It was too late to send Lian Feiyu away now. Gu Pinglin rose smoothly and cupped his hands in greeting. "Brother Li."
Li Moqing wore a black-and-white robe today—elegant yet dignified. Though his pallor hinted at illness, his bearing exuded serenity. He returned the salute before coughing into his sleeve for a long moment. When the fit subsided, he smiled. "I was hoping to speak with you both. Please."
Duan Qingming moved to Gu Pinglin's left without prompting. Li Moqing took the seat opposite, while Lian Feiyu retreated behind Duan Qingming, standing respectfully but unable to resist stealing curious, hopeful glances at Li Moqing.
Gu Pinglin lifted the gourd to pour wine for Li Moqing. "A newly acquired vintage. Consider it my humble offering—please indulge us."
Duan Qingming arched a brow.
Li Moqing studied the Loommist Wine in his cup and chuckled. "I caught its fragrance at the door and suspected a treat awaited. Your thoughtfulness honors me."
Gu Pinglin raised his cup. "To your health."
Li Moqing hastily lifted his own. "And yours." He drained it in one go, then exhaled in admiration. "Truly exceptional!"
"From your earlier words," Gu Pinglin set his cup down, "did you seek us out for a purpose?"
Li Moqing nodded. "I wished to speak with Brother Duan."
Duan Qingming feigned surprise. "Oh? Me?"
Li Moqing sighed. "You're aware of my condition. For the Heavenly Sword to choose me is... an injustice to its legacy."
"Nonsense," Gu Pinglin said. "The sword selects its master for a reason. You undervalue yourself."
"The Dao isn't built on confidence alone. As fellow swordsmen, let's dispense with platitudes." Li Moqing smiled wryly and laid the black sword on the table. "Such a blade, yet bound to wither with me—how could I bear it? It rightfully belongs to you, Brother Duan."
Duan Qingming waved a hand. "It favored Junior Brother Gu first. Shouldn't you defer to him?"
Li Moqing laughed. "I believe Brother Gu would agree—only in your hands could this sword shine as it deserves."
Duan Qingming leaned back. "Apologies. I've a sword already. Superior to this one."
The moment the words left his mouth, the Heavenly Sword slid from its scabbard of its own accord! A flash of cold light, and a crushing sword intent surged toward Duan Qingming—
Gu Pinglin reacted instantly, his own sword intent flaring to shield those nearby.
Li Moqing, startled, hastily sheathed the blade. The pressure vanished.
Gu Pinglin exhaled silently and shot Duan Qingming a frosty glare.
To provoke a sword's wrath—this man truly courts death. Had he not intervened, Duan Qingming's mind might've been shredded by that intent.
"Tsk. Such temper." Duan Qingming, of course, was amused. "You see? Even if I consented, it wouldn't submit."
Li Moqing, shaken, wiped his brow. "This…"
Gu Pinglin interjected, "The sword's will is clear. To insist further would insult it."
"But I…" Li Moqing hesitated. "These flawed meridians bar me from mastering the Silver Orchid Sword Art. I cannot doom such a blade to mediocrity."
As if sensing his sorrow, the sword emitted a soft hum, nudging his hand—a gesture of comfort.
Gu Pinglin watched, intrigued. Sentient indeed. "Your concern lies solely with your meridian defects?"
Li Moqing shook his head. "This ailment has plagued my family for generations. Only my ties to the Sage of Medicine allowed me to mend a few channels—but this is my limit."
"Set your worries aside." Gu Pinglin produced a ceramic vial and slid it across the table. "This may aid you."
Li Moqing blinked. "This is…?"
"Spirit Stone Nectar," Duan Qingming supplied. "You've been holding out on us."
"Spirit Stone Nectar?!" Li Moqing's voice cracked. A coughing fit seized him before he could steady himself. He pushed the vial back with trembling hands. "This is too precious! The Li Family's entire fortune couldn't purchase such a treasure."
Gu Pinglin said, "Would you trade that fortune for it?"
To cure his meridians? Without question. The Li Family could rebuild wealth—but without the Silver Orchid Sword Art, they were nothing. Yet Li Moqing hesitated. "This would vastly benefit your cultivation. Why part with it?"
Not easily swayed by profit. Gu Pinglin approved. "Truthfully, I act on behalf of an elder named Zhang Yan."
"Elder Zhang?!" Li Moqing shot to his feet. "He lives? Where is he?"
Gu Pinglin shook his head. "A fleeting encounter. I know not his whereabouts."
Li Moqing sank back down, silent for a long moment. "How did you recognize him? What did he look like?"
Zhang Yan—sworn brother to the previous Li Family head—had vanished decades ago in a secret realm. Gu Pinglin was borrowing his name to gift this favor. "Pale complexion, square jaw, a black mole at his brow."
Li Moqing exhaled softly, tension leaving his shoulders. He took the vial. "Yet why entrust this to a stranger instead of delivering it himself?"
Wouldn't most covet such a treasure? How could Zhang Yan trust a passerby to honor his request?
Gu Pinglin saw his lingering doubt and shrugged. "The elder's motives elude me."
Zhang Yan's actions defied logic—but so did a stranger gifting priceless medicine. Li Moqing finally relented. The hope of healing, of restoring his family's glory, lit his eyes with rare brilliance, lending color to his wan cheeks. He stood and bowed deeply. "This debt, the Li Family will not forget."
Lian Feiyu suddenly spoke up. "You're the Li Family head? Of the Silver Orchid Li?"
Li Moqing turned. "Indeed. And you are…?"
Before he could finish, Lian Feiyu dropped to his knees. "Take me as your servant! I'll toil like an ox, obey your every command!"
Li Moqing was taken aback. "Why?"
"I wish to learn the Silver Orchid Sword Art."
