At the Five Directions Platform in the Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm.
This was the heart of the Cloud Realm’s mountain range. Three generations ago, the Sect Master of the Cloud Realm constructed an enormous platform here. Since then, all major events of the Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm—such as the succession of the Sect Master or the annual grand ceremonies—have been held on this very platform.
“Throughout all of Yunmeng Prefecture, neither the Heavenly Book Hall nor the Heavenly Water Manor can compare to the Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm in terms of grandeur,” Mu Pan remarked as he stepped down from his carriage. Looking at the Five Directions Platform, he couldn’t help but sigh, “The Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm—this is what you’d call a true sacred sect.”
“How rare it is to hear the ever-arrogant Second Elder Mu admit inferiority.” A palanquin stopped beside Mu Pan, its four sides draped with crimson curtains, and a sultry voice came from within.
With a wry smile, Mu Pan extended his fist, his fingers opening and then clenching again with resolve. “I’ve never been stingy with praise for the things I admire. But when I praise something, I make a vow to myself—I’ll make it mine!”
“Oh?” The voice from within the palanquin let out a disdainful snort.
“The Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm, and so are you, dear Wan’er—both will be mine.” Mu Pan lowered his fist. “I will have them all.”
Liu Duohan walked to Mu Pan’s side and said in a deep voice, “Second Master Mu, we are guests here. Let’s not forget our manners.”
“The Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm—you’ll never have it. And me? You’ll never have me either.” Feng Wan’er let out a languid yawn. “Would you like to know why?”
Mu Pan shrugged and continued walking forward. “I doubt it’s anything pleasant, so I won’t bother listening.”
“Because you’re ugly!” Feng Wan’er deliberately raised her voice.
“Third Elder,” Liu Duohan turned to the palanquin and gave a respectful bow.
“I hear you’ve become the Manor Master now, Brother Liu. My congratulations,” Feng Wan’er replied with a smile.
“I’m not as capable as my father. I only hope that under my care, the Heavenly Water Manor won’t lose its former glory.” Liu Duohan responded.
“You’re even more boring than Mu Pan,” Feng Wan’er’s tone grew impatient as she waved her hand. “Let’s keep moving.”
Liu Duohan watched the palanquin leave, his eyes narrowing slightly. Mu Pan, having walked ahead, returned, and threw an arm around Liu Duohan’s shoulders, saying loudly, “I heard something that made me happy, so I came back!”
Liu Duohan suddenly smiled. “Whether one can obtain the Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm or not—it doesn’t really matter.”
“Oh?” Mu Pan raised an eyebrow.
“But Feng Wan’er—she is mine,” Liu Duohan shot Mu Pan a glare that sent a chill down his spine.
“Ah, you two have arrived.” Feng Yuli, in elegant robes, appeared behind them, his hands resting on a jade staff.
“Second Master,” Liu Duohan and Mu Pan greeted Feng Yuli respectfully with a bow.
“Manor Master Liu, Second Master Mu,” Feng Yuli nodded slightly, then walked forward, using the staff as a walking stick. “Let’s talk on the high platform.”
“Second Master, I advised you earlier not to make this event too extravagant…” As they walked, Liu Duohan’s eyes swept over the grand display atop the Five Directions Platform.
“Perhaps even add a touch of solemnity, right?” Feng Yuli sneered. “But Manor Master Liu, I am not you. I’ve endured so many years. Now that I can finally breathe freely, of course, it must be as extravagant and ostentatious as possible!”
Mu Pan nodded in agreement. “That’s exactly how it should be.”
“What if one day, Master Mu dies?” Feng Yuli asked rhetorically.
“Beat the drums, light the firecrackers!” Mu Pan replied without hesitation.
Liu Duohan shook his head, thinking both men were mad. Yet, deep down, he felt a twinge of envy. Would he ever be able to speak so freely? Even his position as Manor Master couldn’t grant him such freedom.
“Second Master Mu and I, we’re kindred spirits,” Feng Yuli said, his voice carrying a raspy edge that stripped the phrase of its usual martial world grandeur, giving it instead an eerie, sinister quality.
Mu Pan smirked but said nothing. He and his elder brother had faced life and death together countless times, he knew only Feng Yuli would be naive enough to believe his earlier words.
But alas, this Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm—a once-mighty sect—today’s grand ceremony marked the beginning of its downfall.
The three soon reached the high platform, taking their places at the central seats of honor. Beside the main seat was the crimson palanquin from earlier where Third Elder Feng Wan’er remained seated. Though the curtains stayed drawn, one could make out her graceful silhouette drinking tea within.
To the left of the platform sat members of the Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm’s Feng family ancestral hall, including sect elders and direct descendants of various branches. To the right were distinguished guests from various major sects of Yunmeng Prefecture, while the outermost seats were occupied by ordinary disciples of the Heavenly Dawn Cloud Realm. Aside from those guarding the mountain gates, nearly everyone in the sect had gathered at the Five Directions Platform.
Xie Yuling, along with Nangong Xi’er and Feng Zuojun, had already taken their seats on the right. As the only guests personally attended to by Feng Wan’er, they were given a prominent position and treated to a table of exquisite dishes. Feng Zuojun, wearing a crude human-skin mask, sat beside Xie Yuling, viciously biting into an apple. “See that? That’s my second uncle. Tell me he doesn’t look like death warmed over.”
Xie Yuling frowned. “Stop eating. Your mask is going crooked.”
Feng Zuojun hastily put down the apple and adjusted his human-skin mask.
Meanwhile, Nangong Xi’er was glancing around, searching in vain for Su Baiyi. As her eyes swept the crowd, they unexpectedly met those of Mu Pan up on the high platform.
“Oh? Who’s this young lady?” Mu Pan asked, intrigued, as he studied Nangong Xi’er. However, her gaze quickly swept past him, indifferent.
Feng Yuli followed Mu Pan’s line of sight and replied, “She’s an honored guest Wan’er brought back—from the Xie family of Jiangnan.”
“The Xie family from Jiangnan?” Mu Pan frowned slightly. “She dares to bring such guests here?”
“They’re just a dying sect, barely surviving on their ancestors’ glory. Wan’er took a fancy to their scholar servant and forcibly brought him along. They weren’t happy about it and followed along. Give it a few days—once she’s bored, she’ll send them away,” Feng Yuli said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“A dying sect…” Mu Pan glanced at Liu Duohan.
“They’re looking this way,” Xie Yuling whispered.
“They’re looking at either you or Senior Sister,” Feng Zuojun wiped his mouth. “But don’t worry—soon enough, they’ll be looking at me.”
“When are you planning to act?” Xie Yuling asked.
“When my dear Second Uncle is at his happiest!” Feng Zuojun patted the long blade resting by his side.
Thank you for the chapter.