Chapter Eighty: Strange Happenings in the Palace

To be honest, Yun Si had no idea what exactly the pill was for. She only knew it was given by her master for emergencies, and since it was from her master, it couldn't be too bad. Moreover, considering the man's condition, which had improved miraculously after taking the pill, she was relieved.

After waking up, the man took Yun Si out of the mountains in a hurry, explaining that he had urgent matters to attend to. He promised to repay her for saving his life another day.

But who would have thought he would return today? After all, it had been a year since that incident, and Yun Si had long forgotten about it. His sudden appearance genuinely caught her off guard.

After calming her nerves with a sip of tea, Yun Si glanced at the man sitting in front of her, who was smiling at her. "So, am I your savior? Are you here today to repay the debt?" Yun Si asked uncertainly. He didn't seem like someone who came to repay a debt!

"Yes!" the man replied firmly.

"Well, what is it? Do you want a hundred gold ingots or to become the wife of my family's Jade Orchid Star, living a life of luxury and leisure with no worries? Just say the word, and I can arrange everything," he said confidently.

"I... I don't want any of that. I saved you because it was my bad luck that I happened to encounter you when you were injured. Now that you're better, you should hurry back home and take care of yourself. I have a lot of things to do and no time to answer your silly questions. Please, leave now," Yun Si said hurriedly, pushing Jade Orchid Star towards the door, not waiting for him to say another word.

"Then tomorrow, I'll have someone bring the betrothal gifts. If you agree, you'll be the wife of Jade Orchid Star. What do you think?" Despite Yun Si's attempts to push him away, Jade Orchid Star squeezed through the door, wearing a confident smile on his face, as if he was sure Yun Si wouldn't refuse him.

Yun Si was overwhelmed by Jade Orchid Star's persistence. It seemed he had gone mad. If someone didn't know any better, they might think it was the pill's side effect!

"What do I think? Can't you see I'm a monk? Monks are supposed to rid themselves of worldly desires and not have any distracting thoughts. You seem to be a rich young man, so shouldn't you understand these principles?" Yun Si retorted without much thought, teaching him like her master for the first time in her life.

Faced with Yun Si's earnest words, Jade Orchid Star showed no signs of remorse. Instead, he smiled knowingly. "Then do you want a hundred gold ingots? I have those too! Forget about the gold ingots; if there's any treasure in my family's mansion that you want, you can take it."

Yun Si was so angry she could almost spit blood. She cursed him for growing up for so many years yet still being unable to understand her words! Furious, she waved her hands in frustration, muttering, "You talk about repaying debts, but I see you're here for revenge!"

"What?" Jade Orchid Star didn't hear clearly and asked again.

"Ah, Amitabha, may you go well!" Yun Si knew it was better to let him go than to argue endlessly. Otherwise, if her master found out, she would be punished.

"Very well. When you decide to come to the capital, find me, Jade Orchid Star of the capital's Jade Family. Just mention my name, and someone will bring you to me." Jade Orchid Star snapped his fingers and left without further ado, disappearing into the night in his black attire.

Yun Si stared dumbfoundedly in the direction he left, her eyes showing a mixture of shock, confusion, and, above all, a caring gaze for someone with intellectual disabilities. He seemed to have completely misunderstood her words; she had made it clear she would never marry him!

Yun Si couldn't understand where he got his confidence from. His demeanor, always so self-assured, was truly annoying. Even if she hadn't left the monastic life yet, if she ever did become an ordinary person one day, she wouldn't like someone like him.

As the sky began to show a hint of light, Yun Si hurriedly made her way towards the main hall with the scrolls she had copied. According to her master's usual routine, he would already be meditating and reciting scriptures at this hour.

Having worked tirelessly for the past few days to copy the scriptures, and with this being the last day of her seclusion, Yun Si was eager to leave and breathe fresh air.

Passing through the secluded rooms and entering the courtyard, she saw a thousand-year-old banyan tree at the center, with the main hall of the temple just behind it.

