Jiang Zhaoxue stared blankly at the talisman paper.

The handwriting on it had clearly been obscured, making it completely impossible to identify who wrote it.

If she didn’t remember those four years in the illusion, she would never have guessed the one who sent the jewelry was Pei Zichen.

If she hadn’t been awake last night, she wouldn’t have known this fireworks display had any connection to him.

He never intended for her, who knew nothing, to discover who sent the gift.

This gift was neither a reminder nor flattery, seeking no reward—it was simply, at this new year’s beginning, a prayer and blessing for her.

Even calculating the timing, he only had the opportunity to enter her room last night. This “New Year’s money” was perhaps placed there last night.

With the passing year, ward off evil spirits. Year after year, peace and safety.

“Wow,” A’Nan looked at the bracelet, raising her wing to press it against her bird chest. “My heart is beating so fast. Are you…”

“Where did he get so much money?”

Hearing A’Nan’s words, Jiang Zhaoxue came to her senses, somewhat uncomfortable as she put away the bracelet into her qiankun pouch, muttering, “Troublesome.”

With that, she put everything away and lay back down on the bed.

A’Nan looked at her. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue truly didn’t plan to speak, she hopped to the pillow’s edge, nestled against the pillow Jiang Zhaoxue had prepared for her, and pulled up her little blanket.

Person and bird lay in bed, neither able to sleep.

A’Nan turned over and couldn’t help but say, “Speaking of which, he gave such an expensive gift—shouldn’t you return the gesture?”

“No.” Jiang Zhaoxue stared at the bed canopy. “If I dare return a gift now, he’ll immediately realize I remember everything. But don’t worry—”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand, looking at the three red marks on it.

These three red marks were the wager she made with Shen Yuqing.

Each red mark represented one chance for Shen Yuqing to choose. Each time he chose Mu Jinyue, one mark would disappear.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the marks, thinking of the copper coin she had given.

“I won’t owe him.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t think further and closed her eyes.

Person and bird quietly fell asleep. When she woke the next day, Jiang Zhaoxue heard Shen Yuqing calling for her at the door. She quickly dressed and tidied up. Walking out, she saw Shen Yuqing waiting at the door.

Seeing his expression, Jiang Zhaoxue knew he truly intended to fulfill what he said yesterday when arguing with Pei Zichen—to personally “attend” to her.

This thought made Jiang Zhaoxue’s hair stand on end.

When he was young, though his words weren’t pleasant to hear, he had indeed taken good care of her for a time.

When traveling, he cooked meals and washed clothes. Once when they were trapped in a mountain village secret realm and their clothes were torn beyond wearing, he even knew how to mend clothes.

When he said he did well at twenty, Jiang Zhaoxue had nothing to refute.

But now he was older after all, having sat in a high position for so long. Moreover, Jiang Zhaoxue currently had no patience to deal with him. Now that he had this idea, it terrified her.

So in the instant before he could speak, Jiang Zhaoxue said directly, “Have Mu Jinyue come attend to me.”

This statement stunned everyone present, but Jiang Zhaoxue gave no one a chance to refuse. She walked directly into the room and sat before the dressing table, calling out loudly, “If Jinyue doesn’t know how, have Zichen teach you.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing’s aura turned cold, but he thought Jiang Zhaoxue was just venting anger at him. After taking a deep breath, he turned outward and instructed, “Jinyue, attend to your master’s wife. We’ll wait for you both in the main hall.”

With that, Shen Yuqing led Pei Zichen outside.

Seeing the two leave, Jiang Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief, finally having dodged Shen Yuqing.

After they left, Mu Jinyue still stood outside the door. Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look at her and beckoned, “Why are you just standing there? Come in and style my hair.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue forced out a smile.

After bowing, she walked behind Jiang Zhaoxue and picked up a comb from the side. Lowering her eyes, seeming to suppress her emotions with great effort, she said softly, “What hairstyle would Master’s wife like?”

