Just how many sweethearts did Bai Shuyan have?
According to incomplete statistics-actually, no one had ever counted...
But by his own account, there should have been a dozen or more.
From his first journey down the mountain at fourteen until now, he sought a sweetheart every time he left the mountain.
Back when Old Fourth and Old Fifth argued, Old Fifth had called him a beast, an animal, a faithless bastard.
Old Fourth had said that he did not seek those sweethearts because he wanted to do anything, nor for physical intimacy or exploring relations between the sexes.
He simply enjoyed the process of pursuing girls, and that heartfelt sweetness of love deep inside him when he dated them.
But why did he never visit his previous sweetheart when he left the mountain, instead expanding his social circle again?
Because this fucker really was a scumbag!
As time passed, feelings faded and the novelty wore off, so he had to seek out love anew.
The Eastern Realm, Zhao Province, the Moon Haze Sword Sect.
This was a sect composed of women. Their core belief, their central philosophy, was that women held up half the sky; whatever men could do, women could do too.
Although they only accepted female disciples, they did not prevent their disciples from marrying.
If they found a good man, they should marry him. The Moon Haze Sword Sect supported it.
This sect simply wanted to give women a path forward, to let them become strong and tell them they did not need to depend on men for everything.
Even after marrying, they could earn money to support their families, possess sufficient skills to protect themselves, and speak to their husbands as equals.
It was an embryonic form of women's rights in this era.
The current leader of the Moon Haze Sword Sect was called Liu Ruyan, and she was in the Fourth-Rank Realm.
When Old Fourth arrived at the foot of Moon Haze Mountain, the mountain lived up to its name, with clouds and mist swirling like gauzy moonlight amid tranquil scenery.
But Bai Shuyan was in little mood to admire the scenery. He swiftly reviewed Liu Ruyan's personality and the scenes of their time together back then in his mind, then took a deep breath.
He straightened his robes, ensuring that his signature smile, enough to make young girls' hearts flutter and mature women grit their teeth, held its most perfect curve. Only then did he muster his courage and walk toward the Moon Haze Sword Sect's mountain gate.
"Who goes there!"
Before the mountain gate, two girls of sixteen or seventeen blocked his way with longswords in hand, their little faces stern.
Bai Shuyan slowly cupped his fists and said softly, "Bai Shuyan, fourth elder of the Tianyang Sect, here to visit Sect Leader Liu Ruyan. Please announce me, sisters."
As expected, the moment he announced the name Bai Shuyan of the Tianyang Sect, the gatekeepers' curious gazes instantly turned icy, even carrying a faint trace of killing intent.
One of them, a slightly older senior sister, snorted. "Hmph! So you're that Bai Shuyan. Wait here. I'll inform the sect leader!"
"Sorry for the trouble, sorry for the trouble."
Despite the girl's rudeness, Old Fourth maintained his proper manners.
Before long, a fierce surge of Sword Qi swept out from within the mountain gate, accompanied by a clear, furious shout. "Bai Shuyan! You shameless wretch, you dare come to my Moon Haze Sword Sect!"
Before her words had faded, a figure in green swept over like a startled swan, sword light flashing straight toward Bai Shuyan's face. It was Liu Ruyan, leader of the Moon Haze Sword Sect.
Her elegance had not diminished over the years, while her features now held more of a sect leader's majesty and a middle-aged woman's charm. At this moment, her willow brows stood on end, and fury all but poured from her eyes.
Bai Shuyan tapped his toes against the ground and drifted backward like willow fluff, narrowly avoiding the strike. Yet that infuriatingly gentle smile remained on his face as he said, "Ruyan, it's been years, but your Moon Shadow Startled Swan is still just as swift and fierce. Your grace surpasses even those days."
Liu Ruyan was already at the peak fourth rank and had held nothing back in that strike, yet Old Fourth had dodged it effortlessly, leaving her both shocked and furious.
Shocked because she had feared he could not dodge it.
Furious because he had actually managed to dodge it?
Women-their feelings were complicated.
They wanted to kill you, but afterward, they would surely feel no satisfaction from revenge, only regret.
Seeing him dodge, she felt relief, then gritted her teeth again.
"Shut up! Who gave you permission to address me so intimately!"
Liu Ruyan's sword never stopped. Its tip trembled, conjuring points of cold starlight that enveloped the major acupoints all over Bai Shuyan's body. "When we fought back then, you promised that if you lost to my sword, you would... would stay and discuss swordsmanship with me for three days! And what did you do? While I withdrew my sword to recover my Qi, you slipped away without a trace! How was that behavior any different from a petty scoundrel's?"
As Bai Shuyan wove through the sword shadows with exquisite footwork, he hurriedly drew a slender brocade box from his robes.
He did not open it, instead holding it straight toward her sword tip. "Ruyan, look. What's this?"
