This question stumped Jiang Zhaoxue. She looked at Pei Zichen with shock and uncertainty. When had he figured it out?

She had never said anything.

Pei Zichen saw the doubt in her eyes and explained: “On the cliff, Shifu’s wife used Shifu’s techniques, exactly the same as back then. If it had been Shifu who saved me years ago, he wouldn’t kill me today. So it was Shifu’s wife who saved me twice, correct?”

In fact, after arriving at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, he had long wondered why Shen Yuqing, who believed in the Book of Fate, would save him.

But he had also heard that Shen Yuqing had once been punished for violating heaven’s mandate, and the timing coincided exactly with when he was saved, so he had invented countless reasons for his shifu.

Such as being genuine at the moment of saving him but later changing his mind, or other things.

But no matter what the reason, when the same sword technique appeared before him again, blocking the countless killing swords for him, he clearly realized—

It wasn’t Shen Yuqing.

From the very beginning, he had been wrong.

He quietly gazed at Jiang Zhaoxue, stubbornly waiting for an answer.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat embarrassed. She didn’t know why, but hearing him mention saving him so solemnly made her a bit uncomfortable.

Afraid he would take this matter too seriously, she cleared her throat lightly and emphasized: “You don’t need to take this to heart. I was just passing by at the time. That day I had a fight with your shifu, and I happened to encounter this incident when I was upset, so I just helped casually.”

“And now?”

Pei Zichen watched her, as if expecting some answer, pressing: “Shifu’s wife followed me here, covered in wounds, enduring countless hardships—was that also just helping casually?”

Jiang Zhaoxue froze at his question. Pei Zichen didn’t press further, but his gaze remained fixed on her, as if he wouldn’t give up until he got an answer.

“Why not tell the truth?” A’Nan spoke tentatively in Jiang Zhaoxue’s consciousness: “Just say you want to use his body to nourish the divine artifact. He now knows you saved him so many times—he’ll definitely be grateful. If you tell him, he’ll be willing!”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t respond.

Tell the truth?

With someone destined to kill her, lay bare a plan she didn’t know would take how many years to execute?

Moreover, why was Pei Zichen asking this question?

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at his eyes that had no will to live, with only a hint of expectation directed at her, knowing he was looking for something to cling to for living.

She couldn’t bring herself to speak.

How could she tell him when he had nothing that even this small bit of kindness also had ulterior motives?

That would only be delivering him a fatal blow, making him completely despair. Even if he lived on for the sake of gratitude, it would never last long.

She didn’t want to answer, yet the young man was exceptionally clearheaded. He looked at her calmly and said earnestly: “Shifu’s wife, if you want my life, I should at least know what you want to use my life for. Whatever it is, I won’t blame you.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue knew this question couldn’t be avoided.

After silently cursing “troublesome,” she bit her teeth and finally spoke, saying earnestly: “I want you to live well.”

These words clearly exceeded Pei Zichen’s expectations. He frowned.

Jiang Zhaoxue sat up cross-legged, lies flowing effortlessly: “You are an elegant gentleman, the sect’s pure jade. I know you’re destined to have this tribulation. Actually, with or without me, you could survive. The difference is only that without me, your fate is to become demonic.”

To become the authority figure of Jiuyou Realm and lead Jiuyou Realm to crush the True Immortal Realm.

She spoke half-truths with a serious tone: “I couldn’t bear to see you become demonic, so I saved you.”

“Then why not just kill me?”

Pei Zichen couldn’t understand.

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke resolutely: “Because I’m your shifu’s wife.”

Pei Zichen was stunned. Jiang Zhaoxue imitated how Shen Yuqing used to lecture her, speaking with righteous dignity: “No one in this world is born evil or good. Everyone is a blank page to be written upon by others. You haven’t done anything yet. How can future evil consequences be attributed to you? Others kill you out of fear—I understand that. But I’m your elder with responsibility for your upbringing and education. How can I kill you simply for convenience when you can still change?”

“But Shifu has already decided to kill me.”

“Then he’s wrong!” Jiang Zhaoxue spoke decisively. “When he was young, he was similar to you. Why must you be a demon while he’s the light of righteousness? If he were forced to jump off a cliff like you, I think he’d become a demon even faster than you.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen suddenly understood something and confirmed again: “I’m… very similar to Shifu in his youth?”

