Chapter Nine: Leader of the Martial World

As the leader of the martial world, Chu Xiangtian, stepped forward, the previously boisterous courtyard instantly fell silent. All eyes turned toward the center of the main hall. Once again, he was dressed in black—apparently, this martial alliance leader wore nothing but black, a peculiar habit indeed.

Yinyao shook her head slightly; she had no desire to draw attention, preferring to go with the flow. Yet, given her recent display, she feared she had already attracted the notice of many.

“Today, aside from gathering with you all, I have one more announcement to make. I hope everyone will listen closely. From this day on, I will retire from the martial world and pass the mantle of alliance leader to my nephew, Chu Suoyi. If anyone has any objections or wishes to make a suggestion, please speak freely—there is no need to stand on ceremony.”

With that, Chu Xiangtian beckoned to Chu Suoyi. The latter approached the platform unhurriedly, bowed to the assembly, and said, “I am Chu Suoyi. I ask for the guidance of all the esteemed seniors present.”

In an instant, the courtyard, which had just quieted, erupted once more, abuzz with heated discussion.

Yinyao tilted her head in thought: Hm? Why him? He hardly looks the part of a martial artist—more like a frail scholar. How odd! But appearances can be deceiving, and the alliance leader has never been one to make a mockery of such matters. Best to watch and see how things unfold.

After a while, the courtyard settled down again, though the atmosphere had shifted. Many hot-blooded youths, held back by the elders, refrained from loud protest, though their dissatisfaction was plain. Several respected sect leaders glanced at the alliance leader, as if about to speak, but held back. Silence, strange and heavy, descended upon the hall.

Understanding their hearts, Chu Xiangtian spoke calmly: “If you disagree or have concerns, you may challenge my nephew. I trust that, in the end, everyone will be convinced—both in heart and in word!”

“That’s right,” Chu Suoyi nodded and smiled at the crowd.

With the alliance leader’s endorsement, and Chu Suoyi’s own consent, the young men seized their chance and leapt onto the stage, ignoring the elders’ attempts to stop them.

But it took only a moment for the first challenger to be sent flying in a graceful arc. The crowd gasped in surprise; still, more dissatisfied souls pressed forward, and more mounted the stage.

With a few swift turns and the opening and closing of his jade fan, Chu Suoyi laid low a host of challengers. Many watching drew sharp breaths—clearly, Chu Suoyi was no mere figurehead; his abilities were not to be underestimated.

Only the elders considered the matter more deeply. Yinyao, calm and observant, saw through his moves: they were simple, using borrowed force to neutralize strength, efficient and clean in execution. His speed was impressive, and the jade fan perfectly embodied the image of a refined gentleman.

“Allow this humble monk to learn from you,” a robed monk announced, leaping onto the stage. Most of the younger crowd were baffled—why was Master Jingshi intervening?

Chu Suoyi remained ever courteous. The audience buzzed with mixed sentiments—some scornful, some resigned, some puzzled. “I dare not claim to teach,” he replied, “Rather, I, the junior, seek instruction.”

Yinyao, however, smiled faintly, as if enjoying a good show. By chance, she noticed Shen Yu was also smiling, seemingly mocking Master Jingshi. How amusing—things were getting interesting.

“Please.” Both stood motionless, observing each other—the hallmark of true masters.

Perhaps out of respect, or perhaps to seize initiative, Chu Suoyi made the first move. Master Jingshi deftly evaded, not meeting the attack. Their duel appeared tranquil, almost leisurely, nothing like a real fight.

Master Jingshi launched several attacks, all unsuccessful, while the uninitiated youths below, unaware, shouted “Attack!” and “Don’t hold back!” Hearing such ignorant cries, Yinyao could only shake her head—if you don’t understand, better to keep silent; their noise was as irksome as barking dogs.

Chu Suoyi increased his force; Master Jingshi stopped dodging, and the two met head-on—a contest of inner strength.

Soon, beads of sweat appeared on the master’s brow—a reminder that appearances are deceiving indeed! The other elders watched appreciatively, and the excitable youths gradually quieted, subdued by the gravity of the scene.

