3 Grand Master of Mount Fu Sect

"Father would it truly be okay? There are representatives from all the countries and sects today. Plus, I heard Shui Yu country and Xi Feng country even sent their crown prince among their entourage. If something goes wrong....."

"Who do you assume your father to be? How could that brat see through my intentions? If she accuses me of poisoning her, no one will believe that I, Elder Ye with a red stage three Innate talent, who already has two of my dantians open, will need to use such a method to dispose of a waste with no trace of innate talent. Anyway, before that she at the least needs to be conscious to accuse me of anything."

"After today that waste will become ill and gradually lose her life, thus I will formally become the Grand Master of Mount Fu Sect. Seeing as our Ancestral Grand Master went into close door cultivation after passing over the Grand Master position to that brat he won't be coming out soon. When he comes out, it would be too late for anything. The person I got it from said it is a poison which only the Heavenly Medical Sage can identify and there is no antidote for it."

"Father, the Heavenly Medical Sage hasn't been seen for over 10 years now, with so many people searching for him. If what the person said is correct, it might work out well."

"Ai Wen, I who am your father has told you, there is nothing to worry about. Just sit back and let me help you get what you want. Once I become Grand Master, Empress Rui will be left with no alternative but to acknowledge your becoming the crown princess."

"I hope father will act as he says, Empress Rui isn't a simple person to handle but am not letting go of Crown Prince Fei Hung." She pouted while holding on to her father's arms.

"Ai Wen you need not leave him. Which royal family in the continent does not wish to have a strong tie with the head of our Mount Fu Sect? After I prepare everything, I, your father will then hand over your rightful position as the crown princess of Shui Yu country to you."

I must be seen to be incompetent for this father and daughter to be having such a conversation walking on this path without fear. The pathway converges with another to the left which leads from the residence of the Grand Master. Due to my master's training, I have very sensitive hearing so I could overhear their discussion as I walk towards the road's point of convergence.

"Greetings Elder Ye." I perform the fist-and-palm salute and bow.

"Grand Master Bai Ru, this humble one cannot accept your greetings as your status is greater than mine." He frowned while glaring at me.

"Elder Ye sure knows how to joke, how is sending greetings to my elders not acceptable? Moreover, even though I have the Grand Master title, everyone in Mount Fu sect knows the person in control of most activities in the sect is you. Elder Ye please do not be annoyed with this incompetent one, I know am not worthy of this title. This action is just something my master did on a whim. I am certain he will change it when he returns from cultivating so until then, I hope you will continue to guide this lowly one in the future." I bow lower with my palms still clasped together.

"Grand Master please stand up, I dare not accept your words." He responded with his torso slightly bent towards me.

The edge of his mouth is currently showing signs of twitching. He most probably wants to strangle me now.

"Grand Master Bai, please stop making matters difficult for my father. You are clearly the person with the title of Grand Master of Mount Fu Sect, still you are bowing to greet him. Also what do you mean by 'he is the person in control of all the activities in Mount Fu sect'? Is it not because you are not familiar with the duties of the Grand Master, that my father has decided to help you out with them, still you're not even thankful. If others were to have heard you, they would assume that my father has been bullying you because Grand Ancestral Master has gone for a closed door cultivation."

"Ah!!! Junior Martial Sister!" I lifted my head and turned to look at her. My face lighting up with smiles.

"I didn't realize you were back from Shui Yu country. This lowly one sure is happy to receive guidance from you, but I am confused about something. If I go by what Junior martial sister just stated, I am clearly the one with title of Grand Master, yet junior martial sister didn't even bother to give greetings to me be it as the Grand Master or as your elder. On top of that you even dared to lecture me in place of your father. If others were to see this, wouldn't they assume that your father did not teach you well or....?, I am confused....." I bend my head deep in thought. "Elder Ye who was it that was supposed to teach manners and filial piety to the child is it the mother or father?"

"You.....!!!!! State yourself clearly, what....."

"Anyway Junior martial sister thank you for your guidance just now. In the future I will make sure to not let people believe I am being bullied by your father so as not to give rise to rumors." "Elder Ye, I am looking forward to your help today as well in the Blood Dance Ceremony." I turn and stride towards the temple leaving the father and daughter fuming.

Yes, these two are my "helpers" for today's show and I look forward to enjoying myself. Although one would assume I am foolish for looking forward to a conspiracy to kill me but you see, there is a saying that explains that if one does not know what will arise why bother, and if you know what will take place then why worry as well? With that as a basis, right now I try to live my life not worrying about events that haven't happened especially when I can already perceive the result in my favor.

Thinking back to the earlier conversation, I exhale and think of the past. I miss my master.

He was picking herbs at the Wei Tian Forest range when he discovered the unconscious me lying down in the forest. He brought me back to Mount Fu sect and nursed me back to health. I was unconscious for 3 months and even after I woke up from my coma, I sank into a depressed state. Yes you saw right, this old woman who reincarnated into the body of 11-year-old Ru Shi instead of professing to live a full life, getting revenge for my present body's owner and paying back any and everyone according to their actions, I pushed everyone out and was heavily depressed not speaking to anyone and not eating for days.

I expected everyone to abandon me to die but he instead placed me in his chambers, allocated all his duties to his subordinates and accompanied me. For every meal I refused to eat, he likewise didn't eat. He would just relax on a bamboo chaise lounge reading and didn't make a sound.

By the 5th day, I was very hungry plus I was feeling guilty towards him although I was still weary of him.

I softly said "Uncle are you trying to make the cooks poison me to death because of you? Although I don't think it will affect me but I still do not wish to be given poison."

On hearing my remark, he dropped the book he was reading and rushed towards me. By reflex I curled up my body and my shielded face. This body was previously used to beatings and torture from the palace. He stopped after seeing my actions and as I peered at him through the gaps on my palm, I saw several emotions fleet through his eyes.

He bent down beside me and hugged me to himself while patting my back.

"It won't happen again, not with me here be it poisoning or bullying."

I was surprised. Wondering how he knew about the poisons, I turned to face him.

"Uncle, how can you claim you will be here aren't you going to die? Even though you look like my older cousin who is 20 years old both of you will still die." I pointed out.

"Well, I have lived much longer than your older cousin but if it worries you that I won't keep my promise if I die, why don't I teach you to protect yourself? That way no one would dare to bully you."

"Uncle you must be really old since you do not realize I have no innate talent and cannot use any of the 5 elements, how will I learn martial arts and protect myself then?"

He studied my face for a long time and I almost thought he wouldn't respond since I said the truth.

"Who was it that told you you must have innate talent to protect yourself? Become my disciple. I will personally teach you martial arts that will surpass the strength of any cultivator of the 5 elements no matter the innate talent level they acquire. For as long as you are my disciple you will take the last name Bai with the first name Ru."

"Okay." I responded. I did not know who he was and didn't know what made me agree to him that day but from then, my world as I knew it changed.

"Master, we are here."

I stopped to look up at the magnificent structure before me and the former dual degree holder of architecture and construction was elated. Another treasure.