Chapter 120 Extra Chapter: Wu Liu (Part Two) I like you. ...

They had decided to leave, but their tokens had been taken away, preventing them from stepping outside the barrier; even if they did manage to cross it, they would be intercepted on their return and would surely be discovered.

Lu Changqing was troubled. She had just shed tears, her eyes were still red, and she was sitting in Wu Zhuyue's room, feeling as suffocated as during the rainy season, with the sound of water dripping incessantly.

Wu Zhuyue generously gave her the candy and fruit platter that she usually rewarded herself with. At this moment, the fruits and vegetables sat still on the platter, untouched.

Lu Changqing was used to this kind of food and had no appetite at the moment.

But if she didn't eat any, it might hurt Xiao Wu's feelings. Thinking of this, she picked up a piece of shortbread, put it in her mouth, and bit into it, then suddenly frowned—

So sweet.

If Xiao Wu hadn't already cultivated Taoism, she would have really made her open her mouth to check if she had any cavities.

Wu Zhuyue packed her belongings and put them into a storage bag. She came out of the inner room and asked her, "When are you leaving?"

Lu Changqing sniffed, looking like a wilted eggplant, and said softly, "I don't have a token, I can't get out..."

She looked unlike her usual self. Today, she went to the lakeside to clear her head, and her usual hairstyle was gone. Her long hair was just loose, and it looked like it had only been simply styled.

Wu Zhuyue sighed, stood behind her, and reached out to tuck her loose hair behind her ear. Her movements were unconsciously gentle, revealing a tenderness she herself was unaware of.

"Then what should we do?"

As she asked, she ran her fingers through the boy's black hair. Lu Changqing's hair was soft and thick, shimmering in the sunlight, and felt like that of a cat, the kind kept by wealthy families, with soft and warm fur.

Lu Changqing didn't take her actions to heart and said in a low voice, "I don't know... can one token take two people out?"

“Of course not.” Wu Zhuyue’s fingertips brushed against Lu Changqing’s hair roots, making her feel a little itchy. “But I have thought of a way.”

She slowly gathered the strands of hair in her hands, loosely arranging them into a familiar bun.

"Let's borrow it from Senior Sister Lin. Anyway, she usually stays in the sect to study array techniques."

I've hardly ever seen Lin Yuxian leave the sect. She's not actually in seclusion, but it's more like it is. Once she starts working on array formations, she completely forgets herself. I heard that before she started abstaining from grains, she once fainted from hunger in her room and was discovered by her junior sister.

At the same time, he remained oblivious to what was happening outside his window—things have improved recently, but he probably wouldn't know about such a trivial matter as Ruan Luoying punishing her students unless he deliberately inquired about it.

What kind of master accepts what kind of disciple? Chi Yueying is also a taciturn person. Unless gossip is presented to her, she will not care about anything.

Lu Changqing was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "I didn't realize you had so many bad ideas. Let's do it that way then!"

She was about to stand up when Wu Zhuyue gently called out to her, "Don't move."

The boy paused, obediently staying in the chair and not moving again.

Wu Zhuyue looked at the hair bun that had already been braided in her hands, pinching the soft strands of hair with her fingertips. After hesitating for a moment, she took out a wooden hairpin, skillfully inserted it into the bun, and set the shape.

This wooden hairpin has no elaborate patterns and lacks the luster of jade. It only carries a faint fragrance that can be smelled when you get close. Now, it seems a bit shabby as it sits in Lu Changqing's hair.

Jade pendants, flower branches, and many other things—Lu Changqing had given Wu Zhuyue far too many gifts, leaving her unsure how to repay them. A single kite, or even thousands upon thousands of kites, might not be worth as much as that peace pendant; not even a wooden hairpin, not a single pink crystal embellishment.

Speaking of sincerity, after wandering the world for so long, she has long known that a sincere heart is worth less than anything else.

She hated the feeling of owing someone something. Wu Zhuyue sighed, let go of her hand, and said, "Alright."

Lu Changqing sensed what she was doing from the touch that was being rubbed in his hair. He took out a small mirror, looked at himself, and exclaimed in surprise:

"You can braid this kind of hairstyle too!"

