Two days later.
Today was Jia Wei Xin's first official appearance at a full sect event.
Standing in front of the mirror, she barely recognized herself.
She wore the private disciple uniform — a masterpiece of white, layered with elegant strokes of blue embroidery, unique to her position.Each layer was exquisitely tailored to fit perfectly, wrapping her slender figure in flowing, dignified lines. The material shimmered faintly under the sunlight.
The private disciple uniform was the highest quality among all disciples, and even rivaled the robes worn by many respected elders. It was rare. It was a symbol of excellence.
And Jia Wei Xin — who normally wore simple, practical clothes — had put particular care into her appearance today. Her hair was swept up into a soft, elegant knot, adorned with a delicate silver pin. Her makeup was subtle but radiant, enhancing her bright eyes and soft features.
Thankfully, Liu Mo Fei had assigned a personal maid to assist her — just for today. Normally, Jia Wei Xin refused such pampering, but this time, she was genuinely grateful. Without the maid's expert hands, she would have been completely lost.
---
Just as she adjusted the final fold of her sleeves, a light knock came at the door.
Before she could react, the door opened — and Liu Mo Fei stepped in.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
He simply stared.
Jia Wei Xin blinked nervously. Did something look wrong? Was the belt too loose? Was her hair falling down?
But Liu Mo Fei was simply... stunned.
She was breathtaking.
The uniform — the one he had painstakingly redesigned years ago when he reformed the sect's traditional image — fit her perfectly. Back then, he had believed the sect needed a stronger identity — a unique presence that matched their rising reputation. He had overseen every thread, every pattern, every intricate detail.
But he had never really cared how it looked on the disciples.
Until now.
Until Jia Wei Xin.
It felt almost as if... he had unknowingly designed this uniform for her all along.
Pride swelled in his chest.
He was, clearly, a visionary.
---
Liu Mo Fei himself was dressed for the occasion too — an immaculate robe of flowing white silk, embroidered with subtle golden serpent designs that coiled elegantly across the fabric.The light gleamed off the gold threads, making him look almost otherworldly — like a god descending from the heavens.
Jia Wei Xin stared at him in awe.
For a moment, she wondered if the shameless sifu from two days ago had been just a fever dream.Because right now, there was no trace of the man who had once crawled pitifully across her floor, begging for marriage.
This Liu Mo Fei — was powerful. Commanding. Ethereal.
Is this really the same shameless man I kicked off my bed two days ago? she thought dazedly.
---
The memories rushed back.
The kiss. The marriage proposal. The overwhelming emotions.
And then — her legendary flying kick, sending her sifu sprawling across the room.
Thud!
The satisfying sound of his heavy body hitting the floor still echoed pleasantly in her ears.
Sifu had sighed heavily, looking like a tragic hero fallen from grace.
"You..." he had said, voice hoarse with betrayal, "you kicked me."
"I did," Jia Wei Xin had admitted, chin high.
"You kicked your own sifu," he repeated tragically, clutching his chest like she had stabbed him.
His playful eyes shimmered with unspeakable, theatrical pain.
Jia Wei Xin had felt a dangerous mixture of guilt and exasperation.
Seeing her hesitate, Liu Mo Fei had seized the opportunity — crawling pitifully across the floor, looking like a poor, wronged child begging for candy.
"Marry me," he had whispered dramatically, grabbing the edge of her quilt.
"No!" she had squeaked, clutching the blanket tighter.
"Just a small ceremony," he had wheedled."Maybe just... the entire sect invited. A few witnesses. A red robe for you. A red robe for me."
He had smiled dazzlingly."I'll even write our marriage contract myself. You don't have to lift a finger."
"No!" she had repeated, her face flaming.
"But think of my poor, damaged soul," he had continued pitifully."My ruined dignity... my shattered virtue... my cold, lonely bed..."
"You are the one who climbed into MY bed!" Jia Wei Xin had exploded.
Liu Mo Fei had blinked innocently.
"Technicalities," he had said seriously. "You're missing the bigger picture."
She had flung a pillow at him.
He had caught it, hugged it pitifully, and whispered into the soft fabric:
"Marry me, Jia Wei Xin... and take responsibility for this poor sifu you have wronged."
At that point, Jia Wei Xin had seriously considered kicking him again.
---
Pulling herself back to the present, Jia Wei Xin cleared her throat awkwardly.
Liu Mo Fei finally seemed to regain his senses.
"You look beautiful," he said warmly — then added with a grin,"As beautiful as a bride-to-be. Why do you keep stealing my heart over and over again?"
Jia Wei Xin glared at him and adjusted her sleeves, pretending to be calm. Here he went again — reminding her of his proposal at every chance he got. This had already been the third day, and he was still at it.
Liu Mo Fei only grinned wider at her glare.
He offered his arm with a lazy flourish."Come," he said smoothly.
She hesitated for half a second before slipping her hand into the crook of his arm.
---
As they walked out of the private courtyard and onto the main stone paths, the atmosphere grew heavier with each step.
Far ahead, a low rhythmic thumping of ceremonial drums echoed through the valley, steady and deep, as if the mountains themselves pulsed to their beat.
High above, massive sect banners — white silk with blue embroidery — fluttered proudly against the clear sky, catching the breeze like sails.
From a far distance, Jia Wei Xin could already see it—
A massive open-air gathering ground, as large as a stadium, cradled between mountain peaks.Raised platforms circled the space in layers, like steps built into the mountainside, where thousands of disciples would stand according to their ranks.
Liu Mo Fei bent his head slightly toward her, his voice dropping into a low, teasing murmur:
"Nervous?"
"No," Jia Wei Xin answered too quickly.
"Should I be nervous?" she muttered under her breath.
Jia Wei Xin thought to herself:
In the modern world, I have attended major negotiations, made million-dollar pitches, even hosted events with hundreds of attendees. Today, I'm just attending a sect meeting. I'm not even required to speak. There's no reason to be nervous.
And yet...
Her palms were clammy. Her chest was tight.
Because today, she wasn't just any disciple—she was Liu Mo Fei's private disciple.
She knew it was bound to attract attention. Some of it... unwanted. Especially from Liu Mo Fei's admirers.
She wasn't unaware of how these stories often played out —Enemies finding ways to humiliate the newcomer, sabotage reputations, even hiding killing intent beneath polite smiles.
Better to be prepared than to die without even knowing why.
Jia Wei Xin tightened her grip slightly on Liu Mo Fei's arm, steadying herself as they drew closer to the massive gathering.