A sudden gust of wind, sharp and cold, swept through the dilapidated temple. It snatched at the fallen magnolia petals on the ground, swirling them into a delicate, fleeting storm that danced past Fu Yuanjun and Suo Dongmei, a silent, beautiful counterpoint to the ugly truths unfolding between them.
"Fu Shirong decided to leave Tianshan Sect," Fu Yuanjun continued, his voice heavy with a long-held bitterness, "because this place… it reminded him too much of Mu Ai. That same year, he moved back home, trying to build a new life, and got married. As for your father, he clung to Tianshan Sect, burying himself in the 'Sword Spirit Manual' day and night until he mastered it. Then, on Grandmaster Yi's sixtieth birthday, a new life entered the world – Mu Ai gave birth to her second child. She couldn't travel to Tianshan, but my father, Fu Shirong, he came. After the celebration, Grandmaster Yi, in a moment of foresight, handed my father a written will."
The scene shifted, a memory unfolding. Yi Tao, frail and etched with worry, sat before his disciples. "Shirong," he began, his voice raspy, clinging to life, "since you are my first disciple, I will entrust my will to you. Lately, I've not been feeling well. I know my days are numbered." His gaze, filled with a profound sadness, settled on Suo Baojing. "If I die, Ai'er shall become the next leader of Tianshan Sect, and you, Shirong, will be the co-leader." He looked at Suo Baojing, a hint of trepidation, almost a plea, in his eyes. "Baojing, don't be mad at me."
Suo Baojing, his face carefully blank, a mask of composure, replied, "I am not. Whatever shifu's decision may be, I will accept it." The words were smooth, almost too smooth, but a subtle clenching of his jaw betrayed the lie that festered beneath.
Yi Tao smiled, a fragile, relieved expression, the weight of a heavy decision seemingly lifted. "Baojing, you've grown up. I am happy and relieved to hear your answer." His gaze swept over his two loyal disciples, a deep affection in his eyes. "With you two helping Ai'er, and the Mu Clan standing behind her, Tianshan Sect will be stronger than any other sect or clan."
Fu Shirong, ever earnest, bowed deeply, his loyalty unquestioning. "Shifu, please rest assured. I promise, I will do everything I can to help mei mei. Don't worry about her."
"Shirong and Baojing," Yi Tao continued, his voice filled with a deep affection, a final blessing, "I am happy to have disciples like you two. Ai'er doesn't practice martial arts, but you two do. Please, protect her."
"Shixiong," Suo Baojing said, his voice surprisingly gentle, almost solicitous, "since shifu is ill, we should drink tea instead of wine." He poured three cups of steaming tea, offering one to Fu Shirong and one to Yi Tao. "With this cup of tea, I wish for shifu to have another healthy year."
Yi Tao smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes, and drank his tea, unaware of the poison's bitter truth.
Suo Baojing poured himself another cup, his smile unwavering, a chilling mask, as he looked at Fu Shirong. "Shixiong, may you have a safe journey home, and next time, don't come alone. You have to bring my nephew and sao zi with you."
The two brothers, seemingly united in camaraderie, drank their last cup of tea.
"Suo Baojing's ego and hatred," Fu Yuanjun spat, his voice laced with venom, the words tearing through the air, "were carved deeply into his very blood. He killed Grandmaster Yi by poisoning him." Fu Yuanjun's eyes burned into Suo Dongmei, a vengeful fire. "He believed he had successfully destroyed the original letter Grandmaster Yi gave to my father, but he was wrong. Fu Shirong, my father, made it home, barely, and hid that original letter. But Suo Baojing didn't stop there. He hunted my father down, came to our house, and slaughtered my entire family. Your father finally got rid of the only witness. Then, he fabricated Grandmaster Yi's letter, naming himself the successor after Grandmaster Yi. Your father, Suo Dongmei, stole the leader seat."
Suo Dongmei recoiled, her face pale, ashen. "You have no evidence to support your little, short story," she scoffed, though a tremor ran through her voice, betraying her fear. "I will not believe it. Since they are three disciples of Grandmaster Yi, why would Grandmaster Yi want Mu Ai to be his successor?"
"Do you want to know Mu Ai's surname before she married into the Mu?" Fu Yuanjun asked, a chilling smile spreading across his face, a prelude to a devastating truth.
