Martial World Full of Disguises

9: Entering Chaoquan

Upon hearing this, everyone returned to their positions and resumed the matches. The sound of wooden swords clashing rang out once more across the grounds.

In the fourth group, since Mo Qingyuan had been dragged away, the match naturally counted as Fu Peibai's victory. According to the rules, she needed to immediately face the next opponent. But right now, she felt lightheaded, her vision filled with dancing spots of light, and her body ached unbearably. Her right arm, which Mo Qingyuan had ground beneath his foot, was especially painful. She could barely lift it. Yet she couldn't admit defeat. She couldn't give up. For her family, for revenge, she had to persist. She had to keep going!

She pinched the tender flesh of her thigh hard. Her mind cleared instantly. She switched to holding her sword in her left hand and tucked her right hand behind her back, waiting for her opponent to launch an attack.

In the end, she still lost this match. She lost badly. Countless red marks covered her body. At first, she could still dodge a blow or two. But later, her movements all slowed down due to exhaustion and injuries. She was struck again and again, unable to evade. When the time was up and the match ended, her legs went soft. She dropped to one knee on the ground and only managed to avoid collapsing completely by leaning on her wooden sword.

She lowered her head. Her thin shoulders trembled from her ragged breathing.

Lost. She had lost completely. In the end, she hadn't seized this opportunity.

By now, there were no more hisses or mockery from below. Everyone looking at her held gazes tinged with pity and sympathy.

"Fu Peibai, leave the grounds." The main platform sent a voice urging her to depart.

She used her sword to push herself upright. Her foot had been twisted at some point, she didn't know when. She could only limp off the grounds. When she returned to her pack, the crowd made a large space for her. Someone asked, "Are you alright?"

"Are you okay?"

"Do you need water?"

Fu Peibai sat on the ground, shaking her head continuously. Her mind was blank right now. Whether from blood rushing to her head or something else, she felt a sweet, metallic taste rising in her mouth. She pressed her tongue against her teeth and licked twice. It tasted like blood.

The crowd gradually dispersed. She closed her eyes and rested for a moment. Suddenly, she thought of something. She rummaged through her pack and finally pulled out that jade pendant, which she had wrapped in clean cloth.

Holding the jade pendant, she slowly climbed to her feet. Limping, she walked toward the main platform.

The black robed woman saw her approaching and stepped forward. "Is there something you need?"

Fu Peibai leaned on her wooden sword with her left hand. Her right hand trembled slightly as she held out the jade pendant. Though she faced the black robed woman, her words were directed at the white robed woman behind her. "Your jade pendant."

"And thank you."

The white robed woman looked over lightly through her white veil at these words. She said nothing.

Fu Peibai clenched her fist. A wordless shame rose within her. The woman had given her a chance, and she herself had failed to seize it. She awkwardly shifted her gaze away, turned around, and walked away with unsteady steps.

After her figure disappeared, the black robed woman handed the jade pendant to the white robed woman. The white robed woman stroked this agarwood warm jade that had been separated from her for a month, saying nothing for a long time.

......

The Heavenly Pole Sect's entrance examination drew to a close as the sun set. Of the three hundred seventy eight who registered, two hundred twenty two participated in the first round. In the end, only forty seven people successfully passed all three rounds and entered the sect.

The young masters from various families who had been defeated gradually made their way down the mountain. They saw the donkey cart still parked by the roadside. Beside it, that farm boy sat with his head lowered, leaning against the wheel, seemingly asleep. No one tried to talk to him anymore. They dispersed in small groups.

The open ground at the foot of Jinyun Mountain fell quiet. Occasionally, a donkey brayed. The little donkey had probably been standing here all day and was growing restless, constantly lifting its hooves. This movement woke Fu Peibai. She had indeed fallen asleep leaning against the cart.

After coming down the mountain, all the strength had drained from her body. She had slid down to sit against the cart, her heart a mixture of countless emotions. Confusion, despair, unwillingness, resentment. All these feelings mingled together, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted. She had just sat there and fallen into a deep sleep.

