Chapter Twenty-Five: Meng Yue, Meng Yanran

Update time: 2013-05-25

Remaining calm, Yu Wenmo made a decisive choice. "Second brother, third brother, we can't take this risk. For now, let's listen to Young Master Chuchen. We'll leave first, and once we're out of Phoenix Ridge, we can discuss our plans further!"

"Leave? Where do you think you're going?" Meng Lan flung open the courtyard gate, her gaze sweeping over the people inside with a chilling intensity.

Then she turned her eyes to Chuchen, her expression full of disappointment and pain. "Chuchen, you really are something—deceiving even me. I am truly disappointed in you. If you let them leave, the Hidden Sect will be exposed. When they join forces to attack, the Hidden Sect will be finished. I will never stand by and watch you destroy the Hidden Sect again."

She barked an order to those outside the gate. "What are you all standing around for? Tie up everyone in the courtyard, including the young sect master!"

The disciples outside looked hesitantly at the impassive young sect master, then, with a rustle, quickly surrounded the group.

Zhou Man roared in anger. "You crazy woman, do you really think I'm so easy to deal with? Just these few people and you want to stop us?" He cracked his knuckles loudly, sweeping a disdainful look over the approaching disciples.

Meng Lan didn't spare him a glance, instead fixing her eyes on Lianyue. "If you beg me, I might allow you to stay in the Hidden Sect. Well?"

Lianyue was about to retort when the voice in her mind rang out again: "Stall." She glanced at Chuchen in confusion, but he wasn't even looking at her. Though she didn't understand, she decided to follow his lead and play for time.

"Why would I want to stay in the Hidden Sect?" Lianyue looked at Meng Lan in feigned confusion.

Seeing she didn't object outright, Meng Lan softened her tone. "If you stay, you can see your mother and be with Chuchen."

Lianyue cursed her in her heart a hundred times—did Meng Lan really think she was a child, so easy to placate? But she kept up the act, tilting her head like a curious child. "And my father? My elder brother and sister?"

"I can only let you stay. As for them—"

"But that's not fair!" Lianyue pouted, pretending to be troubled. "I want to see my mother and Chuchen every day, but I also want to be with my father, big brother, and big sister. Oh, what a dilemma!"

"Niece Yue, why bother talking to this madwoman?" Zhou Man, worried Lianyue would be persuaded, broke in impatiently. "Soon we'll rescue your fourth sister, bring your brother, and return to the Yue family for a happy reunion. Why stay in this wretched place?" He limbered up as he spoke, his joints crackling with every movement.

A flicker of delight flashed through Lianyue's eyes. She glanced up at her father and Yu Wenmo, who gave her a slight nod.

Only then did Yue Lianyue feel completely at ease, knowing they'd recovered their martial arts. There was no need to keep pretending. She clapped her hands in delight. "Uncle Zhou, you're brilliant! Why didn't I think of that?"

"Of course!" Zhou Man raised his chin proudly. "Who do you think I am?"

Lianyue looked innocently at Meng Lan. "Sorry, but I still want to be with my family. Can I take my mother and brother Chuchen with me?" Without waiting for a reply, she turned to her father and pleaded sweetly, "Father, don't you think that's best?"

Yue Zhanpeng looked down at his daughter and nodded indulgently.

Watching their exchange, Meng Lan sensed something was wrong. Instinct told her not to delay any longer. She ordered sharply, "Why are you all standing there? Tie them up! They've already taken the skill-sapping pill—just do it!"

"Yes!" The Hidden Sect disciples surged forward.

But before they could touch even the hems of the three men's robes, two of them were sent flying backward. The remaining six shrank back, clearly wary.

Yu Wenmo brushed off his sleeve with a calm air. "Elder, you underestimate the three of us. Even without our martial arts, these few men aren't even enough for our warm-up."

"Haha, that's what I like to hear, big brother! Second brother, why do you clam up every time this woman shows up? People will think you're scared of her. Niece Yue, Uncle Zhou is right, isn't he?"

But Lianyue seemed not to hear him, her gaze thoughtful as she studied Meng Lan.

Zhou Man grumbled, "Niece Yue, did you hear me? Why are you staring at her—she's not even good-looking!"

His booming voice, despite being lowered, carried every word straight to Meng Lan's ears. No woman likes to be called unattractive, especially not one whose face was already clouded with anger. Seeing there was no point arguing with the Zhou family head, she vented her frustration on the hesitant disciples. "What are you waiting for?!"

The two who had just climbed up, faces still dusty, squinted and rushed forward again—only to be sent flying once more by a wave of heat.

