“Risking your life for the White Tiger Ring Head… what is it in the Tiger Dragon Cave that you seek?” Xi Fuhong asked slowly, each word clear.
She wondered if Xiao Qiyu’s desperate pursuit of the treasure was for Ling Xue.
Xiao Qiyu looked directly at Xi Fuhong, her smile fading.
Her cold, emotionless eyes stared at her without hesitation.
“The night Ling Xue died, I wasn’t by her side.
Later, I ventured into the underworld and saw her suffering punishment…”
“It’s said that the King of Hell’s decree can spare a soul from the cycle of reincarnation, so I wanted to open the Tiger Dragon Cave to try, but ultimately failed.
Ling Xue’s death was my fault.
If I could have stopped her, she wouldn’t have to suffer now.
So, no matter the cost, I must free her from her sins, I must save her…”
Xiao Qiyu didn’t cry, but Xi Fuhong did.
“Miss Xi…” Xiao Qiyu squinted her eyes, smiling faintly.
“You shouldn’t trust me anymore.”
This false mask might deceive the world, but she didn’t want to deceive the person in front of her anymore.
She shouldn’t have fallen for the gentle Bi Xuan Palace senior sister, shouldn’t have trusted her, shouldn’t have tolerated her.
Xi Fuhong was still too young, and her heart had long since died, perishing the moment Ling Xue disappeared.
Without a heart, how could she love? What she bore was the guilt and constraints of the past, unable to respond to Xi Fuhong’s expectations, unable to.
Xi Fuhong wiped away her tears forcefully, biting her lip as she ran away.
Why was she crying? She didn’t know, only that her chest felt tight and unbearably painful.
That kind of pain wasn’t real pain.
Now she couldn’t face Xiao Qiyu, and Xiao Qiyu probably didn’t want to see her either.
Her staggering steps were chaotic, and as soon as Xi Fuhong turned the corner, she ran into a warm embrace.
The person didn’t push her away but instead held her tightly.
The faint scent of osmanthus filled her nose, and Xi Fuhong didn’t resist, quietly accepting this comforting gesture.
The person was Qin Ke Yun, who gently stroked Xi Fuhong’s head and sighed softly.
“I’m sorry, I should have stopped Miss Xi from going over earlier,” she said, her tone filled with regret.
Xi Fuhong clutched Qin Ke Yun’s clothes, shaking her head.
“Today is Ling Xue’s death anniversary, so that’s why senior sister was like that.
If she said anything inappropriate, I apologize on her behalf,” Qin Ke Yun said, pulling away to wipe Xi Fuhong’s tears.
She knew Senior Sister Qiyu was special to Xi Fuhong, but because of that, it hurt Miss Xi even more.
Xi Fuhong suddenly grabbed Qin Ke Yun’s hand, choking out, “Can you tell me? Everything…”
“No,” Qin Ke Yun withdrew her hand, shaking her head firmly.
“Please! I want to know…” Xi Fuhong insisted, knowing she was being rude.
She wanted to know the past between Ling Xue and Xiao Qiyu, why Xiao Qiyu was willing to risk her life for her, why she was so determined to find the King of Hell’s decree.
Was it because Xiao Qiyu loved Ling Xue? Was it a love that persisted even after death, keeping promises to the one she loved?
Qin Ke Yun frowned, troubled.
She want to ask a few more people, but they all avoided her like the plague.
She sighed, feeling a bit helpless.
Just as she was about to give up, an elderly woman with a kind face approached her.
“Are you looking for someone, young lady?” the old woman asked gently.
Xi Fuhong nodded, “Yes, I’m looking for someone named Mu Qing Gui Po.
Do you know where I might find her?”
The old woman smiled warmly, “Ah, Gui Po.
Yes, I know her.
She lives at the end of the village, near the big banyan tree.
Just follow the path, and you can’t miss it.”
Xi Fuhong thanked the old woman profusely and followed her directions.
As she walked, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.
Finally, she was getting somewhere.
The path led her to a quaint little house surrounded by lush greenery.
A large banyan tree stood majestically beside it, its branches swaying gently in the breeze.
She approached the house and knocked on the door.
After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly woman with a wise and gentle demeanor.
“Are you Mu Qing Gui Po?” Xi Fuhong asked, hopeful.
The woman nodded, “Yes, I am.
And you must be Xi Fuhong.
I’ve been expecting you.”
Xi Fuhong felt a wave of gratitude wash over her.
She had finally found the person she was looking for.
