After the council meeting concluded, the members of the Immortal Alliance dispersed to their respective destinations. Xie Xuechen moved back to Chui Xue Tower, alternating between recuperating and handling matters related to Yong Xue City’s reconstruction and battle reports from Liang Jie Mountain.

The sun set early in Yong Xue City. When Xie Xuechen looked up from his documents, he realized the light had already turned golden. Familiar yet unfamiliar footsteps crunched through the snow on the bluestone path, approaching Chui Xue Tower.

Familiar, because he immediately recognized who was coming.

Unfamiliar, because her steps were much weaker than before, indicating she was still recovering from severe injuries.

Before Xie Xuechen could decide how to face her, that delicate figure had already arrived at the door, their eyes meeting.

Mu Xuanling’s complexion was much paler and more haggard than before, her cheeks noticeably thinner, making her peach blossom eyes appear even brighter. The evening light cast a faint golden edge on her soft features, igniting a small spark in the depths of her dark eyes as she looked at him with a hint of hope and joy.

“Xie Xuechen,” Mu Xuanling called out softly, the flame in her eyes dancing with happiness. She lightly stepped over the threshold and ran towards him.

Xie Xuechen had just stood up when she threw herself into his arms. She was still the same as before, fond of pouncing on him. He slightly opened his arms to catch her, embracing a bundle of sweet softness.

“I was worried you wouldn’t be here,” Mu Xuanling said with a smile, showing no trace of resentment or grudge for him dispersing her cultivation.

Xie Xuechen looked down at her and asked in a cool voice, “You were looking for me?”

“I haven’t seen you since I woke up. I heard you were busy, so I didn’t come to disturb you. But I heard that today is your birthday,” Mu Xuanling blinked. Seeing Xie Xuechen’s indifferent expression, she smiled and asked, “Did you forget?”

Xie Xuechen replied, “It’s not an important matter.”

“It’s very important to me,” Mu Xuanling held his hand and said seriously. “I don’t even know when my birthday is. Having a birthday to celebrate is an extremely important thing.”

Xie Xuechen remembered that she was an abandoned half-demon. Many half-demons didn’t know their birthdays or even how old they were. Some half-demons would choose a day they liked as their birthday. What was unimportant to him was something she desperately wanted but couldn’t have.

“When I was little, I saw other human children celebrating their birthdays. Their families would cook them a bowl of longevity noodles and boil two eggs, one chicken egg and one duck egg,” Mu Xuanling’s face showed longing. At the time, she had hidden far away to watch secretly, but could still clearly smell the enticing aroma of the food.

Xie Xuechen said, “I’ve abstained from grains for many years. Those longevity noodles you mentioned, I haven’t eaten them in a long time.”

Previously, when his divine apertures were sealed, he could only eat grains. Now that his body had recovered, he only needed to practice breathing exercises to replenish what his body needed. Ordinary grains were of no benefit to him now.

Mu Xuanling looked a bit wistful: “I haven’t eaten them in a long time either…”

Or rather, she had only eaten them once, seven years ago.

Xie Xuechen had a thought and asked, “Do you want to eat some?”

Mu Xuanling nodded instinctively. The next moment, she felt Xie Xuechen’s arms encircle her shoulders. Her body suddenly felt light as they soared into the air, rising ten thousand feet high.

It was bitterly cold at such a height. The piercing wind stung her delicate cheeks, forcing her to cling tightly to Xie Xuechen’s slim waist and bury her face in his chest. Xie Xuechen looked down, knowing that with her demonic cultivation dispersed, she had no power to resist the harsh northern winds. He raised one hand to open a barrier, blocking the fierce winds outside.

Suddenly, everything around them became quiet.

Mu Xuanling cautiously raised her head from Xie Xuechen’s embrace and immediately saw the newly risen full moon, slowly ascending above the vast sea of clouds and snowy mountain peaks, its clear light spreading over the world below.

“It’s so beautiful…” Mu Xuanling sighed.

Those in the Golden Core realm could fly on swords, but those in the Fa Xiang realm could ride the wind without any aid. Thus, Mu Xuanling was now suspended in mid-air, her slight weight supported entirely by Xie Xuechen’s right arm. She had never viewed the world from such a height before. At first, she was a bit scared, but the strong arm around her waist made her feel safe. She quickly forgot her fear and immersed herself in the beautiful scenery of mountains and rivers before her.

