Shui Lü felt restless and wandered around Ice Soul City.
Since the battle at Heaven Sword Sect, Xiao Man had vanished. The scouts he sent out couldn't find her traces, and Xiao Man had been severely injured in that battle. He didn't know how her recovery was progressing.
Shui Lü sighed and strolled aimlessly. Ice Soul City was as lively as ever. No matter how the cultivators above fought, the lives of ordinary people remained unaffected.
Suddenly, a familiar fragrance wafted into Shui Lü's nose. His body trembled, and he spun around, his gaze searching the crowd. He didn't find the person he was looking for, so he immediately gave chase. However, after chasing for a whole street, he still couldn't find any trace of Xiao Man.
Xiao Man hid in a secluded alley. Watching Shui Lü pass by, she couldn't help but pat her chest, "I almost got caught!"
Nangong Yu crossed his arms. "There are quite a few buzzing bees and butterflies. How did you get entangled with them?"
"Because of a herb," Xiao Man secretly glanced around. Seeing that Shui Lü was no longer in sight, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Besides, I also have a responsibility for the way he is now."
"The way he is now?"
"He's now a walking poisoner, untouchable by anyone." Xiao Man sighed. "When I first met him, his life was hanging by a thread. To save his life, I used the method of fighting poison with poison, turning him into a poisoner. For the rest of his life, let alone marrying and having children, no woman could even get close to him."
"He won't hold a grudge and seek revenge on you, will he?" Nangong Yu clicked his tongue. He was a young man in his prime, and you turned him into a complete poisoner, unable to marry, have children, or be intimate with anyone. In his opinion, this was worse than death.
"It shouldn't be that bad."
"An ancient saying goes, 'Among the three unfilial acts, having no heir is the greatest.' You cured him by preventing him from marrying wives and taking concubines, and continuing his lineage..."
"If I hadn't saved him, he would have already died. What wife or concubine could he have married? He would have reunited with his ancestors in the underworld." Xiao Man rolled her eyes at Nangong Yu. "Let's get out of the city quickly, or if he catches us, who knows what complications will arise."
"Alright." The two immediately headed towards the city gates. They had expected to spend some effort getting out, but to their surprise, they exited the city smoothly without any obstruction.
However, shortly after they left the city, Xiao Man sensed someone following them and stopped. "You've been following all this way, still following?"
A moment later, Shui Lü emerged from his hiding place. "I was looking for you, and you were avoiding me, so I had no choice but to follow and escort you."
"Now, Heaven Sword Sect is searching for me with a fine-tooth comb. Aren't you afraid of bringing trouble to the Shui family by interacting with me?" Xiao Man asked gently.
"Lan Lan is worried about me?" Shui Lü asked with a smile. "Although my Shui family is just a small noble family, we do not fear the influence of Heaven Sword Sect. It's just that Lan Lan deliberately avoided me when she entered the city. Are you worried I would betray you?"
"Lan Lan, that's quite an intimate address," Nangong Yu's expression turned cold. "I would appreciate it if you, sir, would show some self-respect."
Shui Lü's expression remained calm, his smile unchanged. "Lan Lan, and this gentleman is..."
"I am her husband," Nangong Yu said first. "Please, sir, refrain from staring at my wife."
A flicker of surprise flashed in Shui Lü's eyes, but his expression didn't betray it. "So, you are the wife with the extreme jealousy that Lan Lan mentioned."
Nangong Yu looked at Xiao Man, who quickly coughed to change the subject. "You followed us, is there something you need?"
"Ice Soul City is located in a remote area, and Heaven Sword Sect's influence is not deeply entrenched here. This place is still relatively safe for you, so I came to invite you to stay in Ice Soul City." Shui Lü's tone was calm and sincere.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I have my own plans, and I also don't wish to impose, which is why I avoided you." Xiao Man cupped her fists. "How is Elder Yao?"
"My grandfather is very well and has been mentioning you. When I saw you at Heaven Sword Sect, I wanted to catch up, but then this happened. In the end, that incident occurred, and I didn't even get to speak with you properly." Shui Lü's smile faded. "Please accept my condolences regarding your mother's matter."
"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine."
"You don't need to worry about implicating the Shui family. I sincerely hope you will stay with the Shui family." Shui Lü took a step forward. "If you stay in Ice Soul City, I can certainly protect you."
"I know you can protect me," Xiao Man said with a smile. "However, I don't seek protection. I still have many things to do and cannot live like someone hiding under another's wing."
"If you stay in Ice Soul City, you can still do what you wish."
Xiao Man shook her head. "Heaven Sword Sect is currently focusing its surveillance on sects and noble families. No matter how well we conceal it, there will be loopholes. I don't want to implicate anyone. Moreover, I'm not without a place to go. The place I'm going, Heaven Sword Sect cannot find, so you don't need to worry."
Seeing that Xiao Man's decision was made, Shui Lü could only relent. "Very well. Since you have a destination, I will not force you to stay. If you ever need help, just send someone to Ice Soul City to find me. I will do my utmost to assist you in any way I can."
"Okay."
Shui Lü took out a storage bag and handed it to Xiao Man. "There are some daily necessities and medicinal herbs inside. You must not have prepared anything in such a rush. If you don't accept it, you truly don't consider me a friend."
"This..."
"My life was saved by you. These are just material possessions, merely a token of my sincerity. They are worthless items. If you don't accept them, you truly don't consider me a friend."
"In that case, I will respectfully accept." Xiao Man took it, bowed, and left with Nangong Yu.
Shui Lü watched Xiao Man's departing figure, the light in his eyes gradually dimming. When their figures disappeared from sight, he turned to return to the city, only to see Elder Yao hiding nearby, watching the scene.
"Grandfather!"
"You rascal, you just let her go like that? I wanted a drop of her blood!" Elder Yao wrung his hands and stomped his feet. He secretly glanced at Shui Lü's dejected expression as he walked back, and quickly followed.
"I don't think those two are husband and wife."
"She has no feelings for me. Being friends is the limit."
"If you miss her, you'll likely never marry in this life." Elder Yao shed his carefree demeanor. "If there's anyone who isn't afraid of your poison arts, it's the direct descendants of the Qin family. And she is the only surviving heir."
"Grandfather, whether I marry or not is not important to me," Shui Lü said softly. "If it's not the right person, marriage is just torture. I'm already living a difficult life, why should I continue to torture myself? For the rest of my life, I only want to live well for myself."
"It's good that you can think of it that way. I was afraid you'd get stuck in a rut." Elder Yao paused. "Also, you should take control of the Shui family as soon as possible. These peaceful days may not last much longer."