Chapter 13

Ghost Face had barely retreated when a sharp pain tore through his waist. A gash split open, and he staggered, rolled across the ground, then lurched forward several strides before leaping onto the roof. By sheer luck, he escaped with his life and fled.

At that moment, Chang'an felt his mind overflowing with mad thoughts. He was dazed, unable to control himself, while thoughts of slaughter surged endlessly forth. The Three Pure Ones and Nine Netherworlds Wondrous Dharma Lotus Heart Sutra—one thought could transcend mortality and enter sainthood; one thought could fall into demonhood. In a single stroke, Chang'an had forcibly seized seventy percent of Ghost Face's true qi. It was as though a fire dragon rampaged within him, his entire body brimming with power that could destroy all things.

Chang'an's face had twisted out of shape, as if he could fall into the demonic path at any moment.

"Chang'an, Chang'an, wake up... Fu'er can't hold on..."

Yu Fu, clutching the Jade Purity Sword, swayed and leaned against Chang'an. Then she slowly slid down, collapsing limply onto the ground.

At the most perilous moment, Yu Fu had struck with all her strength and circulated her inner power to block the fatal blow for Chang'an. The poison had already attacked her heart. She was now in utmost danger, her life hanging by a thread.

The night was black as ink, and the spring rain fell in an endless drizzle.

Somewhere in the unseen, Chang'an seemed to sense something. Yu Fu's soft call worked, pulling his thoughts back.

"Yu Fu!"

Chang'an suddenly let out a long howl. His thoughts cleared, and he lowered his head to look at Yu Fu by his feet. The madness in his eyes gradually faded away.

At last, he understood the terror of the Three Pure Ones and Nine Netherworlds Wondrous Dharma Lotus Heart Sutra. In one move, it had nearly destroyed the lawless Ghost Face completely, transforming Ghost Face's lifelong true qi into Chang'an's own strength. Chang'an could feel that he was no weaker than his former self now; his strength had recovered in one stroke. Yet he never wished to undergo such an experience again. It was simply too terrifying. Demons were born of the heart. He had no confidence that he could hold fast to the ruler in his heart; his will was not yet firm enough. If Yu Fu had not risked her life to save him this time, he would either have died or become a demon. Devouring a living person's inner power and true qi would immediately trigger the demonic thoughts in one's heart. The trial it posed to the mind was far too harsh, too cruel. Only then did Chang'an realize how weak his own will was, and how terrifying the demon lurking in his heart could be.

At that thought, Chang'an's heart clenched. Cold sweat streamed down his body as he hurriedly picked up Yu Fu, mounted the black horse, and sped away.

Yu Fu's breathing had already grown extremely weak.

The black horse, too, was exhausted to the point of foaming at the mouth, and it collapsed listlessly.

By the Mo River, Chang'an carried Yu Fu on his back and ran all the way. Another ten li, and he would reach Myriad Flower Valley.

Myriad Flower Valley was a secluded valley. Because Miao Chengfeng loved rare flowers and exotic herbs, flower gardens and grassy meadows spread throughout the valley. Flowers bloomed there in every season, never fading. There was not a moment without flowers in bloom, nor a moment without fragrance. The entire Myriad Flower Valley was like an immortal's paradise.

Outside the entrance to Myriad Flower Valley ran a mountain stream, neatly cutting the valley off from the outside world. Only a wooden bridge led into the valley.

Before the wooden bridge at the valley entrance, Chang'an saw from afar a lavish carriage slowly entering Myriad Flower Valley. Fallen blossoms drifted in profusion wherever it passed, petals dancing through the air. Its grandeur was anything but ordinary.

Chang'an had no time to look further. He raced past the carriage, catching only its rich fragrance, suffused with the delicate scent of a hundred flowers. The two snow-white horses were also exceptionally handsome, advancing elegantly with a clip-clop. Driving the carriage was a little girl in red, carrying a flower basket filled with petals of every color. Her eyes were lively. Tilting her head, she curiously glanced at Chang'an, then flicked her little hand, scattering petals in a flutter.

