Chapter Four: The Showdown

“Sir,” Chen Hu pronounced the words with unusual stiffness.

Bai Jingyan nodded, somewhat surprised to learn that this "adoptive father" before him was actually the younger brother of the current king.

“But why choose this place? As far as I know, Liu City is quite far from the capital of Wuhou Kingdom,” Bai Jingyan said, glancing between the two men, hoping to glean an answer.

The room fell silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

It seemed Bai Huaiwu and Chen Hu were deliberately avoiding the question.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

There was a knock at the door.

“Uncle Bai, the medicine is ready.”

A clear, melodious female voice came from outside.

“Shall I bring it in now?”

Bai Huaiwu cleared his throat twice, then said, “I’ll handle it.”

Outside the door, Nanmen Chuyao uttered a soft “Oh” and soon heard footsteps fading into the distance.

Bai Jingyan frowned.

“Why didn’t I hear any footsteps just now?” he wondered silently.

“It’s getting late. You should get some rest,” Chen Hu looked toward Bai Huaiwu as he left the room, then turned to Bai Jingyan.

“Wait.”

“Is there something else you wish to discuss?”

Bai Jingyan hesitated a moment before asking, “How many people know my true identity?”

Chen Hu turned around at the question.

“Besides me and the prince, only Prime Minister Cheng Hongming is aware.”

“In ten days, the triannual disciple recruitment for the Xingyu Sect will begin,” Bai Jingyan said thoughtfully.

“You want me to join the Xingyu Sect and dismantle it from within?”

Hearing this, Chen Hu shook his head.

“That’s only part of it. If you can pass the tests of the Xingyu Sect and become an inner disciple within two years, perhaps you can uncover why the sect intends to rebel.”

Bai Jingyan asked, “Was this your original plan?”

Chen Hu shook his head again.

“No, it wasn’t.”

“You are no longer the Eighth Prince. Even if the prince and I were to kill you, it would be futile. It’s better to have you accomplish something instead.”

“If possible, I hope you can visit the capital once. Check on Consort Qian; her health has deteriorated steadily over the past sixteen years.”

After speaking, Chen Hu bowed deeply.

“Please take good care of yourself, sir.”

With that, he turned and left.

“Become an inner disciple within two years…”

…

At dawn.

Bai Jingyan stood in the courtyard, clasping his hands before his chest, then slowly spreading them apart. A swirl of black mist formed between his palms, gradually expanding until it reached the size of a hand, and then he hurled it forward.

“Boom—”

With a tremendous crash, the wall before Bai Jingyan collapsed.

“Still not strong enough?” he thought to himself, paying no attention to Bai Huaiwu beside him.

“If this technique were perfected, its power would be far greater.”

Seeing Bai Huaiwu approach, Bai Jingyan cupped his hands respectfully.

“Father—”

Before he could finish, Bai Huaiwu interrupted with a raised hand.

“You are not him. There is no need to address me that way.”

“You haven’t fully mastered this move yet. Come with me; I will teach you some self-defense techniques.”

Bai Huaiwu’s tone was cool and distant.

Bai Jingyan followed Bai Huaiwu, while in a shadowed corner, a slender figure watched silently.

…

Bai Huaiwu led Bai Jingyan to an open space.

“Chen Hu told me you will soon participate in the Xingyu Sect’s disciple selection test,” he said.

“I will teach you a few martial techniques.”

“Since you are to join the Xingyu Sect, I will teach you techniques similar to theirs.”

With that, Bai Huaiwu took two swords from a nearby sword case and tossed one to Bai Jingyan.

“Watch carefully!”

The three-foot-long sword felt like an extension of Bai Huaiwu’s hand, wielded with ease.

“Condense Sword Trial!”

Bai Huaiwu swung the sword, creating several afterimages that whirled around him. Then, with a shout,

“Thrust!”

The sword-shaped illusions shot forward in unison with Bai Huaiwu’s movements, slicing through the air with a piercing sound before exploding in front of them.

“This move is called the Astonishing Swan Sword Technique, sharing its name with the sword you hold.”

“I will first teach you the initial move—Condense Sword Trial—condensing sword energy into a solid form and thrusting it out. Use your spiritual power to detonate the phantom sword.”

Bai Huaiwu turned to face Bai Jingyan.

“In the coming days, I will help you refine the flow of qi through your meridians to ensure you pass the recruitment test.”

Bai Jingyan nodded.

Having successfully forged his sword bones, he could now train as before, truly stepping into the Martial Disciple realm.

…

Bai Huaiwu had also used his “power” to uncover the identity of the young swordsman who had caused trouble earlier.

The boy, named Duan Mobian, was highly talented and favored by the inner elders, though he had yet to enter the inner sect. Thanks to his connections with the elders, his admission was almost guaranteed, which explained why Duan Mobian fancied himself an inner disciple.

In recent days, to ensure Bai Jingyan’s smooth passage through the examination, Bai Huaiwu had been channeling spiritual energy to him. Bai Jingyan’s cultivation had reached mid-level Third-Rank Martial Disciple, sufficient for entry into the outer sect, but to enter the inner sect, one must attain the Martial Realm, which Duan Mobian had already achieved.

Spring rain, the first of the season, brought vitality to all things. Bai Jingyan stood at the center of the courtyard, wielding the Astonishing Swan Sword, performing swordplay that created phantom images, and shouted sharply,

“Thrust!”

Two phantom sword shadows sliced through the air with a sharp whistle and exploded before him.

After several days of practice, Bai Jingyan could form two phantom sword images; Bai Huaiwu could create six with only thirty percent of his strength. It was hard to imagine how many he could summon at full power.

“Clap, clap.”

Applause came from the shadows—no doubt Bai Huaiwu.

Due to training, Bai Jingyan had few meetings with Nanmen Chuyao recently. Knowing Bai Jingyan was preparing for the test, Nanmen Chuyao limited her visits to delivering medicine, avoiding any disturbance.

“You’ve done well these few days, forming two phantom sword images so quickly.”

A trace of joy flickered at the corners of Bai Huaiwu’s mouth before he quickly masked it.

Bai Jingyan noticed but said nothing.

“Here, take this,” Bai Huaiwu said, producing a jade slip from his sleeve and handing it over.

“What is this?”

Seeing Bai Jingyan’s puzzled look, Bai Huaiwu explained,

“Haven’t seen one before? It seems you don’t belong to this era.”

“This is called a Messaging Jade Slip. When infused with spiritual energy, it can transmit sound over a thousand miles and even project a phantom figure of the sender.”

Bai Jingyan nodded; it was indeed a useful communication device.

“Train hard. The test is in three days.”

Bai Huaiwu paused.

“You still have a choice. After three days, besides the Xingyu Sect, other sects in Wuhou Kingdom will also come recruiting. If you regret it, you can join another sect. But once you enter the Xingyu Sect, there’s no turning back.”

Bai Jingyan smiled.

“Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

…

Inside a room.

“All right, come out.”

Bai Jingyan stood alone in the empty room, speaking to his reflection in the mirror.

“You can’t hide from me, can you?”

A faint voice, identical to his, echoed softly.

After a moment, a nearly transparent phantom figure appeared.

“Are you the original owner of this body?”