Chapter Five: No Old Friends Came

Ling Luo blamed herself deeply for failing to protect the one she cherished. Such a grave mistake deserved punishment and sincere repentance. Though her heart was reluctant, she did not plead for mercy.

Bu Jinxian hurriedly knelt and begged her master for leniency. “This truly is my fault. For the punishment given to my senior brother, I beg you to let me bear it in his stead.”

Elder Beiling replied indifferently, “If you wish to intercede, then the term in the water prison shall be extended by another month.”

Bu Jinxian could say no more. She forced a bitter smile at Ling Luo, realizing her plea had only made things worse. Ling Luo, however, shook his head gently to indicate he did not mind.

Together, the two took their leave from Princess Tianlai and returned to the mountain, each lost in their own thoughts.

The princess did not plead on their behalf upon hearing their punishment. She understood that every sect had its own rules and reasons, and Elder Beiling’s intentions were genuinely for Ling Luo’s good. Yet, hearing that Elder Beiling made no mention of treating Bu Jinxian’s injuries, she could not help but say, “I dare not presume to question Elder Beiling’s handling of his disciples. However, is it not inappropriate to leave Bu Jinxian’s serious wounds untreated?”

“Princess, there is no need for concern. There are reasons for this, but it is not convenient to discuss them with outsiders. Princess, please proceed up the mountain.”

Hearing this, Princess Tianlai could only fall silent—anything more would be forcing her will upon others.

After changing and washing up, Princess Tianlai was soon visited by the Sect Leader of the Flying Immortal Sect, who arrived with Zheng Linran and Qiyue. The two were well acquainted with the princess; Zheng Linran and Tianlai had grown up together in the palace and were close friends.

After the banquet, the three girls wandered through the gardens, catching up.

Tianlai noticed that Qiyue carried a bundle with her, never letting it out of her hands before or after the feast, and could not help but ask. Zheng Linran, with a hint of exasperation, explained, “Those are just some snacks their master gave her. She insists on bringing them for that beggar brother of hers.”

“Senior sister, why do you always say that? Brother Bu had to look ragged and dirty for the sake of begging in the past, but he’s hardly like that now!”

At this, Tianlai recalled Qiyue mentioning an old childhood friend surnamed Bu in the Beiling Sect and wondered if it was Bu Jinxian. She probed, “Didn’t you see him at the banquet? Could he be an outer disciple?”

“Of course not. Brother Bu is the third disciple. I’m surprised he wasn’t there at the banquet.”

“Oh! So it’s Bu Jinxian!”

“You know him, Tianlai?” Qiyue was overjoyed, her crescent-shaped brows arching over eyes bright with surprise.

“The Marquis of Faith brought him to meet me today, saying he was a dear friend. Right now, they’re both in the water prison together as punishment. They won’t be released for two months—I fear you won’t see him this time…”

Qiyue quickly asked why they were punished, and Zheng Linran, equally curious, wanted to know why Elder Beiling had been so harsh as to ruin the rare meeting between the princess and the Marquis. After Tianlai gave a brief account, Zheng Linran immediately said she would go and speak to the Flying Immortal Sect Leader to plead for the princess and Ling Luo to meet.

Princess Tianlai tried to stop her, but could only watch helplessly. Noting that Qiyue showed no hope, she asked, “Does senior sister Qiyue think the Beiling Sect Leader won’t give this favor?”

“If Master were to ask, he would surely agree, as you well know the friendship between them. But Master will never plead on anyone’s behalf.”

“Why not?”

“Brother Bu once said that good friends help each other become better, and before seeking help, they always consider carefully whether it might bring trouble to the other. If circumstances don’t allow, they won’t ask. Master and Elder Beiling are on the best of terms. Master knows that such a request would put Elder Beiling in a difficult position, interfering with his discipline. How could he ask?”

Princess Tianlai was stunned, repeating the words to herself, realizing how true they rang. She never would have thought such insight would come from Bu Jinxian.

As she pondered this, Qiyue suddenly exclaimed, “I’ve got it!”

Delighted, Qiyue said, “I’ll find someone to ask where Brother Bu lives and leave these for him. He can have them when he gets out!”

“Will they keep that long?”

“Of course! I specifically asked Master for the Millennium Ice-Snow Treasure Box on the way here. No matter how long, they’ll keep fresh.”

With that, Qiyue dashed off, leaving Princess Tianlai unsurprised by her impetuous nature.

Qiyue found a Beiling Sect disciple and eagerly asked where Bu Jinxian lived. The disciples atop the mountain, having attended the evening banquet, recognized her as the prized disciple of the Flying Immortal Sect Leader and were exceedingly polite, but replied that no one knew. Their faces were clouded with suspicion, guessing how the beggar-like third brother could have offended the sect.

