Stumbling upon one of the lost ancient sword techniques of the Ophiuchus Clan was no coincidence. Ever since she won in the sparring match, things had been happening at once.

It was impossible for Lu Baiyu to get his hand on that manual without the help of an outsider. Judging from the situation, Lu Baiyu must have been working with another clan. If that was the case, she needed to figure out which clan it was. Could it be the clan the mysterious man belonged to? Maybe he was the one who gave Lu Baiyu the manual. Lu Baiyu also mentioned having a complete copy of the Claw of the Eternal Beast. Now that she needed two things from Lu Baiyu, she had to make changes in her plan for tomorrow.

She rose from the bed and walked over to the window. Pulling it open, she looked up at the clear dark sky, where the stars shone icy bright. She shivered slightly as a cold wind touched her face.

A light knock came on her door, but she remained motionless, staring at the sky. She heard the door open behind her, followed by gentle footsteps that belonged to none other than her fox. He had just returned from running an errand for her, which was to ensure that Lu Baiyu received the letter she had anonymously written for him.

Xiao Ran stood beside her in front of the window, staying quiet for a few moments before turning to face his master. "Young Mistress, you're quiet today. Is everything fine?"

Shu Yue tilted her head to look at him. Bathed in the moonlight, Xiao Ran's skin looked even paler than before, his golden eyes brighter. He was just as beautiful and fierce as she remembered. She still couldn't understand how she had tamed someone like him.

"Beautiful," Shu Yue breathed.

Xiao Ran stared at her for a long minute. A wind stirred his silver-white hair. "You told me that before."

"Because you really are." A gentle smile touched Shu Yue's mouth, then she reached out to brush a strand of silver hair from his cheek.

Xiao Ran stiffened slightly, but then he recovered his composure in seconds, and an odd smile appeared on his lips.

"How's the boy?" Shu Yue asked quietly as she looked up at the sky again.

"I just checked up on him before heading here. He was sleeping peacefully. Don't worry too much, Young Mistress, Madam is taking good care of him."

Being reminded of that, Shu Yue bit her bottom lip as guilt gnawed her insides. She did it again, lying to Wu Lanqi. Her precious mother had no idea about what she was up to, what she had done. What Wu Lanqi knew was that Lu Rui was her martial art teacher's new student--a lie that wouldn't remain a lie for very long. If things went according to her plan.

While Shu Yue was training in the bamboo forest with Lu Baiyu, her old mentor was playing with the young Lu Rui in the Chen residence. When Shu Yue returned home not long ago, she found Lu Rui already asleep and her mentor gone, most likely back to the inn where he was temporarily staying. And because Shu Yue's mentor was a familiar face, Wu Lanqi agreed to let Lu Rui stay for the night. Little did she know that the family of the boy who was currently sleeping in the same room as Chen Ru was in turmoil.

"There's a slight change in the plan." Shu Yue changed the subject to distract herself from the guilt that was haunting her. "I need you to do another job for me tomorrow."

Xiao Ran looked at her but didn't say anything. He waited for her to continue.

"With such unseen circumstances, Elder Lu will have to cancel tomorrow's training. Do you know how he'll inform us about it if the training and his disciples are supposed to be kept hidden?"

"A letter," Xiao Ran proposed. "He'd hire someone to bring the letters to each of you." He looked at her, his eyes steady. "What do you want me to do?"

Shu Yue smiled. "I need you to intercept one letter."

***

It was early in the morning when Shu Yue received a letter from Lu Baiyu. Written on it was his apology for having to cancel the training until further notice. He hadn't mentioned anything about Lu Rui, which meant he was doing exactly as Shu Yue had instructed in the anonymous letter. She had warned him not to let the situation be known outside the Lu residence.

Shu Yue crumpled the piece of paper in her hand and then grabbed the sword wrapped in a white cloth from her bed. She would be meeting Lu Baiyu in an hour at the same bamboo forest where they had trained the day before. Lu Baiyu must have realized by now that one of his disciples had betrayed him.

When she slid the door of her room open, she came face to face with Wu Lanqi.

"Mother," Shu Yue said in a quiet voice.

"Yue'er, is Sir Zhang coming today or should I ask one of the servants to take the boy to his home?"

"I don't think Teacher Zhang will be coming today. But don't worry, mother. I already asked Xiao Ran to escort the boy back to the Lu residence."

"Oh, that's good, then."

Forcing a smile, Shu Yue excused herself and left, unable to look any longer at the oblivious face of the only woman dear to her while hiding lies and secrets behind deceitful, sealed lips. A carriage was already waiting outside the Chen residence, and Xiao Ran was standing in front of it.

"Please be careful, Young Mistress," Xiao Ran said as he helped her get into the carriage. "I'll follow as soon as I return the boy."

Shu Yue took a seat, folding her hands in her lap. "I'll be fine, so there's no rush."

Xiao Ran looked at her for a while, silent and expressionless, before nodding and signaling the coachman to take off. Shu Yue closed the curtain and leaned back in her seat. She could feel Xiao Ran staring after the carriage, but she never looked back.

The early morning wind sighed through the bamboo forest, sending her hair and robe dancing. The closer she got to the meeting place, the stronger she sensed someone's chi. Lu Baiyu was already here, and she would get her answers soon.

When she arrived at the meeting place, Lu Baiyu was staring up at the bamboo trees, his back facing her. His hands were clasped behind his back, looking composed, relaxed, and not in the least apprehensive. Shu Yue admired how he could keep his cool despite his current situation, however, that admiration only lasted for a second. The moment Lu Baiyu turned and saw her, his composure shattered.

