In a single day, we were ambushed seven times, with thirteen lives lost.

These jianghu assassins disguised themselves as merchants, travelers, horse grooms, and shop assistants to carry out their attacks. Among them was even a Japanese pirate. It seems the lure of ten thousand gold taels truly drives people to madness.

Fortunately, Shen Zuitian was traveling with me, otherwise with my limited jianghu experience, I would have died seven or eight times over.

On the second evening, we entered the territory of Yangqu County and lodged at the Fengxiang Inn.

During dinner, Shen Zuitian finally asked, “What exactly are you going beyond the pass for?”

I swallowed a mouthful of food and said, “To find someone for the antidote.”

He continued to question, “What antidote? Who are you looking for?”

I raised a piece of food to my mouth but stopped. This bastard was still playing dumb with me. He had conspired with Feng Jingli to poison Rong Shukuang, and now he was acting completely innocent.

“Why pretend when you know exactly what you did?” I said.

He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

I put down my chopsticks and said with a cold smile, “That day at Tiger Hill in Suzhou if you hadn’t told Feng Jingli to poison me, how would I have been so easily wounded by you?”

He was stunned upon hearing this. “You were poisoned?”

I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him and lowered my head to continue eating.

He suddenly snatched my bowl, stared at me with an icy smile, and said through gritted teeth, “Rong Shukuang, let me remind you, don’t play games with me.”

I grabbed the bowl back and was about to shout when I suddenly thought of something and changed my tone, “Does this mean you didn’t know I was poisoned?”

He paused slightly, then snorted, “Would I, Shen Zuitian, ever do something I wouldn’t admit to?”

I was stunned.

If Shen Zuitian truly knew nothing about my poisoning, then how did Lin Qianyi know? Very few people knew about this matter, and Feng Tingxie was already dead. From what happened that night, Yan Fufeng also seemed completely unaware.

“Who would be so vicious? Wanting Rong Shukuang dead?”

“She blocked someone’s path, naturally someone wants her dead!”

Who’s path did Rong Shukuang block?

Lin Qianyi?

Did he discover that I no longer obediently followed his orders, that I was no longer under his control, so he made up an excuse to hunt me down?

Perhaps when Yan Shao told me to follow Lin Qianyi’s instructions and not act rashly, this is what he meant?

Yan Shao said the poison had been secretly switched. So who had switched it?

Song Qingge?

I thought about it from beginning to end, but it didn’t seem to fit. At most, he suspected my dramatic personality change, but there were no other indications.

That left only one person—Liu An!

She was just a maid, yet she didn’t seem to respect me as the Manor Lord at all and was quite dismissive of me.

Could it be that her backing was Lin Qianyi, which is why she was so fearless?

I reasoned to a conclusion and became greatly excited, slamming the table and exclaiming, “It’s her, it must be her!”

Shen Zuitian was pouring wine, and my sudden outburst caused the wine to spill all over the table. He looked at me and asked, “Who?”

I ignored him, gradually calming down, and found Lin Qianyi increasingly terrifying the more I thought about it. No wonder Lin Shaoyi asked me to leave with him—he must have seen through his father’s sinister intentions.

I picked up my chopsticks again, only to put them back down immediately.

Wait, that’s not right!

Yan Shao said the poison came from the White Lotus Sect. Could Lin Qianyi be a member of the White Lotus? Could there be a connection between him and Tang Sa’er? When he transferred Song Qingge and others to Taiyuan, could there have been other reasons?

Shen Zuitian stared at me, his handsome eyebrows knitting tighter, and rapped his knuckles on the table.

“What are you thinking about?”

I snapped back to reality. “Nothing.”

He raised his voice suspiciously, “Nothing?”

“Let’s eat!”

I casually picked up a cup and threw my head back to drink, but choked as it reached my throat, coughing violently.

“Damn! It’s so strong—”

Before I could finish, I froze. Shen Zuitian’s handsome face was covered in water droplets, along with a few grains of rice.