"It's not difficult; remembering its design is no big deal," Wu Zhuyue said.

“But only you remember.” Lu Changqing looked at himself again and again, and seemed to feel less sad and regain his usual spirit.

Wu Zhuyue put her hands behind her back. "How do you know others didn't remember?"

The boy exclaimed "Oh dear!" and frowned in thought for a long time before relaxing and laughing happily, "Anyway, I'm happy to know that Xiao Wu remembered it."

This way, he could see into her heart and feel Wu Zhuyue's concern for him.

"It makes me feel like you're thinking of me." Lu Changqing smiled, her eyes crinkling.

Wu Zhuyue glanced at her and muttered, "Idiot."

She's even more beautiful this way—healthy, safe, and happy. Lu Changqing is most beautiful when she possesses these qualities, as energetic as a little animal.

After agreeing on their plan, they devised an explanation, sent the letter, and then asked Bai Lufeng's disciple to open the barrier so they could go find Lin Yuxian.

The servant who opened the barrier was very dutiful. Even though he knew they were both disciples of the Immortal Venerable, he did not let his guard down and led them along the way.

After making some inquiries, the other disciples on the peak said that Senior Sister Lin had just finished her match and had gained new insights into combat techniques, and was currently seeking guidance from Chi Yueying. Upon hearing this, Wu Zhuyue broke out in a sweat, as if finally realizing how absurd her suggestion had been.

If it were just Senior Sister Lin, she could probably keep going with all her might; but to lie to True Lord Jiuzhi, it would be better to let her give her token to Lu Changqing.

But Wu Zhuyue was worried about Lu Changqing going alone.

What if she doesn't come back? What if something unexpected happens? Anyway, Lu Changqing has never been someone who makes her worry-free, so it's better to have her by her side for peace of mind.

Faced with this dilemma, Lu Changqing didn't hesitate at all. After listening, he grabbed Wu Zhuyue and headed towards the summit.

Wu Zhuyue struggled a couple of times, but in the end, she didn't hesitate any longer.

I'll do it this once, she thought.

Just like when she made the kite, she thought, "I'll only make it this once."

Upon reaching the palace gate, they heard a loud commotion coming from inside. The two exchanged a glance and waited for it to subside before pushing open the door and going inside.

Before the hall, Lin Yuxian and Chi Yueying sat at a long table, an atmosphere of tension emanating between them. The young man, as if he had just argued, was flushed and slightly out of breath; even Chi Yueying's usually calm eyes showed a slight ripple of emotion.

Wu Zhuyue took a deep breath.

"Senior Sister Lin..."

Chi Yueying looked up and saw her stammering. She then turned and left, leaving the three boys alone.

"Could we borrow your token?" Wu Zhuyue finally asked. "Lu Changqing is under house arrest, but recently..."

She was really bad at lying. At this point, she suddenly realized that the story she had prepared was actually quite absurd, but she couldn't take it back and could only grit her teeth and continue.

"There's a temple fair nearby, and we'd like to go check it out. If we miss it, we don't know when we'll have another chance."

Lu Changqing nodded repeatedly, blinked pitifully, and said, "Senior sister is the best... Please let us go? We'll bring you delicious snacks and pretty lanterns."

As she spoke, she felt a tightness on her sleeve. Looking down, she saw that Wu Zhuyue had grabbed the corner of her sleeve and was pulling it hard.

To everyone's surprise, Lin Yuxian didn't hesitate and readily nodded: "Temple fair, huh? That sounds interesting! It's a pity I don't plan to travel anytime soon. Then I'll trouble you junior sisters to bring me some local specialties or something, so I can experience the atmosphere."

She took out the token and placed it on the table.

Wu Zhuyue found it hard to believe that success had come so easily. Her gaze lingered between the token and Lin Yuxian's clear eyes for a long time before she suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

"Won't Senior Sister think we're being playful?" Wu Zhuyue asked softly. As soon as she said this, she felt Lu Changqing stiffen, as if she hadn't expected her to set such a trap for herself.

Lin Yuqian simply blinked and said, "But temple fairs are really fun! I remember there are also lantern festivals and night markets. It's good to relax once in a while."

