He stood silently in the night breeze, wearing a thin spring robe, moonlight illuminating his handsome face, pale as snow.

“Chu Tianyao?” Lin Shaoyi was momentarily startled but quickly recovered.

Yan Shao ignored Lin Shaoyi. His unfathomable eyes fixed on me as he expressionlessly uttered two words: “Come here!”

I immediately obediently walked over to him.

Lin Shaoyi suddenly rose to his full height, grabbed me, and proudly declared, “Shuang didn’t marry you willingly. Now, I’m taking her away.”

A flicker of change passed through Yan Shao’s gaze, the cold light gradually intensifying in his deep eyes.

My heart pounded with foreboding. I quickly smiled apologetically, “Just now was a misunderstanding, please don’t be angry.”

Lin Shaoyi’s hand suddenly tightened, exclaiming, “Misunderstanding?”

I turned to look at him seriously. “Yes, there’s been a misunderstanding between us.”

He stared at me in shock, his voice faltering, “Then the jianghu rumors are true—you love him?”

I answered firmly: “Yes!”

His entire body trembled, a light suddenly flaring in his pitch-black pupils, so bright it was difficult to look at directly.

I slowly pried open his tightly clenched fingers, gradually extracting my wrist from his palm. His face grew increasingly pale as if what I was withdrawing wasn’t my wrist but his lifeblood.

He staggered back two steps, barely able to stand. Though I felt pity in my heart, I could only choose to turn away.

“Shuang?” His voice was desolate and grief-stricken.

My body stiffened. I turned my head to see his hand suspended in mid-air, long pale fingers bent and trembling slightly as if trying to grasp something in the misty air.

Yan Shao suddenly sighed, gave me a deep look, and said, “I’ll wait for you in the carriage.”

A lump formed in my throat. I took a deep breath, turned to face Lin Shaoyi, and calmly repeated what I had once said to Yan Shao. Throughout, he remained deathly pale, his gaze distant, as if looking through space at some far-off unknown place. I couldn’t tell if he believed me or not.

I squeezed his hand and said softly, “I’m leaving.”

He still didn’t respond.

With no choice, I turned and walked toward the carriage, suddenly feeling an unprecedented lightness in my heart.

I knew my words had been cruel, but I had to say them. Rather than letting him think Rong Shukuang had simply transferred her affections, it was better to tell him the truth—that throughout her life, Rong Shukuang had only loved one man, unwavering in her devotion. What truly separated them wasn’t suspicion or misunderstanding, nor the passage of time, but death. This was a reality no one could escape. Yet for a pair of lovers, this might be the best possible ending.

A sharp pain now was better than prolonged suffering. This dream had to end eventually. Rong Shukuang had hurt him, but others would heal him—perhaps Feng Jingli, perhaps someone else.

As the carriage traveled some distance, I peeked out to look back. He still stood alone in the desolate street, the moonlight elongating his thin, solitary shadow, like a piercing sword mark cutting through the vast universe, questioning the boundless cosmos.

I felt my eyes grow hot again.

Yan Shao was examining the wound on my arm when he suddenly looked up and asked, “Feeling sorry for him?”

I shook my head, and tears fell. “Lin Shaoyi is the luckiest person in the world.”

“Oh?”

“No matter how the stars shift or the world changes, Rong Shukuang’s feelings for him will remain constant as the heavens and earth, unchanging as the sun and moon. Isn’t that enough happiness?”

He was silent for a moment, then held my hand and said, “Look at me.”

I raised my head as instructed.

He stared into my eyes and asked softly, “You don’t have faith in me?”

I said, “No! I’m just afraid.”

He asked, “Afraid of what?”

“The future. I’m afraid of the future,” I said. “If living together day after day inevitably destroys love, I’d rather die as Rong Shukuang did.”

He was stunned for a moment, then gently rested my head against his chest, saying softly, “Silly girl, don’t you think I’m afraid too?”

I was shocked.

He sighed, “Shuang, I’m already old, while you still have a long way to go. Perhaps one day…”

I immediately covered his mouth, crying out, “No! I won’t allow it!”

He looked at me, smiling without a word.

I leaned against his chest again, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat, gradually calming down.

“By the way, why did you come?” I asked.

He snorted, “I let you out for just a few days, and you already disobeyed? If I hadn’t come, who knows what trouble you might have caused next?”

I said plaintively, “I was only trying to find the antidote—”

“Ah!” I jumped up, hitting my head on the roof of the carriage, and cried, “The antidote was stolen by the Three Saints of Tianchi!”

He rubbed my head, somewhat angrily ordering, “Your arm is injured, don’t move around so much.”

