Chapter 120: The Arrival of the Sect Leader (7,000 words)

Seeing that he had already dashed quite a distance away in the blink of an eye, Jin’er arched a brow. Mimicking him, she raised her horse whip and tapped her mount’s rump with a light, measured stroke. "Pearl," the horse beneath her, instantly picked up speed, galloping forward with flying hooves.

Startled into a gasp, Jin’er felt a tightening in her chest. She quickly steadied herself, gripped the horse’s mane, and did her best to adapt to the rapid pace.

The biting wind of late autumn rushed past her ears, her sleeves snapping in the gale, accompanied by the rhythmic clatter of hooves along the path. Jin’er pursed her lips into a smile, pulled the reins taut, and raced forward, thoroughly enjoying the thrill of galloping at full speed.

Before long, she caught up to Shi Yuan and reached the end of the riding track. With a sharp tug on the reins, Jin’er guided the horse to turn around and head back, with Shi Yuan following close behind.

Realizing she had finally mastered the art of riding, Jin’er was overcome with joy. She laughed heartily to herself, eventually becoming so carried away that she raised both hands to cheer. However, she had not anticipated that the combination of the high speed and her sudden, expansive movement would cause her to lose her balance. Unable to control her momentum, she tipped backward and to the side.

"Ah!" Jin’er shrieked as she tumbled from the saddle. Just as she was calculating how to use the momentum to leap and avoid the humiliation of hitting the ground, her vision blurred. A powerful arm suddenly swept her up.

When her heart finally settled, Jin’er realized she was back on horseback, seated sideways in front of Shi Yuan, her body leaning back into the crook of his arm. She looked up at him and found him gazing down at her, his deep, dark eyes flashing with a strange light.

"Sometimes I think you are truly foolish and clumsy," he murmured, his lips moving to coldly utter the words.

Jin’er froze for a moment, but quickly recovered. Her cheeks flushed as she struggled to sit upright, protesting indignantly, "You’re the one who’s foolish and clumsy!" *Humph*, how dare he look down on her?

She turned her head to look at Pearl, who was running slightly ahead. Gritting her teeth, she steeled her nerves, suddenly raised her hand, and gave a light tap on the horse’s back. Her body rose gracefully into the air; as she descended, she tapped her toes lightly on the horse’s head, using the force to propel herself forward, landing perfectly in the saddle of the white horse ahead.

She immediately straddled the horse, leaned forward to embrace its neck, and seized the opportunity to grab the reins fluttering in the wind. With a forceful pull, the horse came to a halt. The entire sequence of movements was fluid and seamless.

Straightening up, she turned her head and tilted her chin at Shi Yuan, who had also reined his horse to a stop, looking immensely proud of herself.

Watching her with her lips slightly pouted and her face full of pride, Shi Yuan couldn't help but smile, helpless against her charm. Yet, that faint smile was enough to shock Jin’er so much she nearly fell off the horse again.

*Heavens, was I seeing things? Did this stone-faced man just smile?* She shook her head and looked again; though the smile was gone, his features were undeniably much softer than usual.

Noticing her look of astonishment, Shi Yuan realized his lapse. He hurriedly turned his head away, frantically suppressing the strange expression on his face, while his heart began to pound for no reason.

*What has come over me? Why did I suddenly smile?* He hadn't laughed—or shown anger—in nearly four years. *No, I must not like her. She is already Mo Yan’s woman; I should not harbor any untoward feelings for her...*

While Shi Yuan was caught in his internal struggle, Jin’er turned back, shrugging her shoulders and laughing at herself for making such a big deal out of nothing.

After all, even a cold and heartless assassin like Ye had once smiled at her. Though this "stone" was always indifferent, his coldness felt more like an absence of emotion, as if nothing could pique his interest or concern.

Previously, he wouldn't say a word, nor would he ever look her in the eye. But now, he was gradually speaking to her, and just now, he had even shown a flicker of a smile—clearly, he was changing. Of course, she could tell that his change was exclusive to her.

