"Let's go,"
Qingyao spoke with immense heaviness, her face veiled by a dusky green glow, the surrounding coldness sweeping away her previous gentleness.
Yinxuan, watching her, felt a pang of heartache. Only now did he truly understand what kind of person she was, someone who would reciprocate genuine feelings with sincerity. Yet, his selfish desires had been too strong. If not for his overwhelming self-interest, everything would have been different.
"Where to?"
His magnetic voice rose, his dark pupils flashing with dazzling brilliance.
"Since you wish to see him, wait here. He will return."
Though his heart felt as if it were being seared by oil, he now wished for her to live a happier life. If she truly wanted to stay by that man's side, he would personally hand her over to him, hoping she would be free from all worries.
"No, perhaps Qingfeng is right. If I stay, I will only harm him, and I am the one who least wants to see him hurt." Qingyao raised her head, her gaze clear. As long as he was well, that was enough. A faint smile touched her lips. She would remember everything about him. After dealing with Changsun Yin's affairs, she would return to Wúqíng Valley to pick up Little Fish and Mao Xueqiu. Perhaps he and she were not destined to be together after all.
"Let's go."
Qingyao finished speaking and walked ahead. Yinxuan turned and followed her, the others closely behind. The group exited the siheyuan.
The night deepened, casting darkness all around. In the small town, save for the occasional lit lamp, there was no other light.
This was a rural mountain town with few visitors. Consequently, the townsfolk lived by the rhythm of the sun, working at dawn and resting at dusk. A few shops selling miscellaneous goods remained open, a single lamp illuminating the front of each, the sole beacon of light in the town.
The group walked in silence. Qingyao moved forward with a dazed expression, lost in thought, and no one dared to disturb her. They followed her towards the edge of the town.
Finally, they stopped at a fork in the road. She let out a sigh, as if to shed her sorrow and exhaustion. Turning to look at Yinxuan beside her, she spoke softly.
"Yinxuan, thank you for saving me. Let's part ways here. You go do what you need to do; I have other matters to attend to."
Yinxuan's chest tightened. Seeing her so desolate made his heart ache, and he couldn't bear to leave her. He reached out and grasped her shoulder. "Since you wish to see him, then stay."
"No, I have things to do. Seeing him or not is not important. Perhaps he has already left. I cannot wait there indefinitely for them."
This was a mere excuse. She was simply afraid that what Qingfeng had said was true, that she would ultimately bring him harm. If she, who wished for his happiness the most, caused him pain, she would forever resent herself. Therefore, it was better to leave. She would offer him her blessings.
"If you are not waiting for him, then let me accompany you for a while. I will leave once you have truly opened your heart."
Seeing her like this, he absolutely could not leave. Moreover, the silkworm poison on her had just been resolved, and her internal energy was not yet fully utilized. If she encountered someone with high martial arts skills, she might not be able to evade them. Thus, he absolutely refused to let anything happen to her.
"Yinxuan?"
Qingyao raised her eyes, looking up at Yinxuan. Although the night was dark, she could clearly see the sparks flickering in his eyes and his determined expression.
It seemed he was resolute in staying with her. Was she truly meant to be with them?
"Don't you have something to do? Have you settled those women?"
Qingyao asked him. She recalled that they had only parted ways not long ago, and even settling matters wouldn't take this long. How could he have the time to accompany her on her travels?
"Actually, this Chunfeng Tower also exists in Huangyuan Kingdom. I just need to send people to put them there."
Yinxuan replied concisely, unwilling to elaborate further on the matter. For now, he only wanted to stay with her until he was certain she was safe. Otherwise, he wouldn't feel at ease.
"Where do we go now?" Yinxuan looked at Qingyao, his expression brooks no argument.
Qingyao knew he wouldn't leave, so she gave up. She raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and looked at Moyou beside her. "Didn't I ask you to look for the little beggar?"
"Don't mention it. There were no children in the town. Later, I met Young Master, and he wanted to see you, so I brought him over." Moyou pointed at Yinxuan, feeling fortunate to have brought Yinxuan along, otherwise, who knew what might have happened?
Regardless, cultivating power was an urgent matter. Even if they didn't go to Wúqíng Valley, they had to do it elsewhere.
"Then let's go to the imperial capital of Huangyuan Kingdom, Lijing. There must be many beggars there," Qingyao said in a low voice, looking up at the sky with a cold gaze. The night was growing darker. It was best to leave first. With a wave of her hand, she commanded, "Let's go."
"Yes," Moyou and Moyou responded. A fleeting shadow of gloom crossed Moyou's face, but he said nothing, mounting the horse closely behind Mochou.
Yinxuan and Qingyao got into the carriage, and Yinxuan's subordinates also mounted their horses. The group, vast and impressive, headed south. Just as they passed the fork in the road.
A carriage arrived from the north, heading straight for the small town. The two carriages passed each other in that instant, as if guided by fate, everything predetermined.
The carriage from the north carried Qingfeng and Wuqing.
They soon passed through the small town in the dark night and headed directly for the small siheyuan. However, the siheyuan was as quiet as when they had left. Qingfeng pushed Wuqing inside.
The scene was one of disarray. The ginkgo tree in the center of the courtyard was littered with broken branches and fallen leaves, a chaotic mess.
Wuqing stared blankly, his heart plummeting, sinking into an abyss. She hadn't returned. Had something happened to her? Had something happened to her?
Only this thought echoed in his mind, leaving no room for any other. At this moment, a sense of powerlessness spread through him, as if he had lost the strength to even live. Clad in white, with white hair, his ethereal beauty was like that of a phantom, silent and exuding infinite, profound despair.
Qingfeng's heart was no better, a bitter taste filling his mouth. Had something truly happened to her? Otherwise, she wouldn't have failed to return. He paced back and forth in the courtyard, concluding that they indeed had not returned.
If she were alive, she would surely come to visit the Young Master. But there was no sign of her?
Was she truly dead? Qingfeng could no longer bear the self-reproach in his heart. He dropped to his knees with a thud, burying his face in his hands.
Without her, the Young Master would likely not survive. Had he become the executioner who killed the Young Master?
Qingfeng was heartbroken. His eyes suddenly fell upon a white jade hairpin on the ground. He hadn't noticed this hairpin before, but now there were several. Had someone been here? Who?
Forgetting his sorrow for a moment, he quickly picked up the jade hairpin and presented it to the Young Master, his voice tinged with a glimmer of hope. "Young Master, look quickly. This is a white jade hairpin. I didn't see it before. Whose is it?"
Wuqing, consumed by despair and sorrow, immediately came to his senses upon hearing Qingfeng's words. He took the white jade hairpin and examined it closely. His lips trembled involuntarily, and he spoke softly.