Outside, there was no trace of light. This place was remote, at least two or three miles from the nearest village. Wen Xin had chosen it for its peace and solitude, a perfect place for cultivation.
But on a night of raging thunder and flashing lightning, the thatched cottage felt lonelier than ever.
A voice called softly.
“Hong Ning.”
She was startled out of her thoughts, and for a fleeting moment, joy surged through her. Instinctively, she lifted her head.
“Senior Brother—”
But as soon as she saw the figure clearly, she hurriedly scrambled down from the bamboo couch, suddenly at a loss. “It’s you.”
Jin Xiu looked at her. “There’s no need to wait any longer. He’s already gone.”
Gone.
Truly gone.
Hong Ning stood frozen.
Jin Xiu reached out and gently wiped the tears from her face, his voice soft. “One day, when you ascend to the immortal realm, you will see them again.”
Hong Ning nodded slightly and buried her face in his chest. In a quiet voice, she murmured, “I just… I’m not used to it. Everything was fine just a while ago, and now they’re all gone…”
She hesitated, then whispered, “I never thought, after living together for so long, he… he would leave without a word.”
Jin Xiu asked, “Do you truly believe he would leave without saying goodbye?”
Hong Ning was stunned for a moment before something suddenly occurred to her. Her expression changed in alarm. “Could it be… something happened, and he had to leave?”
Jin Xiu confirmed, “It’s best if you let him go.”
All her previous resentment vanished without a trace. Hong Ning silently cursed herself for being careless. Bai Ling had always been cold on the outside but warm-hearted within. If he had truly left without saying a word, then something serious must have happened. He must have been afraid that telling her would only make her worry.
She blamed herself for being so thoughtless. She had always been ignorant of his affairs, and that was one thing—but to be so caught up in her own feelings just because he said he was leaving? To not even stop and think about his unusual behavior lately?
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became. “Will he be in danger?”
Jin Xiu said, “Since he has already left, he will be fine.”
Only then did Hong Ning breathe a sigh of relief.
Jin Xiu continued, “Your master, Wen Xin, is now cultivating under the Lord of Mount Tai. In a few days, he will officially enter the celestial registry.”
Hong Ning’s face lit up with joy. “Really?”
Jin Xiu nodded. “If you wish to see him again, then devote yourself to cultivation. I likely won’t be able to visit you much in the next two years.”
Hong Ning looked up. “You’re leaving too?”
Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, Jin Xiu’s voice softened. “I have important matters to attend to and cannot stay. Just remember—do not wander off recklessly.”
Sensing the concern hidden in his words, Hong Ning knew better than to act unreasonably. She blinked, then smiled. “Alright, go take care of your business. I’ll focus on cultivation. You can wait for me in the heavens.”
Jin Xiu gazed at her in silence.
In solitude, even a silent embrace was sweeter than anything else.
A clap of thunder roared overhead, but Hong Ning barely noticed. Instead, she murmured, “Are you really the Camellia Immortal?”
Jin Xiu smiled and raised his left hand. A delicate red camellia appeared in his palm.
The flower was a brilliant shade of red, as vibrant as fire—passionate and alluring. Its deep green leaves stood strong and unyielding. It lacked the regal elegance of a peony and the proud aloofness of a plum blossom, yet it possessed a kind of simple, wild beauty.
Hong Ning was delighted. She snatched it up for a closer look, then tilted her face to study him for a long moment before sighing. “This flower… doesn’t resemble you.”
Jin Xiu said, “It resembles you.”
Hong Ning’s face heated. “How does it resemble me?”
Jin Xiu replied, “Bold, reckless, and arrogantly young.”
How could Hong Ning not catch the meaning behind his words? She raised an eyebrow and glared at him. “Why don’t you just say outright that I’m reckless and rude?”
Jin Xiu only smiled and said nothing.
Seemingly out of nowhere, he produced a slender, elegant white jade vase. Taking the flower from her hand, he placed it inside the vase and set it on the table. “From now on, it will keep you company. If you ever find yourself in urgent need, just take it out of the vase.”
Hong Ning quickly said, “I’ll get some water.”
Jin Xiu stopped her. “No need.”
No water? Wouldn’t the flower wither?
Hong Ning was quietly amazed.
0 Comments