Chapter 7: Mo Qing’s Strange Encounter

Mo Qing was now living quite comfortably in Taiyun Golden Valley. Her treatment here was nothing like that of a prisoner; instead, she was indulged like a princess. After all, Li Mo Qing was originally from the House of White Garments, and her upbringing had been nothing short of extraordinary. Even now, with her face unadorned, beauty, as ever, would not be denied her; she was always a beauty. In this vast residence, she was the sole occupant. The Valley Lord, Qin Boyu, came to see her every day, not seeking anything else but the chance to lay eyes on her. Mo Qing remained as she had always been, never once giving Qin Boyu a kind look. Qin Boyu, of course, did not mind. He now had all the time in the world and was not afraid of waiting for this proud peacock to submit.

The two consecutive fierce battles had indeed exacted a great toll on Li Mo Qing. Even with the Deep Violet Flame within her continually healing her wounds, recovery was a process that could not be rushed. "Miss, here is your meal for today. I shall not disturb you further." Li Mo Qing would never mistreat her own stomach; when hungry, she ate, and when tired, she slept. She would not starve herself just to make a point. If she did not eat, how could she hope to find a way out of this place?

Qin Boyu had recently instituted a new rule in Taiyun Golden Valley—no one was to speak more than a single sentence to Li Mo Qing. Each day, they were to tell her what food she was being served and nothing more, no matter what she asked. Wasn’t it peace and quiet she liked? Very well, he would grant her that.

Mo Qing’s tastes had always leaned toward the light and delicate; today’s Emerald Cucumber was particularly delicious and paired with plain congee, it was delightfully refreshing. Though there were only these two dishes, the preparation was meticulous. The congee even contained rare spiritual elixirs, highly beneficial for her internal injuries. Since the magnanimous Valley Lord was so generous, she would not refuse such hospitality.

She had underestimated the power of the Taiyun Sutra. Judging by the aura of this divine art, it was mutually restraining with the Inextinguishable White Flame. If two equally skilled practitioners faced off, it was truly hard to tell who would prevail. That the Inextinguishable White Flame and the Taiyun Sutra should be so intimately connected surprised Mo Qing.

Recalling the battles, she realized the white-robed elder and Ba Sandao had long since seen through her tactics, their every counterattack perfectly timed. Though they appeared to be on the defensive, their true aim was to entangle and exhaust her. Their coordination was superb. In the end, even with such synergy, the white-robed elder fell to her, and Ba Sandao, left alone, knew that to continue would be his undoing.

If she wished to recover the Azure Luan Sword, she would need a way to perfectly counter the Taiyun Sutra. But for now, no solution presented itself. There was no use dwelling on it. To have this moment’s respite was already a rare blessing. When the time came, things would work themselves out. Worrying now was pointless.

Qin Boyu had two purposes in keeping her here: first, to force her submission—which was impossible; second, to draw her brother to her rescue. He would come, but not yet.

“Now, you’ve become a prisoner in Taiyun Golden Valley. Did you ever imagine such an outcome? For all your peerless martial prowess, what does it avail you? Now you cannot escape. I have come only to see what has become of the once-arrogant heiress of the House of White Garments.”

Ba Sandao had expected to find a pale, gravely injured beauty, but Mo Qing appeared full of color, well-fed each day. “Ba Sandao, I knew you wouldn’t give up so easily. You can see for yourself—I’m perfectly well. As for ambushing me, that’s no longer an option for you. Though you act brash, the one you fear most is the Valley Lord, Qin Boyu.”

“You know well that Qin Boyu keeps me here for his own reasons. If I truly died by your hand, have you thought what consequences you’d face?”

Confronted by Mo Qing’s unrestrained words, Ba Sandao’s resolute face darkened. She spoke truly—there was nothing he could do to this woman. The Valley Lord had specifically warned him: Mo Qing must not die, at least not yet. No matter how furious he was inside, he had to restrain himself.

Ba Sandao was often reckless, but he knew when to advance and when to retreat. Soon, a thin smile appeared on his somber face. “You’re clever, Miss. You’re right; for now, there’s nothing I can do to you. But how does it feel to be a caged bird?”

