My Senior Sister Says She Will Marry No One But Me - Chapter 10

No matter how bewildered He Zhenzhen was by the current situation, or how impatient and confused she felt about the convoluted schemes Miaoyin Sect had concocted today, none of it clouded her most fundamental understanding of the present circumstances:

Xue Shuyan was going to bring her true skills and genuine effort to bear in a direct confrontation.

This realization ignited a fierce, bloodthirsty excitement within He Zhenzhen. Were it not for her need to uphold the reputation of He Manor and avoid an outright break with Miaoyin Sect, a centuries-old prestigious school she would have gladly engaged Xue Shuyan in a life-or-death duel. She wanted to make this fiercely loyal future deputy sect leader see clearly just who was the true top talent among the younger generation of the Central Plains martial world.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, she politely cupped her hands toward Xue Shuyan, whose blade was already drawn. “Senior Sister Xue, please make the first move.”

In truth, given Xue Shuyan’s seniority, it was hardly unfair for every young martial artist in the Central Plains to address her as “Senior Sister.” Everyone knew that within Miaoyin Sect, there were four guardians Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter each excelling in martial arts and various specialized skills. The leader among them, Feng Chengchun, had the highest mastery of hidden weapons. She had even visited the Shaolin Scripture Depository to study texts and, in her youth, traveled across the nine provinces with the former sect leader of Miaoyin Sect. Coupled with her photographic memory, it could be said that there was no martial art in the Central Plains, if it had ever been recorded on paper, that Feng Chengchun did not know of.

Logically, such a person should have been regarded with caution by many sects, as “guarding secrets” seemed to be an unspoken rule among all factions Miaoyin Sect was no exception. In fact, some sects, built entirely on bloodlines and generational inheritance, went even further: aside from core relatives and the sect leader’s most trusted disciples, no one else was permitted access to the most crucial and refined teachings.

However, on one hand, Feng Chengchun had long ceased practicing martial arts, spending her days solely managing account books and raising Du Yunge. Thus, there was no need to worry about her using her extensive knowledge to harm other sects. On the other hand, the martial arts Feng Chengchun knew were, at most, the rudimentary techniques taught to outer disciples for self-defense and basic training. Even if she memorized them all, it was hardly a threat at best, she could be considered a “jack-of-all-trades”: knowledgeable in many areas but a master of none. After all, the outer disciples learning these basic skills were numerous, and it was impractical to assign instructors to explain each technique individually. Consequently, these techniques were never particularly profound or intricate, and if outsiders learned of them, it was of little consequence.

It wasn’t until Xue Shuyan, the martial arts fanatic, became Feng Chengchun’s disciple that those who had previously mocked her behind her back saying, “What’s the use of knowing so much if you’re not an expert in anything?” truly grasped how terrifying it was to have such a master.

Martial arts, whether profound and intricate or rudimentary and simple, can all be explained through the principles of the same school and lineage, as long as they share the same origin. The most advanced martial arts rely on the foundation laid by the most basic training. If one’s foundational skills are solid enough, mastering more complex techniques in the future can be achieved with half the effort. In other words, with talent and dedication, it is possible using Shaolin Temple as an example to deduce the palm techniques of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms from the simplest staff techniques even a floor-sweeping monk would use. After all, both share the same roots. By tracing the flow of inner energy and the subtleties embedded in the simplest staff techniques, one can progress from the shallow to the profound, refining the essence from the crude.

But now, it was too late for regret. Xue Shuyan had already reverse-engineered the martial arts of various sects in an astonishingly short time. Outsiders couldn’t complain, as these were genuinely the most basic techniques. If they had to blame anyone, it was Xue Shuyan’s extraordinary intelligence. Comparing their own disciples to her was like comparing mediocrity to brilliance some things just had to be discarded.

Thus, Xue Shuyan, who had mastered all eighteen martial arts and could discuss or imitate the techniques of any sect with ease, was hailed as the leading senior sister among the younger generation in the martial world. Anyone who encountered her would address her as “Senior Sister Xue,” a title she deserved without question. Fortunately, Xue Shuyan had sworn an oath to the four guardians of the Miaoyin Sect to remain loyal to its current leader, Du Yunge. And since Du Yunge was the type who would never leave Mount Wangyou unless absolutely necessary, the sects that had been anxiously watching their secret techniques being effortlessly deciphered could finally breathe a little easier.

However, the He Manor, a newly established faction with origins as a den for bandits and looters, was definitely not among the sects whose techniques she had learned. For He Zhenzhen to address her as “Senior Sister Xue” was somewhat excessive, artificially elevating Xue Shuyan’s status and implying an undeserved closeness between them. After all, in terms of formal hierarchy, He Zhenzhen was the founding master of He Manor, while Xue Shuyan was merely the designated deputy leader of the Miaoyin Sect, not yet officially appointed. There was no need for such courtesy from He Zhenzhen; treating Xue Shuyan as an equal would have sufficed.