“Xie Xuechen, the world is so vast, and people are so small,” Mu Xuanling suddenly felt emotional as she looked at the myriad lights below.

Indeed, the world is so vast, and people are so small…

Her casual words struck a chord in his heart. He lowered his head slightly and saw her face, three times more pure than the moonlight. He wanted to imprint her in his heart, yet also wanted to forcefully erase her.

After riding the wind for a while, they descended into an uninhabited place. But after walking a few steps, they came upon a bustling street. Lanterns were just being lit, and the flow of people was like a weave of fabric. Shops lined both sides of the street, and there were even street vendors performing, filled with the atmosphere of mortal life.

Mu Xuanling’s attention was drawn to a young performer on the roadside. A strong, burly man was performing fire-breathing with a torch, while beside him, a thin man with his eyes covered was throwing knives at a circular target with a person tied to it. Each knife barely missed the vital points, eliciting gasps of fear from the onlookers.

Mu Xuanling saw through the trick at a glance and muttered, “He’s cheating. I can do this too.”

Fortunately, her voice was low and didn’t attract attention, or she would have ruined their performance.

Xie Xuechen put his arm around her shoulders, holding her close, and said in a deep voice, “There are many people here. Don’t wander off.”

This was the most prosperous area of Yong Xue City. On this full moon night, it was market day, and people of all ages had come out to join the festivities. Xie Xuechen’s distinguished appearance and imposing aura quickly attracted the attention of passersby. Someone first called out “City Lord,” and soon everyone was shouting “City Lord” and “Sect Leader.” Xie Xuechen nodded to the crowd and somewhat embarrassedly pulled Mu Xuanling away from the enthusiastic citizens.

The two hid in a deserted alley, with Mu Xuanling leaning against Xie Xuechen’s chest, laughing softly.

“I forgot to conceal my appearance,” Xie Xuechen said awkwardly, raising his hand to lightly brush over both their faces. A subtle ripple of spiritual power spread across their faces. Those with profound cultivation might see through this spiritual veil disguise, but ordinary citizens wouldn’t notice anything unusual.

Xie Xuechen held Mu Xuanling’s wrist and led her back to the street. This time, no one recognized their identities. Even if some people felt that this white-robed swordsman had an extraordinary aura and looked back several times, it was hard to spot anything amiss.

Xie Xuechen led Mu Xuanling to a small noodle shop by the bridge. The shop wasn’t large, with only four tables, all full at the moment. Xie Xuechen ordered two bowls of noodles, each with two eggs added, and they waited a while before finding a place to sit.

“Is there something special about this noodle shop?” Mu Xuanling asked, resting her chin on her hand.

“The owner used to be a cultivator but was later severely injured by demons, losing all his cultivation. So he opened this noodle shop to make a living,” Xie Xuechen explained. “His seven apertures are still much better than ordinary people, so his culinary skills are quite good.”

As Mu Xuanling listened to Xie Xuechen’s explanation, her gaze had already drifted to the noodle shop owner. What surprised her wasn’t the owner’s background, but the woman standing beside him. Both her hands were severed, and she was using her bare wrists to help carry bowls, yet she was quite dexterous.

Seeing Mu Xuanling’s surprised look, Xie Xuechen lowered his voice and said, “She’s a half-demon fox. She was born with fox paws for hands.”

Mu Xuanling suddenly understood: “She cut off her own hands to be with him, afraid of people’s hateful gazes.”

Xie Xuechen answered her with silence.

Mu Xuanling lowered her head, picking up the steaming noodles and putting them in her mouth. The steam rose and blurred her vision.

“This is the only noodle shop I know,” Xie Xuechen said after tasting a bite. He didn’t know if it suited Mu Xuanling’s taste. For him, food no longer had much meaning. “That half-demon used to be a demon slave in Yong Xue City.”

Mu Xuanling vaguely understood something, yet also felt like she understood nothing.

She kept her head down and said in a muffled voice, “It tastes quite good.”

