[Urban] Flag of Desire (Complete) - Episodes 19-21 (End)

Chapter 22: Sharing Life and Death

They traveled together, repeatedly ambushed, but fortunately, Sima Wanqing and Duan Yuhan cooperated seamlessly, first intimidating and then persuading, eventually winning over more men. Hu Tian's confidants, mixed among the various groups, who attempted to return to report, were all captured.

Duan Yuhan looked at the growing force behind him, smiled brightly, and whispered in Sima Wanqing's ear, "Don't you think everything is going too smoothly?"

"It is a bit too smooth. Perhaps Hu Tian is too arrogant, completely unaware that you are still alive."

A strange sweetness stirred within her; she felt his warm lips brush against her ear like a feather, but she slightly turned her face away. "Or perhaps he deliberately lured us in, lowering our guard, with the real killing blow coming from the Hall of Ten Thousand Yin."

Gradually, the magnificent Hall of Ten Thousand Yin came into view, gleaming brightly in the early summer sunlight. He led her by the hand, and chuckled, "Let's walk over."

She didn't object, only letting him lead her, and they walked side by side calmly towards the Hall of Ten Thousand Yin. A sudden east wind rose, making her silky black hair dance wildly, her lake-blue sleeves fluttering like butterflies, and her crimson lips making her skin appear even whiter and more like jade. She looked ethereal, as if she might be carried away by the wind at any moment. He habitually walked to her east side, shielding her from the wind, and then put his arm around her waist before striding forward.

The people behind them, seeing the two behaving intimately, like newlyweds, couldn't help but sigh with envy, unaware that she held his hand tightly, intending to channel her inner energy into him.

The doors of the Hall of Ten Thousand Yin were tightly closed, but the faint sound of string music could be heard from within. Duan Yuhan pushed open the heavy doors with his right hand, and they slowly swung open. Inside, Hu Tian sat in the main seat, drinking wine. Yao Siniang leaned languidly against him, her thin robe slightly open, her silk blouse loosely draped, exuding an extremely alluring charm. Guards with swords stood solemnly on either side, while a group of unfamiliar young women sang and danced below, creating an atmosphere of apparent peace and prosperity.

"Hu Tian, long time no see,"

Duan Yuhan entered with a loud laugh, raising an eyebrow and glancing sideways at the surroundings, his eyes filled with endless darkness, terrifyingly gloomy.

Hu Tian's eyes widened, stunned for a moment, then he stared intently at Sima Wanqing. Yao Siniang jumped up, her face pale, and hurriedly shrank behind him. The girls cried out and hastily retreated to the side.

"Madam and Feng San's combined efforts are indeed impressive. To find such a similar person to impersonate the Lord in such a short time is truly remarkable. I admire them greatly ,"

Hu Tian said with a forced smile. Although everyone believed the newcomer was Duan Yuhan, Hu Tian's calm demeanor left them somewhat confused.

"An imposter?"

Duan Yuhan smiled brightly, his right index finger flicking lightly. The small silver knife on the fruit plate in front of Hu Tian soared into the air, circling freely like a swallow several times before finally landing with a "plop" in the largest cantaloupe, perfectly dividing it into four equal halves.

Hu Tian abruptly stood up, and Yao Siniang moved even closer to him. Everyone remembered that last year, when the Grand Preceptor of Kucha came to provoke them, Duan Yuhan had used this very move to give him a taste of his own medicine. Driving a knife with internal energy wasn't difficult, but to make it so agile and free, controlling the direction and magnitude of the force with perfect precision, was extremely difficult. If Duan Yuhan were an imposter, he certainly wouldn't possess such astonishing skill.

No one noticed that Duan Yuhan's fingers were trembling slightly. Since it wasn't his own internal energy, using it was extremely difficult for him, and with his meridians only recently healed, this was his limit.

"You think mere explosives can harm me?"

Duan Yuhan stepped forward, his gaze piercing Hu Tian. Though he was smiling broadly, the guards beside Hu Tian inexplicably shivered.

Hu Tian's eyes darted around, feigning delight, "So the master isn't dead! Congratulations!"

"You attempted to kidnap the young master by West Lake, and then tried to murder the master. Hu Tian, you traitor, we won't let you continue your evil deeds today!"

Feng San rushed forward.

Hu Tian, all smiles, cupped his hands and said, "A misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding."

As he spoke, he subtly retreated.

Sima Wanqing's heart tightened; the Heavenly Silkworm Silk, like a serpent emerging from its hole, swiftly coiled towards his neck. Hu Tian hastily dodged left and right. Yao Siniang abruptly retreated to the main seat, a strange smugness appearing on her alluring red lips.

"You'll all die!"

Yao Si Niang giggled, pressing hard against the back of the chair. A Emei dagger suddenly appeared from her sleeve, clanging twice. The Heavenly Silkworm Silk swayed slightly, and Hu Tian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Boom—"

Huge iron doors suddenly slammed down at the main entrance and in front of the main seat, as if forming an iron cage to trap everyone inside. Hu Tian flashed behind the iron doors, separating himself from the others. Yao Si Niang hurriedly slipped past as well.

The Heavenly Silkworm Silk followed closely, wrapping around Yao Si Niang's legs and dragging her backward. Yao Si Niang, however, clung tightly to Hu Tian's arm. For a moment, neither let go, leaving her suspended in mid-air beneath the iron doors, unable to move forward or backward.

The iron doors continued to press down mercilessly, threatening to crush Yao Si Niang. Sima Wanqing hesitated for a moment, but the Heavenly Silkworm Silk remained stubbornly bound to her. At this moment, everyone was far from Hu Tian. The only chance to escape the iron cage was that Hu Tian had temporarily stopped the mechanism to save Yao Siniang.

Sima Wanqing believed that if Hu Tian could slow the iron gate's descent even slightly, she could rush over and have a chance to subdue him. However, the iron gate slammed into the ground without hesitation. Yao Siniang screamed, followed by the fresh smell of blood, and then silence. Hu Tian had completely disregarded Yao Siniang's life or death! Even more tragically, Yao Siniang had activated the mechanism, and now she was the first to die tragically beneath it. Was this her retribution?

Instantly, everyone was plunged into boundless darkness, unable to see their own hands in front of their faces. The air was thick with the stench of blood, making breathing extremely difficult. Duan Yuhan looked around but saw no light; clearly, the two large iron gates were tightly closed.

"Let us out! Let us out!"

the girls cried. Most of the others had drawn their swords and other weapons, desperately trying to pry open the surrounding walls, hoping to create a hole to the outside.

Duan Yuhan pulled Sima Wanqing close, suddenly noticing her hand had become icy cold in his palm. After a moment's thought, he understood what had happened. It must be because she had continuously channeled her inner energy into him, causing her to expend too much energy.

"Did you set up this mechanism later?"

she asked softly. It should be known that Wanyin Hall was the ancestral home of the Sima family, later converted into a place for discussing important matters and entertaining distinguished guests. Sima Lie had repeatedly warned against setting up any hidden mechanisms here, lest it disrupt the feng shui of Lieyun Ranch.

"No."

Duan Yuhan thought for a moment, then said with certainty, "It must have been Hu Tian who did it when I went to Hangzhou."

"Hahahaha, are you comfortable in there?"

Hu Tian's maniacal laughter came from behind the iron gate. "Don't go around banging on those scraps of metal. Let me tell you, the walls around here are all reinforced with five-inch-thick iron plates. Forget about drilling a hole, you can't even dig a crack!"

"Master, let us out! Please, Master!"

the girls cried out, pleading, but Hu Tian continued to laugh.

After a while, their eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, and they could roughly make out the outlines of things. Duan Yuhan vaguely saw Sima Wanqing had fallen to the ground at some point, and quickly helped her up. "What's wrong?"

She let him help her up softly. "Nothing."

Her breathing was extremely disordered, showing symptoms of internal injury.

"I know, you haven't been feeling well for the past few days. Why did you force yourself to endure it?"

Duan Yuhan tenderly embraced her. She stopped speaking, trying to regulate her internal energy.

Hu Tian laughed again, "My lord and his wife are truly a loving couple, I envy them greatly. Haha, I never expected those fools outside to be able to stop the wife, I only intended to lure her to the Hall of Ten Thousand Mutenesses with a trap, but I didn't expect my lord to be alive and come along... That's for the best. Duan Yuhan, so what if you're alive? As long as I use this last move, you still can't escape death!"

"Master, we don't want to die! Please let us go!"

The girls who had been singing and dancing just now cried out in anguish.

Hu Tian sighed, feigning composure, "I don't want you to die either, but how can the world-renowned Duan Yuhan die with only Sima Wanqing by his side? In the afterlife, he will naturally need many people to serve him. Otherwise, wouldn't he be too lonely? It's just, what a pity..." He

suddenly fell silent again.

Feng San couldn't help but shout, "What's the pity? You despicable traitor!"

"It's a pity that someone chose the wrong master and can only go to the Yellow Springs with Duan Yuhan. It's even more a pity that you refused to change 'Guanwai Sima' to 'Guanwai Duan Clan' when I suggested it repeatedly. Tomorrow, I will hang the 'Guanwai Hu Clan' plaque outside the ranch gate, and you won't be able to see it!"

Hu Tian continued triumphantly.

Sima Wanqing felt a jolt in her heart. Duan Yuhan refused to call himself Guanwai Duan Clan because he had no intention of occupying Lieyun Ranch forever? He never made Sima Bing change her surname to Duan, and still regarded Bing'er as the heir of the Sima family? In the end, he would still hand over Lieyun Ranch to "Guanwai Sima"?

"Let me sleep and think about how you would like to die. Will you die of thirst, starve to death, or wait two or three days and I'll throw a few thunderbolts in to play with?"

Hu Tian's voice grew softer and softer, as if he had walked away. His departure threw the Wanyin Hall into even greater chaos. Some lamented their fate, others cursed Duan Yuhan for dragging everyone down with him, some retaliated, and still others relentlessly continued digging the tunnel—each busy with their own tasks.

"Shut up

, all of you!" Duan Yuhan frowned impatiently. "Now that we're all locked up here together, we should unite and find a way out. Crying and cursing are just a waste of energy, completely useless. You all, carefully feel along the edge, see if there are any gaps, check if anything is loose, and then make a plan."

His reprimand made everyone agree, and they finally quieted down, consciously or unconsciously following his instructions.

Sima Wanqing, listening to him, inexplicably recalled something from her childhood. Back then, they had rescued someone who had jumped into the river to commit suicide. The rescued person kept lamenting and blaming himself, and he had given him a similar scolding. At that time, his handsome and serious appearance, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, was radiant and captivating, making her blush and her heart race. Later, he carried her home on horseback, causing her to remain nestled in his arms, afraid to look up at him.

Even now, in the darkness, she couldn't see his expression, but she imagined it must be as captivating as before. She couldn't help but sigh; if only time could stand still in those carefree years.

"What's wrong?"

His hand tightened.

A sudden, uncontrollable heart palpitation shot through her, and she quickly pushed him away, sitting cross-legged and circulating her inner energy. She didn't know how much time had passed, but when she opened her eyes again, she heard a chorus of whispers.

"Feeling better?"

He was still very close.

"Yes,"

she responded softly.

"They tried; the iron gate and walls are very sturdy, ordinary weapons can't pry them open at all. Where there are gaps, they tried to pry them outwards, but they were all iron plates."

He spoke calmly. For some reason, she was terrified that if his voice stopped, he would vanish into the darkness, leaving her no trace. Instinctively, she wanted to move closer, but ultimately retreated slightly, maintaining her distance.

Feng San approached unnoticed and whispered, "I've counted; there are 235 people here. We only have five plates of fruit, about fifteen jin, enough to fill our stomachs. There are also two jugs of Junshan Silver Needle tea and one jug of Western Region grape wine over there."

"I understand. You can rest for a bit,"

Duan Yuhan replied casually.

Sima Wanqing abruptly stood up. "Give me your sword."

Feng San quickly handed her his sword. She walked slowly to the wall, briefly felt around, concentrated her energy, and channeled the domineering inner force of the Supreme Heaven-Supreme Heart Sutra from the hilt to the tip, swiftly thrusting it straight into the wall. "Thud," "Clang!" The sword first pierced the bricks, then the iron plate, leaving only about half a foot of the blade protruding. Taking a deep breath, she forcefully pulled the sword out. A dazzling spark danced on the blade, but the light vanished in an instant, and complete darkness returned. The sword hadn't pierced the thick iron plate!

A chill ran through her. She leaped onto the roof beam and thrust the sword at the roof again, but the result was the same.

She sheathed her sword, landed gracefully, and walked to Duan Yuhan's side. "What are your thoughts?"

"Hu Tian's iron cage is indeed sturdy and thick enough. I think the only thing to do right now is to save our lives, and then think of a way to get out."

He seemed confident.

She couldn't help but say, "So many people, and so little food and water, it won't last long."

"Even if we eat all the fruit, tea, and wine, those who want to survive won't starve to death."

His tone was full of strangeness.

"Have you heard that when the Yellow River flooded, many people exchanged their children for food? With so many people here, it won't be difficult to survive no matter what."

He whispered in her ear, and she felt every hair on her body stand on end. The surroundings were pitch black, as sinister and terrifying as hell.

"No!"

She took a step back, not wanting to hear any more.

He grabbed her wrist, pulled her to sit beside him, and said softly, "I know you always hesitate. But even if you don't do it, others might. When it comes to life and death, it's just a matter of the strong preying on the weak."

His words were cold-blooded and cruel, a chilling force overwhelming her heart.

She bit her lip and said resolutely, "No matter what, even if I die, I will never do it."

She suddenly thought that if she died here with him, all the grudges and affections would be forgotten, which might be a kind of liberation.

After a moment of silence, she said softly, "Do you remember flying wing to wing at the top of the banquet tower? At that time, you asked me if I was willing to die with you, and I never answered you."

He embraced her and chuckled softly, "I know you were willing in your heart."

"Yes, I was willing."

Although she couldn't see his face clearly, she still stubbornly looked up at him and said those words clearly. The

familiar jasmine scent from her hair filled his nostrils, the fragrance lingering and seeping into his heart, giving him a dreamlike joy. For a moment, he dared not speak, fearing that a single word would wake him from his dream.

For a long time, they remained silently embracing, their heartbeats rhythmically echoing each other, strangely synchronized.

"With those words from you, I can die without regret. You would rather die than hurt others,

so I'll go with you." Though it was death, he was still happy to die with her.

His fingertips caressed and entwined her hair, and he couldn't help but say, "That day, I did it on purpose..."

"I know, you don't need to explain."

She gently covered his lips with her hand, letting out a long sigh. "Anyway, you've always been like this since we were little, deliberately trying to annoy me."

He didn't want to leave her, didn't want to go to the safe Jiangnan region, even if she misunderstood him, he would risk everything with her. She finally understood his heart.

In the darkness, he couldn't see her face, only her voice, a mixture of reproach and tenderness, so gentle and sweet. He couldn't help but grasp her slender hand, find her lips, and kiss her deeply.

She didn't flinch, but pressed forward to feel his passion and love. Her lips, soft and warm, carried a sweet, unforgettable allure, captivating him. Their lips and tongues intertwined, savoring each other's warmth and flavor, wishing only to be entangled like this forever.

After a long while, he released her. "Believe me," he said, "if I could do it all over again, I would only want to take you from the ranch. I want nothing but you."

His voice was slightly hoarse, yet utterly sincere.

The crispness of his breath in her mouth gradually turned bitter and sorrowful, and she suddenly felt like crying. He finally regretted his past actions, but was it too late?

"It was my fault."

How young and impetuous he had been, filled with resentment and bitterness—now, looking back, it all seemed so distant. Facing her now, he dared not ask for her forgiveness.

She suppressed the sorrow in her heart, burying her head deeply in his chest, remaining silent. Unbeknownst to her, a lock of black hair loosened at the back of her head. She reached down and found the jade hairpin that held her hair in place was gone. At this moment, everyone was focused on survival; naturally, no one would steal it. Had the hairpin come loose on its own while she was using the sword? But how could she not have heard it fall to the ground?

The ground beneath her feet felt softer than usual, not as hard as before. She paused, startled by her injury.

"What's wrong?"

he sensed her absent-mindedness.

"I don't know where my jade hairpin fell,"

she replied casually. A vague thought flashed through her mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.

"The hairpin is gone?"

A sudden thought struck him. He remembered that when he entered the Hall of Ten Thousand Yin, the floor was different from usual; it was covered with brand-new Persian carpets. He bent down and touched the ground, then chuckled. "The bottom of this iron cage is hollow."

"That's it. The ground used to be a layer of tiles, and underneath was soil. Hu Tian must have been afraid we'd discover we could dig a tunnel out, so he deliberately put a carpet on top. How could it be a cover-up?" A sudden

realization dawned on her.

She lifted the carpet, took her sword, and forcefully thrust it into the crack between the tiles. The entire blade sank into the ground; the resistance was much less than when she'd stuck it into a wall, and there was no metallic clanging.

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness, at least they haven't started eating people yet."

She gathered everyone, told them the way out, and they all cheered and began digging.

The sounds of hammering bricks filled her ears, and her thoughts drifted far away. The past was as clear as yesterday, and a heavy weight of sorrow pressed down on her heart. She pushed him away and sat down on a chair nearby.

"I'm tired, I want to sleep."

Without waiting for his question, she slumped over her desk, never looking up at him. She only asked herself one question: if she were to rekindle their love, would she be doing right by the dead?

Gradually, she drifted off to sleep. In her hazy state, she vaguely sensed a cool, delicate fragrance lingering around her, permeating her dreams.