Yun Si entered the hall with brisk steps, finding it empty except for her master seated under the Buddha statue in the middle, his eyes closed lightly. His lips, a faint shade of pink, moved rhythmically, undoubtedly reciting the Miao Fa Lian Hua Sutra that Yun Si had copied.

Knowing that her master disliked being disturbed during scripture recitation, Yun Si dared not interrupt. Instead, she quietly knelt to the side, lowering her head and lifting her hands above it, placing the neatly copied five hundred scrolls of the Miao Fa Lian Hua Sutra on her palms, without saying a word.

As if aware of her presence, but still not opening his eyes, Clear Enlightenment asked softly, "Have you finished copying?"

"Yes, I have. All five hundred copies are here," Yun Si replied earnestly.

Clear Enlightenment then asked, "Do you know where you went wrong?"

"I do. Yun Si shouldn't have disobeyed your orders to play and run off, especially without your permission. I know my mistake, and I won't do it again," Yun Si admitted, albeit reluctantly.

Clear Enlightenment slowly opened his eyes, took the scrolls from Yun Si's hands, glanced at them briefly, and then set them aside. "You may go rest for now. We'll be going out in a few days."

"Going out? Where to?" Yun Si's eyes lit up at the prospect of leaving, "Master, is it far? Should I start packing now? Should we prepare more food? What we usually prepare is not enough!"

Yun Si bombarded him with questions, oblivious to the change in Clear Enlightenment's expression. Just as she was enthusiastically asking about what to prepare, Clear Enlightenment, with a calm demeanor, glanced at her before closing his eyes again.

"Deal with it yourself," he said quietly before resuming his recitation.

Yun Si, too excited to notice his response, happily bounced out of the hall. However, she couldn't resist peeking back in and asking, "Master, can I go down the mountain?"

Seeing no response from Clear Enlightenment, she took it as approval. Her smile widened even further.

"Thank you, Master!" With these joyful words, she vanished from sight, leaving Clear Enlightenment behind, still without making any unnecessary movements, simply gazing at the magnificent Buddha statue, his eyes betraying a hint of turbulence.

Yun Si headed straight for the streets below the mountain. Before leaving the mountain, she had made thorough preparations, not only making lists but also planning where to buy and what kind of supplies to get. Her bag was filled with silver coins, leaving no space unoccupied. As soon as she reached the bustling market, she headed straight for her targets without delay.

Yun Si returned late in the evening, carrying numerous parcels of various sizes. She had bought everything she needed and plenty she didn't, emptying her purse completely, and her stomach was growling with hunger. Without bothering to find food, she quickly packed her belongings, double-checked everything meticulously, and then collapsed into sleep. She only awoke in the middle of the night due to hunger, and after finding two hard buns in the kitchen to fill her stomach, she promptly fell back asleep.

According to her master, they were heading to the imperial capital, where the emperor resided. The journey would take seven days and seven nights if they traveled day and night. To save time, her master decided they would first ride to Jiangzhou and then take the water route downstream, which would be faster. Nonetheless, they still needed to prepare ample provisions.

The day before their departure, Yun Si went to the place where she often met with Jun Feng, hoping to say goodbye. However, she didn't see any sign of him. Since the day he left, she hadn't seen him again. Where had he gone?

Unable to find him, Yun Si sat dejectedly on the rock where Jun Feng often sat, staring blankly ahead. Memories of the day she and Cang Xuan pretended to marry surfaced in her mind. Jun Feng's eyes had looked so cold and frightening, as if he had been betrayed. But there was nothing between them—why had he looked at her like that? And why did she feel such a heart-wrenching pain, as if being torn apart by knives?

The pain was intense, making it hard to breathe. Yun Si bit her lip, refusing to make a sound despite the pain. She clutched her chest, her tightly clenched fist pressing against it, yet the pain was still suffocating.

The excruciating pain made her unaware of someone approaching until a cold touch pressed against her neck. She came to her senses, inadvertently locking eyes with another pair of cold, terrifying eyes, full of hatred as if looking at an enemy.

