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"Trouble is not what you bring. This humble Daoist temple only shelters those with a destined connection, not just any stray cat or dog," said Qing Miao, completely dismissing the black-clad figures. "There's no need to thank me. You have a destiny as a noble, and even if I didn't save you, fate would have spared your life. As I mentioned earlier, I have my own selfish reasons for rescuing you."

This was the second time Qing Miao admitted his selfish motives in saving her.

"Today, it was Daoist Master who saved me and provided a place for recovery. I, Shen Shu, will forever be grateful for your kindness. If there is anything Daoist Master wishes for me to do, please feel free to ask."

Qing Miao chuckled in response. "By staying in this temple, you are already assisting this old Daoist. Do you still recall in Yang State Prefecture when I promised to answer your second question if our paths crossed again?"

He pointed his bamboo fan at Rong Shu's forehead. "Once your injuries heal, I shall answer your second question."

Without waiting for Rong Shu to inquire further, he left the main hall with a casual "Take good care of Miss Shen," disappearing in just a few strides, leaving Rong Shu and the young Daoist staring at each other.

Rong Shu asked, "May I know Daoist Master's name?"

Baoshan was addressed as "Daoist Master" for the first time, and he scratched his nose, feeling rather embarrassed. "Please call me Baoshan. My master warned that if my cultivation isn't up to par, he'll expel me from Qingyan Temple and force me to become a beggar outside."

Rong Shu called out, "Daoist Master Baoshan," and smiled. "The temple's master must be kind-hearted and wouldn't bear to send little Daoist Master away."

Seeing her reaction, Baoshan realized that this fairy-like beauty didn't take his words seriously.

But would Master truly drive someone away?

After all, the Qing Heng Sect was considered an evil cult by others. All their disciples were dead, and their religious offerings were scarce. It was only a matter of time before their lineage came to an end.

By then, Master might indeed chase him away!

Baoshan couldn't exactly say that the Qing Heng Sect was the very same demon cult that everyone despised two decades ago. He ambiguously said, "Qingyan Temple is poor, with insufficient offerings. Who knows when it might cease to exist?"

Rong Shu didn't take Baoshan's words seriously. In her eyes, the immortal-like Daoist Qing Miao seemed knowledgeable and capable of preserving the temple's offerings and legacy.

It wasn't until two days later, when she stepped out of the main hall and saw a temple with merely a vegetable field and two huts, that she realized the young Daoist had been truthful.

The poverty of this temple was the most extreme Rong Shu had ever seen in her life.

Without a purse, Rong Shu subconsciously reached for the hairpins on her head, hoping to let the young Daoist exchange them for some silver.

When her hand touched her empty hair, she snapped back to reality. Even her earrings had been taken from her—how could she still have any valuable jewelry left?

She knew without a doubt who had taken those ornaments and for what purpose.

With this thought, she couldn't help but recall the person who had saved her but also wished for her to vanish completely from this world.

Chang Ji would certainly search for her. Upon seeing that female corpse, would he mistakenly believe it was her?

If he truly misidentified her, Gu Changjin and Mama... they would go mad.

Rong Shu touched the cloth wrapped around her head.

She needed to recover quickly so she could leave and find Chang Ji and the others.

With this in mind, her heart settled.

Rong Shu stayed at Qingyan Temple for five days. As Daoist Qingmiao had predicted, no one came looking for her during those five days. Not only were there no people, not even a single bird's feather could be seen.

At first, she found it odd, but after leaving the temple today and getting lost in the seemingly endless snowy forest, she finally understood why.

This dense forest was not an ordinary place; few could enter, let alone exit, and finding the temple would be nearly impossible.

Baoshan came to find her and personally led her out of the eerie forest.

"Master has set up an array of formations around Green Rock Temple. Miss Shen, don't wander off; one misstep could lead you to be trapped inside forever. It was with these very formations that Master managed to escape from numerous enemies back then. Not even the Imperial Bodyguards could break through them."

The young Taoist's endless warnings made Rong Shu feel increasingly uneasy.

There was only one Daoist sect that could provoke the Imperial Bodyguards to launch a siege.

Looking up at the forested snowy landscape before her, Rong Shu subconsciously clenched her fists.

Her injuries were almost fully healed, but if Taoist Qing Miao didn't let her go, she would likely spend her entire life trapped in Dragon Yin Mountain.

Upon returning to the temple, Taoist Qing Miao, who had been absent for two days, suddenly reappeared from outside, clutching four or five half-dead snow rabbits.

Without asking where they had been, he tossed the rabbits to Baoshan and, after dusting his hands off, instructed, "Roast them for dinner today."

Baoshan skillfully picked up the rabbits and headed for the kitchen.

Rong Shu stared fixedly at Taoist Qing Miao.

Noticing her gaze, he raised his long white eyebrows and chuckled, asking, "Did the maze-like formation outside scare the young lady?"

Rong Shu shook her head. "Master Daoist said that saving me was out of personal interest. May I ask, are you trying to use me to draw someone out?"

Daoist Qing Miao raised his eyebrows again. This young lady was even more perceptive than he had imagined.

"Yes, that's why this old daoist told you earlier that there's no need for your gratitude. Even without me, you wouldn't have died. Your life—"

At this point, Daoist Qing Miao suddenly paused, his ears twitching as he glanced at the dilapidated wooden door of the temple.

"That person has arrived."

Rong Shu was stunned, taking a moment to understand his words.

The wooden door outside was pushed open from the outside, making a soft creak.

Rong Shu followed the sound and saw the familiar figure. Her eyes welled up with tears, blurring her vision.

"Gu Changjin..."

Chapter 110

Princeling Qiyuan of Great Yin has always been the kingdom's "unspeakable," and so has the Qing Heng Sect he once followed.

It is widely known that he fell for an evil cult's deception, attempting to defy the heavens and alter his fate.

Yet, no one truly knows how he intended to defy the heavens or alter his destiny.

In the folklores, numerous speculations have emerged. Some say he sought to save Emperor Jiande, pursuing the art of immortality. Others claim that the demonic cultist was a remnant of the previous dynasty, meticulously plotting to bewitch Princeling Qiyuan, with the intention of dragging the entire realm of Great Yin and all the Xiao family descendants down with him in his grave.