“Miss, we didn’t think this through properly. We are willing to accept any punishment,” Lin Chi said sincerely.

Wen Yi chimed in, “Miss, it was because of a personal matter that Lin Chi and I ended up fighting. We accidentally damaged Granny Xie’s tea field and injured her daughter-in-law. We will take responsibility for all the compensation.”

Gong Xue looked at the young, frail man, “Did you hear them?”

The young man nodded, “Alright then. Since both elders have said so, everyone, disperse.”

The man waved, and half of the onlookers started to leave.

Lin Chi instructed his subordinate to distribute the money to the tea pickers.

Wen Yi approached Granny Xie, “Granny Xie, we will compensate for your losses. Aren’t you relieved now?”

Granny Xie wasn’t ready to let it go, “Relieved? How can I be relieved? You not only destroyed my tea field but also injured my daughter-in-law. She’s still bedridden at home! How do you plan to settle this?”

Lin Chi and Wen Yi exchanged glances before Gong Xue sighed, “Lead the way; I’ll take a look.”

Granny Xie’s son was perceptive enough to realize that since Gong Xue had spoken, it would be unwise to continue making a scene.

Granny Xie’s son grabbed her, smiling apologetically, “Alright, alright, we’ll listen to Miss. This way, please.”

This troublesome matter finally seemed to be resolved.

Granny Xie’s daughter-in-law had only suffered some superficial injuries, which Gong Xue healed with a wave of her hand, leaving the rest of the matter to the two elders.

After this lesson, the two old men would probably keep a low profile for a while.

Late into the night, Gong Xue had Hu Xingtang arrange accommodation for An Cheyan. She herself returned to the small wooden hut to rest.

She slept soundly until late the next morning.

Groggy, Gong Xue got up and flew towards the mountain summit.

An Cheyan woke up and went to find Gong Xue. From Hu Xingtang, he learned that Gong Xue liked to stay at the pavilion on the distant mountaintop, so he headed there.

The pavilion was empty, but behind it was a dense plum forest.

It was late autumn, but the plum blossoms were in full bloom, their red petals as brilliant as fire, casting a rosy hue.

Standing in the pavilion, one felt enveloped in the faint fragrance of the plum blossoms, the scent seeping into the skin, blood, and bones.

Unknowingly, An Cheyan had already walked into the forest.

A gentle breeze brought a slight drunkenness, brushing against his cheeks, slipping into his sleeves, with red petals falling on his silver robe, resembling budding flowers.

An Cheyan’s steps gradually slowed until he came to a stop.

He lifted his face, filled with youthful fervor, his dark eyes shimmering like autumn waters, gazing at the woman in red perched in the tree, shrouded in a mist of colorful smoke, lost in thought.

Gong Xue lay there lazily, sipping from the wine gourd, her slender neck and pointed chin creating a beautiful arc that complemented her breathtaking face.

An Cheyan swallowed hard, deeply.

As they spent more time together, An Cheyan found himself increasingly drawn to Gong Xue. Their feelings for each other intensified rapidly, and An Cheyan almost believed that Gong Xue had strong affections for him.

Until An Wanggui returned.

He had found Mei Huai.

“Mei Huai greets Miss.”

A young man with silver hair and sky-blue eyes stood in front of Gong Xue with his head bowed, looking pitiful.

Gong Xue cast him a cold glance, “You remember to come back now, huh?”

The young man gave a sheepish smile and walked over like a little cat to please Gong Xue, “Sister, it was my mistake.”

Gong Xue wasn’t buying it, “What did you do wrong?”

The young man stood there, rubbing his fingers, “I-I shouldn’t have been reckless. I got ambushed and almost didn’t make it back.”

Gong Xue snorted, “Since you knew you couldn’t handle it, why didn’t you send a message immediately? You had to act tough, and in the end, you still had to ask me to save you!”

Mei Huai had been sent by Gong Xue to find someone being hunted by Liao Sixin. However, an incident occurred midway, and Mei Huai didn’t relay the message back immediately. It wasn’t until the person was dead that Mei Huai sent a message for help, getting himself trapped as well. Fortunately, An Wanggui arrived in time.