“I’m sorry!” I quickly used my sleeve to wipe his face, but he pushed my hand away.

He stood up, wiped his face, and looked at me as if I were some kind of monster.

“No table manners, no sitting posture—Rong Shukuang, I truly cannot see how any part of you resembles a woman, yet Chu Tianyao is so infatuated with you.”

Damn! Just because I choked on a sip of wine, does he have to be so vicious?

I deliberately sighed and said languidly, “Perhaps it’s because, in bed, I’m more like a woman.”

He stared at me in disbelief for a long while, his face twitching, and left with a bemused expression, leaving with the parting words, “Don’t sleep like a pig tonight.”

That night, lying in bed, I missed Yan Shao terribly. The tide of longing washed over me, compelling me to get up and run back—the lands beyond the pass were so vast, who knew where Feng Jingli and her master were? Even if I found them, could I get the antidote? I should have stayed by his side, not gone anywhere. In the movie “A Sword of Passion,” assassin Ding Qing fought to the death for the antidote, but his lover Shui Qinrou had already died—I don’t want that ending.

I sprang out of bed, dressed, and hurried downstairs to the stable in the backyard to fetch a horse.

But once I had the horse, I hesitated—we were so close to passing the border, how could I give up now? This was a matter of Yan Shao’s life and death, and even if there was just a sliver of hope, I had to try. How could I abandon it halfway?

After pacing for a long time, I finally let out a long sigh, turned back, tied the horse in the backyard, and dejectedly went upstairs.

“Weren’t you leaving? Why did you come back?”

Shen Zuitian stood at the top of the stairs, gazing at me with a gloomy expression, his face frighteningly cold.

I wasn’t in the mood to argue with him and sighed, “Let’s sleep, we’ll set off early tomorrow.”

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm tightly, his cold gaze fixed on me, saying through gritted teeth, “Don’t play tricks.”

I nodded, “Don’t worry.”

He still wouldn’t let go. “What exactly are you trying to do?”

I sighed again. “I just want to sleep, man.”

He hesitantly released his grip. As I was about to return to my room, I felt a tightness around my waist, and in the next second, I was on the rooftop.

Before I could react, I felt a gust of night wind sweep by, with the subtle sound of clothing rustling in the air.

Someone let out a cold laugh: “Little bitch, come out and die.”

This assassin was quite brazen, so openly challenging me. With my incense smoke antidote having worked, I wasn’t afraid.

As I was about to jump down to deal with him, Shen Zuitian pressed my head down and commanded, “Don’t move!”

Before he finished speaking, I heard the sharp sound of hidden weapons cutting through the air, followed by a series of clinks and clangs.

A familiar voice snorted, “Old Freak of Kongtong, I don’t want to tangle with you, don’t push me too far.”

When I heard this voice, I was overjoyed.

Feng Jingli, I was just about to look for you, and now you’ve delivered yourself to my doorstep—heaven is truly on my side!

Under the cold moonlight, in the narrow alley, two figures were fighting fiercely.

An old man with white whiskers, short and stout, spinning like a top in response to Feng Jingli’s sword. Feng Jingli’s sword technique was exquisite and agile, each move containing three deadly follow-ups, yet she couldn’t pierce the old man. The two exchanged blows, evenly matched.

Feng Jingli, unable to gain the upper hand, grew anxious and shouted, “Old freak, why do you keep pestering me?”

The old man laughed eerily. “Hehe, are you in a hurry to find your little lover? He’s already dead.”

Feng Jingli thrust her sword with all her might, retreated several steps, and asked trembling, “Really?”

The old man sneered, “Falling into the hands of the Three Saints of Tianchi, how could he still be alive?”

I was startled. Her little lover must be referring to Lin Shaoyi. Who were these Three Saints of Tianchi?

Feng Jingli suddenly lunged forward with her sword, gritting her teeth, “If he’s dead, I’ll have you join him.”

