Many people wanted to join the Demonic Sect, so there was no shortage of talent.
Lu Xiangyin rose and left the side room.
She took the main seat in the central hall, and a young servant brought over a basin of water for her to wash the blood off her hands.
Just then, Xue Baihua stepped out of the side room, her body stained with fresh blood—clearly from the woman earlier.
Though the woman had survived, she was likely driven mad.
Sparing her might have been more cruel than simply ending her life.
“As a healer, do you think I was cruel?” Lu Xiangyin asked casually as she wiped her face with a silk handkerchief.
Xue Baihua just scoffed in response.
A healer? Cruel? She was Miao Shou Yan Luo—life and death meant little to her.
But still… “Why doesn’t the Divine Doctor save people? If you’re a healer, shouldn’t you be helping the world?” Xi Fuhong’s determined face flashed through her mind.
She cherished life so deeply.
Seeing her lost in thought, Lu Xiangyin changed the subject.
“Did you see Fu Hong yesterday?”
Hearing how intimately Lu Xiangyin called her, Xue Baihua suddenly felt a twinge of displeasure.
Though Lu Xiangyin had taken care of Ah Fu for the past three years, it also meant she had monopolized her for that long.
In these three years, no one had been closer to Ah Fu than her.
Even if Lu Xiangyin had no romantic feelings for Ah Fu, it still made Xue Baihua uneasy.
“Fu Hong probably treats the Divine Doctor like a maid, doesn’t she?” Lu Xiangyin looked at Xue Baihua and continued, “Aren’t you curious how Fu Hong survived? Don’t you want to know what happened after the Tiger Dragon Treasure?”
It was like a stone dropped into a still pond, sending ripples through her heart.
Xue Baihua’s head snapped up, staring at Lu Xiangyin in shock.
How did she know about the Tiger Dragon Cave?
“Master!” Before Xue Baihua could react, a voice broke the tension.
A short attendant came forward holding embroidered fabric, followed by a young servant who quickly took the other end.
Together, they spread it out.
“Master, this is the fabric you requested.
It just arrived today.
Please take a look.”
Lu Xiangyin slowly stood, her jade-like fingers gently brushing over the fabric.
“Truly a fine tribute to the court.
Divine Doctor, I plan to make a dress for you from this.
See if you like it.”
Xue Baihua remained unmoved.
She had no interest in fancy clothes, nor did she care for them.
“I’m hosting a grand banquet tonight,” Lu Xiangyin said, waving the servants away.
She stepped close to Xue Baihua, so close she could feel her breath.
“Don’t be late, Divine Doctor.
The followers are all looking forward to seeing you.
Your beauty has already become the talk of the sect.
Don’t let them down.”
Lu Xiangyin’s orders were never to be disobeyed.
And with Xi Fuhong in her hands, Xue Baihua had no room to act rashly.
That night, Lu Xiangyin indeed held a lavish banquet.
Red lanterns hung high, fine wine and delicacies flowed endlessly.
Dancers twirled in silk skirts, music filled the air.
The scene was grand, with hundreds of followers singing and drinking in high spirits.
But when Xue Baihua entered, all eyes turned to her.
Dressed in a purple-blue gown, she looked like a celestial maiden—so beautiful that men held their breath and women paled in comparison.
Xue Baihua, with her seductive gaze, could steal souls.
But unfortunately, the only one she wanted to seduce was the drugged girl in the valley.
All night, Xue Baihua kept a cold expression.
She sipped a little wine but didn’t even touch her chopsticks.
By midnight, most were drunk or asleep.
Xue Baihua blinked slowly and looked toward Lu Xiangyin, who was also watching her.
She nodded slightly, then stood and gave a faint smile.
Lu Xiangyin raised her cup in return.
No words were needed—they understood each other.
Xue Baihua knew this banquet was just Lu Xiangyin’s way of showing the sect her status.
And Lu Xiangyin knew Xue Baihua only stayed because of Xi Fuhong.
Her gown trailing behind her, Xue Baihua hurried through the corridor, not returning to her room but heading to the west side where the servants lived.
She pushed open a wooden door and saw dozens of young girls sleeping on shared bedding.