Thinking of this, Jin’er curved her lips. She glanced at Shi Yuan again and saw that he looked unnatural, his eyes flashing with panic as he realized she was studying him with such curiosity. A sense of realization dawned upon her.

She turned back and smiled silently to herself. *Tsk, tsk, tsk... Jin’er, oh Jin’er, it seems you truly underestimate your own charm.*

With a laugh, she let out a long breath, squeezed her legs against the horse’s belly, and rode forward in high spirits.

Shi Yuan watched her graceful figure as she rode away, recalling the look in her eyes just moments ago. He couldn't describe the feeling in his heart; his large hand gripped the reins so tightly that he felt a sense of unease.

In the end, he let out a helpless sigh and rode after her.

Jin’er rode around the track lap after lap, with Shi Yuan following at a leisurely pace. They didn't stop until near lunchtime, when they returned the horses to the young eunuch and headed toward the Haoyue Palace.

After walking in silence for a while, Jin’er suddenly turned to Shi Yuan. Seeing that he had returned to his usual expressionless self, she smiled and said, "Thank you for teaching me how to ride."

Shi Yuan glanced at her as they walked, but after only a second, he looked away and shook his head in silence. In his heart, he actually wished she hadn't learned so quickly, though the thought only annoyed him.

Back at Haoyue Palace, Jin’er changed her clothes and washed her face before Mo Yan called her to the next room for lunch.

"How was it?" As soon as Jin’er entered, Mo Yan stood up to greet her, pulling her into his arms for a kiss.

"I learned it. The feeling of riding is wonderful." Thinking of the experience, Jin’er wore a smile that suggested she still craved more.

"That impressive?" Mo Yan raised a brow in surprise, but quickly laughed, as if relieved, "Well, my Jin’er has always been impressive."

"Of course," Jin’er said, lifting her chin proudly, showing no signs of humility.

Mo Yan chuckled and pressed a kiss to her lips. "You worked hard. Here is a reward."

Seeing the maid Xiao Die and another attendant nearby lowering their heads to stifle giggles, Jin’er blushed slightly. She quickly pulled away from his embrace and led him to the table to sit down.

"Eat more. You must be exhausted, right?" Mo Yan said as he put food on her plate.

"I'm fine. You should eat too."

They cared for each other as they ate, the scene warm and harmonious.

After the meal, Jin’er changed Mo Yan’s dressing and coaxed him into drinking a large bowl of bitter medicine. Although his recovery rate was fast enough that he didn't need the medicine, she wanted to see him get well soon so she could set her mind at ease.

Because Mo Yan refused to let go of her hand, Jin’er had no choice but to sit by the bed to keep him company. Only when he had fallen asleep did she carefully withdraw her hand, tuck him in, and leave quietly.

Jin’er spent the entire afternoon at the riding track. The price of such obsession was that by the next day, her body ached so much she could barely get out of bed...

Mo Yan teased her about it and insisted on keeping her in bed with him for the whole day, which delighted him. Although he couldn't be overly intimate with a beauty in his arms, it was still far better than lying alone in bed.

After two days of rest, Jin’er’s body had mostly recovered. Early in the morning, she took the antidote for the "Soul-Devouring Powder" and set out from the palace with Shi Yuan to deliver the medicine to the Grand Chancellor and the Minister of War. Of course, she didn't need to—and didn't want to—show her face, so she simply paid someone near their gates to deliver the medicine, and the task was complete.

With those errands finished, the day was still young, but instead of wandering through the markets, Jin’er rode out of the imperial city.

Her destination was a small town more than three hundred miles away, and since she had to return before nightfall, she could only ride the best horses.

From Shi Yuan, she learned that "Black Wind" and "Pearl" were both exceptional steeds, but since she could only requisition "Pearl," she had to ride with Shi Yuan for the journey.

