Chapter 93

World Three【7】

Luo Yuezhu was overjoyed. She trotted directly to the kitchen to request hot water, then took out tea leaves of the highest quality and brewed what she considered her best cup of tea ever.

“Master, please have some tea.” Luo Yuezhu carried the teacup before Jing Ke and bowed slightly with perfect etiquette.

Jing Ke acknowledged with an ‘Mm’, took the cup from her little disciple’s hands, blew on it gently, and then took a very considerate sip.

Seeing that her miss had already changed her form of address, Little Mu was also quite happy. She quickly dragged the handyman along to help the cook, so that the evening meal could be made more sumptuous.

Luo Yuezhu herself didn’t mind at all sharing a table with Little Mu. It was just that Little Mu insisted on the separation between master and servant. If she set a precedent that wasn’t proper, those below might follow suit, and gradually they might stop viewing Luo Yuezhu as their mistress.

Blunt but true, Little Mu’s concern wasn’t unreasonable. So, Luo Yuezhu simply instructed that smaller portions of each dish be served, just enough for herself and Jing Ke. The rest would be divided among the other five.

Thus, during dinner, only Jing Ke and Luo Yuezhu could sit at the table.

Originally, Luo Yuezhu sat in the main seat, but remembering she was now Jing Ke’s disciple, she gave up the place and earnestly requested her Master take the seat of honor.

Jing Ke naturally didn’t care about such details. Seeing Luo Yuezhu’s particular insistence, she went along with her wish and sat down, also placing the fine wine she’d brought from the restaurant onto the table.

“Does Master enjoy drinking?” Luo Yuezhu asked, looking at the wine jar with curiosity.

“I wouldn’t say like, but I don’t dislike it either. I’ll have a little when I’m in a good mood.” Jing Ke said.

Recalling that Luo Yuezhu was only ten, she silently picked up the wine jar and placed it further away. “You’re still young, you can’t drink alcohol. It’s bad for your health.”

“Okay…” Luo Yuezhu nodded, suppressing the thought that had just popped into her head.

–

What was the difference between Miss Luo and Little Disciple Luo?

This became apparent when Jing Ke dragged Luo Yuezhu out of bed just as the sky was slightly brightening. After making her little disciple change into clothes suitable for movement, Jing Ke ordered her to start jogging to warm up.

Once the little disciple was panting for breath, Jing Ke let her briefly wipe down before going to eat breakfast.

Less than half a shichen after breakfast, the little disciple began her unshakable daily horse stance practice, holding it for an entire morning.

Lunch and the hour after the meal was the rest period Jing Ke designated. After a nap lasting less than half a shichen, Jing Ke began teaching her little disciple swordsmanship.

Starting from the very basics of drawing the sword, swinging it, and sheathing it, she immediately had her practice three hundred times.

When told she could learn swordsmanship, Luo Yuezhu was thrilled. The first few dozen repetitions of drawing and sheathing the sword were filled with enthusiasm.

But repeating a single, monotonous action proved slightly dull for ten-year-old Luo Yuezhu. After a hundred repetitions, the smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by a tightly clenched jaw.

“Don’t stop. Maintain this frequency. Find the angle and method that makes drawing your sword more comfortable, and keep repeating it.” Jing Ke said with a stern face.

A strict teacher produces outstanding students—she understood this principle well. So, in her role as Master teaching martial arts, Jing Ke didn’t intend to go easy on Luo Yuezhu. On the contrary, because Luo Yuezhu’s talent was good, she raised her demands and standards even higher.

“There are no shortcuts in practicing martial arts or becoming stronger. Every extra practice you do now makes your sword strike a fraction faster when facing an enemy.” Seeing her little disciple’s movements gradually slow down, Jing Ke reminded her in a grave tone.

Jing Ke: “Last fifty times. Keep it steady.”

Drawing, swinging, and sheathing the sword three hundred times—this was a challenging task for ten-year-old Luo Yuezhu.

Not to mention, during her morning horse stance training, she had already held wooden buckets for almost two shichen. Now, with so many arm movements added, she couldn’t help but begin to wonder if she’d be able to smoothly use chopsticks at dinner tonight.

