Chapter 3

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After Chunma stopped by his parents' bedroom to check up on and reassure his mother, he returned to his own chambers. He preferred to chat with her, but she demanded he rest. The youth agreed, since he didn't want to upset her further.

'I practically slept the entire day, so I'm not tired at all.'

Currently, he was reclining on his bed with his hands behind his head. When he visited his father's office, the sun was already setting. During the two-hour trip, night had arrived.

With a sigh, he stood and walked out onto his balcony. When he was outside, he tilted his head back and looked at the sky. The air was clear and countless stars, like jewels in the heavens' treasury, glittered in the sky.

'Damn, that's really something.'

The vast cosmic expanse, stretching on towards infinity, made him feel so very small.

'My demonic physiology has limitless potential, yet I'm nothing more than a mite, crawling on a speck of celestial dust.'

For a time, Chunma contemplated his own existence in the universe.

It was the dull sound of striking wood somewhere in the distance that returned him to the present. In realization, his eyes lit up and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned upwards.

'Come to think of it, we were going to meet the Mu clan today, but it was postponed until tomorrow. They must be staying overnight.'

Pressing one hand against the marble railing, he easily swung his legs over the precipice. Now standing on the edge, he looked down at the Mount Hua sect below. The word 'Mount' wasn't in the name for nothing – the sect was located on the four peaks of the mountain range. Naturally, the Jong clan occupied the highest, most prestigious position.

'I'm suddenly curious about my fiancée. I wonder if I should go meet her?'

It didn't take long for him to decide. Like a flashing shadow, he shot into the sky and vanished into the darkness.

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A girl was diligently training in a courtyard, despite the late hour. There wasn't much light, so it was difficult to make out her features, but her short brown hair, tied with a white ribbon and her lithe, athletic figure, like a gymnast or a dancer's, could be seen.

She was performing a sword dance, moving like someone submerged underwater. It was called the twenty-four-movement-jade-sword, a technique that increased in difficulty as the practitioner's movements slowed and as the dance continued.

She was Mu Xuanyin, the daughter of Mu Sima, the Mu clan patriarch and the most gifted prodigy the clan had ever seen.

Normally, a prestigious clan like the Jong clan, who's patriarch was the sect master of one of the ten great sects, wouldn't sully their reputation by marrying their scion to someone who'd already broken off a previous betrothal. However, Xuanyin was an excellent marriage candidate, to the extent that they were not only willing to swallow their complaints, but to directly propose themselves!

It was important to understand that, in the culture of the great Tang, parents in the same situation as Xuanyin's would struggle to arrange another engagement for their daughter. Not only did they not struggle, but when it became known that their daughter's betrothal to the destitute Fang Yuan was cancelled, prospective suitors swarmed them from all angles!

Naturally, Jong Chunma was immediately placed at the front of the queue.

To most of the outside world, the Jong clan's scion was a reclusive, hermit-like figure, known for his handsome looks and aloof temperament. His accomplishments in martial arts were a complete mystery – he never interacted with the Plum Blossom instructors or disciples. Really, he couldn't be thought of as a disciple at all. He never went to any classes, nor did he participate in ranking tournaments.

It was his father's status alone that propelled him ahead of the other candidates.

Mysteriously, Jong Hyun never gave a reason for this strange behavior. There were rumors about Chunma secretly being a cripple, but most people dismissed it as nonsense. The general consensus was that his father had created for him a special training regimen, one superior to that which was available to normal disciples. Such preferential treatment wasn't seen favorably, but there was nothing that could be done. He was the son of the sect master, after all.

It was for this reason that the Mu clan had travelled all the way from Floating Cloud city, despite the fact that they had no affiliation with the Mount Hua sect. They wanted to see the truth about their prospective son-in-law with their own eyes.

Needless to say, the atmosphere among the clan members wasn't very good. They'd arrived three days ago, yet they hadn't seen a single member of the Jong clan. To make matters worse, the meeting scheduled for today had been cancelled.

Apparently, Chunma was feeling ill.

No matter how they thought about it, that statement was nothing short of a bad omen. It was important to understand that cultivators weren't susceptible to common sickness. That could only mean two things – the Jong clan was lying about why they'd canceled the meeting, or Chunma really was a waste with barely any cultivation.

While thinking her own thoughts, Mu Xuanyin strained to complete the thirteenth movement. A drop of sweat slid down her neck and disappeared underneath the hem of her white robe. The exertion was exhausting, but she could still continue.

Unlike her family, she was glad for the recent turn of events. To her, marriage was nothing more than a millstone around her neck. She despised the feeling of being treated like a bargaining-chip. What she wanted, more than anything else, was to cultivate and to train her martial arts. She had no interest in Fang Yuan, Jong Chunma or any of her other countless suitors.

When she was just about to start with the fourteenth movement, she heard the rustling of cloth behind her. Feeling irritated at being interrupted, she relaxed her posture and turned towards the intruder. She was expecting her mother, coming to lecture her about her derisive attitude towards the betrothal, or her unladylike 'obsession' with martial arts.

