April, when all things renewed themselves, spring rain like oil.

Xue Yu and Su You left the Enforcement Hall one after the other, heading toward the southern district’s alley entrance. Passing by Yunji Restaurant, they discovered the proprietor supervising repairs to his restaurant’s roof. A waiter stood to one side with a sweat towel draped over his shoulder, listening to the proprietor’s clamorous directions: “This side… higher… further up, oh my, can’t you understand what I’m saying?”

“Damn it all, if I find out who came in the middle of the night to slice people’s roofs, I’ll—” Before he could finish, his elbow was bumped by the waiter. The proprietor’s words stuck in his throat. His eyes widened, and before he could curse, he saw Xue Yu and her companion.

He immediately smiled like spring flowers, actively approaching to greet them: “Peace to both immortals. Yesterday morning, the authorities announced that the demon creature causing trouble that day had been captured, and Su Zhou city is safe.”

“I knew immediately it was the work of the Enforcement Hall’s masters. My heart is full of admiration and gratitude. I never expected to see you both again—this must be fate.”

Those in this business needed smooth tongues, speaking human talk to humans and ghost talk to ghosts, always able to coax all kinds of people into comfort.

Perhaps because the mission was complete, Xue Yu felt somewhat relaxed inside, so facing such greetings, she responded accordingly: “Eliminating chaos and ensuring people’s safety is our duty. No need for thanks.”

She looked toward Yunji Restaurant’s half-missing roof and asked: “What happened?”

“Ha.” When complaining earlier, he’d been full of resentment, but now with the person standing before him, the proprietor’s tone suddenly changed style: “The repair workers came to look and said it was chopped down with a single blade. I figured ordinary people certainly don’t have such ability—probably the Enforcement Hall masters accidentally struck it while catching demons.”

“But immortal, rest assured. Though I don’t have any great aspirations for self-sacrifice, at critical moments I can still distinguish what’s important. Catching demons is the major matter; ours are all minor issues, minor issues, not worth mentioning.”

He said it wasn’t worth mentioning, but as soon as the words fell, he rubbed his hands together negotiatingly: “Having the rare chance to see the immortal again, today I’m being thick-skinned and want to ask the immortal for a few more talismans.”

He looked around with both eyes, lowering his voice: “Not the kind of talisman paper from last time—I heard immortals also have a common type of talisman that can ward off evil and bring good fortune. My restaurant has had incidents twice in three days. I keep feeling it’s attracted something unclean. Those in our line of work can’t help but be superstitious about such things. If something else happens, we really won’t be able to survive.”

Having experienced the Chen Huainan and demon monk affair, Xue Yu instinctively frowned whenever she heard words like “fortune-changing” or “borrowing luck.”

Su You stepped forward. His eye corners lifted slightly upward, carrying a hint of a smile, making his words seem gentle: “Proprietor, please forgive us. For warding off evil and seeking peace of mind, the talisman papers we gave last time were already superior. As for others, most are used by cultivators in battle, with heaven-destroying, earth-annihilating power. Without high-cultivation masters to suppress them, they easily lose control.”

“These talisman papers, we refuse to lend out. Proprietor, being in this business, you should understand better than we the principle that ‘an innocent man becomes guilty when he possesses a treasure.'”

His voice was clear and cold, yet didn’t carry the aggressive feeling of harsh rejection or lecturing. The proprietor thought about it and bowed his hands: “The immortal speaks truly. I was short-sighted, limited by immediate concerns.”

Xue Yu looked at his distinct profile, suddenly realizing that though only two months had passed, earth-shaking changes had occurred in the person before her eyes.

When he first came down from the Judgment Platform, he was covered in thorns, unrestrained and rebellious, often hiding mocking light in his eyes, observing people and events with cold detachment. Later, he improved somewhat, but his behavior remained extreme, constantly risking himself and fighting with his life.

Never mind patiently answering others’ questions—even nodding depended on his mood.

