When the memories of someone you understood more deeply than yourself begin to surround you, it is not just your heart that aches... even your soul trembles in pain. And it was that pain that Gu Zong was enduring now.

  Behind his closed eyes shimmered a faint, misty image... calm, yet filled with tender affection, calling to him softly: “Zao… Zao… Gu Zong…”

  That face was none other than Han Wuang Shi.

  ---

  Flashback

  Midnight at the Lotus Pond of the Lingxiao Clan.The moon reigned high above like a silver king; while the cool night wind danced over the lotus blossoms, carrying the soft rhythm of peace like a sacred melody.

  Gu Zong sat cross-legged in the still water, completing the punishment decreed by Prince Mo Shi wang for breaking the strings of his brother's quqin.

  His eyes were closed in deep meditation, his aura serene and pale, circling around him like thin trails of incense smoke.

  But then...Amid that calm, the sound of water being gently disturbed heralded approaching footsteps.

  From the darkness emerged Han Wuang Shi. His silver robes glowed faintly under the moonlight, his presence quiet yet commanding.

  He stopped before Gu Zong, his gaze steady, and then looked at the small pouch in his hand. But when he saw Gu Zong immersed in meditation, he hesitated... then turned to leave.

  Before walking away, he whispered softly, almost as if speaking to Gu Zong's soul:

  “I know no outsider is allowed to step within the Lingxiao grounds without permission. But I came here to apologize. Forgive me for breaking the strings of your younger brother, Zhuang Hue's Su Gu Yue.”

  He placed the small pouch gently upon a lotus leaf beside Gu Zong and turned to go... when a sharp, firm voice echoed behind him.

  “Who told you to leave?”

  Han Wuang Shi froze. He knew there was nothing between them... nothing but the fact that they both walked the same path of cultivation.

  Before Gu Zong could say more, Han Wuang Shi made to leave again... but the next words that reached him were the ones that softened both their hearts for the very first time.

  “Who told you that you’re an outsider?”

  Han Wuang Shi turned back.

  Gu Zong's face was calm, yet gentle... no longer proud or distant as before. He rose slowly and walked toward Han Wuang Shi.The silence around them was so deep that even the faint ripple of water seemed deafening.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  Han Wuang Shi kept watching him, step after step, until Gu Zong stood right before him.

  And then... Han Wuang Shi smiled.

  A small, delicate smile... so pure and real, that it carved itself forever into Gu Zong's heart.

  ---

  End of Flashback

  Gu Zong's eyes snapped open. This time, he didn’t know why, but they were moist... as if tears had escaped from a body that shouldn’t be able to weep.

  Perhaps it was the memory of Han Wuang Shi... that had awakened emotion even in the dead.

  But then, something else stirred within him. He could feel it... the Jiuhuang Yin had been placed somewhere.

  He rose abruptly. Determination flared in his crimson eyes, a storm of vengeance burning within.

  Just as he stepped toward the door... it swung open on its own.

  Han Shu Yi and Master Suo Jing appeared.

  Suo Jing, holding a scroll in one hand and a small bundle of food in the other, stepped inside. They sat down by the low wooden table. Their faces were untroubled... not angry, not startled. At peace.

  Gu Zong remained where he stood, ready to leave.... until Suo Jing's voice stopped him.

  “Gu Zong, we need to talk. There are things you must know.”

  ---

  After some time , Qing Yu and Mei Gui had reached the far edge of Yingtian Market. They stepped off their small boat and walked into the lively market .

  Mei Gui hadn’t been here in a long time. Everything around her.... the food, the toys, the bright clothes.... filled her with childlike joy.

  They kept walking, through the colorful stalls and crowded lanes, until Qing Yu led her to the quiet gates of Gufung Mansion.

  Compared to the noise of the market, the mansion felt dull and lifeless. Still, Mei Gui followed him inside.

  Qing Yu guided her down the silent halls until they reached a room. He opened the door... and there sat Xiao Tang, relaxed, eating roasted lotus seeds. Physician Hei Shu Yi was beside him.

  Relief washed over both Qing Yu and Mei Gui upon seeing Xiao Tang alive.

  As always, Qing Yu sat down beside him, grinning. Mei Gui, before sitting, bowed respectfully to Hei Shu Yi.

  Then, as usual, Qing Yu couldn’t stay quiet for long.

  “Mei Gui,” he said, nodding toward Hei Shu Yi, “This lady here is Hei Shu Yi... she’s the one who saved Xiao Tang.”

  Mei Gui bowed again.

  Then, with sudden energy, Qing Yu began thumping Xiao Tang's back and laughed loudly:

  “I knew it, Xiao Tang! There’s no river in this world deep enough to drown you, my brother!”

  Hei Shu Yi froze at those words. She knew... Xiao Tang was no longer truly alive. But perhaps… this was fate.

  She rose quietly, saying,

  “I should take my leave now. I need to deliver some medical formulas to Master Xian Yong Ming. Please excuse me.”

  She walked to the door. Before leaving, she glanced back once...

  There, Gu Zong was doing exactly what she had told him to do. Even if her words had been false, seeing him smile made her heart strangely lighter.

  A thought echoed in her mind...

  “Master Gu Zong… I hope this time, you never meet Han Wuang Shi again. Not ever.”

  ---

  Mount Taylin

  Under the open sky, footsteps echoed faintly across the lonely mountain trail. The air was cold, still, and pure.

  Han Wuang Shi walked ahead, his disciples following silently behind him.

  He appeared calm... unaware that the tangled threads of fate were about to entwine once more.

  Yet for the first time...his heart felt unsteady.

  Something... or perhaps someone... was pulling him back.