“Last thirty times.”

“Twenty…”

“…Ten…”

“Three, two, one. Good, completed.”

Jing Ke constantly counted down for her little disciple, helping Luo Yuezhu rely on her willpower to complete three hundred repetitions of drawing, swinging, and sheathing the sword.

No, it should be three hundred and one. After Jing Ke announced completion, Luo Yuezhu stubbornly pushed through one more.

“Master, I exceeded the quota.” Luo Yuezhu said. Her arms involuntarily began trembling and aching, but a smile reappeared on her face.

“Not bad. Rest now. You can look at the account books or wander around a bit.” Jing Ke affirmed her little disciple’s achievement and rubbed her head. “Remember to have plenty of hot water ready tonight. I prepared a medicinal bath for you. From now on, soak in it every evening.”

“A medicinal bath? Is it the kind where you soak and get stronger?” Luo Yuezhu asked, looking up.

She had seen this in storybooks, where one protagonist stumbled upon a Marrow Cleansing formula after falling off a cliff. After persisting for three months, he became a martial arts master and swept through all opposition.

“There are medicinal baths that can make you stronger, but most of the ingredients aren’t available on the market. They require time to gather.” Jing Ke didn’t brush her off but answered seriously. “The sect’s treasure vault should have the specific ingredients, but their medicinal properties are far too potent for you right now. If you soaked for a shichen, maybe even your bones wouldn’t be left.”

Luo Yuezhu shuddered involuntarily at this. “Th-then what about the medicinal bath Master is preparing for me?”

“It’s formulated from relatively common medicinal herbs. The effect is slightly better than ointment; it’ll improve your constitution a bit after soaking.”

Jing Ke smiled, “You haven’t grown up yet. If you persist daily, you can also grow a bit taller—maybe as tall as me, your Master.”

“This disciple understands. Thank you, Master.” Luo Yuezhu breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the fortuitous encounters in storybooks weren’t something just anyone could endure.

–

The effects of the medicinal bath were quite noticeable. After the soak, Luo Yuezhu’s arms didn’t ache, her back didn’t hurt, and her sleep quality that night was exceptionally good.

But while Luo Yuezhu was lost in dreams, Jing Ke, who had been resting on the bed, had somehow already left it. She donned her profound-colored outer robe and silently drew her sword.

It wasn’t like there was no moon at all tonight. So why choose now to make a move?

Jing Ke sighed inwardly, then nimbly flipped out the window and made her way directly onto the roof.

Her little disciple had worked hard today. It was best not to disturb her rest.

Thinking this, before the assassin dressed in night clothes could infiltrate the courtyard, Jing Ke efficiently slit his throat with a single sword stroke. Then, using her qi, she tossed the body out of the Luo Residence.

Hearing the sound of footsteps on roof tiles, Jing Ke tilted her head, dodging a sneak attack from a hidden weapon. She looked towards the uninvited guest, who was clearly not from the same group as the previous one.

The moon was slightly dim tonight, but Jing Ke could still see that the person who had ambushed her with the hidden weapon was wearing a bright red dress and holding a soft whip. Judging solely by appearance, she was a woman with extremely alluring features.

“Are you from the Devil Sect?” Jing Ke asked.

Based on Jing Ke’s understanding of the Central Plains Wulin, this style seemed rather out of place.

“Yes. I heard that you, Miss, intend to shelter the little girl who escaped calamity from the Luo family?” The enchanting woman spoke with a smile, her voice sounding incredibly bewitching.

“Not a little girl. She is my disciple. My only disciple.” Jing Ke corrected.

Hearing Jing Ke’s words, the enchanting woman revealed a surprised expression. “Your martial cultivation is not weak. Why would you choose a ten-year-old girl who had never practiced any martial arts? Is this what you in the Central Plains Wulin call ‘repaying a drop of water with a gushing spring’?”

The enchanting woman’s tone sounded quite normal, but paired with the hint of mockery in her eyes, it took on an entirely different meaning.

The enchanting woman was mocking Jing Ke for being so rigid, sacrificing her own martial arts legacy for the sake of so-called gratitude.

