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“Young Master Jun…” Fang Gege looked at her, then at her two daughters. The two girls held their breath, neither daring to speak. Fang Gege’s expression was incredibly complex, a mixture of sadness and desolation that was hard to describe. “Your name is… Jun Yu, right?”

Junyu nodded.

“I am very grateful to you for saving Lan Ni. From now on, whatever you need, just give the order, and Ailian Manor will go through fire and water for you. However…” She paused, her expression filled with a resolute pain, “I hope that you will never see anyone from the Shi family again, and I will not allow anyone from the Shi family to see you again… I have had enough of that pain, that pain of being forever in Lan Xisi’s shadow…”

The Shi sisters were stunned. Shi Lanni exclaimed, "Mother, how could you treat Young Master Jun like this..."

Fang Gege ignored her, staring intently at Jun Yu, her tone not threatening but filled with sorrow, "Young Master Jun, I'm begging you, I'm begging you to agree!"

Fang Gege's gaze, filled with pain, sorrow, and a hint of disgust, possessed an irresistible power. Jun Yu nodded resolutely, glanced at the bewildered Shi sisters, and turned to leave!

"Young Master Jun..." Shi Lanni chased after him, but her mother grabbed her arm!

Junyu stopped beneath the tallow trees below the orange grove. Suddenly, a cold wind blew from behind, and a powerful force pressed down on him, forcing Junyu to retreat three steps. This person's simple palm strike possessed such power; he was a master he had never encountered before in his life.

Junyu's heart skipped a beat. With "Chasing Flight" in hand, the newcomer waved his sleeve and stepped back, saying in a deep voice, "With such a son, Lanxi can rest in peace even in the afterlife!"

Junyu stood still. What surprised her most was not Shi Daming's astonishing martial arts skills, but that he really did have a very deep connection with her mother!

But his mother never mentioned him when she was alive!

Shi Daming stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly deep in thought!

Junyu didn't speak to disturb him. It took Shi Daming a while to look up at her. His eyes were bright for a moment, but then dimmed. "How did your mother die?"

“She was sick, and she couldn’t be cured!” Junyu said calmly. Her mother was highly respected by the neighbors in the area. When she fell ill, famous local doctors all came to treat her, but they could only do their best and leave it to fate. They couldn’t save her mother’s prematurely aged life in the slightest.

Is your father still alive?

“My father was a hunter, and he died a year before my mother.”

Junyu looked at him calmly. Her father was an ordinary hunter. In her memory, her father was handsome, considerate and obedient to her mother, and very loving towards her! Her mother's illness was aggravated by excessive grief over her father's early death, and she never recovered.

Shi Daming glanced at the "Chasing Flight" sword in her hand several times: "You traded this sword with Yuan Jing, didn't you?"

Junyu nodded: "That's right, I traded it with him using 'Niijing'."

Shi Daming sighed deeply, recalling the time when he exchanged "Niejing" for "Zhuifei" with Lanxisi. Lanxisi had said, half-seriously and half-jokingly, "When this sword returns to your hands, it will be the time when we become strangers!"

The day the sword was returned was the day of farewell. The prophecy came true. After several cycles of reincarnation, what was unexpected was that the sword was not returned to him by Lanxisi, but was exchanged by Meng Yuanjing as a gift with his best friend!

For the first time, Shi Daming smiled: "At the martial arts tournament more than 20 years ago, Lan Xisi defeated the leaders of various sects, becoming famous throughout the land..." A strange emotion flashed in his eyes, a mixture of excitement and guilt, "Unfortunately, she never got the position of leader... Many years have passed, and now she is gone forever..."

Back then, Lan Xisi traveled the world with her sword, challenging everyone from martial arts families in Jiangnan to reclusive swordsmen in the Tianshan Mountains, from chivalrous heroes in the north to extraordinary figures beyond the Great Wall. She fought over a hundred battles, large and small, without ever suffering a defeat. At the age of 23, she even single-handedly broke through the 800 Arhats Formation and challenged the then-abbot of the Bodhidharma Academy at Shaolin Temple, Master Wuwei. At the age of 25, she integrated various martial arts styles to create a new sword technique called "Hand-Waving Five Strings."

