As the moon set and the sun rose, when Xue Yu opened her eyes, dawn light had just appeared with refreshing morning dew. She got up and pushed open the tightly closed casement window. Early winter wind rushed in fiercely, carrying fine rain threads that made childlike crying sounds when hitting the walls.

Xue Yu rested her elbow lightly on the window frame. After a while, she reached out to touch the completely slumbering butterfly at her temple.

That sudden drowsiness was related to her constantly tense mental state during this period, and also related to the Feitian Diagram.

Xuanji seemed to want to tell her something, but because her true form was destroyed and demonic power scattered, she could only make simple gestures that were always intermittent and flickering.

She didn’t understand the specific meaning, but one thing was certain.

What Xuanji wanted to tell her was related to Qiu Tong.

Xue Yu stood quietly for a moment, her gaze falling on the tender green leaves and buds outside the window that had absorbed rain and dew, seeming to gradually stretch their full form. Shortly after, she withdrew her gaze, returned to her desk, picked up her brush to dip in ink, and very seriously sketched several twisting, crooked lines.

She looked at them for a while, then expressionlessly put down the brush and went out.

Chao Nian was guarding outside. Seeing Xue Yu emerge, he immediately straightened up and followed behind respectfully, asking: “My Lady, where are we going?”

“How is the interrogation of the prefect going?” Xue Yu walked through the long corridor while giving instructions: “Send word to the court—within half a month, appoint another prefect of sufficient virtue to take office.”

“Already interrogated.” Chao Nian slowed his steps slightly: “The court has also been contacted. The Commander gave the order.”

Xue Yu stopped her forward steps, her chin slightly lowered, half her face hidden in gloomy shadows. She looked toward Chao Nian and asked: “What other orders did he give?”

Chao Nian truthfully reported the matter of sealing the teleportation array, then added: “The Commander contacted Chou Li and others to verify the roughly estimated personnel list for Feiyun Summit’s opening in Yedu, and had the Palace Investigation Department strictly investigate disciples from various sects in Yedu’s territories who killed to silence witnesses and seized Heavenly Mechanism Book missions.”

“Half an hour ago, Shan Shu, the Holy Son of Chi Shui, and the Commander jointly interrogated to purge the Law Enforcement Hall. Those elders and disciples who had previously conspired with the prefect were all subjected to soul-searching techniques. They were found to indeed have overly close dealings with the prefect’s side, but no trace of the Human Emperor appeared.”

“The Commander is currently meeting with the young master of Chenyu Pavilion in the main hall.”

Chao Nian finished speaking in one breath, then made a sound and handed the booklet in his hands to Xue Yu: “This is what the Commander instructed—to give to My Lady.”

Xue Yu opened the booklet, and the first thing that caught her eye was the vigorous, powerful characters “Luozhou Feitian Diagram Case Closure Report.”

She scanned through it from top to bottom.

Through this thin layer of paper in her hands, she seemed to see him putting brush to paper.

During two hours of light sleep, those complicated matters awaiting handling had been sorted out one by one, made orderly, everything properly arranged without omission.

Xue Yu had never had such an experience.

She weighed the booklet in her hands. After a moment, she curved her lips very slightly: “Come, let’s go see the main hall.”

Fine rain fell like threads, the sky still pale. Lamps were lit everywhere in the Law Enforcement Hall. Following the small path to the front hall, Xue Yu saw through a bead curtain that Su You and the man opposite him stood up simultaneously. He lowered his eyes, his voice unhurried: “Young Master, please forgive me. I cannot answer this matter—it requires My Lady’s decision.”

Chen Longzhi smiled bitterly and cupped his hands, his voice clear and moist: “Please ask the Commander to tell My Lady that now there are only two months until Feiyun Summit opens. Chenyu Pavilion’s people can reach Yedu in another day or two, but without the official seal, we can’t enter!”

Xue Yu paused, no longer deliberately restraining her aura. She stepped over the threshold into the main hall, the silver trim on her skirt hem flashing brilliant pearl light in sight, subtle fragrance stirring in the air.

“My Lady.” Su You spoke, his voice flowing like water, the scattered ink color in his eyes gathering into a deep, heavy mass.

