Jiang Yin followed Lin Yueying through layers of gauze curtains until they arrived in front of a door. She pushed it open, and what came into view was no longer countless white veils and water mirrors.
It was simply an ordinary room. The only unusual thing was how luxurious it looked inside. Every piece of furniture was made of top-grade huanghuali wood. Countless silk flowers were placed on the dressing table. Through the open window, one could see the beautiful scenery of spring outside.
Jiang Yin only glanced at it once before shifting her gaze away.
It was summer now. Outside Dream Tower there was also a lake. Where would spring scenery come from to admire?
Another illusion.
But Lin Yueying looked out the window, her expression seeming to recall something, tinged with a trace of sorrow. Her tone also lost the liveliness from before as she spoke softly, “No one will find this place.”
Jiang Yin neither agreed nor disagreed. “Can you speak now, Miss Lin? What exactly is the secret you’re hiding? Downstairs you said you were being targeted, and after coming up you kept subtly guiding me which path to take, as if you were extremely familiar with this place. I’m starting to suspect that Huameng Tower was built by you.”
“I didn’t build it, but I do indeed know the layout here.” Lin Yueying’s fingers gently brushed over the flowers placed on the windowsill as she explained, “This place is exactly the same as my childhood home. This is my room, and this pot of flowers was planted together by my younger sister and me.”
She turned to look at Jiang Yin, a bleakness hidden within her smile. “Miss Jiang, didn’t you want to know what secret I carry? I’ll tell you. The owner of Huameng Tower and I were once truly biological sisters.”
Jiang Yin caught the key point. “Once? But isn’t the owner of Huameng Tower a demon? How could she be your sister?”
“You know?” Lin Yueying was only surprised for a moment before nodding in understanding. “That makes sense. He must have told you.”
Jiang Yin wisely chose not to ask who the “he” Lin Yueying referred to was.
In fact, no one had told her any of this at all. She knew because she had read the original text.
The two masters of Huameng Tower were, in truth, a flower demon and a dream demon. In daily life, the flower demon gathered information, while the dream demon entered dreams to extract memories. That was how Huameng Tower created the impression, in the eyes of outsiders, of being all-knowing.
“But what you likely do not know is that the flower demon’s original name is HuAh Ying. She is the Second Miss of the Lin Residence in Quzhou, my biological younger sister.”
Lin Yueying opened with a bombshell, then continued, “HuAh Ying and I were twin sisters, inseparable since childhood. My father was a cultivator. Once, he brought back a flower seed. HuAh Ying loved flowers, so Father gave the seed to her. But who could have known that what bloomed from that seed would be an evil flower. Not only did it devour my sister and seize her physical body, it also killed my father and my mother… So, Miss Jiang, I must win this competition. I have to enter the finals and expose the flower demon’s true face before the world, to avenge my parents and my sister.”
Jiang Yin raised a hand to her head and gestured for her to stop. “…Wait, let me sort this out.”
It felt as if she had returned to last night.
When Liu Niang had told her about Xue Zhuang’er being a demon, it had also been like this. Just a few short sentences, yet packed with explosive information. Now Lin Yueying was no less intense. Her mind buzzed, overwhelmed to the point of pain.
“I only wanted to ask why you insisted on cooperating with me…” Jiang Yin reflected on whether she had overacted just now. ‘How did it end up with her telling me such a level of secret?’
Lin Yueying took one last look at the scenery outside the window, then closed it and composed herself. “It’s very obvious. The flower demon already knows my identity and wants me eliminated during the preliminary round. And you, Miss Jiang, as the twenty-sixth place, haven’t you noticed that you are being targeted?”
“Thanks for the reminder, I can see it very clearly.” Jiang Yin held up the conspicuous flower in her hand, impossible to ignore. She truly could not figure it out. “But why would Huameng Tower target me? I don’t have any deep-seated blood feud with them.”
As for the original host, she had been frail and sickly, rarely leaving the house, so it was even more impossible for her to have any connection with Huameng Tower.
“Who knows? Perhaps it’s to hide some secret from you that someone does not want you to know.” Lin Yueying skillfully rummaged through the room and took out two small wooden swords, handing them to Jiang Yin. “Take them. These are very important.”
She continued searching while speaking, “In short, the two of us are now tied to the same rope. Helping each other is the best choice.”
Jiang Yin took the wooden sword. “But I still don’t understand. With how familiar you are with this place, you could completely hide yourself and leave me outside as their target. Wouldn’t that be more advantageous for you?”
After searching around and finding nothing else, Lin Yueying simply grabbed a handful of silk flowers from the dressing table and stuffed them into her arms. “Well, you’ll know in a moment. Hehe.”
Jiang Yin looked at her smile and felt a chill crawl up her spine. “What are you laughing at?! Lin Yueying, explain yourself clearly…”
“Bang!”
The sudden loud noise startled Jiang Yin. A violent wind rose inside the room, doors and windows rattling loudly. Before she could react, she saw everything in the room except the floor lift up into the air.
