"A-Zhao, who is she? How do you know her? And what’s this spirit mark she mentioned? What’s going on?" Bai Shuo tugged off the vines wrapped around her, crowding close to him with a barrage of questions.
"What are you doing on Phoenix Island?" Chong Zhao cut her off.
If he hadn’t asked, she might have let it go, but now Bai Shuo’s anger flared. "You’re asking me? I went through endless trouble to get to Foreign City to help you, and what did you do? Left me stranded there! And don’t change the subject! I’m telling you, that demon woman isn’t to be trusted. You should keep your distance from her—"
"She’s Fu Ling, Second Master of Cold Spring Palace. She saved my life," Chong Zhao said, his tone unyielding.
"Cold Spring Palace’s Second Master? Why would she save you?"
"I was on my way out of the capital looking for you when I stumbled upon her, gravely injured. I didn’t know she was anything other than human at the time. Half a year ago, I got injured by the Dragon Guard Array when I broke into the imperial capital—it was her who saved me. I only realized in Foreign City that she’d placed a spirit mark in me, and that spirit mark blocked the Black Dragon’s strike."
So that was why Fu Ling and A-Zhao had appeared together on Mu Xiao Mountain years ago.
Bai Shuo’s face went pale as she recalled that memory. Carefully, she asked, "You went to the capital because of Ziwei Xing?"
Chong Zhao fell silent and simply replied, "A-Shuo, she has saved me many times. She means me no harm."
"But she’s from the Demon Clan! And Cold Spring Palace is notorious for its ruthless methods…"
"And the Hao Yue Hall Master isn’t part of the Demon Clan? Or Tian Huo Cang Shan has a great reputation?" Chong Zhao’s voice rose in anger. "Why is it that only you are allowed to mingle with demons and treat them as friends?"
Since beginning his cultivation, Chong Zhao had adopted a much colder, more restrained demeanor, a far cry from the carefree spirit of his youth. Bai Shuo had never seen him this angry or heard him speak so sharply.
She froze, stumbling over her words. "A-Zhao…"
Chong Zhao turned away, unsure how to face her or voice the turmoil and bitterness inside him.
He had been there all along, growing up by her side. He was the one who had always been there. But what right did he have? His own blood vendetta remained unresolved, and he didn’t even have the strength to protect her…
Chong Zhao’s restrained expression looked somber in the candlelight, carrying a sorrow Bai Shuo could not see.
“I… I’m just a little wandering immortal. My reputation might be terrible, and I’ve probably made more than a few mistakes, but at worst, I’ll just never ascend.” Her small voice filled the room. “But you, A-Zhao, you’re destined for the Celestial Palace one day. I need to protect you. I didn’t hide the Hao Yue Hall Master’s presence from you out of spite. I was just worried that if you knew, you’d be concerned—and afraid that if he regained his memory, it would harm Miao Miao. So I secretly took him to South Sea City…”
Outside Pine Crane Pavilion, a figure in red robes stood in the moonlight, the cloud patterns on his sleeves glistening faintly. He had been there for some time, and his gaze turned cold before he disappeared.
Inside, a sigh broke the silence, and Bai Shuo barely had time to look up before a warm hand gently patted her head. It was Chong Zhao, with that familiar comforting scent.
“He’s the Hao Yue Hall Master, a demigod of the Demon Realm. How many lives do you think you have to risk deceiving him like that?”
“He’s still my little disciple…” Bai Shuo muttered, “If we go by seniority, he should call you Martial Uncle.”
Chong Zhao was so exasperated he almost laughed. “Don’t joke around. He’s regained his memories now. I don’t know why he spared you in Foreign City, but don’t push your luck. If he truly intends to kill you, not even ten Miao Miao Sects could protect you. Right, I nearly forgot—how did you even get onto Phoenix Island?”
“The Upper Lord Qing Yi brought me here.”
“Qing Yi?” Chong Zhao was stunned. “The Upper Lord of Daze Mountain? How on earth did you meet him?”
“Well, it’s a long story… Oh no! I completely forgot!” Bai Shuo suddenly exclaimed. “A-Zhao, when you went to the imperial capital, did you use spirit energy?”
“Yes, but why?”
“There’s no time to explain right now. I have to go! Just remember—no matter what, don’t use your spirit energy in front of Qing Yi. After the grand gathering between the two clans, I’ll explain everything.”
With a hurried reminder and a worried look, Bai Shuo turned and ran.
“A-Shuo!”
Bai Shuo panted as she sprinted back to Jiu Hua Pavilion. Pushing open the courtyard gate, she froze.
Under the towering ancient tree, the Upper Lord of Daze Mountain was standing, looking at her as if he had been waiting.
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