{"id":3470,"date":"2026-05-18T13:59:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/top-cross-dressing-swordsman-transmigrated-into-a-book-18\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T13:59:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:59:13","slug":"top-cross-dressing-swordsman-transmigrated-into-a-book-18","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ar\/chapter\/top-cross-dressing-swordsman-transmigrated-into-a-book-18\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Cross-dressing Swordsman [Transmigrated into a Book] 18"},"content":{"rendered":"

The death of Prime Minister Wei shocked the Lan Empire. As soon as the news spread through the Jianghu gazettes, that mysterious young swordsman became the talk of the town.

On the XiaKe leaderboard, the name “Ta Xue” suddenly rose from obscurity to the seventeenth rank\u2014between the eleventh and one hundredth positions, rankings are determined by reputation in the martial world. To climb higher, one must challenge the long-standing veterans entrenched in the top ten, proving their mastery of martial arts.

However, those who can secure a place in the top ten of the Heroes Ranking are mostly the leaders and elders of major sects, individuals with extremely high prestige, profound martial arts skills, and each possessing their own unique techniques.

If you challenge them at their doorsteps, losing is one thing\u2014just a matter of losing face. The real problem is winning, which brings no glory either. You\u2019re bound to be mocked for “bullying an elderly senior,” and on top of that, you\u2019ll have the senior\u2019s disciples and followers chasing you down.

Among the ten great masters, only the top three hold their titles by sheer strength, and they are still in their prime, hardly considered old.

Yet these three have dominated the rankings for over a decade without being replaced, and the reason is simple: no one can beat them.

Mu Bai gazed at the name of Luo Wangchuan, ranked first, his brow slightly furrowed.

He has never seen Luo Wangchuan in action before, and taking on that bounty notice was partly to gauge the Sword Fanatic’s true strength.

The only fear is that the disparity in power might be too great, leaving him unable to even flee, getting caught red-handed by Luo Wangchuan.

“Xiao Bai, what’s on your mind?” Hua Mei waved her hand in front of his face.

“Oh, nothing.” Mu Bai snapped out of his thoughts and took a bite of his bun. “I was just wondering, what kind of strength must Sect Leader Luo possess to remain unrivaled for over a decade?”

Hua Mei grew enthusiastic, pointing her fingertip at the second name on the Hero Ranking: “Nan Fengyi, master of the Tideborn Pavilion. Back then, he arrived with his zither to challenge, but before he could even finish a single tune, he was nearly split in half by Sect Leader Luo. The ‘Flowing Wind and Returning Snow Sword’ knows only offense, not defense\u2014its philosophy is to break all techniques with a single strike. No matter how dazzling or flashy the demonic melodies, in front of him, one sword strike is all it takes.”

“…” Mu Bai’s furrowed brow nearly twisted into a knot. “So, does that mean no one in the world can defeat Sect Leader Luo?”

“Well, not exactly.” Hua Mei took a sip of tea and replied with a smile, “The names on this Hero Ranking are all renowned figures, but those elder masters who have retired from the martial world are not included. For example, the former leader of the Black Crane Sect, Elder White Crane\u2014he should still be in good health, but he has been living in seclusion in the mountains all these years and hasn\u2019t appeared in the martial world.”

Mu Bai’s eyes flickered as he leaned in closer.

Huamei continued, “Ten years ago, Sect Leader Luo was young and reckless, full of arrogance. At the martial arts conference, he brazenly boasted in front of all the sect leaders. By chance, the White Crane Elder happened to pass by and overheard him. Using his qinggong, the elder flew right up to Sect Leader Luo, flicked his fingers, and gave him a sharp knock on the head.”

“Sect Leader Luo was furious. He immediately drew his sword, swearing to fight the White Crane Elder to the death. But the elder ignored him and simply walked away. Sect Leader Luo chased him for two miles but couldn’t catch up. Later, he searched everywhere for the White Crane Elder\u2019s whereabouts and finally found him in a forest. However…”

“But what?”

“From start to finish, the White Crane Elder never once made a move, yet Sect Leader Luo simply couldn’t land a hit, until he exhausted all his strength. That match ended without a clear winner, but anyone with eyes could see the truth. It wasn’t that Sect Leader Luo lacked profound skill\u2014the key was that the Xuanhe Sect’s lightness techniques and footwork perfectly countered his swordplay.”

