Chapter 12: Unexpected Reunions and Troubling Team-Ups

“My surname is…”

Hua Yan was about to state her name, but the words caught in her throat.

‘No, that won’t do! I’m currently traveling as a woman; how can I reveal my true name? If word gets out, what will become of my reputation when I return to my male form?’

“Cough… My surname is Rong.” She cleared her throat twice, deciding to borrow her ‘inexpensive’ daughter’s name once more. Since she hadn’t thought of a full name yet, she only offered the surname. “You may simply call me Senior Rong.”

‘After all, I’m only here to gather information. Whether I give my full name or not isn’t crucial.’

“Very well, Senior Rong.”

A Xian, the female cultivator, responded agreeably.

‘Hmm? When did someone with the surname ‘Rong’ become a senior in the valley? Yet, since she knows the secret signal of the Heavenly Garment Pavilion, her identity must be genuine…’

‘Wait a moment…’

A Xian’s gaze inadvertently fell upon the fiery red hair of the strikingly beautiful female cultivator before her.

‘I recall that the Valley Master’s lineage all seems to have red hair. However, the Valley Master and his wife are currently traveling, and they only have a young master.

The Old Valley Master has long resided within the valley, and her age doesn’t match either. Could it be—’

‘—Could this Senior Rong actually be the Valley Master’s illegitimate daughter?! The young master’s half-sibling?’

A Xian’s mind was awash with tumultuous thoughts.

“I’ve just arrived in Fulong City and wish to inquire about some information.”

Hua Yan, completely unaware that her casual remark had prompted such extensive speculation, simply picked up her teacup, took a shallow sip, and spoke directly.

“What kind of information would Senior Rong like to inquire about?”

A Xian answered swiftly, this request being well within her expectations.

After all, the Heavenly Garment Pavilion was an intelligence organization newly established by the Hundred Flowers Valley in recent centuries.

Although its scale was far inferior to the Starfall Hall, which spanned the entire continent, most cultivators in the valley chose their own intelligence network for safety and convenience.

“Do you have any news of Yun Xueshang from the Carefree Sword Sect? Where is she currently located?”

Upon hearing the name, A Xian, who had just taken out her compass artifact for searching information, silently put it back.

“Of course, we do,” A Xian replied with a slight smile, explaining,

“Senior Rong may not know, but not long ago, the orthodox sects, along with neutral factions like the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and the Joyful Union Sect, jointly dispatched disciples down the mountains to handle the recent surge of evil cultivators. As the chief disciple of the Carefree Sword Sect, Yun Xueshang is naturally among them.”

“Oh?”

Hua Yan’s heart swelled with joy.

‘Does this mean I can simply capture a solitary Yun Xueshang, subdue her, and bring her back to the valley?

This way, I can complete the task my grandmother assigned and avenge that arrow from years ago. It’s truly killing two birds with one stone!’

‘Orthodox cultivators typically act in teams to eradicate evil, but that’s fine. As long as Yun Xueshang’s teammates aren’t too powerful, I’m confident I can handle them!’

“Is that so? Then do you know Yun Xueshang’s exact whereabouts?”

Hua Yan pressed for more details.

“Regarding that, we only have a general idea,” A Xian replied with a slight bow. “According to the latest intelligence, this Sword Sect Chief is likely heading towards Fulong City and might arrive within the next few days.”

‘Oh? What a coincidence?’

Hua Yan raised an eyebrow, her joy intensifying.

“Who else is on her team?”

“To answer, Senior, Yun Xueshang’s teammates are Qu Linglong of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and her junior sister, Lin Qianqian.”

Hua Yan’s expression instantly soured.

‘Are you kidding me?! That woman Yun Xueshang is already difficult enough to deal with, and now there are two more experts on her team!’

‘Qu Linglong of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, isn’t she a key officer of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, the foremost talent of the younger generation! As for Lin Qianqian, isn’t she the second most powerful person in the Carefree Sword Sect, second only to Yun Xueshang?!’

‘What kind of consideration went into the orthodox sects’ team assignments? To put these three together! How am I supposed to capture her now?!’

“Um… Senior Rong, did I say something wrong?”

A Xian cautiously asked, observing Hua Yan’s sudden change in expression.

“No, no, it’s nothing.”

Hua Yan suppressed the irritation in her heart, waved a hand, and then asked:

“Then tell me more, what is the current situation with these evil cultivators, and what is the state of affairs within Great Chu now?”

“Yes, Senior.”

***

“How irritating.”

The red-haired, red-robed girl, carrying a bag of items, grumbled her way back to the inn as the sun set. Her bright, charming face was etched with vexation.

She had initially thought bringing Yun Xueshang back to the valley would be an effortless task, never expecting it to be this troublesome.

Hua Yan knitted her beautiful, willow-leaf eyebrows, her mind ceaselessly pondering:

‘Qu Linglong of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, and that Lin Qianqian—logically, with their strength, they should each be leading their own teams.

Just how many evil cultivators have poured into Great Chu to necessitate them teaming up with Yun Xueshang?!’

‘The Zhao family truly is a bunch of useless people, unable to even defend their own territory!’

Ignoring the gazes of astonishment and admiration around her, she ascended the stairs with heavy steps.

‘Now, I really need to think carefully about how to stealthily get close to Yun Xueshang and then find an opportunity to package her up and bring her back.’

‘But I’m also carrying a little tag-along, and Yun Xueshang has already seen me in my female form. This means I’ll have to find a way to change both my appearance and the girl’s, right?’

‘Oh, and I must coordinate our story with that girl. I absolutely cannot let her blurt everything out the moment she sees her mother, ruining my grand plan.’

She ascended the stairs lost in thought, her mood slowly easing.

‘Fortunately, I bought some clothes and accessories on the way back. The little girl should like them; they’ll be perfect for coaxing her.’

‘I wonder how she practiced her spells today, and if she was well-behaved…’

‘She’s almost mastered the methods for condensing water and generating fire. What should I teach her next?’

Thinking of the pink-haired girl in the room, who would soon pounce on her in surprise and softly express her gratitude, Hua Yan’s lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile.

“Girl, I’m back.”

“Wow! Mother, you’re finally back!”

What greeted her was indeed her daughter’s joyful cry. However, within the premium room, Hua Xiangrong was not alone.

By the carved window lattice, besides Hua Xiangrong, three other women stood quietly—

One had a doll-like face, black hair like a waterfall, and a petite stature, only half a head taller than Hua Xiangrong. Yet, she carried a huge wooden box on her back, utterly disproportionate to her size.

Another had long, cyan hair styled in a side braid, appearing gentle and dignified. She held a plate of pastries, clearly having just been coaxing the child.

And the last one…

She wore a plain white dress, her white hair flowing like frost. Beside her stood an ancient longsword, and she sat composedly in a chair, holding the pink-haired girl steadily in her arms.

Her delicate, oval face was expressionless, save for her pair of red, willow-leaf eyes, which, like a cold pool reflecting snow, gazed coolly and fixedly at Hua Yan.

Her aura was like an orchid, cold as ice, as if she did not belong to the mortal world—just as Hua Yan had seen her for the very first time, years ago.

“Mother! You’re finally back!”

Hua Xiangrong snuggled in Yun Xueshang’s embrace and flashed an incomparably brilliant smile at the stunned Hua Yan:

“My mother and the others have been waiting for you here for a long time!”