Chapter 22: Succession

Mingyue was just about to retort, but as she raised her eyes, she unexpectedly saw the surroundings had changed. She and Qin Shi had been brought straight into the Hall of Gentlemen. The unfamiliar courtyard was not one she or Qin Shi had ever visited. She wanted to ask Qin Shi, but he had already let go of her hand and followed Jun Xiao out.

Mingyue wondered if this meant they no longer had to chase after Jun Xiao all over the place.

She stepped into the room, where only a single candle flickered in the gloom. The wavering light cast an even paler hue upon the woman in green. Mingyue leaned in, her fingers gently climbing the woman's cheek. Such beauty—would it inevitably wither away? Mingyue narrowed her eyes, but was caught off guard when the woman in green suddenly opened her eyes with a slight frown, staring blankly at her.

"Who are you, miss?"

Mingyue, startled, pressed harder with her fingers, prompting another frown from the woman. Mingyue quickly released her and stepped back several paces, exclaiming, "You can see me?"

"...Why wouldn't I?"

Mingyue ran out, crying in alarm, and collided with Qin Shi, who happened to be passing by with Jun Xiao. Clutching Qin Shi's collar, she gasped, "She... she... Gu Yanrong, she saw me!"

Qin Shi raised his brow, and Mingyue quickly explained what had happened.

"Then let's go in and take another look," Qin Shi said, taking Mingyue back inside. In the room, Jun Xiao was tending to the woman in green's wounds while she rested against the bed, her eyes open but silent. Qin Shi held Mingyue's wrist in one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her closer, but the woman in green remained unresponsive.

"I suppose people in this illusion only notice us if we make contact first."

Mingyue stared at the woman's exquisite face for a long time, then nodded dazedly, letting Qin Shi drag her to the table.

"Sit down, Mistress, let me give you some medicine."

Mingyue nodded, obediently taking a seat, her eyes fixed on Jun Xiao and the woman in green.

Qin Shi took a deep breath, gently pinching Mingyue’s chin with his left hand, turning her face slightly. With his other hand, he uncapped a porcelain bottle and carefully poured medicine onto her sword-cut, unsurprised to see her brows furrow and lashes flutter.

"Mistress, bear with it," he said, setting the bottle aside and gently smoothing the powder over her cheek. They were so close that Qin Shi could see Jun Xiao’s silhouette reflected in Mingyue’s eyes. Once he finished, Jun Xiao had nearly finished bandaging the woman in green’s wounds as well.

The woman in green put on her outer garment and rose to leave, but Jun Xiao caught her wrist.

"What’s this? Does the young master wish the woman in green to stay the night as repayment for saving her life?"

Jun Xiao’s lips curled in a slight smile, his brows and eyes tinged with an unruly charm. "Why not?"

The woman in green was stunned, then truly leaned into Jun Xiao’s embrace, her wide sleeves sweeping as her pale wrist wrapped around his neck. She rose on tiptoe, drawing so near their noses nearly touched, then parted her lips, her voice low and endlessly seductive, "If you take me, young master, aren’t you afraid you’ll tarnish the reputation of the Hall of Gentlemen?"

"Whether it’s tarnished or not, that’s for me to decide."

"What boldness." Her slender finger traced Jun Xiao’s eye, laughter rippling out. When her laughter faded, she abruptly pushed Jun Xiao aside and walked out. "Too bad I won’t be keeping you company."

"Too bad... that’s also for me to decide." Just as she was about to step out, Jun Xiao suddenly moved behind her, wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, and buried his head in her neck. While she stood stunned, Jun Xiao swiftly pressed her acupoint, then picked her up in his arms and placed her on the bed. Noticing her lingering confusion, Jun Xiao laughed softly, "Rest assured, I’m not one for forcing others. If I want you, it will be because you’re willing. For now, rest well."

With that, Jun Xiao left for another room. Over the next few days, he began preparing to succeed as master of the Hall of Gentlemen, spending most days with the elders or Jun Yi. Only occasionally did he return to check on the woman in green, bringing her food and medicine.

