The Unyielding Presence of the Fifth Madam

Wuzhou, at Tianhe Gate’s main headquarters.

As a behemoth that dominated the two provinces of Hexi and Longyou, a power that shook the very foundations of the world, Tianhe Gate was an undisputed authority within Wuzhou City. Its main headquarters naturally exuded an imposing grandeur.

It occupied an entire block, with high walls constructed from neatly laid bluestone bricks, designed to block all prying eyes. Outside the heavy, vermilion gates, dozens of elite gang members stood guard, their long blades at the ready, maintaining a rigid, unwavering presence.

“I wish to see the Gate Master.”

Bai Yuan presented the token Yang Xuan had given her. Enduring the peculiar gazes of the guards, she stepped through the main gates of Tianhe Gate.

This marked only her second time entering this place across both of her lifetimes. The previous occasion had been during her past life, when she had conquered Wuzhou City.

Unlike that previous entry, which had been a bloody slaughter, this time she could finally look around at her leisure, taking in the sights within.

However, there was little to truly behold.

Practicality was paramount throughout the entire compound. The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, surrounded by thick, towering walls. Sentries were posted every five paces, guards every ten, with mechanisms hidden everywhere and defenses tightly arrayed, presenting the image of a standard, formidable fortress.

Even if outsiders managed to breach the outer gates and walls, they would still have to fight for every inch within. Without expending several times the number of defending soldiers, occupying this place would be an impossible dream.

In her previous life, Bai Yuan had ultimately conquered this place by simply overwhelming it with sheer numbers of demonic spirits and fiends.

Even after so many years, she still retained a faint memory of its internal layout.

Wielding the token, Bai Yuan proceeded unhindered until she reached the entrance of the deliberation hall, where she was finally stopped.

“The Gate Master is not present. Fifth Madam, please return.”

Hu Hai, the Vice Hall Master of the Imperial Guard Hall, stood before Bai Yuan, his face stern and unyielding.

“Do you know where the Master went?”

Bai Yuan frowned slightly.

Regardless of other matters, the incident concerning Qian Tong still harbored numerous hidden problems. She felt it was imperative to discuss them thoroughly with Yang Xuan as soon as possible.

“This subordinate does not know. I only know that this place is a critical area for internal deliberations, and outsiders are not permitted to enter. Madam, please turn back.”

Hu Hai’s voice grew increasingly cold and rigid, leaving no room for negotiation.

Bai Yuan’s gaze swept to the side. She noticed that the surrounding disciples of the Imperial Guard Hall were all holding their breath, their bodies tensed, their eyes fixed on her without a blink. They had subtly formed a battle formation, as if ready to apprehend her at the slightest provocation.

‘Tsk… my image in the eyes of Tianhe Gate’s members is truly quite poor.’

Bai Yuan felt a touch of helplessness. She hesitated, wondering whether to remain here, waiting for Yang Xuan to return under their watchful eyes, or to go back to her own courtyard to await developments, letting Yang Xuan come to her.

Just then, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man walked in from behind.

“The Gate Master has issued an order. If Fifth Madam comes seeking him, please wait outside his study. He will arrive shortly.”

‘Eh? Yang Xuan knew I was coming?’

A thought flickered in her mind, but then her attention was drawn to the middle-aged man before her.

‘This is… Pei Xi, the Hall Master of Tianhe Gate’s Rumor Hall.’

He was another figure who had left a profound impression on her.

“Many thanks, Hall Master Pei.”

She cupped her hands in a respectful salute, but in return, she received a thoughtful gaze from Pei Xi.

“Fifth Madam knows this humble one? If I recall correctly, this should be my first meeting with Fifth Madam, should it not?”

“…”

Bai Yuan was momentarily speechless. This man had always been extremely discreet. In her memories, at least, the previous intelligence from the Bai family had only referred to him by the codename ‘Wind,’ with no specific information like a name.

Yet, she couldn’t very well say that in ten years’ time, she would personally pursue him for hundreds of miles as a Grandmaster before finally killing him, which was why her memory of him was so vivid.

“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will find victory in every battle. Though my skills are lacking, I always keep the teachings of the sages in my heart.”

After a brief pause for thought, she found a reason. Of course, it had to be vague, not too explicit, to avoid giving him any further openings.

“…If Fifth Madam considers her skills ‘lacking,’ then we, I fear, have not even crossed the threshold of learning.”

Pei Xi looked deeply at Bai Yuan, a faint smile appearing on his somewhat wooden face. He raised a hand in a gesture of invitation.

“Fifth Madam, please.”

“Then I ask Hall Master Pei to lead the way.”

The two walked off together toward the back.

Watching that figure follow Hall Master Pei and disappear around the corner, Hu Hai’s taut body finally relaxed. Only then did he realize that a dense layer of cold sweat had broken out on his back.

The evening breeze felt somewhat chilling as it swept by.

At the same time, he heard a series of exhales from his surroundings.

Clearly, everyone had felt that heavy pressure in their hearts. After all, she was the ‘Ruthless Rakshasa’ who had once overshadowed their own Gate Master in earlier years.

Unlike the ignorant and fearless masses outside, these elite guards of the Imperial Guard Hall, selected from the best, had largely engaged in direct combat with the Bai family on battlefields. They knew just how formidable she was.

Hu Hai vividly remembered how his revered Uncle Hu, whom they regarded as a deity, had merely stepped forward to block seven or eight moves for their Gate Master, only to be heavily wounded and left spitting blood, confined to his bed for three months before he could even walk again.

If she hadn’t been in such a hurry to pursue the Gate Master that time, Uncle Hu wouldn’t even have had the chance to return.

Just like this time, despite knowing that with the Gate Master watching, she would surely not dare to act recklessly, yet merely her subtly potent aura had suppressed these elites, who had clawed their way out of piles of corpses, leaving them breathless, almost…

“Boss Hu is truly amazing, to stand firm and still manage to keep things under control.”

“My heart was pounding so hard, and my mouth went dry. If I had truly faced her, I wouldn’t have been able to utter a single word; I’d have just swung my blade.”

“Yes, yes, when she frowned just now, I honestly almost made a move.”

A chorus of praise erupted from around them. Although he knew much of it was flattery, feeling those admiring gazes, Hu Hai still felt a surge of pride. He puffed out his chest and raised his head arrogantly.

“Otherwise? With the Gate Master and the Madams absent, should we truly let an outsider barge into the deliberation hall? Where would that leave our reputation?”

“But… she is also a legitimate Fifth Madam, and she holds the Gate Master’s token. Does that still count as an outsider?”

A new, inexperienced young man interjected.

“…”

This straightforward question, cutting right to the core, choked Hu Hai. He gasped for a few breaths before recovering, then glared fiercely at the speaker.

“Is that the same thing?”

By the rules, it was the same; but in people’s hearts, it truly was somewhat different…

This question was truly a head-scratcher. Soon, someone changed the subject.

“By the way, wasn’t her cultivation already crippled by the Gate Master? But look at her aura today—she doesn’t seem like someone whose cultivation was crippled at all! I think she’s no worse than any of the other Madams.”

Well, this topic proved even more thought-provoking.

The few individuals exchanged glances. No one dared to speak until, after a long silence, someone finally spoke up in a timid whisper.

“Could it be that she’s regained it over these three years?”