The two then went down the mountain together and fled for their lives overnight.
Author's Note: The central character in this episode is actually Qu Yao. I used a method of analyzing criminal psychology to portray him. His behavior patterns are all driven by psychology; there is rationality and inevitability within his madness. This is also a new writing attempt. I hope you enjoy it.
Hehe, many of you might be thinking, "This episode has nothing to do with the princes, it deviates from the main plot." Actually, no. From this episode onwards, the main plot is laid out much deeper. If you just keep watching, you'll see how interconnected the main storylines become. However, I might only reveal the answer at the end. Of course, there are many hidden gems here, and some of you might already be able to guess it.
Cherry Blossom guessed why the Cheng Ying box was heavy. Ice guessed that the corpse in the ice cave was Qu Yao's first love. Both of them are long-time readers who have been following my work since it had only a few single-digit collections. As expected, they have a tacit understanding with Cat Cat. Niha even saw through Cat Cat's arrangement of the butterfly double-flying jade pendant, which is truly meticulous.
Dear readers, I need a short break after finishing this chapter to properly prepare for the next one. I noticed some readers lost favorites during the week I was away, but I want to express my gratitude to all the readers who stayed with me. Thank you so much for your support! This is my first story, my hard work. I believe most readers want to see quality, not just hasty, rushed writing. Besides, as you all know, the most important aspect of this story is its concept; I strive for innovation and breakthroughs in each chapter. This layered development approach requires meticulous attention to detail and logical connections in the early stages, otherwise, it will fall apart later. So, every time I start a new chapter, I lose a lot of hair… For those of you willing to wait, I will definitely continue to repay you with exciting new chapters, and the one after that, until my first work is completed.
Next episode preview: Tangtang is back! It's going to be angsty. The level of angst is undetermined. It depends on how it feels when I write it. Hehe.
As everyone can see, this is a poorly received story, and I still don't understand why. Although I've completely adjusted my mindset—I'll continue writing diligently as long as there's even one reader—I still can't help but feel disappointed when I see the low click rate.
"The way of Heaven benefits without harming; the way of man acts without contending." (Lao Tzu, *Tao Te Ching*, Chapter 68) Here, "the way of man" refers to the principles or norms of human life. The principles of Heaven nurture all things without intending to harm. The principles of being human are about acting without contention and knowing how to put them into practice. (Niubb Novel Reading Website)
Reunion
With no stars or moon in the sky, Mu Fengting and Mo Xi hurried through the pitch-black night.
Upon reaching a dense forest, with its overgrown branches and thorny thickets, the darkness gradually made it difficult to move forward.
Mo Xi said, "Why don't we camp here first and continue our journey tomorrow?"
Mu Fengting said, "That's fine. The terrain here is unpredictable, and it's not safe to travel too fast."
Just as the two were about to dig a snow cave, they saw a faint light drifting towards them from afar.
Mu Fengting immediately shielded Mo Xi behind him and said softly, "Could it be that they caught up so quickly? Or is it a will-o'-the-wisp?" Although his body was tense and on guard, his tone when speaking to Mo Xi was still relaxed and casual, and he didn't forget to joke.
Mo Xi remained silent, staring intently at the ball of light. If it was truly pursuers, any rash action would inevitably reveal their presence.
Somehow, the flame was already within reach after only a few flickers.
A voice said, "Don't be alarmed, you two. I heard voices and came to investigate." It was the old immortal.
Mo Xi felt a little relieved, after all, his two tips were both well-intentioned, so he said, "So you are the Immortal Elder."
The old man, carrying a sheepskin lantern, smiled in the dim light and said, "It seems we have met by chance several times, young lady. Would you two like to find a place to stay? If you don't mind, please come to my humble abode for a cup of hot tea."
Mo Xi said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Immortal Elder. Thank you." The Immortal Elder's martial arts have reached a state of perfection, so there's no need to be too wary.
The two followed the old man to a cave. It turned out that his humble abode was a natural cave. Upon entering, they were not surprised by the cold; instead, a warm breeze greeted them.
The old immortal laughed and said, "This place has no other advantages, but it is like spring all year round."
The two looked around. Although it was a cave, it was decorated quite interestingly, with rattan hammocks and hanging chairs, and stone tables and benches that were polished very smoothly. If they listened carefully, they could hear the sound of flowing water coming from the depths of the cave.
The old man said, "Please make yourselves at home. I'll go serve you some tea." As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared in a few steps.
Mo Xi and Mu Fengting sat down at the stone table with candles on it. After a short while, the old man came out carrying a small stove for brewing tea in one hand and a plate of fragrant rabbit meat in the other, followed by a person.
The old man introduced, "This young gentleman was also invited by me to stay here for the night. You are all young people, so please join us."
The young man was dressed in a royal blue fur coat, his hair tied up with a jade crown. He had an ethereal appearance, though his face was slightly pale and he looked somewhat haggard. Upon seeing Mo Xi, he froze, looking her up and down in disbelief several times before a slow smile bloomed on his lips. In an instant, his eyes rippled with joy, and his gaze seemed to be filled with a myriad of starlight, dazzlingly bright.
Mo Xi cursed him inwardly as a monster.
This person is none other than Tang Huan.
Perhaps it was a sense of trepidation at the prospect of returning home, but upon suddenly seeing Mo Xi, Tang Huan was overwhelmed with emotion and remained speechless for a moment. Her body seemed to have been frozen in place, unable to move an inch, not even able to take a single step closer.
