chapter 54

She is willing to come, and I will spare no effort to welcome her from thousands of miles.

In mid-August, the second madam arranged marriage matches for both Yue Wujiu and Yue Huai Le, just as Old Master Yue was finishing his alchemy retreat.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the second madam, as usual, sent someone to invite Old Master Yue for the family banquet. She had expected another refusal, but unexpectedly, this time, Old Master Yue agreed.

At the Alchemy Pavilion, Old Master Yue put down the list of young talents and gentle ladies in his hands: "Six years have passed in a blink of an eye, even Huai Le has grown into a young lady now."

An old servant beside him chuckled: "When you first entered the Alchemy Pavilion, the young miss was still a little girl."

Old Master Yue shook his head, his expression not showing any joy. He looked up at the ever-burning lamp in the room, his face dark and indecipherable.

The old servant didn't understand the meaning of the lamp, but ever since six years ago, when the eldest son joined the dynasty, killed his master, and became the head of the Yue family, Old Master Yue had stayed in the Alchemy Pavilion, never leaving.

And last month, the lamp had dimmed again.

Old Master Yue said, "For the Mid-Autumn family banquet, let the eldest son and the girl from the back courtyard also come."

The old servant was stunned, then hurried to pass the message.

On Mid-Autumn night, Yue Zhi Heng had just freed up some time to personally repair the Green-faced Ghost Crane. He had originally planned to stay at the Refining Spirit Pavilion, but unexpectedly received a message from the Yue family, calling him back.

He was shocked. It had been six years since Old Master Yue left the Alchemy Pavilion.

Everyone in the Heavenly Mansion knew about the Yue family arranging marriage matches for the two young masters. At first, they thought Old Master Yue was simply fond of his two grandchildren, but sending for Yue Zhi Heng made the matter seem more significant.

Yue Zhi Heng put away the Ghost Crane, his eyes calm and indifferent. He had already guessed why Old Master Yue wanted him.

When he returned to the Yue residence, the banquet had not yet started.

The bright moon hung high in the sky, and the lamps were glowing brightly in the hall. Everyone was surprised by Old Master Yue's return from seclusion. His face was kindly as he tested Yue Wujiu and Yue Huai Le's cultivation.

After six years apart, the old man still held great prestige. The two young ones, facing the alchemy master who once surpassed everyone in the world, stuttered nervously, answering with great tension.

Even more nervous was the mute girl, sitting beside them, uneasy and fidgeting.

Though she wore her finest dress today, she still didn't dare look at Old Master Yue.

When Old Master Yue asked about the materials for tempering weaponry, Yue Wujiu couldn't answer.

Without turning his head, Old Master Yue said, "Ah Heng, you answer."

Yue Zhi Heng, standing by the door, paused before speaking: "Sea-stone glass, Gu water, Ice silkworm venom, Golden Crow feathers, Taiyi sand."

"Good," Old Master Yue replied, his tone unreadable, then turned to Yue Wujiu and said, "As a member of the Yue family, you shouldn't forget even the things ingrained in your bones. Remember this?"

Yue Wujiu was sweating profusely and nodded.

Yue Zhi Heng raised his eyes, silent.

Seeing Yue Zhi Heng had returned, the servants began bringing in the evening meal. Old Master Yue said, "Sit down."

Only the seat at the head of the table remained empty, the seat for the family head. Yue Wujiu, who had been confused all afternoon, couldn't help but glance at his older cousin.

If it were him in this situation, he would have been trembling with fear by now.

Yue Zhi Heng looked at Old Master Yue and said, "You should sit at the head."

"You are the family head now," Old Master Yue replied.

Yue Zhi Heng fell silent for a moment and then sat in that seat. The mute girl didn't understand, but she felt something was wrong and nervously clutched her dress, uneasy.

Luckily, Old Master Yue didn't make trouble during the meal. Strictly speaking, this was the first "family reunion dinner" Yue Zhi Heng had had since becoming the head of the family.

After the meal, once the servants had cleared away the dishes, Old Master Yue got to the point.

"Ah Heng, take a look at the girls your second aunt has been finding for you."

The servant handed him a booklet, and Yue Zhi Heng flipped through a few pages before replying, "They're all fine."

Old Master Yue asked, "Which one is the best?"

Yue Zhi Heng was silent.

"If you're unsure, look again carefully," Old Master Yue said, closing his eyes. "If you've set your heart on one, let your second aunt propose for you."

The mute girl trembled, unable to resist glancing at her younger brother.

The second madam seemed to realize something at that moment, and her expression grew thoughtful.

Yue Zhi Heng put down the booklet and said, "I'm already married."

Old Master Yue opened his eyes and said, "Everyone, leave."

One by one, everyone left the hall, and soon only Yue Zhi Heng and Old Master Yue remained.

