After Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng left Bihai Taohua Island quarters, they returned to the bustling streets of Yongning City.

The festivities were still in full swing, and the city was teeMing with people, with vendors shouting their wares in a constant chorus. From a distance, it was clear the atmosphere was still lively.

However, having already spent a fair amount of time walking around, neither of them had the energy to explore further. They discussed briefly and decided to head back to the inn.

The two of them walked silently side by side, one ahead of the other.

Chu Xinghui walked behind Xie Liufeng, watching the shadow of Xie Liufeng’s figure on the ground. For some inexplicable reason, he was drawn to it, like a cat chasing a fish, and unconsciously stepped on it.

After a few steps, Chu Xinghui suddenly snapped out of it, realizing that his actions felt childish. He quickly pretended as if nothing had happened and moved to the side.

Xie Liufeng didn’t notice his sudden childish behavior, but from the corner of his eye, he saw that Chu Xinghui was about to walk off the path, so he instinctively grabbed his arm.

Chu Xinghui followed the pull, naturally moving closer to him and staying by his side.

After a moment of silence, he spoke up: “About tonight… What do you think of this commission?”

Xie Liufeng chuckled: “You’ve already agreed to it, and now you’re asking for my opinion?”

He was someone who always advocated for freedom and spontaneity, and once a decision had been made, he saw his role as one of support rather than interference.

Chu Xinghui was slightly dissatisfied with this answer and reached out to poke him.

He clearly felt that Xie Liufeng had something else he wanted to say.

Xie Liufeng took the hand Chu Xinghui had extended and gently held it in his own, warMing it for a moment before turning serious: “Although, due to their unique cultivation methods, disciples of Bihai Taohua Island are usually quite honest, even in matters outside of divination… habits can be changed.”

At least, this Saintess… didn’t seem too concerned with honesty outside of divination.

He looked at Chu Xinghui: “You should have noticed by now that this Saintess is hiding something from us. And you know what lies to the south. If you ask for my opinion… this journey is very dangerous for you.”

“I’ve had people look into the secret realm that Mu Chengjin and his wife visited back then,” Xie Liufeng continued honestly, sharing his preparations: “You don’t necessarily need to take risks. If you’re willing to wait, there may be another way to resolve this.”

He then asked Chu Xinghui for his thoughts: “So, what do you think? Should I take over for you? If you want me to help, we can forget about the divination and the sacred artifact, and I’ll go with you.”

Chu Xinghui thought seriously for a moment before lifting his head to look at him: “I want to give it a try.”

Xie Liufeng wasn’t surprised. He reached out and ruffled Chu Xinghui’s hair.

Chu Xinghui repeated: “I want to try—if I succeed, I’ll be able to continue breaking through and be able to help you.”

Xie Liufeng fell silent for a moment.

He knew Chu Xinghui’s temperament, but he hadn’t expected this to be the reason.

After a while, he sighed: “I won’t stop you from taking risks, because there’s not a famous cultivator who hasn’t grown through danger. But remember, just as I’m important to you, you’re important to me.”

Chu Xinghui suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Xie Liufeng couldn’t help but laugh: “Look at you, you’ve already made your decision, yet you’re trying to get my opinion.”

Chu Xinghui didn’t reply but ran to walk behind him again.

Xie Liufeng pulled him back, and the two of them walked side by side.

“Alright, let’s head back for now,” Xie Liufeng said: “Since you’ve decided to go alone, I’ll get some things ready for you.”

The rest of the way, Chu Xinghui remained silent.

Xie Liufeng assumed he was thinking about the task ahead and didn’t disturb him.

Just as they reached the inn, Chu Xinghui suddenly tugged at Xie Liufeng’s sleeve, his gaze burning with intensity: “Can you say it again?”

Xie Liufeng blinked, a little confused: “Hmm?”

Chu Xinghui continued to stare at him.

Xie Liufeng’s mind clicked, and he understood which words Chu Xinghui meant: “…You’re important to me.”

Chu Xinghui nodded, as if nothing had happened, and withdrew his gaze.

Xie Liufeng observed him for a while, and soon realized that his ears were faintly red.

He couldn’t resist the impulse to reach out and gently touch Chu Xinghui’s flushed ear.

Chu Xinghui immediately looked up, wariness flashing in his eyes.

Xie Liufeng couldn’t help but chuckle.

Chu Xinghui, embarrassed, shot him a glare, though it lacked any real threat.

Xie Liufeng wasn’t the least bit intimidated. Instead, he pulled Chu Xinghui over and ruffled his hair.

