Chapter Fifty-Seven: Shen Zixuan's Guidance

During the five years that Yun Chuxue spent in the Fallen God Valley, Yu Zixi gradually grew up. She often asked Yu Shi where her mother had gone, and each time, Yu Shi gently told her that her mother had gone to a very important place and would be back soon.

Hearing this, Yu Zixi would always look at Yu Shi with joy, hoping her mother would return soon. Yu Shi was also waiting—waiting for an opportunity to better protect Yun Chuxue.

In these five years, Shen Zixuan's cultivation had progressed rapidly, reaching the early stage of the Spirit Emperor realm. Except for exchanging a few words with Tang Ruoyu when completing tasks assigned by Yu Shi or occasionally discussing matters related to Yu Zixi, Shen Zixuan rarely spoke with Tang Ruoyu.

Yu Zixi lived in Xueshiyuan and often ran to Tang Ruoyu's room. Tang Ruoyu doted on Yu Zixi, always giving her treats and comforting her when she cried. Sometimes, Yu Zixi would sleep in Tang Ruoyu's room instead of her own.

Yu Shi once asked Yu Zixi why she liked Tang Ruoyu. Yu Zixi pouted and said in her tiny, sweet voice, "Because sister is good to me."

Her innocent words made Yu Shi feel both tender and distressed, knowing that Yu Zixi lacked a mother's love.

One day, Yun Ziqi hurriedly ran over and said anxiously to Yu Shi, "Junior brother, something terrible has happened. The keys to the Four Divine Artifacts have been stolen."

"What?"

Yu Shi put down the documents in his hand and stood up to leave, with Yun Ziqi following behind. As they walked, Yu Shi asked, "Senior brother, what happened? The elder guarding the Four Divine Artifacts is a Spirit God realm expert. How could they have been stolen?"

"I don't know either. It might have been an attack by a formidable expert with unfathomable power, capable of instantly knocking out the elder and stealing the keys without a trace."

"Investigate! Find out everything."

When Yu Shi and Yun Ziqi arrived at the warehouse where the keys were stored, they found no signs of a struggle, which made Yu Shi fall into deep thought.

"This is not good," Yu Shi suddenly felt uneasy. "Yu Ke!"

Yu Shi shouted loudly, and half of the Ling Master Mansion could hear his voice. Yu Ke arrived at Yu Shi's side in less than half a moment.

"What is it, Uncle?"

"Where did Clan Leader Tang go?"

Yu Ke thought for a moment and said, "I heard he went to Luoyang City to trade goods. He should be back soon."

"Take a few elders with you and go protect Clan Leader Tang immediately. Hurry!"

"Yes."

Yu Ke quickly left. Yun Ziqi, puzzled, asked, "Junior brother, why?"

"If the person who stole the Ling Master Mansion's keys has such strength, they will definitely go after Clan Leader Tang's key next."

With that, Yu Shi headed to the Ling Master Hall, with Yun Ziqi following.

What Yu Shi hadn't expected was that those people had already made their move. Not far from Luoyang City, Tang Mingyuan was severely injured, his eyes sharp as he glared at the black-clad figures before him. Enraged, he demanded, "Who sent you, using such sinister techniques?"

"Hmph, do you think the dead guards from the Ling Master Mansion can protect you? Hand over the key, or don't blame us for being ruthless."

Tang Mingyuan spat out blood and took out the key to the Four Divine Artifacts from his spatial ring. Just as he was about to destroy it, a black-clad figure—a woman, by the sound of her voice—snatched it away.

"Clan Leader Tang, don't resist needlessly."

Tang Mingyuan's eyes widened as he looked at the black-clad figure. "You are..."

"Speak quickly," a seductive voice came from behind him.

Before Tang Mingyuan could utter a name, he was killed. The black-clad figures, having completed their task, left the scene.

Yu Ke rushed but was still a step too late. Even for a Spirit God realm expert, it took nearly half a day to travel from the Ling Master Mansion to Luoyang City. By the time Yu Ke arrived, Tang Mingyuan had already been killed.

Yu Ke dealt with the scene and then brought Tang Mingyuan's body back to Qingyun City.

At that time, Tang Ruoyu was feeding Yu Zixi when Shen Zixuan hurried in. Seeing them, he said, "Ruoyu, come out for a moment. I have something to tell you."

Tang Ruoyu handed the food to a maid and followed Shen Zixuan outside. "What's the matter?"

"Ruoyu, first, don't be too upset. It's just... Clan Leader Tang has been killed."

"What?"

The news struck Tang Ruoyu like a bolt of lightning. She couldn't believe it was true. Grabbing Shen Zixuan's arm, she trembled and said, "Shen Zixuan, where is my father?"

"In the Ling Master Hall."

Hearing that her father was in the Ling Master Hall, Tang Ruoyu rushed there, with Shen Zixuan following behind.

Entering the hall, she found it empty except for one person lying in the center, covered by a white cloth. Tang Ruoyu, trembling, walked slowly forward. Just as she was about to collapse, Shen Zixuan caught her in time. Tang Ruoyu had already become a tearful mess, sobbing uncontrollably.

