Chapter 44

Chapter 44

On the second day of the third month, the weather was still chilly despite the warming trend, and the spring rain fell like oil.

In recent days, Wen Hean had been busy shuttling between several mansions. Since her exile to Guxu, she had been in a lagging and passive state regarding external information.

Fortunately, Wen Liuguang had screened out her capable subordinates for her this time. They had gradually regained consciousness over the past few days, their spirits improving, and without missing any details, they described to her Wen Liuguang's bold actions after taking control of Tian Du and its fifteen surrounding cities, removing all opposition.

The changes within and outside Tian Du were significant.

She had been busy sorting through these pieces of information and hadn't returned to Mountain Wu for several days.

This morning, Wen Hean pushed open the door and took a few steps before noticing a thin, transparent barrier. Luo Qingshan shook his head vigorously from inside the barrier and shouted for Shang Huai, who was catching up on sleep, to come down and let her in.

Wen Hean blinked and sensed Lu Yuran's presence from the barrier.

A clash between two peak ninth realm powers could destroy an entire mansion. She withdrew the spiritual energy from her fingertips and curiously touched the barrier. Instantly, lightning arcs flickered on its surface, like a boundless beast baring its fangs silently under threat.

However, at the peak of the lightning's intensity, the barrier opened a cold and narrow passage just wide enough for one person to pass through, centered around her finger.

She walked in.

Luo Qingshan stood there in shock, while Shang Huai, who had been woken up by him early in the morning, stopped mid-yawn, annoyed.

Wen Hean turned back to look at the barrier, pondering something. She quickly realized what was happening and asked, "Something happened?"

"Nothing. Lu Yuran showed Imperial Court and Tian Du a bit of color; they're retaliating half-heartedly."

Shang Huai glanced at Luo Qingshan and sighed deeply. "This barrier is to protect Luo Qingshan."

Back at Mountain Wu, it was better; the witch doctors secluded themselves, buried in research on various world ailments, concocting and breaking poisons and curses. They rarely emerged every three to five years, so their weak bodies weren't much of an issue. But now, being outside and during turbulent times, they needed heavy protection.

Luo Qingshan had also worried about his poor health. His way of dealing with anxiety was jogging every morning until he was drenched in sweat and panting heavily, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

These past few days, unable to go outside, he ran laps in the large courtyard. He wiped the sweat from his eyelids with a handkerchief.

Due to the barrier automatically opening for her, Luo Qingshan stared at Wen Hean for a while, wanting to say something but finding it awkward. After a long pause, he turned to look at Shang Huai.

As the only one who noticed some of Lu Yuran's thoughts, Shang Huai stroked his chin.

Barriers aren't solid attacks; they are influenced by their masters and can subconsciously distinguish familiar auras. If the caster doesn't set strict limits, they won't prevent "acquaintances" from entering.

If this were anyone else, it wouldn't be surprising.

Everyone has friends and family in the world.

But when it came to Lu Yuran, it became intriguing.

His aloof nature, keeping people at arm's length, made even accidental touches met with a glare that could cut you into pieces. Anyone who experienced such disdain naturally kept their distance.

There was no one whose aura his spiritual energy recognized!

When setting up this barrier, to make the volatile lightning recognize their auras, he and Luo Qingshan held their hands up for an entire incense stick's duration. This barrier could only be opened simultaneously by them.

He was certain Wen Hean didn't go through the humiliating process of being recognized. She simply touched it, and the thunderous barrier let her in.

Shang Huai's eyes darted around, wondering—were Lu Yuran and Wen Hean once close?

Close enough that after three years, the lightning still faintly remembered her aura?

Shang Huai clicked his tongue, regretting not being present during Lu Yuran's first two years of bonding. He was increasingly curious about their relationship, to the point where it felt like a cat scratching his heart, impossible to ignore.

Honestly, not knowing the full story was disappointing.

Luo Qingshan went back to his room to wash and change clothes, while Wen Hean went to the backyard to see Wen Yang.