At that time, there were less than two years left until the "Martial Arts Alliance Leader" conference. This woman did not hide her ambition at all and actually wanted to become the "Martial Arts Alliance Leader"! No one in the martial arts world would tolerate such arrogance from a woman. In an instant, Lan Xisi became "infamous" and everyone in the world wanted to kill her!

Despite defeating all the heroes at that martial arts tournament, she was eventually injured and had to leave, living in seclusion in the southwestern border region. She lived a life of melancholy and passed away in her thirties, at the height of her career!

Shi Daming fell into deep thought for a long time. When he looked up, he found Jun Yu looking at him. He was startled. These eyes, which looked so much like Lan Xisi's, were completely different from Lan Xisi's. No matter how outstanding and sharp Lan Xisi's eyes were, they were still the eyes of a girl. But these eyes were completely restrained, firm, and calm!

Junyu bowed to him and said, "Master Shi, farewell!"

Shi Daming nodded, and Junyu strode down the mountain.

After being "invited" out of Ailian Manor, Junyu spent the last three days busy trying to rescue Mr. and Mrs. Zhu with Meng Yuanjing, having little time to think about her mother's past. That day, as she waited for Zhu Yu at the agreed-upon location, her hand suddenly trembled, the teacup in her hand tilted, and tea spilled onto the table. Junyu felt a chill, a sudden sense of foreboding creeping over her.

Someone entered, and Junyu recognized him as a guard of the Yangzhou prefect. The guard looked flustered: "Young Master Zhu is waiting for you at the prefect's office!"

Junyu's heart sank. He leaped out, cracked his whip, and the young general headed straight for Yangzhou Prefecture.

The prefectural government office.

Junyu rushed through the gate, where two corpses covered with white sheets were sitting inside.

Junyu's vision went black, her body swayed, and she threw herself onto Mei Mei's body after pulling back the white cloth. Mei Mei's eyes were tightly closed, her lips were black, and her chest was already ice-cold. Mr. Zhu beside her was the same; they had clearly been poisoned!

The prefect prostrated himself on the ground, trembling: "It was an order personally given by the imperial envoy from the capital... This humble official dared not disobey... It has nothing to do with this humble official..."

"Get out of here!" Zhu Yu shouted. The prefect scrambled to his feet, his legs trembling. He took a few steps, then fell down again. He quickly got up and ran away once more.

“I have no family left, I have no family left…” Junyu picked up Meimei’s already cold body, with a thin trickle of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

Zhu Yu stood there, stunned: "It's all my fault. My father noticed my actions and struck first. I should have known he would do this. I...I..."

Junyu seemed not to hear. She picked up Meimei and took a few steps, then looked back at Mr. Zhu who was still lying on the ground. Zhu Yu was about to reach out to hug her, but when he saw her gaze, he felt a chill and withdrew his hand.

A carriage was parked at the entrance, as if it had been arranged in advance.

Junyu picked up Meimei and placed her on the carriage. Then she turned back and picked up Mr. Zhu. As she stepped over the threshold, Junyu stumbled a few steps and fell to the ground. She got up, picked up Mr. Zhu again, and placed him on the carriage.

She mounted her horse, cracked her whip, and the carriage sped away. Outside the gate, Meng Yuanjing was waiting to arrive and inquire about the news. Seeing Junyu's expression, his heart sank, and he leaped onto the carriage.

Zhu Yu stood at the door, staring blankly in the direction where the carriage had disappeared. It was a winter afternoon, and the sky was already quite dark!

The carriage stopped at the foot of a small hill. Junyu carried Meimei up the hill and stopped under a huge sycamore tree, while Meng Yuanjing carried Mr. Zhu. Behind them followed Zhu Yu, who looked completely bewildered.

Junyu took out his sword and started digging in the soil. Meng Yuanjing quickly helped, and Zhu Yu hesitated before joining in.

Half an hour later, a large grave had been dug.

Junyu picked up Meimei, examined her carefully for a few moments, and then put her down. Meng Yuanjing also put Mr. Zhu's body down.

