That teasing look in her eyes.
A girl like this from Fog Valley, and yet the Divine Doctor can’t stop thinking about her? Lu Xiangyin slowly approached Xi Fuhong, her slender hand reaching out.
If the Divine Doctor knew I was… crossing the line with Xi Fuhong, would he go mad? The moment her fingers touched Xi Fuhong, she smoothly wrapped her arms around her waist from behind.
Xi Fuhong turned her head slightly, her damp hair clinging to her cheeks, looking a bit disheveled but adorably innocent.
Lu Xiangyin smiled faintly, gently brushing the hair from her face with one hand, while the other pulled her in possessively, their bodies pressed tightly together.
“Xiangyin?” Xi Fuhong blinked, puzzled.
“What is it?” Lu Xiangyin replied softly, her warm breath brushing against Xi Fuhong’s ear, a little suggestive.
“Holding me like this, I can’t roast the fish.
And I’m soaking wet—I’ll get your clothes dirty.” Xi Fuhong struggled to break free from Lu Xiangyin’s embrace, pointing at the lively fish flopping on the grass with a smile.
“Are you hungry? I caught two fish.
Let’s eat together?”
Lu Xiangyin just smiled without answering.
Xi Fuhong squatted beside the pile of firewood, smoke curling from the firestarter in her hand.
In no time, she had the fire going.
As she busied herself preparing the fish, Lu Xiangyin sat on a rock nearby, cooling off, her gaze never leaving Xi Fuhong.
The more she watched, the more intrigued she became.
Just an average-looking girl—how could she have captured the Divine Doctor’s heart? Could it be that Xi Fuhong had some hidden charm she hadn’t noticed?
Lost in thought, Lu Xiangyin didn’t realize Xi Fuhong had already handed her a grilled fish.
“Xiangyin, eat it while it’s hot.
The fish is fresh, no muddy taste.” Xi Fuhong called out twice, handing the grilled fish to Lu Xiangyin.
She held one herself, the aroma mouthwatering.
Lu Xiangyin raised an eyebrow, glanced at the fish in her hand, then at Xi Fuhong.
Kind? Considerate? Gentle?
Is that what drew the Divine Doctor to Xi Fuhong?
“You’ve been spacing out a lot today, Xiangyin.
Something on your mind?” Xi Fuhong took a few bites and noticed Lu Xiangyin staring at her in a daze.
“What do you think of Xue Baihua?” Lu Xiangyin asked instead of answering.
“…Xue Baihua? You mean… Hua’er?” Xi Fuhong took another bite of fish, tilted her head in thought, then smiled.
“Hua’er’s a crybaby.”
All she could picture was Xue Baihua sobbing.
It seemed like every time she saw Hua’er, she was crying her heart out.
“Is that so?” Lu Xiangyin nodded slightly and said calmly, “Xue Baihua won’t be coming by these next two days.”
Hearing that, Xi Fuhong asked without thinking, “Why not?”
“She made a mistake.
She’s being punished for two days,” Lu Xiangyin replied.
Xi Fuhong frowned and shifted uncomfortably.
“Xiangyin… Hua’er might be a crybaby, but she’s actually a good person.
Don’t be too hard on her.
Even if she did something wrong, don’t be too harsh.
She gets scared easily.”
Lu Xiangyin chuckled softly at her words.
“That won’t do.
Xue Baihua… no, Hua’er is one of my most trusted aides.
She must be properly disciplined.”
Most trusted aide? Xi Fuhong had her doubts but didn’t voice them.
“Fu Hong, would you like to leave the valley for a bit?” Lu Xiangyin changed the subject, her tone slightly probing.
Three years, surrounded by mountains like a prison, trapping her within.
Did Xi Fuhong really plan to stay in the valley forever? Could a mortal truly endure such seclusion? Especially when she was in the prime of her youth—could she really be content wasting her years here? Lu Xiangyin tilted her head in thought, her beautiful eyes scanning Xi Fuhong.
If she let Xi Fuhong leave the valley, would the Divine Doctor still be willing to stay in the sect? Would he still be willing to risk his life to cure the cold poison?
