Qianshan Xue clearly knew when Chen Shi'an would wake up. When he stepped out of the great tent, she was practicing her swordsmanship in the clearing in front of it.
"Finally awake?"
Qianshan Xue put away the Mysterious Edge Sword and looked at Chen Shi'an with a smile at the corners of her mouth.
Chen Shi'an frowned. "Sister Qian, what is the meaning of this?"
Qianshan Xue raised her eyelids slightly. "Look at you. Anyone would think you had suffered some terrible loss.
"Fang Ruyu was still an untouched maiden, and she gave you her chastity."
Chen Shi'an's brow furrowed even more deeply. "Why?"
The smile faded from Qianshan Xue's face. "Although I couldn't approve of the way my master acted, he was the guardian of our Windrise Stronghold.
"It was because of him that our Windrise Stronghold could stand firm.
"Now he's dead.
"You had a hand in his death, so naturally, you have to fill the vacancy he left."
Chen Shi'an replied, "Isn't what I'm doing now protecting Windrise Stronghold?"
Qianshan Xue shook her head. "What we want isn't just the present, but the future too.
"You are a dragon among men. A little pond like Windrise Stronghold cannot hold you. One day, you will leave.
"Your family is already gone. You have no attachments in Wind and Snow Stronghold.
"Once you leave this place, you might never return.
"Only by giving you an attachment can we ensure that our Windrise Stronghold always has a place in your heart.
"This wasn't my decision alone. The stronghold's higher-ups discussed this several times."
After a brief silence, Chen Shi'an said quietly, "It's true that I won't stay in Windrise Stronghold for long, but I had already made my decision. I certainly wouldn't have cast Windrise Stronghold to the back of