Hu Sha walked over half-believing, half-doubting, spreading her hand flat on the table.

The person hastily scanned it, then raised his eyes to look at her forehead, following down her nose all the way to her toes.

“Good luck.” He immediately delivered a four-character conclusion.

Hu Sha’s heart leaped with joy, “Really? Can I go home soon?”

The person only smiled without speaking. After a while, he said slowly, “In the future, try to avoid going south. After five years, you’ll definitely see the outcome.”

“Five years? You mean I still have to wait five more years before I can go home?” Hu Sha was anxious. “Why does it take so long? Isn’t there a faster way?”

The person smiled calmly, “That depends on you. I can only read fortunes—I can’t give you any guidance.”

Hu Sha was about to say more when she suddenly heard Fang Zhun descending from upstairs, a book clutched in his hand that he was stuffing into his sleeve.

“What’s this? You’ve resumed your old trade of fortune-telling?” Fang Zhun walked over and placed an ingot of silver on the table—it looked to weigh a full five taels. Good grief, what book had he bought that was so expensive! Five taels of silver—that could support Hu Sha’s family for a long time!

The person quickly collected the silver and said in a low voice, “Not at all. Only for those with fate can I read fortunes. How about it? Want me to read yours?”

Fang Zhun smiled, “When you were my spiritual beast before, you kept clamoring to read my fortune every day. You still haven’t changed this habit. Even if I let you read it, can you really see anything?”

The person indeed focused and looked for a while, then shook his head, “…Forget it. Go ahead. Come back anytime—I’ll have everything ready for you.”

Fang Zhun said his thanks and led Hu Sha out of the bookshop. Seeing her two eyes constantly glancing at his sleeve, wanting to speak yet stopping, he couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What is it? Is there something wrong with Master’s sleeve?”

Hu Sha hesitated for a long time before saying, “Master… does a book really cost five taels of silver? What book is it? Can you let me see it?”

Fang Zhun said “Oh,” patted his sleeve, and smiled mysteriously, “That’s naturally… a peerless rare treasure, not for good children to see.”

Hu Sha fell silent.

Fang Zhun said with slight apology in a low voice, “By the way, Master originally said he’d take you down the mountain to treat you to a meal, but just now buying the book spent all the silver. This meal will be temporarily put on Master’s account—I’ll pay you back together next time.”

As expected! Master was indeed a liar! Hu Sha pouted and nodded glumly.

“Also, Hu Sha.” Fang Zhun suddenly stopped and turned to look down at her. “Master wants you to promise two things. You mustn’t forget.”

This was the first time Hu Sha had seen him show a serious, even stern expression. Somewhat shocked, she slowly nodded.

“First, your background and the reason why you came to the ten continents within the seas—besides Master, don’t tell anyone. Second, if you meet Qingling Zhenjun, regardless of what he says to you or what demands he makes, you must tell Master. You mustn’t conceal even one word. Understand?”

Hu Sha exclaimed “Ah” and said urgently, “But… but I’ve already told Second Martial Brother… And Master… what does ‘what demands he makes’ mean? Don’t I just need to apologize to him?”

Fang Zhun lightly averted his eyes, gazing at the distant outline of Taoyuan Mountain. After a while, he said in a low voice, “If you’ve said it, then you’ve said it. Just don’t mention this matter to anyone else in the future. As for Qingling Zhenjun, just remember what Master told you—no need to wonder about it.”

Seeing Hu Sha’s face full of questions she didn’t dare ask, he showed a gentle smile, tidied the hair blown across her forehead by the wind, and said softly, “Silly child, Master won’t harm you. Rest assured.”

She probably could never understand the rules of this strange world. Everyone was being secretive, not stating the truth plainly, instead making people guess wildly below, guessing until mentally exhausted.

Hu Sha said in a low voice, “Master, I’m not an idiot.”

Fang Zhun looked at her with some surprise.

“I’m also not a little dog that barks when told to bark and must be quiet when told not to bark.” Hu Sha lowered her head, not looking at him.