Chapter 23: I'd Rather Betray Others

"Bang, bang!" Seven-year-old She and her two older brothers were diligently prying at the floor tiles in the Wanyin Hall, their precious cricket having escaped under the tiles.

"Oh dear, Father's here!"

her second brother cried. The three panicked, but couldn't escape. Sima Lie caught them and brought them back for family discipline, ordering each to receive ten lashes.

Facing their father's livid face, the eldest brother was the first to step forward. "I pried the bricks, so it's my fault for ruining the feng shui. Father, punish me if you will, it has nothing to do with my younger siblings."

The second brother bravely puffed out his chest. "No, it's because I asked my eldest brother to help me find the crickets. If anyone should be punished , it should be

me." The seven-year-old girl, though afraid of being whipped, couldn't help but step forward. "Father, I took my second brother's crickets here and played with them until they were lost. It was my fault."

"If Father really wants to punish, then let me take the punishment for my sister."

The eldest brother pulled her behind him. The second brother also rushed over and stood beside her. "I'm fat, I'm thick-skinned, Father, hit me instead."

The eldest brother's hands were thick and strong, and she felt very safe leaning against him.

However, in a daze, everything changed. The eldest brother's heroic face, pale as paper, was buried under a mound of yellow earth, and the second brother's simple and gentle smile was also forever silenced underground.

"Eldest brother—"

she sobbed in her sleep. Half-asleep, she felt a hand gently pat her back, softly soothing her. A sharp pain gripped her heart, and the clear, sweet fragrance drew ever closer, jolting her awake.

Bright moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating her figure in a black robe adorned with cloud patterns. Looking around, the familiar furnishings revealed her to be in the bedroom of Gongyu Xiaozhu. Was she dreaming? She closed her eyes, then opened them again—still here. Filled with confusion, she almost jumped up, but her body was too weak, and she was only wearing a close-fitting silk undergarment, so she shrank back under the covers.

"Had a nightmare?"

Sheng Xixian casually lit a candle and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Yes."

She felt inexplicably guilty.

"Tell me, what do you want?"

The candlelight illuminated his eyes, making them appear as deep and unfathomable as West Lake, his tone unreadablely calm. She looked at him, bewildered, unsure where to begin.

"I heard this is your and his new home. 'Gongyu Xiaozhu,' meaning 'Hand in hand, facing the storm together'? What a fitting name."

He said casually. "However, he ruthlessly exterminated the Sima family and forced you to flee the ranch. Is that what you call facing the storm together?"

Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to remain calm. "How did I get here? How did you get here? Where are the others from Wanyintang? And Hu Tian?"

He suddenly turned around, chuckling softly. "The others from Wanyintang? You're only thinking about Duan Yuhan, aren't you?"

"You...aren't you angry?"

she asked, her voice trembling with doubt.

The candlelight cast several shadows on him, blurring his expression. His sharp gaze shifted and wandered, then he leaned down, looking intently at her with a playful expression. "You want me to be angry?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she felt a little flustered. "Anyway, it's my fault. I shouldn't have kept his faked death a secret from you."

She paused, finally making up her mind. "I no longer want to kill him. However, our agreement from that day still stands. You help me deal with Hu Tian and reclaim the ranch, and I'll give you half the ranch's wealth."

"You think what I really want is half of the Lieyun Ranch?"

His domineering phoenix eyes met hers, unusually gentle, like a pool of spring water, almost drowning her.

She lowered her eyes and took a deep breath. "Besides the ranch, I can't give you anything else."

She remained silent. The surroundings were eerily quiet. He suddenly reached out, pulled back the covers, and lifted her up. A wave of panic washed over her. She struggled desperately, but her limbs were weak and limp, and she couldn't gather any internal energy.

“Now, no matter what I do to you, you can’t resist…”

His head pressed against her snow-white neck, the warmth of his breath making her heart flutter. “So, what I want, you can’t refuse.”

She bit her lower lip, remaining silent.

His tongue nimbly slid down her neck. “Why won’t you speak? Are you just going to let me do whatever I want?” Her

delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she said softly, “I know you won’t. Someone as proud as you would never force someone, right?”

“I wouldn’t force anyone, but you’re different from others.”

He lifted her delicate chin, gazing intently at her. “I have a thousand ways to keep you by my side forever, so you’ll never think of that other person again.”

“I know, I’ve seen some of those at Mr. Ling’s. There’s the Soul-Losing Pill, which makes people lose their memories and thoughts, turning them into puppets; or the Anle Pill, which makes people addicted and obedient; or the Miao love potion, which makes someone devoted to its master for life; there must be others. I’ve never doubted your abilities.”

She smiled faintly, her serene beauty like the bright moon in the night sky, her brows and eyes so beautiful it was almost unbearable to look directly at.

“Wanqing…”

he whispered, suddenly pulling her tightly into his arms. His burning heat enveloped her, a suffocating dizziness washing over her. She limply let him hold her, without uttering a word, but she vaguely caught a glimpse of helplessness flashing across his face.

Releasing her, he smiled as calmly as ever. "Our original agreement was to kill him and reclaim the ranch. But you deliberately concealed his death and protected him in every way. You broke the agreement first, so my cooperation with Hu Tian now isn't an injustice to you."

Seeing her expression change, he continued, "Besides you, everyone else from Wan Yintang is imprisoned in the dungeon. They'll all be useful when I rebuild Lieyun Ranch, so you can rest assured, I won't kill indiscriminately."

"What exactly did you do?"

she asked, staring directly at him.

"Nothing much. I just heard you and Duan Yuhan headed towards the ranch and wanted to see how things were going. I happened to overhear someone digging a tunnel in Wan Yintang, so I casually sent someone to put some Ten-Fragrance Softening Powder at the entrance."

He spoke casually, but she broke out in a cold sweat.

He already knew Duan Yuhan wasn't dead, but he didn't reveal it, wanting them to fight Hu Tian first. Then he could play the role of the snipe and the clam, and reap the benefits! The Ten-Fragrance Softening Powder, when ignited, releases a colorless and odorless gas that silently erodes physical strength. He used this poison in a surprise attack, controlling Duan Yuhan and the others without losing a single soldier. This man, seemingly gentle and harmless, is actually the most cunning! And Duan Yuhan, in his hands, is in grave danger!

Her petal-like lips instantly lost their color. "Then you'll go see Hu Tian and demand to split the ranch with him, or else you'll join forces with us and make sure he dies a horrible death?"

"That's right."

He smiled leisurely.

"Don't you always hate despicable and shameless people? Even if you need someone powerful on the ranch to help you, why would you choose Hu Tian?"

Anger surged, and she couldn't help but question him loudly.

He stared at her with a half-smile. "What do you think?" A

murderous glint flashed in his slender phoenix eyes. No matter who he chose to cooperate with, he would get half the ranch. But he abandoned her and chose Hu Tian. The only difference was—she wouldn't kill Duan Yuhan, but Hu Tian would.

"Understand?"

He casually toyed with her jade earring. Her pearly white teeth bit her cherry lips, leaving a faint mark. He wanted to kill Duan Yuhan, all because of her!

"He and I can never be like before, so why do you insist on his death?"

For the first time, she leaned in and took his hand, pleading with such sincerity.

"You're determined to leave him?" His

sword-like eyebrows rose, and his face radiated an unusual light.

She nodded, and he smiled again, "You're too naive. How could he let you go if he didn't die?"

She hesitated for a moment, a faint sadness appearing between her dark eyebrows and watery eyes.

"I know you definitely don't want the ranch to fall into Hu Tian's hands, so I'm giving you another chance to choose."

Through her silk undergarment, his hand encircled her slender waist, "As long as you continue to fulfill our agreement and kill him to avenge your father and brothers, the ranch will still be yours. Otherwise, the ranch will belong to Hu Tian and me, and you can just be my little slave."

His phoenix eyes were full of doting affection as he gently kissed her smooth forehead.

She silently shook her head. "I won't kill him, nor will I follow you."

"You have no third choice."

A slight curve appeared at the corner of her crimson lips, her smile suddenly as ethereal as drifting smoke. "After my eldest and second brothers passed away, Father taught me a saying: 'I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me.'"

Her voice was clear and melodious, like jade shattering in the wind, indescribably pleasant, yet tinged with a chilling coldness that inexplicably made his chest tighten.

"Those you deeply love can turn into enemies in an instant. In this world, there is no one truly trustworthy, isn't that right?"

A hint of sorrow lingered in her brows. "You were always afraid I was too lonely and depressed at Qingxin Yayuan, so you came to keep me company almost every few days. Your favorite snack is red bean rolls, isn't it? There were a few days when I specifically went to the kitchen to see them make them."

Avoiding his gaze, she continued, "Mr. Ling said that the most potent slow-acting poison in the world is 'Seven Absolutes Unparalleled.' Green Spinning Top Flower, Drunken Immortal Lotus, Peacock..." "I found powders of these seven things in the pharmacy of the Holy Martial Palace: gall, ambergris, arsenic, orchid, and poppy."

She looked out the window. "After being poisoned by this, there are no obvious abnormalities in the body, and it is generally not noticeable. However, if the poisoned person does not take the antidote, they can only live for four months. With your martial arts skills and physique, I think you can only live for about a month longer than an ordinary person."

He was stunned, carefully recalling everything they had done together, and suddenly understood. "The Seven Peerless Techniques, were they put in the bean rolls you made that day?"

She nodded quietly.

In his memory, the events of two months ago were vivid. He came to see her as usual, and she was taking a nap. He saw a plate of bean rolls on the table, which looked terrible. He didn't care at first, but Bao'er was in a hurry to take the plate away, which made him very curious. After asking, he learned that Wan Qing had made them in the kitchen on a whim. Because they didn't look good and taste bad, Wan Qing had ordered them to be thrown away. At that moment, seeing the crookedly rolled, dull-colored bean rolls, he was only interested in tasting her cooking. Although Bao'er said everyone had just eaten them and they were terrible, repeatedly advising him not to eat any, he still ate one. He thought she made them because she had a tiny bit of affection for him, but it turned out to be nothing more than a trap.

"As for the others who ate them, you naturally gave them the antidote later without them even knowing."

He couldn't help but laugh at himself. How many truths had he seen through, how many traps had he uncovered, how could he have been outmaneuvered by her? No matter how confident and talented he was, he couldn't escape the power of love.

"Yes,"

she answered decisively. With Duan Yuhan as a precedent, she naturally needed to consider everything carefully when cooperating with Sheng Xixian. She would rather go against her conscience and betray him than give him the opportunity to betray their agreement and harm herself.

Looking back at him, she felt a pang of guilt. "I didn't do this because I really wanted to harm you. I just wanted to be on the safe side and hoped that we could continue to cooperate. If it weren't for what happened today, I would have naturally cured you without you even realizing it once I got back to the ranch. Now... I want you to let Duan Yuhan go and help me deal with Hu Tian. Will you agree?"

After all, she had been the one to scheme against him first and break their agreement. She still felt somewhat unconvinced.

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “What if I don’t agree? I have two or three months to slowly find the antidote. Besides, Ling Kezhou knows this poison; of course she can concoct the antidote.”

“It’s useless.”

She shook her head. “The Seven Peerless Poisons are called ‘Peerless’ because each person’s concoction is unique in the world due to the different proportions of the seven ingredients. Only the person who concocted the poison can make the antidote.”

He saw the calm confidence in her eyes and knew she was telling the truth. “You must have the antidote ready and carry it with you. I don’t believe you can’t find it.”

“If you want to dig up every inch of the place I’ve been and cause chaos, so be it.”

Her clear, quiet eyes were as calm as ever as she replied.

He stared intently at her. "What will you do if I refuse?"

"A wise person knows when to yield. I believe you will make the best choice for yourself."

She smiled gently, seemingly resolute, but a layer of worry remained in her eyes. A proud man like him wouldn't be easily threatened into submission. If he didn't agree, did she really want him dead?

"Don't forget, you promised to do something for me."

He stroked her black hair. "Now I need you to help me detoxify. This doesn't violate morality or harm anyone else. You won't go back on your word, will you?"

"I'm afraid I can't comply."

She shook her head again, letting out a soft sigh. "Just consider me a liar."

After a long silence, he suddenly laughed. "Are you deliberately trying to scare me?"

"You don't feel anything wrong with your body, so you don't believe me? It's simple. Press your Baihui acupoint firmly, and you'll know I'm not lying."

He did as she said, pressing his Baihui acupoint. His face instantly turned pale. After a long silence, he collapsed onto the bed, as if he had fainted from the pain. She froze. She knew that being poisoned by the Seven Deadly Poisons, especially the Baihui acupoint, would cause excruciating pain in her internal organs and even her entire body, but it shouldn't cause her to faint immediately like this.

Struggling to move her limbs, she managed to regain some strength. She searched his sleeves and waist, desperately trying to find the antidote for the Ten Fragrant Tendon-Softening Powder, but he had nothing on him. Frustrated, she noticed his pale face and lack of movement, and her heart raced.

She lightly touched the back of his hand; it was burning hot. She was shocked. "How are you?"

He kept his eyes closed and didn't respond.

She hurriedly placed her hand on his forehead; it was also burning hot. She was anxious. "Did Mr. Ling come with you? I'll ask him to come and check on you."

He still didn't respond. She took his pulse; it was slow and weak. She checked his breathing; it was completely irregular. Unconsciously, her heart pounded erratically, and cold sweat poured down her back. Could it be that the Seven Absolute Techniques had malfunctioned, and she was really going to kill him?

Grabbing her coat and quickly putting it on, she took his hand and said softly, "Hold on, I'll go get someone. You'll be alright."

Turning to leave, she felt his hand suddenly pull her forcefully, her legs went weak, and she involuntarily fell towards him. She landed on his chest, trying to get up, but her arms were too weak to support her.

"No strength?"

his teasing voice suddenly rang out. In a daze, she found herself placed on the soft quilt. Looking up, she saw his eyes, like a gentle stream reflecting boundless moonlight, dazzling and radiant.

"So you do care about me. Perhaps, even a little bit of affection..."

Leaning forward, his long, slender fingers gently caressed her soft cheek, hot as a branding iron, the heat coursing through her body, making her heart pound uncontrollably.

"Don't talk nonsense,"

she murmured in protest. Was he faking his fainting spell to test her feelings for him?

"Stop running away, admit your feelings."

His alluring phoenix eyes, his smiling lips, carrying the sweet, alluring scent of butterflies, were so close, inching closer to her heart.

A shiver ran through her; she wanted to retreat, but there was nowhere to go. From the very beginning, she had been deeply wary of him, striving to keep her distance. After she poisoned him, she felt guilty and was even more unwilling to get too close. She didn't want to waste her time on personal matters before avenging her family and reclaiming her home. She didn't want to be involved with another man as a wife; it violated her moral principles. She didn't want to be wounded by love again; she feared encountering another Duan Yuhan. However, fate had other plans. Though she pushed him away again and again, he still managed to carve his mark on her heart.

Unexpectedly, he deftly untied the bow at the front of her dress, revealing a light green undergarment that outlined her slender yet shapely curves, sparking the imagination. Pulling the blanket over herself, she was in turmoil. She had always been calm and composed around him, so why had she been so tense and afraid of something terrible happening to him when he collapsed? Why had she so naturally taken his hand? Just to let him know that she cherished him? Since when had she become so accustomed to paying attention to his every move, so accustomed to knowing his preferences and character? Since when had she gradually become accustomed to the faint fragrance around her?

She felt like she was no longer the person she once was. She could no longer escape.

Her starry eyes dimmed, a hint of sadness in them. "I poisoned you, don't you hate me?"

"Why should I hate you? At least you know what I like to eat most. You've put so much thought into me, haven't you?"

Passionate kisses rained down from her delicate brows and intoxicating eyes, all the way to her crimson lips. In a hazy dream, she was like a small boat adrift on the sea, rising and falling with him.

Outside the window, the moonlight was hazy, the shadows of flowers sparse and oblique, a subtle fragrance wafting in the air. Inside, only her beautiful face, seemingly intoxicated, murmured softly. A gentle evening breeze swept by, and the countless stars hid behind the warm clouds, unwilling to disturb the lovers lost in sweet bliss.

Chapter 24: A Turn of the Hand

Creates Clouds. The crimson curtains, adorned with gold embroidery, accentuated the rosy cheeks of the sleeping Sima Wanqing. A strand of dark, glossy hair playfully entwined around Sheng Xixian's fingers; he couldn't help but smile, carefully removing it. Looking at the beautiful, slumbering figure beside him, for the first time, nearing 9 AM, he still lazily didn't want to get up.

Last night's enchanting moments were like a dream, and he had finally, step by step, entered her heart. Although she only passively accepted his kisses and still didn't want to be intimate with him, he didn't mind at all. He realized that loving a woman meant being happy just by having her by his side, even without doing anything. How had he never noticed this before?

Recalling her words from last night, he quickly dressed and got out of bed. Now, everyone was just playing a game of chess, with the ranch as their goal. But in his eyes, only he, she, and Hu Tian were controlling the entire situation; everyone else was just a pawn, including Duan Yuhan! He hurriedly left. He absolutely wouldn't allow himself to be distracted by romance and neglect his duties.

After a while, Sima Wanqing slowly woke up. Surprisingly, she slept soundly beside him. Did this mean she had unknowingly trusted him? Getting up and combing her hair, she forced a smile at the peach-blossom-tinged beauty in the mirror. Perhaps she had been too persistent before. If she could let go of that "persistence," her world would be vast. With the passage of time, even the thickest clouds couldn't obscure the sun's rays, could they?

Soon, she saw Ling Kezhou. After a long and detailed conversation with this renowned physician, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. For everyone she cared about, for everyone who had died, she would do her utmost.

