Author's Notes: Oh dear, I forgot to update this fic in this site! I'm so sorry!

Thank you very much for your comments and likes! I really, really appreciate them!

So, I discovered something: my twin sister could be really persistent when she wants an update. I never thought I could be really hounded with stares. Her favorite authors should be grateful that they don't live with her. XD My reading time!

So this chapter is partly thanks to my twin sister ^_^ and of course, all you lovely people!

This is from Jiang FengMian's POV (for the most part) and will likely continue till the next or next two chapters :3 if the portrayal is inaccurate please let me know! Don't kill me!
Again, English is not my first language so please forgive any grammar or spelling mistakes.

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Chapter 06

The Beauty

It started off as mere curiosity.

The heir of Yunmeng Jiang amusedly tried to look back on the ground where the Third Lady of Meishan Yu is, who seems to be glaring at the horizon after her first night hunt. She's like the fierce morning sun, he thought.

She just fought with Zhao ZhuLiu but there's not even a hint of fatigue on her lovely, composed face. Not to mention that it ended in her overwhelming victory.

Normally, he would think that such actions from a woman are excessive but for some reason he can't look away.

But maybe I haven't made a good impression? Jiang FengMian recalled how stiff the lady was when she interacted with him. There is something in her eyes that is acute and heavy. It is neither coy nor calculative. It might have been sad or angry. How strange.

"What are your thoughts on this night-hunt, Young Master?" Wei Changze, who is more of a friend than a servant to him, asked in his usual mild and unassuming manner, black hair whipping against the high winds.

The next lord of Lotus Pier didn't have to think hard before the youthful beauty but mature air of the Third Lady of Meishan Yu sect appeared before his eyes as she swiftly moved with cold intensity towards her prey.

He unconsciously smiled, "It was interesting."

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Landing carefully on the grassy terrain of Mt. Song, Jiang FengMian patiently waited until all his fellow disciples touched down and sheathed their swords. He systematically gave them order before dismissing them, reminding them of what they should and should not attempt on their own. Once done, he looked around the clearing where several cultivators could be seen sauntering about, readying for their own night-hunt. He can't help but notice that there are more cultivators tonight that what could be considered as normal. But he supposes he should have expected as such by now.

He flitted his gaze here and there, looking for a particular figure. Sure enough, a slender young lady in blue sect uniforms could be seen surrounded by her sect's disciples, clearly in the middle of giving her own instructions. The young Jiang heir unconsciously smiled at the sight. Fortunately, he saw her before she entered the dense forest.

The tall young master had to wonder if the news that the Third Lady of Meishan Yu would night-hunt here tonight is the reason for the number of cultivators who went here to hunt. For his own part, it was just suggested by his aide and he just accepted it. No matter that their original destination would have been Jue di Gorge.

Merely 3 days after her first night-hunt, the violet-eyed young woman managed to capture the attention of just about everyone wherever she goes. Her strength and precision in every hunt makes people stare and watch at her masterful executions. Her name has slowly becoming a constant thing in every discussion.

He wanted to call out to her but he has no legitimate reason to. Isn't it natural for fellow cultivators to discuss a few things together?

He frowned a little. As reluctant as he is to admit it, he can't help but notice the small furrow between the stately lady's brows whenever they talk for a long time. Something in him felt a little dispirited at the thought that he is disliked by the admirable young woman. But of course, with his personality, he just doesn't want to be at odds with anyone, he firmly told himself and tried to focus on the hunt ahead.

He looked one last time in the direction of the Meishan Yu disciples when he accidentally met eyes directly with their young mistress. He could see surprise and confusion in those vivid violet orbs. He noticed her hesitate a little before walking in his direction followed by her maids. Before he was aware of it, he was already walking half-way to meet her. They mutually stopped a few steps away from each other and saluted.

"Young Master Jiang, greetings." Yu ZiYuan greeted in a stilted but genteel manner.

Jiang FengMian has always found her smooth voice rather pleasing to hear despite the lack of tenderness and lilt that can often be heard from ladies her age. Her steady and refined way of speaking grounds him instead.

"Greetings to Maiden Yu." He replied in a light tone, a small smile already in place, "I see that Maiden Hou didn't accompany you this time."

"She has already decided to go elsewhere tonight." The tall young woman briefly explained, offering no other details.

"I see." Jiang FengMian acknowledged. Maybe due to his own observant and alert nature, he easily noted that while the fair lady tried to meet his eyes a couple of times, the instances when she avoided his gaze were far more frequent. But it doesn't look like it stems from embarrassment. He could see that crease forming between her brows again. There's a short prick inside him at the thought that he must be indeed disliked by the young woman.

"Why are you even here? You didn't come here before…"

He thought he heard her murmur a few words but it was too low and too fast for him to perfectly comprehend. "I'm sorry. Did you say anything, Maiden Yu?"

