Chapter 10
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Chapter 10: Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, I Like You!
—
Tianyi City – The Courtyard
Beneath the carved window frame sat a slender, withered figure—a fragile flower devoid of rain and dew for far too long.
Her once-vibrant aura was now gray and lifeless, evoking deep pity from anyone who saw her.
This was the eldest princess, silent and unmoving, her face etched with sorrow.
She propped her cheek against her right hand, staring listlessly at the half-open window.
Nearby, a small, ornate music box played soft, melancholic tunes.
The voice of the singer wove through the room, carrying the weight of heartbreak:
“If I had known it would be this painful, why did I meet you back then?”
The hour struck one in the morning.
The candlelight flickered, its flame nearing exhaustion.
A gentle knock came at the wooden door.
A hesitant voice called from outside,
“Your Highness, are you still awake?”
The eldest princess lifted her left hand, tapping the top of the music box. The room fell silent.
Understanding the signal, the visitor pushed the door open cautiously.
It was the princess’s maid, head lowered, her demeanor trembling with unease.
“How is it?” the eldest princess asked, her tone indifferent.
The maid curtsied deeply.
“Marquis Wu’an and his men will arrive at Canglong Garden tomorrow afternoon, accompanied by 3,000 shadow guards.”
“I see.”
Her reply was faint, her spirit clearly depleted. Though she had ordered the investigation, she showed no interest in the results.
The maid hesitated, sneaking a glance at her mistress.
Is she simply tired?
The silence stretched before the maid suddenly spoke,
“Your Highness, Fairy Bai Lian contacted you before. Why didn’t you reply? Fairy Bai Lian is said to be a reincarnated Immortal Emperor—”
“Get out!”
The princess’s sharp voice sliced through the room. Her eyes burned with impatience.
Terrified, the maid dropped to her knees.
“Forgive me, Your Highness! I shouldn’t have—”
“I said, get out!”
She pointed toward the door with a trembling hand.
The maid fled in fear, her hurried steps nearly knocking her shoes loose.
Bang!
A gust of wind slammed the wooden door shut.
The eldest princess sat still, her chest heaving as she struggled to compose herself.
After a few moments, she turned the music box back on, but the notes brought her no solace—only a hollow emptiness.
Once more, she turned it off, retreating to her bed.
Tossing and turning, sleep eluded her.
She was exhausted, both in body and soul, and knew this fatigue would linger indefinitely.
Years ago, she’d obtained a mirror capable of glimpsing the future.
Through its reflection, she learned of Heluo’s impending downfall under her brother’s rule.
Determined to change the fate she’d foreseen, she sought allies and worked tirelessly to reshape destiny.
But the deeper she delved, the wider the chasm appeared.
Before her loomed a vast, unreachable palace—a reminder of how small she truly was.
Curled up on her side, the eldest princess faced the wall, pulling herself into a tight ball.
Only in this position could she feel a modicum of warmth.
In that moment, she longed for someone to hold her, to tell her she wasn’t alone.
But she knew it was impossible.
—
Elsewhere, Bai Lian soared across the skies on the Cloud Chasing Boat.
This was her second trip to Wutan State, but her feelings were entirely different this time.
On her first journey, she’d been filled with dread, thinking she was retrieving an “encumbrance.”
Now, that so-called encumbrance had become her beloved Martial Sister.
The thought of meeting Xiao Jinse’s family filled Bai Lian with a mixture of nerves and excitement—almost as if she were meeting the parents of someone special.
The Cloud Chasing Boat moved swiftly, carrying Bai Lian and Xiao Jinse into Castle Peak City by the following day.
They kept a low profile, disguising themselves to avoid attention.
The Xiao family, one of the city’s three great families, resided in a sprawling estate in the north.
As they approached, Xiao Jinse’s pace slowed.
Her heart wrestled with a swirl of emotions—longing and hatred intertwined in an unresolvable knot.
A cold hand suddenly wrapped around hers, bringing her back to the present.
The gentle touch steadied her.
Turning her head, Xiao Jinse met Bai Lian’s warm, reassuring smile.
A surge of courage welled within her.
With renewed determination, Xiao Jinse pressed on toward her old home.
—
But when they arrived, the Xiao family estate was abandoned.
The once-grand mansion stood empty, its silence deafening.
“Where… is everyone?” Xiao Jinse murmured, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Bai Lian stopped an elderly passerby, patiently asking what had happened.
The old man explained,
“The Xiao family moved away six months ago—left in batches, little by little.”
“Why did they leave?” Bai Lian asked.
“What else? They offended the Duxian Sect and were afraid of retaliation,” the man said, shaking his head.
Bai Lian sighed.
“The Xiao family ran before anyone even chased them.”
Turning to Xiao Jinse, she saw no trace of sadness, only a faint sigh.
“Maybe it’s better this way,” Xiao Jinse said softly.
Together, they entered the deserted estate.
Winding through familiar yet unfamiliar paths, Xiao Jinse led Bai Lian to her old room—a cramped space once used as a firewood shed.
Standing inside, Bai Lian felt the oppressive narrowness of the place.
She glanced out the window, staring at the bright sky, trying to imagine what Xiao Jinse must have felt when she saw the meteor that fateful night.
But no revelation came.
Still, Bai Lian knew—without that meteor, Xiao Jinse wouldn’t be standing beside her today.
—
When Bai Lian stepped outside, she realized Xiao Jinse had wandered off.
Following her aura, she found her Martial Sister in a courtyard, overhearing the chatter of passersby.
“… Xiao Jinse was just lucky, getting noticed by the Duxian Sect. If she’d relied on herself, she’d still be a nobody—”
Anger surged through Bai Lian. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a phantom tiger.
The enormous beast roared, scattering the gossips in terror.
Bai Lian turned to Xiao Jinse, ready to comfort her, but was taken aback by the bright smile on her face.
“In a way, they’re right,” Xiao Jinse said.
“Without you and Master An Lan, I wouldn’t be here. That’s not something I’m ashamed to admit.”
Her voice was steady, her expression radiant.
For the first time, Xiao Jinse felt she had regained something she thought she’d lost: her true self.
This wasn’t about inferiority or pride—it was about authenticity.
—
As sunlight danced across her face, Xiao Jinse stepped forward and embraced Bai Lian tightly.
Looking up, her voice trembled but carried unwavering resolve.
“Elder Martial Sister,” she said.
This was an ordinary day.
Yet, in her heart, it was extraordinary.
She gathered all her courage and declared:
“I like you!”