Chen Longzhi looked up with some surprise. He remembered clearly that just now this person sitting opposite him had been so composed and casual, speaking politely yet officially, but the firm attitude revealed in every word was impressive.

Yet when the words “My Lady” came out, that sharp edge diminished by more than half.

That was almost an unconscious change in tone.

Hard to imagine that this Commander at the height of his prestige would be like this before the Princess of Yedu.

Chen Longzhi inconspicuously composed his expression, slowly gathering his sleeves and bowing toward Xue Yu: “Chen Longzhi greets Your Highness.”

“Young Master.” Xue Yu nodded politely, accepting half the courtesy. Without waiting for him to repeat his words, she spoke directly: “Feiyun Summit’s early opening—I also just received the news.”

“Things happened suddenly, many matters piled up together. We also have no choice.”

Speaking of this, Chen Longzhi recalled getting the news a few hours ago when he hadn’t even put on his shoes before getting out of bed. Calculating Luozhou’s current chaotic state, his heart immediately went half cold.

After thinking it over repeatedly, the situation was truly urgent. Unable to care about the rustling autumn wind, while cursing his crow-like mouth and intuition, he had no choice but to come personally overnight.

The only good news was that the Feitian Diagram mission was completed—what needed handling here were just cleanup matters.

Chen Longzhi forced out what he didn’t know was his how-many-eth bitter smile of the night, speaking with difficulty: “Your Highness, I heard the Feitian Diagram mission is complete. Calculating the time, the three Highnesses returning to Sacred Lands will be within these two days.”

Feiyun Summit’s opening made many people anxious and busy with it, not just him alone. The inheritors of the Six Sacred Lands, everyone, all had to return early to prepare.

“Yes.” Xue Yu moved her lips, her beautiful eyes falling on his face, her voice without much fluctuation: “I have more urgent matters. My return date will be delayed.”

Chen Longzhi was seeing such a woman for the first time, coldly keeping people at a thousand li distance. Even if he wanted to make conversation, he didn’t know how to start.

His background wasn’t low. With Chenyu Pavilion’s foundation supporting him, those around him were all heaven’s proud sons. He had even interacted several times with Shan Shu of North Wilderness and the Saint of Chi Shui, understanding them fairly well. At least at crucial moments, he could say a few words and receive some face.

Only Xue Yu—this was his first meeting.

This was—what you fear most comes to pass.

Chen Longzhi calculated the urgent time constraints, silently reciting the words “trade-offs” in his heart. He took a deep breath and said with a smile: “Your Highness, urgent construction isn’t in the contract. As they say in business, we’re willing to pay another 1.5 million spirit stones.”

Xue Yu pressed her lips, her chin forming a delicate line. She lifted her eyelids: “I’m not taking advantage of the fire to rob or sitting on the ground raising prices.”

“I truly have matters to attend to.”

Chen Longzhi was silent for a while. After a long time, he pressed his brow, his voice weakening: “Where does Your Highness need to go?”

“Shanzhou City, Yunxi Town.”

Chen Longzhi’s mind raced, thinking about where Shanzhou was. When the map in his head connected, he felt his mind buzz.

Shanzhou was not far from Shanhai City, within Xihe Sacred Land’s territory. From Luozhou to Shanzhou—that was truly a distance across thousands of mountains and rivers. This round trip, according to Sacred Land inheritors’ habit of not liking to break rules and always traveling slowly by carriage, just the journey would take most of a month. If the business was more troublesome, by the time Xue Yu reached Yedu, not to mention more, a month wouldn’t escape.

“May I ask what business Your Highness needs to handle?” Chen Longzhi spoke with particular sincerity: “Chenyu Pavilion has a teleportation array in Shanzhou. If Your Highness doesn’t mind the team being noisy, Longzhi and a friend can accompany you. If needed during the journey, we can also do our utmost to help.”

As if afraid Xue Yu would refuse, he added: “In any case, my friend and I ultimately need to go to Yedu too. If I go early, I can also urge the construction workers then.”

Xue Yu had spent so many words precisely on this sentence.

Chenyu Pavilion had teleportation arrays in both Luozhou and Shanzhou. This way, their round trip would be easy and time-saving. If everything went smoothly, they could return to Yedu in just a few days.

