Chapter 13: A Glimmer of Freedom, A Sister’s Shadow

Shen Zhaoqing had personally experienced the restrictions of the Quiet Contemplation Cliff.

Li Wuxia lifted the food box she carried, offering Shen Zhaoqing a shy, dependent smile. “I… I pleaded with Uncle-Master Zhang of the Enforcement Hall for a long time,” she explained. “He said I only have the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn, just enough to deliver some pastries before I must leave.”

As she spoke, she cautiously glanced at Gu Chang’an, who was meditating on the other side, and added in a hushed tone, “I heard that Senior Sister you were frightened and placed here to recuperate, and I’ve been very worried about you.”

Her words were utterly sincere, enough to make anyone hearing them marvel at such profound sisterly affection.

Shen Zhaoqing was moved to tears, about to rush forward and embrace Li Wuxia, but Gu Chang’an’s icy gaze froze her in place.

Gu Chang’an’s eyes swept over Li Wuxia, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Naturally, she was aware of the rules of the Quiet Contemplation Cliff; the Enforcement Hall would never make an exception for an outer sect disciple.

‘This Li Wuxia is rather peculiar,’ she thought.

Yet, her current focus remained entirely on Shen Zhaoqing, and she couldn’t be bothered to delve into the background of a mere Foundation Establishment junior. As long as Li Wuxia posed no threat, Gu Chang’an chose to ignore her.

Li Wuxia seemed intimidated by Gu Chang’an, for she lowered her head and quickly walked to Shen Zhaoqing’s side. She placed the food box on the stone table, opening the lid to instantly release the sweet fragrance of osmanthus.

“Senior Sister, these osmanthus cakes are homemade. Please, have a taste.” She pushed a delicate plate of pastries towards Shen Zhaoqing, her eyes brimming with anticipation.

Shen Zhaoqing felt tears welling up again.

She picked up an osmanthus cake, popped it into her mouth, and her eyes crinkled shut in pure bliss.

“Delicious! Truly, truly delicious!” Shen Zhaoqing mumbled her praises. “Wuxia, your culinary skills are so exquisite; it’s a real shame you’re not a chef cultivator!”

Shen Zhaoqing’s words made Li Wuxia giggle, her eyes curving into crescent moons. Even her frail appearance gained a touch of vivacity from the amusement.

“As long as Senior Sister likes them,” she replied. “Eat slowly, Senior Sister; there’s also osmanthus wine I brewed for you inside.”

“Junior Sister!” Shen Zhaoqing finally couldn’t hold back. She lunged forward, pressing herself against Li Wuxia. “You truly are the best junior sister ever!”

Li Wuxia’s smile froze on her face.

She felt the slight warmth of Shen Zhaoqing’s body, a warmth she had yearned for. Her earlobes gradually turned crimson as an indescribable emotion spread through her heart. Just as she was about to raise her arms to embrace Shen Zhaoqing, the person in her arms pulled back.

Unaware of Li Wuxia’s unusual reaction, Shen Zhaoqing simply tore open the wine flask, gulping down the peach blossom wine in one continuous draught.

When Shen Zhaoqing looked up again, Li Wuxia had reverted to her innocent and harmless demeanor. She leaned close to Shen Zhaoqing, lowering her voice as if by accident. “Senior Sister, are you… very eager to leave this place?”

Shen Zhaoqing’s movements halted.

She dreamed of it!

She cautiously glanced in Gu Chang’an’s direction, then nodded furiously at Li Wuxia.

A flicker of successful cunning gleamed in Li Wuxia’s eyes, only to be swiftly replaced by an expression of innocent concern.

“Senior Sister, I… I have a way that might allow you to leave legitimately.”

Shen Zhaoqing’s ears perked up instantly.

“What way?”

“The Outer Sect Grand Competition is about to begin,” Li Wuxia whispered, her voice even lower, as if sharing a monumental secret. “According to sect rules, all Qi Condensation disciples, regardless of whether they are inner or outer sect, must participate and cannot be absent without cause. This is a rule established by the ancestors to encourage diligent cultivation among disciples; even… even the True Monarch Headmaster cannot violate it.”

