Chapter 49: Is This a Reward?

Wang Ling acted with unrestrained indulgence and a love for luxury within the December Sect; her quarters were always decorated to be radiant and exceedingly extravagant.

In the five days since her arrival, she had sought out Lord Wanghua every single day. Turi Qi had been away on missions these past few days. Lord Wanghua frowned deeply but said nothing.

Wang Ling pretended not to know where Lord Wanghua’s heart truly lay. She came every day regardless; even if Lord Wanghua didn't speak, she didn't mind, simply sitting in his room drinking tea and reading storybooks. The marriage contract had been agreed upon by both sides over ten years ago; at the very least, she wanted the outside world to know of her relationship with the Sword Sovereign.

The Sword Sovereign was a prestigious brand.

It seems the Sword Sovereign and his fiancée are deeply in love

—most disciples speculated as much.

Liu-Li Island is about to gain a massive boost; even if not, the Sword Sovereign might help them out for the sake of this connection

—these were the conjectures of those observing the state of Liu-Li Island's business.

Lord Wanghua was a man of extraordinary talent. In the great war that broke through the Demon Realm over a decade ago, he had dazzled everyone and laid the groundwork for victory. Perhaps he wasn't the sole deciding factor, but he certainly brought victory to the cultivation world sooner, earning him immense prestige.

Sect Leader Ling Zhihuan did not interfere in these matters, nor could she. Her cultivation had been stagnant for a long time; she spent her days handling sect affairs and had no more time to cultivate. Of course, the primary reason was her limited talent.

For a cultivator to reach the Nascent Soul stage was already rare in the world. Ling Zhihuan was stuck at the late Nascent Soul stage, unable to step into the Great Achievement stage. Currently, living Golden Core cultivators could be described as scarce, and Nascent Soul cultivators were even fewer—one could name them all. As for the Great Achievement stage... in the entire cultivation world, only the Sword Sovereign possessed such cultivation, and even then, he was only at the early stage. Above that, the Tribulation Transcendence stage was unheard of.

Ascension? It felt as if it had never been seen.

Meanwhile, the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages were as common as hair on an ox. Across the seven realms of cultivation, the disparity in numbers was striking. The war against the Demon Realm over a decade ago had widened the gap further, as many Golden Core, Integration, and Nascent Soul cultivators had perished in the Demon Realm.

Ling Zhihuan walked through her sleeping quarters. Her appearance gradually shifted from that of an old grandmother to a woman of about forty—the age when she entered the late Foundation Establishment stage, and her body's true age. Her features were heroically sharp, with a pair of sword-like brows slanting into her temples. Her stride became fast and wide, her aura imposing, like a general of the mortal world born to ride across battlefields.

Ling Zhihuan stood at her desk writing. The desk was piled with mountains of dossiers and documents. The Sect Leader toiled over sect affairs large and small, noting down solutions and stamping them with the fiery red seal of the Sect Leader.

When she saw matters concerning the Sword Sovereign, Ling Zhihuan would pause with a furrowed brow, then place them on the other side, deciding to discuss them with him later. But soon, the stack of documents she couldn't decide on alone grew higher and higher. Some required consultation with the Elders; others, the Sword Sovereign.

...

It wasn't until sunset that a white crane cried out outside the hall to remind her of the time. Ling Zhihuan finally set down her pen and pinched the bridge of her nose. She cast a weary glance at the pile of unresolved documents, then looked up at the portrait of the previous Sect Leader.

The woman in the portrait stood atop a building, holding a sword dripping with blood. A fierce cold wind blew, making her clothes snap and her dark hair fly. She wore a look of scornful mockery, her killing intent almost bursting from the scroll.

Ling Zhihuan suddenly thought of Zora, the child with the glass heart. Zora didn't look like someone who enjoyed managing affairs, and Ling Zhihuan didn't intend for her to do so; she only hoped Zora would cultivate faster—even faster still. She needed her to grow up quickly and become a figure who could rival the Sword Sovereign.

Stability in the world required great powers. Even the one called the number one sword cultivator needed a counterweight; Ling Zhihuan could not believe he could truly remain forever without heart, emotion, or desire.

Ling Zhihuan looked at the scroll and sighed: "I am currently restricted on all sides. I am called Sect Leader, but compared to the majesty of your time, I am far diminished."

