Wenren He’s room.

Wanyu Yuedan slowly stepped into this room. This wasn’t the same room Wenren He had lived in before, but his footsteps still paused for a moment. After a while, he smiled. “Uncle Wenren, what are your thoughts on that small spike?”

Wenren He was examining the tiny spike carefully in the daylight. “This spike is hollow inside, seemingly once containing liquid. In my lifetime I’ve seen countless strange poisons, yet I’ve never seen this type of poisonous spike.”

Wanyu Yuedan stood behind him. “I heard this is a thorn from Ming Huang Bamboo, curable with a ‘Green Enchantress’ pearl.”

Wenren He said in surprise, “Green Enchantress? Green Enchantress is legendary—only formed when special deep-sea clams are invaded by a certain water algae and develop pearls over decades. It can cure extreme heat poisons.”

Wanyu Yuedan blinked. “So such a thing really exists in the world? I heard that on the current Emperor’s golden crown, there’s a Green Enchantress pearl.”

Wenren He frowned and turned around. “Where did you hear such things? Even if the imperial palace has one, are you planning to send people to break into the palace and steal pearls?” He pressed Wanyu Yuedan into a chair, lifted his eyelids, and examined his eyes carefully. “Still seeing nothing but blood-red?”

“Mm…” Wanyu Yuedan leaned back slightly. “I’ve long grown accustomed to it. Uncle Wenren needn’t trouble yourself for me anymore.”

Wenren He released his hands, his aged face showing slight twitching. “Actually, your eyes aren’t beyond cure, it’s just that you—”

Wanyu Yuedan said, “I’m fine like this.”

Wenren He said sternly, “Though you’ve become Palace Master and I greatly respect you, in my heart you’re still the same child as before. You refuse to heal your eyes because you feel that A’Nuan and Little Chong’s deaths—”

“Were my fault.” Wanyu Yuedan quietly continued, then smiled slightly. “Perhaps they shouldn’t have died at all. I was too immature back then, making a complete mess of things, so…”

Wenren He heavily patted his shoulder. “You’ve done very well. No one would consider it your fault, and there’s even less need to punish yourself with blindness. Your eyes can be healed—though it’s very difficult, it’s not hopeless. Child, if you can truly bear the burden of Palace Master, you should have the courage to heal yourself. Don’t leave yourself with irreparable weaknesses.”

“I…” Wanyu Yuedan’s voice was very gentle, even calm. “I feel that not being able to see makes my heart more peaceful.”

Wenren He’s brow furrowed, and he said sternly, “What if thieves break into the palace and set traps to kill you? You can’t see—you can’t expect people to protect you day and night without sleep! What if you drink poisoned tea or step on a poisoned steel needle? What would the entire palace do? As Palace Master, how can you be so willful?”

Wanyu Yuedan raised his hand, groping in the air until he grasped Wenren He’s hand, saying gently, “That won’t happen.”

Wenren He’s anger hadn’t subsided. “How can you guarantee it won’t happen? You don’t know martial arts, you’re blind—how can you guarantee it?”

Wanyu Yuedan said slowly, “When I say it won’t happen, it won’t happen… Uncle Wenren, do you trust me?”

Wenren He stared at his clear, beautiful eyes. After a long time, he sighed deeply and said dejectedly, “I trust you, of course I trust you.”

Wanyu Yuedan’s face maintained its gentle smile. “That’s it then.”

These four short words—Wanyu Yuedan’s expression unchanged—yet Wenren He felt an aura of authority from him. These four words were spoken in his capacity as Palace Master, a gentle-natured ruler indulging insubordinate subordinates. After being dejected for a long while, he changed the subject. “About the Green Enchantress pearl—are you really planning to send people to break into the palace?”

“No,” Wanyu Yuedan said gently. “Since it’s a jewel, Wanqiao Shop might have one. If money can’t buy it, palace infiltration naturally wouldn’t fall to us common people. Meihua Yishu and Kuanglan Wuxing’s lives aren’t only of concern to Biluo Palace, are they?”

Wenren He breathed a sigh of relief. “You mean—this matter should be handled by someone else?”

Wanyu Yuedan smiled. “The Green Enchantress matter can be set aside for now. Others will worry about it—Uncle Wenren needn’t be concerned.”

Wenren He nodded and turned to pour two cups of tea. “Palace Master, please have tea.”

Wanyu Yuedan raised his cup and took a small sip. “After Biluo Palace is completed, I’ll send people to move A’Nuan and Sister Little Chong’s graves back into the palace. I’ll need to trouble Uncle Wenren then.”

Upon hearing this, Wenren He was greatly shaken, his hands trembling as he held his teacup, overcome with mixed grief and joy. “Really… really?”

Wanyu Yuedan nodded. The two stood facing each other—though unable to meet each other’s gaze, their feelings were the same. Tears poured from Wenren He’s old eyes while Wanyu Yuedan closed his eyes slightly, the wrinkles at his eye corners tightening, though his lips still held a smile. “I… I’m leaving.” He turned and left, slowly walking away.

