WJ Chapter 1

Shiwei (1)

Shiwei, Shiwei, why do you not return?  

For the sake of this lord, why do you linger in the cold dew?

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The day when Guan Wujue brought back the blue-robed medicine man happened to be exactly the winter solstice. Wind carried heavy snow, howling fiercely.

The sky was overcast with thick clouds that barely let any light through, constantly blowing snow powder. Yet the ground was illuminated brilliantly white by the snow, as if scattered with a layer of moonlight.

In this hazy world where light and dark met, a spot of red suddenly appeared in the distance, like a startling flame had been ignited.

A tall, vigorous red-maned horse raised its head and neighed, its hooves galloping across the crimson Red River. Wherever it passed, the thin ice on the frozen river cracked, and red water droplets splashed wildly beneath the ice, as if spattering blood all the way.

Mount Shenlie towered majestically, its mountain paths treacherous and difficult to climb. On such a day of wind and snow, it was even more perilous, yet this divine steed moved as if on flat ground, carrying two people swiftly through the dark mountain ranges.

Guan Wujue held the reins with one hand, the other resting on the waist of the person in front of him. His hand was slender, pale, and elegant, with joints slightly protruding beneath the skin in beautiful lines. Above that were soft leather bracers embroidered with golden dragon patterns, already covered with a thin layer of frost and snow from the journey.

These were hands accustomed to wielding swords—perhaps too refined for a blood-stained wanderer of the martial world who killed for a living. But at least, no one would ever question the power of these hands when they held a sword. And those who had once questioned would obediently shut their mouths after seeing the two swords behind him unsheathed.

Guan Wujue, Four Directions Protector of the Zhuyin Sect, wore robes of ink-plum red, carrying twin swords on his back—the female sword “Pixing” on his left, the male sword “Daiyu” on his right. He wielded a stunning twin-sword technique and had an extremely free-spirited and unrestrained nature. The legendary aloof and emotionally distant Sect Leader Yun Changliu of the Zhuyin Sect gave almost all his favor to this handsome and arrogant red-robed protector. All major and minor affairs within and outside the sect, as long as they didn’t threaten the foundation of the Zhuyin Sect, could be handled and decided by the Four Directions Protector—truly below one person, above ten thousand.

However, a year ago, this protector who had enjoyed the sect leader’s great favor was sent away from the main sect located in Xifeng City on Mount Shenlie.

The official explanation was that the Four Directions Protector was representing the sect leader in inspecting and supervising the various branch halls. However, being sent away from the main sect carried the implication of being promoted in name but demoted in reality.

This happened without any warning and caused quite a stir in the martial world at the time. People were amazed that Sect Leader Yun would actually be willing to send away the protector he had always kept close and pampered. Many with ulterior motives secretly speculated whether some change had occurred within the Zhuyin Sect.

However, the Zhuyin Sect maintained its usual aloof and silent style as always, and the rumors and gossip gradually died down.

The howling wind and snow swept across the young protector’s brows and hair. Beneath snow-covered lashes, several indescribable emotions flickered in Guan Wujue’s deep, dark eyes.

Only when he felt the increasingly severe trembling beneath his hand did he finally deign to shift his gaze from staring ahead downward. “This cold?”

His voice was clear and casual, carrying a trace of pressure that wasn’t deliberate but undeniably existed—the bearing of one who looked down from above. Combined with his sharp and piercing gaze, it was even more chilling than the harsh weather.

The person sitting in front of Guan Wujue was wrapped in a thick cloak, underneath which was a green robe that rustled and flapped in the north wind. From under the hood came a very gentle voice, somewhere between that of a youth and a young man, clearly shivering from cold but still stubbornly saying, “N-not cold.”

Unlike Protector Guan, who could maintain an upright posture even while riding on this icy mountain path, the person who spoke clearly didn’t know horsemanship. He could only huddle his frail body under the large cloak, tightly gripping the horse’s mane, relying on Guan Wujue’s support behind him to barely avoid falling off.

Guan Wujue chuckled softly and said, “The peak of Mount Shenlie is severely cold year-round. All members of the Zhuyin Sect possess internal energy to resist the cold. But you… you’ll have to endure it. Since you’ve decided to become the sect leader’s person, what kind of figure would you cut being so delicate and weak?”

The person under the cloak trembled upon hearing this and forced himself to straighten his back. “Yes…! Please rest assured, Protector Daren, Ah Ku understands. I… I’m not afraid of cold, I can endure it well.”

As the horse continued up the mountain path, the surrounding cold became increasingly heavy. Even Guan Wujue, with his profound internal energy, felt somewhat cold after days of continuous exhausting travel. He casually pulled his outer robe tighter and once again channeled internal energy into the green-robed medicine man who called himself Ah Ku to help him resist the cold.

Thinking of something, the red-robed protector’s stern expression finally softened slightly as he said gently to Ah Ku, “—However, you needn’t worry too much. The sect leader has been searching for you all along. He… will treat you well.”

“From now on, you must serve the sect leader properly. Never become arrogant from favor, never lose proper etiquette. Do you understand?”

Ah Ku nodded repeatedly.

