My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Lu Ying had just finished a debate of principles. Beads of fragrant sweat dotted her forehead. Ever since Demon Extermination Day, many of the senior and junior sisters from Yin Sword Mountain had returned home, leaving only a few behind in the Capital City. She was one of those few.

The reason she stayed was entirely because her master was still recuperating from injuries. During this time, she had taken the opportunity to visit nearly every temple and shrine in the Capital City.

Lu Ying patiently brewed tea as Dong Gong Ruoshu sat across from her, casually reminiscing about amusing childhood stories.

At the Clearjiang Lecture Gathering, Luo Ying was from Jin Country, and the Lu Family and Chen Family had long shared deep ties of kinship. For three consecutive generations, the primary lineage of the Chen Family married daughters of the Lu Family. Of course, the current Family Head was an exception. He had originally been betrothed to a Lu Family lady, but during his youthful travels in Western Shu, not only did he live recklessly, but upon returning home, he introduced a woman with the compound surname Dong Gong, disregarded everyone's objections, and declared her his wife.

Even when the Broken Swordsman placed a sword against his throat, the Family Head remained unyielding, voluntarily leaning into the blade. It was only with such death-defying resolve that he silenced the opposition and made her his wife. From this union came Chen Ruoshu, now known as "Dong Gong Ruoshu."

Though this event caused discord between the two families, they were, after all, longtime allies. To mend the rift, they exchanged children for fostering. This was how Lu Ying first met Dong Gong Ruoshu.

As for Dong Gong Ruoshu's maid, Xiao Chan, she could also be considered a childhood companion to the two, though a maid remained a maid and must serve her mistress.

"You've reached the age to marry. Do you have someone you like?"

Lu Ying asked Dong Gong Ruoshu enthusiastically, reminiscing about the past.

"I remember you secretly took me up the city walls and said you wanted to be like Lou Zhaojun, pointing out your chosen husband with a single gesture."

Hearing this, a rare, faint bitter smile appeared on Dong Gong Ruoshu's face.

Even while wearing that bitter smile, Miss Donggong still exuded a touch of innocence.

Lu Ying didn't notice and continued, "When we slept side by side at night, you'd always tell me how you wanted to be like your father—defying everyone and bringing home a husband."

"That was ignorant talk from a young age."

After a long silence, Dong Gong Ruoshu spoke softly.

Lu Ying blinked in surprise.

"When we were young, we'd leave the windows open, afraid ghosts might sneak in. What was then is not the same as now," Dong Gong Ruoshu said absently.

Lu Ying furrowed her brows in confusion. "What's going on?"

Dong Gong Ruoshu hesitated briefly and sighed. "I never told you. The reason I came here was to run away from an arranged marriage."

"Run away...? From an arranged marriage?" Lu Ying's eyes widened slightly.

Dong Gong Ruoshu scratched her cheek awkwardly and said softly, "Running away from a marriage to the Crown Prince."

Lu Ying turned pale. She had heard rumors that a daughter of the Chen Family was to marry the Crown Prince, but she had never investigated their veracity.

After pondering for a moment, Dong Gong Ruoshu glanced at Xiao Chan and said, "Xiao Chan, you explain."

Xiao Chan forced a bitter smile and, in the detached tone of a third party, recounted:

"In the Capital City of Jin Country, the Chen Family's sole daughter was stunningly beautiful and skilled in every art. At sixteen, she penned the masterpiece 'Northern Departure' on the fifteenth of July, dedicating it to the Festival of Ghosts. Her verses reached imperial ears, gaining fame across half the Capital City. Gifted in beauty and talent, born into a distinguished noble lineage, by the twenty-first year of Chenghua, she was selected as the Crown Princess Consort."

Lu Ying was momentarily at a loss for words. She understood Dong Gong Ruoshu's free-spirited nature. Though Miss Donggong seemed guileless, her proficiency in poetry, calligraphy, and literature was unparalleled. Precisely because of her talents, she had garnered fame in Jin Country's Capital City. Yet few knew that Dong Gong Ruoshu preferred listening to Hua Mulan's tales and aspired to be a remarkable woman.

Still bitter, Xiao Chan went on, "The young mistress begged her father tearfully, kneeling until her knees were raw. Even invoking the matriarch's name as leverage, she managed to secure this single opportunity to venture out, but it will surely be her last."

Draining the tea in her cup like it was alcohol, Dong Gong Ruoshu muttered, "So bitter... Unlike the Northern nomads, who add milk to their tea."

Watching this, Lu Ying smiled faintly but then restrained herself.

At that moment, Dong Gong Ruoshu changed moods, giggling as she said, "This time, my travels are about honing my martial arts, hoping to advance further. That bald-headed nun, what's her name—Ling Hui? Yes, Ling Hui the Mage. With my persuasive tongue, she passed half of her power to me. Initially, I felt like I'd gained an advantage, but this very power has caused me trouble; I struggle to digest it and endure nightly torments from chants that scorch my bones."

"Luckily, I've found a prescription; I only need one more ingredient, which happens to be in a man's possession. With some trickery, it'll be within my grasp, though this will be my first time attempting such a thing."

Lu Ying questioned, "Who is this man?"

"Someone skilled with the Brocade Spring Blade—a man with a heavy thirst for killing."

Dong Gong Ruoshu responded cryptically, "I don't want to reveal too much."

Someone skilled with the Brocade Spring Blade and driven by bloodlust... Lu Ying couldn't immediately think of anyone. There were simply too many such people in the Capital City of Great Yu.

Zhou Yitang's brows furrowed faintly.

Dong Gong Ruoshu's attention remained fixed on Lu Ying as she continued her banter. "Isn't it odd? This man has remarkable talent and earned fame while still young, yet he was completely obscure in the past. Wouldn't you say that's strange?"

Lu Ying nodded thoughtfully, "Indeed, very strange."

"Some even claim he's from my Chen Family!" Dong Gong Ruoshu said with amusement.

Lu Ying blinked in disbelief, "Chen... Chen Yi?"

Dong Gong Ruoshu paused for a moment, "How did you know?"

Faced with Miss Donggong's inquiry, Lu Ying chuckled lightly. She thought this woman claimed she wouldn't reveal too much, yet her idle chatter had let everything slip.

After the laughter subsided, upon realizing it was Chen Yi, Lu Ying clenched her fists, visibly irritated.

She couldn't forget how Chen Yi had once embraced their master. Later, when she confronted him, he had distanced himself from Yin Sword Mountain...

Just as Lu Ying was about to say something, a knock came from the private room's door.

An old Taoist entered, speaking in a low tone, "Miss Donggong, someone from the palace has come to find you."

Dong Gong Ruoshu tilted her head, blinking blankly.

She couldn't quite understand why the palace was looking for her.

Beside her, maid Xiao Chan lowered her gaze, appearing as though she had anticipated this...

It would surely be an imperial decree… one of betrothal.