Fu Tingyun’s eyes lit up as she listened: “So, Master Feng is giving us one night to leave Lintong?” As soon as the words left her mouth, worry set in: “Can we get out of Lintong in just one night?” Her two delicate eyebrows, soft as feathers, furrowed together.

Master Zhao Jiu looked at her and smiled slightly: “If we head straight to Xi’an Prefecture, certainly not.” A hint of craftiness flashed across his face, “But we can go south!”

“South?” Fu Tingyun’s eyes widened.

“Yes, south!” Master Zhao Jiu’s expression was filled with confidence, “From here, it’s only about fifty li south to Xialu Valley in Lantian County. We can reach Xi’an Prefecture through Lantian.”

Fu Tingyun immediately understood: “Master Feng only said we had to leave Lintong overnight, he didn’t specify we had to go to Xi’an Prefecture!” Her large eyes curved into crescent moons, “Ninth Master, you’re so cunning!”

Zhao Jiu’s smiling face seemed to suddenly stiffen.

Fu Tingyun froze, then quickly realized that “cunning” probably wasn’t a complimentary term… she should have said “clever” instead… but correcting herself now would only draw more attention to it, making him misunderstand!

She smiled awkwardly and hurriedly changed the subject: “Ninth Master, will we have to take a longer route from Lantian to Xi’an Prefecture? Should we redistribute our water and food supplies?”

“That won’t be necessary!” Zhao Jiu’s expression seemed to soften somewhat, “Xi’an Prefecture has four city gates; we’re merely changing our route from Yongning Gate to Changle Gate. The delay, if any, will only be this night’s journey!”

Thank goodness!

She wasn’t sure if she was relieved that Zhao Jiu wasn’t angry or that she had successfully changed the topic.

Fu Tingyun let out a long breath and asked with a smile: “Ninth Master, shall we set off now?”

“Yes!” Zhao Jiu nodded, but didn’t immediately head back to the temple. Instead, he gave her an appraising look: “Where’s the dagger I gave you?”

“Oh!” Fu Tingyun reacted quickly, hurried to the small cart, found the dagger, and handed it to Zhao Jiu, “Here it is!”

Zhao Jiu didn’t take it, his gaze falling on the dagger: “Why aren’t you carrying it on you?”

Fu Tingyun felt a bit embarrassed: “I don’t know how to use it…”

Zhao Jiu slowly took the dagger. With his thumb pressing on the mouth of the sheath, the dagger silently slid out a small portion, its snow-white blade gleaming brilliantly in the scorching sun, so bright it was hard to keep one’s eyes open.

“Look carefully!” he said slowly, sliding the dagger back into its sheath.

The blinding light still lingered in her vision, causing Fu Tingyun to see two spots of light no matter where she looked: “I see it!”

Zhao Jiu handed the dagger to her: “Keep it safe!”

Fu Tingyun was stunned.

What was she supposed to do with this?

It was heavy, and she had nowhere to put it!

If she lost it, that would be troublesome.

Just as she hesitated, Zhao Jiu’s face darkened slightly. He took back the dagger and casually tucked it into the small cart: “I’ll go carry Asen out!”

Huh!

Fu Tingyun gazed suspiciously at Zhao Jiu’s retreating figure.

Could it be that he wanted to give her the dagger as a gift?

Considering this possibility, cold sweat broke out across her body.

If that was the case, her actions just now must have been quite hurtful…

She found the dagger and quickly followed him in: “Ninth Master, it’s too valuable, I’m afraid I’d lose it.”

Zhao Jiu, who was bending down to lift Asen, paused briefly before slowly picking him up and turning to face Fu Tingyun, standing before him.

“Ninth Master!” She didn’t avoid his gaze, looking directly into his eyes, “I noticed the fabric on the dagger’s handle is worn, and you didn’t take it out even when facing danger, so it must be a cherished possession you’ve had for many years. Now, as we travel through various places, if it were lost from my possession, I would feel uneasy for the rest of my life.” She handed the dagger to Zhao Jiu, “Please keep it yourself!”

Her clear, almond-shaped eyes were black and transparent, like a gentle flowing stream where one could see the bottom with a single glance—serious and sincere.

Zhao Jiu couldn’t help but laugh.

She had always been forthright and genuine. It was he who held prejudice against her, often judging her character with petty suspicions. Clearly, as he’d grown older, his mind had aged, but his heart hadn’t matured.

He took the dagger, his expression relaxed and open-minded: “It was my oversight. I’ll keep the dagger, hidden under the cart board. If you ever face danger, just take it out and use it.” He added with a smile, “I’m afraid your strength might not be enough, and you’d end up hurting yourself rather than others.”

In the past, if Fu Tingyun had heard such words, she would certainly have felt Zhao Jiu was mocking her. But this time, his smile was hearty, with a hint of playfulness, like her favorite cousin from childhood who loved to joke with her and wouldn’t stop teasing until she smiled, making her feel a sense of closeness.

She couldn’t help but smile.

The air was filled with a light and cheerful atmosphere.

Fu Tingyun took a deep breath.

This was so much better!

Why must one always wear a stern face, making everyone feel so heavy-hearted?

“I’ll go help Asen with the straw mat.” She left the room with a smile.

The corners of Zhao Jiu’s mouth curved into a pleased arc.

…

They headed south through the night, accompanied by countless stars.

Zhao Jiu repeatedly reminded her: “If you’re too tired to walk, don’t force yourself!”

Fu Tingyun smiled and agreed. After walking for about an hour, her feet gradually felt as if they were filled with lead, making each step laborious, and her soles began to ache.

She got onto the small cart.

