Chapter Ten The Second Divine Martial Contest Section Five: Abandoned Fantasies

When Zheng Linran saw Prince Zheng and Chief Left Steward, and heard them mention the sect, she said, "That Northern Lord who killed disciples of our sect will never be spared. It was only that previous wars delayed us, and now our focus is on the Grand Martial Arena. Since he has come, our sect will certainly make him understand the consequences of offending the Feixian Sect!"

"Master, please prioritize the Grand Martial Arena’s affairs. The Northern Lord can be dealt with after the competition ends," Prince Zheng advised.

Zheng Linran immediately grasped Prince Zheng’s meaning. If the Northern Lord, Zuo An, dared to challenge the arena then, there would be no need for trouble—he could simply perish on the arena floor. It was better to wait and deal with him after the competition. To show she understood his intent, she smiled, "Of course. I’ve heard that the barbarians of the Black Wolf tribe call him the Enemy of Ten Thousand. I hope he has the courage to step into the arena."

Only then did Prince Zheng feel at ease. Without further delay, he left, leaving Chief Left Steward to discuss details with Zheng Linran before returning to the palace.

After agreeing on how to assist Feixian Sect and ensure Zuo An had nowhere to hide, Chief Left Steward took his leave.

Zheng Linran dismissed the so-called “Enemy of Ten Thousand” from some barbarian land, but to be absolutely certain, she sent someone to summon Martial Venerable Qiuyue, hoping she could intervene after the Grand Martial Arena ended and deal with Zuo An. Unexpectedly, the messenger returned saying, "Martial Venerable is drunk again, unconscious, and cannot be roused..."

Irritated, Zheng Linran said, "Then call Elder Dongxue." Deep down, she was thoroughly fed up with Qiuyue. She never liked her—considering her wild and erratic behavior unprofessional. If not for her martial prowess, Zheng Linran wouldn’t even bother with her. In contrast, she favored Elder Dongxue, who was efficient and respectful towards her.

Of course, Zheng Linran had not forgotten Zheng Feixian’s advice, but she knew Dongxue was the most trustworthy choice.

Soon, Elder Dongxue arrived. At thirty-six, she was much older than Qiuyue. Years of overseeing Feixian Sect’s affairs had aged her beyond her years, making her look closer to forty-two or forty-three.

"What orders does the sect leader have?"

"Prince Zheng wants someone dead, and our sect must act. Have you heard of the Northern Lord Zuo An?"

"He is an enemy of our sect. I have not forgotten a single one of them."

"Good. I had hoped Elder Qiuyue would handle this, but she’s been drunk lately and unreliable. I need you to strike immediately after the Grand Martial Arena ends and ensure Zuo An’s death without fail!"

"Rest assured, Sect Leader, I will entrust this matter to the Winter Hall," Elder Dongxue said, then added, "Speaking of Qiuyue, it’s strange. She hasn’t been practicing or inquiring about the arena’s competitors. Winter Hall disciples say she once drunkenly mentioned she wouldn’t have to serve as Martial Venerable after this competition..."

"What!" Zheng Linran’s anger flared. "If she dares to act recklessly, she will answer to me if she cannot uphold the sect’s honor!"

"Calm down, Sect Leader. I believe Elder Qiuyue was only babbling in drunkenness. She wouldn’t forget Master’s instructions."

At that moment, a disciple reported that Qiyue had returned.

Zheng Linran was indifferent. "Tell her I’m too busy to give her a welcome. Just send the fruits and pastries Prince Zheng rewarded."

Dongxue knew about the quarrel between Zheng Linran and Qiyue, and was glad that Qiuyue’s faction was disliked by Zheng Linran.

"Junior Sister Qiyue is just like Qiuyue—rude, wild, and willful. Everyone else returned from the Chu Kingdom early, yet she dawdled for months. No one knows what she was busy with."

"Hmph! What could she possibly be busy doing in Chu? Eating here and there!"

As Dongxue stepped out, she ran into Qiyue seeking Qiuyue. Qiyue ignored her. Everyone in Feixian Sect knew about the icy relationship between Dongxue and Qiuyue. Qiyue was close to Qiuyue and treated Dongxue coldly; likewise, Dongxue was no friend to Qiyue. They passed by without a word.

But after Qiyue left, Dongxue turned back, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.

“That girl… that crazy Qiuyue strangely keeps such a capable assistant. Her innate talent has now mastered the Ten Directions, Nine Five Supreme Divine Skill to the tenth level. Master favors Qiuyue too much!”

The Ten Directions, Nine Five Supreme Divine Skill at tenth level was difficult to control. A breeze followed her steps—Dongxue immediately noticed and felt a surge of jealousy.

Suddenly, a cheerful voice called out, "Qiuyue! Qiuyue—get up! If you don’t, I’ll throw you into the water! Qiuyue—"

Qiyue joyfully tugged at the drunken Qiuyue on the bed. Qiuyue, annoyed, slapped her hand away. Anticipating this, Qiyue dodged and kept pulling and calling.