Fang Zhun fell silent. After a long while, he suddenly clapped his hands, “You’re blaming Master in your heart for not treating you to food?”

“Of course not!” Hu Sha’s face flushed red as she quickly protested.

Fang Zhun smiled, “Alright, Master was wrong. Master will take you to eat right now, lest Hu Sha say I deceived her.”

“I… I didn’t mean that…” Hu Sha grabbed his sleeve urgently. What had been a very clear issue had been tangled into a mess by him—she simply didn’t know how to explain.

Fang Zhun smiled as he pulled her forward, “I remember there’s a tavern nearby. The Pear Blossom Wine is quite good. Let’s go there and see.”

Hu Sha was so anxious she wanted to jump. After being dragged along for several steps, he suddenly stopped again. She bumped head-first into his shoulder, covering her nose in pain for a long time, unable to speak.

“Seems like something’s happened.” He said this in a low voice, turning with a grave expression to look toward distant Taoyuan Mountain.

Hu Sha looked over in confusion following his gaze and saw the demon-subduing curse seal barrier shrouding Taoyuan Mountain’s outer layer rippling in waves, as if a giant hand were stirring it.

In just an instant, the barrier dispersed like green smoke, not leaving half a trace.

“Go back!” Fang Zhun grabbed her hand, mounted the clouds, and vanished in the blink of an eye.

At that time, Taoyuan Mountain had already descended into complete chaos. The Taowu that had been cowering at the rear mountain had been stimulated by something unknown, broken through the demon-subduing curse seal barrier and run out, eating its way from the rear mountain to the front mountain, consuming no fewer than a hundred people.

When Fang Zhun arrived carrying Hu Sha, Taoyuan Mountain’s Patriarch Qiwu together with four elders were straining to open a new small barrier, trapping Taowu within. The senior disciples all released their spiritual beasts to chaotically battle with Taowu.

The front mountain gate was already in complete disarray. Taowu was trapped in the small barrier, roaring and crashing wildly—the momentum was earth-shaking. Hu Sha tightly covered her ears, nearly unable to stand steady from the impact. She remembered when she first arrived at Qingyuan and mistakenly entered the rear mountain Kongsen forbidden area, where she’d met Eldest Martial Brother and Manqing. The spiritual beast Manqing raised was incomparably ferocious, yet a hundred of them added together wouldn’t be as terrifying and huge as this Taowu.

Various spiritual beasts flew about in the sky but all hesitated, not daring to get too close, afraid of becoming Taowu’s dinner. Their masters cursed furiously below, helpless.

Fang Zhun rarely showed a grave expression. He pressed lightly on Hu Sha’s shoulder, “You step back, hide far away.”

Hu Sha covered her ears looking everywhere for a place to hide when she suddenly heard someone call from behind, “Master! Hu Sha!” They both turned simultaneously to see Feng Di and Feng Yi hurrying over. Feng Yi was riding the Snow Suanni beneath him. It glared with round angry eyes, viciously roaring at Taowu, its entire body’s long fur standing on end.

“Just now several disciples were practicing swordsmanship at Cold Sword Platform. Their sword energy must have disturbed Taowu, causing it to go berserk. Now Patriarch Qiwu has trapped it with a barrier, but he’s nearly at the end of his rope. I’m afraid he won’t be able to hold on much longer.” Feng Di’s brow furrowed tightly. “Zhenren Shanghe asked us to relay a message requesting Master to leave first! Taoyuan Mountain’s calamity doesn’t wish to implicate others!”

Before he finished speaking, thunder rumbled from the sky—Taoyuan Mountain’s elders had summoned heavenly lightning to strike down. It smashed onto Taowu but seemed to have no effect. It merely shook its head, becoming even more frenzied, flailing desperately within the barrier.

Feng Yi jumped down from the Snow Suanni’s back, looked back at the maddened Taowu, and smiled bitterly, “No one can deal with this thing. Master, we should retreat. Better to find Patriarch to discuss countermeasures.”

Fang Zhun stared intently at Taowu for a while, then suddenly said, “Did this fierce beast truly swallow the Golden Pipa?”

