Chapter 7: Wuxia Conference.
After bidding the girls goodnight,Liu Yihan turned on her heel and walked away wanting to confide in her room and clear her thoughts after the eventful night. Her two friends couldn't help but watch her receding figure carefully,each having something to say.
"Don't you think Han Han has changed?" Yanliang Yao said still watching Liu Yihan disappear out of sight.
"Yeah of course. In the past she used to be distant and wouldn't engage in unnecessary talk. She wouldn't even let anyone stand too close to her,"Huyan Luo commented sneering at the memory of how Liu Yihan used to treat them in the past. Even if they were friends sometimes they felt offended by her snobbish behaviour.
. ******
Immediately Liu Yihan stepped inside her room she threw off the boots she had been wearing and took off the dress throwing herself on the not so comfortable mattress. The mattress was nothing like her soft spongy mattress in the real life but for the meantime she had to make do with it. She lay on her back, her arms pillowing her head while staring at the roof, switching into contemplative mode.
Reflecting on her words and actions earlier she couldn't help but curse herself for being careless. She almost exposed herself for knowing too much and it was suspicious how she knew everything about Changsun Yue even when they had never met before. She groaned one last time swearing to be more careful next time. It wasn't just Changsun Yue he knew everything about ,he was familiar with most of the characters in the novel.
. ******
Meanwhile at the inn,the boys settled back in their rooms. They didn't dive much into the events of the night as they were too tired. Baili Ming,Gong Ke and Changsun Yue were sharing a room with two beds. Changsun Yue had one of the beds to himself while the other two shared the other. Gong Ke tucked himself in, enjoying the bed to himself while his bedmate was still seated at the chair placed centrally in the room.
There was one lit up candle at the table where Baili Ming was seated writing. He loved writing poetry on whatever came to his mind. In the novel,he had written many love poems for Liu Yihan but he never showed them to anyone,not even her.
"What are you writing?"Changsun Yue asked peeking at the book but the owner was too quick to close it before he could catch a clear glimpse of what was being written," Why are you acting all sneaky?" Changsun Yue probed suspicious of the other's actions.
"I was writing a secret letter to Shifu," he lied and Changsun Yue knew it but decided not to press further.
"Are you still thinking about that girl from Xiuhua Sect?"Changsun Yue asked casually.
Baili Ming instantly looked up shooting a glance at him,"How did you know?"
"I saw how you were looking at her."
"I've always wanted to have female friends I think she can make a good friend."
"Are you sure you just want to be her friend?"
"For now yes."
. ******
Liu Yihan shot her eyes open and out of instincts she began looking around to find her phone. She groaned in frustration realizing she was still stuck in the ancient era where even fortune tellers may not have predicted a phone would exist. How the fuck would she know the time? Her room was still dark and she could hear the chirping of birds meaning it was already dawn. She was still surprised to have woken up so early without the help of her alarm.
Maybe she was taking the Liu Yihan role too seriously,she thought.
Maybe some of Liu Yihan's routines had been passed on her naturally now that she had replaced her. The real Liu Yihan usually woke up during the Mao hour which was practically between five to seven in the morning in modern time.Regarding how dark it still was,it must have been five. She dressed up ,picked her sword and went to the training grounds to practice her swordsmanship.
It was cold with the chilly morning winds blowing harshly against her skin but she chose to endure it. She had to make them believe she was still Liu Yihan.
She unsheathed the sword and slashed it across the air like she saw in martial arts dramas or how it was explained in the novel and to her surprise,she saw leaves of nearby trees falling down under the impact of her sword. She twirled around making a few more moves and was surprised by her agility. She tried flying up using her qinggong and was surprised to land effortlessly on the rooftops of nearby pavilions.
'Oh my God I possess qi I can fly !' she thought aloud mesmerized by what had just happened. From the sect's official martial arts techniques to secret techniques Liu Yihan found herself performing them all. It sounded like a dream. They came naturally like she had been possessed by a martial god. She was able to do things like the real Liu Yihan.
"Han Han you're practicing as always, "Yanliang Yao's voice broke her out of her trance and she flew down to the ground.
"With the Wuxia Conference taking place tomorrow I have to hone my skills ,"Liu Yihan spoke humbly. She had to be ready because according to the novel she was supposed to have a sparring with Baili Ming and it would somehow strengthen their bond though she doubted that would happen now that she was interested in someone else.
"Han Han you're too modest. You're the best in martial arts in our sect after Madam and I'm sure you'll be in the list of top ten martial artists soon."
"I'm flattered,"Liu Yihan smiled.
"What are you guys talking about?"Huyan Luo asked groggily. She had just woken up to practice swordsmanship to avoid embarrassing their sect.
*****
The main entrance gate to Xiuhua Sect was wide open welcoming men and women from various sects from all over the Dihuang Continent for the Wuxia Conference. It had been four years since the last Wuxia Conference was held. Xiuhua Sect was hosting it for the first time since this event was introduced in the martial arts world two decades Wuxia Conference was incorporated into the martial arts world to create a bond between martial artists and it was a way to officially welcome young martial artists to the jianghu.
Liu Yihan and her two friends stood strategically at the entrance, welcoming the guests in and guiding them to the venue. Surprisingly many young men and women had showed up for the Conference. When Xiuhua Sect was appointed to host the event, even Beitang Qing didn't expect many people would turn up. She was doubtful other sects might prejudice against them for being a women's sect given that during that era misogyny was common.
******
Surrounding the vast training ground ,there were short sets of wide ascending steps. Seats were arranged on the steps leaving pathways between them and each sect was allocated its own seating area. It was arranged in a way that the audience would watch the sword matches at the training ground at an angle of depression.
******
Back at the gate where the three girls were receiving the guests,the girls were especially waiting for the Jinyan Sect.
"Why are they not here yet?"Yanliang Yao whined impatiently.
"Here they are ,"Huyan Luo said and they all looked up glancing at the approaching group of boys wearing grey robes except one who was dressed in opulent black robes.
"Why is that Changsun Yue not wearing the sect's uniform?He must be a delinquent."
"I think he's trying to seek attention , "Huyan Luo added.
When Baili Ming arrived,his lips naturally curved into a gentle smile and bowed at the girls and the girls curtseyed in response.
"Welcome to Xiuhua Sect,"Liu Yihan said in a polite tone.
"It's an honour to be here,"Baili Ming replied in the same tone,his eyes focused on the beautiful Liu Yihan who had captured all of his attention. When Gong Ke fake coughed was when he tore his gaze from the young lady and announced his intention to walk in and then Liu Yihan ushered them in with a gesture.
"You... Changsun Yue it's better to wear your sect's uniform for easy identification lest something happens. That way we can associate you easily with your sect,"Huyan Luo commented forcing the boys to pause a bit from walking inside.
"Yeah. Why are you not wearing your sect's uniform?"Yanliang Yao chimed in.
They were able to gain confidence to provoke him because they were sure he wouldn't hurt them with so many people around.
"It's ugly,"Changsun Yue replied curtly and walked inside arrogantly.
"You!..."Yanliang Yao almost cursed at him.
The other sect members walked inside after Changsun Yue who had openly declared their sect's uniform was ugly in front of them. But they were familiar with Changsun Yue's mentality, whenever he disliked something or someone he would never hesitate to show it. Even their sect leader had a had time forcing him to follow sect rules and evidently he didn't succeed fully.