Old Master Yue said, "Six years ago, you detained Mr. Ge, who had insulted you on the street during a snowstorm. The next day, he held up the 'Qilin Son' plaque and died on the long street in a pool of blood. The world said you were ruthless, but only this matter had nothing to do with you."

"You didn't kill him, but you knew very well that he died for you. After Mr. Ge's death, the Spirit Emperor trusted you a little. For righteousness, he used his life to pave the way for you, voluntarily cutting out his tongue and walking through the streets in humiliation."

"Over the years, you've done very well, and I have retired to the Alchemy Pavilion, no longer intervening. Yue Zhi Heng, that girl from the Zhan family is indeed beautiful, and you've reached the age to seek a wife. If you love her only for her beauty, I would scold you for being shallow, but I know you have self-restraint, so I wouldn't interfere. In the end, paths are separate now. She has already left."

Old Master Yue looked at him. "But what have you done? In just a few months, your eternal flame has dimmed twice. Do you still remember the vow you made to me? Is there still any restraint left?"

The night wind rose, and the tall trees in the yard shed their leaves.

Yue Zhi Heng said, "I remember the oath I made, and I will not break my promise. I will do what I must. But as for this matter, as long as she gives me even the slightest response, I will give it a try."

"Do you think you have the fate to stay with her for a lifetime?"

Yue Zhi Heng suddenly tightened his grip on the tea cup.

Old Master Yue said, "People from the Spirit Domain generally have lifespans of around five hundred years, though the long-lived ones can live eight hundred to a thousand years. But you are different. After purging the邪气 (evil energy) and absorbing the Lotus Seal, your lifespan was already no more than a hundred years. Including these last few months, you've killed Dongfang Jibai and ascended to power, opening the Lotus Seal three times. Think about what you'll do next. Yue Zhi Heng, if you fail, the fate of everyone you see tonight, under this full moon, I need not tell you how it will end."

The entire Yue family, including Yue Qingluo, would only be accompanying him to the Yellow Springs.

Yue Zhi Heng stared at the tea water, which rippled in widening circles, and fell silent for a long time.

Old Master Yue thought of that sixteen-year-old boy who had jumped into the Bone-cleansing Spirit Pool, and sighed.

Yue Wujiu had been captured earlier, and after just an hour in the pool, it was as if his life was being taken. Yet Yue Zhi Heng, at sixteen, had quietly stayed there for a full twenty-seven days.

Such terrifying resolve, such indomitable fate.

Over the years, thinking of the teachings of the Gentleman's Way he had first received, watching this child grow up, guarding his eternal flame, Old Master Yue did not feel completely without pity for him.

"Think carefully. Even if not for yourself, consider that girl. Spiritual Practitioners in this chaotic world are already rare. If you fail, are you going to let her die with the Yue family too?" Old Master Yue paused for a moment before continuing, "As for your second aunt, I will speak to her. Let's wait a few more years before discussing Wujiu and Huai Le's marriage."

Dark clouds gathered in the sky. Even his own clothes were at risk of getting wet—why drag others into the storm?

An old servant walked from the courtyard to push Old Master Yue back to the Alchemy Pavilion.

The fallen leaves had already formed a thick carpet on the ground, and for a long time, Old Master Yue did not hear the person behind him speak.

"Back then, you had the treacherous people teach me, so you should know that the person I am today is not the Pei Yujing that the Immortal Sect trained."

Old Master Yue froze and turned around to look at him.

The man in the dark robe with silver threads appeared both calm and rebellious in the hall.

"This trick won't work on me. I can't guarantee what will happen in the future, but if I succeed, she will be my Dao partner. If I fail, I will be a dried-up bone beneath the boundary, and she will still be the world's treasure."

Yue Zhi Heng met Old Master Yue's gaze.

"If I cannot protect my own heart, how can I protect all sentient beings?" He raised his eyes, his gaze calm and composed. "This road is long and treacherous, nine deaths with no regret. But if she is still willing to come, I will not hesitate to travel a thousand miles to meet her."

"If the storm overturns and my fate reaches its end, then that is my inadequacy, and has nothing to do with anyone else. Weak and useless people are the ones who blame their successes and failures on others."

After all, she only has half a soul—her love and hatred are faint. There are so many good people in the world. Years later, I will be nothing but a fleeting figure in Zhan Yunwei's youth.

I never asked her for deep feelings, nor did I ask for eternal companionship.

When I was sixteen, crawling in the dust at that girl's feet, I never expected anything.

Old Master Yue gazed at him from afar, as though seeing the youthful, invincible version of himself.

After a long time, he sighed. If such a descendant truly were from the Yue family, how wonderful that would be.

After Zhan Yunwei and Zhan Shujing left the secret realm, they received a spiritual bird from Aunt Wan Qingyun. The letter mentioned that Second Aunt and Zhan Xueyin had safely joined them.

Along with the letter, there was also a spirit jade.