Only Jiang Yin and Lin Yueying were left standing in place, staring at each other. Jiang Yin’s face was full of shock, while Lin Yueying wore an expression that said it was exactly as she had expected.
Lin Yueying said, “I told you, both of us are being targeted. The flower demon will definitely do everything possible to expose us in front of others. There’s no way to hide. Right now, only by cooperating do we have a chance to win.”
Even as she spoke, she remained alert to her surroundings.
The commotion just now had been so loud that everyone in the maze had found their direction. Through the layers of white gauze drifting down like falling snow, figures were rapidly rushing toward the two of them at the center of the disturbance.
The Dream Tower had removed all illusions. The windowsill shattered completely. Outside the building, the deep lake reflected a full moon. The night breeze swept past, and even a trace of moisture brushed against their faces.
Advancing meant being surrounded and attacked by everyone. Retreating meant falling into the lake, which counted as failure and would also lead to elimination.
No matter how one looked at it, both were dead ends. Could they really win?
Jiang Yin’s palms grew sweaty with tension as she gripped the wooden sword tightly. “What should I do?”
At this point, she had no other choice but to cooperate with Lin Yueying.
Since she knew she was being targeted, she should have a detailed plan… right?
“Yes, Miss Jiang, of course I have a plan.” Lin Yueying’s expression turned serious. “My plan is for you to stand at the front and say you are willing to give up the Moon Shadow Branch and beg them to show mercy.”
“???”
Jiang Yin stared at her in disbelief. “You’re serious?!”
Lin Yueying took a step back and hid behind her, using her actions to confirm that yes, she was serious. That was indeed her plan.
Jiang Yin still refused to give up. “Shouldn’t the two of us go up and fight them instead?!”
“Are you joking?” Lin Yueying could not understand how Jiang Yin could have such a dangerous idea. “The two of us combined, could we even beat one of their fingers?”
And she still had the nerve to criticize her?!
Jiang Yin said angrily, “Then why did you give me a sword? And even said it was important!”
She had even given her two! Wasn’t that supposed to mean she should take up weapons and fight them?
“It is very important.” Lin Yueying looked at the swords in Jiang Yin’s hands, her eyes full of nostalgia. “These two wooden swords are exactly the same as the ones Father gave to me and my younger sister. I want to take them out as keepsakes.”
Jiang Yin fell silent. “……” Fine. She had nothing to say in response.
In just a few short exchanges, someone had already found their way here. Lin Yueying’s eyes were sharp. She spotted a glint of cold light in a corner and instinctively tugged Jiang Yin.
An arrow brushed past Jiang Yin’s side. The figure in the shadows stepped forward. It was the very man who had been the first to attack Jiang Yin downstairs.
Lin Yueying hurriedly said, “I’ll tell you about those childhood matters later. Miss Jiang, quickly stand in front of me. I have numbing poison needles. Think of a way to stall for time. I’ll look for an opportunity to act from behind you!”
“Who wants to hear you talk about that?!” Jiang Yin was caught off guard by the pull. Her elbow hit the ground, and the pain made her suck in a sharp breath.
Seeing his first strike fail, the man on the opposite side drew a second arrow. At the same time, the others also arrived one after another. It seemed they had already reached some kind of agreement, silently surrounding the two frail-looking girls.
The man at the front was dressed like a scholar. He raised a hand to stop the archer, then turned and spoke to them with a gentle expression, “We have no intention of using force. We only wish to end the competition as soon as possible. Please put down the Moon Shadow Branch in your hands to avoid injury.”
His tone reminded Jiang Yin of Xie Huaian. She could not help but take a few extra glances at him.
Mm, not as good-looking as Xie Huaian, and his voice was not as pleasant either. So hypocritical, treating people like fools to be coaxed.
She shifted her gaze away and began searching through the crowd. The scholar shook his head when he saw this. “Are you looking for the lady in red who helped you earlier? I just saw her fighting with the young master ranked first. I’m afraid she won’t be able to come help you for a while.”
The implication was clear. Jiang Yin should give up that hope. No one would come to help them here.
Jiang Yin bit her lip, gripping the wooden sword in her hand as she slowly climbed to her feet. Her fair face was full of stubborn resolve as she stepped forward, one step at a time, toward the crowd.
“Alas.”
The scholar sighed and turned his back, as if unable to bear watching what was about to happen next.
In the shadows, a bow was fully drawn, ready to be released at any moment.
Jiang Yin took a deep breath. “Wait a moment!”
‘Lin Yueying, you’d better not be tricking me into throwing my life away!’
She quickly dropped to her knees and slid forward, cupping her hands in a respectful salute, her face full of grievance as she whimpered in plea, “Sirs, if I put down the Moon Shadow Branch, could you not hurt me?”
The scholar turned back with a smile. “If the young lady is willing to cooperate, we naturally will not harm you.”
“Wuwu, really? Can you promise you won’t hurt me? And them, will they listen to you and not attack me?” Jiang Yin clutched the hilt of the wooden sword. The scrape on her palm from earlier was pressed open again, fresh blood seeping out, the pain making her eyes brim with tears.
