Chapter 205: Third Palace Master

Chapter 205: Third Palace Master

The love story between the elders of Cold Moon Palace and Purple Sun Sect has been entangled and complex for twenty years.

Not long ago, Duan Song suddenly appeared at Cold Moon Palace with large and small packages, intending to ask for marriage.

Naturally, he was driven off the mountain by the wielder of the Cold Rain Flying Star Sword.

As a result, when disciples from both sects meet now, they feel too awkward to even greet each other.

Su Mo's own Ziyang Escort Agency has deep ties with the Purple Sun Sect.

Whether Su Mo likes it or not, he clearly bears the mark of being a Purple Sun Sect member.

Now that he had arrived at Cold Moon Palace, it would be understandable if they didn't allow him to enter.

He was about to ask for permission when the four women exchanged glances, and one of them stepped forward to ask:

"May I ask, are you Su Mo, Chief Escort of the Ziyang Escort Agency?"

"This..."

Su Mo was taken aback. Wei Ziyi hadn't mentioned his name just now.

But he still nodded. "That's me. But how did you ladies know?"

The Cold Moon Palace disciples exchanged glances and burst into laughter:

"We didn't expect it to actually be Chief Escort Su in person."

"Indeed, as Senior Sister Chu said, you are extraordinary and heroic, a true hero."

One after another, they explained the reason.

It turns out that Su Mo had gained quite a reputation within Cold Moon Palace recently.

The reason was due to the previous trip to Haoran Academy with Yang Xiaoyun, where they encountered Chu Qiuyu.

He had saved their lives several times during that journey.

After returning to the mountain, Chu Qiuyu didn't keep silent about Su Mo's identity.

Instead, she praised him, saying that without Chief Escort Su's help, she and her fellow disciples wouldn't have made it back to the palace.

The story spread throughout Cold Moon Palace.

It even softened the attitude of Cold Moon Palace towards the Purple Sun Sect.

Today, seeing Su Mo at the gate, with the Ziyang Escort Agency's banner fluttering in the wind, they confirmed it was indeed him.

For a moment, they seemed even more excited to see him than they were with Wei Ziyi.

"The Third Palace Master had mentioned that if we ever met Chief Escort Su of the Ziyang Escort Agency, we should invite him up the mountain to properly thank him."

"Chief Escort Su, please come up the mountain. I'll inform the higher-ups immediately."

"Wei Ziyi, could you please guide Chief Escort Su up the mountain?"

Wei Ziyi's lips twitched, reminding herself that she was supposed to be the genius disciple of Cold Moon Palace, highly regarded by her sect.

Why did I end up just guiding the way now that Su Mo is here?

Su Mo hadn't expected this turn of events either and was equally surprised.

"Fine, let’s go."

Wei Ziyi had no choice but to lead the way ahead.

One of the group had already gone up the mountain to report, while another joined the convoy, accompanying them up the mountain.

The remaining two continued to guard the mountain gate.

As they went up the mountain, they had a pleasant conversation.

Su Mo praised the infinite scenery of Wuting Mountain and the magnificent view of Guanxing Peak.

The Cold Moon Palace lady remarked that Chief Escort Su had an extraordinary eye and took the opportunity to explain the origins of Cold Moon Palace.

Su Mo nodded repeatedly.

They chatted and laughed as they made their way up the narrow mountain path to the summit of Guanxing Peak.

A magnificent building sat on the summit platform, which was Cold Moon Palace.

By the time they arrived at the entrance of Cold Moon Palace, the disciples there had already been informed of Su Mo's arrival.

They immediately greeted Su Mo and his group, ushering them into Cold Moon Palace.

This caused quite a stir, attracting many onlookers.

"Is this Chief Escort Su from the Ziyang Escort Agency?"

"Senior Sister Chu was right; he's indeed outstanding."

"I heard that Chief Escort Su has excellent swordsmanship."

"The sword case slung over his shoulder seems to contain a sword. I can sense a hidden sharpness from it."

"Wei Ziyi seems to know him. I wonder what their relationship is."

"Wei Ziyi is now the leader of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance. Since Ziyang Escort Agency is within the territory of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance and they traveled together to Cold Moon Palace, their relationship must be quite good."