Mingyue watched, puzzled at how obedient the woman in green had become—so different from her usual self.

"She’s injured," Qin Shi explained. "There are probably pursuers outside. For now, nowhere is safer than the Hall of Gentlemen. Besides, her benefactor is the future master of the hall, so it’s much easier. Jun Xiao’s attentive care isn’t lost on her."

Mingyue was dubious. "How can you be so sure? Are you a worm in her belly? Didn’t Jun Xiao kill for her last time? Wouldn’t those so-called righteous men in black notice?"

"You’ve forgotten," said Qin Shi. "That time, Jun Xiao used her sword techniques and her slender sword. No one would suspect the Hall of Gentlemen helped her. As for the black-clad pursuers from the previous nights, Jun Xiao dealt with them. While fetching medicine for her, he eliminated them—so the woman in green has no way out now."

Mingyue was stunned, uncertain whether to swallow the fruit in her mouth. She’d never realized Jun Xiao had such schemes; compared to Jun Yi, he was scarcely less complicated.

In the blink of an eye, the day of Jun Xiao’s succession arrived. The Hall of Gentlemen was filled with martial artists from all over. Mingyue, witnessing such grandeur for the first time, was excited. But recalling her recent sword wound at the inn, she cautiously avoided those carrying weapons. That day, Jun Xiao wore his familiar blue and white robes, but with new details—cloud patterns on his collar, black lotus blooms at his waist and hem. He maintained a gentle smile, his conduct neither arrogant nor hurried—a man of both refined bearing and handsome appearance.

Mingyue studied him carefully, then nudged Qin Shi. "Is the jade pendant at Jun Xiao’s waist from the woman in green?"

"Yes... Snatched just last night."

Mingyue was surprised, but with so many people around, she wisely kept quiet—drawing attention in such a crowd was not a good idea. She waited until the auspicious hour and then followed Jun Xiao to the site of the succession ceremony, which happened to be a plaza near the entrance to the rear mountain. Smaller than the main entrance, but behind it lay the ancestral shrine honoring generations of elders and masters, making it the usual place for major events.

After an elder delivered a lengthy speech Mingyue didn’t understand, Jun Xiao, accompanied by Jun Yi, ascended the altar. His wide sleeves and robe billowed in the wind. After Jun Yi returned to the disciples, Jun Xiao turned to face the crowd. At that moment, he suddenly gazed into the distance, sword brows furrowed. Mingyue followed his gaze and saw the woman in green hidden among the disciples. She had donned the Hall’s attire, and surrounded by others, she did not stand out.

The woman in green lifted her head slightly, silently mouthing words to Jun Xiao atop the altar, then turned to leave.

Mingyue pondered for a while and guessed it was probably a "thank you."

Choosing this moment to depart, Jun Xiao had no way to stop her. He remained motionless, following the elders’ instructions for the ritual, but Mingyue could sense his emotional unrest. Even the elder presiding seemed to notice, frequently glancing at Jun Xiao.

When the ceremony concluded, Jun Xiao officially became the new master of the Hall of Gentlemen, receiving the kneeling homage of all disciples.

Afterward, the martial artists who had come to observe were indeed detained by the elders. That night, Jun Xiao and Jun Yi each led dozens of disciples out of the hall. At the city gate, Jun Yi asked, "Brother, what happened?"

Jun Xiao frowned. "Nothing."

"Brother, you don’t need to hide it from me. Everything was fine before, but halfway through the ceremony, you changed."

Jun Xiao pinched his brow and softened his tone. "This isn’t easily explained now. When the conflict ends, I’ll tell you in detail. For now, our mission comes first." With that, he gave Jun Yi no chance to respond, raising his whip to lead the disciples toward the capital.

Mingyue, though reluctant to chase after them, had already prepared horses with Qin Shi to avoid missing anything important. Fortunately, soon after leaving, Jun Xiao dispersed the disciples into groups, sending them ahead to the capital via different routes, while he followed alone to avoid attracting attention. Traveling alone, Jun Xiao slowed his pace, choosing only quiet, deserted paths.