“Very similar.” Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the young man before her, making her tone full of encouragement and care. “Don’t look at how cold he is now, but he used to be just like you—a very good person. Everything he can do, you can do. In the future, you can even become a better person than him. He wasn’t a good shifu, so I’ll compensate for him. So rest assured, I’ll take good care of you, teach you, accompany you to divinity, until…”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, saying vaguely: “Until the day you and I should part. By then, whether you become a god or an ordinary person, you can live well.”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the rabbit that was almost cooked, her bright eyes fixed on it, thinking of the future. Unable to suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth, she said happily: “You can eat lots of delicious food, meet many wonderful people. If you like freedom, you can wander around and see the world. With that face, some casual romances would be quite easy too.”

“Shifu’s wife!” Hearing this, Pei Zichen became somewhat flustered. “This disciple would never…”

“Don’t panic, don’t panic,” Jiang Zhaoxue guessed he was stimulated by ‘casual romances’ and quickly said: “I’m joking. We won’t look for casual romances. You can find no one at all, or you can go to the mortal realm and find someone you like, get yourself a courtyard. The two of you can cook, farm, raise chickens, watch performances you enjoy every day. Oh, and you’re good with your hands.”

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at his slender fingers and praised earnestly: “You can make many small things. Maybe… you could even become the next Lu Ban? Anyway, there are many ways to live. What’s important is to keep living. Only by staying alive do you have the possibility of experiencing happiness.”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes to look at him, saying earnestly: “And you must remember that many people love you. Your life is precious. You live in this world because of love—because your parents and elder brother loved you, they let you escape the tribulation at age nine; because Gu Jinglan, your other junior martial brothers, and Pangpang loved you, they insisted on letting you make it to the end. And also me—”

Pei Zichen’s eyes moved slightly.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t notice and continued shamelessly: “Although I don’t have as deep feelings as they do, I also hope you live well.”

That’s why she leaped down from the cliff with him, carried him through the snow on the mountain.

“Shifu’s wife…”

Pei Zichen’s nose tingled, his voice hoarse and soft, but he didn’t know what to say.

Seeing his appearance, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly comforted: “But don’t be too moved either. I’m not someone who helps for nothing. I know you’ll definitely have prospects in the future, so don’t forget the kindness I’m showing you now.” Jiang Zhaoxue patted Pei Zichen’s shoulder, her gaze bright: “Remember to be filial to me.”

These words made Pei Zichen unable to help but smile.

He looked at the woman before him who didn’t appear much older than himself, his gaze falling on her wounded hands, guilt rising from his heart.

He pressed his lips together and said earnestly: “This disciple will remember Shifu’s wife’s great kindness, remember it forever.”

“That’s wonderful!”

Seeing him recover, Jiang Zhaoxue’s gaze moved back to the roasted rabbit. She could finally ask about what she’d been thinking of for so long: “Is the rabbit done?”

“It’s done.”

Seeing it was cooked well enough, Pei Zichen handed her the better-roasted one.

Jiang Zhaoxue excitedly took it and enthusiastically devoured the meat.

Although there were no seasonings, wild rabbit meat had its own natural fragrance. Jiang Zhaoxue ate with complete absorption. Pei Zichen watched quietly, feeling warmth rise in his heart. He smiled and also lowered his head to eat meat along with Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue quickly finished the meat, completely satisfied. Suddenly remembering something, she raised her head: “Do you know where those demonic cultivators at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion came from on the day of the cliff fall?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen was stunned, then remembered that indeed many demonic cultivators had suddenly appeared that day, helping him all the way to the Book of Fate Pavilion to seize the Su Guangji.

In that situation, anyone would think he was connected to the demonic cultivators. He hastily said: “Shifu’s wife, I don’t know them. I also don’t know…”

“Understood.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, believing him without hesitation.

These demonic cultivators must be related to Pei Zichen. He was probably someone’s reincarnation or had some bloodline—novels all write it this way—but he himself didn’t know, so asking wouldn’t yield anything. They’d have to find new clues later.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t think much about it, then patted her stomach: “I’m full! Time to sleep! You keep watch.”