Now waking up and opening her eyes, she discovered she was the only person left at the foot of the mountain. Before her, the towering mountain loomed in the darkness like a dormant beast. Occasionally, bird calls and wolf howls drifted over, along with the rustling of the night wind.

She stood up. The pain throughout her body made her hiss softly. After a while, she climbed onto the donkey cart. Her mind went blank. The world was vast, yet she didn't know where to go. She thought of what Old Man Wen had said, that there were many sects in the world. Going to join another one could be a choice. But she looked up at that majestic stone archway in the distance, and the unwillingness in her heart couldn't be suppressed.

Yet things had come to this. What could she do but accept her fate? She tugged on the reins, preparing to drive the donkey cart away, when a high voice called out, "Young Master, wait!"

She turned to look and saw the black robed woman. She vaguely remembered the other seemed to be called "A-Fu."

She stopped her movements and stared at the other with confusion.

The black robed woman stepped forward with a friendly smile on her face. "Our Peak Master asked me to inquire. There is a shortage of a servant to carry water and chop firewood on Chaoquan Peak. Would you be willing to come?"

Fu Peibai paused for a moment. Fearing the other might change her mind, she answered urgently, "I'm willing! I'm willing!"

The black robed woman chuckled, her eyes curving into crescents. She beckoned. "Then follow me."

"But... the cart."

"I'll arrange for someone to handle it. Come with me." After saying this, the black robed woman walked toward the stone steps leading up the mountain.

Fu Peibai looked at those long, winding stone steps and felt some dread in her heart. She knew she didn't have the strength to climb them a second time. But before she could react, the black robed woman grabbed the back of her collar and bounded upward. The speed was so fast that she felt her feet were suspended in the air. The scenery before her eyes rapidly retreated. In mere moments, they had scaled a mountain peak. The mountain wind whistled, making her shiver.

The black robed woman led her walking for a while longer. A suspension bridge appeared before them, connecting to another slightly lower peak on the opposite side.

The wooden suspension bridge didn't look very stable. The bridge body swayed slightly with the mountain wind, creaking and groaning. The black robed woman had already stepped onto the bridge first. She looked back and saw Fu Peibai still standing in place. She urged, "Keep up."

Fu Peibai unconsciously swallowed. Looking down, she saw bottomless darkness beneath the bridge. Falling would mean certain death, with no remains left. She summoned her courage, stepped onto the bridge, and held onto the handrails. She moved forward step by difficult step.

Only after her feet were firmly on solid stone did she breathe a sigh of relief. She looked back at the swaying rope bridge and asked, "Is this the only path to this side?"

The black robed woman answered without turning her head. "Yes. The Heavenly Pole Sect has six major peaks in total. The one where you participated in the examination today is the main peak, called Cangqiong. The other five peaks are as follows. First, the peak governed by the Sect Master, located due east, named Qingliao. Second is Yongxiang Peak in the northwest. Third is Yunkun Peak facing southwest. Wuju Peak governs the northeast. And finally, our Chaoquan Peak in the southeast."

"The five peaks stand encircling Cangqiong Peak, each separate from the others, connected by suspension bridges. So you'll need to get used to walking this bridge."

A string of names came out. Fu Peibai didn't remember any of them and was thoroughly confused. But she did catch that the place she was currently at was called Chaoquan Peak, which was where she would be staying from now on.

The black robed woman led her through the forest. After walking along a blue stone path, the view suddenly opened up. A small but extremely elegant courtyard appeared.

The courtyard was very quiet. The black robed woman lightened her footsteps and whispered, "Keep your voice down. The Peak Master is a light sleeper and has already retired for the night. Don't disturb her."

Fu Peibai nodded and followed behind the black robed woman, hunching slightly. The two only passed through this quiet courtyard in the bamboo forest. Soon, they reached the back mountain. Numerous buildings were scattered about, lights brightly burning. People were still busy with their various tasks in groups of two or three.

"This is the back mountain of Chaoquan Peak. It mainly handles miscellaneous affairs for the peak," the black robed woman explained.

