Lian smiled, as if she'd simply forgotten. "Indeed, the Xian Sect's 'Exiled Immortal.' On behalf of my master, I send greetings to your sect leader."
The Dragon Halberd passed down one master, one disciple per generation. No true dragons remained in the mortal world, only the halberd that glimpsed them. Each heir could shake the world, their strength rivaling sect leaders, walking between mortal and immortal realms, moved only by matters tied to dragons.
This generation's Dragon Halberd, Yan Fei, emerged decades ago during the dynasty's chaos, aiding Ming through perils, seeking only to glimpse dragon qi for enlightenment.
Why did Lian become the Dragon Halberd's heir? That tale tied to Marshal Rex and Emperor Ming's falling-out. Lian's birth had strained their bond.
Before her birth, the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion foretold, "Destined to manifest dragon qi, capable of forging a true dragon." To most, such words were a jest, but this was the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion. As Ming aged, growing erratic and suspicious, he harbored doubts. Even though a girl was born, not a boy, Ming remained restless, obsessed. He demanded Marshal Rex send Lian to the capital as a hostage, souring their ties.
Fortunately, Yan Fei intervened, taking Lian as a disciple and removing her from the world to avoid suspicion. Otherwise, the north might have clashed with Bright Hua's court in bloodshed.
Qing said lightly, "My master is well, no need for Yan Fei's concern. But you, how fares your obsession?"
Lian paused. "Good, then. My master said his life's pursuit of dragons leaves his obsession unresolved."
They fell silent. Yan Fei and the Xian Sect's current leader had a history in their youth. But time passed. Yan Fei chose the path of dragons; the sect leader chose her sect and ascension, letting go. Now, only their lingering obsessions remained, unforgettable.
Lian said with nostalgia, "Since our last meeting at Kunlun, Qing, it's been a year."
Qing remained serene. "A year is but a fleeting moment to cultivators. Is that long?"
Last time, at Kunlun's Celestial Pool, Qing led the Xian Sect to claim their share, while Lian, an uninvited guest, stole the barbarian tribes' sacred offering alongside Feng Wei. Looking back, perhaps that was when their bond began? A thousand-mile chase, escaping alive.
Lian smiled. "Qing, still so cold and proud." Her next words silenced the room. "Why, then, must you compete with me for him?"
No one dared respond or breathe. Compete? For what? A man? Knowing it was Feng Wei, the capital's rising star, they stayed silent.
Jian Qian coughed lightly outside, signaling retreat. "Princess, General Lian, we have matters to attend. We'll take our leave."
Prince Qingyang and Prince Anyang, eager to court Lian, sensed the tension. They bowed to both women, signaled the younger royals, and withdrew. Even timid Prince Linyang hurried from Clear Spring Palace.
The crowd dispersed, leaving three in the vast hall. The air thickened, almost solidifying.
Li felt resentment surge before Qing could respond. This dark-skinned woman was cunning, a northern barbarian with no manners, daring to speak so brazenly. What did she mean, Qing couldn't compete for Feng Wei? Who was she? Feng Wei was supposed to play with her. But glancing at Qing's calm face, Li felt a pang of guilt, her expression faltering.
Qing glanced at her sister, noting her complex expression, and felt a bittersweet ache. "My relationship with him is not what you think," she said evenly.
Lian's smile carried mockery. "Then what is it? Friends? Are you joking, Princess? Do you believe your own words?"
Qing felt confusion, her mind flashing to the grove. The rising star of the righteous path and the forbidden demoness, their fated entanglement laced with carnal pleasure. Feng Wei and Xian Lilith kissing passionately, saliva mingling, entwined, a silver thread linking them like unbroken hearts. So lascivious, yet harmonious.
Xian Lilith smiled, asking, "What's your relationship with Qing?"
He said, "We're just friends."
Yes, just friends.
"And our relationship?" she asked.
He replied, "Ours is different."
So, Qing and Feng Wei were truly just friends. Her heart wavered, her eyes dimming. She closed them, recalling their first meeting. A young girl fresh from her sect, meeting a stubborn yet radiant youth. He smiled brightly, untainted, bowing. "Hello, I'm Feng Wei."
Bruised and battered, he never complained, facing a thousand foes with defiance, entrusting her with his token. "I don't know if I'll return. Please, Qing, deliver this. Tell them Feng Wei stayed true." He charged forth without hesitation.
When they met again, his smile was unchanged. "Qing, all well since we last met?"
She remembered their night atop Lunar Tower, drinking under the moon. Her first taste of wine. Feng Wei raised his cup, reciting, "The autumn moon lights the clear pool, but it pales beside your smile's bloom." Her heart raced, her cheeks flushed. Heat crept to her delicate ears, stirring complex feelings. Her first blush. Was that shyness? Qing couldn't forget it, the first time a man stirred such emotions, coloring her face and the moonlight.
Qing's silence deepened Lian's smile. Though radiant and fiery, it irked Li, who watched silently. It felt smug, Li grumbled inwardly. This barbarian was too arrogant. But glancing back, she saw Qing with closed eyes, lost in thought?