After a while, Chu Suoyi was the first to withdraw, and Master Jingshi relaxed, offering a smile of approval. “Thank you for your guidance, Master. Is there anyone else who wishes to test their skills?” Chu Suoyi saluted the assembly, displaying admirable humility.

For reasons unknown, though she had not intended to draw attention, Yinyao leapt from the crowd onto the stage. She met Master Jingshi as he descended, handed him a pill with a smile—a gesture of respect to a senior.

Before the gentle voice could sound, Yinyao snapped her long whip, latching onto Chu Suoyi’s jade fan. With a twist of her wrist, she tried to yank the fan from his grasp.

But his strength was considerable; she couldn’t budge it. Kicking off the ground, Yinyao vaulted behind him, her whip winding the fan tightly against his neck—one pull, and either the fan would break or his artery would be severed.

The onlookers were stunned by the Serpent Lady’s speed, precision, and ferocity—and all the more eager to see how Chu Suoyi would respond. He smiled inwardly—a worthy opponent.

Chu Suoyi shifted the fan to shield his neck, crouched slightly, spun, and shot upward, the fan slicing toward Yinyao’s throat.

She sneered, dropped down, and quickly slipped behind him again, her whip flicking out to hook his right foot. Forced to pause, Chu Suoyi whipped around and lunged downward, disregarding the entanglement on his foot.

“The Serpent Lady is truly a hidden master!” someone exclaimed. “As are you!” The two exchanged banter with relaxed good humor.

Somehow, Chu Suoyi freed his foot from the whip—quickly enough to surprise even Yinyao, though on reflection, it seemed only natural. He leapt onto the rooftop, the breeze tossing his long hair. His expression was serene, composed—a true expert. If only he could be persuaded to join them, what a valuable ally he would make. So thought Chu Suoyi as he gave chase.

Watching from below, Shen Yu’s face lit up with delight.

In the next instant, Chu Suoyi’s heart faltered; the scene before him was so familiar—he could never forget it in his lifetime. It was as if...

Yinyao’s whip struck his head, knocking loose his hairpin—his black hair cascaded down, jolting Chu Suoyi back to reality.

With a swift motion, his jade fan hooked onto the whip, trapping it. Using the momentum, he surged forward, while Yinyao accelerated, rising into the air. The fan scraped along the metal whip, producing a faint rasp—only now did the crowd realize the Serpent Lady’s whip was made of metal.

The two exchanged blows midair. The elders nodded in approval, acknowledging Chu Suoyi’s strength. It would not do to let the duel continue indefinitely.

Master Jingshi bowed to Chu Xiangtian. “Alliance Leader, would you ask the new leader to stop?” Then, turning to the Serpent Lady above, he called, “Serpent Lady, please—let us not mar today’s harmony!” Chu Xiangtian also called out sensibly, “Nephew, that’s enough.”

Hearing the summons, both combatants descended. The sight of her azure veil and his white robes drifting side by side was enough to set imaginations aflame.

“May I ask the Serpent Lady’s true name?” After their bout, Chu Suoyi’s impression of her had clearly improved. On hearing his question, curiosity swept through the crowd—they still did not know the Serpent Lady’s real name.

“Yinyao.” She spoke the truth—no one here knew her, so it mattered little. “A fine name! Miss Yinyao!” Chu Xiangtian applauded as he approached. The one who had asked, however, appeared momentarily stunned—could it be her?

“Yao’er,” Chu Suoyi blurted out.

Yinyao turned instinctively to look at him.

Is it really her? But—ah, never mind.

In their recent bout, she admitted she had been testing him, but why did the moves feel so familiar? The more she thought about it, the more they resembled the routines she used to practice with Ji Xuanyu.

With the ceremony concluded, Yinyao moved to leave, but Chu Suoyi stopped her, his expression suddenly heavy.

“It seems we have gained a friend through combat, Serpent Lady Yinyao!”

“Indeed, new alliance leader Chu Suoyi!”

“This is another sworn brother of mine—Gu Shen Yu!”

“The Master Thief Gu Shen Yu—impressive!”

“You’re not so bad yourself!”