Fu Peibai nodded and followed the woman toward the buildings. As they drew closer, she could see what these people were busy doing. Some were washing clothes, some scrubbing bowls, some picking vegetables. There was even someone holding a small child who was babbling and learning to speak. Men and women, old and young, there were probably forty or fifty people in total. This scene suddenly pulled her back to her days in Huailiu Village. Thinking of the past, her gaze gradually dimmed.

The woman brought her to a door and knocked. "Is Brother Meng here?"

Heavy footsteps soon came from inside. Then, with a creak, the door was pulled open. A burly, rough looking man leaned against the doorframe and laughed hoarsely. "What brings Miss A-Fu to my place at this late hour?"

A-Fu pulled Fu Peibai forward from behind and began introducing her. "This is the new servant who entered the peak today. You take charge of him first. Let him get familiar with things, then arrange some tasks he can handle."

The big man raised an eyebrow and sized up the tall, thin youth before him. After looking for a while, he said with evident dissatisfaction, "With those scrawny arms and legs, he'd have trouble even carrying water. What can he do?"

"Oh, stop saying useless things. Anyway, I'm leaving the person with you. You're a grown man, don't go bullying a kid. Do you hear?" After saying this, A-Fu turned to Fu Peibai. "From now on, just follow him properly. He's the head steward of this back courtyard. Just call him Uncle Meng."

"Right, and regarding his injuries, find A-Ruo to take a look at him later. I'll be leaving now." After saying this, A-Fu departed, leaving Fu Peibai and the big man staring at each other.

The big man stroked the stubble on his chin and clicked his tongue. He strode toward another building. "Follow me."

Fu Peibai turned and followed. The two arrived at a room directly opposite. The big man knocked three times. A moment later, the room's owner opened the door. It was a young woman in the prime of her youth, with delicate, refined features, a typical native of the Jiangnan water region. Facing the big man's rough manner, she asked with a faint smile, "Brother Meng, is there something you need at this late hour?"

The big man pointed at Fu Peibai beside him and said, "New kid. Covered in injuries. Take a look at him."

The woman looked at Fu Peibai and stepped aside. "Come in."

Fu Peibai was just about to walk inside when the big man grabbed her roughly. He said fiercely, "Hey, kid. The young lady was just being polite, and you actually took her seriously? This is a young lady's private chamber. You stinky boy, don't you know any rules?"

Fu Peibai stood still, looking a bit confused. Right, she was now disguised as a man. She did need to pay attention to the separation between men and women.

So she stepped back twice and said apologetically, "Sorry."

The woman smiled gently. "It's nothing. As a physician, I don't concern myself with such formalities. Please come in."

"No, that won't do. You take this kid to my room," the big man insisted.

"Very well then." After saying this, the woman went back into her room and picked up a medicine box. She followed the big man to the room opposite.

As they walked, she turned her head to look at this unfamiliar young man and took the initiative to strike up a conversation. "I don't know your name yet. What are you called?"

Fu Peibai walked with her head down and replied dully, "Fu Peibai."

"I'm called Yun Ruoling. I should be a few years older than you. I'm the physician here. Usually, you can just call me A-Ruo like the others."

Fu Peibai nodded and didn't make a sound. In the time it took to exchange these few sentences, the three of them arrived at the big man's room. A faint smell of wine drifted through the room.

Yun Ruoling teased, "Brother Meng, sneaking drinks again? Aren't you afraid of being punished if the Peak Master finds out?"

The man chuckled and quickly closed the door. "Good sister, please don't tell anyone. Just pretend you didn't see anything."

Yun Ruoling smiled and said to Fu Peibai, "Don't learn from him in the future. Alcohol is forbidden on Chaoquan Peak. If discovered, you'll be punished."

"Sit down. Let me take a look at your arm first."

Fu Peibai sat down obediently. When she heard the other ask her to move her arm, she tried to lift it. There didn't seem to be any problem with that. But when she tried to exert force with her hand, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist. She couldn't summon any strength.

Yun Ruoling wanted to reach over and take her pulse, but Fu Peibab yanked her arm back abruptly. There was obvious wariness in her eyes. Yun Ruoling paused and said softly, "I just want to take your pulse. Don't be nervous."