“But the antidote—”

He sighed, “Silly girl if there’s an antidote, I will find it. Now sit down.”

Seeing his confidence, I felt somewhat reassured and sat down, holding his face in my hands. I gazed at him for a while, my fingers tracing his elegant eyebrows, eyes, straight nose, and half-smiling lips.

He gently kissed my fingers, suddenly saying, “I should punish you severely.”

I looked up and asked, “Which rule did I break?”

His gaze was deep and inscrutable. “The three obediences and four virtues—you’ve broken them all.”

I was surprised.

He snorted coldly, “A wife should obey her husband, yet you disregard my words—that’s one. And in the dead of night, you’re embracing other men. Tell me, what punishment do you deserve?”

I laughed, “Well, I should be punished by serving you like an ox or horse for lifetimes to come, bearing children, washing clothes, cooking meals…”

He lowered his head to silence my endless chattering with a kiss. I responded passionately, but just as we were reluctant to part, he suddenly released me, saying, “No, this won’t do!”

“Hmm?” I looked at him, still wanting more.

He said through gritted teeth, “I’m still very angry. I should go back and teach that young man Lin Shaoyi a lesson.”

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, planting kisses all over his face.

He allowed my assault, but after a while finally turned his head aside and said with a mix of laughter and exasperation, “Are you giving me a face wash?”

“Nothing less could express my feelings,” I said, unbuttoning his clothes while kissing down from his Adam’s apple. Halfway through, I remembered something else and looked up to ask, “Lin Qianyi said you were gathering skilled fighters in Jinan—why?”

He groaned, “Heavens, you know how to torture a person.”

I persisted, “What conspiracy is afoot? Tell me quickly.”

He said in a low voice, “Why did you have Song Qingge and the others stay in Jinan?”

This guy was an old fox with such a keen sense.

I feigned anger, “Don’t mention those bastards! They nearly made me vomit blood with frustration.”

He said, “In that case, let’s go to Taiyuan now and teach those bastards a lesson.”

I was startled. “Hmm?”

With a serious face, he asked, “They dared to make you angry. Shouldn’t they be properly disciplined?”

I laughed and shook my head. “No! Let’s find the antidote first.”

He held my hand, his eyes full of smile, “Don’t worry, the antidote has already arrived.”

Just as he finished speaking, we heard the sound of movement outside. The carriage suddenly stopped, so smoothly it was as if it had never been moving.

“The Three Saints of Tianchi from the northern desert pay their respects to Master Chu!”

I lifted the carriage curtain and saw three white-bearded men standing with bowed heads under the clear moonlight. Their blue-gray robes fluttered in the night wind, giving them a somewhat otherworldly appearance.

Yan Shao said calmly, “Thank you for your efforts, gentlemen!”

The man in the middle stepped forward, presenting a small red brocade box with both hands, respectfully saying without raising his head, “We have not failed your command!”

Fengming jumped down from the carriage, took the box, and handed it to Chu Tianyao.

He took the box and set it aside, smiling, “Thank you for your trouble, gentlemen. Chu is most grateful.”

“We await your summons at any time!”

After speaking in unison, the three men suddenly retreated three zhang backward on level ground, bowed, and then departed together through the air.

I watched in astonishment. No wonder the Three Saints of Tianchi had suddenly changed course from east to west, heading to Quyang County—it was because Yan Shao had come to find me there. Hah! If only I had known we were heading for the same destination, why go through so much trouble?

I turned to glare at him.

He smiled without speaking.

I said impatiently, “Hurry up and take the antidote!”

He smiled and said, “There’s no rush!”

I was surprised. “Why not?”

He took my hand, smiling mischievously, “Medicine shouldn’t be taken carelessly!”

Strange! In wuxia novels and TV dramas, isn’t this how it always goes? The hero gets the antidote, swallows it, meditates quietly, either emits white steam or spits out black blood, and then springs up full of vigor to battle a host of enemies…

I reached for the box, intending to open it and take a look.

He suddenly pressed my hand, shaking his head slightly.

I asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

His pupils deepened as he said softly, “To neutralize this poison, I need at least three days of quiet meditation. Before that, we can do something else.”

I felt my cheeks flush and pretended to be coy, asking, “What else?”

He kissed my face, teasing, “What do you think?”

I deliberately dragged out my words, knowing full well what he meant, “For example—”

He interrupted, “For example, why was Shen Zuitian with you?”

I pushed him away. “Just that?”

He burst out laughing. “What were you thinking?”

I coughed twice and explained Shen Zuitian’s intentions to him.

He frowned in silence, then after a long while, shook his head.

