Chapter 24: The World’s Best Sword is Indeed a Good Sword

To be frank.

The old saying that fair weather follows a storm is absolutely true.

The moment Mu Ge opened her eyes, she saw the sunlight streaming through the window, warm and intense.

Outside the room came the sounds of people conversing, the laughter of children playing, and the aroma of food being cooked.

All of this made Mu Ge feel dazed for a moment, as if she were still in Fanli Valley.

Mu Ge closed her eyes and reached her right hand beside her, but found only emptiness.

She opened her eyes and saw that no one was there anymore.

Mu Ge got up, carefully shifted herself into her wheelchair, and maneuvered it out of the room.

She looked around and finally spotted Cheng Huan’s figure under a grape trellis.

She saw Cheng Huan holding a branch, teaching a group of children martial arts. The children were attentive and obedient, imitating Cheng Huan’s every move with earnest expressions.

Mu Ge watched the sword techniques Cheng Huan was demonstrating. These were not just casual gestures to fool the children; they were genuine, real sword moves, each one exuding a sense of explosive power.

Mu Ge carefully observed Cheng Huan’s swordplay, comparing it in her mind to the sword techniques of various sects. She found no similarities.

It seemed likely that Cheng Huan’s sword art was unique and marvelous, never before displayed in the Jianghu. Otherwise, Mu Ge would never have failed to recognize it.

Although Mu Ge had never left the valley, she knew the martial arts styles of every major sect in the Jianghu like the back of her hand. This was because Fanli Valley had a close relationship with the world’s foremost intelligence organization, “Ferryless Prefecture”. Ferryless Prefecture collected incredibly detailed information on all the major sects, figures in the Jianghu, and even the Imperial Court. Mu Ge frequently received secret books and letters sent by Ferryless Prefecture to learn about the world outside Fanli Valley. In return, Fanli Valley supplied Ferryless Prefecture with various elixirs and poisons to help them expand their influence.

It could be said that Mu Ge was well-versed in the martial arts of all sects in the Jianghu. This set of sword techniques Cheng Huan was using was something she had never seen before. It seemed likely that it was an exclusive secret technique created by Cheng Huan herself.

But such an exclusive secret technique should be carefully protected. Why was Cheng Huan teaching it to others so casually?

Mu Ge watched as Cheng Huan taught with tireless enthusiasm, even guiding the children on how to exert force to maximize the moves’ power. That serious teaching manner was as dedicated as if she were instructing a successor.

“Miss, you’re awake?”

Mu Ge turned her head and saw it was the Village Chief. She gave a faint smile. “Mm, we slept very well. Thank you for your hospitality, Village Chief.”

The Village Chief waved his hand dismissively. “It’s nothing. Lingchang Village often hosts guests from outside. Sometimes hunters from other villages pass through, and they also stay and rest in our Lingchang Village.”

“Besides, that Miss Cheng also gave us silver. When you think about it, we should be thanking you.”

Mu Ge tilted her head to look at Cheng Huan, who was once again teaching the children horse stance. Her expression was stern, like that of a strict Teacher in a school.

“Oh, right, Miss,” the Village Chief said, pulling forward the old man behind him and introducing him, “This is Doctor Zheng from Heluo Town. Miss Cheng specifically asked me to bring him here to treat your leg.”

Mu Ge was surprised. “Cheng Huan asked you to hire a doctor to look at my leg?”

The Village Chief nodded. “Mm-hmm. Miss Cheng came to find me early in the morning. She originally wanted the village doctor to take a look at you. But since your right leg is broken, the village doctor couldn’t treat it, and we don’t have the necessary herbs. So Miss Cheng specifically gave me some silver to go to nearby Heluo Town and bring back Doctor Zheng to treat your leg.”

Mu Ge touched her injured right leg and nodded. “…Alright.”

Doctor Zheng looked at the wheelchair Mu Ge was maneuvering so freely and asked in amazement, “What is this contraption you are sitting on, Miss? It moves as easily and nimbly as a person walking!”