However, this time, even though she was sitting in front, she wasn't just a passenger; she held the reins, looking every bit the heroic swordswoman.

As for the robust and handsome man behind her, with no reins to hold, his hands felt incredibly awkward, not knowing where to place them, until he finally had to rest them despondently on his own thighs.

After a hurried journey, the two arrived at the town by midday. By then, Jin’er’s stomach was growling with hunger.

Looking around, although it was a small town, it appeared quite prosperous. The streets were filled with pedestrians, and from time to time, she could see people dressed like martial artists, carrying swords or blades.

"I'm so hungry, I can't take it anymore," Jin’er complained to herself. Seeing a large restaurant ahead, she urged her horse toward it.

At the entrance, Shi Yuan dismounted, and Jin’er followed with a light leap.

The waiter at the door, seeing their extraordinary appearance and the rare, snow-white horse, guessed they were wealthy patrons. He quickly called someone to take the horses to the back yard and personally ushered them into the restaurant.

Jin’er was dressed simply today—a moon-white, short-sleeved top with a light pink embroidered vest, paired with a matching side-slit skirt and embroidered silk shoes. Only a third of her long, ink-black hair was pinned up with a red jade hairpin, with no other adornments. She wore no makeup at all.

Yet, even so, the moment she crossed the threshold, she captured the attention of everyone in the restaurant. For a moment, those drinking forgot to drink, and those eating forgot to eat; the bustling restaurant instantly grew quiet.

Only then did Jin’er notice that the restaurant was filled almost entirely with men—some burly, some lean—with swords, blades, axes, or hammers resting on their laps or tables.

She arched a brow, too lazy to care, and chose a corner table from the two that remained vacant, sitting down with Shi Yuan. The surrounding atmosphere seemed to return to normal, but Jin’er could hear many conversations revolving around her. Of course, no one recognized her; they were simply discussing her ethereal beauty and alluring figure.

After ordering several signature dishes, Jin’er asked the waiter in a low voice why there were so many martial artists here.

The waiter, already dazed by Jin’er’s beauty, felt his face flush as she looked at him and asked so kindly. His heart began to race like a frightened deer.

Clearing his throat to suppress his nervousness, he leaned in and lowered his voice, "The 'Ten Thousand Poisons Sect' has been recruiting new members nearby these past few days, so many people have come for that reason. Business has been quite good lately," he said with a naive, happy smile.

"Recruiting new members? Isn't the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect feared by many? Why would so many people want to join?" Hearing it was her own sect, Jin’er was curious, though she admitted she hadn't fulfilled her duties as the Sect Master.

The waiter glanced around to ensure he wasn't busy, then whispered, "You might not know, Miss, but ever since the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect changed to a female Sect Master, it seems to have undergone many changes. I can't say exactly what, but in the last few months, the sect has grown significantly.

"Their recruitment process is no longer just about paying money to get in; there are now requirements for martial arts skills. The whole sect seems much more disciplined, and they don't just lash out with blades or poison at every passerby they dislike anymore. So, while people in town are still a bit wary, they no longer avoid them like the plague."

Jin’er nodded thoughtfully at his words.

She recalled ordering her sect leaders to expand the organization, establish an intelligence network, and promising the ultimate antidote to whoever uncovered the truth behind the Kingdom of Wood’s prophecy.

It seemed the current state of affairs was related to that command. And their improved discipline might be due to the capable leadership of Qing Yue and Commander Bai.

Of course, they weren't a righteous sect, and most members were from the lower rungs of society, so she didn't hold high expectations for their "discipline."

With that thought, Jin’er tipped the waiter with a small piece of silver. The waiter, not expecting such a generous reward for just a few words, was so delighted he couldn't speak, bowing repeatedly as he retreated.

"Are you going to the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect?" Shi Yuan, who had been silent, asked in a low voice, noticing her thoughtful expression.