The next morning, Duan Yuhan, imprisoned in the ranch dungeon, finally awoke. Jiang Ruhua was tending to him.

The events before his fainting spell were vivid in his mind; he looked around and understood his predicament. A hot, stagnant feeling welled up in his chest, as if it were about to explode, a strange, tingling pain coursing through him. At this moment, he was a prisoner, stripped of his martial arts skills, and in extreme physical discomfort, yet he still smiled faintly. Since the age of fifteen, he had been confident he could endure and overcome all suffering. Except for Wan Qing, nothing and no one in the world could break his spirit, make him dejected or gloomy.

"Young Master, you must be hungry,"

Jiang Ruhua hurriedly ordered someone to bring in some white porridge and side dishes.

He glanced at her indifferently. "Sheng Xixian sent you?"

"Yes. The Palace Master instructed Ruhua to serve the young master well."

"How long have I been asleep?"

He moved his limbs; the weakness had disappeared, indicating the effects of the sleeping potion had worn off.

"The young master slept for a day and two nights."

"How is Wanqing?"

"Madam is fine."

Recalling the vague words she'd overheard the Palace Master instructing that a dance costume be prepared for the Madam, Jiang Ruhua had a bad feeling, but dared not voice it.

"Lying!"

He quickly caught her deliberately evasive gaze.

"Ruhua wouldn't dare."

The sound of chains rang out, and the door was suddenly pushed open. Li Lie entered leisurely, "Young Master Duan is awake? That's for the best. The Palace Master is hosting a banquet at the Hall of Ten Thousand Yin and invites Young Master Duan to attend. Ruhua, assist him with washing and changing."

Glancing at the white porridge and side dishes on the table, he laughed and left, "Young Master Duan, you should eat something first. I'm afraid you won't be able to eat anything once you get to the Hall of Ten Thousand Yin."

Duan Yuhan didn't care about his words, silently analyzing the current situation in his mind.

"Young Master, if you want to save the Madam, please take good care of yourself."

Jiang Ruhua scooped a spoonful of porridge and side dishes and brought it to his lips.

"What do you know?"

He was startled, staring intently at her. The girl before him, with such concern, was actually siding with him?

"It's nothing. The Palace Master has always been kind to Madam, so... he shouldn't make things difficult for her."

She wouldn't say anything, so Wanqing must have had some bad experience. He quickly ate the porridge and let her help him tidy his appearance before leaving.

Li Lie saw him outside the door, chuckled, and led the two towards the Hall of Ten Thousand Yin. Duan Yuhan felt strange; he had lost all his martial arts skills, so why would Sheng Xixian send a master like Li Lie to escort him?

Inside the Hall of Ten Thousand Yin, Sheng Xixian and Hu Tian each sat in the main seats, below whom a beautiful woman was playing the pipa, singing and dancing. Seeing him enter, Sheng Xixian smiled brightly and sincerely praised, "I've long heard of Young Master Duan's outstanding talent; seeing you today, it's truly well-deserved."

Last time at West Lake, they were far apart, so now he could finally see Duan Yuhan's face clearly. In his imagination, when Wanqing was a little girl, she must have often stared blankly at someone as handsome as him.

"Your Highness flatters me. I intended to pay you a visit when I arrived in Hangzhou, but I was entangled in various matters and missed the opportunity. It is fate that we meet today."

Duan Yuhan replied with a smile.

"Haha, whether in Hangzhou or Wanyin Hall, Your Highness always sits in the main seat. Young Master Duan was indeed a step behind."

Hu Tian smiled like a fox, his words full of sarcasm. "Originally, I was very worried that the yin energy in the dungeon was too heavy and would harm my health, but now that I see Young Master Duan still looking radiant, I am finally relieved."

Sheng Xixian drank a cup of wine. "Young Master Duan, please sit."

Duan Yuhan suppressed the burning discomfort in his chest and sat down in the guest seat as if nothing was wrong, wanting to see what tricks they would play. Ruhua stood respectfully to the side.

"Reporting to Your Highness, Miss Jiang has arrived."

"Bring her in."

At the door, four maids escorted a graceful figure as they gradually approached. The figure was shrouded in layers of white silk, obscuring her face. Sheng Xixian gave a slight signal, and the maids quietly removed the silk and withdrew.

She stood quietly, her dance dress crimson, thin as a cicada's wing, vaguely revealing the exquisite curves beneath. That face and figure were unmistakably Sima Wanqing, yet she stared directly at Sheng Xixian, not even glancing at Duan Yuhan.

Sheng Xixian beckoned, and she gracefully stepped forward, nestling beside him. "My darling, we have distinguished guests present. Would you please perform a dance?"

He embraced her tenderly. "Yes,"

she replied sweetly.

A clear, melodious sound rang out, and the beautiful woman who had just danced stepped aside to continue playing the pipa. Its sound was as turbulent as a sudden rainstorm, as gentle as whispers, enveloping Wanqing like a soft breeze and drizzle.

A splash of fiery red pierced the air! Her crimson sleeves fluttered forward, like the fluttering wings of a vibrant butterfly, like a soaring dragon. She gathered her sleeves, then began to dance again to the music, her shadow like a dazzling sunset, graceful as a rainbow, flowing endlessly like clouds and water. The pipa music was dense and intricate, and her dance quickened. Her long sleeves crisscrossed in the air, filling the room with a shimmering, mesmerizing red. The illusory red shadows were like peach blossoms blooming across the mountains, breathtakingly beautiful.

Everyone was somewhat dazzled and mesmerized, and Duan Yuhan was already deep in thought. Her dance steps were light and agile, clearly her martial arts skills were still intact, but why would she obey Sheng Xixian's orders? Were they using Yue Zhongzheng and herself to blackmail her? Or, like Bamok, had she been subjected to a soul-shifting spell?

The pipa music suddenly stopped, and the red shadows also abruptly stopped. Her dance clothes were disheveled, her thin shirt half-covering her breasts, her snow-white body appearing and disappearing, her captivating beauty almost breathtaking.

"Young Master Duan, how was the dance?"

Sheng Xixian strode down, embracing Wanqing as she returned to her seat.

"An absolutely superb dance,"

Duan Yuhan replied calmly.

"And what about this lovely woman?"

Sheng Xixian playfully fiddled with her earring, and she nestled obediently beside him. He was stunned; he hadn't expected her dance to be so unparalleled. The person he was willing to cherish for a lifetime was indeed a rare gem.

Hu Tian clapped and laughed, "This Miss Jiang's dance is unparalleled; I admire her greatly. Oh dear, look closely, she really does resemble Sima Wanqing. If an outsider saw her, they might easily mistake her for someone else."

Turning to Duan Yuhan, he said, "But how could Duan Yuhan's wife be reduced to a dancer selling smiles and dances? Don't you think so?"

This was probably what it meant for a petty person to gain power. Taking a deep breath, Duan Yuhan warned himself not to act impulsively, but to carefully consider all factors before seeking an opportunity to retaliate.

"I...I'm surnamed Jiang?"

Sima Wanqing asked somewhat uneasily.

“Yes, your surname is Jiang,”

Sheng Xixian answered, casually pointing to Jiang Ruhua. “The one standing over there is your sister.”

Sima Wanqing looked closely, smiling shyly. “My sister and I look alike.”

“Of course, you are sisters.”

“I… I don’t quite remember.”

She lowered her head.

Sheng Xixian laughed heartily. “You don’t remember because you tripped and fell a few days ago, hitting your head. You and your sister are both from my Holy Martial Palace. You are the best dancer in the palace, my favorite…”

His lips suddenly pressed against her ear, whispering something. Her face flushed instantly, and she shyly snuggled closer to his arm. His hands roamed intimately over her waist, and she nestled even tighter against him.

Raging anger surged, and Duan Yuhan almost lost control. Damn it! What had they done to her?

"With such a beauty in your arms, Your Highness is truly blessed. I envy you. I wonder how Your Highness manages to make her so docile? I'm very curious, and I imagine Young Master Duan would also be interested to know."

Hu Tian rolled his eyes and smiled slyly.

"Actually, it's nothing much. Just nine pills, one for her every day. No matter who she is, I guarantee that after nine days, if you tell her to go east, she will never go west."

Sheng Xixian took a pinkish-green pill from his pocket and proudly flicked it onto the table in front of Duan Yuhan.

"The Soul-Stealing Pill?"

Duan Yuhan was shocked and blurted out.

Hu Tian came over and picked up the pill, clicking his tongue in amazement. "This is the Soul-Stealing Pill, the first masterpiece that shocked the martial arts world by Mr. Ling? It doesn't seem particularly magical. Why don't you try it and see how it works, Young Master Duan?"

He chuckled and approached Duan Yuhan.

“There’s no need to waste Mr. Ling’s medicine on him.”

Sheng Xixian brought Sima Wanqing over. “Look, the young lady of the dignified Sima family only took two pills, and now she’s obediently following orders.”

“Is it really that effective?”

Hu Tian grinned maliciously and reached out to touch her half-covered breasts, but she slapped him away with a powerful blow. Hu Tian dodged hastily, looking quite disheveled.

Sheng Xixian casually helped Hu Tian up, saying, "She still needs seven days of training before she can truly become a soulless person, at which point she'll be completely at everyone's mercy. Now, it's not the right time."

Duan Yuhan appeared calm on the surface, but his palms were sweating profusely. He naturally knew the power of the Soul-Stealing Pill. Seven days left—how could he possibly save Wan Qing?

Hu Tian looked at Sima Wanqing suspiciously, then smiled mysteriously. "I don't believe she'd be so easily controlled by the drug. Why don't you order her to kill Duan Yuhan, so I can see for myself?"

"I originally intended to linger with Young Master Duan for a few more days, but since Mr. Hu doesn't believe in the effects of the Soul-Stealing Pill, I'll prove it to him,"

Sheng Xixian said slowly with a smile, casually drawing a guard's sword and handing it to the woman in his arms. "Kill him!"

"Yes."

A pale hand readily accepted the weapon. Hu Tian carefully stepped back a few paces. Her eyes

, clear and bright, stared intently at Duan Yuhan. However, there was no trace of him in those beautiful eyes. With a graceful movement, the sword flashed, its killing intent surging. In an instant, the buzzing, sharp blade pierced through his clothes and into his flesh. The cold sword, carrying the aura of death, penetrated his heart.

At that moment, Duan Yuhan suddenly felt as if his body wasn't his own; all he felt was excruciating pain in every pore of his body with each breath.

She coldly sheathed her sword, blood splattering everywhere, landing on her crimson dancing dress. It was impossible to tell who was more scarred or more tragically beautiful. A dazzling crimson filled the sky, and her face, as radiant as the morning sun, possessed its breathtaking beauty, filling his dark eyes.

Duan Yuhan smiled faintly, then collapsed. If he had to die, he would rather die by her hand. Heaven had been kind to him, hadn't it?

"Clang—"

The longsword slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. Sima Wanqing threw herself into Sheng Xixian's arms in terror, her delicate body trembling. He embraced her, whispering words of comfort.

Blood continued to gush out, soaking Duan Yuhan's blue robe, flowing to the ground, staining the Persian carpet crimson. His once beautiful dark eyes had dimmed; his face was ashen, lifeless.

"Tsk tsk..."

Hu Tian bent down to examine Duan Yuhan's wounds carefully, checked his breath, and couldn't help but laugh. "You struck quickly and ruthlessly, hitting the heart in one move, killing him instantly. Miss Jiang's kung fu is quite impressive."

"I...I killed someone?"

She glanced at Duan Yuhan on the ground, her face turning ashen.

Sheng Xixian suddenly hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. "My darling, you really didn't disappoint me."

"Ugh—"

She struggled weakly for a few moments, her eyes suddenly filling with tears, and murmured, "Why...my heart hurts so much?"

Sheng Xixian gently covered her eyes and said softly, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, you must be terrified."

Then he waved his hand, ordering someone to take her back to her room, and she obediently left.

As she was helped away and her figure gradually disappeared, Sheng Xixian cautiously checked Duan Yuhan's breathing and pulse before smiling and saying, "Duan Yuhan died at Sima Wanqing's hands, which is retribution. Consider it repayment of the Sima family's debt. He has nothing to complain about in the afterlife."

"Indeed, indeed! What the Palace Master says is exactly what I was thinking."

Duan Yuhan had truly died in front of Hu Tian, and the weight on his heart had finally been lifted. He felt an indescribable sense of relief and joy.

"Someone, take the body away and bury it in a fine coffin,"

Hu Tian ordered, then turned to Sheng Xixian, "The Palace Master is new to the ranch and must have many places yet to visit. Why don't I lead the way and show you around?"

"That would be perfect."

Sheng Xixian and Hu Tian laughed heartily and went out the door. Along the way, Sheng Xixian praised the ranch's magnificent beauty, and Hu Tian gave detailed introductions, quite pleased with himself. The two got along very well.

In the distance, the Sima family ancestral hall still stood majestically. Hu Tian's heart stirred. "I believe that the Palace Master's favor towards Sima Wanqing is fleeting. She must be killed after her time is over to prevent future troubles." "

Such a beauty, it would be a great pity for her to die,"

Sheng Xixian said with a smile. "Mr. Hu, you just witnessed the power of the Soul-Stealing Pill, didn't you? From now on, Sima Wanqing will cease to exist; the Holy Martial Palace will simply have a dancer surnamed Jiang."

"Is there an antidote for the Soul-Stealing Pill?"

"Of course not!"

Sheng Xixian answered decisively.

Hu Tian couldn't help but laugh, "It's fine not to kill them. The Palace Master is indeed a man of compassion."

"Not at all. By the way, Mr. Hu, how do you plan to announce the truth about the ranch's upheaval to the entire martial arts world?"

"The truth, of course, is that Sima Wanqing had an affair and conspired with Feng San to murder Duan Yuhan, which I discovered. Fortunately, with the Palace Master's help, I was able to successfully capture the two."

Hu Tian chuckled, "Seven days later, I will invite all the merchants and gangs I usually associate with to a gathering at Wanyin Hall, where I will publicly kill Feng San and another woman who looks just like Sima Wanqing to avenge Duan Yuhan. Then, Yue Zhongzheng will formally announce that I will temporarily take over the ranch; in addition, to express my gratitude to the Palace Master, some of the ranch's assets will be transferred to the Shengwu Palace. What does the Palace Master think of this arrangement?"

Sheng Xixian smiled and nodded in approval, "With Yue Zhongzheng speaking in front of everyone, many outsiders' suspicions and doubts can be dispelled, and Mr. Hu's leadership of the ranch will be more convincing. This method is very clever."

“Speaking of Yue Zhongzheng, we still need to borrow Jiang Meiren from the Holy Martial Palace,”

Hu Tian said politely. Indeed, as long as he threatened Yue Zhongzheng with Sima Wanqing, Yue Zhongzheng would naturally do whatever he wanted.

“Mr. Hu, there’s no need for such formalities. Just send someone to let us know whenever you need her,”

Sheng Xixian smiled leisurely. “Mr. Hu and I hit it off immediately. We’ll definitely have a good drink when we get back, until we’re completely drunk.”

“Excellent! Excellent!”

Hu Tian replied cheerfully. Things are unpredictable. Who could have imagined that Sheng Xixian, who tried to kill him just over ten days ago, would now be his ally? Sheng Xixian was probably just a man who prioritized profit and had a fondness for beautiful women. Now, he no longer needed Sima Bing as a puppet, because with the support of the entire Holy Martial Palace, he didn’t need to worry about any force criticizing his control of the ranch as illegitimate or trying to bring him down. Sheng Xixian, having killed Duan Yuhan, had one less formidable rival to dominate the martial arts world, won the heart of a beautiful woman, and gained half the wealth of the ranch—a truly fruitful endeavor. This cooperation was beneficial to both of them, so why wouldn't they take it?

That evening, the two drank heartily and were very harmonious. In his drunken state, Hu Tian mumbled, "Actually, that day, when you captured Duan Yuhan and the others… you had the opportunity to take over the entire ranch, so why did you pull me into your partnership?"

Sheng Xixian just smiled at him, "I'm not that greedy. Besides, although the Holy Martial Palace is powerful, it's impossible to make everyone on the ranch submit in a short time. You've always been resourceful and powerful on the ranch; I believe cooperating with you is the wisest choice. When I unify the martial arts world one day, I'm sure you'll support me."

"Of course… let's drink some more…"

Hu Tian chuckled, his words already somewhat slurred. Sheng Xixian waved his hand slightly, ordering someone to send him back, and hurriedly returned to his bedroom at Gongyu Xiaozhu. Deep in his heart, he always thought of that stunningly beautiful woman. (
Chapter 25, April 5th: With Utmost Sincerity) His

eyelids were heavy, and he couldn't open them. Duan Yuhan only felt that someone was walking around him, his whole body numb, without any pain, as if floating on a cloud, dizzy and weak. He seemed to hear someone speaking, trying hard to hear clearly, but only a buzzing sound filled his ears.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but his heart was burning unbearably, as if it were being roasted over a raging fire. He desperately wanted to immerse himself in cool water to ease the pain. Duan Yuhan couldn't help but let out a soft "uh."

"How are you?"

A deep, resonant voice entered his ears, and a flash of brilliant red crossed his mind, jolting him awake.

Standing beside the bed in flowing white robes was Pei Mubai. Confused, bewildered, and surprised, Duan Yuhan was momentarily disoriented. Pei Mubai sighed and smiled. Duan Yuhan looked at him, wanting to sit up and ask what had happened. Pei Mubai seemed to know his thoughts, gently pressing him down and slowly recounting the whole story.