Provoked, she attacked mercilessly, fighting with all her might.

The Old Freak of Kongtong’s palm techniques were steady and dense, his two hands weaving an impenetrable defense.

After watching for a while, I felt that Feng Jingli was about to lose, so I immediately flicked two stones at the old man—if Feng Jingli died, who would I get the antidote from?

The old man dodged my stones but was immediately caught by Feng Jingli’s sword, which cut a bloody gash on his shoulder.

He retreated several paces and shouted angrily, “Who dares to attack from the shadows?”

I leaped down and laughed, “At your age, bullying a young lady—have you no shame?”

When Feng Jingli saw me, she exclaimed, “Rong Shukuang!”

Upon hearing my name, the Kongtong Old Freak stared at me with his tiny bead-like eyes. “Rong Shukuang, so you’re Rong Shukuang?”

I frowned. “What of it?”

Without answering, he scrutinized me again, then suddenly leaped into the air, flipped twice, and vanished.

Wow! Was Rong Shukuang’s reputation so great that it scared him away?

I turned to Feng Jingli. “Miss Feng, please hand over the antidote.”

Feng Jingli’s expression changed slightly, and she turned to leave.

I quickly blocked her, saying firmly, “I cannot let you leave without giving me the antidote!”

Her face was frosty as she sneered, “Rong Shukuang, you killed my brother, yet you dare ask for the antidote?”

I exclaimed, “When did I ever kill your brother?”

“Though it wasn’t by your hand, he died because of you.”

I was stunned. True, I bore some responsibility for Feng Tingxie’s death, but that wasn’t the key reason. At this moment, I absolutely couldn’t show weakness.

“Whom he died for, you and I both know. If you insist on blaming me, there’s nothing more I can say. But today, you won’t leave without giving me the antidote.”

She stared at me anxiously. “Rong Shukuang, I don’t have time to argue with you. Get out of my way, or I won’t be polite.”

“Then let’s fight!”

I quickly struck with my palm, aiming for a vital point on her chest—my patience had its limits.

She immediately slashed at my hand with her sword. I quickly turned my wrist to seize her blade. She seemed desperate to leave, trying to escape after each deadly strike. But I was equally determined to keep her here, and there was no way I’d let her escape.

Finally, she thrust her sword and cried, “The antidote is with Lin Shaoyi.”

I retreated in shock. “What did you say?”

She looked at me, her face flushed and slightly breathless, her eyes filled with hatred.

“The Three Saints of Tianchi injured my master, and he took the opportunity to steal the antidote.”

I was stunned. “Explain this clearly.”

“For the past half month, he’s been tracking us, claiming you were poisoned by me and demanding the antidote. But that day I only used a common sleeping drug. Now, you’re agile and skilled—why pretend to be poisoned?” She spoke with disdain.

She didn’t know her sleeping drug had been switched, and I didn’t bother to explain.

“Where is Shaoyi now?”

“The Kongtong Old Freak said he was captured by the Three Saints of Tianchi. I was just about to go rescue… find him.” Her face reddened slightly as she added, “He stole something from my master, and I must get it back.”

Hah! Her feelings were obvious to everyone, yet she still tried to hide them.

I asked further, “Who are the Three Saints of Tianchi?”

At that moment, Shen Zuitian leaped down from the roof and answered, “The Three Saints of Tianchi were once legendary figures in the jianghu. Eighteen years ago, they suddenly withdrew from the jianghu and secluded themselves at Tianchi Mountain in the northern desert, hence their name.”

He looked at Feng Jingli and asked, “They haven’t interfered in jianghu matters for years. Why would they injure your master? Who is your master?”

I also looked at her curiously. If Yan Shao’s guess was correct, her master was likely the White Lotus Sect leader, Tang Sa’er.

Feng Jingli sneered, “A master is a master. I don’t know her venerable name.”

