Walking the earth with a sword in hand Love and hate freely without a plan Stray into the red dust and grievances rise Emotions become the hero’s demise A bloodstained dress is the emperor’s dream The battlefield is not what it seems One sword may bind or break the heart Next life we’ll stay forever apart ----- When a twist of fate causes high school junior Wang Jingyuan to transmigrate into an alternate universe—one where Wuxia and palace struggles play out in real life—she promptly finds herself deeply entangled in power schemes, war, and heartbreak. Left with only her wits, modern knowledge, and all the dramas she’s ever watched, she must navigate this new world and become the smart and strong protagonist of her own story—without losing herself. As the worlds collide and fates intertwine, will Wang Jingyuan find her happily ever after, or will reality shatter every beautiful daydream? ----- Note: This is an ORIGINAL story, not a translation! All rights reserved. Warning: There will be minor cursing in the story.
Mo Xian patted Wang Jingyuan's hand. "Don't be angry, Jing-Jing. They're just nameless rats; no need to sink to their level. Just ignore them."
"Hmph! Once I find my senior brother, we're going to have to clear my mentor's name." Wang Jingyuan tore off a piece of meat from a rib with more force than necessary.
"We got the information we needed, though. We know where the Hero Assembly is being held and when it starts. We also know the five major sects that will be competing for the title of victor." Mo Xian tried to divert Wang Jingyuan's attention.
"The same five sects that destroyed my sect and killed my sect brothers and sisters." Wang Jingyuan had memorized the names of the five sects. She was going to keep an eye out for them tomorrow. "Senior Brother and I will never let them get away with their crimes."
The three men were still talking. "But are you sure every pupil was killed? What if some Xuanyan pupils are still alive?" The man with last name Chen asked.
"So what? Brother Chen, you are such a worrywart. Even if a few of them survived and they came to the Hero Assembly, what can they do against the entire martial arts sector?" The man with last name Zhang answered his friend. "If they dared to show up, the five major sects will catch them and kill them for sure. If I were them, I would just hide somewhere far away and never come out again, like the useless cowards they are anyway."
Mo Xian saw that Wang Jingyuan was contemplating throwing her teacup over the bamboo partitions at the man with last name Zhang. He quickly took her hand in his and coaxed the ceramic cup away from her hand. "It's okay, it's okay, don't get angry," he murmured softly. "Being angry is bad for your health. They're just nameless rats, remember? You're better than them, so you'll forgive them for their ignorance."
"Hmph." Wang Jingyuan was still glaring daggers at the adjacent booth. If looks could kill, Mo Xian was sure that the man would be dead a hundred times over now.
The men talked a little more about the Hero Assembly and argued over which sect they thought would come out as the victor. Then their conversation changed to more mundane topics, and Wang Jingyuan and Mo Xian quickly lost interest.
"I hope my senior brother kicks the five major sects' butts tomorrow," Wang Jingyuan muttered angrily as she and Mo Xian left the restaurant. "That'll show them."
"If your skill is any indication of his, I am sure that he will." Mo Xian reassured her. "Why don't we find an inn and make a reservation for our rooms for the night before they all fill up? Then we can spend the rest of the day touring the Capital."
"Okay. I can't wait to see the rest of the Capital!" Wang Jingyuan's attention was quickly drawn away from the anger-inducing conversation she just overheard. She smiled at Mo Xian, who couldn't help but smile back. He found himself smiling more and more around Wang Jingyuan; he couldn't control it. He hadn't been this carefree and happy in a long time. Mo Xian knew this wouldn't last because he was back in the Capital, but he wanted to hold on to this happiness as long as he could.
* * * * *
After a day of touring the Capital, Wang Jingyuan and Mo Xian returned to their inn and bid each other good night. "Jing-Jing, get a good night's sleep; it's been a long day." Mo Xian said from the entrance of his room. "We have a big day tomorrow."
"Mo Xian, you sure you want to come with me to the Hero Assembly?" Wang Jingyuan asked. She had asked him this question twice already, but she still wanted to confirm his answer. "You sure I won't be taking up too much of your time?"
"Of course I want to go with you. I can't let you face those people alone." Mo Xian reassured Wang Jingyuan. "I don't have any pressing matters to tend to. Besides, I want to spend more time with you."
Wang Jingyuan smiled shyly. "Okay. Thank you, Mo Xian. Good night!" She gave him a little wave and disappeared into her room.
Mo Xian watched her door shut before entering his own room at the inn and closing the doors. He sat down at the tea table in the middle of the room and closed his eyes, like he was meditating. It was getting late, and all the guests at the inn were either already asleep or getting ready for bed. The hall of the inn that Wang Jingyuan and Mo Xian resided in was more private; there were no sounds except for the crickets chirping outside.
About half an hour later, there was a soft knock at the window. Without even opening his eyes, Mo Xian said in a low voice, "Come in."
The window shutters were soundlessly pulled open from the outside. A dark shadow slipped into the room, framed by the pale moonlight that spilled onto the carpeted floor. Wordlessly, the figure dropped to one knee in front of Mo Xian and bowed his head. He was dressed in all black, from his hanfu to his boots to the headband across his forehead. A sword was strapped across his back. A piece of black cloth covered his face and only revealed his eyes, which glittered coldly.
"Did you accomplish everything I've tasked you to?" Mo Xian asked solemnly. His tone of voice was clearly different than when he talked to Wang Jingyuan. This Mo Xian spoke in a more authoritative and commanding voice.
"Yes, sir." The man replied.
"Were the seats at the Hero Assembly hard to acquire?"
"Not at all. You were correct, sir. When they saw the gold coins, the martial artists happily gave up their seats."
Mo Xian made a disdainful noise. "I know their kind too well. Give them enough money, and they will do anything. Such is human greed. Where are the seats?"
"Sir, tomorrow I will have our people escort you and Miss Wang to the seats."
"Good, good. You never let me down, Wuxin." Mo Xian finally opened his eyes to look at the man kneeling in front of him. "By the way, what have you found about Wang Jingyuan?"