In the scholar’s eyes, the girl’s figure was soft and slender. Even the moonlight draped over her seemed to carry weight, pressing her shoulders into a slight tremble. Her apricot eyes were moist, shimmering with tears, as she looked at him timidly yet full of hope.
Such a fragile and helpless gaze instantly stirred his protective instinct.
“Miss, rest assured.” The scholar straightened his back, seemingly casually revealing the Moon Shadow Branch marked with the number 3 in his hand. “With me here, I guarantee you will not suffer the slightest harm. Come, hand the Moon Shadow Branch to me.”
“Alright, I believe you.” As Jiang Yin spoke, her tears fell accordingly. She raised a hand to wipe them, then hesitated before continuing, “Young master, your cultivation is so profound. If only I had even one-tenth of your ability, I wouldn’t fail to even pass the preliminary round. Being this useless… when will I ever win and find out where my elder sister is… My sister, my poor sister, wuwu…”
Her voice was soft, and even her crying was low and gentle, like a hand scratching at the heart. The scholar had originally intended to take the Moon Shadow Branch, but as he listened, his hand unconsciously reached to the side instead.
At that moment, an extremely faint streak of silver light landed on the man hidden in the shadows, the one drawing the bow.
The next second, Dream Tower trembled. Everyone was thrown toward the shore by the formation, and only a voice echoed from within the building.
“Those who pass the preliminary round shall board the boat in three days to participate in the Moonlit Night Tour… Those who pass the preliminary round shall, with the Moon Shadow Branch in hand, board the boat in three days to participate in the Moonlit Night Tour. Losing the Moon Shadow Branch will result in disqualification.”
Jiang Yin looked at the Moon Shadow Branch in her hand and felt a deep sense of malice.
Wasn’t targeting her once enough? They had to do it a second time? There had never been a requirement before to rely on the Moon Shadow Branch to board the boat. Dream Tower’s announcement was clearly telling everyone that even before the day of the finals, they could still snatch other people’s Moon Shadow Branches.
No, she had to quickly find a place to hide. She could not be targeted again.
But while she wanted to hide, someone was looking for her.
“Miss, wait.” The scholar stepped in front of Jiang Yin and handed her a pouch. “This is a specially made storage pouch from my family. Though the space inside is small, the advantage is that even ordinary people can use it. You can hide the Moon Shadow Branch inside, so you won’t have to hold it in your hand and become everyone’s target.”
Jiang Yin was conflicted.
This pouch could indeed solve her urgent problem, but she did not dare accept it.
Just now, she had seen it clearly. Lin Yueying had only ambushed one person. The other eliminated person had been the unlucky one closest to the scholar.
And the reason the scholar had switched targets was obviously because of her earlier tearful plea.
After hesitating again and again, she still refused. “No need, young master…”
“My name is Xie Yunlin. You may call me Yunlin.” Xie Yunlin directly placed the pouch into her hand. Seeing that her palm was scraped, he took out some ointment and applied it for her.
His movements were extremely quick, and his grip on her hand was strong. Jiang Yin could not break free. “Young Master Xie, there’s really no need to trouble yourself. I can apply the medicine myself.”
But Xie Yunlin continued on his own, “What you said just now moved me deeply. The matter I wish to ask is not urgent, so in this final round, I will help you win. You do not need to think of yourself as useless. With me here, I will protect you.”
Jiang Yin hurriedly shook her head. “No no no no, there’s no need… can you let go of me first?”
“Miss, there is no need to be shy. I understood all the hints you gave me in the tower. May I know your name and where you live? After the competition ends, I will certainly prepare generous gifts and come to propose marriage.” As Xie Yunlin spoke, he even slightly lowered his head, as if intending to blow gently on the wound on Jiang Yin’s palm.
A chill ran through Jiang Yin’s entire body, and she almost slapped him on the spot.
Where did this overly confident, greasy man come from? Get lost!
She was hesitating whether to make a move when she suddenly noticed that behind Xie Yunlin, a figure was stepping across the water. The moon-white fitted outfit on that person was so familiar that her heart began to pound wildly.
Why was he here?!
At first, only faint ripples spread across the lake’s surface. But as it neared the shore, the water suddenly surged, lifting into a wave that rushed toward Xie Yunlin. Within the spray, cold flashes gleamed, killing intent laid bare.
Xie Yunlin, after all, ranked third in cultivation among the participants this time. As he turned, the long sword at his waist was drawn, directly meeting the incoming wave. The sword light was sharp and chilling, splitting the wave into two halves, which fell back into the water.
There was no one in front of him.
Not good!
A fierce gust struck from behind. Xie Yunlin’s entire body tensed. By the time he tried to dodge, it was already too late.
With a loud “bang,” he was kicked straight into the lake, sending up an even larger splash.
Jiang Yin was completely stunned. “Brother Huaian?”
Water splashed high, even blocking out the bright moon. In the dim light, the young man stood before her, his brows and eyes seeming tightly drawn into a sharp line.