It turned out that when Pei Mubai arrived at the ranch, he saw several guards carefully burying a coffin. Suspicious, he secretly checked who was being buried after they left, and that's how he saved Duan Yuhan. Although his sword wound had struck his heart, thanks to the Jade Auspicious Hundred Flower Pill, the injury was no longer a serious problem, and the damage to his meridians would heal quickly. They were currently hiding in the inner chamber of the Quiet Study, which was relatively safe.

Pei Mubai's words were simple and clear, but Duan Yuhan vaguely felt that something was amiss, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. However, he figured Pei Mubai had no reason to lie to him.

The Quiet Study was where Sima Lie's wife used to chant scriptures and worship Buddha. Since Wanqing left the ranch three years ago, it had become deserted. At this moment, the surroundings were unusually quiet, and Duan Yuhan's thoughts gradually cleared. Thinking of Wanqing falling into Sheng Xixian's hands and wondering what had become of her, he couldn't help but feel worried.

"You don't need to worry about Xiaoqing."

Pei Mubai took a snow-white pill and placed it in his mouth.

"But..."

The unbearable pain in his chest made Duan Yuhan's voice extremely hoarse.

Pei Mubai reached out and placed his hand directly on Duan Yuhan's palm. Instantly, a gentle flow of true energy flowed through his eight extraordinary meridians, warm and comfortable, making him feel lazy and wanting to fall asleep. However, he struggled to maintain a sliver of consciousness, staring intently at Pei Mubai. He wouldn't allow himself to lose consciousness again until he heard definite news about Wanqing.

"Don't worry, Xiaoqing will be safe and sound."

Pei Mubai didn't want to tell him the truth, fearing that knowing it would cause him despair or even resentment, potentially leading to some crazy action that would worsen his injuries. But Duan Yuhan remained stubbornly focused on him.

Avoiding Duan Yuhan's gaze, Pei Mubai felt a moment of loss. Jingzhai was where he and Wanqing had secretly met, uncovering the truth together. Here, he had sworn to the kind-faced Guanyin to protect her with all his might. But now? Wanqing was determined to start another relationship, but she hadn't chosen him. Did she only ever see him as a good brother? He had told himself that as long as she was happy, nothing else mattered. But ultimately, he was still somewhat unwilling.

No matter what, he wouldn't betray her trust; he would definitely take good care of Duan Yuhan. He said slowly, "I swear on my life, she will be alright."

His voice was clear and strong, intentionally trying to reassure Duan Yuhan. Duan Yuhan was stunned. Pei Mubai had always been fond of Wanqing, but always reserved and restrained. Why was he saying this so out of character this time?

Soft candlelight shone down, illuminating Pei Mubai's elegant and noble profile, dressed in spotless white robes, captivating everyone. Duan Yuhan suddenly realized that if he were to die this time, only Pei Mubai would always take care of Wanqing and Bing'er, and always be good to them, no matter the circumstances.

"Bing'er..."

Duan Yuhan forced out the word.

"Bing'er is fine, I've made proper arrangements,"

Pei Mubai replied. "Alright, go back to sleep."

He gently pressed his pressure point to induce sleep, and Duan Yuhan drifted back into a deep dream.

When he awoke, Pei Mubai was still by the bedside, handing him a towel to wipe his face, making him feel much refreshed. His limbs regained strength and he could move freely. He wasn't even hungry, which must be due to the medicine's remarkable effects.

"How's the ranch?"

he asked eagerly.

"It's all Hu Tian and the Holy Martial Palace outside,"

Pei Mubai replied casually.

"How many days have passed since you left Wanyin Hall?"

"Today is the fourth day."

"If you take the Soul-Losing Pill for nine days, Qing will become a soulless person forever, do you know that?"

He felt Pei Mubai's expression was different from usual.

"Anyway, take good care of your injuries. I'll handle everything else."

Pei Mubai finished speaking, sat cross-legged, and used his internal energy to help him circulate blood. He unconsciously drifted off to sleep again.

When he awoke, he was refreshed and seemed like a normal person. While changing his clothes, he saw his chest and his heart suddenly tightened. The wound was bandaged extremely meticulously, and the bandages were dry and clean, without any bloodstains, as if they had just been changed. He moved his shoulder; the bandages were just the right tightness, protecting the wound without hindering movement, showing that the person who bandaged him was well-versed in medicine. Doctor Lu Jingqiao once said that bandaging wounds is an art. Even if his injury was healed by Yuxiang Baihua Dan, how could Pei Mubai know how to bandage wounds?

Seeing Pei Mubai, he couldn't help but ask casually. Pei Mubai smiled but didn't answer. He wanted to know more about Wanqing and the ranch, but Pei Mubai was vague. No matter how he beat around the bush or probed indirectly, Pei Mubai either remained silent or changed the subject, never giving a direct answer. He wanted to go out and take a look, but Pei Mubai strongly dissuaded him. In the end, it all came down to the same thing: as long as he focused on recovering, Pei Mubai promised that Wanqing and the ranch would be fine.

Pei Mubai's attentive care and good intentions were something Duan Yuhan could naturally feel, but how could he stand idly by and do nothing when his beloved wife was being controlled by another man? He stayed up late into the night, pretending to be asleep, until Pei Mubai finally rested. He put on a human skin mask and quietly went out. Thanks to his familiarity with the terrain, he finally managed to find out the latest news. Four days later, Sheng Xixian and Hu Tianhui would be hosting a grand banquet at Wanyin Hall, with guests including representatives from various merchants and martial arts sects. Wanqing, however, had completely lost her will. It seemed Pei Mubai was keeping it a secret to avoid causing her anxiety.

He quietly returned, lost in thought. Even at the cost of his life, he would stop the conspiracy of Hu and Sheng.

For three days straight, Sima Wanqing and Sheng Xixian spent all their time together, enjoying themselves near the ranch, and she obeyed his every word. Everyone knew that the once pampered and reserved Miss Sima, the unapproachable Madam Duan Yuhan, had now become Sheng Xixian's pet.

That evening, the two went hand in hand to a hot spring not far from the ranch. The thick steam rising from the pool couldn't hide the worry in her eyes. Although she had resolved to let go of that person, her heart still longed for him.

Sheng Xixian lovingly put his arm around her shoulder. "He's fine, don't worry."

"I...I'm sorry,"

she lowered her head and apologized softly. A strange feeling grew stronger in her heart; she was actually afraid he would be angry. She had never felt this way with Duan Yuhan before.

"No need to apologize, I just want you to feel at ease."

His phoenix eyes shone with a captivating light, his smile elegant and reserved, completely unlike his usual domineering self.

Looking up at him, she was confused. She had never expected him to be so forgiving, to compromise for her to such an extent, but he was indeed doing so. If she hadn't used "Seven Absolutes Unparalleled," would he still be like this? She wanted to know the answer, but she didn't dare to pursue it further. She was afraid the answer wouldn't be what she wanted, and she would only be disappointed.

"Relax, there are at most four more days, everything will be alright."

He smiled slightly and pulled her hand to his chest. She felt his steady and strong heartbeat, and immediately felt much more at ease. The master of the Holy Martial Palace, there were many rumors about him in the martial arts world. He had resolved the long-standing feud between the Eighteen Villages of Qilian and the Tang Clan of Sichuan in a single night, forcing both organizations to submit. He had even made the arrogant and haughty Ling Kezhou willingly serve him. With his support, she shouldn't have anything to worry about.

However, this tenderness from the arrogant man who looked down upon the world made her extremely uncomfortable.

She murmured, "Sometimes, I'm really afraid of you."

A hint of surprise unconsciously crept onto his lips. He gently cupped her face, gazing intently into her beautiful eyes, as if trying to read her heart.

Her face flushed, and she lowered her eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her

voice already tinged with a coquettish tone.

Casually brushing aside her black hair, he whispered, "I'm truly afraid of you."

Because he loved her, he couldn't bear to see her unhappy, couldn't bear to go against her wishes. She was the only exception among millions, making him willingly change his former hardened ways.

A misty white fog enveloped them, their breaths almost touching. She could clearly feel his heart pounding in her palm, and unconsciously took a small step back. Even after acting out so many intimate scenes with him in public, she still felt a little shy.

He pretended not to notice her habitual avoidance and returned to the main topic, "Everyone believes he's dead, so he can naturally remain unscathed. As for Hu Tian, he should take you to see Yue Zhongzheng before the Wanyintang banquet. We'll definitely have a way to rescue him then."

"Remember, if you and I join forces, no one in the world can stand against us. A mere despicable Hu Tian is nothing to worry about."

He raised an eyebrow and smiled arrogantly. His deep, ocean-like eyes, once turbulent, now held a warm, spring-like warmth as they followed her small figure. She leaned against him, falling silent. The warmth of his touch seemed to penetrate her heart, making her willingly melt.

After a long while, he suddenly blinked, then abruptly pulled her into his arms, and they both fell into the pool beside them.

She listened intently; there was a rustling sound coming from the entrance of the cave, clearly someone was cautiously approaching. The sound stopped abruptly, indicating that the person didn't really intend to come in. They exchanged a brief glance and smiled knowingly. These past few days, Hu Tian's men have been popping up from time to time, ostensibly out of concern, but actually still suspicious of them. Regardless, the act must continue; they absolutely cannot let Hu Tian see through their act. Otherwise, all their previous efforts will be in vain, and rescuing Yue Zhongzheng will be nearly impossible.

The sobbing of water, his wanton teasing, and her tender submission filled the entire cave, captivating the senses. After a while, the rustling sound resumed, and the figure quietly disappeared.

"He didn't dare look closer; he was

eavesdropping," she breathed a slight sigh of relief and told him via telepathy.

"That's for the best; otherwise, we wouldn't be able to fool anyone,"

he whispered in her ear. Their wet clothes clung to their skin, outlining their barely concealed lines. She didn't know if it was the heat of the water, his heat, or her own heart that was burning, but she was enveloped by a surge of heat and dared not look at him for a moment.

"I want you,"

his eyes blazed with burning desire, and his arms suddenly wrapped around her slender waist, holding her firmly against his chest. His burning breath enveloped her, almost suffocating her.

"Don't,"

she knew he was driven by passion, but still shook her head, softly stopping him. He gently kissed her blushing cheek, then released her and swam away. Taking a deep breath, for the first time, he dared not look at her, afraid that one glance would make him lose control.

Seeing him lean against the rocks by the pool, not turning back for a long time, she felt a strange pang of pity. Swimming behind him, she couldn't help but ask softly, "Are you unhappy? Or... are you in pain?"

Her voice trailed off, almost inaudible. But to him, her shy voice was like heavenly music, and he couldn't help but turn to look at her, smiling but silent.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

she blushed, avoiding his gaze. He lovingly put his arm around her shoulder. She cared about his emotions; she was concerned about his feelings. Her heart was slowly letting him in, and this was what he truly wanted. He knew that physical attraction was fleeting; only the harmony of souls could last.

“Once the ranch matter is settled, we’ll go back to Hangzhou, okay?”

He casually picked up a white jade comb from the shore and smoothed her hair.

She thought for a moment and answered seriously, “I need to settle Uncle Yue first, then pick up Bing’er, and get the ranch running smoothly…”

Her expression was still so alluring. His fingers lovingly caressed her delicate lips, and he smiled softly, “Whatever you want to do, I’ll do it for you. As long as you’re by my side.”

His gentle words were like a pebble thrown into a still lake, rippling beautiful waves. She couldn’t resist that flutter.

“Don’t you have many women? What have I done to deserve your attention?”

She had heard that he was fond of beautiful women; Lianxiu Courtyard had four wives and twelve concubines, each a stunning beauty with her own unique charm. What did women mean to him? Were they for amusement, or just decorations? She was afraid, afraid that his love was just an illusion, or merely a fleeting infatuation.

"I don't understand why I only have eyes for you, but it's the truth."

He had already decided to face his infatuation with her. "As for them, I have arrangements, and I will never let you down." "

If... I weren't the daughter of the Sima family, and I were of no help to your unification of the martial world, you wouldn't treat me this way, would you?"

Her smile seemed a little weak.

He held her small hand, looked directly into her clear, watery eyes, and said emphatically, "I admit, I noticed you because of your relationship with Lieyun Ranch. But now, I know my own thoughts very well. Even if you have nothing, even if you are nothing, I still want you."

"Unifying the martial world is my business. If you don't want to, you don't need to get involved at all. As long as you agree to be my empress, that's enough."

With a bright smile, he punished her by lightly biting her fair, delicate earlobe. "Silly girl, don't ask such questions again."

His clear voice, carrying a sweet, tingling sensation, flowed straight into her heart, and she couldn't say anything more. Turning to look at him, who could have imagined that the powerful master of the Holy Martial Palace would be so tender? Perhaps everyone is like this; even the most hardened heart softens before the sight of their beloved.

A faint, almost imperceptible fragrance wafted from her slender, white fingertips. Elegant and alluring, it subtly permeated his body and soul. As if possessing a bewitching magic, her scent gently plucked at the deepest strings of his being. He gladly accepted the irresistible allure. Before, when she was cold and indifferent to him, he could still convince himself to be firm with her, but knowing her feelings for him, his heart softened uncontrollably. If she was his destined nemesis, he was willing to be bound by her. In

the days that followed, whenever Pei Mubai went out, Duan Yuhan would also carefully go out, returning to take medicine and rest, his injuries healing remarkably quickly. This morning, upon waking, his limbs were filled with a warm sensation. A thought struck him, and a warm current naturally circulated throughout his body, the same feeling he used to experience when practicing martial arts. He sat cross-legged, focusing intently on his internal energy, only then realizing that his inner strength had gradually recovered. With a casual grab, the teacup floated gently towards him. After a few more tries, he found himself using it with ease, almost as before. Remembering that tomorrow would be the ninth day since Wanqing took the Soul-Stealing Pill, he only wanted to go out and save her immediately.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard Pei Mubai's footsteps approaching. He suddenly hesitated, unsure whether he should tell Pei Mubai the good news. He went back to bed, covered himself with the blanket, and pretended to be asleep; he still preferred to act alone.

Pei Mubai, seeing him fast asleep, swiftly pressed his sleeping acupoints and Jianjing acupoint, then hurriedly left. Pei Mubai only wanted him to sleep peacefully, so the pressure was extremely light. Thus, in less than half an incense stick's time, Duan Yuhan released the pressure points on his own.

Donning his human skin mask, Duan Yuhan flew straight to Gongyu Xiaozhu. From the servants' discussions, some envious, some disdainful, he learned that Sheng Xixian had been invited by Hu Tian to a banquet at Moke Ridge and had already gone with Sima Wanqing.

He should have first appeared to subdue the ranch's people before devising a plan to deal with Hu Tian and Sheng Xixian. But recalling the lewd look Hu Tian had given Wan Qing that day, he was extremely anxious. Even without certainty, he had to save her first; no matter what, he absolutely could not let her suffer any more humiliation.

He grabbed a horse from the stable and rode off, heading towards Moke Ridge according to his memory. Upon entering the ridge, he saw a magnificent carriage speeding by in the distance—the highest-class welcoming vehicle from Lieyun Ranch—entering Hu Tian's residence. Li Lie and the others who accompanied him also entered. He quickly abandoned his horse, using his light-footed skills to enter the mansion, waiting for his opportunity.

Sima Wanqing and Sheng Xixian's plan to deal with Hu Tian seemed flawless, but they had overlooked one thing. Duan Yuhan would never be manipulated or used as anyone's pawn!

Chapter 26: Love Causes Worry

Hu Tian greeted Sheng Xixian with a smile as he entered the hall, but his gaze remained fixed on Sima Wanqing. She wore no makeup today, her face bare, as graceful as a lotus emerging from water. Only her alabaster skin, visible through her silk dress, was alluring and seductive, a far cry from her usual elegant and pure charm.

"Someone, take Miss Jiang to change her clothes,"

Hu Tian said, frowning. A maidservant immediately responded and entered. Sima Wanqing didn't move, only looking at Sheng Xixian.

"My darling, be a good girl,"

Sheng Xixian said with a smile. "Yes."

She bowed and withdrew, following the maidservant out the door and into the east wing.

She took the pink silk dress the maidservant handed her, a faint bitter taste rising on her tongue. That dress was the one she and Duan Yuhan cherished most during their honeymoon.

Walking behind the screen, she took off her outer garment and changed into the pink dress, somewhat dazed. Back then, she was deeply in love, believing she could grow old with him; today, she was wielding the sword of wisdom, severing the ties of love. The vicissitudes of life are beyond human control; this was truly the case. Suddenly, she caught a slight "hiss" sound, and she snapped back to reality.

"Qing!" That familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind her. She stiffened, telling herself that Duan Yuhan couldn't possibly be here, but still involuntarily turned around with lightning speed.

Just a few days had passed, yet seeing her again felt like centuries. Her waist-length black hair swayed gracefully with each elegant turn, like a flowing spring. Her delicate eyebrows and watery eyes, so clear and beautiful, captivated Duan Yuhan. Qing looked exactly the same as she had three years ago.

His dark eyes, as clear as the autumn moonlight, held boundless tenderness and concern, seeping into her very soul. "Come with me."

He took her small, white hand, and she followed him, dazed, until he pulled her towards the window, at which point she snapped out of her daze. How could she have been so lost in thought upon seeing him?

"You've regained your martial arts?"

she stopped, unable to resist asking. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the maidservant who had been unconscious on the ground, clearly struck by acupuncture.

"Yes."

He turned and smiled. "Aren't you happy?"

Her heart skipped a beat. She recognized him, meaning she hadn't lost her memory. Had she not taken the Soul-Stealing Pill? Was she faking it at Wanyintang that day?

"Happy."

She nodded, her wrist nimbly slipping from his grasp. His delicate brows furrowed slightly, but he moved with lightning speed, instantly grabbing her hand again, refusing to let go.

