Chapter 309: The Arrival of the Young Miss

Chapter 309: The Young Miss Arrives

In a corner of the inner courtyard of Wusheng Hall, there stands a small building.

This is the residence of Wusheng Hall's young princess, Wan Yilan.

The location of this building is superb, and its interior is exquisitely decorated. On the second floor, there is a large window.

Opening the window offers a serene view of green mountains and a babbling stream.

In her free time, Wan Yilan loves to play the *qin* or paint here.

Whenever she sits here, gazing at the verdant mountains, she feels a sense of peace in her heart.

But today, for some reason, since the drum was struck, she has felt uneasy.

She wanted to head to the main hall to see what was going on.

But her mom initially said no.

Now, even though her mother isn't around anymore, several maids are stationed nearby, never leaving her side.

These maids, though they're called that, are actually martial arts masters from her mother's side.

Trying to slip past their watchful eyes and push through would be really tough for her on her own.

For a while, she knitted her brows, feeling unhappy.

"She's not as good as Zhu Xiu...

"Even though Zhu Xiu's a traitor, she's loyal to my father.

"But if I'm careful, she's much easier to fool."

She sighed softly, remembering the talk her parents had in the study last night, and a sad look crossed her face.

Just as she sighed, she suddenly felt a familiar tug at her heart and immediately looked toward the door. A moment later, there was a soft knock.

"Come on in, Senior Brother."

Wan Yilan glanced at the door, somewhat resigned. "How many times have you pulled this trick? You can't trick me."

The door opened, and standing outside was Li Xuechun.

He walked in casually, sword in hand, looking a bit lazy, shaking his head as he came in:

"So boring, so boring, it's always like this. You're just cheating, right?"

"What do you mean cheating? This is my talent. If you're not as skilled, who can you blame?"

Wan Yilan couldn't help but laugh. "If you want to do it, then you better work hard and practice."

"...Since when do you get to tell me that?"

Li Xuechun was momentarily speechless. He casually shut the door and sat down opposite Wan Yilan:

"But seriously, are you really not going to give marrying me a shot?"

"Look, we've grown up together like siblings.

"I've always cherished you, and you've always looked out for me.

"Moreover, you seem to have an uncanny connection with me.

"As soon as I come within ten zhang of you, you always sense it.

"This is practically a heaven-sent ability.

"Us being a pair is truly a match made in heaven.

"Our parents are all for it, so why not?

"Why are you always hung up on Wan Zangxin?"

"...If you keep talking like that, I'll go tell You Niang."

Wan Yilan's eyes sparkled with mischief.

"No, no!"

Li Xuechun quickly gave in: "I was just joking around, don't go blabbing to You Niang!"

"That depends on whether you keep talking nonsense."

Wan Yilan shot him a sideways glance.

"I won't, I won't, I promise!"

Li Xuechun sighed.

He and Wan Yilan had grown up together, and indeed, their bond was very strong.

However, it wasn't love.

At first, neither of them understood this, thinking they were in love.

But later, Li Xuechun met You Niang, and Wan Yilan met Wan Zangxin.

Only then did they realize what they felt was more like sibling affection.

After the teasing, Li Xuechun glanced at Wan Yilan:

"Not mad at me anymore?"

"Hmph."

Wan Yilan's brows slightly furrowed.

When the news about Wan Zangxin came out, Li Xuechun knew about it.

But he knew his junior sister's temperament well.

She seemed fragile, but she was strong-willed and stubborn.

If she found out Wan Zangxin had died, this little princess might not survive the grief.

That's why he couldn't bring himself to tell her.

During that period, Wan Yutang and Madam Wan had forbidden him from visiting Wan Yilan.

So he naturally kept it hidden.

Later, when the incident occurred, he came to see Wan Yilan again, but she was no longer willing to speak to him.

Li Xuechun was genuinely surprised they could talk so much today.

However, Wan Yilan didn’t want to dwell on the matter and instead asked:

“Why are you here today? The drums have already started beating. Shouldn’t you be out watching the excitement? What are you doing here with me?”

“You ungrateful little thing.”

Li Xuechun glared at her: “How could I forget you at such a big event? Of course, I came to take you to see the fun too.”

“!!!!”

Only then did Wan Yilan catch on:

“Wait, how did you get in? Mother has her Twelve Golden Rings guarding downstairs.”

“The Twelve Golden Rings might be tough, but how could they stop me, Li Xuechun, the Cloud Dragon in the Wind?”

