Chapter Seventy-One: Difficult to Part

The next day, Yun Chuxue was writing a letter at her desk. Yu Zixi, with a serious expression, watched from the side. Only when Yun Chuxue finished did Yu Zixi murmur,

"Mom, your handwriting is so beautiful."

Yun Chuxue smiled, patting Yu Zixi's little head. "Do you want me to teach you?"

"Mm." Yu Zixi giggled.

Yun Chuxue began teaching Yu Zixi how to write. Previously, Yu Zixi's handwriting varied wildly in size, looking quite messy. Transitioning to a more consistent and neat script was challenging.

Yun Chuxue patiently guided her, holding Yu Zixi's small hand and slowly teaching her. After all, given her young age, it was normal for her writing to be so uneven.

"Xixi, write like this, stroke by stroke, don't rush."

"Mm."

Time flew by, and after two hours, Yun Chuxue compared the first and latest pieces of writing. Yu Zixi's handwriting had improved significantly.

"Xixi, you did great."

Yu Zixi beamed at Yun Chuxue. "Mom, it's because you're a good teacher."

Yun Chuxue affectionately tapped Yu Zixi's head. "You, when did you become so sweet-talking?"

Yu Zixi snuggled into Yun Chuxue's arms, feeling warm and cozy.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Knock, knock, knock~"

Yun Chuxue and Yu Zixi looked towards the door.

"Come in."

It was Yu Shi. Upon seeing him enter, Yu Zixi instinctively moved closer to Yun Chuxue.

Yu Shi noticed Yu Zixi clinging to Yun Chuxue but didn't dwell on it. He said,

"Xixi, go out for a bit. I have something to discuss with her."

Yu Zixi looked unhappy, glancing at Yun Chuxue with eyes that pleaded not to leave.

Yun Chuxue comforted her, "Xixi, be good. Go out for now."

Yu Zixi looked hurt but reluctantly agreed, "Alright."

After Xixi left, Yu Shi sat down, speaking seriously,

"She likes you a lot. Or is it that you're actually her mother?"

Yun Chuxue glared at him disdainfully. "What? Are you afraid I'll take her away?"

"Not really. On my territory, I trust you wouldn't do something like that."

"You doubt my abilities?"

"You taking on eleven late-stage Ling Shen Realm experts by yourself is impressive, but here, those are mere ants. I have more than one peak Ling Shen Realm expert under me."

Yun Chuxue was about to retort when Mo Qian's voice echoed in her mind,

"He's right. The Ling Shi Mansion has at least ten peak Ling Shen Realm experts."

Yun Chuxue was shocked but maintained a defiant stance.

"So what? Would you really kill me?"

Yu Shi smiled faintly, "Still not admitting it?"

"Some things are better left unknown. If I go all out, you might not be able to stop me."

Yu Shi shook his head with a wry smile, "If it were anyone else spying on the Ling Shi Mansion, I would have crushed them to dust. But it's you, my..."

Yu Shi paused. Yun Chuxue finished his sentence,

"Your wife, right?"

Yu Shi nodded slightly, "But I want to know why you ignore me? Why do you take everything upon yourself? Don't I have the strength to help you?"

Yun Chuxue's eyes softened, losing their previous sharpness. "It has nothing to do with you. Yu Shi, I killed your master. Don't you want revenge?"

Yu Shi chuckled coldly, "Don't you know who I am? I already know the truth from back then. It wasn't your fault."

"Stop. It was me. I killed him with my own hands. I don't want to hide it anymore. I am Su Xue'er. Su Xue'er is me. I haven't found the person who seriously injured me back then, so stay away from me."

Yun Chuxue's voice grew quieter. Yu Shi stood up abruptly, "Xue'er, why?"

He shouted so loudly that Yu Zixi in the next room heard it, but she knew better than to eavesdrop on adults' conversations, so she ignored it.

"Do you know his strength? I was at the peak of the Ling Shen Realm and he defeated me with one move. Do you think your Ling Shi Mansion can withstand him?"

Yu Shi fell silent. Yun Chuxue shot him a glance. She was enduring everything for the safety of the Ling Shi Mansion, yet Yu Shi didn't understand.

"And what about you? Are you going to face them alone?"

"I have my own ways."

Yun Chuxue's arrogance remained unchanged. Yu Shi had nothing more to say and got up to leave. Before departing, he remarked,

"The other three wielders of the Four Divine Artifacts are soon to be found."

With that, he left. No one saw the sorrow and reluctance in Yun Chuxue's eyes as he walked away, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It's not that I mean to say these things. I hope you understand my reasons. Faced with the choice between the world's safety and love, I can only choose the former."

After a while, Yu Zixi's little head peeked out. Seeing Yun Chuxue's sadness, she slowly walked over to comfort her,

"Mom, did Dad bully you?"

"No." Yun Chuxue snapped out of her thoughts.

"If he bullied you, I'll help you beat him up, hmph~"

Yun Chuxue laughed, "You're still too young. You'll understand when you grow up."

"When I grow up, I'll become strong to protect you."

Yun Chuxue smiled as she patted Yu Zixi's little head. Although it was just a child's promise, Yun Chuxue didn't take it to heart, not certain if they would even survive until then.

A month quickly passed. Yu Shi sent someone with a message to Yun Chuxue. She memorized the names on the list, clenching her fist and crushing the paper.

Turning to look at Yu Zixi by her side, she found it hard to speak.

Yu Zixi looked up and asked,

"Mom, are you leaving?"

She guessed it?

Yun Chuxue was torn, but she decided to tell the truth,

"Yes, I have to go. How did you guess?"

"You've been staring at that letter for a long time. It must be something important. Will you come back to see me?"

Yun Chuxue thought, "I need to reassure her. This journey is fraught with danger, and I don't know when I'll return."

"Yes, once I've taken care of everything, I'll definitely come back to see you."

"Okay, hehe~" Yu Zixi giggled, snuggling closer to Yun Chuxue.

The next day, Yu Shi and Yu Zixi stood on the city wall, ready to see Yun Chuxue off.

Yu Zixi hugged Yun Chuxue tightly, unwilling to let go, her expression one of deep reluctance.

"Xixi, wait for me. I will come back."

"...Mm..."

Yu Zixi let go reluctantly. Yun Chuxue didn't look at Yu Shi directly and soared into the sky, flying eastward.

Yu Zixi watched Yun Chuxue's departing figure, tears silently streaming down her face. In her small heart, she made a big decision.

"I'll wait for you. The next time we meet, I'll prove myself."

As Yu Zixi turned to leave, Yu Shi took off into the sky, chasing after Yun Chuxue like a shooting star.

While flying, Yun Chuxue felt a powerful presence approaching from behind. She turned to see it was Yu Shi.

Just as she was about to speak, Yu Shi grabbed her in a tight embrace, "Stay safe."

With that, he turned back, leaving Yun Chuxue alone,

"Fool."

With those words, Yun Chuxue turned and continued her flight.