Zhan Shujing recognized the jade and froze for a moment: "This is Pei Yujing's fate jade? You really…" Decided to no longer be with Pei Yujing?

According to Immortal Sect tradition, when children from aristocratic families come of age, their elders carve their fate jade and exchange it during their engagement ceremony. This is known as the "fated person." Once the fate jade is exchanged, the marriage contract is acknowledged.

"Brother, do you wish to accompany me to the Jade Tower to witness it and retrieve my fate jade from Madam Pei?"

Zhan Shujing was so stunned that he didn't even have time to notice that Zhan Yunwei had called him "Brother" again.

If before, Zhan Shujing thought Zhan Yunwei was still holding onto some grudge against Pei Yujing for not rescuing her, now Zhan Shujing knew she was serious.

Once the fate jade was taken back, there would be no further connection between them.

Zhan Shujing had watched her grow up and knew that Pei Yujing once held great weight in Zhan Yunwei's heart.

He understood Zhan Yunwei's temperament—she rarely accepted anyone, but once she did, she would treat them sincerely and would not give up easily.

After the Immortal Sect's defeat, Pei Yujing's behavior was disappointing. While Zhan Shujing secretly relished it, he also understood that most of it was due to Madam Pei and Penglai.

He had been wondering how to stop Zhan Yunwei if she ever rekindled old feelings.

Now, he was surprised to see that Zhan Yunwei had even taken back the fate jade stored with Aunt Wan.

This was truly a clean break.

Zhan Yunwei looked at his expression and asked, "Do you not want to go?"

Zhan Shujing snapped out of his daze and couldn't help but feel overjoyed: "If you've made up your mind, don't regret it. Let's go, we'll go today!"

Zhan Yunwei found it amusing: "Regret? When have you seen me regret my decisions?"

However, it was already late, so she naturally didn't follow Zhan Shujing's suggestion of leaving right away.

The next day, Zhan Yunwei and Zhan Shujing arrived at the Jade Tower.

When they arrived, it just so happened that Madam Pei was being punished.

Pei Yujing had reported her mother's swapping of the Fate Bell to Penglai Elder, accusing her of harming the younger generation. Madam Pei naturally denied it.

The disciples she had bribed kept quiet, and Penglai couldn't use punishment on Madam Pei, so she was temporarily confined.

Upon hearing that Zhan Yunwei had come, Madam Pei nearly ground her teeth to dust in her room.

It was this troublesome girl who had harmed her son. If not for her, Pei Yujing would still be respectful to her, and she would have no reason to demand the sect interrogate her mother!

However, when Madam Pei heard that Zhan Shujing was coming to retrieve the Fate Jade, she thought she had misheard. With the Mountain Lord absent, Zhan Shujing, as the elder brother, represented the stance of Changya Mountain.

When she saw Zhan Shujing return Pei Yujing's Fate Jade, Madam Pei stood frozen for a long while. Her first reaction, however, wasn't happiness, but disbelief.

She had always been proud of herself, but the thing that pleased her most was having a son who was a true dragon among men.

How outstanding Pei Yujing was, the entire Immortal Sect knew. Though Madam Pei knew that her son was obsessed with Zhan Yunwei, she believed it was because Zhan Yunwei had impure intentions and was deliberately seducing him.

Zhan Shujing, impatient with the delay, said, "I hope Madam will return the esteemed Fate Jade to me."

Madam Pei could never have imagined that one day, it would be Zhan Yunwei herself who would actively call off the engagement.

She had gotten what she wanted, yet somehow her heart felt heavy. But her reason still prevailed, and with a stern face, she retrieved Zhan Yunwei's Fate Jade and exchanged it.

Zhan Shujing carefully took the pale pink, translucent Fate Jade from her hand, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.

Since Madam Pei could not leave the room, Zhan Shujing took the jade and went to bring it to Zhan Yunwei.

When Zhan Yunwei held her own Fate Jade, she let out a sigh of relief.

The past was now severed, and she would never walk that path again.

This matter couldn't be hidden from Pei Yujing. By the time Zhan Yunwei and Zhan Shujing arrived at the foot of the Jade Tower, Pei Yujing had already chased after them.

Zhan Yunwei turned around and for the first time, saw a disheveled Pei Yujing, the sword immortal she once knew.

He had arrived in a rush, his expression mournful, probably still digesting the teachings of the divine sword manual from the sect masters not long ago.

Between them, a flower-filled mountain pass separated them. Everything seemed as it once was, yet everything had changed.

Pei Yujing felt a dull pain in his chest and couldn't even muster half of a warm smile. But as things had unfolded today, he knew there was no one to blame.

"Yanyang, I'm sorry," he said softly. "You've endured so much along the way, and I couldn't fulfill the promise I made when we were young."

The wind blew through Pei Yujing's robe, and after a long silence, he asked quietly, "Will you ever come back?"

Zhan Yunwei stood at the foot of the mountain and shook her head with a smile.