Mu Ge replied, “A wheelchair. You can manipulate the wheels to move instead of your legs.”

She looked at Cheng Huan, her tone carrying a barely noticeable pride. “She gave it to me.”

Doctor Zheng’s eyes filled with envy. He looked at Cheng Huan, who was walking over, and said with a voice full of emotion and earnestness, “Miss Cheng, could I buy one of these wheelchairs from you? I can pay. My wife’s legs can no longer support her to walk or stand. Now that I have seen this wondrous device, I wish to get one for her.”

Cheng Huan answered nonchalantly, “Sure.”

“When you’ve healed her leg, you can just take this wheelchair with you. No need to buy it; it’s a gift.”

“Thank you, Miss Cheng.” Doctor Zheng was so moved his eyes reddened. He tried to kneel and kowtow in thanks, but Cheng Huan scooped him back up.

Hearing this, Mu Ge’s brows knitted together, her tone revealing her reluctance. “Then what about me?”

Cheng Huan asked, “What?”

“Then I won’t have it anymore.” Mu Ge clenched her palm, her fingertips digging into her skin, causing a slight sting.

It was clearly a thing given to her. Why was it being given away to someone else?

Doctor Zheng looked awkwardly between the two. Although he was grateful for Miss Cheng’s generosity, this wondrous object still belonged to the young lady with the broken leg. If this miss was unwilling to give it, he could not forcibly take it.

Cheng Huan was puzzled. “Your leg will be healed then. Why would you need to keep the wheelchair?”

“But you gave it to me.” Mu Ge said quietly, “This is a gift from you. I cherish it very much.”

Cheng Huan pouted. “A gift?”

“It’s just a mobility tool. How does that count as a gift?”

But then she reconsidered. Mu Ge did value the things she gave her. Now that she was giving it to someone else, it was understandable that Mu Ge felt a bit reluctant and unhappy.

Cheng Huan crouched down to meet Mu Ge’s eyes and coaxed, “How about this: you give the wheelchair to Doctor Zheng, and I’ll get you a different gift, one better than this wheelchair. Okay?”

The young lady was still young, so having a strong sense of possessiveness and control over her belongings was something Cheng Huan understood.

Thus, she planned to substitute it with something else. She had plenty of past mission worlds, so bringing out any random item not found in this world would surely win her over instantly.

“Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

Mu Ge did not continue her little tantrum. After all, Cheng Huan had already compromised for her sake.

And Mu Ge wasn’t an unreasonable person; she knew Doctor Zheng’s wife needed the wheelchair more than she did.

But seeing Cheng Huan give away the wheelchair so readily made Mu Ge feel that Cheng Huan didn’t value the wheelchair, or even her.

Or perhaps, she simply didn’t care.

So Mu Ge had deliberately acted unreasonably, to see how Cheng Huan would resolve the situation.

She had considered many ways Cheng Huan might handle it—like forcefully demanding she give the wheelchair away, or perhaps taking her side and letting her keep it.

But Mu Ge felt that, given her relationship with Cheng Huan, the second solution was a bit uncertain, so she didn’t dare to hold too high an expectation.

As it turned out, Cheng Huan was willing to give her another gift in exchange for the wheelchair.

She hadn’t gotten angry at her, nor blamed her for being unreasonable. Instead, she was gentle and patient, like coaxing a child.

Doctor Zheng and Mu Ge went into the room, and he examined the condition of her right leg.

He stroked his beard and exclaimed, “Thankfully, the bandaging and splinting were done promptly. Otherwise, Miss, your leg might have been ruined.”

Mu Ge naturally knew the state of her right leg. She had checked it after waking up and found that Cheng Huan had bandaged it very well; she hadn’t needed to treat it again herself.

After the examination, Doctor Zheng prescribed a few medicines and said, “In less than a month, the young lady’s leg will certainly recover as good as new.”