Li Moqing glanced at Gu Pinglin and Duan Qingming. Gu Pinglin remained silent, while Duan Qingming explained, "We met him recently. A fervent seeker, swindled by charlatans. Junior Brother rescued him on a whim."
Li Moqing studied Lian Feiyu. "Why seek this art?"
Lian Feiyu clenched his fists. "Vengeance. The Silver Orchid Sword Art is peerless. With it, I'll slaughter my enemies."
Li Moqing frowned. "This art wasn't forged for bloodshed. Your rancor ill suits it. Seek elsewhere."
"No!" Lian Feiyu jerked his head up, eyes blazing. "They hunted my kin for generations! Not a day of peace—everyone's dead but me! Why shouldn't I repay their cruelty?"
His tattered clothes and wounds spoke of hardship. Li Moqing sighed after a long pause. "Your name?"
Hope flared. "Disciple Lian Feiyu!"
Li Moqing nodded. "Very well. Come with me for now."
As benevolent as ever. In their past life, this apprentice had nearly destroyed him, yet Li Moqing never sought retribution. Gu Pinglin observed coldly until now. "Lan Feiyu. If you seek apprenticeship, why forsake your true name?"
The boy paled.
The young cultivator's smirk was razor-edged, his piercing gaze stripping Lan Feiyu bare. The pressure alone made the boy tremble.
"I…" Sweat beaded his forehead as he floundered for excuses.
Still a cub. Easily cowed. Gu Pinglin leisurely refilled his cup.
This youth wasn't "Lian Feiyu" at all but Lan Feiyu—a fugitive from righteous and demonic factions alike. Years ago, the eight major sects besieged the Heaven-Deceiving Mirage. Its master, Lan Gu, fled with the Forbidden Heart Manual but was crippled by the Li Family's sword array. Lan Feiyu was his descendant, inheriting that cursed text.
In their past life, chance led Li Moqing to shelter him. As his sole disciple, Li Moqing poured all his knowledge into Lan Feiyu, who excelled beyond expectation, restoring the Silver Orchid Sword Art's glory. The world envied Li Moqing's prodigy—unaware this wolf cub bided his time for vengeance.
On Li Moqing's wedding night, Lan Feiyu slaughtered the bride, abducted his master, and defected to the Ten Thousand Laws Sect, becoming its infamous Grand Protector.
Li Moqing later escaped alone, retreating into seclusion, his spirit broken.
As for Gu Pinglin—ostracized by orthodox sects yet unwilling to join the demonic path—Lan Feiyu had sought him out. Their deal: Gu Pinglin would heal Li Moqing's meridians with the Creation Art in exchange for aid against Duan Qingming. At least the boy retained some humanity.
Yet Li Moqing refused treatment, unable to forgive his disciple's betrayal.
Gu Pinglin died before fulfilling their pact. Now, he repaid that debt—not with the Creation Art (too risky to reveal) but with Spirit Stone Nectar.
The irony? This debt originated from Lan Feiyu's past-life actions. Had the boy shown even a shred of remorse, Li Moqing might've found solace.
Exposed, the kneeling youth trembled, drenched in cold sweat.
Li Moqing stared. "Your surname is Lan?"
"...Yes."
A lengthy silence. Then—
"Very well." Li Moqing smiled. "Lan Feiyu, if you vow to remain in Divine Craftsmen Valley with me for twenty years, I'll accept you as my disciple."
Too young to mask his relief, Lan Feiyu kowtowed fervently. "This disciple swears it!"
Li Moqing gestured for him to rise and turned to Gu Pinglin and Duan Qingming. "Brothers, we part here today. May our paths cross again beyond the valley."
Gu Pinglin disagreed with his choice but didn't dissuade him. History repeated itself—but with healed meridians and awareness of Lan Feiyu's identity, Li Moqing could guard against betrayal.
Duan Qingming cupped his hands. "Congratulations on gaining such a promising disciple."
Li Moqing returned the courtesy and led Lan Feiyu away.
The moment they left, Duan Qingming sighed. "How generous of you—with my wine."
Gu Pinglin shrugged. "Are we not 'brothers in harmony'? Must you begrudge a cup?"
"Perish the thought." Duan Qingming's gaze sharpened. "Though I marvel at the breadth of your knowledge."
"And I at your survival instincts."
Duan Qingming grinned. "With you guarding me, how could I perish?"
Gu Pinglin scoffed. "I protect you? Who's the senior brother here?"
"You are."
The shameless reply left Gu Pinglin speechless. This man bore no resemblance to the Duan Qingming of his memories. "The mighty Duan Qingming, reduced to such brazenness."
Duan Qingming chuckled. "Must you always be so prickly?"
Gu Pinglin let it pass. They left the tavern and returned to the inn.
Spirit Stone Nectar. Zhang Yan. Lan Feiyu. Li Moqing. Even the name Loommist Wine—none of these should be public knowledge.
Gu Pinglin had deliberately left clues, yet Duan Qingming's reactions were inscrutable. Could it be…?
Since emerging from seclusion, Duan Qingming's demeanor had shifted subtly. The coincidence of Famed Wind's naming raised suspicions.
If Gu Pinglin could reincarnate, why not Duan Qingming?
He walked on, gaze fixed ahead.
Having accidentally revealed flaws before, he'd now offered more—yet the probing yielded nothing. Had Duan Qingming shown even a flicker of surprise, it would've confirmed his ignorance of their past life. Instead, his performance was flawless—as if he knew everything, or nothing at all.
And if this was an act?
Duan Qingming excelled at psychological warfare. What better way to unsettle an opponent than feigned omniscience?
Gu Pinglin's lips curved.
If this was deception, the advantage was his. No mask, however perfect, could mimic truth entirely. Some things remained immutable