Feng Di was stunned and shook his head, “This… we disciples aren’t very clear either…”

Fang Zhun showed a smile, “I don’t think it looks like it ate the Golden Pipa. It doesn’t seem to have diarrhea.”

Feng Di’s face darkened, “…Master! This isn’t the time for jokes!”

Fang Zhun laughed heartily, turned back to touch the Snow Suanni’s head, “Little Darling, take Hu Sha far away. Don’t come close, understand?”

The Snow Suanni opened its mouth and bit Hu Sha’s back, tossing her onto its back before leaping far away—a rare time for it to be so obedient.

Who would have thought just as it jumped, the violently raging Taowu would slap over with its hand? The Snow Suanni barely avoided it but couldn’t avoid the palm wind. It was like being swept by a gale—Hu Sha nearly got fanned off the Snow Suanni’s back.

Many people below were shrieking. The Taowu had suddenly discovered the precious Snow Suanni spiritual beast and immediately locked onto it, excitedly howling as it swung its four claws in relentless pursuit.

The Snow Suanni dodged and jumped agilely left and right. Hu Sha tightly hugged its neck, being jolted into complete disorientation, her heart nearly jumping out of her throat. She didn’t want to die yet!

Fang Zhun called from behind, “Little Darling!”

The Snow Suanni immediately understood. It leaped up—this jump higher than Taowu’s head. Auspicious clouds formed beneath its feet. Just as it was about to fly into the clouds, sharp wind sounds came from behind its ears, breaking through the air. Taowu’s large claw grabbed up again.

For the Snow Suanni to dodge its clumsy attacks was easy. However, Taowu’s every movement carried violent winds sufficient to disperse the auspicious clouds it had gathered, preventing it from mounting clouds. This gust blew it into a roll in midair. Hu Sha nearly got thrown off.

Two more times like this and she really couldn’t hold on. Hu Sha clung desperately to the Snow Suanni’s neck, being swung until dizzy and disoriented, completely unable to distinguish north from south.

In her daze, she heard many people loudly chanting incantations. Overhead suddenly became brilliantly radiant, like another sun rising. Immediately after, countless giant swords fell from the sky, fiercely stabbing into the ground. They turned the ground into a pincushion. Taowu was slow to dodge and was pierced through by over ten giant swords, nailed to the ground unable to move.

Rumbling sounds also came from underground. In an instant, the ground split open, shooting out countless long spears and huge battle-axes, stabbing up from below, hitting Taowu squarely.

It howled and roared in pain, struggling desperately. Blood flowed everywhere.

Only now did Hu Sha breathe a sigh of relief. She moved her stiff arms and was just about to catch her breath properly when she suddenly felt her body swept up by a strong wind. She tumbled right off the Snow Suanni’s back. In the chaos, her head struck something somewhere. She immediately lost consciousness.

She was going to die again. Falling from such a height, her head could be smashed to pieces. Even if her head wasn’t smashed, she’d become Taowu’s dinner—though she probably wasn’t enough to fill the gaps between its teeth.

Sigh, her parents would surely grieve themselves to death for her. Their daughter died inexplicably in a foreign land, never even seeing Qingling Zhenjun’s face before dying. Wanting to go home ultimately became bubbles and illusions.

Hu Sha felt very sad. She sniffled, rolled over, and continued sleeping.

A rustling sound of pages turning came from across the way. A gentle voice spoke, “If you’re awake, you should sit up. Sleeping on rocks will make you catch cold.”

Hu Sha’s eyes flew open. Incredulous, she rolled her eyes to examine her surroundings. She wasn’t dead? Looking again at the person opposite—a white robe, refined features—if it wasn’t Master Fang Zhun, who else could it be?

“Ah! Master!” Hu Sha whooshed up, moving her arms and legs. They didn’t seem to hurt or itch. “I’m not dead?”

Fang Zhun sat opposite her, leaning against a tree, head lowered flipping through that book he’d bought from the bookshop for five taels of silver. While reading, he said absent-mindedly, “With Master here, how could you die?”