Liu Ruyan's sword faltered slightly. Its tip touched the brocade box, and a pulse of True Qi flicked the lid open.
Inside lay a lustrous white jade hairpin, its head carved with clouds and a moon. It had been preserved beautifully, and a warm, gentle sheen flowed across it in the sunlight.
It was the very hairpin she had treasured and lost after discussing swordsmanship with Bai Shuyan beneath the moon all those years ago.
At the sight of it, a flicker of complicated, unfathomable emotion passed through Liu Ruyan's eyes: reminiscence, anger, and a trace of barely perceptible tenderness.
But her voice remained icy. "Hmph! Trying to please me with my own belongings?"
"Not at all, not at all..." Seeing his opportunity, Bai Shuyan immediately grew solemn. "I've always treasured this carefully. Whenever I see it, I remember discussing swordsmanship with you beneath the moon, Ruyan, and the passion and ideals you spoke of: women could travel the world with swords in hand, no less capable than men.
"Do you know? My junior brother often says it too: who says women are inferior to men? Women hold up half the sky too.
"Other martial artists have always disliked your Moon Haze Sword Sect, saying you act against the proper order and disrespect laws, rites, and human relationships, but I've always thought you were right.
"In this sorrowful age that exalts men and demeans women, having a sect like yours, a heroine like you-I truly admire you beyond measure!"
Old Fourth spoke with such heartfelt sincerity that even the female disciples before the mountain gate were moved.
Because in this era, in this society, male superiority and female inferiority were considered natural. Their actions and ideals really did draw criticism and pointing fingers.
Yet Bai Shuyan said he understood and admired them, and even said that the Tianyang Sect's master, his junior brother, thought the same way.
In an instant, the feeling of finding kindred spirits and receiving recognition welled up in their hearts.
It was as exciting as seeing foreigners praise Huaxia's martial arts and cuisine on Douyin.
Especially since this fucker was handsome and very approachable.
This was a case of moral views following good looks, with beauties ready to argue his case.
Liu Ruyan's heart softened too, and she stammered, "Then you... why did you leave me back then!"
"Alas, fate toyed with us." Old Fourth sighed. "Do you think I didn't want to discuss swordsmanship with you for three days?
"I would have gladly stayed even three months!
"But... but you knew I was being hunted back then.
"I didn't want to drag you into it!
"I was only seventh rank then, and you'd only just entered sixth rank. Though we loved each other...
"How could I let you fall into danger?
"I simply didn't want you hurt, even if you hated me for it!"
"I told you I was willing to face it with you, to fight our enemies together!"
"But I wasn't!" Bai Shuyan raised a hand to stop Liu Ruyan and said bitterly, "It didn't matter whether I died, but how could I let you get hurt for me?
"The reeds grow lush and green, white dew turns to frost; the one I long for stands across the water..."
"Shu... yan..." Tears welled up in Liu Ruyan.
"Ruyan, forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye. Find a good man and marry him..."
"No. As long as you still love me, I won't leave. Now that you've come to see me, I know I'm still in your heart."
"Ruyan!"
"Shuyan!"
"Come, let's talk inside."
"Ah..."
Inside the Moon Haze Sword Sect, the two sat in the hall, and disciples brought tea.
For the next four hours, they poured out the pain of their longing.
Old Fourth also told Liu Ruyan the story of his past dozen years.
"After I escaped my pursuers, I really did want to come find you, but I heard you wanted to kill me, so I... I didn't dare come.
"Ruyan, I'm sorry. I was timid. I lost my nerve!"
Liu Ruyan caught his hand and said reproachfully to herself, "No, don't say that. It was my fault. I shouldn't have been so willful, shouldn't have refused to hear your explanation.
"If I hadn't been so willful then, perhaps we could have been together long ago..."
"No, blame me."
"No, it was all my fault..." Liu Ruyan's tears fell like rain.
After another stretch of lovey-dovey talk, Liu Ruyan asked, "Then why did you dare come now? Weren't you afraid I'd kill you?"
"I was, but I wagered you wouldn't."
"Wagered?"
Old Fourth nodded and said sincerely, "Yes. If I won, we'd be just as we are now.
"If I lost, at worst, I'd atone for my sins..."
"You fool!" Liu Ruyan gazed at him tenderly.
He changed the subject. "Ruyan, your Moon Haze Sword Sect's aim is to give women everywhere skills to rely on, so they can stand strong and independent and speak to men as equals. That is a great act of goodness!
"In truth, I came this time to see you, but not only to see you."
"Hmm?" Still moved, Liu Ruyan looked at him curiously.
"A month ago, under my junior brother's leadership, our Tianyang Sect established another department, called the Tianyang Martial Dao Academy.
"By now, practically everyone in Yu Province knows of it. Our Tianyang Martial Dao Academy has ideals similar to your Moon Haze Sword Sect's: teaching without discrimination and strengthening oneself.