Tang Ruoyu sobbed, trembling as she spoke, "Didn't you say you would take me to see my mother's hometown? Didn't you say that you would stop doing business in a few years and spend more time with me? Didn't you say that after I got married, you would enjoy your old age in peace? Didn't you promise me you would come back safely? Wuu wuu wuu~"

Tang Ruoyu knelt beside Tang Mingyuan's body, crying. Her only father was gone, the father who cherished her most was gone, the father she loved most was gone.

Shen Zixuan knelt beside her, supporting Tang Ruoyu.

"Wuu wuu wuu~ Father, you lied to me, ah wuu wuu wuu."

Tang Ruoyu's cries echoed throughout the grand hall. Shen Zixuan embraced Tang Ruoyu, who was crying in his arms, hitting him repeatedly. "I hate myself so much, wuu wuu wuu~"

Half a day later, Tang Ruoyu and Shen Zixuan were still kneeling beside Tang Mingyuan's body. Tang Ruoyu was still sobbing while Shen Zixuan remained motionless, holding her. Tang Ruoyu wiped her tears and tried to get up, but she fell. Shen Zixuan quickly caught her, but due to having knelt for so long, he lost his balance, and Tang Ruoyu fell onto him.

Tang Ruoyu, with a hoarse voice, apologized, "Sorry, did I hurt you?"

Shen Zixuan smiled, "It's okay."

Later, in the Ling Master Mansion's ancestral hall, after cremating Tang Mingyuan's body, his memorial tablet was placed in the hall. The Ling Master Mansion had a rule that allies of the mansion could have their leaders' memorial tablets placed in the ancestral hall after their death.

Tang Ruoyu knelt there, tears continuously streaming down her face, but she made no sound.

Yu Shi walked in, lit three incense sticks, knelt down, and said, "Clan Leader Tang, it was my oversight that caused your death. I feel deeply responsible, but rest assured, from today on, I will take good care of Tang Ruoyu. I will not let you down."

After paying his respects, he softly said to Tang Ruoyu, "Ruoyu, rest assured, I will avenge your father."

After Yu Shi left, others came to pay their respects to Tang Mingyuan, until late at night when no one else came.

At that time, Shen Zixuan walked in. "Clan Leader Tang, I, Shen Zixuan, swear that I will avenge you. I will make sure they suffer."

After Shen Zixuan paid his respects, Tang Ruoyu's hoarse voice reached his ears, "Shen Zixuan, you can go back. You don't need to stay with me."

Shen Zixuan did not respond, standing tall as he knelt there.

Thus, the two of them knelt for seven days and seven nights. On the eighth day, Shen Zixuan helped Tang Ruoyu back to Xueshiyuan.

Tang Ruoyu, pale-faced, sat on the bed without saying a word.

Each time Shen Zixuan tried to feed her porridge, she wouldn't open her mouth, causing Shen Zixuan great frustration.

At this point, Yu Zixi walked in. Seeing Tang Ruoyu in her excessive grief, she softly said to the maid beside her, "Give me the fruit."

The maid handed Yu Zixi two dragon fruits. Yu Zixi walked over and, in her innocent, childlike voice, said to Tang Ruoyu, "Sister, what's wrong? I heard your father is gone. I'm small, but I understand. Your father was the best person in the world to you. Now that he's gone, you must be very sad. Here, these are fruits. I hope eating them will make you happy."

Yu Zixi handed the two dragon fruits to Tang Ruoyu. Tang Ruoyu, with a vacant look, forced a smile and said, "Sister doesn't want to eat. You eat them."

Yu Zixi pouted, "Does sister not like me anymore? Does sister find Zixi annoying? Wuu wuu wuu~"

"Hey, Zixi, don't cry. Sister will eat. Sister will eat, okay?" With that, Tang Ruoyu reluctantly took the two dragon fruits and ate them.

"Good." Yu Zixi watched Tang Ruoyu happily, only relaxing when she swallowed the fruits.

After Yu Zixi left, Shen Zixuan tried to feed Tang Ruoyu porridge again. Even with the spoon at her mouth, she still wouldn't open it, staring blankly ahead.

Shen Zixuan, growing impatient, put the bowl down and said, "Ruoyu, what's wrong with you? You weren't this weak before. Where's the energy you used to have when you scolded me? It's been seven days. You haven't eaten anything for seven whole days. Are you trying to worry me to death?"

Tang Ruoyu, confused by his scolding, turned her expressionless face to Shen Zixuan. Shen Zixuan, in a commanding tone, said, "Open your mouth."

Surprisingly, Tang Ruoyu opened her mouth. She drank the porridge, and Shen Zixuan slowly fed her, wiping the porridge from her lips after each spoonful.

Tang Ruoyu's expression visibly softened.

After feeding her one bowl, Shen Zixuan put the empty bowl down. Seeing Tang Ruoyu still staring at him, he asked, "Do you want more?"

"Yes."

Shen Zixuan filled another bowl, gently blowing on it before bringing it to Tang Ruoyu's mouth.

Shen Zixuan didn't notice, but Tang Ruoyu smiled a little. This smile indicated that her feelings towards Shen Zixuan had changed.