“Chapter 22: We're Just Ordinary People, We Must Accept Fate!”

"Let's talk about it once you've escaped," Luo Xue said with a faint smile, then suddenly added with a wry grin, "I almost forgot to give you this."

"What is it?" Lin Fengmian asked, puzzled.

Luo Xue, using her sword, started writing on the ground the annotated version of the Evil Emperor's Manual, which had been revised by Master Qionghua herself.

"I specifically asked my master to go over this technique and added the annotations for you. Take a look and tell me if there's anything you still don't understand."

Lin Fengmian crouched down, chuckling. "Shouldn't you be asking what I actually *understand* instead?"

Luo Xue burst into laughter. "That's fair! So tell me what you *do* understand."

Lin Fengmian seriously studied the script and then told her the parts he was confused about. Luo Xue carefully explained everything to him.

Lin Fengmian seized the moment, diligently memorizing everything. Once he was sure he'd absorbed it all, he exhaled deeply with satisfaction. This time, he felt he'd truly gained a lot, but it also made him feel guilty about hiding things from Luo Xue.

She had been nothing but sincere in helping him, while he continued to conceal the truth from her. Was he going too far?

"What's wrong?" Luo Xue asked, noticing his silence.

After a moment of hesitation, Lin Fengmian shook his head. "Nothing, really. It's just that since I'll be traveling outside with them soon, I won't be able to come here as often. Getting caught wouldn't be good."

"I thought it was something serious! It's not like I'm dying to see you every day," Luo Xue laughed. "I need to train too, you know!"

"Sorry for disturbing you these past few days." Lin Fengmian gave an awkward smile.

Thinking it over, he realized he'd been constantly relying on her, while Luo Xue had been doing all the helping. He had done nothing for her in return. This made him resolve to do something for her in the future, perhaps even find a way to change her fate.

Luo Xue smiled. "No worries. Just be careful. I need to get back to training now too."

Lin Fengmian nodded with a smile, and with a swift swing of Luo Xue's sword, they both exited the special space.

That night, in the Hehuan Sect's Inner Valley of Delight, a seductive woman lounged on a chaise, her jade legs extended, delicately plucking grapes from a bowl and placing them into her cherry-red lips—an enticing sight.

"So, you're saying Lin Fengmian is one of the five going on this trip?"

"Yes, Master. It's primarily because of Sister Chen and Sister Xia's interference. I couldn't openly oppose them in front of everyone," Liu Mei replied respectfully.

Zhao Ningzhi smiled, her lips curving upward. "Let him go. Just keep an eye on him and make sure none of those fools accidentally gets him killed."

Liu Mei, relieved her master wasn't angry, hesitated. "Master, what is it about Lin Fengmian that makes him so special to you?"

Zhao Ningzhi looked intrigued. "You're usually so clever. Why don't you take a guess?"

"In my view, Lin Fengmian's talent is average. His only notable trait is his appearance. Could he be related to Uncle Xie?" Liu Mei frowned.

She couldn't understand why Zhao Ningzhi had been so struck by Lin Fengmian at first sight and why she'd ordered Liu Mei to make sure he fell for her, no matter what.

Zhao Ningzhi laughed heartily. "Your Uncle Xie practices the Art of Lovesickness. How could he possibly have a child?"

Liu Mei frowned, still not understanding the so-called Art of Lovesickness or how it differed from the Passion Sutra she herself practiced.

Zhao Ningzhi explained meaningfully, "You may practice the Passion Sutra, but the principles you follow are the same as the Art of Lovesickness. Now do you understand?"

Sitting up, her expression turned more serious. "Liu Mei, don't think for a moment that I don't know what you've been up to."

Liu Mei's face paled. She quickly knelt. "Master, I would never—"

Zhao Ningzhi sighed. "I know you're dissatisfied, which is why I've let you waste so many years like this. But even Chen Qingyan, who joined the sect long after you, has caught up to you. It's disappointing you still haven't realized what's most important."

"You must understand that, despite our decent talent, we're not one in a million. We're just ordinary people. We must accept fate!"

Liu Mei's heart sank as she clenched her fists and nodded. "Yes, Master."

"Lin Fengmian is someone even the sect leader values. I expect you to bind him to you, by any means necessary."

Zhao Ningzhi stood up, sighing deeply. "Now go. I don't want to see you return still pure."

Liu Mei said nothing, her head bowed in silence. After a long pause, she bitterly replied, "I understand, Master."

Watching Liu Mei leave, Zhao Ningzhi leaned back and chuckled to herself. "Who hasn't believed they were special, one in a million, at some point?"

"But human strength has its limits, and the Heavenly Dao has its rules. In the end, we all must accept our fate."

She smiled slightly, recalling the moment she first laid eyes on Lin Fengmian.

Liu Mei wasn't wrong—he really did join the Hehuan Sect solely because of his good looks.

The next morning, Lin Fengmian arrived early at the foot of Hongluan Peak, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety.

Xie Gui, noticing his tension, approached with a sly smile. "Brother Lin, interested in joining forces with me?"

Lin Fengmian glanced at him. "How do you propose we work together?"

"Since you've decided to leave the mountain, I'm guessing it's not safe for you here either. How about we—" Xie Gui lowered his voice.

Lin Fengmian didn't outright reject the idea. Times had changed, and having an ally was better than being alone. He nodded slightly. "We'll see how things go."

Having a partner could be useful, and if needed, Xie Gui could serve as a distraction.

Xie Gui grinned, his eyes glinting with a certain spark. He was finally sure—there really was something dangerous about this Hehuan Sect.

Soon, a graceful woman descended from Hongluan Peak. It was Liu Mei.

"Greetings, Sister Liu," Lin Fengmian and the others greeted her in unison.

Liu Mei's gaze lingered on Lin Fengmian for a moment before she smiled. "You've all been waiting. Follow me up the peak."

As they ascended, Lin Fengmian couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with the way Liu Mei looked at him. Could it be that she was still holding a grudge?

She sure is petty, he thought.

When they reached the plaza on Hongluan Peak, they found the other four senior sisters waiting there.

Liu Mei raised her hand, summoning five small leaves—the Clear Wind Leaves that Wang Yanran had demonstrated earlier. With a wave, the five leaves flew toward Lin Fengmian and the others, each catching one in their hands.