"What is it?" Suo Dongmei demanded, her voice tight with a sudden, dawning dread.
"Her name before she was married into the Mu was… Yi Ai."
A cold chill, sharp as a blade, lanced through Suo Dongmei's entire body. Her eyes widened, horror dawning, the pieces of a terrible puzzle clicking into place. "Then she is…"
Fu Yuanjun scoffed, a cruel, triumphant sound. "The only child of Grandmaster Yi."
Hidden behind the statue, Mu Dishi's body went rigid, every muscle tensing. As he listened to Fu Yuanjun's chilling story, fragments of his own past, of the meeting hall where his mother had desperately begged Suo Baojing to spare Mu Mei because they were from the same sect, suddenly clicked into place, forming a coherent, horrifying picture. He had never known the tangled, brutal history behind his mother and Suo Baojing's betrayal. The revelation hit him like a physical blow, igniting a cold, searing rage deep within him. His hatred for Suo Baojing, already profound, intensified, tightening its grip on his heart. His hands clenched into white-knuckled fists, trembling with suppressed fury.
Ma Jingguo, ever observant, noticed the faint, angry veins popping out on Mu Dishi's throat. He knew this sign. It only happened when Mu Dishi was pushed to the absolute brink, when he was on the verge of unleashing his deadliest, most merciless moves.
"Xiao shushu," Ma Jingguo whispered softly, urgently, his voice a soothing balm against the storm brewing inside Mu Dishi. "Please, calm down. Let's listen to the entire story so we can get the complete picture."
"How do you know their story?" Suo Dongmei demanded, her voice still laced with disbelief, but now with a tangible hint of fear.
Fu Yuanjun laughed, a harsh, triumphant sound. "Because my father happened to be named… Fu Shirong." He looked at Suo Dongmei, his eyes burning with a vengeful fire. "Your father poisoned my father. He was fortunate enough to make it home, barely, and tell me this little secret before he died." He laughed again, a bitter, broken sound. "So, mei mei, after hearing my short story, tell me again… Do you still think the Tianshan Leader seat still belongs to you?"
Suo Dongmei remained silent, her face ashen, her defiance crumbling to dust.
"If Mu Dishi wants to be the leader of Tianshan Sect," Fu Yuanjun continued, his voice regaining its authority, a victorious tone, "then I have no problem with it. I will be the co-leader. If Mu Dishi refuses, then the leader seat belongs to me, not you. The leader seat has always belonged to the Mu and the Fu. Never the Suo."
"As of now, everyone in Tianshan knows that the last Leader was the Suo!" Suo Dongmei cried out, her voice cracking with desperation. "I believe the entire sect will support me, not you!"
Fu Yuanjun let out a derisive laugh, "Ha… ha… ha…" He reached inside his inner robe, producing two folded letters. "After the elders read these," he sneered, holding them aloft like trophies, "do you think they will still support you?"
"Er shixiong," Suo Dongmei snarled, her eyes glinting with desperation, "it doesn't matter. You will not have that seat!" With a furious cry, she unsheathed her sword and lunged at Fu Yuanjun.
As Suo Dongmei and Fu Yuanjun clashed, their blades ringing in the quiet temple yard, Mu Dishi, from his hidden vantage point, could tell that Suo Dongmei's internal energy was far stronger than Fu Yuanjun's. She wasn't fighting to win; she was toying with him, stalling for time. Mu Dishi narrowed his eyes, a cold suspicion forming. Who is she waiting for?
Just as voices began to filter from inside the temple, growing louder with each passing second, Suo Dongmei deliberately allowed Fu Yuanjun's punch to land squarely on her right chest. The impact sent her flying, a theatrical twenty feet, to land directly in front of the ten elders of Tianshan Sect who were just emerging from the temple doors. Suo Dongmei gasped, then dramatically vomited a mouthful of blood, a performance for her audience.
Elder Tong, his face etched with concern, rushed to help Suo Dongmei to her feet. "Elders…" she choked out, her finger trembling as she pointed accusingly at Fu Yuanjun. "He tried to kill me… for the leader seat!"
