I had no intention of entering the martial world.

Chapter 38 Guest Recruit Order

Yuehua's eyes softened.

"That's enough," she said. "Sometimes, love doesn't need a definition, it just needs to be felt."

She stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the lake outside:

"Miss Chu, I have answers to all three questions. But I still have one question to ask myself."

"What's the problem?"

"Should I get involved in this mess?" Yuehua turned around and looked at them. "For a hundred years, Wenjian Pavilion has remained neutral and has never interfered in the conflicts of the martial world. If I cooperate with you, it will be equivalent to breaking neutrality, and from then on, Wenjian Pavilion will find it difficult to remain unscathed."

Chu Xueya also stood up:

"Master, the world is about to descend into chaos, and no one can remain unscathed. Rather than being passively drawn in, it is better to take the initiative and seize control of the situation."

Yuehua smiled:

"You've convinced me. Okay, I agree to cooperate."

Chu Xueya breathed a sigh of relief:

"Thank you, Pavilion Master."

"Don't thank me yet," Yuehua said. "I have conditions."

"Speaking."

"First, during the cooperation period, you must follow my arrangements. I know when to advance and when to retreat."

"Can."

"Secondly, after finding the White Rainbow Sword, all three swords must be handed over to the Sword Inquiry Pavilion for safekeeping. I will use a special method to seal them to ensure that the Heavenly Gate will not be opened accidentally."

"Can."

"Third," Yuehua looked at Lu Chenzhou, "Young Master Lu, I need you to promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"You cannot use the full power of the Azure Nether Sword before you take your revenge," Yuehua said. "Every time the Azure Nether Sword is used, its spirit awakens a little more. If it awakens completely before you take your revenge, you will immediately become the sword's puppet, and no one will be able to save you then."

Lu Chenzhou nodded:

"I agree."

"Alright." Yuehua took out a token from her bosom and handed it to Chu Xueya. "This is the Guest Elder Token of Wenjian Pavilion. With this token, you can mobilize Wenjian Pavilion's intelligence network in various places and also receive protection from Wenjian Pavilion."

Chu Xueya took the token; it was cold and heavy in her hand.

"As for the whereabouts of the White Rainbow Sword..." Yuehua walked back to the table and spread out a map. "I do know some clues."

The map is very large, depicting the entire Jiangnan region, with mountains, rivers, cities, and villages clearly marked.

"A hundred years ago, after the three swords sealed the Heavenly Gate, the White Rainbow Sword Master went into seclusion overseas with his sword." Yuehua pointed to the southeast corner of the map. "According to the records of the Sword Inquiry Pavilion, the last place he appeared was Quanzhou Port. Since then, no one has ever seen him again."

"Overseas?" Chu Xueya frowned. "Where exactly?"

"I don't know." Yuehua shook her head. "But there are rumors that he went to a fairy island called 'Penglai.' However, that's just a legend, and it's hard to tell if it's true or not."

Penglai Immortal Island?

Lu Chenzhou and Chu Xueya exchanged a glance, both seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.

"Sect Master," Chu Xueya asked, "do you think this rumor is credible?"

"Fifty-fifty," Yuehua said. "The White Rainbow Sword Master did indeed set sail, but whether he found Penglai is unknown. However..."

She paused, then pointed to another location on the map:

"I recently received intelligence that someone saw a sword light near the Ryukyu Islands—a purple sword light, like lightning, and also like... a rainbow."

The light from the Purple Lightning Sword is purple.

The sword light of the White Rainbow Sword... should be white, right?

"Are you sure it's sword light?" Lu Chenzhou asked.

"I'm not sure." Yuehua shook her head. "It's just a rumor among fishermen that there's a light on the sea at night, like a sword or a rainbow. But that location is right on the shipping route from Quanzhou to Ryukyu."

Chu Xueya pondered for a moment:

"Should we go check out Ryukyu?"

"No rush," Yuehua said. "Before you go overseas, there's something you need to do first."

"What is it?"

"Attend the 'Sword Debate Tournament' next month," Yuehua said. "It's a grand event held once every ten years in the Jiangnan martial arts world, and all the sects and factions will send people to participate. At that time, people from the Seeking Immortals Society and the Shadow Hall may also appear. You can gather information there, and also... settle some personal grudges."

Personal grudges?

Lu Chenzhou's heart skipped a beat.

Where is the sword-fighting tournament held?

"Lin'an." Yuehua looked at Lu Chenzhou. "Young Master Lu, if I'm not mistaken, your enemy Zhao Wanshan is in Lin'an right now."

