Chapter 17: Sword Saint Bian Ruxue

One swift motion—Bian Ruxue’s sword sliced through the air, deflecting Li Dongbai’s blade and pressing the tip of her own straight thrust just half an inch from his throat. The boy froze in shock, his body rigid with terror. Only when he snapped back to reality did he scramble backward several steps, eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at the petite girl before him.

The scene stunned everyone present. Unbelievable murmurs rippled through the crowd. Li Dongbai had cultivated for eight years—eight long years—and yet he had been bested by a girl whose cultivation was barely a single year. Was this truly the gap between natural talent and mere effort?

Bian Ruxue收回 her sword, her small face breaking into a radiant smile. Win.

Then, tilting her head up to face the boy, she spoke with earnest determination: “You have to apologize to Hao-ge.”

Apologize? To that worthless wretch? Li Dongbai snapped out of his daze, his face burning red with humiliation. He gritted his teeth. “I admit I lost to you. But I won’t apologize!”

“You—” Bian Ruxue furrowed her tiny brows, momentarily at a loss.

After a pause, she said, “If you don’t apologize, I’ll fight you again.”

“Childish!” Li Dongbai fumed, turning on his heel and fleeing the arena. The weight of everyone’s gazes burned on his back, but he didn’t look back. He dashed straight out of the Training Ground, his pride shattered.

The Military Elder didn’t stop him. A setback like this—some things, he knew, had to be learned through personal experience.

But the girl… she left him genuinely astonished. That single strike had been astonishingly precise—so close to perfection. That was a high-grade sword technique, notoriously difficult to master. Ninth-Rank Combat Body only accelerated cultivation speed, not the mastery of combat techniques. The fact that Bian Ruxue could already wield such a technique with such finesse spoke volumes about her innate Sword Dao talent—equal in rarity to her cultivation potential.

Just one defeat yesterday, and she unlocked this much? The Military Elder couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

On the training ground, the other collateral disciples watched Bian Ruxue’s retreating figure with mixed emotions. They had witnessed Li Dongbai’s proud downfall—and, more painfully, the gulf between themselves, the second-rank offspring, and the privileged children of the main house.

“Xue’er, you’re so fierce!” A trio of small figures rushed toward her as she stepped down from the platform. It was the siblings from the Fifth Courtyard, and Li Yuanzhao from the Sixth.

They were all the same age as Bian Ruxue—just a few months apart. The youngest, Li Zhi Ning, was only six, newly arrived at the Training Ground. Her elder sister, Li Wushuang, had already left the manor to pursue cultivation under a renowned master.

It’s because Hao-ge is fierce… Bian Ruxue thought to herself.

The three children surrounded her, chattering excitedly about the battle. Li Yun, Li Wushuang’s younger brother, was the loudest.

“Xue’er, want some Milk-Sweet Cake?” Li Yun suddenly pulled out a beautifully carved wooden lunchbox, carefully opened it. A rich, creamy aroma wafted out—inside lay soft, snow-white pastries like jade.

“For you.”

Bian Ruxue sniffed the air, her eyes lighting up. “All of it?” she asked, delighted.

“Take it all if you like,” Li Yun grinned.

“Thank you!” She didn’t forget her manners, carefully tucking the box away.

It was already time to end the day’s cultivation. With a little wave of her hand, she grabbed the lunchbox in one hand and cradled her sword in the other, then left.

Li Yun watched her go, chuckling to himself.

Beside him, Li Zhi Ning tilted her head up, puzzled. “Brother… wasn’t this the cake Mother prepared for you? I haven’t even tasted it yet.”

“If you want some, just ask Mother to make another. Xue’er hasn’t had any,” Li Yun said, still grinning.

Li Zhi Ning huffed, pouting, and turned away.

“Here,宁宁, I’ll give you some,” Li Yuanzhao, a short, chubby boy, hurried over with a cheerful smile.

“I don’t want it!” she snapped, swatting his hand away.

…

In the pavilion, Li Hao was still in the middle of a Go game when he heard Bian Ruxue return.

He glanced over casually, catching the unmistakable glow of joy on her face. Without a word, he resumed placing a stone on the board.

“What’s so happy about?” he asked, voice calm. “Tell me—I’ll be happy too.”

“I won!” Bian Ruxue dashed into the pavilion, eyes sparkling, bouncing on her toes like a proud little puppy, waiting for praise.

Li Hao smiled, dropping another stone. “Not bad, Snow. You’re fierce.”

Her smile bloomed wider. “Hao-ge, you go ahead. Later, I’ll give you something delicious.”

“Oh?” Li Hao noticed the wooden box in her hand and didn’t press further. He continued his match with Li Fu, who, despite being an amateur with no professional rank, was still a decent opponent. The game ended quickly.

Li Hao’s experience gain was only one or two points per match—frustrating, really. He couldn’t help but grumble inwardly about how the assassin had struck too early, robbing him of better opportunities.