—A model of being strict with oneself and lenient with others.

"Thank you, Senior Sister." The two thanked Lin Yuxian.

"Have fun! Remember to come back soon, so that Aunt Ruan and Aunt Yi won't worry."

"Okay." Lu Changqing nodded. "By the way, did Senior Sister have a fight with Aunt Chi?"

Lin Yuxian was taken aback, then shook her head and laughed, "We were just discussing array techniques... it got a bit heated, please forgive us, junior sisters."

After they finished speaking, the three of them stood up. Lin Yuxian walked very quickly, as if she had just thought of something, and hurriedly went to a room inside the hall. The two boys stayed behind and secretly listened for a few moments:

"...That's wrong!"

Lin Yuxian raised her voice.

"Yes, it's time to change the order."

Chi Yueying replied affirmatively.

This was the first time I had heard Senior Sister Lin speak in such an excited tone. It was as if her usual composure had vanished, and she had reverted to being a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl.

Everyone is shining brightly in their own field.

-

The process of sneaking out was smoother than expected. Once outside the barrier, I felt completely relaxed, and I no longer needed to worry about what others thought when controlling my artifacts.

Lu Changqing hadn't left the sect for a long time, and even the wind down the mountain felt different. It seemed to be mixed with billowing dust, dry and warm, unlike the damp smell of mud and water that always lingered on the mountain.

She hummed a little tune happily, as if her home was just a few feet away and she would see her mother come out to welcome her at any moment.

Taihui is located on the edge of the Sixth Domain, while Changzhou is in the center. Even with extremely fast speed, it would still take most of the day to travel there.

Wu Zhuyue didn't seem to mind much. Since Lu Changqing was so eager to go home, she didn't mind traveling without stopping, since that was how she came. Now that her cultivation was stable, she could control her weapon for a long time without having to endure the bumps and noise of the carriage.

But reality was never as uneventful as she had imagined. Halfway through their journey, Lu Changqing grew bored and pulled her to a market town. It was bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the quietude of the sect.

"What are you doing here?" Wu Zhuyue asked.

Lu Changqing smiled and replied, "Let's take a stroll."

She no longer seemed sad at all, and strolled through the market with Wu Zhuyue in her hand. Candied hawthorns, water chestnut cakes, and plum blossom cakes were all common items. Lu Changqing had brought a lot of money with him, which he didn't need in Taihui, but now that he finally had somewhere to spend it, he unabashedly packed up a portion of each of these pastries.

And the specialties of the state they live in.

Seeing that she was collecting more and more things, Wu Zhuyue thought that she had also saved up some spirit stones recently. Perhaps she could find a rogue cultivator to exchange them for some spare change and buy a decent hairpin.

She told Lu Changqing about the idea and added, "You can choose for yourself."

To everyone's surprise, Lu Changqing shook his head vigorously, firmly stating that this wooden hairpin was the best.

"Unless it breaks, I won't use any other hairpins."

There was an almost stubborn seriousness in the boy's eyes. Wu Zhuyue felt puzzled, but she clenched her hands behind her back slightly. It felt as if a cat's tail had brushed against her heart, making her feel itchy and warm.

She didn't know that what Lu Changqing saw was sincerity, just as she didn't know that her sincerity might be worthless to some people, but to Lu Changqing and those who cared about her, it was the most precious thing.

It's priceless.

Finally, she sighed, "Whatever you say."

As darkness deepened, the clouds turned from clear to murky, pressing down heavily. After wandering around for about half an hour, they set off again.

Lu Changqing sat cross-legged on her sword. Wu Zhuyue stood with her arms crossed, watching for a long time, wondering where Lu Changqing had learned to maintain her balance and sit steadily without falling. In the silence, the brightly lit scene of Changzhou grew closer and closer. Looking at the gradually brightening lights and crowds below, Wu Zhuyue felt a faint sense of regret.

She really shouldn't have come. Has the sect discovered this yet? Touching the token, the mark is still there; the connection hasn't been broken.