Wenren He watched his retreating figure. The bitterness and pain within, the trials and desolation—how could others understand? How this child has suffered…

Outside the door, clouds were light and wind gentle, the scenery clear and bright—completely different from the mood of those inside.

“Clouds move and wind responds, moving because of clouds, sky blue reflecting Biluo’s empty shadow. Where to go, where do you wish to go, I ask you where will you follow? Between mountains and rivers, countless sins spread, one step forward, following what the eyes see. Must ask heaven, can the heart remain as before? Don’t ask about worldly smoke. People without thoughts, body as sword, in seas of blood, killing without end…”

Haunting song drifted from the guest quarters. Wanyu Yuedan, emerging from Wenren He’s room, heard the singing and hummed acknowledgment.

Tie Jing and He Yan’er both stood before the guest quarters, their eyes showing tension. Inside, Lady Hongchan sang softly, her palm lightly tapping the table with “dong, dong” sounds as accompaniment, singing a song. The melody was crisp and lively with high pitch and short phrases—none had heard it before. Under the song’s influence, Meihua Yishu and Kuanglan Wuxing, who hadn’t spoken since arriving at Biluo Palace, began trembling and moaning “ah—ah—” in low voices.

She had actually chosen to break the String-Drawing Life-Seizing technique. What a clever woman! Wanyu Yuedan smiled and listened carefully. After the haunting song ended, Meihua Yishu and Kuanglan Wuxing began rolling on the ground, screaming in agony. Though their limbs still couldn’t move, such rigid rolling and screaming was shocking to witness.

Tie Jing and He Yan’er’s faces changed, and they rushed into the room, pressing acupoints on both men. With acupoints sealed, the two couldn’t scream, but their faces turned iron-blue with cold sweat pouring down—unable to express their suffering made it even more unbearable.

Wanyu Yuedan quickly entered and touched Meihua Yishu’s face several times. “Release his acupoints.”

“Palace Master, if the pain is too severe, he might bite his tongue to commit suicide,” Tie Jing said quietly, his face full of sympathy.

Wanyu Yuedan patted his shoulder. “I only need to ask him a few questions. Just for a moment.”

Tie Jing had no choice but to release Meihua Yishu’s acupoints. Once freed, heart-rending screams immediately rang out. One couldn’t imagine what suffering a person must endure to make such sounds.

“Master Mei, I’ll only ask once—the Ming Huang Bamboo spikes in your body, are there thirty-six or thirty-seven?” Wanyu Yuedan gripped his hand firmly.

Meihua Yishu’s voice was hoarse and harsh: “Thirty… seven…”

Wanyu Yuedan nodded. Tie Jing immediately pressed his acupoints again. Wanyu Yuedan grasped Meihua Yishu’s arm. “Tie Jing, I’ll tell you the locations of the bamboo spikes in his body. Use your internal energy to force them out. Some are embedded too deeply for external extraction.” He said to Meihua Yishu, “If you’re conscious and have strength remaining, please cooperate as much as possible.”

With acupoints sealed, Meihua Yishu couldn’t nod. Wanyu Yuedan spoke calmly: “Center of the arm joint, one inch and two fen down.”

Tie Jing gripped Meihua Yishu’s arm tightly, shouted loudly, and exerted his power with all his might. Meihua Yishu’s arm immediately turned blood-red, steam rising from his skin. After a moment, a drop of blood emerged from deep within his flesh, and with it came an extremely small pale yellow spike—a Ming Huang Bamboo thorn.

Lady Hongchan stood aside, watching intently, her mind somewhat dazed and blank. After Meihua Yishu awakened, the secrets he revealed would surely be enormous, and these two men’s existence would certainly bring disaster to Biluo Palace. What kind of person was Wanyu Yuedan—how could he not know? Even if he knew how to save them—actually the best approach would be to send them to Haoyun Mountain’s Shanfeng Hall, asking Tang Lici to save them. That way would both establish Biluo Palace’s reputation and avoid future troubles. Why didn’t he do that?

Not shifting disaster to others—was it because he truly wanted to save people? She never knew that these men with deep schemes and hundred calculations… these kings, overlords, heroes, and champions competing for the world… could actually have… something like sincerity.

Two hours later, all thirty-seven poisonous spikes were forced from Meihua Yishu’s body. Tie Jing was drenched in sweat, and halfway through He Yan’er took over. Both were exhausted to the point of collapse before achieving success. But Kuanglan Wuxing had one hundred and seven spikes embedded in him—such a massive number was beyond Tie Jing and He Yan’er’s capabilities. A master with far superior internal energy would be needed to save him.

Lady Hongchan stood watching throughout. They were so busy they forgot to eat, and she completely forgot as well. Only when lamps were lit and Meihua Yishu’s spikes had been expelled did a maid bring her a bowl of osmanthus and lotus seed porridge, suddenly awakening her.