"Turi Qi is a good prospect, and I am still weighing her, but she is a kind, righteous child who cannot harden her heart. I fear that if she sits where I am, she will quickly be hollowed out and become a puppet-like slave."

"A cultivator need not pursue evil, nor need they pursue good; this is the Dao you realized."

Ling Zhihuan gazed at the scroll, as if returning to her childhood and staring at the woman's back. In the silence, the white crane cried a few more times. She finally stepped out of her quarters and headed to other parts of the sect to continue her duties.

Although the cultivation world had developed over centuries or even millennia, progress was slow because the paths taken were essentially a futile attempt to decipher the Heavenly Dao. Initially, cultivation wasn't called cultivation; it was merely a method discovered by people to strengthen their bodies for hunting and survival.

Then, people discovered spiritual power. Spiritual power chose the people, and the crowd was sharply divided. At that time, there were no sects, no sword, Buddhist, medicine, or formation cultivators. There were no rules, no laws. Cultivators groped their way forward without a correct path, having no concept of Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment.

Power did not equal wisdom. Talent did not equal good character. Thus, there were always cultivators who plotted to become emperors, overturn old customs, and do as they pleased. How many truly dedicated themselves to the Dao?

The prerequisite for cultivation was not kindness or righteousness. This led to chaos for countless years; many commoners were displaced, and royals were killed, yet imperial power never vanished—everyone wanted to be King. Back then, mortals and cultivators were not distinct, and the gap wasn't as large as it is now. They were simply divided into camps, and the chaos repeated for a long time. People became fewer and fewer, especially cultivators.

Cultivators were once mortals; mortals were the foundation of the cultivation world. When the foundation was destroyed, the end was inevitable. It wasn't until several exceptionally talented cultivators who were dedicated to resolving the chaos quelled the rebellions and completely separated the cultivation world from the mortal realm, pulling cultivators away from mortal lands. Only then did the development of the cultivation world move onto the right track.

A day later, Zora met the Sect Leader in the Falling Rock Forest.

She had just finished practicing her sword. Zhou Shijin had been sitting in the courtyard an incense stick ago, occasionally reminding and teaching her sword techniques, but she had suddenly vanished. Then, Sect Leader Ling Zhihuan walked in.

Ling Zhihuan appeared as a spirited old grandmother. She smiled at Zora: "Zora, it’s only been a few days, yet your cultivation has improved again."

Zora didn't know where her master had run off to, so she had to receive the guest. Hearing this, she performed a greeting, called her Sect Leader, and then answered honestly: "Indeed."

"..." Ling Zhihuan was momentarily choked up, then her smile deepened. "Sincere and straightforward; indeed, there is no need to stick to conventions."

She didn't wait for Zora to speak before continuing: "I have a mission I wish to entrust to you."

Zora: "What is it?"

"Floating Cloud Valley has always had the best relationship with the December Sect. Medicine cultivators are slightly weaker in combat, so they usually look to us for help," Ling Zhihuan said. "Recently, monsters have appeared near Floating Cloud Valley and need to be eradicated. I have thought long and hard, and the most capable of your generation is you; you are even about to surpass your seniors. So I wish to give this to you. Are you willing?"

Zora had no sense of awe toward the Sect Leader. Hearing this, she asked in confusion: "Is this a mission or a favor?"

Ling Zhihuan laughed loudly: "Hahaha, it’s a mission, of course. The reward and bounty will be just as they should be."

Zora: "Okay."

Ling Zhihuan: "This is a token that allows you to see the Valley Master of Floating Cloud Valley. When you arrive, you can go directly to see her and let her brief you on the mission."

It was a small black token. Zora took it.

Ling Zhihuan smiled: "By the way, if you want to take that Vane of yours, you may. It’s just that he cannot see the Valley Master; he can just follow you on the mission."

Zora didn't show a shred of the shyness a junior might feel when teased. She looked directly into Ling Zhihuan’s eyes and said: "Can the servant be taken inside?"

She had seen many scenes where a master discussed affairs while the servant stood beside them.

"Who?"

"Vane. Can I bring a servant to see the Valley Master?"

...

What?

Ling Zhihuan almost doubted her ears. Vane was also a good prospect she had high hopes for, expecting him to become a great power. He and Zora both had limitless futures, and Ling Zhihuan paid quite a bit of attention to them—now she realized she might not have paid enough.