"No, Young Master Jiang. Take care. This one would go now." The Third Lady of Meishan Yu sect bid farewell before walking away without a backward glance.

Seeing her walk away so simply left him a little desolate but he merely shook his head. He's being ridiculous.

He started to walk in a particular direction, clearing his mind of any other thought but of the hunt ahead.

"Are we entering the forest from here, Young Master?" Wei Changze questioned as it became apparent where they'll enter the mountain from.

"Yes." he said plainly, quite at ease.

"But the Meishan Yu Sect already headed this way; won't you want to go in a different direction so we won't be fighting over the targets?"

He thought for a moment, his mind assailed by images of determined eyes and silky straight hair, and answered with a near smile.

"Here is fine."

It didn't take long before the source of the disturbance in the mountain's atmosphere became apparent. When several cultivators, who 'just so happened to be' walking in the same direction as Yu ZiYuan saw the entrance of Chi Yun cave, they could all tell that the amount of demonic energy in the crevice was overwhelming.

"Guanyin, what could have been the cause of this anomaly?"

"There shouldn't have been any graves on this mountain."

"There also weren't any rumours of massive deaths here."

Dark brows crumpled over blue-grey eyes at the ominous air surrounding the cavern. Jiang FengMian was already trying to determine what needs to be done in this case.

"Don't go near. The miasma is too thick. Any form of evil could be hiding within." He rationally commanded the disciples with him.

At the corner of his eyes, he saw a vision in blue go past him towards the threatening cavern and he thought his heart would jump out of his chest as he instinctively reached out a hand to capture Yu ZiYuan by the arm, "Maiden Yu! It's not safe to go forward when we still don't know what lies in wait inside!"

He felt her recoil a little at his touch but with her safety in mind, he paid it no heed. However, the lady didn't fight for freedom nor did she look resigned to being detained. The unshakeable resolution in those majestic eyes told him that she will find herself inside that cave sooner rather than later.

She eyed the dark entrance before directly holding his gaze, "There are only thirteen fierce corpses inside."

She sounded so sure that he immediately wanted to believe her, "Maiden Yu, if what you say is true, then why is it that the demonic energy inside is so strong?"

"It's strong because the ones inside are all cultivators as well."

Gasps followed this statement but the one who caused it unwaveringly continued, "If I'm not mistaken, there was a cultivation sect that tried to sacrifice its disciples to gain unprecedented power a couple of decades ago."

"Do you mean the Qing Cheng sect?" with his vast knowledge, it was not difficult for him to piece things together, "They were eradicated after attempting something forbidden. Do you mean to tell me…" he could only stare at the cave once more as the chilling thought came to him.

"For years, after being successfully hidden, they haven't gotten their peace yet." The reserved young lady stably uttered, "They deserve to be brought to rest. Isn't that something you would say?"

He felt a little cold at the thought of letting her dive freely into that danger. Fierce corpses are one thing, but the building resentment of fierce corpses from cultivators is another thing entirely. Not to mention that it's already unusual for people who pursue the path to immortality to fall so low that they become fierce corpses naturally like this. "Let us go in together then. That much demonic qi is akin to poison."

"I'll be the first one to go." She logically imparted, "You should be aware that among all here, I have a higher chance of getting out unscathed."

"It's impossible for only one person to stabilize this." he argued, the loud thrumming of his heart evidence of his distress, a deep frown replaced his usually placid countenance.

At this point, the young lady effortlessly broke his hold on her despite his protests and she firmly moved towards the cavern, "'Attempt the impossible', huh." He heard her murmur in a nearly cold and dignified voice before she huffed once, "Come to think of it, I lived by those words for many years."

He couldn't understand what she meant and he could very well be imagining it as he called out to her in a tone laced with slight panic, "Maiden Yu!" he was about to go after her when several hands of his juniors effectively stopped him.

"Young Master, don't!"

"Maiden Yu!"

Amidst the cries of the crowd, the Third Lady of Meishan Yu allowed herself to be engulfed by the dark smoke coming from Chi Yun cave. It didn't even take a few minutes before howls and growls filled the night air. Anxiety painted the faces of the helplessly awaiting assembly.

When purple currents flooded the entrance of the cave to replace the fiendish qi, making it comparatively safer to enter, Jiang FengMian lost no chance to liberate himself and run inside followed by several pairs of feet.

The short tunnel gave way to a huge space. The previously obscure cavern now lit with Zidian's unrelenting sparks along with fire-emitting talismans hovering perfectly in the air, giving way to a distinct view of the surroundings. The Jiang heir was expecting to see pure chaos inside but what met him instead is a fight so controlled and rhythmic that it's almost beautiful to watch.

The graceful young lady in blue elegantly weaved between her enemies, her purple whip in one hand, her other frozen in a hand seal that steers her spiritual sword in the air. She effectively manoeuvred her foes to step on talismans she has set up on the ground. The way Zidian whirls around her with its vibrant violet charge was almost hypnotic.