“To see you in this state already fills me with joy. I don’t care what the Valley Lord’s plans are—I’ll tell you mine. If you dare leave this room, I’ll kill you. My disciple, Xiong Zhen, still thirsts for your blood, and I cannot defy his wishes.”

“You know now: the Inextinguishable White Flame may be mighty, but the Taiyu Sutra is its nemesis. Against me, you have no path to victory. If you fear death, the solution is simple—stay here and you’ll be safe. But if you’re not content, I’m always prepared to welcome you. Our battle is not yet decided. If you think you’ll leave so easily, I’ll be the first to refuse.”

His threats held no weight for Mo Qing. “Why would I want to leave? I’m safest in Taiyun Golden Valley. Yes, the Taiyun Sutra restrains the Inextinguishable White Flame, but what of it? You know as well as I do—your third-level Taiyun Sutra is not enough to kill me. If you want to fight, you’ll have to find more help.”

“Even when you joined forces with the White Robe, you failed to defeat me. He even died at my hand. Do you really think anyone else will aid you now? Enough—you’ve learned what you wanted, so go. I haven’t prepared your lunch.”

With that, the troublesome girl took a large bite of her pastry. “I’ve said it before: your people may not be much, but this pastry is excellent. I rather like it. Maybe that’s why I don’t wish to leave. Later, tell your Valley Lord I want meat tomorrow. I may prefer light flavors, but I’m not a rabbit. If you don’t wish to pass on the message, I’ll tell him myself.”

Seeing Ba Sandao’s furious face outside the door, Mo Qing felt a certain satisfaction. Making these people lose their composure while she recuperated was a pleasure in itself. “Take care! If fate allows, we’ll cross swords again. You just wait.”

After this period of convalescence, Mo Qing’s power had recovered greatly. Advancing from the fifth to the seventh realm after a single battle was progress she found most satisfactory. Haste leads to failure; this was the greatest taboo in cultivation. Since she could not yet leave, she might as well explore the room.

It was said Qin Boyu cared much for appearances. Even this cliffside residence was arranged with great care. Not to examine it thoroughly would be a disservice to its elegant beauty. Hmph, if they wished to keep her, let’s see if they were truly up to the challenge.

Every item in this room was a priceless treasure, but she paid them little mind. From the moment she entered, something had seemed off, though she could not pinpoint what it was. The decor was elegant, yet something was missing. At last, she realized—there was no mirror.

From this, it was clear Qin Boyu knew her tastes well. If he had anticipated her arrival, why was there no mirror? Or perhaps, the presence of a mirror would change something in the room?

If there was no mirror, she would provide one. Unlike Ji Anran, Mo Qing adored beauty—her greatest joy was collecting mirrors. She placed her own mirror at the very center of the room. At once, the room trembled, and the plaster began to peel from the walls. As she suspected, the walls concealed a secret. When the plaster fell away, a map was revealed, carved directly into the stone—a map of Taiyun Golden Valley itself.

The lower left marked the cliff where she was now held. With this map, she could find the exit and escape. But things were not so simple. The mirror, gathering the light, focused it on a fist-sized hole in the wall.

When had this hole appeared? She had spent a day and night here and sworn there was no such gap. Clearly, the moment she placed the mirror, the hole had formed. Inside was a thick iron chain. Where would it lead if she pulled it?

The chain was cold to the touch, evidently ancient. Mo Qing gave it a tug—there was no resistance.

Clank, clank.

A black iron door appeared in the wall and slowly swung open. Interesting. With nothing else to do, she might as well see what lay within.

“Hehehe, who would have thought that after all these years, someone would find this place. Fate has brought you here—no matter who you are, I welcome you. Let me give you a gift. For so many years, no one has come to speak with me. Your presence brings me joy.”

A desiccated voice echoed from the end of the passage. In this eerie setting, anyone would have felt a chill. Mo Qing was no exception. Caught off guard by such a strange voice, anyone might hesitate—but since things had come this far, she would not retreat. Fortunately, as she entered the passage, torches flared to life along the walls. The corridor was narrow but spotless, scented with a faint sweetness.

After the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, the passage ended in a burst of light—she had reached the end.

Before her stretched an unnamed mountain valley, surprisingly beautiful. Only one person was present: an angler, back turned. From the figure, one could not guess the age.

“So, it’s a young lady. And a lovely one.”

