Chapter 3
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This chapter is edited by Bakhtawar Kakar. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 3: The Fifth Martial Sister
It happened so suddenly!
At that moment, Bai Lian was holding her Fifth Martial Sister tightly, contemplating how to create a harmonious Qiongming Peak and lamenting the bloody events depicted in the game.
The words “White Emperor City” pierced through the thin paper film of the window like a sharp stick, jolting her out of her thoughts.
What the heck?!
Bai Lian jumped up, as though someone had pressed on her most vulnerable spot.
Why?
The title “White Emperor Bai Lian” had already caused her enough trouble. Now, with a “White Emperor City” thrown into the mix, where could she possibly find peace in the future?
Villain A: “White Emperor City? Named after you? Let’s test your strength!”
Villain B: “So arrogant! I can’t stand conceited people—prepare to be beaten!”
Just thinking about it is terrifying!
Bai Lian wanted to go to the window and check the situation.
However, her Fifth Martial Sister, even in her sleep, proved to be surprisingly clingy. She clung to Bai Lian’s neck like a little bear, refusing to let go.
“…”
Bai Lian shook her lightly.
Swaying…
Swinging…
But Ling Xuan remained sound asleep.
“…”
Forget it.
Resigned, Bai Lian held Ling Xuan in her arms and went straight to the window.
In the soft twilight of dawn, she poked her head out.
Although Yao Xia Bay was known as a city that never sleeps, its streets were usually deserted at this hour.
But today, everything was different.
The long streets were crowded with people, and the houses and trees lining the roads were adorned with colorful lanterns.
At the street corner, a newly arrived merchant asked about the festivities.
The locals, eager to share the news, explained enthusiastically.
The root cause was the series of miraculous events that had occurred the previous night.
The White Emperor Divine Lord, accompanied by her green dragon, had patrolled the skies above the East Divine Land. Her presence made the already extraordinary Yao Xia Bay seem mythical.
Not only that, but she had brought comfort and inspiration to the people, uplifting them physically and spiritually with her grace and power.
She was their light.
Her arrival was like the sun breaking through a long, dark night.
Even in the decades to come, those who witnessed that night would never forget its beauty.
The atmosphere was electric.
Amid the discussions about building a temple in her honor, someone proposed a more audacious idea:
“Without the White Emperor Divine Lord, Yao Xia Bay would’ve been destroyed in last night’s chaos. Now, Yao Xia Bay is reborn. I propose we rename it White Emperor City!”
Those words were like a bolt of lightning.
“!”
The surrounding crowd fell silent, contemplating the idea.
And then—
So reasonable!
“The name White Emperor City is perfect!”
Applause erupted.
Another person added, “If we rename Yao Xia Bay to White Emperor City, why not hold a White Emperor City celebration? It would not only dispel yesterday’s fear but also showcase the city’s newfound vitality!”
“Brilliant idea!”
And so…
Bai Lian grumbled inwardly.
“Two such creative thinkers in little Yao Xia Bay. Truly, the East Wilderness is home to the most outstanding minds!”
She left the inn with Ling Xuan still in her arms. As she passed by someone organizing the celebration, she smiled and said, “It might be a bit much to rename Yao Xia Bay just like that. Don’t you think—”
“You know what?” the man interrupted, turning to look at Bai Lian.
“You’re just jealous of the White Emperor Divine Lord!”
“…”
The man glanced at Ling Xuan in her arms.
“Sneaky. Did you kidnap that child?”
What nonsense!
Bai Lian was furious.
How could I possibly kidnap my own Martial Sister?
Clutching Ling Xuan tighter, she walked away in exasperation.
She wasn’t in a rush to bring Ling Xuan back to Qiongming Peak. Bai Lian respected her younger Martial Sisters’ independence and decisions.
She wouldn’t force Ling Xuan to return. She wanted to hear her agreement first and ensure she willingly traveled back on the “high road.”
Ling Xuan slept soundly for half a day.
It wasn’t until midday that Ling Xuan finally woke up, her bleary eyes fluttering open.
“Yawn…”
She hadn’t slept soundly. Even in her dreams, she was restless. She had dreamed of wearing a hat—a hat that was big, soft, and heavy.
If that was all, it wouldn’t have been too strange. But the weight of the hat made her feel incredibly uncomfortable.
At such a young age, she felt burdened by something far beyond her years.
In her dream, she repeatedly tried to remove the hat.
But dreams are dreams.
No matter how much effort she put into it, the hat wouldn’t budge.
It was infuriating!
Fortunately, the dream wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
Later, she saw several blurry figures standing before her.
They were smiling and said to her, “You will be crowned king!”
So the hat on my head is actually… a crown?
No wonder it was so big and heavy!
With great power comes great responsibility, she thought.
Still giggling to herself, Ling Xuan woke from her dream.
But as she sat up, she froze.
Wait a minute… I’m already awake. So why does my head still feel heavy?
Could it be that the crown from her dream had somehow crossed into reality?
Ling Xuan lifted her head.
“Ah!” she exclaimed as her vision went dark, obscured by something.
After taking several deep breaths, Ling Xuan finally managed to move. She scrambled off Bai Lian and hid in the corner of the room, her face turning bright red.