"You don't need to pretend to be controlled. I absolutely don't want you to suffer like that again. Believe me, we have other ways."

Duan Yuhan wrapped his arms around her waist, speaking solemnly. In his mind, Sheng Xixian, like Hu Tian, was a ruthless opportunist, and Wanqing's pretense of being controlled was an attempt to rescue her uncle and reclaim the ranch.

He still protected her with such devotion, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Forcing herself to remain calm, she smiled faintly, "I didn't suffer."

"Don't lie to me."

Her waist seemed even thinner; he hated himself for letting her suffer such humiliation alone.

"I didn't lie to you… He's fine, he didn't force me."

She looked directly at him, her voice soft yet penetrating his heart, pressing down on him until he could barely breathe.

His Qing, a woman of unwavering pride and stubbornness, how could she so easily abandon her dignity and allow herself to be harassed and flirted with by her enemy? Sheng Xixian hadn't forced her, yet she could be so intimate with him—was it because she truly loved Sheng Xixian? She said she wasn't wronged because everything was of her own free will?

His Qing had decided to abandon their past vows of eternal love; no matter how hard he tried to win her back, she wouldn't turn back.

He feared for her safety and desperately wanted to save her, but it was all wishful thinking on his part. His Qing simply didn't want to go with him. His dark

eyes, like an icy lake, glazed over when he looked at her, like a raging fire burning amidst a blanket of winter snow—a fusion of ice and fire, like a mixture of love and hate, threatening to completely engulf and bury her. However, gradually, his gaze dimmed, like a stagnant pool, devoid of any further ripples. He had killed her father and brothers; he had betrayed their true love first. Now, what right did he have to blame her?

"Tomorrow is the Wanyintang banquet. Hu Tian will definitely take me to see Uncle Yue today, to blackmail him into saying in front of everyone that he will take control of the ranch. He asked me to change into my old clothes because he's afraid Uncle Yue won't believe I'm really Wan Qing. Sheng Xixian is helping me. I will save Uncle Yue properly. You should leave quickly."

She hurriedly explained to him. Even if he had regained his martial arts skills, he was still recovering from his injuries, and she didn't want him to be in danger again.

"Since you're staying, of course I'll stay too."

Duan Yuhan smiled coldly, his handsome face as unruly as ever. Looking at his smiling, crescent-moon-like black eyes, she felt a chill run down her spine, and a slight cold sweat broke out on her back. Every man who tried to get close to her had a bad ending, except for Pei Mubai, who had saved her. Should she hope that he would let Sheng Xixian go?

Footsteps approached from outside the door, followed by Sheng Xixian's hearty laughter. "Beautiful women always take their time changing clothes," Hu Tian chimed in. "The Palace Master dotes on her; it's best not to overstep boundaries." Then came Sheng Xixian's voice, "Mr. Hu, you're overthinking it." Duan Yuhan's sensual lips remained slightly upturned; he was still smiling, a dazzling smile, but his dark eyes held a sharp, icy light devoid of warmth. She shivered inexplicably. Composing herself, she instantly channeled her energy into her palm and shook off his hand.

"You'd better leave quickly, don't ruin my plan to save Uncle Yue, or I'll hate you for life!"

She carefully warned him through telepathy, then abruptly opened the door and walked towards Sheng Xixian. If Duan Yuhan were calm enough, he wouldn't have acted rashly. But having just heard about her and Sheng Xixian, he was now filled with extreme pain and hatred, determined to kill Sheng Xixian as quickly as possible, and no one could stop him.

With a swift movement, he suddenly appeared beside Sima Wanqing, his palm strike fierce, sweeping towards Sheng Xixian. Sheng Xixian and Hu Tian were startled and hastily retreated several steps, precisely to avoid his attack. Sima Wanqing countered with a palm strike, meeting his attack head-on. She wanted Hu Tian to believe that she had done everything in her power to protect Sheng Xixian, becoming completely disoriented, before Hu Tian would take her to see Yue Zhongzheng.

"Be careful,"

Sheng Xixian blurted out instinctively, unaware of who the other was.

Hu Tian's eyes darted around. "The Palace Master certainly cherishes beauties. Actually, I'd like to see just how good her martial arts are."

With that said, Sheng Xixian couldn't very well order Li Lie to replace Sima Wanqing.

The Supreme Heaven-Supporting Heart Technique, an unparalleled martial arts technique, combined with the Cloud-Turning and Rain-Covering Hand, was incredibly powerful. Even Duan Yuhan's Frosty Heart-Piercing Palm was only about equal to the fiercely fighting Sima Wanqing. She wanted him to leave quickly, while he only wanted to bypass her and deal with Sheng Xixian. Neither of them intended to harm the other, yet they became entangled in a fierce struggle.

"Get out of the way!"

The silent roar of anger burning in his dark eyes screamed at her. "Don't act rashly! Think of Uncle Yue!"

Her beautiful eyes were filled with anxiety as she looked at him earnestly.

"Why must you protect Sheng Xixian?"

"Saving Uncle Yue is the final step; I can't let this fail, do you understand?"

However, filled with disappointment and unbearable jealousy, he was ultimately not persuaded by her pleading eyes.

A strong wind swept through, rustling the leaves as they fell. Emerald green petals drifted like fine rain, and two figures moved erratically among them. With a slight flick of the wrist, several kingfisher feathers flew towards him, then abruptly changed direction, shooting towards Sheng Xixian. Clad in flowing pink, she moved with the grace of a fairy soaring through the falling leaves, suddenly striking from an unexpected angle. Her slender palm rose, like a sword slashing down, the invisible energy surging horizontally instantly crushing the green leaves, now transformed into projectiles, into dust.

Seeing her like this, he was like a wounded and hungry lion, locked onto his target but unable to attack, growing increasingly resentful. His attacks became more and more domineering and forceful, as if he needed to tear and destroy something to alleviate the pain in his heart.

One attacking, one defending, the two were locked in a stalemate. Sheng Xixian knew the killing intent was directed at him and had guessed who the newcomer was. Hu Tian's expression grew increasingly grim, likely shocked by Sima Wanqing's true strength. Because his target was Sheng Xixian, he hadn't suspected Duan Yuhan of this suddenly appearing expert. A large number of guards rushed over and surrounded the two.

"Palace Master, the beauty is no match for him. Perhaps I, Hu, could lend you a hand?"

Hu Tian gave a signal, and his men rushed forward.

Sheng Xixian waved his hand, "No need to trouble Mr. Hu's men. I trust she can handle it."

"This person dares to harass Palace Master in my territory; I cannot stand idly by."

Hearing their conversation and seeing the guards about to attack, Sima Wanqing sensed something was wrong. Duan Yuhan's stubborn refusal to leave likely led to only two outcomes. One was that she would continue her act, using everyone's strength to capture Duan Yuhan. But given his personality, he wouldn't be captured until the very last moment, and would inevitably be severely injured. One option was for her to subdue Hu Tian on the spot. But given Hu Tian's temperament, he would rather die than let Uncle Yue be dragged down with him, which was an outcome she absolutely did not want.

She wanted him to leave unharmed, and she also wanted to rescue Uncle Yue. Her mind raced, and in an instant, she thought of the only way to achieve both. Her watery eyes fixed on Duan Yuhan, a hint of indifference on her cherry lips. If only dripping blood could bring him to his senses, make him stop and leave quickly, she didn't care about the bloodshed.

His palm, carrying a murderous aura, attacked, and she pretended to be unable to dodge in time. Just as his palm was about to strike her chest squarely, he, in his rage, hesitated for a moment, withdrew his palm force slightly, and still sent it out. He calculated that with her internal strength, this palm force would only knock her back a few feet, and she wouldn't be injured. As long as she retreated, he could naturally kill Sheng Xixian.

However, when his hand touched her, he suddenly realized that she hadn't circulated her inner energy to protect herself, and it was too late to withdraw his force. Her beautiful eyes held determination, resolve, and a touch of sorrow, as if saying, "If you still love me, leave now." A deep crimson gushed forth, droplets of blood splattering onto his clothes.

The warm early summer breeze felt strangely cold on his face. His rage vanished instantly, replaced by an unbearable, agonizing pain in his heart. His Qing had forced him to leave in this way; what could he do?

He watched as her slender figure was flung away like a kite with a broken string, then caught by the leaping Sheng Xixian. He smiled sadly, turned abruptly, and with a few leaps, easily fended off the reckless guards who surrounded him, disappearing in an instant. Seeing

him leave safely, she breathed a sigh of relief, only then feeling a surge of uncontrollable blood rushing through her veins. Turning her gaze, she met Sheng Xixian's concerned eyes and forced a smile. Carefully carrying her into the house, he helped her circulate her qi to heal her wounds, a feeling of unease washing over

him. Just now, he was certain that Duan Yuhan wouldn't truly harm her, so he didn't intervene. Unexpectedly, she deliberately didn't use her inner strength to protect herself, intentionally getting injured, just to force that person to leave. Could it be that no matter what he did, he could never replace Duan Yuhan's place in her heart?

The wind whistled past his ears, the shadows of the trees blurred behind him, and Duan Yuhan ran wildly, his mind in unprecedented chaos.

He had slaughtered the Sima family; he should have known that one day she might leave him because of it, shouldn't he? He had always firmly believed that his love could dissolve her resentment, but now he would pay a heavy price for his ruthless revenge!

From meticulously planning to force her to run away from home, to painstakingly concealing the truth from her, to trying every means to prevent her from leaving the ranch, he always thought that as long as she accepted his arrangements, she would be the happiest woman in the world. But from beginning to end, he had imposed his will on her, never asking her if it was what she wanted. Now, even if he were willing to spend his entire life pampering her, she wouldn't accept it.

Once, marrying him and growing old together was the most beautiful life she longed for. But her dream was cruelly shattered by him! He was the one who created the chasm of hatred between them, he was the one who forced her into a dilemma between love and hate. Now, her choice of another is all his doing!

"How are you?"

Pei Mubai had caught up with him before.

"Perhaps I should have told you sooner, then you wouldn't have acted so impulsively."

Pei Mubai understood his feelings perfectly. No man can tolerate his beloved woman falling in love with someone else, especially Duan Yuhan.

He took a deep breath and suddenly stopped, staring intently at Pei Mubai. "You knew everything all along?"

"Yes. I originally planned to wait until you were fully recovered and Uncle Yue was rescued before telling you."

"That day, you were in Wanyin Hall, and when you came out, you were both drugged by the Ten Fragrant Softening Powder from Shengwu Palace and fainted. When Xiao Qing sent me a message by carrier pigeon to help you, you were still unconscious. It was the divine physician Ling Kezhou who used silver needles to prick six acupoints around your heart to temporarily slow blood flow. That's why when Xiao Qing stabbed you with a sword, your breathing stopped, your pulse stopped, and you seemed to be dead."

Hearing Pei Mubai's explanation, he recalled the faint stabbing pain in his chest at the time, which was indeed somewhat strange.

Pei Mubai continued, "That day, even if Hu Tian didn't want Xiao Qing to kill you, Xiao Qing would have found a reason to stab you. Xiao Qing planned to let Hu Tian see you die, and then see that she had taken the Soul-Stealing Pill, so that Hu Tian would lower his guard and use her to blackmail Uncle Yue. Only in this way would she have a chance to save people."

"When Hu Tian's men buried you, I was following behind them, so I was able to bring you out in time. Later, it was Ling Kezhou who applied anesthesia and treated your wounds."

Sure enough, he knew that the wound bandaging was not done by Pei Mubai.

"Bing'er, I have already entrusted her to Bamok's care as Xiao Qing wished."

He couldn't help but be stunned. Since when did Qing trust Bamok so much? Last time, Bamok was controlled by Hu Tian and was considered half an enemy.

Pei Mubai sighed softly, "You probably don't know, but Bamok is Sheng Xixian's master. Three years ago, he brought Xiao Qing to the Holy Martial Palace to hide from your search, and he even taught her the light-footed movement technique for flying and ascending to immortality."

Duan Yuhan suddenly wanted to laugh. He should have realized it sooner; Qing and that Sheng Xixian really did have some connection.

"What else did Qing say to you?"

He tried his best to remain calm.

"Before coming to the ranch, she wanted to send you and me to Jiangnan. At that time, she said that letting you go was better for everyone, and she wouldn't hold on to anything anymore."

Pei Mubai didn't want to hurt Duan Yuhan; he only hoped that he could accept Xiao Qing's choice.

No longer holding on? Love, no longer lingering and reluctant to let go; hate, no longer stubbornly clinging to it. He still remembered that day when she pressed his pressure points and then gently combed his hair. He thought she loved him, but how could he know that she had decided to go her separate ways and never see each other again? That was just the last tenderness before parting, giving each other a beautiful memory.

Later, when they were trapped together in the Hall of Ten Thousand Speech, she personally said that she was willing to die with him. He thought he had finally won back her heart, but little did he know that those were words spoken in a near-death situation, unreliable. As soon as he found a way out, she immediately pushed him away.

A flash of snow-white light appeared in her beautiful black eyes, then calmed down, unfathomable, and Pei Mubai couldn't discern his thoughts. But he had regained his usual composure, looking much better than his earlier outburst.

Patting his shoulder reassuringly, Pei Mubai continued, "Xiao Qing hopes you're safe and sound, and so do I."

Duan Yuhan remained silent.

Gathering his thoughts, he carefully considered the events of the past few days, and he understood the whole story. It was Li Lie who took him to the Hall of Ten Thousand Yin that day; sending such a skilled fighter by his side was to prevent Hu Tian from plotting against him. During his days at Jingzhai, no one had bothered him, which must have been Qing having Sheng Xixian send the servants away. Pei Mubai went out this morning to acupuncture him, knowing he was going to rescue his uncle today and fearing he might wander off and be in danger. To ensure his safety, Qing had made meticulous arrangements for everything. But what had he done to Qing?

The scene from just now was vivid in his mind, his heart aching with pain. If Qing had joined forces with Sheng or Li, they could have defeated him, but that would have inevitably resulted in mutual destruction. His Qing would rather be injured herself than let him escape unscathed. That palm strike was delivered in a fit of rage; he knew better than anyone how much force he had used. No matter how profound her inner strength, she still needs to rest for a while.

He had protected her wholeheartedly since childhood, not allowing anyone to harm a single hair on her head, yet the one who hurt her the most was himself. Under the dappled shade of the trees, the sunlight shone brightly, making his dark eyes sparkle like jewels, but it couldn't illuminate his heart.

"Xiao Qing's inner strength is quite good, and with the Great Rejuvenating Pill, that injury will heal quickly."

Clad in snow-white robes, she smiled warmly, seemingly knowing his thoughts.

"Thank you."

For the first time, Duan Yuhan sincerely said those three words.

"No need to thank me,"

Pei Mubai paused, then smiled broadly, "If you really want to thank me, then let go, give Xiao Qing a chance to choose freely."

Duan Yuhan raised a handsome eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Letting go was Pei Mubai's philosophy of love, not his! No one could take Qing away from him!

"Alright, the most important thing now is to catch up with Xiao Qing to save Uncle Yue. Xiao Qing has some orchid fragrance on her; if we follow this little guy, we'll find her."

Duan Yuhan then noticed a silver thread tied to Pei Mubai's right little finger, the other end of which was hidden in his sleeve. With a buzzing sound, a small flying insect resembling a bee darted out, its speed surprisingly fast. That little thing was probably some treasure of the Holy Martial Palace.

Without asking any further questions, Duan Yuhan and the two followed the flying insect. Duan Yuhan absolutely could not allow himself to be an outsider and stand idly by in this battle with Hu Tian. Moreover, he would never give Sheng Xixian another chance to win Wan Qing's heart.

Chapter 27: Deep Affection

Following Hu Tian's winding path, Sima Wan Qing and Sheng Xixian remained extremely vigilant. Reaching the depths of the mansion, a rockery suddenly appeared before them, half-built against a cliff. Unlike the delicate and exquisite gardens of Jiangnan, this one was rugged and imposing, occupying a considerable area. Approaching further, a silver ribbon cascaded down from the artificial hill. The waterfall wasn't large, seemingly drawn from a mountain spring, artificially created, yet it was undeniably graceful and romantic.

"This courtyard is truly breathtaking, and the waterfall is ingeniously designed,"

Sheng Xixian praised with a smile.

"There's something even more interesting,"

Hu Tian said smugly, leaping towards the waterfall and disappearing instantly. Sima Wanqing and Sheng Xixian quickly followed. Passing through the curtain of water, their feet touched solid ground, the sound of rushing water behind them, and before them stood a large iron gate. Behind the waterfall, within the artificial hill, was there a hidden world? This place was extremely secluded; it seemed Yue Zhongzheng was likely imprisoned inside. The two exchanged a brief glance, a barely perceptible smile passing between them.

Hu Tian rhythmically knocked on the door, and someone opened it from the inside. At first glance, ten burly men stood solemnly inside, bowing respectfully. Each had prominent temples, clearly masters of external martial arts. On the left wall was a tightly closed iron door. Hu Tian walked over and opened a small window, about a foot square.

"Haven't seen you in a few days, Steward Yue seems to be in good spirits,"

Hu Tian chuckled, but no one answered. Had something happened to Uncle Yue inside? Sima Wanqing felt a surge of anxiety and was about to rush over when Sheng Xixian grabbed her. Calm and composed, she told herself, and finally walked over slowly, as if nothing had happened.

"What? I kindly brought your daughter here, and you're ignoring me?"

Hu Tian said sarcastically, grabbing Sima Wanqing and shoving her to the iron door. Through the window, she clearly saw Yue Zhongzheng sitting at the table, his back to the door, motionless.

