She Was Too Young

Yue Xiaochan led Xue Mu slowly through the bamboo grove. A man and a woman strolled beneath the bamboo as cool breezes stirred and leaves drifted down, while sunlight scattered in golden flecks. It was a beautiful scene. Whatever feelings it stirred in Yue Xiaochan, her cheeks stayed faintly flushed. She should have been explaining the situation to Xue Mu, but she remained silent.

Even Xue Mu felt a touch of romance in the picturesque scene. The girl had truly been good to him, and his heart softened a little. Walking side by side, they almost seemed to share the flutter of a pair of lovers. He pursed his lips. She was still far too young; getting carried away would make him an animal. He steered the conversation back to business. "What's the situation with the Six Fan Gates? They don't do a thing about your vendettas, so what do they actually handle?"

Yue Xiaochan came back to herself and spoke softly. "The Six Fan Gates are responsible for keeping order in the jianghu, and the jianghu is practically the whole world. The Six Fan Gates hold a very important position in the Imperial Court. In theory, they should deal with our vendettas too, but... First, the major sects have grown too powerful to control, and the Six Fan Gates can't do anything when they protect their own. Second, the Imperial Court is happy to see the Righteous and Demonic factions fight. Sometimes, it even stirs things up."

Xue Mu seemed to understand. This was much like the Spring and Autumn period: a weakened court, with the land divided among rival lords.

No wonder Xiahou Di had no intention of interfering in the struggle between the Righteous and Demonic factions. Deep down, she probably wanted them to fight even harder. By the same token, she wouldn't want to see the Righteous Path's so-called "united in the same spirit." They were already nearly an empty shell, and now they wanted to join forces? Where would that leave the Six Fan Gates?

Yue Xiaochan continued, "The Six Fan Gates are actually very powerful; it's just that their position has become increasingly awkward. They can't handle major affairs, and even when it comes to catching notorious bandits, plenty of Righteous Path people rush to do it for the fame. The Six Fan Gates can barely extend their reach into the provinces. Instead, they have to praise and encourage the Righteous Path for doing it... So a whole bunch of super experts wind up investigating petty vendettas. It's unbearably frustrating. None of the chief constables who've led the Six Fan Gates have been content with that. They all wanted to raise its authority. Xiahou Di is the craziest of them all... You know, she even goes out and catches thieves herself. The dignified chief constable of the Six Fan Gates, a peak Hua Yun Realm expert—among the countless martial artists in the world, she'd rank in the top hundred at the very least. An expert like that running around catching thieves? If she isn't crazy, who is?"

Watching Yue Xiaochan wave her little hands with such adorable enthusiasm, Xue Mu couldn't help laughing. "She's not raising the Six Fan Gates' authority. If anything, she's cheapening it, isn't she?"

"She has no choice. She's just trying to make the Six Fan Gates' presence felt any way she can. When she arrested Uncle Yin Ye, she said it was to 'prepare for trouble before it arises.' In reality, wasn't she hoping to use the opportunity to raise the Six Fan Gates' prestige? After all, arresting the Star Moon Sect's second-in-command would be enough to intimidate plenty of people."

Xue Mu nodded. "I see. But I doubt everyone in the Six Fan Gates is that public-spirited. There should still be room to work things out."

Yue Xiaochan sighed. "Of course not everyone is so public-spirited. But Xiahou Di's authority is too great. For some reason, she has the emperor's deep trust. There's a rumor that she's the emperor's illegitimate daughter—in fact, that she's a princess. So ordinary members of the Six Fan Gates don't dare go against her wishes, which makes this hard to handle."

Xue Mu joked, "Xiahou Di is a rare beauty. I'd say she's not his illegitimate daughter, but his lover."

Yue Xiaochan stopped and gave him a sidelong look, half smiling. "As expected of our Xue the Third—ordinary people wouldn't think of anything so filthy. That priest wasn't wrong to curse you. We're enchantresses, and you're an enchanter."

To be honest, a lot of modern people's thinking was a good match for these enchantresses. The ideas Xue Mu had come up with earlier had all been downright demonic. And when it came to this sort of thing, his mind went straight to the gutter. Their wavelengths really were in sync. Calling him an enchanter wasn't wrong at all.

Xue Mu turned to look at her. Yue Xiaochan tilted her head at him, her expression charmingly playful. Her skin was whiter than snow, and her little red lips were as alluring as ripe cherries. Xue Mu's heart stirred again, and, without thinking, he said, "Since you're an enchantress, I'll gladly be an enchanter."

At her tender age, Yue Xiaochan had never heard such an unabashedly sweet line. Her heart gave a sudden thump, then a sweet, tingling warmth spread through her. Her mind went blank and hazy; her heart raced wildly. She wanted to say something, but her mouth was dry and no words came. Her little face had long since turned crimson all the way to her neck.

