Yu Chao and Su Lang drew their swords, a fierce battle poised to erupt.
Xiang Ning cried urgently, "Stop! Don't fight anymore! Both of you, stop fighting!"
Neither listened to a word she said. Today, they were determined to fight until one of them died!
Watching the two men locked in combat, Xiang Ning could not help picturing a snow-white figure.
Ye Fan, if only you were still here. No matter how many pretty birds flutter around outside, none could match your thoughtfulness and understanding.
Yet at that very moment, the Ye Fan whom Xiang Ning longed for was covering his mouth, his body trembling uncontrollably with emotion.
Crack- Ye Fan stepped on a branch and snapped it.
The sound was not loud, but what rustle of wind or grass could escape Xiang Ning's notice?
"Who's skulking over there?"
Ye Fan's hands and feet went cold, and he instinctively turned to flee.
As though sensing something, Xiang Ning was about to give chase, but Yu Chao and Su Lang blocked her path.
Bitterness swept through Ye Fan's heart. Of course. Someone like you never lacks men at her side.
Yu Chao gave Su Lang a meaningful look. Su Lang understood and quietly slipped out of the courtyard. Before long, he caught up with Ye Fan, who was fleeing in panic.
"It's you?" A glint of malice and wariness flashed through Su Lang's eyes. "The children in your belly..."
"No, they aren't Ning's!" Ye Fan said fearfully, shielding his belly.
"Whether they're the War God's or not, I can't let this scourge live!" With that, Su Lang raised his sword and thrust it at Ye Fan.
Pregnant as he was, Ye Fan's body was already heavy, and he could not dodge the strike at all.
His foot slipped, and he fell from the towering cliff.
Su Lang stood at the top of the cliff and peered down. After a while, he sheathed his sword and turned to leave.
Xiang Ning clutched her chest over her heart. How strange. Why have I felt so unsettled all day, as though I'm about to lose the most important thing in my life?
Tears streamed down Ning Xiang's face.
Not from being moved, but from regret.
She bitterly regretted not killing Bai Yueguang in Thousand Calamities Valley.
With trembling fingertips, she opened the comments and spotted several familiar names-
Tender gazes, speechless: Waaaah, the War God is such a piece of trash! My heart aches for Ye Fan!
Lucky: Let that heartless Xiang Ning stay locked together with Su Lang and Yu Chao, and leave Ye Fan alone, okay? My Ye Fan is beautiful all on his own!
Highest goodness, like snow: Why do you have to put Ye Fan through so much suffering? Why, why, WHY???
Fine rain and slanting wind bring dawn's chill: Ye Fan isn't going to die, is he? He isn't, right? Right?
Feihong is the handsomest: I hereby declare that the War God is no longer my idol. I'm going to be the War God's enemy!!!
Ning Xiang: What the hell?
Wait. Apart from smearing my name, why do the two extra villains in this latest update look so familiar?
Forget it. Now isn't the time to think about that.
Fuming, she typed a comment: This post sneaks in the poster's own agenda, twists the characters, and contradicts the original work! It has infringed upon the original author's right to reputation. The poster should clarify matters and delete the original post's contents!!!
Her reply was immediately swallowed up by a sea of comments.
Ning Xiang clenched her fists.
She would never let these people destroy her original work! Her blood, sweat, and tears!
Ning Xiang estimated the time. A round trip from the Profound Heaven Sect to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect would take roughly six hours, plus the time needed to find Bai Yueguang and kill him...
Mm, I should make it back to the Profound Heaven Sect just before the Yin Hour tomorrow.
No sooner had Ning Xiang decided than she acted, summoning the Chongming Bird and flying out of Lingling Cottage.
Bai Yueguang, you fucking bastard. Just wait for me to carry out heaven's justice!
The Chongming Bird's long tail feathers streaked across the sky like flames. Yet before it could leave Solitary Light Peak, Yu Tingchao caught hold of it.
