Chapter 1. The Honored Guest at Walong Manor

Walong Manor is the largest martial family in Woshi, located to the east of Luoyang. The master of Walong Manor, situated in the Yan family village, was a swordsman named Yan Wulong.

Yan Wulong's well-known nickname in the martial world was the Moon-Cleaving Swordsman.

This nickname was given to him for slaying the notorious witch, Moonlit Immortal.

Just as the name of the Moon-Cleaving Swordsman began to spread in the martial world, he suddenly returned to his hometown, established Walong Manor, and went into seclusion.

At that time, he was thirty-four years old.

Despite the family's opposition, Yan Wulong did not return to the martial world. Soon, his name faded from people's memories.

Early in the fifth month.

Walong Manor, usually quiet, became bustling.

The lady of the manor, Bai Muzhu, stood in the middle of the courtyard, giving continuous instructions to the servants.

"You all must sweep the courtyard again. And Manager Yan?"

"Yes."

Manager Yan Wudong quickly stepped forward to Bai Muzhu.

"Please find the children immediately and send them to the main house."

Bai Muzhu politely requested, even though the manager was her senior. Not only was he older than her, but he was also her husband Yan Wulong's cousin, making it difficult to address him.

"All of them?"

Yan Wudong looked at Bai Muzhu with a meaningful gaze.

Yan Wulong had three sons and one daughter. The top three were Bai Muzhu's children.

However, the youngest, Yan Jieha, who was six years old, was the child of a concubine and Bai Muzhu's maid.

Since Bai Muzhu usually did not take care of the maid's child, Yan Wudong needed confirmation.

Bai Muzhu nodded calmly.

"Yes, it must be done. If there's a rumor that Walong Manor looks down on illegitimate children, it would tarnish his reputation."

"I understand, Sister-in-law."

Yan Wudong lightly bowed and left.

Bai Muzhu bit her lip, watching Yan Wudong's retreating back.

She did not have the heart to call Yan Jieha today.

But she did not want to hear whispers behind her back about her narrow-mindedness.

"Ha!"

A thin sigh escaped Bai Muzhu's lips.

Today, more than any other day, she wanted to keep Yan Jieha at a distance.

It was the day when the Sword King Nangong Bi, the head of the Shenjian Family, was visiting Walong Manor with his family.

The Shenjian Family was a respectful term for the Nangong Family of Nanzhili. People referred to the five strongest martial families that influenced the current martial world as the 'Five Great Families.'

The Nangong Family was the foremost among them.

Its name alone could resolve most disputes.

Bai Muzhu suddenly turned her head to look around the manor.

The entire, modest Walong Manor came into view.

It was small.

The current Walong Manor was just one of many martial families.

'For now...'

Bai Muzhu wanted to make Walong Manor one of the 'Five Great Families' in the martial world.

The first to dream of this was Yan Wulong.

But that dream was shattered.

The person who shattered it was her maid, Yan Jieha's mother, Li Buyong.

During his short period in the martial world, Yan Wulong luckily formed a bond with the Sword King Nangong Bi.

Nangong Bi discovered Yan Wulong, who was struggling against the notorious Yuming Sect.

In the end, Yan Wulong, with Nangong Bi's help, defeated the Yuming Sect and earned the nickname Moon-Cleaving Swordsman.

After that, he developed a brotherly relationship with the Sword King Nangong Bi.

This happened six years ago, and that was where it ended.

After returning home to treat his wounds, Yan Wulong fell for his maid, Li Buyong, who did odd jobs for him.

Pathetically, he abandoned his grand dream of establishing a great martial family.

He even took Li Buyong as a concubine and announced his retirement from the martial world, despite the opposition of the Yan family.

'Thankless people...'

Thinking of the two, Bai Muzhu gritted her teeth.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

His lips no longer whispered love to her.

Admitting it was hard, but she built this small Walong Manor for Li Buyong. When the Yan family's nagging became too much, she moved to a secluded place.

The Yan family, who knew the truth, said that Yan Wulong had been cursed by the Yuming Sect. Otherwise, why would someone who wanted to establish a great martial family retreat into seclusion for just a maid?

However, the love affair between Yan Wulong and the seductress Li Buyong did not last long. Li Buyong died in childbirth while giving birth to Yan Jieha.

At that time, Bai Muzhu thought Yan Wulong would return to the martial world.

But soon she realized that Yan Wulong's heart had died with Li Buyong.

Yan Wulong lost interest in everything.

For some time, he did not even step outside Walong Manor.

Then, he received a visit from his sworn brother, Nangong Bi.

Nangong Bi, who did not visit even when Yan Wulong went into seclusion six years ago, had come to this remote Woshi for some reason.

Bai Muzhu, slowly moving towards the main house, muttered to herself.

"Is this a chance given to me by heaven...?"

Nangong Bi's eldest son, Nangong Tian, was eighteen and already had the nickname Qingyun Swordsman, indicating his exceptional martial skills. In contrast, his second daughter was only eight years old.

'Should I suggest a match between Xuezhu and Nangong Tian?'

But the age difference was too large.

Xuezhu was nine, so it would be an impossible suggestion to Nangong Bi.

The only option left was to match her son with Nangong Yan.

Her eldest son, Wu Bai, was fourteen, and her second son, Sheng Bai, was eleven, making them a good match for Nangong Yan, who was eight.

The problem was that she did not know how close her husband Yan Wulong and the Sword King Nangong Bi were.