Mo Xi remembered that she had received the VIP card from the person. Since the big boss had come, she had to show some sincerity. She smiled slightly and said softly, "What are you doing here? Please sit down."
Mu Fengting observed Tang Huan discreetly from the side. Tang Huan, however, remained oblivious, gazing intently at the shallow dimples on Mo Xi's cheeks, and couldn't help but smile again. Finally, she moved closer to sit down beside her and said softly, "I came to find you."
Mo Xi quickly realized what was going on, resisting the urge to roll her eyes, and sighed helplessly, "That stupid bird must have betrayed me."
Tang Huan saw her puff out her cheeks slightly, revealing a rare childlike side, and he was filled with affection. His eyes softened as if they could drip water, and he smiled, "Don't blame it. A white-tailed eagle only recognizes one master in its lifetime. Naturally, it will stay by your side every step of the way." After saying this, he suddenly thought of something and felt his ears burning.
Mo Xi asked suspiciously, "It actually followed me to Mount Shu and even tipped you off?" He thought to himself: What kind of master am I to it that it dares to betray its country? Hmph, I wonder if eagle meat tastes good...
Tang Huan said, "Ever since it went with you, it hasn't returned to Sichuan. Unexpectedly, it came looking for me a few days ago, looking very anxious. The feathers on its head were almost bald, and there was blood on it. It gave me quite a fright. It wouldn't eat meat or drink water, and just circled in the air. I followed it for a few steps before I realized it wanted me to go with it. Have you encountered any danger?" After speaking, she carefully looked at Mo Xi and saw that her clothes were only a little dirty and messy, but she couldn't see anything wrong with her, so she was slightly relieved.
Mo Xi said, "This is a long story."
Mu Fengting suddenly seized the opportunity and asked, "May I ask who this gentleman is...?"
When Tang Huan first saw Mo Xi, he only had eyes for her. Only then did he notice Mu Fengting standing to the side. With his smile unchanged, he said, "I am Tang Huan. May I ask your honorable name?" He was shocked and thought to himself: This man has an extraordinary demeanor and a handsome appearance.
Mu Fengting said, "Are you perhaps the new leader of the Tang Clan? I am Mu Fengting, a writer for Mu Yanzhai." The news of Tang Huan succeeding as the leader of the Tang Clan has been widely discussed in the martial arts world, and with Mu Fengting's professional sensitivity, how could he not have heard about it?
The old man paused in his tea-pouring, then smiled and said, "So, young lady, you are the one Young Master Tang is looking for. I encountered Young Master Tang by chance in the mountains earlier. Despite the darkness and the difficulty of traveling, he insisted on climbing the mountain overnight. I had to persuade him to give up. Very well, please continue your conversation. Please help yourselves with some tea and rabbit meat. I won't disturb you any longer." With that, he walked away, but glanced back at Tang Huan twice before heading deeper into the cave.
What happened next was both funny and absurd. Whether Mu Fengting did it on purpose or not, his interviewing obsession suddenly kicked in, and he started talking non-stop to Tang Huan, asking him about his feelings about taking over the Tang Clan at such a young age.
Mo Xi thought to himself: This guy probably wants to write something like "The Ten Outstanding Youths of the Martial World". Mu Yanzhai must be paying him a lot of royalties, otherwise why would he be so dedicated?
While Mu Fengting spoke enthusiastically, bombarding Mo Xi with a series of questions, he used his dagger to roast over the fire of the tea-brewing stove before cutting the rabbit meat. He cut a whole plateful before pushing it to Mo Xi, finally taking a breath and turning to her, saying, "The pieces are just the right size; use your left hand to hold the chopsticks and eat them." He then took the chopsticks and placed them in her hand, as if Mo Xi's left hand were also crippled.
Mu Fengting turned to Tang Huan and asked, "I wonder if Sect Leader Tang is married, or if he has someone he is interested in?"
Tang Huan, however, abandoned his usual responsiveness and focused solely on Mo Xi. He hastily grabbed her right hand and whispered, "What happened? Are you hurt?" Noticing how cold her hand was, he instinctively warmed it with his own. Realizing his hasty action, his gaze shifted from her hand to her eyes and brows. Seeing no displeasure, he breathed a sigh of relief. But a moment later, he felt a pang of anxiety, thinking: "Most girls, when someone holds their hand, either curse the man as a lecher or blush. She, however, remains indifferent, showing no sign of distress."
Although Tang Huan had never held another girl's hand before, he knew that most girls' hands would never be as rough as hers. It was a hand that had wielded a sword for years, dry and steady, calloused, with slender, long fingers and distinct knuckles, yet a full size smaller than his own. A surge of tenderness welled up within him, and he couldn't bear to let go. He averted his gaze, unable to look directly at her, and continued to hold her hand.
Mo Xi said, "Take a look at my wrist."
Tang Huan carefully pinched it with his fingers, his brows furrowed. After a moment, he slowly released his grip and said softly, "Does it hurt? Luckily, the bone isn't broken, just the tendons are injured." He paused, then looked at Mo Xi and pleaded softly, "How about coming to the Tang Clan with me? They have medicine there. Once you're healed, you can leave." Afraid that Mo Xi would refuse, he added, "Even if the doctors outside can treat it, you'll be alone with an injured hand, making daily life very inconvenient. You'll need to rest and recuperate for the next two months; this hand can't be used."
Mo Xi knew that it takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone, and since the pain was so severe, the sooner the injury was treated, the better. She nodded and agreed, "Okay."