Chapter 25 Astonishing the World with One Remarkable Achievement (Ⅰ)

　　Qiwu Jun looked at Ruo Shui and observed that after three years she seemed somewhat changed.

　　Ruo Shui could not bear his scrutinizing gaze; she lowered her head and would not look at him. She had no face to meet him. “Um… thank you for just now. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

　　She turned and paused for a moment, as if expecting something. But the man behind her made neither move nor sound — a man who, on his wedding night, had not even entered the bridal chamber. What was she expecting from him?

　　Ruo Shui, steeling herself, continued on. She must truly have been drunk earlier — otherwise how could she have heard the faint rustle of footsteps behind her? She slapped her own forehead and kept walking, drowsy all the way. She would have loved to flop down on some patch of grass or a stone and sleep, but that was only a fantasy; she had no wish to relive what had happened. Wandering through winding paths, she suddenly found herself back at the martial arena.

　　This was no place for her. Ruo Shui turned, took a few steps, and bumped into someone. “Sorry, sorry,” she blurted.

　　The man did not move an inch. Ruo Shui kept her head down and skirted past him. After walking a few paces she turned back and asked, “Excuse me… do you know how to leave Zhaoyao?”

　　The man turned — it was Qiwu Jun. Ruo Shui rubbed her eyes. Had she been mistaken earlier? Had he truly been following her out of concern? Looking toward the distant platform, she immediately dismissed that thought; he had merely been returning to continue watching the Immortal Sect Contest — that was all.

　　Ruo Shui stared at her toes, neither able to go nor to stay — embarrassingly awkward; what sin had she committed?

　　“Ruo Ruo?” A voice broke the spell, and, like a gust of wind, Feng Xinzi appeared and swept Ruo Shui into his arms.

　　Yun Ling had told him Ruo Shui had woken; before he could rejoice, he learned she had gone missing on Lingxiao Peak. He had been frantic, searching everywhere on the peak, and at last found her — the relief made him lose his composure.

　　“What are you doing?” Ruo Shui pushed him away. Being embraced by another man in front of her husband was mortifying.

　　“I…” Feng Xinzi, aware he had overstepped, took a step back and, less boldly, took her hand. “Yun Ling said you were missing, so I—”

　　Ruo Shui withdrew her hand and cast a look at Qiwu Jun. He remained expressionless throughout, as if utterly unconcerned.

　　Feng Xinzi then noticed Qiwu Jun at Ruo Shui’s side. He bowed and greeted, “Senior brother.”

　　Qiwu Jun paid him little heed and only looked at Ruo Shui; there was no emotion in his gaze, yet Ruo Shui felt a chill and hurriedly lowered her head. Was this what it felt like to be a caught adulteress? She felt she might die of shame.

　　Feng Xinzi glanced from his senior brother to Ruo Shui and frowned. “Why is your senior brother’s robe on you?”

　　“In the back mountain just now…” Ruo Shui pointed toward the rear hill but did not know how to explain further.

　　Feng Xinzi’s sharp eyes caught the bruise on the back of her hand. He took her hand and asked in concern, “What happened? Who hurt you?”

　　Ruo Shui withdrew her hand and explained, “Just now, in the back mountain, I met a lecher.”

　　“Outrageous! Who would dare act so wantonly in Zhaoyao? Where is he?” Feng Xinzi demanded.

　　“He ran off,” Ruo Shui said.

　　“He ran off? If I catch him I’ll toss him into the alchemical furnace,” Feng Xinzi snarled.

　　“It’s fine; he didn’t succeed anyway,” Ruo Shui replied.

　　“How can that be fine?” Feng Xinzi turned to Qiwu Jun. “Senior brother, some scoundrel dared to molest a virtuous woman in broad daylight on Zhaoyao. Will you leave him unpunished?”

　　Qiwu Jun watched them with cold detachment as they acted as if very close.

　　“Senior brother, will you do anything?” Feng Xinzi asked.

　　“I will. Of course I will.” Qiwu Jun strode toward a higher place, leaving only his silhouette behind. Feng Xinzi hurried after him, then, seeing Ruo Shui still rooted to the spot, pulled her along. Ruo Shui wished for a hole to crawl into; she wanted nothing more than to leave. Qiwu Jun glanced back once; Ruo Shui hastily freed herself from Feng Xinzi’s hand and meekly followed.

　　The hour drew near. Those attending the Immortal Sect Contest took their places. Qing Shan Jun and Mu Lin Jun also arrived and sat. Ruo Shui stood behind Feng Xinzi.

　　Qiwu Jun ordered Yun Bumei to notify everyone at the contest to gather at the arena. Though Qiwu Jun did not usually meddle in affairs, his words carried weight. Yun Bumei immediately instructed other disciples to notify all sects and schools.

　　Qing Shan Jun and Mu Lin Jun did not know what was happening, but they perceived that Qiwu Jun handled matters with measure and therefore did not pry.

　　Soon all who had come to Zhaoyao for the contest — common folk and aristocratic youths alike — had assembled. Normally only those who were to ascend the platform were required to attend; the rest were optional. Now, with everyone ordered to the arena at once, whispers spread: something must have happened.

　　“Your Majesty, all are present,” Yun Bumei reported.

　　Qiwu Jun stepped forward. “I summoned everyone because there is a matter that must be dealt with.” He spoke calmly. “Today, near the wine cellar on the back mountain, someone attempted an indecent act. Who is it? Step forward.”

　　A clamour rose. Not only those below but even Qing Shan Jun and Mu Lin Jun were shocked. This was Zhaoyao Mountain, the foremost immortal peak; such an offense under their noses shamed their reputation.

　　Some had noticed Ruo Shui standing behind Feng Xinzi; it seemed she was the one wronged. She stood there in a loose robe, looking slight and undeveloped; some female cultivators envied her — she was wearing Qiwu Jun’s outer robe. If only they had been in the back mountain near the wine cellar!

　　No one volunteered to confess. Among a thousand people, unless someone admitted guilt, it would be difficult to find the culprit.

　　Mu Lin Jun asked Ruo Shui, “Do you remember what the man looked like?”

　　Ruo Shui shook her head.

　　“He was under seven chi in height, with a scar on his back, clothed in fine garments — likely a scion of a noble house,” Qiwu Jun declared, his words ringing out.

　　Qing Shan Jun said, “If no one confesses, we must inspect everyone.”

　　Murmmurs of discontent rose. “We came for the contest; to be branded as potentially lecherous is insulting!” some objected. Others chimed in.

　　Mu Lin Jun answered, “That is unfair to you if we merely cast about accusations. If we cannot find the true culprit, everyone here is a suspect; we must root out the guilty to clear the innocent. I ask for your cooperation.”

　　“How can we cooperate? You mean we should strip everyone and show our backs?” someone retorted.

　　Feng Xinzi replied, “That’s unnecessary. Let my Medicine Valley people take pulses; that will suffice.”

　　Soon Feng Xinzi had his people checking each person, one by one. Ruo Shui stole glances at Qiwu Jun; he remained expressionless, and she could not fathom his thoughts.