I cautiously said, “Actually, this request isn’t excessive. Since ancient times, when emperors conquer…”

He interrupted me, saying, “First, I, Chu Tianyao, don’t need help from outsiders; second, he shouldn’t coerce you; third, his background is unclear and his intentions questionable.”

“Questionable intentions?”

“This man, young as he is, is deeply scheming—probably even more difficult to deal with than Lin Qianyi.”

“Seven years ago, the Guigu Alliance emerged from Changbai Mountain, sweeping through the three eastern provinces. Everyone in both the righteous and criminal worlds trembled at their name. They then set their sights on the Central Plains, with Yugui Manor as their first target. Everyone in the jianghu knows that Rong Shukuang is Yugui Manor’s nominal leader, but the real power behind is Lin Qianyi. He failed to take Biyu Peak, then captured Lin Qianyi, but now suddenly releases him and wants to help the Prince of Han rebel… Hehe…”

He laughed briefly and stopped.

I looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

He gently stroked my hair, smiling, “His ambitions are vast. I fear his aim isn’t just to dominate the jianghu, but to rule the world!”

I was shocked. “Is that possible?”

He made a noncommittal gesture.

Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped, and Fengming spoke through the curtain, “We’ve arrived.”

Yan Shao got out of the carriage, then suddenly turned and lifted me by the waist.

Fengming’s expression changed.

I laughed, “Wow, I’m truly honored.”

His eyes sparkled, his entire face lit with a smile. He carried me through pavilions and corridors, into a room, placing me on the clean, elegant moon-white curtained bed. I gave a gentle tug, and he fell on top of me. I looked up at him with a smile.

He brushed aside a strand of my hair, his fingers as gentle as flower petals dancing down in late spring. His deep pupils held a contained brilliance, his clear voice slightly husky as he said, “Your arm is injured.”

I flipped him beneath me, smiling mischievously, “So I should be on top.”

He gazed at me with burning eyes, a seductive smile playing on his lips. I lowered my head and stared dazedly for a moment, then caught his lips in a gentle kiss. My tongue traced his Adam’s apple as I removed his thin spring robe, revealing his golden, sinewy chest muscles. I kissed my way down…After quite some time, I reluctantly raised my head to admire his nearly perfect abdominal muscles, unable to resist expressing my admiration. To maintain such a muscular physique at nearly forty—truly a martial arts prodigy!

“Heavens, are you appraising a painting?”

He uttered a suppressed, husky protest, flipping me over in one motion. He abandoned his usual gentle pace, his passionate kisses raging like a violent storm. I felt unprecedented excitement, desire surging like fierce ocean waves rushing through my veins, so violent it consumed the last shred of my consciousness.

After our passionate entanglement, I fell into a deep sleep, utterly content and exhausted.

I don’t know how much time passed, but I vaguely felt a chill assault my body. I instinctively pulled the thin blanket, then felt something cold against my cheek and suddenly opened my eyes wide.

On the luxurious embroidered cotton quilt was a face, with eyes that emitted an ice-cold light.

I glanced at the dagger against my face and asked her, “What do you want?”

Feiwu gave a cold laugh without answering, swiftly striking my pressure points. The gleaming blade pressed against my face, slowly sliding down.

My throat tightened. “What exactly do you want?”

She suddenly yanked away the embroidered quilt, sneering, “Rong Shukuang, let me see what’s so enchanting about you?”

As she spoke, her wrist flicked, the dagger slicing open my clothes, the cold blade trailing from my collarbone to my chest.

I felt cold all over, my hair standing on end, and couldn’t help crying out, “Have you gone mad?”

Her pupils contracted as her eyes scanned my body inch by inch. I felt a chill creep up my legs like a small snake, making my flesh crawl.

Finally, she finished her appraisal and locked her gaze back on my face, saying through gritted teeth, “Rong Shukuang, what kind of magic do you possess that makes him treat you this way?”

I remained silent.

She suddenly started laughing, saying softly, “I’ve been with him since I was eight years old—a full sixteen years. From the moment I first saw him at the Holy Snow Peak, I fell in love with him. Sixteen entire years! Do you know how long a time that is?”

Her voice was as soft as feathers falling on water, extremely abnormal.

I wanted to console her, to ease the tension, but couldn’t find the words.

She continued, “Do you know how many women at Moying Mountain are infatuated with him? But he never truly looked at any of them.”

I forced a smile, though I suspected it looked more like crying.

Surprisingly, she smiled back at me.

“And do you know how many men at Moying Mountain are infatuated with me? But I never truly looked at them either. I only love him. I’ve accompanied him for sixteen whole years. I understand everything about him—his joy, anger, sorrow, happiness…”

Her expression began to look increasingly strange. I couldn’t move, only pray that she wouldn’t go insane. The power of jealousy is immense.