Pei Zichen stared blankly at this person who didn’t doubt him at all. Before he could react, Jiang Zhaoxue sat down beside him without any courtesy.

Pei Zichen’s body instantly stiffened. Just as he was about to speak, he watched Jiang Zhaoxue take off her outer robe and drape it over both of them. Pei Zichen panicked and tried to refuse, but Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed his wrist, leaned closer, and before he could nervously speak, stared at him threateningly: “Starting today, don’t talk to me about breaking rules. I worked so hard to save you. If you dare work yourself to death, I’ll strip off all your clothes—”

What she would do after that, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t say, but just the stripping part was obviously already an enormous threat.

Pei Zichen looked at her nervously, not daring to say a word. Jiang Zhaoxue saw even his ears turn red, smiled, and warned: “I’ve put up with you Lingjian Immortal Pavilion people for a long time. Don’t provoke me. Sleep!”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue withdrew and leaned against the wall, covered with clothing, and closed her eyes.

The garment covering both of them formed a space that belonged only to the two of them. Temperature naturally rose in this enclosed space, finally giving Pei Zichen’s body some warmth.

Without his golden core, he was just a mortal. If not for the activity and work just now, he would have frozen stiff long ago.

However, Jiang Zhaoxue not only had spiritual power protecting her body, but even without it, just her White Tiger bloodline alone meant she was full of hot blood and vitality. Her entire being was like a small furnace beside him, burning him until he sat restlessly.

He had never been so close to a woman. His entire body was stiff and he didn’t dare move, even breathing was somewhat difficult.

Jiang Zhaoxue noticed he remained stiff and advised with closed eyes: “Don’t be nervous. Just think of it like when we first met, everyone traveling together as refugees. With a clear conscience, what’s there to fear?”

Pei Zichen didn’t respond.

Jiang Zhaoxue was truly somewhat tired.

Now that Pei Zichen was awake, even though he was just a youth who could do nothing, in this vast snowstorm, she still felt a sense of security, so she indulged herself in sleep. Before long, unable to support herself, her head tilted and crashed onto Pei Zichen’s shoulder.

Pei Zichen’s muscles tensed, feeling her soft hair brush against his neck.

He closed his eyes and recited purifying scriptures, thinking Jiang Zhaoxue made it sound easy.

Like when they first met? How could it be the same?

Back then, she had come for him, a goddess descending from heaven, a young lady.

But now, she was performing elder duties on behalf of his shifu, urging him to turn back from his misguided path—a deity, his shifu’s wife.

He couldn’t distinguish exactly what the difference between the two was. He only knew that the moment he learned her identity, something receded like the tide in silence.

There was order between old and young, distinction between high and low, division between intimate and distant.

This was his shifu’s wife. Even one extra glance from him was disrespectful and presumptuous.

Yet he also knew she was right. Rules were dead, but people were alive. And besides…

She said she had endured Lingjian Immortal Pavilion for a long time.

Pei Zichen couldn’t help but turn to look at her, remembering what he had heard at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion and the times he had seen her.

Lingjian Immortal Pavilion had complicated rules. In the past at the pavilion, she had always been someone mocked and gossiped about behind people’s backs.

Even he back then didn’t much like her.

Because every time he saw her then, she was taking out her frustration over his shifu on others.

Even he himself had received two lashes from her for blocking her from seeing Shen Yuqing.

He had always thought she was unreasonable and couldn’t distinguish right from wrong.

Yet now he suddenly realized—where was she being unreasonable and rude?

With her temperament, it was only that in a place like Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, she had been slowly tormented by everyone into that wretched appearance, and then they mocked her for her wretchedness.

Just like caging a tiger and watching it go mad, then saying “it’s indeed dangerous, it should be caged.”

Guilt rose from his heart. He cursed himself inwardly for being so blind back then.

She was clearly such a good person, it was just…

Just that she liked his shifu too much.

She liked him, married him, devoted herself to him, yet even seeing him once was difficult. She just wanted to see him, wanted her husband to care for her—what had she done wrong?

She liked his shifu so much that as long as someone was his disciple and carried his shadow, she would spare nothing.

He knew he resembled Shen Yuqing. He had spent seven years observing, learning, imitating.

