Chapter Twenty-Two: A Challenge Delivered

With the steward leading the way, Gongsun Xi strode boldly into the Li residence. Gifted in the martial arts and possessed of a daring spirit, she showed no fear even as she ventured deep into the “enemy’s” stronghold, moving with an almost swaggering air.

Upon entering the main hall, her gaze fell upon Li Wuyi. As for Li Yide, who stood beside him, she spared him only a fleeting, dismissive glance.

“So you are Li Wuyi?”

Li Wuyi’s brows arched slightly. It had been ten years since anyone had dared address him by his given name. Back then, people called him Fifth Brother—now, he was known as Master Wu.

“It’s Master Wu!” Li Yide declared with fervent admiration, holding Li Wuyi as one of the greatest heroes of the age and brooking no disrespect toward him.

Gongsun Xi raised her delicate brows and said, “What a good grandson you are. So filial!”

“You—!” Li Yide choked on his indignation, longing to reply with force but remembering he was no match for her. In frustration, he slapped himself, as if blaming his own impotence.

Li Wuyi raised his hand, halting the furious Li Yide. He stepped forward and said, “I am indeed Li Wuyi. May I ask what guidance the lady seeks?”

“Feigning ignorance, are you?” Gongsun Xi was forthright by nature, disdaining idle pleasantries. “I’ve heard your swordsmanship is famed, that you once roamed Youzhou with your sword, making a great name for yourself. I’ve come to see for myself—does your reputation measure up, or is it undeserved?”

Li Yide quickly interjected, “Master Wu, show her your skills. Give her a lesson, lest people believe the martial world of Jicheng cannot handle a mere woman.”

Li Wuyi ignored him, folding his hands behind his back. “If you have come only to spar, then I must ask you to leave. The essence of martial arts is to end conflict, not to provoke it. We who practice the way of the sword do so to restrain violence, not to pursue petty victories or contests of strength. In my youth, I was like you—eager for triumph, hot-blooded and reckless. It led to harming a close friend, a regret that haunts me still. Since then, I resolved not to compete for momentary glory...”

Gongsun Xi had no interest in hearing a lecture. Before Li Wuyi could finish, she interrupted impatiently, “So you dare not fight? Are you afraid?”

“Let’s say I am,” Li Wuyi replied. “See her out.” He turned and walked back into the house without another word.

Gongsun Xi paused in surprise, then turned to leave as well. She had no wish to force a match with someone truly unwilling. Time was precious—every contest counted, and if Gongsun You became aware, her opportunities would end.

Only Li Yide remained, looking foolishly left and right, stamping his foot in frustrated anger.

Li Wuyi entered the inner chambers, his expression dark. This young upstart, Gongsun Xi, was reckless beyond measure, showing him not the slightest respect. If not for his recent troubles, which obliged him to keep a low profile and avoid attention, he would have taught her a lesson.

Suddenly, he stopped short, remembering something. He had been worried about not knowing Pei Min’s true capabilities. Perhaps... he could use another’s hand to test him.

Remembering the deadline Li Dapu had set for him, which was fast approaching, Li Wuyi summoned his trusted confidant and gave him careful instructions.

*****

The Yuan Residence.

For several days, Pei Min had not set foot outside, devoting himself entirely to refining the sword techniques he had learned from Gongsun You, striving to improve the Yue Maiden Sword. So engrossed was he that he forgot to eat or sleep, his obsession bordering on madness, much to the admiration of his roommate, Yuan Lüqian. To see someone so absorbed, so persistent in unraveling a mystery, inspired Yuan’s deep respect.

Effort does not always yield reward, but without it, there can be no reward at all.

Though Pei Min had yet to succeed in improving the sword moves, his understanding of the sword had deepened significantly over these days of reflection. Previously, he had relied on the innate talent left to him by the historical Pei Min, but now, through constant pondering, he was forming his own philosophy, gradually integrating and absorbing what he had learned, making it truly his own.

“Are you Pei Min?”

Pei Min was still pondering how to refine his sword technique. He had tried countless methods, improved much, yet one final barrier stood before him—he could not see how to overcome it. If only he could pass this hurdle, everything else would fall into place. But this obstacle was like the neck of a bottle: no matter how he tried, he could not break through. So distracted was he that he neglected even the matter Xue Na had entrusted to him.

Suddenly, a voice called his name. Instinctively, he turned and saw a strikingly beautiful young woman standing in the doorway—it was Gongsun Xi, with whom he had recently enjoyed a lively conversation.

Delighted, Pei Min smiled, “Miss Gongsun, what brings you here?”

At the door, Gongsun Xi froze. She had never told anyone her surname or given her full name. How did he know she was a Gongsun? For a moment, she even felt the urge to turn and flee.

Pei Min started forward to greet her, but stopped abruptly, sensing something was different. Gongsun You had felt to him like a sword sheathed—her sharpness hidden. But this girl, who looked identical to Gongsun You, was a drawn blade gleaming with cold light, proud and dazzling.

“You must be Gongsun You’s younger sister,” Pei Min said, stepping forward to welcome her into the courtyard.

As expected.

Gongsun Xi pressed her hand to her forehead, realizing there was no turning back. She threw caution to the wind and, walking forward, asked, “So you know my elder sister?”

Pei Min smiled. “She first sought you out when we met outside the Sword Pavilion Martial School. We chatted for a time at the Three Heroes Inn and got on well.”

Gongsun Xi gave Pei Min a second, searching look. “So you do have some skill after all!” She understood her elder sister, with whom she had grown up—gentle, reasonable, never one to seek conflict, always amiable and fair to all. Though not born to nobility, she was in manner more noble than any true lady. Precisely because of this, Gongsun You rarely treated anyone with special regard; for someone to win such notice, they must indeed be exceptional.

Pei Min sensed a hint of challenge in Gongsun Xi’s tone, and laughed. “Are you here to spar with me?”

“Of course!” Gongsun Xi answered without hesitation. “My sister knows you, but I do not. Let’s fight first—see what kind of man has caught my sister’s eye.” As she spoke, she drew her wooden sword. Born a swordswoman, the moment a blade was in her hand, she needed no stance—she was ready for combat, much like Pei Min himself.

Without a sword, Pei Min seemed nothing more than a handsome scholar, but with a blade in hand, he became someone entirely different.

Yet Pei Min did not immediately respond or acknowledge her challenge. Instead, he laughed with genuine delight. At last, what he had sought so hard had come to him effortlessly.

“If you want a match, I have no objection. I can even keep it from your sister. But you must do me a favor in return: Who told you I was skilled in swordsmanship? Who told you I lived here?”

Gongsun Xi, not understanding the reason, replied, “I heard it from a passerby on South Street.”

The fox’s tail was showing.

Pei Min smiled. “Do you think you can find out who it was?”

“We’ll see if you’re worthy,” Gongsun Xi replied, her fighting spirit undiminished.