By the ancient lands of the Luo River, within the former grounds of the Azure Fall Palace's twelve halls, a grand and elegantly adorned hall was under construction. Wan Yu Yuedan and Bi Lianyi were inspecting the progress of the work. Many craftsmen were busy carving wooden pillars or hoisting beams. Though Wan Yu Yuedan could not see, the sounds of chiseling and hammering allowed him to vividly imagine the bustling scene. As they walked, Bi Lianyi briefly recounted the latest developments in the martial world: Tang Lici's great victory over the Dissolute Shop at Good Cloud Mountain, the capture of over a hundred of the Dissolute Shop's Red and White-Clad Servants, and Liu Yan's disappearance after being abducted by Shen Langhun. Currently, the most pressing matter in the martial world was the antidote for the Ape-Demon Nine Hearts Pill. Even if the Dissolute Shop were utterly defeated, without obtaining the antidote, the endless scourge of the Ape-Demon Nine Hearts Pill would remain unresolved. Wan Yu Yuedan listened quietly with a faint smile, offering no opinions. He walked leisurely, effortlessly stepping over any obstacles like timber or stones in his path. The storms and upheavals in the martial world, Tang Lici's manipulations, the Dissolute Shop's crushing defeat—to Wan Yu Yuedan, these were but trifles, as light as stepping over a brick or tile, leaving no dust on his sleeves or shoes.
"Palace Master, a young lady requests an audience," a disciple in blue robes reported with slight surprise. "I informed her that you were occupied and unable to receive guests, but she insisted she is the strategist of the Dissolute Shop and wishes to discuss important matters of the martial world with you." The faint creases at the corners of Wan Yu Yuedan's eyes softened slightly. "Ah, so it is Hong Guniang of the Dissolute Shop. Please invite her to the Azure Sky Pavilion to wait and serve her tea." The blue-robed disciple hesitated. "Palace Master, do you truly intend to meet her? But she... we cannot verify her identity. What if this is a trap?" Wan Yu Yuedan smiled gently. "Then let Brother Bi accompany me." Bi Lianyi nodded, and the two walked away at a leisurely pace.
The Azure Sky Pavilion was the tallest tower among the vast complex of the Azure Fall Palace, completed over a month prior. During his inspections of the construction, Wan Yu Yuedan occasionally received guests here. The pavilion, with its white walls and azure tiles, stood over five zhang tall, exuding an air of pristine elegance. Though devoid of intricate or extraordinary carvings, it possessed a natural grace and refinement. A woman in white stood by the window, her skin as pale as snow, her brows delicately furrowed like a melancholic painting. From afar, she was a sight to behold. As Bi Lianyi escorted Wan Yu Yuedan toward the pavilion, he glanced up and suddenly felt a faint tremor in his heart—an indescribable sensation, as though his spirit had momentarily slipped away. Having guarded two generations of palace masters for thirty-three years in the Azure Fall Palace, he had always been utterly devoted to his duty, free of distractions. Yet now, an unexpected flicker of admiration arose within him, unrelated to right or wrong, born purely from that single glance of breathtaking beauty.
Hong Guniang gazed out the window, though her attention was entirely fixed on Wan Yu Yuedan. The gentle, delicate youth approaching with a smile beneath the lofty pavilion was indeed as the rumors described. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly—what words could she use to persuade Wan Yu Yuedan to lend her his aid? What kind of man was Wan Yu Yuedan? A cunning and formidable leader. Facing such a man, the best approach was honesty.
Before long, Wan Yu Yuedan ascended the steps, accompanied by a handsome man in blue robes—likely the legendary "First of Azure Fall," Bi Lianyi. Hong Guniang tilted her chin slightly, nodding at Wan Yu Yuedan without bowing. "Palace Master Wan Yu, your reputation precedes you. Seeing you today, the tales do not disappoint."Wan Yu Yuedan's beautiful lashes lifted slightly as someone presented two cups of clear tea. He sat down first on the chair with a gentle smile, saying, "Please have a seat, Hong Guniang." Bi Lianyi stood behind him, gazing intently at Hong Guniang, while she in turn fixed her eyes unwaveringly on Wan Yu Yuedan. "The Azure Fall Palace's reputation soaring to the heavens is no mere coincidence, as evidenced by Palace Master Wan Yu treating me as an honored guest. Few in this world can meet me with such calm composure."