"What daughter?"

Yue Zhongzheng turned to look at the window, responding calmly. His gaze swept over Sima Wanqing, suddenly brightening before sliding away. Three years had passed, and his hair was now as white as snow, likely from constant worry about Wanqing's safety. Her eyes welled up, tears welling up and almost blurring her vision.

"If you don't want people to know, don't do it in the first place. Who would have thought that the gentlemanly Yue Zhongzheng would have an affair with Sima Lie's wife? Tsk, tsk, poor Sima Lie, he was cuckolded for no reason and died without ever knowing."

Yue Zhongzheng strode over, speaking coldly, "Stop talking nonsense. Where did you get someone to impersonate Qing'er, and what are your intentions? Speak plainly."

"Your precious nephew is dead. As for her, she is indeed Sima Wanqing, no, she should be called Yue Wanqing."

Hu Tian laughed, unlocking the door with his key and pushing her in front of Yue Zhongzheng. "Look carefully." Upon

hearing the news of Duan Yuhan's death, Yue Zhongzheng's expression changed drastically. Looking at Wanqing in her pink dress, he was filled with even more suspicion and uncertainty. He didn't believe Duan Yuhan was dead. He could also tell that the person in front of him was indeed Wanqing. But if Duan Yuhan was alright, how could she have fallen into Hu Tian's hands?

"Tomorrow at Wanyin Hall, there will be many guests. You must announce in front of everyone that I will be in charge of the ranch. Otherwise, I can't guarantee she won't lose an arm or something,"

Hu Tian threatened, his eyes shining with excitement, probably imagining the glory that awaited him.

Sima Wanqing sneered, "You won't succeed."

She swung her hand like a blade, aiming for Hu Tian's neck. This sudden turn of events startled Hu Tian, who frantically tried to escape, his body spinning around, somehow ending up behind Yue Zhongzheng. A short sword suddenly appeared from his sleeve, about to be placed against Yue Zhongzheng's neck, presumably to take him hostage again. In the chaos, Sima Wanqing hurriedly pulled Yue Zhongzheng to her side, but she didn't see the short sword hidden behind Yue Zhongzheng, stabbing towards him like a meteor. The short sword pierced her heart squarely. She groaned and slumped to the back. Hu Tian grinned maliciously, swiftly pulling out the sword, but the tip was completely dry. He was stunned.

"Qing..."

Sheng Xixian, having just dealt with the men outside, caught sight of this scene and rushed over. Seeing her slightly furrowed brows, he quickly supported her waist.

"Qing'er, how are you?"

Yue Zhongzheng was heartbroken, having not seen his daughter for three years and now seeing her wounded.

"Uncle Yue, I'm alright. I'm wearing the Immortal Spirit Armor; the sword didn't even pierce me."

She straightened up, smiling as she reassured Yue Zhongzheng. The stab hadn't penetrated her body, but the force had struck her chest, aggravating the palm wound left by Duan Yuhan, causing her immediate, excruciating pain.

Seeing that her complexion was normal, Sheng Xixian knew she was alright and smiled knowingly. "Luckily, when I was treating your wounds earlier, you obediently put on that soft armor."

Thinking of how he had coaxed her into wearing the armor, her face flushed, and she quickly looked away. Yue Zhongzheng, seeing the intimate exchange between the two, had already guessed the truth and couldn't help but sigh.

"Don't go!"

Hu Tian had quietly retreated to the corner, opened a door, and was slipping inside. By the time she saw him, it was too late. She rushed over, but the door was already closed, and she couldn't find the mechanism to open it. Frowning, she was annoyed at her carelessness.

"Don't rush, he can't escape. It's best to get Uncle Yue to a safe place outside first."

Sheng Xixian addressed her as "Uncle Yue" with perfect naturalness. She paused, glancing up to see his phoenix eyes looking at her with a half-smile, and suddenly felt a little shy. He considered Yue Zhongzheng family, so naturally,

he extended his affection to him as well. Reaching the outer room, seeing that all ten men had been acupunctured, a thought suddenly struck her. She had never witnessed Sheng Xixian's martial arts skills, but judging from how he subdued these men, he was certainly superior to her, and probably about equal to Duan Yuhan. If she encountered Duan Yuhan outside, she could feel much more at ease.

Reaching the large iron gate, she found it tightly shut. Whether pushed outwards or pulled inwards, the gate remained unmoved, clearly equipped with a mechanism. When asked how to open the gate, the men said they usually pulled it inwards, but they didn't understand why it wouldn't open now. The three of them then carefully examined their surroundings, searching for the mechanism.

"Sigh... Palace Master, we've been cooperating perfectly well, why are you turning against me for a woman?"

Hu Tian's voice suddenly came from the surroundings.

"No matter what, you're nothing but a traitor to Lieyun Ranch, why would I help you?"

Sheng Xixian replied unhurriedly, trying to discern the direction of Hu Tian's voice.

"I advise Palace Master to continue cooperating. You should know that your lives are now in my hands."

Hu Tian chuckled. "There are explosives buried underground. As soon as I activate the mechanism, you'll all be blown to bits."

This was no exaggeration, as he had no reason to lie.

"I've hit it off with Palace Master at first sight, and naturally I don't want you to die here before achieving your ambitions. If you kill Sima Wanqing now, we can still continue cooperating."

Hu Tian continued, seemingly sincerely. He wasn't concerned about Sheng Xixian's life, but he feared that if Sheng Xixian died here, the people of Shengwu Palace would hunt him down relentlessly.

Sheng Xixian smiled nonchalantly, "Explosives? I don't believe it."

The traps in Wanyintang had alerted him. He had already ordered someone to invite members of the Mo family, who were skilled in mechanisms, from the martial arts world. Wanqing had brought Qianrilanxiang, and Li Lie would have led them to follow them all the way. Even if Hu Tian had laid an ambush or traps, they should have been discovered and destroyed in time. He only wanted to get Hu Tian to say a few more words so he could pinpoint his location and drag him out.

"Don't believe me? I'll show you."

Hu Tian said leisurely. Then, there was a slight hissing sound, followed by a loud "boom." The room where Yue Zhongzheng had just been was filled with thick smoke, and the bed and table were completely destroyed. The people outside looked at each other in horror. Sheng Xixian and Sima Wanqing were also somewhat surprised. Had Li Lie and the others not discovered the explosives?

They didn't know that Li Lie and his men had discovered the explosives long ago and did intend to disarm them, but at the last moment, they were all controlled by Duan Yuhan. At that time, Duan Yuhan and Pei Mubai followed the flying insects to the waterfall, where Li Lie met up with Pei Mubai and they went together to the place where the explosives were buried. Later, Duan Yuhan heard Hu Tian's words and suddenly had an idea. He swiftly struck and pressed the pressure points of the Mo family members. At that moment, they were about to cut the fuse of the explosives. Pei Mubai and Li Lie were both shocked and didn't know what he meant by this.

"Don't you want to know how much sincerity that ambitious man truly has for Qing?"

Duan Yuhan said lazily to Pei Mubai. He knew all too well Sheng Xixian's goal of unifying the martial arts world. Usually, such men would sacrifice everything to achieve their goals, let alone be forced to a life-or-death situation by Hu Tian. He wanted to use Hu Tian's threat to make Wan Qing see how much she really meant to Sheng Xixian. She would naturally understand that Sheng Xixian's so-called love was unreliable.

Pei Mubai paused, "What if he really wants to kill Xiao Qing?"

Duan Yuhan continued with a smile, "Qing's martial arts are at least enough to withstand fifty of his moves. If he really intends to kill, we can go in from here and save her in time."

He casually pushed open an iron door on the left wall, and the door creaked open, leading to the room that had just exploded. Pei Mubai nodded. He also wanted to know the answer. He didn't know Sheng Xixian well, and he didn't want Wan Qing to make the wrong choice.

Li Lie was anxious; he couldn't risk Sheng Xixian's life. But he had no choice. With Duan and Pei working together, he could only admit defeat and be subdued.

Over there, Hu Tian could still be heard laughing and talking, "This is just a small bomb. Palace Master, you should think twice before you act. If you stubbornly insist on protecting this woman, your grand plan to unify the martial world will never be realized, and you'll lose your life for nothing. It's not worth it at all." "If

we continue to cooperate, there will be many benefits. Besides, if the Palace Master truly rules the martial world in the future, what kind of woman won't you have?"

Hu Tian continued to persuade.

Sheng Xixian lowered his head and remained silent, lost in thought. Although Sima Wanqing believed that he wouldn't be coerced, she still felt a little uneasy. She had always known what his ideal was. He wanted to be the emperor of the martial world, not because he coveted power, but because he wanted to prove his strength and worth. He had worked tirelessly towards this goal, spending a lot of energy and effort. Perhaps for him, he would even be willing to give his life to achieve his ideal.

Just think, even someone as deeply in love as Duan Yuhan would temporarily set aside love for hatred. Would this man before her give up his ideals and his life for her?

Unconsciously, her face paled. Yue Zhongzheng quickly pulled her behind him, fearing Sheng Xixian might intend to kill. In a slight shift in his steps, Sheng Xixian moved to her side, forcefully pulling her shoulder close. Looking at her, his eyes shone brightly like the morning sun, as if to give her confidence and strength.

"Hasn't the Palace Master made a decision yet?"

Hu Tian paused, then continued, "If the Palace Master can't bear to do it, that's fine. As long as you subdue Sima Wanqing, my men will handle the killing; it's no big deal."

"Can we fake her death to deceive him?"

Sima Wanqing asked Sheng Xixian using telepathy.

Hu Tian had already thought of something, "Don't try to fool me with any fake death. After she dies, immediately strip her naked, and my ten men will thoroughly check if she's really dead."

"Shameless!"

Yue Zhongzheng's eyes blazed with anger; for the first time in his life, he cursed in fury.

"Sizzle—Boom—"

Another explosion occurred in the corner, and a man lying there was burned beyond recognition, dying instantly. Hu Tian laughed loudly, "Well? Has the Palace Master made a decision?"

His tone was full of ultimatum. He guessed that Sheng Xixian was a man who prioritized self-interest; even if he coveted Sima Wanqing's beauty, he would still sacrifice others to protect himself in the end.

"Just agree to kill her, don't implicate us."

The other nine men glared resentfully at Sima Wanqing, trembling as they tried to persuade Sheng Xixian.

Sheng Xixian, however, gripped Sima Wanqing's hand tightly and whispered in her ear, "He's on the right side of the roof. We'll attack together later."

The warm, domineering, and stubborn force of his hand reached her heart, and she responded softly.

With a light tap of their toes, the two of them flew towards the roof. She clearly felt the true energy gathering in his palm, ready to be unleashed. Following his will, she attacked simultaneously with him, and the two invisible, powerful currents of energy merged, instantly shattering the roof stone. Hu Tian screamed, one leg dangling from the hole in the broken roof. The two men grabbed him, pulling him out and onto the ground.

Catching Hu Tian should have been a good thing, but unexpectedly, he was still clutching several ropes tightly. As he fell from the roof to the ground, the mechanisms connected to those ropes immediately activated.

"Sizzle—sizzle—"

Just like before, the sound of burning explosive fuses echoed everywhere, mixed with the clattering of wooden wheels. Sima Wanqing rushed to Yue Zhongzheng's side. "Uncle Yue, tell me the truth, am I your daughter?"

She desperately wanted to know the truth before she died. Yue Zhongzheng patted her little head affectionately. "Yes, you are my child." 04-05
Chapter 28: The Finale

Telling her before dying wasn't breaking the promise he made to her mother.

"Father..."

she called out in a trembling voice. Yue Zhongzheng was extremely excited; to be able to recognize his daughter before death, Heaven had finally been kind to him.

"Qing..."

Sheng Xixian grabbed one person with each hand and rushed into the inner room. Some of the explosives had already detonated in the inner room, so there were fewer explosives there now, increasing the chances of survival.

He held her hand tightly, even squeezing it a little painfully, but she finally knew that he would rather die than betray her. Looking up at him, a hint of wildness and unruliness curved his lips, but his eyes were filled with unwavering pride. Humans always have the instinct to survive, but if death truly came, he wouldn't be afraid. With her by his side, what more could a husband ask for?

However, the expected horrific explosion didn't happen, because Duan Yuhan cut all the fuses at the last moment. Sheng Xixian's unexpected care for Wan Qing surprised him. Perhaps he had misjudged the man; this man was worthy of being his rival!

Duan and Pei opened the door on the left wall and passed through the passage, only to find a massive stone door slowly closing at the other end, instantly separating them from the people inside.

Inside, an eerie silence fell. Having just brushed with death, everyone was still shaken, their hearts pounding like drums. Sheng Xixian gazed at his beloved and smiled brightly. A glance revealed Hu Tian frantically pulling something from his pocket, about to put it in his mouth. A sudden thought struck him; he feared Hu Tian was up to something again. Without thinking, he rushed over, quickly striking Hu Tian's pressure points, snatching the object from his hand. He then discovered it was a bright green pill.

A slender handkerchief was placed on his nose. "It seems poisonous,"

Sima Wanqing warned him. Looking around, sure enough, an incense burner flipped up on the right wall, emitting increasingly thick white smoke with a faint, sweet fragrance. The two women's minds raced; they understood what had happened. Hu Tian must have accidentally activated the poison gas mechanism when he came down, and this pill must be the antidote.

"Bring out the antidote,"

Sima Wanqing quickly covered the incense burner with a blanket to slow the evaporation of the poison gas, then stared intently at Hu Tian. Hu Tian hung his head, not answering.

"Where's the antidote? You'd better answer honestly, or else..."

Sheng Xixian interrupted slowly. Hu Tian's face fell. "Or else what? I'm in your hands; you can torture me however you want, I'm going to die anyway. There's only one antidote; forcing me won't work."

"How can there only be one antidote?"

Sheng Xixian was completely unconvinced.

Hu Tian suddenly widened his eyes and shouted, "Believe it or not, the other antidotes are all at the Drikung Monastery in Tibet, at least seven or eight hundred miles away. This Tibetan secret recipe, 'Blood Sea Fragrance,' will kill you within three hours of poisoning. No matter how fast you are, you won't have time to get the antidote."

His words shocked everyone; they had just escaped death only to be on the verge of another.

"Quickly open the door,"

Sima Wanqing said thoughtfully as she went out. Ling Kezhou should have a way to cure the poison. Under heaven, apart from the Seven Peerless Heroes, there's no poison that the Divine Hand of Resurrection can't cure, isn't there?

Hu Tian still screamed like a madman, "I won't open the door! Why should I open the door? You poisoned me! If I die, you will all die too!"

"If you don't open the door, you will surely die. If you open the door, perhaps the divine physician Ling Kezhou can concoct an antidote. Then, I will definitely let you live a few more days. Think it through."

Sheng Xixian gave him a glimmer of hope, and was also trying to buy everyone's chance.

"Do you think I'm a three-year-old child, so easily fooled! Even a divine physician can't concoct an antidote in three hours! Even if he does, I don't want to be tortured by you! Haha, don't waste your time. If I die, it'll be worth it if so many of you die with me!"

Hu Tian laughed wildly.

Suddenly, a clanging sound came from outside the door, as if someone was chiseling at the door. Everyone's spirits lifted. It turned out that Duan Yuhan had overheard their conversation and knew something was wrong. He had already released Li Lie and the Mo family members from their pressure points and brought them to the door.

Hu Tian glared at the door, then chuckled, "Fine, let's see when they can get in. By the time they do, you'll all be dead."

His tone suddenly rose, "However, with the antidote, one person can still survive."

He was extremely malicious; even on his deathbed, he wanted to incite others to fight tooth and nail for the antidote.

Now, having just escaped the bombing, everyone felt a sense of relief and cherished life all the more. Hearing this, the men whose pressure points had been sealed stared intently at the antidote in Sheng Xixian's hand, wishing they could jump up and snatch it immediately.

Sima Wanqing saw Yue Zhongzheng's face growing increasingly flushed, knowing he didn't know martial arts and had very poor resistance to poison, so she hurriedly took the antidote, intending to put it in his mouth. But Sheng Xixian moved like the wind, snatching the antidote away in an instant. Had he just escaped death, and was he now unwilling to give up his life again?

"You..."

She felt dizzy, weak in her limbs, and her internal energy was sluggish—symptoms of poisoning, she thought. She tried to retrieve the antidote, but he dodged her. The two of them flitted around the room like butterflies. Sheng Xixian's skill was superior; soon she was panting heavily.

"Fine, fine, Sheng Xixian, you've finally come to your senses."

Hu Tian's eyes flashed with cruel light. "Everyone for themselves. This world is where the strong thrive."

Yue Zhongzheng glared at Sheng Xixian, hating himself for not being able to help his daughter.

Finally, Sheng Xixian struck her pressure point, and she collapsed limply into his arms.

Sima Wanqing looked at Sheng Xixian, her eyes pure and open, a faint smile still lingering. There was nothing wrong with someone valuing their own life, so she didn't blame him. If anyone was to blame, it would be Hu Tian. Recalling how he had protected her earlier was enough to prove she hadn't misjudged him—that was enough.

Holding his beloved in his arms, her delicate face glowed like jade, her lips as vibrant as peach blossoms, and his heart fluttered. His fingertips gently traced the pink petals, a touch of reluctance in his gaze.

"Uncle Yue, you don't object to giving Qing the antidote, do you?"

he suddenly turned to ask for her opinion. Yue Zhongzheng looked at him in disbelief, then nodded. He had always thought that only Han'er would risk his life for Qing'er, but now he saw another. How fortunate his daughter was!

"Come on, eat it obediently."