“Let me ask you a question. Was it you who killed Squire Luo’s family?” Jing Ke asked, her long sword emitting a faint hum.

“Although I am of the Devil Sect, I am not fond of fighting and killing. I’ve always believed that whoever deserves to die should be killed. It’s not about letting the real culprit go free while venting rage by killing eighteen innocent people.”

The enchanting woman said with a beaming smile, simultaneously channeling her Inner Strength into her weapon, ready to act at any moment.

“You weren’t the one who killed them? Then what are you doing here?” Jing Ke narrowed her eyes slightly, contemplating whether to eliminate this Devil Sect member of unknown rank.

“Naturally, to see if the real culprit would feel guilt because someone died for him, and come here to offer some compensation.” The enchanting woman said.

“My lady, you’ve asked me questions, and I have answered truthfully. Shouldn’t you also answer my questions?” The enchanting woman still wore a smile on her face, but using her wide sleeve as cover, she had already opened a vial of colorless, odorless poison.

“Fine. What question do you want to ask?” Jing Ke felt this enchanting woman might know many things, so she didn’t rush to attack.

“I heard the Yamen runners of Peace Offering City apprehended two members of the Martial Arts Alliance around the Si hour today. Do you, my lady, happen to know who these two are?” The enchanting woman asked, using her qi to waft the poison towards Jing Ke.

“One was Yu Buduo, the other Lin Yuxiu. Both from the Martial Arts Alliance’s Azure Dragon Hall. The latter seems to be the Deputy Hall Master.” Jing Ke didn’t lie, telling her what she knew.

“Lin Yuxiu?” The enchanting woman’s pupils contracted slightly, as if recalling some unpleasant memory. “Can my lady describe this Lin Yuxiu’s appearance in detail?”

This time, Jing Ke wasn’t so forthcoming. “I’ve already answered one of your questions. Isn’t it my turn?”

The enchanting woman chuckled. She had been talking so much precisely to stall for time, so she naturally wouldn’t refuse Jing Ke’s suggestion. “My lady is quite right. What does my lady wish to ask?”

“Why did the Devil Sect target Squire Luo’s family?” Jing Ke asked.

“Our Cult Leader forbade spreading this information, but quite a few people in the Central Plains Wulin probably already know. Telling you won’t hurt.” The enchanting woman paused, as if organizing her words.

“Some time ago, a traitor appeared in the Devil Sect, leading to our Cult Leader being wounded in an ambush by the Martial Arts Alliance’s Elders.” The enchanting woman said. “After investigation, that traitor is likely an inside agent planted by the Martial Arts Alliance over four years ago.”

“We don’t know who the inside agent is yet, but he once said that while he was begging on the streets, Squire Luo of Peace Offering City took him in for a period. Apparently, he worked as a groom?”

The enchanting woman smiled. “The Right Protector was quite impatient. Finding himself unable to locate the inside agent, he could only start with Squire Luo, who had helped the agent. It was also meant as a warning to the agent—if he doesn’t show himself, more people he knows will die because of him.”

Jing Ke frowned deeply upon hearing this. Although she had no concrete proof, her intuition told her that the inside agent the enchanting woman spoke of was very likely Lin Yuxiu.

“Lin Yuxiu is about my height, wears green robes, and uses a sword.” Jing Ke said, casually replicating a sword move Lin Yuxiu had used.

“This is his habitual opening stance. His swordsmanship is average, but his Inner Strength level is decent.” Jing Ke summarized succinctly.

The enchanting woman was first stunned, then her smile grew even wider. “My lady, you are quite a remarkable person. Do you truly not mind exchanging information with a member of the Devil Sect like me?”

“You are from the Devil Sect, but you are not my little disciple’s enemy. And you’ve also given me information. Whether or not I kill you is unimportant to me.” Jing Ke said, her tone calm.

“Martial Arts Alliance, Four Seas Pavilion, or Devil Sect—in my eyes, they are all just people with martial skills. As long as they haven’t provoked me or my disciple, there’s no great difference between them.”

This was Jing Ke’s genuine view. Ultimately, these people were just individuals who used their martial prowess to place themselves above the law. The distinctions were minor; none of them were particularly good people.