However, the person was someone she didn't expect. She was able to recognize him from his portrait – it'd been shown to her when her parents had announced their prospective engagement.

It was none other than Chunma!

Begrudgingly, she noted his handsome appearance – even in the darkness, it was impossible to miss his good looks. His long, black hair was loosely tied at the top of his head, falling down onto his shoulders in ringlets that somehow appeared both casual and deliberate. His skin was pale and flawless, like porcelain – it was enough to make a girl jealous. He had a dark robe on, sewn with silver threads in the shape of Plum Blossom leaves. The collar was open, exposing the lines of his neck and his sculpted chest.

While Xuanyin was struggling to cope with his abrupt appearance, Chunma suddenly raised a finger to his lips and smiled at her.

"I'm sorry for interrupting. I wanted to apologize for today, it wasn't my intention to snub you guys."

Xuanyin was still standing there like a statue, trying to come up with a reply. When she remained impassive, he continued.

"I admit, I was curious about you, Ms. Xuanyin. From what I've seen, rumors about your martial accomplishments don't seem exaggerated."

Finally, she was able to think of something to say. However, her answer wasn't exactly eloquent.

"Uhm…"

She was immediately embarrassed by the strange noise that came out of her mouth, so she defaulted to her usual attitude when confronted with something difficult – annoyance.

"You aren't supposed to be here."

On autopilot, she set her feet apart and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

If her 'fiancée' was upset by her attitude, then he didn't show it. Instead he raised an eyebrow, looking vaguely amused.

"Oh? Is the Miss going to throw me out, then?"

He took a mock-stance, lazily guarding his torso with his arms.

Xuanyin frowned. She was used to reverent treatment and for good reason – almost none of her peers were her equals, whether they were comparing martial arts or appearance. All the boys fawned over her and those that didn't were simply hoping their 'aloofness' would make them special.

She decided to teach this cocky guy a lesson.

'I won't injure him. Once I've grappled him, I'll let him go.'

She would do just enough to embarrass him and to show him the difference in their abilities. Of course, she never even entertained the idea that she could lose. The only people that could best her in a fight was her father and her bodyguard, uncle Li.

She shifted her right foot forward and opened one palm in front of her chest. Her behavior may be considered rude, but it was in her nature to shoot first and ask questions later.

"Maybe I should throw you out."

Chunma's smile grew wider.

"It's not very polite, but you may do so, if you have the ability."

After he delivered that statement, his casual stance turned more firm.

When Xuanyin saw his posture, she was somewhat surprised.

'I guess it's true, then. He isn't training the Plum Blossom's 'One-Hundred-Falling-Petals' technique at all.'

A long moment stretched between the two of them. It was only after one of the sect's signature plum tree leaves touched the granite tiles below their feet that their sparring session commenced.

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Li Shou Jin, a retainer of the Mu clan, Mu Sima's right hand man and Mu Xuanyin's bodyguard, idly watched the two children exchange pointers from his vantage point. He was sitting in a nearby tree, enjoying a bowl of mutton-rice with vegetables.

'That kid is pretty good.'

The longer their fight continued, the more obvious it became that Chunma was the real deal. Initially, they had seemed evenly matched, but it was clear the Jong clan's young master was holding back.

'He isn't even using his spiritual energy – he's fighting purely with his body.'

It was actually incredible, being able to equal the young miss, who had long since started drawing on her cultivation, with his natural strength alone. Really, the moment he showed he was able to handle her without qi, the duel was already over.

'If he's this strong without drawing on his cultivation, then I can't even imagine what he can do if he goes all out.'

Uncle Li suddenly thought of a different rumor regarding young master Jong. Some people speculated that, the reason why he'd never engaged with others in the Plum Blossom sect was because he was so strong that it was completely pointless for him to do so. It would be like an adult practicing their martial arts against children.

He'd never given the idea much thought, but as he continued to observe Chunma, he was becoming convinced.

'If it's the truth, then his talent is simply horrible!'

He slowly exhaled through his nose, trying to calm himself. It was important to understand that a warrior on his level, or on the level of patriarch Sima, took at least fifty years to reach their level of skill. Both he and his master looked in their thirties, but in reality, they were much older than that. Their youthful appearances were simply due to the rejuvenating effects of their advanced cultivation.

Xuanyin, at fourteen years of age, was almost at their level. Within a handful of years, she might even surpass them.

'Most likely, that kid is even stronger than I am!'

Uncle Li suddenly felt that he'd spent his life cultivating in vain. What was the point of even trying when someone like Chunma, who was only a quarter of his age, could suddenly show up and slap him around?

He smiled ruefully to himself.

'If he isn't good enough for you, Miss, there isn't a person in this world that meets your standards.'

He didn't even entertain the idea that Chunma was hiding his cultivation because he was crippled. There was no way to obtain such a powerful body without nourishing blood through qi.

As their fight continued, the intensity escalated until bursts of air were being produced by every strike. If the rest of the Mu clan wasn't aware of the goings-on, then it certainly wasn't going to be the case for long.

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