He held the emerald green pill to her lips, but she pursed her lips tightly and resolutely shook her head. He pinched her small chin, trying to force her to open her mouth, but she stubbornly furrowed her brow. His faint blue finger marks remained on her jade-like chin; tears streamed down her face, but she still refused to open her mouth. After a moment of stalemate, he finally released her.

She understood. He had fought her for the antidote not for himself, but for her. He knew she wouldn't take it and would save it for Yue Zhongzheng, so he had to subdue her to force her to take it. Even if Ling Kezhou couldn't concoct the antidote, he wanted her alive; in his heart, she was more important than anyone else. But how could she care about her own life and abandon her father?

"I knew you'd be like this."

He released her pressure points, gently wiping away the tears, and sighed helplessly. That sigh touched her heart, and she felt a pang of inexplicable sorrow.

A slight smile played on her lips, her phoenix eyes sparkling. "If you insist on refusing, fine. We're both fearless, it wouldn't be bad to accompany each other."

She gazed at him intently, seeing his aloof and proud demeanor, yet also his tenderness and care for her, and a surge of tenderness welled up within her.

His face was strangely flushed, his lips a sickly red, clearly a sign that the earlier fight had accelerated his blood flow and deepened his poisoning. She couldn't help but pull his hand, wanting to try to use her internal energy to help him expel the poison, but he shook his head.

"No."

He knew that if she used her internal energy, it would accelerate the spread of the poison in her body.

He gently brushed her long hair aside and whispered, "I want to kiss you."

He wanted to give her the sweetest moment before she died, a moment she would never forget.

Her long, butterfly-like eyelashes fluttered. She glanced at the crowd, about to shake her head, but then her eyes softened when she saw his earnest and sincere face. She couldn't bear to refuse anymore. Since she was already in the final moments of her life, why should she care about the opinions of others?

His warm, moist lips gently pressed against her fair forehead. She closed her eyes slightly, savoring his breath. His lips gradually moved down, carefully gliding onto her alluring lips. His unique, cool fragrance invaded her heart, and unknowingly, a sweet feeling filled her heart.

Suddenly, a cool sensation traveled from the tip of his tongue to the base of hers. "Mmm..."

She tried to push him away, but he held on possessively, the sensation sliding down her throat and into her stomach. She suddenly realized—it was the antidote. He had actually tricked her into taking it using this method? Was there no one in the world who could escape his calculations? Could he always accomplish what he set out to do?

She stared at him in astonishment, but he leaned down and kissed her without giving her a chance to refuse. The kiss was so passionate it was suffocating; he only released her after a long while.

Meeting his phoenix eyes, filled with doting affection, she felt a dreamlike, slightly dizzying sensation. Before, when she was with him, he was always imposing and cunning. Every time she confronted him, she had to be on her guard, it was incredibly difficult. She always remembered how arrogant and awe-inspiring he was. But now, this man had unhesitatingly given her the only chance of survival.

"Why?"

she asked, her nose stinging with tears, resting on his shoulder.

He smiled, calm and serene like a towering snow-capped peak. Some things, you never know what's truly important until you're facing a life-or-death situation. Before, when he saw her, he always wanted to be close, but his pride prevented him from revealing his feelings. He realized it was love, yet he was too proud to admit it. When he finally dared to, he was determined to win her heart. Now that she had finally responded, he realized his love for her surpassed everything else in the world.

His fingertips traced her dark brows, her watery eyes, and he chuckled softly, "Remember you promised to do something for me?"

"Mmm,"

she murmured, her voice soft and intoxicating, stirring his heart. Seeing her reddened eyes, he knew she was grieving for him, and a flood of emotions overwhelmed him—whether it was joy at her genuine feelings or sorrow at their impending separation.

He tightened his embrace, still smiling, "Promise me you'll take good care of yourself. If Lieyun Ranch is a burden for you, then it's better to be without it. Don't force yourself to work so hard for any responsibility."

Hearing her clear, earnest words of advice, something seemed to choke her throat, and she couldn't speak. She knew that even if he died immediately, she would never forget him.

He embraced her, immersed in a warmth he had never felt before. His inability to unify the martial world was a great regret. But everything has its price; he wanted the delicate woman in his arms to live, and he would no longer insist on anything else.

Hu Tian glared fiercely at the two of them, hoping to see a good show, but he had miscalculated. It turned out that only he himself was selfish and vicious. Yue Zhongzheng sat calmly to the side, his heart as still as water. As long as Wanqing took the antidote, he no longer cared much about his own life or death.

The Blood Sea Fragrance poison quickly took effect; everyone's faces turned red, their breathing rapid, and they all leaned weakly against the wall. Sima Wanqing was extremely anxious, and could only take turns channeling her inner energy into Yue Zhongzheng and Sheng Xixian, hoping to strengthen their vitality. Time mercilessly passed, crushing everyone's hopes inch by inch, and her heart sank little by little.

"Bang!"

Finally, the mechanism loosened, and the iron gate opened with a combined palm strike from Duan Peili and the other two. Pei Mubai rushed over, cut his own arm, and injected several drops of blood into Yue and Sheng's mouths. He was immune to all poisons; even if the blood couldn't cure the poison, it could delay their deaths. Meanwhile, Ling Kezhou hurried in. It turned out that Li Lie had overheard the conversation and sent someone to notify them early that morning.

They immediately split into two groups. Duan Yuhan and Sima Wanqing escorted Hu Tian back to the ranch from Moke Ridge, successfully subduing the ranch's inhabitants along the way. Pei Mubai and Ling Kezhou were busy rescuing people, while Li Lie led his men to collect various medicines, both running around busily.

The next morning, Sheng and Yue awoke from their coma. Ling Kezhou asserted that the poison could be cured, and everyone was somewhat relieved. Later, at the Wanyin Hall banquet, Duan Yuhan and Sima Wanqing met with the guests and revealed the truth—that Hu Tian was a traitor—to set the record straight. Feng San and the others were also released and busy handling various aftermath matters. Finally, Lieyun Ranch emerged from its days of gloom.

That night, Sima Wanqing, worried about Yue Sheng and his companion, couldn't help but go to see them. As she walked down the corridor, she vaguely heard Duan Yuhan's voice coming from Sheng Xixian's room.

"I am not a gentleman, but I am not a villain either. Your poison is not yet cleared, so I will not act now. But a battle between us is inevitable. How about Qili Peak a month later?"

"That would be best. I believe your meridian injuries will be healed in a month."

"The loser will never see her again. What do you think?"

"Okay! It's a deal!"

Her heart pounded, and she rushed over, pushing open the door. Duan Yuhan calmly glanced at her, said nothing, and left as swiftly as the wind. Sheng Xixian seemed extremely tired and fell asleep with her eyes closed. A chill ran through her; she knew she couldn't stop this battle. The same arrogance, the same domineering nature, the same relentless determination—she suddenly realized how similar they were.

Another day passed. Knowing that Barmok was now safe and calculating the distance, it was time to bring Bing'er to the ranch. Duan Yuhan and Sima Wanqing, eager to see their child, waited early at the gate.

Suddenly, Sima Wanqing looked down and saw a strange black shadow rapidly approaching. Looking up, the gleaming blade in the sunlight blinded her. A cold light flashed, aimed at Duan Yuhan's back.

"Watch out!"

Before she could finish speaking, Duan Yuhan had already parried, grabbing the assailant's wrist. The dagger was easily knocked away, embedding itself in a tree. The assailant was dressed as a groom, slender in build. His face was unfamiliar, but his dark, bright eyes, glaring fiercely at Duan Yuhan, seemed strangely familiar.

"Who are you?"

Duan Yuhan asked coldly.

"Hmph."

The assailant's voice was crisp and clear; it was a young girl.

Sima Wanqing suddenly realized, "You're Feifei?"

She couldn't help but say to Duan Yuhan, "Let her go."

"Killing your master, Xuan Ying, was my fault back then. Go. You'd better not let me see you again,"

Duan Yuhan said calmly, releasing Feifei.

"You wait, I will definitely kill you and give my master justice!"

Feifei stomped her foot, secretly hating her inferior skills.

Duan Yuhan ignored her. Feifei suddenly thought of something and walked away along the main road. Duan Yuhan's heart skipped a beat. He leaped and grabbed her back, staring intently at her, "What do you want to do?"

"I...I..."

Feifei was somewhat frightened by his gaze, finally raising her head and answering loudly, "I will continue to practice my kung fu diligently! I will wait on the sidelines, waiting for you to be careless, to avenge my master! I don't believe you have no weaknesses, I don't believe you will always win!"

Duan Yuhan's expression changed drastically. She was right. He had weaknesses, and he also had moments of oversight. The time Bing'er encountered danger by West Lake was a prime example. For Bing'er's safety, should he kill her to eliminate any future threat?

A cold glint flashed in his dark eyes, an unfathomable undercurrent churning within. Sima Wanqing grabbed his arm urgently, "Don't kill anyone else. You can't make another mistake!"

Seeing Wanqing's anxious eyes, Duan Yuhan knew she would definitely stop him, and made a decision in an instant. "Feifei, I'll give you two choices. One is to kill you now, so you can go to the underworld to meet your master. The other is that I'll willingly accept one of your blows as revenge for my master, and you can never have another thought of revenge."

Upon hearing this, Feifei was stunned.

"Think carefully and answer me."

He didn't want his mistake to implicate Bing'er, and he would rather be injured than let all hatred end.

"Why should my master's life only earn you one blow! Why should I promise you I won't seek revenge!"

Feifei glared angrily.

"Because your life is in my hands right now."

Duan Yuhan said calmly. At this moment, he had already made a significant concession. After

hesitating for a long time, Feifei knew she had no other choice, and finally gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, one blow it is! But you can't use your internal energy to protect yourself!"

Duan Yuhan nodded and took two steps away. Her black, gem-like eyes, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, lost some of their sharpness, appearing exceptionally serene and composed. Wan Qing sighed softly; perhaps it would be best if Xuan Ying's grudge could be resolved this way.

With all her might, Fei Fei unleashed a palm strike, slamming it hard into Duan Yuhan's left chest. Duan Yuhan swayed, then calmly said, "Go. From now on, all grudges are wiped clean."

Fei Fei remained silent, cupping her hands in a gesture of respect before hastily departing.

The pain solidified, the needle that had long resided in his heart piercing deeply and mercilessly, causing every nerve in his body to tremble. His mind went completely blank, as if his body wasn't his own. Duan Yuhan clearly felt the footsteps of death drawing ever closer. Sima Hui, Sima Xu, Sima Lie, Xuan Ying, Shu Ling… So this was the cycle of fate; heaven had its own arrangements for him to repay his debts!

"How are you feeling?"

He vaguely heard Wan Qing's concerned voice drifting from afar, even though she was right beside him.

"It's nothing."

He forced out these two words with all his might, then slowly turned to leave. Bing'er was almost there; he couldn't let her watch him die.

"Wait a minute. You've been avoiding me these past few days, but there are some things I have to say."

She walked up to him earnestly. "Between us, there's no going back. This has nothing to do with anyone else. Do you understand?"

"I know, it's all my fault."

The pain from before seemed to gradually turn into numbness. He tried to maintain a smile. "You've truly grown up. I won't stop you from doing whatever you want. As long as you're happy."

Before him, her beautiful eyes were like a pool of spring water, looking at him intently. Heaven had forced him to let go; he had nothing to say, nor could he fight back. All the laughter and sorrow they had shared would eventually vanish with the passage of time after he left. His beloved Qing would have a happy and wonderful future; that was enough.

A jolt went through her. She knew him too well; this wasn't something he would say. Looking closely at his face, it was almost translucently pale, but his lightly pursed lips were the color of a lotus in water. "You must be hiding something from me?"

She frantically touched his forehead with the back of her hand; it was chillingly cold.

"How could this be? Come with me to see Mr. Ling."

She pulled him away urgently, but he stumbled, swaying precariously. *Thud* A blinding splash of crimson blood splattered on the ground like a torrential downpour, and a few drops, warm and moist, landed on her cheek. He coughed up blood, which actually made him a little more lucid. Seeing her panicked face, he suddenly wanted to laugh. His Qing, no matter what, still cared about him.

With some strength returning to his limbs, he gently pushed her away. "I want to walk alone." He wanted to use this temporary lucidity before death to go far away. He would rather she think he was living somewhere in the world, never to be seen again, than die in front of her, causing her heartache and tears.

Watching him resolutely turn away, his lonely and desolate figure, she stared blankly, lost in thought. Had he lost all hope in her? But Bing'er was almost here; why would he suddenly leave at this moment? A terrible thought flashed through her mind, and her breath seemed to stop. With a light step, she leaped to catch up with him.

"You're badly injured, aren't you?"

Touching his hand, as cold as marble, she wanted to give him all her warmth. "Feifei's palm strike couldn't have hurt you this badly. The spot she hit was where I stabbed you that day. Your injury has flared up again, hasn't it?"

He quietly shook his head, looking at her with a bright smile. For some reason, she felt a surge of fear, unconsciously tightening her grip on his arm. "How badly are you injured? Don't lie to me!"

"It's nothing, the sword wound has healed. Don't overthink it. I'm a little tired and want to go back and rest."

He quietly plucked a stray strand of hair from her neck and clenched it in his hand. He would treat it as her, and keep it with him.

His smile was like a datura blooming at midnight, exquisite and delicate, yet unlike any beauty found in this world, as if it might vanish in the wind at any moment.

Just like when she was a child, she naturally reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, tears welling in her eyes. "Please, come with me to see Mr. Ling. No matter how badly you're injured, he can heal you."

She knew him too well. If there was no hope, why wouldn't he seek treatment? Why would he bear to leave Bing'er?

Her little head nuzzled against his chest, a few strands of her dark hair tickling his face. He recalled how, in the past, whenever she hugged him like this, whether she was being affectionate or pleading, he would give in to her every whim. But today, he didn't want to make a futile, death-defying struggle.

"Qing, I know my own condition."

He knew he couldn't deceive her anymore and couldn't help but sigh.

She hugged him tightly, sobbing, "Don't die, I don't want you to die."

Suddenly, she looked up and lifted his waist forcefully, wanting him to lean against her so they could go find Ling Kezhou together. However, with just one movement, another spurt of blood gushed out like raindrops. Startled, she could only let his head rest on her arm and carefully help him sit down.

"It was my fault, I shouldn't have stabbed him so hard!"

Recalling how she had used so much force to deceive Hu Tian and make it seem real, her face turned ashen. He was Bing'er's father, her most beloved nephew, the other half she had loved with all her heart. She didn't want him to die, but in the end, her sword still killed him. Her heart was filled with bitterness, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Those tears, in the dim light of the setting sun, shone with a desolate, pale light.

"That wound, it wasn't inflicted by your sword."

He didn't want her to live in self-blame and guilt. She gazed at him sadly, and spoke softly, "Still trying to lie to me? With Feifei's skill, how could she have injured you like this?"

He chuckled softly, a smile as ethereal as distant mountain mists, a helpless brilliance. "It was the gentle breeze and fine rain that left a needle inside. I thought, after three years, it had grown into my heart, and it would be fine. I never imagined that man proposes, God disposes; it was my fate."

Her heart suddenly softened, unable to beat even a beat. An endless darkness swept over her, her cherry lips bitten until they were stained crimson, the pain keeping her awake. Three years ago, he shielded her from countless tiny needles, nearly losing his life. She thought all the needles had been removed, that he was healed. The truth was, that needle remained forever in his heart, causing him lifelong pain; and three years later, Feifei's unfortunate palm strike had truly taken his life! Her

slender hands trembled uncontrollably. If he hadn't saved her that day, he wouldn't be on the verge of death now!

He struggled to raise his hand and comfortingly placed it over hers. "I didn't expect Sheng Xixian to defeat me without a fight. He's not bad. But I still admire Pei Mubai a little more... cough... you decide which one you like."

If he couldn't personally protect her for life, then let someone else cherish her.

"And Bing'er, let him think I really died last time... don't let him... cough... be sad again."

His voice grew softer and softer, blood continuously spilling from his lips and teeth, a horrifying sight of crimson. She gripped his hand tightly, unable to speak, her sobs uncontrollable. His breath grew weaker, his handsome face gradually losing its life. His life was slipping away, bit by bit, and she was utterly helpless.

In the distance, the sound of horses' hooves drew closer, and Sima Bing's melodious laughter drifted on the wind. She struggled to pull him behind a tree, cradling his head, her voice choked with sobs, "I know, you want to see Bing'er."

Looking up, she saw Sima Bing, her small back straight, sitting proudly before Bamok, excitedly talking on horseback, the words "I miss my mother" faintly audible. A strange light suddenly flashed in his dark eyes, but then his gaze slowly faded.

"Han..."

Her heart felt as if it were being torn apart and ravaged, the pain intense, as if some knot of resentment was struggling to burst forth, yet remained stuck in her chest, suffocating her. Her eyes were dry, she wanted to cry but couldn't. Deep love is short-lived, and fate is hard to defy. No matter how much she lingered, she was powerless to change it.

Heartbroken and devastated, she felt utterly annihilated by the mortal world. Was meeting him in this life a blessing or a curse? A blessing, in the vast sea of people, is to finally meet someone worthy of her infatuation, her madness, her laughter, and her tears. But if she had never known him, never loved him, even if her life had been a chaotic mess, wouldn't it have been far better than this agonizing departure?

Chapter 29: Epilogue. The embroidered

curtains were slightly rolled up, the beaded screen dimmed, and the warm incense from the bronze incense burner had just burned out, lingering in the air like wisps of smoke, like light cotton, enveloping the brocade curtains and jade screens. Sima Bing had a sweet smile on her face and was fast asleep. Sima Wanqing smiled gently, quietly removed his hand from his pillow, and got up to leave.

