24. Unmasked ×2

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Below the Cloud-Gazing Palace, dozens of disciples dressed in azure robes stood silently with their heads bowed.

Yuan Daojun stood alone on the high pavilion, hands clasped behind his back, exuding the refined air of an immortal: "...You must all keep this in your hearts: never use your status to bully others, treat all things with benevolence, and do not be rash or impatient..."

The dozens of Cloud-Gazing Palace disciples bowed their heads in obedience: "Yes."

Having finished his admonitions, Yuan Daojun was about to take flight when his gaze swept across the crowd. Among the quiet disciples below, one stood out, clearly lost in thought.

Dressed in the same azure robes, with a temperament as cold as the moon, this person wore a look of utter laziness. When they caught his gaze, they simply nodded in a relaxed manner and popped a candied fruit into their mouth.

Yuan Daojun’s face twitched violently.

"...This time, the child of an old friend of mine will be traveling with you as well."

Yuan Daojun glared fiercely at Sheng Ningyu, deliberately emphasizing his tone.

"Once you arrive at the Qingyi Academy, do not stir up trouble!"

With those words, Yuan Daojun turned and vanished with a flick of his sleeves, leaving behind words that left many disciples baffled.

Yao Youling murmured, "The Old Patriarch’s last two sentences don't seem to have much connection—Senior Sister Mingyue, what do you think he meant? Could he be hinting at something?"

Sheng Ningyu chewed on her candied fruit, handed a few to the surrounding disciples, and mumbled vaguely, "Who knows? Perhaps he’s getting old and his memory is a bit hazy."

The disciples around her were stunned for a moment, then gasped in realization: "Senior Sister Mingyue’s words—they actually make some sense!"

At their age, these youths were at that rebellious stage where they were eager to defy their elders. Recalling the Old Patriarch's inexplicable actions recently—first half-sealing the Yuan family and the Cloud-Gazing Palace, then putting all the disciples through grueling training, not in cultivation techniques, but in memorizing how to save lives and treat wounds with limited medical supplies—it certainly seemed like he had gone senile!

One disciple whispered, "Since when has our Cloud-Gazing Palace ever lacked medical supplies?"

"It’s not like the old days when the demon race invaded. The demons have been quiet lately; at most, we run into a puppet barrier. Where would so many disasters come from that we’d need to handle?"

"The Old Patriarch is overthinking things."

"Exactly, exactly." Sheng Ningyu popped another candied fruit into her mouth, but changed the subject, "However, the Old Patriarch is just being cautious—better safe than sorry. If we truly reach a desperate situation, a useless good-for-nothing like me will have to rely on all of you."

"Senior Sister Mingyue, how can you say that!"

"It’s all the fault of those villains who treated you so harshly. Don't be afraid, Senior Sister; there certainly won't be people like that at the Qingyi Academy."

"But Senior Sister Mingyue is right, it seems the Old Palace Master’s concerns aren't entirely groundless."

"It seems we must practice even harder."

*Such good children,* Sheng Ningyu sighed inwardly. That was why she loved the medical cultivators of the Cloud-Gazing Palace the most. They were all youths in their prime; with a few kind words, they would practically offer up their hearts. Even the eldest among them, Yuan Shuhe, had spent these years immersed in secluded cultivation and remained emotionally immature.

Thinking of Yuan Shuhe, Sheng Ningyu scanned the crowd and found him looking at her several times, his expression complex and hesitant.

Sheng Ningyu: "?"

This was the first time she had seen Yuan Shuhe since arriving at the Cloud-Gazing Palace. She wondered if Yuan Daojun had told him something, but she felt it was unlikely. Even if Yuan Daojun were to reveal her identity, he would have told Yuan Bushu, who was going to lecture at the Qingyi Academy, not a boy as immature as Yuan Shuhe.

Sheng Ningyu took a few steps toward Yuan Shuhe, and just as she was about to speak, she heard a cold snort behind her.

