When Ye Yuanqing appeared, Ming Li felt somewhat concerned for her junior brother, but from the corner of her eye, she saw that he hadn’t disappeared. He was still watching Zhou Yi, though his expression grew increasingly disdainful.

Ye Yiyi ran quickly, afraid Zhou Yi would disappear in the next second. She grabbed his hand angrily, saying, “You finally dare to show yourself. All these days, you…”

Before she could finish, Zhou Yi raised his head, showing her a face that seemed caught between laughter and tears.

His once fair and handsome face bore an indescribable weariness, especially those eyes looking at her, red-rimmed, as if trying to express joy, yet giving an impression of unbearable sadness.

Ye Yiyi was instantly flustered. She held Zhou Yi’s hand, stammering, “Y-you… I haven’t even said anything, why are you… don’t cry!”

Ming Li didn’t understand why this person, who resembled her junior brother somewhat, was so sad and suffering, especially wearing that similar face with such a sorrowful expression, making her sigh inwardly.

Zhou Zixi raised his hand to block her view. “Senior Sister, don’t confuse me with this kind of waste.”

Ming Li blinked, indicating she wouldn’t mix them up.

When Zhou Yi saw Ye Yiyi, he just felt too exhausted. He said softly, “I’m sorry.”

“I forgive you, don’t cry. I’m not even scolding you. And those wounds on your face… where did they come from? Were you beaten by someone?” Ye Yiyi spoke as she looked more closely, finding something increasingly wrong. She pulled Zhou Yi behind her, looked up, and glared at Ye Fengming beside her. “Brother, did you bully him again?”

Ye Fengming stood there equally confused. “Me bully him? Aren’t you the one who bullies him the most?”

Ye Yiyi found his words absurd, opening her eyes wide: “Nonsense! When have I ever bullied him? It’s you who’s always getting physical, fighting, and roughhousing!”

“That’s normal sparring, not one-sided beating,” Ye Fengming laughed in exasperation, pointing at Zhou Yi. “Look at those injuries—they’re clearly from body technique meridian beatings. That’s your style.”

“Why would I hit him? I didn’t!” Ye Yiyi grew anxious, instinctively turning back with a fierce look, but then softened her tone due to Zhou Yi’s current state. “Tell me who bullied you. I’ll help you get revenge. Don’t be sad anymore.”

Zhou Yi took a deep breath, clutching her hand and forcing a smile: “I just got into a fight with someone while looking for new blood jade grass. It’s nothing. My sudden disappearance was my fault. Please let go first. I need to go home to let my father know I’m safe, then I’ll bring you new blood jade grass to make amends.”

Ye Yiyi felt his hand trembling as he held hers, making her even more at a loss. Not daring to touch him further, she could only stand beside him, watching anxiously, racking her brain for what to say that wouldn’t make him more upset.

“The spirit field was ruined because my brother applied medicine incorrectly. It’s not your fault,” Ye Yiyi said, looking at Zhou Yi’s back. “I-I just hadn’t seen you for several days and thought… Well, go back and rest properly. When you’re ready to talk, you can tell me who made you like this.”

Zhou Yi couldn’t focus on what the Ye siblings were saying. Standing not far away, Ming Li, even without saying anything or even looking at him, put tremendous pressure on Zhou Yi, making him feel suffocated, his heart filled with fear and guilt.

He broke free from Ye Yiyi’s hand and nearly flashed away from the mountain gate steps. Ye Fengming was about to chase after him, but was stopped by Ye Yuanqing’s calm voice from the mountain gate: “Fengming, take your sister back.”

Ye Fengming’s figure stiffened, and he didn’t dare continue the pursuit.

Ming Li glanced at the siblings. Ye Yiyi, unfortunately, met her gaze, feeling awkward and afraid.

After speaking disrespectfully to Ming Li in Nan Que previously, she had discovered that Ming Li’s strength was unfathomable. Although she had borrowed the power of a natural formation at that time, Ye Yiyi later realized: who else in the world could alter the star lines of a natural formation for their use?

Even her father, at the eight-meridian boundary, wouldn’t dare to confront her directly.

Ye Yiyi fearfully hid behind her brother, who took her hand and walked back.

Ming Li noticed her junior brother had disappeared, while Ye Yuanqing had walked down a few steps and said to her, “You’ve come from afar. May I ask what brings you here?”

Before her breakthrough, Ming Li would have had to address Ye Yuanqing as Senior Ye. After the breakthrough, her status subtly surpassed Ye Yuanqing’s, and there had never been any hierarchy of rank between them.

At this moment, Ming Li had no intention of addressing him as senior, and said directly, “I’m looking for the thirty-nine people who attacked Beidou years ago. There are still three remaining. You must know about my senior brother Chen Zhou being impersonated. I’ve now learned that he was replaced by someone in the west.”

After hearing these words, Ye Fengming frowned, and even Ye Yiyi couldn’t help but turn back to peek.