Perhaps his appearance was too deceptive and alluring, or perhaps she’d been busy rushing around for missions. Lately, seeing his careful consideration, gentleness, and composure, she often had the illusion that he should be like this, forgetting what kind of stubbornness, arrogance, and danger lay hidden in his bones.

Having both the fierce claws and fangs of a wild beast, and the gentle patience that appeared briefly after restraining his nature.

Such a person seemed born for the Palace Guard.

The two walked to the southern district’s alley entrance. Xue Yu saw Luo Cai busy moving from afar. Her body was lithe, hair arranged in a married woman’s style, yet her face was as bright and charming as a young girl’s. Her previously protruding belly now showed no trace, her waist slender enough to encircle with one’s arms.

Outside that deep red vermilion door, a small tree had experienced several spring rains and, like a youth bursting with energy, was visibly taller than before. Everything else remained the same, except that the branch that had grown sideways was missing the lamp that had hung there for over a month.

Xue Yu still remembered his frank “I don’t understand” from that day. After thinking, she said: “That day we first went to the Xie family and saw that locust tree. Because of the Wordly Lamp’s deliberate concealment, the locust tree appeared completely normal, which aroused my suspicion.”

“Under normal circumstances, a locust tree that’s grown for over a century, especially in a deep mansion’s ancient courtyard, would more or less develop spiritual intelligence.”

“Sometimes, having no flaws is itself a flaw.”

“Then there was the Wordly Lamp.” Xue Yu stepped onto a stone step, her long skirt hem brushing over a layer of green moss on the step, her voice like mountain stream water: “Liu Er died miserably. I didn’t believe the killer would be so righteously indignant over a stranger as to expend their spiritual treasure, so I carefully examined Liu Er’s corpse and found his wounds somewhat resembled Buddhist injury techniques.”

“A person who cultivated Buddhism to considerable depth, even if they changed to demon cultivation, would retain shallow good thoughts in their heart—that’s almost a habit. They might kill, but would never torture and kill without reason.”

Having seen the complete Wordly Lamp process and drafted the case report for Xue Yu, plus possessing extremely strong comprehension, Su You could almost completely deduce the subsequent thought process: “So the demon monk and Miss Luo Cai must have had some connection. With the Wordly Lamp nearby, there could only be two possible locations—either by the Xie family’s locust tree or beside Miss Luo Cai.”

The locust tree was too conspicuous. If they could think of it, the mastermind would certainly have concerns and not dare place it there.

“Their case was more complex than Mountain Sea City’s. We could solve it quickly because the demon monk had long resolved to die and was deliberately drawing us into the situation.” Xue Yu summarized, frowning as she walked forward: “Prince Zhao’s mansion colluding with the ghost infant is a fact. If it were truly just Prince Zhao alone being foolish, that would be manageable—Qiu Tong learning of this would certainly be angry, erasing all connected evidence, and the mansion wouldn’t dare act rashly again.”

The fear was that Prince Zhao’s mansion’s actions were court-authorized—then this matter would be truly complex.

But regardless, having investigated this far, it was impossible to delve deeper.

Luo Cai saw them from afar. Having just entered the mansion gate, she turned back out, approaching with a joyful smile: “Why have the two immortals come?”

She had been given the Forget Worries technique by Shan Shu, only remembering that she was melancholy from experiencing the pain of losing her husband and had come to Su Zhou to relax. She didn’t know she’d once had a child, didn’t remember that day’s events, but knew that Xue Yu and Su You had come to question her about demon-catching matters.

“The demon creature has been eliminated. We came to see if there are any that slipped through the net nearby.” Xue Yu looked at that face made especially lively and spirited by Buddhist light, her gaze shifting as she asked: “Madam, are you going on a long journey?”

“I’m ashamed to say.” Luo Cai held a handkerchief, wiping sweat beads from her forehead: “A few nights ago, I suddenly had a dream where I saw my husband. He said he was living well below and told me not to worry about him, to take care of myself and our parents at home.”