“Enough with your bragging, and now you’re making up nicknames… Senior Brother, can’t we have some self-respect?”

Wan Yilan frowned: “But while it’s easy for you to sneak in alone, if we both leave, they’ll probably notice…”

“So…”

Li Xuechun extended his hand: “Once more?”

“…”

Wan Yilan hesitated, looking at Li Xuechun’s outstretched hand.

Though both had mastered many martial arts, and Wan Yilan had even studied under Ren Xiongfei, the Deputy Hall Master of the Tenth Hall, their foundation had been laid by Wan Yutang.

One trained in the “Great Sun Origin-Pulling Technique,” while the other in the “Luminous Moon Profound Heart Manual.”

At first, they didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, but as their internal strength grew, they realized these two martial arts could achieve the “Sun and Moon Sharing the Sky” effect.

Wan Yilan’s ability to sense Li Xuechun came from this.

But for some reason, even though Wan Yilan’s internal strength was much weaker than Li Xuechun’s, she could sense him, while he couldn’t sense her.

Now, Li Xuechun extended his hand specifically to activate the “Sun and Moon Sharing the Sky.”

But after Li Xuechun met You Niang and Wan Yilan met Wan Zangxin, they both avoided this move.

After all, holding hands was seen as a kind of physical closeness, and it felt weird.

But after hesitating for a moment, Wan Yilan nodded.

She was currently confined to her residence, unable to step outside.

The excitement of the drumming can be ignored, but the Endless Prison must be investigated.

After taking a deep breath, she grabbed Li Xuechun's hand.

Instantly, both of them shivered slightly, and in the next moment, their steps changed, and they quickly left the room.

Unaware, as they left the courtyard, a pair of eyes quietly watched this scene from the attic of another small building in the distance.

"Two fine children, with all the right conditions of time, place, and harmony, why can't they be together?"

Madam Wan sighed softly, leaning back on the soft couch, with a small table in front of her holding snacks and drinks.

Beside her stood someone respectfully.

Hearing this, the person chuckled lightly, "Fate cannot be forced. The harder you try, the stronger the resistance becomes."

"So, you always let things take their own course, letting nature run its course?"

Madam Wan casually picked up a piece of pastry, licking the crumbs off with her tongue, and turned her gaze to the person beside her.

She noticed the person wasn't looking at her and, for a moment, felt bored.

Then she heard the person say coolly, "It's about guiding according to the situation, so it's just right."

"Nonsense."

Madam Wan stretched her waist, her tight clothes accentuating her curves, making her very eye-catching.

"If it weren't for finding a woman for Li Xuechun and adding Wan Zangxin,

"These two would have been together long ago!

"Now you're feeding me this nonsense; do you really think I'll believe it?"

"That woman for Li Xuechun wasn't arranged by me.

"It was just the right person showing up at the right time.

"If it were deliberately arranged, flaws would inevitably show, and once they do, everything would be hard to fix."

He sighed softly at this point:

"This game is now set in stone.

"Next, let's see what divine skills the hall master has honed over the years.

"Can he really block the Eastern Wasteland's Number One!?"

Madam Wan sighed, "In the end, we can't avoid a fight... Are you ready to live under the radar?"

The person beside her fell silent.

After a long pause, he smiled slightly:

"When have I ever had my own name?"

Inside the main hall of Wusheng Hall!

"Shadowcraft!?"

As Su Mo uttered these four words, the entire hall broke into chaos once again.

How could it possibly be Shadowcraft?

If these words reached other martial artists from the southwest, they might not even recognize what it meant.

But those present here were different.

Though few from Wusheng Hall had been to East City, they knew Shadowcraft was a signature skill of the Eternal Night Valley.

It was eerie, unpredictable, and nearly impossible to defend against.

In the past, they had only heard rumors, but now, someone right in front of them wielded this technique.

But here’s the catch...

The assassin’s Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra had been taught by Hall Master Wan Yutang.

That wasn’t the problem.

But Shadowcraft could only have come from the Eternal Night Valley.

For a moment, everyone’s gaze toward the assassin shifted, filled with new suspicion.

Bei Zhangzhi, as if struck by a sudden thought, turned to Su Mo:

"Chief Escort Su, does this person truly know the Shadowcraft of the Eternal Night Valley?"

Su Mo nodded. "Yes."