The child woke up early, and Zheng Erniang was braiding her hair. She released her grip, and Wen Yang ran over, her eyes filled with silent hope. This hope was heartbreaking, and Wen Hean paused, shaking her head: "We haven't received any news yet. They have been hiding in your village for so many years, with grand intentions... we need more time."

Wen Hean stroked her braid and asked, "Is there anything you want to learn? Do you want to cultivate?"

Wen Yang's eyes lit up, then dimmed. She said, "My brother tested my spiritual roots; I have average talent..."

Joining a sect would cost a lot of money, and outer disciples only gain a few extra years of life, not worth the effort.

Wen Hean looked her in the eye and spoke bluntly: "Your village's situation involves many parties. If our assumptions are correct, they face a slim chance of survival. And you are still young."

She paused and continued softly: "Talent isn't the only criterion for cultivation. Diligence, character, and perseverance are equally important. I can't teach you, but I can find you a good teacher."

She squeezed Wen Yang's palm, noting how fragile it felt, and said, "No tuition fees. Think about it and come back when you've decided."

Making such a life-altering decision at such a young age was undoubtedly difficult and confusing.

Wen Hean turned to leave, giving her some time, but Wen Yang grabbed her sleeve. She wasn't crying, perhaps having shed all her tears in the past few days. She said firmly, "I want to learn."

Looking up at Wen Hean, she repeated, "Sister, I want to learn."

Wen Hean looked at her, seeing the unhidden confusion, grief, and anger in her eyes. After a moment, she said, "Alright," then opened the Four Directions Mirror to inform Yueliu. She led Wen Yang out of the mansion.

Later that evening, Wen Hean returned from the market with some food. She received a message from Luo Qingshan via the Four Directions Mirror, confirming that the pine spirit had indeed revealed something.

Tonight, she had to meet Wen Liuguang.

It seemed she would spend the whole night there.

Shang Huai and Luo Qingshan were sitting in the room, studying something on the table. Seeing her arrive, Luo Qingshan didn't dare say much, while Shang Huai glanced at the sky and the mirror, muttering, "Why hasn't Lu Yuran arrived yet?"

On the table lay the pine spirit, accurately, the dismantled pine spirit.

The pine spirit felt like jade, heavy and solid. Only after it was dismantled did they realize that its weight wasn't due to the material but because it contained hundreds of intricate parts, resembling a miniature ant nest. At this moment, these tiny components were scattered across the table, revealing a small, exquisite sphere inside.

The exquisite sphere was made with extreme precision, the seams so fine that only by turning it and holding it up to the light could one glimpse the white powder within through a sliver of brightness.

Wen Hean looked at it for a while before frowning and asking, "What is this?"

Luo Qingshan had spent all his time over the past few days on this. He took out a paper packet containing the powder collected from the exquisite sphere and pointed to the table full of parts, his expression grave. "There are exactly one hundred and eighty-eight parts, all interlocking. It took me three whole days to dismantle it using origami techniques. This thing is not cheap; it's no ordinary object. The parts inside operate continuously, changing constantly, controlling the amount of medicinal powder released from the exquisite sphere."

Wen Hean continued, "And such pine spirits are in every household."

Shang Huai also frowned tightly. "That village has at least several hundred households, some even having more than one." He let out a hiss, pinching his chin. "Such elaborate effort, investing money, people, and time... all with sinister intentions..."

He didn't continue.

But Luo Qingshan and Wen Hean understood the unspoken implications. Luo Qingshan pointed to the white powder and said, "I've tested it with various methods. It's neither poison nor dust. It's something formed when a cultivator's eighth sense is materialized and then dried. I suspect that the water the villagers drank, which was said to be blessed, has the same effect as this powder."

The three fell into silence.

Wen Hean tugged at the corner of her mouth and asked, "When will your master return?"

As soon as she spoke, the barrier outside the house suddenly retracted, the dark aura overwhelming. Lu Yuran silently tore through the barrier, carrying the frosty air from outside, and stepped over the threshold into the room. His gaze swept around the room, pausing briefly on Wen Hean without showing any emotion.

Walking to the table, he said impatiently, "Let's talk business."