“But… where is this place?” Hu Sha looked around in confusion. Rocks strewn everywhere, the trees in the forest all growing with tangled roots—clearly never trodden by human feet.

Fang Zhun said lightly, “Good question. This is the bottom of a cliff. We were pushed down from above by Taowu.”

Hu Sha looked at him utterly confused.

Fang Zhun snapped the book shut with a “pa.” Only then did Hu Sha realize he looked somewhat off.

“Master, are you injured?” She asked very carefully.

Fang Zhun nodded gravely, “Correct. At that time, Taowu fanned you off Little Darling’s back. Master was afraid you’d fall to death, so I had to use the Immortal-Binding Rope to catch you first. Unexpectedly, that Taowu could still break free even after being hit with the Tai’e technique. It struck Master with one palm, so we fell off the cliff together. Master’s little finger is broken.”

He held up his left hand—indeed, the little finger was badly swollen.

Hu Sha laughed dryly twice, “Thank… thank you Master… that… you worked hard…”

Fang Zhun still maintained his original posture, leaning against the tree without moving, expression leisurely, “It’s nothing. Just consider it resting. Wait for them to come down and find us. Hu Sha, Master is a bit thirsty. Go to the water stream ahead and get some water.”

Hu Sha answered affirmatively and quickly went into the forest to find the stream.

But the further she walked, the more something felt wrong. She couldn’t help but turn back to look at Fang Zhun. He was still leaning against the tree trunk like a boneless person. Though he was ordinarily easygoing and affectionate, he rarely made such improper gestures in front of juniors. Moreover, he’d just said to wait for people to find them down here. On ordinary days, he could just use the Cloud-Mounting technique to fly back up—why go through all this trouble?

Hu Sha gasped and turned back quickly, squatting before him not knowing how to ask.

Fang Zhun kept his eyes lowered looking at his book, saying in a low voice, “Why aren’t you getting water? What are you standing here foolishly for?”

Hu Sha was stunned for a long time. Her eyes suddenly blurred. She couldn’t help but drop two tears, saying tremulously, “Master… are you… are you more seriously injured? Is it my fault?”

Fang Zhun laughed once, “You needn’t worry. It’s just one broken rib and some internal injury. I temporarily can’t use magic power. After resting for two or three days, I’ll be fine. In these two or three days, it’ll be enough time for them to find us. Just go get water. Don’t cry and whimper.”

Hu Sha hesitated for a long time. He spoke lightly, but she wasn’t a fool. Being struck by such a formidable fierce beast as Taowu—how could he only be slightly injured? He couldn’t even gather his magic power, couldn’t even heal his wounds. Clearly he’d suffered severe internal injuries.

Hu Sha’s mind was in chaos. She wanted to ask more clearly but was afraid saying too much would exhaust him instead. She could only grit her teeth and turn to run get water.

Deep in the forest was a small stream surrounded by small yellow and white flowers. Hu Sha rummaged around inside for a long time but couldn’t find any medicinal herbs for treating injuries. She could only give up, filled a bamboo tube with water, and rushed back quickly.

Fang Zhun still maintained his old posture leaning against the tree, turning pages of that book one by one, expression faint, showing not half a trace of suffering.

“Master, I’ve brought the water.” Hu Sha carefully knelt beside him, handing him the bamboo tube.

Fang Zhun raised his hand to receive it but it drooped down weakly halfway. A bitter smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

Hu Sha said urgently, “Master, let me help you.”

She pulled out the stopper, carefully cradling the bamboo tube and bringing it to his lips, feeding him about two mouthfuls. He shook his head, indicating he’d had enough, then sighed very regretfully, “Not as good as Silver Mist Tea.”

Hu Sha sniffled and looked around, “But… but there’s no Silver Mist Tea to find here…”

Her face full of “it’s all my fault” made Fang Zhun both angry and amused, “Where would there be tea at the bottom of a cliff? You child… Master hasn’t died yet. Don’t cry. If you have the energy to cry, better help Master find some tree branches. Master needs to set bones and bandage.”