Li mustered courage. "Whether Qing and Feng Wei are friends has nothing to do with you!"
Lian seemed to notice Li. Her bold brows rose, her fierce gaze making Li step back. As if retreating showed weakness, Li flushed, stepped forward, puffed out her modest chest, like fledgling doves, and tilted her head, her tassels swaying. Her beauty held captivating charm.
"And you are?" Lian assessed her, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. Li's beauty was striking, resembling Qing yet lacking her icy demeanor, radiating lively charm and youthful innocence.
"Bright Hua's Princess, Li!" Li tilted her chin, standing on tiptoe to seem taller, puffing her chest to appear mature. To Lian, it was like a child play-acting, amusingly fierce.
"Feng Wei?" Hearing Li's affectionate term, Lian's intuition kicked in. This girl had feelings for him too. Glancing at Qing's closed eyes, she nearly laughed. Sisters sharing one man? The thought sparked irritation.
"Even a girl like this?" Lian sighed inwardly. She'd known Feng Wei's charm would draw many, but for Li to harbor feelings, with the sisters in unspoken accord. Add the capital's gossip about Feng Wei and Suya Jun, talented scholar and fair lady, a match worthy of ballads. It fueled Lian's frustration.
So fond of flirting, her heart's thief? And that demoness. Lian feared Xian Lilith more than Qing or Suya. Their flaws were clear: Qing, proud and cold, could never share a man. Suya, gentle yet resolute, would cling to her choice. Lian had crossed paths with Suya. Sharing a husband? Suya's resolve might outstrip Qing's.
But Xian Lilith. Lian had never met her, yet whispers hinted at a dangerous presence. Now, Lian felt more at ease. She doubted Qing would wed an old, ugly man rather than share with her sister.
Seeing Li's stance, Lian's interest piqued. She eyed Li's figure, lingering on her chest, making Li squirm. "What are you staring at?" Li snapped.
"A girl not yet grown, what's to see?" Lian scoffed.
Li bristled. "Who's not grown?" she retorted.
*Clank!* Lian thrust out her armored chest, the crafted plate accentuating her full, firm curves. Undoing it revealed breasts so robust and toned from training, they stood proud, soaring skyward. Such allure contrasted with Lian's fierce demeanor, a captivating dissonance, wasted on a hall of three girls.
What kind of barbarian strips her armor mid-argument! Li froze, her body stiffening. Hers were several times smaller. Li wilted, her spirit deflating.
Women seemed to rival over figures. Meeting someone larger felt like being subdued, worse than a mouse before a cat. Li glanced at Qing. Qing's were also grand, like twin moons, full and vital, as stunning as Lian's. Looking at her own modest pair, Li felt her hair droop.
Li recalled Hana Park warning, "Binding too tightly stunts growth." She'd dismissed it. What was so great about being big? Consort Yu Fei's size marked her a vixen. But now, Qing was large, this barbarian too, and even Mother. The Emperor's favor for Yu Fei likely stemmed from her ample chest. Could Feng Wei prefer larger ones? Li's heart wept, vowing never to bind tightly again.
Seeing Li retreat, Lian's mood lifted. "This is adult business. Stay out of it, kid."
"Who's a kid!" Li flushed. "I'm sixteen!" Well, almost sixteen, close enough, she reassured herself.
"Sixteen and still so small?" Lian raised a brow. "Little sister, you couldn't nurse a child yet dream of men? Go eat a few more years of rice!"
Li's eyes swirled, dazed. This barbarian was formidable. She looked to Qing for help.
Qing opened her eyes, her gaze calm. "Lian, Feng and I are just friends. Nothing more."
"Qing!" Li panicked, hearing what sounded like yielding.
Lian stared into Qing's eyes. "Qing, I didn't know Xian Sect cultivators excelled at lying."
"I swear on my dao heart," Qing said solemnly, glancing at Li. "Feng and I are only friends." A trace of self-mockery crossed her face. Yes, just friends. He'd said so himself, to another woman.
Lian's expression shifted, showing shock. "Qing, why swear on your dao heart?" She knew the Xian Sect's path refined the heart. The Lunar Forgetting Art, perfect like the full moon, flawless; flawed like the crescent, strength diminished tenfold. Swearing on the dao heart staked one's path.
Though Lian pressed, she hadn't meant to push so far. "I was too forward," she said, softening, bowing slightly. Though rivals for Feng Wei, she didn't want to ruin Qing's path.
Li fell silent, grasping the weight of Qing's words. "I'm tired," Qing said flatly, vanishing without reply.
"Qing!" Li looked worriedly toward Lunar Tower, then glared at Lian. "This is your fault! Hmph!" She stormed out.
Lian stood, dazed and regretful. "Was I too harsh?" She wanted Feng's love solely for herself, a lifetime together, defeating all rivals. But was this necessary?
A ripple stirred her heart. Leaving the palace, she glanced at the imperial peaks, Qing's eyes lingering in her mind. Love was selfish. I'm sorry, but I won't let go.