Looking at Bai Lian’s sky-blue, waist-length skirt, which had been slightly lifted in her sleep, she realized what had happened.
She understood now.
In her sleep, she had unknowingly pressed her head against Bai Lian’s lap.
So the crown I dreamed of… was actually…
“Ehehe…” Ling Xuan laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of her head.
She raised her hands in a gesture of surrender.
oT−ToT-ToT−T尸
“Sister Bai Lian, I didn’t mean it!” she said nervously.
In her dream, she had treated the “crown” roughly. She wondered if she had disturbed Bai Lian’s rest or even hurt her. Ling Xuan wanted to check, but she thought better of it.
Bai Lian took a deep breath.
It’s fine.
This only showed how much the Fifth Martial Sister liked her!
“What kind of evil intentions could a ten-year-old girl have?” Bai Lian muttered to herself.
She walked over to Ling Xuan and said gently, “Younger Martial Sister, let’s go back to the Duxian Sect tomorrow. What do you think?”
Ling Xuan quickly nodded. “Sister Bai Lian, I’ll do whatever you say!”
Bai Lian smiled warmly.
Ling Xuan then asked, “What are we going to do today?”
“Of course… eat!” Bai Lian replied, pointing to Ling Xuan before lifting her up.
“Let’s go!”
Before arriving at Yao Xia Bay, Bai Lian had promised Ling Xuan a treat. Now it was time to fulfill that promise.
It happened to be the Yao Xia celebration (not the White Emperor celebration!), and the streets were bustling with food stalls.
Bai Lian led Ling Xuan into the crowd.
When they arrived, their stomachs were empty; by the time they left, they were only slightly less so.
During their outing, Ling Xuan expressed interest in trying some wine imported from the Sand Region.
Bai Lian stopped her immediately.
The last time Ling Xuan got drunk, she’d spent hours playing “ball.” Bai Lian wasn’t about to let that happen again!
“Whew.”
Sitting in the Yaotai Pavilion, Ling Xuan patted her full stomach happily.
It was the first time in her life she had eaten so much.
Having experienced hunger during her childhood, she had developed a strong appreciation for food. Every time she visited a new place, she made it a point to try the local cuisine, even if it meant working hard to earn money.
Sometimes, she would climb mountains to hunt tigers or catch fish and shrimp in rivers.
Other times, she felt cheated by the world around her, but as a ten-year-old child, there wasn’t much she could do.
She endured it all without sadness.
There were moments when strangers gave her food out of kindness or offered her a ride to her destination.
But Sister Bai Lian was different.
Not only did she feed her, but she also worked tirelessly to help revive her grandfather.
Grandfather was right.
There are evil people in this world, but more people still have kind hearts.
She yearns for light and wants to be the light for others, just like Sister Bai Lian!
Ling Xuan gazed out over the bustling White Emperor City below.
She felt a mixture of anxiety and excitement because, starting tomorrow, she would move to a new place.
Sister Bai Lian would become Martial Sister Bai Lian.
It is said that there are three Elder Martial Sisters and a jade rabbit on Qiongming Peak.
With Sister Bai Lian as the leader, everyone at Qiongming Peak must be very hospitable!
That’s wonderful.
Ling Xuan began to look forward to a happy life at Qiongming Peak.
***
At the end of the night, dawn arrived.
The second day.
Bai Lian said her goodbyes to Yao Xia Bay.
It was time to go back.
The road from Yao Xia Bay to the Duxian Sect was a bit long. If she took the Cloud Boat, it would take about six or seven days.
Bai Lian was eager to return home, so this time, she was generous.
She took Ling Xuan to experience a long-distance transmission array that could span half of the East Divine Land.
Exactly as she said, “I’ll say goodbye to White Emperor City in the morning and return to Qiongming Peak by evening.”
***
In the evening, above the clouds, aboard the Cloud Boat,
Ling Xuan jumped up excitedly, gazing at the vast Li River below her.
It was the first time she had seen such magnificent mountains and rivers because she had spent most of her life in the hills.
Bai Lian smiled.
There was still a long way to go!
Not long after, she led Ling Xuan through the back door of Qiongming Peak.
They managed to avoid drawing anyone’s attention until they reached An Lan’s cave.
***
Inside the cave,
An Lan was deep in thought, considering how to punish Bai Lian.
It would be necessary to hang her up.
But what should she do after that?
Just then, footsteps outside the cave caught An Lan’s attention.
She quickly covered her head with a quilt and then extended her Divine Sense.
“Huh?”
Bai Lian is back!
And beside her…
An Lan kicked the quilt away.
Why is Bai Lian accompanied by a very cute little girl?
Is that Bai Lian’s daughter?
Pfft.
Bai Lian is only 19 years old. How could she have such a big daughter?
An Lan didn’t relax, sensing something wasn’t right.
“Master.”
A voice came from outside the cave.
An Lan said, “Come in.”
Bai Lian entered her master’s cave with a worried expression.
She was so nervous. The last time, to get Master to take the Fourth Martial Sister as her disciple, she had put in a lot of effort, even lying to Master.
She hoped things would go more smoothly this time!