As the soil fell layer by layer, their bodies were gradually buried. Junyu looked at Meimei's pale face, remembering her coming to his hometown to pick him up, and remembering how she sewed the torn robe for him. His heart ached, and the soil wouldn't fall.

Meng Yuanjing stepped forward and used the last handful of soil to completely cover Mei Mei's face.

Junyu took a step back, fell to the ground, and remained silent.

Meng Yuanjing looked at Junyu and saw him sitting quietly on the hillside, a deep sorrow on his face. This was the first time Meng Yuanjing had seen such an expression on Junyu's face. In that instant, he suddenly had a strange feeling, as if the Junyu in front of him was so unfamiliar, completely different from the handsome young man he used to know. As for what exactly was different, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Zhu Yu leaned against a cypress tree, a thoughtful look settling on his usually arrogant face as he stared blankly at Jun Yu's sorrowful expression.

After a while, Junyu got up and strode down the mountain. Meng Yuanjing glanced at Zhu Yu and followed.

Zhu Yu remained rooted to the spot, whispering to Jun Yu's retreating figure: "I've wanted to be your friend so many times, but every time we end up in this hostile situation..." Jun Yu quickened her pace, it was unclear whether she heard her.

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Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve

The next day, Junyu walked out of the inn and suddenly heard a commotion on the street. Then she saw Meng Yuanjing walk in.

"Junyu, all of Mr. Zhu's family members have been pardoned and released..."

"Really?"

Jun Yu's brows relaxed slightly, and Meng Yuanjing nodded: "It's true, they were all released and their family property was returned."

Junyu leaned against the doorway, letting out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, she saw a thin horse galloping towards the inn. It was Xiaoshuai! Yesterday, lost in her grief, she had forgotten him in Yangzhou. She had just been about to go looking for him when he was already being returned. The person who brought the horse had already left, but she noticed a newly opened winter plum blossom tied to Xiaoshuai's back. She took it off and saw a small note attached to it: "Junyu, I'm sorry!"

It was Zhu Yu's handwriting.

She sighed, "This time, we owe it all to Zhu Yu's help."

"That kid Zhu Yu has finally done something great!"

Seeing that Junyu's brows had relaxed somewhat, but she was in poor spirits due to excessive grief, Meng Yuanjing asked with concern, "Junyu, are you alright?"

Junyu shook his head.

“In May, the Qingcheng Sect in Sichuan held a martial arts conference to elect a leader. My uncle sent me to deliver the leader's token to them.”

Junyu forced a smile: "Oh? Yuan Jing, do you also want to compete for the position of alliance leader?"

"I don't have the time for that." Meng Yuanjing looked at her, somewhat reluctant to part with his old companion: "Junyu, since you have nothing to do now that the war is at a truce, and you're not in a good mood, how about we go on a trip to Shu together?"

Junyu thought for a moment and immediately agreed: "Okay, it's fine for us to go sightseeing together. Let's leave tomorrow, I don't want to stay here any longer."

When Meng Yuanjing saw that she agreed, he was overjoyed: "We'll keep each other company on the journey. You can stay at my house tonight, and we can set off together tomorrow."

Since Junyu arrived in Yangzhou, Meng Yuanjing had invited her to stay at his home many times, but Junyu had declined because she thought it would be inconvenient. Now, hearing his warm invitation again, she could not refuse again and had no choice but to accept.

The two immediately paid their bill and went out. After walking for a while, they arrived at a manor in the suburbs. The manor was not large, but from a distance, it was filled with towering ancient trees.

Meng Yuanjing greeted Junyu and led her inside. The garden was lush with flowers and trees, and the banyan trees stood tall and spreading like canopies, making it exceptionally beautiful. Junyu couldn't help but exclaim, "Yuanjing, your garden is as delightful as a paradise!"

"I'm relieved to see that you like it. I know you're used to living alone, so I've already arranged a small courtyard for you, which suits your taste perfectly!"

