After the Death Ceremony, I was Entangled by My Two Wives - Chapter 30

It was late at night, and the entire city had fallen into silence, yet there was no sense of tranquility. The faint, lingering gaze remained.

“They seem to be on high alert,” Qiao Yu remarked casually.

Jiang Liuyan continued leading the way without stopping to look at her. “These are unusual times,” she said coolly. “Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality.”

Her words were a tacit admission that she had people watching them.

Zhao Qingxun knew the Flowing Cloud Sect’s reputation in Chasing Wind City. It was already surprising they had been allowed entry. After all, the person beside the City Lord had once been imprisoned in the dungeons for quite some time—hardly a pleasant experience.

“We’re the ones intruding,” Zhao Qingxun said apologetically, stealing a glance at Yun Xiangwan. She caught Yun Xiangwan smiling at her, then quickly averted her gaze.

It felt like Yun Xiangwan could see right through her thoughts, just as before.

Yun Xiangwan watched Zhao Qingxun turn away, feeling that she had changed so much, yet remained fundamentally the same.

She wondered what would happen if the two were to meet again, but kept her thoughts to herself.

If she’s really Ying Buran… I’ll have to fleece her for everything she’s worth.

Jiang Liuyan glanced at Yun Xiangwan, shook her head, and stopped, turning to the two women. “We’ll settle here for now. Is that acceptable?”

Zhao Qingxun surveyed the room, then subtly scanned the surroundings, sensing hidden eyes behind the tightly closed doors and windows.

“Of course. Thank you for your trouble,” Zhao Qingxun replied, cupping her hands in a gesture of gratitude.

Jiang Liuyan nodded. “We’ll take our leave then. We’ll notify you if anything comes up.” With a final glance at Yun Xiangwan, the two women departed.

Zhao Qingxun stepped into the room only after they had left. As she closed the door, she spotted a black bird perched atop the opposite building. Though nearly invisible in the darkness, she immediately pinpointed its location.

For some reason, she sensed intense hostility radiating from the bird.

A sleepless night.

The next day, Qiao Yu, having nothing better to do, noticed Zhao Qingxun emerging from her room and heading straight for the main gate. She called out to stop her. “Senior Sister Zhao, do you have any plans for today?”

Zhao Qingxun glanced at her before turning back forward. “No, I’m just going for a walk. You’re free to do as you please too. Don’t follow me.”

“How heartless, Senior Sister Zhao,” Qiao Yu said, clutching her chest as if wounded. Zhao Qingxun didn’t even glance at her, walking straight past with a dismissive pout. “Fine, fine, I’ll just wander around myself then.”

Ignoring Qiao Yu, Zhao Qingxun felt the world brighten around her. The streets were becoming more crowded—was this a sign that things were improving?

Chasing Wind City’s ability to respond to and resolve crises was even stronger than she had anticipated.

It was wonderful to find such a place in this world.

Perhaps it was because they didn’t believe in fate, but the atmosphere here was strikingly different from the other towns she had visited. Was it because they weren’t beholden to any Sect and thus enjoyed greater freedom?

Compared to other settlements, the people here seemed to possess a greater vitality, a stronger yearning for the future, and an unwavering drive to strive for it.

She longed for this kind of life.

“A newcomer? Are people still entering the city?” A stranger’s voice, devoid of malice but tinged with curiosity, sounded from behind her. Zhao Qingxun snapped out of her thoughts and turned to see an unfamiliar woman.

The woman scrutinized her, her wariness evident due to Zhao Qingxun’s distinctly different attire. Yet Zhao Qingxun sensed no ill intent from her.

She’s probably another refugee, like the Physician, she thought.

Zhao Qingxun looked around, then pointed to herself. “Me?”

The woman nodded, sensing Zhao Qingxun’s unfamiliarity with the city’s customs. “Yes. Try to stay indoors as much as possible. If you need anything, ring the bell outside your window, and a soldier will come to assist you.”

Only then did Zhao Qingxun notice the bells hanging outside each window, connected by strings that extended into the houses. “Ring the bell? Is there an extra charge for that?”

“No charge,” the woman replied. “According to the City Lord, it’s one of their duties. They maintain the city’s stability and security, while we ensure the smooth circulation of resources.” She waved goodbye. “Farewell. I hope you can start a new life here.”

