Chapter Nine: Unrequited Affection

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the updates were delayed. Today, an extra chapter is added, making three in total.
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Tears of grievance instantly welled up in Zheng Linran’s eyes, streaking down her fair cheeks in thin lines. Zheng Feixian, both exasperated and amused, hurriedly embraced her to comfort her, gently wiping away her tears before pulling her to sit by her side. Only when Linran’s tears finally ceased did she say, “Master is doing this for your own good, and also for the future of the Feixian Sect. Of course, there’s a bit of selfishness in it as well. You know how, in our youth, the Sect Leader of the Northern Spirit Sect and I fought and dueled, how, though we admired each other, we insisted on fighting to the death over other matters. Only in our later years did we see through it all, lay down our grudges, and wish to recover the years we had lost. But, due to my position, I have many scruples, and he understands this, so in this life, we can never truly be married. These regrets remain in our hearts. Now, I wish for my most cherished disciple to wed his disciple. In this way, my heart’s regret will be somewhat eased. He has only three true disciples now. Ling Luo and Chu Gaoge need not be considered, so only the third disciple, Bu Jingxian, remains.”

“Master!” Zheng Linran burst into tears again upon hearing this. She felt that marrying that beggar, who would bring her nothing but shame and a lifetime of humiliation, would be worse than being struck dead by her master right now. “It’s not that your disciple is unfilial, but Bu Jingxian is so hideously repulsive that I can neither eat nor sleep in peace. Rather than marry such a person, I would rather Master end my life with a single blow!”

Zheng Feixian’s expression changed at once. With a sweep of her sleeve, she sent Zheng Linran flying from her seat, crashing heavily to the ground.

“You always profess obedience, and yet, when Master has thought so hard for your sake, you threaten me with death rather than submit! Well, you’re truly a fine disciple!” The Sect Leader of the Feixian Sect had always treated Zheng Linran with great kindness, scolding her at most with stern words, which had always been enough to frighten Linran into fearing that her master would cease to care for her. Never had she imagined such a harsh lesson. Now, realizing Zheng Feixian was truly angry, she dared not utter another word of defiance. Yet whenever she thought of Bu Jingxian, that ugly, foul-smelling beggar, she couldn’t help but grit her teeth and weep in aggrieved silence.

“I have no wish to argue further with you! Let me speak plainly: the secret manual among the treasures of the Divine Soul Sect is most likely the legendary Marrow Cleansing Sutra of Shaolin. With it, you could become one of exceptional power. Your talent is already excellent, but due to your constitution, you may never match or surpass my achievements in martial arts. There are countless gifted young martial artists in the world—if you do not advance, you will fall behind. In future, your own merit alone may not suffice to uphold the prestige of the Feixian Sect. I have always intended for you to inherit the position of Sect Leader. It’s not as though I lack disciples of greater talent, but the Feixian Sect is not merely a martial order—it concerns the fate of Zheng Kingdom itself! Only as a member of the royal clan can I entrust this responsibility. You alone cannot bear such a weight. That is why I am willing to risk displeasing the Northern Spirit Sect Leader and propose this union. Today you may blame me, but in years to come, you will only be grateful! You have two choices: either I cripple your martial arts, expel you from the sect, and send you back to the palace, or you begin, from this moment, to learn how to turn your dislike for Bu Jingxian into affection. When his punishment ends, I will take you to Northern Spirit Mountain to propose marriage. Should you show him any disrespect then, you will be offending me, treating my orders with feigned compliance! Consider carefully. Now leave my sight—I don’t wish to see you again until you have an answer!”

Never in her dreams had Zheng Linran imagined her master would say such things—so cruel and heartless! She knew she was at fault, that she shouldn’t have voiced her defiance, threatening death as an escape. Yet she felt deeply wronged. She would have agreed to marry any disciple of the Northern Spirit Sect—any, that is, except Bu Jingxian!

She had never considered inheriting the position of Sect Leader; until today, Zheng Feixian had never mentioned it. The sect’s four seasonal Elders and twelve Hall Masters were all far more capable and respected. How could such responsibility fall to a young disciple like her? Yet, since Zheng Feixian had spoken, it could not be a lie.

To have her martial arts stripped and be sent back to the palace? Or to marry that grotesque beggar and become the heir to the Feixian Sect?

From childhood, she had revered and admired Zheng Feixian. She knew well that a woman without strength, no matter how beautiful, was doomed to be at the mercy of others, her dignity subject to the whims and charity of men. She did not wish to be that kind of woman; she longed to become strong. Zheng Feixian was just such a woman—no man in the world dared show her disrespect, not even the King of Zheng, who treated her with the utmost courtesy.

That was the future Linran longed for.

To be stripped of her martial arts, to become a frail woman who would be out of breath just lifting ten pounds—just the thought of it made Zheng Linran tremble with fear.

She crouched outside Zheng Feixian’s chamber, her head buried in her arms, weeping helplessly and sobbing without end. The silent night, the lonely villa on the water, the deserted halls—all these only made her feel cold, eerie, and utterly alone.

Qiyue was a night owl; she had to eat her fill before she could sleep. She often brought dishes she had prepared to honor Zheng Feixian, having once discovered by chance that her master enjoyed them and had quite an appetite. It became a habit, and when she learned of the special constitution of the “Energy Vessel,” she guessed her master must have it too and began to come even more often.

Thus, she heard Zheng Linran’s sobs and saw a figure crouched in the corner. At first, she couldn’t believe it was her, but as she drew near, she recognized her. Although Zheng Linran often scolded her, Qiyue didn’t mind; from her second year in the sect, Linran’s hostility had faded. Whenever she returned from a trip, Linran would sometimes bring Qiyue delicious food and clothing. She had long treated her as a junior sister, only complaining about Qiyue’s prodigious appetite.

Qiyue immediately approached to inquire.

Zheng Linran, seeing her, made no effort to hide her vulnerability. She bore Qiyue no ill will, only disliking her lack of decorum—a reason she could never voice. No matter how Qiyue asked, she would only shake her head, growing ever more aggrieved until, finally, she simply hugged Qiyue and wept her heart out.

No matter what Qiyue said, Linran would not answer. Suddenly, Qiyue had an idea and said, “Don’t cry, Senior Sister! Whenever I’m upset, I eat a good meal, and once my belly’s full, I forget all my troubles. It works every time! Why don’t you try? I happened to bring some food…”

She hadn’t finished before Zheng Linran abruptly stopped crying, and as Qiyue opened her basket to take out the food, Linran was already glaring at her with clenched teeth.

“Get out! All you ever think about is eating—do you think I’m like you? Pig! Only a pig forgets everything once it’s full! Can’t you think about anything but food?” she roared. Qiyue had to cover her ears with her fingers. Seeing this, Linran grew even angrier and raised her hand to hit her, but Qiyue snatched up her basket and fled like the wind, leaving Linran fuming and unable to calm down.

Qiyue practiced palm techniques, hidden weapons, and lightfoot skills, and had great endurance. In the past, Linran had chased her, but after being left breathless and unable to catch up, she never bothered again.

After driving Qiyue away, Linran remained furious for quite some time before she gradually calmed down—only to realize that Qiyue’s antics had made her forget her sorrow. Her master’s words returned to her, and she stood motionless for a long while, lost in thought, before finally going to knock at Zheng Feixian’s door.

“Master, your disciple knows she was wrong…”