Chapter 12
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Chapter 12: Title
Ye Qingshang’s eyes sharpened. She seized Mu Huaiyun’s wrist and leaped backward.
Where they’d stood, figures rained from the sky. The leader’s robes billowed as he landed, embroidered silks cinching a slender waist. His sword gleamed with liquid light, its dragon’s roar echoing through the heavens.
That voice—deep yet gentle, achingly familiar—commanded: “Formations.”
Ye Qingshang shut her eyes. Memories from her past life surged like tidal waves, piercing her chest and making it hard to breathe.
…
*“Huayi, move aside.”*
…
*“I’m sorry…”*
…
She remembered that in her previous life, she first met Mu Rongyan on the second day after joining the sect.
At that time, he was stunningly handsome, and she fell for him at first sight.
She always placed him high on a pedestal, untouched and untouchable.
He descended to the mortal realm and personally sought her out. When the master was away, Mu Rongyan taught her swordsmanship and urged her to practice. He also patiently corrected her movements step by step.
As a senior brother, Mu Rongyan\’s actions were flawless. Anything he gave her, even a piece of candy, Ye Qingshang treasured it.
But later, she learned it was just a piece of candy, something everyone could get, like how Mu Rongyan\’s gaze never lingered on her alone.
Later on, she traveled to Qizhou, hunted the Flame Beast, and after receiving a bounty with Mu Huaiyun at the Zhou Mansion, they parted ways. On her way back, she encountered Mu Rongyan.
She thought Mu Rongyan felt differently about her, but after asking, she realized Ning Jiwei worried about the Flame Beast’s power, fearing it might live in groups. He specifically sent a message to Mu Rongyan, instructing him to protect her.
At that time, Mu Rongyan was not in Qizhou, as he was leading his junior brothers on a mission. He traveled far to help her only because of the sect\’s request.
Back then, Ye Qingshang wasn\’t in danger, so she never forced Mu Rongyan to act.
If it weren’t for this incident, where the Flame Beast trapped her and her companion, she truly didn’t want to meet Mu Rongyan so early.
Though he was breathtakingly handsome, it was still dangerous!
“Senior brother, wait!” Ye Qingshang called out.
At that moment, Mu Rongyan led his junior brothers and had captured all the Flame Beasts. He stopped to listen.
Mu Rongyan asked, “What is it?”
Ye Qingshang said, “How do you plan to deal with the Flame Beasts?”
Mu Rongyan replied, “The Flame Beasts are brutal and bloodthirsty; they are fierce beasts and should be killed on the spot to end future threats.”
“What you said is right, and I agree. But could you let me handle one of them? It trapped me many times, and I can\’t swallow this anger.” Ye Qingshang pointed at the Taoist who killed Fang Hanyu.
Mu Rongyan said, “Alright.”
With companions vanished before his eyes and cries rising all around, the Taoist shrank back in fear, saying, “Please… don\’t kill me…”
“Rest assured,” Ye Qingshang bent down, “It won’t hurt.”
She gathered a bit of spiritual power around her fingertip and tapped it on the Taoist’s forehead. The power flowed in, leaving a red mark on his brow.
Ye Qingshang said, “But… if you help me with one thing, you might still have a chance.”
*
“A\’shang, did you really let that Flame Beast go?” In the inn, Qiu Huayi cautiously glanced at Mu Rongyan\’s face, his expression hard to read. She lowered her voice, “Is senior brother not angry?”
Ye Qingshang replied, “I just cast a small spell to make the Flame Beast die slowly, sealing most of his spiritual power so he can\’t kill again.”
“But A\’shang, why did you do this?”
Ye Qingshang explained, “Because some people are worse than monsters. I used a small punishment to seek justice for the dead. Isn’t that fair?”
“A\’shang, but you\’re allying with monsters; the sect rules clearly state…”
Ye Qingshang interrupted her, “Let\’s not talk about that. How are you all? Were your injuries from yesterday treated?”
Qiu Huayi said, “Yes, but everyone is still shaken. Since it was our first time in such a scene, and we got hurt last night, none of us slept well.”
“I see.” Ye Qingshang walked over to Mu Rongyan, “Senior brother, you traveled far and must be tired. Everyone worked hard catching monsters, so why not stay an extra day? Let everyone rest before heading back to the sect.”
Mu Rongyan lifted his eyelids slightly at her words but remained silent, gazing at Ye Qingshang with unconcealable complexity that broke his usual calm. After a pause, he said, \"Qingshang, do you realize what you’re doing? The master holds you in such high regard. If this reaches the sect, where will his dignity stand? He—\"
Ye Qingshang cut in, \"No need for your concern, senior brother. The sect will judge whether my actions are right or wrong. If the master deems me wrong, I’ll accept punishment. But remember—the master entrusted you with my safety. It’s a small request. Won’t you agree?\"
\"Is this how you treat your senior brother? Do you even—\" Mu Rongyan stopped abruptly, recalling Ning Jiwei’s urgent message: rush to Qizhou to shield Ye Qingshang from danger. For her, Ning Jiwei had expended spiritual power to activate the long-range communication spell with his top disciple—just to prevent disaster.
The master had always been biased. Since Ye Qingshang joined the sect, he favored her alone. Mu Rongyan sighed. \"Fine. Stay one day if you wish.\"
\"Thank you, senior brother.\"
When had that once-humble, fair-minded junior sister grown so distant? Mu Rongyan watched Ye Qingshang’s retreating figure, his gaze lingering with melancholy.
Outside the inn, Mu Huaiyun waited. Though she’d freed the Flame Beast at the last moment, they had to tell Mr. Zhou it was destroyed. Next came claiming the reward from the Zhou Family. Ten thousand taels of gold meant substantial income for the sect.
On the road, Mu Huaiyun asked, \"What’s your plan for the Flame Beast?\"
Ye Qingshang replied, \"Within fifteen days, the spell inside him will activate. We won’t lift a finger—he won’t survive.\"
\"You’re using him to terrify the Zhou Family? But you told him—\"
\"I said he had a chance. After fifteen days, where he dies or how he finds me isn’t my concern. With blood on his hands, I can’t spare him.\"
\"But…\" Mu Huaiyun trailed off. Even he felt her actions weren’t entirely wrong, yet cultivators prized their reputation. Her methods defied that, making them hard to accept…
\"Immortal Lords, this way.\" Steward Liu interrupted them at the Zhou Mansion gate.
In the main hall, Zhou Hanguang hurried forward. \"Immortal Lords, was the monster eliminated smoothly?\"
Ye Qingshang answered coolly, \"Done. Your home is safe now. May the departed rest peacefully.\"
Zhou Hanguang beamed. \"My deepest thanks! Steward Liu, fetch their reward!\"
Expressionless, Ye Qingshang and Mu Huaiyun each took half the gold. At the gates, she turned to Zhou Hanguang, eyes icy. \"Mr. Zhou, while capturing that beast, I overheard something. Do you recall… the Fang family?\"
