Mu Ruxue left home early that day, as she had found an informant who could sell her the information she needed.
That's why she was out of the house so early. The informant wasn't deceitful like the others; he sold the information he had for a good price and then disappeared as usual.
For Mu Ruxue, this was the best outcome. She just wanted to get what she needed, verify that it was true, and then have the rest of the day to enjoy herself.
After all, today was her beloved's big day.
'I have to be there when he arrives, I can't leave him alone,' she thought as she hurried through the city with a strange, sly smile.
As she crossed the busy roads filled with people who had just gotten up and were on their way to work, she attracted attention like she did every day.
"I heard that Miss Mu has fallen into a deep depression after the death of Young Master Xiaotian," said one of the passersby, interested in the gossip he had heard the night before.
"Yes, I'm sure of it. I live across from a bar, and she goes there several times a day. It seems to have really affected her," replied another.
"It's a shame. Such a beautiful and talented woman, fallen into the depravity of alcohol." The first one sighed, shaking his head.
And the second nodded with the same expression.
"But Miss Mu seems to be very strong with alcohol, doesn't she? Look, she's coming from a bar and doesn't seem to be drunk."
"She must be a heavy drinker. Who would have thought?"
Their words, though strange, brought some giggles from those around them, until Mu Ruxue reached them and they had to silence themselves.
She walked past him and shook her head. She didn't know who the idiot was who had started the rumor that she spent her time drinking in bars, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Gossip travels fast and spreads everywhere within hours. She could only wait patiently for Xiaotian to reveal his status and confirm that she already knew, so that the rumors would dissipate on their own.
She hurried through the streets and soon arrived at the Woodshade City Coliseum, the venue for the small tournament organized by the Zhangs.
She passed the guards' checkpoint simply by showing her face and was soon in a VIP room with an exclusive view, prepared for her.
When she arrived, the tournament was about to begin. She scanned the entire coliseum with quick glances and, not finding Xiaotian, sat down.
'Many VIPs came,' she thought, looking at the crowded VIP rooms.
The Drunken Elder was among them, attracting a lot of attention.
Zhang Hao and Fenglian were there too, as expected.
Her father was even there.
But the one who attracted the most attention was Count Lu, a prominent figure who had been the center of attention since his arrival, to whom the organizers dedicated special words.
Being the count of these lands, it was understandable. Although, honestly, she didn't care. She had little interest in titles, even if it was one as high as that.
She would rather aim for that glorious title of Sword Empress or something like that, titles that only the Sword Legacy Tower can bestow and that would follow her throughout her life from the moment she acquired it.
After all, Count Lu is this man today, but tomorrow? Just 25 years ago, it was his father; soon, it will be his son. They were obliged to pass it on at a certain age.
In contrast, a Sword Empress would always be a Sword Empress. Even if thousands of years passed and she died, her name would be immortalized.
She paid little attention to those VIPs, simply leaning back in her chair to watch the tournament with curiosity about what Xiaotian wanted to do.
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"That woman is here," the third elder said to Fenglian.
Fenglian looked up and nodded. "As expected, she and the Mus came."
The third elder nodded. "I don't think they're planning anything, right?"
"The Mus are only big because of their numerous businesses, Third Elder. They wouldn't dare mess with us. We've been the most powerful clan in Woodshade for a long time." Fenglian assured him, with an air of grandeur.
Although the Third Elder understood this, he is also a top-level merchant and oversees the clan's trade. He knows very well what the Mus can do if they set their minds to it. Even so, he decided not to say anything.
Zhang Hao, who was sitting in the same room, looked at them for a brief moment and then looked at the young men fighting in the arena.
"Our two most outstanding ones here are Lucheng and Xiao Ding, right?" he asked.
Fenglian nodded. "Yes, Father. Xiao Ding is a tough nut to crack because of his high cultivation, while Lucheng is more methodical and a very good swordsman. I don't know which of the two could win, but they are both good." He replied and then reminded his newly awakened son.
"Feng will be able to surpass them in the future," he assured. "His talent is amazing. He didn't participate because he didn't want to. He says he's aiming for the Swordsman Legacy Tower, like his brother."
Hao nodded. "There's no need to get Feng'er involved in these matters," he said. "Let Lucheng and Xiao Ding fight over that technique."
"Yes, Father," Fenglian replied.
"So, how do Lucheng and Xiao Ding compare to that woman everyone talks about so much?" Hao asked.
"This..." Fenglian was speechless for a moment. That was a complicated question.
"They can't beat her, Father." It was the third elder who answered the question.
"She far surpasses them," he assured him and continued. "Perhaps if Lucheng achieved mastery of the Purple Oak Sword, he could stand up to her or defeat her when he breaks through, but that woman's Dancing Sword technique is astonishing, even more so because she is a rapier swordswoman."
"Tsk." Zhang Hao clicked his tongue in annoyance and decided to watch the fight.
As soon as he looked, he frowned and stood up straight. "This is..."
Lucheng was on the arena fighting at the moment, but his movements were spectacular.
"W-what?" The third elder choked, and his words struggled to come out. "Third Level of the Purple Oak Sword Technique!"
Zhang Hao suddenly became excited and smiled. "What were you saying to me just now, Jiang?" he asked.
The third elder smiled slightly. "I spoke too soon, Father. With this, I believe Lucheng will be able to stand up to that woman. And if he managed to take that step this month... he will surely be able to defeat her."
"Good." Hao took a deep breath of happiness and leaned back. "We won't just be relying on two geniuses now, Fenglian. It seems that Zhang is blessed."
Fenglian nodded. Although he seemed to have a forced smile on his face.
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