"Among our students are quite a few girls with steadfast determination and considerable talent.
"We won't force these students to join our Tianyang Sect.
"Once they've achieved something in martial arts, they can choose to graduate and venture into the martial world.
"I thought, since they're all women, perhaps it's still too early to let them venture into the martial world alone.
"After graduation, if they could enter the Moon Haze Sword Sect for exchanges and study, or become guards or stewards in your sect's affiliated forces, or even disciples of the Moon Haze Sword Sect, it would not only strengthen your sect's prestige but prove to everyone that women can achieve brilliance on the martial path too!
"Doesn't that coincide perfectly with your sect's ideals?"
He carefully watched Liu Ruyan's expression and added more weight to his proposal. "The disciples trained by the academy understand cooperation and when to advance or retreat. They're certainly no reckless brutes. They can become a bridge for communication and cooperation between the Moon Haze Sword Sect and the outside world, and use what they've learned to give back to your sect. It's one move with many benefits!
"Ruyan, although we had a few... little misunderstandings in the past, this benefits the Moon Haze Sword Sect both publicly and privately. I came today first to see you, and second to sincerely seek cooperation for both sides, to find those outstanding girls a platform where they can truly display their talents and put their ideals into practice!"
Joy appeared on Liu Ruyan's face, but before long, a trace of doubt surfaced.
The Tianyang Martial Dao Academy?
The Moon Haze Sword Sect rarely left the mountain, and Zhao Province was very far from Yu Province, so they knew nothing of what had happened there.
Hearing about it for the first time was indeed shocking.
Teaching disciples for free without bringing them into the sect to strengthen it, instead giving back to the martial world and sewing wedding robes for other factions?
Teaching without discrimination, simply to give the poor a platform?
"Tell me in detail." Liu Ruyan's interest was piqued.
Bai Shuyan sat up straight and began explaining the Tianyang Martial Dao Academy's educational philosophy to her thoroughly and in detail.
A long time passed, and the night grew deep.
The next morning, Bai Shuyan emerged from Liu Ruyan's bedchamber and looked at her, her eyes threaded with allure. "Now you understand, don't you?"
"Sect Master Zhang's breadth of mind is truly admirable."
"Then what do you think?"
Liu Ruyan linked her arm through his. "Oh, now that I'm yours, naturally I can't remain sect leader. Of course I'll have to personally choose a new leader for my Moon Haze Sword Sect."
Bai Shuyan let out a long breath of relief inwardly, his smile growing even brighter. "Sect Leader Ruyan understands the greater good. You have my admiration!"
"Stop kissing ass!"
"If I don't kiss an ass, whose rear should I kiss?"
"Hmph!"
"Hehe, give me a kiss."
"Mwah!"
And so, the strategic partnership between the Tianyang Martial Dao Academy and the Moon Haze Sword Sect for training and employing female martial artists was established!
After agreeing on the graduation date and the date for company recruitment, Bai Shuyan and Liu Ruyan reluctantly parted.
"Can't you stay a few more days?"
"Alas, how could I delay important sect affairs?" Old Fourth said. "It's all right. Find the next sect leader soon, and you can come see me. Then we can be together all the time."
"All right."
"Be good."
Tang Prefecture, the White Tiger Escort Agency.
Hu Ke'er, the escort agency's eldest young lady, looked at the man before her who haunted her dreams and made her teeth itch. The phoenix dart in her hand was already fully charged with True Qi.
"You faithless man, you dare come here!"
"Ke'er!"
As he spoke, he took out a "golden phoenix." "Do you know? I keep this dart over my heart every day. Back then, I was being hunted..."
"You..." Hu Ke'er burst into tears.
"Spilled water cannot be gathered again. Ke'er, you're already another man's wife. We can still be friends."
"You bastard!"
"Our Tianyang Martial Dao Academy..."
Yu Province, Hundred Herbs Valley.
"Xin'er..."
"Bastard, die!"
"I wear the sachet you gave me every day... back then, I was being hunted..."
"You bastard..."
"You've heard about our Tianyang Sect too. I've come this time..."
The Qin Family of Song Province.
"Bastard, die."
"Jinqi, this fan pendant... back then, I was being hunted..."
"Boohoohoo..."
"I'm from Tianyang Martial Dao Academy..."
The next morning, the two came out of the room.
"Don't worry, I'll come back to marry you..."
Cloud Crane Temple, Tang Prefecture.
"You faithless man!"
"Xuanxin, that compass you gave me... I was hunted down."
"Hmph!"
"Tianyang Martial Dao Academy..."
"Mm..."
Old Fourth's spiel was just that concise.
With married women, he would remain friends and discuss cooperation.
With those not yet married, he would rekindle their old romance and discuss cooperation.
For half a year, he rushed all over the Eastern Realm... Although he had entered the Fourth-Rank Realm, why was his body growing ever more exhausted?