Chapter 5 :Liu Qingxu

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Wanqing began practicing her basic slashes.

One, two, three…

Her movements were still clumsy, her strength lacking.

But this time, the sword in her hand no longer felt like a lifeless object.

The strand of cool sword intent seemed to guide her, helping her find the rhythm of her strikes, sharpening her focus.

She immersed herself completely, forgetting time, forgetting exhaustion.

Only one thought remained: to become better, just a bit better, to live up to Senior Sister’s kindness and… that subtle, understated warmth.

As the sun set, bathing Startled Swan Peak in warm golden hues, Wanqing finally stopped, panting, her forehead beaded with sweat, her arms so sore she could barely lift them.

But looking at the plain iron sword, now tied to her by a subtle bond, she wore a tired yet deeply satisfied smile.

Carefully cradling the sword like a treasure, she headed toward the small lodging assigned to sword attendants.

Halfway there, she paused, hesitated, then turned toward the peak’s cave mansion.

Not daring to approach, she stood far off, peering through the swirling cold mist at the sealed stone door of the cave.

Inside, Shuyue, meditating to clear her mind, sensed a faint stir in her divine perception, “seeing” the slender figure cautiously gazing toward her cave in the fading sunset glow.

Shuyue: “…”

‘What’s she doing here? Not another incident, right?’

Wanqing merely looked for a moment, then clumsily performed a deep bow toward the cave before turning away, her steps light as she left, clutching her sword.

Shuyue’s divine sense “watched” the small figure vanish into the twilight, silent for a long time.

She slowly opened her eyes, staring at her slender fingers, and after a while, let out a helpless sigh.

“…What a cursed fate.”

Life on Startled Swan Peak returned to its routine.
Shuyue struggled to maintain her outward calm, continuing to “assess” Chu Yi while keeping her distance from Wanqing, though she couldn’t help letting slip occasional “cracks” that steadily boosted the sword attendant’s goodwill.

One day, the Canglan Sword Sect received a visitor.

An envoy from another major cultivation force, the Yaochi Immortal Sect, arrived to discuss a joint exploration of a secret realm.

The envoy wasn’t alone, accompanied by a young female cultivator.

When the news reached Startled Swan Peak, Shuyue was guiding Wanqing in polishing a newly acquired ice-attributed spiritual sword.

Hearing of the Yaochi Immortal Sect’s arrival, she paid little mind until a deacon disciple added: “The accompanying cultivator is the sect leader’s daughter, Liu Qingxu, and… she specifically requested to meet you, Elder Misty Moon.”

Shuyue’s hands froze.

“Liu Qingxu?”

The name unlocked a flood of memories from the otome game!

Liu Qingxu, the Yaochi Immortal Sect’s little princess, prodigiously talented, breathtakingly beautiful, but… arrogant, willful, and fiercely possessive.

In the game’s original plot, she was one of Chu Yi’s ardent admirers, viewing the heroine, Su Wanqing, as a thorn in her side, causing no small amount of trouble as a major antagonistic female side character!

‘Why is she seeking me out? In the original plot, this character had no connection to the Misty Moon Fairy!’

Alarm bells rang in Shuyue’s mind, a bad feeling creeping in.

Sure enough, that afternoon, Liu Qingxu arrived uninvited.

Clad in an opulent golden-threaded cloud brocade dress, her accessories jingling, her hair adorned with pearls, her stunning beauty was undeniable, though her slightly upturned eyes carried unmasked arrogance.

Riding a flying treasure, she landed directly on Startled Swan Peak’s sword plaza, her gaze locking onto Shuyue immediately.

“So this is the renowned Misty Moon Fairy? Indeed… a unique presence.”

Liu Qingxu sized Shuyue up, her tone ambiguous, her interest seemingly piqued by the spiritual mist surrounding her.

Shuyue inwardly rolled her eyes but maintained her cold exterior: “What guidance does Fairy Liu have to offer?”

“Guidance? Hardly.”
Liu Qingxu laughed lightly, stepping closer with a graceful sway, but her gaze slid past Shuyue to Wanqing, who was cautiously polishing the spiritual sword behind her.

Her brows furrowed: “I heard the Misty Moon Fairy is aloof and detached, unburdened by mundane affairs.
Why keep such an… unremarkable girl to serve you?
Is the Canglan Sword Sect so short of talent?”

Her tone dripped with undisguised disdain.

Wanqing’s hands stilled on the sword, her head lowering further, her ear tips reddening with embarrassment.

A spark of irritation flared in Shuyue’s heart, her voice growing colder: “Who I keep on Startled Swan Peak is not your concern, Fairy Liu.”

Liu Qingxu hadn’t expected Shuyue to retort so sharply over a mere sword attendant, her expression darkening briefly.

But she quickly flashed a smile, changing the subject with a suddenly intimate tone, tinged with a hint of coyness: “Don’t misunderstand, Fairy. I was merely curious.
My visit has two purposes: one, to discuss important matters on my father’s behalf; two… I’ve long admired the grace of sword cultivators, especially your swordsmanship, Fairy.
Might I have the honor of receiving your guidance?”

She stepped forward, reaching for Shuyue’s arm as if they were old friends.

Shuyue instinctively stepped back, dodging her touch, a faint trace of sword intent glinting through the mist.

‘Help! What’s this woman up to? Trying to get close? Stay away from me!’

“Sect affairs keep me busy, I’m afraid I have no time for guidance. Please understand, Fairy Liu.”
Shuyue’s rejection was direct and uncompromising.

Liu Qingxu’s hand froze mid-air, her smile nearly faltering.

With her status and beauty, when had she ever been so thoroughly rebuffed?
Especially for a lowly sword attendant and a simple request for guidance!

Her gaze flicked to Wanqing again, now laced with clear hostility and scrutiny.

“What’s so special about this girl to warrant such protection from the Misty Moon Fairy?”

Though Wanqing kept her head down, she keenly felt the hostile stare, making her uneasy, yet she dared not move.

Instinctively, she gripped the spiritual sword tighter, its icy sword intent, tied to her Senior Sister, subtly stirring in response to her emotions.

“Since that’s the case, I won’t disturb you further.”
Liu Qingxu suppressed her anger, resuming her haughty demeanor.

Before leaving, she cast a meaningful glance at Wanqing: “Little girl, serve your elder well.”

Her tone sent a chill down Wanqing’s spine.

After Liu Qingxu left, the sword plaza’s atmosphere grew tense.

Shuyue felt a headache brewing.
She hadn’t even fully dealt with one heroine, and now a female antagonist had appeared!
And this one seemed inexplicably hostile toward Wanqing?
What a mess!

She glanced at Wanqing, wanting to say something, but saw her still bowing her head, expression hidden, gripping the sword hilt with unusual force.

“…Pay no mind to outsiders’ words.”
Shuyue offered a stiff attempt at comfort.

Wanqing gave a soft “Mm,” her voice barely audible.