The news that one genius she anticipated was the servant of another was truly shocking. It took her a while before she asked in surprise.

"Is it because he is your servant that you are with him all day?"

Zora answered as if it were only natural: "Mhm."

"I thought..." Ling Zhihuan’s expression was strange. She paused, then said hesitantly, "That he followed you because he had feelings for you."

Zora thought about it and felt the conclusion made no sense: "There shouldn't be a servant who likes the master who orders him around."

Becoming a loyal servant was one thing; liking the master was another. Zora couldn't understand it. It might be understandable for a master to like a servant since they controlled the other, but the reverse was very strange—especially for a proud villain like Vane.

Ling Zhihuan murmured: "I suppose... that is so..."

She told Zora she couldn't bring a servant to see the Valley Master and then headed back. As she walked out of the Falling Rock Forest, she still felt a sense of unreality.

...Perhaps for the sect, it’s a good thing? At least I don't have to worry about a boy whose temperament I can't grasp doing something bad?

He didn't look unwilling or resentful toward Zora; one could tell with their toes that he was doing it quite happily. Ling Zhihuan breathed a sigh of relief. On the surface, Vane was a polite youth with a kind heart, but she could tell he hid ferocity within. This way, it could be considered a good thing.

...

Zora didn't know Ling Zhihuan’s conflicted thoughts. She put away the token and prepared to continue practicing her sword. Walking to the stream, she found her master lying in a tree.

Zhou Shijin said: "You startled the Sect Leader. But it's good; you're simply standing a head above that boy. Hahahahahaha!"

Zora was unhappy: "Why did you hide just now? You should have been the one to welcome her."

"I wasn't in the mood," Zhou Shijin smiled. "What’s with that look? It’s like you’re about to kick off the ground and ram into me."

She lay back down, looking at the sky filtered through the leaves. Her hem and dark hair hung down, some winding around the trunk, lazy and unfettered.

After a long while, when Zora was already practicing her sword, Zhou Shijin said as if in casual conversation: "Who told your master I used to be a genius on par with the Sword Sovereign? Lord Wanghua and I were once called the Twin Swords—oh, I think those people had no taste. I was clearly a head above him; how could we be called peers?"

"The Sect Leader had high hopes, but I was ambushed, my meridians damaged, and I fell to this state. Lord Wanghua became the Sword Sovereign, lost his rival, and the sect has subtly become his one-man show. If it weren't for his lack of interest in sect affairs, your Sect Leader would have had to fight him long ago."

She gazed at the light-filtering leaves, slightly lost in thought.

Zora listened, gave a "mhm," and continued practicing. That sound, as still as an ancient well, dragged Zhou Shijin back. She sat up instantly and said: "Disciple, did I not teach you to comfort someone you care about?"

Zora stopped her stance and thought for a moment: "It’s fine, you’re still alive."

"..." Even Zhou Shijin, who had been with this disciple for a long time and knew her personality, took a moment to realize Zora was saying it was a blessing that she survived the ambush. She laughed: "Truly naive and a bit blunt... fine, I’ve received the comfort."

Zhou Shijin offered a few more pointers on Zora's sword techniques before heading off to drink.

Night fell, the moon bright and stars sparse. Ling Zhihuan, exhausted from the day, suddenly remembered Zora's matter. Zora didn't have many schemes, but the sharp-minded boy beside her likely could sense things. Previously, she would have worried if he would be jealous; now, knowing their relationship, she was strangely at ease.

If Vane chose to be with Zora like that voluntarily, Ling Zhihuan might still worry. But they were in a forced master-servant relationship, and that cold youth still appeared perfectly willing; that was enough to explain his thoughts.

In the dark, Vane went to the Falling Rock Forest, and Zora informed him directly to remember they were going to Floating Cloud Valley tomorrow. Vane acknowledged it.

Zora curled up in her blankets to read, while Vane was in her room packing the things she needed for the trip. While folding her clothes, Vane asked: "Is the mission to go directly to the outskirts of Floating Cloud Valley to deal with monsters?"

Zora, lying on the bed and flipping a page, wasn't paying attention to him. She answered casually: "No, the Sect Leader wants me to see the Valley Master first."