She didn’t have much time to waste either.

“Acceptable.” Xue Yu turned around. Su You and Chen Longzhi followed behind, stepping over the threshold: “You pack your things. We depart at noon today. Upon reaching Shanzhou City, we’ll meet with Xihe’s Holy Son.”

Hearing this, Chen Longzhi paused again.

One after another—if not princesses, then holy sons. Wouldn’t there be another major unresolved matter?

But currently needing others’ help, he couldn’t say anything, only sighing resignedly in his heart.

Passing the study, Su You suddenly spoke. He looked toward Chen Longzhi: “Young Master, please wait a moment.”

This meant he had something to say privately to Xue Yu.

Xue Yu raised her eyebrows and stepped into the study.

Lamp shadows swirled, ink fragrance was faint. The man’s shadow stretched long, his posture upright. Standing against the light, his features carried indescribable, attractive colors. He looked at Xue Yu: “My Lady, at this moment, you should return to Yedu.”

Xue Yu seemed to have expected him to say this. She looked up at him, asking though she knew the answer: “Why?”

“Feiyun Summit’s opening is imminent. Others need time to prepare, and so does My Lady.”

“What else?” Xue Yu asked again.

Su You paused, then said: “Old matters—once past, they’re past. I don’t mind.”

“Truly?”

Su You looked at her furrowed brow and black-and-white eyes, saying softly: “Truly.”

For each day by her side, he could go one day without recalling those matters. Compared to dealing with an Xuan Su and negligent Sacred Land officials, her future and gains and losses were undoubtedly far more important.

“Nineteen.” Xue Yu looked at him quietly. After a while: “Raise your head, look at me.”

He then lifted his chin. Under the dim yellow lamplight, his brows and eyes showed bright yet deliberately restrained obedience, his pupils holding bright light.

All this was the appearance gradually cultivated from following by her side.

“The scene of Xuan Su pouring bone-corroding water on you a hundred years ago—forgotten? The feeling of having tendons and bones severed by Xihe Sacred Land—forgotten? The situation of waiting to die on the judgment platform—also forgotten?” Xue Yu paused, then asked: “Don’t all of these matter? You don’t care anymore?”

She threw question after question at him. Su You’s gaze sharpened for an instant, then showed barely perceptible evasion.

How could he not care? How could he let it go?

He was only postponing for her sake, delaying again and again.

“This is your inner demon.” Xue Yu said, “Your cultivation has reached this step. If the inner demon isn’t eliminated for one day, no matter how great the opportunities Feiyun Summit provides, you cannot fully absorb them.”

Su You looked at her, slowly blinking: “Being My Lady’s commander means representing My Lady, representing Yedu. Words and actions should be guided by goodness, and killing intent should be extinguished.”

“According to what you say, are all Sacred Lands full of good people, great benevolent people, who don’t fight back even when bullied?” Having said this, Xue Yu unrolled a scroll, looking while speaking: “Does representing me mean representing someone easy to bully?”

“Who taught you this?”

Seeing that he wanted to say more, Xue Yu straightened slightly, her two slender brows knitting together. She snapped the scroll shut: “Su You.”

Eyes meeting, Su You’s jaw tightened slightly at being called by his full name. After a moment, he touched his Adam’s apple, saying hoarsely: “I’ll listen to My Lady.”

Under the lamplight, he was clear and composed. Outside this door, he was already someone who could intimidate Chenyu Pavilion’s young master. Yet at this moment, that silent quietness carried some kind of increasingly intense unease and restlessness with each passing moment.

In memory, this seemed to be the first time he had disagreed with her.

And it was for her sake.

Xue Yu pressed her lips: “Go tell Chen Longzhi the plan remains unchanged—handle matters as early as possible to return to Yedu early.”

This time, Su You didn’t insist further. He lifted his eyes, using peripheral vision to trace her silhouette, responding lowly before pushing the door open.

Under the long corridor, wind stopped and rain ceased. A flower lantern hung quietly overhead. Chen Longzhi heard footsteps and immediately turned around, his eyes carrying some kind of bright hope as he hurriedly asked: “How is it? Did Your Highness change her mind?”