“My lady, I am the Left Protector of the Devil Sect. The Central Plains Wulin has given me a nickname, the Smiling Devil Woman.” The enchanting woman said with a beaming smile. “How may I address you, my lady?”

“Do you want me to call you ‘Smiling’ or ‘Devil Woman’?” Jing Ke countered. “Don’t you have your own name?”

Hearing Jing Ke’s words, the enchanting woman’s smile became even more radiant, and she laughed openly without restraint.

“Interesting. My lady is truly interesting. It’s been a long time since anyone asked me my name.” The enchanting woman said. “I never change my name or surname. Yin Honglian is my name. Yin Honglian.”

Jing Ke frowned slightly. “I’ve got it, Yin Honglian. My little disciple is still resting. Could you please lower your voice?”

“Of course. But my lady is?” Yin Honglian asked with a smile, dialing her voice back by fifty percent.

“Jing Ke. Since you’ve been inquiring in Peace Offering City, you should already know my name.” Jing Ke said.

“Yes, but exchanging names is still necessary. What if you used a false name externally?” Yin Honglian said, still smiling. “One last question. If I sneak into the government office to abduct Lin Yuxiu, will you stop me?”

“Abduct Lin Yuxiu?” Jing Ke raised an eyebrow, a hint of confusion hidden in her eyes.

“What, are you going to stop me, Jing Ke?” Yin Honglian said, a slight shift occurring deep within her gaze.

“No, I just find it strange. Why take him away instead of simply killing him?” Jing Ke asked honestly. “Isn’t it always said, ‘kick him while he’s down’?”

“Ah, that. Naturally, our Cult Leader wishes to kill the traitor personally. As a subordinate, I must follow the Cult Leader’s orders.” Yin Honglian’s tone softened, but the confusion in her eyes grew deeper.

She had been chatting with this Jing Ke for so long already, so why did the other party seem perfectly fine? Had the poison she concocted malfunctioned?

“Oh.” Jing Ke replied. “So, aren’t you leaving yet? Shouldn’t nighttime be more convenient for such actions?”

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Jing Ke’s mouth. “Or is it, Yin Honglian, that you’re waiting for your poison to take effect?”

Yin Honglian’s pupils contracted slightly, but the expression on her face didn’t change at all. Instead, she put on a somewhat innocent look. “Jing Ke, what are you talking about? What poison? Don’t slander me.”

“Seeing as you can take Lin Yuxiu away, I won’t kill you tonight.” Jing Ke naturally didn’t believe Yin Honglian’s words.

The reason she hadn’t been poisoned was that she had long been immune to all poisons. But this poison-immune constitution didn’t mean Jing Ke couldn’t sense the presence of the poison itself.

“Tell me the whereabouts of the Devil Sect’s Right Protector, and you can leave.” Jing Ke said.

A flicker of annoyance appeared in Yin Honglian’s eyes as she silently raised her guard against Jing Ke.

Indeed, someone who could casually beat a Martial Arts Alliance Deputy Hall Master into a severe injury couldn’t possibly be a simple character. She had been somewhat presumptuous.

“The Left and Right Protectors only answer to the Cult Leader’s orders. As for the Right Protector, he’s probably gone to the Yangzhou region to find the main culprit. I don’t know his exact whereabouts.” A desire to retreat grew in Yin Honglian’s heart.

If her poison hadn’t taken effect, she likely couldn’t defeat the formidable swordswoman before her.

“That’s it?” Jing Ke said, shaking her sword. She was clearly dissatisfied with the information Yin Honglian had divulged.

“If I take Lin Yuxiu back, the Cult Leader will likely recall the Right Protector. Jing Ke, you could choose to intercept him Outside the Pass. Perhaps you’ll succeed.” Yin Honglian smiled.

“It truly is late now. My profound apologies for disturbing you at this hour. I shall take my leave first.” Realizing the situation was unfavorable, Yin Honglian prepared to make a swift escape.

Seeing Yin Honglian depart, Jing Ke hesitated for a single second. Considering that the woman might help her deal with Lin Yuxiu, she finally chose to sheathe her sword.

For the sake of her continued usefulness and the considerable intelligence provided, she wouldn’t kill her this time.