A Fated Encounter

Hu Lin'er curled her lip and asked, "Do I really look like a villain?"

"That woman is constantly on guard, like a string pulled tight to the breaking point..." Su Qing shrugged and explained, "Yesterday, she fell straight into a deep sleep after drinking Ao Yiyi's medicine. She probably woke up thinking she was in grave danger, which is why she swung her sword at you. It certainly wasn't because you look like a villain. Honestly, she probably would have tried to slash me too."

Su Qing wasn't necessarily defending the woman; she was simply offering a rational analysis of the situation. She understood Li Anran's psychological state. That was why she felt that even if she had been the one to approach her, Li Anran would have delivered a leaping strike without hesitation.

Hearing this, Hu Lin'er sighed. "Then it's a good thing she tried to slash me. If it had been you, Miss, I doubt she would have gotten off with just a little extra sleep."

Su Qing waved it off. "I'm not that petty. A leaping strike would have earned her a minor lesson at most."

Hu Lin'er remained noncommittal. Given Su Qing's power, it was hard to say what the final result of a "minor lesson" would actually be. However, she wasn't foolish enough to say that to her face.

Unaware of Hu Lin'er's thoughts, Su Qing reached out and tapped the girl's head before turning to enter the room where Li Anran was resting.

Inside the room, Li Anran was sleeping peacefully. Her wounds hadn't reopened, but her veil had been removed. Her features weren't breathtakingly beautiful, but she was far from plain. There were no scars on her face, and she didn't look as cold as her demeanor suggested. Her features were soft and gentle—much like Su Qing's original form—the kind of face that would look exceptionally lovely when smiling.

Looking at the woman, Su Qing nodded to herself. "She's quite good-looking, and her figure is excellent."

Standing nearby, Hu Lin'er asked curiously, "Miss, are you planning to keep her here?"

"What are you thinking? I was just offering a casual compliment," Su Qing said helplessly. This girl had been by her side for a year or two; how could she still not see that Su Qing wasn't the kind of woman the rumors suggested? It was quite exasperating.

Deciding not to lecture her, Su Qing simply said, "Alright, wake her from her dream."

Hu Lin'er didn't waste any time. With a nod, she formed a hand seal and dispelled the illusion, waking Li Anran from her slumber.

The moment Li Anran emerged from Hu Lin'er's illusion, she instinctively reached for her precious sword, intending to strike whoever was nearby before making a swift escape. This wasn't a calculated plan, but a reflexive action born of the terror she had experienced within the illusion.

However, as her hand swept the area beside her, she realized her sword was no longer there. It seemed someone had taken it.

Seeing her guarded expression, Su Qing spoke up. "Oh, you're awake. It looks like you've recovered quite well. How was your sleep? While you were out, I dealt with several waves of trouble for you, Sect Leader of the Yue-Nu Sect."

Li Anran froze for a moment, a flicker of alarm crossing her face before she regained her composure. She looked up at Su Qing and asked, "It seems you already know?"

"I caught a few flies yesterday and got some answers out of them," Su Qing said with a faint smile. "Though they didn't know much—just that you are the Sect Leader of the Yue-Nu Sect."

Li Anran nodded. "I see."

"Since we've reached this point, shouldn't you tell us what exactly happened and why you are being hunted?" Su Qing asked, her curiosity still piqued.

Li Anran remained silent for a moment, though she was clearly wavering. Su Qing struck while the iron was hot. "If you didn't want to tell us before because you didn't want to drag us into this, well, we're already involved. It's only right that you tell us the truth. Besides, I dealt with quite a bit of trouble for you last night. We neutralized your poison and treated your wounds. If you keep speaking in riddles now, it would be quite unfair to us, wouldn't it?"

Li Anran sighed softly. "I understand... I will tell you everything. I only hope that once you know, you won't spread my story..."

"Rest assured. Since I saved you, I have no intention of harming you," Su Qing said, shaking her head. "Besides, you don't have anything I covet."

If she had to be honest, Su Qing was a little curious about what those big, white pillows felt like to squeeze, but that was hardly something she could say out loud.

Li Anran took a deep breath and began to recount her story to Su Qing and the others.

As it turned out, the Yue-Nu Sect had a history spanning several hundred years. It was the first martial arts sect in the world, and its founder, Xu Xuan'er, was an extraordinary woman who had pioneered the methods of martial cultivation. Her disciples had gone on to become the first-generation leaders of many other sects across the land.

In a sense, everyone in the world who practiced martial arts and cultivated inner strength today was a descendant of that remarkable woman's teachings.

As for why the current Sect Leader of the Yue-Nu Sect had fallen to such a state, it was because the sect was no longer as powerful as it once was. In truth, it had never been exceptionally powerful to begin with, as it was always a very loosely organized sect. Had it been otherwise, there wouldn't have been room for other sects to rise. Under such lax management, the Yue-Nu Sect had grown weaker over time. By the current generation, only a few dozen members remained. It could hardly even be called a sect anymore.

However, if the Yue-Nu Sect had merely declined, it wouldn't have come to this, nor would its leader be hunted by masters from other factions. The reason for the current crisis was a rumor that the Yue-Nu Sect possessed the world's very first manual of martial cultivation. It was said that this manual could help Martial Dao Grandmasters who had hit their peak break through their limits and achieve an even higher realm.

Thus, in their greed to seize this manual, the various factions had begun a campaign to exterminate the Yue-Nu Sect.

