Chapter Fifty-Eight: Consideration

No Falling Blossom’s expression was solemn. This young master, who ordinarily appeared somewhat careless and dissolute, now showed an entirely different bearing. He lightly fanned himself, and though surrounded by a murderous aura, he remained calm and unflustered, unmoved by the threat.

“You’ve come seeking death!” Gan Ying’s face was alight with rage. It was these people who had made him taste defeat for the first time and left his elderly father injured and bedridden. Now, to think someone would dare disrupt the wedding feast—how could Gan Ying swallow such humiliation? With a wave of his hand, he sent the meddling matchmaker sprawling, dismissing her attempts at mediation. Already, a servant had brought forth his treasured sword. With a metallic ring, the blade slid from its sheath, flashing coldly—the heat of the moment causing the neighbors to shriek in alarm. For Gan Ying was a disciple of the Falling Leaf Sect, a cultivator of the spiritual arts!

“Ying’er, be patient. Let your elder ask him a few questions.” At that moment, a man of about forty rose from the side seats. He had the bearing of an immortal, exuding the demeanor of a master cultivator.

Gan Ying immediately bowed deeply upon hearing this man speak. He might ignore others, but not this one whom he deeply respected. During his years with the Falling Leaf Sect, his own teacher had given him little guidance, but this elder uncle had taught him much. Today, Gan Ying had especially invited him as a guest of honor.

When the man spoke, a wave of spiritual energy radiated from him, surging toward No Falling Blossom. For a moment, Blossom felt a jolt, nearly losing composure. But just then, a refreshing coolness swept up from behind, countering the pressure. Instantly, Blossom straightened his back.

He cupped his fists in salute to No Falling Blossom.

No Falling Blossom was inwardly moved. The Falling Leaf Sect was one of the five great spiritual factions, and naturally had its share of extraordinary figures. This man before him was none other than Lord Jun Buran, known as the Gentleman of Gifts, one of the famed Eleven of Falling Leaf, rivaling even the Six of Cloud Heaven.

No Falling Blossom returned the salute and said, “So it is Lord Jun.”

Jun Buran nodded. “May I ask your honored name, young man, and why you seek to disrupt my nephew’s sister’s wedding?”

No Falling Blossom gently closed his fan. “I am but an unknown wanderer; you may simply call me Little No. As for this wedding—” Here, he snapped his fan shut with a sharp motion. “It absolutely cannot be held.”

Jun Buran, ever shrewd, immediately sensed there was more to the story. That display of spiritual power earlier—Jun Buran could tell that if the matter was not resolved today, this wedding feast would not end well. He glanced at Gan Ying.

Gan Ying, furious, shouted, “What are you? The Gan Family Fort kindly took you in when you lost your ancestral jade pendant here. We brought you home out of goodwill, yet you repay kindness with ingratitude and even injured my father! Hmph! If I do not avenge this wrong, I am no man!” With that, he raised his sword to attack.

Gan Ying’s words caused a stir among the crowd. The Gan family had told outsiders the lord of the fort was ill with a cold. Now it was said he had been injured—by the very youth before them.

Jun Buran’s gaze returned to No Falling Blossom, now sharp and dangerous. Despite being called the Gentleman of Gifts, Jun Buran was a proud and aloof man. Those he favored, he cared for deeply—like Gan Ying, whom he had taken pains to instruct.

No Falling Blossom did not falter before Jun Buran’s formidable presence. Instead, he smiled calmly, drawing from his belt a jade pendant carved with Buddhist symbols. The top of the pendant glowed faintly. “I have already retrieved the jade, Young Master Gan. Do you not wish to know where I found it, and who the thief was?”

Gan Ying was about to erupt again, but Jun Buran, now intrigued by the pendant, stopped him. “Very well. I shall give you a chance. Tell us where you recovered it.”

No Falling Blossom spoke in a clear voice, “Finding this pendant was as hard as reaching the sky. Yet fate is strange—the thief actually returned it himself.”

This statement left everyone dumbfounded—even Jun Buran frowned. “What kind of fool steals something only to return it? Are you joking?”

No Falling Blossom replied firmly, “You are mistaken. The thief was not a fool—on the contrary, he was the cleverest of all.”

Jun Buran’s eyebrows rose. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

No Falling Blossom cleared his throat. “Very well, I shall tell you a story. Twenty years ago, there were nine Great Demons on the Exquisite Continent. Among them was one who could change his face by special means. No one knew his real name, for none had seen his true visage. But he had a famous moniker!” With that, No Falling Blossom looked directly at Jun Buran.

Jun Buran’s brow furrowed. He spoke slowly, “He was called Ru Mo. But twenty years ago, the five great spiritual sects united to exterminate three of the demon lords. He had no chance to escape—he perished beyond the Demon Valley.”

No Falling Blossom gave a cold smile. “Oh? And how can you be sure that the one who died outside Demon Valley was truly Ru Mo?”

Jun Buran was momentarily stunned. In his youth, he had followed his elders to that campaign, though as a junior he had only watched from afar and was not privy to the heart of the action.

No Falling Blossom continued, “Each of the nine Great Demons possessed supreme skills and unique abilities. Ru Mo’s was to change his face at will, becoming someone else entirely. Now, he has taken on a new identity and come here—to Gan Family Fort!” His words sent a tremor through the crowd. People glanced nervously at those beside them, fear in their eyes.

Gan Ying, furious at the commotion, shouted, “You, No, are but a youth. How could you know such things? Surely, these are rumors. Even if Ru Mo survived and infiltrated Gan Family Fort, what does that have to do with this wedding?”

No Falling Blossom laughed aloud. “It has everything to do with it—because Ru Mo is none other than your father, Gan Sen!”

“Miss, miss, where are you going?” With a swish, a figure darted ahead, pursued by another who lagged further and further behind, eventually calling out in distress.

In a flash, the leading figure appeared before the startled maid. “Miss, your Spirit Leap Skill has truly reached perfection—Bier cannot keep up with you.”

The young lady smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. She flicked Bier’s forehead playfully. “Silly girl, why are you shouting? If the hall master guarding the pass hears, you’ll be in trouble.”

Bier stuck out her tongue. “It’s all because of you, miss. Why are you sneaking out of the ridge in broad daylight, dressed like that?” She gestured to her mistress’s short traveling attire—clearly not for a casual stroll, but for a secret escape.

The young lady pouted, “Just go back and mind your own business. Why meddle in mine?”

Bier grinned mischievously. “Don’t think I don’t know why you’re sneaking out. Did you see Lord Qing and the Xu brothers leave this morning and now you want to follow? Don’t worry, miss—with the Xu brothers there, Lord Qing will be just fine.”

A blush crept onto the young lady’s cheeks. “Nonsense! I’ve simply been cooped up in Mo Yu Ridge for too long and needed some air. It’s not for that Shangguan Qing.”

Bier shook her head and, with a flick of her wrist, sent a handful of silver notes fluttering toward her mistress. The young lady caught them, flashed Bier a look of approval, and with a few swift movements, vanished from sight.

PS: The new book phase is about to end—how quickly a month passes!