Chapter 2: The Reason for Things

In this world where the sword is supreme, only the strong can earn respect, and this is especially true for the four great clans. As martial families, they place even greater importance on swordsmanship potential.

When Xiao Qianyin was young, she possessed not a shred of swordsmanship ability; she couldn't even hold a sword properly. Spending her days without any ambition, she naturally became a source of disdain for her clan.

Although the Marquis of Dingguo was a marquis, he could not go head-to-head with the four great clans. Their influence was nearly on par with the imperial power, so he had no choice but to bring his much-disliked granddaughter back to the Marquis's manor. Pitying her for losing her mother at a young age, he granted her every request, and through such indulgence, she became the Xiao Qianyin of today.

Relying on her grandfather's status, she entered Lushan Academy, only to unexpectedly fall in love at first sight with the Crown Prince of Southern Tang. She pursued him relentlessly; wherever the Crown Prince appeared, she was sure to be there, even going so far as to target any woman who came into contact with him.

But everyone could see that the Crown Prince viewed her with nothing but disgust and contempt. His heart belonged to the world's number one beauty, the eldest miss of the Nangong family—one of the four great clans—and it was impossible that he would ever marry her. Yet, she stubbornly believed that she would surely marry the Crown Prince. The crowd felt both mockery and pity for her stupidity.

The Crown Prince, in front of everyone, mocked and ridiculed her, his every word filled with disdain. This caused Xiao Qianyin to be overcome with rage and grief, causing her to faint and her soul to depart for the heavens, and then...

There was no "then." She directly became Xiao Qianyin.

She felt both pity and indignation toward this Xiao Qianyin. Was it really necessary to chase after a man?

And a man who didn't even love you, at that!

If a two-legged toad is hard to find, is a three-legged man really that hard to find?

Yet she insisted on liking someone like that!

It was truly troublesome. Moreover, at Lushan Academy, her grades were always at the bottom, and her swordsmanship was the worst—a specialist in being the tail-ender. She had long since become a laughingstock, yet ridiculously, for the sake of the Crown Prince, she had never been able to see this clearly.

A fool, truly a fool!

Since I have become you, I will naturally live well in your stead, take care of your grandfather, and not let anyone look down on you!

She made a silent vow to the other girl.

However, contrary to her expectations, it wasn't that Xiao Qianyin lacked talent, but rather that her situation was unique. The swordsmanship cultivation methods of this era were simply not suitable for her, causing her to be unable to exert her true level. To mistake a bright pearl for a common fish eye—it was truly laughable!

"Yin'er, you were the one who insisted on entering Lushan Academy. Grandfather advised you many times, but you were too stubborn to listen. Why have you changed your mind now?"

Before she had even stepped into the courtyard, the voice had already drifted in.

The Marquis of Dingguo, Beigong Du, had a lean and vigorous countenance. Despite being over sixty, he looked as if he were only in his forties, incredibly youthful. He walked with a commanding, tiger-like aura; he was at the intermediate stage of a Sword Immortal and could be considered a master of swordsmanship.

"Grandfather, you're here?" Xiao Qianyin cast aside her former lazy demeanor, rose from her lounge chair, and stepped forward to affectionately take his arm, acting like a pampered young lady.

Beigong Du truly doted on her. From the moment she woke up, the joy and indulgence flowing from the old man's eyes were unmistakable.

Having spent many years at Shushan, she had been the most outstanding among all the disciples. But as the saying goes, "a tall tree attracts the wind"; there were many who harbored ill intentions, jealousy, and resentment toward her. Thus, learning how to distinguish between true affection and false pretenses had become a mandatory lesson for her.

Xiao Qianyin should be content to have such a grandfather; why go around provoking trouble everywhere?