She slowly made her way to the study, mustered her spirits, and began reviewing the contracts with various merchants and the accounts sent from branches across the country. She felt quite weary. She thought back to when Sima Lie and Duan Yuhan held absolute power and managed the ranch; they must have been just as exhausted. Many envied her for owning the incredibly wealthy Lieyun Ranch, but how many knew the hardships she endured to maintain its prosperity?

Suddenly, a loud shout came from outside, making her frown. Yue Zhongzheng pushed open the door and, seeing her there, said, "Qing'er, you should rest earlier."

"Uncle Yue, you're still up so late?"

She quickly went to help him sit down. Even though he was her biological father, he insisted on calling her "Uncle Yue." Yue Zhongzheng did this to protect her mother's reputation and to prevent others from exploiting her birth. It was genuine father-daughter love; why should he care about superficial titles?

"Yitian Manor sent over a wedding invitation today, take a look."

"Is Mu Bai getting married?"

She took the bright red and gold-embellished invitation, her heart filled with joy.

Seeing her so happy, Yue Zhongzheng couldn't help but say, "Qing'er, stop worrying about Han'er. Like that child from the Pei family, you should find yourself a companion."

"Yes."

She replied with a smile.

"It's not wrong that you've focused on the ranch affairs these past few years, but... I always hope to see you happy. Last time you took Bing'er to Hangzhou, you had a rare moment of carefree joy. Actually, that person from Shengwu Palace is quite rare, so why did you refuse so many times?"

"Qing'er knows what she's doing. Don't worry too much, get some rest."

"Don't be so perfunctory. In short, starting tomorrow, you and Bing'er will move out of Gongyu Xiaozhu."

She helped Yue Zhongzheng all the way back to his bedroom. As he closed the door, Yue Zhongzheng finally didn't forget to say this last sentence. The deceased is gone. His only wish now is for Qing'er to find a good match and give Bing'er a complete family.

Quietly returning to her study, gazing at the bright moonlight and listening to the rustling wind, she felt a pang of loss. Should she move out of Gongyu Xiaozhu? But in her memory, that unruly youth, that man of unparalleled elegance, would never disappear. For the rest of her life, she would never love anyone as she loved him. The moonlight was like water; she wondered if he was at peace in heaven. Without him, she would still walk her own path with strength and courage. If he knew, he would be comforted.

"Reporting to Madam, the person who broke into the ranch has been apprehended. He claims to be the leader of the Snow Mountain Sect."

The noise had subsided, and the report from outside the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Settle him in properly. We'll discuss anything else tomorrow morning."

"Yes."

The servant's footsteps faded into the distance, and she felt a growing unease.

"Want me to teach him a lesson for you?"

Sheng Xixian had entered through the window unnoticed, smiling at her. The hazy silver light cascading from the night sky onto his brocade robes accentuated his refined and elegant bearing, his serene and divine presence captivating. He casually took her cold hand, offering to warm it. She looked back at him

with surprise. Hearing of the Beggars' Sect leader's sudden death, suspected to be the work of the Central Plains Long Clan, the two organizations nearly clashed in a bloodbath. He had led his men to stop it in time, and then summoned several respected elders of the martial arts world to gather in Chang'an to settle the matter. Why was he here now?

"Your eyes are so wide open, are you surprised?"

He chuckled softly, casually pulling her slender waist into his arms. Seeing a hint of melancholy flicker in her shimmering eyes, he unconsciously tightened his embrace. "You mentioned last time that you planned to open trading posts in the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions. The first one is already in Loulan, and business is booming. Why are you still worried?"

She shook her head.

He raised an eyebrow and whispered in her ear with a chuckle, "I know. Actually, so many men send you visiting cards and gifts every day, wanting to see you. Some even try to break in at night. That's enough to show how irresistible your charm is. Other women would love to have you."

Her face flushed slightly, feeling intoxicated by his cool, refreshing scent.

"I heard that Song Kunpeng, the First-Class Marquis of Might, Chen De, the top silk merchant in the Guannei region, and Zhuo Ziyi, the dashing and handsome young master of the martial arts world, are all waiting to see you outside the ranch. They've come from afar, sincerely admiring you, yet you ignore them all. You're truly a heartless person."

She scoffed, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "What they're interested in is nothing more than the ranch's wealth and power, the Sima family's martial arts, and probably my face. I'm too lazy to deal with them one by one."

She sighed again, "It's just that these people keep coming in waves, and I have to go through the trouble of dealing with each one individually; it's ultimately a hassle."

"Is that what bothers you? Actually, if you agree to marry me, they naturally won't keep pursuing you."

He gazed at her deeply, seemingly serious yet playful. Avoiding his affectionate gaze, she lowered her eyes slightly and remained silent. He had said similar things several times before, and she had considered agreeing, but something seemed to be blocking her heart, and the words wouldn't come out. He had been anxious and angry, but ultimately couldn't bear to force her. This procrastination led to the current situation.

Silence fell, a sudden gust of wind rustling the gauze curtains. He held her tighter, speaking softly, "If you insist, I won't force you. I only hope that the day you understand, I'll be the first person you think of." He

chuckled softly, "Be careful, maybe I'll get impatient and snatch you back."

She leaned closer, finding a comfortable position, and heard his heartbeat gradually resonate with her own.

After a while, she looked up and smiled sweetly, "You, the leader of the martial arts alliance, are always so busy. Since you're here, stay at the ranch for a few more days. The butterfly kite Bing'er brought back from Hangzhou last time had its bamboo frame broken. I offered to fix it for him, but he wouldn't let me, saying he wanted you to come and repair it." Her voice,

as gentle as warm spring water, flowed into his ears, and he was captivated.

The night watchman struck the third watch, and he suddenly woke up. "Qing, I have to go. Wait for me for two days. I will definitely resolve the Beggars' Sect matter within two days."

"The murder case hasn't been solved yet?" "

At Chenshi (7-9 AM), everyone from the Beggars' Sect and Long Family Fortress will gather to discuss it."

"Why bother going through all this trouble tonight?"

She couldn't help but playfully scold him. She knew that a round trip from Chang'an would take him five hours, even with his light-footed skills, and such continuous consumption of internal energy was extremely strenuous; he would need at least several days to recover.

"Because... I missed you."

He tenderly stroked her soft, lustrous hair, his long, phoenix-shaped eyes overflowing with joy. Because he longed for her, he didn't care about the distance or the exhaustion; even if he only had to see her once before rushing back, he would still make the trip.

Her face, as clear and beautiful as moonlight, was exquisitely elegant and incomparably beautiful. He gazed at her intently, then couldn't resist giving her a gentle kiss. A moment later, he gently released her and swiftly departed.

In the vast night, his figure vanished in an instant. If it weren't for the lingering scent of butterflies on his sleeves, she would almost have thought it was all a dream. This man, in the face of life and death, put her first in everything, but once she was safe, he couldn't let go of his boundless ambition. Perhaps, the thrill of commanding a hundred followers and leading heroes would give him a unique sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Or perhaps, one day, she would gladly don her wedding dress again, and travel the world hand in hand with him. The love buried deep in her heart would become even more ardent and enduring, like aged wine, its fragrance deepening with the passage of time.

The story ends here. However, no story has an absolute ending; this story can only be said to have come to a close!

Extra Chapter: Fate

The gray-brown clouds, thick and heavy, like cotton wool soaked in sewage, drifted over Seven Mile Peak. At the mountainside, the stream babbled, its clear, melodious sound like celestial music, but to the young man, it sounded like suppressed sobs, piercing his heart with a dull ache. The young man sitting on the rock smiled coldly, suddenly striking out with his palm. Water splashed everywhere, shattering into pieces with a "plop," the sound like the muffled roar of a wounded beast.

A small, dazzling red figure hopped and skipped towards them from afar. As it drew closer, it became more subdued, stealthily slipping behind the boy. The girl giggled and reached out her small hand, about to blindfold him from behind, when the boy suddenly turned to look at her.

The girl was startled, then playfully wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's not fun, can't you just pretend you don't know?"

The boy pulled his arms away from her, his eyes growing increasingly somber.

"What's wrong with you?"

the girl pouted. "You didn't come to my birthday party, and now that you're finally back, why are you looking so unhappy?"

The boy gazed at her quietly, his expression focused yet unfamiliar.

The girl tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then became serious. "Something must have happened that's both upsetting you, right?"

A glance caught sight of a faint, dark red scab visible under his collar, and she exclaimed in surprise, "You hurt your neck?"

She instinctively reached out to touch it. But the boy jumped away with lightning speed.

"What happened? Why won't you let me see? Are you badly hurt? Does it hurt?"

The girl frowned, her face full of worry.

"It's nothing, I fell off my horse and hurt myself."

The boy's gaze softened, and he took her hand, speaking calmly. Seeing her puzzled look, knowing she cared about him, he couldn't help but lovingly pull her onto his lap, examining her closely. "You've grown taller in the few months I haven't seen you."

"Of course! I'm nine years old now."

The girl was overjoyed to see him so cheerful and proudly declared. The boy saw her delicate, exquisitely painted eyebrows and her pure, snow-white pupils, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

Her soft little hands pinched his cheeks. "I love seeing you smile. You look so beautiful when you smile. I think you're the most beautiful person in the world."

Beautiful? The boy's lips suddenly turned a faded, pale blue. For someone in a vulnerable position, stunning beauty could bring terrible misfortune. He preferred to be ordinary.

His thin lips suddenly curved into a mocking, beautiful arc, subtly concealing an unpredictable, violent, and resentful aura. The girl, oblivious, pulled a jade toad from her sleeve and cheerfully handed it to him. "You gave me a grasshopper for my birthday, now I'm giving you this." The boy

took it casually, his arms tightening around her unconsciously. In this world, only she and his uncle were completely selfless and unconditional towards him.

"Is it pretty? Do you like it?"

"Anything you give me is good, of course."

The toad radiated a lustrous, pure white light, warm to the touch, its carving exquisite and lifelike—truly a rare and exquisite piece of jade. As he admired it, a sudden thought struck him. "Where did you get this?" "

A couple of months ago, a guest of my father's gave it to me, I think it was some kind of jade tycoon."

The boy's breath caught in his throat; those nightmarish images surged through his mind, relentlessly tormenting and gnawing at his heart like demons, causing excruciating pain. He trembled uncontrollably, as if from the cold, and the girl quickly wrapped her arms around his waist to calm him down.

Catching sight of the toad, he seemed to see the demon laughing maniacally; his cold blood suddenly boiled, and he clenched his fists tightly. "Crunch..."

Several times, the jade toad was gradually crushed into powder, which he angrily threw into the water. One day, all those who had harmed him would pay the price; he would wash away his shame with a torrent of blood!

A bright, even bloodthirsty light flickered in his night-like eyes, dancing wildly like silver snakes. The girl climbed off his lap, utterly horrified, and for a moment, seemed not to recognize him. After a long while, she came to her senses and, seeing the jade toad inexplicably destroyed, loudly questioned, "Someone kindly gave you something, why did you destroy it!"

The boy remained silent, turning and walking away. He couldn't tell her the truth, couldn't answer her question, and was even more afraid that he would lose control of his rage and do something to hurt her. The girl hurried after him, "Stop! Answer me!"

He seemed not to hear her.

"I am the young lady of the ranch, you dare disobey my orders?"

Unable to keep up, she grew impatient and resorted to her usual tactic against others.

The boy suddenly turned and laughed, "That's right, you are a noble lady, how dare a servant like me speak to you! I should get lost!"

Though he was smiling, the cold indifference in his eyes frightened her.

Seeing her small figure standing there, her flawless face like a bright pearl, her embroidered robes radiant, a sudden wave of sorrow washed over the boy. No matter how close and caring she was, they were ultimately from two different worlds. He had treated her like a sister, but it was all a mistake! He should have recognized the truth and distanced himself from her! He turned and strode away, wanting to be alone.

The girl, always pampered and cherished like a phoenix egg, had never suffered such humiliation and immediately burst into tears. Her innocent sobs carried on the wind to the boy's ears. He hesitated for a moment, wanting to turn back, but remembering his hellish ordeal, he finally ran away.

For the next few days, the boy devoted himself entirely to martial arts training, neglecting everything else. It wasn't until he happened to see her maid, Xiaoyu, brewing medicine in the kitchen that he learned the girl was ill. The boy was momentarily confused, and when he came to his senses, he realized he had unknowingly arrived outside her residence, the Muyu Pavilion.

He stood there blankly by the window, his heart heavy, neither wanting to leave nor go in. He faintly heard the girl's angry voice, "Take it away, I won't take my medicine!" followed by the crashing sound of a porcelain bowl. "You all get out!"

The maids meekly withdrew outside.

Looking through the open window, he saw the girl leaning against the headboard, her eyes swollen like peaches, her small face streaked with tears. For some reason, the boy felt a tightness in his chest, but didn't know how to make himself feel better.

Her small hand reached under her pillow to retrieve the grasshopper he had given her. The girl angrily tossed it off the bed, muttering, "I don't care," yet her gaze lingered on the grasshopper. A moment later, she got out of bed, picked it up, carefully blew off the dust, and tucked it back into her bosom. As she tried to return to bed, her strength gave way, and her legs buckled, her head nearly hitting the corner of the table. Without hesitation, the boy leaped in through the window, nimbly appearing in front of her. She stumbled and fell right into his arms. Her small body was alarmingly hot. The boy frowned, then picked her up.

"Let go, I hate you, I hate you..."

The boy stiffened, tucking her back into the covers and turning to leave. But then he leaned down and saw her small mouth slightly pursed, on the verge of tears, and his heart softened.

"What are you doing here?"

the girl asked stubbornly, turning her face away. The boy remained silent, casually tucking the blanket around her.

"It's none of your business,"

the girl said, ignoring her high fever, and stubbornly pulled the blanket off. The boy paused, then turned to see the innocent naiveté in her bright eyes. He chuckled softly and got up to leave.

The girl panicked. "Don't go!"

"Since you hate me, I'll naturally go as far away as possible."

"You…I…"

The girl stammered, unable to speak, then suddenly gripped his clothes tightly, refusing to let go. "Apologize to me, and I'll let you go."

He had ruined the gift she gave him for no reason; it was terribly wrong of him. She had no idea of the cruel reasons behind it all. Her

slightly hoarse childish voice, though reproachful, was filled with a tender, affectionate longing. Her little face was full of pitiful expressions, afraid he would leave her again. The boy, who had never bowed his head to anyone or admitted defeat since childhood, felt a strange pang of pity seeing her like this. "It's my fault."

The girl's face lit up with a smile upon his admission, but then

she became angry again. "It's all your fault! You made me stand on Qili Peak for so long that day, freezing to death in the wind. I thought you would come back for me, but who knew..." The boy suddenly realized that she had caught a cold while waiting for him. She had always had a pure heart for him, never harboring any pretense or betrayal.

"Alright, it's my fault, okay?"

Facing this willful child, the boy offered a rare gentle comfort. The girl happily pulled him to sit on the edge of the bed, only then realizing how sore her limbs were and how utterly exhausted she felt. "...So tired."

"You should sleep for a while. I'll have them brew some more medicine and bring it over."

"I don't want you to leave. Uh...it's so cold."

The girl suddenly shivered. The boy moved the brazier closer to the bed, and the girl took his hand, smiling contentedly. Soon, an overwhelming weariness weighed heavily on her eyes.

Knowing her condition was worsening and he should call for help immediately, the young man didn't leave. Instead, he squeezed into her blankets and held her tightly. At this moment, he only wanted to be with this person who truly loved him, needing no outside interference.

"Are you still cold?"

"...No."

She murmured, comfortably burying her head against his chest.

"Do you love your father, or me?" "

...I love both."

"You can only choose one."

"...I want both."

The girl vaguely felt his hand gripping her so tightly it hurt.

"Is your father better to you, or am I better to you?"

"You and Father are both very good to me."

The pain from his grip brought the girl back to a slightly more awake state.

"If you weren't Sima Lie's daughter, he wouldn't be so good to you, do you understand?"

"Hmm..."

She had never considered such a hypothetical scenario.

“Only I will treat you well, no matter who you are or what our relationship is.”

The boy hugged her tightly, so tightly she could hardly breathe. “So, I treat you better than Sima Lie, do you understand?”

The girl responded softly, still half asleep.

“Tell me, who do you like the most now?”

The boy, like a lion cub driven into a corner, coldly captured his prey.

The girl smiled sweetly and murmured in his arms, “I like you the most.”

“Then would you like to stay by my side?”

“…Yes.”

The girl was completely unaware that these words would change her life, and gradually drifted into sleep. The

boy gently stroked the soft lines of her face with his fingertips and said, “You can say no, but since you agreed, I will take it as a sincere agreement.”

Outside the window, dark clouds filled the sky above the pasture, moving swiftly and silently, like various strange black giants fighting and chasing each other. Dusk had just fallen, and a chilling coldness permeated the air, penetrating directly into the room. The girl nestled closer to the boy's chest.

Duan Yuhan, cursed by fate, was destined to bring misfortune to his parents, be alone for life, and never have a companion. The boy suddenly recalled the fortune teller's prediction of his destiny when he was young, and couldn't help but chuckle. He didn't believe in fortune telling; he only believed in himself. Even if there truly was such a thing as destiny, he would defy it.

The small figure pressed against his skin, the warm breath mingling with his vibrant heat, brought him peace. At that moment, he decided that their lives would be intertwined, and he vowed that as long as she was always good to him, he would give everything for her.

Many years later, the girl's memory of this moment had faded, but the boy remembered every single second of that time clearly. Fate brings forth its own destiny, and through this karmic connection, they became one, inseparable, their very being intertwined.

(The End)

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