About 15 Years ago.
Sounds of birds chirping and of people talking could be heard as the sun started to rise. A few cultivators had already woken up earlier and were silently training by themselves in order to grow stronger and prepare for the upcoming competition between the sects that only happened every decade.
In particular, the sounds of a swinging sword could be heard in a private manor within the Moon Sect. A female cultivator that looked like she was in her late teens could be seen, moving in quick motion as she swung a beautiful silver sword, taking multiple steps and using her flexible body to avoid invisible attacks.
Her dark eyes followed the movement of her sword and one could feel the heavy pressure that was released from her body. Every step looked light as a feather, but the swiftness of her sword was lethal. Sweat dripped from her face to the ground as she made a final swing, emitting a powerful blow that could barely be seen as it hit the ground and created a dent.
She took a breath and released it, sheathing her sword. It was a habit of hers to train the way of the sword every morning after meditating with her inner chi; however, lately Wu LiJing has been waking up before dawn in order to increase her training time.
Wu LiJing is a direct disciple of the Moon Sect leader, so she must train harder to not disappoint her master. She has been waking up earlier than usual to prepare for the competition since her master had informed her that she would take part in it due to her absence in the previous competition.
Taking light strides towards the table a few feet away from her, she grabbed and used the clean towel to wipe her sweat. As she took a sip of water, she looked at the dent on the ground where she stood earlier and frowned. It seems she had to get the tiles fixed again.
When she trained, she greatly controlled the amount of chi she released with every attack to prevent destroying her backyard because this was a great way to practice control. Still, sometimes she couldn't help it because she usually concentrated greatly on her moves, and there were moments when her body would be in a prime state, which would cause her to subconsciously release a slightly increased amount of inner chi with her attack.
Wu LiJing drank the rest of the cup of water, peered over to the left when she heard light footsteps, and called over her servant.
"ChunHua. The floor needs to be repaired."
Cheng ChunHua was a decent petite-looking maid, looking to be around her late teens, dressed in a light blue uniform to show her status as the personal servant of a direct disciple. Like all uniforms, on her sleeves was the symbol of the Moon Sect. She possessed bright and optimistic eyes and carried a neutral expression as she walked over.
Wu LiJing liked to be independent, so Cheng ChunHua only looked after her manor and did not enter her room. As a direct disciple, Wu LiJing was allowed two servants to tend to her since direct disciples usually had a different training regimen and also went on missions once they were strong enough.
When the sect leader finally accepted her as his disciple, she had the privilege to live by herself in her own manor, so someone needed to keep it clean while she was away. She only felt the need for one servant to look after her manor since she wasn't too picky and hired Cheng ChunHua for the job. It was only recently that she was allowed to have her cousin come live with her after her cousin finally became an inner disciple.
Cheng ChunHua let out a small, hopeless sigh when she got a better look of the dent. Then she moved her attention back to her casually dressed master. "I will have it fixed by tomorrow, Master." She would have to remember not to trip because of it. There were times when the backyard had to be repaired because whenever Wu LiJing returned from the outside, she mainly focused on her training inside her manor. At this point, Cheng ChunHua was used to it and realized accidents were bound to happen when one had a master that lived her life concentrating on cultivating only.
Wu LiJing took a quick bath and put on her dark purple robes, a uniform showing her status as a direct disciple. The inner robes were thin and black in color. Her dark purple outer robes were decorated with simple designs of the stars and moon on the sleeves and collar, using white and silver thread. A beautifully made white tassel hung on the side of her sash alongside a pendant carved with the symbol of the Moon Sect. She quickly tied half of her long hair up and braided it into a bun before securing it with a simple silver hair ornament. Just as she grabbed for her silver sword, she heard a knock on her door.
"What is it?"
"Master, Sir Mo is here," Cheng ChunHua replied politely behind the door.
Wu LiJing paused and after a moment ordered, "Invite him in for breakfast."
"Yes, master."