“How can you be so cute?”

….

Having made his decision, Chu Xinghui wasted no time and quickly packed up.

Xie Liufeng, however, seemed to care much more about the matter than Chu Xinghui did, preparing an array of high-grade talismans and magical tools. Up until the last moment, he kept handing Chu Xinghui things to help him stay safe, almost as though he were arMing him like a turtle.

Before leaving, Chu Xinghui asked: “Where are you going?”

Xie Liufeng, still threading a protective talisman, answered: “I’ll go handle the remaining seals. If I finish early, I’ll head home and wait for you.”

He finished threading the talisman, then looked at Chu Xinghui: “We agreed, I’ll give you a year at most. If you haven’t returned or sent word after a year, I’ll come find you.”

Chu Xinghui nodded.

“Also,” Xie Liufeng handed him the slightly crude talisman he had just finished: “If you encounter danger, break this.”

Chu Xinghui, curious, asked: “Will some mysterious good good person come to rescue me?”

Xie Liufeng laughed: “Not bad, already guessing the answer.”

He explained patiently: “There’s a bit of my spiritual power stored in it. When you break it, I’ll sense it, no matter where I am.”

Chu Xinghui carefully examined the talisman in his hand and gave an honest assessment: “It’s a bit ugly.”

Xie Liufeng looked at him in disbelief: “Really that ugly? I spent two days on it.”

Chu Xinghui paused the motion of stuffing the talisman into his storage bag, casually pinning it onto himself instead: “It’s actually quite nice.”

He looked up at Xie Liufeng and asked: “I’m leaving now?”

Xie Liufeng thought for a moment before making a suggestion: “How about you take my sword with you?”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

With a flat expression, he replied: “How about this, I take along the mysterious good person as well?”

Xie Liufeng couldn’t help but laugh and scold: “What do you know? This is called ‘a mother worries when her child is far away.'”

He had only been mentoring this disciple for less than a year. While Chu Xinghui had gone out to train alone before, the danger levels had been more predictable. This time, the situation was different, and he was genuinely worried, unable to resist adding more protection for him.

Chu Xinghui gave him a puzzled look, struggling to imagine how this saying could apply to their relationship.

Xie Liufeng cleared his throat and corrected himself: “Father worries?”

Chu Xinghui sighed: “Forget it, maybe you should just stop talking.”

It felt like their relationship was starting to get a bit strange.

Xie Liufeng: “…”

Chu Xinghui then asked again: “I’m leaving?”

Xie Liufeng nodded: “Go ahead.”

Chu Xinghui walked a short distance but suddenly turned back.

Xie Liufeng thought he had forgotten something, but instead heard Chu Xinghui ask: “Can you hug me?”

Xie Liufeng froze for a moment.

Then he stepped forward and held Chu Xinghui tightly.

Chu Xinghui grasped his robes firmly, and after a while, he took the initiative to push him away: “Alright, I’m leaving.”

…

After parting with Xie Liufeng, Chu Xinghui set off alone on his journey south.

He had spent over a decade living alone, so he should have been used to this lifestyle, but now that he was traveling solo again, everything felt… off.

For some inexplicable reason, he kept thinking about Xie Liufeng.

He pushed the distracting thoughts away and pulled out a jade slip from his storage pouch.

Yue Yao, having a bit of conscience as the client, had given him a map with possible locations where the sacred artifact might have fallen.

Although, in terms of scope, the markings on the map were like her conscience—there was a little, but not much.

Chu Xinghui looked over the map again, his gaze falling on one of the marks.

This mark was near Shuixun City.

To be honest, ever since he learned about his origins, he wasn’t very keen on dealing with Shuixun City.

But he had an inexplicable premonition that the so-called “key to breaking the situation” from the divination might be here.

…Anyway, he had no specific destination at the moment, so it didn’t matter where he went. It would be better to deal with the place he didn’t want to go first.

Chu Xinghui checked the direction, put the jade slip back in his storage bag, and flew toward Shuixun CIty on his sword.

*

It took Chu Xinghui more than a month, but he finally arrived at the outskirts of Shuixun City.

He stood at the city gate, pondering whether he should change his appearance for safety’s sake, when he suddenly heard a persistent voice behind him: “What a coincidence, meeting you again, Cultivator Xie.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

This was really bad luck.

Chu Xinghui glanced around, found a secluded spot, and walked over. Then, as if just noticing Qin Yuwen not far away, he asked in confusion: “What did Cultivator Qin say? I couldn’t hear clearly.”

