Chapter 13: The Blade-Blocking Moonlight, Returned from Death (12)

No one really knew what Qingyuan had said to Xiyun, but the night before their departure, Xiyun came to her room and announced that she agreed to let Qingyuan travel with them. However, should Qingyuan show the slightest sign of disloyalty along the way, he would be sent back immediately.

Since Xiyun had already spoken, Tushan Xi had no reason to refuse, though she couldn’t help but wonder how Qingyuan had managed to persuade her. Oddly, no matter how she pressed Xiyun for details, Xiyun remained tight-lipped. Tushan Xi could only put her curiosity aside for the time being, planning to observe the situation closely during their journey—surely she would find some clue.

Once the matter was settled, Xiyun gripped her wrist and said softly, “Since I’ve helped you resolve such a troublesome matter, shouldn’t you reward me, sister?”

“A reward?” Tushan Xi was taken aback, then quickly nodded in agreement. “You’re right, you do deserve a reward.”

Seeing the anticipation in Xiyun’s eyes, Tushan Xi couldn’t help but feel mischievous. “I remember I just received a new sword manual yesterday. I think it’s perfect for someone like you, who has no foundation. Wait here a moment, I’ll go fetch it for you.”

“Sister Tushan, Sister Tushan…” Xiyun tried to stop her, but to no avail. In the end, she returned with a stack of sword manuals in her arms.

Watching Xiyun’s utterly dejected figure, Tushan Xi stifled a laugh. Gifts would come, of course, but where was the fun in gifts that were demanded? Surprises were always more delightful.

On the day of departure, the three of them met punctually at the gates of the Thirty-Three Heavens. However, the moment Xiyun saw Qingyuan, she rolled her eyes without the slightest pretense. Qingyuan, for his part, was not offended at all and grinned sheepishly beside her.

This left one person and one system utterly perplexed. [Host, could it be that the heroine and the hero are already together?]

“I have no idea,” Tushan Xi replied, equally baffled. “Unless the laws of this small world intervened and forced them together?”

How else could this situation be explained?

The system was just as lost. [That can’t be. According to my data, the heroine’s favorability toward the hero is still at zero. It’s impossible for her to like him.]

But Tushan Xi had come to terms with it. “In that case, let’s just take it one step at a time.”

No sooner had she spoken than Xiyun came over, linking arms with her affectionately. “Sister Tushan, we’re about to set off. Are you ready?”

“Don’t worry, everything is prepared. You’ll just need to guide us along the way.”

“Senior Sister,” Qingyuan cut in just as the two were enjoying themselves, “do you remember Fengqing?”

At the mention of that name, Tushan Xi immediately turned to him, asking in delight, “You brought him back? Is he well?”

Seeing that she still remembered someone connected to him, a faint smile tugged at Qingyuan’s lips, and his tone relaxed. “Rest assured, Senior Sister, he’s well. Though he was injured during the great battle, it wasn’t serious. After recuperating on Mount Parasol for these years, he’s recovered completely.

When he heard you’d returned and were heading to Fierce Fang Mountain, he insisted on coming to see you off. I really couldn’t refuse him, so I agreed. Please don’t blame me for taking the liberty.”

“Of course not,” Tushan Xi replied, her eyes bright with laughter. “I haven’t seen him in ages—this is the perfect time for a reunion.”

Xiyun, standing to the side, watched them converse so happily—unable to interject a single word—and her smile became increasingly forced.

Noticing this, Qingyuan shot her a polite but disdainful look, as if mocking her overreach.

What a joke. He and Senior Sister had known each other for so many years, and their memories and feelings for one another were beyond what an outsider could ever understand.

Old Master Huang was right: since Senior Sister was so fond of Xiyun now, opposing her would only push Senior Sister further toward Xiyun. He should do the opposite—pretend to care about Xiyun. Given how much Xiyun disliked him, she was bound to overreact. Then he could use the opportunity to play the victim in front of Senior Sister.

That way, Senior Sister would inevitably grow to dislike this Xiyun.

Just the thought of it made Qingyuan smile to himself.

Tushan Xi, watching him grin foolishly, felt puzzled, but before she could ask, a fiery red phoenix suddenly flew toward them. As it approached, it slowed down and gradually took human form.

The newcomer’s features were striking, his eyes clear and bright, and he appeared quite young.

“Sister Tushan.”

At this address, Xiyun’s feeble smile nearly collapsed entirely, and she cast a resentful glance at Tushan Xi.

Sister Tushan… Just how many dear little brothers do you have?

Tushan Xi, oblivious to Xiyun’s displeasure, stepped forward to greet the young man. “Fengqing.”

After looking him over, she smiled with satisfaction. “It’s been so long, and you’ve grown so tall.”

At her words, tears welled up in Fengqing’s eyes, and one rolled down his cheek—his expression pitiable. “Sister Tushan, I finally, finally get to see you again.”

Seeing him cry, Tushan Xi’s heart softened at once. “There, there, don’t cry. Why are you crying? We’ve finally reunited—you should be happy, not crying.”

Fengqing wiped his face messily, his eyes still glistening but smiling. “You’re right, Sister—I should be happy.”

Their warm conversation left Xiyun and Qingyuan, standing off to the side, both wearing dark expressions.

Xiyun thought, Oh no, here comes another peer.

Qingyuan thought, Oh no, here comes another contender for affection.

Their eyes met, instantly understanding each other: whatever happened, they had to get rid of this phoenix!

[Just this once.]

[As if I want to work with you.]

Having reached a tacit alliance, Qingyuan turned away and rolled his eyes—he couldn’t stoop to meddling in the affairs of the younger generation.

“Who is this, Sister?” Xiyun asked.

Tushan Xi, unaware of the undercurrents, immediately replied, “This is Fengqing—a phoenix. Years ago, when I passed through the Misty Black Mountains, I happened to find him. Back then, he was still just a phoenix egg.”

“Yes,” Fengqing added, “if not for Sister’s careful care, I might never have hatched. She is as important to me as a second parent.”

“You flatter me. It was just by chance, and mostly your own efforts. Each phoenix’s rebirth is fraught with danger. If you hadn’t been so diligent, how could you reach the half-step Sovereign stage in just a few thousand years?”

Fengqing’s eyes widened, nervous and hopeful as a child. “Really? Do you really think I’ve done well, Sister Tushan?”

“You’ve done wonderfully. Believe in yourself.”

“Thank you, Sister. I’ll keep working hard and never let you down.”

At last, when their conversation ended, Xiyun hurried to interject, “Sister Tushan, it’s getting late. If we don’t set out now, we’ll reach Fierce Fang Mountain after dark, which would be inconvenient.”

Reminded of their purpose, Tushan Xi smiled apologetically. “You’re right, I’m getting absentminded. Fengqing, I’ll have to trouble you this time.”

“It’s no trouble at all. As long as I can help you, I’m willing to do anything.”

Hearing this, Xiyun rolled her eyes inwardly once again.

Heavens, with lines like that, he’s better suited to being a cloud-wreathed tea than a phoenix.