Chapter Seventy-One: The Two Heroes Meet at South Hill

Although Bai Zhuluo had always been proud and overbearing, she was not without sense; she could analyze situations and understood both her uncle’s and her own predicament. Seeing her uncle agree to hide here for the time being, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the four young men in the hall, who had once been at odds with one another, her emotions grew complicated.

Bai Muyun was gradually recovering, though still somewhat frail. Yang Cheng was about to arrange for Bai Muyun and his niece to rest when he saw the two enter the council hall.

“Haha, Brother Lu, I wanted to discuss something with you. I waited a while, but you didn’t come, so I asked Pearl to bring me over. You…” He stopped mid-sentence, stunned.

The newcomers were Liu Changqing and Hua Mingzhu.

After Lu Baichuan left, Liu Changqing had waited for a long time without seeing him return. Out of boredom, he asked Hua Mingzhu about her fellow apprentices; she answered openly. Suddenly, Liu Changqing thought of something, chuckled, and asked Hua Mingzhu to lead him to find Lu Baichuan.

He was never one to follow rules. Upon entering the council hall, he didn’t bother greeting the host, eager to speak to Lu Baichuan. Halfway through his words, he noticed the crowd gathered around an injured man who looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, he was astonished: How could it be him? Didn’t he avoid confrontation? Yet they chased him all the way here?

Bai Muyun was momentarily taken aback as well. He had never expected someone of Liu Changqing’s caliber to be at the Yang residence—clearly, the Yang family had deep foundations. He smiled calmly, “Brother Liu, we meet again.”

Liu Changqing laughed awkwardly, “Indeed, Brother Bai, fate brings us together—twice in one night. But how did you end up like this?”

Bai Muyun shook his head with a bitter smile.

Bai Zhuluo, who had never seen Liu Changqing because her uncle forbade her from watching the duel, had recently heard plenty about him from Bai family intelligence reports. Judging by his appearance and their conversation, she had no trouble discerning his identity. Instantly furious, she shouted, “Liu Changqing, was it you who harmed my uncle?”

Her outburst startled everyone. Only then did Li Tianxing and Mei Yuchen realize who the newcomer was. All four were dumbfounded, thinking: Are we dreaming tonight? We struggled so hard to catch a glimpse of these two great masters’ duel, sweating and jostling, only to miss it—and now, in the middle of the night, they’ve all ended up here together.

Lu and Yang were even more puzzled by the turn of events.

“Zhuluo, do not be rude. Apologize to Master Liu at once,” Bai Muyun scolded. Seeing Bai Zhuluo turn away stubbornly, he added with a sigh, “Brother Liu, please don’t take offense. The Bai family has suffered a great upheaval. My niece is inexperienced and spoke out of turn. I beg your forgiveness.”

Yang Cheng was deeply worried at this point, fearing Liu Changqing might be provoked by the Bai uncle and niece and do something unexpected. No one here could restrain him, and if he caused trouble, the Yang residence would be ruined. He quickly interjected, “Brother Bai, what exactly happened?”

Since the Yang family head asked, and the young men around had saved him and Bai Zhuluo, Bai Muyun felt no need to conceal anything and recounted the entire story in detail.

After a long while, the group listened to Bai Muyun’s tale, sighing deeply. Aside from the Bai family uncle and niece, the others were either from minor families or wanderers of the martial world, living on the fringes. They had never witnessed the fierce struggles of the grand clans—how perilous it all was, with threats lurking outside and treachery within. When of no more use, one was discarded like an old shoe.

From Bai Muyun’s account, the illustrious Bai family, head of the Five Great Clans, had collapsed overnight. It seemed they would never rise again.

Though Liu Changqing was not close to Bai Muyun, he knew he played a part in these events. Unwittingly, he had exposed a decade-old secret of the Bai family, nearly costing Bai Muyun his life. Feeling somewhat guilty, he clasped his hands and said, “Brother Bai, I am deeply sorry for this. I only sought to test my martial arts, never imagining so much trouble would unfold.”

Bai Muyun replied calmly, “Brother Liu, you need not take it to heart. This matter is not your fault. Our duel was but a catalyst. Even if you hadn’t appeared, my depleted cultivation would soon be discovered. I am now a mere mortal; though I am still in my prime and could conceal it for a few years to deter other families, it wouldn’t last ten or twenty years. As I age, the truth would inevitably come out.”

He glanced at Bai Zhuluo, “Zhuluo, you must not blame anyone. For more than ten years, I lived for the sake of the family’s prosperity. Ten years spent in seclusion, not daring to marry or have children, always fearing the millennia-old clan might end in my hands. I can say I gave my all to the family, bearing burdens beyond measure. After tonight, apart from the guilt for the brothers who died protecting me, I hold no grudges. Instead, I feel unburdened—free of ties to the family. I am released. If you can let go of dreams of wealth and glory, you should be happy for your uncle.”

Bai Muyun, in one night, had fallen from the heights, pursued by his own kin, forced to hide from other families’ searches—a most miserable state. Yet, aside from his tattered white robe, he remained serene, earning the respect of those present for his composure. Unknown to them, his heart had long awaited this release; after years of carrying the weight of a family’s fleeting glory with a mortal’s strength, he was finally free.

In contrast, Bai Zhuluo, young and spirited, was consumed by grief but still clenched her teeth, ready to storm back for revenge.

The crowd fell silent. Bai Zhuluo no longer glared at Liu Changqing; instead, she knelt beside Bai Muyun, sobbing on his knee.

Yang Cheng sighed, “Such grand passions, so many rushing about. But when the wind sobers the wine, all things turn to emptiness. Better to trade a pot of muddy wine for half a lifetime of carefree wandering.”

Bai Muyun was taken aback, clasped his hands, and said, “I wasted my years, only realizing after all the splendor faded that everything I pursued was but a dream. I did not expect the master of the Yang family, so young, to have such insight.”

Yang Cheng replied, “I am embarrassed. I only seek a carefree life, without ambition or grand designs. All I do is for peaceful survival. Brother Bai, since you are wounded tonight, why not rest here for a few days? I’ll prepare some modest wine to host you three distinguished guests.”

Seeing Bai Muyun agree, Yang Cheng instructed Mei Yuchen to ask Xiao Lan to select two secluded courtyards in the rear garden for Liu Changqing and the Bai family uncle and niece to rest.

Bai Muyun and Liu Changqing both said, “Thank you for your hospitality.”

Seeing these two masters of the age salute him, Yang Cheng, not wishing to appear weak, feigned bravado, “We are all wanderers of the martial world—no need for formality. Please make yourselves at home.”

Lu Baichuan’s face twitched, thinking: With your cowardice and love of money, when did you ever become a wanderer of the martial world?

Only now did Liu Changqing truly pay attention to the Yang family’s master. Reflecting on the night, he and Bai Muyun, two men connected yet unrelated, had both arrived here by chance. He found it amusing.

After the servants finished their arrangements and everyone started to leave, Lu Baichuan suddenly asked, “Brother Liu, you said you had something to discuss with me earlier—what was it?”

“Uh, let’s talk about it tomorrow,” Liu Changqing glanced at Bai Muyun, who was being supported by Bai Zhuluo. Seeing such a prodigy brought so low, even he, usually carefree, felt it inappropriate to focus on his own affairs at such a moment and quickly deferred.

As dawn approached, everyone went their separate ways, and Yang Cheng finally found some rest. The Yang residence had been sleepless, as had the entire city of Wuzhou. Under such circumstances, the grand clans and the City Lord’s Mansion began their covert maneuvers.

The structure of Wuzhou had changed.