The crowd parted automatically as the golden-clad young master, Jin Xianyao, stepped forward. He walked up to Sheng Ningyu, lowered his voice, and said through gritted teeth, "I’m warning you, no matter what kind of vixen tricks you have, you are not allowed to use them on my sister, do you hear me!"

*Oh,* it seemed the cute little brother had just been released from confinement and didn't know what had happened yet.

Sheng Ningyu raised an eyebrow, about to say something, when her gaze shifted.

"I have noted everything you said, Fellow Daoist Jin," Sheng Ningyu smiled weakly and said slowly, "But Sister A-Yan just likes me, what can I do?"

*A provocation! This was a blatant provocation!*

Jin Xianyao’s eyes widened. He pushed aside Yao Youling, who was trying to intervene, and stepped directly in front of Sheng Ningyu. "My sister loves my brother-in-law the most! Why would she like you? Tell me, what does she like about you?"

He was so focused on Sheng Ningyu that he didn't notice the surrounding disciples covering their faces, unable to bear watching. Yao Youling shrugged, giving up on saving him.

Sheng Ningyu sighed with melancholy, "Whether it is talent or aptitude, I know I cannot compare to the Palace Master. However, there is one thing where the Palace Master cannot compare to me."

Jin Xianyao was ready to jump: "What does my brother-in-law not have that you do?"

Sheng Ningyu pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and smiled shyly: "I am young, and Sister A-Yan just likes the young ones."

"You—"

"Jin Xianyao."

Lady Xiang appeared behind them. She stood between the two, but her face lacked her usual gentle smile.

Sheng Ningyu stepped forward, leaning into Lady Xiang’s embrace, and said with dramatic flair, "Sister A-Yan, don't be angry on my account, or I will be sad too."

Seeing her act like this, Xiang Bieyun knew she was teasing, but she remained worried about Jin Xianyao, her face showing a rare severity.

"Jin Xianyao, if you cause trouble again and fail to show brotherly love to your fellow disciples, don't bother going to the Qingyi Academy."

"Yes, sister, I understand," Jin Xianyao muttered sulkily. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of that affected woman and gritted his teeth, unable to resist shooting her a glare.

*Hmph, just wait until we get to the Academy, I'll make you pay!*

Buried against Xiang Bieyun’s shoulder, Sheng Ningyu was shaking with silent laughter.

Yao Youling finally couldn't take it anymore: "Jin Xianyao, Fellow Daoist Wang is your sister's sister. By that logic, you should be calling her 'Sister' too!"

Jin Xianyao, who had been glaring at her, opened his eyes wide: "Huh?"

"Is that true?" he asked suspiciously, "Are you lying to me again?"

"How could it be a lie?"

"Then why didn't you say so earlier?!"

"Ha, I wanted to say it, but wasn't I pushed aside by you, Young Master Jin?"

Xiang Bieyun watched the children playing with a smile until a cold, sharp voice spoke up: "Is it her?"

"It is her," Xiang Bieyun whispered her husband's courtesy name, "Feifou, you must treat her well."

Yuan Bushu followed his wife’s gaze toward the crowd. He saw the young girl at a single glance.

Clear as the wind and moon, her features were vaguely familiar, like an old friend. Yet, this girl was gentle and yielding; even when bullied, she could only hide against his wife’s shoulder, lacking the unrestrained, free-spirited nature of the person from back then.

His companion said, "The Old Patriarch must have told you... She has suffered so much. Feifou, please take good care of her for me, will you?"

His father had said, "I assume your wife has already told you? She—sigh, it's all just a tangled fate. If I were to hide her appearance any longer, people would only grow suspicious. Look after her on the journey; it’s the least we can do for... the sake of our past connection."

Yuan Bushu was always a man of few words. He saw the sorrow in his wife and father and didn't want to bring it up again, so he conducted his own investigation.

—Wang Mingyue.

He committed the name of this junior to memory.

Yuan Bushu was never one to seek out body doubles. He was a man of integrity. Even though he had been on close terms with the senior brother of that former Moon-Bright Sword Venerable, Yan Ruzhao, he would never use someone who looked so similar to a friend's junior sister as a replacement. That would be an insult to his friend and to that Sword Venerable.

