Chapter Seventy-One: If the Mountain Does Not Come to the Water, the Water Flows to the Mountain

The Jade Fragment remained silent and did not appear. The two stood in stalemate, the air thick with tension.

Meanwhile, in the palace of the Gu family, Ding Miao hurried into the inner gardens to report to Gu Wan Feng. The brightly lit study was filled with the flicker of lanterns, and Gu Wan Feng was still teasing the birds in their cage.

As Ding Miao stepped over the threshold, he heard Gu Wan Feng ask, "Any news?"

"Yes, please review, Master," Ding Miao replied, presenting it respectfully with both hands.

Gu Wan Feng tossed aside the bird feed, took a cloth from the rack to wipe his hands, his wide sleeves fluttering as he took the wooden bird and extracted the letter within.

After a moment, he finished reading and immediately burned the letter. "Withdraw all those searching for the Jade Fragment."

"Why? Isn’t Second Miss still missing? If we pull back now, what about her?" Ding Miao asked, concern etched in his voice.

"It’s fate," Gu Wan Feng answered calmly. "That child wandered out and suffered some misfortune, but happened to be found by Huai Yin. With him there, we needn’t worry."

Ding Miao's heart jolted, though his expression remained unchanged. "Wasn't Huai Yin following Bai Li Su He to the Emperor's Island for the stone? How could he…"

Emperor’s Island was far from the royal city. Second Miss had never left the gardens; how could she have reached there and met him? Just hearing it felt like a tale from a distant land, barely believable.

"Yes, exactly how it happened, we’ll have to ask the girl when she returns," Gu Wan Feng mused. "Have you completed the tasks I set for you?" He casually tossed the cloth onto the rack and strode to the bookshelf, letting his fingertips glide across stacks of ancient tomes.

"Yu Su’er has retreated to the Demon Realm; it’s hard for anyone to make a move. The Grand Palace Lord, Hua Zhong Ying, is still trapped in pursuit."

"Oh? Who are the pursuers?"

"Hu Xi He, Poison Thousand Hands, and after the last setback, one of the four guardians from the Soul Gate, Yin, has joined. Spring Autumn Ink remains on the sidelines, seemingly unwilling to get involved. The rest are various figures from all walks of life—many are experts, but they seem intent on profiting from the chaos."

"Is that all?" Gu Wan Feng’s hand suddenly paused, and under the lamp, the candle flame flickered wildly, nearly extinguishing before burning anew.

Ding Miao felt a chill at his nape, replying cautiously, "The Five Islands refuse to intervene, Xiu Gate stays out. Tian Feng Qi Sou scorns such matters, Bai Li family’s main focus is Bai Li Su He, and the Shao Zhen clan has Wen Zai orchestrating from behind the scenes. Our options are indeed limited."

Those who dwell in seclusion are content with peace. Aside from the destroyed Shuxing Pavilion, rarely is there news of other hidden factions.

Gu Wan Feng was silent for a while, then withdrew his hands into his sleeves. "Tell the Double Fiend Gate to change their demands. Continue the pursuit, but don't kill the target."

If they wish to stay out of the game, then the mountain shall seek the water, and the water shall seek the mountain.

The Sea of Desire must descend into chaos...

"I understand, I’ll see to it at once," Ding Miao responded, bowing as he withdrew.

The next day, Gu Wan Feng sent an invitation to his beloved daughter for breakfast.

At the table, he inquired whether Bai Li Le Ren had visited Xi Garden recently.

Gu Le Le stirred her jade-green porridge with a golden spoon. The porridge was made from immortal grains, slowly simmered, and cooked with three-hundred-year-old pheasant, enhanced with spiritual herbs nurtured by heaven and earth.

It was smooth and lingering on the palate, with an extraordinary flavor.

A pheasant a hundred years old could awaken spiritual consciousness; at three hundred years, it could take human form. Yet in the Gu family, such a bird was merely a modest meal. The true delicacy was the spiritual energy infused within.

