Chapter 10: The Evening Before Departure

Xiaoxiang wants me to go to the Sword Demon Sect. To be honest, I really don’t want to. After journeying with these people, I realize I’ve truly grown attached to them. At first light, I got out of bed. Xu Qinghuan was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast, so I went over to help.

“Yunfei, you’re awake.” The way she called my name startled me, but I soon understood. Liu Tingting always addressed me the same way. Perhaps this girl really does have feelings for me.

“Qinghuan, I’m leaving.”

“Leaving? Where to?” Xu Qinghuan gazed at me, her eyes clouded with confusion.

“Elder Xiaoxiang wants me to train at the Sword Demon Sect.”

“Is it something you must do?”

“If I had a choice, I wouldn’t go.”

Xu Qinghuan fell silent, and so did I. We stood there, wordless, for a long time until Zhang Lei entered.

“Morning, you two,” Zhang Lei said, yawning. Xu Qinghuan quickly wiped her eyes, a gesture I noticed. Maybe she really does like me, I thought. She may look a lot like Liu Tingting, but my heart belonged to Liu Tingting—though she betrayed me in the end. Pushing aside these troublesome thoughts, I hurried out of the kitchen. If I could choose, I wouldn’t leave them either. Over this time together, these people have come to mean something to me—especially Xu Qinghuan. From the moment we first met, I felt a strange sense of familiarity with her. It wasn’t just because she resembled Liu Tingting, but because of the emptiness in her eyes—a mix of confusion and strength, strength tinged with helplessness. Of course, perhaps that’s just an excuse. More likely, I simply like her looks. After all, what man could resist a beautiful woman?

Breakfast was ready, and the others, including Yu Jing, had woken up. After everyone sat down, Xiaoxiangzi asked, “Young friend, are you ready?” I nodded, saying nothing.

“Ready for what?” Zhang Lei asked.

Xiaoxiangzi set down his bowl and chopsticks. “He’s going to the Sword Demon Sect.”

Xiaoxiang Ke’er interrupted, “Father, I want to go too!”

“Nonsense.”

“Master, there’s not a single good person in the Sword Demon Sect. Why are you sending Yunfei?” Yu Jing protested.

Xiaoxiangzi sighed and left his seat. “Even if there are no good people in the Sword Demon Sect, at least Yunfei won’t face mortal danger there.”

“What do you mean by that, Elder?” Zhang Lei asked.

“Yes, do you mean Yunfei would be in danger here?” Xu Lin, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“No more questions. Yunfei must go. If you others have nowhere to be, you can stay here for now, but I won’t support idlers—you’ll have to work,” Xiaoxiangzi said impatiently.

“Yunfei, come with me,” Xu Qinghuan said. Zhang Lei and Yu Jing exchanged mischievous glances.

“What is it you need, Miss Qinghuan?”

“Yunfei, I know you have to go, but could you let me go with you?”

Her question truly stumped me. Anyone could see she was confessing her feelings. Should I agree? In my mind’s eye, I saw a scene: at the Sword Demon Sect, sword in one hand, Xu Qinghuan in my arms. Ridiculous—the Sword Demon Sect has never accepted female disciples. Even if I said yes, none of the elders would agree.

So, composing myself, I said, “Qinghuan, you can’t go. The Sword Demon Sect doesn’t accept female disciples, and I have no choice but to go.”

Hearing this, Xu Qinghuan’s eyes filled with tears, leaving me at a loss. Even after two years with Liu Tingting, I truly don’t understand women’s hearts. Maybe her leaving was for the best. Now, I didn’t know how to comfort her. Summoning my courage, I hugged her. She hadn’t expected it and was completely flustered. I let go, gently wiped away her tears, and said, “Qinghuan, maybe I’ll be back soon. Wait for me here with Elder Xiaoxiang, will you?”

Xu Qinghuan nodded helplessly. After comforting her, we returned to the main hall. Xu Lin seemed to have noticed something between us but showed little expression. Perhaps he’d already accepted me as his future son-in-law. After breakfast, I shouldered my pack, bid everyone farewell, and set out for the Sword Demon Sect.

The journey from Heartbreak Cliff to the Sword Demon Sect was long. With a horse, I might make it in half a month. Staring at the map Xiaoxiangzi had drawn, crossed with all manner of lines, I had to admit—I was hopeless with directions. I was lost.

Before me stretched a barren desert. After a few steps, my shoes were filled with sand, so I took them off and walked barefoot on the scorching ground. It wasn’t long before my feet were red with burns. Better some protection than none, so I put my shoes back on. After nearly an hour, I finally spotted a house. Dusk was falling, the blood-red sun sinking, clouds tinged with crimson, my shadow stretching long in the fading light. As I approached, I realized it was an abandoned fortress—no one lived here. It seemed I’d be spending the night.

Inside, the main hall was supported by two massive pillars. In one corner, a staircase led upstairs. The whole place felt empty.

Climbing the stairs, I found a long corridor with many small rooms on either side. Opening one, I saw it was filled with books. Did someone live here? Another door led to a bedroom. Perhaps someone did live here. If so, all the better—I could ask for directions. Returning to the hall, I called out, “Is anyone here?”

No answer. Perhaps they were out. With no choice, I checked each room one by one. At the corridor’s end, I opened a door and found the floor awash with blood—and a young boy lying in the middle of it.

Hurrying over, I checked his breathing—he was still alive. I propped him up and tried to heal him with my internal energy, but perhaps my lack of control meant nothing happened. For now, I laid him on the bed to rest. After making sure there was no danger, I found a clean room to rest in myself. I had barely lain down when a searing pain wracked my insides.

What was happening? Why did I feel as though I had suffered internal injuries for no reason? I focused, guiding my energy through my body. Thanks to Elder Xiaoxiang’s guidance, I could barely manage this now. Upon careful inspection, I realized—I had been poisoned. But how? I hadn’t met anyone or eaten anything strange. My supplies were untouched. So where had it come from?

Feeling weak, I forced myself to the boy’s room—my only hope now was that he might wake and help me. Just as I was about to open the door, it swung open by itself. The boy stood inside, his face full of terror. My vision went black, and I collapsed.

When I awoke, all was darkness. Was I dead? No, I was still in pain.

“You’re awake.” The boy entered, holding a candle, his body wrapped in bandages—the ones I’d applied.

“Hmm. How was I poisoned?”

“The sand in this desert is highly toxic. The local villagers all know. You’re not from around here, are you?” he asked.

“No, I’m lost. Do you know which direction the Sword Demon Sect is?”

“Sword Demon Sect? Never heard of it.”

“I see. How did you get those injuries?”

The boy was silent for a long time, then suddenly burst into tears. After some coaxing, he finally told me what happened. Three days ago, his sister accidentally came into contact with the poisonous sand and was on the verge of death. He and his older sister ventured into the desert looking for an antidote. Nature balances all things—even the deadliest poison has its cure. In this case, it was a rare, highly venomous desert centipede. The boy had set a trap earlier that day, waiting for the centipede to appear. But then a group of bandits arrived, and his sister was taken. Crying, the boy told me all this.

“Which way did they go?”

“I don’t know. It’s my fault for failing to protect my sister.”

“Come with me,” I said, pulling him downstairs. Saving her couldn’t wait—a moment’s delay meant greater danger.