Had Xue Shuyan already assumed the role of deputy leader of the Miaoyin Sect, she might have deserved the polite address of “Senior Sister Xue.” But since she hadn’t taken office, anyone with a discerning mind would find something amiss. Sure enough, murmurs had already begun to spread among the spectators below the arena:

“Since when did the relationship between Manor Master He and Miss Xue become so cordial? It doesn’t seem right.” The speaker was likely an impartial bystander, using respectful terms and raising a reasonable point:
“Isn’t Manor Master He being overly polite?”

Yet, at some point, a louder wave of whispers began to overshadow the casual remarks of the onlookers. Whether intentional or not, they drew others into speculating about the so-called “inside story.”

“If I were Senior Sister Xue, I would definitely hold some resentment toward the sect leader of Miaoyin Sect. After all, Xue Shuyan is widely known and firmly established as the deputy leader of Miaoyin Sect. Yet, that fool Du Yunge has delayed her for several years. Anyone else would think Du Yunge’s actions are utterly unreasonable.”

From this point on, the tone of the discussion began to take a strange turn. But unexpectedly, the next remarks were even more biased:

“Could it be that Xue Shuyan has been kept waiting for so long without being promoted to deputy leader that she’s considering switching to another sect? If that’s the case, the He Manor isn’t a bad choice. If Xue Shuyan really intends to join the He Manor, there’s nothing wrong with building a good relationship with the manor lord in advance.”

“Xue Shuyan is a true hero! If she were to come to the He Manor, the manor lord would surely treat her as an honored guest and reserve a place for her. How could she endure the kind of grievances she suffered in Miaoyin Sect?”

Feng Chengchun, with her sharp hearing, had long since caught every word of these ill-intentioned remarks. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry, thinking how heartbroken Du Yunge would be if the naive girl actually believed such nonsense. She quickly turned around to explain to Du Yunge:

“Sect Leader.”

“Guardian Feng, there’s no need to panic.” Du Yunge gently squeezed Feng Chengchun’s hand before letting go, her voice so soft that even Feng Chengchun, standing right beside her, had to focus on reading her lips to understand what she was saying:

“I trust Senior Sister Xue.”

Despite the comforting and resolute words, her expression remained calm and unruffled as she looked at the clamoring crowd below. This reassured Feng Chengchun greatly. It seemed their sect leader was finally showing signs of becoming wiser, a truly joyous occasion. She decided that she would go down the mountain another day to light a long-life lamp at the temple at the foot of Mount Wangyou, which was perpetually bustling with worshippers.

Sometimes, elevating someone too highly in certain situations was an obvious form of “killing with praise,” and Xue Shuyan was well aware of this. Her gaze flickered almost imperceptibly to the side, where she saw Du Yunge still seated gracefully on the high platform, resting her head on her hand and watching the upcoming martial arts contest intently, showing no signs of being swayed by the provocations.

The entire martial world of the Central Plains knew that Du Yunge was exceptionally beautiful. Today, she was dressed in an unparalleled, resplendent wedding gown, adorned with exquisite rouge, meticulously applied makeup, and a full set of jewelry, having personally come to witness the outcome of the martial arts contest to choose her spouse. This peerlessly beautiful woman, sitting silently and motionless, was a sight to behold, like a painting. And hadn’t she just spoken those words to Xue Shuyan herself?

With a single glance, Xue Shuyan saw Du Yunge’s composed expression and suddenly felt at ease. She looked at the dark-red dragon bone whip adorned with fine, sharp barbs hanging at He Zhenzhen’s waist, lowered her eyes slightly, and nodded gently:

“You are a guest from afar, Manor Lord He, please.”

He Zhenzhen also noticed Du Yunge’s expression. No one believed that the beauty often called “Silly Big Head” could hide her feelings meaning Du Yunge truly hadn’t been swayed by the earlier address to Xue Shuyan, nor disturbed by the rumors spread by the undercover agents she had planted in the crowd. This shattered He Zhenzhen’s last shred of hope, forcing her to force a smile and say:

“In that case, I won’t hold back!”

Before her words faded, He Zhenzhen struck first. The speed at which she drew the long whip from her waist was so fast that only a blur of motion was visible. In an instant, she unfurled the Dragon Bone Whip, a weapon that had claimed the lives of countless fools who dared to provoke He Manor. A powerful surge of energy shot through the whip, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound as it lunged straight at Xue Shuyan. From the very first move, it was a lethal strike the sharp, murderous intent so palpable that the spectators around the platform instinctively retreated several feet, fearing the aftershocks of the He Manor Lord’s Dragon Bone Whip.

As a flexible weapon, the Dragon Bone Whip held certain advantages against the Goose Feather Blade if wielded skillfully. Yet, in the face of this ferocious attack, Xue Shuyan didn’t even bother using her blade properly. Instead, she reversed her Goose Feather Blade and slammed its heavy back squarely against the whip, precisely at the moment when the whip’s momentum had peaked and couldn’t change course, sending it rebounding back.