"Who can get an introduction to Wei Ziyi?"

"Senior Sister Wei is cold as ice; that'll be difficult."

Amidst the buzz of conversation, Su Mo couldn't help but glance at Wei Ziyi.

So this is what they mean by 'cold as ice'?

But looking at Wei Ziyi now, her features were indeed sharp, her steps measured as if she were counting them.

Each step was the same size, and there was a hint of sharpness in her eyes.

Su Mo blinked and realized that Wei Ziyi wore many masks.

She shows one face when you first meet her, another once you get to know her, and yet another in front of others.

It was hard to know which version was the real her.

"Just as he was wondering what to do, he heard a voice calling out:

'It really is Chief Escort Su.'

Hearing this, Su Mo looked up and saw Chu Qiuyu approaching with several disciples from Cold Moon Palace who looked somewhat familiar to him.

He immediately cupped his fists and greeted her, 'Lady Chu, it's been a while. How have you been?'

'Thanks to Chief Escort Su,' Chu Qiuyu replied with a smile. 'When my junior sister told me, I thought I must have misunderstood. I didn’t expect that it really was you who had arrived at Cold Moon Palace... Oh, Wei Ziyi, you’re back.'

'Senior Sister Chu,' Wei Ziyi nodded slightly. 'Liu Suifeng, wielding Yuliu Jianxin's sword, entered East City. The sect summoned me to return and witness this momentous occasion, so I hurried back overnight.

Once my family elder heard about this, they asked me to bring some gifts back. Since I couldn’t handle it alone, I entrusted the task to the Ziyang Escort Agency.

I didn’t expect that Chief Escort Su and our Cold Moon Palace would have such a deep connection.'

As she said this, she glanced at Su Mo.

Su Mo wasn’t in the mood to call her out on the lie. How he had met Chu Qiuyu and the others from Cold Moon Palace was already known to Wei Ziyi.

She was likely saying this to preserve her reputation for being aloof and unapproachable.

After all, she wouldn’t want people to know that she’s actually quite meticulous.

'I see,' Su Mo replied, nodding slightly."

Chu Qiuyu nodded. "I'll tell you the details later. The Third Palace Master of Cold Moon Palace has invited Chief Escort Su."

"Oh?"

Su Mo was taken aback.

Wei Ziyi was also surprised. "She already knows?"

"Of course."

Chu Qiuyu smiled and said, "Ever since this matter spread within the palace, the Third Palace Master has always spoken highly of Chief Escort Su whenever she mentions him.

"Upon learning that Chief Escort Su has arrived at Cold Moon Palace today, she immediately wanted to invite you for a meeting.

"She wishes to meet this young hero."

Su Mo pondered for a moment. He had planned to settle the escort business first upon arriving here.

However, this was Cold Moon Palace after all, and as the host, it was only natural for the Third Palace Master to want to see him.

It would be impolite to refuse.

He smiled and replied, "If the Third Palace Master commands, how can I dare to disobey? But what about these items..."

"No problem."

Chu Qiuyu said, "I'll have someone take the heroes to settle the items first."

"Very well."

Su Mo took out the bill of lading from his sleeve and handed it to Li the Lead Escort: "Then I'll trouble Li the Lead Escort to check the goods, and remember, not even the slightest item should be missing."

"Yes!"

Li the Lead Escort agreed and, along with Fu Hanyuan, Hu Sandao, and the scar-faced man they had rescued along the way, followed the ladies from Cold Moon Palace, along with the rest of the escort team.

Among them, Hu Sandao, towering and wielding the Golden Thread Great Ring Saber, drew the gaze of the Cold Moon Palace ladies. Several of them almost couldn't resist the urge to challenge him.

The scar-faced man, who had been rescued along the way, was closely following Hu Sandao, mimicking his every move. Even without a blade in hand, he would occasionally swing his hand, as if imagining the sound of rings clashing against the saber.

The sight left several of the younger Cold Moon Palace disciples wide-eyed and speechless.

As they were being settled, Chu Qiuyu cupped her fists and said, "Chief Escort Su, this way please."

"Please."

Su Mo nodded and followed behind Chu Qiuyu.