She knew that some half-demons tried hard to be human. They would cut off their demon features, some their tails, some their ears, some their hands. But no matter what they did, it was still hard to conceal their demon aura. She didn’t sense any demon aura from that fox woman, so she guessed she must be wearing a magical item to conceal her aura.

Xie Xuechen only ate a few bites before putting down his chopsticks. He silently watched Mu Xuanling finish a whole bowl of noodles, his thoughts unknown to anyone.

Seeing Mu Xuanling put down her chopsticks, Xie Xuechen was about to call the owner to pay when he suddenly remembered something. His raised hand froze in mid-air.

Mu Xuanling looked at his hand, then at his slightly furrowed brow, and couldn’t help but laugh. Even the gloom in her heart was largely dispelled.

“Sect Leader Xie, did you forget to bring money again?” Mu Xuanling teased in a low voice.

The owner, seeing the raised hand, had already come over to calculate the bill.

“Esteemed guests, that will be eight copper coins in total.”

Mu Xuanling giggled, pulling out a hairpin and saying to the owner, “I’m sorry, we left in a hurry and forgot to bring money. Would this hairpin be enough to cover the noodles?”

The owner exclaimed in surprise, “This hairpin is far too valuable. It’s enough to buy this whole noodle shop with plenty to spare. It’s just two bowls of noodles, not worth much. If you two enjoyed the meal, just come back another time.”

Mu Xuanling smiled and said, “Then let’s leave this hairpin here as a deposit. I’ll come back another day to redeem it. How could we let our Brother Xie eat without paying?”

Xie Xuechen’s expression changed slightly as he gazed at Mu Xuanling. She remained oblivious, smiling as she put down the hairpin and pulled Xie Xuechen away.

“Hahaha…” Mu Xuanling laughed, “Xie Xuechen, it’s your birthday today, so let this meal be my treat.”

Xie Xuechen looked at her and said softly, “I should be the one treating you.”

“Then let’s say it’s my birthday today. I’m treating you. Is that alright?” Her eyes sparkled, shining brightly, impossible to look away from. “I don’t know which day I was born anyway, so let’s make it the same day as yours, okay?”

Xie Xuechen’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, unsure of the source of the ache spreading in his heart. He said hoarsely, “Alright.”

She turned away with a smile, her skirt swirling, brushing against Xie Xuechen’s clothes as she hummed a tuneless melody.

Xie Xuechen slowly followed, watching her slender, frail figure from behind.

“I suddenly remembered there’s one thing I haven’t done yet,” Mu Xuanling abruptly stopped and turned to look at Xie Xuechen. “I’ve never drunk alcohol before. Have you?”

Xie Xuechen shook his head.

“When I was little, I heard that drinking alcohol makes you happy, so many people love to drink. I’ve always been curious. Later, when I met Big Brother, I wanted him to let me try, but he said I was too young,” Mu Xuanling’s eyes showed a hint of nostalgia. “After I went to the Demon Realm, I had even fewer chances. Xie Xuechen…” She looked up at him hopefully. “Do you have any alcohol?”

Xie Xuechen shouldn’t have agreed to her unreasonable request. Her serious injuries hadn’t fully healed, and drinking wasn’t suitable for her. But the expectation in her eyes made it hard for him to refuse.

Yongxue City naturally had countless fine wines. Even though he never drank, he could use his sense of smell to find the best wine from the cellar.

“Take me to Wenxue Cliff,” she said impulsively. “I saw it in the illusion. That’s where you practice your swordsmanship, right?”

So Xie Xuechen carried her to Wenxue Cliff.

A full moon hung in the clear night sky. There were no clouds, and the stars were sparse. The sky looked as if it had been carefully wiped clean with snow, pristine and vast.

Mu Xuanling hugged the wine jar, staring intently at the snow pine at the edge of Wenxue Cliff. It looked even more robust than in the illusion. Of course, twenty-one years had passed. But she knew that beneath the soft snow lay countless ravines, deep and shallow. She could faintly see a small Xie Xuechen, wielding a sword heavier and longer than himself, practicing day after day, questioning his heart. His swordsmanship became more profound, but his eyes grew colder.