Wu Zhuyue could only try to find some humor in her misery, thinking that perhaps they hadn't realized it yet, and that they could definitely escape for another two or three days, because the immortals were all fools.

Those who treat the immortals like fools are the real fools themselves.

Just as she was lost in thought, Lu Changqing suddenly spoke up: "Speaking of which, why does Xiao Wu always wear white?"

Why wear white? In the past, Wu Zhuyue would have said without hesitation that it was because her master liked to wear white, and white would remind her of her; but now, she could not say that without thinking.

"For those who cultivate the Tao, their outward appearance is nothing more than an insignificant shell," Wu Zhuyue finally replied.

Lu Changqing sighed, "Xiao Wu speaks just like Master Yan. You must have ascended to heaven two hundred years earlier than me."

Ascension? She's only just reached the Foundation Establishment stage, how could she be thinking about ascension? Wu Zhuyue was already used to her strange optimism, and immediately suppressed her confusion with the excuse that "after all, this is Lu Changqing."

"Alright, even so, wouldn't it be nice to try something new? It just so happens that Mother owns a fabric shop, so let me take your measurements and make you a new dress."

“It’s not a robe, it’s easily damaged,” Wu Zhuyue shook her head. “You’ve already given me enough…”

However, Lu Changqing said, "It's settled then. We don't need to be fighting with people every day."

Wu Zhuyue knew that even if she refused again, Lu Changqing wouldn't listen and would say things that would upset her even more. She silently turned her gaze away, this time focusing only on the bustling town and no longer thinking about the sect. Her regret had also faded considerably.

She rubbed her temples and muttered, "You always do things on a whim." Whether it's jumping down from a tree branch to catch her, giving her a jade pendant and a flower branch, or asking her to accompany her home, you never consider the consequences and always act impulsively.

“But Xiao Wu always cooperates with me,” Lu Changqing replied with a smile.

As night deepened, they finally found the familiar mansion. Lu Changqing gradually lowered her sword, and in the courtyard, she lightly flipped and landed, her flowing sleeves fluttering like a beautiful mist, truly giving people a sense of ethereal beauty.

Wu Zhuyue followed closely behind her, and when they reached the room with the lights on, she knew that the person inside must be Lu Changqing's mother. She pursed her lips, an indescribable sense of tension welling up inside her, and her heart suddenly jumped into her throat.

A delicate floral fragrance lingers around you, quietly blooming in the night.

Lu Changqing couldn't sense her unease, or perhaps she was already used to it. Dealing with Wu Zhuyue always required a certain amount of courage and a well-timed overstepping of boundaries to pull her out of her comfort zone.

The boy pushed open the door, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Mother!"

She took two steps at a time and pounced on the woman sitting in the chair like a little koala—although she was objectively not small anymore, she still easily wrapped her arms around her mother and snuggled into her embrace.

The ledger on the table was turned to some page when she accidentally bumped into it and closed it. The woman reacted quickly, propping the pen in place to avoid having to check it again later.

A familiar scent filled her heart. She looked down and saw a familiar face before her. Several years had passed, but the face was still the same as when she left, with eyes that were as bright and endearing as ever.

“I’m back,” Lu Changqing said, nuzzling his mother’s shoulder. “Did you miss me, Mom? I miss you every day.”

She chattered away, holding me for a while before letting go.

The prominent families of Changzhou have changed hands; the Qiao family is gone, leaving only the Lu family. The head of the Lu family is named Lu Jun'an, and in the few years since he took over, his businesses have flourished.

Her mother gave her a good name, Yuan Jun'an, meaning peace for herself and for her family. Power is only secure when it is in one's own hands, so Lu Jun'an painstakingly cleared away the withered branches and leaves from the muddy pool below, replaced it with fresh water, and finally, things settled down.

With everything settled, Lu Jun'an pondered for a long time before deciding to send Lu Changqing to the sect. The young man was born with talent, and she herself was willing to embark on the path of cultivation. Her hesitation was simply because she couldn't bear to part with him. A hundred years for a cultivator is like fleeting clouds, but for a mortal, a hundred years is long gone.

Perhaps this parting will be for a lifetime.