Chang'an reached the depths of Myriad Flower Valley without obstruction, yet he did not dare relax.

It was an undisputed fact that Miao Chengfeng had an eccentric temperament, and it was not as though he had never stood by and watched others die.

Whether he treated illnesses and saved lives depended entirely on his mood.

In the depths of Myriad Flower Valley, bees and butterflies danced amid flowers blooming in their full glory, competing in beauty and splendor. The scene was awash in brilliant spring.

Amid the sea of flowers stood three lofty wooden houses, tranquil and serene, their doors wide open. Two people, one old and one young, sat in the main hall, slowly drinking tea.

Chang'an was no stranger to this place. In a flash, he arrived before the wooden houses, and the two people inside had already risen to their feet.

"Brother Ning!"

A startled cry rang out. The first to come out of the house was a young girl. Her plain white dress was embroidered with several colorful butterflies, and her figure was graceful, her features delicate and lively.

"Suyi!"

Chang'an forced a smile, panting like an ox.

The young woman was Miao Suyi, Chang'an's sworn younger sister.

Miao Suyi's eyes reddened as she said sweetly, "Brother Ning, I already heard what happened to you. Seeing that you're safe, Suyi can finally rest easy!" Yet the first thing she had actually looked at was Yu Fu on Chang'an's back. Before her sentence had even faded, she asked again, "Brother Ning, who is this sister?"

Miao Suyi was two years younger than Chang'an and at the age of budding youth, clever and mischievous, never shy around strangers.

Chang'an said, "She is Yu Fu. She's been poisoned by Heartbreak Poison Incense. I came specifically to beg Elder Medicine King to save her!"

Miao Suyi smiled sweetly. "So this is Sister Yu Fu! She's so beautiful." Light as a swallow, Miao Suyi turned and returned to the main hall. Clinging to her grandfather's arm, she said, "Grandfather, hurry and save Sister Yu Fu!"

So the old man in the house was Miao Chengfeng, the Medicine King Miao. Though the old man had been looking outside from beginning to end, his gaze was distant and unfocused. He had no intention of paying Chang'an any heed. He seemed to be waiting for something, with no mind at all to act.

Miao Suyi pleaded coquettishly with her grandfather to save Yu Fu, but the old man merely glared at his granddaughter. He said nothing, his face full of impatience. Miao Suyi looked toward Chang'an and gave a slight shake of her head. Chang'an's expression turned ugly. When Miao Chengfeng said he would not save someone, he would not save them. He rarely changed his mind.

The last time Lu Jing had scattered Chang'an's inner power and left his life in grave danger, Miao Suyi had begged Medicine King Miao to treat him. Although he had acted and saved Chang'an's life, he had demanded an astonishing sum of silver, leaving Chang'an penniless and buried in debt. Moreover, if Chang'an had not once saved Miao Suyi, and if Miao Suyi had not pleaded so bitterly, no amount of money could have made Medicine King Miao change his mind.

This time, Miao Chengfeng did not even show the slightest intention of acting.

In all the land, those capable of curing Heartbreak Poison Incense could be counted on one hand. One of the Poison Dragon Cult's poison makers was among them, as were Guo Qingshui and the Hundred Herbs Divine Doctor, but none of them could possibly help Chang'an. Miao Chengfeng was the only hope remaining.

Yet Miao Chengfeng was determined to stand by and watch her die, not even sparing her a glance.

Holding Yu Fu, Chang'an stopped at the door outside the house and pleaded, "Elder Miao, this junior begs you to save Yu Fu. Whatever condition you name, I will accept it and exhaust every effort to fulfill it. Even if it costs me my life, I will not hesitate. I only beg you to save Yu Fu."

Miao Chengfeng continued looking into the distance outside. At that moment, two white steeds pulled a luxurious carriage slowly toward the wooden houses. Miao Chengfeng's eyes moved, and he said, "I have an honored guest arriving. This person will not be treated. Leave."

Chang'an gritted his teeth and dropped to his knees with a thud. "Elder, I beg you!"