Wen Hean noticed that he hadn't even put on his cloak, dressed in thin clothes, relying on his lean yet superior physique. A small drop of viscous liquid mixed with blood stained his pale hand, clearly scrubbed many times until the surrounding skin turned red.

Leaning back in his chair, he half-closed his eyes and began wiping his hand again with a cloth, using spiritual energy.

Ordinary blood could be cleaned with a simple spell, so there was no need for such elaborate measures. Wen Hean sensed something and asked, "Is there a ninth realm trying to ignite your spiritual energy?"

Lu Yuran hummed in agreement, his brow furrowing deeper. "It tried to ignite but failed."

Shang Huai clicked his tongue inwardly.

Being forced to the point of self-igniting spiritual energy and still being interrupted halfway.

Xiao An must feel like living is worse than death.

Luo Qingshan hurriedly recounted their findings, and Lu Yuran tossed aside the cloth, taking a deep breath, his aura so cold it seemed to freeze the air.

Wen Hean watched him for a while, knowing he was on the verge of losing control, and softly said, "Why don't you go wash up?"

Lu Yuran nodded, rising. Clearly, he couldn't bear it anymore. He leaned on the table, speaking succinctly, "Tomorrow, the head of Tianxuan Family will use both the eighth sense and secret techniques on Xiao An. We should combine the information we get from him with what we found in the pine spirit; we might have new discoveries."

"Also, the Drowning Sea Observation Platform has just been built, and the Ruins Exploration Mirror has shown new signs of activity. It will likely activate for the second time tomorrow."

Huh?

Wen Hean's attention was drawn to the second statement. She didn't care about the situation with the Ruins Exploration Mirror but asked, "Have the other two families received the news?"

"Yes."

Timing the announcement of the second message right after the completion of the Mountain Wu Observation Platform, giving the impression that the second message depended on the first being completed. Tonight, Jiang Wushuang and Wen Liuguang would probably be rushing progress at the observation platform.

Her chances of encountering Wen Liuguang were quite high.

As Lu Yuran went upstairs, Wen Hean precisely picked out a snack from the pile she had bought, dangling it on her finger and offering it to him. "This is the last one, it should still be warm. Try it and see if you like it."

Lu Yuran looked at her for a moment before taking it with his clean hand.

Seeing this, Shang Huai poked his head forward, leaning closer and looking around curiously. Smiling, he asked, "What is it? Do Luo Qingshan and I have any?"

Lu Yuran had already started climbing the stairs but paused upon hearing this. Without looking at the naturally energetic Shang Huai, he stood on the higher step, looking down with his dark, cold eyes, silently meeting Wen Hean's gaze.

Wen Hean blinked, then shook her head at Shang Huai, saying softly, "There's none left. I only bought one."

Lu Yuran's eyebrows twitched slightly as he took the snack and went upstairs.

For the next half an hour, Shang Huai noticed Wen Hean frequently checking the Four Directions Mirror and the sky, guessing she had something to do later but not yet. Seeing this, he pondered for a while, putting away his own mirror, pulling his chair closer to Wen Hean, and began probing her relationship with Lu Yuran, carefully and gradually.

No matter how turbulent his thoughts were, he maintained a measured approach, asking questions gently and indirectly.

Unfortunately, Wen Hean always deftly evaded his questions, smiling and bending her eyes into crescents whenever she couldn't answer.

After a few attempts, Shang Huai gave up, dejectedly retrieving his mirror.

The room fell silent until Lu Yuran came downstairs after bathing and changing. The sound of his footsteps drew their attention.

He had changed into a long robe of hibiscus red embroidered with gold, removed his silver crown, and let his black hair fall freely. Perhaps finally washing off the soul fire, the chilling aura dissipated, but his innate demeanor made him seem like snow resting on a branch, silent and serene.

By this time, Wen Hean had already risen to leave.

For some reason, she put away her Four Directions Mirror, her gaze following Lu Yuran's movements.

She no longer had that intense, fixated stare, as if wanting to devour something.

