Editor and Proofreader: Leo of Zion Mountain & Dhael Ligerkeys
āThe Stirring Clouds Saber and Covering Rain Sword are real treasures. Theyāre said to have been left behind by a powerful cultivator several hundred years ago. They last appeared thirty years ago when they were obtained by a rogue cultivator. I didnāt expect that they were in the Meng Manor!ā With a fervent expression, Yin Zhi Yong fiddled with the saber and sword. He was also a cultivator, so he loved treasures like these.
The average cultivator would see his power increase by 30% by wielding these exquisite weapons, not to mention that Yang Kai was a very powerful cultivator.
Moreover, given Yin Zhi Yongās eyesight, he was certain that the Stirring Clouds Saber and Covering Rain Sword before his eyes were genuine, not counterfeits one could easily find on the streets.
He reluctantly put the weapons back into their sheaths and said with envy, āLittle Brother Yang, the Patriarch must regard you highly if he gave you such treasures. I suppose only someone like you deserves such an incredible sword and saber though.ā
In the battle to protect the Eldest Young Lady Meng Ru, Yang Kai did not only prove his loyalty but also his incredible strength and skill. In fact, Meng De Ye had sent his trusted aide to examine the battlefield, and the conclusion was that there were fewer than ten people in the world who could fight against 100 bandits on their own and cause such casualties.
Since Yang Kai was both loyal and powerful, it was expected that Meng De Ye regarded him highly. Yang Kaiās power would increase significantly as he now possessed the Stirring Clouds Saber and Covering Rain Sword.
It was not tiring to work in the inner court because Meng Ru stayed in her residence most of the time. She would rarely step out of the building.
It wasnāt certain whether it was because she loved staying indoors or she was still frightened following the previous incident.
Therefore, Yang Kai and Yin Zhi Yong just had to remain hidden when they were on duty and paid close attention to her to prevent any accidents from happening.
With that said, rarely would any accidents happen in the inner court. Other than the two of them, there were a lot of personal bodyguards hiding in different places. Those who were untrustworthy would never be allowed to enter the inner court.
Nevertheless, Yang Kai now faced a conundrum as he was unable to get into any close contact with the Eldest Young Lady. This was giving him a headache.
There was no doubt that he had left a lasting impression on her, and he was now lucky enough to become her personal bodyguard in the inner court; however, if he was unable to strike while the iron was hot, his efforts might all go to waste.
Nonetheless, Yang Kai was just a personal bodyguard in the inner court while Meng Ru was the Eldest Young Lady of the Meng Manor. There was a huge difference between their statuses. If he crossed the line, he would only invite trouble to himself.
Yang Kai reckoned that he had to come up with a plan to get closer to the Eldest Young Lady.
One day, Meng Ru was in a good mood as she led her two maidservants to take a stroll around the garden.
Although it had only been a short time since Qian Qian entered the inner court, she had gained the Eldest Young Ladyās favour for some reason. Only one month had passed, but she was now one of her trusted maidservants.
Despite the fact that she was on an equal footing with Cuiāer, she wasnāt as close to the Eldest Young Lady as the latter; after all, Cuiāer and the Eldest Young Lady grew up together.
Having said that, many of the maidservants in the inner court were envious of Qian Qianās luck. No one knew why the Eldest Young Lady was fond of this new maidservant.
Yang Kai and Yin Zhi Yong followed them without revealing themselves. The Eldest Young Lady and the maidservants had no idea where they were.
However, Meng Ru knew that Yang Kai and Yin Zhi Yong were not far away from her in order to prevent any accidents from happening. That was because she had given it a try before. Regardless of where she was, she just had to call out to Yang Kai, and he would appear from a random corner and stand in front of her, as though he was her shadow.
For a few days, she never got tired of this little game. As soon as she found a reason, she would call out to Yang Kai.
As a result, Cuiāerās displeasure with Yang Kai increasingly intensified whenever she saw him.
On this day, the Eldest Young Lady was in a jovial mood; in fact, she had been cheerful recently as she was no longer traumatised by the kidnapping incident. She would always keep an alluring smile on her face.
Nevertheless, she was just a young woman who rarely stepped out of her residence, so after about two hours, she started panting and declared, āIām tired.ā
Cuiāer said, āIn that case, we should go back and get some rest. Itās pretty windy here, so you might catch a cold if you stay here any longer.ā
The Eldest Young Lady tilted her head and fell into her thoughts. Suddenly thinking of something, she giggled and called out, āGuard Yang!ā
The next moment, footsteps could be heard approaching from behind. Yang Kai appeared like a phantom and stopped in his tracks in a spot that was ten paces away from Meng Ru before cupping his fist, āEldest Young Lady!ā
āOh, youāre here.ā Meng Ru turned around and pouted with disappointment, āI thought you would appear from over there. I didnāt expect that you were behind me.ā
When Cuiāer saw that the Eldest Young Lady was acting so happily, she asked gently, āEldest Young Lady, why did you call out to Guard Yang again? He has to stay hidden to protect you.ā
She then glowered at Yang Kai, āYou may go now.ā
The Eldest Young Lady, however, interjected, āThereās not really any danger in the inner court. Moreover, Guard Yang is strong. Even if thereās any danger, he can protect me regardless of whether he is hidden or not. Am I right, Guard Yang?ā
Yang Kai hung his head low, āItās my duty to protect you, Eldest Young Lady.ā
āAlright, the Eldest Young Lady knows that youāre loyal. You may go.ā Cuiāer waved her hand.