Unexpectedly, Lu Changqing took the initiative to come to find her. Lu Jun'an didn't ask how she got there, after all, the young man had always been reassuring.

"I miss you too." Lu Jun'an gently stroked Lu Changqing's head and called her by her childhood name with a smile.

Lu Changqing blushed and said in a low voice, "Mother, just call me Changqing. I brought a friend with me."

She turned around to introduce Wu Zhuyue, but noticed a faint shadow cast by the warm light outside the window; it turned out that the person hadn't come in yet.

Lu Changqing ran out and grabbed the boy's wrist, "What are you doing standing outside?"

Wu Zhuyue struggled for only a moment before giving up. She was pulled into the house by Lu Changqing. The fragrance of flowers from the eaves gradually spread, like the pattering rain stopping and the coolness being drawn away. The room was warm, with a different kind of elegant woody scent, reminiscent of roasted oranges in winter, sweet and intoxicating.

The boy nodded politely and said, "Hello, Auntie. I am a fellow disciple of Lu Changqing. You can call me Zhuyue."

She still had a touch of childishness on her face, and her careful choice of words made her seem reserved, which only made her more endearing.

Lu Junan smiled and said, "Changqing rarely confides in others, I didn't expect her to bring a friend back today. She can be quite mischievous at times, I suppose she's received a lot of care from you."

She stroked Wu Zhuyue's head, as if the boy before her were another daughter.

"I'll send someone to prepare a bedroom."

At this moment, Lu Changqing interjected, "No need, Xiao Wu can sleep with me."

Wu Zhuyue opened her eyes wide, wanting to refute her, but then she thought that it was already late at night, and it would be difficult to ask someone to open another stall.

She swallowed her words, nodded stiffly but with a smile, and said, "Yes, I'll sleep with her. It's bedtime now, so I won't trouble you, Auntie."

It's normal for good friends to sleep together; kids always have their own secrets to share late at night. Lu Jun'an didn't think much of it and readily agreed.

Lu Changqing took the initiative to brew tea, and the three of them sat around the table and talked for a while about their experiences in the sect over the past few years, until Lu Changqing couldn't help but yawn.

Lu Junan then said, "Let's talk about it tomorrow, it's time to sleep."

Sleepiness belatedly crept in, and she pushed the documents aside, mentally calculating the days to postpone her work for a few days. Lu Changqing nodded and sauntered off to take a bath.

Apart from a few new items, nothing else had changed, which immediately gave one a sense of familiarity. Wu Zhuyue, visiting for the first time, could only stand quietly in place, thinking that she might as well wait for Lu Changqing to return so they could go to the bedroom together.

She cast a spell to clean herself and change her clothes. Ruan Luoying took care of Lu Changqing, giving her a very regular schedule; Yi Xiaohan, however, didn't take care of himself much. Wu Zhuyue's sleep schedule was not fixed every day, so she wasn't as tired as Lu Changqing.

Seeing that she didn't intend to move, Lu Junan smiled and asked, "What do you think of Changqing?"

Wu Zhuyue was stunned for a moment before catching up with the sudden question. After pondering for a while, she said, "She... is quite good. Although she is sometimes impulsive, she is not unpleasant in the end."

She thought for a while longer and then said honestly, "Lu Changqing and I are very different... but she respects me a lot."

When Wu Zhuyue entered the sect, there were still many things she didn't recognize. Lu Changqing didn't laugh at her, but patiently explained them to her one by one. She didn't hold the pen well, and although her characters were written stroke by stroke, they lacked beauty. So Lu Changqing covered her hand and gently and silently guided her to write more natural strokes.

Wu Zhuyue rarely felt ashamed in her presence. She felt safe and relaxed, and could directly ask questions about things she didn't understand, instead of pretending to know what she didn't in the past out of consideration for saving face.

She also asked Lu Changqing, "I don't understand many things. Won't that make you think I'm stupid?"

Why didn't you look down on her?

Lu Changqing said, "I only learned these things a little earlier than Xiao Wu. Now you know them too, don't you? Just learn them slowly."

Seeing the gleam in her eyes, Lu Junan knew that the two were close and couldn't help but chuckle.

