According to Gu Chenyan, she had already found the ingredient she was looking for and was now rushing back to the capital to attend this year’s Fragrance Banquet.

As for Mo Lingya, who was also in the capital, Gu Chenyan stated that there was no longer any connection between them. Her words implied that from now on, they would be nothing more than strangers passing by each other. Upon witnessing such a detached and open-minded attitude from someone of ancient times, Yin Yin admitted to herself that she had learned something new.

Jia Qing stood at the foot of the mountain, watching the group of people fade into the distance, when suddenly a white figure flashed past and leaned unsteadily against him.

“Qingqing, you’re letting her go just like that?”

Seeing that the person beside him didn’t respond, Jia Renyi blinked and went on, “I thought you had a thing for that young lady, you know.”

Under Jia Renyi’s penetrating gaze, Jia Qing finally gave a response, “Don’t call me Qingqing.”

Jia Renyi tugged on Jia Qing’s sleeve and grinned innocently. “If you can’t bear to part with her, I’ll go bring her back for you. That brat Ling Long might be good at martial arts, but he’s still no match for your master.”

Jia Qing shot the restless man a side glance. “Master, are you hoping to get another taste of Bone Eroding Powder?”

The moment he uttered those three words, Jia Renyi’s face turned dark. “Qingqing, that’s a betrayal of master and ancestors.”

“You can expel me from the sect first. That way it won’t count as betrayal.”

“Qingqing……” Jia Renyi bit the corner of a handkerchief in mock grievance, but quickly replaced it with a cheerful smile. “The Martial Arts Conference is about to begin.”

“……”

Jia Qing’s brow twitched uncontrollably. He had no interest in knowing what ridiculous schemes his master would come up with next to wreak havoc on the already troubled martial world.

────ρя


Yin Yin had traveled with Ling Long for an entire month before finally arriving in the capital.

Gu Chenyan parted ways with them upon reaching the city and returned to her own residence, but made sure to invite Yin Yin to attend the Fragrance Banquet as a guest. Yin Yin gladly accepted the invitation and then continued on toward Prince Luo Manor with Ling Long.

The capital turned out to be even more prosperous and bustling than Yin Yin had imagined, and also far more crowded.

“Ow!” Yin Yin winced and rubbed her shoulder. This was the seventh time today that someone had bumped into her!

“Because of the Fragrance Banquet and the Martial Arts Conference, people have been gathering in the capital lately.” Ling Long explained. “Watch where you’re going.”

Yin Yin: “……” How was this her problem? There was literally nowhere to put your feet! She’s been— Wait! Did he just say……

“Martial Arts Conference?!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. The Martial Arts Conference was a grand event where countless heroes, beauties, and demonic cult leaders drifted by, exchanging glances!

Ling Long nodded. “Ten days from now. Interested?”

“Of course!” Even though 《All Splendor Fades》 had mentioned the Martial Arts Conference, back then Ling Long had been miserably searching for Jia Renyi, and by the time they arrived in the capital, not to mention the Martial Arts Conference, even the martial arts games had already ended.

Ling Long gave Yin Yin a quick once-over. “With your martial arts skills, you’d die pretty quickly.”

Yin Yin: “……” Who said I was planning to participate? I just want to be a bystander, thank you very much!

She wiped a hand across her face. “Aren’t you going to join? Your martial arts are amazing.”

Ling Long turned his head away. “I’m not interested.”

Hmm, got it. Now I’m even more curious. What are you interested in?

……

They arrived at Prince Luo Manor just before lunchtime. Yin Yin thought it was perfect timing. Surely the meals at the prince’s residence would be exceptional?

Unfortunately, Prince Luo didn’t seem to have any intention of inviting them to lunch. The moment Ling Long arrived, the chief steward led him straight into the inner hall, while Yin Yin and the others had to remain in the outer room, pouring their own tea.

Although Du Qianqian hadn’t spoken the entire time, it was clear that she was extremely nervous. After all, she’d never once spilled tea while pouring it before.

Roughly the time it took to burn one stick of incense later, Ling Long finally emerged from the inner hall. Yin Yin found herself genuinely impressed by the unseen Prince Luo. Anyone who could hold a conversation with Ling Long for that long must be truly talented.

“His Highness requests your presence.” Ling Long stopped in front of Du Qianqian and delivered the message flatly.

Du Qianqian froze for a moment, but quickly composed herself. She cast a look at Ling Long, her expression steeling with resolve, and walked into the inner hall.

Yin Yin found it baffling. This wasn’t some battlefield, just a reunion with her birth father. So why was Du Qianqian wearing that tragic, heroic expression like she was marching to her death?

“We can go now.” Ling Long’s voice drifted lightly into Yin Yin’s ear. The corner of her mouth twitched. This Prince Luo is way too stingy! He couldn’t even be bothered to treat them to a meal!