“Something simple,” Jiang Zhaoxue said casually. “Just style it like one of my old hairstyles.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue paused and smiled somewhat awkwardly. “Master’s wife’s former hairstyles… none were simple.”

“Oh,” Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it and glanced back at her. “Then just make it more complicated than what’s on your head.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue’s grip on the wooden comb tightened. After softly acknowledging, she lowered her eyes to style Jiang Zhaoxue’s hair, carefully saying as she worked, “Master’s wife, this disciple has never attended to an elder’s grooming before. If anything is improper…”

“Don’t worry.”

Jiang Zhaoxue manifested a vine in her hand, smiling as she said, “I’ll teach you.”

With the vine in hand, Mu Jinyue’s movements were extraordinarily gentle.

Jiang Zhaoxue only intended to use her as a shield and didn’t plan to deliberately make things difficult.

She casually asked some questions about news of the True Immortal Realm and Shen Yuqing after she left. Mu Jinyue answered flawlessly.

After probing for a while, Jiang Zhaoxue finally moved to the main topic. “Obtaining the Zhanshen Sword this time is so difficult, yet your master still insists on bringing you along. Do you know why?”

“The Xunshi Mirror is in this disciple’s hands.”

Mu Jinyue lowered her eyes and selected a hairpin for Jiang Zhaoxue, saying softly, “Master needs this disciple’s help to return.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat surprised, but thinking about it, it made sense—after all, she was the female lead.

Then she felt somewhat sour. To obtain divine artifacts, she had to threaten, bribe, work hard, and scheme, while the male and female leads just lay back and waited for artifacts to come to them.

Unfair, truly unfair!

But this unfairness couldn’t be blamed on Mu Jinyue.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt sour to death inside but couldn’t say much. She could only hold the vine and watch Mu Jinyue style her hair through gritted teeth.

Actually, she somewhat wanted to find an excuse to whip her.

But morality told her she couldn’t whip people out of jealousy.

At least not young women.

So she could only silently feel sour for a while, swallowing all her anger.

When she brought Mu Jinyue to the meal and saw Shen Yuqing sitting steadily in his seat with Pei Zichen standing behind him, she suddenly knew where to vent her anger.

She didn’t wrong herself either. As she sat down, she lashed out at Shen Yuqing with her vine!

Shen Yuqing dodged in alarm, then frowned. “What madness has possessed you?”

“Let’s discuss business.”

Having vented with one lash, Jiang Zhaoxue felt much better and sat down directly to discuss business.

Shen Yuqing didn’t want to haggle with her over such things. Her temperament had always been unruly and uninhibited—he was used to it. He followed her train of thought, and after she briefly explained to Pei Zichen and Mu Jinyue the plan the two of them had made last night, Jiang Zhaoxue had Pei Zichen take out the Su Guangji.

The fragments of the Su Guangji were born alongside the divine artifacts. Having obtained the Lingxu Fan, Pei Zichen naturally had the mirror as well.

Pei Zichen handed the Su Guangji fragment to Jiang Zhaoxue without hesitation. Jiang Zhaoxue pieced together the three Su Guangji fragments and placed them on the table, looking up at Mu Jinyue. “Feel it out—with this much power in the Su Guangji and activating the Xunshi Mirror simultaneously, can you bring all four of us to five years from now?”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue reached out and sensed the Su Guangji for a moment before nodding. “This disciple will do her best. It should be fine.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Jiang Zhaoxue made the decision. “I’ll go prepare some things first. Everyone should rest and recuperate these days. We don’t know what the situation will be five years from now, so everyone should be ready.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue noticed Pei Zichen hadn’t spoken. She looked up at him. “Zichen, what do you think?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen raised a pair of clear, calm eyes and only looked at Jiang Zhaoxue. “I’ll listen to Master’s wife.”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused and nodded. “Then it’s decided.”

With the departure date set, Jiang Zhaoxue began preparations.

