Chapter 101: The Emergence of Linglong

This was nothing extraordinary. After all, the scene from three years ago was likely still vivid in the memories of everyone who had attended the Martial Arts Assembly. Yet now, Han Tanyi was genuinely confused. Leaving aside the fact that he had been rescued when on the brink of death—a fact perhaps only Shen Wansan knew—and as the master of the Mingyue Manor, he would never reveal such matters publicly. To him, Han Tanyi's existence was a valuable bargaining chip, an important one at that. But if this person before him was truly sent by him, then there was no need for such pointless chatter—just capture or kill him outright. With this thought, Han Tanyi’s voice sharpened as he demanded, “Who exactly are you?”

“It seems that after our parting long ago, you have indeed remembered my words faithfully, but forgotten everything about the Blue Lotus Sect, including me, without a trace,” she said, her tone heavy with sorrow, as if she had suffered great injustice. Han Tanyi’s expression changed instantly. The words “Blue Lotus Sect” struck deeply into his heart; memories from the past surged forth vividly and clearly, yet within his mind there was a hesitant disbelief. For a moment, he was speechless. Such a reaction was almost an affirmation of her words. In the darkness, his face was hard to discern, but the shock that flickered across the youth’s features was enough to startle anyone.

After a soft sigh, she continued, “Very well, very well. It was I who made you forget everything back then; so how could I blame you now? But tell me, why did you leave the broken temple without a word? Was I truly so unworthy of your attention?”

“A broken temple? Leaving without saying goodbye?” Han Tanyi was thoroughly perplexed. This woman was undoubtedly Shui Linglong. At first, he had not expected her to come here, but now, recalling her voice and appearance, there was an unmistakable similarity. Yet what did this have to do with Shao Changchun and that broken temple? Could it be that she was Shao Changchun herself? “What did you say? Are you implying that the leader of Donghua Gate is not really Shao Changchun, but you in disguise?”

It was not impossible. If Shao Changchun was truly a man, his figure would hardly be so delicate. Even now, with only the faint darkness to see by, there was a striking resemblance. A woman disguised as a man was not unheard of. Moreover, considering what she had just said, Han Tanyi found no reason to refute it. If they were not old acquaintances, how could the leader of one of the Four Great Sects openly rescue an enemy in front of so many? The Blue Lotus Sect and Donghua Gate had been sworn enemies for sixteen years; their enmity could not be easily overturned.

Despite his shock, Han Tanyi slowly regained composure and turned toward the room, hoping to calm his flustered emotions through movement. Shui Linglong did not give him a chance to rest; she followed closely behind him. The only witness was a drunkard who stood there bewildered, clueless about what had just transpired. Watching the two disappear inside, the drunkard finally regained his senses and softly asked Qiu Shisanniang nearby, “Could she really be the current leader of the Blue Lotus Sect, Shui Linglong? It’s widely rumored that the eldest disciple of Qilian Mountain has ties to Han Tanyi. I never believed it possible, but now it seems to be true.”

“That’s obviously true. The world of jianghu is vast; how could you know everything? Aren’t you surprised by what kind of person I am, and why I’m with the Blue Lotus leader?” Qiu Shisanniang’s presence seemed to have diminished after the earlier scene, or perhaps the drunkard’s words had just struck a chord within her, stirring a playful mood. Her teasing broke the drunkard’s fixation on the two inside and pulled him back to reality. His gaze remained puzzled, though his focus shifted in emphasis. “I always thought you were the owner of the Tianxiang Brothel, hiding secrets unknown to others. But never did I expect you to be someone of the martial world, and more astonishingly, a friend of Shui Linglong, leader of the Blue Lotus Sect. This truly proves your words: the jianghu is full of wonders. Today, I’ve certainly had my eyes opened!”

“I think you might be mistaken about one thing. Someone like her doesn’t need friends. If she has any, it’s probably only Han Tanyi,” Qiu Shisanniang replied without elaborating. Her teasing was brief, soon vanishing completely. Her gaze lingered thoughtfully at the door, reflecting a sense of melancholy. Though unaware of what had truly transpired between these two three years ago, the recent scene sparked many images in her mind. If it were not a matter of deep, unforgettable significance, how could Shui Linglong have searched tirelessly for three years? “I remember her as proud and aloof, seldom giving others a second glance, let alone like this now. I wonder what really happened then... No, I shouldn’t speculate wildly. It only breeds trouble.”

With that, Qiu Shisanniang sighed softly and fell silent. Without her speaking, the drunkard also refrained from saying more. Both gazed fixedly at the door. The room was somewhat dilapidated, lit only faintly by a weak flame, casting a dim glow. They could just make out Shui Linglong standing within view, but what Han Tanyi was doing was beyond their sight. At this moment, the drunkard wished for a jug of wine to help pass this awkward time, or perhaps to bolster his courage and say to this woman, “Aren’t you just as proud as Shui Linglong? I wonder if inside your heart, Qiu Shisanniang, there’s someone like Han Tanyi as well?”

Of course, none of this could be said aloud. So the drunkard remained rooted in place, silently troubled. The fragrance of Four Seasons Wine was not strong, but to a heavy drinker like him, even the faintest scent was noticeable, especially after a few sips—it felt as if countless insects were gnawing inside him. He longed to dash forward and gulp some straight from the jar. But that was impossible. Neither Han Tanyi nor Shui Linglong was a person of small reputation in the Central Plains martial world. Someone like him dared not provoke them. Even if he were reckless normally, now was not the time. If disaster struck suddenly and he happened to be in the crossfire, who knew what fate awaited him?

He hesitated to leave, his curiosity about the fate of these two still strong. So he could only wait quietly. Han Tanyi’s figure slowly moved toward a corner of the room where a door stood. What lay beyond might only he know. His time inside was brief, but when he reemerged, something had appeared in his hand—a noticeably heavy object that only Shui Linglong could clearly see as he approached.

It was unmistakably a long sword, about three feet in length. Such swords were common in the martial world. However, this sword was somewhat unusual. Its scabbard was slimmer than ordinary, making the blade itself smaller, though its weight was no less than a typical sword—indeed, it felt heavier. From this, Shui Linglong could guess it was no ordinary blade, especially in terms of its material.

“This sword is called Qinghong. I deliberately forged it for you. The material is Ice Ling Xuan Iron, buried deep beneath the Dead Sea in the Western Regions for a thousand miles. I found it by chance at the end of the year before last and forged it using the Nine Refinements technique. Originally, the blade was extremely brittle and would shatter on contact. But just last night, I suddenly grasped a Yin energy opportunity and completed its forging. I had intended to give it to you as a token of gratitude when we next met. I never expected you to appear here so soon. Perhaps this is fate,” Han Tanyi said as he slowly extended the sword.

Shui Linglong did not take it immediately; her gaze remained fixed on Han Tanyi. After a moment, she replied, “So in your heart, what you still cherish is merely the life-saving grace. In the end, Shui Linglong has wasted such feelings. After all, it cannot compare to the sword in Shao Changchun’s hand, which has left a deeper mark on you.”