I fear that one day the wild goose will be gone.

When You Youju arrived at the main hall, Song Song was sitting in the host's seat, drinking tea. Qi stood beside him like a black pillar. The guest seat was occupied by the well-behaved He Gui, while Fu Cheng, lying on the ground with a stubborn look on his face, exuded an evil aura. You Youju sat down opposite the battered He Gui, picked up his tea, and remained silent.

He Gui seemed somewhat restless, his eyes darting between the group. He finally spoke: "I'm sorry, I just wanted to do it myself..."

Song Song put down his teacup, looking displeased: "You should at least take a look at your own strength before you speak! I'm so angry! You haven't even lasted twenty moves since you came in!? We could have taken you down with ease from Huai Jing! You've wasted the last two years of your training, you've squandered my treasure."

He Gui lowered his head: "Who knew his skills had improved so much? How can I compare to evil techniques..."

Fu Cheng's face was sinister: "Hmph, I'm the Regent's man. Who do you think you are to dare kill me?!"

Youyouju was silent for a moment. It was as if some missing pieces had all been pieced together.

Zhu Xun finally walked in, his face somewhat gloomy. He was carrying a box, which he slammed down in front of Fu Cheng. The box broke open, spilling out a lot of dark, murky pills.

Fu Cheng's eyes widened, his whole body trembling. His bloodshot eyes stared at Zhu Xun in terror, then he quickly shrank back to Song Song's feet. Qi Yi kicked him right in the middle, where he was comically upside down with his face to the ground and his buttocks facing the sky.

Zhu Xun put his hands behind his back: "There is a secret room hidden in Fu Cheng's room, containing only white bones and this refined demon pill."

"Impossible, impossible! How did you open it?! How did you find it?!" The man was still trembling. "Impossible! With your cultivation level, it's impossible! Unless you..."

You Youju hurriedly kicked him over and cast a silencing spell: "Shut up! You can just wait to die!"

You Youju looked at Shang Hegui with hatred in her eyes and almost commanded, "You can kill him now."

He Gui received the instruction and used the silk threads to lift the man up. The tightly wound threads split open like blades, leaving only Fu Cheng's screams in the hall. Everyone seemed to be shocked.

Song Song stood up, somewhat hesitantly, and said, "Brother Youju! Wouldn't it be too hasty to kill him like this? We haven't even asked him anything yet!"

“He’s no longer of any use.” His voice rose slightly at the end, trembling a little.

Song Song and Zhu Xun were stunned by You Youju's sudden change. Almost instantly, they heard limbs falling to the ground, followed by a strong, pungent smell of blood mixed with the stench of decay.

Distracted, Song Song turned around and vomited: "Ugh! Brother He Gui, in public... ugh!"

You Youju looked apologetic, feeling somewhat guilty for her earlier outburst. She turned to Qi, who was handing Song Song a handkerchief slightly dampened with tea, and said, "Please take Song Song out for some fresh air, Qi."

Ah Qi didn't give You Youju a second glance and led Song Song away.

Without hesitation, You Youju crouched down as if examining the corpse, his back obscuring most of the dismembered remains, his clothes stained with blood, as he climbed upwards. But only You Youju knew that he had taken a rose-red crystal.

He Gui bowed to You Youju and said, "Thank you. May I leave now?"

"Oh? Aren't you going to explain your weapon?" Huai Jing had appeared by the door without anyone noticing. A hint of nervousness flashed in You Youju's eyes.

He Gui froze for a moment, then took two steps back: "You...found out?"

"Do you think everyone is as stupid as you?" Zhu Xun said in an unfriendly tone.

He Gui glanced at You Youju before stammering, "This was given to me two years ago by someone who asked me to exchange my natal stone for it."

Then he pulled out a round, flat object resembling a thread box from his sleeve. Combined with his beautiful face, he looked even more pitiful: "I didn't expect I still couldn't beat him... but I haven't done anything bad." His voice grew softer and softer.

Who is that person?

"I don't know, he must have been a traveling merchant."

"You were easily fooled by your natal stone? You're a real saint." Song Song seemed to have recovered, but still had his back to everyone, his voice was muffled, and he was covering his face with a handkerchief.