“The bedroom is over there.” She pointed. “Go and rest first. She takes a long time to bathe each time.”

After thanking her, Wu Zhuyue went to the bedroom. As she opened the door, a light fragrance wafted out, and everything that belonged to Lu Changqing, warm and old-fashioned, was displayed before her eyes.

Nothing was dusty. For years, Lu Jun'an had maintained the habit of cleaning this place every day, as if he knew that Lu Changqing would return one day. Even the orchids in the vase on the table were fresh, with clear water.

Wu Zhuyue left the door slightly ajar and sat on the edge of the bed. She lit a lamp, and the flickering light illuminated the entire room, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Was she jealous? Perhaps. The world is full of coldness and warmth. Why was she born into the mud and dust, while Lu Changqing, even in her most painful moments, had a loving mother, a warm house, and never had to worry about being fed or warm?

Therefore, her coldness, wariness, and inner conflict, and all the sharpness she showed towards Lu Changqing, were both defensiveness and retaliation. She lacked nothing, so why should she ask for friendship? In the end, this life could only be given to her mother and her master; there was no room for anyone else.

But Lu Changqing insisted on approaching her, squeezing in through a crack to say he liked her and was in love with her.

Wu Zhuyue sighed softly. She kept asking herself, "Why did we have to meet back then, Lu Changqing?" The more she felt her jealousy and ugliness, the more she hated Lu Changqing.

But Wu Zhuyue also liked her very much. Lu Changqing's kindness to her was like a pool of boiling water, scalding her to the point of tears, but at the same time, it made her feel the ice and snow melt away, and a tingling warmth climbed up her bones, and new flesh and blood slowly grew.

After thinking for a while, Wu Zhuyue glanced out the window in frustration, but still no one had returned. Was taking a bath going to make her boil over?

She took off her boots, crawled into bed, and closed her eyes. She had been thinking too much on the way here and hadn't felt sleepy, but now that her head hit the pillow, she felt exhausted.

Soon, consciousness sank into the deep water.

-

A cool sensation spread from my fingertips.

Damp. Carrying the unique fragrance of plants, she gracefully took the boy's wrist, slowly drawing her out of her chaotic dreams.

The light was still on, and after regaining consciousness, a faint, dim yellow hue appeared in the darkness where her eyes were tightly closed. Wu Zhuyue slowly opened her eyes, let out a soft hum, and then felt an itch on her arm, as if something had brushed against it.

Upon closer inspection, she realized it was Lu Changqing lying beside her, holding her wrist. The boy's long hair cascaded down, falling onto Wu Zhuyue's arm. The flickering lamplight cast a soft glow on her already delicate features, like the faint red hue of a blooming begonia, captivatingly beautiful even in the darkness.

When Lu Changqing heard that she was awake, he chuckled softly and called out, "A-Yue."

She plucked a petal, squeezed out the indigo sap from its inner side, and carefully dotted it on Wu Zhuyue's fingernails. It turned out that the fragrance emanated from these petals.

"What are you doing?" Wu Zhuyue looked at her groggily, still half asleep.

Lu Changqing said, "I'm getting my nails painted. I think this color suits you so well, so I picked some flowers after my bath."

She carefully applied the ointment, and her fingertips were already tinged with a faint blue.

These juices are non-toxic and easy to wash off; they will even lose their color in daylight if left unattended for a few days.

Wu Zhuyue was so sleepy that she let her continue. In the dim light, she saw the color on her fingertips and slightly raised the corners of her lips: "It's very pretty."

After saying that, she closed her eyes again.

Lu Changqing asked her if she was asleep. Wu Zhuyue was half asleep and gradually lost control of her mouth, mumbling, "No."

Lu Changqing then asked softly, "Xiao Wu, I smell sadness. Are you unhappy?"

Wu Zhuyue's voice was so soft that Lu Changqing had to put down the flower petals in his hand and put his ear to her lips to hear her whisper.

She heard Wu Zhuyue say, "I envy you so much, Lu Changqing. Actually, I should stay away from you, but I don't know why... the thought of you being hurt by my coldness makes it hard for me to be so heartless."