Meng Lan stared in disbelief at Yu Wenmo, who had just withdrawn his palm. "How did you recover your martial arts?" Her eyes shifted to Chuchen, who had been silent all this time, and suddenly she understood. Pointing at him, she accused, "It was you!"

Chuchen replied apologetically, "Aunt Lan, I gave them the antidote."

Meng Lan looked at Chuchen, her face full of pain as she lowered her arm in defeat. "You... you... how—how dare you! Are you really intent on destroying the Hidden Sect like your master did?"

"Elder, what is the meaning of this? When have I ever done anything to harm the sect? I remember no such thing!" A clear, ethereal voice floated over the courtyard wall.

For a moment, everyone's expressions were different. Lianyue looked around in confusion; Meng Lan was flustered, Chuchen anxious, while Yue Zhanpeng and his companions exchanged glances filled with surprise and a touch of gravity—as if a memory had been stirred. The other Hidden Sect disciples were gripped by fear, and from the words just spoken, it seemed that this was Chuchen's master... which meant...

Lianyue's eyes widened, staring at the half-opened rosewood gate. If her gaze were a weapon, the door would have been pierced through. Her father Yue Zhanpeng looked as though he could hardly restrain himself from rushing forward to see who had spoken.

Three slender, jade-like fingers lazily slipped through the crack, hooking onto the edge and slowly pulling the door open. Yue Zhanpeng's gaze followed its every inch—first a snowy sleeve, then a delicate arm, a graceful collarbone, cherry lips, almond-shaped eyes, willow brows. A woman of ethereal beauty stood before them, untouched by the world's dust. Except for the black and white streaks in her hair, she was the very image of Lianyue, only grown.

"Ayue..." Yue Zhanpeng couldn't help but call out. Yes, this was the person he'd searched for nearly thirteen years—his Ayue. A single tear traced down his rugged cheek.

Faced with the intense gaze of this unfamiliar man, Meng Yanran felt uneasy. Something about his look seemed oddly familiar, as if someone had once looked at her that way and made her heart leap. She frowned, searching his face, but there was nothing in her memory.

"Yao Yao, are these the people you wanted to save?" Her voice was gentle as she spoke, impossible to interrupt.

Only then did the people in the courtyard notice the girl by her side. Yao Yao, intimidated by the scene, shrank further behind Meng Yanran before nodding.

By now, Meng Lan knew it was too late to stop Meng Yanran from entering. She sighed, her voice full of concern. "Junior sister, you should leave these trivial matters to me. Why have you left your seclusion?"

Meng Yanran shook her head. "I was feeling restless and came out for some air. I hadn't even reached the foot of the mountain when I ran into Yao Yao, who dragged me here, saying someone's life was in danger. Senior sister, what's going on? Who are these people?"

Yu Wenmo glanced at his unnerved second brother and, before his third brother could speak, interjected, "Sect Master Meng... we are the current heads of the three great families. I am Yu Wenmo."

"Fourth sister, what my nephew said is true, right? You really were needled by this old... this so-called elder, your memories sealed?"

Meng Lan quickly cut him off, "What nonsense are you spouting!"

"And who is this?" Meng Yanran's voice drifted over again, impossible to refuse.

"You really don't remember me? I'm Zhou Man—the Wild Ox! You really don't know me?" Zhou Man pulled Yue Zhanpeng over. "Then what about him? Do you remember Yue Zhanpeng?"

"Yu Wenmo, Zhou Man, Yue Zhanpeng... I think I've heard of them," Meng Yanran mused. "I believe the elders mentioned them."

"Oh?" Meng Yanran noticed Lianyue, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "And this little girl is...?"

When Lianyue saw her gaze, a flood of longing and tears overwhelmed her, blurring her vision. Yet she dared not wipe them away, fearing this was all a dream. Mother... this was her mother. Though they'd never met, Lianyue felt no sense of unfamiliarity.

Seeing her tears, Meng Yanran's heart ached involuntarily. She instinctively stepped over, crouched before Lianyue, and gently wiped her tears away—her eyes full of tenderness.

Feeling her mother's touch, Lianyue could no longer hold back. With a wail, she flung herself into Meng Yanran's embrace. Meng Yanran stiffened for a moment at the contact, then slowly relaxed, wrapping her arms around Lianyue and soothingly patting her back.

For a time, the only sounds in the courtyard were Lianyue's sobs and a few quiet breaths. A warm, gentle feeling swept through everyone present, even softening the harshness on Meng Lan's face and bringing a trace of tenderness to her features.