In this world where the sword was revered, only the strong could earn respect; this was even truer for the Four Great Clans. As martial arts families themselves, they placed even greater emphasis on swordsmanship potential.
From a young age, Xiao Qianyin had shown no aptitude for swordsmanship whatsoever—she couldn't even hold a sword properly. Having no desire to improve herself, she naturally earned the contempt of her clan.
Although the Marquis of Dingguo held a noble title, he could not afford to confront the Four Great Clans head-on—their power was nearly on par with imperial authority. Thus, he had no choice but to bring his despised granddaughter back to the marquis estate. Pitying her for losing her mother at a young age, he indulged her every whim, and this spoiling created the Xiao Qianyin of today.
Relying on her grandfather's status, she entered Lushan Academy. Unexpectedly, she fell in love at first sight with the Crown Prince of Southern Tang and pestered him relentlessly. Wherever the crown prince appeared, she had to be there too. She even targeted every woman who came into contact with him.
But everyone could see that the Crown Prince of Southern Tang loathed and disdained her. His heart belonged to the foremost beauty under heaven—the eldest daughter of the Nangong Family, one of the Four Great Clans. He would never marry Xiao Qianyin. Yet she stubbornly believed she would definitely marry him. The onlookers both mocked and pitied her for her foolishness.
Then, before the eyes of all, the Crown Prince of Southern Tang mocked and ridiculed her. Every word was filled with contempt for her, so much so that Xiao Qianyin's rage flared internally. She fainted away and died, her soul departing to the west. And then…
There was no "and then." She simply became Xiao Qianyin.
She felt both pity and indignation toward this Xiao Qianyin. Was there any need to chase after a man like that?
And a man who doesn't even love you!
Two-legged toads are hard to find, but are three-legged men hard to find?
To think you had to fixate on someone like him!
It was truly troublesome. Moreover, at Lushan Academy, her grades were consistently at the bottom, and her swordsmanship was the worst—perpetually dead last. She had long become a laughingstock. It was laughable that, for the sake of the Crown Prince of Southern Tang, she never could see this.
Foolish child! Foolish child!
Since I have become you, I will naturally live well in your place, take care of your grandfather, and not let anyone look down on you!
She silently swore this to the other her.
But what surprised her was that Xiao Qianyin did not actually have poor aptitude. Rather, her situation was special—the sword cultivation methods of this world simply didn't suit her, preventing her from displaying her true level of ability. The world had mistaken a bright pearl for a fish eye—truly laughable!
"Yin'er, back then you insisted on entering Lushan Academy. Your grandfather advised you against it many times, but you stubbornly refused to listen. Why have you changed your mind now?"
The voice arrived before the person stepped into the courtyard.
The Marquis of Dingguo, Beigong Du, had a lean and sharp-featured face. Clearly over sixty years old, he looked no more than forty-something—it was inconceivably youthful. He walked with tremendous vigor. As an intermediate Sword Immortal, he was considered quite the swordsmanship expert.
"Grandfather, you're here?" Xiao Qianyin shed her previously languid demeanor, rose from her recliner, stepped forward to intimately hook her arm through his, and assumed the attitude of a proper young granddaughter.
Beigong Du truly doted on her. From the moment she awoke, the joy and pampering in the old man's eyes could not be faked.
During her many years at Mount Shu, she had been the most outstanding of all disciples. But as the saying goes, a tall tree catches the wind. There were plenty of people who bore her ill will, jealousy, and resentment. Thus, learning to distinguish genuine affection from falsehood had become her required course.
With a grandfather like this, Xiao Qianyin should be content. Why go around courting trouble?