Carrying the porridge, she approached Wanyu Yuedan. He was busy to the point of perspiration on his forehead, his elegant cheeks flushed red like intoxication. Seeing this, her heart suddenly softened slightly. “Palace Master Wanyu, since things have reached a conclusion, please have some porridge.”

Wanyu Yuedan turned around, accepted the porridge bowl, took a sip, and smiled. “What excellent porridge.”

Lady Hongchan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She really should have put three to five deadly poisons in this porridge. Seeing him drink so happily, she felt somewhat regretful. She stepped back several paces and silently turned to leave.

Meihua Yishu had long since fainted from pain. Kuanglan Wuxing was knocked unconscious by He Yan’er’s palm strike. Both lay sprawled on the ground, showing none of their former dashing martial world bearing.

Tie Jing moved both men onto beds. “Yan’er and I will stay here tonight on guard. Palace Master should return to rest.”

Wanyu Yuedan nodded. “If Meihua Yishu awakens, report immediately, Tie Jing.”

Tie Jing acknowledged the order. As Wanyu Yuedan was about to leave, a blue shadow flashed outside—Bi Lianyi was at the door. “Palace Master.”

“Where did you go today?” Wanyu Yuedan stepped out the door. Bi Lianyi bowed slightly and followed behind him. “I was in Lady Hongchan’s guest room.”

Wanyu Yuedan laughed. “What did you discover?”

Bi Lianyi said, “Poison needles, poison powder, sleeve knives, daggers, small mechanisms, and so forth—everything imaginable.”

Wanyu Yuedan’s eyes crinkled as he smiled even more charmingly and innocently. “She really came well-prepared.”

Bi Lianyi nodded and followed Wanyu Yuedan toward Bixiao Pavilion. “She also collected a bottle of ‘Eternal Red.'”

Wanyu Yuedan’s brow raised. “Big Brother Bi, this young lady still harbors many secrets. Her identity is special—we can’t let her die in the palace. Please watch her for now.”

Bi Lianyi clasped his hands and acknowledged the order.

“Eternal Red” was an intensely fragrant, bright red deadly poison that sealed the throat upon ingestion, causing painless death while preserving the corpse. This poison was rarely used for murder but was the holy medicine for suicide. Lady Hongchan carrying “Eternal Red” meant that after entering Biluo Palace, regardless of whether her schemes succeeded or failed, she was prepared to take her own life.

Bi Lianyi escorted Wanyu Yuedan back to his bedchamber, arranged the night guard duties, then returned to Lady Hongchan’s guest room to continue monitoring her every move.

He saw she had extinguished her lamp early and sat alone by the window, gazing at the newly planted bamboo grove outside. Her fingers rubbed the “Eternal Red” bottle, and after a long while, she sighed deeply. In that sigh, the bamboo forest seemed to take on a melancholy hue, and the sound of wind through bamboo leaves carried only desolation.

Bi Lianyi crouched on the rooftop, watching her carefully through gaps between tiles. She sat by the window briefly, then undressed and went to bed, but tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Who exactly was she? The Palace Master said her identity was special and she couldn’t be allowed to die in the palace—that must be a very special identity indeed. Bi Lianyi watched her toss and turn all night, suddenly recalling that stunning glimpse outside Bixiao Pavilion. This woman was very beautiful, had a special identity, and possessed outstanding intelligence. How foolish would someone like this have to be to do so many momentous things for Liu Yan’s sake? Perhaps even—planning to kill Wanyu Yuedan? He felt neither angry nor resentful, only surprised and somewhat regretful.

Such a beautiful, infatuated woman with talents and a clever heart should have a life like poetry and paintings. Why involve herself in martial world bloodshed and learn to be a demon manipulating bones and flesh?

In Bi Lianyi’s heart there was no hatred, but rather a trace of faint pity and compassion.

“Liu… Liu… why do you always look at that dead girl, why do you never—” The woman below, who had finally fallen asleep, suddenly sat up, gripping the bedding tightly. After staring blankly for a while, tears slid down her cheeks.

“Why do you never—”

The rest was clearly “look at me.”

Why do you always look at that dead girl, why do you never look at me? Lady Hongchan’s tears dropped onto the bedding. Silent weeping, her stubborn, pale cheeks looked like ice jade in the moonlight. After a long while, she hugged the bedding tight against her body, lowered her head, and gazed forlornly at the moonlight covering the floor.

“Liu Yan, at least I can die for you. But her… what about her?” She grabbed something from beside her pillow and hurled it away. “Even if you died, she wouldn’t cry for you! What’s so good about being with her? In this world, only I truly care for you with all my heart—do you know? What do you know? You know nothing! You understand nothing! You… you’re the… biggest fool I’ve ever seen since birth!”

With a “crack,” the object from her pillow shattered on the ground. She stared at it motionlessly.

Bi Lianyi, crouched on the rooftop, glimpsed through the tile gap and was immediately shocked. It was a jade pendant carved in the shape of a phoenix with “Langya Commandery” inscribed—an imperial artifact. Considering Lady Hongchan’s age, who exactly was she—