But ultimately he wasn’t Shen Yuqing.

What did she value about him?

Did she value his identity as Shen Yuqing’s disciple, his temperament, his being an elegant gentleman, the sect’s pure jade?

Pei Zichen turned to look outside the cave. In this world there was only the sound of falling snow, the sound of flames in the cave, and the breathing of the person beside him.

False, all false.

He suddenly felt a desperate loneliness. He clearly knew that what Jiang Zhaoxue valued was all false, all illusory.

Now there was no one who cared about him, no one who belonged to him. He had no attachments in this world, just an empty shell. He didn’t even know what kind of existence he was. Why was he alive?

Six relations dead, no one caring. Even Jiang Zhaoxue’s bit of favor was only because of his shifu’s continuation. Compared to her feelings for his shifu, it was only one in a million, one in ten million. Even if he disappeared, it would only be a slight regret.

Why exactly was he alive?

His heart was terribly empty, painfully empty.

As his gaze shifted, he saw a dagger on the ground.

The dagger was inlaid with gems. Even her weapons were this gaudy.

He looked at the cold gleam on the dagger and suddenly felt an inexplicable attraction.

As if possessed, he unconsciously reached out his hand, vaguely feeling that as long as he gripped this dagger and slit his throat, when blood splattered like Jinglan’s, like Pangpang’s, all suffering would end.

He couldn’t restrain himself from reaching out. His emotions finally became turbulent waves at this moment, even carrying expectation.

It would end.

As soon as he took the knife, he could end it.

He wouldn’t suffer anymore…

Just as his fingers touched the dagger, Jiang Zhaoxue beside him suddenly cried out: “Ah!”

This sound abruptly awakened Pei Zichen’s consciousness. He froze, then heard her swallow and murmur: “Spicy rabbit head…”

Pei Zichen stood dazed in place. He turned his head and saw that Jiang Zhaoxue had actually fallen down along with him.

Her hands full of frostbite emerged from under the garment, becoming sharp pain in Pei Zichen’s eyes.

What was he thinking?

He reacted in an instant.

Jiang Zhaoxue had worked so hard to save him. His family had used their lives to protect him, and there was Jinglan… Pangpang…

He carried so many people’s lives. How dare he die?

Moreover, in this desolate mountain wilderness, if he died, what would happen to Jiang Zhaoxue?

She clearly couldn’t use spiritual power. A Fate Master, born pampered and privileged, who had never cultivated her body, couldn’t hunt or make fire by friction, probably couldn’t even recognize directions, and was also gluttonous. If he died, what would she do?

Could she get back?

He had to live.

Pei Zichen realized in an instant that no matter how painful, no matter why she did it.

Even if it was love for his shifu extending to him, at least she was sincere, dividing out a little kindness and effort from his shifu to give to him.

He couldn’t fail this effort.

Even if he wanted to die, he should at least send Jiang Zhaoxue to a safe place first.

How fragile were Fate Masters? And Jiang Zhaoxue had never traveled alone before, a pampered daughter. If he died, how would Jiang Zhaoxue get out?

Pei Zichen slowly calmed down. Turning to look at the woman sleeping soundly leaning on him, he suddenly seemed to find an anchor.

At least for now, he had to live for Jiang Zhaoxue.

He had to send Jiang Zhaoxue back.

He thought for a long time, pressed his lips together, and finally reached out his hand, gently straightening her up. He draped her garment over his shoulder, letting her lean on his shoulder through the clothing, then covered the remaining garment back over her.

After finishing everything, he felt utterly exhausted. He quietly looked at the charcoal fire not far away, watching the flames rise and fall in the occasional cold wind that blew in, and peacefully closed his eyes.

Hearing his gradually stabilizing breathing, Jiang Zhaoxue knew he wouldn’t do anything foolish and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, closing her eyes to sleep.

With Pei Zichen keeping watch, Jiang Zhaoxue slept deeply. When she woke the next day, she found herself leaning on a soft cushion.

This was a simple pillow woven from dead grass and vines. Her clothes were draped over her, while Pei Zichen sat to the side, using a stone pot to boil water.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the suspended stone pot, her eyes showing shock, frightened into stammering: “Wh… what is this?!”

