Elder Zhang Zhou possessed an enigmatic and distinguished appearance. He had an ageless charm that defied time itself. When Luo Feng looked upon him, he saw a face untouched by the ravages of time, a complexion that was smooth and unblemished, resembling the surface of fine porcelain. His skin retained a subtle, ethereal glow that hinted at his extraordinary longevity. If a person who didn’t know him were to see him walking down the street, they would have assumed he was a young man in his twenties.

Zhou Zhang’s eyes were his most striking feature, a pair of orbs that seemed to contain numerous secrets. They were almond-shaped and deep obsidian, framed by thick, arching eyebrows that conveyed authority and wisdom. Those who met his gaze often felt as though their very souls were being laid bare and Luo Feng was no different.

His hair was a cascading waterfall of pure silver, flowing down his shoulders. Each strand glistened like moonlight on water. They shimmered with a lustrous quality that had captivated numerous admirers. Luo Feng could only feel jealous. Women often talked of running their hands through his hair, and rumors abound that more than a few female disciples had received his favor. He had tied his locks into an intricate topknot, held in place by a jade hairpin that looked like a sword.

“My disciple.”

When Elder Zhou Zhang spoke, Luo Feng trembled. His voice sounded both young and old at the same time, containing an ancient wisdom, yet it sounded sharper than a sword.

“Yes, Master?”

“It seems you are having problems.”

“Ah… yes.”

He did not question how Elder Zhang Zhou knew he was having issues. This man seemed to know everything, despite almost never leaving his domicile.

His master shifted, lifting a single hand to grasp the cup sitting on the table. HIs flowing, blood-red robes, crafted from the finest silks and adorned with intricate golden embroidery shifted at the simple gesture. The robes were accentuated with sashes of deep azure that contrasted sharply with the crimson color.

“The newly initiated disciple, Jian Wu… he has caused you grievance.”

“… You were watching, Master?”

“My eyes see much, including the altercation between you and Wu Meiying. She favors him.”

Luo Feng scowled. “I don’t understand why.”

“Hmmm.” Elder Zhang Zhou took a sip of tea. Luo Feng stirred with impatience, but he dared. “It is possible that she has seen something, which necessitates her getting close to him…”

Luo Feng sucked in a breath, his hands trembling “Then… there is nothing we can do?”

Elder Zhang Zhou moved his the tea cup in a circular pattern on the table. The sound of porcelain shifting against wood echoed in Luo Feng’s ears before his master spoke again.

“Our goal is to get Wu Meiying into our camp. It matters not how we do it. So long as we have her powers of clairvoyance, our ascent is assured.” Luo Feng said nothing as another long silence ensued. “If she needs this… Jian Wu for some purpose, then the answer is quite simple; all you need to do is bring him to our side.”

“Master, surely you’re not suggesting--”

“This is not a suggestion,” Elder Zhang Zhou’s words cut short the protest on Luo Feng’s lips. The man turned to him, and despite his rage, the blood in his veins went chill at the cold look in his master’s eyes. “This is an order. Invite the young man into our sect. If he joins us, it is possible that Wu Meiying will follow.”

Zhou Zhang, in spite of his captivating appearance, shrouded himself in an aura of impenetrable mystery. His emotions were inscrutable even to those closest to him. He seldom if ever revealed his thoughts and intentions. This enigmatic quality always made Luo Feng feel trepidation deep within his heart.

Luo Feng trembled as both anger and fear warred within him. He clenched and unclenched his hands, tempted to open his mouth, but no matter how much he struggled to protest, he could not get the words out. At the end, all he could do was lower his head as Elder Zhou Zhang stared him into submission.

“Yes… Master…”

***

The cafe they had chosen was called Silver Moon Lily. It was nestled within Heavenly Sword City, a hidden gem, a sanctuary of tranquility amidst the bustling life of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Its name was a homage to the celestial body that hung in the sky and the beautiful silver lilly pads idyllically floating within the lake.

Wu Jian sat with Wu Meiying and Youmei, enveloped within the atmosphere of elegant serenity. Soft, ambient lighting bathed the cafe in a warm and gentle glow, casting enchanting shadows that danced across walls containing numerous tapestries upon their surface. The tapestries were made from a fabric Wu JIan had never seen before. Each one contained the delicate depiction of a lillypad bathed in moonlight. While they all looked the same, every single one of them was subtly different. They seemed to compliment the soothing melodies of the zither, which served as a harmonious backdrop to the intimate conversations taking place around them.

“What did you think of your first encounter with Luo Feng?” asked Wu Meiying.

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“He’s an arrogant fool,” was Wu Jian’s immediate reply. “I haven’t met someone that stuck up since Han Sheng.”

Wu Meiying giggled. It was such a delightful sound that several people stopped talking to focus on her.

“Yes, he is indeed an arrogant young man.”

Giggling once more, Wu Meiying leaned back.

They were sitting on the cafe’s outdoor terrace, where couples could dine beneath a canopy of flowering vines and fragrant jasmine. The terrace offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. Each peak seemed to kiss the sun. Candelit tables and plush cushions created an inviting space for patrons to savor both gourmet delights and heartfelt moments.

All the tables were low seating. Cushions beneath their bums let them sit without feeling like their backsides would break on the stone floor.

“Luo Feng is a very talented outsider. He has no relation to the Heavenly Sword Sect or any of its elders. It’s impressive really.” Wu Meiying gazed at the tranquil lake, its waters glistening in the sun. “He was just a regular outer court disciple twenty years ago. However, with nothing but his talent with a sword, he worked his way to becoming an inner court disciple and eventually the core disciple of Elder Zhang Zhou.”