Bei Zhangzhi furrowed his brows, clearly wrestling with a dilemma. After a pause, he took a deep breath and asked:

"Chief Escort Su, forgive my bluntness, but I need to hear this directly from you."

His words instantly grabbed the attention of everyone in the room.

Now that Shadowcraft was out in the open, what was Bei Zhangzhi getting at?

Su Mo leaned back, smiling. "Northern Hall Lord, no need to stand on ceremony. Ask away."

"Thank you, Chief Escort Su," Bei Zhangzhi said, then continued:

"As everyone knows, over half a year ago, a major incident shook Wusheng Hall.

An unworthy disciple of our sect coveted the young miss’s beauty, indulging in delusional fantasies.

But the young miss and Hall Master Li’s son, Li Xuechun, were deeply in love, so she remained unmoved.

To everyone’s shock, this disciple, spurned and vengeful, set fire to Wusheng Hall.

After the fire, he raided the scripture library, stealing our sect’s prized Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra."

"Fortunately, Hall Master Deng, Hall Master Rong, and the former Hall Master of the Fourth Hall, Qiu Chengli, Hall Master Qiu, arrived in time.

"They fought fiercely with this person, but unexpectedly... this person's martial arts were extremely high. He first killed Hall Master Qiu with a single palm strike, then severely injured Hall Master Deng and Hall Master Rong.

"After that, he left in a hurry, heading straight for East City.

"This person was none other than Wan Zangxin, one of the key figures in the Tianqu Duel!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's brows furrowed slightly.

A previously unknown disciple suddenly possessed such profound martial arts.

He outright killed a Hall Master and severely injured two others.

For Wusheng Hall, this was undoubtedly a massive humiliation.

Thus, they usually avoided bringing it up, and now, hearing Bei Zhangzhi bring it up openly, their expressions turned sour.

Deng Fengbai's face turned pale:

"Northern Hall Lord, speak plainly."

"...Very well."

Bei Zhangzhi naturally had no fear of Deng Fengbai and said loudly:

"During the Tianqu Duel in Tianqu City, it became known to all that this so-called unknown disciple was, in fact, not unknown but rather quite famous.

"He had mastered both orthodox and unorthodox techniques.

"Though young, his martial skills were rare in the martial world.

"Unfortunately, his fate was ill-fated, and he was constantly manipulated by others.

"After his various actions within Wusheng Hall, he immediately went to East City to contact the people of Eternal Night Valley.

"However, he was ambushed by the Five Ghosts Heavenly Net of Eternal Night Valley, severely injured, and left to wander the martial world.

"Later, Chief Escort Su rescued him...

"These words were spoken by him during the Tianqu Duel, in front of everyone.

"Bei Zhangzhi boldly asks: when Chief Escort Su rescued him that day, did this person possess the Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone couldn't help but look at Su Mo.

However, some also glanced at Bei Zhangzhi, thinking his courage was truly remarkable.

What was the implication?

If Su Mo said that the martial art was on Wan Zangxin at the time, what then?

If he said it wasn't... what then?

Li Zhongming's brows were tightly knit, but for the moment, he had nothing to say.

After all, Bei Zhangzhi was just asking.

Su Mo, however, smiled:

"No, at that time, he had nothing of significance on him."

Hearing this, everyone immediately turned their gaze to Bei Zhangzhi.

They saw Bei Zhangzhi nodding vigorously:

"It is a fact that Wan Zangxin stole the Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra. This matter has been personally attested by Hall Master Deng and others, and it cannot be false.

"Since Chief Escort Su did not see this sutra on Wan Zangxin's person... there is only one explanation.

"The Five Ghosts Heavenly Net seized the Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra!

"This martial art has truly ended up in the possession of the Eternal Night Valley.

"Now, Chief Escort Su also says that the assassin has mastered the Eternal Night Valley's ultimate technique, Shadowcraft.

"Two unrelated events have now been linked.

"Therefore... it is impossible not to suspect that this matter is a setup by the Eternal Night Valley!!"

"Impossible!!"

As soon as Bei Zhangzhi's words fell, a shrill voice came from the door.

Everyone in the hall immediately looked towards the entrance and saw two people entering side by side.

The one leading was none other than the young miss, Wan Yilan.

And when Li Zhongming saw Li Xuechun behind Wan Yilan, his vision darkened.

How dare this disobedient son bring the young miss here?

The Hall Masters shared knowing looks and immediately stood up:

"We greet the young miss."

"I am unworthy of such respect."