When Mu Xuanling was in the Demon Realm, she often heard the demons around her mention Xie Xuechen’s name. They said he was a prodigy, cold as ice. She never imagined that Xie Xuechen of Yongxue City would be the same gentle, protective immortal brother from years ago. They had identical appearances but completely different temperaments.

She even began to doubt if she had ever really met such a person, or if she had just dreamed it up during her painful times, mistaking the dream for reality.

The amber-colored liquor swirled gently in the white porcelain bowl, its rich aroma wafting up. Mu Xuanling held the bowl with both hands, tentatively taking a small sip. She felt a hint of spiciness and sweetness and furrowed her brow.

“It doesn’t seem to taste good,” Mu Xuanling mumbled.

Xie Xuechen gently swirled his bowl. Another full moon reflected in it, along with a pair of cold phoenix eyes. With his cultivation level, no alcohol in this world could intoxicate him. If he couldn’t get drunk, what was the point of drinking?

The only meaning, perhaps, was to drink together with the person beside him.

His pale thin lips parted slightly as the crisp, fragrant liquid moistened them. Xie Xuechen frowned slightly, savoring the taste in his mouth—it truly wasn’t particularly good.

But Mu Xuanling wasn’t ready to give up. She took small sips of the wine, frowning with each one. “Maybe you need to drink more to taste the flavor…” she muttered.

Xie Xuechen turned his head to look at her. Her slightly upturned lips were like flower petals moistened by dew, their color and texture extremely tempting. It reminded him of the taste he had experienced earlier, and his gaze darkened.

She quickly finished half a bowl of wine and her fair face flushed red. But her eyes grew brighter as if they had absorbed the moonlight, shimmering with a radiant glow.

“I think I’m starting to taste it,” Mu Xuanling licked her lips, squinting her eyes and reaching out to Xie Xuechen. “Pour me some more.”

Xie Xuechen held down the wine jar, his voice low and husky: “No more drinking.”

Mu Xuanling tried to grab it, but how could she be faster than the Sword Immortal? With a movement too quick to see, the wine jar disappeared into his spatial ring. Mu Xuanling grasped at empty air, then turned her gaze to the half bowl of wine still in Xie Xuechen’s hand, her eyes gleaming.

Xie Xuechen held her back with one hand while raising the bowl to his lips with the other. He tilted his head back and drained it in one gulp. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and a trickle of amber liquid escaped the corner of his mouth, tracing a path down his beautifully defined jaw and long neck before disappearing into his collar.

Mu Xuanling stared blankly, unconsciously swallowing. She had an urge to lunge forward and drink it up.

Xie Xuechen lowered the bowl and saw her dazed expression. Thinking she was craving the last drops in the cup, he couldn’t help but smile wryly. However, being a cold-natured person, even his smile was so faint it was barely discernible. The wine had hit him quickly, and a wave of heat surged up from his throat, making his voice even huskier: “Ling’er, sit properly.”

Mu Xuanling felt a tingling sensation in her heart. Somewhat reluctantly, she put down her bowl and sat down next to Xie Xuechen.

Xie Xuechen felt the warmth and weight pressing against his left arm. He stiffened slightly but didn’t push her away.

“Ah…” Mu Xuanling rested her head on Xie Xuechen’s arm and sighed softly, a sigh full of complex emotions. “Xie Xuechen, you’ve been too kind to me today.”

Xie Xuechen lowered his head slightly, seeing her long, thick eyelashes. He thought hazily, is this what she considers kindness? Just taking her for a bowl of noodles and half a bowl of wine, and she’s content?

She hadn’t lied to him; she truly was easy to please. A little bit of warmth, and she could be coaxed and tricked into selling herself.

Yet the ways he had hurt her, she didn’t seem to take to heart at all.

Thinking of this, Xie Xuechen felt a lump in his throat, making it difficult to speak.

“Does it still hurt?” he asked softly.

“I don’t have much strength, but it doesn’t hurt much anymore,” Mu Xuanling idly played with his sleeve, gazing lazily at the bright moon above. “You’re being so nice to me, is it because you feel guilty?”

