Chapter Nineteen: One Month Earlier

Update time: 2013-05-19

The man in the black robe forced himself to suppress the shock and inexplicable sense of familiarity surging within. Those similar brows and eyes—could it be that the words spoken by that middle-aged man who broke in a month ago were true? How could that be possible? It was far too absurd. No, he had to get to the bottom of it. His steps did not falter, but his thoughts drifted back to a month prior.

That day, as usual, he was practicing a sword technique his master had taught him in the courtyard. His junior sister, Yao Yao, burst in, brimming with excitement. She grabbed his sleeve and tugged at him, chattering nonstop: "Brother Chuchen, how can you be so leisurely here? Hurry, hurry! Someone actually broke through the Soul Severing Array outside the sect, and now the elders have captured them and are interrogating them! Come on, let's go watch the spectacle!"

Her words dispelled much of his annoyance at being disturbed, replaced by growing curiosity. Unable to resist, he asked, "Who could be so bold?"

Yao Yao didn't even look back as she replied, "The gate disciples said the Second Elder mentioned they are the heads of the three great clans." Her tone overflowed with excitement.

At this, Chuchen was filled with astonishment. The heads of the three great clans—how could they have been captured? How did they learn the main headquarters of the Hidden Sect was located at Phoenix Ridge? Who leaked it? What was their purpose this time? Chuchen unconsciously paused, pondering the possible consequences.

Seeing him stop, Yao Yao was displeased. Unable to move him with one hand, she used both, exerting all her strength, even channeling her martial arts, but still failed to budge him. Anxious, she cursed inwardly: Dead Chuchen, stupid Chuchen, why stop for no reason? If you don't go, the elders surely won't let us into Moyan Hall to listen. Forget it, better use the ultimate weapon.

"I heard this has something to do with Master…" Yao Yao blinked, deliberately drawing out her words.

As expected, Chuchen lost his composure upon hearing it involved their master, bypassed Yao Yao, and strode toward Moyan Hall. "Keep up."

Yao Yao made a face, suppressing the urge to spit blood. Hmph, who wasn't in a hurry just now? This debt is noted, but spectating comes first. "Slow down, wait for me!" she called, hurrying after him.

When the two arrived at Moyan Hall, the guards at the door looked troubled but ultimately dared not stop Chuchen too much. Yao Yao clung to his sleeve and marched right in, glaring at the guards as if to say, Why aren't you stopping us now!

The guards clearly understood her look, their lips twitching slightly.

Inside Moyan Hall, Chuchen and Yao Yao immediately saw several people seated in two rows. On the left sat the Hidden Sect’s Second Elder Meng Yuan, Third Elder Meng Chi, and Fifth Elder Meng Zhan. On the right were three dignified middle-aged men, their attire somewhat disheveled—undoubtedly the heads of the three great clans.

The elders were slightly surprised to see Meng Chuchen, but upon spotting his little shadow trailing behind, they understood. The three rose and greeted in unison, "Young Master!" The three men on the right were also surprised, the central figure showing a hint of suppressed excitement.

Chuchen nodded slightly, noting the changes in their expressions, then took the seat of honor. Yao Yao wisely stood behind him, and the maids in the hall promptly served tea.

"May I ask what brings the three clan heads to our humble abode?"

"No need for such courtesy, Young Master," replied the man in the dark robe on the far right calmly. "We, Brother Zhou and Brother Yue, broke into Phoenix Ridge merely to visit an old friend. By a twist of fate, we ended up in your sect’s main headquarters."

"Indeed," added the man in black on the third seat, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "who would have thought the Hidden Sect’s main headquarters was concealed here in Phoenix Ridge? We didn’t find our old friend, but this is quite a discovery. Your sect’s secrecy is commendable, and the formation outside is truly formidable—it trapped us for half a month. As for your hospitality, Zhou here finds it lacking!"

Chuchen frowned slightly. This Zhou clan head seemed to have a hidden meaning. He looked to the Second Elder and asked, "Second Elder, what does Zhou clan head mean by this?"

"Young Master," Meng Yuan replied, "as the headquarters is highly confidential, we gave each of them a Dissolving Pill. We have already explained this to the clan heads and promised to provide the antidote upon their departure. Clan heads Yue and Yu Wen understood, but Clan head Zhou remains dissatisfied."

Though Meng Yuan’s words were explanatory, there was a clear undertone of irony towards Clan head Zhou. Other heads accepted it, but Zhou just kept quibbling—look at their magnanimity, look at yours.

"You…" Zhou was so vexed he could hardly speak. Anything he said now would only confirm his pettiness. He angrily gulped down his tea and fell silent.

"In that case, I hope you three will forgive us. Chuchen guarantees you’ll receive the antidote upon leaving. Here within our sect, you are absolutely safe," Chuchen assured, his gaze lingering on Clan head Yue, who had been watching him intently since he entered, especially after hearing his name, his eyes filled with excitement barely suppressed. Chuchen asked, "May I ask who the old friend you seek is?"

