When the spring came and flowers bloomed, Huo Zhan Bai led the Seven Swords of Dingjian Pavilion back from Kunlun after a thousand-mile journey.
Despite the fierce battles, many of the seven swordsmen were wounded, with more than half of their numbers lost. However, they returned with the news that the Demon Sect’s Holy Leader had been executed, and the Five Mingzi were completely annihilated. For a time, the entire martial world of the Central Plains was shaken by the news, and the major sects spread the word, celebrating the victory.
The five injured swordsmen were sent to Medicine Valley for treatment, while Wei Fengxing, who had not been seriously injured, hastily returned to his hometown in Yangzhou.
As the leader of this mission, Huo Zhan Bai could not leave so easily—over the next two months, he accompanied the old master of Dingjian Pavilion, Nan Gong, frequently visiting various sects, trying to restore the delicate balance between them as the power structure in the martial world shifted once more.
During this time, the reputation of Huo Qigongzi, the first disciple of the Tianshan Sect, also reached its peak within the martial world.
Three months later, once the various affairs were mostly settled, he finally returned to Lin'an and brought Qiu Shui Yin back from the Xia family residence, dedicating himself to caring for her health.
However, to his surprise, the old master Nan Gong quickly followed him and humbly paid a visit. What surprised him even more was that the old man once again requested, almost pleading, for him to assume the position of the next master of Dingjian Pavilion.
This was the third time in eight years that the old master had made a similar proposal.
The difference this time was that it was bordering on a plea.
"Xiao Huo, take on this responsibility," the old master sighed at the young man. "I need to quickly treat my heart condition, or I fear I won’t survive through the next winter."
Huo, who had been repeatedly declining, was shocked: "What?"
The old master, who had ruled the martial world for decades, was a master both internally and externally, his cultivation reaching the point of perfection. Though he was over fifty, he still looked vigorous, showing no signs of aging. But unexpectedly, he had been suffering from a hidden illness for many years.
"When you push too hard in your youth, you pay for it in old age... There's no way around it," the old master shook his head and sighed. "Now that the Demon Sect has been subdued for the time being, and the Bai Yue Sect [Worshipping the Moon Sect] is no longer provoking us, I've chosen a good time to step down. But as long as Dingjian Pavilion is without a leader, I won't be able to rest in peace, even in death."
Huo Zhan Bai lowered his head and remained silent.
The old master Nan Gong was his benefactor, having taken care of and supported him for many years. As a capable disciple, it was difficult for Huo to refuse such a heartfelt request from an old man. However...
Instinctively, he glanced inside.
Behind the screen, Qiu Shui Yin, who had just taken her medicine, was sleeping soundly. Master Liao's prescription had been very effective; her condition had improved significantly. Although her mind was still unclear, and she often seemed dazed, she no longer reacted with the hysterics she initially displayed, treating everyone who approached her as the murderer of her son.
"I know what’s on your mind. You’re worried that if you become the pavilion master, continuing to care for Madam Qiu will spark gossip in the martial world, aren’t you?" The old master, seeming to understand his concerns, spoke up. "I’ve known about your relationship for a long time. But the situation back then... Ah. Now that Xu Zhong Hua has been executed, why don’t I help resolve this long-standing matter and serve as the matchmaker to end this debt of affection?"
"No!" Huo Zhan Bai was startled and blurted out instinctively.
"Don't worry about it," the old master thought Huo was trying to decline politely and sternly continued, "With me as the mediator, who would dare speak ill of you?"
"No. That’s not necessary." Huo shook his head, but his tone softened, revealing a hint of exhaustion.
The world believed him to be passionately devoted, having been infatuated with Qiu Shui Yin for more than a decade, unwavering in his love despite her having married someone else. But who knew that over time, he had already grown weary and quietly shifted his feelings elsewhere? Time, like water, had washed away the youthful madness, and though he continued to care for his former lover with all his heart, the fervent passion of the past was no longer there.