Mu Bai nodded thoughtfully, “One sword can break all techniques, but if that one sword can’t even strike…”

Mu Bai decided that tonight he would go find his ‘good brother’ to learn lightness skills.

Speak of the devil\u2014no sooner had this thought crossed his mind than he looked up and saw Ye Xing pushing a wheelchair into the teahouse.

Mu Bai’s eyes lit up as he stood and waved, “Good… I mean, uh, Young Master Su.”

“You’re here too.” Jin Yi spotted them and walked over to their table. “Hey, have you heard? The old villain Wei got killed\u2014what a relief. Nightwalker and I specially brought the young master here to listen to the teahouse storyteller.”

Huamei asked curiously, “Why do you folks from Wu Ti also have a grudge against that old villain Wei?”

Jin Yi glanced back, then leaned in and whispered, “Our young master also had some issues with that old villain. It’s not something we can discuss in detail.”

As soon as the words were spoken, Nightwalker pushed Su Mo over.

The wheelchair stopped beside the table, facing the storyteller’s direction.

Mu Bai picked up two meat-filled buns from his bowl, pulled up a stool to sit beside Su Mo, and handed one over.

“Miss Qin, my master doesn\u2019t eat…”

Su Mo reached out to take it and took a bite.

Jinyi swallowed back the words “meat buns” that were on the tip of his tongue.

Never mind.

Jinyi thought: His Highness has been a picky eater since childhood, but since it was given by Miss Qin, it doesn’t count as regular food anymore.

Mubai turned back: “What’s wrong?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Su Mo chewed slowly as he finished a bun, glanced at Mu Bai, and asked softly, “Miss Bai, are you here for storytelling too?”

Just as the story reached its most thrilling part, a burst of cheers erupted from the crowd.

Mu Bai said awkwardly, “Actually, I’m not very interested in this.”

“Oh, is that so?” Su Mo took the handkerchief and wiped his greasy fingers. “I’m quite interested, though.”

Mu Bai thought to himself, “Don’t you already know the real situation? Still have to listen to the storyteller embellishing and retelling it?”

But due to his current female disguise, he couldn’t bring himself to speak openly and simply said, “I listened for a while, but it wasn’t very interesting.”

Su Mo smiled without a word, his gaze shifting toward the storyteller in the crowd.

The storyteller was just at the part about “Treading Snow in rage beheads the Yellow-Browed Monster” when he snapped his fan shut with a loud “smack!” and exclaimed with animated enthusiasm: “Young hero Treading Snow, holding the severed head of the vile Wei in his hand, threw back his head with a hearty laugh as he strode out the door\u2014only to immediately come face-to-face with the Yellow-Browed Monster! His eyes blazed with fury as he bellowed: ‘Yellow-Browed scoundrel! Your countless evil deeds end today\u2014meeting me spells your doom!'”

Mu Bai: “…”

Su Mo raised his sleeve to cover his face as he coughed twice, though his voice couldn’t conceal his laughter: “I think this storyteller is quite amusing.”

Mu Bai clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

It’s alright. Once this part is finished, it’ll be nearing the end. Surely there won’t be any more embarrassing lines like these.

“…A ground strewn with corpses, a scene of utter devastation. Amidst the falling petals, the young hero turned to leave: ‘Remember my name\u2014Treading Snow.'”

Mu Bai: “…”

Finally, it’s all over.

After hearing this storyteller’s fantastical tale just now, even the buns in my hand have lost their flavor.

Mu Bai stuffed the entire meat bun into his mouth. He had barely taken a single bite when he saw Su Mo take out a gold ingot from his sleeve and place it on the table.

Nightwalker immediately understood the hint, presenting the gold ingot as he said, “Sir, my young master arrived late and only caught half the story. Might you be willing to tell it once more?”

Mubai choked up.

While he puffed out his cheeks and turned to look for water, the storyteller had already collected the money and resumed his performance.

Perhaps the bid was too high this time, for the storyteller exerted himself with exceptional vigor.