Yuan Bushu knew his friend's temperament and knew how much Yan Ruzhao had struggled over the years to track down his junior sister's trail. As for the rumors about the Spirit Bone—Yuan Bushu was certain it was seven parts false and three parts true. Perhaps the Ghost Cang Tower truly possessed some of the Sword Venerable's Spirit Bone, but certainly not all of it.

It was just that Yan Ruzhao had always been the type of person who would "sleep until the fourth watch even if the King of Hell called for his soul at the fifth," and no one could disrupt his plans, not even himself. Thus, Yuan Bushu’s inquiries had all gone unanswered.

Yuan Bushu replied, "Don't worry, my dear."

When he arrived, he saw from afar the girl leaning against his wife, looking extremely docile.

Yuan Bushu thought that having witnessed the Academy years of that Sword Venerable, surely this Miss Wang Mingyue could not possibly compare to the Moon-Bright Sword Venerable?

"Greetings, Palace Master."

"Greetings, Palace Master!"

Amidst the chorus of greetings, Yuan Bushu rose into the air, hovering above the crowd. He flipped his hand and tossed an object upward. Initially only the size of a walnut, it expanded in the air until it became a massive spirit ship.

"Is this our spirit ship?"

"How magnificent!"

Listening to the gasps of the disciples beside her, Sheng Ningyu felt a thousand emotions. She had seen this ship once before, on her last trip to the Qingyi Academy.

Sheng Ningyu boarded the ship with the other disciples, and sure enough, she saw the familiar inscription on both sides:

*The bitter sea is boundless; a single leaf of a boat serves as a crossing.*
*All living things have an end; the Dao heart of righteousness shall endure forever.*

Sheng Ningyu habitually touched the character for "bitter," when a voice came from behind.

"What are you doing?"

Sheng Ningyu turned around; it was Yuan Bushu. This Palace Master clearly held great authority, and the disciples fell silent, not daring to speak.

Looking at Yuan Bushu's expression, Sheng Ningyu blinked, and a guess suddenly popped into her head.

*Wait, he doesn't know who I am, does he?*

Sheng Ningyu’s eyebrows twitched: "In reply to the Palace Master, the disciple found the plum blossoms carved on the ship truly beautiful and couldn't help but touch them, momentarily forgetting myself. I ask for the Palace Master’s forgiveness."

Yuan Bushu: "It is no matter." He looked at Sheng Ningyu again, unable to help but drift into a trance.

*She is truly too similar.*

*...No, it should not be so.*

To think this way was unfair to both the Sword Venerable and this sister-in-law.

Yuan Bushu retracted his gaze and swept it across the disciples who were bowing their heads in fear. "You are all boarding the flying ship for the first time, so it is understandable to be distracted. After one stick of incense, return to your rooms to cultivate."

Yuan Bushu turned and left as soon as he spoke, not even acknowledging Yuan Shuhe.

Sheng Ningyu raised her eyebrows. *I wonder what the Old Patriarch did to keep Yuan Bushu from recognizing me?*

Once Yuan Bushu left, the disciples scattered like birds and beasts. Beside her, Ji Qingwu exhaled softly. Yao Youling leaned over to Sheng Ningyu, whispering in admiration: "I thought the Palace Master was going to punish us; I didn't even dare to breathe. Fellow Daoist Mingyue, you actually dared to answer him—you're amazing!" As he spoke, he gave her a thumbs-up.

"Palace Master Yuan is not that kind of person."

"My brother is not that kind of person."

Both voices rang out simultaneously. Sheng Ningyu turned her head and met Yuan Shuhe’s face. The young boy was blushing, eager to defend his brother. Sheng Ningyu smiled, walked up to him, and lowered her voice: "Young Master Yuan seems to have something to say to me?"

Yuan Shuhe’s expression became conflicted again. He stood there for a moment, thinking, before finally saying: "When we arrive at the Academy, I, I will speak with you in detail."

*At the Academy?*

That wouldn't be long.

