Chapter Seven: The Wicked Woman and the Saint

Heaven is merciful, after all; it never presses a person into utter despair, never leaves them with no escape, always granting a sliver of hope.

Those who possess hope find everything beautiful: the sunlight is bright, the breeze gentle, the flowers lovely, and their steps light upon the path.

Though the days spent in these remote southwestern mountains have been harsh and oppressive, there is something wondrous in encountering so many rare beauties of the world.

“In the spring, the horse’s hoofs fly; in a day, all the flowers of Daliang are admired.” Lu Liao recited proudly.

He pushed open the bamboo door, but before he could step into the courtyard—

A dull thud sounded. Pain lanced through his forehead, and Lu Liao staggered back.

Lady Fang stood from the bamboo chair beneath the tree, gazing at him with vicious intent. There was now one less teacup on the table.

“Lu the mongrel! Why aren’t you prancing around to please Wuyah? What are you doing back here? I thought you’d forgotten who your master is.”

Lu Liao rubbed his brow, emboldened now, and snorted coldly. “Hmph! Some people don’t even realize they were saved, and still repay kindness with enmity.”

“Presumptuous fool. Do you think I need you to rescue me?” Lady Fang pointed to her nose, her expression full of disdain.

“That Wuyah has bullied me for years—I know perfectly well she’s only trying to scare me. I only put on a show to satisfy her, so she wouldn’t come up with something even more vile. And you dare insult me like this!”

Lu Liao was dumbfounded, unable to respond. So even the bullied have their own strategies—he realized he’d been a fool to play the good guy.

Suddenly she rushed up to him, chin held high. “Open your dog eyes and look carefully—is my appearance and figure so ordinary?”

Lu Liao glanced at her neck, smooth as jade, and the subtle curve at her chest. His voice was somewhat dry. “Compared to them, there’s really nothing much to boast about.”

Lady Fang erupted in anger. “Bi’er, bite him!”

Lu Liao felt a sharp pain in his arm, though it wasn’t too severe. He quickly invoked his protector. “Wuyah told me to tell you, if you dare bully or hurt me again, she won’t—”

Before the words were finished, Lu Liao fell unconscious.

When he awoke, he found himself on a soft bed, surrounded by the pleasant scent of a woman—everything felt strangely familiar.

He stirred; his body was fine, but Lu Liao lingered, reluctant to rise.

Feng Yao entered quietly, carrying a bowl of medicine, casting him a glance. “Honestly, why provoke Bi’er for no reason? That green bamboo snake isn’t something you can mess with. Luckily Lady Fang found you quickly—had it been any later, even I might not have been able to save you.”

Lu Liao didn’t argue, asking casually, “Lady Fang brought me here—where is she now?”

“Lady Fang has learned to be diligent. She said since she’s become the Spirit Snake Envoy, she can’t waste her days as before. She’ll be staying by the master’s side to study for a while, so you’ll stay with me these next few days,” Feng Yao said gently, handing him the medicine bowl.

“Stupid girl, hiding away because she’s afraid,” Lu Liao cursed inwardly, though he smiled brightly.

“Heh, in that case, I should thank that green snake Bi’er. Otherwise, how could I stay by your side, sister?”

Feng Yao was mildly annoyed, tapping his head lightly. “You rascal, even Feng Yao isn’t safe from your teasing. That tongue of yours, who knows how many girls you’ll deceive once you’re grown.”

“Sister, you are like the Bodhisattva herself—there’s no woman who can compare,” Lu Liao turned away, feigning indignation.

Feng Yao laughed softly, taking out a sachet and handing it to him. “Inside is medicine to ward off snakes and insects. Keep it with you, and be careful in the future.”

Lu Liao took the sachet, inhaled its scent, and looked at Feng Yao with deep admiration. “This is truly miraculous. Sister Feng Yao, you’re amazing. Could I learn from you these days?”

“If you wish to learn, why wouldn’t I teach you?” Feng Yao replied tenderly.

One day, he studied poison making with Wuyah; another day, antidotes and healing with Feng Yao. Lu Liao devoted himself, quickly growing absorbed.

Less than a month passed before Wuyah grew bored of the calm routine. Without a word, she disappeared.

Lu Liao returned to Spirit Snake Valley feeling somewhat lost, barely collecting himself before the wicked girl appeared again.

She flaunted several books and a chess set from her pack, visibly distressed at the cost. Then sprawled out on the bamboo chair. “Lu the mongrel, make tea!”

Lu Liao quietly stoked the fire and brewed the tea.

“While I was away, did you bark for anyone else?” Lady Fang asked, seemingly offhand.

“I am a man, a real gentleman! I’d never gossip behind anyone’s back,” Lu Liao declared proudly.