"So, has that boy lost interest? Is he still tangled with that scaly-girl from Nine Luminaries Pavilion?"

"No, he’s actually been coming quite often lately," Gu Le Le replied, savoring a small spoonful, feeling the fragrance bloom in her mouth.

"Oh?"

"He said yesterday he’d take me out today, but I didn’t sleep well last night. I look terrible," she complained, tugging at Gu Wan Feng’s sleeve.

Gu Wan Feng laughed heartily, enjoying his daughter's affection, and put down his chopsticks. "Let your father take a look."

"Mm, look."

"I see nothing wrong. Our Le Le is born beautiful—everyone knows she’s one of the rare beauties of the royal city."

"Ugh, Dad, you’re teasing me," Gu Le Le pouted and turned her back to him.

Her shyness was evident.

Though facing away, her smile was impossible to hide. Being praised by her own father made her glow with delight, and her watery eyes glanced back at him.

"A person should keep their word. If you promised, you must fulfill it."

"Dad..."

"However, I heard Bai Li Su He has returned from Emperor’s Island, and even the Lord of Clear Breeze Valley is back in Wei Ye Valley. That boy probably won’t have time to see you today." Gu Wan Feng picked up some vegetables, shaking them before eating, chewing slowly.

Gu Le Le had heard bits and pieces about Bai Li Su He and the Bai Li family. Lost in thought, the emerald porridge suddenly lost its flavor.

Half unwilling, she turned back and asked, "Really? Even so, what does he know? He’s just a playboy. If there’s trouble, it’s not his concern anyway."

Gu Wan Feng looked up at his daughter and pointed at the dishes with his chopsticks. "You don’t understand. No matter how playful, a man has a sense of responsibility. Le Ren may seem unreliable, but regarding Bai Li family matters, when has he ever acted recklessly?"

His words cooled Gu Le Le’s heart. Her embroidered shoes tapped the stool angrily. "If he doesn’t come, I’ll ignore him from now on!"

Just then, a servant reported that Young Master Le Ren had arrived and waited in the flower hall.

Gu Le Le's mood brightened instantly, but her father watched her, causing her embarrassment. She slapped the table and snapped, "Let him wait! Tell him I’m in a bad mood!"

Gu Wan Feng, having eaten his fill, took the cloth from the servant, wiped his mouth, and tossed it onto the table. "He came, so he cares about you. What’s there to be upset about? If you want to play, go quickly. If you delay, he might leave for real."

"Dad..."

"Go on now," Gu Wan Feng waved her away.

Gu Le Le stomped her lotus feet, pretending to be reluctant as she followed the servant out. The moment she stepped outside, she ran gleefully toward the flower hall.

Bai Li Le Ren sat there, absent-mindedly sipping tea, glancing at the doorway. When he saw Gu Le Le’s rosy face running over, his heart raced wildly.

He gazed at her, entranced. "So beautiful."

"Hey, what are you staring at? Didn’t you say you’d take me out? I’m here, let’s go." Gu Le Le folded her hands behind her back, tilting her head as she studied him.

Sometimes, she found watching this fool quite amusing.

"No, nothing, let’s go. Today it’s just the two of us, no one else to disturb us. I even turned down invitations from Ji Bi and the others for you."

"Regret it now?"

"How could I? Brothers are like clothes; Le Le, you’re like my hands and feet. Clothes can be replaced, but hands and feet cannot be severed. You’re more important, of course."

"Hmm... Did you eat honey today? You’re so sweet."

"Hehe, do you like it? If you do, I’ll say it to you every day..."

"Enough, let’s go. If you keep this up, you can play by yourself."

They laughed and teased, the very image of childhood friends.

Leaving the Gu family gates, they headed straight for the bustling market, where delicious food, fine drinks, fun games, and pretty sights abounded.

Gu Le Le loved shopping, though she lacked for nothing. Buying things brought her joy, especially spending someone else’s money.

Bai Li Le Ren understood her well and indulged her. To him, Gu Le Le was genuine, and anyway, the Bai Li family could afford it.