Her eyes scanned the room, and she walked straight to the corner.
She looked down to see Xun’er sleeping soundly.
With a raised brow, she shook her awake.
The commotion stirred the other girls, who sat up and looked at her in confusion.
“…Don’t be noisy… I still want to—ow!” Her ear was suddenly twisted hard, and Xun’er cried out in pain, eyes flying open.
“G-God—Divine Doctor?! It’s so late… why are you here?”
Xue Baihua grabbed her arm and pointed insistently toward the door.
“Ow… Divine Doctor, you’re going into the valley this late? It’s cold, and the valley’s damp.
You’re not well, maybe wait till morning? I can come get you then.
Besides, Miss Xi is probably asleep.
Divine Doctor, maybe don’t—ow! Please stop twisting! You’re gonna rip my ear off!”
Xun’er flailed in pain, but Xue Baihua just dragged her along.
The other girls, terrified, hid under their blankets, afraid they’d be next.
Unable to resist, Xun’er sleepily unlocked the gate.
As soon as the stone door opened, Xue Baihua slipped inside and vanished in a flash.
She hurried toward Wu Feng Valley.
Just as she stepped out of the cave, her foot slipped and she nearly fell off the cliff.
The air was thick with moisture, and the stone path was slick with mist.
Steadying herself, Xue Baihua casually tucked her messy hair behind her ear, like a girl going to meet her lover—nervous and flustered.
In the distance, the small house where Xi Fuhong lived was completely dark.
She must be asleep by now.
Even so, Xue Baihua still wanted to see her, even if it was just her sleeping face.
This was all she had left to hold onto.
She gently pushed open the wooden door.
The room was dim, lit only by faint moonlight.
Xue Baihua stepped forward slowly, her fingers brushing the soft quilt.
Only then did she allow herself a small smile.
She blinked and saw Xi Fuhong’s sleeping profile, her breathing steady, a faint smile on her lips—clearly dreaming something sweet.
Warmth filled her chest, her eyes turning red.
Not from sorrow, but from contentment.
She was lucky just to be by Ah Fu’s side.
She had no right to ask for her love, or even her pity.
Xue Baihua, the one who had once killed Ah Fu, had long lost the right to stand before her.
It was only because Ah Fu had forgotten the past that she could shamelessly stay by her side, clinging to whatever scraps of tenderness she could get.
The tears were bitter… but her heart tasted a hint of sweetness.
Xue Baihua wiped her tears, her lips trembling.
She was overwhelmed with happiness.
“…Hua’er?” A soft murmur came from the darkness.
Xue Baihua immediately looked up.
She saw Ah Fu’s half-lidded eyes, still drowsy.
She tilted her head, looking at Xue Baihua in confusion.
Xue Baihua smiled at her.
When Xi Fuhong tried to sit up, she quickly pressed her back down, shaking her head to keep her in bed.
But Xi Fuhong suddenly scooted over and lifted a corner of the quilt.
“It’s late.
Did they kick you out? Don’t worry, my bed’s big enough.
Let’s sleep together, okay?”
Her voice was thick with sleep, soft and sweet.
She waved Xue Baihua over, inviting her to join without hesitation.
Hearing that, Xue Baihua trembled all over.
Before she could think, her body had already moved closer, craving the warmth.
She slipped into the cozy bed, her nose filled with Xi Fuhong’s scent, as if being embraced by her.
As soon as she lay down, Xi Fuhong took her hand, a lazy smile on her lips.
“Hua’er today…” Xi Fuhong leaned in and smiled.
“You’re especially beautiful today.”
—“Divine Doctor Xue is very beautiful.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
Silent tears rolled down her cheeks.
“…Hua’er, you really are a crybaby,” Xi Fuhong said with a smile, wiping the tears from her face.
Crybaby? Probably only Xi Fuhong would call her that.
“Don’t cry.
Go to sleep.” Xi Fuhong leaned in and kissed her forehead, then rested her head on Xue Baihua’s shoulder and drifted off.
The warmth on her forehead lingered.
Xue Baihua bit her trembling lip, a tear slipping down her lashes.
That night, Xue Baihua didn’t sleep at all.
