Chapter Six

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I had almost forgotten about the dual cultivation technique my father had given me, spending each day joyfully playing with Bai Wei. She crouched in the grass, intently watching a butterfly perched on a petal, as if competing to see who would blink first. The butterfly fluttered its wings lightly, and she swiftly pounced, catching the butterfly just as it was about to fly away.

She handed the butterfly to me, her smile innocent and childlike. “For Weiwei.”

But she didn’t hold on tightly, and the butterfly fluttered its wings and flew away again. Bai Wei touched her forehead lightly with her hand. Startled by the gesture, I raised my voice, “Weiwei, don’t draw your sword!”

Tilting her head, Bai Wei looked at me. “I’m not drawing my sword. I want to give it to Weiwei. If I draw my sword, it will die.”

I was surprised she could say such a thing and asked cautiously, “Weiwei, do you know what ‘death’ means?”

She clapped her hands and laughed. “It means you can never fly again!”

Feeling complicated emotions, I held her hand gently. She obediently let me grasp it, as if she thought we were playing a game. “Weiwei, death doesn’t just mean never flying again. It means you can’t speak, can’t walk, and can’t even smile at us. Death means you’ll never see that person again.”

Bai Wei stared blankly at the flying butterfly and said sadly, “Then I hate death. I don’t want Weiwei to die, I don’t want Master to die, I don’t want Senior Sister to die, I don’t want Yuan Yuan to die…”

I placed her hand against my cheek and smiled. “No one will die. We will all stay with you.”

Bai Wei looked a little uneasy. “Then let’s pinky swear.”

“All right.” I agreed immediately, then carefully emphasized, “Weiwei, you must remember, no matter what happens, don’t draw your sword. If someone tells you to draw your sword, go find Master. You must never draw your sword. If there’s danger, run away quickly. If you can’t win, run. You absolutely must not kill anyone…”

Bai Wei repeated, “Don’t draw the sword, don’t kill.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“What if Master dies?” Bai Wei suddenly asked.

Her question caught me off guard. Who could kill my father? After so many years of comfort, I almost forgot he was a villain. No matter how powerful a villain is, they can never compare to the protagonist. That’s the usual story pattern. The strongest villains are just stepping stones for the protagonist’s eventual rise. No matter how real this world seems, it’s still just a novel.

“My father won’t die,” I said firmly.

I will not let him die.

Father gave me a few days to think it over, then one day suddenly called me over. I hesitated for a long time before knocking on his door. I arrived at an inopportune moment—the Sovereign’s chamber was filled with another voice. I quietly closed the door and secretly watched my father.

The Sovereign glanced at me coolly. On the tea table before him lay a jade ruler, and the voice came from within it.

“…Yinshan has accepted the bounty to investigate the Sword Master… a thorough investigation is underway.”

I only heard that sentence before the conversation ended. The name Yinshan sounded familiar, but I couldn’t recall why. It must be a powerful force to dare target the Sword Master.

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Four sacred swords protect the land; peace is assured across the seas.

The four Sword Masters are each blessed with destiny and fortune, destined to safeguard humanity’s peace for at least a century.

However, the identities of the four Sword Masters remain secret. It is said that a few centuries ago, one Sword Master was chosen by the Four Swords at a young age but was killed by demons who learned of it prematurely, before he could grow strong. Since then, every Sword Master hides their identity until they are powerful.

Only a few know the true identities of the Sword Masters.

My father is among that select few.

The Sovereign said, “Prepare yourself. In a few days, you will accompany me to the Jixia Academy.”

I was stunned, my face slowly flushing. I thought my father had called me to ask if I had found a cultivation partner…

The Sovereign looked at me and suddenly said, “Harmony of Yin and Yang, union of souls, embracing Yin to take Yang… this is called ‘Divine Union.’”

I was utterly confused. The Sovereign continued, “If you’re afraid, then choose the second option.”

Now I understood—my father was worried I wouldn’t let go.

For some reason, I felt even more embarrassed.