“What’s in the box?” Li Hao turned, casually.

Bian Ruxue set her sword aside, then placed the lunchbox on the table and lifted the lid. A wave of sweet, milky fragrance filled the air.

“Someone gave me this Milk-Sweet Cake. It looks amazing—Hao-ge, try it.”

“Who gave it to you?” Li Hao didn’t reach for it immediately. Suspicion flickered in his eyes.

Bian Ruxue paused, then shook her head. “I forgot his name… but Hao-ge, you should know him. He’s the one we kept bumping into when we went to greet the elder lady.”

“The kids?” Li Hao blinked in surprise.

Li Fu shot him a look. You’re one to talk—you’re still a kid yourself.

But he’d long grown used to Li Hao’s habit of speaking like a seasoned elder.

“Yeah,” Bian Ruxue nodded.

Li Hao relaxed slightly. “You’re such a careless girl. You’ve been training with them for a whole year—how could you forget their names?”

Bian Ruxue pouted. “They never told me.”

“Of course they did. Even if they didn’t, their attendants would’ve mentioned them. You just weren’t paying attention.”

“That’s not fair,” she mumbled, cheeks puffed.

“Be more sociable,” Li Hao said. “Otherwise, you’ll get picked on.”

“Not gonna happen!” she snapped, lifting her chin proudly. “The master said I have great talent. I’ll become fierce one day—and then I’ll protect Hao-ge. No one will ever hurt you again.”

“You protect yourself first,” Li Hao said, smirking. “I’ve never been bullied.”

He settled into his courtyard life—playing Go, strolling, relaxing. Honestly, he was already living like a retired elder.

“You’re impossible,” Li Fu scolded, unable to stand it. “She gave you this out of kindness—how can you treat her like this?”

Li Hao just sighed, giving him a look. This old man wasn’t even forty, yet he acted like a relic.

He didn’t argue further. “Fubo, taste it first. Check for poison. I know those kids aren’t bad, but I don’t trust strangers.”

Li Fu nodded, then glanced at Li Hao—this boy was a contradiction. Sometimes so careful, sometimes so thoughtless.

He took a bite. Closed his eyes.

After a moment, Li Hao grew impatient. “Well? It’s safe, right? Say something!”

“Tastes good,” Li Fu said, eyes still closed.

Li Hao rolled his eyes. “Eat up—don’t let it get cold.”

He took a bite himself. The flavor was exquisite—faintly reminiscent of Wu Niang’s cooking. “Was it Li Yun? Or his little sister, Li Zhi Ning?”

“Li Yun,” Bian Ruxue answered instantly.

“Next time, have him bring more. This little box won’t feed a dog.”

Li Hao devoured the rest in no time, leaving half for Bian Ruxue.

“Okay,” she said, nodding and committing it to memory.

Li Fu watched from the side, shaking his head. This child—so young, yet so shameless. So utterly unlike the solemn, disciplined atmosphere of the Li family.

…

A few days later, the Divine General’s Residence was suddenly graced by a rare guest.

The household stirred with excitement. All the lady courtyards sent their attendants to pay respects. Word spread: the visitor was none other than the famed Sword Saint from the Sword Pavilion.

If any of them could establish a connection, perhaps even get their child accepted as a disciple, their future would be assured.

Especially the concubines—whose children had no access to the same resources as the main branch. They had to fight for every advantage.

He Jianlan received the guest in the Changchun Courtyard. As she watched the fluttering silhouettes of women slipping in and out of the garden, she understood their intentions. She didn’t blame them—but her expression shifted when she heard the Sword Saint’s words.

After their conversation, she gave a small nod, then stood to escort him out.

Not long after, the Mountain and River Courtyard erupted in rare commotion. A procession of figures approached.

Li Hao, still in the middle of a game in the pavilion, heard the noise. He looked up, surprised.

At the front stood the elder lady, accompanied by a tall, silver-haired old man.

The man had sharp eyebrows and a high, rugged cheekbone—lean and hard, radiating an aura of unyielding strength.

Beside him stood another elder—none other than the Military Elder from the Training Ground, someone Li Hao had met several times before.

“What’s going on?” Li Hao frowned.

But Li Fu, seated across from him, froze. His eyes widened. In an instant, he shot to his feet, trembling slightly.

Shock gave way to dawning realization—and then, a surge of fervent hope.

Li Hao had never seen Fubo so shaken. He instantly understood: this stranger was someone of immense importance.

Yet, in the Li family, such figures were few and far between.

He sighed, setting aside the half-finished game, and turned to face the arrival.

“Li Fu,” He Jianlan called softly, beckoning him. Then, turning to Li Hao: “Hao-er, come here.”

Li Hao rose and walked over.

“Where’s Xuejian?” she asked.

Li Hao pointed toward the far end of the courtyard. “Practicing sword forms over there.”

“Xuejian,” she instructed the nearby maid, “go fetch her.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end