What she needed most were talismans. That day she contacted Ye Tianjiao, asking him to prepare as many talismans as possible and deliver them to her the day before departure.

Having broken through to Nascent Soul, Ye Tianjiao could write talismans well and quickly. He prepared a full thousand various talismans and transmitted them to Jiang Zhaoxue.

Besides talismans, other medicinal materials and daily necessities were all procured by Pei Zichen.

Pei Zichen spent his days busy preparing things for four people, and upon returning needed to practice to inherit the power of the Lingxu Fan. His meetings with Jiang Zhaoxue were far fewer than before.

Yet every night, Jiang Zhaoxue vaguely felt someone seemed to be sitting at her bedside watching her.

Each time she drowsily opened her eyes, there was no one else in the room.

Pei Zichen came less often, but Shen Yuqing came frequently.

He seemed determined to befriend her, bringing gifts to see her every day.

Since they’d known each other, he’d always been a man of few words. When young, his way of expressing goodwill was giving things. Now over two hundred years old, he hadn’t improved one bit.

Every morning he brought food, every evening he brought entertainment. Each time he’d bring a gift, sit in her room watching her meditate, and could watch for an entire day.

Sometimes Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t know if he was dazing off or watching her, but she was too lazy to argue and let him be.

She ignored Shen Yuqing. Seeing her coldness, Shen Yuqing didn’t say much either.

He simply persisted, day after day.

When Jiang Zhaoxue was young, she was quite susceptible to this approach. As long as he gave gifts for a few days, no matter how angry she was, she would soften.

But now that she was older, her heart had hardened. Seeing this approach again, she didn’t find it persistent, only boring.

Most importantly—it lacked sincerity.

Anyone with half a brain would know that when one path doesn’t work, you can’t walk it to death.

But she was too lazy to advise him. She let Shen Yuqing do as he pleased.

Days passed quickly. Jiang Zhaoxue meditated daily, and soon it was the Lantern Festival. Her body adjusted to optimal condition, she packed her things and said goodbye to Ye Tianjiao.

This time was different from last time. Last time she disappeared suddenly and Ye Tianjiao didn’t react to anything. This time Ye Tianjiao clearly knew they wouldn’t meet for five years and couldn’t help feeling sad, saying emotionally, “Sister, five years is so long. What if I forget you?”

“You won’t,” Jiang Zhaoxue told him seriously. “I still owe you money.”

“Aiya, that’s a small matter.” Ye Tianjiao waved it off carelessly. “It’s just that after you leave, I’ll be annoyed with no one to talk to. You don’t know—recently I returned to the capital and suddenly reached Nascent Soul. The Tianji Academy went crazy with joy. Every day the house is full of visitors. I’m so annoyed.”

“A Nascent Soul in your early twenties—even in the True Immortal Realm you’d be considered a genius. Naturally they want to curry favor with you.”

“Yes, it’ll be hard to find people who treat me sincerely from now on.” Ye Tianjiao sighed, voicing his sentiment.

Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing. What he said was indeed true.

The two fell silent for a while. Ye Tianjiao suddenly spoke, “Sister, I always feel… like I’ve forgotten something. About Qian Sisi…”

Ye Tianjiao hesitated, paused for a moment, then sighed. “Forget it, if I can’t figure it out, I won’t think about it. Sister,” Ye Tianjiao said happily, “see you in five years.”

“See you in five years.”

Jiang Zhaoxue collected the talismans, cut off the transmission with Ye Tianjiao, and after steadying herself for a moment, brought A’Nan and went to Mu Jinyue’s room.

Mu Jinyue had already prepared the method to activate the Xunshi Mirror. All three were waiting for her. After Jiang Zhaoxue entered, A’Nan voluntarily burrowed back into her consciousness. She saw Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue sitting face to face in the room, while Pei Zichen sat across from her—positioned where he could see her but not touch her.

She stepped inside without looking at Pei Zichen and asked directly, “Are you ready?”

“Mm.” Shen Yuqing spoke.

