Chapter 5: Scheming
Chapter 5: Scheming
“Why isn’t it working?”
Zuo Meng sat in his room, staring at the Qingling Pill in his hand. He clearly remembered this pill had allowed him to alter the law chains before. Why did it fail now? Something must be wrong—either with the process or the pill itself.
“Could this Qingling Pill be defective?”
He decided to investigate at the Medicinal Peak.
Exiting his room, he noticed his Junior Sister was nowhere in sight. Not bothering to search for her, he hurried toward the Medicinal Peak alone.
The Liuhe Sect had formed from six merged clans. Sects like Taiyuan Sword Sect, lacking distinct traits, were quickly absorbed after the merger. But the former Medicine Valley thrived as the Medicinal Peak, retaining its independence. Meanwhile, Taiyuan Sword Sect had dwindled to barely a few disciples.
“Senior Brother, entry to the Medicinal Peak requires an elder’s Token,” a disciple stopped him at the mountain’s foot.
😊😊😊Golden Novel translates the best Chinese web novels for you!😊😊😊
“Can’t you bend the rules? I need to consult a senior here.”
“Rules are rules. My apologies.”
Rebuffed, Zuo Meng gritted his teeth. Without understanding the energy source for the law chains, his golden finger would remain useless. Having tasted hope, he refused to quit. He plopped down beside the main path leading from the Medicinal Peak.
The guarding disciples exchanged glances but did nothing—their duty ended at the entrance.
“Eh? Senior Brother Zuo?” A Medicinal Peak disciple in a green robe paused mid-stride.
“Junior Brother Ma!”
Zuo Meng sprang up, relief washing over him.
“Perfect timing! I need your help.”
Ma Wutong, like Zuo Meng, was a Direct Disciple—Zuo Meng from Taiyuan Peak, Ma from Medicinal Peak. Both shared mediocre talent for martial arts, bonding over frequent punishments from the Teaching Elder. While Zuo Meng buried himself in books, Ma Wutong obsessed over pills.
“Who crafted today’s batch of Qingling Pills?”
“Junior Sister Gu Fei. Why?”
“Gu Fei?”
Zuo Meng barely knew anyone outside his books. He’d have forgotten Ma Wutong too if not for their shared punishments.
“You’re too late—she’s already left for Liuhe City. Is there an issue with the pills?” Ma frowned, more worried about the pill’s reputation.
“Gone? Where exactly?”
“Liuhe City with some others. Business, I think. Details unclear.”
“Thanks!”
Zuo Meng immediately headed downhill. Spotting Liuhe Sect disciples in Liuhe City would be easy. Finding Gu Fei meant unraveling the Qingling Pill mystery—and unlocking the law chains’ energy secret.
The search proved simpler than expected.
Halfway down, he stumbled upon Gu Fei’s group meandering toward the city, unhurried as they blended sightseeing with family visits.
“Junior Sister Gu?” Zuo Meng dismounted, approaching the most likely candidate.
“You?!”
Before anyone could answer, a female voice rang out. Zuo Meng turned to see the talented Junior Sister he’d easily defeated during their afternoon sword practice. As for her name… he hadn’t bothered to ask earlier.
“You’re… what’s-your-name…”
After failing to recall her name, he simply called her “that one” – to him, she was just a nobody anyway.
“You!!”
The female disciple shook with rage. Never had she met someone so rude. Were they not sect-mates, she’d have stabbed him immediately.
“Junior Sister Gu, who is this?”
The girl Zuo Meng had mistaken for Gu Fei stared in shock at the “nobody” he’d ignored.
“You’re Gu Fei?” Zuo Meng blurted, dread rising.
The forgotten “nobody” now glared at him through gritted teeth:
“This nobody is Gu Fei. What do you want, Senior Brother?”
*Ahem*
Zuo Meng cleared his throat awkwardly.
“So… Junior Sister Gu. About this morning’s Qingling Pill…”
“I’m busy. Farewell.”
True to women’s reputation for grudges, Junior Sister Gu perfectly mirrored Zuo Meng’s earlier dismissiveness. Mounting her horse with a flourish, she rode off without looking back. Other disciples exchanged awkward glances. Two saluted Zuo Meng while one offered:
“Join us, Senior Brother? We’re just sightseeing – more people mean more fun.”
“Fine.”
With no alternative, Zuo Meng followed them into the inner city.
Ancient City.
Blue-tiled streets bathed in sunset glow, vendors shouting – a living painting.
After stabling their horses, the group wandered through cobblestone alleys. Being young, they quickly bonded. Besides Gu Fei’s two unnamed companions, Zuo Meng learned:
Li Fang (tall, former Mountain Sect)
Wu Kuang (former Huaheng Sect)
Both sects now absorbed into Liuhe Sect, like Zuo Meng’s Taiyuan Sword Sect.
Gu Fei’s trio were Medicinal Peak disciples. Their group made striking figures – blue robes, long swords, flowing hair marking them as elite sect members.
“Gu’s left is Wu Wenqin,” Li Fang gossiped. “Wu Kuang’s distant cousin. Gu’s a Medicinal Peak true disciple – perfect poise, though her temper…”
Wu Kuang whispered: “Mei Qingqing’s better. So delicate she melts hearts.”
Zuo Meng massaged his temples. He needed law chains energy, not teenage drama. But with Gu Fei ignoring him, he sat trapped by social niceties.
Meanwhile in Liuhe City…
Ma Wutong kowtowed thrice before a spirit tablet. Three years’ mourning complete, he lit incense.
“Three years… finally!”
Locking the wooden door, he vanished into night.
On the mountain, Zuo Qiu found her wayward brother missing. A dove brought news. Reading it, her face hardened.
“Ma Wutong DARES target my Senior Brother?”
“He seeks death!”