She looked at us suspiciously. “Yugui Manor and the Guigu Alliance are sworn enemies. Why are you together?”

Shen Zuitian smiled slightly and said, “There are no permanent friends in this world, nor permanent enemies. Miss Rong and I are currently friends, not foes.”

“Rong Shukuang, I’ll settle accounts with you another day.” She suddenly dropped these words and turned to leave.

I quickly caught up and called, “I’ll go with you.”

She ignored me with a cold smile.

Shen Zuitian said, “Rong Shukuang, even with our three combined strengths, we’re no match for the Three Saints of Tianchi.”

I replied, “Since the antidote is with Shaoyi, we must try.”

He asked, “What poison did you take exactly?”

I couldn’t tell him that Yan Shao was the one poisoned, so I simply said, “A deadly poison.”

He asked curiously, “You look fine, you don’t seem poisoned.”

I said angrily, “You’re not me, how would you know how I feel?”

He fell silent.

Along the way, Feng Jingli didn’t say a word, moving like lightning.

We followed her for two hours, not knowing where she was heading.

Shen Zuitian asked, “Miss Feng, why was the Kongtong Old Freak after you?”

“How would I know?” she replied sharply. “I followed the Three Saints of Tianchi into the pass, and as soon as I reached Shuozhou, he latched onto me.”

Shen Zuitian fell silent at this, his handsome face turning stony.

About an hour later, we came to a place called Xinghua Town. Feng Jingli suddenly stopped.

The night was clear, with a bright moon overhead. In the vast, deep blue sky, a few stars twinkled like mysterious eyes coldly watching the world below.

I asked, “Are the Three Saints of Tianchi here?”

She ignored me, circled the small town, found nothing, and returned to where we started.

Shen Zuitian suddenly said, “Miss Feng, why did the Three Saints of Tianchi attack your master? Who is your master exactly?”

She replied angrily, “I told you I don’t know.”

Shen Zuitian’s expression changed, as if he wanted to lose his temper, but ultimately restrained himself.

Just as I was about to speak, I heard the urgent sound of approaching hoofbeats.

The three of us were startled and simultaneously leaped onto a rooftop, lying flat.

Seven swift horses galloped into the street like arrows released from bows. The riders were all dressed in short garments. The two leading riders were none other than Song Qingge and Xiao Tianyu, while the other five were wrapped in white robes with white cloths covering their faces.

Song Qingge suddenly reined in his horse and asked, “Are you sure they’re here?”

Someone behind him replied, “No mistake! The Wind Shadow Agent from the Heaven Division personally saw the three of them enter this town.”

Hearing this, I felt inexplicably angry.

Song Qingge had personally led people to hunt me down?

“Split up and search!”

Song Qingge waved his hand, and the six men divided into pairs, galloping off in different directions.

Shen Zuitian glanced at me, and I understood his meaning, making a helpless gesture.

Feng Jingli, not understanding what was happening, coldly watched the street.

A moment later, the six men returned, all reporting no sightings.

Song Qingge remained silent.

Suddenly, there was a light sound from the southeast. Against the deep blue night sky rose a plume of fireworks, flashing red, blue, green, and purple—truly beautiful.

Song Qingge commanded, “They’ve gone east, quick, after them!”

In an instant, the group of riders vanished without a trace.

I was completely puzzled. It seemed they weren’t looking for me but someone else.

“Strange, who are they chasing?”

Shen Zuitian suddenly said, “Could it be the Three Saints of Tianchi? They received news and are going to rescue Lin Shaoyi—”

Before he finished, Feng Jingli had already darted away.

Shen Zuitian and I immediately followed, chasing the trail of dust under the moonlight for nearly half an hour. But no matter how good our lightness skills were, we couldn’t match swift horses, and gradually lost their trail.

By now, the sky was growing light, with a hint of brightness in the east. Through the hazy mist, a village was faintly visible.

