"What is her story?"
"Are you referring to Wuchen? She has lost her memory, forgetting all about her past life. That is why the Master gave her the name Wuchen, hoping she would remain untainted by worldly affairs and live a peaceful life."
So that was it. The three of them were astonished. She had seemed fine just the day before, so why had she lost her memory today? What had happened? Qingyao’s thoughts raced, and she suddenly remembered someone. Yin Xuan had opposed keeping Ru Yin that day, because her hatred was too profound, and he feared she would cause future trouble. Perhaps he had acted against Ru Yin, but at the last moment, he couldn't bear it and merely made her lose her memory, so she could live a clean life from then on.
"My apologies for the disturbance."
Qingyao nodded and walked into the nunnery as usual. Within the small courtyard walls, several plum trees were planted, now in full bloom.
Qingyao stood under the corridor, gazing upwards. The plum blossoms, with their proud and defiant posture, resembled a ball of flame, blooming in the winter.
The courtyard was separated from the outside by just a wall. As they admired the plum blossoms, they could hear two young nuns talking outside.
The young nun who had spoken to Qingyao earlier asked the nun named Wuchen, "They called you Princess. Wuchen, are you really a princess of some country?"
This was a time of great turmoil, with Crescent Moon ruling several countries. Perhaps Wuchen was a princess in distress, the young nun mused. Of course, she would never have dreamed that Wuchen was indeed a princess of Crescent Moon.
"They mistook me for someone else."
The calm voice spoke, without any hint of dissatisfaction or worldly resentment. Perhaps such a life was what made her happiest, letting go of everything, her heart would feel lighter.
Qingyao sighed. After leading the young maids to admire the plum blossoms, she entered the front hall where the divine statues were enshrined. She lit incense and offered it to the Buddha, without any particular thoughts. People often sought help from Buddha when faced with troubles. Wouldn't Buddha be overwhelmed? It was better to resolve things oneself if possible. How could Buddha possibly manage all the affairs of the mortal world?
Qingyao gestured for Mo Chou to donate a thousand taels for incense. The incense offerings at this nunnery were not good, and the young nuns lived in poverty. She just hoped that Wuchen would live a slightly better life. A thousand taels would last them a long time.
The young nun waiting nearby, seeing their generous donation, was overjoyed and immediately went to inform the abbess. The abbess came out promptly, respectfully inviting them to the side room for tea.
The old nun was kind-faced and had an air of detachment.
"Thank you, benefactor."
As she spoke, Qingyao knew she was referring to her donation for incense. Qingyao smiled faintly, cupped her hands in prayer, and said respectfully, "I have a request. I only wish for the abbess to take good care of Wuchen."
The old nun was startled. She looked up at Qingyao. Qingyao had already risen, leading the two maids and the child standing behind her, and gracefully departed. The old nun’s eyes were wise and her gaze lingered. She let out a gentle sigh. So, it was the Empress who had arrived. Wuchen must indeed have a noble background...
The group left the nunnery and walked back the way they came. The warm sunlight bathed the earth, and the accumulated snow was dazzling, the white even more crystalline and translucent.
The group walked on, admiring the scenery, heading in the direction of the bamboo house.
Descending the mountain, the forest was not far ahead. After passing through the forest, and then a little further, they would reach their dwelling.
Although the winter was cold, there were scattered animal tracks on the snowy ground, and the sounds of birds chirping in the woods were quite pleasant. The group walked and observed, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Suddenly, a bone-chilling cold permeated the surroundings, entirely different from the post-snow chill. It was a palpable killing intent, hanging over their heads. Mo Chou and Bing Xiao both sensed it and became alert, their bodies tensed for action.
Suddenly, a flash of white light swept past. Someone moved through the treetops, leaping from one tree to another, and then hung from a branch, descending from above. With a palm strike aimed directly at Qingyao, she leaped aside to evade. Mo Chou and Bing Xiao quickly looked up. They saw an aged woman with white hair, dressed in white. Missing her initial strike, she leaped down from the tree with fierce resentment and stood before them, glaring at them menacingly.
This person was actually Bai Sha, one of the Black and White Fiends who had appeared in Emotionless Valley that day. To think she had come seeking revenge for her master! Mo Chou angrily cried out, flicking her long sword towards Bai Sha.
"You wicked hag! What revenge are you seeking from us? It was Young Master who killed Hei Sha, what does that have to do with us?"
"Pah! That ill-fated cheap man, he's actually dead. I was originally prepared to avenge him. Since he is already dead, I can only take you to make up the numbers."
"You dare?" Qingyao's anger flared upon hearing her curse Wuqing. A chilling aura enveloped her, and her voice became cold and sharp. She looked at Mo Chou and Bing Xiao and commanded in a deep, stern tone, "Kill her for me."
"Yes, Mistress."
As Qingyao finished speaking, Bai Sha threw her head back and laughed heartily. "Do you think I'm alone? I wouldn't be that foolish." With that, she let out a long howl, and soon several figures appeared in the forest. Their martial arts were all extraordinary. With a few swift movements, they landed beside Bai Sha. They were several men dressed in strange attire, with lewd gazes. The moment they saw the women before them, each one remarkably beautiful, they couldn't help but have lascivious thoughts.
Bai Sha menacingly commanded, "Disciples, attack me. You must avenge your master."
"Yes," the men leaped forward simultaneously. Mo Chou and Bing Xiao soared into the air, their twin long swords tracing two brilliant silver streaks as they met the attackers. Bai Sha lunged directly at Qingyao. Qingyao retreated, pulling Xiao Yu'er and tossing her onto a large tree behind them. The little maid's face turned deathly pale as she clung tightly to the tree, partly due to her fear of heights and partly due to her worry for her mother's safety.
To think they had encountered villains today, and they hadn't brought any weapons. Her gunpowder rifle, and her mother's Phoenix Tail Zither.
Qingyao flung the lotus rings on her arm, directly attacking Bai Sha. For the past two years, Bai Sha had been cultivating in seclusion in the mountains, her martial arts much improved. She leaped into the air, flipped gracefully, and deftly dodged the lotus rings. Then, with a wave of her hand, she threw out a lush green snake. The snake became her weapon, straight as a sword, its blood-red tongue flicking, striking directly towards them.
Just as it was about to coil around her, Qingyao tensed with full vigilance, ready to strike with a palm. Suddenly, a clear, cold voice rang out, "Poisonous."
Her hand stopped abruptly. She saw a remarkably soft weapon being thrown into mid-air. This weapon... it looked so familiar. Qingyao was stunned. This was Wuqing's Heavenly Silk. How could it appear here?
Her head buzzed, and she was speechless for a long time. The Heavenly Silk swiftly coiled around the venomous snake. A sharp, cold glint flashed, and the snake's body split in two, falling to the ground and still writhing.
Mo Chou and Bing Xiao dealt with Bai Sha's disciples, quickly overpowering them and leaving them in disarray. The disciples exchanged glances, sensing the danger before them. Ultimately, they abandoned their mistress and fled. Mo Chou couldn't help but mock Bai Sha.
"Are these your disciples? All cowardly and incompetent cowards."