Chapter 5: Mei Qinghe

"Be honest. I have something to discuss with you," Li Miao said calmly.

The masked woman dared not move a single finger, cold sweat streaming down her face. Inwardly, she cursed her luck—how could things go so wrong, to have caught the attention of such a formidable figure? She had merely thrust her sword at Li Miao, only to have her origins exposed in an instant. It was not a matter of swordsmanship; her strike was made hastily in midair, without form or structure. This man must understand the force and flow of true energy in Mount Hua's sword techniques so thoroughly that he could discern her sect from a single move.

One who knows a sect's martial arts to such depth is either kin or foe. If kin, why would he threaten her? If foe, then she was nothing but a lamb waiting for slaughter.

At this thought, the masked woman steeled herself. "I admit defeat. If you have need of me, so long as it does not cost my life, I will comply."

"But if you intend harm to my sect—" She swallowed hard, determination etched on her face. "Do not underestimate me! I will never betray my master or ancestors!"

She did not utter empty threats like "Mount Hua Sword Sect will not forgive you," but bent to pick up the broken remains of her sword. Li Miao’s strike had shattered her palm, which now bled and was torn open in places. The pain was excruciating, yet she forced herself into a defensive stance, keeping her gaze fixed on Li Miao.

Since childhood, her family had been destroyed, and she was taken in by the Mount Hua Sword Sect. Ten years of arduous training, countless times fainting from exhaustion, finally led her to mastery and the path of vengeance. She lacked worldly experience, but her resolve was not so feeble as to betray her sect for survival. Even if she were to die today, she would die sword in hand, never sullying the name of Mount Hua.

Li Miao regarded her for a moment, studying her trembling hand.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"I am Mei Qinghe, direct disciple of the Mount Hua Sword Sect."

"Oh, Miss Mei, Lady Mei. You do not fear death?"

"I do not."

"Truly not afraid?"

Mei Qinghe pressed her lips together, saying nothing, only gripping her sword tighter.

Li Miao leisurely reached out and grasped the blade.

Snap—

He broke off another segment. Mei Qinghe shuddered.

Li Miao raised his hand.

Mei Qinghe shut her eyes in despair. Her life, vengeance unfulfilled, was about to end so suddenly. At least she would not bring shame to her sect; perhaps this was a worthy death.

She waited, but heard no whoosh, felt no pain. Her master had told her that sudden grave injury brought no immediate pain, only a growing chill as blood drained away. When even her eyelids felt cold, death would be near.

Had he struck already, and her body simply failed to register it? Was she already wounded, bleeding out?

Her thoughts raced until Li Miao began to laugh.

"Hah, haha, hahahaha."

She opened her eyes to see Li Miao had discarded the broken sword and was smiling at her.

"That's more like it," he said. "A hard spine is always more interesting. Without it, what meaning is there in this world? The capital is full of fearful old veterans; this journey has been ever dull, but tonight, at last, there's some excitement!"

"If only the Five Peaks Sword Alliance had more like you, my visit would not be in vain."

Li Miao strode forward, gripping Mei Qinghe’s wrist.

She instinctively tried to pull away, but with a twitch, Li Miao neutralized all her strength. Then a surge of pure, immense true energy poured into her wrist, and the pain in her wounded palm vanished.

"It's done," Li Miao released her.

Mei Qinghe turned her hand over; her palm, once covered in blood and torn flesh, was now clean, with only some superficial wounds remaining. With internal energy to nurture it, a martial artist’s constitution would heal it in seven or eight days.

"Sir... Elder..."

Mei Qinghe was bewildered by Li Miao’s actions. Who was he, and what did he want?

"I do indeed have business with the Five Peaks Sword Alliance," Li Miao said. "Don't be anxious, hear me out."

He raised his hand to halt her, then continued.

"The Five Peaks Sword Alliance is a mutual aid pact among the Taishan Sect, Hengshan Sect, Huashan Sect, Songshan Sect, and Hengshan Sect."

Several decades ago, it was merely a loose coalition, hardly an organization at all. Even the name 'Five Peaks Sword Alliance' was seldom mentioned in the martial world.

But in recent years, the five sects have grown closer. With Taishan's leader, 'Mountain Guarding Sword' Zuo Lishan, extraordinarily talented and reaching the peak of mastery before forty, he has assumed the role of alliance chief and begun to lead the Five Peaks with real authority. Thus, the term 'Five Peaks Sword Alliance' has come into use.

"Am I correct?" Li Miao asked.

Mei Qinghe nodded silently.

"But integration requires hierarchy. To form a fist, there must be a thumb above, and fingers below."

"The Five Peaks Sword Alliance flourishes in the martial world, but your Mount Hua Sect has not fared well these past years, has it?"

Li Miao had met members of the Mount Hua Sect when apprehending Yan Xiaosheng—the steward he had told to 'get lost,' Gu Jiao, known as the 'Clear Wind Sword.'

Gu Jiao had been humiliated by Li Miao and fled without a word. This was not merely Gu Jiao's nature; it reflected the Mount Hua Sect's recent hardships, unable to risk offending the Embroidered Guards.

"If you look at the map, the two westernmost provinces in my Great Shu are Yunnan to the southwest, and Shaanxi, home of your Mount Hua Sect."

"The other four: Taishan in Shandong, Hengshan in Shanxi, Songshan in Henan, and Hengshan in Hunan."

"For integration, someone must be on the bottom. In terms of distance, Hengshan is farthest, yet the lands south of the Yangtze are so rich they overflow with wealth."

Li Miao spoke with ease.

"In recent years, the Five Peaks Sword Alliance faces trouble, Hengshan provides money, the other four provide men. Mount Hua, located on the frontier with few people, must make long journeys to Shandong for meetings and to various places for affairs. The mountains are high, roads remote, people grow fewer, strength wanes. If one must pick the most disadvantaged among the Five Peaks, who else but you?"

Mei Qinghe remained silent.

Li Miao had spoken nothing but truth, merely exposing the interests concealed beneath the surface camaraderie of the martial world.

Songshan, Hengshan, and Taishan are geographically close, with Taishan at the helm, most intent on integrating the Five Peaks. Hengshan, wealthy, provides funds but not men, preserving its strength and holding sway.

Only Mount Hua is farthest, weakest in strength, poorest in wealth.

With each passing year, their influence at alliance meetings diminishes. If things continue as they are, in a few more sessions, Mount Hua will be reduced to mere lackeys within the Five Peaks Sword Alliance.