At last, she managed to choke out, "You really are no good."

Xue Mu felt a little regretful too. Sweet lines like that really weren't something he should toss around carelessly... He was just about to say something to smooth things over when a muffled groan suddenly rang through the air, like a great bell crashing into their hearts. Xue Mu felt his internal organs churn. He was so uncomfortable he nearly spat blood, while Yue Xiaochan's expression instantly cleared.

Xue Qingqiu had finally been unable to resist interfering...

Yue Xiaochan came back to herself and quickly said, "According to our intelligence, the old emperor hasn't been able to perform as a man for over a decade. She couldn't be his lover. An illegitimate daughter from years ago is certainly possible... Come on, let's go. Shifu must be getting impatient."

Watching her flee, Xue Mu barely suppressed the churning qi and blood in his body, then walked slowly up to Xue Qingqiu's Bamboo Pavilion.

Xue Qingqiu was in her room, no longer veiled in gauze. She sat quietly beside the window, her clear, autumn-water eyes gazing out at the blue sky. Her vermilion lips were lightly pursed, as though she were deep in thought. She showed none of the intimidating presence that held the jianghu in awe; instead, she had a melancholy, intellectual beauty. A stick of Calm Spirit Incense burned before her, its smoke curling upward and its fragrance seeping into the air. In its presence, all restless thoughts gradually settled.

Hearing them enter, Xue Qingqiu spoke softly. "This is Calm Spirit Incense. Chan'er, are you at peace?"

Yue Xiaochan lowered her head and played with the hem of her clothes without speaking.

Xue Qingqiu said coolly, "You may go. You haven't practiced for two days. Go back to your own pavilion and practice properly. I have a few words to say to Xue Mu."

Yue Xiaochan looked up, her eyes pleading, as though asking her shifu not to blame Xue Mu. Xue Qingqiu sighed and merely repeated, "Go."

Usually, Yue Xiaochan seemed spoiled beyond all measure, but now she looked a little guilty and didn't dare put on a show. She obediently left.

Yue Xiaochan took several steps away, turning back to look every few paces. Xue Qingqiu's beautiful eyes settled on Xue Mu, showing neither joy nor sorrow. "Sit."

Xue Mu sat cross-legged facing her. A low table stood between them, with the incense resting atop it. Smoke drifted gently upward. He suddenly felt the scene was absurd: here he was, facing the Sect Master of the Demon Sect, yet everything about it felt Zen-like.

And... she truly was the most beautiful woman Xue Mu had ever seen. Fragrance wafted through the incense smoke; he couldn't tell whether it came more from her or from the incense. Among the Star Moon Sect, where beautiful women gathered in droves, she shared that same mysterious, soul-stirring allure, yet had more mature charm than Yue Xiaochan and more dignity and nobility than Meng Lan. Add in her status and martial prowess, and she was perfection from the outside in.

Even with everything Xue Mu had seen and experienced in his previous life, his heart beat a little faster whenever he saw her. Not one of the beauties created by makeup, Photoshop, or cosmetic surgery could compare to such grace. He couldn't imagine how people in a world untouched by endless films, photo editing, and girl groups could possibly withstand her.

No wonder the women of the sect always wore gauzy veils when they went out. Without them, they'd probably cause traffic accidents...

Xue Qingqiu's soft voice broke Xue Mu's silence.

But what she said surprised him. "This sect does not forbid romantic relationships. Xiaochan is a special case, but if your feelings for her are sincere, I have no reason to blame you. However, Xue Mu..."

Xue Mu hurriedly replied, "Please speak, Sect Master."

Xue Qingqiu's gaze suddenly sharpened. "I see no true affection in you, only scheming to secure your footing."

Xue Mu's heart tightened.

Yue Xiaochan had little experience of the world and, reportedly, had hardly ever seen any men growing up. No matter how clever she was, she was still green when it came to understanding people, and even more so when it came to matters of the heart. Xue Qingqiu was different. She had roamed the world and seen too much. From the outside, Xue Mu's thoughts were almost completely exposed. It would be very difficult to fool her.

Fortunately, Xue Mu had a clear conscience; there was no malice in his heart. After thinking for a moment, he answered frankly, "Anyone in my position would have to make securing their footing the top priority. At least for now, everything I've done has been for the Star Moon Sect's benefit, and there's nothing false about that. As for Xiaochan..."

At this point, Xue Mu paused. He suspected Yue Xiaochan might be eavesdropping outside and hesitated over whether to tell the truth. After weighing it for a moment, he finally said, "She's too young."