Chapter 33: The 18 Year Curse Is Broken

In the guest hall, Master Quan asked for Silang when she only saw Xiu'er and Chun Yi arriving. Xiu'er explained that her brother was currently with Kun Shang and they will arrive when Kun Shang's fully conscious.

Chun Yi felt the most out of place here because she was the only person from a different world standing in one of the righteous Sect. Not only was her dark clothing differ from every disciple's pure white robes, but all eyes were aimed at her in hostile looks. Western Wind Ethereal Sect practiced righteousness, meditation and cold internal cultivation which was highly revered as the most peaceful alliance of all the Sects and factions. Except Chun Yi's.

One of the girls commented on her strange outfit and her face from underneath the veil; how sinister and ugly her real face would look. Chun Yi had been the strange girl at her Sect and was used to such remarks, so it didn't bother her as much. Bullying and insults were just another daily routine to her.

Chun Yi didn't respond back to the comments until the girl had the audacity to step up and attack her from behind. Chun Yi turned around just in time and totally destroyed her for being out of her place. She may look like that, but Chun Yi was a strong swordswoman herself. Master Quan called the fight off and insisted that her student rush off to self reflect as punishment. The girl quickly got on her feet from the embarrassment on the ground, glaring at Chun Yi with a flushed face.

Just before the student left, the Grandmaster entered the room followed by four other Masters and a trail of students. She wore a large white robe with faint gold embroideries and pointy shoulder pads. A large wing-like hair accessory sat on her head. Her lips were deep red color, she had fierce eyebrows and an incredibly beautiful face. Quite a beauty for someone well over 120 years old.

Xiu'er stood next to Xiaogua towards the back of the guest hall. As the new people arrived to fill the room, she and Xiaogua felt it necessary they deserve to be towards the back. She did, however, want someone to close the frigging door behind them to keep the warm air from escaping but it seemed like everyone else was fine with the cold air coming from outside. When everyone made it in, the ice door was still wide open.

The Grandmaster reached the front of the room where a platform allowed her to be slightly taller than everyone else. She turned her body around and started scanning the room with her squinted eyes and blood red lips. For someone from a righteous Sect, she looked intimidating and almost scary.

The Grandmaster took one look at the disciple who was beaten by Chun Yi. The girl was still in the middle of the hall, her head now lower than her shoulder. She swallowed and knelt before the Grandmaster. She kept her head so low no one could see her embarrassment.

"You have humiliated yourself and your Master," the Grandmaster scolded. "Never step out of your place if you know you cannot beat your opponent. Not only that, it was a disciple from Hidden Butterfly Valley who has beaten you in your own grounds! Go get 100 beatings and reread all the beginner's books."

The student banged her head on the ground three times to quickly pay her respects before dashing out the door in a rush. The Grandmaster straightened her position and scanned the room until she landed her eyes on Chun Yi.

"For 18 years, I've heard of your extraordinary body: a deadly poison that could kill instantly administered simply by human touch. Countless physicians and medical practitioners world wide tried to find a cure but prevailed miserably. I am honored to meet you for the first time." The Grandmaster lowered her head and turned to Xiu'er. "And today, we have another extraordinary young girl who could cure the poison of the Holy Cursed Lady." Xiu'er didn't know if the Grandmaster was really impressed by her, or there was an underlying factor. "Tell me, who are you and how did you find the cure?"

Xiu'er didn't speak a word, letting the room soak in the cold silence. She had a strange feeling that all the disciples were just as scared of the Grandmaster as she was. She thought in her head about how to reply. Who should she say she was this time? How will she make her lie believable to a Grandmaster? Not a Master, but a Grandmaster.

Xiu'er may have thought for too long because a Master yelled, "Speak!".

It echoed throughout the ice building.

She came up to the front of the room, clasped her hands in front of her and took a slow deep bow.

"My name is Xiu'er Hahaha. My Master is Ironhand of Flying Knives--"

"Ridiculous!" All the Masters said at the same time. "Has anyone ever taught you manners? You think you could lie to us, Xiao Guniang?"

The Grandmaster calmly warned her to tell the truth or else she would be interrogated according to their rules. There are many people here, at least one of them would be able to tell she was lying.

Xiu'er swallowed. She turned to Xiaogua to see if he had any distrust about her on his face, but he didn't have a doubt in his mind. Ever since learning that she had some medical skills, he was unusually quiet. She was afraid of losing his trust but he gave her a smile and assurance. She was glad he trusted her.

"My name is Xiu'er and I'm from the Kingdom of Yanwei." Xiu'er let the words slide out. "My family had been growing medicine for generations and providing them to pharmacies. I learned simple diagnosis from the physicians we work with. Right now, me and my brother are looking for my uncle--"

"How did you find the cure?" It almost sounded like the Grandmaster was yelling. She looked impatient, not allowing Xiu'er to stall time.

Xiu'er looked around the room. All eyes were intensely on her, their full and undivided attention. She wasn't actually nervous seeing this many eyes. In fact, she was simply making sure she was everyone's center of attention. Xiu'er took the deepest breath she had ever taken as she was about to do a long explanation. A long inhale, hold for five seconds, then a long exhale. Since the Grandmaster wanted the truth and only the truth, Xiu'er had no choice but to tell the whole truth.

"Actually, I did not find the cure to the Holy Cursed Lady's poison." As soon as these words came out, she could hear the mouths of many others about to open and denounce her claims. "But what I did find was a permanent treatment."