A year later, Bai li yue left the tower for the first time in a long while. She'd finally reached the eleventh floor. More importantly, she'd finally gained enough points to join the leaderboard at the tenth position. She looked at the board in satisfaction. Her hard work had paid off. Several passing students gave her curious looks as she smiled doing her best to stop herself from jubilating. The looks didn't decrease her joy. She had invested a lot of hard work and she was now reaping the fruit. In another year or two, she would be able to threaten the legendary drunken hero's position, but for now she wallowed in contentment. 

The curious looks increased as she made her way back to her courtyard. She even caught a few people pointing fingers at her and hurrying off looking excited. 

Did something happen? Wait! Has the news already spread that I've entered the leaderboard? So, am I like a celebrity now?

 

To her surprise, the courtyard was empty. Meixiu who had become a fixture of the courtyard was absent. She ran a finger over the table; it came away dirty. 

"Did something happen?"

Worried, she went to the outer sect district to find Meixiu. She changed to a less travelled route when the looks got too concerning. A helpful outer sect student told her where to find Meixiu.

"The inner sect?"

"Yes, it's been months since she got promoted."

"Really?"

She exclaimed, overjoyed at the news. She was about to ask him why she was receiving weird looks, but he had already ran off. Shaking her head, she returned to her courtyard. Now that she knew Meixiu was okay, she could rest at ease. She'll find her residence and pay her a visit in the morning after a good night's rest. 

Bai li yue had just finished cleaning her porch when the door opened. An elder-in-training stood outside when she opened it.

"Student Bai li yue. You have been summoned by the elders."

"Me?"

It seemed highly irregular for her to be called to meet the sect elders for just entering the leaderboard. She couldn't remember any of the leader friends mentioning such a thing. 

"Do you know why they wish to see me?"

"It is not my place to question the elders. Kindly follow me. They are waiting."

Bai li yue was worried about showing up in front of the elders in her current state: dirty from cleaning. However, the elder-in-training was getting increasingly impatient with her. She tidied her hair and followed him to the council building. She'd passed in front of it multiple times, but this was her first time entering. Their passage drew a lot of attention. The furtive looks and rushed whispered conversation made her more nervous. She suddenly felt like she was being led into a dragon's lair.

He opened one of the large doors and ushered her into the council chambers where four elders waited, talking quietly among themselves.

"I have brought the student: Bai li yue."

"You may leave us."

The elder-in-training withdrew with silent steps. She was now alone with the four elders. They looked at her with varying degrees of disapproval and indifference. 

"Greetings elders, my name is Bai li yue. You called for me?" 

She bowed to them respectfully. 

"Yes. We called you here to inform you of our decision. After much consideration, we have decided to move you to the dawn court before the ceremony. An elder will arrive in the morning to see that it is done."

"Huh?"

Bai li yue couldn't make head or tail of the situation. True, getting onto the leaderboard was a great accomplishment, but changing her residence seemed like an overreaction on their part. 

"Thank you, but I don't need any reward. Getting onto the sword tower leaderboard is the best reward I can ask for."

They exchanged puzzled looks. 

"You are on the sword tower leaderboard?"

A grey haired elder asked.

"Yes. Isn't that what the reward is for?"

The elders exchanged another round of puzzled looks.

"Student Bai li yue, you really don't know why you are here? You aren't aware of the announcement?"

"My apologies for my ignorance. Until today, I have been in the sword tower for the past seven months."

"I see. I guess it is better you heard the news from us. It's been decided that you and Feng jia lin will be the dao companions of dao child shen. The official ceremony will take place in a few weeks, so you have to move to the dawn court in advance to get used to your new station."

Bai li yue blinked. She blinked again. Her mind had gone into overdrive. She was struggling to understand what she'd just heard. 

Am i hearing right? Did he just say dao companion?

His words echoed in her brain. When did she become shen duyi's dao companion? No one had bothered to ask her. They'd made their decision and were now delivering the news to her. When did joining the sword river sect to practice her sword skills come to entail marriage?