Zhao Qingxun instinctively waved back, then paused before murmuring, “…Thank you.”

She stood there for a long time until her ring suddenly emitted a faint glow, drawing her gaze in another direction.

For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a figure flash by. Despite the brief glimpse, she recognized the person instantly.

It was Ying Buran.

Zhao Qingxun froze for a moment, then immediately gave chase.

Earlier that day…

Zhao Chao’an flitted around the room, only settling down when Ying Buran put down her book. “Where are we going today?”

Ying Buran carefully stowed away the complete copy of the Senluo Art that Yun Xiangwan had given her. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Mother didn’t mention needing our help with anything specific, so we should be free to look around. I plan to visit the medical center to see if there’s anything we can assist with.”

“Great! Let’s go! Since both of us are immune to the plague, we don’t have to worry about getting infected there,” Zhao Chao’an chirped, landing on Ying Buran’s shoulder. She waved a wing forward, her excitement tinged with a hint of nervousness.

I hope we don’t run into that person, Zhao Chao’an murmured inwardly.

Unaware of Zhao Chao’an’s apprehension, Ying Buran was preoccupied with her own thoughts and didn’t immediately move. “Hmm, I should tell Mother first.”

She had heard that sharing things with family could strengthen their bond. While she wasn’t sure what to share, this seemed like a good starting point.

Besides, informing her mother would likely ease her worries and might even provide some clues about the current situation at the medical center.

“The medical center? Alright, but are you sure you don’t need any protective Magic Artifacts?” Jiang Liuyan asked, handing Ying Buran a bag of sweets, her concern evident.

Ying Buran accepted the dessert. Even before opening it, she could already smell its fragrant aroma, a small thrill of anticipation fluttering in her heart. She assured Jiang Liuyan, “No need. The plague can’t withstand ghostly energy.”

Jiang Liuyan glanced at Zhao Chao’an, who nodded in agreement. Only then did she relax slightly, reminding them, “Alright, be careful.”

“Oh, by the way,” Jiang Liuyan added, “two members of the Flowing Cloud Sect have arrived in the city. If you don’t want to deal with them, just avoid them. One of them looks exactly like you in human form.”

Zhao Chao’an bristled at the mention, hopping down and flapping her wings in a furious frenzy, squawking, “What?! That wretch dares show her face here? She’d better hope I don’t run into her!”

Ying Buran reached out, scooped up the little black bird, and stroked her feathers soothingly. “Understood,” she said to Jiang Liuyan. “We’ll be on our way now.”

Though Ying Buran felt a flicker of apprehension about encountering old acquaintances, she was relieved to avoid any such encounters. They arrived at the medical station without incident.

“Hello?” Ying Buran called out, peering inside. She immediately spotted two figures huddled in a corner, digging into their rice bowls. One of them was Su Junying.

Seeing her, Su Junying instinctively raised her hand and waved. “Oh! Fellow Daoist Ying! Want a bite?”

Ying Buran, carrying Zhao Chao’an, approached the pair and politely declined Su Junying’s offer of meat with a wave. “No, thank you. Is everything here mostly settled now?”

Su Junying’s bowl contained only a few pieces of meat, and she couldn’t eat anyway.

Qu Lingyou, squatting beside Su Junying, let out a weary sigh, her dark circles heavy and her energy drained. “Probably. At least those Medical Cultivators are safe now. Can’t let them sit idle. I haven’t rested in days—I’m done.”

If I keep going, I’ll drop dead.

Only after speaking did Qu Lingyou notice Ying Buran. They had only met briefly before, and with Ying Buran now wearing half a mask, it took her a moment to recognize her.

“Yo, long time no see! Still alive, huh?” she greeted weakly, waving a listless hand before returning to her meal.

Ying Buran paused, surprised to encounter another familiar face. A faint sense of unease crept in. “Hmm? Yes. Is there anything I can help with?”

Fortunately, Qu Lingyou didn’t notice Ying Buran’s emotional fluctuations. After a moment of sluggish thought, she decisively gave up. “Let me think… Hmm, there is something, but not right now. Sit down and wait until I finish eating.”