Yun Si, emotionally distraught, felt a sweet taste in her mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The woman before her looked at her coldly, withdrew her sword, and said icily, "You're still alive!"

This woman seemed to have a great misunderstanding about her. Yun Si had never seen her before, so why did she harbor such intense hatred?

Wiping the blood from her mouth, Yun Si struggled to stand up, meeting the woman's gaze. "I don't know you, miss. You must be mistaken."

Yao Xi laughed at this, a laugh filled with sarcasm, yet she maintained her poise, looking down at Yun Si with an air of arrogance. "Mistaken? I wish you weren't her."

Strangely, Yao Xi's laughter brought a sense of sorrow to Yun Si. But for someone who had just tried to kill her, Yun Si felt no pity, only disgust. She had never met this woman, so why did she feel such inexplicable emotions?

"You're nothing but a detested demon. How could you ever win his love?" Yao Xi's expression turned serious, her once gentle eyes now fierce, as if they had transformed into sharp swords aimed at Yun Si. Her usual haughty demeanor remained unchanged—remarkably similar to Jun Feng.

Yun Si watched her, expressionless, as Yao Xi gradually tore off her false mask, revealing her true, ugly nature. Yun Si couldn't help but scoff inwardly. No matter how strong someone seemed on the surface, everyone had a vulnerable spot. Once touched, all that remained were fragments and shards.

"You've got the wrong person!" Yun Si didn't want to engage in further confrontation and simply left, uttering a brief remark before turning away, refusing to linger.

But Yao Xi persisted, unwilling to let her go. She swiftly moved in front of Yun Si, raising her longsword and aiming the blade directly at Yun Si's chest, precisely at her heart. Even a slight step forward would result in the blade piercing her heart.

Yun Si was not foolish. She didn't take another step forward but instead stood still, calmly observing Yao Xi, as if trying to see through her.

"You're a demon. Back then, you wreaked havoc in the underworld's Yama Palace and intruded upon Qingqiu. I'm afraid the Six Realms have long wanted to rid themselves of you. If I kill you today, do you think they'll be grateful to me?" Yao Xi watched Yun Si, her demeanor still elegant and poised, but her smile sent chills down one's spine.

Yun Si gazed back at her coldly, as if the person before her was merely an inanimate object. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a detached tone, "You can't kill me."

Yun Si was currently very weak. After spitting blood just now, she should have rested properly, but Yao Xi's relentless pursuit forced her to endure until now. She had always been frail since childhood, having suffered from various illnesses when she first arrived at the Pure Water Temple. If it weren't for her master's patient care, she wouldn't be able to stand here today.

"In that case, I'll carry out justice on behalf of the heavens and take your life." Yao Xi was infuriated by Yun Si's words. Initially, she only wanted to scare her into staying away from Jun Feng in the future. But after hearing Yun Si's response, she could no longer contain her anger.

How dare a mere remnant of a demon not regard her highly! Since that was the case, today she would fight until Yun Si submitted.

With determination, Yao Xi raised her sword once more and swung it fiercely at Yun Si. But suddenly, a beam of light emitted from Yun Si's body, firmly blocking the blade. The harder Yao Xi pressed, the harder the light shield resisted.

Yao Xi couldn't believe her eyes. She seemed puzzled as to why Yun Si, now just an ordinary mortal, could still hurt her.

Seemingly sensing Yao Xi's doubts, Yun Si lowered her head and rolled up her sleeve, revealing her fair hands. Of course, what caught Yao Xi's attention the most was the string of beads on her wrist, used by practitioners in their meditation practices. Over time, it had absorbed some spiritual energy, making it akin to a magical artifact.

This artifact protected its master. If it sensed a threat, it would immediately unleash its power to protect its owner.

But Yun Si was a demon. Even though she had become a mortal now, she had committed too many killings in her previous life to ever cultivate Daoism. The only possibility was that she had a powerful figure supporting her from behind.