Only then did Hu Sha remember that in her panic, she hadn’t even found the most basic things for him. She quickly wiped her tears to collect tree branches, then tore her dress into strips to serve as bandages.

However, Fang Zhun wasn’t in a hurry to set bones. He looked around and said in a low voice, “This location isn’t good. I’m afraid it won’t be easy for them to find us either. Where you got water earlier—were there white flowers?”

Hu Sha nodded.

“That’s Tranquility Grass, the favorite food of domesticated luan birds and immortal cranes. Therefore, it’s their inevitable route. Let’s change locations.” Having spoken, he tried to stand but his ribs were in excruciating pain. Inside his body was also empty—he couldn’t muster a bit of strength. Just moving caused his face to turn deathly pale from pain.

Hu Sha immediately held his arm, placed it on her shoulder, and gently supported him up. His breath sprayed on the soft hair by her ear. In that instant, it made her recall the scene of their first meeting.

An emotion she couldn’t clearly describe rose in her heart again—like when she learned he would become her master, it took a long time to accept and acknowledge.

Hu Sha lowered her head. Her face slowly reddened.

“Thank you, Hu Sha.” He smiled as if the wind were light and clouds pale, without any discomfort.

She shook her head, as if trying to chase something out of her brain, forcefully denying it.

Denying it.

The sky had been dark for a long time. The dense Tranquility Grass by the stream emitted a strange white light in the darkness. At first glance, it looked like thousands upon thousands of fireflies gathered together.

Fang Zhun woke after the high fever, opened his eyes, and saw Hu Sha’s bloodshot eyes. She hugged her knees, curled her body sitting beside him, both eyes unblinking, staring fixedly at him.

Fang Zhun hesitated, wanting to speak yet stopping. Hu Sha’s voice was hoarse, still carrying a trace of sobbing, saying in a low voice, “How does Master feel? Does anything hurt?”

He shook his head but still couldn’t resist speaking out, “Hu Sha, Master hasn’t died yet. Don’t put on such an expression—it’s really frightening to see…”

Hu Sha sniffled. Her bright red eyes seemed about to overflow with tears again, “You… you really won’t die?” She asked so miserably.

Fang Zhun sighed, “Who have you seen die from one broken rib? Is Master that useless in your heart?”

She quickly shook her head, pushed the tears back, and attentively presented the bamboo tube, “Does Master still want water?”

Fang Zhun barely raised his hand to take the bamboo tube, drank several mouthfuls, and let out a long breath, “Your two martial brothers are so useless, still haven’t found us. If they don’t come soon, Master will die of pain.” He placed his bandaged left little finger by his mouth and blew on it.

Hu Sha cried anxiously again, “You… but you just said you wouldn’t die!”

Fang Zhun was both angry and amused. Feeling it was useless to continue tangling with her on this topic, he immediately changed subjects, “It’s late. You should sleep for a bit. Master feels uncomfortable looking at those eyes of yours.”

Hu Sha rubbed her eyes and shook her head, “I won’t sleep. I’ll watch over Master. If there are wild beasts or something, I can chase them away.”

“…Taoyuan is an immortal mountain. There won’t be man-eating wild beasts. Rest assured.”

“Even without wild beasts there are mosquitoes. I… I can help you chase away mosquitoes.” In any case, she refused to sleep no matter what.

Fang Zhun sighed. With both hands propping against the ground, he struggled to sit up straight. A book fell out from his sleeve following his movement. Looking at the cover, it was precisely the one he’d bought at the bookshop for five taels of silver earlier.

Hu Sha’s eyes and hands were quick—she grabbed it in one motion, “Master, your book.”

Though her mouth said this, her hands were very dishonest. She flipped open the book cover, planning to expose the mysterious contents to the world. First page turned—blank. Second page—continued blank.

Hu Sha flipped through from beginning to end in confusion. Inside it was completely blank—not even an ink dot! This was actually a wordless heavenly book?