“But how long have you known him? Three months? Hehe!” she said softly. “We could have stayed together forever. Everything changed because of you!”

Her wrist twitched, and I felt a sharp pain in my chest, blurting out, “You lunatic—”

She cried out, “I don’t understand why the person he fell in love with wasn’t me!”

She raised the dagger and swiftly stabbed down at my face!

I instinctively closed my eyes, but suddenly saw a flash of white light and heard a “clang.”

Feiwu’s dagger fell away, her pale wrist firmly gripped by another hand, stopped just above the tip of my nose.

Fengming said, enunciating each word, “You have truly gone mad.”

Feiwu violently shook off his hand, retreated two steps, and growled, “I think you’re all the ones who’ve gone mad! What was our purpose in leaving the mountain? Was it for her?”

Fengming said coldly, “Get out!”

She froze, silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

“You dare speak to me like this? What’s wrong? Have you fallen in love with her too?”

Fengming’s face changed.

She stepped forward, staring into Fengming’s eyes. “I’ve hit the mark, haven’t I? Since childhood, whatever he likes, you like too…”

“Smack!” Fengming slapped her hard across the face, the sound so loud even I was shocked.

He had always been refined and courteous; I had never seen him so enraged.

Feiwu’s face showed disbelief, her lips trembling violently. She suddenly turned and ran out.

The room fell silent.

I closed my eyes, not daring to speak, only hoping he would leave quickly. In my current state, it was hardly appropriate to be seen by a man!

After a long while, I felt a coolness on my chest. I opened my eyes to look, then quickly shut them again. My God, he was treating my wound.

“No… no need… you should help…” I wanted to ask him to release my pressure points but suddenly began to stammer.

“Master is in meditation and cannot be disturbed for three days!” he explained in a calm tone.

After a moment, he pulled up the blanket to cover me, walked out, and gently closed the door.

I still didn’t dare breathe.

After a while, a faint sigh of what seemed like relief after tension came from outside the door, but no footsteps, indicating he was still standing guard outside.

I also let out a long breath internally, feeling my face burning fiercely. I wanted to ask him to release my pressure points but feared the awkwardness, so I had no choice but to continue lying there.

That night, sleep eluded me completely, and I lay awake until dawn.

I don’t know what pressure point technique Feiwu used. I tried to break free several times with my internal energy but failed until Fengming came to call me for breakfast.

I said helplessly, “My pressure points are sealed.”

He was startled, a flush rising on his fair face, and then he reached out to massage my chest area for a while.

I finally felt my body loosen and exhaled deeply. As soon as I sat up, I collapsed again, and he quickly reached out to support my back.

I smiled awkwardly. “Thank you!”

He withdrew his hand as if electrified, saying, “I’ll bring the meal in.”

I called after him, “I’m not hungry. Where is Yan Shao?”

“In the west wing room.”

I rubbed my numb legs, got up from the bed, and said, “I’ll go check on him.”

He blocked me, saying, “It’s not advisable to disturb him now. Madam should eat first.”

I said, “I just want to look—”

He quickly interrupted, “There may be a fierce battle soon. Please conserve your strength, Madam!”

I was shocked. “What’s happening?”

He said expressionlessly, “Lin Qianyi has brought people and is heading here.”

“To kill me?”

“And Master as well.”

“They have such audacity?”

“Master’s poisoning is no longer a secret.”

I was shocked. “Who leaked it?”

He looked at me without expression. “Currently, the most likely suspect is you, Madam.”

I was dumbfounded. “Me?”

“I can’t think of anyone else at the moment,” he paused, then added, “Madam may have been unintentional, but the jianghu is more treacherous than you imagine.”

This statement superficially meant I lacked jianghu experience, but essentially implied I had no brains.

I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him and rapidly thought.

“Could it be the Three Saints of Tianchi…”

“They were only responsible for coordinating with Feiwu to obtain the brocade box. They didn’t know what was inside it.”

Could it be that old fox Lin Qianyi who had inferred the truth from my words?

“How many people have they brought?”

“Seventeen. Except for Lan Zixu and Lin Shaoyi, all of Yugui Manor’s top fighters are coming, reportedly including two mysterious masters.”

“What about our people?”

“They’re all in Jinan.”

“What’s your strategy?”

“Fight to the death!”

My heart went cold. “Do we have any poisons or incense that might work?”

He frowned slightly. “They’re all old hands in the jianghu. Such tricks won’t work on them.”

I thought for a moment, then said, “Then let’s eat first!”

He turned and left, returning shortly with breakfast and a black curved saber.