Yue Zhanpeng, struggling to contain his excitement, replied, voice trembling, "We are searching for a woman named Meng Yue."

Chuchen had never heard this name and cast a questioning look at Meng Chi, who managed the records. Meng Chi quickly answered, "We’ve checked—there is no such person."

"I have a portrait here. Please, Young Master, look it over before deciding," Yue Zhanpeng interjected, not waiting for Meng Chi to finish. He took out a silk handkerchief from his chest and looked at Chuchen with hope.

Yao Yao, unable to restrain herself, stepped forward and took the handkerchief before Chuchen could speak. Chuchen opened it, and Yao Yao peeked, only to see a stunning woman painted on the silk—her almond eyes dreamy, a smile playing on her lips. Yao Yao’s pupils widened, barely resisting the urge to cry out, but Chuchen’s warning glance forced her to swallow her reaction.

Chuchen himself was startled. Aside from the jet-black hair, the brows and eyes on the woman in the portrait were unmistakably those of his master in her normal state. What was the relationship between this man and his master? Why did he carry his master’s portrait so closely?

Though Chuchen’s shock was fleeting, those seated below were far from ordinary. The three clan heads exchanged glances, excitement clear in their eyes. It seemed she truly was here.

"Clan head Yue, may I ask—who is the person in this portrait?"

"She is my beloved wife, and sworn sister to Brother Yu Wen and Brother Zhou. Twelve years ago, she was gravely injured and taken away for treatment by her senior sister, and has not returned since. Young Master, do you recognize her?" Yue Zhanpeng looked at him full of hope.

He had no idea that Chuchen’s heart was in turmoil. His master, married? Why had she never mentioned it to him or the elders? If what Clan head Yue said was true, how did his master become what she was now? Chuchen had many questions that needed answers, but first, he had to deal with the guests before him.

"I do not know the person in the portrait, but I can show it to my master and inquire for you, if you permit."

The three seated below were already certain that the young man and woman who examined the portrait must know their sworn sister. Having already been delayed in the formation for over ten days, a few more days mattered little, so they agreed.

"Meng Chi, take the three clan heads and arrange suitable accommodations."

"Yes," Meng Chi replied, rising and saluting the three. "Clan heads, please follow me."

Under Meng Chi’s arrangement, Yue Zhanpeng and his companions were lodged in a private courtyard. Along the way, the three took turns subtly probing Meng Chi, extracting much information. It turned out the so-called Young Master was the adopted son of the Hidden Sect’s leader.

Meng Chi, unable to bear their relentless questioning, finally found an excuse to flee the courtyard, breathing a sigh of relief and cursing them as old foxes. He hurried to Moyan Hall to report everything to Chuchen.

Hearing the three were investigating him, Chuchen became even more suspicious. He ordered the elders, "Third Elder, issue orders—no disciple is to divulge any information about the sect to the guests. If they leave the courtyard, persuade them to return, citing inconvenience. Second Elder, investigate the background of the woman mentioned by the three, and report to me. Fifth Elder, send word to the Grand Elder out patrolling—there’s been a change at headquarters, return immediately! Hurry!"

"Yes!" The three saluted and left.

Yao Yao finally whispered, "Brother Chuchen, the portrait..."

"No one is to mention it. I’ll speak to master first," Chuchen replied, still uneasy. "If you can’t keep your mouth shut, move to the back mountain where master is in seclusion!"

Yao Yao also sensed something was amiss, and though she was full of questions, seeing her brother’s warning gaze, she agreed, "Alright, I’ll move right away."

Chuchen nodded in satisfaction.

The next day, Chuchen reviewed the information the Second Elder had gathered. He could now confirm that his master was indeed the woman in the silk handkerchief, Yue Zhanpeng’s wife. The documents also mentioned they had three children, the youngest named Yue Lian Yue, who was the same age as Chuchen. Yet, his master had never spoken of this. Filled with doubts, he made his way to the secluded mountain where his master was in retreat. He and Yao Yao waited several days, but she did not emerge, so he resolved to visit the Yue residence himself.

After descending the mountain, Chuchen had intended to sneak into the Yue residence at night, but after investigating, he found the outer defenses loose yet inner ones tight. Even with his current skills, entering the inner residence undetected would not be easy. As he considered abandoning the plan, he learned that the Yue residence would host a banquet on the twenty-fifth, just three days away, so he decided to wait.

With nothing else to occupy him, he used the time to study the true Plum Blossom Triple Formation; the simplified version behind the mountain he had long since mastered. He had always been curious why his master knew the unique formation of the Yue residence. Now, thinking back, it didn’t seem so strange.

He couldn’t enter the inner residence, but getting into the Plum Garden posed no difficulty at all. The whole garden had only an elderly gardener versed in martial arts. As long as he was careful, he wouldn’t be discovered. There was even a refined cottage within the formation, so Chuchen simply settled in, which led to the events that later unfolded in the plum garden.