Fang Zhun smiled as he took the book back, patted the dust off it, and slowly stuffed it back into his sleeve. Seeing Hu Sha’s dumbstruck appearance, he showed a mysterious smile, “Master said long ago, good children aren’t allowed to see it.”

Hu Sha still wouldn’t give up, “Master, what story is in a book that costs five taels of silver?”

Fang Zhun thought for a moment, “This… probably just the legend of a group of women and a group of men, full of popular elements like love-hate passions, intertwined desires, confused emotions, romance between men and women, illicit affairs, handsome men and beautiful women.”

Didn’t sound like anything good. Hu Sha looked at him very doubtfully.

“Isn’t Master an immortal? Can immortals also read these things?” She felt she needed to change her understanding of the term “immortal.”

Fang Zhun said curiously, “Why can’t immortals read them?”

Hu Sha waved her hands, not knowing how to explain, “In any case… where I’m from, that’s what they say—immortals dine on wind and drink dew, without desires or demands, without wives or children.”

Fang Zhun laughed once, “Absurd. Living like that, wouldn’t it suffocate people to death?”

Hu Sha’s heart stirred. She couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “Then… then do immortals also…”

Fang Zhun nodded, “Naturally. Heaven and earth divided into Yin and Yang—that’s the proper way. Master has never heard of being without desires or demands, without wives or children. Your Master Uncle Fang Ye married a wife and had a daughter… that’s your Martial Sister Bairu. Master’s martial brothers and sisters also mostly established families and had children. This doesn’t connect to whether one becomes immortal or not, right?”

Hu Sha lowered her eyes. After hesitating for a long time, she gathered her courage to ask softly, “Then… why hasn’t Master married a wife yet?”

Fang Zhun touched his chin, “Me… what, you want a master’s wife? Is Master too strict, planning to find a master’s wife to care for you all?”

“No… no!” She panicked and quickly waved her hands. “Master is very good… very good!”

Fang Zhun smiled, “You’re right. Nowadays, a good man like Master is hard to find even with a lantern.”

“…”

Hu Sha wordlessly played with her dress sash. How come he wasn’t modest at all? It made her want to respond but not know what words to find. Master really!

Fang Zhun brushed aside the disheveled hair on his forehead, clearly not wanting to continue this topic with her. He only said lightly, “Master’s hair is messy. Hu Sha, do you have a comb?”

Hu Sha quickly pulled out her small wooden comb from her bosom and knelt behind him, “Let me do it, Master. Your hands and feet aren’t convenient.”

His long hair was soft and cool, dancing and lingering between her fingers. Hu Sha carefully combed through strand by strand, thread by thread, afraid of hurting him.

Finally rolling up the hair and fixing it with the purple-gold hairpin, she touched it with her hand to confirm it wouldn’t come loose. Only then did Hu Sha breathe a sigh of relief.

“Master, your hair is combed.”

She spoke softly. After waiting a while, the person ahead had no reaction at all. Hu Sha couldn’t help but lean before him, only to discover Fang Zhun had long since closed his eyes and fallen asleep again.

The shimmering, floating radiance of the Tranquility Grass reflected on his slightly trembling long eyelashes—it was a fragile yet vivid light, as if it would drip down at any moment.

Hu Sha looked for a very, very long time. She couldn’t help but reach out wanting to touch. Her fingertip touched his thick eyelashes, still several inches away, yet as if doing something wrong, she quickly drew it back again.

He was clearly right before her eyes—she could touch him by raising her hand, yet she didn’t dare. It was as if knife mountains and fire seas separated them.

She could only trace along his elegant contours with her finger like this, outlining from a distance. Every inch seemed so unfamiliar, novel, as if seeing him for the first time after opening her eyes.

Her fingertip slid over from his slender shoulder, picked up a lock of hair, even had an impulse to grip it tightly, to get a bit closer.

If only she could be a bit closer.

Hu Sha couldn’t help but softly exhale a breath, like a sigh. Her heart merely surged inexplicably with raging waves—one moment feeling sweet, the next moment feeling bitter. What was wrong with her? Asking heaven, asking earth, asking herself—no answer.