Wan Yilan quickly reciprocated the gesture and then bowed again:

"Wan Yilan pays her respects to all uncles and elders."

Although she is the young miss of Wusheng Hall, adored by all.

Those present here are the true backbone of Wusheng Hall, and while she can usually be playful and capricious in front of them,

At this moment, she must be mindful of the situation.

After this bow, Li Zhongming frowned deeply, glanced at Li Xuechun, and suddenly slammed the table, bellowing in anger:

"You insolent brat, kneel down at once!"

Of course, this was not directed at Wan Yilan, and with a loud thud, Li Xuechun knelt on the ground without a word.

Although he was obedient, his face betrayed no emotion.

He knelt there, but it seemed as if he was sitting radiating nonchalance.

"What kind of person is the young miss? How can she be put on display like this?"

"You scoundrel, how dare you bring the young miss here! This is completely unacceptable!"

At this point, he couldn't help but glance at Su Mo.

He wondered if last night Su Mo and the young miss had a private conversation under the moonlight, secretly meeting... Could there be some reason behind it?

Now the situation is already explosive, and if the young miss gets involved, it would be even more troublesome.

Without waiting for others to speak, he immediately shouted:

"Someone, take the young miss back!"

"Hold on!"

Two voices overlapped, almost speaking at the same time.

One was Su Mo, and the other was naturally Wan Yilan.

However, Wan Yilan's words were ignored, but when Su Mo spoke, they had to weigh his words.

For a moment, the Wusheng Hall disciples approaching the hall slowed their steps.

Su Mo smiled as he looked at Li Zhongming:

"Hall Master Li, what are you implying? Since Young Miss Wan is here, she must have something to say.

"Why rush to send her away?"

"Exactly!"

Wan Yilan couldn't help feeling annoyed: "Uncle Li, I've always respected you since I was a kid. How could you be like this? Is this huge Wusheng Hall no longer my home? Don't I even have the right to walk around the hall?"

"Hahaha."

The swordsman Qilin couldn't help laughing at this:

"Hall Master Li, you're being completely unreasonable. What the young miss said is right, after all, this is Wusheng Hall. And she is the young miss of Wusheng Hall.

"Other places aside, within Wusheng Hall, she can go wherever she pleases.

"Now, Hall Master Li, you're not the hall master yet, how dare you decide for the young miss?"

"That's ridiculous!"

Li Zhongming was stunned and immediately became furious.

"Yes, yes, ridiculous, ridiculous."

The swordsman Qilin laughed again: "It should be said, you're not the young miss's father-in-law yet, and now you're in a hurry to make decisions for her, aren't you afraid the young miss might get mad and call off the wedding?"

"..."

For the first time, Li Zhongming realized how sharp-tongued 'Xing Lan' was!

In just a few words, almost every word was stabbing at people's hearts.

In the past, this scoundrel was just a bit reckless and straightforward, but now he's a bit too much.

However, after saying this, he found it hard to say anything more.

Wan Yilan looked at the Kirin Swordsman with a hint of gratitude in her eyes: "Thank you, Uncle Xing, for speaking up for me."

"It's nothing, really."

The Kirin Swordsman waved his hand: "First, tell me, what did you mean by what you just said? What part of the Northern Hall Lord's claims is impossible?"

"The Northern Hall Lord's claims..."

Wan Yilan looked up at Bei Zhangzhi, pondered for a moment, and then exhaled:

"Utterly mistaken!

"First of all, Wan Zangxin was never a villain.

"Secondly, I refuse to believe he would ever set fire to Wusheng Hall.

"As for stealing the secret manual, that's utterly baseless.

"The location of the Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra, apart from my father, how many could possibly know about it?

"He was merely an ordinary disciple—how could he possibly have uncovered such a secret?

"You’re all aware of the Scripture Depository, but... let me ask you, how many of you actually know where the Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra is kept in the Scripture Depository?"

At this point, although her argument didn’t fully sway everyone, her final point had many nodding in agreement.

Since the Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra is the supreme martial art of Wusheng Hall, it’s naturally not something to be taken lightly, and its storage location must be highly confidential.

Claiming that Wan Zangxin could steal it is downright unreasonable.

Of course, if Wan Zangxin truly had malicious intentions and had been secretly investigating the whereabouts of the manual, that could be an explanation.

And as Wan Yilan spoke, her voice suddenly rose, and she loudly declared:

"Most importantly, Wan Zangxin was never a mere fantasy for me!

"He and I are truly in love!!"