The rain in Nine Heavens City came and went, and so another two days passed.
Su Muyu stood under the eaves, gazing up at the curtain of rain.
Many days had passed, and Mu Yumo still hadn’t returned. This wasn’t a good sign, but at least Tang Lingyue hadn’t caught up with them either. It meant Mu Yumo had indeed managed to delay Tang Lingyue—though by what means, no one could say.
"I hope she’s unharmed," Su Muyu sighed softly.
"Are you worried about Sister Yumo?" Bai Hehuai suddenly appeared behind Su Muyu.
"Yes," Su Muyu nodded.
"Do you like her?" Bai Hehuai pressed.
"I do, but not in the way you’re imagining. It’s the kind of affection one has for family," Su Muyu replied.
Bai Hehuai stuck out her tongue. "Such a cliché answer. Don’t worry, I won’t tell her."
"It’s the truth. Yumo grew up with us. Maybe Chang He likes her," Su Muyu lowered his head. "I don’t know."
Bai Hehuai blinked, then shook her head repeatedly. "Your relationships are so messy, tsk tsk tsk."
"It’s been two days. Is the Miracle Healer ready?" Su Muyu changed the subject, unwilling to continue the conversation.
"Of course. Have someone prepare a hundred red candles and eighteen bronze mirrors in the room. The Head’s body has been sufficiently conditioned. I’ll rest today and perform the Soul Transference Technique tomorrow!" Bai Hehuai declared confidently.
"Then we’ll rely on you," Su Muyu turned and placed a feathered arrow in Bai Hehuai’s hand. "This is a Skyward Arrow crafted by the Thunder Sect. In a critical moment, pull the mechanism at the base. The arrow will shoot out and explode upon hitting the target—it could save your life."
"A Thunder Sect weapon? Must be expensive," Bai Hehuai toyed with the arrow.
Su Muyu smiled faintly. "It was a parting gift from when we fought alongside the Thunder Sect."
"Isn’t the Thunder Sect a righteous faction? They’d fight alongside Dark River?" Bai Hehuai asked, puzzled.
"Dark River is no one’s enemy," Su Muyu replied.
Outside Nine Heavens City, at the Lonely Pavilion.
Mu Yumo’s purple robes were soaked through, clinging to her graceful figure—a sight that would tempt most men. Unfortunately, the one facing her was Tang Lingyue. Tang Lingyue sighed in exasperation. "You really are a persistent woman."
"Persistent? Is that a compliment?" Mu Yumo leaned weakly against the stone table in the pavilion, seemingly exhausted.
Tang Lingyue paused, then realized her wordplay and snapped, "Enough. I don’t want to kill you, but my patience has limits."
"Killing me… well, I’m already dying," Mu Yumo suddenly coughed up blood, clutching her chest as she half-collapsed to her knees.
Tang Lingyue frowned slightly. Over the past few days, Mu Yumo had repeatedly acted out this same near-death scene. He could hardly bring himself to believe her anymore. But this time, Mu Yumo fell to the ground and soon lay motionless. Tang Lingyue narrowed his eyes, then turned to leave. Yet after walking a few dozen steps, he couldn’t resist glancing back. Mu Yumo remained there, utterly still.
Could she really be dead? Tang Lingyue wondered silently.This woman was neither related to him by blood nor bound by any ties; in fact, she was the guard of his enemy and had caused him plenty of trouble along the way. Her death should have been a good thing for him. Yet, why did he still feel a lingering unease in his heart?
In the end, Tang Lingyue let out a soft sigh and turned back. He looked down at Mu Yumo lying on the ground and murmured, "I'm saving you only because I dislike killing—especially women." He bent down to examine her injuries, but suddenly, Mu Yumo turned over and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You're still lying to me!" Tang Lingyue immediately grasped the Fingertip Blade.
This time, however, Mu Yumo's embrace was weak, her arms merely draped limply around him. Her face was deathly pale, yet she still managed a faint smile. "You do care about me after all."
"You—" Tang Lingyue sighed helplessly.
"This time, I'm really going to die. Your hidden weapons are too powerful; I can't defeat you. The rest is up to Brother Yu and the others." Mu Yumo closed her eyes and fell unconscious.
"You won't die." Tang Lingyue gently patted her back, transferring some of his inner energy to her. A warmth spread through Mu Yumo's body, but she still didn't wake, only tightening her hold on him. Tang Lingyue awkwardly averted his gaze but had no choice. He picked her up and left the desolate pavilion, continuing toward Nine Heavens City.
At the Falling Nine Heavens Inn, Su Zhe ordered a pot of tea and lit a pipe, sitting in a corner and watching the drizzle outside with a hint of contentment. Su Changhe descended the stairs and, seeing Su Zhe's relaxed demeanor, chuckled. "Uncle Zhe, you're living quite comfortably these days."
"Right now, I only follow the sword in my hand. Wherever it leads, I go. The rest of the time, I'm just an old man enjoying life." Su Zhe took a drag from his pipe and glanced at the rain outside. Suddenly, he spoke in flawless Mandarin, "I hope everything can be settled by the time this rain stops."
"Yes, let this rain end soon," the innkeeper muttered from behind the counter, yawning listlessly. The downpour had driven away business, leaving the hall empty except for Su Zhe's table. Even the guests upstairs had mysteriously checked out days ago. If this continued, the Falling Nine Heavens Inn would soon have to close its doors for good. Just as the innkeeper fretted, a man in black robes entered, carrying a woman in purple.
It was Tang Lingyue and Mu Yumo.
Su Zhe started, his hand flicking out to press a lifelike mask onto Su Changhe's face.
Hearing the movement, Tang Lingyue turned and saw an unremarkable young man standing there, watching him. Beside him, a middle-aged man smoking a pipe grinned as he eyed Mu Yumo in Tang Lingyue's arms. "Young man, you've got quite the luck with women."
Tang Lingyue frowned slightly, ignoring the remark, and addressed the innkeeper instead. "Innkeeper, one superior room."
"One?" The innkeeper smirked. "Got it—the finest and most expensive room! Laifu, show the guest upstairs!"
Su Changhe touched the dagger hidden in his sleeve. Su Zhe chuckled. "Between your Inch Finger Sword and his Fingertip Blade, which do you think is stronger?"Su Changhe sneered, "Uncle Zhe is very curious about this answer?"
"You must be curious too. But Tang Lingyue was brought here by you to deal with The Head. As for that girl from the Mu Family..." Su Zhe took a puff of his cigarette, "What man in this world wouldn't be moved upon seeing her?"
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