With nothing else to do, Ying Buran simply squatted down beside Qu Lingyou, holding Zhao Chao’an, and waited for her to finish eating.

The atmosphere in the medical center was no longer as oppressive as before, suggesting the situation wasn’t as critical as they had initially feared.

After finishing her meal, Qu Lingyou squinted slightly before saying, “All those showing symptoms have been treated, but the problem lies in the many potential carriers. We have no way of knowing who else has been infected.”

Su Junying continued, “We can’t just let them go unchecked or wait for symptoms to appear. Checking everyone individually is impractical, so we need a method to screen or treat large groups at once.”

Ying Buran stroked her chin. “That’s a real problem. Do you have any leads?”

“Yes, we’re planning to create a medicinal rain by mixing the medicine into the rain,” Qu Lingyou explained. She and the young disciple from the Myriad Phenomena Sect had been researching this method for days, and fortunately, they had made some progress.

Seeing their utterly calm, even slightly dispirited expressions, Zhao Chao’an guessed, “The medicine isn’t finished?”

At this, Qu Lingyou scratched her head in frustration and clicked her tongue. “We’re missing one ingredient. I’m out of stock, so I need to go gather it. Here’s the list—one or two of these might work.”

Ying Buran took the list and stared at it in disbelief. “So many… do we have to find and test each one individually?”

Qu Lingyou, already accustomed to this process, hummed in agreement. “That’s how medicine testing works. I’ll set off as soon as I’ve rested a bit. Why don’t you two go enjoy your last bit of free time?”

Su Junying froze. “Huh?”

Qu Lingyou flicked her forehead, exasperated. “You’ll be helping me test the medicine later! I can’t do it all myself, can I? Or are you counting on those useless weaklings who collapse at the slightest whiff? I’d thank the heavens if they didn’t poison themselves while trying to help.”

Su Junying clutched her forehead and mumbled weakly, “Okay…”

That hurt.

 

Afterward, the two women and the bird were promptly evicted, the reason being that their presence was disturbing Qu Lingyou’s sleep.

Standing blankly on the street, the two women exchanged bewildered glances. Zhao Chao’an, perched on Ying Buran’s shoulder, yawned leisurely, acting as if none of this concerned her.

Su Junying scratched her head, gazing at the slowly increasing crowd on the street. “Where do we go now?” she asked, feeling lost.

“I don’t know… We have nothing else to do, so how about we just wander around?” Ying Buran glanced around. Waiting around felt too dull; aimless strolling would at least pass the time.

Su Junying agreed without hesitation. “Perfect! Now that the lockdown seems to be lifted, we won’t attract too much attention walking around.”

People were already beginning to stir on the streets, transporting supplies, setting up stalls to sell goods, or trading. Though still sparse, their presence breathed a bit of life back into the city.

Despite the recent plague—Jiang Liuyan had announced the results and declared that medication was available for treatment. Those feeling unwell were instructed to visit medical centers or ring a bell for assistance. The people on the streets weren’t sighing or lamenting; some were even discussing their plans for the future.

Su Junying watched the scene with a hint of melancholy. “The cities here feel so different from back home,” she remarked. “Everyone has their role, but there’s no rigid structure. Instead, there’s a sense of freedom.”

Ying Buran’s gaze swept over the stalls before turning to Su Junying, curious about her remark. “Why do you say that?”

Su Junying sighed and spread her hands in explanation. “You probably haven’t seen what cities affiliated with Sects are like, have you? While they enjoy the Sect’s protection—making them much safer and ensuring assistance during Heaven’s Wrath—the burden is heavy. They must provide substantial resources to the Sect, the exact amount depending on the Sect’s regulations.”

As she spoke, she glanced at the sky. The clouds were beginning to part here, but dark clouds still loomed in the distance. It was like the contrast between life here and back home: here, the skies were clearing, while there, people still struggled under the weight of oppression. “Some Sects demand less, others more. How can a city possibly gather so many resources? Naturally, by squeezing every last drop from its people. Under such immense pressure, the city’s exploitation of its residents reaches its limit, leaving no room for vitality.”

The Sect’s assistance to cities depended on the resources they offered as tribute. To secure better protection, some cities relentlessly exploited their residents, leaving the entire city reeking of a living death, as if its future had vanished.