Wu LiJing could hear the footsteps slowly get softer. After making sure she was ready to go, she took her sword that laid on her bedside and walked out the door to her courtyard. As she neared her courtyard, the sword from her hand vanished.
Mo ShiLan was already there when she entered. He wore neat yellow robes that had simple black designs and stood with a gallant aura. A smile appeared on his handsome face when he saw her and he greeted her politely. "LiJing, I hope I didn't intrude on your time."
Wu LiJing showed a small smile for the first time and shook her head. "Of course not, ShiLan. Join me for breakfast." She sat down and he sat across from her. Cheng ChunHua entered the courtyard, carrying a tray of foods. She placed the simple dishes down on the table and then left, knowing they liked their privacy.
"Today, we have some shrimp for breakfast. Please enjoy." Wu LiJing knew from observing some time ago that Mo ShiLan liked to eat shrimp. That's why if he ever came over and they had shrimp on the menu, she would have Cheng ChunHua bring some extra for them. All of the disciples had the same menu to choose from. But because Cheng ChunHua liked to cook, she allowed Cheng ChunHua to cook her food.
Mo ShiLan chuckled. "You know me," he said. He put some shrimp into her bowl before he put some in his. He reached out and gently held her hand. "I also brought some snacks for you. I know you enjoy eating snacks when you read. I already gave them to Cheng ChunHua to give you later."
Wu LiJing nodded. "Many thanks." Mo ShiLan liked to bring gifts whenever he visited. Last time, he changed it up a bit and bought her a few hair pins.
Mo ShiLan sighed. "There you go again. There is no need for thanks; we are engaged, remember?" He looked around and then asked, "Where is QiaoHua? Is she not having any breakfast?"
Wu LiJing smiled. "That girl is still asleep. She is probably tired from yesterday's training. The teachers have been more strict than usual due to the upcoming competition. Since today is a rest day, she is probably trying to get the best out of it."
Mo ShiLan nodded and expressed his concern, "She didn't get injured, did she?"
Wu LiJing chuckled. "No. She is doing well, though I might have been a bit strict with her lately as well."
"But you treat your cousin so well," he said with a slight sadness in his voice that she didn't catch. "It's good she lives in your courtyard so you can look over her training from time to time."
"Well... there's only me and her left," she said with a warm smile.
He squeezed her hand warmly.
"How are you?" he asked as they ate peacefully. "Don't train too hard. The competition isn't until a few years from now."
She drank some water and replied, "My training has basically been the same." If Cheng ChunHua was there, she would stare with big eyes, not believing her master one bit.
"Are you preparing anything for the competition?" she asked and turned to him. "Is your master strict with your training?"
Mo ShiLan smiled. "My master may be the sect master, but he's quite lenient as long as I do well. Though he has been more demanding as of late."
Wu LiJing nodded. "Master is the same. He is barely here these days though."
Mo ShiLan slightly frowned out of worry. "Is everything alright? If you need any help, I can ask my master."
Wu LiJing shook her head. "It's nothing serious. I think Master is having those moments again, traveling around for fun."
"Then that's good. You can slack off a little."
Wu LiJing paused and smiled. She put some more shrimp into his plate and scooped some of the soup into her bowl. "Master is not too strict on me," she said. "Working hard is good too."
He sighed. "Master has been asking me to train some more and I know it's good to train. But I need a break too. That's why I came to see you." He smiled warmly towards her.
Once both were done eating, Wu LiJing stood up. "ChunHua, come clear the dishes." She gestured towards the road to her garden, "Would you like to take a walk?"
Mo ShiLan nodded and stood up. He stretched and followed her. They have already been engaged for four years and gotten much closer than before. It took them two years before they talked informally to each other without addressing each other with honorifics since they were basically strangers then.
Mo ShiLan looked at the side profile of his fiancé as they walked in a peaceful silence. As he got to know her, he also came to admire her. That was why he tried his best to return her affections and treat her well.
Wu LiJing looked up at him who was slightly taller than her. "What is it?"
"Nothing," he quickly answered. "It's just... you're pretty." He smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed.
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