The angler turned. When Mo Qing saw her face, she nearly cried out. The person was a woman—judging by her features and build, once a great beauty, but now her face was crisscrossed with scars. Only her eyes remained stunning. Mo Qing noticed then that the woman sat in a wooden wheelchair.

Swoosh.

With a sudden surge of power, the woman drew Mo Qing before her, irresistible. Her eyes, though beautiful, glimmered with sorrow and a trace of cruelty—clearly, she had endured much. Since this concerned the other’s secrets, Mo Qing said nothing. The woman looked her up and down. “Not bad, not bad. You’re young, but you have the makings of a martial artist. Tell me, who are you? How did you get here?”

Even in her condition, the woman radiated an air of superiority. Yet Mo Qing showed no fear. “Senior, who are you? Why are you here, and how did you come to be like this?”

The woman was not offended; in fact, she found the young woman before her most amusing. “Hahaha, you’re a funny girl. I asked first, yet you question me instead. Hmm, well, as the host, I suppose I should answer. Otherwise, you might not speak truthfully.”

“If you like, call me Aunt Hua. I’ve long since forgotten my old name. As for why I look like this, the answer is simple. Besides being harmed by others, what other reason would there be? I once had a lovely face, but I grew tired of it. Better to destroy it than keep it. Now, your turn—who are you?”

Such an answer was as good as none. Mo Qing realized this woman would not be easy to deal with. For safety’s sake, she told her background honestly. Lying would be pointless in the face of such power; if forced to act, the woman could see through her at once.

Aunt Hua’s face softened. “So, you’re from the House of White Garments? Then you’re the perfect candidate to learn my skills. Tell me, do you really think the Inextinguishable White Flame is superior to the Taiyun Sutra? The reason you struggled against the White Robe and Ba Sandao is simple: you haven’t learned my Green Sand Smiling Art. If you had, those two would be no match for you.”

“My Green Sand Smiling Art is a supreme technique, combining hardness and softness. Even with your seven-tier mastery of the Inextinguishable White Flame, if you learned only my art, your future would be extraordinary. Come, I don’t have much time—I will pass on my skills to you now!”

“What are you doing? Who said I wanted to learn your art? I already have the Inextinguishable White Flame. I don’t need yours, no matter how good it is—I simply won’t like it.”

“Hahaha, you don’t like it? All the better! Forcing others to do what they dislike is my favorite thing. The more you resist, the happier I am. Now that you’re before me, you must accept my legacy. What you do with this power is your business. This overwhelming strength has tormented me long enough. At last I can be free of its grip—that is what I rejoice in most. I have suffered for so many years; now it's your turn to bear it!”

A madwoman—this woman was clearly mad. Yet in that moment, Mo Qing found herself completely overpowered. She could not so much as move.

“Little girl, this Green Sand Smiling Art is the fruit of my bitter years of cultivation. Once, even if you begged me a thousand times, I’d have ignored you. But your stubbornness reminds me of myself. The more you resist, the more determined I am.”

After the wild energy subsided, Aunt Hua’s expression turned somber. “This art was born of my boredom, trapped here for years. Now, you are its sole heir. Go. Our meeting was fated—this ending is good.”

The grief in Aunt Hua’s demeanor was utterly unlike her earlier flamboyance. Though Mo Qing’s mind was full of questions, she did not immediately leave. “Senior, if you have any unfulfilled wishes, I will do my utmost to see them done.”

Aunt Hua’s eccentricity softened when she saw the beautiful young girl had not left. No matter what, this child had now inherited her art, making her a disciple. To her surprise, having a disciple felt wonderful. “Silly girl, since you have my power, you should go. Why stay? Do you really wish to know what kind of person I am?”

“I have no regrets left. Even if I did, with your strength, you could not help me. For the sake of our bond, I’ll tell you one more thing: Beautiful women must not fall in love. Once they do, there is no escape. Look at me—I am proof. In the past, I feared nothing; I went wherever I wished. But after I met that wretched man, everything changed.”

“We both tried to be together, but in the end, we failed. He could not overcome his family’s power and forsook our love. In a single night, my veins and meridians were twisted; I stopped it in time, but lost the use of my legs. If I hadn’t created the Green Sand Smiling Art, I would not have survived. Do you know who I speak of?”

