He Lan Xue asked, “Are you afraid of divine retribution?”
Lu Jiu replied indifferently, “With my father around, what is a mere tribulation? But my future brother-in-law recognizes her. If I truly make a move, he won’t be pleased. If I anger my sister, that would be troublesome.”
He Lan Xue covered her mouth with a chuckle. “I see. You’re afraid of your sister.”
Lu Jiu remained unbothered and lifted his gaze to the sky. “The enforcers from the Thunder Division are almost here. If some foolish little demon harbors murderous intent and gets caught, it will be no trouble for them to clean up the mess. If you want to live, you’d best put away those thoughts.”
He Lan Xue bit her lip and sneered coldly. “You think I’m afraid?” Though she spoke defiantly, she still cast a wary glance at the sky, a flicker of fear flashing through her beautiful eyes.
Suddenly, Lu Jiu let out a quiet “Oh?” and narrowed his eyes. “Kunlun’s escape technique.”
He Lan Xue immediately turned to look and indeed saw a streak of violet light streaking through the thick, oppressive clouds, heading swiftly toward Kunlun Mountain before disappearing into the horizon.
Lu Jiu’s lips curled into a smirk. “That came from inside the formation.”
He Lan Xue froze. “Could it be…”
Lu Jiu said, “Looks like he’s returned to Kunlun Mountain.”
There was no other explanation. He Lan Xue fell silent.
Lu Jiu watched her with amusement. “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? Why not hurry back to find him?”
He Lan Xue said coldly, “And what if I do? As long as she is around, he will never stay with me.”
Lu Jiu chuckled. “At least you’re not entirely foolish.”
He Lan Xue’s nails dug deep into her palm. “So you truly refuse to help me?”
Lu Jiu acted as if he hadn’t heard, his voice as refined and leisurely as ever. “This rain looks like it’ll be heavy. Let’s find some shelter first… and maybe find something more entertaining to do in the meantime.”
“Afraid of getting your fox fur wet?” He Lan Xue scoffed through clenched teeth, then vanished in a flash.
The night was wild with fierce winds, and thunder rumbled overhead, rolling across the sky. Lightning flashed, illuminating the world outside as if it were daylight.
On the table, an old oil lamp flickered, casting unsteady light.
This was Wen Xin’s room. Since she had been regularly tidying it, every object remained precisely where it had always been, as if its owner had never left. Nothing was out of place.
Hong Ning sat on the bamboo couch, watching the flame dance.
She had deliberately chosen to wait here. If Bai Ling returned and found someone in Wen Xin’s room, he would surely come to check.
The door remained shut. No one came.
She tried to push away the nagging thoughts creeping into her mind. Slowly, she hugged her knees and curled up.
He had promised—he had given his word that he would not leave without telling her. Maybe… maybe he was just out handling something? For over ten years, every time he left, he would inform her first—when he was leaving, how long he would be gone, when he would return.
But this time, he had said nothing.
A soft rustling sound arose, growing closer.
Then, the rain came, pouring down in torrents, drowning the earth.
Her eyes stung. Hong Ning curled her lips into a faint, bitter smile.
There is no banquet that does not come to an end.
She had lived through two lifetimes and still hadn’t come to terms with this truth—what was she so afraid of?
Losing loved ones?
Years had passed, and the faces of those from her past life had already begun to blur.
Would grief change anything?
Time was a ruthless force. Perhaps one day, Bai Ling and Wen Xin would fade into obscurity too. In the next life, they would be forgotten completely.
She realized—what she feared most was forgetting.
The one who had patiently held her hand as she learned to walk, the one who guided her in spellcraft, the one who took her into the city…
That beautiful, aloof senior brother—once mocked by her for being coveted by young women, now so cold and sharp-tongued, his words cutting without hesitation.
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