Chapter 9: Three Worlds In Exchange For An Access Pass (1)
Qian Siyu squatted down against the side of the cave, a broom in her hands and a miserable grimace on her face.
This was not at all what she had envisioned when she willingly and peaceably followed the disciples of Moon Valley Sect back to their lair a week ago.
Hong Shan, one of the junior disciples of the allegedly infamous and terrorising unorthodox sect, continued sweeping the dust as she urged: "Don't slack off, Xue-guniang. We'll get punished if someone sees you like this."
Standing up with a loud grunt, Qian Siyu pointed to the ground with the broom. "What is there to sweep up when there's nothing in this barren place. This whole place is just made up of rocks and caves. Trees can't even grow here because there's no sunlight!"
"We have to do our duty everyday to keep this place spick and span," Hong Shan said in an undertone, her shoulders raising slightly in a shrug.
At that moment, two guards with a menacing aura appeared. Their eyes swept round the dark cave before landing on Qian Siyu. Eyes narrowing, the female guard thundered: "The Valley Master has summoned you. Please follow us, Xue-guniang."
"The-the Valley Master wants to see me?" Qian Siyu echoed, somewhat unable to belief her ears. She stared at them with a surprised look on her face, feeling her heart beat with trepidation and eagerness.
The female guard blinked, as if equally surprised to see Qian Siyu's excitement. Turning around, she started to walk off. "Let us make haste."
Tossing aside the broom, Qian Siyu hurriedly skipped after the guards. She was finally able to meet the elusive antagonist of Snow Path! Ever since she was brought to the Moon Valley Sect, she had been trying to get an audience with the Valley Master—except that he seemed to be in no haste to meet her despite having given the order to abduct Xue Qianyu. She was only told to wait to be summoned and to follow Hong Shan's directions in the meantime. Just as she was fretting over how she would ever be able to carry out her plans, she was finally given the opportunity to meet with him.
The Master of Moon Valley, Huan Yi.
After navigating what felt like a massive labyrinth of caverns and passageways, Qian Siyu was led into a large chamber. There were two groups of people who stood silently on either side of the room, creating a clear path in the middle which paved the way towards a stone throne on elevated rocks. And on that throne sat a man dressed in dark blue robes with silver and light blue cloud patterns embroidered on it.
Seeing her walk down the aisle to stand before him, the Valley Master straightened himself. Qian Siyu stared boldly at the mask which covered half of Huan Yi's face to show only his dark eyes and red lips.
Was there something that he was trying to hide? A scar, perhaps? Or, maybe his beauty?
"Valley Master, we've brought Xue-guniang as per your request." The guards who had led her to stand before Huan Yi bowed slightly to greet their leader, their right hands placed over their left chests.
Huan Yi cleared his throat and nodded. "You're dismissed."
Qian Siyu blinked, uncertain if her eyes were playing tricks on her. Did she just see the corner of his lips curve up faintly?
"Xue-guniang, do you know why you're here?" Huan Yi asked.
Clasping her hands together, Qian Siyu started to shake her head; but when she saw Huan Yi shift his weight in his seat impatiently, she quickly spoke up: "Most esteemed Valley Master, I know not why you have summoned me here today, but I am deeply honoured to be able to stand here in your presence. You are someone that I have deeply admired for a long time now and it has always been my wish to serve a great leader like you."
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Ten Thousand Books, But Only One You
FantasyFang Yuhan went in search of her absent classmate, but stumbled upon his huge secret and a desperate plea to rescue him. Entering a realm spanning across reality and fiction, she learnt that her childhood friend was trapped in a wuxia novel. To save...