“You mean the founder of Taiyun Golden Valley, don’t you? If so, you have misunderstood him. I know nothing of your past, but from what I have seen these days, the founder’s love for you was deep. He created the Taiyun Sutra, but never mastered its final level, not because he could not, but because he would not.”

“Ba Sandao once said the founder’s greatest regret was failing a certain woman. Because of him, she suffered much, and though they were never together, he never forgot her. Even so, his remorse never lessened.”

Aunt Hua fell silent, stunned. She had never known these things. In that moment, she seemed to see again the wild youth she had once loved. His smile had always been so enchanting. After all these years, she had not forgotten a single detail. “I understand. Your internal injuries are healed—now, go. This is not a place you should linger.”

Bang.

A tremendous force sent Mo Qing flying. “Child, thank you. First, my art now has an heir. Second, I finally know that the man I loved never truly changed. It was only I who changed, from start to finish.”

“Sixth Brother, did you know how much I have missed you all these years? Every night, I speak to you—have you heard me?”

“No matter. Now that I am powerless, I’ll soon come to find you. I wonder, when you see me as I am now, will you still love me? I never cared for my looks, but you did—so I cared, too.”

A miraculous scene unfolded. With her power dispersed, Aunt Hua’s appearance returned to its former beauty—the beauty of old. Taiyun Golden Valley, I never cared for it. My true fondness was always for the plum grove where we first met. Sixth Brother, if you would see me once more, I wish only to say I’m sorry.

At last, a smile appeared on Aunt Hua’s face—a smile she had not worn in so many years. Now, her heart was free of regret. She finally smiled, as she had when Sixth Brother first saw her: a pure, brave, innocent girl.

To Mo Qing, all that had occurred seemed a dream. Yet within her now surged a warm, commanding power—the Green Sand Smiling Art. What a lovely name. Now that she had inherited this art, she need only find a chance to escape.

Mo Qing believed that no one in Taiyun Golden Valley knew of Aunt Hua’s existence. “Senior, thank you for your gift. In future, I will use this power to do what you once wished to do, but dared not. You said beautiful women must not fall in love, or they’ll be lost forever—I don’t believe it. From the start, you were a woman of no courage. For all your peerless skill, what did it matter? You never took a single step out of your own prison. I refuse to become like you.”

“I will not live my life in regret, for that is not who I am. Since I choose to love, I will see it through to the end. For the hurdle my brother cannot cross, I will stand by his side. Isn’t that what love should be?”

“I’ve been calling for you, did you not hear? Even if you were napping, my shouting should have woken you. Tell me, what are you plotting?” Ba Sandao’s voice arrived at the most inopportune moment.

“Hmph, you again. Of course I heard your knocking, but I simply didn’t want to see you. Every time I see you, a defeated underling, my mood worsens. Now, what do you want?”

Ba Sandao was truly an ugly man. If she could, she would kill him now. But she could not—not yet. First, she must reclaim the Azure Luan Sword. Only with it could the Vermilion Bird Infinite Sword unleash its true power.

Ba Sandao’s face was dark. “Hmph, brat, the Valley Lord wishes to see you. If not for his protection, do you think you would be living so peacefully?”

“Mo Qing, after all this rest, have you changed your mind? You know, for every day you stay here, I can protect you. But if you leave, even my invincible skills won’t be enough. Look—this is what you came for, isn’t it?”

In the Hall of Taiyun, Qin Boyu pointed at a sword behind him, gleaming like emerald jade—the ancestral Azure Luan Sword of the House of White Garments. Its power was immense, its spirit alive. No one but a member of her house could wield it. Qin Boyu had tried, but could not.

“It truly is a fine sword. Alas, only you can use it here. I won’t hide it—the sword is yours. But first, answer me: have you changed your mind? You should know, in this world, I am the one who loves you most.”

“If you summoned me just to say that, then I’ll say it again: don’t bother. My answer remains the same. As for the Azure Luan Sword, I’ll reclaim it myself. You’re right, it is mine, and no one else here is qualified to use it!”

The hall was filled with masters, but Mo Qing was utterly unafraid. Her gaze swept the room, sharp and unwavering. “What? Do you doubt my words? If so, come down here and try me. If you lack the nerve, then watch and keep silent.”