"What a cliché plot..." Su Qing muttered.

Hu Lin'er: "..."

Li Anran looked confused. "???"

Seeing their strange expressions, Su Qing didn't bother to explain. She simply asked, "By the way, what was the name of your sect's founder?"

Pulled back to reality by the question, Li Anran thought for a moment and said, "Her name was Xu Xuan'er. Legend says she was once an actress who received immortal guidance and created the world's first martial arts manual. That is why people believe the Yue-Nu Sect holds the secret to breaking the limits of the Martial Dao. However... I have also practiced the founder's techniques, and I have yet to find a way to break through that peak."

She curled her lip and added with exasperation, "If this manual truly contained the secret to breaking through, would our sect have declined so much? Honestly, they haven't thought it through. They've been stuck at their level for so long that their brains have gone soft."

Su Qing fell silent for a moment after hearing Li Anran's words. For some reason, the name Xu Xuan'er sounded familiar. It felt like she had heard it before, or perhaps even spent some time with her. She had lived for so long that some less important matters had been pushed to the back of her mind. Trying to recall them was a bit of a mental strain.

Fortunately, it didn't take long for Su Qing to remember who the person was.

'Oh... so it was that girl! I didn't expect her to go and found a sect. I thought she would spend her life as an actress under an assumed name,' Su Qing thought, unconsciously muttering to herself while stroking her chin.

Li Anran found Su Qing's behavior a bit odd. "What are you saying?"

"Nothing... I just remembered something interesting," Su Qing said with a nod. "Meeting me can be considered a fated encounter for you."

Li Anran didn't overthink it. After all, Su Qing looked to be in her early twenties; how could she possibly be from the same era as the founder? She nodded and said, "It is indeed a fated encounter. If I hadn't accidentally collapsed here, I would likely be dead by now. Also... regarding my earlier behavior, I apologize. I only..."

Knowing the girl was about to apologize, Su Qing waved her hand to interrupt. "There's no need for apologies. Your little threats meant nothing to me."

Li Anran's lip twitched. Recalling Ao Yiyi's words from the day before, her face flushed with heat. She felt incredibly embarrassed.

Ignoring the girl's thoughts, Su Qing continued, "Tell me more about the Yue-Nu Sect. Also, let me have a look at that manual of yours."

Faced with Su Qing's request, Li Anran fell silent. She was willing to talk about the sect's history, but handing over the manual was something she couldn't bring herself to do. She spoke up to refuse the request to see the manual.

Su Qing didn't mind, waving it off. "If you're unwilling, then forget it. Just tell me more about the past."

Su Qing wasn't actually that interested in the manual itself. She was simply curious to see how the techniques Xu Xuan'er developed differed from the things she had taught her back then. Since Li Anran was unwilling, she let it go. Learning about the sect's history was just as good.

Li Anran nodded. "You are truly magnanimous."

She then began to share the history of the Yue-Nu Sect with Su Qing. After listening for a while, Su Qing gained a general understanding of the sect's situation.

"By the way, is your founder still alive?" Su Qing asked.

Li Anran was taken aback by the question, then shook her head. "The founder was a mortal; she died a long time ago."

"Dead? Where is she buried?"

"She is buried near Yunmengze..." Li Anran paused before explaining further, "Though the one there is only a cenotaph."

"Why only a cenotaph?"

"Because no one knows where the founder actually died. One day, she suddenly left a letter saying she was leaving Yunmengze to go to a secret place to wait for death."

Li Anran continued, "No one knows where this so-called secret place is, so naturally, no one knows where she died. This is all recorded in the sect's secret scrolls... though I'm afraid I can't show them to you now. By now, the sect has likely been turned upside down by those people."

A bitter expression appeared on Li Anran's face. After all, that was the place where she had lived. Seeing it occupied by others was painful. Even she herself had only barely escaped with her life.

Su Qing nodded slightly. "I see. Don't worry. Recover well, and you'll have the chance to take back what you've lost in the future."

As for whether Xu Xuan'er was truly dead, Su Qing had her doubts. After all, the lifespan of a Human Immortal was three hundred years.

'But... how many hundreds of years has it been since I parted with that girl?' Su Qing stroked her chin. She never liked keeping track of years and had long since forgotten. She shook her head inwardly and decided to assume Xu Xuan'er wasn't dead. What if she really was still alive? Who could say they wouldn't meet again in the future?

Li Anran sighed. "Taking that place back will be incredibly difficult... especially since I am likely the only one left of the Yue-Nu Sect."

Su Qing smiled and stood up. "No one can say for sure what the future holds. So, set your mind at ease."

"Perhaps..." Li Anran said with a bitter smile.

Su Qing continued, "Anyway, you'll be staying here with me for the time being. You'll help out in the medical hall. As long as I am here, even if your enemies find you, they won't be able to harm you."

"This...?"

"Don't get happy too soon. I have my own reasons for taking you in."

"..."

"You know there's a little girl in our hall, right?" Su Qing said with a faint smile. "If you stay here, in addition to helping out, you'll need to teach her martial arts. Nothing too fancy—I just need you to train her until she's capable of self-defense by the time she's ten."

"This..." Li Anran didn't nod immediately. Although she knew Su Qing was powerful, she still needed to think seriously before agreeing.

"There's no rush. I can wait for your answer."

"I understand... By the way, how old is the child?"

"Not yet two," Su Qing said after a moment's thought. "Yes, it's the perfect age to start learning martial arts."