The courtyard lay steeped in silence, autumn leaves fluttering gently in the wind."Last year, on this day, in this very courtyard—her face and the peach blossoms mirrored each other in bloom..."Lu Fan gazed at the poetic scene before him, seated in a wheelchair, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Ahem... ahem..."His cough broke the stillness, unrestrained and abrupt, drawing strange looks from all present.From behind, a weak, irritated voice rasped out—Mo Tianyu's:"P—put me down!"
Jing Yue, bearing a huangli-wood sword box across his back, descended lightly into the courtyard, wearing a carefree smile."You should've said so earlier! If you'd spoken up, how would I not have known to set you down?""You, sir, care more for pride than comfort. Can you even stand properly right now? The Young Master asked me to carry you—do you think I enjoy this?""If you really want me to let you down, then stop holding on so tightly!"
Jing Yue chattered on, while Mo Tianyu flushed with rage. His cracked lips trembled, as though he wished to speak—But in that instant, Jing Yue released his hold.With a sharp thud, Mo Tianyu landed hard on his backside—undeniably, solidly.
"Enough, Tianyu. Apologize to Ping'an. It's time we returned to the capital,"the Grand Preceptor said calmly, his hands tucked within his voluminous sleeves.
On the ground, battered and barely conscious, Mo Tianyu swayed as he tried to rise.Pain screamed from every inch of his body.He was alive. Though in the crushing instant of Lu Fan's spiritual pressure, when death loomed, when he had lost all control over life itself—he had thought his end had come.His pride had been shattered by helplessness and fear.
Mo Tianyu lowered his gaze, his body trembling. Slowly, he raised his bloodied hands and clasped them before him. He bowed deeply toward Lu Fan."My offense is inexcusable. But for the sake of the Grand Preceptor, I humbly ask for your forgiveness... Young Master Lu."He drew a breath, and the taste of blood surged into his throat, leaving only bitterness.
In his wheelchair, Lu Fan propped his chin with one hand, the other resting on the soft woolen blanket over his legs.The wind stirred his ink-black hair, strands drifting softly across his brow.
"Return to the Grand Preceptor and learn well. And... refrain from fortune-telling for now.""Divination does not suit you," Lu Fan said.
Mo Tianyu's body trembled again, the corners of his mouth twitching. It felt as though a dagger had pierced his chest."Thank you, Young Master Lu, for the reminder," he said, bowing once more.
The Grand Preceptor, watching this once-proud disciple now humbled, was quietly surprised.This display was beyond what he had expected.It was as though, for the first time, he had truly seen Mo Tianyu.Perhaps this bitter lesson would not be without its merit.
The Grand Preceptor departed, taking the gravely injured Mo Tianyu onto a five-horse-drawn carriage, speeding out of Beiluo City.He was deeply satisfied with this journey.Lu Fan's power had shown him what it meant to be truly heaven-blessed.
He had also learned a new term from Lu Fan—Cultivator.A premonition stirred within him:Perhaps the future world would belong to cultivators.
And yet, this could be Da Zhou's chance to rise again.He had no misgivings about Lu Fan. The boy bore no ambition—or perhaps rather, Da Zhou was too small to contain Lu Fan's ambition.
What he had feared most was Lu Fan harboring imperial aspirations, like the thirteen regional lords who had rallied armies and fractured the realm.If that were the case, then truly, Da Zhou would have no future.
...
Beyond Beiluo, the plains stretched into infinity.The thunder of hooves shattered the silence, dust spiraling skyward.Inside the rocking carriage drawn by five steeds, the Grand Preceptor sat cross-legged.Mo Tianyu lay motionless, recuperating, eyes blank as he stared at the ceiling.
"Tianyu... is there hatred in your heart?" the Grand Preceptor asked gently.
Mo Tianyu's expression was wooden."At first, there was. Boundless hatred. But... buried beneath the earth, time passed like years. Instead, I found the hate faded—replaced by a strange gratitude," he said hoarsely.
The Grand Preceptor raised a wrinkled brow in surprise."Oh?"