“What’s this?”

“This is Madam’s Cloud-Cutting Saber!”

“Where did you get it?”

“Madam lost it at Tiger Hill in Suzhou. Master had people retrieve it some days ago.”

I took the curved saber and examined it closely. The pure black deerskin scabbard, the gorgeous hilt, simple with no decorations. I gently drew out two inches of the blade and immediately felt a cold, sharp aura. The blade was thin yet sturdy, curved like a crescent moon—truly a fine weapon.

I nodded, saying, “Good! To do good work, one must first sharpen one’s tools. Tonight, we shall embark on a killing spree!”

Looking at me, he suddenly broke into a smile.

I put down the saber, thought for a moment, and asked, “Where is Feiwu now?”

His expression shifted slightly, and he quickly said, “I don’t know!”

I remained silent, and lowered my head to eat, but tasted nothing.

Yan Shao needed three days to recover and couldn’t be disturbed during this time. Yet today was only the first day. No matter how skilled we were, how could we fight against seventeen people? Even if we summoned reinforcements now, how could they arrive in time?

Perhaps we could pick them off one by one before they arrived? But the feasibility of that was zero. Or, lure them all into a secret chamber, desperately guard the exit, and hold out for three days? But did such a chamber even exist here?

Among the seventeen, Lin Qianyi, Yan Fufeng, Song Qingge, Xiao Tianyu, and Hai Wuji were Yugui Manor’s main force! Add to that two mysterious masters, and the martial arts of the remaining ten shouldn’t exceed these few.

After thinking for a while, I told Fengming my thoughts.

He shook his head.

I finally lost my patience and exclaimed, “Is there no solution? What about those Three Saints of Tianchi? Call them to help!”

He calmly said, “The Three Saints of Tianchi have been killed by them. The Kongtong Old Freak used his last breath to bring the news, and he too is dead.”

My mind suddenly went blank. After a moment, I came back to my senses and said nearly in despair, “So there’s no way out?”

He looked at me quietly, then suddenly said, “Don’t be afraid! With Master here, everything will turn out fine.”

I nearly fainted. What was I afraid of? I feared nothing except something happening to Yan Shao.

This boy must truly think his master is a god.

I said helplessly, “Go guard Yan Shao first. Let me calm down and think of a solution!”

He looked at me, then finally turned and left.

The room instantly fell silent.

Time ticked away second by second. In my muddled consciousness, I could sense a massive killing intent rapidly spreading toward us.

For the first time, I felt fear—unprecedented, absolute fear. So much for calling myself a modern woman of the 21st century, when I was so utterly weak!

The daylight outside gradually filtered in, yet my heart remained pitch black.

I sat in a chair, watching the golden sunlight dance playfully on the window lattice, so blindingly bright and warmly desperate.

Just then, a shadow appeared outside the door—a white shadow that slowly walked in.

I raised my head, staring blankly at him, wanting to smile but feeling like crying inside.

He walked up to me, knelt on one knee, and said in a voice as clear as a May sky, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

I grasped his hand, both surprised and delighted. “You’re willing to help me?”

He raised an eyebrow and said, “We are friends, not enemies. Helping a friend in need is only natural.”

I was startled, slowly releasing his hand. After hesitating for a moment, I finally said, “But the deal didn’t go through.”

He dismissed it casually, “That was expected!”

“What?” I exclaimed, “Then why did you put on such a show about making a deal with me?”

His lips bloomed into a radiant smile as he honestly said, “If this matter were truly so easy to handle, then Chu Tianyao wouldn’t be Chu Tianyao.”

I looked at him seriously. “I think this matter is extremely difficult. No one can force him to do what he doesn’t want to do.”

He smiled at me, suddenly catching my hand, his thumb gently rubbing my palm, seductively asking, “Not even you?”

I pushed his hand away. “No! And I would never force him to do something he doesn’t want to do.”

A flash crossed his pitch-black eyes. He stood up and smiled, “The more difficult the task, the more I, Shen Zuitian, enjoy it. This time, I’ll just do you a favor.”

I stood up, looking into his eyes. “Forgive my suspicious nature, but what do you want from me in return?”

He teased, “You are suspicious. Can’t I, Shen Zuitian, occasionally help a friend without ulterior motives?”

A huge weight lifted from my heart, and I breathed a sigh of relief, patting his shoulder firmly. “Shen Zuitian, if you ever need anything in the future, I, Rong Shukuang, will not refuse even at the cost of my life.”

He was briefly startled, then burst into laughter.

I quickly added, “As long as it doesn’t violate my principles.”

He laughed out loud again: “Good! I’ll remember that.”