This time, the Academy was spearheaded by Feng Xiaosheng, the most renowned young clan leader of the Phoenix race. For some reason, she had chosen not to build it near her own Silver Bamboo City, nor at the old site near the Sword Pavilion, but at the intersection of the two.

"Look! That’s our Academy!"

"Let me see! Let me see!"

The sacred mountain stood majestically, wreathed in purple mist. The golden towers and jade halls were adorned with soaring dragons and phoenixes; the eaves were tiled in emerald and crimson. At the very center, the characters "Qingyi Academy" were written in an ethereal yet powerful hand, displaying a divine majesty that made onlookers feel a sense of awe.

Until they disembarked from the ship, the disciples were still gasping in wonder.

Sheng Ningyu lazily stretched.

Yuan Bushu was representing the Cloud-Gazing Palace to record their names. They were stationed in the square outside the main hall of the Qingyi Academy. As the disciples chattered among themselves, Sheng Ningyu joined in.

"Silver Bamboo City has many treasures, and being located here makes it a hub for all directions. It will be convenient for us to watch the bustle in the future."

"Silver Bamboo City?" The Cloud-Gazing Palace disciple paused, then chuckled honestly, "Fellow Daoist Wang, you mean 'Moon-Chasing City,' right? Hearing the old name took me a moment to register."

*Moon-Chasing City?*

Sheng Ningyu was stunned, but before she could speak, she heard a voice from behind.

"...Sister Ningyu."

Chu Jiye stared blankly at that figure. In an instant, a joy of recovery swept through his entire being. Plain clothes, green gauze, a youthful face.

But he knew—this had to be her.

She was the Moon-Bright he dreamt of, the Sister Ningyu he thought of day and night.

Chu Jiye had originally planned to head to the Spirit Huan Dock, but he had been met with a closed door. The Old Patriarch had used the excuse of "making preparations for the reopening of the Qingyi Academy" to semi-seal the Cloud-Gazing Palace. But he had not given up; he chose to wait below the Qingyi Academy.

*Thank goodness.*

Chu Jiye thought, *Thank goodness, I waited.*

*Bad luck!* Sheng Ningyu cursed inwardly and turned to leave, but the person behind her was relentless.

"Sister Ningyu..."

Without the presence of elders like Chu Qing, the other retainers dared not challenge their Clan Leader. Thus, Chu Jiye stepped forward and grabbed Sheng Ningyu’s sleeve. Even after making this move, he seemed to be in a daze, speaking as if in a dream: "Why do you ignore me? Why didn't you come looking for me?"

"But it doesn't matter... it doesn't matter," his voice drifted like light on the sea, "As long as you’ve returned, that’s all that matters."

*This is the Clan Leader of the Chu family!*

*Why is he here? And why is he tugging at our Cloud-Gazing Palace’s Fellow Daoist Wang?!*

The Cloud-Gazing Palace disciples’ eyes widened. Some tried to intervene but were blocked by the Chu family retainers. Yuan Shuhe saw that the situation was bad and secretly formed a seal to send a message to his brother. Others from various sects were eager to see what was happening.

Surrounded by the gaze of the crowd, Sheng Ningyu felt her expression turn cold. This was the disadvantage of having no complete Spirit Bone and no spiritual power. If this were the old days, she would have slashed him with a sword; who would have dared defy her?

Sheng Ningyu used all her strength to pull her sleeve away, but to no avail. Her tone turned even colder: "What does the Chu Clan Leader think he is doing?"

A simple sentence, but it sent Chu Jiye’s emotions into turmoil. Under the eyes of the crowd, he no longer remembered his status or the infinite honor and glory he possessed. He felt as if he had nothing, as if he were still that insignificant Chu family child from back then.

A dull pain struck his heart.

Chu Jiye’s eyes turned red. Just like every time he had made a mistake sixty years ago, he gripped the fabric in his hand tightly, and with a near-masochistic fervor, he pierced his own spiritual power into his hand. In an instant, his hand was covered in blood.

"I am your betrothed—Ningyu, I’ve come to take you home."