Ye Yuanqing responded even more directly than Ming Li: “You suspect those three people and your senior brother are all in my Tai Yi?”

Ming Li smiled slightly, raising her head: “Do you mean I can suspect that?”

“If you truly think so, you’re welcome to come in and see,” Ye Yuanqing said. Among the thirty-nine who attacked Beidou were the deans of Nan Que’s Seven Mansions. All seven mansions of my Tai Yi are present now, available for your challenge and inspection. As for your senior brother, my Tai Yi wouldn’t stoop to stealing another’s disciple.”

He could be so direct because he was certain that even if Ming Li went inside, she wouldn’t discover anything.

Or perhaps the people truly weren’t at Tai Yi, so entering would be pointless.

Ming Li understood Ye Yuanqing’s way of doing things, so she didn’t waste time going in because she was more concerned about Zhou Yi, who had just left.

For some reason, this person was burdened with worries and didn’t dare look at her.

Moreover, he had come from Tai Yi and had a close relationship with the Ye siblings.

Not to mention those similar eyes and the same surname—all these were enough for Ming Li to seek out Zhou Yi for a talk.

“Since you’re so cordially inviting me, I’ll visit Tai Yi another day,” Ming Li said as she picked up the reins again, ready to leave. But she heard Ye Yuanqing say, “Yuan Lu has gone to Nan Que to prepare to release Cui Yaocen. I think you should return to Beidou soon.”

Ming Li turned to look at the last ray of light on the horizon and smiled faintly: “Thanks for the reminder, but there’s no need to worry about me. He alone cannot release her.”

Or rather, he couldn’t release her in a short time unless Shu Sheng also went.

Ye Yuanqing watched her departing figure with an inscrutable expression.

*

Zhou Yi didn’t know how he returned home. When he regained consciousness, he vaguely heard familiar voices calling him “young master,” each one joyful and affectionate. He looked up to see the familiar steward and the commander of the merchant guild’s guard, among others.

“What happened to these wounds on your face?” the steward asked worriedly. “Someone, quickly bring medicine, and call for a physician.”

Zhou Yi managed to say, “No need.”

As he spoke, he stumbled and nearly fell, but was caught by the guard commander: “Young master, be careful.” When he touched him, the commander was startled because the person he was holding by the arm was trembling.

Zhou Yi silently let go, seeing the commander’s concerned expression. The commander frowned and asked, “Young master, have you encountered some trouble?”

“No… where’s my father?”

“The patriarch is at a meeting at the guild and will return shortly. He’s been looking for you recently. When he learned you had gone to find herbs for Tai Yi’s young lady and hadn’t been seen for days, he was very angry. When he returns, I’m afraid…” Before the steward could finish, Zhou Yi said, “Then don’t tell him I’m back yet. Don’t let him get upset.”

The steward said anxiously, “How can that be? The patriarch is very worried about you.”

Zhou Yi shook his head, biting his lip hard, using all his strength to suppress the emotions churning within him. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the steward say, “The young miss just left. In the future, it will just be you, young master…”

“Who left?” Zhou Yi’s whole body trembled as he turned suddenly. “Where did she go?”

The steward said, “To the imperial capital, she went to…”

Zhou Yi was both shocked and angry: “When? Who let her go? Who saw her go with their own eyes?”

The steward quickly explained, “Young master, please don’t worry. The patriarch approved this. The deputy commander personally escorted her, along with people from the prince’s side, to the imperial capital. She’ll be safe.”

In that moment, Zhou Yi was extremely frightened.

He trembled more and more uncontrollably. Even though he had escaped from that hell and could use star power, he still couldn’t stop shaking.

After hearing the steward’s explanation, Zhou Yi had only one thought: who knows whether his sister Zhou Caicai had gone to the imperial capital or been sent to the skypit by Ye Yuanqing? Since they could imprison him there, they could also imprison his sister.

Just thinking about his experience in the skypit filled Zhou Yi with terror. He shook his head in fear, saying, “No, you must bring her back. Don’t let her go out alone. Bring her back!”

A moment later, he said, “Let her go, let her go as far away as possible!”

“Young master!”

The steward and the guard commander, and others all sensed something was wrong. They called for the physician to come quickly while trying to calm Zhou Yi, who was shouting in agitation.

Finally, Zhou Yi was sent back to his room. He shut everyone else outside, his head aching terribly, swallowing a mouthful of blood that had welled up in his throat.

Zhou Yi was exhausted. He wanted to lie down and rest, but saw a letter on the table, left for him by his sister Zhou Caicai before she departed.

His gaze trembled as he slowly walked over to pick it up.

The letter read:

Brother, I’m going to the imperial capital to be the crown prince’s consort. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you be with Tai Yi’s young lady. I have no objection to Miss Ye, but you two aren’t suitable. Miss Ye treats you as a friend, just a friend.

You don’t need to fixate solely on Miss Ye. Why not take this opportunity to go out with the guards? There will be many interesting sights and experiences on the merchant protection routes.