She hadn't mentioned where she was going, and he hadn't asked, simply following her lead. Now, hearing that a branch of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect was nearby, and knowing she was part of it, he had naturally guessed her intent.

"Mm, I'm going to inspect their work," Jin’er said with a raised brow and a smile, picking up a cup of tea. Her smile caused countless men watching her to lose their souls.

"Inspect their work? What does that mean?" Shi Yuan was puzzled by the new term.

"It means I'm going to see if they've been doing their jobs properly," Jin’er explained with a cryptic smile.

Just then, a burly man nearby, captivated by Jin’er’s beauty and smile, stumbled toward her table, clutching a wine pot, drooling, and hiccuping.

Seeing his eyes fixed on the beauty, the other diners watched intently, waiting for a show. Some were even preparing to play the hero.

As he drew closer, Jin’er, though her back was to him, noticed him immediately. She remained calm, sipping her tea, though she felt annoyed.

She wasn't afraid of him, of course, but she didn't want anyone ruining her meal. She had no intention of lecturing him; slapping a bothersome fly was easy enough.

Just then, Shi Yuan’s icy gaze crossed her face. He planted his right foot on a stool and rested his right hand—holding his sword—on his raised knee. With a subtle click, his thumb pushed the hilt, revealing a sliver of the cold, gleaming blade.

The air in the room grew tense.

The burly man paused, but then let out a drunken laugh and kept walking.

The manager, sensing the impending disaster and fearing his shop would be wrecked, rushed over with two waiters to pull the man back. Unexpectedly, the man was incredibly strong; fueled by drink, he threw the two waiters aside. Two cries of pain rang out as they landed outside the door, groaning.

Jin’er frowned, displeased. *Heh, quite arrogant, isn't he?*

Before she could act, Shi Yuan had already sprung up, charging straight at the man. The man’s companions, who had been watching for fun, realized things had turned serious and rushed forward to help.

Though they had only seen a few moves from the man in blue, it was clear he was highly skilled. If they didn't intervene, their "big brother" would be in big trouble.

What started as a one-on-one fight quickly escalated into a brawl. Several nearby tables were overturned, and dishes shattered.

The other diners, also short-tempered, didn't care who had knocked over their tables; they joined in the fray, looking to vent their frustrations.

Meanwhile, someone looked down from the second floor, cursed at the sight of the burly man, and a dozen men in uniform attire descended.

The chaos on the first floor gradually subsided as the onlookers whispered. The angry diners, seeing the situation turn dire, retreated to the sidelines. In the center, Shi Yuan stood with his foot on the burly man’s chest, while the man’s cohorts and other troublemakers lay groaning on the floor.

Jin’er had been struggling to suppress her urge to lash out, mainly because she was starving. Hearing the commotion behind her, she turned around with a frown.

She saw Shi Yuan, looking completely relaxed, surrounded by a group of men in grey clothes.

"Stone, can you hurry up? If not, let me do it. I'm starving to death," a soft, lazy female voice cut through the quiet. Beyond the alluring tone, the audacity of the words shocked everyone.

Hearing this, Shi Yuan glanced at her and flicked his sword toward the men in front of him. They had been distracted by the beauty and were caught off guard. Though they were skilled and dodged the brunt of the strike, they still suffered shallow cuts.

Just as the rest prepared to charge, a voice of authority boomed from the second floor.

"Stop!" Everyone froze. Shi Yuan paused as well, turning to look toward the source of the voice.

A man of about forty, dressed in opulent clothing but possessing an ugly face, descended the stairs with a strange expression. As his subordinates opened their mouths to speak, he signaled them to be silent. Without even glancing at Shi Yuan, he walked past him and headed straight toward Jin’er.

Whispers broke out again, but they were too quiet to hear. Shi Yuan shifted his stance, frowning at the man, ready to strike.

However, the scene that followed stunned everyone.