Thinking about tonight's plan, she realized it carried risks, veering off the beaten path. She never harbored any unrealistic hopes or expectations for the Elders' Council of the Wen family; they were nothing but rotting flesh. After the events at Guixu, she even had doubts and concerns about her grandmother. Recalling the harsh words Wen Liuguang had spoken that day, she was uncertain whether tonight's meeting would exceed her expectations.

She had endured the demonization for too long, wearing down her patience.

If she heard the worst possible outcome, if pushed to that extreme...

People would die in Tian Du tonight.

They definitely would.

With this thought, Wen Hean looked at Lu Yuran, who was choosing a cup, intending to pour himself some cool tea. She softly called out, "Lu Yuran, are you not returning to the Mountain Wu Inn tonight?"

Lu Yuran's movements slowed. He turned around and carefully examined her, not answering but only slightly frowning and asking, "What's wrong?"

Wen Hean shook her head and smiled lightly. "I'm afraid something might happen unexpectedly."

"Hmm." Lu Yuran lifted his eyes slightly, his fingertips lingering on the smooth cup, his voice a bit low. "Not going today."

Seeing this scene, Shang Huai's eyebrows twitched.

It was just a normal exchange of two sentences, yet he felt there was an indescribable connection between them that made it hard for others to intrude. He wasn't sure if it was because he knew some inside information or if the conversation between top-tier Ninth Realm cultivators was indeed beyond him, an ordinary Ninth Realm cultivator.

Wen Hean, satisfied with the answer, relaxed. She nodded, picked up the veil, and put it on her head.

Shang Huai stared at Lu Yuran's back for a while, then took the opportunity to move his chair closer to her without drawing attention, gesturing with one hand in a very sincere manner. He seemed hesitant, his voice barely audible: "Just one question, one."

"Did you really agree to dissolve the pact? Who brought it up first?"

By the end, Shang Huai had no voice left, only mouthing the words.

He wasn't trying to cause trouble; he just subconsciously didn't believe they could have ended things so easily given their current state.

Behind him.

Lu Yuran paused slightly as he was brewing tea, then straightened his back, his eyes coldly lowering.

Holding the teacup, he turned around, leaning against the square table, his dark eyelashes sweeping over Wen Hean quietly.

The posture seemed like...

He also wanted to know how she would answer.

Wen Hean had already put on the veil. Looking at the young master of the Tianxuan family with his eager eyes, she admired his boldness and courage to challenge someone powerful. As she stood up, she lifted the veil from her face, revealing a hint of amusement and helplessness.

It seemed she thought these questions didn't need answers.

She finally replied silently by mouthing the words.

"It's true."

"I don't know." Without naming anyone, she blinked innocently when answering the second question: "But probably not me."

With that, Wen Hean calmly stepped over the threshold, her slender figure disappearing into the night, leaving the place.

Shang Huai pondered her words twice, still feeling something was off. He turned to look at Lu Yuran, startled, his eyelids twitching: "You brought it up?"

The surprise in his voice was evident.

—After all this time, it turns out you were the one who liked someone else, and you were also the one who cut ties.

Almost instantly after Wen Hean spoke, Lu Yuran's demeanor became subdued. At first, it wasn't obvious, but now under the moonlight, it seemed as if frost was settling on his silky hair, and ice was gathering in his eyes.

He had come down late at night to pour a cup of cold tea, which he hadn't drunk. Now, setting it back on the table carelessly, it made a crisp sound as the tea spilled onto his hand, which he wiped away silently with his palm.

After an unknown amount of time.

Lu Yuran rubbed his temples heavily, then looked out at the night, his voice slightly hoarse, saying only two words: "No."

Facts were facts.

The person who first had the idea of "ending" and the one who first spoke about it was not him.

Shang Huai stood there, puzzled.

Lu Yuran lost all interest in drinking tea. His wide sleeves swept across the table as he let them fall mercilessly. His pupils were pure black, and at this moment, they revealed a deep sense of suppressed frustration and turmoil: "I also want to know what she means."

Hopefully, she will return tonight.

Otherwise, he would lose patience and search the entire city for her.