Instead of leaving though, Yang Kai asked, āDo you have anything to tell me, Eldest Young Lady?ā
āYes.ā Meng Ru nodded happily, āI want to learn martial arts. Why donāt you teach me?ā
Cuiāer was astounded and asked, āYou want to learn martial arts, Eldest Young Lady? Youāve never been interested in them since you were a child.ā
Meng Ru replied with a smile, āThat was in the past. Preferences can change over time.ā
Cuiāer dissuaded her by saying, āIām worried that itās too late for you to start learning martial arts. You wonāt become a powerful cultivator. Furthermoreā¦ā
Meng Ru cut her off by saying, āItās not like I want to become a powerful cultivator. I just want to strengthen my body. Isnāt that one of the benefits of learning martial arts? I feel tired after just walking for a short time, which must be because Iām weak. Moreover, I found it difficult to hold a sword previously as I almost couldnāt lift it. If I had learned martial arts, that wouldnāt have happened. Even if I come across any danger again, Iāll have the strength to protect myself.ā
Seeing that the Eldest Young Lady was insistent, Cuiāer wouldnāt dare to refute her. After giving it a thought, she offered a suggestion, āIf you want to learn martial arts, you can ask a martial arts instructor in the manor to teach you. Guard Yang has his own duties, so it might not be convenient for him.ā
Meng Ru snorted, āThe martial arts instructors in the manor are not as strong as Guard Yang. You have no idea how bold he was. At that time, he easily killed those bandits with the sword and saber in his hands. The blood formed into a puddle and dyed my shoes red.ā
Cuiāer had never heard of anything so ruthless before, so she turned pale in an instant and wouldnāt dare to say anything.
Meng Ru then turned to Yang Kai and asked, āWill you teach me, Guard Yang?ā
Certainly, Yang Kai was more than willing to do that as he would have a chance to come into close contact with the Eldest Young Lady repeatedly, so after pretending to ponder for a moment, he nodded, āI am your subordinate, so I will definitely obey your orders.ā
Meng Ru clapped her hands with joy, āLetās start now, then.ā
āHere?ā Yang Kai asked.
āOh, en, letās go back first.ā Meng Ru came to her senses and shuffled forward.
Yang Kai followed her closely.
Cuiāer snapped back to reality and frowned. After telling Qian Qian something, she pulled up her dress and dashed out of the inner court.
The Eldest Young Lady wanted to learn martial arts, and she insisted that Yang Kai had to teach her. This matter had to be reported to the Patriarch. Since Cuiāer was powerless to stop her, she reckoned that she would ask the Patriarch to intervene.
Upon leaving the inner court, Cuiāer arrived at the Grand Hall where the Patriarch dealt with his daily business. After waiting for a bit, she was allowed to see him.
Cuiāer quickly told him what was going on. With his back leaning against his chair, Meng De Ye placed his hands on his belly and gave it a thought, āIf Ruāer wants to learn martial arts, just let her be. I suppose she just wants to learn it for fun. She wonāt persevere for long. Tell Yang Kai that he must not let Ruāer get injured. If she loses a strand of hair, Iāll not spare him.ā
Cuiāer had never expected that the Patriarch would agree to it. Although it was obvious to everyone that he had been doting on the Eldest Young Lady over the years, she thought he would stop her this time.
She had the urge to say that after the previous incident, there was something wrong with the way the Eldest Young Lady looked at Yang Kai. She had been by her side for many years, but she had never seen Meng Ru looking at a man with such a gaze before.
That was a gaze with a sense of longing.
However, she wouldnāt dare to say such a thing out loud. First of all, she was worried that she was mistaken. Secondly, it might ruin the Eldest Young Ladyās reputation.
āYou may leave now.ā Meng De Ye waved his hand.
Left with no choice, Cuiāer left the hall.
Upon returning to the inner court, she realised that the Eldest Young Lady had changed into some tight-fitting clothes. There was a wooden sword in her hand as she wielded it following Yang Kaiās instructions.
The move was monotonous, but the Eldest Young Lady seemed joyful and serious as she kept asking Yang Kai whether she was doing it right. Yang Kai was just standing in a spot not far away from her as he gave her instructions from time to time.
Meanwhile, Qian Qian was standing silently to the side. Cuiāer walked up to her and complained, āWhy didnāt you stop her?ā
A flustered Qian Qian lowered her head and remained silent.
Cuiāer snapped, āYouāre so useless! Iāll chase you out of here sooner or later!ā
Qian Qian hung her head even lower.
Just a quarter hour later, the Eldest Young Lady was drenched in sweat.
A well prepared Cuiāer walked up to her with a wet towel and helped her wipe herself off.
With a hopeful gaze, Meng Ru asked, āHow was I doing, Guard Yang?ā
Yang Kai nodded his head, āAs a beginner, you are doing very well. You have the talent to learn martial arts.ā
That was to be expected; after all, she was Qu Hua Shangās reincarnation. Although she had lost her memory, her instincts were ingrained in the deepest part of her Soul. It wasnāt surprising that she had shown exceptional aptitude in learning martial arts.
Meng Ru was elated, āReally? Youād better not lie to me. If you do, Iāllā¦ā As she spoke, she balled up her fist and shook it as though she was going to punch him.
However, she soon realised that she was acting rather coquettishly, so she quickly retracted her hand and wiped her face to conceal her embarrassment.
With a solemn expression, Yang Kai replied, āI would never dare to lie to you. Itās the truth.ā
Upon hearing that, Meng Ru put on a bright smile.
Cuiāer pressed her lips together, āYouād better be cautious, Eldest Young Lady. Menās words cannot be trusted.ā
āWhat are you talking about? Itās not like youāve had a man before.ā Meng Ru pinched the other womanās nose.
A blushing Cuiāer stomped her foot on the ground, āHow could you even say such a thing? I have to tell the Patriarch about it.ā
āNo, donāt do that! Iāll keep my mouth shut, Cuiāer.ā Meng Ru quickly pleaded with her.