“This disciple is also ready.” Pei Zichen replied respectfully.

Jiang Zhaoxue turned her gaze to Mu Jinyue and instructed, “Explain the precautions.”

“Spatial-temporal leaping involves changes in both time and space,” Mu Jinyue manifested the Xunshi Mirror in her hand, explaining patiently. “The sensation is similar to a teleportation array—we’ll traverse countless spatial-temporal gaps in an instant. To ensure everyone arrives at the same time and space, we must hold tightly to the person beside us and cannot let go. Once anyone lets go, they may fall into different times and spaces.”

Hearing this, everyone nodded. Jiang Zhaoxue listened and thought, “What if an accident occurs?”

“In spatial-temporal gaps, spiritual power is relatively stable. Only when approaching the time point we want to reach will we be interfered with by people from that time.” Mu Jinyue considered. “The interference usually involves using spiritual power to disrupt the stability of the spatial-temporal gaps. If we can stabilize the spiritual power fluctuations in the space in time, it will be relatively safe.”

“Understood.”

Jiang Zhaoxue straightened and nodded. “I’m ready. Activate the Xunshi Mirror.”

With that, Mu Jinyue placed the Xunshi Mirror on the table, while the Su Guangji was placed on the other side by Pei Zichen. Mu Jinyue raised her hand to form a seal. The Xunshi Mirror lit up first, and after it brightened, the Su Guangji fragments followed. When the light from the two mirrors merged, a formation on the ground illuminated all four of them.

As Mu Jinyue activated the Xunshi Mirror, Jiang Zhaoxue simultaneously began drawing a formation. Shen Yuqing turned to look. Jiang Zhaoxue, thinking he suspected Mu Jinyue, explained, “Just in case.”

Shen Yuqing nodded but said nothing more.

After Mu Jinyue activated both the Xunshi Mirror and Su Guangji, Jiang Zhaoxue’s formation was also complete.

Mu Jinyue turned to look at Jiang Zhaoxue and actively reached out. “Master’s wife, please hold my hand.”

Jiang Zhaoxue reached out to grasp hers. Mu Jinyue then looked toward Pei Zichen at her side. She seemed somewhat shy but still said, “Senior Brother…”

Pei Zichen hesitated briefly before grasping Mu Jinyue’s wrist through his sleeve, saying coldly, “Pardon the impropriety.”

Seeing this, Shen Yuqing put away his whisk and pulled Pei Zichen closer before raising his hand to grasp Jiang Zhaoxue’s.

At first it was a loose grip, but after a moment’s hesitation, he curled his fingers and held Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand tightly.

He gripped somewhat too intimately—among those present, only the two of them held hands so closely without any gap.

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but glance at him, but Shen Yuqing kept his eyes lowered as if unaware of anything.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat uncomfortable, but thinking this person always did things steadily, he was probably worried she’d be swept away by turbulence, so gripping tightly was normal.

Besides, to seriously discuss this matter now would only be awkward.

Jiang Zhaoxue pretended not to notice anything and let him hold her.

Pei Zichen looked up and swept his gaze over Shen Yuqing and Jiang Zhaoxue’s clasped hands. Heart fire blazed within him.

Not seeing it with his own eyes was one thing, but now witnessing Shen Yuqing touch Jiang Zhaoxue—even just her hand—he found it somewhat difficult to control himself.

He forced himself to lower his eyes, not daring to look further.

Mu Jinyue seemed oblivious to the subtle atmosphere among the three and only reminded them, “During the leap there may be spiritual power turbulence. No matter what happens, everyone must hold firmly to the person beside them.”

“Hold firmly to the person beside you,” Jiang Zhaoxue thought of Pei Zichen’s temperament. Without naming names, but Pei Zichen clearly knew Jiang Zhaoxue was reminding him, “means holding firmly to everyone.”

Pei Zichen’s heart grew bitter. She was right before him, yet he couldn’t touch her.

But what could he do?

He could only say softly, “Yes.”

