Her fingertip trembled, the string snapped, and blood dripped.
“Not bad, really not bad.” Applause echoed from afar as Lu Xiangyin approached with a smile, her steps graceful.
“Miss Xiao, your zither skills are quite impressive.
If you’re so inclined, I’ll have someone find you a fine instrument another day.
With your music to accompany me, I won’t be so bored anymore.”
Xiao Qiyu’s index finger had been cut by the broken string, a thin line of blood trailing down.
“Also,” Lu Xiangyin pulled a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and gently wiped the blood from Xiao Qiyu’s fingertip, “please keep those filthy things in check.
I don’t like my peace being disturbed.
Don’t forget that.” Her beautiful eyes blinked slowly, carrying a hint of menace.
Though she smiled, a sharp fang peeked out from the corner of her lips.
“As expected of the Sect Leader.
Even the ghost spirits that follow me were no match for you.” Xiao Qiyu didn’t push her away, only returned a faint smile.
“I told you, I don’t like filth tainting my palace.” Lu Xiangyin withdrew the handkerchief and stepped back.
“I fear the Sect Leader…” Xiao Qiyu cupped her hands and smiled.
“Isn’t exactly human either?”
She couldn’t see, but with her talent for sensing spirits, how could she not detect something strange about Lu Xiangyin? She just couldn’t quite tell—what exactly was that thing cloaking her flesh? Not ghost, not spirit, yet so domineering and fierce.
“I want you to serve my sect.” Lu Xiangyin lifted her chin.
Though petite, her presence was overwhelming.
“Sorry, I can’t agree to that.” Xiao Qiyu replied bluntly.
As a disciple of Bi Xuan Palace, she didn’t meddle in the affairs of either good or evil, nor did she take sides.
“No rush,” Lu Xiangyin seemed to have expected her refusal and didn’t get angry.
Instead, her smile deepened.
Resistance made things more interesting.
She wanted this cold, serene fairy before her to willingly serve her, to obey like a dog, to beg her.
“I have what you’re looking for, Miss Xiao.
I believe you’ll change your mind.”
“What is it?” Xiao Qiyu asked, her lips barely moving.
“No rush.” Lu Xiangyin reached out and picked up a strand of Xiao Qiyu’s hair, inhaling its delicate fragrance.
“No rush…”
She had waited three years—what was a little longer?
Don’t you agree, Miss Xiao?
The smile on Xiao Qiyu’s face slowly faded as she looked calmly at Lu Xiangyin.
“How about this? If you’re willing to help my sect, I’ll allow you to see Xi Fuhong for one hour each morning.” That was the offer Lu Xiangyin made—the reason Xiao Qiyu had been searching for three years.
But would she accept? Would she stay for Xi Fuhong? Would she be as devoted as the Divine Doctor?
Lu Xiangyin narrowed her eyes, waiting for an answer.
“Who are you?” Xiao Qiyu didn’t respond directly.
After a moment of silence, she asked.
“Heh, how rude of me.
Looking like this, of course you wouldn’t recognize me.” Lu Xiangyin twirled with a flick of her sleeve, looking adorably charming.
“I’m Lu Xiangyin, Sect Leader of the Demonic Sect, and also… the evil spirit sealed within the Tiger Dragon Cave for hundreds of years.
Is that clear enough, Miss Xiao?”
Xiao Qiyu shuddered.
No wonder she couldn’t sense any ghostly aura—Lu Xiangyin was a demon.
“What did you do to Miss Xi?” If she was the evil spirit from the Tiger Dragon Cave, then back during the sacrifice…
“I gave Fuhong what she wanted—a peaceful, undisturbed life.
She’s been quite happy these past three years, so you can rest easy.” Lu Xiangyin clasped her hands behind her back, her gaze fixed on Xiao Qiyu’s face.
Though she appeared calm, Lu Xiangyin still caught a flicker of panic.
“So? Will you join my sect?”
“Bi Xuan Palace doesn’t get involved in Jianghu affairs.” Xiao Qiyu pressed her lips together and replied.
“If you’re that determined, then I’ll have to ask you to—”
“As long as it doesn’t cost me my life, I can stay here under the name Xiao Qiyu.”
No matter her status, Xiao Qiyu couldn’t suppress her desire to see Xi Fuhong.
Lu Xiangyin chuckled and nodded.