After just two steps, he heard footsteps beside him. It was Wei Ziyi.

Su Mo looked at Wei Ziyi with some confusion, "Miss Wei, now that you've finally returned to your sect, aren't you going to see your master?"

Wei Ziyi took the opportunity when Chu Qiuyu wasn't paying attention and stuck her tongue out at Su Mo.

Before Su Mo could respond, Chu Qiuyu smiled and said:

"Naturally, upon returning to the sect, the first thing for Miss Wei is to see her master.

"But Chief Escort Su, you may not know that Miss Wei's master is the Third Palace Master."

"..."

Su Mo felt a jolt of surprise, and his steps faltered. He looked up in surprise, "What?"

"The Third Palace Master is my master."

Wei Ziyi glanced at Su Mo, "Didn't Chief Escort Su know?"

"…I thought your master was the Cold Rain Flying Star Sword."

"That's just a nickname people gave her when she was active in the jianghu."

"..."

Su Mo suddenly felt overwhelmed.

Yang Xiaoyun once told me that Wei Ruhan's daughter had become a disciple of one of the Cold Moon Palace's Palace Masters. But that was a long time ago, and the details had long since blurred.

Moreover, no one had referred to her as 'Third Palace Master' before.

Yang Yizhi called her the Cold Rain Flying Star Sword, and when Su Mo used that title, Wei Ziyi had never corrected him by mentioning that her master was the Third Palace Master of Cold Moon Palace.

Only now did Su Mo realize that the Third Palace Master of Cold Moon Palace was none other than the Cold Rain Flying Star Sword.

In the past, this information wouldn't have made much difference to Su Mo.

The Cold Rain Flying Star Sword had a past with his estranged father that was not known to others.

Who knows if there is anything untoward about it?

And when this Third Palace Master heard her name, she praised me in glowing terms... Now that I think about it, it doesn’t seem so straightforward.

To be honest, before coming, Su Mo had considered how to face the Cold Rain Flying Star Sword.

But after some deep contemplation, Su Mo decided to pretend that nothing had happened.

He had only learned about the details from Yang Yizhi, and nothing more.

No one else, including Wei Ziyi, knew that he was aware of these details.

Pretending ignorance would avoid unnecessary awkwardness.

Su Mo just didn’t expect to meet her so soon...

And it was she who wanted to see him. What did she want to say to him?

For a moment, Su Mo found himself distracted.

Chu Qiuyu had been chatting with him on the way, and Su Mo had been responding absentmindedly, managing to remain polite.

However, Wei Ziyi noticed that something was off with Su Mo.

Every now and then, when Chu Qiuyu wasn’t paying attention, Wei Ziyi shot Su Mo a curious glance.

This earned Su Mo a couple of sharp glares from her.

The Third Palace Master’s residence was a quaint, elegant pavilion within the Cold Moon Palace.

When they arrived, Chu Qiuyu said:

“Since Wei Shimei is here, I will take my leave. Chief Escort Su, if you’re free later, I’d like to invite you for a drink at the Star Viewing Platform to show my hospitality.”

“Thank you, I’ll be sure to visit you again soon.”

Su Mo bowed. “I appreciate the invitation.”

“Very well, I will take my leave then.”

Chu Qiuyu smiled and left.

After she was gone, Wei Ziyi let out a long breath and sized Su Mo up:

“What’s going on with you? You’ve been acting really distracted ever since we got here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, who’s scattered?”

Su Mo raised his eyebrows.

“Senior Sister Chu doesn’t know you well enough to notice, but I can see right through you.”

Wei Ziyi was a little surprised. “Don’t tell me you know my master?”

“...The Cold Rain Flying Star Sword is a highly respected elder. I have admired her from afar for a long time, but have never had the chance to meet her.

“Having the chance to meet such a revered elder today is truly an honor.”

Su Mo waved his hand: "Cut the chatter and go inside to announce me."

"Something's off... really off!"

Wei Ziyi shook her head, her unease growing. Something about Su Mo just didn't sit right with her.

However, she didn't dwell on it, and with a step, she mounted the stairs and pushed the door open to enter.

Su Mo stood in place and looked up to see a plaque hanging on the small building, with three characters written on it: "Han Xi Lou."