Confirming all four were ready, Mu Jinyue said, “Then I’ll activate the Xunshi Mirror.”

As she spoke, the formation at their feet began spinning rapidly. Light shone from the Xunshi Mirror, and moments later, the radiance enveloped all four. They were simultaneously drawn into the Xunshi Mirror.

Fierce winds howled, the world spun. Jiang Zhaoxue gripped Mu Jinyue and Shen Yuqing tightly beside her, unable to help asking Mu Jinyue, “Why didn’t you mention the turbulent winds would be so strong?!”

As she spoke, Shen Yuqing tightened his grip on her, comforting her, “It’s nothing.”

“Master’s wife, the Xunshi Mirror is like this.” Mu Jinyue was also blown dizzy and confused, but having obviously experienced this before, she was much calmer and explained, “The Su Guangji opens passages in advance, while the Xunshi Mirror forcibly breaks through spatial-temporal gaps. It’ll be over soon!”

As she spoke, the turbulence around them clearly calmed. Knowing they were about to exit, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

In that instant, a tremendous force suddenly struck, forcibly yanking all four outward!

This enormous force was extraordinary. Jiang Zhaoxue had no time to react before Mu Jinyue let go first, crying out as she lunged toward Shen Yuqing. She grabbed onto Shen Yuqing’s hand urgently. “Master!”

After releasing Jiang Zhaoxue, only Shen Yuqing held Jiang Zhaoxue. When Mu Jinyue lunged forward and collided, even Shen Yuqing couldn’t hold on—the impact knocked his grip loose!

In an instant, Jiang Zhaoxue tumbled into the turbulence. Pei Zichen’s eyes flew wide open as he immediately released his grip and drew his sword, slashing out as he cried, “Yaoyao!!”

Sword light flashed by but was completely too late. The turbulence instantly swept Jiang Zhaoxue away. In the instant Shen Yuqing turned back in shock, Mu Jinyue was carried by the fierce wind and crashed heavily into Pei Zichen. All three were swept together into another spatial rift!

The moment the three crashed heavily to the ground, Pei Zichen rolled and in one motion grabbed Mu Jinyue’s throat, raising his sword to stab!

Shen Yuqing’s whisk lashed out, coiling around Pei Zichen’s waist and flinging him violently away. Pei Zichen, still gripping Mu Jinyue’s throat, was slammed to the ground, then immediately pressed down by Shen Yuqing’s knee on his chest, a long sword directly at his throat as he said icily, “What did you just call her?!”

Pei Zichen said nothing. The desert sand beneath him was so hot it made his blood boil and killing intent seethe.

He stared fixedly at Shen Yuqing before him, gripping Mu Jinyue’s throat as he said coldly, “If I die, she dies.”

Shen Yuqing breathed heavily, saying nothing. Beside them, Mu Jinyue struggled and reached toward Shen Yuqing pleadingly. “Master…”

Shen Yuqing pressed his lips together without speaking. He stared at Pei Zichen, scrutinizing the young man’s face before him, his mind filled with that final cry of “Yaoyao.”

Yaoyao?

That was Jiang Zhaoxue’s childhood name. How would a disciple like Pei Zichen know it?

This name—even he… even he only called her by it in moments of youthful passion, or in private.

How did Pei Zichen know?

How dare he?!

“How do you…”

“Master’s wife!”

Mu Jinyue finally spoke out, her face flushed red as she urgently forced out the words with all her strength, “Master’s wife safely exited!”

Shen Yuqing and Pei Zichen both came to their senses in that instant.

Pei Zichen sensed Jiang Zhaoxue’s condition through the Fate Servant contract, as did Shen Yuqing.

Both knew Jiang Zhaoxue should be fine. Pei Zichen calmed slightly, loosening his grip on Mu Jinyue’s throat a bit as he stared at Shen Yuqing. “Go find Master’s wife.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing’s chest heaved violently, but he also knew now wasn’t the time for conflict.