Mu Ge replied, “Thank you, Doctor Zheng.”

Doctor Zheng waved his hand. “It is my duty, my duty. This old man should be thanking you, Miss.”

Mu Ge smiled but said nothing.

Cheng Huan taught Doctor Zheng how to use the wheelchair. If the wheelchair ran out of power later, the user could also turn the wheels manually.

Doctor Zheng smiled so wide his eyes practically disappeared, and happily pushed the wheelchair as he left Lingchang Village.

The Village Chief looked at Cheng Huan. “It’s almost noon. What would Miss Cheng and Miss Mu like to eat? I’ll have my wife prepare something.”

Cheng Huan said, “Something light will do. Her body hasn’t fully recovered yet, so she can’t eat greasy food.”

The Village Chief nodded. “Alright! It happens to be the season when mushrooms and bamboo shoots are sprouting in the mountains. I’ll prepare our village’s specialty dishes for you.”

Cheng Huan smiled. “Sorry for the trouble, Village Chief.”

The Village Chief waved his hand again. “It’s no trouble. Miss Cheng gave so much silver, it would be more than enough even if I slaughtered several old hens for you every day.”

“Just making some simple greens and mushrooms is no trouble at all.”

In truth, Cheng Huan didn’t have much silver.This was something she had exchanged from a previous mission world.

But she hadn’t done many ancient mission worlds, so the amount of silver Cheng Huan could extract was limited.

She could give the Village Chief some rare treasures, pearls, and jade, but one shouldn’t flaunt wealth.

Even if the villagers of Lingchang Village were all kind and simple folk, they could still be brought disaster by such gold, silver, and jewels.

If it brought calamity upon them for possessing valuables, that would be terrible.

Cheng Huan pushed the door open and went in, seeing Mu Ge sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the green mountains outside the window.

“What are you thinking about?”

Mu Ge withdrew her gaze. “Just daydreaming.”

Cheng Huan assumed Mu Ge was still in low spirits. She poured a cup of warm tea, handed it over, and comforted her: “Everything will get better.”

“You must believe that surviving a great disaster means good fortune awaits.”

“Falling from such a high cliff and not dying proves that the heavens are protecting you.”

Mu Ge took the teacup and looked at the fragmented tea leaves on the water’s surface. “I feel like these tea leaves in the water: drifting helplessly, lonely and forlorn, carried along by the current, at the mercy of others…”

“Forget it, don’t drink tea,” Cheng Huan said, not understanding how Mu Ge could be so melancholic, even seeing her own life story in tea leaves.

She poured another cup, this time just hot water, pure and clear. “Drink some hot water. You’re injured, and you’ll need to take medicine soon. Drinking tea isn’t good for that.”

Mu Ge accepted it and took a sip. The hot water rolled down her throat, its warmth spreading comfort through her entire body.

“Cheng Huan?”

“Hmm?” Cheng Huan was pouring herself a cup of tea and responded when she heard Mu Ge call her.

Mu Ge gripped the cup, appearing somewhat troubled. “Cheng Huan, do you ever think that I’m too much of a… burden?”

“Hmm? Why would you say that about yourself?” Cheng Huan didn’t understand.

“I fell off the cliff and accidentally injured you. Because of me, Golden Cicada Pavilion is after you, and I’ve dragged you into running away with me,” Mu Ge bit her lip. “Cheng Huan, why don’t you just leave? Leave me here. Even if Golden Cicada Pavilion catches up, I definitely won’t let them harm you.”

As soon as the words fell, Mu Ge received no reply from Cheng Huan.

She raised her eyes and saw Cheng Huan looking at her silently. Those deep, ink-black eyes made Mu Ge’s heart pound with anxiety.

Mu Ge couldn’t clearly discern the emotion in Cheng Huan’s eyes, but she felt as if Cheng Huan was seeing right through her flesh, into her heart and her lies.

As expected, she had guessed very accurately.