Ma Jingguo shook his head in disbelief, a silent, exasperated sigh escaping him. Women, he thought, a mischievous grin playing on his lips, they are so manipulative. He glanced at Mu Dishi, then sighed happily, a genuine warmth spreading through him. He leaned in close, whispering softly into Mu Dishi's right ear, "Xiao shushu, I am so glad you are not a woman."
Mu Dishi's head snapped sharply to the right, his eyes blazing, about to unleash a furious retort. But before he could utter a single word, Ma Jingguo quickly sealed Mu Dishi's lips with his own. He then seized both of Mu Dishi's hands with his right, pinning him firmly against the cold statue. Not content, Ma Jingguo's left hand slipped into Mu Dishi's inner robe, his fingers slowly, teasingly, beginning to play with Mu Dishi's left nipple.
Ma Jingguo knew, rationally, he had to stop. This was neither the time nor the place. But in that moment, kissing Mu Dishi, feeling his body pressed against his own, it was agonizingly hard to withdraw. As he slid his wet tongue up and down Mu Dishi's swan-soft neck, he couldn't help himself. He then sucked softly at Mu Dishi's skin, a lingering, possessive mark. Afterward, his wet tongue slid back inside Mu Dishi's soft, moist mouth. He could no longer hold back the fierce tide of his lust. His hand reached deeper, his fingers brushing against Mu Dishi's member, but in a flash, Mu Dishi broke free, twisting Ma Jingguo's hand with a sharp, painful wrench. With a grunt of pain, Ma Jingguo had no choice but to let go.
"Yuanjun," Elder Tong declared, his voice ringing with authority, his face grave, "committing treason is punishable by death." He looked at the other nine elders, his gaze firm. "Capture him."
Four younger elders immediately leaped forward, a blur of motion, attacking Fu Yuanjun. As Fu Yuanjun launched himself at them, striking with desperate fury, the four younger elders swiftly formed a line. One elder stood at the front, bracing to meet Fu Yuanjun's strike, while the other three channeled their own internal energies into him. When the strikes intertwined, the weaker Fu Yuanjun was no match for their combined might. Their combined internal strength sent him hurtling straight towards the ancient magnolia tree.
Fu Yuanjun slammed into the magnolia tree with a sickening thud, then crumpled to the ground in front of it. He coughed, vomiting a mouthful of blood, his face ashen, two broken ribs making every breath an agony. He struggled, trying to push himself up, but the pain was too great.
The four younger elders sent out two ropes, whistling through the air towards the incapacitated Fu Yuanjun. But before they could bind him, Mu Dishi, a dark streak of motion, flew over the statue. Four golden needles shot from his hand, piercing the two ropes, pinning them uselessly to the ground. Then, with a single, powerful guzheng string, he lashed out at the four elders. The immense force sent them crashing backward, slamming into the smaller statues that lined the stairway, leaving them groaning in a heap.
Elder Tong, his eyes wide with astonishment at the young man's formidable counterattack, stammered, "Who… who are you?"
Ma Jingguo quickly revealed himself, rushing to the injured Fu Yuanjun. He helped him up, his touch surprisingly gentle.
"Ma Jingguo," Fu Yuanjun grunted, pain lacing his voice as he stood, leaning heavily on Ma Jingguo. "Mu Dishi."
Suo Dongmei, her eyes narrowed, staring at Mu Dishi with cold malice. "Mu Dishi… Why are you here?"
"Sightseeing," Mu Dishi replied, his voice cold, emotionless, a perfect mask.
Elder Tong stepped forward, his expression grave, his authority challenged. "Young man, this is a problem within our sect. I wish that you two will not get involved. Please, step aside."
"I will not," Mu Dishi stated, his voice unwavering, absolute. He gripped his two golden bells tightly in his left hand, his gaze sweeping over the eleven people before him, a chilling challenge in his eyes. "You want him? You must go through me."
After Ma Jingguo heard Mu Dishi's words, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over him. He wanted to kick Fu Yuanjun, to personally send him tumbling off the nearest cliff. Who the hell do you think you are, he fumed silently, glaring at Fu Yuanjun with an almost evil intensity, for my xiao shushu to tell your enemies, 'if they want you, they must go through him'?!
