Chapter Forty-Four: Crossing the Ripple

System message: "Honorable player Might Conquers All, congratulations on completing the Flying Rock Manor story quest. You have been awarded the martial arts manuals 'Flying Rock Sword Technique' and 'Ripple Crossing,' experience points +1100, and Evil Value +5. This quest is currently incomplete and requires further completion."

The long-missed notification sounded, and though the quest could barely be considered complete, as Zhang He gazed at the misty, distant green mountains, was he truly happy? Was there real joy in his heart?

After listening to Qiao Gu’s account, Zhang He had more or less pieced together the sequence of events, and many previously inexplicable matters now made sense. The powerful master from Mount Shu whom Feng Youcai claimed Feng Fei had offended was in fact Fairy Lingyin. As for why Fairy Lingyin sent someone each year to challenge Feng Fei, it was not out of a desire for revenge, but rather to seek news of the one she once loved.

Why, before the great battle, did Feng Fei ignore the impending conflict and instead ask Hua Feihong about her master? There was no hidden agenda; it was nothing more than the hope that the woman in his heart might still be safe and alive in this world.

Madam Feng must have been aware of this hidden affection. Seeing the arrival from a thousand miles away, realizing her end was near, she resigned herself to death, hoping for a final release—for Feng Fei, as well as to quell her own resentment.

Most remarkable of all was Qiao Gu. She had been sent to the Flying Rock Gorge to protect the Feng family, but over time, she and Feng Youcai had fallen in love. Owing to Madam Feng’s noble birth, she was naturally opposed to their relationship, leading to the incident where Qiao Gu was driven out of the manor. Yet, at the last moment, Feng Fei urged Feng Youcai to treat Qiao Gu well—had he finally achieved enlightenment, unwilling to let another tragedy repeat itself?

How many valiant women and heroes have suffered throughout history because of the idea of a “suitable match”? How many hearts have been broken by this ancient conundrum?

Who can unravel this age-old riddle?

Lost in thought, Zhang He heard the gentle, lingering notes of a flute rising from the depths of the green mountains. It was Hua Feihong, gazing into the distance and playing. A disciple of Fairy Lingyin, famed for her exquisite musical talent, Hua Feihong was as lost as Zhang He and the others. Unable to articulate her sorrow, she played her flute to express the melancholy and regret of their journey to Flying Rock Manor.

The flute’s melody was beautiful and winding, yet from afar it carried a heartbreaking sadness:

“Who claims that swords and blades are the most merciless in this world? It is often said that the innocent remain blameless, yet fate entangles lovers and then tears them apart. Love is a cord that cannot be cut, a web that cannot be unraveled. Affection is a mystery that cannot be seen through. Right and wrong—how can they be distinguished across thousands of years? We drift through life, each resigned to our destiny. You possess a heart that seeks nothing, desires nothing, but I, in this life, cannot forget…”

The Flying Rock Manor quest had left Zhang He in a foul mood all night. He couldn’t sleep, and even the chubby guy downstairs seemed dispirited, with no rendition of "When Will You Return?" echoing through the building as usual. Fortunately, once the night had passed, it would be the weekend—at least he could sleep in for a change.

But even that hope was dashed. Before nine o’clock on Saturday morning, their landlord, Boss Ma Junmei, stormed in, starting with the chubby guy’s room 201, banging fiercely on the door.

“What kind of behavior is this? Knocking like that in the middle of the night?” the chubby guy mumbled, clearly still not fully awake.

“Get up, get up, you lazy worms!” Ma Junmei fumed. “Look at the date! It’s the 12th. Do you think the water, electricity, and gas bills pay themselves? You idiots are still in bed.”

The chubby guy appeared at the door, bleary-eyed and clad only in his underwear. Ma Junmei’s irritation flared at the sight: “What’s wrong with you people? In just over ten days, you’ve racked up nearly 250 yuan in electricity. Are you spending every night gaming? That’s outrageous, isn’t it, boys?”

When Ma Junmei barged into room 301, Zhang He was sprawled on the bed, half-dead and completely unwilling to get up.

“Hey, man, it’s time to get up and pee!” Ma Junmei declared, utterly unembarrassed.

Truth be told, Zhang He hadn’t made any real money in “Dynasty” lately, so he had nothing to pay for the utilities with. The chubby guy had been generous enough to put up 200 yuan as an advance, but from the look of things, his finances were not as robust as his in-game persona.