He forced himself to sheathe his sword and stand.

But standing up, his hands still trembled uncontrollably.

Pei Zichen rolled to his feet, sensing Jiang Zhaoxue’s direction through the Fate Servant contract and strode forward.

Mu Jinyue coughed violently and turned over, grabbing at Shen Yuqing’s sleeve pleadingly. “Master…”

But Shen Yuqing couldn’t care about that now. His mind was filled with that cry of “Yaoyao.” He sensed Jiang Zhaoxue’s safety, and after confirming she was unharmed, he completely lost control. Just as Pei Zichen began walking forward, he demanded fiercely again, “Who exactly were you calling just now?”

Pei Zichen’s steps halted.

He didn’t want to lie. He wanted to speak openly and directly, wanted to turn back and tell Shen Yuqing that he was calling Jiang Zhaoxue.

That was Jiang Zhaoxue’s childhood name. Jiang Zhaoxue had married him. Jiang Zhaoxue was his wife—it was only natural for him to call his wife’s childhood name!

But he couldn’t.

Jiang Zhaoxue remembered nothing, perhaps still loved Shen Yuqing. He couldn’t let Jiang Zhaoxue bear even half a bit of infamy for his selfish desires.

Before Shen Yuqing and Jiang Zhaoxue divorced, he couldn’t let anyone detect that he and Jiang Zhaoxue had ever had the slightest private relationship.

He could only force himself to round out his earlier lie. “In the Lingxu Fan’s illusion, Master’s wife used the alias Yaoyao and acted as… siblings with this disciple.”

Hearing this explanation, Shen Yuqing’s taut heartstrings finally relaxed. Actually, he knew something was off, but he didn’t dare think deeply. He only listened to Pei Zichen’s apology. “This disciple misspoke in his urgency. Please forgive me, Master.”

He said nothing, feeling as if his heart, which had been pressed against a blade’s edge, slowly settled back to the ground.

He didn’t even dare ask one more question, only letting his gaze fall on Pei Zichen’s half-exposed marriage string before saying quietly, “Do not be so presumptuous in the future.”

With that, Shen Yuqing raised his hand and swept it across, glancing at Mu Jinyue who had recovered somewhat at his side. He mounted his sword and rose, unwilling to say more. “Let’s go find your master’s wife.”

Shen Yuqing took the lead on his sword, clearly already knowing the direction.

Pei Zichen knew this was the perception given to Shen Yuqing by the marriage contract. He watched Shen Yuqing’s retreating figure coldly before also mounting his sword to follow.

Hot wind rushed at his face. Pei Zichen slowly calmed down.

Thinking of how he hadn’t been able to hold onto Jiang Zhaoxue and watched helplessly as the turbulence swept her away, he still couldn’t help but say to the person at his side, “Master.”

Shen Yuqing ignored him, then heard Pei Zichen speak as if with several parts pleading, softly saying, “Next time if you have others to look after, you might as well let this disciple look after Master’s wife.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing looked up.

Sword cultivators were extremely sensitive to killing intent. Pei Zichen didn’t need to turn around to sense it, and his heart suddenly felt somewhat satisfied.

He looked at the desert ahead, feeling the scorching sand whip against his barrier, stating calmly without any retreat, “Regardless of the reason, right now this disciple is Master’s wife’s Fate Servant and will be with her for life. This disciple knows the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion has strict rules. If Master cannot accept this,” Pei Zichen turned to look at him, advising, “why not divorce?”

Shen Yuqing didn’t respond immediately, his eyes cold as he looked back.

Pei Zichen met his gaze without retreating even half a step.

“Did your master’s wife not tell you,” Shen Yuqing secretly curled his fingers while his face showed no emotion, “that after returning, she would find a way to break your contract?”

Pei Zichen froze. Shen Yuqing turned to face forward, not knowing if he was informing anyone.