Lady Fang nodded in satisfaction. “Mm, at least you know your place. Wuyah started roaming the world at twelve—she hates staying in the mountains. You’d best remember, you won’t always have someone protecting you.”

Lu Liao said nothing, quietly preparing the tea.

She tapped the books and pointed to the chess set. “Senior Brother will visit soon. These things cost me plenty of silver. If what you told me isn’t reliable and he leaves, think carefully about what’ll happen to you.”

Su Lichen looked at the cornered dragon on the board, regretting his reckless advance that led to Lu Liao’s relentless assault—no mercy given. But the boy’s chess skill had improved astonishingly; while he’d once had the advantage, now he was struggling to keep up.

Seeing his senior brother’s grim expression, Lady Fang pouted. “What’s so special about Lu the mongrel? Senior Brother, play him again—beat him till he’s running for his life!”

Su Lichen ignored her crude words, unwilling to concede, and battled Lu Liao once more.

Lady Fang fanned Lu Liao vigorously from behind, shouting, “Lu Liao, if you dare lose, you’ll regret it!”

Su Lichen felt a pang—was this really the child he’d cared for all these years?

He left, his figure forlorn.

Lady Fang grinned like a blossoming flower. “Not bad, not bad! Senior Brother’s visits these past three months outnumber a whole year’s, and he stays longer too. Lu Liao, you must defeat him thoroughly—if you lose, you’ll regret it!”

Lu Liao sipped his tea, waving his hand nonchalantly. “What do you know? If I keep winning, he won’t come anymore.”

“Why is that?” Lady Fang asked, confused.

“Would you enjoy constantly competing with Wuyah?” Lu Liao retorted.

Her expression shifted, about to flare up, then in a blink turned into a smile.

“Hehe! Hehe! So that’s how it is.”

Lu Liao eyed Lady Fang suspiciously, suddenly understanding something. Ignoring the encroaching dusk, he dashed toward the Sky Spider Cave.

Atop the mountain, on a broad blue stone, Wuyah was still drinking. This time, her brow was furrowed, her mood subdued.

Lu Liao said nothing, simply sat beside her.

Wuyah didn’t offer him any wine, instead taking a deep draught herself, exhaling a mouthful of spirits.

“Liao, I’m growing less and less fond of returning here. Seeing all those faces scheming for power disgusts me.”

Lu Liao, now a humble medicine servant, led a simple life—not as grueling as before. Yet, after months, he still hadn’t glimpsed the Five Venoms Sect’s true face, nor understood its inner disputes, and had no idea how to respond.

Wuyah seemed slightly drunk, paying no heed to whom she spoke, gazing at the dim sky as she murmured, “Have you heard of the Jiuli Flower Mountain Festival?”

Lu Liao shook his head, bewildered.

“The Jiuli Flower Mountain Festival is a grand occasion for all the southwestern Jiuli tribes to honor their ancestors. Villagers gather, don their finest new clothes, and host all sorts of lively activities,” Wuyah spoke with a brightening gaze.

“Is the Flower Mountain Festival connected to the Holy Sect?” Lu Liao ventured.

Wuyah thought, these scholars are clever—it’s so easy to converse with them.

“Besides all the festivities, the Flower Mountain Festival also selects the most beautiful girl as the Flower Mountain Saint Maiden. This maiden is usually chosen from among the Five Holy Envoys of the Sect.”

“No wonder all the Holy Envoys are so beautiful. I think this year’s Flower Mountain Saint Maiden must be Wuyah herself,” Lu Liao said, as if it were a matter of course.

Wuyah smiled brilliantly. “Haha! My father is the Left Envoy of the Sect, and he thinks so too.”

“Anyone with such a beautiful daughter would think the same,” Lu Liao mused, suspecting the Saint Maiden was anything but simple, yet continued to flatter her.

“The Master doesn’t see it that way. She thinks I have a bad reputation. Feng Wu is always away searching for her sister. Sister Feng Yao is devoted to medicine and ignores worldly affairs. Sister Ayuoduo is the Master’s own disciple, but the Master says she’s too scheming. The Master’s intentions couldn’t be clearer,” Wuyah’s tone grew agitated.

“What? That wicked Lady Fang, fit to be Flower Mountain Saint Maiden?” Lu Liao nearly leapt up.

Wuyah said nothing, quietly taking another sip.

“That so-called Saint Maiden—let anyone who wants it have it. You shouldn’t compete, sister, lest you lower your status,” Lu Liao said angrily.

Wuyah looked at him calmly. “Do you realize? Every Master of the Five Holy Sect in history was once the Flower Mountain Saint Maiden.”