“I thought about it—in this life, worldly affairs are unpredictable. No matter what, one must look forward.” Luo Cai pointed to over ten large chests behind her, saying gracefully, “So I’ve decided to return home.”

This life’s Luo Cai wasn’t the Su Se of a thousand years ago. Their appearances differed, their personalities differed, and even their beloved ones differed.

Hui Jue had fallen into the rolling red dust for over a thousand years, trading life for life, yet she only dared to see her one last time when Luo Cai was unconscious. Whether this was truly because the life-extending method required it, or because he knew in his heart—

No matter how he made amends, how he tried desperately to save her, the Su Se of that year had completely vanished a thousand years ago.

Those unspoken, sincere words, heartbeats, and love—that silly little fox hadn’t heard a single one.

When he looked at Luo Cai, he was gazing at another person’s shadow.

Xue Yu remained silent for a long while, then nodded to Luo Cai, her thin lips parting slightly: “I wish madam smooth sailing on this journey and success in all future endeavors.”

She had walked from the Enforcement Hall to the south district seemingly just to say these words. Having said that, she left without further delay.

Who knew that just as she began to move, the Heavenly Mystery Book trembled and flew out from her sleeve. The small scroll unfurled before her eyes, showing rows of small characters flashing with spiritual light, clearly wanting her to select another mission.

Xue Yu observed coldly, quietly watching it go crazy. After a moment, the Heavenly Mystery Book dejectedly stopped its movements, shuffling to Xue Yu’s side like a spiritual, clingy little beast.

“I have two missions remaining.” She raised her eyes, watching this scene leisurely: “One month and five days until mission settlement.”

“Tell me now that my next two missions will both be two-star and two-and-a-half-star, and I’ll take them.” Xue Yu curved her lips slightly, her tone so light no emotion could be distinguished: “Of the seven people, I’m the only one who hasn’t encountered a two-star mission.”

She said nothing more, but her expression clearly conveyed mocking meaning of “do you take me for a fool?”

If the missions released by the Heavenly Mystery Book were all urgent matters needing rescue, that would be understandable. But the strange thing was that Enforcement Halls were established everywhere—thorny matters would be reported immediately to Sacred Lands and major sects, who would then send people to resolve them. This was good for everyone.

But the Heavenly Mystery Book refused this approach. It insisted on tempering young people, insisting on strange selection rules, so Sacred Lands and cultivation family sects were everywhere special, constantly wandering in the mortal world, making it difficult for people not to pay attention.

The Heavenly Mystery Book immediately wilted, rolled up with a “pop,” and rolled back along its original path into Xue Yu’s sleeve.

Xue Yu’s refusal to take missions had another consideration.

The physical disadvantages of Spirit Array Masters were unavoidable, no matter how much training they received. This time, forcibly activating the seal to retain the ghost infant was injury upon injury. In such a physical condition, she could still handle two or three-star missions, but with her luck, if she drew another four-and-a-half-star mission, even if she could protect herself, she’d be constrained everywhere. Never mind completing the mission—she feared her condition might implicate innocents.

“Let’s go.” Xue Yu said, “We’ll return to bid farewell to Fo Nu, then head back to Yedu tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

Somehow, seeing Su You standing gracefully beside her, Xue Yu paused her steps. After thinking, she asked seriously: “Has Chao Nian told you about Yedu?”

“Some.” Su You answered truthfully.

“The Palace Guard, have you heard of it?” Xue Yu spoke each word carefully and seriously: “Su You, I won’t hide it from you—half a month ago, I considered having you join the Palace Guard, starting from the bottom and gradually growing.”

Su You lowered his eyes, water drops quickly condensing on his long lashes as he quietly awaited her following “but.”

“Besides that, there’s another shortcut available.”

“My father once opened a small world to cultivate and select capable ministers for Yedu, called ‘Retrograde Current.’ Inside, spiritual energy is rich; every inch of land contains both danger and opportunity. If you can stay there for two hundred years and successfully pass the four guardians’ trials, breaking out, it represents possessing wisdom, strength, propriety, and courage together—you could directly become Palace Guard Vice-Commander.”

