—”If you have anything to ask, ask now.”

As Xue Yu’s words fell, the room plunged into sudden deathly silence. The jade toad incense burner beside the desk released wisps of subtle fragrance, curling up to mid-air before dispersing like mist, settling on clothing and skirt hems like floating catkins.

She sat at the desk, able to see Su You’s lowered eyelashes and his hands resting quietly at his sides.

“There are three Commanders in the Palace Guards total. To me, you are the same as Chao Hua and Chou Li.” Xue Yu’s red lips moved slightly, her fingertip lifting a page: “I trust you all and won’t hide things from you.”

After solving the Flying Heaven case, Cloud Peak would open, followed immediately by a century-long tug-of-war between the court, demon clans, and Sacred Lands—like a long lit fuse that, once burned through, would explode into fireworks filling the sky. Then the situation would spiral completely out of control, with disasters everywhere.

Facing such overwhelming difficulties, she had no time or energy to explain to her trusted ministers the entanglements between herself, Song Heng, and Lu Chengze.

The best approach was to let them know the inside story so they could judge for themselves and act accordingly in the future.

The same.

Su You repeated this phrase gently and slowly in his mind, his eye corners casting gloomy shadows.

He thought that demon nature was indeed insatiably greedy, always wanting more. Chao Hua and Chou Li had followed Xue Yu since childhood, companions for centuries, yet he had achieved equal standing with them in merely ten years. What more could be said?

Nothing more could be said.

Xue Yu had done everything possible for him.

Su You repeated the words “ruler and subject” twice, as if wanting to carve every syllable and stroke into his bones.

After a long while, his smooth throat line tilted slightly upward. Like someone accepting fate, he pressed his knuckles, his voice falling low and hoarse: “Song Heng’s slander against Young Lady, those words he said—”

Those words—were they true?

He only spoke half the sentence, but Xue Yu understood his unfinished meaning.

“Yes.” Xue Yu closed her eyes as if unable to bear it, then laughed coldly with self-mocking coolness: “I did indeed once have a relationship with him.”

Su You suddenly looked up, fierce intent flashing in his peach blossom eyes as dark currents rose in thousands of layers.

The moment her last word fell, he gripped his sword and shot to his feet. All the composure and elegance usually in his voice condensed into unshakeable fury: “I’ll go kill him.”

“Su You.” Xue Yu stopped him: “The past won’t be mentioned again. He’s still useful to me. Come back.”

The startling killing intent surging around him grew more violent the longer it lasted. Even after pressing his lips and sitting back down, his hand remained so tense that veins bulged, particularly obvious against his pale skin.

Since emerging from Luohui, he had been completely transformed—always steady and measured regardless of time and place, mature and reliable, considering the bigger picture. Xue Yu had thought more than once that this was probably the most outstanding student taught by the “Propriety” guardian.

This appearance was truly rare.

Xue Yu quietly watched him for a while, then suddenly curved her lips: “Don’t be angry. It’s all in the past.”

“Come look at this map. Tomorrow we’ll get some people from Shenyu Pavilion to search in the southwest direction. In your opinion, where should we start searching?”

She quickly collected herself and discussed business.

She spoke so lightly, as if that person outside and those words did not affect her whatsoever.

But Su You felt that with every step closer to her, he could hear the sound of his blood flowing backward.

He looked at that complex, densely marked map, but couldn’t absorb a single word.

“I’ve looked at this map twice and circled two points.” Xue Yu’s nails bore no color, crystal clear and translucent. Her sleeve brushed over the map covering the entire desk as she pointed to two spots: “One is the prefect’s rear residence, the other is Frost Flower Lane.”

Su You looked at her delicate profile, your heart full of questions you wanted to ask, but dared not.

For instance, how could she, how could she have taken a liking to Song Heng?

What was she like when she fell for someone?

And also.

Her keeping that person, not letting others touch him, placing him under her nose again—was it because lingering feelings remained, because she still couldn’t let him go?