Mu Xuanling waited for a while, but Xie Xuechen didn’t answer. She continued talking to herself: “You don’t need to be like this. I’ve said before, as long as I can stay by your side, I don’t mind losing my powers. Being imprisoned for 300 years isn’t a punishment for me; it’s just changing locations to be a demon slave. I can control my demonic power well now, so the spirit-binding ring doesn’t hurt me anymore.” As she spoke, she stretched out her foot, revealing the magical device on her ankle—the ankle ring that would emit a soul-stirring chime when spiritual power was activated.

“I used to have a spirit-binding ring too. The wound it left was too deep, leaving a scar from spiritual power that wouldn’t go away. Sang Qi made this magical device for me to cover that scar.” She lightly kicked her foot, and the ankle ring fell off, revealing a circle of dark brown scar tissue on her slender, pale ankle. It looked horrifying, and one could imagine how much pain she must have endured.

“Can you give me a prettier spirit-binding ring?” Mu Xuanling looked up at Xie Xuechen, her bright eyes sparkling with hope and joy. “I’ll be very good.”

Xie Xuechen suddenly leaned down and embraced her.

Mu Xuanling was stunned for a moment before reaching out to return his embrace. She rested her head on his chest, saying happily yet proudly: “You’re not drunk, and I didn’t force you. You hugged me on your own, you know.”

Xie Xuechen’s body trembled almost imperceptibly as if a sword was sawing back and forth at the tip of his heart, forcing him to give up what he cherished most.

“Ling’er…” His voice seemed to be suppressing something, sounding low and hoarse, “You don’t have to be a slave.”

“Hm?” Mu Xuanling nestled in his arms, her voice muffled, “Then… are you going to lock me up? Like Chi Mo?”

“You can go to Yunxiu Mountain Villa. Nan Xuyue will protect you,” Xie Xuechen said.

Mu Xuanling was dazed for a long time before she understood Xie Xuechen’s words. She placed her hands on his chest, pushing away from his embrace, and looked up at him in confusion: “What do you mean?”

Xie Xuechen said, “If you become the mistress of Yunxiu Mountain Villa, the Immortal Alliance won’t trouble you.”

Mu Xuanling stared silently into his eyes for a long time. Eventually, her eyes reddened slightly. She gave a small laugh, but her voice couldn’t hide a trace of choking up: “So, this meal, this bowl of wine, was your farewell to me.”

She withdrew her hands and hugged herself, turning her head to look at the desolate, endless snow-covered mountains, no longer looking at Xie Xuechen.

“I’ve thought about it for a long time,” her voice held a hint of weariness, and she curled her lips in a smile devoid of joy. “You showed me that fox spirit to let me know that a half-demon and a human together won’t end well, right?”

“I’ve known it all along. I don’t care if I lose both hands or dispel all my demonic arts. I’m still alive, aren’t I?”

“But I also know that I’ve been too selfish, only thinking about how much I like you and want to be with you, without considering whether you’re willing.”

“I felt it, you know. You did like me a little bit. At least, when I kissed you, you didn’t push me away. Just now, you even hugged me on your initiative.”

“Xie Xuechen, I’m very, very easy to please. Just a tiny bit of your liking is enough for me. I’d be very happy with just that.”

“But for you, that tiny bit of liking isn’t enough, is it? Not enough for you to decide to keep me by your side, even if just as a small demon slave.”

“Ah…”

Mu Xuanling let out a long sigh. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. She reached out and picked up the ankle ring, carefully putting it back on.

“Xie Xuechen, you should just lock me up. After all, the Immortal Alliance sentenced me to 300 years of imprisonment. If I go to Yunxiu Mountain Villa, it will be troublesome for you, and for Nan Xuyue too.” Mu Xuanling laughed self-mockingly. “You don’t need to feel guilty towards me, because all along, I’ve been the one indebted to you. You don’t owe me anything.”

Mu Xuanling struggled to her feet from the snow. She was a bit unsteady and stumbled a couple of times, but Xie Xuechen held her up.

Mu Xuanling gently pushed him away.

“There’s one more thing I’ve never told you. Maybe it’s because I’ve just realized it,” Mu Xuanling smiled at him. “I think I might have mistaken you for someone else. Although you look very much like him, you’re not him.”

“Sect Leader Xie, I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

She walked away alone, softly humming a tuneless melody, without looking back at him once.