"..." The youth’s hand folding the clothes paused for a moment, then continued. His lashes lowered for an instant. Vane, with his more delicate mind, guessed the Sect Leader's intention almost instantly. Floating Cloud Valley and the December Sect had always been on good terms, as were the Sect Leader and the Valley Master. Ling Zhihuan felt safe letting the Valley Master see Zora, likely wanting to use her talent to have the Valley Master examine Zora's meridians and body to see if she needed any conditioning or if her cultivation was correct and without damage.

After all, medicine cultivators were the experts in this area.

If he were a peer at her level, hearing this news might cause jealousy, but Vane felt none. Not only was there not a shred of resentment, he instinctively recalled information about the Valley Master, speculating on her character and whether there would be problems with her meeting Zora.

"Can a servant be taken inside?" he asked suddenly.

It was the exact same question as Zora's; he asked because he didn't trust the Valley Master. Hadn't there been stories of people taking a cultivator's sword bone before?

Zora, too, simply wanted to bring a servant who could act as a meat shield out of habit, just for a bit more security.

Zora said regretfully: "No."

Vane: "I see... then stay safe and remain vigilant at all times."

Zora gave an "mhm."

Vane finished packing the luggage and came to Zora’s bedside: "It's all packed."

Zora didn't look at him. "Mhm, mhm."

Vane was silent for a while, then said: "The food is prepared as well. Today I happened to go to Ning'an County for a mission and bought plenty of osmanthus cakes and other food."

Zora acknowledged a few more times. After a moment of silence, she noticed Vane hadn't left. Unlike usual, he didn't just give a few reminders after finishing and then leave.

"?"

Zora sat up and looked at him for a few breaths.

"..." It was he who looked away first, gazing elsewhere.

"What do you want?" Zora asked in confusion.

"..." Vane pursed his lips. After a long while, he stared at the ground and said: "...Huaichuan."

Zora tilted her head: "?"

"What needs to be done... for a reward like that one in Huaichuan?" After he spoke, his expression steadied. He looked down at Zora—at her simple face that knew nothing of love. The youth’s voice was completely calm, as if he were speaking of something very ordinary.

Since she didn't approach, he could take a step forward with composure. Vane observed her discreetly while Zora appeared to be thinking. Vane’s gaze fixedly traced her thinking eyes and brows, and he spoke slowly: "Is it by doing something for you that makes you very satisfied?"

"Mhm..." Zora didn't find anything wrong with what he said, so she adopted it directly. "Yes, it's about making me very satisfied." She figured it out and asked curiously: "You want it? Then what did you buy?"

Vane listed a long string of things, including many novelties she hadn't eaten before. Zora reached out. The youth paused, then knelt on one knee beside her bed.

As Zora sat on the bed, he was just a bit shorter than her. The youth lifted his head slightly, looking up. He looked like a dog sitting by her bed, looking up obediently, his face a cold mask stripped of disguise, but his lips were tense.

Zora also had no expression, though her almond eyes made the girl look very harmless. He extremely thoughtfully leaned into her palm of his own accord. She took the opportunity to touch the youth’s ear, then stroked his head.

A strand of the youth’s forehead hair had grown quite long. Zora looked closely, and as if playing a game, she smoothed the hair back and then twisted it to tuck it behind his ear. As she tucked it, Vane appeared to follow her force and tilted his head slightly, his cheek touching her wrist.

The youth's face was also soft and warm. Touching the inside of her icy wrist, it felt even softer and warmer. Zora was indeed distracted; she poked his cheek with her finger.

"Why are you always so warm?"

Vane allowed her movements, his dark eyes looking only at her: "My constitution is simply so."

Zora agreed: "True. I'm very cold."

No one noticed the slight flush on the youth's face, nor did anyone notice his fixed, staring dark eyes. Her hand was warmed by his skin. Zora gradually turned it into play, playing with his forehead hair, poking his face, curiously observing the flow of blood in his neck and the strange sensation of touching bone through flesh. Zora’s gaze followed her hand throughout, completely forgetting this was supposed to be a reward to make him happy, only caring about exploring according to her own interests.

Vane, meanwhile, watched her quietly and silently. The candlelight cast a warm glow, the night was hazy, and a cool breeze quietly slipped through the crack in the window. No one could say for sure whether this was a reward she gave or amusement he provided to please her.