Lu Chenzhou's pupils suddenly contracted.

Zhao Wanshan...

The person who destroyed everything for him.

The person he dreamed of killing.

Finally, we're going to meet.

"Okay," he said. "I'll go."

Chu Xueya felt a pang of unease when she saw the murderous intent in his eyes, but she said nothing.

She simply held his hand.

Her hands were cold, but her palms were soft.

Lu Chenzhou felt that the surging killing intent in his heart had subsided slightly.

Like the calm before a storm.

Though brief, it was precious.

"Then it's settled." Yuehua put away the map. "You will stay at Wenjian Pavilion for now, recuperate, and prepare for the Sword Debate Tournament. I will arrange for someone to teach you some of the rules of Lin'an and will also provide you with the latest information on Zhao Wanshan."

"Thank you, Pavilion Master." Chu Xueya bowed.

Yuehua waved her hand:

"No need to be so polite. From now on, we are allies."

She paused, looking at the two of them with a deep gaze:

"This road is difficult, dangerous, and could be fatal. Are you... really prepared?"

Lu Chenzhou and Chu Xueya exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously:

"Ready."

Yuehua smiled:

"Then I wish you good luck."

Outside the window, the sun had completely set, and twilight was falling.

Fog rose on the lake, hazy and indistinct, like a thin veil, shrouding Wenjian Pavilion and the unknown road ahead.

But Lu Chenzhou and Chu Xueya's hands were clasped tightly together.

Like the only light in the darkness.

---

One month later, in Lin'an.

The rain began at dusk, light but persistent, like the endless tears of a woman from Jiangnan. Raindrops dripped from the eaves of the green tiles, splashing tiny water droplets on the bluestone slabs. The air was filled with the damp scent of earth and the faint fragrance of osmanthus blossoms—although the flowering season was over, the city seemed forever immersed in a sweet and cloying fragrance.

Lu Chenzhou stood at the head of a bridge, holding an oil-paper umbrella.

The bridge is called "Wangxian Bridge," said to have been built after an emperor dreamt of a celestial being pointing it out. The bridge is made of white marble, and the railings are carved with auspicious clouds and cranes. Although ancient, it still retains its grandeur. Below the bridge flows the canal, its surface rippling with raindrops, reflecting the lights on both banks—red lanterns, yellow candlelight, and the distant sounds of traditional music from restaurants—mingling with the rain, creating an ethereal, dreamlike scene.

This is Lin'an.

The capital of the Southern Song Dynasty was the most prosperous place in the world.

That's also... where Zhao Wanshan lives now.

Lu Chenzhou gripped the umbrella handle tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He had just arrived today and, as arranged by Yuehua, was staying at an inn called "Yuelai" in the east of the city—a rather common name, but very discreet, owned by the Wenjian Pavilion. While resting at the inn, Chu Xueya went out alone, wanting to see the city, and also… the place where his enemy lived.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

A rapid sound of horses' hooves came from the other side of the bridge, accompanied by harsh shouts.

Lu Chenzhou stepped aside to move to the side of the bridge.

Three horses galloped past, carrying three men in brocade robes, long swords at their waists, their faces rugged and menacing. The leader glanced at Lu Chenzhou as he passed by, his eyes fierce, as if sizing up prey.

But Lu Chenzhou didn't care.

His attention was drawn to a sedan chair at the back of the horse caravan.

It was a simple blue sedan chair, but the four porters walked with steady steps and deep, even breathing, clearly skilled in martial arts. The curtain was drawn, obscuring the people inside, but as it passed Lu Chenzhou, a corner of the curtain was blown open by the wind—

He saw a face.

A very familiar face.

Although it was only for a moment, he would never admit his mistake.

Zhao Wanshan.

The person who destroyed everything for him.

The enemy he had been searching for and hating for two years.

Right inside that sedan chair.

Lu Chenzhou's heart skipped a beat, and he almost dropped the umbrella in his hand.

But he quickly regained his composure.

They didn't move, didn't chase, and didn't even glance at the sedan chair.

He simply stood there as the sedan chair disappeared into the rain, as if nothing had happened.

It's been two years.

He finally found his enemy.

It's right in front of you, within reach.

Strangely, he felt neither excitement nor anger, only a cold calm.

Like a stagnant pool, even if you throw a stone in, it won't even cause a ripple.

This is the result of the sword energy erosion—emotions become increasingly weak, and even hatred becomes thinner.

But he knew that the hatred remained.

It's just frozen, like magma under a volcano—seemingly calm, but once it erupts, it will be devastating.

He turned and walked towards the inn.