If Su You had shown no obvious emotional change hearing the earlier part, then at the words “two hundred years,” he suddenly raised his eyes. The originally warm-tinted depths seemed touched by ink, the color deepening almost instantly, showing hints of his original cool detachment.

Two hundred years.

If two months ago he’d had such an opportunity—not needing to hide everywhere, not worrying about cultivation manuals, just staying in one place for two hundred years to greatly increase in strength and achieve a high position—Su You would have agreed without blinking.

Certainly, that would be tremendously fortunate.

He couldn’t help but look into Xue Yu’s eyes.

She had beautiful almond-shaped eyes that, perhaps due to status and responsibility, often tilted upward, appearing cool and distant, very unapproachable. But now, with their eyes meeting, those eyes returned to their natural color, veiled and glistening like water.

He could see his reflection in them, a tiny point.

Perhaps it was his reckless, life-risking collision at Prince Zhao’s mansion gate, or perhaps it was his various careful and considerate details—he could feel that Xue Yu truly wanted to cultivate him. She gave him the best resources, wanting him to grow wildly like spring grass that had drunk its fill of rain.

But two hundred years.

Compared to two hundred years, the past two months seemed like merely blinking once.

When he emerged, perhaps Xue Yu would only call him Vice-Commander and forget his name.

But he was indeed too weak now. He knew that between himself and her lay a difference like clouds and mud.

Growth and strength were his necessary path.

He seemed to hear another self whispering in his ear: Su You, what are you hesitating about? You have no choice at all.

This was the first time Xue Yu waited for his answer, waiting a full half-breath. Though the youth’s handsome features clearly showed decision, he still rarely displayed hesitation and uncertainty. Finally, all those emotions were completely restrained in an instant.

Before that spring rain completely stopped, he lowered his eyes and said quietly: “I’ll follow my lady’s arrangements entirely.”

With the Wordly Lamp matter concluded, Jiu Feng had gone wild in the city for several days with Tao Zhi, Su Yun, and others. Only when both Xue Yu and Shan Shu sent news of their return journey did she leisurely appear, sprawling like soft mud on a wide chair, watching them busily coming and going.

“Ah.” She clicked her tongue with lingering interest, her heart still in the bustling marketplace: “Counting the time, I should return to the Demon Capital too.”

Shan Shu looked back at her in surprise, laughing: “Didn’t you say a while ago that you wanted to tour all the world’s scenery before returning? It’s only been a few days, and you’re already changing your tune?”

“I’d like to, but—” Jiu Feng poured out bitter complaints: “The old man at home has urged me several times, saying if I don’t come back, I should never come back.”

Having said this, she glanced sideways at Tao Zhi beside her, using an almost unreasonably demanding tone: “Are you coming with me or not? The great demons in the Demon Capital eat people without blinking. This time, when I return, you might never see me again.”

Tao Zhi said helplessly, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

She had typical spoiled young lady temperament—impulsive, fighting and killing people when unhappy, never having anyone able to restrain her. Only after meeting Tao Zhi had this improved somewhat.

“Fine, you have backbone.” Jiu Feng, whose temper had only recently improved, stamped her feet resentfully. The ghost carriage crossed the sky, and with a light touch of her delicate foot, she transformed into flowing light shooting into the distance. She truly came as she pleased and left as she pleased, leaving Tao Zhi with words scattered in the wind: “Stay and cherish your mortal mountains and waters. Better not come begging me even if something happens.”

Tao Zhi stood in place for a long while.

Su You took this scene in, and when passing through the corridor, he saw Su Yun, who had already chosen a cultivation sect and would report in a few days, tug at Tao Zhi’s sleeve. The former’s eyes widened as if learning some incredible secret: “Tao Zhi, Sister Jiu Feng has a fiancé?”