Nangong Bi's final destination was not Walong Manor. He said he was on his way to Wudang Sect. Moreover, he had not communicated with them at all until now.

"Hmm!"

Bai Muzhu clenched her teeth, seething with frustration.

'Somehow, I must match my sons with Nangong Yan.'

If that didn't work?

Then she would ask Nangong Bi to guide her eldest son, Wu Bai.

Yan Wulong had no interest in establishing a great martial family.

So, she had to achieve it through Wu Bai.

She planned to mock the old and pitiful Yan Wulong in the future.

When you were entangled in the skirts of a seductress, I will have achieved the dream you abandoned.

***

Inside a carriage pulled by four horses, a man and a woman were seated.

The head of the Nangong Family, the Sword King Nangong Bi, his wife Zhang Haiyun, and their son Nangong Tian and daughter Nangong Yan.

Twelve swordsmen on brown horses guarded the carriage from the front and back.

Their prominent temples and sharp gazes constantly swept the surroundings.

The 'Cangtian' (Azure Heaven) characters carved on the windscreen indicated that they were the Cangtian Corps, the strongest military force of the Nangong Family.

Under the protection of the Cangtian Corps, the carriage looked peaceful.

Nangong Tian, looking out the window with a bored expression, asked cautiously.

"Father, why did Uncle Yan go into seclusion? He's still in his prime."

Nangong Bi burst into laughter at his son's words.

"Hehe! You're in your prime, but Uncle Yan is already in his forties."

"But Father, you're older than Uncle Yan and still travel the martial world."

"I can do that because your mother is with me."

Nangong Bi, who had a caring nature, always traveled with his wife.

"Eh? Doesn't Uncle Yan have an aunt as well?"

Nangong Bi looked at his son with a perplexed expression.

"Hmm, I should tell you this in advance. Tian and Yan, listen carefully to what I say and avoid making mistakes at Walong Manor. Understand?"

"Yes."

"..."

The lively Nangong Tian answered loudly.

In contrast, the usually quiet Nangong Yan only nodded.

Unlike Nangong Tian, who was full of curiosity, Nangong Yan's expression was indifferent, but her clear black and white eyes were fixed on Nangong Bi's face.

"Uncle Yan had two aunts. The current senior aunt and the junior aunt. Uncle Yan was particularly close to the junior aunt. He went into seclusion because her health was poor."

"Ah! Is the junior aunt better now?"

The affectionate Nangong Tian asked urgently.

In contrast, the eight-year-old Nangong Yan still did not reveal her feelings.

'Tsk tsk!'

Nangong Bi shook his head, looking at his two very different children.

The grown man chattered like a girl, while the young girl was as silent as an old man.

For a moment, Nangong Bi imagined how good it would be if their personalities were switched and then sighed.

"Ha! The junior aunt passed away six years ago while giving birth. Since then, Uncle Yan has lost interest in life."

Nangong Bi turned his gaze to the window.

The story in the letter Yan Wulong sent long ago ended there.

"So, when you go to Walong Manor, do not mention the junior aunt. It's better to pretend you don't know for Uncle Yan and the senior aunt. Understand?"

"Yes, I will be careful."

"..."

Nangong Tian, with a sensitive nature, answered with a sad face, while Nangong Yan only nodded with her old man's eyes.

Nangong Bi gently stroked his young daughter Nangong Yan's head.

This child was like him when he was young.

Now, he was known for being eccentric, but he lived with a closed heart until he was over twenty.

If he hadn't clashed with people while wielding a sword, he might still be like his daughter.

However, he broke his self-image countless times while mastering martial arts and reaching the supreme level.

The new personality that formed from this process was his current confident self.

'You will also break free from your shell one day.'

Nangong Bi felt sorry for the precocious Nangong Yan.

On the other hand, his wife Zhang Haiyun, sitting opposite, had a curious expression.

Her husband, who traveled the world and earned the nickname 'Sword King,' was giving instructions on what to be careful about at Walong Manor.

This meant that he truly respected Yan Wulong.

Why didn't he visit such an important person for the past six years?

"I find it amazing that a picky person like you formed a sworn brotherhood with Yan Daxia."

"Me, picky?"

"Hehe, aren't you? You met the head of the Xianwu Family often but never formed a sworn brotherhood. Yet, you did so with Yan Daxia after just one meeting."

"Just one meeting? Who said that..."

"You and the head of the Xianwu Family argued about it many times. Don't you remember?"

"That's because the head of the Xianwu Family made it up. I spent seven days with Yan Xiaodi."

Zhang Haiyun smiled.

"But you've known the head of the Xianwu Family for over twenty years. Yet, you two always call each other 'head' and keep your distance."

"Knowing someone and having a connection are different."

"Mother, I think you and the head of the Xianwu Family have a good connection too."

"The connection with Yan Xiaodi and the head of the Xianwu Family is qualitatively different."

"How so?"

The whole family's attention turned to Nangong Bi.

Feeling the family's interest, Nangong Bi awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Hem hem, to put it simply, if my relationship with Yan Xiaodi is about sharing life and death... then with the head of the Xianwu Family, it's about sharing hardships."

"Tsk! That's why the head of the Xianwu Family is unhappy with you."

"Hehe! Unhappy? He should have other things to be greedy about."

Nangong Bi spoke as if it was absurd.

A life-and-death friendship is not something that can be achieved just because one side wishes for it. It is a bond bestowed by heaven. Nangong Bi was proud that he and Yan Wulong had such a relationship.