The three of us were somewhat tired, especially Feng Jingli, who hadn’t closed her eyes all night and looked exhausted and forlorn, clearly very worried about Lin Shaoyi. I suddenly understood her—the world has always known the suffering of unrequited love; she had simply fallen for someone who didn’t love her back.

I said, “Since Song Qingge has already gone ahead, Lin Shaoyi should be safe. Why don’t we rest first?”

Shen Zuitian nodded and led the way toward the nearest farmhouse.

Feng Jingli stared at me coldly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

I could see her deep hostility and smiled, saying, “Since I’ve married Chu Tianyao, I naturally won’t have any relationship with Lin Shaoyi. What happened before was just a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?” She sneered, “My brother was killed by Chu Tianyao because of you, and you dare call it a misunderstanding?”

“Because of me?” I smiled bitterly, “As the Crown Prince’s guard, even without me, wouldn’t Chu Tianyao have killed him?”

“How did you know he was—” She stared at me in shock, then suddenly stopped.

I was about to show off my knowledge of Ming dynasty history when a sudden inspiration struck me—

Perhaps I could entrust this matter to Feng Jingli. As Feng Tingxie’s sister, she was the most suitable person.

I pondered for a moment, stepped forward, stared into her eyes, and asked, “Miss Feng, do you know what your brother’s greatest wish was before he died?”

She replied coldly, “Of course, to prevent the Prince of Han’s rebellion and ensure the Crown Prince’s smooth ascension to the throne.”

I nodded and continued, “If I told you I’m helping him fulfill this wish, would you believe me?”

She didn’t understand and sneered, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

I looked at her earnestly. “Miss Feng, if you trust me, right now, I have a very important matter I wish to entrust to you.”

She remained silent for a long time before finally asking, “What is it?”

I walked to her side and whispered the details.

She stared wide-eyed, completely stunned.

“Rong Shukuang, do you know what you’re saying? This is treason, punishable by execution of nine generations of your family…”

“This is true,” I quickly interrupted her, seriously warning, “This matter is extremely urgent. If delayed, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

She remained shocked, unable to recover for a long time.

I gripped her shoulders and said firmly, “This was your brother’s unfulfilled dying wish.”

She suddenly stepped back, sneering, “How can I trust you? How do I know this isn’t a trap?”

I sighed inwardly and smiled bitterly. “Miss Feng, you’re a sensible person. Let me be frank with you. I’ve fallen in love with Chu Tianyao and only wish to retire from the jianghu with him, living a quiet life. Therefore, I don’t want him involved in this rebellion plot anymore. The best way is to completely end the Prince of Han’s ambitions.”

She exclaimed, “Then you and Lin Shaoyi…”

“Impossible!”

I declared firmly, “I am no longer the Lord of Yugui Manor. There is nothing between us anymore.”

She remained silent.

I continued, “If I see him this time, I’ll make things clear. And I sincerely wish you both happiness.”

She was somewhat shaken but still said nothing.

I took out the letter from my pocket and said, “If you trust me, take this letter to the Crown Prince. If not, I can do nothing more—it’s in heaven’s hands.”

She turned to look at me, her eyes flickering, still wavering between belief and doubt.

I let out a long sigh. “Very well, it’s all up to fate.” I pretended I was about to tear up the letter.

She suddenly grabbed my hand, her gaze clear and piercing.

“Fine! I’ll trust you just this once.”

A tense string in my heart suddenly relaxed.

She tucked the letter into her robe. “But first, I must confirm that Lin Shaoyi is safe.”

I nodded in agreement, noticing that the sky was gradually brightening as the sun was about to rise.

We found Shen Zuitian at a farmhouse. He said, “I’ve sent out signals and ordered people to track their movements. Don’t worry.”

Feng Jingli and I exchanged glances, feeling somewhat reassured. We ate breakfast, rested for a while, left two silver ingots, and set off.