Before long, all thirteen fierce corpses were caught in her trap and once the last one was secured, Yu ZiYuan took hold of Chen Luan and proceeded to stab it into the ground. The moment the tip of the spiritual sword made contact with the dirt, a blinding array with the sword at the center spread itself across a large expanse of the cavern. With immense focus, the violet-eyed cultivator chanted a high-level spell that purified the surrounding area along with her current adversaries.

When the divine light subsided, all the fierce corpses were still standing but the feral look on their faces were no more. In front of each perfectly preserved dead body was a hazy image identical to the remains behind them, anyone can see it as the souls of the thirteen trapped cultivators.

"It has been so long."

"Can we finally go?"

"We've been sealed here for so long."

"We're finally free?"

"Thank goodness."

"How dark it was."

"Was it her who shed the light?"

"My lady…

"…we can't thank you enough."

Thirteen pairs of translucent eyes peered at the fair young lady in azure robes.

"Might we trouble you to take care of our bodies?"

Steady wine-red eyes looked back at them as Yu ZiYuan raised her hands in a small salute, "Leave with no worries." She said simply.

Small, sad smiles appeared in all thirteen pale faces before they all nodded.

"Hah, at last."

When even this last whisper faded into oblivion like the incorporeal figures of several tragic cultivators leaving only their soulless body behind, Yu ZiYuan finally moved to regard her audience, her fellow disciples to be exact.

"I'll be removing the seals, come and prevent the bodies from falling."

The Meishan Yu disciples didn't need telling twice as they picked their jaws from the ground and heed the command of their young mistress.

Even with the minimal lighting now only cast by the fire talismans, Jiang FengMian still strode near the young lady, anxious to see her completely fine.

"Maiden Yu, that was incredibly reckless." The heir of Yunmeng Jiang instantly reproached after seeing that she's truly unharmed.

"A necessary evil." She answered shortly before beginning to march to exit the cave.

"It's not necessary for you to endanger yourself like that." There is a surprising amount of frustration in Jiang FengMian's chest that he can't shake off, determined to convince her never to do something similar again, "We could have also asked a sect leader to come here. It'll take longer but still—"

"Had I been the one imprisoned in that darkness," Yu ZiYuan cut him off in a muted voice, there's an uncharacteristic solemnity on her lovely face as her usually prominent voice dropped a notch that he's not sure whether or not she's still talking to him, "I would have wanted to get out as soon as I can." When purple orbs probed blue ones, there's a strange sensation that he couldn't comprehend in those striking dark eyes. There's a deeply seated loneliness hidden there as though she too had to bury many people in her past.

He wanted to caress away the silent agony reflected in her overall countenance. For whatever reason and no matter how brief their acquaintance had been so far, the Maiden Yu he knows should never look so sad.

They finally managed to get out of the cave. He called out to her, "Maiden Yu." not knowing what to say but set on wiping out the underlying pain in her eyes.

Blue-grey eyes were intent on the proud, courtly profile of the young woman beside him so he clearly saw when a strange orange light illuminated the lovely face and how amethyst orbs widened slightly in surprise at what she saw.

He followed her gaze and was met with the splendour of thousands of lanterns floating in the sky. He replaced his gaze on Yu ZiYuan to find that nearly dazed look of amazement that he never thought he'd see on her.

"What's happening?" she asked in a distracted whisper, almost breathless.

"It's the Lantern Festival for the gods." He informed her, unconsciously trying to memorize how she looks at this moment.

Her dark eyes, which have always been striking fringe with long dark lashes, softened with the orange glow reflected on them. Her ivory skin looked even brighter kissed by the tantalizing fire light above them. The silky strands of her inky hair were playfully dancing around her with the help of the evening breeze. But nothing could beat that very short, small and precious smile that finally spread across her lips.

"A befitting farewell." He heard lush lips murmured almost tenderly, a subtle glaze came over her eyes.

When the young maiden turned those impressive eyes on him, that slight smile on her face, Jiang FengMian felt strangely helpless. He could only stare as his heart quivered like never before. His blood rushed to paint his flesh a crimson hue.

He thought he knew beauty until then. He thought a bubbly, witty personality would be the only thing that'll move him. He thought that aggression and pride would only cause him to frown.

But as he studied the tall, slender woman with him, her elegant features glorious but undeniably proud, his world never felt more chaotic but right. The breath in his chest never felt this short but exhilarating. The thrill in his veins bordering to pain, incredibly foreign but sound.

And as she stands before him with her sharp tongue and firm conjectures, all passionate obstinacy and fiery determination, he thought he wouldn't mind if the world stops to grant him this moment forever. As though only the two of them exist here.

Ah, so this is beauty.

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As my twin said, no, that's...that's love!
lol