Inside and Outside Working Together

The old fiend of Yin and Yang, upon seeing this heroine whose beauty seemed as if a celestial maiden had descended to earth—far surpassing any other woman in the gloomy abode—conceived the notion of making her his tenth wife.

Yet this heroine harbored grand ambitions; though she readily agreed to become his wife, she spun a clever tale. She claimed that she had made a childhood vow not to marry before the age of nineteen, or else her fate would be ill-starred and she would not grow old with her husband. As she was only a few months shy of nineteen, she entreated the master to wait nine months before consummating the marriage.

The old fiend, confident that his prize could not escape him now, thought to himself: “What fear is there of losing what is already at my lips? Nine months is nothing—even a year, if need be.” Thus, he formally declared her his tenth honorary wife, to relinquish the title only after their union was complete.

This tenth honorary wife was named Flower Who Understands Words, the prized disciple of the nun of Tianshan, Mistress Pure. She had inherited all her master's skills, and was both clever and composed.

Once Flower Who Understands Words gained her title, she devoted herself wholly to pleasing the old fiend, yet always guarded her final defense, ensuring he could not breach it. This made the old fiend ever more restless and tormented, his mind in disarray.

As the saying goes, the more unattainable a thing, the more it is desired. In this way, the old fiend came to revere her as a goddess, indulging her every whim and consulting her on all important matters concerning the House of Shadows. He even entrusted her with the blueprints of the estate.

Naturally, each harbored their own motives—she, to mask her intentions through flattery; he, to win her heart and fulfill his desires sooner.

After entering the House of Shadows and securing the old fiend’s affection, Flower Who Understands Words quickly grasped the estate’s secrets. Its traps were as ingenious as they were terrifying, and its power immense.

She had considered assassinating the old fiend, but realized that even his death would not be enough to dismantle the sect. Thus, she refrained from such action.

Half a month prior, the old fiend sent his minions to abduct another maiden of rare beauty. Through secret inquiries, Flower Who Understands Words learned that this girl’s name was Snow Plum, and she was the daughter of a former provincial governor.

Reflecting on this, Flower Who Understands Words reasoned that if she could leverage the influence of Snow Plum’s father and call upon the authorities, they might be able to eradicate the sect. Thus, she approached the old fiend, saying:

“I am ever grateful for your favor, but feel unworthy of your kindness. I have a junior sister—gifted in both martial skills and intelligence, and as beautiful as a fallen fairy. I wish to invite her to join me in serving you.”

The old fiend, believing her words, agreed at once and selected several treasures as betrothal gifts for her to deliver. Once outside the House of Shadows, Flower Who Understands Words made her way directly to the White family estate.

At that time, Master White and his wife were in utter distress, pacing anxiously as if ants on a hot pan. Madam White, devastated by the loss of her beloved daughter, wept inconsolably.

Flower Who Understands Words explained her intentions and assured Madam White that her daughter was unharmed, urging them to devise a rescue plan. She then outlined the general situation within the House of Shadows.

Master White, upon hearing this, could think of no way to save his daughter. If they reported to the authorities and soldiers stormed the place, a violent clash would be inevitable and his daughter’s life would be at risk. Yet, apart from this, he saw no other solution.

Just as Master White was wracked with anxiety, unsure of what to do, a servant came to inform him that his niece, Jade Meng, had arrived.

At this news, a glimmer of hope appeared on Master White’s furrowed face. “Now that Jade is here, Snow Plum can be saved!” he thought, and immediately ordered her to be brought in.

Soon, a young woman of noble bearing and stunning beauty entered the hall with light, graceful steps, accompanied by the household staff.

Flower Who Understands Words, ever confident in her own beauty, felt herself eclipsed upon seeing this young woman, and could not help but gaze at her in astonishment.

The young lady greeted Master White, then noticed Flower Who Understands Words. As she had never seen such a striking woman in her uncle’s house before, she asked, “Uncle, who is this lady?”

Master White promptly introduced the two, explaining Flower Who Understands Words’ purpose and his daughter’s predicament, as well as describing the House of Shadows.

Jade Meng smiled gently, revealing pearl-like teeth between her rosy lips, and dimples appeared on her fair, radiant cheeks as she spoke in a voice as clear as silver bells: “Your devotion is admirable, Lady Hero. I am deeply impressed.”

Flower Who Understands Words returned the smile, saying, “Though my heart is full of fervor, my strength alone is insufficient. Does the young lady have any clever plan to rescue your cousin from the tiger’s den?”

Jade Meng smiled again, then asked, “Would you be willing to give your full assistance?”

Hearing this, Flower Who Understands Words nodded eagerly. “So long as it is within my power, I shall do all I can.”

Jade Meng walked over and bowed to her. “Let me thank you in advance for your help.”

As she approached, her movements as light as the wind, Flower Who Understands Words recognized that her martial skills were truly extraordinary and respected her all the more. She hastened to return the courtesy. “Please, there’s no need for such formality!”

After these courtesies, Jade Meng grew serious. “Then, Sister, you must return to the House of Shadows at once. Secretly make contact with those of like mind to act as insiders, and secure the estate’s blueprints. Four days from now, at the hour of the dog, wait for a masked figure at the southern slope of the desolate burial mounds. If you see such a person, signal with three secret palm strikes—they are coming to help break the traps and rescue the captives. But do not fail in this.”