“So he’s actually talented,” Wu Jian murmured.

“Very.” Wu Meiying paused. “Though the other Core Disciples are more talented. However, they are all older and therefore more experienced than him. He has the potential to surpass them in another decade.”

“Which explains why you wanted me to go after him.”

Fighting against Luo Feng would likely be a much greater challenge simply because of his raw potential.

“Master…” Youmei grabbed Wu Jian’s sleeve even as her stomach rumbled. “Youmei is hungry.”

Wu Jian chuckled and said, “All right. Let’s order something.”

A young woman wearing an impeccably tailored hanfu that fit the cafe’s atmosphere to a T wandered over with a sashay of her hips. She looked nervous. Her eyes and even her body was trembling as she stared in awe at the woman next to Wu Jian.

“L-Lady Oracle, it’s an honor to serve you today,” the woman tittered.

Wu Meiying smiled at the young lady, whose cheeks turned red. “Thank you for the kindness, Mi Chang. I think we’re ready to order now.”

“Th-the Lady Oracle knows me?! And of course! Please order whenever you’re ready!”

Wu Jian almost snorted at how easily this woman was pleased. She didn’t even realize Wu Meiying had used her powers over time to look into this woman’s past to find her name.

The cafe prided itself on having a diverse menu that featured a fusion of traditional and contemporary cuisine. Wu Jian ordered the Moonlight Dumplings, while Wu Meiying asked for their Moonlit Kiss, which was a sweet confection that supposedly melted in your mouth. Two servings of complimentary Heavenly Blossom Tea came with their order.

Youmei ordered one of everything on the menu.

Wu Jian would never forget the sight of Mi Chang’s face. It was one of aghast horror.

Once the woman left, Wu Meiying began speaking again. “It is true that Luo Feng will serve as a good challenge, but the reason I’m having you go after the Crimson Swords is because of the elder in charge of them. Zhang Zhou is a man who’s overreaching ambitions are going to cause problems if they’re not nipped in the bud.”

Wu Jian stroked his jaw. “I take it he’s after you?”

“Correct. Of course, most of the Heavenly Sword Sect elders are after me. They wish to use my power of clairvoyance to elevate their own status within the sect. It’s natural to want such a power in your camp so I don’t blame them, but Zhou Zhang’s ambition is much more far-reaching and dangerous.”

“He wants to take over the sect?”

Wu Meiying smiled. “He does, but he’ll never succeed. Even if he had me in his camp, he would still fail. However, he’ll cause a lot of problems for us if we allow him to continue.”

“Is there a reason you can’t take this to the sect master?”

“Of course, I could take this to Zhe Dāozhe, but I thought this was a perfect opportunity. What’s the term? Two birds, one stone? Yes, we’ll be taking care of two birds with one stone.”

“Got it. I guess I’ll have my work cut out for me then.”

Their tea arrived before their food. The hand-painted porcelain teacups held a high attention to detail. A lovely array of silver lillies adorned the cups, each one meticulously painted on by someone who was obviously a master.

Moonlit Dumplings were a signature delicacy of the care, renknowned for their delicate and enchanting flavors. These dumplings were crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail, with a thin, translucent wrapper that was as soft and smooth as a moonlight-kissed petal. It was made from a blend of premium wheat flour and a touch of rice flour to give it a subtle, chewy texture. The wrapper was delicate, almost ethereal, like a moonbeam caressing the palate. It was filled with a blend of minced pork and seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, and fragrant herbs that exuded a mild, umami-rich flavor.

The moment Wu Jian brought the food to his lips, clouds of aromas enveloped his senses. He took a deep breath as the gentle scent of fresh herbs and the subtle umami notes of the filling created an enticing bouquet that awakened his appetite. He was just about to take a bite when squeals and gasps of astonishment erupted from all around them. He wondered why at first, but then he looked at Wu Meiying.

Wu Meiying had removed her veil.

She was the possessor of a beauty that was extraordinary and ethereal, that captivated all who were fortunate enough to behold her. The delicate features of her face had matured gracefully, enhancing her beautiful appearance to something otherworldly.

Her complexion was luminous, resembling the purity of freshly fallen snow. Her skin was porcelain-smooth, unmarred by blemishes or imperfections, giving her a supernatural radiance. Captivating eyes as the bluest skies retained their mesmerizing shade. They were expression, at least to him, revealing a blend of wisdom and enigmatic depth. Lips colored like the most delicate of cherry blossoms in bloom had a rosy hue that drew everyone in. They were naturally lush and soft, offering a tantalizing contrast to her fair skin. Surrounding it all was her flowing black hair, which cascaded down her back like a midnight waterfall, as dark as the starry night as it framed her face in glossing obsidian strands.

“I-I’ve never seen her without her veil before!”

“S-so beautiful!”

“I can’t believe such a beautiful girl exists!!”

“Has anyone in the sect seen you without your veil before now?” asked Wu Jian.

“Only the sect master,” Wu Meiying said with a shrug. “I normally don’t let anyone see me without my veil, but today is an exception.” With that, she scooped some of her confection onto her spoon and held placed it in her mouth, then squealed. “MMmmmm! This is so good! Jian Wu, you must try this.”

She quickly scooped up another spoonful and held it out to him. Wu Jian gave her a dry stare, but she just smiled and shook the spoonful of confectionery goodness. He sighed, chuckled, then leaned over and took her spoon into her mouth.

The crowd went wild.