Chapter 127: Taking Action

Compared to the back mountain, the area around the Weaponry Workshop was significantly brighter, even though it was tucked away in a remote corner. At the very least, one could faintly discern a winding path that followed the layout of the buildings, leading directly into the depths of the complex. The Master of Ronghua Hall did not move quickly; it was as if he were deliberately slowing his pace. To have ascended to the position of one of the six hall masters of the Bright Moon Manor at such a young age—beyond his formidable martial arts—suggested that his intellect and cunning were far superior to those of an ordinary man. A man of such brilliance naturally acted with greater caution. Seeing the strange old man, who was advanced in years, walking at a sluggish pace, he naturally slowed his own stride to match.

The Weaponry Workshop was considered a vital stronghold of the Bright Moon Manor. Aside from the Scripture Repository at the very center, it was perhaps the most confidential location. One could only imagine how many skilled artisans were gathered there, or how many divine weapons were concealed within. Consequently, the guards were numerous. While this might have been an insurmountable obstacle for others, for him, it was the simplest of matters. One had to remember that this entire defense system had been designed by him; he knew every man, from the lowest guard to the overall layout—nothing escaped his knowledge. This alone was enough to demonstrate the high standing this young man held within the Bright Moon Manor. There were even rumors that Shen Wansan, having no sons and only a daughter to carry on the family name, faced a dilemma. Since his daughter had no interest in martial arts and had since married into the Prince of Qi’s estate, she was certainly incapable of inheriting the vast legacy of the Bright Moon Manor. Thus, when Shen Wansan eventually passed, the most likely successor to become the new manor lord was none other than Shen Chengbi, the Master of Ronghua Hall. He had originally been surnamed Li and was merely a scholar; it was only after joining the Bright Moon Manor that he had been given his current name. This seemed to quietly confirm the public’s suspicions; otherwise, how could a nameless, powerless youth have climbed to such heights in the span of only a few years?

The distance between the strange old man and Shen Chengbi was not great. Whether it was due to his age or some other reason, the old man’s pace remained extremely slow. From Shen Chengbi’s vantage point, he could only see the man’s back; he could not discern the other’s expression, let alone fathom his thoughts. Yet, the deeper they walked, the more he felt that the actions of the Master of Zhaoyang Hall were increasingly bizarre, and a vague sense of foreboding began to take root in his heart.

"I didn't expect them to arrive so soon!" The Flowery Butterfly had not walked far, but it was enough. Having crossed the final branches of the woods, the moonlight spilled down onto her face. Though it remained somewhat indistinct, the silhouette alone was enough to confirm she possessed a face of breathtaking beauty. She turned her head slightly, as if listening intently. Although the air was filled only with a gentle breeze and a hint of chill, she seemed to have discovered something in that instant. Her words were directed at Shen Wansan, who was following closely, yet they sounded as if she were speaking to herself.

"What did you say?" Although her voice was soft, Shen Wansan heard her clearly. No one spoke such things without reason. Since his right eyelid had begun to twitch earlier, Shen Wansan had deliberately heightened his vigilance. Given his martial prowess, he should have been able to easily detect the slightest rustle within a radius of hundreds of meters, yet he had heard nothing unusual. If the Flowery Butterfly could hear something in these conditions, it would mean her martial arts were far superior to his own—an impossibility. If she truly possessed such ability, he would never have been able to restrain her. Thus, even though he had heard her clearly, he suspected he might have misheard, and he could not help but ask.

The Flowery Butterfly did not rush to answer. With a movement of her body, her internal energy surged. Without a moment’s hesitation, she dashed toward Shen Wansan—a clear sign that she intended to strike. Her movements were naturally light, and with the aid of her spiritual energy, she was faster than anyone. Even so, this was at best enough to startle Shen Wansan. Soon, his own form began to drift. The fact that he had left her unrestrained, without sealing her pressure points or restricting her movements, served as further proof of his immense self-confidence.

With a violent flick of her long sleeves, a sudden gust of wind swept up the withered leaves scattered across the forest floor, sending them hurtling toward Shen Wansan like a swarm of projectiles. Each leaf, which had seemed lifeless and ready to rot just moments before, now acted like a sharp blade; the sound of them piercing the air was shrill and grating. This move was perfectly timed. While the area where the Flowery Butterfly stood was quite open, Shen Wansan was in a disadvantageous position; the exit of the forest was narrow, and while there were many things to use as weapons, defending in such a confined space was no easy task.

"I was wondering why you would say such a thing without reason. So, you were trying to distract me and take advantage of this terrain to attack. But, little girl, you are still too young. You do not know how vast this world is, nor how overestimating your own abilities you truly are!" Realizing her intent, a look of contempt appeared on Shen Wansan’s face. As he spoke, he did not hesitate. Under normal circumstances, one would instinctively dodge to the sides, as meeting such a sudden onslaught head-on was rarely wise. But Shen Wansan had other plans. Instead of retreating, he surged forward, charging directly into the path of the incoming leaves. Strangely, the old man’s figure seemed to turn into a blade itself; as he lunged forward, the leaves were cut apart before they could even touch him. His speed was nearly beyond what the eye could track. Before the Flowery Butterfly could react, he had already closed the distance, his eyes wide and fixed upon her in a way that made her feel deeply unsettled. A crushing pressure suddenly bore down upon her, making it difficult to breathe, and the flow of energy within her body seemed to stutter and scatter in response.

This display of power made the Flowery Butterfly realize that Shen Wansan’s martial arts were even more formidable than she had imagined. He had not reached his current status in the jianghu through luck or schemes alone; his sheer capability was not to be underestimated. Even across the entire world, she could find few who possessed such skill. Of course, she was no pushover. If she could be subdued so easily, she would not be who she was. Instinctively, jolted by the impact of his energy, she retreated, leaping back several meters in a single bound. Staring at Shen Wansan, she thought to herself, "Very well, you old ghost Shen. To think you have refined your internal energy to such a level, using the air around you to form blades and shatter my 'Flying Flower Dance' style. It seems stalling you won't be easy. I must remain cautious and wait for them to arrive. I wonder who this 'surprise' the old ghost Dongfang mentioned really is, and why he was being so secretive?"

Regardless of her thoughts, as she retreated, Shen Wansan was freed from the geographic disadvantage. Now, they stood in a standoff. After this brief exchange, both had a clear measure of the other’s strength. Perhaps out of excessive caution, Shen Wansan, who currently held the advantage, did not rush to attack. Whether he was calculating how to win quickly or was simply feeling playful and overly confident—much like a cat toying with a mouse—it did not matter. For the Flowery Butterfly, neither scenario was bad. She knew she could not defeat him, and her only goal now was to buy time. It would be both disadvantageous and disgraceful to be defeated before her reinforcements arrived.

"Little girl, how about we make a wager? I don't wish to make things difficult for you. If I can defeat you within ten moves, you will answer one question for me honestly. If I cannot, I will let you go. What do you say?" Just as the Flowery Butterfly was lost in thought, Shen Wansan suddenly spoke. This left her puzzled. If they were to fight to the bitter end, she would certainly lose, but a ten-move limit was different; if she fought with all her might, the outcome was uncertain. Why would he propose a condition so disadvantageous to himself? She couldn't fathom it, but having a choice was better than none, and she saw no reason to refuse. After all, it was only a question—what could he possibly ask? "Fine! Seeing as you are advanced in years, I shall indulge you. Ten moves it is! But whoever loses must not come crying to me!"