"You've carried this undeserved reputation for so many years. Don’t you wish to see it come to a proper conclusion? You're usually so carefree, why are you hesitating now that the moment has come?" The old master, unaware of the true situation, continued to give what he thought was kind advice. Puzzled by Huo’s indifference, his expression suddenly turned severe: "Could it be... you find her beneath you now? Do you think that because she has been married, had a child, and now suffers from this illness, she is unworthy of you, the martial leader of the Central Plains?"
"Of course not! Ah..." Huo Zhan Bai, unable to argue, could only force a bitter smile and wave his hand. "I will accept the role of successor, but please don’t mention matchmaking again. Let’s wait until Madam Qiu recovers."
The old master sighed in relief and picked up a teacup: "In that case, I can head to Medicine Valley for treatment earlier."
At the mention of Medicine Valley, Huo Zhan Bai was startled, unable to suppress a smile: "Yes, Master Xue is a brilliant physician, he will surely cure your illness with ease."
—Although, that woman is quite unruly; I wonder if the old master will be able to handle her?
The white plum blossoms in the valley must be wilting by now. He only hoped that Qiu Shui Yin would recover soon so that he could leave for Medicine Valley to fulfill his promise.
The old master did not notice Huo’s sudden warmth. He lowered his head and sipped his tea before saying, "I’ve heard that Master Xue passed away recently, and the former Master Liao has taken over again. No one knows where she’s been hiding all these years, but after her disciple's death, she suddenly returned, and it's said she brought back a newly accepted disciple as well..."
As he spoke, he suddenly looked up and was shocked: "Xiao Huo! What's wrong with you?"
Huo Zhan Bai seemed as if he had been possessed, his face suddenly turning terrifyingly pale as he stared straight at the old master, his eyes glowing eerily: "What... what did you just say? What did you say?! What happened to Master Xue?!"
His last words were already a shout. He rushed forward, face pale, as if he wanted to strangle the old man. Startled, the old master quickly leapt back, simultaneously throwing his teacup, which struck one of Huo’s acupuncture points with perfect accuracy.
The sharp pain snapped him out of his madness slightly.
"She... she..." Huo stood there stiffly, mumbling, but he didn’t have the courage to finish his sentence.
"Yes, Master Xue passed away a month ago," the old master, seeing Huo’s state, began to understand and sighed deeply. "No one knows why such a weak woman dared to assassinate the Demon Sect Holy Leader alone. Xiao Huo, didn’t you know? Around one or two days before you reached Kunlun, she made her move and stabbed the leader."
"Incredible. She gave her life but succeeded."
"She did what the entire martial world, despite all our strength, failed to do!"
"..." Huo Zhan Bai stumbled backward and collapsed, his body cold as ice.
So that’s what happened...
No wonder they didn’t see the Holy Leader when they stormed the Grand Palace of Light—he had thought the Holy Leader was too injured to fight due to the internal rebellion. It turned out she had already assassinated him! She acted the day before he arrived at Kunlun?
Why didn’t she wait for him? Why didn’t she wait just one more day?
He had always known she was strong-willed and decisive, but he had never imagined that this frail and sickly woman would go alone to challenge the most powerful demon in the world, exchanging her life for his!
No one in the entire martial world had dared to do such a thing...
He lowered his head weakly, supporting his burning forehead with cold hands, feeling the nearly suffocating pain in his chest.
So, after the assassination, where had she gone? They didn’t see any trace of her in the Grand Light Palace the next day. How had she left the palace?
Suddenly, Huo Zhan Bai remembered his fateful encounter with Miao Feng on the snowfields of Urga. He recalled the person Miao Feng was carrying in his arms—that person whose face could not be seen, who had reached out a pale hand from beneath a fox fur coat, as if trying to grasp something in the air.
His face suddenly turned pale.
So... that was her? That was her?!
At that moment, they were separated by a mere thread, yet they had passed by each other like strangers, destined never to meet again.
Never to meet again!
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