Ma Junmei continued to pester them, but Zhang He suddenly said something that made her stop cold: “I still haven’t figured out Hua Feihong’s quest.”

“Hua Feihong?” Ma Junmei was taken aback. “Which Hua Feihong, the one from Radiant Palace?”

Zhang He nodded, head drooping, showing no sign of getting up.

Ma Junmei practically leapt onto his bed. “Wow, Xiao Zhang, you’re something else!”

Zhang He was puzzled. “What did I do?”

Her eyes darted mischievously, and a smile appeared on her pretty face that was normally only seen on the chubby guy—a smile only men understood. “You managed to win over Hua Feihong? Tsk tsk, that’s no small feat. Did you know? Hua Feihong from our Radiant Palace is one of the three great beauties of Mount Shu. She has suitors lined up in droves. Last week, even the head of Wudang’s Sword Dance Hall came with flowers, gifts, equipment, all sorts of presents…”

“Enough!” Zhang He, now familiar with Ma Junmei’s chatterbox tendencies, knew there would be no peace if she got going.

The chubby guy was also curious, muttering, “These days, good looks don’t put food on the table. I bet that Hua Feihong’s only at her second advancement, so why is she so popular in your Mount Shu?”

“It’s more than popularity,” Ma Junmei shot him a glare. “You probably don’t know, but our Mount Shu’s recruitment is different from other sects.”

“Oh?” Zhang He and the chubby guy were intrigued. “How so?”

Ma Junmei explained, “Mount Shu’s ranks go from Disciple, Sword Attendant, Incense Master, Protector, Elder, Hero, Seven Sages, to Sect Leader.”

Both Zhang He and the chubby guy were aware of this system. Mount Shu’s hierarchy wasn’t all that strict, but each advancement was tough—Mount Shu placed great emphasis on inner strength. In some respects, their internal arts were no less profound than those of the orthodox Wudang Sect. In other words, to become leader of the Mount Shu Sword Sect, one needed at least eight advancements, and their requirements were far more demanding than those of Qingcheng or Tang Clan.

Ma Junmei continued, “But the Seven Sages can take personal disciples. You know their specialty, right? The Seven Sages only accept apprentices of extraordinary talent, and fate plays a part too.”

Zhang He immediately understood. As a disciple of Fairy Lingyin from Radiant Palace, Hua Feihong would never have made it in without musical talent.

“So, for a player like Hua Feihong, does she train directly in the Seven Sages Palace? Her first advancement must be much more solid than that of ordinary Mount Shu disciples, right?” Zhang He asked.

“Exactly,” Ma Junmei confirmed. “Hua Feihong is now Fairy Lingyin’s number one disciple in Radiant Palace. The fairy dotes on her. She’s already made her second advancement, and she’s actually stronger than most Incense Masters.”

“I see.” Zhang He was enlightened but also secretly alarmed. In the Flying Rock Manor duel, he had only managed to gain the upper hand thanks to his combat experience. Had Hua Feihong retaliated, he would have stood no chance—his fate would have been sealed.

Still, weakness was not a major concern—there was always room to improve. The problem was that his recent enthusiasm for questing had made him forget about money, and now the utility bills were due. In a little over ten days, rent would be as well. There was no way his meager company salary would get him through all this.

“Looks like making money is still the most important thing,” Zhang He sighed deeply.

“What did you say?” Ma Junmei eyed him suspiciously.

Zhang He quickly changed the subject. “I mean, I already made plans with Hua Feihong last night to head to Mount Shu Sword Sect early today, so we…”

Ma Junmei, ever the gracious host, immediately piped up, “When are you going? Come on, let’s get online together and go have some fun!”

Zhang He gave the chubby guy a look, and he caught on at once. “Uh… Boss—no, Ma, why don’t you join us for breakfast? I’ll cook. We haven’t withdrawn cash for utilities yet, so could you cover it for now?”

Ma Junmei’s mind was already on the game; she gave not a thought to mundane matters like utilities. “Sure, just make something simple. Once we eat, we’ll log on and meet up at Mount Shu.”

The chubby guy happily scampered downstairs. After a ruckus of pots and pans, and with Xiao Lingling just waking up, the five of them ended up eating six bowls of noodles—two of which Ma Junmei finished single-handedly.

Watching her devour the noodles, Zhang He, holding his small bowl, was left speechless. “You really live up to your name—you eat like a horse.”

There was no update last night due to unexpected events. I’m making up for it today. Please give your continued support!