Suo Dongmei, seizing the opportunity, turned to Elder Tong, her voice filled with a venomous triumph. "He is Mu Dishi," she announced, "the last survivor of the Mu Clan!"
"Mu Clan?" Elder Tong repeated, a flicker of recognition, then dawning understanding, in his eyes.
Fu Yuanjun, still leaning on Ma Jingguo, walked up and stood beside Mu Dishi, a newfound alliance. He looked at Suo Dongmei, then at Elder Tong, his voice strained but clear, pushing through the pain. "Elder Tong, he is Mu Dishi, the son of Mu Ai, and the grandson of Grandmaster Yi." He paused, gasping for breath. "I am the son of Fu Shirong; my father was coldly murdered by Suo Baojing."
Elder Tong's face went white with shock. "Shirong died? I thought all these years, he was alive, happily living with his family!"
"Elder Tong," Fu Yuanjun said, his voice thick with sorrow, tears welling in his eyes, "he was poisoned by Suo Baojing. Grandmaster Yi was also poisoned and murdered by Suo Baojing."
"Don't talk rubbish!" Suo Dongmei shrieked, her voice desperate, her lies crumbling around her.
Elder Tong, still reeling from the news of Fu Shirong's death, shook his head slowly, a profound sadness settling over him. "Shirong was the most modest student of Tianshan Sect. We all had high hopes and expectations for him. It already saddened my heart when he decided to leave Tianshan, but now you tell me he died… He and Baojing were good brothers. How could Baojing murder him?"
"He wanted the leader seat," Fu Yuanjun explained, his voice hard, unyielding. "The successor after Grandmaster Yi was never Suo Baojing." Fu Yuanjun reached inside his robe, pulling out the two letters. "Elder Tong, my father gave me Grandmaster Yi's letter before he died. One letter is the original will of Grandmaster Yi. The other was my father's letter to Auntie Ai about what Suo Baojing had done, but sadly, I was too little at that time. I didn't know where the Mu Clan was." Tears welled in his eyes, tracing paths through the dirt on his face. "If I had given this letter to Auntie Ai, the entire Mu Clan might not have been massacred." He held out the letters, trembling slightly. "You and Grandmaster Yi were close; you should recognize his handwriting."
Even though Ma Jingguo still harbored a strong dislike for Fu Yuanjun, he found himself acknowledging that Fu Yuanjun's actions, in this moment, were somewhat heroic. "Even if you had given the letter to Ma… sorry, Mrs. Mu," he comforted, his voice softer than usual, a rare moment of empathy, "Suo Baojing would have found another way to massacre the Mu Clan."
Elder Tong stepped forward, his hand trembling slightly as he took the letters from Fu Yuanjun. After he read them, a long, weary sigh escaped him, burdened by the weight of decades of lies. He walked up to Mu Dishi, his gaze filled with a complex mix of reverence and sorrow. "Dishi," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of history and injustice, "according to the letter, your mother was the rightful successor after your grandfather. You have killed Suo Baojing. The leader seat of Tianshan now belongs to you."
"I don't want it," Mu Dishi stated, his voice cold and resolute, unwavering.
"But…" Elder Tong began, bewildered, unable to comprehend such a refusal.
"I've never lived a single day in Tianshan Sect," Mu Dishi cut him off, his voice firm. "I don't know their rules. My surname is Mu, not Yi." He looked at Fu Yuanjun, a faint, almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgment. "He can have it."
"Mu ge…" Fu Yuanjun began, his voice filled with surprise and overwhelming gratitude, reaching out to grab Mu Dishi's left arm. "I am happy being the co-leader of Tianshan Sect."
Ma Jingguo, a sudden, fierce wave of jealousy washing over him, yanked Fu Yuanjun's hand away from Mu Dishi's arm. He stepped in between the two men, his body a clear barrier, a possessive shield. "Fu ge," he said, his voice tight with barely concealed rage, "if xiao shushu says he doesn't want it, it means he doesn't want it."
Elder Tong, still processing the rapid turn of events, looked at Mu Dishi, a final check. "We didn't know that this would turn out like this. Dishi, are you sure?"
"I am sure," Mu Dishi replied, his gaze firm, unwavering. "I've promised someone to tour the Yangtze River. I intend to keep that promise."