Flower Who Understands Words nodded. “I will do exactly as you say, without fail.”

Four nights later, she slipped out of the House of Shadows and waited at the southern slope of the burial mounds. The air was cool, the moon dim. A few small trees stood like ghosts at the far end of the mounds, their branches whispering in the night wind.

Standing beneath a tree, Flower Who Understands Words kept her clear eyes vigilant, scanning the surroundings.

Suddenly, two dark figures shot down from the mountaintop like lightning. As they drew near, she saw both were masked and dressed identically, the one in front taller. She hesitated a moment, then struck her palm lightly three times.

The lead masked figure responded with three palm strikes of his own. Flower Who Understands Words moved to greet them, and the masked figure gestured silently for her to lead the way.

Turning, she guided them to the hidden entrance of the House of Shadows. Arriving at the tunnel’s mouth, she twisted a stone statue, causing a stone table to slide aside.

Glancing back, she noticed the smaller masked figure had not followed and asked in a low voice, “Why hasn’t she...?”

Before she could finish, the lead masked figure gestured for silence. Flower Who Understands Words handed over the original estate blueprints, then led the way into the tunnel.

Familiar with every trap and mechanism, she guided the masked figure easily through the defenses, penetrating deep into the passageways.

The masked figure moved with lightning speed; guards posted at secret checkpoints fell before they could even sound the alarm.

Flower Who Understands Words had previously arranged with the main sentry to ignore any disturbances that night. Thus, the masked figure was able to swiftly and silently disable multiple traps and reach the main underground control room.

Fortune decrees all things: had Master Hong and his companions not arrived just then to occupy the old fiend, even with the blueprints, the masked figure might not have succeeded so easily.

Just as Flower Who Understands Words entered the Soul-Snatching Cavern, the destitute scholar and the old beggar arrived not far behind, only a few yards apart.

They took the passage from the Land of Tenderness toward the Grand Hall, a route usually sealed and free of traps, which Flower Who Understands Words had arranged to open. Had it not been, they would have stumbled into the Soul-Snatching Cavern and caught up with the masked figure and Flower Who Understands Words.

This cavern was even more perilous than the previous checkpoints, its mechanisms the most crucial of all. As Flower Who Understands Words and the masked figure ventured four or five yards into the passage, everything changed—the walls gleamed like mirrors, bathed in a dazzling yellow light, for they were inlaid with bronze.

Before entering the Soul-Snatching Cavern, the masked figure saw a stone door slightly ajar, above which were etched the words “Soul-Snatching Cavern,” with a ghastly image of a corpse on the right.

Pausing to study it, the masked figure hesitated, then lifted his right foot to step inside.

Flower Who Understands Words, swift as ever, grabbed his arm. “Wait! First, use your palm to open the door—let’s see if any mechanisms are triggered.”

The masked figure withdrew his foot, raised his palm, and struck the door. With a creak, it swung open.

He paused, seeing nothing amiss, and again prepared to enter. Flower Who Understands Words stopped him. “Strike the threshold with your palm as well—test it once more.”

He did as she asked, this time using a tenth more force. As his palm struck the threshold, a grinding noise sounded; suddenly, thick bronze panels on either side of the cavern slammed together. The masked figure was startled—had he rushed in blindly, he would have been crushed to a pulp.

Flower Who Understands Words stepped forward, peered inside, and saw a sparkling jewel embedded in the far wall. She drew a small iron lotus from her robe and hurled it at the jewel, striking the control mechanism. At once, the bronze panels separated again with a grinding sound.

The masked figure produced the blueprints, and together they studied them, confirming the trap was disarmed before proceeding boldly into the cavern. Surveying the undamaged bronze walls, he silently marveled at the ingenious design.

As Flower Who Understands Words was about to advance, a loud shout rang out from within the right wall, startling both her and the masked figure into halting.

Suddenly, the bronze panel on the right slowly parted, revealing a doorway. A short, stout man stepped out, eyes wide as he glared at them. “Madam, you’ve brought outsiders here and destroyed the cavern’s mechanisms. What is the meaning of this? If the master questions me, how am I to answer?”

The masked figure didn’t wait for her reply. Swiftly, he struck at the stout man, who dodged left into the doorway. Suddenly, two iron bulls charged out at them.

Flower Who Understands Words was alarmed and leapt aside. The masked figure sheathed his weapon, summoned his inner strength, and seized the bulls’ horns, wrenching them backward. Unwittingly, he twisted the mechanism at their rear.

With a mighty heave, both iron bulls crashed backward, their rumps smashing into the bronze wall with a thunderous crash, punching a great hole through it.

It so happened that the stout man was hiding behind the wall and was crushed to death by the iron bulls.

Flower Who Understands Words, witnessing the masked figure’s astonishing strength, exclaimed, “What power!” Seeing that the cavern’s traps were now destroyed, she beckoned him to continue forward together.

Though she had traversed these winding passages many times, she had always followed the old fiend; now everything felt different, so she proceeded with utmost caution.

The masked figure, having witnessed the deadliness of the mechanisms, knew that martial skill alone would not suffice; he too followed carefully behind her.

Flower Who Understands Words secretly admired his remarkable skill and courage. She tried to speak with him several times, but he only smiled and did not reply.

She could not know the masked figure was unable to speak, and mistook his silence for disdain toward her predicament, which caused a pang of bitterness in her heart, and a few silent tears fell.