The boy mumbled something and turned over. Lu Changqing helplessly put away the flower petals, turned off the light, and fell asleep with Wu Zhuyue pressed against his back.

"If only Lu Changqing would stay away from me," Wu Zhuyue murmured. "Master, should I not have come to the Taihui Sect?"

It turns out that she and Aunt Yi were closer than she thought?

"But I don't hate her. I want her to be happy like this forever... Master, am I possessed? Could Lu Changqing be a demonic cultivator?"

"If she were a demonic cultivator, rabbits could fly." Lu Changqing thought to himself.

In a hazy, dreamlike state, it seemed as if she was speaking to herself again. Lu Changqing only half understood, until Wu Zhuyue suddenly trembled and whispered:

"Mother, I miss you so much. Why did you send me up here? Wouldn't it have been better if I had gone with you?"

Lu Changqing's initial desire to listen to the boy's ramblings vanished instantly. She carefully sat up, reached out, and sure enough, her hand was covered in icy liquid.

Xiao Wu cried silently. Lu Changqing carefully wiped away the messy tears, hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head and gently kissed Wu Zhuyue's forehead.

My mother said that doing this could ward off nightmares.

She understood the reason for Wu Zhuyue's sadness, but felt no joy whatsoever. Even though she was so heartbroken she was crying in her dreams, she had maintained a composed demeanor, making it impossible to detect any sadness. One had to scrutinize her every word and action to detect even a hint of grief. Why did Wu Zhuyue hide it so well? She could have easily lashed out at her, or even rejected her from the start.

If they hadn't come together and seen these things, Wu Zhuyue wouldn't have been so sad.

But she still came with Lu Changqing.

The boy stopped crying, and his breathing gradually calmed down. Lu Changqing was still sleepy after all; despite his mixed feelings, he couldn't resist the drooping eyelids.

She thought—it's alright, if Wu Zhuyue feels she has too much, then she can give her everything. It's like saying a mother can't have two daughters. Whatever Xiao Wu wants, she'll give her.

One day, you will be happy too, Xiao Wu.

-

The next day, Lu Changqing found a soft measuring tape and measured Wu Zhuyue's waist. The young man lifted his robe, and Lu Changqing held the soft measuring tape, slowly tightening it.

She didn't realize her ears were so red. She'd clearly been hugging Wu Zhuyue's waist when she woke up this morning, so why did she feel so awkward now?

Wu Zhuyue pursed her lips, unconsciously holding her breath, a little sweat on her forehead. Her whole body was stiff, and she only relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief when Lu Changqing put away the soft ruler and said "okay".

Wu Zhuyue only noticed when she raised her hand that her blue nail polish had been smudged. Lu Changqing also noticed the blue of the blooming flowers and said, "Let's dye it again. Come, sit here."

She brought over the blue petals—some of which had withered overnight, but still yielded some juice.

A cool sensation spread across her fingertips. Lu Changqing was focused on dyeing her nails, and just as she was about to finish, she suddenly looked up, blinked, and asked, "Does Xiao Wu like it?"

Wu Zhuyue knew she was referring to the color, and nodded, saying, "I like it."

Lu Changqing smiled gently, lowered his head and kissed her fingertip, then finished applying the last bit of product.

“I like you too,” she said seriously. “I like you.” This time it wasn’t said jokingly, nor was it out of a desire to see Wu Zhuyue’s reaction.

Wu Zhuyue was slightly taken aback. Before she could react, she heard a deliberate cough.

The two turned their heads at the same time. Lu Jun'an was standing at the door, his gaze on them with a somewhat subtle expression.

"It's time for breakfast." She glanced at the measuring tape beside her. "Is the length ready? Then we'll go to the fabric shop later to choose some materials."

Lu Changqing blushed instantly, his face turning red to his ears as if he had been scalded. He released Wu Zhuyue's hand in extreme embarrassment and mumbled his thanks.

She was like a frightened little rabbit, and as she walked out quickly, she didn't dare to look up at Lu Jun'an.

Time moves slowly when it should move quickly, and flies by when it should move slowly.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

Even though no news came from the sect, the fact that two young disciples, one of whom was confined and disappeared for several days as if they had vanished into thin air, meant that the truth could not be kept forever.