The man, who had seemed so imposing, stopped two steps away from Jin’er, knelt on one knee, and bowed with cupped hands, saying respectfully, "This subordinate did not know the Sect Master was visiting. Please forgive me for failing to welcome you properly!"

A dead silence fell over the room.

Jin’er blinked, stunned for a moment, before realizing who he was.

*Heh, no wonder he looked familiar. He’s one of my own.*

"Rise," Jin’er said with a faint smile, and the man stood up.

The room erupted like a pot of boiling water. The scene was too unexpected—they were witnessing the mysterious Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. It was unbelievable. Looking closer, they realized that beyond her stunning beauty, the young woman truly possessed an undeniable aura of authority that they had all ignored before.

"I'm hungry," Jin’er said, annoyed by the buzzing noise, and looked up at the man.

The man was startled but quickly understood. He signaled his subordinates, who immediately cleared the restaurant. Within moments, all other patrons were chased out. Jin’er and Shi Yuan were then escorted to the second floor.

"What is this? We haven't finished eating!" someone complained outside, but he was dragged away by a companion who hissed, "Are you looking to die?! That group is the local power—the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect!"

The man’s jaw dropped. *The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect? And that beauty was called 'Sect Master'—could she be the new Sect Master who killed the Poison Saint?*

Realizing this, he shivered and scrambled away, terrified that his earlier words might have been heard.

Meanwhile, in the finest private room on the second floor, a table was already spread with fresh dishes. In the kitchen, the chefs were frantically preparing the rest.

Jin’er, starving, didn't stand on ceremony and invited Shi Yuan to eat. Though she tried to maintain her table manners, she still struggled to fit the image of a Sect Master.

Only Shi Yuan and Jin’er sat at the large round table, while the others stood in the hallway outside—except for one man.

"You are..." Jin’er asked after eating enough to stop the hunger pains.

Only branch leaders and deputy leaders had met her, so this man must be one of them.

"Returning to the Sect Master, this subordinate is Yuan Zhao, Deputy Leader of the Flame Hall. I met you once before, Sect Master."

*As expected.* Jin’er nodded with a smile, "So it is Deputy Leader Yuan. It is rare that you still remember me."

"How could I forget, Sect Master? My subordinates, however, have never met you and were disrespectful just now. I beg your forgiveness." He turned and looked at the timid figure at the door.

"It’s fine. Ignorance is no excuse," Jin’er said as she popped a piece of meat into her mouth. She glanced at the man at the door and realized why Yuan Zhao was pleading for him.

*Heh... to have a Deputy Leader pleading for him, he must have some backing.*

The burly man at the door hesitated, then tremblingly walked in and knelt down with a thud.

"S-subordinate did not know it was the Sect Master. I was bold and offended you. I hope you will not hold it against me and spare my life." His voice trembled so violently he sounded on the verge of tears.

Jin’er glanced at him and asked while she continued to eat, "Who is he?"

Yuan Zhao replied, "Returning to the Sect Master, he is the younger brother of our Hall Leader."

Jin’er arched a brow and chuckled. *No wonder he was so bold; he had quite the backer.* However, since he hadn't actually managed to offend her, and he was the brother of a Hall Leader, she decided to grant a favor.

"For the sake of your Hall Leader, and since you didn't know who I was, I will let this go. You may leave," Jin’er said calmly, her voice carrying an air of authority that made Shi Yuan look at her with new eyes.

It seemed she hadn't been lying to him after all. He could hardly imagine that such a young girl was truly the Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.

"Th-thank you, Sect Master! Thank you!" The man scrambled away, afraid she might change her mind.

Yuan Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Jin’er with newfound awe.

After a hearty meal, Jin’er and Shi Yuan followed Yuan Zhao to the Flame Hall not far from the town.

The Hall Leader, having received word, was waiting at the entrance with his men to welcome the Sect Master. Upon hearing that his brother had offended her, he had broken into a cold sweat, and hearing that she had shown mercy, he was filled with boundless gratitude.