"I knew it was you, you pest! You come back and wake me up for what?"

Qiuyue’s eyes blinked drowsily. Seeing Qiyue’s joyful smile, she brightened a little and exclaimed, "It’s done!"

"Done!"

"Really done? Really done?" Qiuyue leapt from the bed, grabbing Qiyue’s hand and examining her closely, as if it were her own martial skill that had matured. "I knew you’d make it!"

"I did! Qiuyue, I’ll handle the small fry during the Grand Martial Arena for you."

The Grand Martial Arena followed a rule: the winner stayed to accept new challengers; if no one challenged the reigning champion within a certain time, they were the champion. Skilled warriors aiming for the top usually didn’t challenge early, knowing they couldn’t rival the Martial Venerable. Some sought to test themselves against opponents of similar or higher reputation.

Major sects sent many strong fighters to handle troublesome challengers, sparing their main forces from exhausting battles.

"Good! You always say you want to contribute to the sect and ease my burden. During the Grand Martial Arena, listen to me: don’t step into the arena unless I say, and if I let you, don’t hesitate."

"I don’t understand the Grand Martial Arena, so I’ll obey you this time."

Qiuyue smiled wryly, recalling how she once said that once Qiyue mastered the tenth level, she wouldn’t have to obey her anymore and could do as she pleased.

"After the Grand Martial Arena, do what you like," Qiuyue said, then added, "Alright, go eat something. I’ll tell Master the good news."

"I’ll come too!"

"That’s a secret—you’re not allowed to listen."

"If you beg me again, I still won’t listen," Qiyue teased as she left. Qiuyue drank a potion to sober up and rode alone toward Maple Leaf Mountain.

Though Zheng Feixian had not formally entrusted her before dying, Qiuyue had sensed trouble and secretly visited her several times at Maple Leaf Mountain. Zheng Feixian knew of her visits but was too weak to speak. Elder Beiling, fearing Qiuyue’s emotions might worsen her condition, urged her to leave.

Qiuyue already knew Zheng Feixian was dead and buried at Maple Leaf Mountain. Only Qiyue knew this; they had secretly come to pay respects a few times.

Qiuyue brought many fruits and pastries and knelt outside the wooden cottage.

"Master, though I’m wild and reckless, and disregard others, you know I only emulate what I aspire to. I understand my limits. When you reluctantly passed the Martial Venerable title to me, fearing the Feixian Sect’s prestige would falter otherwise, you knew it was a heavy burden I could not bear forever. Yet how could you find another peerless genius like yourself?"

"I can only grit my teeth and shoulder this duty. But Heaven watches over our sect. The disciple you found on Beiling Mountain is a prodigy just like you! With Qiyue, our sect’s future is secure for decades. The Grand Martial Arena is upon us. If I give my all, I may keep the Martial Venerable title. But after much thought, I realize I cannot hold this position for long. It’s better to pass it to her now. Don’t think I’m shirking responsibility—I fear humiliation. I do not want to be defeated and have people say, ‘Zheng Feixian’s cherished disciple is only this much,’ and make you the subject of ridicule. I cannot bear that."

"Master, rest assured. Living closely with Qiyue these days has made me realize I cannot become what I wish. I lack the talent. No matter how hard I try, I cannot change that. But I boldly say that Qiyue will become what I desire. Her nature, talent, and gifts are all what I hope for. Please don’t be angry. I know you will not like me saying this and will call it wishful thinking. I want to let go before the Grand Martial Arena. That’s why I’ve been drinking heavily before the competition. Afterward, I will no longer be drunk or crazy, and will focus on managing the Winter Hall. You said if Qiyue progresses quickly, the Winter Hall’s affairs should be handled by me. I will devote myself to teaching capable juniors and disciples, striving to find prodigies like Qiyue to secure the sect’s prestige for decades."

As Qiuyue spoke, tears streamed down her face. She knelt and bowed deeply three times.

"Master, you once wanted to adopt me as your sworn daughter, but I didn’t accept then. You were disappointed. I feared my wild ways would bring you shame. In my heart, I have always regarded you as a mother. I have come to Maple Leaf Mountain many times, wanting to kneel at your bedside and call you ‘Mother,’ but I feared it would worsen your condition. Now I regret never calling you my sworn mother. I miss you so much..."

Qiuyue wept and fell to the ground, long and hard. Finally, she stood and wiped her tears.

"Master, after the Grand Martial Arena, I will no longer be Crazy Qiuyue. That madness will end when I kill that hateful woman, Bai Ling. She dared to harm Li Kuang and caused you years of pain. Now that you are gone, she dares to cause trouble. I will never let her live a carefree life."

Qiuyue drank deeply. Qiyue arrived carrying a large bundle.

"Let’s eat with Master. She liked these."

Both removed their outer robes and laid the food on the stone table outside the wooden house. Qiyue first knelt and bowed to Zheng Feixian, sharing the joyous news of her progress. Her eyes reddened, and as tears threatened, Qiuyue pulled her up, saying, "No crying—Master never liked to see her disciples weep. She never shed a tear in her life!"