Chapter 1: The Secret Disciple Part 2

Sang Chencao listened with great interest before joining in. “Feng Rong is obsessed with the sword. She usually keeps to herself, living in seclusion. They say the only reason she acted against the invaders back then was because they disturbed her concentration while she was practicing, which absolutely infuriated those demonic cultists.”

This was common knowledge in the martial world. Initially, some thought Feng Rong was arrogant, but once they realized she was truly just consumed by her craft, they decided she was simply too blunt for her own good.

The more truthful she was, the angrier the defeated cultists became. They never imagined the reason they were kicked out of the Central Plains was essentially a noise complaint.

Sang Chencao added meaningfully, “However, even after founding the Alliance, Feng Rong has continued to live a life detached from worldly affairs, seeking only the peak of the sword. The Alliance’s business is almost entirely handled by her subordinates. To this day, no one knows why she even bothered to create the Hantian Alliance in the first place.”

“An obsession! Who in this world loves the sword more than her?”

“Years ago, I thought about begging her to take me as a disciple, but forget teaching—she wouldn’t even see me!”

“Indeed,” Sang Chencao said smoothly. “Countless seekers have knocked on her door, yet none caught her eye. No one knows why she suddenly decided to take a disciple now.”

This was a riddle that everyone had racked their brains over. If it were a mere rumor, the Hantian Alliance surely would have cleared it up by now. Yet, both the Alliance and Feng Rong remained silent.

Could it be that Feng Rong truly had a disciple?

Seated in the distance, the woman in white lifted her cup to drink tea. She seemed to find the conversation interesting, as the white veil of her hat shifted slightly.

“So, I ask again—who here is confident they can beat Feng Rong’s successor?” Sang Chencao asked with a lingering smile.

No one in the inn answered.

Sang Chencao looked around, sensing the powerful internal energy radiating from those nearby. But these people…

They didn’t come close to the woman in white.

She continued her provocation. “There’s no need for everyone to feel discouraged. This trip shouldn’t be for nothing. Even if you can’t manage to ‘Pluck the Blossom’ at the Meet, perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to serve under Feng Rong’s beloved disciple.”

“Plucking the Blossom” was the most critical part of the Hero Recruitment Meet. Martial artists fought one another to see who could be the first to reach and pluck a specific flower placed at the highest point of the arena.

Hearing this, many people looked indignant. Many considered themselves extraordinary, but who could truly claim they could overcome the Lonely Heart Sword Technique?

Someone muttered, “If Feng Rong had taken me as a disciple back then, maybe I could have Plucked the Blossom.”

“It’s not a given that Feng Rong’s disciple will be the one to do it,” Lin Yaoyao said from behind the counter, using her fan to hide half of her beautiful face. “There are many eccentric masters and hidden talents in the martial world today. Feng Rong is indeed the world’s number one sword, but far to the south, there is the world’s number one whip. Close by in the sand seas, there is the world’s number one blade. There is no shortage of top-tier martial artists.”

“Well said, Innkeeper!” someone laughed heartily.

Lin Yaoyao fanned herself slowly, casting a sidelong glance at Sang Chencao. She said languidly, “Since you’re all heading to Cloud City, try to be a bit more cheerful. Don’t go around with such long faces; it’s bad for my business.”

“I’d like a room,” Sang Chencao suddenly announced.

Lin Yaoyao picked up her ledger and approached her, leaning hip-first against the corner of the table. “How many nights?”

Sang Chencao pointed toward the woman in white, who had not yet interacted with her. With total composure, she said, “However long she stays, I stay.”

The figure in white stood up immediately. The string of short blades at her waist gave a sharp clatter. She remained silent, but her weapons spoke for her.

“I don’t host those seeking vengeance or looking to rob my guests,” Lin Yaoyao said, closing the ledger.

“I’m just here to stay. No need to worry.” Sang Chencao pulled out some silver and tossed it over her shoulder as she moved to follow the other woman.

Lin Yaoyao caught the weight in her palm instantly. she watched them for a moment before finally recording the entry in her ledger.

Two sets of footsteps sounded on the wooden stairs, one following the other, distinct and clear.

The woman in white leading the way suddenly stopped. She turned around and asked, “Do you know me?”

Sang Chencao crossed her arms and looked up, her tone curious. “The Hero Recruitment Meet is coming up. Anyone with a bit of martial skill is rushing toward Cloud City. You have immense internal energy, yet you’re traveling in the opposite direction. And looking at that white dress, you must be on urgent business—so urgent you didn’t even have time to change into something more practical.”

“What is it you want to ask?” the woman in white asked indifferently.

“What are you doing here at the Listening Moon Sand River?” Sang Chencao asked with an inscrutable smile.