Miao Suyi was so shocked that her mouth hung open, her face turning pale. She knew Chang'an's nature. He would rather have his kneecaps shattered than kneel before anyone, yet for the woman in his arms, he had actually abandoned his pride and principles.

Miao Suyi grew frantic. Looking at her grandfather, Miao Chengfeng, she pleaded, "Grandfather, please save Sister Yu Fu! For you, it is no more than lifting a hand. Grandfather, Suyi will kneel for you too... If you don't save her, Suyi won't get up!"

Thud! Miao Suyi knelt beside Miao Chengfeng.

Miao Chengfeng immediately grew displeased and snapped, "Nonsense! If you love kneeling so much, kneel somewhere else. Don't block the path before the door. I said I won't save her, so I won't save her. Not even immortals can change that!"

Chang'an's entire body trembled.

Nothing was more despairing than this. Hope was plainly before his eyes, only to be ruthlessly scattered to the winds; the person he loved most was right there, yet he could only watch helplessly as she drifted away.

Chang'an wanted to weep but had no tears. He threw back his head and howled at the sky, heart-rending and soul-splitting.

At some unknown moment, Yu Fu opened her eyes.

Her brows and eyes had always been so gentle. With difficulty, she raised a hand and wiped away the tears on Chang'an's cheek. She smiled softly and said, gently and with great effort, "Chang'an, don't be sad... Live in my place..."

Chang'an looked at the black blood spilling from Yu Fu's lips. The sight was horrifying, and he fell completely into despair. Bloody tears rolled down his face, drop by drop.

He could not stop crying. He could not simply watch Yu Fu leave him like this!

He held Yu Fu close, his five viscera burning as though on fire.

He had roamed the martial world and built his reputation—was it not all to increase his bargaining chips, so that Yang Qingling's grandfather would agree to let Yu Fu marry him?! He had always believed that only a peerless hero beneath heaven could be worthy of Yu Fu. He had always secretly rejoiced that, like a terrace by the water, he had first caught the moonlight. How could he ever have imagined such an ending?!

The luxurious carriage had already stopped behind Chang'an.

The little girl driving the horses lightly leaped down from the carriage and lifted the curtain of the compartment. Her black eyes turned as she curiously looked toward Chang'an and Yu Fu.

From inside the carriage, a graceful, noble, peerlessly beautiful young matron stepped down. She wore colorful robes, every glance making her shine.

The moment the young matron stepped down, she first looked at Chang'an. Her eyes held surprise and curiosity, while a faint smile remained on her face. That smile was bright and gentle enough to make even a hundred flowers pale.

The little girl suddenly said, "Madam, is this the great demon Ning Family's Chang'an?!"

The plump young matron whom the girl called Madam replied, "It should be."

The little girl added, "Madam, should Yaya report him to the authorities at once and have the officials come arrest him?"

The young matron gave a soft laugh. "Yaya, don't you pity her?! One ought to have a little compassion."

Yaya shrugged. Seeing the blood at Yu Fu's lips and her haggard face, she stuck out her tongue.

Chang'an had already risen while holding Yu Fu. Looking at Miao Chengfeng, he asked, "Will you save her or not?" His voice was already cold—terrifyingly cold, devoid of emotion.

Miao Suyi gave a slight shudder, her face turning pale with unease.

Miao Chengfeng angrily said, "I won't!"

Chang'an laughed three times. Looking at Yu Fu in his arms, he said softly, "Fu'er, we're going back. We're going home!" He carried Yu Fu toward the valley entrance, his figure desolate and cold.

The young matron looked at Chang'an's back and suddenly said, "Ning Family's Chang'an, I can save her!"

Chang'an stopped. "Are you an immortal?"

The young matron smiled sweetly. "How could I be an immortal? If I were an immortal, I would not have so many troubles!" Then she looked at Miao Chengfeng and said, "Mister Miao, if I remember correctly, you seem to owe me a favor."

Miao Chengfeng's face darkened. "This old man remembers."

The young matron's expression became serious. "Then save the woman in Ning Family's Chang'an's arms, and consider it repayment of that favor."