He raised his fan, bringing two fingers together and pointing forward, even striking a theatrical pose: “Young Hero Treading Snow leaped up with a kick, kicked open the door of that old scoundrel Wei’s room, and shouted, ‘You scoundrel! Hand over your life! Wah yah yah yah yah\u2014'”

There was an additional segment of opera-style singing following it.

Even though Su Mo tried his best to restrain himself, he couldn’t hold back and doubled over with laughter.

Mu Bai wished he could crawl into a hole from embarrassment, his face turning crimson. Unable to bear it any longer, he grabbed Su Mo and shook him twice: “Stop laughing…”

“Don’t laugh!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t laugh.” Su Mo regained his composure and said seriously, “Young hero Ta Xue, daring to break into the Prime Minister’s residence at night\u2014truly remarkable bravery.”

He managed to stay serious for barely two seconds before catching sight of Mu Bai’s flushed face and couldn’t hold back again. Quickly raising his sleeve to cover his face, he pretended he wasn’t laughing.

Mu Bai could bear it no longer. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and strode out of the teahouse.

The streets of Lingyun Ferry were livelier than usual today, with many stalls displaying new goods. Colorful lanterns hung from the eaves of shops lining the streets, as if welcoming some festive occasion.

Mu Bai wandered aimlessly for a while before stopping at a stall.

He picked up a thin white silk neckerchief hanging on the rack and asked the vendor, “How much is this?”

“You’ve got good taste, miss. This one…” The vendor held up two fingers. “Two copper coins.”

So cheap?

Mu Bai finally realized that last time’s price was highway robbery.

He fished out two copper coins and handed them to the vendor, then wrapped the brand-new white silk scarf around his neck.

“You’re quite the decisive one, miss,” the vendor said with a grin. “Why not pick something else? The hairpins and earrings here are all the latest styles from the Temple. The Qixi Festival is coming soon\u2014on that day, all the young ladies and gentlemen of Lingyun Crossing will come out to see the lanterns and fireworks. You must be meeting your sweetheart that day too, miss? Shouldn’t you dress up nicely for the occasion?”

Mu Bai glanced at the sachets and lanterns filling the streets and finally understood.

“I don’t have a sweetheart.”

“No way?” The vendor was astonished. “A girl as pretty as you\u2014surely your admirers must line up all the way from Lingyun Crossing to the capital?”

Mu Bai shook his head and turned to leave, only to bump right into Su Mo pushing a wheelchair toward him.

He originally didn’t want to bother, but seeing Su Mo alone without Jin Yi Ye Xing following, he thought for a moment and still walked over.

“Where are they?”

Su Mo shook his head: “I told them not to come.”

“Why?” Mu Bai placed his hand on the back of the wheelchair. “Isn’t it inconvenient for you to push this by yourself?”

Su Mo smiled, his gaze resting on Mu Bai’s neck: “Who gave it to you? Good taste.”

Mu Bai was taken aback: “No one gave it to me, I bought it myself.”

He pushed the wheelchair back a couple of steps before suddenly understanding.

Then he added: “No, it’s just too hot now. I’m not like you\u2014wrapping such a thick scarf around my neck would suffocate me.”

Su Mo: “Oh.”

“And that one was so expensive, what if it gets dirty… This one of mine only cost two coppers. If it gets dirty, I can just throw it away and get another.”

Su Mo: “Oh, I see.”

Mu Bai had no more tricks up his sleeve: “I just wanted to say… It’s not that I don’t like the one you gave me. When autumn comes in a couple of months and the weather gets colder, I’ll definitely wear it then.”

Su Mo nodded, still showing no particular reaction.

Mu Bai looked at the lanterns lining the streets and suddenly blurted out in a rush of emotion, “Do you have plans on the Qixi Festival?”

“No, why do you ask?”

“I heard there will be lanterns and fireworks that night.”

Su Mo chuckled softly, lifting his gaze to meet his. “So, Miss Xiao Bai, are you asking me out?”

Mu Bai: “…”

“No, what are you thinking? I was just asking, and coincidentally, I don’t have plans with anyone either\u2014that’s not what I meant…”

“Alright, alright.” Su Mo cut him off with a smile. “I’ll definitely be there that day.”<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-3470","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3470"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3470\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3471,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3470\/revisions\/3471"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=3470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}