“Yes. How did you know?” Tao Zhi’s expression showed no change. He even gently adjusted Su Yun’s high ponytail.

“I secretly overheard when that person contacted Sister Jiu Feng yesterday.”

Su Yun looked quite regretful. He looked at Tao Zhi, then at the ghost carriage disappearing into the sky, whispering: “You have no family or friends in the mortal world. Why not follow Sister Jiu Feng to the Demon Capital? It’s much safer there.”

“Besides, what if they marry this time? What will you do?”

Su Yun looked into Tao Zhi’s eyes. When the teenage boy became serious, he was quite impressive, blocking all his words in advance: “Don’t say you don’t like Sister Jiu Feng.”

“At such a young age, why do you always have ‘liking’ on your lips?” Tao Zhi smiled and flicked Su Yun’s forehead with his finger: “What would I go there to do?”

Su Yun retorted unconvinced: “Anyway, if I had someone I liked, I’d tell her actively.”

“Su Yun.” Tao Zhi looked down at the youth in his prime, feeling the world was at his feet, and for the first time restrained his smile, saying seriously: “She merely released a trace of her aura, yet my hands were trembling.”

Hearing this, Su You’s steps suddenly paused.

He couldn’t help but think of those two hundred years again.

Time was the most elusive thing. Two hundred years was enough for Xue Yu to forget someone named Su You, enough for her to go to the Judgment Platform or elsewhere to pick up another talented youth to raise beside her, teaching with care.

But he was born refusing to accept fate, always wanting to fight when encountering problems.

He could accept all kinds of mishaps, karmic different paths, but couldn’t accept the bone-deep powerlessness, regret, and weariness born from his incompetence and weakness.

That night, Xue Yu’s group bid farewell to Shan Shu and flew directly from Su Zhou, once again using Lu Chengze’s identity token to majestically cross thousands of miles back to Yedu.

Less than an hour later, the spiritual talisman at Xue Yu’s waist burned for the first time in a long while.

Lu Chengze’s voice came through, unable to bear it any longer: “Xue Yu, enough!”

“Again and again—do you think I don’t have your token in my hands?”

Xue Yu had been waiting for him to come to her. She lifted the crystal curtain of the flying spiritual treasure, looking at the mountains and waters rapidly retreating before her eyes, patiently waiting for him to finish his tantrum and fall silent before speaking: “Lu Chengze, do you remember the Luo Zhou beast tide case from a thousand years ago?”

Lu Chengze seemed unprepared for her to speak so peacefully. He was stunned, then said: “Luo Zhou beast tide? I don’t remember. How many stars?”

“I definitely wouldn’t remember anything under four stars. It’s been so many years.”

This answer was expected, but when she heard it, Xue Yu still breathed out lightly.

The Luo Zhou beast tide would happen five hundred years later, also the only five-star mission on the Heavenly Mystery Book. All Sacred Land successors had participated except Lu Chengze, who was at the most critical stage of closed-door cultivation.

If his memory were normal, he couldn’t possibly not remember.

This meant her speculation was correct.

“Fine, I understand.” Xue Yu replied lightly: “Send someone to Yedu to retrieve the token yourself.”

This also meant he’d have to pay the fines for the journey from Su Zhou to Yedu.

Too much bullying!

Lu Chengze took a deep breath, about to say more, when he discovered the spiritual talisman had already dimmed.

Su You hadn’t slept all night. The next morning, when Chao Nian, who shared the small room with him on the spiritual treasure, groggily woke up, he saw him hand over a thick little booklet.

“What’s this?” Chao Nian rubbed his eyes and opened it to look, his breathing stopping entirely.

Inside were densely written over a hundred items: “How to react when encountering situations,” “How to completely express my lady’s meaning in various circumstances,” and even “How to write case reports, 1234 points.”

Chao Nian’s drowsiness vanished instantly.

He looked at Su You in disbelief, and after a long while, wailed with a bitter face: “No way.”

“Where did you learn the same stuff as my sister?”

“Really, please spare me.”