"Ah, someone of Hong Guniang's stature..." Wan Yu Yuedan remarked, "Whatever words you've traveled far to bring to Azure Fall Palace must surely be worth hearing." Hong Guniang took a sip of tea and replied, "Indeed. I've come from afar solely to reveal the truth about Dissolute Shop to Palace Master Wan Yu and to seek your assistance." Wan Yu Yuedan smiled faintly. "Oh? And what suitable reason does Hong Guniang have for requesting our palace's aid?" Hong Guniang responded, "Would the antidote to the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill count as a good reason?" Wan Yu Yuedan fell silent briefly before replying softly, "The antidote to the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill is indeed a very compelling reason. But why seek help from Azure Fall Palace rather than the Central Plains Sword Association? I believe such a reason would interest Sword Association's Master Shao far more than me." Hong Guniang smiled gracefully. "Because I believe the antidote would benefit Azure Fall Palace much more than the Central Plains Sword Association. At Good Cloud Mountain, it was the Sword Association that defeated Dissolute Shop. If Palace Master Wan Yu truly intends to return to the Central Plains and establish dominance, the antidote would be an excellent move to achieve victory without bloodshed." The fine creases at the corners of Wan Yu Yuedan's eyes relaxed slightly. "This..."
Hong Guniang sighed lightly, her elegant and peerless brows suddenly clouded with melancholy. "To be frank, Dissolute Shop has suffered great turmoil. Our master has been ostracized and framed, and his whereabouts are now unknown. Those currently managing the shop's affairs are no longer under his command, and I myself am uncertain who they truly are." She raised her head, gazing intently at Wan Yu Yuedan. "The Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill was crafted by the master himself, so the antidote must also be brewed by his hand. I seek Azure Fall Palace's aid in finding him. In return for the antidote, the palace can sweep aside Dissolute Shop and claim supremacy. All I ask is that after obtaining the antidote, you allow the master to leave. From that moment onward, I vow to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to assisting Azure Fall Palace's rise to power, even if it means my utter destruction." Her words were spoken clearly and earnestly, each syllable coming from the depths of her heart. "Every word I speak is sincere. If I deceive you, may heaven punish me by ensuring I never see my master again in this lifetime, never learn of his safety or whereabouts, and never find peace day or night until my dying breath."She had actually made such a venomous vow. Moreover, this refined and composed young woman showed no restraint in expressing her admiration and love for her "master" in front of outsiders—traveling thousands of miles for him, betraying her own side for him, and daring to take unimaginable risks for him. Her devotion was beyond what ordinary people could fathom. And for a woman like her, there truly was no more malicious oath than this: "In this life, I shall never see my master's face again, never know his safety or whereabouts, and never find peace day or night until the day I die."
Wan Yu Yuedan said softly, "Is your master the Black-Clothed Pipa Player, Liu Yan?"
Hong Guniang nodded. "If the Palace Lord truly knows him, you would understand that he is not a bad person. Half of his actions stem from extremism, and the other half from being manipulated by others."
Wan Yu Yuedan replied, "I see."
In this world, if someone defended Liu Yan's actions, ninety-nine out of a hundred people would likely find it absurd and laughable. Yet Wan Yu Yuedan sincerely uttered those words, "I see."
Hong Guniang was slightly taken aback. Speaking with this man, she found she did not have to worry about being contradicted or mocked, nor did she resent his high status, nor fear that he might suddenly turn hostile or violent. This renowned Azure Fall Palace Lord, known in the martial world for his iron-blooded reputation, spoke in a manner as soothing as a spring breeze, putting her at ease.
She exhaled deeply and took another sip of tea. "As for how the Dissolute Shop rose to prominence, I myself am not entirely clear. Three years ago, I attended the Yachuan Tea Gathering as a guest and met a white-clad lady from the Dissolute Shop. A spark of curiosity drew me in, and since then, I’ve been unable to extricate myself. Back then, at the Dissolute Shop’s Piaoling Mei Yuan estate, I encountered mechanisms more wondrous than I had ever seen, bizarre poisons and insects beyond imagination, and a few masked individuals whose speech and martial skills were extraordinary. Though I am not part of the martial world, I have some understanding of its affairs. I knew I had met remarkable people, but I did not know their appearances or names. Among them was one who wore a black hat and a black veil. That day, driven by curiosity, I suddenly lifted his veil while he was engrossed in painting..."