By noon, news came from the Guigu Alliance: Song Qingge and his group had been spotted at Caoping Town, a hundred miles away, but there was no sign of Lin Shaoyi or the Three Saints of Tianchi.

We immediately purchased three swift horses from the market and headed directly for Caoping Town.

Along the way, we received updates every half hour. Such a vast and rapid intelligence network was truly impressive, showing that the Guigu Alliance was indeed powerful, and Shen Zuitian’s reputation was well-deserved.

By midday, the third report stated that Song Qingge had engaged with the Three Saints of Tianchi, resulting in two deaths and five injuries, but the Saints had escaped.

We rode at full speed, not daring to stop. Half an hour later, we received the latest news: Lin Shaoyi had appeared and was tracking the Three Saints of Tianchi back toward Yangqu County.

This news was both laughable and frustrating.

We had left Yangqu County to find them, only for them to return there. Were they playing hide-and-seek with us?

Shen Zuitian’s handsome face darkened completely as he stared at me. “Rong Shukuang, I’ve been at your service, don’t disappoint me.”

I could only smile bitterly.

Feng Jingli rode on in silence.

When we reached Yangqu County, it was already late.

The entire street was in disarray as if swept by a violent typhoon. There wasn’t even a stray dog in sight. Not a single house showed any light, only the desolate evening wind blew across, giving the entire place a murderous atmosphere.

From the looks of it, there had just been a fierce battle.

Shen Zuitian suddenly produced two thunder bombs and gave them to us, saying solemnly, “Let’s split up and search. If you find anything, set off the thunder bomb.”

Feng Jingli and I took the bombs. I went left, she went right.

I circled the back of the town but found nothing. Just as I was about to return, I sensed a fierce killing intent. I leaped up, and while in mid-air, struck backward with my palm, using the rebound force to leap several yards away. However, that killing intent still pursued me relentlessly, like a shadow.

I immediately threw the thunder bomb.

Suddenly, a gray shadow flashed by, catching the bomb before it could explode.

A gray-clothed figure with a black cloth covering his face, tall and thin, attacked without a word, his palm force so oppressive I could hardly breathe.

I switched through eight different forms but still couldn’t shake him off. Then, instead of retreating, I advanced, my right hand striking like lightning to seize his wrist, my left hand slashing across his neck as I demanded, “Who are you?”

He didn’t answer but struck out with his palm, the force fierce and unyielding, like a winter blizzard, sharp as a knife.

I quickly retreated to avoid it and now clearly saw his weapon—long, thin, and slightly curved, with a piercing cold light, neither quite a sword nor a hook. His technique was extremely strange, like sticky toffee, impossible to shake off once it latched on.

His skill was profound, his palm force combined with his weapon like raging ocean waves, one surge fiercer than the last. I could hardly catch my breath, barely holding on for a while before feeling my inner strength failing. I was no match for him and grew increasingly anxious.

Could this person be one of the Three Saints of Tianchi? Otherwise, who would possess such profound martial arts?

The more anxious I became, the more flustered I grew. Suddenly, I felt a pain in my arm—his weapon had cut a gash, blood flowing freely. Before I could recover, another powerful palm strike came straight for my face.

Just as that palm was about to strike my crown, I felt a cold sensation on my scalp, as if something had just grazed past.

The gray-clothed man withdrew his palm, retreated several steps, paused slightly, and then suddenly sprang up and vanished into the vast night with a few leaps.

I looked back to see Lin Shaoyi standing with sword in hand, his black robe fluttering, his handsome face like jade. His dark eyes showed concern as he urgently asked, “Shuang, are you all right?”

I let out a sigh of relief, touched my hair, and found strands falling out, but thankfully my head was still intact.

“I’m fine!”

He knelt, tore a piece of his robe, and began bandaging my wound, asking, “Who was that just now?”

I was surprised. “Wasn’t it one of the Three Saints of Tianchi?”

He was equally surprised. “No!”

I frowned, wondering if this was another jianghu warrior after the ten thousand gold taels.