Ma Jingguo's heart swelled with an almost unbearable happiness at Mu Dishi's answer. He wanted nothing more than to turn around, pull Mu Dishi tightly into his embrace, and kiss him until they were both breathless. But he had to hold back, painfully aware that they stood in front of twelve people, their eyes fixed on them, watching their every move.
Elder Tong turned to Suo Dongmei, his voice now devoid of any pity, his judgment clear. "I want everyone surnamed Suo out of Tianshan by sundown." He then looked at Mu Dishi, his expression softening slightly. "Dishi, since you are here in Tianshan, do you want to go pay a visit to your grandfather?"
"Sure," Mu Dishi replied, a flicker of something akin to acceptance, a hint of peace, in his eyes.
Mu Dishi and Ma Jingguo followed Elder Tong to the Tianshan Cemetery. The deceased leaders were buried on the highest ground, while the disciples were laid to rest below, the burial plots carefully designed by rank, a hierarchy even in death.
Elder Tong stopped in front of Yi Tao's grave, a weathered stone marking the resting place of the former leader. "Leader Yi," he murmured, his voice respectful, heavy with a silent apology, "I've brought your grandson here today to pay his respects."
One of the disciples lit twelve incense sticks, their tips glowing orange, releasing thin wisps of fragrant smoke. He handed three to Mu Dishi, three to Ma Jingguo, three to Elder Tong, and kept the remaining three for himself.
Mu Dishi and Ma Jingguo both knelt, bowing three times in solemn reverence, a silent acknowledgement of a lineage long denied.
Ma Jingguo, as he bowed, prayed silently in his heart: Grandmaster Yi, don't worry. I will protect xiao shushu with my life. I will not let any harm come to him. If I must die for him to live, I will happily die without hesitation. I want to let you know that I love him very, very much and for the rest of my life, I will be his protection shield.
Mu Dishi and Ma Jingguo then stuck their burning incense sticks before Yi Tao's grave and stood up. Elder Tong and the young disciple also bowed three times, then placed their incense sticks beside the others, a shared moment of respect.
As they walked down the cemetery stairs, the air felt lighter, the weight of the past somewhat lifted, a burden acknowledged. Elder Tong turned to Mu Dishi. "Dishi, you really are going to let this opportunity go?"
"I don't like being bound by rules," Mu Dishi replied, his gaze distant, his independence clear. He turned to Elder Tong. "Fu Yuanjun is not bad. He was willing to expose that dog…"
Ma Jingguo cleared his throat pointedly, a warning in the sound. "Xiao shushu."
Mu Dishi corrected himself, a faint, almost amused smirk touching his lips, acknowledging Ma Jingguo's subtle reminder. "Suo Baojing's evil scheme, if Suo Dongmei had stepped down."
"The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree," Ma Jingguo mused, shaking his head, a knowing look on his face. "Who would have guessed she'd pull another scheme herself?"
"Are you regretting not letting me kill her?" Mu Dishi asked, a hint of challenge, a subtle test, in his voice.
"No," Ma Jingguo said, his smile soft and genuine. "I prefer you not kill." He then remembered something. "Oh right, Elder Tong, how did you know where and when to show up?"
Elder Tong chuckled, a weary sound, a touch of dry humor. "Dongmei had told me that Yuanjun wanted to meet her privately. She feigned fear for her safety. She also told us the exact meeting location. She asked us to look for her if she hadn't returned within an hour."
"Miss Suo," Ma Jingguo began, a knowing look on his face, "might not have known…"
"She knew what she was doing," Mu Dishi finished, his voice cutting and precise, his insight sharp. "Her internal energy was stronger than Yuanjun's. She was waiting for him to take her bait. As soon as she heard the ten elders inside the temple, she deliberately let Yuanjun hit her."
"We will hold a meeting in two days," Elder Tong said, his voice firm, decisive. "According to Leader Yi's will, since you refuse to be Leader of Tianshan, then Yuanjun will be our next leader."
"Good," Mu Dishi simply stated, a finality in his tone, his decision made.
Mu Dishi and Ma Jingguo bid farewell to Elder Tong at the bottom of the cemetery stairs. The two men then returned to the village, the weight of ancient betrayals and newfound destinies settling around them, but now with a clearer path forward.