In the past, whenever he did this, Sister Ningyu would always soften. She couldn't bear to see him sad.

"The Chu Clan Leader flatters me," Sheng Ningyu curled her lips, "This person and the Chu Clan Leader have never met, nor have we ever laid eyes on each other. I would hate for such words to be spoken."

The words were merciless, to the point that everyone familiar with the Chu Clan Leader’s temper felt their scalps tingle. Yet, no one expected that this notorious and capricious Clan Leader would show no sign of anger.

"I know you are angry with me."

Chu Jiye lowered his head, his posture so yielding and obedient that everyone was shocked: "You can be angry with me, you can punish me, but please don't ignore me—Ningyu, you cannot cast me aside."

She was the one who had chosen him from the crowd; she was the one who had reached out to him first. How could she ignore him? How could she treat him like discarded shoes?

Yao Youling gasped and muttered: "Is he really the same Chu Clan Leader we met the other day?" *Had he been possessed?*

Chu Jiye could feel the gazes like needles on his back, and he knew how malicious the speculation would be, but he didn't care.

All things were like dust; only the bright moon was worth meeting.

Chu Jiye spoke in a tone that was almost a plea: "Those things—all of them, I can explain. It was all a misunderstanding, I was just young and impulsive... Sister Ningyu, come back with me first, I will explain it to you one by one, okay?"

*Okay?*

*Not a chance.*

As he got closer, Sheng Ningyu’s right hand began to ache again. The moment Chu Chang'an grabbed her sleeve, his spiritual power and blood flowed out, and she felt her Spirit Bone.

It was close at hand.

Unfortunately, as the owner, when the Spirit Bone was nearby, Sheng Ningyu could not only feel it, but also relive the pain of the day it was carved out. First, her finger bones throbbed, then her right wrist.

The pain was so intense that cold sweat beaded on her palms. Sheng Ningyu had no time to retort, fearing that if she opened her mouth, she would only gasp.

*Being carved alive.*

*...It hurts.*

*It hurts too much.*

Sheng Ningyu twitched her lips and tightened her hand, the finger bones emitting a grinding sound that set one’s teeth on edge. While in pain, she still had the presence of mind to think: *Since part of the Spirit Bone is with Chu Chang'an, the conspiracy to seal it must also be related to him—thank goodness I dodged in time in the woods that day, otherwise I would have delivered myself right to his doorstep.*

*After this, I must find a way to get the Spirit Bone back without anyone noticing.*

Seeing that she didn't speak, Chu Jiye felt a spark of hope and reached out to cover her hand, but was suddenly pierced by a surge of spiritual power!

This spiritual power struck like a sword light, coming from behind with the speed of a snowy shadow. It was sharp, cold as ice, and carried a killing intent that sought to end his life.

This was merely a single surge of spiritual power. Even though Chu Jiye had reached the Heaven-Authority Realm, he was still shocked.

Chu Jiye was forced to release Sheng Ningyu’s sleeve and somersault to evade. As he landed, his deep blue robes flowing like the sea, he shed his previous submissive demeanor and looked toward the source of the spiritual power with a sinister gaze.

Before he could speak, the Chu retainers raged: "Who is so arrogant as to dare ambush the Chu Clan Leader from behind?"

Before they could say more, a figure in snowy robes descended, as graceful as a jade phoenix.

The familiar scent enveloped her. Sheng Ningyu slowly moved her eyes. Her right hand didn't seem to hurt as much anymore. She tilted her head and smiled at the newcomer.

This was the first time she had shown a different expression since just now.

But she was smiling at someone else.

Chu Jiye’s jealousy burned like a raging fire, his expression darkening further. With barely concealed disgust and hostility, he unleashed a wave of overwhelming spiritual pressure toward the person in white!

Chu Jiye said coldly: "Who are you?"

Those around them were terrified; some even began to tremble. Under the eyes of all, the white robes fluttered like snow in the daylight.

Xie Qianjing stepped forward, moving closer to Sheng Ningyu. He took her hand and smiled faintly at the increasingly terrifying Chu Clan Leader.

"I am her Dao companion."