Bai li yue realised in drawn out silence that the elders were waiting for her response. She wanted to nope out of there, but that could be misinterpreted. She had to make her position clear. As clear as day. As clear as no. Never! Impossible!

"Thank you for considering me, but I must refuse. I have no intention of entering into a relationship for the time being. Right now, I am married to my sword so my answer is no."

She articulated a polite refusal that avoided offence while putting her point across. 

Silence fell in the council chamber. They couldn't believe their ears. The bride was saying no? Had that ever happened? Could that happen? Was the situation even possible? 

Things had progressed too far for her to stop the wagon barrelling to the finish line.

"Impudent!"

Not good! They weren't going to accept her rejection.

"The dao child mentioned you by name. He has given you, a mere student, a great honour that you shouldn't- can't refuse."

A hawk nosed elder spoke. Another elder spoke up when the former said his piece. He was more reasonable than the other elder.

"Student Bai li yue, what my fellow elder is trying to say is that you are putting us in an uncomfortable position. Your reasons for refusing aside, you are addressing the wrong crowd. Dao child Shen chose you himself. This council had no hand in his decision. If you can convince him and change his mind, then we will accept your wishes."

"Thank you."

"I'm not done talking. You don't have much time so you have to reach an agreement quickly. The ceremony cannot be cancelled. It will proceed with or without your consent."

"I understand."

She bowed and left the chambers with quick steps mirroring her apprehensive state. 

"Shen duyi chose me? What was he thinking? Aren't he and Meixiu involved? Why involve me in his mess? Annoying!"

After asking around, a guard pointed her in the direction of Shen duyi's sword river sect courtyard. It was located on top of a hill in a quiet part of the sect. Luckily, she didn't have to walk the whole way. She came across a group of students at the moon viewing pond. He was an easy face to pick out of the crowd.

"Shen duyi, we need to speak!"

Without being invited to leave, the group of students quickly vacated the premises, giving them privacy.

'Li yue'

She scoffed.

The way he called her now was even different. Like a satisfied lover's voice in the morning. It irked her. When did she become his beloved?

'Shen duyi. What is this i'm hearing? Your dao companion? When did i agree to that?"

She was past caring that there was an audience close by. Let them hear for all she cared.

"Li yue, i know i rushed-"

"Will you stop calling me that? When did we become close for you to talk to me with such familiarity?"

"Li- Bai-"

"I never agreed to marry you. I was friendly to you because you are Meixiu's friend. When did my friendliness turn into a marriage agreement?"

He glanced behind her and nodded at someone. Seconds later, a barrier appeared around them shielding them from the view of the public.

"Bai li yue, you can no longer behave in this way. Your actions reflect directly upon me."

"Do I look like I care? Listen, i came here to learn all that I could about the way of the sword. I'm not interested in you. Never have been; never will. I don't want to marry you. Are we clear?"

He drew closer to her. She stepped back looking disgusted. He sighed.

"I was also like you. I hated the idea, but with time, i have grown to accept it. You will too."

Was he even listening to her?

"Are you an idiot? I won't marry you, shen duyi. Better get that into your thick head. How many times do I have to say it?"

"I didn't know you were this stubborn, li yue. I will let the insult go this time. Take your time to think about it. I chose you so i am not wrong about you being suitable for me. As my dao companion, you will be elevated among other women. You will be a force to be reckoned with me as your man."

Bai li yue sneered. How hadn't she seen the truth before? He wasn't only arrogant. Arrogance was forgivable. This Shen duyi was beyond arrogant but most of all, he was powerful and it had gone straight to his head. 

When the chosen of the Sword Heaven sect spoke, ten of thousands of people listened and obeyed without question. He wanted her. What was she to do? Obey? She came from a world where freedom was commonplace to most people. She might have found herself in a world where she was expected to submit, but she wasn't ready to submit. She never intended to. 

"Me? Become yours? You are not even worth my attention."

She snarled one last time and left the platform. The sect no longer held any appeal for her. If she was going to be forced into a situation that turned her into a wife against her will, then she was better off leaving. Nothing was worth more than her free will.