Chapter 10: The Jianghu Isn't Just Fighting
Jiang Li and Yue Ji happily finished the chicken mushroom stew in the bamboo grove.
Qian Tingsheng, Hidden Sword Peak's senior brother mentioned by Yue Ji, wouldn't trouble him now—private duels were forbidden in the sect, so Jiang Li wasn't worried.
To charm beautiful women, one had to accept envy as part of the deal.
After dinner, Yue Ji lounged lazily in Jiang Li's recliner. The evening breeze was cool, and recent spring rains left the ground damp.
Jiang Li lay on another recliner, gazing at the boundless night sky. Stars glittered vividly in this world, a dazzling sight he'd never tired of, even after over a decade.
"By the way, what does your Heavenly Mechanism Sect even do?" he asked Yue Ji, curiosity piqued.
Xuantian Daoji Sect's most enigmatic faction was Heavenly Mechanism Sect, with only one disciple per generation. When a disciple inherited the mantle, the previous leader either retired or passed on. Yet, despite its long history, few knew its purpose. When asked, their reply was always…
"The secrets of heaven must not be revealed," Yue Ji said cryptically.
"Can't you give a human answer?"
"Fortune-telling and divination," she answered flatly. Jiang Li turned to her. "Then read my fortune."
She sneered, not even pausing to think before mocking him. "Lone star of calamity, cursed with peach blossoms—bound to die by a woman's hand someday."
Knowing she was teasing, he gave a thumbs-up. "Spot-on!"
She rolled her eyes. "I did try to read your fortune once, seriously."
"And?"
"It'd cost my lifespan." Her tone held a trace of fear.
Heavenly Mechanism Sect had one secret tome, the Heavenly Mechanism Codex. Yue Ji had used it on Jiang Li once. Each use shaved off some lifespan, but she hadn't expected that peering into his fate would shatter her Heavenly Eye instantly.
The codex had no record of such an omen, so she never dared try again—her current skill wasn't enough to divine his fate.
"Then don't," Jiang Li said, shrugging. He never believed in fate.
He'd dabbled in astrology before, though he didn't buy it—just used it to charm naive girls. He found it ironic that explaining his hot-and-cold behavior as "Gemini vibes" actually worked on some.
When someone invests too much or grows too greedy, they fall into a gambler's trap, deceiving themselves.
"I can't read yours, but I can tell you someone else's fortune," Yue Ji offered.
"Who?" His interest sparked.
"From what I see, Mu Bingning's due for a romance within six months." She watched him closely, fishing for regret or jealousy. But Jiang Li's face showed only amusement, like he was enjoying gossip.
"With who?"
"How should I know?"
"Tch, thought you were hot stuff." He lost interest instantly.
"You're really over her?" Yue Ji pressed, skeptical.
"I'm still head over heels—happy now?" He rolled his eyes, dodging her probing. She glared, pinched his waist before he could yelp, and stood.
"Sister's heading back to rest. Can you handle what I asked?"
"And if I can't?"
"Call me."
"If I'm bedridden, don't forget to play nurse," he said, escorting her to the grove's edge. Her lips curved. "Sure."
Morning.
Jiang Li woke naturally, Big White in his arms. After washing up, he stretched and opened the door to find a white-robed youth sitting outside, sword on his back. His scrutinizing look wasn't friendly.
"And you are…?" Jiang Li smiled warmly.
"Hidden Sword Peak, twenty-sixth, Lin Pingzhi." The youth's face lit up at Jiang Li's response. Unabashed, he said, "I heard from other brothers that Senior Brother Jiang Li's swordsmanship was once unmatched, so I came to spar."
"Who sent you?" Jiang Li asked, knowing full well.
"No one." Lin Pingzhi wasn't a good liar—his unease was obvious. Likely just a pawn pushed by Qian Tingsheng to test him.
"My swordsmanship's been rusty for years. If you want to learn, ask Senior Brother Qian Tingsheng."
Lin Pingzhi's expression shifted. "What if I insist on sparring with you?"
"I concede," Jiang Li said, spreading his hands innocently.
"Surrendering before a match—aren't you afraid of our peers' mockery?"
"Junior Brother, you're too green. At my level, you'll see honor and fame are just fleeting illusions."
Jiang Li strolled to his garden, picking up a watering can to tend his flowers.
Lin Pingzhi followed. Jiang Li's words didn't anger him. He gazed at the vibrant garden, recalling his orders to stir trouble today.
"Your garden's… quite refined, Senior Brother."
"If you like it, take a couple of flowers. They're meaningless alone, but gifted to a beloved girl, they gain purpose." Jiang Li watered lazily, showing no temper.
Lin Pingzhi froze, unsure how to respond.
Sword cultivators were hot-headed, their sharp blades fueling tempers. Meeting someone as composed as Jiang Li was a first.
"If you won't spar, peers will look down on you."
"Junior Brother, here's another lesson: if you ever need others' approval to prove yourself, that's a sad fate for you and your sword."
His words stung, but his mild tone made them sound reasonable.
Lin Pingzhi fell silent. Jiang Li finished watering, turning to him. "Any flowers catch your eye?"
You don't hit a smiling face. Lin Pingzhi took a deep breath, expression odd. "You'd really let me take them?"
"Just cheap flowers."
So Lin Pingzhi plucked a violet, likely for a girl he liked. Jiang Li sat, pouring himself tea, and asked, "Who's the lucky lady?"
Young and caught off guard, Lin Pingzhi squirmed, reluctant to answer after accepting Jiang Li's gesture. Jiang Li poured him tea, pointing to himself. "Know who I am?"
"Senior Brother Jiang Li," Lin Pingzhi said, puzzled.
"Think I'm qualified to teach you how to woo a girl?" Jiang Li grinned.
It dawned on Lin Pingzhi—Jiang Li was a legend in Hidden Sword Peak.
Not everyone could cycle through partners monthly like it was nothing.
People condemned him, but envy? Hard to say.
Jiang Li gestured to the opposite chair. Lin Pingzhi hesitated, then sat. Jiang Li leaned in, serious. "Let Senior Brother give you a proper lesson…"
Half an hour later.
Jiang Li knew everything about Lin Pingzhi's crush. No entanglements there—her looks were too plain for him.
His standards were high—appearance had to be one in a million, cultivation aside.
In half an hour, he taught Lin Pingzhi exactly how to win her over, down to the timing for hugs, hand-holding, even kisses.
Lin Pingzhi's initial bravado was gone, replaced by gratitude—awestruck admiration.
So that's how you pursue a sister!
Senior Brother Jiang Li's incredible!
Jiang Li smiled, fanning himself lightly. "A teachable lad."
Lin Pingzhi stood, face flushed with awkwardness, avoiding Jiang Li's eyes. Stammering, he said, "Senior Brother… I came today to…"
"I know. No need to say it. Let's pretend I don't." Jiang Li cut him off.
"I was blind, shameless, letting myself be used. Senior Brother, I'll convince my circle to stop bothering you, never swayed again."
"Much appreciated. It's getting late—perfect time to catch a girl resting from sword practice, right?" Jiang Li smiled. Lin Pingzhi nodded, thanked him again, and hurried off.
Watching him go, Jiang Li shook his head.
Unless necessary, fighting was pointless—his long-held belief. In his past life, he'd charmed many women. If every jealous rival demanded a duel, he'd never stop fighting.