The Outer Sect Grand Competition?!

Shen Zhaoqing’s mind exploded with a ‘boom,’ as if countless fireworks had detonated within it!

‘How could I have forgotten this?’ she thought.

With this sect rule, Gu Chang’an’s “no” would be as useless as waste paper.

“Really?”

“Absolutely true,” Li Wuxia affirmed, nodding emphatically. Her dark blue eyes sparkled with pure, resolute light. “I’ve already confirmed it at the Scripture Pavilion; the announcement for the competition was posted early this morning. It will be held in the training grounds three days from now.”

Three days!

In just three days, she would breathe the air of freedom!

“However…” Li Wuxia’s tone shifted, a worried expression appearing on her face. “During the competition, punches and kicks have no eyes. Senior Sister, your cultivation is still shallow, and I’m afraid someone… someone might bully you.”

Shen Zhaoqing paused, then waved her hand dismissively, speaking with an air of nonchalance. “Oh, what’s there to be afraid of? I’m just going through the motions; it’s the participation that counts. If I can’t win, I’ll just lie flat and admit defeat.”

Her goal was simply to get some fresh air outside, not to contend for any rankings.

However, Li Wuxia stubbornly shook her head.

She extended a cool hand, gently covering Shen Zhaoqing’s. Gazing at her earnestly, she spoke each word with conviction: “No. Senior Sister, I cannot let you suffer even a shred of grievance.”

Shen Zhaoqing was slightly bewildered by Li Wuxia’s sudden solemnity.

“Then… what should we do?”

“Don’t be afraid, Senior Sister.” A faint smile curved Li Wuxia’s lips. “I will participate in this competition with you.”

Her voice was as soft as a feather, brushing against Shen Zhaoqing’s heart. “Senior Sister, I will protect you.”

Shen Zhaoqing gazed into Li Wuxia’s “innocent and flawless” dark blue eyes, where her own startled face was clearly reflected.

Yet, for some reason, she felt a sense of familiarity.

The smile on Shen Zhaoqing’s face froze.

She tried to withdraw her hand, but found that Li Wuxia’s seemingly slender and weak fingers were now clasped so tightly that Shen Zhaoqing couldn’t move.

The wind outside the cave seemed to have grown colder.

“Senior Sister, I’ll see you in three days.”

The time for one stick of incense to burn quickly elapsed.

Li Wuxia reluctantly released her grip. Under Gu Chang’an’s icy stare, she left the Quiet Contemplation Cliff, turning back repeatedly with each step.

Shen Zhaoqing sat blankly on the stone stool, gazing doubtfully at the half-eaten plate of osmanthus cakes on the table. She had lost all appetite.

‘Something about Junior Sister feels… off, doesn’t it?’ she mused.

****

At the Qingyun Sect’s Outer Sect Training Grounds, a vast crowd had gathered, and gongs and drums clamored loudly.

If not for the several Enforcement Hall disciples patrolling overhead on their flying swords, keeping watch like hawks, Shen Zhaoqing might have thought she’d stumbled into a village temple fair.

Blending into the dense throng of outer sect disciples, she tried her best to shrink herself, aiming for an invisibility that would guarantee her disappearance within three seconds if thrown into a crowd.

Three days.

From the moment Li Wuxia delivered that “earth-shattering good news” until now, a full three days had passed, all spent preparing for today’s “victorious escape.”

The plan was simple, comprising three steps.

First: step onto the stage.

Second: be instantly defeated by the opponent.

Third: step off the stage, head straight to the tavern at the foot of the mountain, and drink until she couldn’t stand.

Perfect.

It was a textbook example of a “strategic retreat.”

To ensure the plan’s foolproof execution, she had been furiously practicing the *Drunken Hidden Breath* these past few days, all to snatch two extra jars of good wine as quickly as possible.

Shen Zhaoqing, an ordinary cleaner who only wished to be a happy slacker, genuinely held no interest in fighting and killing.

“Next match, Platform G-7, Shen Zhaoqing versus Wang Tietou!”