Lin Yuxian belatedly realized something was terribly wrong. If it weren't for needing the token to go to the main peak, she would have almost forgotten about it.

When she finally reached an empty space in front of the Four Spirit Peaks, she realized that the token had already been lent out. Memories flooded back, and Lin Yuxian suddenly remembered that Ruan Luoying seemed to have come looking for Chi Yueying a couple of days ago.

At that time, it seems that Master said, "Yuqian would not do such a thing as condoning her fellow disciples' violations."

It's over.

Just as she returned to Bailu Peak with a heart full of anxiety, constantly fearing that her master would come to ask her where the token was, her two junior sisters returned.

The first thing Lu Changqing did upon returning was to deliver the promised local specialties to Lin Yuxian. She sensed something was wrong from the young man's expression and sighed resignedly, "It's alright, I'll go accept my punishment."

After returning the token, she told Wu Zhuyue to stop following her and then headed straight for Guyu Peak.

Even knowing she would be punished, Lu Changqing didn't feel sad. She acted on impulse, but she didn't regret it.

Ruan Luoying didn't scold her at first. Instead, she carefully used her spiritual power to check the boy's entire body, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that she was safe and sound. Her features were gentle, and her voice was soft, which almost made the boys relax and think that they wouldn't be punished.

To everyone's surprise, the woman smiled and said, "I'll keep you in solitary confinement for another ten days."

Only Tang Huairou noticed her anger. However, her master was soft-hearted and only punished her according to the lightest rule of the sect regulations; any more severe punishment would have required whipping.

Lu Changqing accepted the punishment and, dejected, went to be put in solitary confinement.

“Wait a minute,” someone said from the side, “It was Tu Sheng who first had the idea to break the rules and instigated Lu Changqing. Please let me take half of the punishment for her.”

Ruan Luoying raised an eyebrow, not expecting Wu Zhuyue to step forward at this moment, and said with a smile, "Okay, then you can both be confined for five days and each copy the sect's laws."

The law consists of twelve volumes, and five days is more than enough time. Wu Zhuyue nodded and said sincerely, "Thank you, True Lord Cangling."

She turned around and took Lu Changqing's sleeve. Their fingers brushed against each other unintentionally. Lu Changqing glanced down at her, then turned his wrist and took Wu Zhuyue's hand.

Wu Zhuyue paused, a soft smile flashing across her eyes.

She exerted a little force, and their hands clasped even tighter.

-----------------------

Author's note: The next chapter will return to the main storyline; updates will be tomorrow.

There might be another segment featuring Wu Lu later, also released as a side story.

I actually wanted to write something that created a sense of tension, but unfortunately my writing skills aren't good enough, so it might still seem incomprehensible to the reader...!

When I first conceived the characters, I felt that Wu and Lu were actually a pair of contrasting figures. They possessed very similar traits, but Wu was very guarded, while Lu was naive and inexperienced. It would be difficult for them to truly connect and understand each other, especially since Wu had Si Liuhua behind her. "Every gift in life comes with a price tag," and that's how life is for Wu.

Her relationship with Lu was similar. Happiness and pain were always in balance because she believed too much that no good intention could be pure, and she couldn't even understand Lu's feelings for her, nor did she have the energy to reciprocate.

As for Lu, Wu is someone who truly acts on her sudden whims, which is very precious to her. Although the mother and daughter get along well now, they faced difficulties in the third chapter and went through a lot of adjustments along the way. Before coming to the sect, she rarely had the freedom to "do whatever she wanted," let alone have anyone to go along with her reckless behavior.

Even though Wu was always being sarcastic or cynical towards her, he did go along with her foolishness. That's how he fell in love with her.

There's a dialogue I didn't include, and I probably won't have the chance to write it in now, so I'll leave it for later ↓ It's probably a hypothetical scenario where the two of them encounter refugees on the road and go to help them.

"Lu Changqing, this is not your fault."

“They are immersed in the malice of their surroundings from birth, so even simple goodwill is viewed with suspicion.”

"So, are you that kind of person, Yue?"

"..."