“Get back inside!” Miao Feng cried out in alarm, turning and grabbing her trembling hand.
“Fine.” She smiled mischievously, pulling him inside with her as if she had tricked him. “But you’re coming in too.”
Inside, the scent of medicinal herbs filled the warm air, but Xue Zi Ye’s expression darkened.
“Who did this?” she murmured, examining the wounds beneath his robe. “Who hurt you so badly?”
Miao Feng’s back was covered in dark red bruises, crisscrossing his skin, each one an inch wide and a foot long. Though there was no swelling, a touch revealed the severity of the injuries—while the surface appeared intact, the internal damage was deep.
As her fingers gently moved over the wounds, Miao Feng remained silent, though his muscles involuntarily twitched under her touch.
“These are from the golden staff!” she suddenly realized, her voice sharp with anger. “It was the Holy Leader who did this to you, wasn’t it?”
Miao Feng flinched but said nothing.
“What right does he have to beat you?” Xue Zi Ye’s fury flared as she searched for medicine, cursing under her breath. “You’re so loyal, you practically worship him like a god, and he dares to beat you! He’s nothing but a mad dog—”
Before she could finish, a finger suddenly pressed lightly against her throat.
“Even as a guest, you cannot speak ill of the Holy Leader,” Miao Feng turned swiftly, his voice calm, though his finger remained at her throat.
“You…” She stared at him in disbelief, murmuring, “You’re still defending him.”
After a pause, her eyes filled with a sudden despair. “I’m trying to save you… Why do you always do this?”
His finger lingered there, feeling the warmth of her skin and the faint vibrations of her voice. For a brief moment, he felt a strange reluctance to let go. After a pause, he smiled faintly and withdrew his hand. “The Holy Leader has his reasons for punishing me, and I willingly accept it.”
Without waiting for the medicine to be applied, he stood up. “Master Xue, I’ve told you before, there’s no need to worry about someone like me.”
Xue Zi Ye watched him in stunned silence as he pulled his robe over his shoulders and quietly left the room.
“Yami!” She stumbled to the door, calling after him. “Yami!”
But the Miao Feng of the Great Hall of Light left without turning back. It was as if that name didn’t belong to him.
Snowflakes fluttered down like playful spirits, light and delicate, coldly kissing his forehead. Miao Feng walked on, suppressing the turbulent energy within his body, a bitter smile briefly touching his lips. Yes, it was time to end this. Tomorrow, after escorting her to the Holy Leader and curing his illness, he would send her away from the mountain as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
He didn’t want her to know about his past, nor did he want her to find out that he had defied the Holy Leader to protect her. All he wished for was her safe return to Medicine Valley, where she could live a peaceful life—
She didn’t belong in his world.
“I want to save you…” Her words still echoed in his ears, filled with sorrow and helplessness, carrying a warmth he had never known in his life. She had reached out to him, trying to pull him out of the pool of blood. But he could never grasp that pure, white hand…
The bloodshed of twelve years ago had already drowned him completely.
* * *
Dusk settled over the snowy peak, and the gleaming jade trees and radiant flowers faded into the darkness, gradually disappearing.
Xue Zi Ye sat alone in the warm, fragrant room, staring down at her hands, lost in thought.
Tomorrow, she would have to treat the Holy Leader… She would have to use these hands to save the life of that demon. Then he would be free to rule the Western Lands again, training one young assassin after another, cutting down his enemies one by one.
Had she always been such a selfish and cowardly person?
To save the life of a demon, just to protect her only living relative, only for that demon to slaughter even more innocents!
A bitter smile touched her lips as Xue Zi Ye looked down at her palm, where it was said a person’s fate could be read. Her palm lines were unusual—each finger had whorls, and deep, chaotic lines crisscrossed her palm. Three main lines converged and slashed across her hand like a wound.
She was so absorbed in the swirling symbols of fate that she didn’t notice someone quietly approaching the door.
“Master Xue.” A woman in a blue robe stood there for a moment before softly speaking. “Interested in palm reading?”
“Miao Shui?” Xue Zi Ye was startled to see the woman standing by the door, sword in hand.
Though she had only seen Miao Shui once on the bridge, the impression was unforgettable. There was something deeply seductive about her, an intoxicating aura laced with a sweet fragrance that seemed to permeate the air. Xue Zi Ye could tell instantly—this woman had likely mastered the art of seduction.
“I see that your palm is quite difficult to interpret,” Miao Shui walked in, smiling as she sat down and gently took Xue Zi Ye’s hand in hers to examine. “See here, this is a ‘broken palm’—people with this palm reading are exceptionally intelligent, but too stubborn. Their lives are full of ups and downs, often beyond their control.”