However, each of these questions was improper, presumptuous, and would create a huge breach through which he could never again convince himself to retreat.

After a long while, Su You clenched his fist, his voice strained: “I—”

Xue Yu looked at him.

His eyes were deep, his gaze falling on the map, but what he wanted to say was:

I—In what way am I inferior to him?

Whether in strength or appearance, the only inferiority was probably background.

He then recalled the scene in Prince Zhao’s private prison ten years ago—those enormous wings hanging before everyone’s eyes and the dizzying golden patterns covering them.

The brilliant Palace Guards Commander title couldn’t cover the embarrassment behind the words “demon ghost.”

Su You’s restless feelings immediately calmed. He focused on the map, then pressed his throat and completed his earlier sentence word by word: “I believe starting the search from Frost Flower Lane would be easier.”

The next morning at dawn, mist swirled and birds flew about.

The people in the small courtyard stood or sat around the only stone table. Xue Yu truly maintained her usual expression. Lu Chengze and Song Heng weren’t being foolish—she said what needed to be said without deliberate targeting or intentionally stirring up conflicts.

“Let’s start searching from the prefect.” Song Heng stood behind Lu Chengze, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly with natural composure that inspired confidence. After speaking, he looked toward Xue Yu, explaining gently: “The prefect reports directly to the court, and Flying Heaven Map flowed out from the imperial palace. If there’s truly a connection, there should be some traces in the prefect’s residence.”

“Although painting spirits that become demons mostly run to such places to learn human women’s words, actions, and emotions,” Lu Chengze, feeling guilty for arriving several days late, had also put considerable effort into this case: “Frost Flower Lane is where the local wealthy and powerful seek pleasure. Many of the top courtesans there have backing. Without revealing our identities to investigate, it would be difficult to discover anything.”

“Split up.” Xue Yu moved her lips: “You go to the prefect’s office, I’ll go to Frost Flower Lane. Whoever finds clues should contact the others immediately.”

Song Heng looked at her, seeming to search for a trace of disturbed emotion in her eyes. But after just one glance, the man standing beside her stepped forward half a step, using a subtle angle to block his view.

Song Heng’s smile couldn’t help but fade somewhat. He spoke: “I’ll go with you.”

Before Xue Yu could respond, he continued: “I’ve been to Frost Flower Lane before. I’m familiar with it.”

As soon as these words fell, Lu Chengze widened his eyes in disbelief, then gave him a sharp elbow.

“I once had to blend in there for a while due to a mission.” After being bumped, Song Heng belatedly realized and looked toward Xue Yu to explain.

But Xue Yu only frowned critically, her gaze circling him several times. Thinking of what extremes he had gone to in completing missions to spare civilians from demon persecution, then considering the complex relationships in this mission and how they had no time to waste, she said nothing and only nodded almost imperceptibly.

Beyond this, Song Heng detected no other emotions from her.

He slowly tightened his fingers.

Shan Shu smiled and nodded: “Then let’s arrange it this way. I’ll go to the government office with the Sacred Son, and Miss A Yu will take people to Frost Flower Lane.”

After confirming the itinerary, Xue Yu didn’t linger. She turned and left the small courtyard, flying toward Luozhou City. Su You followed inseparably behind her, while Chao Nian seemed to smile as he deliberately stayed behind with Song Heng at a moderate distance.

When Chao Nian unconsciously spoke in a way that was hard to handle, but when he consciously used words to torment someone, there was truly no escape.

“Hey.” Chao Nian put on a smile, addressing Song Heng, who wanted to speed up and catch up: “Why are you running so fast? The Young Lady and the Commander are discussing business. You’re someone from the Chi Shui Sacred Son’s side—avoid suspicion, avoid suspicion.”

Hearing this, what could Song Heng say?

He could only suppress his emotions and reasonably explain: “I’m not trying to eavesdrop on anything. I just think the mission is urgent, and we should prioritize the current situation. I want to reach the destination quickly so we can find clues early and capture that demon.”