Zhao Jiu pushed them, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

“Perhaps I should get down?” Fu Tingyun suggested, struggling.

“No need!” Zhao Jiu panted, “I want to reach Upper Lu Valley tonight. This way, we can make up for the time we lost today.”

Zhao Jiu’s companions were waiting for him in Xi’an Prefecture. The closer they got to Xi’an Prefecture, the safer they would be. Zhao Jiu understood this, and so did Fu Tingyun. Words of comfort in such circumstances would be weak and pale, better left unsaid.

She remained silent, helping to take care of Asen.

By the time the sky turned a fish-belly white, they had passed Upper Lu Valley.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t hide her joy as she took out the water bag and handed it to Zhao Jiu: “Please have a drink and rest a bit!”

Zhao Jiu didn’t refuse. He stopped the small cart by the roadside and accepted the water bag, taking several large gulps.

Usually, he would take small sips, but today he was quite hearty!

Fu Tingyun pondered, smiling as she handed him a sweat towel: “Ninth Master, please wipe your sweat!” But she noticed his face was somewhat pale.

Walking would make one’s face red and sweaty; she had never heard of someone’s face turning pale… unless they were unwell.

This thought startled her greatly: “Ninth Master, are you alright?” Her gaze now carried suspicion as she scrutinized him from head to toe.

“A bit tired!” Zhao Jiu said with a smile, wiping his sweat with the towel, “It’s been a long time since I traveled overnight!”

Is that so?

The doubt in Fu Tingyun’s eyes grew stronger.

Suddenly, Asen let out a few moans.

Fu Tingyun turned sideways with excitement: “Asen!”

Asen opened his eyes: “I, I want water!”

“Good, good, good!” Fu Tingyun responded repeatedly, helping Asen drink water, and peeled the only egg they had: “I’ve been saving it for you. If you don’t eat it now, it will spoil.”

Asen smiled with half his mouth, eating the egg in small bites.

After a few bites, as if suddenly remembering something, he pushed away Fu Tingyun’s hand and looked around: “Where’s Master?”

“I’m right here!” Zhao Jiu approached, “Save your breath. Get better quickly, so I don’t have to push both Miss Fu and you!”

Honestly, he couldn’t even say a single comforting word!

Fu Tingyun didn’t even look at him, continuing to feed the egg to Asen: “Eat quickly! After you finish, you can help Ninth Master keep watch—Ninth Master has been pushing us all night, he needs to rest too!”

“Ah!” Asen’s mouth gaped open, “Ninth Master, your wound…”

What wound?

Fu Tingyun turned in shock to look at Zhao Jiu.

“It’s nothing!” he said coolly, “Old Feng Four’s knife didn’t touch me, otherwise, I would have collapsed long ago!”

Both stared at him, neither speaking, clearly not believing his words.

Zhao Jiu suddenly pulled down the left side of his garment.

Fu Tingyun quickly covered her eyes: “Is there a wound?” she asked Asen.

“No!” Asen replied with delight.

“Eat quickly,” Zhao Jiu said sternly, “I need to rest.”

The two exchanged smiles.

After Zhao Jiu fell asleep by the small cart, the two whispered to each other. Learning they were to pass through Lantian County to Xi’an Prefecture, Asen echoed Zhao Jiu’s words: “It’s just changing from Yongning Gate to Changle Gate. In another two or three days, we’ll reach Xi’an Prefecture!”

Fu Tingyun felt a stirring in her heart and displayed a thoughtful expression, not speaking to Asen for a long while.

The second night, they rested at a place called Changxing.

“Tomorrow we’ll reach Shaolin!” Zhao Jiu seemed somewhat excited, which was a rare emotion for him, “The day after tomorrow, we’ll reach Xi’an Prefecture!”

And Asen could now walk!

Fu Tingyun felt the future looked bright.

One moment she wondered if, upon reaching Xi’an Prefecture, Zhao Jiu would take her to stay at that Yongfu Inn in Ping’an Lane; the next moment she thought about whom he would send to deliver a message to her mother; then she wondered how her mother would arrange for her after receiving the news; then she pondered how her life would continue after breaking off the engagement with the Yu family; then again, she wondered what plans Zhao Jiu had once they reached Xi’an Prefecture… She tossed and turned without really falling asleep, and when Asen woke her in the morning, her eyes had dark circles.

Zhao Jiu merely glanced at her, then sat down to eat breakfast.

His expression was calm, his manner composed.

But for some reason, Fu Tingyun felt that Zhao Jiu also seemed to be deep in thought.

Could he be worrying about her affairs?

If something was causing him to worry, it must be quite difficult!

Fu Tingyun speculated, her mood sinking along with her thoughts.

Asen, seated between them, was completely puzzled.

They were almost at Xi’an Prefecture, everyone should be happy, so why was there not even a hint of a smile in either Ninth Master’s or Miss Fu’s eyes?

When the adults didn’t speak, the child didn’t dare to speak either.

The three traveled in silence.

The sun seemed about to burst into flames, so scorching that one could hardly open their eyes.

Sitting on the small cart, Fu Tingyun was drenched in sweat, constantly wiping her forehead, chin, and neck with a handkerchief.

“Would you like some water?” she turned to ask Zhao Jiu.

In the midday sun, Zhao Jiu’s sweat-covered face was as white as paper.

“No need!” His voice was hoarse, and as soon as he spoke, his body began to sway from side to side.

“What’s wrong with you!” Fu Tingyun screamed, jumping off the small cart.

Zhao Jiu had already collapsed onto the dirt road with a “thud,” raising a cloud of yellow dust.

“Ninth Master!” Asen cried out, rushing toward him.