Chapter Sixty-Six: Collaboration

The Blood Prince and Buwind returned one after another to the Egret Child’s chamber. To be frank, the Egret Child was not particularly fond of the Blood Prince. However, since his young master had given his word, he could not say much more.

Wulei was still a little dazed; he remembered setting out with his Jade Sister to search for the Red Worm. After that, his memory grew hazy, and he could recall nothing more. When he woke, the first face he saw was that of Mingyi.

Mingyi noticed his confusion and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll explain everything to you in detail in a few days. You’ve had a long day and you’ve seen all you needed to. For now, let me take you back to your room to rest.”

Buwind nodded. “Very well.”

“Master, I’ll escort my junior back first,” Mingyi said.

“Go ahead,” responded Buwind, flicking his sleeve as he looked toward the Blood Prince.

The Blood Prince paused briefly in his steps, then quickly caught up with Mingyi.

Suhe and Yi Qingchen also rose to bid their farewells. Buwind, knowing that Yi Qingchen was wounded, nodded and allowed them to leave, inviting only Queyunzi to remain for a short conversation.

Suhe escorted Yi Qingchen back to her room, closed the door gently behind her, and departed. Yi Qingchen stared at the shut door, cursing silently, “Fool.” There was something heavy on her heart; after tonight, by morning, they would likely part ways. Who knew when they would meet again?

She wished to say a few more words to Suhe before parting, but feared he would find her too forward. In her hesitation, he had already left.

Suhe made his way to Suiyuren, knowing Hua Yin would be there.

Hua Yin rose to pour him a cup of water and invited him to sit. “You’ve finished talking? Is the Young Tower Master’s poison cured?”

“It is. With some rest, there’ll be no major harm.” After sipping his water, he asked, “How is Miss Yuren now?”

“Queyunzi says she’s unhurt. As for why this happened, it may be related to her experiences before she lost her memory. Unfortunately, we know nothing of her past, so there’s little we can do to help.” Hua Yin wrung out a cloth and sat by the bedside, carefully wiping Suiyuren’s forehead.

“What? Even Senior Que can’t cure her?” Suhe asked in surprise, recalling that his own life had once been saved by that venerable man.

“Sigh, he said he only excels at treating injuries and illnesses, but for this, we’ll need someone more skilled.”

“Did he mention who could help?”

“He did—your friend, Qingfeng.”

“Him?”

“Yes. In all the Yu Hai Tian, who can surpass his medical skills?”

“So it seems, Hua Brother, that you and I must continue traveling together?” Suhe teased.

“What, trying to get rid of me?” Hua Yin smiled in response, though he hid a trace of unease in his eyes so well that not even Suhe noticed.

Suhe did not deny it, just silently observed him over the rim of his cup. “That’s right,” he said quietly.

“You’ve got some nerve,” Hua Yin said, standing and slamming the wet cloth onto the table with a thud.

“I—”

“Don’t talk to me about burdens or not. We’ve survived life and death together a few times now. If I were a coward, would I still be here?”

“Hua Brother, listen—”

“Enough, let me finish.” Hua Yin rolled up his sleeves and stopped Suhe with a gesture. “You want to say the real danger is only beginning, isn’t that so?”

Suhe nodded; it was the truth. The current calm was only a fleeting respite. Once they left Tianfeng Qisou, the journey ahead would be fraught with peril.

“You—what can I say to you? Burden or not, haven’t we already been dragged into this together? A little more or less makes no difference, and with Yuren’s condition, you and I are destined to walk this path together.” With that, Hua Yin looked at Suiyuren and finally let out a breath. Though he shouldn’t think so, he couldn’t help but feel that her illness had come at just the right moment. It bound Suhe to accompany him, while he himself could not openly bring Suiyuren back to the Gu family.

He had wandered through Yu Hai Tian, it was true, but few knew his real identity as a retainer of the Gu family in the royal city. Suiyuren, on the other hand, was known throughout the city as the Gu family’s second young lady. Traveling together would only expose him. More importantly, he needed to seek a physician for her, and Suhe was the best intermediary. No matter what Qingfeng might think, for the sake of this connection, he would surely do his utmost.

Suhe sighed. His worries extended far beyond a single scale or claw.

Alas…

Hua Yin was determined, and Suhe could not persuade him further, so he took his leave and returned to his room.

The next day, the three of them, after bidding farewell to Buwind, learned that Yi Qingchen and Lord Qi Sheng had left during the night.

“This is from Chen’er, she asked me to give it to you.” Buwind handed Suhe a letter from his sleeve.

“Thank you! None of this could have been accomplished without your help, Senior. I am deeply grateful.” Suhe accepted the letter and bowed low.

Buwind did not move, accepting the bow. He then took out a token of the Wusheng Sect and pressed it into Suhe’s palm. “Boy, hold yourself upright when you leave. I don’t care about your past, but between you and me, our fates were decided long ago. If the sky falls, there will be someone tall to hold it up. If chaos breaks out in Yu Hai Tian, the Wusheng Sect will back you. As long as you walk the right path, you need fear nothing.”

Suhe trembled, about to kneel, but Buwind caught him with his arm.

“A man kneels only to heaven, earth, and his parents. You must not kneel lightly.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Senior. I will remember it always.”

“Go on.”

“Take care, Senior.”

“Wait, don’t forget me.” Queyunzi hurriedly appeared, waving to Buwind. “Chief, this old man will visit again.”

“Safe travels, Brother Que.”