Ying Buran fell silent for a moment before asking, puzzled, “Then why don’t the people in these cities just leave?”

“They fear being targeted by Heaven’s Wrath, especially now that it’s striking faster and more frequently. But the truth is, even if they leave, Heaven’s Wrath might not necessarily find them. It’s all uncertain—it just depends on whether they’re willing to gamble.”

Those with the courage or lack of fear had already fled, either to small villages beyond the Sect’s reach or to Chasing Wind City.

Those without such daring naturally remained trapped, enduring their fate.

Ying Buran watched the bustling crowds. Among them, some wore clothes different from the others, their faces showing confusion as they wandered the streets until guided to their destinations by local residents. “So they’re hiding from Heaven’s Wrath… And you? Are you chasing after it?” She turned to Su Junying, the first person she had met who was actively confronting Heaven’s Wrath.

Su Junying nodded. “Mm-hmm, everyone needs something to strive for in life. Some dedicate themselves to the Dao, others chase wealth and status. I cultivate the Dao to resolve Heaven’s Wrath.”

Ying Buran raised an eyebrow, still curious. “Why do you want to resolve it?”

“I don’t believe human lives are determined by fate. I only trust myself.” Su Junying paused, her voice softening. “My mothers died because of Heaven’s Wrath. I begged the disciples and elders of the Sect responsible for our city to help, but no one would lift a finger. They all said it was Heaven’s Mandate, that no one could stop it.”

Zhao Chao’an tilted her head, gazing at Su Junying. After a moment of silence, she said, “But you refused to believe them. And thank goodness you did. At least your future is entirely in your own hands.”

“Exactly! At least I kept my promise to my mothers.” Su Junying smiled, her bitterness long since faded. She would carry on living for them.

Ying Buran hesitated before patting Su Junying’s shoulder. “Congratulations.”

“Hehe, let’s hope we all have futures bathed in light! I really believe we can!” Su Junying grinned, throwing her arm around Ying Buran’s shoulder without hesitation.

Ying Buran stiffened momentarily before relaxing, a faint smile returning to her lips.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics—new and interesting things they’d seen, or amusing anecdotes from their past experiences.

As more people arrived, some recognized Ying Buran and greeted her: “Greetings, Young City Lord.”

“Good morning, Young City Lord!”

After a brief moment of confusion, Ying Buran understood and smiled back. “Good morning to you all.”

Su Junying’s gaze followed those who greeted Ying Buran. She leaned closer and whispered, “Why do they call you Young City Lord? Are you the City Lord’s daughter?”

Ying Buran nodded, surprised that the news had spread so quickly. “Yes, I didn’t think many people knew yet.”

Zhao Chao’an tilted her head left, then right, clearly delighted. “Looks like Mom’s really eager to announce it. It’s only been one night, and we arrived here quite late.”

Su Junying froze again. “Huh?”

Mom? When did they become so close?

Ying Buran coughed twice to change the subject, wanting to prevent Su Junying from overthinking their nascent relationship. “Ahem, we were forced apart when I was very young. She’s been searching for me all these years. Now that we’ve found each other, we’ve finally reunited.”

Su Junying let out a long “Oh,” then clapped sincerely for Ying Buran. “I see! Congratulations!”

“Oh, right, I’ve been curious about something,” Ying Buran suddenly remembered.

Su Junying’s clapping hands froze mid-air. “What is it?”

Ying Buran glanced around before lowering her voice. “In your sect, are there many others who defy Heaven’s Wrath like you?”

“Quite a few people research Heaven’s Wrath, but chasing after it… I think I’m the only one? I’m not sure why,” Su Junying said, shrugging after a moment of earnest thought.

To her, treating the “punishments” inflicted by Heaven’s Wrath and then pursuing it seemed perfectly logical. Only by understanding Heaven’s Wrath could its root cause be addressed.

Zhao Chao’an offered a different perspective. “It’s one thing for people to seek help and accept treatment, but chasing after Heaven’s Wrath like you do is another matter entirely. To put it another way, you’re challenging the Spirit of Heaven.”

In the beginning, the Cultivation World still revered the two Ancestors, upholding their ideals of self-determination. After all, the path the Human Race now walked had been forged through their ancestors’ defiance of fate and relentless struggle.