She liked it, so let her spend.

Gu Le Le bought many gold ornaments and jewels, all rare treasures. But she never bought them just to keep.

Arriving by the river, she gazed at the swirling water. She had Bai Li Le Ren open the brocade box, then grabbed a handful of jewels and tossed them into the river one by one.

The current was swift—each piece plunged in, splashing before vanishing.

Gu Le Le spent her silver just for the sound of treasures sinking.

"Le Le, do you like the sound?" Bai Li Le Ren asked with a grin.

"Of course," she replied. "By the way, how do you have time to see me today? Wasn’t your family… someone supposed to show up?"

"We made plans, didn’t we? I promised you, I wouldn’t break my word."

"But I heard your family’s someone has appeared?"

"Plop," Gu Le Le threw a string of jade beads into the river, their crystal green gleaming enticingly. Still unsatisfied, she grabbed more golden hairpins and bracelets and tossed them in.

Bai Li Le Ren knew who she meant and shrugged. "So what if he’s back? He’s nothing compared to you."

"Really? But I heard..."

"Hmm?"

"I heard he’s already reunited with the Lord of Clear Breeze Valley. With those two together, things won’t be simple."

Gu Le Le weighed the gold in her hand, tossing it absentmindedly into the water.

In the Sea of Desire, the Bai Li family belonged to the Frost faction; the Crane faction had nearly died out years ago due to Bai Li Su He’s mother’s circumstances. Yet Bai Li Wu Shuang, eccentric as he was, truly revered his older brother.

If Bai Li Wu Shuang returned, he’d surely cede power to Bai Li Su He. That would drag the Frost faction into turmoil, affecting the Bai Li family—contrary to what Gu Le Le desired.

Bai Li Le Ren was secretly alarmed—he hadn’t heard of this, so how did Le Le know? He quelled his unease and acted normal. "Tsk, what does it matter? Even if that guy has the power to move heaven and earth, he can’t escape the Sea of Desire. We’re here to have fun—mentioning him spoils the mood."

"Oh? You think I meddle too much?"

"Smack," Bai Li Le Ren received a blow to his chest, stumbling back as Gu Le Le shoved him.

"Le Le, Le Le, let me explain."

"Explain what?"

"I mean, the world is vast, but Le Le, you’re vaster. If he’s back, so be it—there’s still the old man to deal with things. Let’s just leave it alone."

Bai Li Le Ren cradled the brocade box and gently bumped Gu Le Le with his shoulder.

"Fine, you win," she conceded.

"Hehe, how did you learn about this, anyway?" Bai Li Le Ren freed a hand to touch his heart, still stirred by her glance.

"My second sister ran away from home lately. Dad sent people everywhere to look for her, and that’s how I heard."

"Oh, I heard your second sister was raised in seclusion. How did she escape? Is she pretty?"

"Bai Li Le Ren..."

"No, no, I’m just asking! You see, my brothers are all single—"

Trying to keep it in the family, good for everyone.

"Give up. I barely see her myself, and you want a chance?" Gu Le Le snapped, stuffing things back into the box and shooting him a glare.

"Oh, wasn’t she adopted by your father? Why is she more precious than you?"

"Hmph, of course not. Dad just pities her, so I let her have her way." Gu Le Le lifted her chin haughtily, glaring at the brocade box.

She snatched it and dumped everything into the river.

"I’m done. I’m tired—take me home."

"Alright, want me to carry you? You must be sore from walking." He crouched as if to give her a ride.

Gu Le Le rolled her eyes. "I’m not that delicate."

She refused his offer, not out of concern for others’ opinions, but because she had her own reasons.

Bai Li Le Ren didn’t understand, but said, "Alright, I’ll take you home."

After escorting Gu Le Le back, once outside the Gu family’s domain, Bai Li Le Ren moved at full speed.

With a few swift steps, he dashed into the White Duckweed Rapids.

"Old man, something’s happened."