“Ah! Miss Feng.” I exclaimed, “Quick, let’s check on them.”

He held me back, carefully tying the bandage. “I’ve already seen Feng Jingli. She had something to attend to and left first.”

I understood—the girl had listened to me after all.

“What about Shen Zuitian, where is he?”

“Shen Zuitian is here too?” He frowned slightly. “I haven’t seen him.”

“Let’s go look.”

We rushed back to the street, which was still in chaos and completely deserted.

Shen Zuitian had vanished. Strange, wasn’t he supposed to accompany me to Jinan to await Yan Shao’s response? Why had he suddenly left without a word?

I frowned in confusion.

Lin Shaoyi suddenly embraced me, burying his face in my hair, and softly called, “Shuang.”

I was startled. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer, just held me tightly. I felt my arm throbbing with pain, but even after a while, he showed no sign of letting go.

I had to break free and was about to ask him about the antidote when suddenly, his body went limp, and he bent over, coughing up blood.

I was shocked. “You’re injured?”

He gripped my hand tightly, forcing a smile. “Just a minor wound, nothing serious.”

I softened my voice and asked, “What happened?”

His face was pale. After a long silence, he said, “The antidote was stolen by the Three Saints of Tianchi.”

I was stunned, a sense of foreboding rising within me. “Why would they steal the antidote?”

“I don’t know.” He shook his head, his eyes glistening.

“Ever since I took the antidote, they’ve been pursuing me into the past. They finally got it from me in Shuozhou, so I had to chase after them…”

He stopped, breathing heavily, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

I quickly helped him sit down in a broken house by the street. He lowered his head, closed his eyes, and sat quietly to regulate his breathing.

Even though I was anxious and worried, I dared not disturb him at this moment.

About two hours later, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his handsome face gradually regained some color, as if an internal energy was circulating through his body.

Finally, he opened his eyes, looked at me tenderly, and slowly curled his lips into a smile.

That expression carried a kind of childlike pure satisfaction.

I felt a surge of compassion and couldn’t help but smile back at him.

In the moonlight, his dark eyes were clear and bright, fixed on my face without moving an inch.

His smile was like the thawing of spring ice, growing warmer.

I asked softly, “How did you learn about my poisoning?”

His eyes darkened as he replied, “Feng Tingxie told me. I received his carrier pigeon message and had planned to visit you in Le’an before leaving the pass, but you…” He smiled bitterly and said no more.

I felt both moved and ashamed, speechless for a moment.

Seeing my silence, he took my hand and said gently, “Don’t worry. Whether in life or death, I’ll be with you.”

My whole body trembled. This fool still thought I was the one poisoned… But I couldn’t tell him the truth. Those self-righteous jianghu people already hated Yan Shao bitterly. If they learned he was poisoned, I feared…

He gazed at me lovingly and continued, “Shuang, do you know, I’ve always been grateful for your memory loss? This way, perhaps we can start anew.”

His voice was clear yet hoarse. His eyes looked at me but seemed to be seeing through me, filled with a strange, dreamlike quality as if the person before him wasn’t me but a sweet memory or a beautiful moment from the past.

I could only squeeze his hand helplessly and say softly, “Don’t be silly. Let’s quickly go after the Three Saints of Tianchi and get back the antidote.”

He ignored me, continuing to smile tenderly. “If I could die with you, wouldn’t that be a kind of happiness?”

Looking at the expression on his face, I was suddenly moved.

If I were truly Rong Shukuang, I would marry him without hesitation and run away with him. But I’m not. I only can deeply love one person, and the one I love has been poisoned with the world’s deadliest venom…

I felt a stabbing pain in my heart, a mixture of grief and suffering, and couldn’t help but shed tears. He raised his hand to wipe my tears, then suddenly lowered his head to kiss me, tenderly and passionately.

I was shocked, staring wide-eyed in disbelief. And then, I saw Yan Shao!