Soon, all had departed. The Wusheng Sect remained as it was, yet seemed somehow different—there was now a hint more vitality than before.

“Master,” Mingyi reminded softly at his side.

“Let’s go. Is Wulei feeling better today?”

“Much better, and eager for your instruction.”

“Good…”

Elsewhere, after leaving Tianfeng Qisou, Suhe and Hua Yin hurried toward Weiye Valley with the unconscious Suiyuren.

“What do you think? Should we find a place to deal with these flies trailing us?” Hua Yin asked, annoyed.

“Let’s ignore them for now, and talk once we’ve returned,” Suhe replied, glancing over his shoulder.

“After them! Don’t let them escape!” called Zeng Sanyuan, raising his arm.

A cultivator hesitated. “There’s only one Human Emperor Stone. Who gets it in the end?”

Zeng Sanyuan sneered inwardly but said aloud, “Whoever has the ability to claim it, it’s theirs. I want only revenge for the death of my sect member—the rest is up to you.”

“Fine, then it’s every man for himself. I’ll go first.” Someone lunged forward, blade flashing toward Suiyuren.

Suhe moved quickly, pushing Hua Yin aside and seizing the attacker’s wrist. With a twist, a crack sounded, and the man’s hand went limp, his blade falling into the mist.

“Damn you, take this!” the man snarled, attacking with fist and foot, aiming at Suhe’s lower body. The fight was a blur of blows. Meanwhile, another assailant tried to ambush him from behind. Suhe ducked instinctively and kicked the man in front, sending both attackers flying.

Zeng Sanyuan, seeing this, shouted, “All together! Don’t let him divide us!”

“But he’s too strong—we’re no match for him.”

“That’s right…”

“Useless! Out of my way!” Zeng Sanyuan fumed. He’d heard enough flattery in his life not to believe these people were truly incompetent, but when it came to real trouble, they were good for nothing.

Those who’d been humiliated by Zeng Sanyuan had had enough. Why risk their lives for such thanks? If he wanted the treasure, let him get it himself. Many left at once.

Zeng Sanyuan was furious, but he truly wanted the Human Emperor Stone. Revenge was merely an excuse for others. With the stone, he could pave his way to glory. With enough power and a strong backer, treasures would come easily in the future.

His plans seemed perfect, but everyone knew the truth: such things were easier imagined than done. You needed real skill to take what you wanted, and if you succeeded, no one could object. But everyone had an idea of Zeng Sanyuan’s abilities. Though the group pressed in to kill, their hearts were divided, giving Suhe and his companions chances to escape. The chase became a contest of speed and determination.

Suhe scanned the surrounding sea of clouds—there was nowhere to hide. He and Hua Yin descended into the forest. With the trees as cover, their pursuers would need time to catch up. But soon enough, their path was blocked ahead, and, glancing back, they saw the enemy closing in from behind.

Truly, they were caught between a rock and a hard place.

The one blocking their way leaned on a black sword, staggering to her feet with a laugh. “Hehehe, Bai Li Suhe, who would have thought fate would bring us together like this?”

She turned and smiled at the other pursuers, saying, “You want to kill me? It would be far more profitable to focus on those ahead.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? Hehehe, Poison Thousand Hands, must you play dumb? You left the Wusheng Sect only to chase me down—what’s your real motive? Aren’t you just telling lies?”

Hu Xihe, cradling his luminous poison pearl, darted behind Poison Thousand Hands. “Senior Brother, is that true?” He’d claimed urgent sect matters before, but clearly, he wanted the Human Emperor Stone for himself. Hunting sinners was just a pretense.

Poison Thousand Hands glanced aside. “I’ll explain later. For now, let’s capture the woman.”

“Is that so?” Clearly, Hu Xihe was not so easily deceived. Their motives were impure, but to play both sides was shameful. As far as Hu Xihe was concerned, one could plot openly, but not take him for a fool.

“Don’t listen to her provocations. She’s already poisoned. Together, who can stand against us today?”

Those swept by his gaze—Yin, Xue Chanzi, and Cenzi—turned pale with anger and hatred, especially at the sight of Suhe. Now was the perfect chance. Whether for the sinner or the Human Emperor Stone, one of them must fall. Old and new grudges would be settled today.

Hua Zhongying, seeing her plan succeed, burst into laughter, her hair disheveled, coughing up blood as she choked on her mirth. She pulled her sword from the ground and, stumbling, advanced toward Suhe.

“Grand Palace Mistress, long time no see.”

“Yes, I never imagined meeting you again like this.” Hua Zhongying tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, bedraggled yet still charming.

“Where is the Second Palace Mistress?” Suhe asked.

“She has business elsewhere.”

“Is that so?”

“No need for such tension. Whatever lies between us can be set aside for now. At this moment—”

Suhe frowned, guessing her intent. “What do you want? Speak plainly.”

Hua Zhongying twirled her sword and wiped its blade with her sleeve. “You have pursuers, and I have no way out. Why not join forces?”

“Don’t listen to her. How do we know it’s not a trick?” Hua Yin glared at Hua Zhongying, not forgetting the humiliation he’d suffered at her hands before. Now she proposed cooperation—who knew if it was just another ruse?

“What’s the matter, afraid to gamble?” Hua Zhongying smirked, her expression unreadable.

“How do you propose we proceed?” Suhe asked.

“Simple. We combine our strength and carve a path out for ourselves.”

Suhe drew his sword, glancing back at those behind.

“Agreed.”