“What’s outside the valley?” Xi Fuhong was silent for a moment, then looked up and asked.
“Evil people,” Lu Xiangyin answered without hesitation, her tone flat.
Evil people?
“Then I won’t leave.
If the outside is full of evil people, I’d rather stay here.” Xi Fuhong shook her head honestly.
She didn’t know that the one who had been wreaking havoc across the Jianghu, stirring up chaos—the greatest villain of all—was the petite, regal-looking Lu Xiangyin right in front of her.
To Xi Fuhong, Lu Xiangyin was her savior, the one who had cared for her most over the past three years.
Maybe not like a sister, but Lu Xiangyin’s care and concern were something she remembered deeply.
She didn’t ask for much and was easily content.
In this valley, she already had everything.
“In a few days, I’ll send another maid to look after you.” Lu Xiangyin handed the grilled fish back to Xi Fuhong and made to leave.
“No need.
I’m fine on my own.
I don’t need anyone to wait on me.” Xi Fuhong said, watching Lu Xiangyin’s departing figure.
But Lu Xiangyin just waved her delicate hand without replying, leaving gracefully.
As her figure disappeared into the dark cave, Lu Xiangyin’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Fu Hong, oh Fu Hong… you don’t know… there are plenty of people dying to serve you.”
The wooden bridge had collapsed, and a makeshift path was built using bamboo poles.
By the riverbank, a man had rolled up his pants and was holding a wooden plank, focused on repairing the bridge.
This bridge connected two small villages.
Though not exactly prosperous, it was still a vital route for communication between them.
Unfortunately, heavy rains had poured for days, causing the stream to swell and wash the bridge away in an instant.
So the village men had to take turns fixing it, and today was this young man’s turn.
The moment his legs touched the stream, a sharp chill shot through him, making him shiver.
He muttered under his breath, clearly not thrilled about doing such labor.
As he grumbled, he caught a glimpse of a dark figure passing by.
Looking up, he saw a slender figure walking slowly along the riverbank.
Her jade hairpin was perfectly placed, her black hair swaying with each step.
Dressed in a dark robe and green garments, even though he could only see her from behind, it wasn’t hard to imagine her beauty.
“Miss!” the man called out, stepping through the water.
“Miss, the bridge is broken.
That bamboo path is dangerous!”
Just as he finished speaking, the woman turned around slowly.
The water sparkled under the sunlight, the breeze lifting a few strands of her hair.
Her skin was pale like frost in winter, and her faint smile was gentle as water.
Unfortunately, despite her beauty, her eyes were covered with a brocade cloth, giving her a slightly tragic air.
“Miss, you can’t see.
Let me carry you across,” the man offered eagerly, seeing that she was blind.
The beauty’s name was Xiao Qiyu, the top disciple of Bi Xuan Palace.
A broken bridge like this… was nothing to her.
“Thank you for your kindness, but there’s no need,” Xiao Qiyu replied with a polite smile and a cupped hand.
The bamboo bridge swayed precariously, but Xiao Qiyu crossed it with ease.
Her steps were steady, her posture graceful.
In the breeze, her dark robes fluttered like a fairy walking on lotus leaves across the river.
Her aura was untouched by the mundane world, unafraid of the rushing water.
Even the uneven gaps in the bamboo bridge didn’t faze her—she moved as if she weren’t blind at all, effortlessly avoiding them.
The man stood dumbfounded on the shore.
A blindfolded woman, crossing the bridge without help? Could she really be a fairy?
But Xiao Qiyu was no celestial being.
What the man didn’t know was that guiding her was a bloodthirsty spirit.
Xiao Qiyu of Bi Xuan Palace had grown up among spirits.
Even with her eyes covered, she could still travel the world.
Not far away, Xiao Qiyu arrived at a small tea stall.
A simple fence made of wooden branches surrounded it.
Under a banyan tree were several shaded seats.
She chose a corner and sat down.
Though guided by spirits, she was still blind.
Amid the noisy tea stall, she heard many men and women chatting.
Tilting her head slightly, she heard a voice calling out, getting closer.
“Customer! What would you like?” the server approached with a kettle, smiling.