Cheng Huan rested her chin on her hand, her expression indifferent, and said casually, “Mu Ge, if you want something, can’t you just be straightforward?”

“Was there a need for all this roundabout probing?”

Cheng Huan stood up, looking down at Mu Ge’s eyes. The flash of surprise and fear a moment ago had been sensed by her. “I can say this once more: I have no interest in the treasure guarded by the Fanli Clan, no interest in your secrets, and absolutely no interest in killing you to get any treasure.”

“I’ve stated my stance. So, what about you?”

“I don’t like being tested again and again. If you have something to say, just say it directly, and I will consider it,” Cheng Huan gripped Mu Ge’s chin, her gaze piercing. “But if you keep trying every method to scheme against me, I can certainly follow the method you just suggested.”

“Leave you here, your life and death left to fate.”

Mu Ge was forced to raise her head, looking at Cheng Huan’s face, beautiful as a spring dawn. The coldness and warning in her eyes were like a long blade, brutally stabbing into Mu Ge’s trembling heart.

She should not have been so self-righteous, thinking she could use some petty tricks to confuse Cheng Huan and make her into a tool for her own use. She had overestimated her own abilities.

Cheng Huan was First on the Expert Ranking List, with unparalleled martial arts skill. Her inner nature was naturally tough and resolute, unmoved by such things. Her schemes over the past few days had perhaps long been seen through by Cheng Huan. Cheng Huan was simply unwilling to hold it against her, but also unwilling to have her authority repeatedly challenged.

Mu Ge’s hands unconsciously clutched the bedding. She swallowed hard. “S-sorry… it was I… it was I who acted with reckless audacity. I beg Cheng Huan to show leniency and forgive my insolence this once.”

Cheng Huan had not originally wanted to tear off the facade with Mu Ge, but this young lady kept testing her in roundabout ways, which greatly annoyed Cheng Huan.

“What do you want?” Cheng Huan asked in a different way. “What do you want me to do?”

Mu Ge took a deep breath, her gaze resolute, and gritted her teeth. “I don’t want to die. At least, not before I’ve avenged the massacre of my clan.”

Cheng Huan let go, straightened up, and nodded. “I understand.”

Mu Ge breathed a sigh of relief. “Does this mean Cheng Huan agrees?”

Cheng Huan tilted her head, her tone full of mischief as she deliberately teased, “Guess?”

“Guess right, and there’s a reward.”

It was time to let the Female Lead experience the stifling feeling of roundabout, probing behavior herself.

Mu Ge’s lips curved into a smile. “You agreed.”

Her tone was certain.

“Guess correctly,” Cheng Huan chuckled, extending her hand toward Mu Ge. “Here’s your reward.”

Mu Ge looked at the pearl before her. “This is a pearl?”

“Not a pearl,” Cheng Huan pushed her hand forward slightly. “Tap it.”

Mu Ge tapped it twice. The pearl immediately lit up, emitting a soft white glow, and a light, graceful chant began to play. Just hearing it seemed to gently soothe any restless agitation in one’s heart.

“What is this?” Mu Ge asked in astonishment.

“You could call it a type of Night Pearl,” she said. “It’s called a Merman Pearl.”

“But the Night Pearls I’ve seen never sing?”

Although the Fanli Clan lived in seclusion, some sects had still sent them gifts to curry favor, including countless rare treasures.

Cheng Huan thought for a moment and then made something up. “This Night Pearl mutated. It’s not common. It’s normal that you haven’t seen one before.”

“A mutated Night Pearl,” Mu Ge murmured, seemingly understanding as she examined it carefully in her hands. She sighed in wonder, “How amazing.”

“Why are you giving me this?”

Cheng Huan replied, “Aren’t you afraid of thunder?”

“With this, when you sleep, place it beside you and listen to the song inside. You’ll be able to fall asleep better.”

Mu Ge’s pupils trembled, and her heart felt as if it had been fiercely struck.

Not painfully.

But rather… tingling and numb.