Lu Yanqing and Wen Lanfeng both understood in their hearts that Yan Zhuixing and Xin Lao San had most likely escaped. Even if they had not, with such a massive search unable to find them, the hope of ever locating them again was probably slim.
Yet Xin Lao Jiu still refused to give up, leading Lingfang Valley disciples and members of the Wen family in a frenzied continued search. Everyone could understand how he felt. Three elder brothers had died at once, and another might well be hanging by a thread. How could he not be anxious...
At the summit of the medicine cottage, two figures stood before a cliff in the setting sun, one tall and slender, the other graceful and willowy. The lush Lingfang Valley had been dyed a dim reddish yellow by the sunset...
For several days straight, Lu Yanqing had spent most of her time standing here, gazing over the cold and desolate Lingfang Valley, her furrowed brows never easing. Wen Lanfeng softly sighed. "Yanqing, since it has already happened, try to let it go."
"First Brother, Second Brother, Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother, and Ninth Brother have all gone mad with worry. I am useless as their master—I could not even protect disciples right beneath my nose. I have let them down. If First Brother, Second Brother, Fourth Brother, and Eighth Brother had not gone out to gather herbs recently, then..." Lu Yanqing shook her head in anguish.
Wen Lanfeng kindly comforted her, "You cannot be blamed for this! Who could have known that after Yan Zhuixing escaped from the Treasure Gathering Basin, he would actually hide in your Lingfang Valley? Otherwise, a crowd would have long since come hunting him down. How could they have allowed him to wreak havoc here?"
"No, it is all