However, under the Sects’ deliberate manipulation, belief in the Spirit of Heaven gradually grew, and the influence of Heaven’s Wrath expanded. The notion that Heaven’s Mandate was immutable became deeply ingrained.

Su Junying hadn’t thought so deeply about it. She simply refused to accept it. Why should her mothers, who had never committed any wrongdoing, be punished with death by this so-called divine retribution? “Is that so? I hadn’t considered that.”

Zhao Chao’an looked at her and suddenly asked, “Do you believe in Him?”

Su Junying shook her head, her denial unwavering. “No. He’s too capricious. Heaven’s Wrath is utterly illogical—it’s just a way to steal lives. I’ll never believe in such a Heaven.”

“Most people in this city don’t believe in Heaven either.”

Someone overheard their conversation and nodded in agreement before passing by to resume their work.

“I see…” Ying Buran nodded, gaining a deeper understanding of this city.

It’s no wonder they’ve banded together here, full of hope for the future.

Seeing that neither of them had anything more to say, Su Junying stepped in front of them, looking left and right. “You don’t believe it, do you? Trust me, this isn’t something good.”

“I don’t believe in Heaven,” Ying Buran said earnestly and firmly. “I will slay Heaven.”

Perhaps because the previous topic had been a bit heavy, they fell silent for a while before resuming their casual conversation.

As they walked, hurried footsteps seemed to approach from behind. At first, Ying Buran paid no attention, until someone tugged at the corner of her robe.

“A’Ran!”

Ying Buran froze, her gaze snapping from behind her to Zhao Chao’an on her shoulder. It was her voice.

No, the voice had come from behind. Zhao Chao’an was also staring behind her, her fur bristling.

“Let go! Let go! Let go! How dare you call her by that name? Let go of her hand! Let go!” Zhao Chao’an flew into the air, hovering above the hand gripping Ying Buran’s robe and ranting furiously.

Zhao Qingxun, however, seemed oblivious to the pain, her eyes fixed solely on the person before her. “A’Ran, I…”

She opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. A thousand thoughts vanished, replaced by an overwhelming urge to sob.

Ying Buran turned to look at the person who resembled Zhao Chao’an, her mind reeling. For a moment, she couldn’t process what she was seeing.

The two women were identical in appearance and voice. The only differences lay in their demeanor and attire.

Zhao Chao’an favored black or crimson robes, while the woman before her wore a pale green gown. Her aura was cool and reserved, yet beneath that composure lay a palpable sense of suppression.

“You two?” Ying Buran glanced at Zhao Chao’an, who was still squawking indignantly, then back at the newcomer, utterly bewildered.

Su Junying recognized Zhao Qingxun instantly. No one of their generation was unfamiliar with Senior Sister Zhao, and Cheng Banxia often complained about her.

She had been about to greet her, but sensing the strange tension between the two women and the bird, she chose to remain silent and discreetly shifted to the side.

Hearing Ying Buran’s words, Zhao Chao’an erupted into a frenzy of squawks: “I’m nothing like her! She’s the one who betrayed you! I would never betray you!”

Zhao Qingxun noticed Ying Buran staring blankly at the mask covering half her face. Knowing Ying Buran well, she understood that there must be a reason for only concealing half her face—something must have happened.

The sharp cry of the black bird snapped her out of her reverie. She lowered her gaze and murmured, “I… I’m sorry. I know it’s late, but I’m truly sorry. It was presumptuous of me.”

Ying Buran was somewhat confused about what she was apologizing for. Seeing Zhao Chao’an frantically gesturing at her, and recalling the earlier descriptions of her past, she began to suspect the reason.

Their entanglement had drawn a crowd of onlookers. As more people gathered, Ying Buran suggested, “…There are too many people here. Let’s find somewhere else to talk.”

Hearing this, Su Junying retreated even further, nearly fleeing. “Ah, I’m not going over there! I’ll go check on the seniors instead!” With that, she darted away.

Ying Buran watched her hasty departure, unsure what to make of it. But since Su Junying had left voluntarily, she assumed there was no immediate problem. She then used the Heavenly Spirit Mirror to ask Jiang Liuyan if there was a suitable place for them to talk.