She wasn’t an immortal. Her time was limited. Every moment was unique—once lost, it was forever lost.

She could only hold his hair like this, as if about to lose it immediately, helplessly yet tenderly holding it.

Just couldn’t get any closer.

Heaven wasn’t old, people weren’t paired.

She’d read some romantic poetry with her old father. This line, in this instant, suddenly surged to her heart.

For a moment, she felt overwhelmed with emotion.

Hu Sha carefully removed the few strands of hair remaining on the wooden comb, rolled them with her fingers, and quietly placed them in her pouch—she couldn’t even articulate the meaning of this action, but still did it.

Looking back at him again, eyelashes slightly trembling, sleeping appearance like a completely unguarded youth.

Her heart felt delighted again. Being able to stay here alone with him—even not speaking didn’t matter. She moved quietly to sit beside him, hugging her knees. Her gaze slid from his shoulder to his slender, pale fingers, while telling herself: It’s only three hundred years old, nothing remarkable. Really, three hundred years, nothing remarkable.

Thinking and thinking, she gradually felt drowsy and weak-boned, truly couldn’t hold on anymore, and fell deeply asleep.

Hazily, she seemed to hear noisy voices around her and the chirping calls of spiritual beasts. Hu Sha raised her hand to rub her aching eyes, gazing over in confusion. She saw many people standing before her. The one in the center was golden and radiant—the more she looked, the more familiar he seemed. For a moment she couldn’t recall who it was.

“Fang Zhun! Wake up quickly! What kind of appearance is this!”

That person’s tone was very stern. Hu Sha looked in confusion for a long time, then suddenly cried out “Ah”—wasn’t this their Qingyuan Mountain’s golden, radiant Patriarch? How could he be here?

Fang Zhun’s breathing came by her ear. The hair on Hu Sha’s back immediately all stood on end. Like receiving an electric shock, she quickly turned back, only then discovering she’d somehow been leaning on his shoulder sleeping. Their bodies were also covered with his outer garment. Even more deadly, his arm was still around her neck.

Hu Sha froze right there.

Fang Zhun said “Mm,” opened his eyes, slowly looked at the people before him, and said lazily, “Master, you’ve finally found us… This disciple thought we’d have to wait here a year or so.”

Jinting Patriarch furrowed his brow, “Get up quickly! In broad daylight, what kind of appearance is this?”

Fang Zhun looked down at Hu Sha, then at their posture sleeping together leaning on each other. His face didn’t redden, his heart didn’t race. Very calmly and innocently, he looked back, “What’s wrong with this?”

Jinting Patriarch clearly understood his own disciple quite well. Too lazy to nag at him, he only said, “Stop the nonsense. Where are you injured?”

Fang Zhun said lightly, “Taowu struck me with one palm. One rib is broken, internal injury, can’t raise true energy. Also, my little finger is broken.” He raised his left hand and waved it, as if having a broken finger was more important.

Hu Sha took the opportunity to whoosh up, patted the dust off her clothes, and tidied her hair while she was at it. In front of so many people, she couldn’t be disheveled.

“Little martial sister seems not to be injured.” Feng Yi’s voice rang out from behind. She turned around delighted and rushed over.

“Second Martial Brother! Ah, Eldest Martial Brother! You’ve all come!” Seeing them both, Hu Sha immediately felt incredibly close.

Feng Di came over, held her wrist, checked her pulse, and nodded, “Fortunately not injured. Very lucky.”

Feng Yi smiled, “Yes, martial sister isn’t injured, but Master is seriously injured. Little martial sister, Master was struck by Taowu precisely to save you. Otherwise, with his skills, how would he end up so disheveled? You must properly repay him.”

Hu Sha’s heart immediately filled with guilt again. She murmured, “Really… really? It’s my fault… then how should I… repay him?”

Feng Di glared at Feng Yi, “Don’t talk nonsense.” Having spoken, he looked at Hu Sha and said warmly, “At that time when you fell from midair, Master threw out the Immortal-Binding Rope to tie you up. No one expected Taowu could still move after being hit with the Tai’e technique and covered in blood. So it’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.”

