"Alright."
Qingyao nodded, deeply moved. She hadn't expected to owe Wuqing once, and then owe Yin Xuan once. Life was truly miraculous. Was it fate that she had to owe these men something?
"That's good. Perhaps I'll visit you sometime to reminisce. You must live well,"
Yin Xuan released her, turned, and gazed at the distant steep peaks with misty eyes, a thick, unshed sorrow in his heart.
How he wished he could stay with her always. But perhaps her heart now held the shadow of another.
"Where are you going now? I'll take you, and then we'll part."
"Where is this place?" Qingyao looked around.
Honestly, the environment here was quite good, very beautiful, comparable to Wuqing Valley.
The thought of Wuqing Valley brought Qingfeng to mind. What had Qingfeng meant by his words? That she would bring about their master's demise. Why would she cause their master's death? And if Wuqing knew she was poisoned, he would be frantic.
She should go back to that courtyard to check on him. She didn't want him to suffer any harm.
"We're going back. I wonder how Wuqing is doing?"
As soon as Qingyao's voice fell, Yin Xuan's heart tightened, though his face was wreathed in a smile.
"Alright, I'll take you. Seeing you safe and sound means my mission is complete," Yin Xuan smiled at Qingyao.
Sometimes, trying to let go was a form of happiness. If he could, he only wished her happiness. If that happiness could only be provided by Wuqing, then he would undoubtedly fulfill it.
"Good." Yin Xuan and Qingyao led the way down the mountain, talking as they descended.
At the foot of the mountain, the carriage was still there, as were the horses. Some people got into the carriage, others mounted their horses, and the entire group left Ling Mountain in a grand procession, heading towards the small courtyard where they had previously stayed.
The evening glow was like blood, enveloping the entire mountain.
The surroundings were lush green, bathed in a layer of red light. At this moment, on the high cliff's summit, a man sat in a wheelchair.
The wind stirred his white hair. Clad in snow-white robes, he sat peacefully on the edge of the cliff, showing no fear. If he moved even a fraction forward, he would plunge into the abyss.
A thin, youthful figure stood in the distance. His handsome face was etched with deep regret, his eyes bloodshot.
He had never imagined his master's affection ran so deep.
He had harmed her, and in doing so, had only harmed his own master.
Only now did he understand one thing: she was his master's life. Only if she lived happily would his master be content. Why had he only realized this now?
But master?
Qingfeng watched his master sitting motionlessly on the cliff edge, unmerved. He had been sitting there for a long time. He knew his master was consumed by despair. The snow-white hair deeply seared his vision.
It was he who was damned, not his master. He truly wished he could throw himself into the abyss without hesitation.
But he couldn't. If he jumped, what would happen to his master alone?
Now, the only way was to let his master know that she was not dead. His master would surely rally then.
"Master?"
Qingfeng called out tentatively, but the person on the cliff edge remained unmoved, gazing into the empty air. The wind grew stronger, making Qingfeng more anxious, yet he dared not move, only speaking slowly.
"Master, she's not dead. Someone saved her at the time."
Although he hadn't gone out, he had heard people talking outside and knew someone had taken her away. Since that person dared to take her, they must have been confident.
As his words fell, the person on the cliff finally regained some focus, but he did not believe Qingfeng's words.
"Qingfeng, go back. Return to the valley."
"Master, it's true. I'm not lying to you. Someone saved her and took her away. I swear I'm not lying this time. Believe me just once. If I ever lie to you again, I'll kill myself before your eyes."
Qingfeng swore vehemently. The man on the cliff’s pupils clouded over, his peaceful demeanor vanishing, replaced by an unrestrained wildness.
"Qingfeng, remember this. No matter the day, if you ever remember my kindness, treat her well. Remember, she is my life. Only if she lives happily will I be truly happy."
"Yes, I remember. Master, I truly remember this time. Come down, let's go find her. We will definitely find her. I'll apologize to her. If she's still angry, I'll commit suicide in front of her. Just please, stop frightening me. Come down."
Qingfeng's voice finally choked with emotion. He had witnessed his celestial master's hair turn white in an instant, and his heart ached more than anyone else's. And this was all his fault. Originally, they could have lived happily together.
"Master, why don't we go back and wait for them? If she wakes up, she'll definitely come back."
This last sentence caused Wuqing to tremble slightly, and he couldn't help but recall her words.
Wuqing, if possible, I truly wish I could return to when Wuqing was young, to accompany Wuqing, and prevent you from being so troubled.
If she recovered, she would surely know he was worried about her, and she would come back. With this thought, a clear light flickered in Wuqing's eyes. He shifted his body backward, turned his wheelchair, and said anxiously.
"Yes. She will come back. Let's go back. She will definitely come back."
Qingfeng's legs weakened, and he almost collapsed, but he braced himself, rushed forward, supported his master's wheelchair, and pushed him down from the cliff summit.
The two of them used their lightness skills to descend the mountain. A carriage waited at the foot of the mountain. Qingfeng helped his master into the carriage, then leaped onto the driver's seat himself, whipped the horses, and hurried back.
Now, he dared not harbor any ill intentions. He only hoped that Miss Mu had indeed been saved, and that she had returned. If that happened, his master would be alright. And if Miss Mu didn't forgive him, he was willing to die before her eyes.
Meanwhile, Yin Xuan and Qingyao had reached the small courtyard by nightfall.
They found the small courtyard empty, with no one present, only a scene of devastation. The leaves of the ginkgo tree were disheveled, with many broken branches hanging from them. There were even bloodstains on the wall.
Looking at the scene before her, Qingyao's head buzzed.
Could it be that because she had been in trouble, Wuqing had killed Qingfeng? How heartbroken would his heart be? Fearing for her safety, he had then killed Qingfeng.
What was all this for? Why had Qingfeng tried to kill her for no reason? And why had he always emphasized that if she were present, the master would be in danger?
Qingfeng had no reason to lie, so it must be true. How could she possibly bring disaster to Wuqing?
Thinking that she might bring him harm, Qingyao's heart ached. She truly wished for his happiness more than anyone. How could she harm him? Since that was the case, she should leave. Move further away from him, at least to ensure his life was not in danger.