held a favorable impression of her. Moreover, such a peerlessly beautiful young woman naturally won even more hearts. Thus, when "Xifang Tao" returned to the Central Plains Sword Association, Good Cloud Mountain erupted like a boiling pot, everyone brimming with excitement.
Meng Qinglei invited Xifang Tao to take a seat in the hall and inquired in detail about her fall from the cliff. Wrapped in Xifang Tao’s peach robes, Yu Konghou pointed at Tang Lici and said, "That night, Young Master Tang barged into my room and struck me off the cliff. My injuries have only just healed. Xifang Tao still doesn’t understand—why did Young Master Tang attack me that night?"
His light, airy words sent the crowd into an uproar. Everyone turned to stare at Tang Lici, their hearts filled with shock: Young Master Tang pushed Peach Girl off the cliff? Then why didn’t he say anything?
Yu Konghou lifted his eyes with a faint smile, his delicate gaze deliberately lingering on Tang Lici’s face. This was the doubt he wanted to sow—watching Tang Lici’s reputation crumble and allies turn against him brought him immense pleasure, even greater than dominating the martial world.
Tang Lici sat beside Yu Konghou. Seeing those teasing glances, he returned a languid look of his own. "That night…" He gave a light cough. "That night…" He repeated the phrase several times, hesitating in a way rarely seen. The crowd found it strange and waited with bated breath. After a long pause, Tang Lici finally spoke slowly, "It concerns Peach Girl’s reputation. I think it’s best left unsaid."These words caused an uproar among the crowd. Wenxiu Shitai and the others couldn't help feeling awkward, secretly thinking that young men and women were indeed entangled in desires. Given their similar age and appearance, it was no wonder they had done such things. Zhang Hemo and his ilk burst into laughter—even someone as transcendent as Young Master Tang was still a man at heart, thinking much like themselves. What kind of true man wouldn't love a beautiful woman? This only made them feel closer to him. Meng Qinglei was startled, never expecting Tang Lici to say such things, while Cheng Yunpao remained expressionless, calm as ever.
No one pressed for details about what had truly happened that night, though their minds were filled with wild imaginings. Tang Lici lowered his eyelids slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said softly to Yu Konghou, "That night, I acted recklessly and offended you. I apologize to Peach Girl here." Yu Konghou hesitated, sighed, and turned her head away. Meng Qinglei couldn't help but chuckle inwardly—she must have been furious yet unable to vent it. Tang Lici had only added to his reputation as a libertine, but he had won the favor of many.
The matter of Xifang Tao's return to the mountain was thus brushed aside lightly. Tang Lici instructed the group in daily training, while Yu Konghou watched from the sidelines. Occasionally, the two even exchanged a few words, offering each other pointers. Cheng Yunpao remained fully wary of Yu Konghou, keeping a constant watch. He couldn't understand why Tang Lici was holding back, but the fact that Yu Konghou was also biding her time puzzled him even more.
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