“If you’re so urgent, why did you arrive so late?” Chao Nian was unimpressed. He held a grudge against this person’s extremely presumptuous “A Yu,” scoffing: “If we waited for people like you who only talk big, half of Luozhou City would probably have died that night.”

Song Heng immediately fell silent. Looking at Chao Nian’s face full of dissatisfaction, he hazily recalled Chao Nian’s attitude toward him during those thousand years.

Like his sister, the siblings had always believed whatever Young Lady said was right—Young Lady was always correct—only Chao Hua was much stronger, permanently stationed at the Palace Guards and Baixiong Mountain, while the younger brother was quite favored by Xue Yu.

Although Xue Yu was often annoyed by his antics, she could never resist his persistence and would always give in, letting him come to the human realm to meddle.

He once didn’t understand, feeling that Xue Yu was strict with Chao Hua, strict with Chou Li, and even stricter with him in the past. Even when keeping some less perceptive attendants around, she would place them under Chao Hua for training. Only Chao Nian was an exception.

He chattered endlessly when he spoke.

Later, he learned that his opportunity lay at Flying Cloud Peak.

“Sorry.” Song Heng’s lips moved as he good-naturedly said: “There was an urgent matter I had to handle, which caused the delay.”

“What kind of important matter?” Chao Nian fired off several questions: “Is it resolved now? If not, why don’t you tell us? If we can help, I’ll ask our Commander to take a look for you.”

Our Commander—these five words showed what kind of trust and reliance Xue Yu had in the person beside her.

How many years had passed?

Merely ten years.

What kind of extraordinary being was Su You?

Song Heng deeply exhaled, his smile barely maintainable.

Fortunately, shortly after Chao Nian finished speaking, they reached their destination.

Frost Flower Lane was behind South Second Street. Whether in harsh winter or sweltering summer, carriages were parked there year-round. Wealthy young masters would often lift carriage curtains, straighten their clothing and sleeves, fold their jade fans, and unconsciously smile as they walked familiarly into various flower houses, pushing open doors they knew by heart.

The people from Shenyu Pavilion arrived quickly, over ten men disguised as dissolute young masters. They cupped their hands toward Xue Yu and Su You. The leader tugged at his fake mustache and said to Xue Yu: “Young Lady, it happens that our young master recently kept a girl here to play the qin and perform music. Last night, following your instructions, that girl was secretly brought to the mansion. When we go in, we’ll just say we’re following the young master’s orders to find someone.”

“You just do your own business. Don’t worry about what follows—leave it all to us.”

Xue Yu nodded, her gaze sweeping around before landing on Su You’s extremely eye-catching face. She crooked her finger at him: “Come with me.”

They disappeared in a flash around a confusing corner. Song Heng’s eyes darkened as he was about to follow, but saw Su You suddenly turn back, his gaze heavy as frost blades as he casually cast a silent sword formation trap.

By the time he broke free and looked up, the vast surroundings were empty of any human figures.

In a narrow corner of the alley, Xue Yu stopped. She swept her hand over her face—her waist-length black hair was gathered by invisible hands into a high ponytail, creating a graceful, slender arc. Her face remained the same, but her eye corners were elongated, her brows drawn thick and heavy, angled upward, revealing some masculine handsomeness and sharpness.

Her clothing also changed to men’s style, with palm-sized beautiful jade and finely stitched sachets at her waist.

A gentleman like jade, yet with natural charm at the corners.

“How is it?” Xue Yu deliberately lowered her voice, showing some youthful innocence and arrogance of a young master.

Standing close, Su You only glanced once before nonchalantly lowering his eyes, saying quietly: “Enough to fool anyone.”

Only then did Xue Yu nod with satisfaction, saying softly, “If there’s truly something unusual later, don’t worry about those two for now. Cooperate with me and act as the situation demands.”

“Good.”

The two quickly returned to blend in with Shenyu Pavilion’s group. The leader waved his hand, and dozens of people directly entered Frost Flower House.