He Zhenzhen hastily twisted away to evade the whip hurtling toward her. Using her graceful, though not as agile as Xue Shuyan’s, footwork to create distance, she glared with wide, furious eyes and lashed out with a second strike, exclaiming indignantly:

“Miss Xue, you’re looking down on me too much! You have a blade yet refuse to use it, what’s the meaning of this?!”

Xue Shuyan still didn’t employ her Goose Feather Blade, merely using the back of the blade once more to deflect the whip. Her actions threw He Zhenzhen into disarray, making every move feel awkward and ineffective. Even before they had properly exchanged blows, He Zhenzhen felt overwhelmingly suppressed by Xue Shuyan’s sheer presence. By the time the third strike was launched, even Feng Chengchun, watching from the sidelines, sensed something amiss. Though her expression remained unchanged, her hands gripped her skirt so tightly that the vibrant red wedding dress began to crease.

“Master, please stay calm. Shuyan will surely win today. Look, the He Manor Lord’s techniques have completely fallen apart.”

It wasn’t that He Zhenzhen was boasting. Since entering the martial world, many had addressed her respectfully as “He Manor Lord,” whether sincerely or not, and would often add a few words like “The Manor Lord is truly a young hero.” Yet, behind these compliments, someone would invariably remark, intentionally or not:

“What a pity, no matter what, she still falls just a little short compared to Xue Shuyan of the Mystic Sound Sect.”

To He Zhenzhen, these words were like a piercing demonic chant, an obsession that haunted her for years, a inner demon she couldn’t shake. By the fourth move, she had completely forgotten the whip techniques’ mnemonic hook, entangle, coil, and flick and could only focus on one thought:

Today, I will defeat Xue Shuyan right here! I’ll knock her off this platform and wipe that perpetually cold, mocking expression off her face!

However, Xue Shuyan never gave her the chance to turn this delusion into reality. After deliberately holding back for three moves, she seized the large opening in the fourth. The Yanling Blade, renowned throughout the martial world of the Central Plains, finally revealed its true sharpness. If He Zhenzhen’s movement in drawing her Dragon Bone Whip could barely be seen as a blur, then the moment Xue Shuyan unsheathed her blade, no one could discern what had just happened.

You can see the moon wax and wane, you can feel the brilliance of its light, but can you capture the moonlight itself?

You can hear the wind whispering in your ears, rustling and murmuring, you can feel the warmth of the spring breeze nurturing the rain, the crisp chill of the autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves, but can you capture the wind itself?

Xue Shuyan’s blade was precisely such a blade. It combined the lethal precision of the Hu people from beyond the frontier with the subtlety and lingering power imparted by Feng Chengchun’s teachings. It was like a piece of exquisite cloud gauze from Suzhou and Hangzhou, one foot of it could stretch to half a zhang in length. Beautiful it was, soft it was, but once her strike was complete, the iron beneath its delicate appearance, stained with blood, would be revealed, and none could withstand it!

A glint of cold light arrived first, followed by a bone-chilling killing intent. The sharp, metallic coldness forced He Zhenzhen to leap backward hastily. But this time, Xue Shuyan had no intention of holding back. She closed in swiftly, and in the span of a few breaths, the edge of her Yanling Blade clashed over a dozen times with the hilt of He Zhenzhen’s whip, sending numbing tremors through He Zhenzhen’s hands.

The hilt of He Zhenzhen’s Dragon Bone Whip was never meant to be used as a short weapon, no one had anticipated she would be forced into such close combat so quickly. Yet, in the heat of the moment, she had no choice but to wield the hilt as a short blade, parrying Xue Shuyan’s strikes. By the thirteenth clash, her hands had gone completely numb, and the dark-red Dragon Bone Whip was sent spinning through the air by the force of the Yanling Blade. The residual power of the strike forced He Zhenzhen to leap off the platform. Those standing nearby hurriedly scrambled out of the way, inwardly shocked:

Xue Shuyan was utterly disregarding He Zhenzhen’s dignity!

And to put it bluntly, this went beyond mere disrespect, it was as if she were trampling, He Zhenzhen, and by extension, the entire He Manor, into the ground!

As He Zhenzhen stood panting, still reeling from the shock of being forced off the platform, Xue Shuyan, standing at the edge, slowly spoke:

“Today is the auspicious day originally chosen by the sect leader for the grand wedding. On such a joyous occasion, no blood should be shed by the blade.”

She was earnestly answering the question He Zhenzhen had posed during the second move. It was infuriating, to say the least. No wonder He Zhenzhen had sworn eternal enmity with Xue Shuyan on her own accord. After all, this was someone who, with an expressionless face and a few choice words, could drive anyone to fury.

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