My brother is a very good person, so you deserve better.

I’m going to the imperial capital to do great things, so don’t keep mentioning me to Father.

Father has many injuries and illnesses. He won’t be able to handle the guild’s affairs for more than a few more years. You need to work hard, and I’ll help too. Currently, several merchant guilds of the First Red Line are pressuring us quite strongly, and Father has already made his choice, so your fate with Miss Ye has grown even thinner.

Brother, cut your losses in time.

Remember to come to the imperial capital to see me when it’s time for the wedding.

The room was unlit, and outside, the sky had already darkened.

The steward outside was persuading him to open the door, saying the physician had arrived and wanted to check his wounds first, to share whatever troubles he had with them rather than suffering alone.

Servants carrying lamps illuminated the corridor, casting flickering shadows on the door. Zhou Yi tightened his grip on the letter paper and fell to his knees, pressing the paper to the ground as large tears fell, blurring the ink on the paper.

Zhou Yi dared not think about it.

He dared not think whether Ye Yuanqing might one day, for some other reason, take Zhou Caicai to the skypit, and what kind of treatment she would endure if she went there.

The Ye siblings need not worry, nor did Zhong Anqi need to worry about being captured.

But he had to worry about his sister.

If the power over life, death, and humiliation was in someone else’s hands, and he could only watch helplessly as Zhou Caicai was sent to suffer in the skypit, could he bear it?

Zhou Yi’s fingers clawed at the ground, his knuckles turning white.

He couldn’t bear it.

*

After leaving Tai Yi, Ming Li went to find Zhou Yi.

The Zhou clan was famous in the West. Anyone on the street could provide some information if asked.

Ming Li didn’t ask passersby; she asked her junior brother walking beside her: “Do you know him?”

Zhou Zixi’s expression was indifferent, answering casually, “No.”

“You both have the surname Zhou and look somewhat similar. There should be a blood relationship, like relatives. If he’s your brother or…”

Ming Li thus directly exposed the relationship between them, causing Zhou Zixi’s eyelashes to tremble slightly as he slowly turned to look at her, saying coolly, “He’s not.”

Ming Li reached out to grab his sleeve: “He didn’t dare look at me when he came down the mountain, seeming under great pressure. His state wasn’t normal. He knows something. I plan to ask him.”

Zhou Zixi looked down at her hand gripping his sleeve and said, “Senior Sister, if you want to go, then go. Why ask me?”

Ming Li smiled: “Don’t be angry with me. Now other people look at me as if I’m crazy.”

Indeed, since these passersby couldn’t see Zhou Zixi, from their perspective, Ming Li holding his sleeve and talking to herself did look like a crazy person.

Zhou Zixi heard this and glanced around, then freed his sleeve from Ming Li’s hand. When his senior sister looked at him, he instead took hold of her hand:

“If they keep looking and talking nonsense, I’ll gouge out their eyes and tear out their tongues.”

*

The Skypit.

When the bell rang again, Wen Su still hadn’t seen Zhou Yi being brought back by the overseers. He must have successfully escaped. Thinking this, hope grew in her heart once more.

She wore the long robe given by Gu San, encouraging herself inwardly.

Gu San, who had stolen someone else’s clothes to bring back, muttered, “It’s good you thought of this. If Earth ghosts hadn’t died last night, the unfortunate one would have been you.”

Wen Su raised her hand to rub her face, then lifted her head and smiled at him, pointing at the clothes and saying, “Thank you.”

Gu San was momentarily dazzled by her smile. He clicked his tongue softly and reached out to pinch her face.

The overseers had become somewhat anxious, allowing the slaves to be noisy and fight while urging them to hurry up and produce more goods. This anxiety gave Cheng Jingbai and the others an opening. Seizing the opportunity during the incited chaos of the melee, they squeezed their way to Chen Zhou’s side and followed him down into the same fire pit.

With everyone already down, the overseers couldn’t be bothered to separate the earth ghosts from ordinary people again, so they just cursed as they put away the ladders.

Chen Zhou still went alone to the rearmost position to work quietly.

As he dug, suddenly three people inconspicuously approached him. Chen Zhou also inconspicuously continued to distance himself, but these three followed again.

This time Chen Zhou didn’t retreat further, but he didn’t respond to them either, as if he were a substitute spirit that only knew how to work.

Cheng Jingbai tapped his knuckles against the black wall and said to him, “The senior brother of Beidou’s Yaoguang Academy, the real Chen Zhou?”

Chen Zhou didn’t respond.

Cheng Jingbai continued, “We are friends of your junior brother Zhou Zixi.”

Chen Zhou’s digging motion paused. Cheng Jingbai smiled kindly at him and said, “A few months ago, we were living with your junior sister, Ming Li, in the new residence in Nan Que. She’s not dead.”

Only then did the person who resembled a substitute spirit turn to look at them.

Chen Zhou’s grip on the black mud tightened, his nails digging into the flesh, his dark eyes reflecting the images of these three people.