Xue Zi Ye glanced at her, unsure of what the woman intended to say, so she remained silent.
Her eyes fell on the sword Miao Shui was carrying, and suddenly she trembled—this was clearly Tong’s former sword, the Bleeding Blade!
“Master Xue, your fate line is fascinating. Though it’s broken in the middle, there are smaller lines connecting it, indicating that you’ve narrowly escaped death before,” Miao Shui, like a seer, smiled as she continued her predictions. “Your wisdom line is also excellent—sharp and strong, showing you have a mind of your own. But, despite being brilliant, it seems you’re not cut out to be a dutiful wife and mother.”
Miao Shui traced the lines of Xue Zi Ye’s hand, smiling softly as she spoke in a gentle tone. “Unfortunately, your marriage line isn’t great. It’s tangled and unclear, meaning you’ll face difficult choices over and over again. Master Xue, you’re a fortunate woman who will encounter many fine men in your life. However…”
She looked up, smiling at Xue Zi Ye with a knowing glance. “However, there are too many obstacles, and most of your desires will ultimately come to nothing.”
Xue Zi Ye furrowed her brow and abruptly pulled her hand back.
“Miao Shui, there’s no need to speak so freely with someone you barely know.” She stood, her voice edged with displeasure. “It’s getting late, I need to rest.”
Despite the obvious dismissal, Miao Shui didn’t leave. Instead, she lowered her head and smiled. “Master Xue wishes to rest early to gather strength for treating the Holy Leader tomorrow, is that right?”
“That’s correct,” Xue Zi Ye replied coldly—surely now this woman would leave.
“Your medical skills are unparalleled, I’m sure you’ll cure him easily—” Miao Shui paused, her smile turning enigmatic, “but saving the Holy Leader… won’t that betray the memory of the Mojia villagers who were massacred?”
“What!” Xue Zi Ye leapt to her feet, her voice sharp with shock.
How did this woman know about the massacre twelve years ago?
“Shhh.” Miao Shui raised a finger to her lips, glancing around quickly. “I came here in secret.”
“What did you say?” Xue Zi Ye’s face went pale. “What did you mean? The Mojia… the massacre of the Mojia clan—was it the Holy Leader’s doing?!”
Miao Shui nodded slowly. “The Great Hall of Light has committed such atrocities more than once.”
“Why?” Xue Zi Ye’s voice was low, but her eyes burned with fury. “Why?”
“It was because of Tong.” Miao Shui’s smile became icy as she explained, “He’s a genius, the only one who could inherit the long-lost Tong Technique within the sect. After the Holy Leader found him, he wiped out the entire village to prevent the demon eye bloodline from spreading.”
“…” Xue Zi Ye’s chest filled with rage, her breath coming in short, rapid bursts. She couldn’t speak for a moment.
“Miao Feng was part of the slaughter,” Miao Shui added with a cold smile, watching as Xue Zi Ye’s face turned even paler. “In one night, one hundred thirty-seven people from the entire village were killed. The Holy Leader told me this himself. Haha.”
Miao Feng? He was involved in that massacre?
Xue Zi Ye suddenly recalled his words from earlier—“You’ll regret this,” he had said. “Don’t waste your care on someone like me.”
In an instant, she understood the look in his eyes.
“Monster,” Xue Zi Ye’s hands trembled as she gritted her teeth, spitting the words out slowly. “Monsters!”
“So, Master Xue,” Miao Shui said with a sly smile, her gaze sharp, “will you still save one of these monsters?”
“…” Xue Zi Ye’s breathing was labored, her face pale, but she remained silent.
Though Miao Shui still smiled, she felt a moment of hesitation in her heart. What’s holding this woman back?
“If you don’t save him, what will happen to Ming Jie?” Xue Zi Ye suddenly looked up, her hands clenched tightly together. “He’ll kill Ming Jie!”
“Ah… so that’s the reason!” Miao Shui finally understood and couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Foolish! Do you really think the Holy Leader will spare Tong just because you save him?”
“Do you want to see him?” Miao Shui rose, grabbing the Bleeding Blade from the table. “Come with me. Once you see him, you’ll understand.”
Xue Zi Ye hesitated, watching her leave.
Everyone in the Great Hall of Light seemed unfathomable, from Tong to Miao Feng—and Miao Shui, one of the Five Luminaries, was clearly trying to draw her in. What hidden motives lay behind her actions?
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