After parting ways with my sister, my brother and I remained hidden for three long years. We knew the Hundred Weapon Sect might send assassins to hunt down any surviving members of the Sima Clan. So, we stayed quiet, kept low profiles, and trained ourselves while gathering information. Only after the chatter about the Sima Clan's destruction faded did we dare to move.
During that time, I, Sima Rin, broke through to third-class warrior at the age of eighteen. My brother, Sima Lianzhen, reached the initial Master stage by twenty-one. Finally, the day came—we were ready to begin our true journey toward the Moon Palace.
We dressed in modest green robes, wide-brimmed straw hats with long veils hiding our faces. As we finished preparing, Lianzhen chuckled.
"Your face is a real problem for this journey," he teased. "You look like a fallen fairy."
I scowled under my veil.
"Not my fault you look plain," I muttered.
Laughing, he continued.
"Anyway, according to the information we've collected, the Moon Palace is hidden somewhere within the Kunlun mountain range, between Qinghai and Tibet. To find its exact location, we'll first need to visit the Kunlun Sect."
It made sense—Kunlun Sect was ancient, guarding the western frontier against demonic forces. They might have knowledge about the Moon Palace.
Before setting out, we made a quick stop at Hengyang City to purchase better weapons and supplies.
We arrived at a blacksmith shop, a sturdy place filled with the scent of molten steel and burnt iron. As we stepped in, a burly, mean-looking woman sneered at us.
"Hmph. This is no place for pretty boys. The clothing store is on the next street!"
Her mocking tone stirred my anger. I opened my mouth to retort, but Lianzhen pressed my shoulder, signaling me to stay calm.
"We're here for swords," he said politely, voice calm like water.
The woman looked us up and down with a leer.
"You're too polite. Are you sure you're not evil martial artists?" she sneered, reaching toward my brother's veil. "Let me check your faces."
Without hesitation, Lianzhen sidestepped and delivered a swift, qi-empowered punch to her gut. She flew backward, smashing into the wall, groaning.
"You bastard...! Do you know who I am?! I'm the daughter of the Bai Clan's Chief Guard!"
Before the situation escalated further, a booming voice came from the back room.
An imposing woman emerged—a six-foot-tall elder with broad shoulders and a hammer hanging from her belt. The Chief Blacksmith herself.
"How dare the Bai Clan act so arrogantly in my shop!" she bellowed.
The beaten woman whined.
"Chief Blacksmith, they attacked me—"
"Don't insult my intelligence!" the blacksmith barked. "I saw you trying to harass them. GET OUT!"
The woman gaped.
"I'm the Chief Guard's daughter!"
"Even your mother needs to show respect here," the Chief Blacksmith said with disdain. "Leave before I personally drag you to the Bai Clan!"
Terrified, the woman scrambled up, throwing hateful glares at us.
"You two better watch out!" she hissed as her entourage dragged her away.
Once they were gone, the blacksmith turned to us with a sigh.
"Apologies, young masters. These are troubled times."
She motioned us into a private office behind her forge. Once the door closed, she stared at us intently.
"You are... Sima Clan heirs, aren't you?"
My brother and I exchanged glances, our hands drifting toward our swords.
"You're mistaken—" we said in unison.
The blacksmith chuckled.
"No need to lie. Your qi techniques resemble the old Sima Crane Art. Years ago, your grandmother brought you here. She asked me to forge something special for when you reached adulthood."
Hearing that, my brother slowly removed his veil, showing his face.
"Yes... We are the surviving heirs."
The blacksmith's eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"Thank the heavens you survived. Your grandmother... she was my best friend. I've been preparing something for you two for a long time."
She pressed a hidden mechanism; a secret passage opened behind the office. Following her through, we entered a chamber filled with weapons—each blade gleamed with deadly artistry.
At the center, a crane-marked box sat atop a pedestal.
Opening it, the blacksmith revealed two beautiful swords—identical in shape but with different colored hilts: one blue, one red.
"These are the Blue Crane Sword and the Red Crane Sword," she said, reverently holding them out. "Forged with the best steel. Each sword would sell for a hundred gold pieces."
My brother's jaw dropped.
"We… we can't afford that."
The blacksmith smiled warmly.
"They are gifts. Your grandmother wanted you to have them—no matter what."
We bowed deeply, gratitude swelling in our hearts.
Before letting us leave, she offered a grave warning.
"Beware of Bai Clan. After your clan's fall, they took over most of Henan. They've bribed officials, tightened control... Even I have been pressured to work exclusively for them. I've decided to retire soon before they force my hand."
With heavy hearts, we bid her farewell.
Later, we visited Emerald Cloud Pavilion, the most prestigious restaurant in Hengyang. Taking a quiet corner table, we ordered food and discreetly inquired for information.
The waiter, after receiving a silver coin, leaned in.
"Sirs, beware. The Second Young Lady of the Bai Clan is dining upstairs. If she spots you, she might try to 'capture' you."
My brows furrowed.
"You know there are laws in this country?"
The waiter laughed bitterly.
"Laws are for the poor. The rich do whatever they please. After the Sima Clan fell, the Bai Clan became unstoppable. Even the Murim Alliance looks the other way."
"What about victims?" I asked, horrified.
"Disappeared... Or accused of some other crime and imprisoned."
Before we could process this, commotion erupted near the stairs.
Descending from the second floor came the same woman we clashed with at the blacksmith—along with a group of noble young ladies. At their center was a gorgeous but arrogant beauty—the infamous Second Young Lady of the Bai Clan.
They sauntered toward our table.
"Young Lady, those are the ones who sullied our Bai Clan name!" the guard girl cried.
The Second Young Lady gave us a predatory smile, sitting down brazenly at our table.
"I came seeking fine wine... and look what the heavens delivered instead."
Her eyes roamed over my brother and me, full of unhidden lust.
My brother shielded me subtly.
"Young Lady, please respect yourself. We desire no trouble."
"But I desire your company," she said, voice dripping with honey.
She reached toward my brother's hand. Lianzhen sharply pulled back.
"You struck a Bai Clan member. That's a crime. How about we settle it... privately?" she said, her tone full of dark amusement.
She signaled her guards.
"Capture them."
Before they could react, a blur moved.
Chopsticks flew across the room, hitting each guard squarely between the eyes—knocking them out cold.
Gasps filled the restaurant.
The Second Young Lady turned in fury toward the adjacent table. A woman in traveler's clothes, rain hat tilted low, rose from her seat.
"Who dares interfere with the Bai Clan?!" the young lady shrieked.
The traveler pushed back her rain hat slightly, revealing a cold, beautiful face.
"Just a righteous warrior," she said coolly. "And I can't stand watching evil flaunt itself in public."