After the two had ridden for a short while longer, the outline of a city gradually became visible through the heavy snow ahead. The fiery red horse rounded another mountain curve, and the outline immediately became clear.

Black city walls dozens of zhang high stood upright among the mountains, with an imposing and inviolable majesty amid their gloominess. Beacon towers on both sides each hung a lantern, and on the front of the city gate were three large characters: Xifeng City.

—Through the clouds of Mount Shenlie, nine curves of Red River blood. Majestic Xifeng City, where ghosts weep for the Zhuyin Sect. Once you entered Xifeng City, you had arrived in the territory of the Zhuyin Sect.

The people on the city walls had long since recognized the Four Directions Protector’s red-maned fierce horse and that ink-plum red robe from afar. A row of people had already come down to receive them. Seeing Guan Wujue’s face become clear in the wind and snow, dozens of people split to both sides and knelt in worship, calling out, “The Zhuhuo Guards pay respects to the Four Directions Protector! We respectfully welcome Protector Guan’s return to the sect!”

Guan Wujue pulled the reins to stop the horse, his dark eyes scanning both sides as he said indifferently, “All rise. Is the sect leader in the sect?”

The leader stepped forward and respectfully answered, “Reporting to the Protector, the sect leader entered seclusion three days ago and has not yet emerged.”

“Seclusion… at this time?”

Guan Wujue’s heart darkened, and after a long moment he felt a mixture of sourness and irony. He was very clear about Yun Changliu’s cultivation level—naturally gifted, still far from any bottleneck that would require seclusion at this time. The sect leader was probably tired of his constant letters requesting to return and had thought of this method to have some peace and quiet.

He thought with some self-mockery: Unfortunately, the sect leader’s peace is about to be shattered.

The leading Zhuhuo Guard stepped forward and glanced at Ah Ku, who was shivering under his cloak, his tone slightly hesitant. “Is Protector Guan entering the city now? I dare not hide anything from the Protector, but for some reason, we have not yet received the sect leader’s decree. Should we send someone to…?”

Guan Wujue raised an eyebrow and said leisurely, “Oh, no need to ask.”

He stated matter-of-factly, “There was no decree to begin with.”

The man was stunned. “Then, then the Protector must have the sect leader’s written order—”

“No.” Guan Wujue smiled carelessly. “This protector has returned to the sect without permission. Naturally, the sect leader doesn’t know about it.”

Returned without permission!

As soon as these four words came out, the Zhuhuo Guard leader immediately widened his eyes.

The surrounding Zhuhuo Guards, who had been bowing their heads in rows, also showed expressions of incredulous shock and fear.

…However, that shocked and fearful expression quickly transformed into something very subtle—an indescribable contradiction and conflict.

—A sect member who had been personally ordered by the sect leader to be sent away had actually returned without permission. Speaking seriously, this was disobedience and harboring treasonous intentions.

As Zhuhuo Guards under the Ghost Gate’s command of the Zhuyin Sect, they should immediately draw their swords and shout “Audacious traitor, surrender now!” then rush forward to bind him.

But… the problem was, this matter could also be interpreted lightly, especially when it concerned the person before them.

For instance, “Protector Guan missed the sect leader so much he couldn’t help himself and secretly returned to give the sect leader a surprise” or something like that.

Don’t ask if ordinary people would accept such a flimsy excuse—the sect leader would definitely be the first to accept it.

The Zhuhuo Guard leader’s face showed a pained expression. Although it sounded treasonous to say… if he had to choose, he would rather bind the sect leader than dare to bind the Four Directions Protector before him.

He bowed and said, “Then could the Protector please wait a moment while I go report to the sect leader…”

Guan Wujue sat calmly on his horse and said decisively, “No. I have urgent business to see the sect leader. If the matter is delayed, how could you bear the responsibility?”

“…..” The Zhuhuo Guard leader took several deep breaths.

He reluctantly pointed at the soft, weak-looking figure under the cloak, attempting a final struggle. “Protector Guan, please forgive me. According to the sect’s rules, we cannot allow persons of unknown identity to enter Xifeng City without permission. And since you don’t have the sect leader’s decree…”

The handsome red-robed protector’s expression turned cold. “What, you dare block me from entering the city?”

Upon hearing this, the leader immediately fell to his knees. “I wouldn’t dare! How could I dare to stop the Protector from entering the city? I only ask that the Protector temporarily leave this young master behind.”

Unexpectedly, Guan Wujue slightly narrowed his eyes and confidently raised the corner of his lips. “Hmm, you mean him?”

“He is a gift this protector is bringing to the sect leader. How is his identity unclear?”

“…..”

Complete silence.

Ah Ku fearfully tugged at Guan Wujue’s sleeve. Having apparently never seen anyone dare to act so brazenly unreasonable within the strictly regulated Zhuyin Sect, his voice trembled with fright. “Pro-Protector Daren…”

However, before his words of persuasion could even leave his mouth, he heard Guan Wujue sneer coldly, “Useless thing, what are you afraid of?”

…As if the person who had just advised “never become arrogant from favor, never lose proper etiquette” and the current one were not the same person at all.