“Young Master Song may not understand. I was incompetent and had nowhere else to turn. In that situation, even if someone asked me to exchange my life for theirs, I would have done it.” He Gui’s voice was somewhat bitter.

"This silk-string box relies on spiritual power. Once you hand over your natal stone, the spiritual power will only gradually weaken."

"So, I don't have time to wait for you to find out the truth. I can feel myself becoming more and more like a block of wood."

He raised his face, his expression even more stiff than before.

"I just want to return to the 'shrine' he made for me in the end."

The group fell silent. You Youju sighed, "We didn't say you couldn't go back..." As he spoke, he glanced tentatively at Huai Jing.

Huai Jing coughed and said, "Okay, you can go back now." He stepped forward to check He Gui's pulse, but his touch felt like touching solid wood; He Gui had exhausted all his spiritual energy.

He Gui thanked the group and, enveloped in the dim light and frost, disappeared from their sight.

Qi had already prepared the carriage, and the group remained silent until they boarded it. Each was lost in their own thoughts.

Huai Jing always possessed a calm and composed demeanor, capable of suppressing the turmoil within him. He exuded an almost impeccably poised and dignified air.

"I've been working hard these past two days, and I didn't sleep a wink last night. Brother You has also used up a lot of his true energy. Let's rest briefly in the car first. When we get back to the city, I'll treat you to a proper meal." Huai Jing said in a relaxed tone.

Zhu Xun, unusually, didn't argue with anyone and got into the car with You Youju.

The journey was bumpy, and Youju closed her eyes and pretended to sleep after getting on the bus, without saying a word. Zhu Xun felt very depressed at this moment; he had never felt such a depressed moment in sixteen years. A sense of anxiety about gain and loss suppressed the grievances and anger lingering in his heart.

He shifted his gaze from the window and fixed it on the face he had been looking at for almost six years.

You Youju's facial features were smooth and her skin was radiant. Her long eyelashes cast small shadows. The sun was rising, and the gentle morning light pierced through the early winter mist, shining through the bamboo window. With the swaying of the lights, the shadows on You Youju's face became more defined, making her face appear more three-dimensional. Did the red mole between her eyebrows seem to have shrunk a little? It was bathed in orange-red light, as if casting a lingering glow.

The scene was so tranquil and peaceful, yet so ethereal, like a fleeting shadow.

Zhu Xun absurdly thought that it was all fake, a dream, as if someone like him didn't deserve to have You Youju. You Youju came suddenly, and it seemed she would leave just as suddenly.

He started to feel afraid again and unconsciously grasped You Youju's hand, which was resting on his knee.

You Youju opened his eyes at that moment. Sunlight shone into his pupils, illuminating them and making them clear and bright. The golden light sprinkled on his eyelashes made his face and eyes look like those of a god who loved the mortal world.

He looked somewhat weary. Seeing Zhu Xun staring at him with a sorrowful expression, he spoke, his voice languid: "Zhu Xun? What's wrong?"

Zhu Xun snapped out of her daze and looked down at her clasped hands: "It's nothing. Uncle looks tired. Does he need to go to bed?"

You Youju relaxed and asked, "Are you sleepy?"

Zhu Xun shook his head; he couldn't sleep.

After receiving the answer, You Youju rested her head on Zhu Xun's lap, took off her shoes and put her legs on the seat: "Wake me up if you're sleepy. Uncle will rest for a while and shouldn't linger on the way back."

Zhu Xun froze, unsure where to put his hands. Finally, he carefully took You Youju's hand in one hand and stroked her hair with the other, his gaze softening considerably.

You Youju pinched his fingers, her drowsy voice slightly mumbling, indulging Zhu Xun's actions: "You're so old, yet you're still so clingy."

Zhu Xun slightly increased the pressure in her hands, stroking You Youju's hair. Only a soft whisper escaped her lips: "I want to stay by Uncle's side forever..."

You Youju gave a mumbled reply and fell asleep.

If anyone were to see this, they would notice that Zhu Xun's gentle gaze was almost melting into water as he "caressed" his uncle's face, as if he were treasuring a precious treasure.