Being daytime, Frost Flower House wasn’t crowded, but there were still quite a few noble sons who preferred quiet enjoyment, drinking tea and wine while squinting to appreciate beautiful women’s graceful figures. Seeing such a large formation, several immediately set down their wine cups with varying degrees of concern.

“Oh my, isn’t this Master Ruan from beside Young Master Shen?” The one coming out to smooth things over was a heavily made-up madam. She raised two fingers, smiling enthusiastically and exaggeratedly: “Today, all the young masters grace Frost Flower House with your presence, surely for the new Miss Xuan Ji. Unfortunately, Xuan Ji’s Startling Swan Dance won’t debut for another ten days. She’s currently in closed-door practice. Why don’t the gentlemen look at our other girls?”

“Madam, this isn’t our first time dealing with each other.” The man called Master Ruan smiled: “We’re not here for Xuan Ji today.”

“Our young master spent lavishly on Frost Flower House to please Miss Sang Que, but in just the brief time he went out on business, less than two months, someone in this house forced her to receive clients. By last night, she had mysteriously disappeared. If Madam doesn’t explain, today we’ll have to forcibly search the building to find her.”

The madam was shocked and quickly said: “What are you saying? Miss Sang Que’s relationship with the young master is known throughout the building. Who would dare force her—”

Halfway through her words, Xue Yu’s expression suddenly changed. She followed a faint trace of demonic qi in another direction, then strode forward.

Seeing this situation, Master Ruan decisively waved his hand, his expression extremely impatient as he interrupted the madam: “Search!”

Immediately, figures moved about.

Xue Yu and Su You almost simultaneously rushed in the same direction. Chao Nian, always observing Xue Yu’s expression, immediately noticed something was wrong. At this moment, his sharp eyes proved advantageous as he stuck to Xue Yu like taffy. Song Heng followed step by step as several people leaped to the third floor.

Xue Yu quickly locked onto several rooms where demonic qi had emerged. She stepped forward and knocked on one of the doors.

No one answered for a long time—so long that the two neighboring rooms cautiously opened cracks, with heads poking out to look around.

Chao Nian and Song Heng searched those two rooms, returning shortly to shake their heads and say quietly: “The owners of both rooms are downstairs entertaining guests, leaving servants to prepare evening attire. We checked the rooms—nothing unusual.”

The demonic qi in the room grew heavier, dispersing outward bit by bit. With voices approaching from the distance, Xue Yu decided to force entry.

She took a slight breath and pushed hard—the door immediately swung wide open.

Layer upon layer of red silk curtains, layer upon layer of pearl and jade beads.

When Xue Yu pushed aside the fifth layer of pearl curtains, only one layer of gauze remained. Behind the gauze was a woman removing her clothes—a gorgeous, solemn red pomegranate skirt sliding off her shoulders, revealing a perfect, flawless body with upright peaks, red cherry points, a slender waist, and two slim, straight legs.

Caught completely off guard, never having imagined facing such a situation, her immediate instinctive reaction was to quickly pull closed a layer of curtains while coldly saying: “Su You.”

“Close your eyes.”

After speaking, she was stunned for a moment, then waved outward, casting a barrier while quickly regaining composure: “Everyone, wait outside.”

Three grown men retreated in embarrassment. Admittedly, all being cultivators, their eyesight was truly first-rate. Though Xue Yu’s barrier was timely, just that brief glimpse of those alluring curves was truly heart-stirring and unforgettable.

After a while, Chao Nian covered his eyes and howled, sliding down the wall corner. He looked toward Su You: “We’re all unmarried young men—why did Young Lady only tell you to close your eyes?”

“How can I face my future wife?”

Song Heng’s expression was terrible as he turned around, his shoulders rigid with restraint.

Su You pressed his fingertip heavily against his brow. In the corridor, so quiet that only breathing could be heard, he seemed to hear his heartbeat, each beat stronger than the last.