Inside Bodhi Valley.

Xue Xianzi and Ren Qingchou quietly removed all the “Solitary Branch Like Snow” flowers from the medicine storehouse and threw them into the great fire pit before the door. Under the roaring flames, thousands upon thousands of white flowers disappeared into wisps of smoke, their ashes barely reaching the bottom of the fire pit before being completely annihilated.

When the Wind and Moon Store excavated this great fire pit underground, they never would have imagined this place would be used by Xue Xianzi to burn garbage. After all the “Solitary Branch Like Snow” flowers were destroyed, Xue Xianzi was struck by inspiration and moved all the medicine cabinets, large and small, out of the storehouse, throwing them one by one into the fire pit. In less than half an hour, he had completely emptied the medicine room, not leaving even a blade of grass.

This was the most secret underground location of the Wind and Moon Store. The flames occasionally produced explosive sounds, so despite Xue Xianzi making such a commotion for so long, no one detected anything unusual. By the time Xue Xianzi had thoroughly cleared out all the medicine cabinets from the storehouse, it was nearly the second watch of night.

“Old senior.” Ren Qingchou clapped his hands. He had helped Xue Xianzi throw the last medicine cabinet into the fire pit and swept the emptied medicine room with a broom. “The time has come.” Xue Xianzi glanced sideways at him sweeping the medicine room, marveling inwardly at how Qu Zhiliang had managed to train such a disciple. “The time has come, so let’s go out. Where’s the way?”

“This way.” Ren Qingchou drew the small black bow from his back, carefully nocked a black short arrow, checked all his belongings large and small, then walked ahead. Xue Xianzi waved his sleeve to fan himself. If this boy could serve as his servant or something, he would be extremely satisfied. Too bad he was Qu Zhiliang’s disciple – taking him as a servant would be somewhat embarrassing to the dead…

Ren Qingchou walked cautiously ahead, completely unaware of Xue Xianzi’s wild thoughts behind him. His steps were light and nimble. After walking halfway around the fire pit, he suddenly pushed on the yellow earth wall, causing a door to suddenly open. He immediately shot an arrow into the doorway, and the sound of someone falling came from within. Xue Xianzi floated inside to see a swordsman guarding the entrance shot down by Ren Qingchou’s arrow. But Ren Qingchou had indeed shown mercy – this arrow wounded the man’s throat, preventing him from making sound. If the arrow tip had been off by even a fraction, it would have pierced through his throat, killing him instantly.

The two walked forward along the dark tunnel. When they encountered checkpoints, Ren Qingchou would shoot an arrow. His archery was clean and efficient, making almost no sound, proving unstoppable. Xue Xianzi was amazed. Yu Konghou’s confidence in letting Ren Qingchou guard the medicine storehouse alone wasn’t without reason. If this boy hadn’t been made dizzy by his spinning earlier, it would have taken considerable effort to subdue him.

After turning several more corners, a sudden whistle came from ahead as someone flashed out, blocking the passage. “In the middle of the night, who’s inside there?”

Ren Qingchou paused slightly. This person was Si Yishi, who specialized in guarding tunnels and mechanisms for the Wind and Moon Store, and who also specifically guarded Wen Hui. “Si Yishi.”

Si Yishi was about forty years old with three long whiskers and quite a dignified appearance. “Ren Qingchou? You’re not in the medicine room – what are you doing here?” Ren Qingchou’s small black bow suddenly aimed at him. The arrow tip’s gleam wasn’t very obvious in the darkness, but Si Yishi’s expression had already changed. “You—”

“I’m sorry.” Ren Qingchou aimed the arrow tip at him. Xue Xianzi flashed forward and pressed several acupoints on his body, laughing heartily. “Easy as reaching out and grabbing.” Ren Qingchou didn’t look pleased, maintaining his composure. “Si Yishi, where is Sister Hui?” Si Yishi sneered without answering, saying in a low voice, “You actually colluded with outside enemies to betray the Wind and Moon Store! I’ll tell the master to flay and dismember Wen Hui!” Ren Qingchou said quietly, “Tell me where Sister Hui is, and I won’t kill you.” Si Yishi laughed wildly without answering. Xue Xianzi searched his body for a while, finding several strings of keys on Si Yishi, taking them all. “So many keys – they’ll surely be useful. Since you won’t talk, keeping you alive is useless.” He suddenly had a whimsical idea. “How about this, boy – throw him into that big fire pit in front of the medicine room. He’ll burn completely clean in an instant, not even leaving bone ash. That way the Wind and Moon Store won’t discover they’re missing this person for at least three to five days. How about it?”

Ren Qingchou had no objection and picked up Si Yishi to take him back to the fire pit. Si Yishi was greatly alarmed. “Wait!” He said sternly, “Earlier you said if I told you where Wen Hui is, you’d spare my life. A gentleman’s word is like a swift horse and whip – how can you not count it?” Ren Qingchou was stunned and nodded. “Where is Sister Hui?”

“She’s in the Iron Man Prison.” Si Yishi said through gritted teeth. “Last time Miss Bai wanted you to kill Tang Lici, you didn’t succeed. The master had you guard the medicine room as punishment and locked her in Iron Man Prison. You can’t rescue her!” Ren Qingchou nodded again and said to Xue Xianzi, “Old senior…” Xue Xianzi waved his hand. “This fellow was subdued by you. If you want to kill him, kill him. If you want to release him, release him. No need to ask me.” Ren Qingchou made an “mm” sound. “Si Yishi, I’m sorry.” He gently placed him beside the tunnel and walked with Xue Xianzi toward the path leading outside.

“Boy, aren’t you going to save her?” Xue Xianzi frowned. “Aren’t you deeply infatuated? Isn’t she the only one for you in this life? Since you know she’s in Iron Man Prison, why aren’t you going to save her?” Ren Qingchou’s gaze was very clear. “I want to help you burn those flowers first, then go save her.”

“Aren’t you afraid it’ll be too late?”

“I won’t be too late.” Ren Qingchou spoke with confidence. “Old senior, the exit is just ahead.”

After drilling through the dark tunnel for so long, Xue Xianzi had almost forgotten what the sky looked like. Ren Qingchou pushed open a white wooden door, and a ray of moonlight entered through the door, shining on the ground.

It was truly white as snow.

Xue Xianzi gazed outside the door.

Outside was deep night with the bright moon hanging in the sky, very few stars visible. The trees appeared as patches of pitch black in the night. The bright moonlight and pitch-black dense forest contrasted to show how snow-white this valley before them was.

The ground was covered with snow-like white sand. On the white sand stood tombstones one after another. Stone monuments that had remained smooth through the years flickered with the flowing radiance of the bright moon, clear and cold and gentle. Purple-red vines crawled all over the ground like blood, blooming with snow-white exotic flowers. Those flowers were white as the white sand, their stamens red as blood. At first glance, one couldn’t distinguish between sand and flowers…

Three thousand worlds, empty sighs for the red spider lilies.

Bright mirror and dust – originally there was nothing at all.

Xue Xianzi stared fixedly at the scene before him. Ren Qingchou gazed at Xue Xianzi’s eyes. In this instant, he seemed to see through all the regrets and sorrows of this senior’s entire life.