And so, dazed, I was sent back to my room. Father told me to study “Divine Union.” I hadn’t quite grasped what was happening. Even after all these years since my transmigration, I still didn’t fully understand the advanced techniques of cultivators. I retained a simple mortal mindset, so when Father mentioned “Divine Union,” my first thought was that it sounded easier.

Blushing, I buried my face in my blanket.

The night before descending the mountain, I packed my belongings in my room. I didn’t have much to bring but felt excited about this rare trip. As for choosing a dual cultivation partner… well, since Father hadn’t pushed me, I wasn’t in a hurry.

I had been getting along well with Zou Yan, so I decided to bid him farewell.

Unexpectedly, my second brother was also in his room. They had just finished talking when I arrived. Jiang Wen covered his mouth with a smile. “Xi Wei? What brings you here?”

“You’re the one who’s always here. Every time I see you, you’re with Mr. Zou,” I muttered. Since returning, my second brother had only visited Father a few times; the rest of his time was spent with Zou Yan. I didn’t know what they were discussing.

Zou Yan yawned lazily. “The night is beautiful tonight, perfect for moon gazing.”

I couldn’t help but look into his eyes. He suddenly turned his head, a half-smile on his lips. “Should I leave? It’s hard for an outsider like me to intrude on siblings’ time.”

Something about that sounded strange…

Ignoring the odd feeling, I seriously told them I was leaving with Father to Jixia Academy tomorrow and might be gone for a long time.

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“Jixia Academy?” Zou Yan raised an eyebrow, a trace of nostalgia in his voice. “That’s a good place. I can’t believe it’s been ten years again.”

The Hundred Families Banquet is held once every ten years. Inside Jixia Academy stands an ancient stele left by a sage ancestor. Those who inscribe their names upon it are considered prodigies. From what I know, the protagonist’s first life was on that list, and he rose to fame through one battle.

Jiang Wen advised, “Don’t wander off. Stick close to Father… but meeting new friends is good, too. The Ninefold Mountains are indeed a bit too quiet.”

I nodded obediently, holding the teacup Zou Yan handed me, about to drink when suddenly I felt weightless. The porcelain cup slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor with a sharp sound.

“Xi Wei?”

“Ah… put her down first, let me see…”

This sensation was familiar. During my worst illness, I often feared I wouldn’t see the next sunrise.

I realized my illness had flared up again. I thought I had mostly recovered over the years, but on the night before descending the mountain, it recurred.

The sickness was unpleasant. At times like this, I often longed for my previous life.

Someone sat by my bedside, their cool palm touching my forehead, undoing my damp inner shirt. A drop of icy liquid fell onto my face. My eyelashes fluttered; the scent was familiar and comforting. I instinctively nestled into his embrace.

He hesitated, then cupped the back of my head with one hand and placed the other near my lips.

He forced open my mouth by pressing my chin upward. The feeling on my lips was cool and smooth. Groggily, I thought the medicine tasted familiar.

Jiang Wen stood vigil by the bed. The young man’s expression was inscrutable as he watched the frail little sister nestle into Father’s arms. The Sovereign’s wrist bore a wound, blood seeping from a row of uneven teeth marks.

The girl instinctively sought the source of the blood. Unaware of the situation, even half-asleep, she licked her father’s blood with an innocent bewilderment. Her pale lips stained vividly by the crimson.

Like a newborn beast, pure yet enchanting.

The Sovereign patted her back. The girl whimpered and muttered incoherent words. The Sovereign withdrew his hand; the wound on his wrist was healing but soon bitten open again. The girl bared a canine tooth eagerly and bit his wrist. A few drops of blood appeared. When pushed aside, she looked dazed and tearful, gasping softly. Hot tears fell onto his palm. The white-haired Sovereign looked at her for a long time, finally allowing her actions.

Jiang Wen averted his gaze.

After a long moment, he heard Father’s deep voice: “Fetch the medicine.”

Jiang Wen bowed his head. “Yes.”