Su You leaned against a red-painted pillar under the corridor, his lashes slightly lowered in neat rows: “No.”

Chen Longzhi sighed somewhat disappointedly, but after a moment, adjusted his mindset and turned: “Now it involves the newly appointed Holy Son of Xihe too. Such a big formation—for what?”

A gust of wind passed, and an evergreen tree under the corridor swayed its branches with rustling sounds. Su You spoke, his voice mixed with indescribable emotions: “Me.”

Someone set aside her affairs, refused 1.5 million spirit stones, contacted the Holy Son, endured the fatigue of day and night travel, rushing from one city to another through wind and dust.

Because of him.

Su You was rarely somewhat agitated, almost unable to restrain himself from rolling up his sleeve edges, his fingers showing faint web-like meridians from exertion.

He remembered that “Su You,” and couldn’t help closing his eyes.

Having heard a few slightly intimate “Nineteen”s, having felt the patience, warmth and kindness she gave, he seemed unable to bear even a little deliberate cold treatment tinged with feigned anger.

He couldn’t control himself—he seemed somewhat out of control.

Almost simultaneously, Lu Chengze told Song Heng about Xue Yu’s departure the next day. The night was cool as water. Song Heng was stunned, frowning: “North Wilderness and Yedu share part of the same route. She’s not traveling with Shan Shu?”

Lu Chengze shook his head: “Not the same route. Yedu’s side had a sudden idea—they’ll go with Chenyu Pavilion’s people to Xihe’s territory, Shanzhou area.”

“Where?” Song Heng seemed not to have heard clearly and asked again.

Lu Chengze looked at him strangely and repeated the location.

The color seemed drained from Song Heng’s face bit by bit. He pulled out a small paper from his sleeve. After unfolding it, his index finger moved from Su You’s face down to the detailed introduction below, until at a certain moment, confirming certain words, he suddenly lost strength and slumped down.

Lu Chengze leaned closer to look—two clear characters reading exactly “Shanzhou.”

“This—” He looked toward Song Heng, opening his mouth to speak. After a while, he said something completely unrelated: “Don’t think so much. Feiyun Summit opening early means your heaven-sent opportunity has also come. Adjusting your condition now is most urgent.”

In a previous life, Song Heng had transformed Feiyun Summit before rising to prominence.

Song Heng shook his head: “Xue Yu is a very rational person. She understands what should be done when. At this time, she should push aside everything and return to Yedu.”

Rather than accompanying a demon ghost back to his hometown.

“Unless…” He was too exhausted to continue.

Unless that person was very important, important enough for her to forcibly make time.

“What are they going to Shanzhou to do at this time?” Lu Chengze had just asked when he heard Song Heng answer: “Overturn a case.”

“With the case overturned, he can be promoted to young master.” Song Heng paused, then said with difficulty: “Only this way will he be qualified to accompany the future empress, whether as primary consort or secondary consort.”

In this world, the strong were supreme. Most men were fickle, embracing left and right. But like Yin Ling, like Jiu Feng, like Xue Yu—they had noble status and transcendent strength. Whatever kind of man they wanted was just a matter of beckoning with a finger, one sentence.

Only Xue Yu didn’t engage in such things, her eyes always cold and clear, unable to accommodate anyone.

So back then, Song Heng had fought desperately to climb up. Only with equivalent status and position could both parties have mutual constraints and not engage in such messy affairs.

Song Heng repeated in his mind: In the past, she simply didn’t engage in such things.

But what about now?

Song Heng slapped the table and stood up: “I’m going to meet him.”

“Zi Heng.” Lu Chengze couldn’t help frowning, pressing his tensed shoulder: “Even if you have great grievances, were cursed, were drugged, but having a spring night with that Tea Immortal is a fact, right? Xue Yu’s background and character—we both know. Since she no longer pursues past matters and parts amicably, isn’t that fine?”

Song Heng suddenly raised his eyes, the corners hooked with frightening red: “If not for those demons, how would it have come to this?”

Lu Chengze felt somewhat depressed. He felt communication with Song Heng was becoming increasingly difficult lately: “Yes, you considered the overall situation then, driving Yedu’s criminal demons to extinction. I didn’t oppose you. But there are so many demons in the mortal world—those good ones who never harmed people, surely they don’t all deserve to die?”