“I’m sorry, Sister.”

Mei Huai obediently admitted his mistake. Gong Xue punished him by making him help the villagers for a month. Although reluctant, Mei Huai didn’t dare to argue and agreed.

Hu Xingtang grabbed Mei Huai by the collar and dragged him away.

An Cheyan asked, “Yun’er, who is this kid?”

“My younger brother, always causing trouble.”

An Cheyan laughed and ruffled Gong Xue’s hair, “Your younger brother is quite interesting.”

Gong Xue slapped his hand away and rolled her eyes at him.

An Wanggui noticed that the relationship between the two seemed to be growing closer, and he felt a pang of jealousy.

In the middle of the night, An Wanggui burst into Gong Xue’s room.

As soon as he entered, he pulled Gong Xue into his arms, kissing her hungrily.

Gong Xue didn’t resist; she reciprocated. She knew An Wanggui was jealous and missed her. She needed to give him a little sweetness first.

Out of sight from others, she catered to An Wanggui, while teasing and flirtatiously building feelings with An Cheyan. This routine continued until three days before the attack on the Qingjue Sect.

That day, An Cheyan caught her in the middle of an intimate moment with An Wanggui. Furious, An Cheyan slapped Gong Xue and had a big fight with An Wanggui.

The three parted ways unhappily.

In reality, the two brothers had long realized that Gong Xue had feelings for both of them. They each believed, or perhaps refused to believe, that Gong Xue was that kind of person who could deceive them both.

But deep down, they both knew the truth.

On the day of the attack on the Qingjue Sect, both brothers received a letter from Gong Xue.

Gong Xue had already set out with the main forces to the Qingjue Sect.

In the letter, she confessed that she had been deceiving them, using their feelings to get them to help her seek revenge. She explained the bitter enmity she harbored.

The two brothers wrestled with their emotions for a long time but ultimately decided to help Gong Xue.

In the Qingjue Sect, they lost the battle. More than half of the Yiqu Liushang members died. In the end, it was Gong Xue who, at the cost of her own life, sent An Cheyan, An Wanggui, and a few others away.

An Cheyan and An Wanggui were transported to a safe place. Despite his severe injuries, An Cheyan returned to the Qingjue Sect, only to find a scene of blood and corpses, with no survivors.

In a pool of blood, they found Gong Xue’s bracelet, shattered and stained with blood, making it all the more striking.

An Cheyan was heartbroken and turned instantly white-haired, spiraling into madness.

An Wanggui regretted his anger with Gong Xue, realizing that they had brought this upon themselves. Loving her was loving her, even if she deceived them—it would have been worth it!

The image of Gong Xue’s look of resolve when she sent them away would never fade from their memory.

An Cheyan refused to believe Gong Xue was dead. He searched the three realms for months but found nothing. An Wanggui tried to persuade him many times, but it was in vain.

Finally, heartbroken, they returned to the Cloud Academy, only to unexpectedly see Gong Xue again.

Gong Xue leaned against Mu Xian, letting out a long sigh. Mu Xian handed her the wine gourd.

“Your story is just…”

Mu Xian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry after hearing her tale.

Gong Xue took a sip of the wine. “I know, I’m shameless. You don’t have to say it.”

Mu Xian chuckled lightly. “Indeed, tricking two people like that is quite shameless. You definitely owe this debt of love.”

“But I don’t know how to repay it!” Gong Xue wailed.

Mu Xian shook his head helplessly and took the wine gourd from her hand. “You, just think it over. I’m leaving.”

“Wait.” Gong Xue grabbed him and pulled a book out from her sleeve. “I found this at the Endless Cup; it might be useful for you.”

Lowering her head again, Gong Xue continued to dwell on her troubles.

Mu Xian looked at the book in his hand. “The Void Serenity Technique.”

He flipped through a couple of pages and realized it was a mystical art for restoring the Yuan Dan. Though its effect on him, being of Divine nature, was minimal, it was rare that Gong Xue still thought of him.

A smile tugged at Mu Xian’s lips as he looked towards the spot where Gong Xue had disappeared, a spark igniting in his heart.