Of course, Yao Xi didn't need to think twice about this. The monk who inexplicably appeared at Jun Feng's wedding banquet was definitely not a benevolent character. Perhaps, if Yun Si hadn't appeared that day, none of this would have happened. Her brother, Lin Yi, might not have died, and Jun Feng might have been hers alone...

Thinking of this, Yao Xi felt a sense of dread. These monks were disciples under the Buddha himself. Despite their usual detached appearance, if they were provoked, the consequences would be dire.

Deep down, Yao Xi knew that it was impossible to kill Yun Si this time. She could only grit her teeth and give up. But because of Yun Si, and Jun Feng's repeated rejections, Yao Xi, the Celestial Flower Fairy in the eyes of countless beings, couldn't tolerate being trampled upon repeatedly by others. She would repay everything twofold, including her brother's death. She wondered, perhaps if Yun Si hadn't appeared that day, none of this would have happened. Her brother, Lin Yi, might not have died, and Jun Feng might have been hers alone...

Yao Xi knew very well that killing Yun Si this time was absolutely impossible, so she could only grit her teeth and give up. But because of Zi Sang, she had been rejected time and time again by Jun Feng. She was the Celestial Flower Fairy in the eyes of countless beings in the Heavenly Realm, and her pride couldn't withstand being trampled on repeatedly by others. She would repay everything twofold, including her brother's death. She wondered, perhaps if Zi Sang hadn't appeared that day, none of this would have happened. Her brother, Lin Yi, might not have died, and Jun Feng might have been hers alone...

Unfortunately, there were no "ifs". In the end, Zi Sang still appeared by Jun Feng's side, Lin Yi died, and all of this was Zi Sang's fault. Perhaps only if she died, everything could start over.

"Yes, as long as I kill her, Jun Feng can return to my side!" Yao Xi muttered to herself, head bowed.

When she looked up again, Yun Si had already left at some point. The desolate woods were now empty, with only Yao Xi remaining. Suddenly, Yao Xi smirked, her smile sinister, "Someday, I will return, hahaha!"

The eerie laughter echoed through the woods, turning the once serene forest into a more sinister place!

...

"Master, Yun County is not far ahead. We've been traveling all day today. Should we rest for a while? Also, the water is running low. I'll go fetch some." Yun Si shielded her eyes with her hand and glanced ahead at the road before turning to speak to Qing Wu.

Upon hearing her words, Qing Wu dismounted and found a spot to rest, while Yun Si went ahead to fetch water.

They were traveling along a mountain road, and they had passed a small river earlier. Presumably, the source of the river was not far away. They just needed to follow the sound of flowing water to find it.

Sure enough, as Yun Si searched along the way, she found the source of the river near a village ahead. The water at the source was cleaner and clearer than downstream, making it perfect for drinking.

As Yun Si fetched water, she looked around. There were very few people in this village, unlike other bustling villages. She had lingered for a while but hadn't seen a single soul.

Feeling a sense of loneliness in this place, Yun Si couldn't help but feel uneasy, as if she had been here before. She didn't want to stay any longer than necessary and just wanted to quickly fetch the water and leave.

Just as Yun Si was about to turn and leave, a woman emerged from the deserted alley. The woman had a bamboo basket hanging from her left arm and leaned on a cane with her right hand, moving slowly step by step.

Yun Si's nose tingled, and her eyes welled up with tears in an instant. She never expected to see her again after all these years.

She still remembered that night when she left. It was this woman who held her in her arms and said, "Take care of yourself when I'm not around anymore."

After so many years, she never expected their reunion to be like this. Yun Si trembled, wanting to step forward to support her. Although she didn't understand why her eyes had changed, seeing her in this state couldn't help but break her heart. "You told me to take care of myself. Why don't you take care of yourself?"

Sensing her presence, the woman suddenly stopped beside her.

Yun Si didn't know what to do now. She held her breath, watching her intently, her heart filled with a myriad of emotions. She was hopeful that she would recognize her, but she also had an indescribable feeling, afraid to let her recognize her...