The words were correct, but not blaming herself—was that possible? Hu Sha sighed in her belly. Turning back to look at Master, Patriarch was healing his injuries. Probably in less than half an hour he could stand up and walk. At least a huge stone fell from her heart.

Her sleeve was grabbed. She turned back to see Feng Yi’s smiling face leaning close—his nose nearly poking her forehead. Hu Sha instinctively retreated but heard him whisper close to her ear, “Little martial sister, if it had been me saving you then, would you have worried like this?”

She was immediately stunned, looking at him uncomprehendingly, not quite understanding what he meant.

Feng Yi frivolously pinched her face and smiled gently, “Silly child, Master is an immortal. You… better not think too much. If you want to cry in the future, remember to find Second Martial Brother. All comers are welcome.”

“Why would I cry?” Hu Sha found it strange.

Feng Yi pinched her again but said nothing more.

That disruptive Taowu ultimately died after all.

Patriarch Qiwu led a group of elders to dissect it from head to tail, chopped it into mincemeat, but still couldn’t find the Golden Pipa it had swallowed. The final conclusion could only be: The Golden Pipa wasn’t eaten by Taowu but was stolen by an outsider.

For a time, Taoyuan Mountain descended into inexplicable panic again. However, these matters had nothing to do with Hu Sha.

She’d been having a somewhat difficult time lately.

The incident of her falling off the cliff with Master and sleeping together leaning on each other had been embellished and spread throughout Qingyuan disciples.

Having slept one night, when she woke in the morning, Manqing couldn’t wait to rush into her room and ask with an open mouth, “Master Uncle! They say yesterday, taking advantage of the dark night, you attempted to rape Master Grand-Uncle Fang Zhun but didn’t succeed. Is it true?”

Hu Sha was washing her face and was so frightened the towel dropped to the floor.

Manqing grabbed her hand, “Master Uncle! Say something… is it true?”

Before she finished speaking, someone else knocked at the door, “Martial Sister Hu Sha, may I come in?” It was Martial Sister Bairu’s voice.

She looked somewhat haggard, eyes red—probably hadn’t slept well at night. However, she still struggled to maintain a gentle smile, staring fixedly at Hu Sha, saying in a low voice, “Martial sister, you’re still young. Some things you’ve done you don’t even realize are wrong. But you must know some things cannot be done. Master Uncle Fang Zhun, he… a person like him—we as juniors can barely look up to him with respect and reverence. How can we have even a trace of disrespectful thoughts? In any case… you… now focusing single-mindedly on cultivation is the proper way. You mustn’t let your thoughts wander…”

Speaking to here, she couldn’t continue. Only looking at Hu Sha forlornly, she sighed deeply, covered her face and left.

Hu Sha stared blankly at her retreating back, unable to say half a word.

Her hand suddenly warmed—it was young Manqing grabbing up. She looked at Hu Sha with shining eyes, her eyes full of admiring radiance.

“Master Uncle, well done! Can you… that… teach your martial niece a bit of your experience simultaneously hooking both Master Uncle Feng Yi and Master Grand-Uncle Fang Zhun?”

Hu Sha hadn’t even finished washing her face and fled in panic.

Just running to the courtyard gate, she saw Feng Yi standing at the entrance about to come in. Hu Sha grabbed him, saying urgently, “Second Martial Brother! We… let’s go quickly!”

Fortunately, clever Second Martial Brother was very cooperative. Picking her up, he mounted clouds and flew far away. Flying straight to another mountain peak, only then did Hu Sha breathe a sigh of relief. She wiped away sweat and looked up to thank him, “Thank you, Second Martial Brother…”

Feng Yi set her on the ground and smiled, “Now little martial sister has become a celebrity. Wherever you go, all eyes focus on you. Second Martial Brother is also happy for you.”

Hu Sha looked at him dejectedly, “This joke… isn’t funny at all!”

Feng Yi touched her head, “Then Second Martial Brother apologizes to you. Whatever punishment little martial sister wants to give me is fine.”