So even Xiao Qiyu couldn’t let go of Xi Fuhong? Was it guilt that made her willing to stay? Perfect.
No need for force—Xiao Qiyu just saved her a lot of trouble.
“In that case, I’ll take you down to the valley.” Lu Xiangyin extended her hand to lead the way.
Xiao Qiyu didn’t accept the gesture and instead took a step back.
Though blind, she didn’t need anyone to guide her.
Lu Xiangyin raised an amused brow and turned with a swirl of her sleeve.
The two walked down a long, silent corridor, their footsteps echoing softly.
Xiao Qiyu’s usually calm heart began to ripple.
The deeper they went, the more turbulent her emotions became.
Had she wasted all these years just for this moment? It wasn’t about searching—she just needed to confirm whether Xi Fuhong still held that place in her heart…
That place once called Ling Xue, the one she could never forget.
Suddenly, a loud crash.
Xiao Qiyu couldn’t see who had burst out of the room, but she heard the scuffle.
Lu Xiangyin looked down to see Xue Baihua kneeling on the ground in disarray.
The door behind her was wide open, everything inside broken or shattered.
Her hair was a mess, her face pale, and she clung desperately to Lu Xiangyin’s skirt, eyes pleading.
“No.
One more day.” Lu Xiangyin said calmly, gently brushing off Xue Baihua’s hands with a smile.
One more day? Just this one day already felt like a lifetime to Xue Baihua.
She wanted to see Ah Fu… to hear her call her “Hua’er” with a smile…
“I’m taking someone down to the valley.
Don’t get in the way.” Lu Xiangyin stepped forward, and Xue Baihua immediately clung to her again.
She had overheard Lu Xiangyin was taking someone down and turned pale with fear.
She looked back in panic—only to see it was Xiao Qiyu!
Letting Ah Fu see Xiao Qiyu? No! Absolutely not! If it were anyone else, maybe… but this was the top disciple of Bi Xuan Palace, someone who had once had Ah Fu.
If they met again… if Ah Fu fell for her…
Xue Baihua shook her head frantically.
Lu Xiangyin only smiled faintly.
“You two know each other, so I won’t bother with introductions.
Since Miss Xiao will be staying to help my sect, it’s only natural to say hello.” Lu Xiangyin waved at Xiao Qiyu.
“I’ll allow you one hour a day in the valley.
I hope the Divine Doctor won’t mind.”
How could she not mind?
Xue Baihua clung to Lu Xiangyin’s skirt, shaking her head desperately.
Lu Xiangyin frowned, clearly displeased.
“Divine Doctor, don’t get possessive.”
She had only allowed Xue Baihua to visit the valley—not to monopolize Fu Hong.
This kind of possessiveness was truly annoying.
Lu Xiangyin shot her a cold glance and pushed her away.
But Xue Baihua wouldn’t give up.
She immediately lunged forward again, only to be slapped hard by Lu Xiangyin, sending her crashing into the wooden door.
She lifted her face stubbornly, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
“Guards!” Lu Xiangyin called.
Two servants stepped forward.
“Lock the Divine Doctor up.
Don’t let her cause trouble.”
With that, Lu Xiangyin turned and left without a glance back.
She led the ever-silent Xiao Qiyu to the entrance of the secret passage.
The same dark, heavy door, the same complex mechanisms. Only now, time had passed.
That day, it was Xue Baihua standing before the door.
Today, it was Xiao Qiyu.
As the door opened, Lu Xiangyin glanced at Xiao Qiyu with interest.
Her jade-like face was tinged with worry.
Where did that worry come from? Why? Interesting.
Very interesting.
“Go straight through here.
Once you exit the passage, you’ll be in Wu Feng Valley.
After that, Miss Xue won’t have a chance to object…”
“Thank you for leading the way, Sect Leader.” Xiao Qiyu interrupted her pointless provocation with a polite bow.
No regrets? Good.
Lu Xiangyin nodded slightly and continued forward.
Xiao Qiyu had no time for distractions.
Her posture straight, she followed Lu Xiangyin out of the cave.
As they descended the stone steps, a fresh herbal scent filled the air.
A gentle breeze blew.
Even without seeing, she knew—this must be a paradise on earth.
As they approached a small cottage, Lu Xiangyin spotted Xi Fuhong working in the backyard.
She smiled.