If her brothers, Li Feiyan and Li Feichen, saw Mo Qing now, they would be overjoyed. Her eyes no longer held their former gentleness, but a resolute determination to protect. At this moment, Mo Qing’s authority was at its peak. All present were veteran warriors, yet in her presence, not one dared breathe too loudly. What had happened to this girl, that she had reached such a level in so short a time?

Qin Boyu himself did not know, but the aura she now radiated was only more alluring. Only such a favored daughter of heaven was worthy of him.

“Very well. If you’re not ready, I’ll let you return. If ever you change your mind, come find me.”

“That day will never come! Don’t even think about it.” Mo Qing showed him no courtesy. In her eyes, this man’s pride was nothing. Once, she believed Taiyun Golden Valley’s past was full of true passion, but when had it all changed? Now, all she saw were hypocrites. If not for the Azure Luan Sword, she would not stay a moment more.

“Valley Lord, you’re just letting her go? I cannot accept this. Did you see her attitude? Who does she think she is, daring to act so outrageously here? Does she imagine the House of White Garments is what it once was? Valley Lord, please allow me to take her down.”

The black-robed elder’s face and tone were sour, as if certain of victory. “Fine. If you think you can defeat Mo Qing, why did you keep silent just now when she was here?”

“Now that she’s gone, you’re all so brave. Very well, she hasn’t gone far. I’ll call her back. Let’s see if you’re still so invincible then.”

Qin Boyu never favored his subordinates simply because they served him. They only dared to posture before him; truly, they were lacking. In time, he would see them gone—so long as they remained, the Valley would only decline.

“What’s this? Now you’re all speechless? Hmph. If you have nothing to say, then leave. That’s best for all. And regardless of how she treats me, you will show her the utmost respect. If I find otherwise, you know my temper. Go now—I don’t want to see you.”

“Ba Sandao, you stay.”

Qin Boyu looked at the handsome man below. “You must know why I’ve kept you behind. You never let go of your grudge against Mo Qing, did you? Fine, today I want a straight answer—what will it take for you to give up your vengeance? You like to fight? Then let me be your opponent.”

Ba Sandao knew he was no match for the Valley Lord. But should he really give up, now? No—he would never give up. Yet he could not oppose his lord. “Valley Lord, you credit me too much. All my skills are thanks to you. Even if I were bold beyond measure, I’d never fight you. Very well—if you ask it, I will let go. To me, the Valley is what matters most.”

“But, Lord, you have changed lately. Mo Qing has never liked you—why persist?”

“I knew you would ask that. I know well she has no love for me. I do not care. What I truly wanted, I now possess—the Azure Luan Sword. They say it cannot be tamed, but I refuse to believe it. I have used the Taiyun Sutra to suppress its spirit. In time, I will succeed. When I do, imagine Li Mo Qing’s face.”

That was Qin Boyu’s true aim. With the sword and his art, why should he fear her? “But the sword’s power is tremendous. I once underestimated it. To truly wield it, I need more time.”

“Let her be reckless for now—her days of arrogance are numbered. Now you know my intentions. Go rest. You are gravely injured—do nothing else for now. Do you understand?”

Though Ba Sandao was unwilling, he could not disobey. He feared he would soon no longer be Hall Master—a bitter pill to swallow.

“I know you founded the Hall of Fierce Bears. You are loath to leave, I understand. Your anger and frustration, I know as well. But your nature holds you back. How long have you been stuck at the third level of the Taiyun Sutra? Over ten years, surely. With your talent, you should have advanced, but you overthink everything.”

“That is why your progress lags behind the other Hall Masters. As Valley Lord, I rely on you, but you must not fall behind.”

“Valley Lord, you need not say more. I understand. I will leave the Hall at once. Many disciples’ strength has waned because of me. You are right—I think too much, always wanting to do everything perfectly, but the more I strive, the slower I progress.”

Now Ba Sandao truly resolved to improve himself, or else he would never be Mo Qing’s equal. Should they fight again, he might lose his life.

“Good. From now on, go cultivate. I’ve prepared a place for you. I know you’ll work hard. If I cannot contain Mo Qing, you are my last hope. Do not disappoint me.”