After Qiao Qiu took the jar back, she wrote a letter and sent it to Yu Ge via a hawk-carried messenger.

It would be most appropriate for Yuge to handle Bai Shu's matter.

There's still a month left; it would be best if we could catch them within that time.

After being reminded by Qiao Qiu, Bai Shu and Gu Youying did not go to the village, but went to the mountain instead.

Qiao Qiu's guess was absolutely right. He couldn't let go; he simply couldn't bear to watch her marry another man.

Since he didn't have the ability to kill Yuge, he would definitely try to sabotage their marriage.

Bai Shu found the cave where Yu Ge had stayed before.

The words on the cave wall had been erased by Yu Ge. He didn't want others to know too much about their intimate relationship; it was something they shared, and he didn't want anyone else involved.

If Qiao Qiu knew what Yu Ge was thinking, she would probably be secretly pleased, since they were thinking the same thing.

The pot is still here.

Gu Youying was quite happy to see the pot; with a pot, she could cook something to eat.

This way, they wouldn't have to just eat fruit to fill their stomachs.

In the evening, Gu Youying wanted to go back to get oil, salt, and other necessities.

She stared at Bai Shu for a long time before asking him if he could take her into the village.

Bai Shu also wanted to visit the village, so he readily agreed when she suggested it.

Under the cover of night, Bai Shu brought Gu Youying into the village and left her at her house before heading to the Qiao family's residence.

Bai Shu wanted to talk to Qiao Qiu alone for a while.

However, as soon as he arrived at the Qiao family's residence, he keenly sensed that something was amiss.

Bai Shu suddenly leaped up, and at the same time, more than a dozen men in black around him soared into the sky and caught up with him.

"Yu Ge actually sent you to lie in wait here. When did he become so cunning?"

Without uttering any further words, the men in black drew their swords and thrust them at him.

Bai Shu dodged left and right with agility, able to evade any tricky sword strikes they threw.

These men in black were no match for him; their swords flew out of their hands with a flick of his finger.

Bai Shu curled his lips, "You think you can stop me with just a few extra people? Isn't that a bit too wishful thinking?"

The man in black said, "We are under orders from our sect leader to protect Miss Qiao. You are a traitor, so it is our responsibility to arrest you."

"What a joke, you think you can do this?" Bai Shu waved his sleeve, and instantly the energy scattered, hitting the men in black with perfect accuracy.

The men in black were hit and fell from the sky, lying in the field unable to get up.

"Trying to stop me? Train for a few more years." Bai Shu landed on the ground, flicked his sleeves, and spoke with a smile, yet with a cold indifference.

The men in black exchanged glances. One of them, who was on the shore, took out a signal flare and was about to fire it when suddenly his hand went numb, and a sharp pain spread throughout his body.

"I won't kill you, but don't cross my line." Bai Shu walked towards the Qiao family.

Qiao Qiu was bored in the room when suddenly she felt a wisp of silk outside. She moved, the door opened and closed, and she disappeared from the room.

Bai Shu led her to the poplar grove before stopping.

Qiao Qiu lazily crossed her arms, watching his retreating figure, and chuckled, "When will you learn to talk to people face-to-face?"

Bai Shu paused, turned around, and looked at her. "I'm used to it."

"That's not a good habit," Qiao Qiu said lazily.

"You hate people who talk to you with their backs turned?" Bai Shu could see a hint of coldness in her indifferent eyes, clearly displeased.

Qiao Qiu yawned. "What does it matter whether I hate it or not? What exactly do you want from me?"

“How can this not be related? In my opinion, it’s very related. I want to change your opinion of me, and I have to do this,” Bai Shu said, looking at her.

Qiao Qiu said lazily, "Why do you have to be like this? You and I are not a good match."

"You're not with me, but with Yuge?" Bai Shu was somewhat angry.

Qiao Qiu smiled and said, "Bai Shu, you're so old now, you're not a child anymore, why don't you understand some things? What's not yours can't be forced. I like Yu Ge but not you, it was destined from the beginning."

“What do you mean by ‘destined’? I don’t believe in these things. I only believe in myself. If I can snatch you away from him, you will be mine,” Bai Shu said resolutely.

Qiao Qiu shook her head. "Don't blame me for not showing you any mercy. I've been rejecting you from the beginning. What made you have such a misconception that you still have a chance with me? What I said was indeed a bit hurtful, but this is my stance. You can't just take it away from me. Don't forget, even if you use martial arts, even if you can beat Yu Ge, you might not be able to beat me."

"Then why didn't you kill me time and time again?" Bai Shu asked.

Qiao Qiu was stunned for a moment, a hint of anger rising on her beautiful face. "Are you out of your mind? Not killing you means I'm interested in you? Do you people of the martial arts world have nothing but fighting and killing on your minds?"

“Yes,” Bai Shu said.

"What is it?" Qiao Qiu's patience was gradually running out.

"Thanks to you," Bai Shu said with a smile.

Qiao Qiu lost. It's quite a peculiar thing that this guy can be so shameless.

"You may have me in your heart, but I may not have you in mine."

"I know."

"Then don't be so persistent!" Qiao Qiu's patience had run out.

Bai Shu looked at her angry face and smiled, "But I have no other direction but to be obsessed with you."

Even if I die tomorrow, this meeting today will have been worth it.

Qiao Qiu squinted, keenly sensing that something was wrong with Bai Shu. He wasn't as spirited or confident as before.

What exactly happened during his imprisonment?

"Bai Shu, aren't you still vying with Yu Ge for the position of sect leader?"

Bai Shu laughed, "Qiao Qiu, if it weren't for you, I probably would never have known that his talent was actually far superior to mine."

Qiao Qiu looked at his face through the dim night. Her eyesight was far beyond that of ordinary people, and she saw tears glistening on his cheeks.

So, is this guy acting like this because his confidence was shattered and he lost his way?

Qiao Qiu touched her chin and came to a conclusion.

Given Bai Shu's current situation, he should be more interested in talking to someone than chasing after him relentlessly.

This child is suffering inside.

And then I inexplicably developed something like a mother-son relationship with her, right?

Qiao Qiu blinked, feeling that she was very close to the truth, but still a little short.

"Do you also think he's better than me, which is why you chose him instead of me?" Bai Shu asked when she didn't answer.

Qiao Qiu chuckled, "You're wronging me. I originally thought he couldn't beat you. I was prepared to protect him from being killed by you."

"Then why did you do that that night and leave? Weren't you afraid I'd beat you to death?" Bai Shu asked.