Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Title

“Ah Yun, don’t!” As the visions of her past life vanished, Ye Qingshang jolted awake, pressing a hand to her aching chest until she could barely breathe.

There was no such thing as rebirth—only someone overturning fate at a terrible cost. So many details differed from her past life; she could have noticed, should have known earlier…

“Ah Yun…” Ye Qingshang pulled Mu Huaiyun—still dazed beside her—into a fierce embrace, her chin resting against his neck. “Your inner core was born weak this life… Was it because of the forbidden art?”

“And that voice in your mind… Was it left by your past self? All of this… for me?”

Overwhelmed by sudden memories, Mu Huaiyun instinctively held her back before murmuring, “Yes. Forbidden arts restore everyone except the caster. I carved out half my inner core… so I couldn’t emerge unharmed.”

“I didn’t know if it would work, but I had to try. And I feared… I might push you away again, like before. So I etched a mark into my soul. It carried all my remaining spiritual power and memories… to restrain me and protect you.”

“Ah Yun…” Ye Qingshang buried her face deeper, speechless.

What could she say? He’d thought only of saving her, even in death. Yet she’d avoided him like poison in their past life, cutting ties and leaving him condemned by the cultivation world. And in this life, she’d dragged him down again and again.

Ye Qingshang… you claim to love him. How could you hurt him so?

“I’m sorry…”

Tears soaked his shoulder, warm then cold, unending. Mu Huaiyun held her tighter. “It’s over. Not your fault. I chose this.”

“Don’t cry.”

The gentleness in his voice—something she’d never heard before—made her recall their past clashes and harsh words. Her sobs only grew louder, until his muffled cough reminded her: they still stood atop Sparrow Prison Tower.

“How could I forget? You’re injured. Ah Yun, I’ll take you back to Yunshan Sect.”

She supported him down the tower. Qiu Huayi had waited below and rushed over. “A’shang, are you hurt? What of Young Master Mu?”

“I’m taking him to Yunshan Sect to heal.”

Qiu Huayi added, “A’shang, one more thing—Master Ning—”

Before she finished, a figure in white robes entered Ye Qingshang’s view. She looked up.

Ning Jiwei watched her supporting Mu Huaiyun, his expression unreadable. “Qingshang, were you injured repairing Sparrow Prison Tower?”

“No, Master. Mu Huaiyun is gravely wounded. I must take him back.” After baring her heart to Mu Huaiyun, facing Ning Jiwei felt strangely awkward—like a child caught hiding secrets. Her words came out stiff.

Ning Jiwei hadn’t cared about her thoughts and sighed lightly in relief upon learning Ye Qingshang was unharmed. "Since you’re fine, I won’t stop you. Go ahead."

As she prepared to leave, Ye Qingshang seemed to recall something. "Master, shouldn’t you be leading disciples on a mission in Fengyuan City? Why appear at Sparrow Prison Tower?"

Frostbite Sect lay directly below Fengyuan City, far from Sparrow Prison Tower. Even by flying sword, the journey took at least a day or two. Besides, news of the tower’s collapse would have reached Ning Jiwei with delay. His swift arrival suggested repeated teleportation…

But why such urgency for mere repairs? Had he abandoned his mission for her?

"Missions matter, but Sparrow Prison Tower’s collapse has shaken the cultivation world. Unleashed demons would endanger mortals. As a master, I cannot ignore this." Ning Jiwei glanced at her. "Aren’t you heading to Yunshan Sect? Why linger?"

"Oh… I’ll go now."

After Ye Qingshang departed with Mu Huaiyun, Ning Jiwei turned toward the tower. At its base, Fu Chouyi strained to maintain the Danger-Combining Formation’s spiritual power. Spotting Ning Jiwei, he teased, "Master Ning? What wind blew you here?"

"Your spiritual weapons lack water or wood attributes—useless for repairs. Maintaining this formation doesn’t require a master’s hand. If you feared demons harming mortals, Sparrow Prison Tower’s alert ended long ago. Traveling thousands of miles for nothing? Even I find that excuse thin."

"Let me guess—could it be for your precious disciple…"

Ning Jiwei shot him a frosty look, pressing a palm to Fu Chouyi’s shoulder. A sudden surge of spiritual power forced Fu Chouyi into silence.

"Guard the tower properly," Ning Jiwei commanded. "Lest your energy fails."

Fu Chouyi caught his breath, about to retort, when Qiu Huayi approached. "Master, you look pale. Did you overexert your spiritual power? I brought restorative medicine—rest and take some."

Fu Chouyi shook his head. "Merely struck a nerve with someone. Paid the price."

He added, "Xiao Yi, don’t emulate Qingshang’s ways. She—"

Before he finished, Ning Jiwei flicked his finger. "Focus."

Intensified spiritual power crushed Fu Chouyi’s shoulder. He stifled a groan, gritting his teeth but powerless against Ning Jiwei’s might.

Qiu Huayi stood alone, frowning in confusion. Why avoid Qingshang’s example? She thought Qingshang admirable…

Meanwhile, Ye Qingshang arrived at Yunshan Sect by sword. She escorted Mu Huaiyun directly to his quarters. Qiao Zhu rushed over, examining him thoroughly before sighing.

"Luckily, only a heart vein injury. The inner core remains unharmed. A month’s rest should suffice."

Ye Qingshang still worried. "Divine whip wounds are grave. Wasn’t he said to face lifelong meditation? Yet he emerged after four years. With Sparrow Prison Tower’s disturbances… Could his core have hidden damage? Shouldn’t we examine further?"

Mu Huaiyun froze. "Lifelong? Meditation?"