Eventually, a soldier led them to the third floor of a tea pavilion and thoughtfully closed the door behind them.

After settling down, Ying Buran finally spoke, “Why are you… Never mind. Are you a disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect?”

She had almost forgotten that Zhao Chao’an and Zhao Qingxun were originally the same person.

The Flowing Cloud Sect… wasn’t that one of the sects that had caused her death?

Zhao Qingxun, who had been examining the mask—which seemed to conceal much—looked at her with disbelief and a hint of sadness. “A’Ran, you don’t remember me?”

Ying Buran shook her head, her composure far steadier than Zhao Qingxun’s. “I’m sorry. I’ve lost many of my memories and genuinely don’t recall you.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chao’an immediately flapped her wings, trying to drive Qingxun away. “Did you hear that? If you know what’s good for you, leave now!”

Zhao Qingxun finally gave the bird a proper look. This was the same bird that had been glaring at her last night. She hadn’t realized it belonged to Ying Buran.

And the bird’s hostility was palpable. Could it be because of something that happened in the past?

“Who is she?” Zhao Qingxun asked, pointing at the bird nipping at her finger and looking at Ying Buran for help.

Ying Buran frantically tried to think of how to introduce Zhao Chao’an. Unable to come up with anything, she forced herself to speak, “She’s…”

“What’s it to you? If you’ve got nothing to say, get lost! We have things to do!” Zhao Chao’an chirped, only calming down slightly when Ying Buran stroked her fur.

Zhao Qingxun quickly interjected, “I do have something to say. I owe you a real apology, even if you don’t remember.”

She took a deep breath, laying bare her deepest thoughts for Ying Buran to see: “I thought that if I was just good to you, I could cover up all the evil. But I’ve realized that was just self-deception. The harm has already been done, and my attempts to make amends only caused you more pain. It’s all my fault.”

With each word, she seemed to see the moments Ying Buran was imprisoned, the scenes of heavenly lightning striking her, shattering the everyday moments of their past love into fragments.

If I hadn’t run away, would things have turned out differently?

Ying Buran remained silent, resting her chin in her hand, lost in thought. This only made Zhao Qingxun’s anxiety grow.

She quickly added, “I don’t expect you to accept this. I created this mess, and I deserve to bear the consequences.”

Even if Ying Buran never forgave her in this lifetime, or even wanted to punish her, Zhao Qingxun was willing to accept it all.

To her surprise, Ying Buran gently shook her head, her voice as calm as ever. “It wasn’t entirely your fault.”

Zhao Chao’an immediately panicked, bouncing around to face Ying Buran with disbelief. “Huh? A’Ran, you’re not going soft, are you?”

“No, I’m just stating the facts,” Ying Buran replied, shaking her head. “Besides her, there were many others. Together, they all contributed to my death.”

She could still distinguish between things clearly, refusing to place all the blame on Zhao Qingxun. Of course, she wouldn’t forgive Zhao Qingxun either.

Ying Buran met Zhao Qingxun’s gaze directly. This time, Zhao Qingxun saw neither love nor hatred in her eyes, only indifference, which made her even more frantic. “As for you… I’ve forgotten everything now. I’ve received your apology. Let’s end it here. From now on, we have no connection whatsoever.”

With that, Ying Buran rose to leave. But as she stood, Zhao Qingxun grabbed her sleeve.

Zhao Qingxun’s voice trembled as she looked at her pleadingly. “Not even a trace?”

She now wished Ying Buran hated her deeply; at least that would maintain some connection between them.

Ying Buran gently tugged her sleeve free, rescuing her garment. “By your own admission, you deceived me. A relationship founded on lies could only end peacefully.”

The Heavenly Spirit Mirror emitted a soft glow, promptly rescuing her from the situation. “Someone’s calling for me. Farewell.”

With that, she left without a backward glance, Zhao Chao’an following close behind, even sticking her tongue out at Zhao Qingxun as if she had won.

Once outside, Zhao Chao’an remained uneasy. “You really didn’t soften?”

She flew in front of Ying Buran, scrutinizing her face until she detected no lingering emotion, finally relaxing.