“How can you not know? He’s the third disciple! Have you only just joined?” Qiyue was bewildered. At the Flying Immortal Sect, she could name most of the elders’ and seniors’ residences without even trying—running errands and seeking martial advice was routine, and with time, everyone became familiar.

The disciple, having been cautioned by Ling Luo, dared not reveal anything and thought to himself that it was no wonder the senior brother had stressed secrecy—it was to spare the beggar-like third brother trouble. “The third brother is as elusive as a dragon—no one knows his whereabouts but the first senior brother. He might sleep here tonight, elsewhere tomorrow.”

Little did Qiyue realize that Bu Jinxian, in fact, had no residence of his own. Under Elder Beiling’s orders, he had lived year-round with the sky as his roof and the earth as his bed—one night in the garden’s grass, another in a tree, the next perhaps in a corner of the training ground. Thus, he was truly a dragon glimpsed but never seen.

Qiyue, however, assumed Elder Beiling treated Bu Jinxian so well that he could stay in any room on the mountaintop at will.

“I have some things here. Could I trouble you to pass them on when you see him?”

The disciple asked if they would keep, then mentioned the two months Bu Jinxian and the first senior brother would spend in the water prison. Unwilling to deliver anything himself—finding the beggar’s presence unpleasant—he quickly thought of a way out. “Why not let me lead you to the first senior brother’s room? Leaving them there will ensure they reach the third brother more quickly.”

“Great!” Qiyue gladly followed him to Ling Luo’s quarters, where they happened to meet Princess Tianlai. Seeing her emerge from the room, the disciple tactfully excused himself.

After Qiyue explained her purpose, Tianlai accompanied her inside to leave a note, explaining that the box was for Bu Jinxian. Seeing a letter on the desk, its seal fresh and ink not yet dry, Qiyue realized the princess had left a message for Ling Luo. The thought of their relationship made her flush, and she pretended not to notice the letter.

The princess, however, remained composed. She said softly, “I must leave tomorrow. I came to prepare for the Divine Martial Tournament per my father’s command, and with my master’s orders, to consult Elder Beiling on martial matters. I had hoped to use the opportunity to see the Marquis. Under normal circumstances, meeting him would be impossible. At the earliest, the Marquis will finish his training at sixteen, perhaps not until twenty. I have even less reason to come see him; though our engagement is known to all, we are not yet married. A private meeting would invite criticism and bring shame to the royal family. I understand the Marquis’s feelings and worry he may be troubled by today’s events, so I left him this letter—partly to express my thoughts, partly to console him and urge him not to dwell in distress.”

“You’re leaving so soon, Tianlai? Didn’t Master say we would travel together?”

“It was originally five days, so I could spend more time with the Marquis. Since we cannot meet now, it’s better to return sooner and handle my duties. People say that being a princess is a life of privilege, but who knows the sorrows of those who must always put the affairs of state above all else? Though the nations have ceased open warfare in recent years, they are all secretly arming and preparing. While the world remains divided, war will never truly end. My country, Zheng, has dominated for many years, but the others have grown stronger and now threaten us openly. The Divine Martial Tournament gathers heroes and warriors from all lands, a chance to display our strength and deter any who might challenge us—even if it only buys a little more peace, it is worth it. Although Zheng does not fear war, these years of peace have brought prosperity and happiness, and no one wishes for conflict. Should war break out, rivers of blood will flow. If I can use this tournament to win even a little more peace, I will do everything I can to ensure its success.”

Qiyue was familiar with such topics from her seniors and master at the Flying Immortal Sect but found herself indifferent. She often listened while secretly hiding roast chicken in her sleeves, eating contentedly as the conversation carried on.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand—she had studied literature and strategy at the sect, always passing her examinations to her master’s satisfaction. It was simply that she lacked interest.

“If, one day, Zheng grows strong enough to subdue all the other states, the world will be united and there will be no more war! With Master presiding over the Divine Martial Tournament, the other nations will have no choice but to submit to our power. As Zheng seeks peace and prosperity, its plans will surely succeed. I say we should quietly encourage merchants to stockpile grain in other countries—look at Han, where the price of grain has soared without a single battle. If chaos continues, their government will become unstable. Zheng can then support rival officials in Han, dividing their power and rendering capable ministers impotent. In a few years, Han is certain to decline. At that point, Chu will surely invite Zheng to campaign in Han. Every nation has its own troubles—internal strife, alienated citizens, foreign interference. With enemies within and without, how could they dare defy Zheng or risk annihilation by giving us a reason to attack?”

“Junior sister, you’re talking nonsense again!”

Princess Tianlai, startled by these words, was interrupted by Zheng Linran’s rebuke as she entered, glaring at Qiyue. “Don’t listen to her, princess. She’s always reading unorthodox texts, speaking of governance without mentioning the proper way, only thinking of crooked schemes!”

Qiyue, long used to such scolding, paid it no mind. She grinned, “Then you talk statecraft with the princess—I’m off to the kitchen to find something to eat.”