Qin Yuwen, not suspecting anything, smiled and walked over.

Chu Xinghui immediately knocked him out.

Then, he dragged him to a quiet place, gave him another beating, and casually tossed him in the wilderness.

After finishing with him, Chu Xinghui was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something.

The divination seemed to say that the key this time was related to someone with the surname Qin.

Chu Xinghui hesitated for a moment, then returned and woke Qin Yuwen up

Qin Yuwen woke up in pain, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Chu Xinghui standing in front of him. The pain in his head, already severe, intensified

Having been beaten twice, this was the first time he truly felt his plan might have been wrong.

For example, perhaps he had targeted the wrong person.

What right did someone like this have to receive the favor of the Heavenly Dao?

A twisted smile appeared on his face as he trembled and raised his hand to ask: “Cultivator Xie, do you know what happened to all these injuries on me?”

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment and guessed: “The ground is slippery here. Perhaps Cultivator Qin accidentally slipped.”

Qin Yuwen remained silent for a long time before smiling and saying: “Cultivator Xie.”

Chu Xinghui gave a perfunctory nod: “Mm.”

Qin Yuwen’s forehead veins bulged, and all his old and new grudges surged at once. He couldn’t hold back any longer and cursed angrily: “Chu Xinghui, do you really think I’m crazy?”

Chu Xinghui genuinely felt confused: “Isn’t that so?”

Why else would he keep appearing out of nowhere?

*

Qin Yuwen seemed to have reached his limit. Just as Chu Xinghui was about to make a move, Qin Yuwen suddenly seemed to think of something, and he forcibly suppressed his emotions, holding them back.

He once again adopted a weak, kind demeanor and apologized to Chu Xinghui: “I’m truly sorry, Cultivator Xie. I was too happy to see you, and I lost control for a moment. It rained a month ago, and the ground must still have been wet. It was indeed slippery, and I must have slipped when I wasn’t fully conscious. That’s how I got all these injuries. Thank you for your care, Cultivator Xie.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He was truly in awe.

To endure like this and still lie with his eyes wide open, this was truly a talent.

He couldn’t help but feel a little disgusted: “Cultivator Qin, since you’ve investigated me and know my real name, why are you still using a false name? Do you have something on your mind?”

Upon hearing this, a faint blush appeared on Qin Yuwen’s porcelain-white face. He lowered his head shyly and joyfully said: “Big Brother Xinghui, are you finally willing to let me call you by your real name?”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He was terrified and instinctively took two steps back.

Although he had always been skeptical of the content in that book, this damnable nickname really didn’t give him a good feeling.

Qin Yuwen wasn’t done yet. He leaned in closer, trying to grab his hand.

Chu Xinghui immediately drew his sword and placed it in front of him, blocking him from getting too close.

Qin Yuwen’s hand froze in mid-air. His gaze was soft as he looked at him, and he lowered his head in disappointment: “Big Brother Xinghui, do you really hate me that much?”

Chu Xinghui nodded seriously.

It wasn’t just hate, he was also quite scared.

Qin Yuwen ignored his resistance and changed the subject: “I heard there have been strange beasts appearing near Qingyuan Marsh, not far from Shuixun CIty. These beasts are fire-elemental, and their spiritual energy doesn’t seem like that of this world. Big Brother Xinghui, I assume you’re here to find this?”

A fire-elemental beast… This was indeed quite a coincidence.

What Mu Chengjin and Qin Xueyi did back then, probably only the two of them knew. Their biological children probably didn’t even know about it. It was unclear how Qin Yuwen knew about this.

Although Chu Xinghui had come here by chance, he still maintained his distance from the obvious trap: “If such a beast exists, wouldn’t the nearby Lingxiang Sect be taking action, regardless of the wandering cultivators?”

Seeing that this topic didn’t seem to interest Chu Xinghui, Qin Yuwen sighed and shifted to another subject: “Since it’s not for that, could it be that Big Brother Xinghui is here for the new secret realm that appeared in Qinyang Lake? There have been legends since ancient times that Qinyang Lake leads to the Underworld. The Underworld, although different from the Upper Realm, holds power beyond this world. With the appearance of this new secret realm, who knows what special things might be found inside?”

Chu Xinghui finally understood: “Are you working with Yue Yao?”

The divination from Yue Yao indicated that his journey had something to do with a person named Qin. From Qin Yuwen’s behavior, it was clear he knew this.

 

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