Her voice paused briefly before she continued softly, "And then I stood there in shock for a long time. When I finally lowered my gaze, I saw that he had painted a skull.""So this is Liu Yan?" Wan Yu Yuedan asked patiently in a soft voice, though the answer was obvious. Hong Guniang nodded, "Yes, this is Liu Yan. He... is a beautiful man." Wan Yu Yuedan smiled faintly, "Rumors say Liu Yan's stunning appearance could captivate thousands of women—it must be a rare sight in this world." Hong Guniang murmured, "But... there's a certain emptiness in his eyes, as if he's missing the most important thing in life, something that would keep him from ever being happy. Back then... I wanted to become that 'thing' that could make him smile." She sighed softly, "At the time, he was a guest at the Dissolute Shop, and to this day, I still don't know who the true master of the Dissolute Shop was back then. Not long after, Liu Yan began concocting poisons for the Dissolute Shop. The number of white-robed and red-robed women in the shop grew, forming the early structure, while those masked figures gradually disappeared one by one. Liu Yan became the master of the Dissolute Shop, while figures like Dong Princess Fu Cui, Xifang Tao, even Bai Suche and Hongchan Niangzi joined one after another. I've always suspected that among these newly recruited nobles, some were the masked figures from back then, but I still haven't uncovered who exactly. Whoever it was, the purpose of switching identities was only to make Liu Yan the scapegoat, the one to take the fall. The true culprits lurked among the followers, letting people catch their scent but never see their faces. There's nothing more terrifying than that."
"Hong Guniang means that the battle at Good Cloud Mountain confirms this—someone used Liu Yan as a pawn to discard, and the Dissolute Shop's easy defeat was part of a greater scheme, is that right?" Wan Yu Yuedan's clear, beautiful eyes seemed to truly gaze at Hong Guniang, his earnest and slightly youthful expression making her speak with unusual confidence and fluency. Hong Guniang sighed faintly, "Exactly. The one who lost was Liu Yan, not the Dissolute Shop. The martial world won an illusion, but I fear it will lose to the truth." Wan Yu Yuedan raised his brows slightly, "And what does the lady believe to be the truth?"
"The truth... is that no one knows how far the mastermind behind this will go..." Hong Guniang murmured, "Perhaps... both the Dissolute Shop and Liu Yan are merely his pawns, pieces he can casually discard, just stepping stones. Who is he really? What is his true goal? What will happen in the future? How many more must die for him before it's enough? Palace Master Wan Yu, I don't wish to be enemies with such a person, but if we don't oppose him now, by the time the truth shatters, we may no longer have the strength to fight back." Her sorrowful eyes met Wan Yu Yuedan's, "The antidote for the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill, the truth behind the Dissolute Shop, the hidden dangers facing the martial world, and Xiao Hong's life—in exchange for our master's safety. Palace Master Wan Yu... will you make the trade?"
Wan Yu Yuedan's eyelashes lifted quietly. After a moment, he said, "Even if I agreed to this... it would be a lie." Hong Guniang trembled, and Wan Yu Yuedan sighed softly as well, "Some people's safety in life isn't something you or I can decide—perhaps not even the world, nor even themselves..." He sighed again, gently, "A strategist can only plan for the moment...""Palace Master Wan Yu..." Hong Guniang stood up and knelt before him with a thud, "Forget the situation then. Xiao Hong begs you to save his life! Even if it's just out of your great mercy, making a grand vow to save one person in this world." Her sudden kneeling startled Bi Lianyi. Wan Yu Yuedan reached out to help her up, "I can help you find him, but I cannot help you save him." Tears burst from Hong Guniang's eyes as she wept with joy, "Thank you, Palace Master!" Bi Lianyi watched this scene and shook his head. Such a devoted woman, yet she had strayed onto the wrong path—truly a pity.
After the meeting, Wan Yu Yuedan instructed the palace disciples to arrange a guest room for Hong Guniang. If there was any news of Liu Yan, he would inform her. As for the intricate secrets of the Dissolute Shop, he asked her to write them down in a letter, detailing the doubts and possibilities, and send it to Good Cloud Mountain. Hong Guniang agreed to everything. Bi Lianyi escorted her to the guest room, gave her a glance, then drifted away.
Once settled in the guest room, Hong Guniang couldn't help but exhale deeply. Wan Yu Yuedan was truly unshakable. Despite her genuine tears and emotional display, she couldn't earn even a shred of his sympathy—his reasoning remained cold and clear. Such a man must be eliminated for the Revered Master. Standing by the window, she quietly pondered. No matter who was stirring trouble within the Dissolute Shop, as long as Liu Yan lived another day, she would fight to reclaim control of the Dissolute Shop for him—and then seize the world for him.
The world... such a tempting word. Who would believe that a maid like Xiao Hong could harbor ambitions for the world? Yet she had dreamed of it since she was very young—only back then, it was for herself, and now it was for the man she deeply loved. She had always been clever, praised by everyone for her intelligence. And being clever meant she could achieve her desires far more easily than ordinary people.
OpenNovel