He had helped court armies kill demons. Those demons, to protect themselves, set traps and used drugs—thinking about it, there was no problem. After all, no one would sit waiting for death.

Song Heng clenched his fists.

“You kept silent before. I didn’t know the reason, thinking you two had some fate, trying to play matchmaker as a good deed. But knowing the inside story now, I really must advise you.” Lu Chengze sighed: “Never mind Xue Yu—even Yin Ling, encountering this situation, wouldn’t blink an eye or look back.”

“You and Xue Yu—this is called circumstances beyond control. Missing each other, let it be.”

“You’re a Heavenly Emperor, she’s an empress. Each has their path. Forget it, alright?”

Don’t make it difficult for him either.

Song Heng said, “Chengze, I can listen to your advice on everything else. Only on this matter—letting go is impossible.”

Having said this, he swept his sleeves and disappeared into dawn’s brightness.

When Su You sensed that momentary aura, he quickly raised his eyes, leaping over high courtyard walls in a few bounds, appearing ghost-like among craggy rocks and verdant cypresses on the mountainside. He and Song Heng stood face to face—one with expression deep as water, one with shocking malice hooked at his eye corners.

Song Heng looked at him, voice hoarse: “On the eve of Feiyun Summit’s opening, you drag her to overturn your case. Truly good scheming.”

Su You lowered his eyes and laughed coldly: “Interfering in matters between us—who gave you the courage? Lu Chengze?”

Song Heng suddenly struck. His hand showed bulging veins from gathering force. A palm wind scraped across Su You’s face as he gnashed his teeth angrily: “What are you? A demon ghost, merely relying on Yedu’s power.”

Su You suddenly drew his sword. He first lightly deflected that palm wind, then heavily pressed the hilt against Song Heng’s chest, force exploding without restraint. The next moment, sword flowers formed a net, slashing diagonally from all directions.

Song Heng retreated seven or eight steps.

“So what if I’m a demon ghost?” Su You smiled, his peach blossom eyes bright with light, his voice carrying deadly danger beneath gentle exterior: “She doesn’t look down on demon ghosts either—still cultivates them, keeps them by her side constantly, even gave out the commander position.”

Song Heng seemed stimulated to exert force, palm winds increasingly fierce. Amid sword light and palm prints, his voice was hoarse: “You truly harbor improper thoughts toward her.”

The sword light gradually intensified. After dozens of exchanges, Su You pressed Song Heng against a tree trunk with one sword. He walked closer step by step, smiling brilliantly as he admitted: “That’s right.”

He walked before Song Heng, using his sword tip to lift his chin, examining that face in an extremely insulting posture from above: “Couldn’t even last a hundred moves.”

“How is it you?”

Such a person full of propriety and morals, but nothing—how did he gain her special regard? How did he once have the chance to openly, with her consent, accompany her in another capacity?

Song Heng was stimulated to the point of blood rushing upward. He opened his eyes, wanting to exert force, but was easily restrained by Su You. The latter’s lip line was smooth and straight, carrying natural callous meaning: “You’re Lu Chengze’s person. I won’t kill you.”

She said to spare his life, so even if he rotted with towering jealousy in his stomach, he wouldn’t kill him.

Song Heng looked at those eyes completely different from before Xue Yu, that frivolous and rebellious appearance, couldn’t help laughing coldly, squinting as he swallowed rising blood: “Your different faces before and behind—do you dare show her? Tell me, if she knew your thoughts, what would happen?”

“Aren’t you afraid today’s events will reach her ears?”

Every sentence struck at Su You’s weak points.

At this, Su You seemed touched by some wound. The smile at his eye corners and face all withdrew, revealing the extreme malice accumulated beneath his features. He leaned close to Song Heng’s ear, wickedly murmuring: “Good, I was just worrying about how to tell her. If you’re willing to make this trip for me, that would be perfect.”

“You say I can barely restrain myself from using every means to seduce her, make her pity me, make her heartache, make her soften.”

“She retreats one step, I advance one. I covet her, desire her. No matter what, regardless of everything, I want to—” He paused, his pupils forming a dangerous arc, completing the words syllable by syllable: “Completely possess her.”