"Where are you heading so late at night, Senior Sister?"
Ning Xiang cleared her throat. "I was bored in my room, so I came out for some fresh air."
Why do I get caught every time I try to do something bad? No, I have to go to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect today and kill that damned sword cultivator! Otherwise, I won't be able to eat or sleep in peace!
Yu Tingchao smiled. "I happen to have nothing to do either. Why don't I keep you company on your outing, Senior Sister?"
"Have you finished the essay Eldest Senior Brother assigned you?"
"There's still time to write it tomorrow. Keeping you company is more important."
Oh, that little mouth was as sweet as if it had been smeared with honey. Normally, Ning Xiang would have eaten that right up, but she was itching to kill someone and had no time for Yu Tingchao.
"I don't need company. Go back and do your homework. I'll head back after a stroll around Solitary Light Peak."
Yu Tingchao said, "Senior Sister, Martial Uncles Shaowei and Fuming just came to Solitary Light Peak. If you wander around, you could easily run into them."
"Oh, I suddenly don't feel quite so bored anymore. I'm going back to cultivate."
Bai Yueguang, you fucking bastard. I'll let that head stay on your neck another couple of days. Sooner or later, I'll chop it off myself!
Ning Xiang was deeply upset at missing her chance.
"Senior Sister, today is the mortals' Moon-Worship Festival. Every year at this time, the Mortal World has lantern markets and all sorts of lively festivities. Let's go have a look together." As Yu Tingchao spoke, his eyes lowered slightly, revealing a trace of loneliness. "I've never seen a lantern market in the Mortal World before. Surely you wouldn't refuse to grant even such a simple wish of mine, Senior Sister?"
Ning Xiang pressed a hand to her forehead. This fellow was banking on her soft heart and inability to turn people down!
Seeing her expression soften, Yu Tingchao immediately smiled. "I knew you were as kindhearted as you were beautiful, Senior Sister!"
He jumped onto the Chongming Bird and showered it with praise. "Senior Sister, your Chongming Bird is so magnificent and beautiful. It truly lives up to its name as an auspicious bird."
The Chongming Bird basked in the praise and gave two clear, delighted cries.
They changed into ordinary people's clothes and arrived at the nearest town, Cloud Province.
The Moon-Worship Festival was a particularly important occasion in the Mortal World. The town blazed with lights, lanterns and festive decorations hung everywhere, strings and pipes played amid singing, and figures swayed through the extraordinary bustle.
Vendors' cries rang out along the streets as they hawked their wares. Ning Xiang looked around and saw grapes, melons and other fruit, persimmons, water caltrops, and all manner of food and pastries, too many to list.
Even more numerous were the young men and women walking in pairs. Every one of them had dressed up carefully, and every girl's face brimmed with a sweet, bashful smile.
Young children ran past, laughing. Now and then, a couple of mischievous children bumped into Ning Xiang's legs, pulled faces at her, and ran off again.
It had been a long time since Ning Xiang had felt this everyday bustle.
While she was reflecting on it, she turned her head and saw Yu Tingchao looking dejected.
"What's wrong? Who upset our little junior brother?"
Ning Xiang took a Red Fox Mask from a nearby display and put it on to cheer Yu Tingchao up.
"I wanted to buy you a gift, Senior Sister, but the currency they use is different from ours in the Cultivation Realm." Yu Tingchao seemed rather embarrassed to admit it, his fair face flushing bright red.
Ning Xiang said, "I should have some copper coins and bits of silver that mortals use. Take them and spend them." She took out a few small pieces of silver and handed them to Yu Tingchao.
Yu Tingchao's fingertips brushed lightly against Ning Xiang's palm, and the young boy's smile was dazzling. "I'm using your money to choose a gift for you, Senior Sister. Please don't turn your nose up at it."
Ning Xiang's palm tingled faintly, as though an ant had crawled across it. Yet that ticklish feeling left no trace she could find.
Before you continue