“The path of cultivation is long and arduous. Temporary matters—how can they be called a lifetime? Your master’s wife and I,” Shen Yuqing felt the sensation of the marriage string lodged in the flesh of his fingers, saying hoarsely, “cannot be separated in this life.”

Pei Zichen couldn’t speak, only feeling the desert wind and sand seemed to block his throat, grinding roughly until it bled.

“Take good care of your wife.” Shen Yuqing reminded him.

Pei Zichen’s heart ached, and he responded, “I will.”

As the three rushed forward, Jiang Zhaoxue was falling out of the temporal gap.

She had been on guard since entering the spatial-temporal gap.

Fate Masters could do too many things. She wasn’t sure what Song Wulan would do, so she prepared formations early. The instant she was swept away by turbulence, she immediately formed a seal. The moment she stabilized the spiritually chaotic space, she crashed heavily into someone’s embrace.

Wide sleeves enveloped her in an embrace. A familiar incense fragrance came.

Once unfamiliar, twice familiar—Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t even turn her head before knowing who it was, crying out happily, “Senior…”

“How did you arrive before me?”

The other’s tone contained gentle laughter.

Before Jiang Zhaoxue could react to what he was saying, she felt him release her from his embrace and place his hand at her waist with a gentle push. “Don’t stay too long.”

With that, a powerful suction pulled her away.

Jiang Zhaoxue struggled to turn back and saw the young man standing in the dark floating light.

He still looked as he did when they first met—purple wide-sleeved robes, his face unclear. He only stood quietly in the light seeing her off, his form faintly transparent, completely impossible to make out.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat alarmed and urgently said, “Senior, you—”

Before she could finish, she crashed heavily out of the temporal gap.

Sensing herself falling, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly adjusted her position. The moment before hitting the ground, she spun and flipped, found an elegant landing spot, and stood steadily.

After steadying herself, Jiang Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief, glad she hadn’t arrived five years later in too embarrassing a posture.

She patted her chest and looked up at her surroundings. With one sweep, she was somewhat surprised.

Unlike the last time when she came out of the spatial-temporal gap into wilderness, this was a shed—dirty and ugly. Where she stood was surrounded by people.

But these people all wore shackles, dressed in rags, covered in wounds, their necks bound by ropes tied to a horizontal wooden bar.

Like livestock awaiting slaughter, they stared in shock at Jiang Zhaoxue who had suddenly dropped in.

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t determine where this was and decided to first contact Pei Zichen and the others before going out.

So she took out her transmission jade token, and turning around, two crossed iron swords pressed against her throat.

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, clutching the transmission jade token as she looked up to see two soldiers in iron armor.

They looked at Jiang Zhaoxue, chattering away in Western Region language.

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t quite understand their language, but these were all mortals. She didn’t want to start a conflict and asked puzzled, “Can you speak Han?”

Hearing her question back, the soldiers’ faces turned extremely ugly. After bellowing, one soldier stepped forward and yanked her outward. Jiang Zhaoxue was caught off guard by the pull. Before she could speak, a withered grass stalk suddenly shot in from outside like a steel needle, fiercely piercing through the head of the soldier dragging Jiang Zhaoxue!

Blood splattered out, startling Jiang Zhaoxue into immediately stepping back. Then she heard a youth’s voice from outside say coldly, “Don’t touch her.”

This youth’s voice was somewhat familiar. Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in shock to see a slender, tall young man in a black robe with gold trim and wearing a silver mask, standing calmly at the door.

He quietly watched Jiang Zhaoxue, his eyes carrying the coldness of one looking at the dead.

Jiang Zhaoxue stared at the young man before her in shock, somewhat bewildered.

Why did he help her?

Did she know anyone this age in this time-space?

She racked her brain thinking about this youth’s reason for helping her and that inexplicably familiar feeling.

The youth observed her calmly for a moment before turning and speaking. “I said before, no one is allowed to touch Han women. Follow me.”

The youth seemed to have no doubt whatsoever that she would stay, without any coercive measures. He simply walked forward against the light, stating calmly, “Or die.”