Then realizing the question was wrong, she quickly said: “Where did this come from?”

“Shifu’s wife’s dagger isn’t an ordinary object. Stone can also be carved. I temporarily chiseled out a pot.”

Pei Zichen explained, raising his head to look at Jiang Zhaoxue, smiling: “Good morning, Shifu’s wife.”

His smile was gentle and humble, seemingly similar to the past, but the calmness in his eyes ultimately showed he had lost his youthful spirit.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s throat moved slightly, but she didn’t know what to say. She only shifted her gaze to the stone pot, asking curiously: “What are you cooking?”

“I just caught some game at the entrance. Roasting is too dry, so I wanted to make soup for Shifu’s wife.”

Pei Zichen explained, taking a small stone bowl. Under Jiang Zhaoxue’s shocked and admiring gaze, he ladled out the soup with a stone spoon and handed it to Jiang Zhaoxue: “There are no seasonings. Shifu’s wife, please just drink what you can.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at his already tidied clothing. His garments had been simply cleaned by himself. Although still somewhat dirty, they weren’t messy. The damp and obviously abraded areas on his clothes clearly showed how he had gone to “catch game.”

That posture must have been too wretched, so he couldn’t let her see it.

She took it all in with one glance but pretended not to know, only smiling in praise: “Having something to eat is good enough!”

With that, she put on her clothes and sat near Pei Zichen, taking the bowl from his hands and holding it, watching Pei Zichen serve himself soup.

He looked very calm, completely unlike someone who had nearly committed suicide last night.

Jiang Zhaoxue held the hot soup, lightly tapping the edge of the bowl, carefully choosing her words, probing: “So, Zichen, what are your plans now?”

“To accompany Shifu’s wife to a safe place.”

Pei Zichen served himself soup, speaking steadily: “Shifu’s wife saved me—such great kindness is hard to repay. Although this disciple’s meridians are damaged, having spent years traveling, I may be of some use to Shifu’s wife.”

“Very useful!” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly said: “My days have been much better since you woke up. You’re especially useful.”

“I’m glad to be of service to Shifu’s wife.” Pei Zichen lowered his eyes, saying calmly before drinking his soup: “If useless, please leave Zichen here. That would also be a release.”

At these words, Jiang Zhaoxue nearly choked to death.

She coughed lightly, looking at someone so calm he seemed like one whose coffin had already been sealed.

“You…” Jiang Zhaoxue struggled for words. “Don’t be so pessimistic. You…” Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat guilty. “Even if you’re useless, I won’t abandon you.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen didn’t care. After drinking a sip of soup, he inquired softly: “After the meal, where does Shifu’s wife plan to go?”

“Oh,” hearing Pei Zichen mention business, Jiang Zhaoxue also became serious, immediately saying enthusiastically: “We’ll go find the jade ganoderma!”

“To reconstruct my meridians and golden core?”

Pei Zichen asked in return. Jiang Zhaoxue nodded: “Right, or do you expect me to carry you for a lifetime?”

“Why not go back?” Pei Zichen asked sharply.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t understand: “Huh?”

Seeing she hadn’t reacted, Pei Zichen was also somewhat puzzled and proposed the plan he had thought of last night: “You opened the Su Guangji, and we fell into the turbulent flow of time. So the Su Guangji should be in your hands now. Why don’t you take it out and try to see if we can go back?”

If they could go back directly, why go through all this trouble?

Penglai had plenty of immortal pills and miraculous medicines.

Reminded by him, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly realized that since arriving, she had been following the plot from the book and hadn’t thought about whether she could go back.

Thinking it over, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly said: “That’s right!”

With that, she enthusiastically fumbled in her sleeve for a long time and finally felt a mirror!

Excitedly, she pulled the Su Guangji from her sleeve—

And then, pulled out a fragment.

Jiang Zhaoxue stared at the fragment blankly, then raised her head to look at Pei Zichen, both staring at each other.

“Uh…” Jiang Zhaoxue hesitated, then confirmed: “It seems to be broken.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue fumbled around some more and determined: “Mm, the fragments aren’t here either. Don’t know where they shattered to. Looking at this situation—”

Jiang Zhaoxue examined the fragment and confirmed: “We probably can’t go back.”