"You have changed."
A wry tug pulled at Mo Tianyu's lips."To walk the edge of life and death... a man gains much clarity.""I once believed myself peerless—none in the world worth my regard save for you, Master. In truth... laughable.""Not to speak of Lu Ping'an or the philosophers of the Hundred Schools, even Xiang Shaoyun of West County or Jiang Li of Drunken Dragon City are far beyond me. Even my junior, Kong Nanfeng, leaves me in the dust. My former arrogance... seems like a cruel joke."
Mo Tianyu exhaled slowly.
The Grand Preceptor's smile deepened. Stroking his long beard, his gaze grew kind."It is not too late to reach this understanding.""From your words, I sense you've begun to reevaluate the heroes of the realm. Would you share your view?"
Mo Tianyu's eyes regained some light. He struggled to sit up.
"In the past, I had my own ranking—excluding the philosophers.""First, naturally, was Xiang Shaoyun of West County. Born with divine strength, unmatched in martial prowess, a Grandmaster beyond compare.""Second, Mo Shougui of the Mohist School, son of Mo Beike—who discarded the dregs of the Hundred Schools and preserved their essence. A talent peerless in this age.""Third, Daoist Li Sansi of the Way Sect—he who rode a green ox, wielded a wooden sword, defeated two thousand Western Rong cavalry, and reclaimed three border cities."
The Grand Preceptor nodded with approval.
"And now…"Mo Tianyu gazed out the carriage window, toward the distant plains where a solitary plume of smoke rose.
"In that triad, Lu Ping'an of Beiluo now surely claims a seat."
The Grand Preceptor said nothing—but his gaze followed Tianyu's, toward that far-off horizon.Yet in his mind, he remembered the hand that fell upon the Go board like a mountain reshaping rivers.He stroked his beard again, smile deepening.
Only a seat?
...
The carriage thundered forward.A crimson sun sank westward, like a shy maiden's blushing cheek.Scarlet clouds stretched behind the speeding cart, casting long shadows across the plains.
...
Night descended.The moon hung high, casting cool silver light.
Beiluo City, the Lu estate.
Lu Fan sat in his wheelchair, idly twirling a jade hairpin.Bathed in moonlight, his features gleamed like jade, lips red and teeth white—an otherworldly figure of elegance.
Behind him stood Ning Zhao and Yi Yue, poised and graceful.In the distance, Ni Yu sulked as she carried a chessboard on her back, her horse stance awkward under the stern tutelage of Nie Changqing.Jing Yue looked on, face full of glee at her misfortune.
In the pond, fish flicked their tails, sending ripples across the water.
"Sister Ning, Old Nie…" Lu Fan began softly.
They stepped forward in unison."Young Master, your orders?"
"You've heard of the Celestial Fate Realm in Wolong Ridge?" Lu Fan asked.
Their bodies tensed.
"For you, it's a tremendous opportunity. But if the heroes of the realm gather there—how much confidence do you have in seizing that chance?" Lu Fan said, toying with a white jade chess piece.
Nie Changqing fell silent for a long while before speaking, bitterness and defeat flickering in his eyes."None at all."
Ning Zhao said nothing—because he had spoken the truth.
"If you went, Young Master, we'd be assured of success. But compared to the realm's true talents, we are simply too weak.""Xiang Shaoyun of West County crushed a martial master at six years old. Now a Grandmaster, his true strength is unknown. Even with my Blade Command, I could not match him," Nie Changqing said.
Ning Zhao knew she stood even less chance.Even with Lu Fan's spiritual pressure to guide her—against such overwhelming power, it meant little.
"And beyond him—Mo Shougui of the Mohists, Li Sansi of the Daoists, Ximen Xianzhi of the Sword Sect... If they all appear, we stand no chance," Nie Changqing said honestly.
Moonlight streamed down.Lu Fan sat in silence.His expression, hidden from their view, gave them unease.
Then, after a long pause, Lu Fan smiled."How interesting," he said.
And then, he lifted his hand—