Meng Yuanjing's father died early, and he was raised by his uncle. His mother was a devout Buddhist who spent most of the year in temples to worship. Last month, his mother went to the temple again, leaving only him, an old steward, and a few servants to live in the large house. When his mother was at home, she had two maids to serve her, but when she went to the temple, the two maids went with her to serve her, so the whole courtyard seemed unusually quiet.

It was already dusk when Meng Yuanjing personally led Junyu to the villa he had prepared for her. This small villa had only two rooms, with a small flower garden in the middle, surrounded by lush flowers and trees, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.

Junyu was very satisfied. Seeing that there was finally a smile on her face, Meng Yuanjing said, "Junyu, you don't look well. Go and rest first."

"Thank you, Yuanjing."

The crescent moon was just above the treetops. I opened the window, and the fragrance of flowers and trees wafted in from all around.

There was a knock at the door. Junyu opened the courtyard gate, and Meng Yuanjing smiled and said, "I hope I didn't disturb your rest, Junyu?"

Junyu shook her head, and Meng Yuanjing picked up a book from the table: "Junyu, you should still keep the habits from the academy!"

“Once a habit is formed, it is very difficult to change it…” Meng Yuanjing did not speak, as if he did not hear what she was saying. In the dim candlelight, Junyu’s eyes were like stars, bright and clear, shining in the room. Meng Yuanjing stared at her for a long time, and was stunned.

"Yuan Jing..."

Meng Yuanjing suddenly woke up, his face flushed, and he forced a smile: "I'm sleepy, goodbye..." Without waiting for Junyu's reply, he turned around and strode away.

Junyu shook her head in confusion, ignoring him, and closed the courtyard gate. From a young age, Junyu had learned to do things that were traditionally considered boyish, and had been dressed as a boy since she was ten. Over the years, her speech and behavior had become completely devoid of any feminine traits, and she always maintained an appropriate distance in her interactions with others. Therefore, she had never worried about being discovered. Recalling Meng Yuanjing's actions just now, she couldn't help but feel a chill and resolved to be even more careful in the future.

The next morning, the two set off. Along the way, Meng Yuanjing felt a little uneasy. Not long after they left, they passed through a small street. Along the way, he noticed that every woman who passed by looked at Junyu with admiration. He thought to himself, "Junyu is born with this appearance, no wonder men and women are all amazed when they see her." He gradually felt relieved.

After traveling at high speed for half a month, they encountered many famine victims along the way. Upon further inquiry, they learned that the Yellow River had overflowed, flooding dozens of surrounding counties. The disaster relief funds allocated by the imperial court had been embezzled at each level, making it impossible for the victims to survive. They sold their children and fled to various places.

The desolate scenes along the way left Junyu and Meng Yuanjing feeling powerless and unwilling to appreciate the scenery; they simply continued on their journey.

The closer they got to Sichuan, the more silent Junyu became, a mixture of indescribable excitement and unease welling up inside him. After crossing the Qinling Mountains and traversing countless other peaks, Meng Yuanjing couldn't help but exclaim, "The roads to Sichuan are truly difficult!"

Junyu smiled and nodded.

Along the way, many martial arts practitioners passed by, some walking hurriedly and others full of ambition, all clearly heading towards the martial arts tournament at Qingcheng Mountain.

The scene of fleeing on the road ended in Sichuan, and the two arrived in Chengdu on the first day of the fifth lunar month.

This was Meng Yuanjing's first encounter with the charming people and customs of Sichuan. At that moment, thousands of lotus flowers were in full bloom at Baihuatan, and the air was filled with a strong fragrance of pollen.

The vast Chengdu Plain is dotted with fields after the wheat harvest, rice paddies where rice is beginning to sprout and flower, lush trees, and green vegetable gardens.

Meng Yuanjing suddenly looked at Junyu with a bit of a strange expression. "Your accent..." He had noticed a slight southwestern accent in Junyu's voice a long time ago, but only today did he realize that it was actually the local Sichuan accent.

Junyu smiled: "My mother is a native of Sichuan and studied martial arts on Mount Emei for many years." "Your mother is from the Emei Sect?" Meng Yuanjing had always been very curious about the legendary Lanxi Si.