“Why would I soften?” Ying Buran replied coolly. “We have no connection now. Whatever feelings once existed are now a closed chapter. My sole focus is avenging those who killed me. Nothing more.” She didn’t want to dwell on these matters; each thought brought a sharp pang to her heart.

Completely forgetting something so personal was impossible. She could only hope that with time, the pain would gradually fade.

Zhao Chao’an stared at Ying Buran in silence, while Ying Buran returned her gaze without a trace of guilt.

After a moment, Zhao Chao’an was the first to yield, flying back to perch on Ying Buran’s shoulder. “…It’s probably for the best. Let’s just ignore her and focus on our vision. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

“Thank you,” Ying Buran replied, scratching the little black bird’s head as she continued walking. “Su Junying and the Physician have messaged us again. Let’s go.”

As soon as they entered the room, Qu Lingyou said, “You’re here? Then let’s prepare to leave. Do you have any fast transportation? We should aim to return within three days.”

Ying Buran’s footsteps faltered for a moment before she quickened her pace, asking anxiously, “Is it going to erupt again in three days?”

If that were the case, they’d better hurry even more.

To her surprise, Qu Lingyou shook her head and declared matter-of-factly, “No, it’s just that my energy can only sustain me for three days outside.”

Ying Buran was momentarily speechless, her lips twitching. Under Qu Lingyou’s gaze, she quickly nodded. “Understood, understood.”

Qu Lingyou then turned to Su Junying, who also nodded rapidly. Only then did she continue, satisfied, “We’re going here. Just find the herbs and hand them over to me. Your job is to get me there safely and protect me. This place is full of medicinal herbs, but also teeming with demons—and I can’t fight any of them in my current state.”

After explaining, she looked up at the two of them. “Any questions? Anything you don’t understand?”

But her gaze clearly meant, “Dare to not understand, and you’ll regret it.”

Ying Buran shook her head decisively. “No, I think I understand.”

Su Junying, however, missed Qu Lingyou’s subtle hint and raised her hand earnestly. “Yes! I can’t fly. I can only run on two legs.”

“…Then how did you get here?” Qu Lingyou asked, incredulous.

Su Junying replied matter-of-factly, “I ran, of course! It was easy.”

Ran? Did she even know how far the Myriad Phenomena Sect was from Chasing Wind City? “…Easy, my ass! That leaves us with only one option.” Qu Lingyou rubbed her temples, at a loss for words.

As for that final option… all three turned to look at Zhao Chao’an.

Zhao Chao’an, who had been preening her feathers, startled at the sudden attention. Meeting their expectant gazes, she deflated. “Fine, fine, I’ll take you there.”

“Then let’s go. Who’s that at the door?” Qu Lingyou put away the map and stood up, freezing as she looked toward the entrance.

A figure stood in the doorway, yet no one had stopped her.

Zhao Chao’an immediately turned to look, her anger flaring when she recognized the familiar face. “What is it now? You again?!”

Zhao Qingxun ignored the chirping bird hopping on the table and cut straight to the point: “I have a flying boat. It can easily accommodate all of us, and we can make the round trip in three days.”

Qu Lingyou’s eyes lit up, but she didn’t immediately agree. Instead, she cautiously asked, “What do you want?”

“I want to come along and help,” Zhao Qingxun replied.

Qu Lingyou stroked her chin, probing, “Does the flying boat have sleeping quarters?”

Zhao Qingxun nodded. “Yes. The boat has expandable space, so everyone will have their own room.”

Qu Lingyou’s eyes flickered with interest. This sounded feasible—sleeping in a proper room would be far more comfortable than sleeping on a bird’s back. Besides, Zhao Qingxun’s presence here meant she was either safe or needed to be monitored.

“Then you can come too,” Qu Lingyou declared, settling the matter.

Zhao Chao’an, however, was displeased, glaring fiercely at Zhao Qingxun. “What are you trying to accomplish by following us?”

“I’m not following you,” Zhao Qingxun said, shaking her head. She then turned to Ying Buran, asking cautiously, “Would you… mind if I accompanied you?”

Ying Buran had just watched Qu Lingyou make her decision with a helpless shake of her head. “As long as you maintain your distance,” she replied.

Zhao Qingxun’s eyes brightened, and she nodded quickly, afraid Ying Buran might change her mind. “Okay.”