But if she had known how much money Prince Luo had paid Ling Long as compensation, she would’ve slapped herself right there and scolded, ‘Serves you right for being so ignorant!’

────ρя


Later, seated inside Baxian Restaurant, Yin Yin gnawed on a rib while asking, “So why did that Prince Luo never look for his daughter all these years? Why now?”

Ling Long frowned at her eating posture. “The princess consort is seriously ill. No matter what, she wishes to see her daughter once.”

He hesitated for a moment but eventually gave in. “Yinyin, don’t talk while you eat.”

Was he criticizing the way she ate?

She glanced at Sang Ze and Li Li, who were devouring food like starving wolves. Compared to them, she’s basically a goddess!

She forgot, though, that she shouldn’t compare herself to them to begin with.

“You’re disgusted by me?” She raised a brow.

“I am.” Ling Long replied, completely matter-of-fact.

Yin Yin: “……”

So, for the rest of the meal, Yin Yin chewed slowly and thoroughly. After three tables beside them had already left, Ling Long finally realized the severity of the situation. “I was wrong.”

Yin Yin generously waved it off. To err is human, and to recognize one’s faults is the mark of a good comrade!

The long meal finally ended. Li Li and Sang Ze both secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If it had gone on any longer, they wouldn’t even need to move— they could’ve stayed right there for dinner.

────ρя


Ten days later, the Martial Arts Conference began as scheduled.

During that time, Yin Yin had been staying at Zhuwang’s headquarters, eating Ling Long’s food, living in Ling Long’s place, and using Ling Long’s stuff. She was living her best life. The feeling of being kept was so cozy that it practically made her glow.

Most importantly, with Du Qianqian no longer around, her world had suddenly become brighter.

The sky looked bluer, the clouds whiter, and the flowers more fragrant. Shoving the female protagonist aside really did feel amazing!

She also took this time to study up on the Martial Arts Conference. It was held once every two years, with the goal of selecting an alliance leader to unify the various sects. Of course, not everyone attended for that position. For many newcomers to the martial world, this was a golden opportunity to show off their talents, so each sect enthusiastically signed up.

The current alliance leader was none other than the head of Tianxiang Society, Liu Ruoxi.

Yin Yin had been shocked when she first heard the name. Liu Ruoxi sounded like a woman!

Not only was Liu Ruoxi a woman, she was a very beautiful one. Hailed as the most beautiful woman in the martial world, Liu Ruoxi was admired not just for her looks but for her martial arts prowess that left even the most skilled warriors in the dust.

Many lusted after her, but few dared make a move. After all, most people valued their lives.

Tianxiang Society, which Liu Ruoxi had founded herself, was a uniquely structured sect in the martial world.

Because it only accepted female disciples.

According to unconfirmed gossip rags from the Jianghu, Tianxiang Society took in women who were homeless, unfortunate, or suffered from tragic pasts. Liu Ruoxi would teach them martial arts and skills, helping them regain confidence and a new lease on life.

After hearing all that from a junior member working at Zhuwang, Yin Yin’s admiration for Liu Ruoxi flowed like an unending river. If ancient times had a Top Ten Outstanding Youth award, she’d vote for Liu Ruoxi without hesitation!

But just as she was ready to be fully won over, that same junior casually added, “Oh yeah, I heard there’s something…… unspoken…… between Liu Ruoxi and our boss.”

In that instant, her endless river of admiration completely dried up.

Originally, Yin Yin had come to the Martial Arts Conference just to admire all the various heroes from the sidelines. But now? Her main target of interest had become the alliance leader herself— Liu Ruoxi.

Li Li and Sang Ze had gotten up early to drag little stools over and claim good seats. Turned out they were right to do so. By the time Yin Yin finally got up, the venue was so packed there wasn’t even room for a needle.

Clearly, ancient people without computers, TVs, or phones were bored out of their minds.

“Master, over here!” Sang Ze’s voice called through the crowd as he waved excitedly at her.

Yin Yin followed the sound and spotted Li Li and Sang Ze seated in a perfect spot under a canopy directly facing the stage. Tsk, they really had scored prime seating. But…… they were so close. What if someone flew off the stage and crushed them?

Still, she had no other option. She squeezed her way under the canopy and had just sat down when a cold, mocking voice rang beside her. Yin Yin swore, it was a voice she never wanted to hear again in her life.

“Well, if it isn’t the eldest miss of Yin Manor.”

Yin Yin looked at the face across from her— beautiful, yes, but sorely lacking in manners.

Honestly, the one with nothing better to do there was clearly him.

“Hero Mo? What a coincidence. You’re here to watch the Martial Arts Conference too?”