"Han Xi Lou… or should it be 'Heartbreak West Tower'?"

Su Mo's brow twitched, and he lightly shook his head. Depending on his mood, he could almost feel a hint of longing or regret in those three characters.

But he also realized that his state was very off.

It was all his deadbeat dad's fault—why the hell was he feeling guilty?

After all, he had handled things pretty smoothly when he met Ling Hongxia, hadn't he?

Of course… these two people couldn't be compared.

Ling Hongxia had an open and unrestrained personality, and she never hesitated in such matters, which greatly reduced the awkwardness.

But what kind of person was this Cold Rain Flying Star Sword, who had spent twenty years pining away, refusing to marry?

As he was lost in thought, the door to the small building swung open.

Wei Ziyi stuck her head out and gave Su Mo a quick glance. "Master wants you inside."

"Alright."

Su Mo nodded and stepped forward.

Wei Ziyi opened the door.

Inside, Han Xi Lou was sparsely decorated, its understated elegance tinged with a chill.

He looked up to see a woman in white at the far end of the hall, her head bent over a desk, her brush flying across the paper.

Su Mo glanced at Wei Ziyi, who gave a subtle nod.

She then led Su Mo inside and closed the door again.

As he approached, Su Mo cupped his fists, about to speak, when the woman didn't lift her head but pointed at Wei Ziyi:

"Leave."

The voice was cold, like ice, without a shred of emotion.

Her words carried an edge, like the faint hum of a sword being drawn.

Su Mo's heart skipped a beat, and Wei Ziyi froze in surprise.

"Master, are you asking me to leave?"

"Yes."

The woman's response was brief and decisive.

"..."

Wei Ziyi was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Su Mo, her eyes darting back and forth, clearly seeking an explanation.

Su Mo wore a look of utter confusion, even more confused than she was.

Since he had decided to play dumb, he might as well start from the beginning.

"Still not leaving?"

The woman spoke again.

Wei Ziyi could only respond, "Yes."

Afterward, she glared fiercely at Su Mo, feeling that her master had changed toward her.

Even she, the esteemed leader of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, couldn't help but feel a little emotional at this moment.

Once Wei Ziyi had stepped out of the Han Xi Lou and closed the door,

Su Mo once again cupped his fists, just about to speak.

The woman, however, seemed to lack the habit of letting people introduce themselves, and simply said:

"Do you like that young woman?"

"Ah?"

Su Mo was taken aback. "Who?"

"Wei Ziyi."

The woman said without lifting her head, "Her grandfather has likely already mentioned that he wants to arrange a marriage between you and his granddaughter.

"Don't try to use your existing engagement as an excuse—it's not a problem.

"I'm only asking you one thing... do you like her?"

"..."

Su Mo was momentarily speechless, gently shaking his head. "There are no romantic feelings between us."

"Hmm?"

The woman's brush, which had been gliding smoothly, suddenly stopped. "Quite straightforward, not like him... very good.

"But do you even understand what romantic feelings are?"

"..."

Su Mo was at a loss for words. "Senior, do we really need to discuss this?"

"Why not..."

As she spoke, she sighed deeply and finally raised her head, revealing a refined and stunningly beautiful face.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, without a trace of age.

There was a hidden divine light in her eyes, but it was clear and cold, with no trace of worldly concerns.

"Do you think I'm too old to talk about this? Or is it that you believe, as a junior, it's inappropriate to discuss this with me, your elder?"

"This..."

Su Mo was momentarily speechless and could only say, "We’ve only just met, Senior..."

"No."

"Huh?"

"I saw you when you were still in your cradle."

A faint smile flickered at the corner of her lips, as if recalling something. But the smile vanished in an instant.

Su Mo raised his eyebrows. Was she planning to be open with him?

Before he could fully process it, he suddenly felt the air around him turn deathly cold.

Suddenly, the air was filled with the faint hum of swords.

When he looked up, her expression had turned as cold as ice, and she was staring intently at Su Mo:

"Do you know what I intended to do when I first saw you?"

"Please tell me, Senior."

Su Mo looked up and met her gaze.

She parted her lips slightly and spoke two chilling words:

"Kill you."