Fu Peibai thought of what Old Man Wen had told her back then. He had instructed her that she absolutely couldn't let anyone take her pulse casually. Men's and women's pulses were different. One touch and it could be detected. He told her to remain vigilant. So she said, "No need."

The big man clicked his tongue. He thought Fu Peibai was just being shy. So he said, "What are you being bashful about right now? You were just trying to sneak into the young lady's private chamber. Now you're putting on airs like some innocent maiden. What for?"

Fu Peibai still shook her head, insisting firmly. "No need."

Yun Ruoling couldn't force her. She could only ask, "Then is there any discomfort inside your body?"

Fu Peibai shook her head again. Right now, apart from the various pains all over her body, she only felt mentally and physically exhausted.

"Has this arm had an old injury before?"

"Yes."

"I see that your wrist is weak and trembling slightly. There's a high probability that the tendons and meridians are damaged. If not treated in time, this arm may not be able to lift heavy objects in the future."

Fu Peibai's expression changed. This was her right arm. She still needed to hold a sword. She immediately asked nervously, "Can, can it be cured?"

Yun Ruoling looked at the youth's dark eyes and nodded lightly. "It can be cured. Using acupuncture treatment, once every three days for over a month, it should show improvement. But for the following half year, it's best to take good care of it. You absolutely cannot injure it again."

"Then for this half year, I can't use my right hand to practice the sword?"

"Best not to. If the intensity is too great and damages the tendons and meridians again, it will be irreversible."

Fu Peibai's shoulders slumped. She looked somewhat defeated.

"You kid, what sword are you practicing anyway? Once your arm gets better, you'll have plenty to keep you busy," the big man said roughly.

"Alright. As for the injuries on your face, they're all small scrapes. Just clean them carefully. Are there any other places on your body that are injured?"

There were. Fu Peibai had been kicked several times by Mo Qingyuan, plus the injuries from the wooden sword strikes. But the injuries were all in hidden places. She naturally couldn't say that. So she shook her head.

"Alright then. I'll go back now. I'll perform the acupuncture for you tomorrow. Brother Meng, find him a room to stay in tonight." After saying this, Yun Ruoling picked up her wooden box and left.

The big man stroked his stubble. "No empty rooms left. You'll sleep in my room with me. I'll sleep on the bed. You make a bed on the floor. Any objections?"

Fu Peibai naturally had no objections. When you're under someone else's roof, you have to lower your head. Being able to enter the Heavenly Pole Sect was already great fortune. If she couldn't learn martial arts as a proper disciple, then learning in secret would have to do.

The big man said with distaste, "Go. There's a well behind the house. Draw some water and wash yourself."

Fu Peibai knew she was covered in dust right now, her hair a mess and her face dirty. She smelled of sweat. It was quite unpleasant. So she obediently went to the well to draw water and wash.

The well water was very cold. It stung slightly when it touched the wounds on her face. After washing, she sat by the well and looked up at the waxing gibbous moon hanging high in the night sky. Tomorrow should be a fine, clear day. The sky was scattered with stars. This was a sight she rarely saw in the northwest. As her gaze moved downward, that small courtyard with its scattered lights appeared in her view through the hazy night.

She stood up and stretched her neck to peer in that direction. Because this area was slightly elevated, she could see clearly the courtyard situated in the center of the bamboo forest. It was the very one she had passed by earlier. The residence of the Peak Master of Chaoquan Peak.

The figure of that white robed woman flashed through her mind. Like a celestial being, making people gaze from afar yet hesitate to approach. Yet carrying that faint, captivating fragrance.

She unconsciously touched her chest, but felt only emptiness. Only then did she remember. She had already returned the jade pendant.

She withdrew her gaze and returned to the big man's room. The big man had already gone to sleep and was emitting faint snores. On the floor, a bed had already been made. Two thick layers of cotton quilts. She removed her outer robe and shoes and lay down on top. Beneath her was a soft, warm sensation, just like the cotton batting her mother had personally fluffed. She looked into the void and slowly closed her eyes.