"Y-you..." Lu Baiyu stared wide-eyed at her, his body tensing.

Shu Yue regarded him with a smile. "Greetings, Elder Lu."

"What do you want?"

"First, let me ask you a question," Shu Yue started. "Where did you get the soul-binding scroll?"

A smile formed on her lips as she looked at Lu Baiyu, who seemed so tense.

"I've been wondering, Elder Lu," Shu Yue went on. "Given its price, the soul-binding scroll is considered one of the most valuable items, so I'm surprised that something so expensive was used as a prize for such a small competition. Isn't that strange?"

Lu Baiyu set his jaw in a tight line. "I bought it from a traveling merchant, and why do you care what I do with it? It's none of your business. Besides, you should be grateful that you were able to obtain a valuable item in such a small competition. Don't you think you should thank me for making that happen?"

Shu Yue picked up on the slightest change in pitch in his voice. His pathetic attempt to redirect the conversation only proved his deception. What was funny was that Shu Yue already knew the truth, so it was amusing to watch him lie to her face.

He's not that of a good liar.

She tapped her finger against the sword's hilt. "Oh, but I'm sure you got the soul-binding scroll for free as well."

Lu Baiyu grew tenser. "What are you talking about?"

"According to Dishan, someone gave it to you, and from what I recall, that man is a Saint-rank, a gold belt bearer. Does that ring a bell?"

"That stupid young man!" Lu Baiyu hissed, glancing away.

Shu Yue grinned. "So he's telling the truth."

Lu Baiyu looked at her, an expression of frustration coming over his face. "What exactly do you want? Are you planning to acquire another soul-binding scroll? Is that why?"

A light chuckle escaped Shu Yue's lips. "I'm not that greedy, Elder Lu. One is enough. I just want to know who the mysterious sponsor is."

Hearing that, Lu Baiyu narrowed his eyes at her. "And why are you interested in that man?"

"Because I'm hoping to get a chance to return the favor he's done for me," Shu Yue replied with a sly smile.

"Return the favor?" Lu Baiyu asked with a frown.

"Yes, Elder Lu, so I need your help in finding that guy. If you know anything, please tell me."

Lu Baiyu averted his gaze. "I know nothing about that man." There was a hint of hesitation in his answer.

Shu Yue smiled.

He's not really a good liar.

"You see, Elder Lu, this is an urgent matter; I know you know something, and I need you to tell me right now."

"I said I didn't know anything about that man!" Lu Baiyu snarled and lowered his eyes again, avoiding her probing gaze.

Shu Yue let out a breath, her features calm and remote. "You're not going to make it any easier for me, are you?" Her gaze fell on the cloth-wrapped sword in her hand. She slowly unwrapped it. Lu Baiyu watched her in bewilderment, wondering what she was up to.

As the white fabric fell to the ground, Lu Baiyu gasped and his face blanched. "That's Rui's sword. What did you do to him?"

"It seems like you've forgotten, so I have to remind you." Shu Yue ran her fingers along the wooden scabbard, lingering on the characters engraved on it; Lu Rui. "In exchange for your grandson's release, give me an honest answer. Now, let me ask you a question, Elder Lu. What weighs more: your fear of that man or your fear of losing your precious grandson?"

Lu Baiyu glared at her. "Rui did nothing. Why are you involving an innocent kid?"

"You didn't answer my question," Shu Yue said, her expression cold and neutral. "Let me ask you again: do you fear that man more than you fear losing your grandson?"

Lu Baiyu gritted his teeth.

Shu Yue twirled the sword in her hand and spoke in a calm and patient voice. "I already told you it's an urgent matter, Elder Lu, and you're not making it any easier for me, so I'm afraid I won't make it any easier for you either. If you still want to see that boy again, you must tell me what you know about that traveling merchant."

There was silence for a second. Lu Baiyu hissed a curse and lowered his head. "A-Ancient Moon."

"Ancient Moon," Shu Yue repeated. Ancient Moon was an expensive inn in Tian Village owned by the village head's daughter-in-law.

"That's what he said," Lu Baiyu replied. "He told me to look for him there in case I ever needed him."

Shu Yue stared at him. After careful observation, she could tell Lu Baiyu wasn't lying. She gave him a smile.

"One more thing," she added. "Did you meet him yesterday?"

All of a sudden, Lu Baiyu's face went white. "I-it's you..." His voice trailed off slowly as he looked at her with wide eyes. "You're the person he was referring to."

Shu Yue's brow furrowed with a tiny line. "What do you mean?"

"It was you! I should have known it when he showed up this morning; I should have realized he was referring to you! That fucking bastard!"

"I'm not following, Elder Lu. What do you mean he was referring to me? What did he say?"

Lu Baiyu shot her a hostile glare. "Maybe you two are working together; maybe you planned this together to mess with me!"

Shu Yue reacted to his claim with indifference and said, "From what I know, I'm not the one working with him."

Lu Baiyu stiffened.

"Besides, if I'm working with him," Shu Yue reasoned, "Then why would I go to the trouble of interrogating you?"

When Lu Baiyu remained unresponsive, Shu Yue let out a sigh. "Listen, I know you're not working with that man. He threatened you to do his bidding. You were forced to use the soul-binding scroll as a prize, am I correct? If you look closely, he is the reason why you're in this mess. It's all his fault." A mischievous smile touched her mouth. "If you want, I can help you pay back the trouble he caused you."

It took Lu Baiyu quite a bit of time to respond. "No, you can't take him down, and neither can I," Lu Baiyu's voice trembled slightly. "You're only asking for more trouble."