The rain in Jiuxiao City came and went, and two more days passed.

Su Muyu stood beneath the eaves, looking up at the curtain of rain.

Many days had passed, and Mu Yumu still hadn’t returned—not a good sign. However, Tang Lianyue hadn’t caught up either. This at least meant Mu Yumu had successfully detained Tang Lianyue, though by what means remained unknown.

“I hope she’s alright,” Su Muyu sighed softly.

“Are you worried about Sister Yumu?” Bai Hehuai suddenly appeared behind Su Muyu.

“Yes,” Su Muyu nodded.

“Do you love her?” Bai Hehuai asked.

“I do love her, but not in the way you’re thinking—like family,” Su Muyu replied.

Bai Hehuai stuck out her tongue: “Such a cliché response! I wouldn’t tell her, you know.”

“It’s true. Yumu grew up with us. Perhaps Changhe loves her,” Su Muyu lowered his head. “I don’t know.”

Bai Hehuai was stunned, then shook her head repeatedly: “Your relationships are so complicated, tsk tsk tsk.”

“Two days have passed. Is the Divine Physician ready?” Su Muyu changed the subject, unwilling to discuss further.

“Of course! Have your people prepare a hundred red candles and eighteen bronze mirrors in the room. The Patriarch’s condition has been properly regulated. I’ll rest for a day, then perform the Soul Transfer Technique tomorrow!” Bai Hehuai said confidently.

“Then we rely on the Divine Physician.” Su Muyu turned and placed a feathered arrow in Bai Hehuai’s hand. “This is a Sky-Piercing Arrow made by the Thunder Gate. In crucial moments, pull the mechanism below, and the arrow will fly out. It explodes on impact—it could save your life when needed.”

“Thunder Gate weapons? Must be expensive,” Bai Hehuai played with the arrow.

Su Muyu smiled faintly: “A gift from when we fought alongside Thunder Gate.”

“Isn’t Thunder Gate a righteous sect? They’d fight alongside Dark River?” Bai Hehuai asked, puzzled.

“Dark River is no one’s enemy,” Su Muyu replied.

Outside Jiuxiao City, at Desolate Pavilion.

Mu Yumu’s purple robe was soaked through, outlining her graceful figure—a great temptation for ordinary men, but unfortunately, she faced Tang Lianyue. Tang Lianyue sighed: “You’re truly a persistent woman.”

“Persistent? Is that a compliment?” Mu Yumu appeared exhausted, leaning against the pavilion’s stone table.

Tang Lianyue was stunned, then realized her wordplay and said angrily: “Enough. I don’t want to kill you, but my patience has limits.”

“Killing…, I’m already dying,” Mu Yumu suddenly coughed up blood, clutching her chest and falling to one knee.

Tang Lianyue frowned slightly. Over the past few days, Mu Yumu had acted out several death scenes—it was hard to trust this woman anymore. But this time, Mu Yumu collapsed and quickly fell silent. Tang Lianyue’s eyes narrowed, and he turned to leave, but after walking several dozen steps, he couldn’t help looking back. Mu Yumu still lay there, motionless.

Could she be dead? Tang Lianyue wondered silently.

This woman was neither friend nor family—she was his enemy’s guard, who had caused him much trouble. Her death should be good news for him. Yet why did he feel uneasy?

Tang Lianyue finally sighed and walked back. Looking at Mu Yumu on the ground, he said softly: “I’ll save you only because I dislike killing, especially women.” He bent down to check her injuries, but Mu Yumu suddenly turned and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“You’re still trying to deceive me!” Tang Lianyue grabbed his finger blade.

But this time, Mu Yumu’s embrace was weak, barely hanging on. Her face was pale, yet she still smiled: “You do care about me after all.”

“You—!” Tang Lianyue sighed helplessly.

“This time, I am dying. Your hidden weapons are too powerful; I couldn’t beat you. I’ll leave the rest to Brother Yu and the others.” Mu Yumu closed her eyes and fell unconscious.

“You won’t die.” Tang Lianyue gently patted Mu Yumu’s back, transferring his inner force to her. Mu Yumu felt warmth spread through her body but remained unconscious, only holding Tang Lianyue tighter. Tang Lianyue awkwardly turned his face away but had no choice but to carry her out of Desolate Pavilion, heading toward Jiuxiao City.

At Luojiuxiao Inn.

Su Zhe ordered a pot of tea, lit a pipe, and sat in a corner, watching the fine rain outside with some contentment. Su Changhe came down from upstairs, saw Su Zhe’s demeanor, and smiled: “Uncle Zhe seems to be living quite comfortably.”

“I’m now just a sword in your hand. I go where you send me; otherwise, I’m just enjoying life.” Su Zhe took a puff, looked at the rain outside, and suddenly spoke in formal dialect: “Hope everything ends when this rain stops.”

“Indeed, may this rain end soon.” The innkeeper sat at the counter, yawning listlessly. The rain had killed business—the main hall was empty except for Su Zhe’s table, and the upstairs guests had mysteriously checked out days ago. If this continued, Luojiuxiao Inn would have to close. As the innkeeper worried, a man in black carrying a woman in purple entered the inn.

It was Tang Lianyue and Mu Yumu.

Su Zhe started, his hand suddenly flashing out to cover Su Changhe’s face with a human skin mask.

Tang Lianyue turned at the movement, seeing an ordinary-looking young man standing there watching him, and a middle-aged man smoking and eyeing Mu Yumu in his arms: “Young brother, you’re quite fortunate with the ladies.”

Tang Lianyue frowned slightly, ignoring the comment, and turned to the innkeeper: “Innkeeper, I need your best room.”

“Just one?” The innkeeper smiled. “Very well, the most expensive and finest room! Laifeng, show the guests upstairs!”

Su Changhe touched the dagger in his sleeve. Su Zhe smiled: “Between your Inch Sword and his Finger Blade, which is stronger?”

Su Changhe sneered: “Uncle Zhe wants to know?”

“You want to know too, don’t you? You lured Tang Lianyue here to deal with the Patriarch, but as for that Mu girl…” Su Zhe took a puff of his pipe. “What man wouldn’t be moved by her?”