Chapter 38
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Chapter 38: Title
The door slammed shut.
Two barriers descended, sealing the room’s sights and sounds. Shut outside abruptly, Ye Qingshang inhaled deeply, quelling her fingers’ tremors.
Her earlier suspicion proved true: Mu Rongyan’s resentment had festered over their master’s favoritism, driving his attack after the previous master’s crowning ceremony.
Last life she’d trusted him deeply. Even when unspoken love confined them to formal fellowship, she never doubted him. Yet her devotion was misplaced.
Solving this two-life mystery brought no relief—only heavier heartache grinding like stone. She sighed faintly.
That day, silence filled the room while the waiting figure stood motionless outside, lingering stubbornly past sunset.
Qiu Huayi came urging departure, but Ye Qingshang gently dismissed her unheard.
Later, Qiao Zhu passed by after delivering Mu Huaiyun’s medicine. Frowning at the crossroads, she resolved to speak with Ye Qingshang.
She dragged her to a secluded corner.
The rough handling nearly provoked a fight—had Ye Qingshang not respected Yunshan Sect’s territory and her disabled spiritual power.
Ye Qingshang demanded, "What requires this location?"
"Sister Ye, you should visit the young master," Qiao Zhu stated.
"He’s… unwell?"
"Sister Ye, how well could anyone endure the divine whip? With his inner core’s condition—how could he recover?"
“He now…” Ye Qingshang had meant to ask about Mu Huaiyun’s condition, but her thoughts wandered so far that she nearly rushed to his residence. Yet Mu Rongyan’s accusing words echoed in her mind again:
“Ye Qingshang, all the kindness our master showed you—every single act—can it not even compare to Mu Huaiyun?”
She remembered the glaring red staining his white robes. Closing her eyes, she changed what she’d planned to say: “He has you caring for him now. Besides, as the young master, he must have plenty of visitors. I… won’t disturb him.”
“It’s different,” Qiao Zhu stopped Ye Qingshang from leaving. “Sister Ye, answer me this: why did you risk public disgrace on the punishment platform today, taking the young master’s penalty before all those sect disciples?”
“Because he freed Yin Huai to save me. A drop of kindness deserves a flood of gratitude—wasn’t it right to bear his punishment?”
“Only that reason? Nothing else?”
What else could there be? After a pause, Ye Qingshang shook her head. “No.”
“Fine.” Qiao Zhu sighed inwardly. *Young master, it’s not that I won’t help, but when the flower falls willingly while the stream flows indifferent, I can’t force a one-sided affair. You’re on your own.*
Aloud, she said, “I’ve said my piece. Whether you visit him, Sister Ye, is your choice.”
Regretfully, she patted Ye Qingshang’s shoulder. Ye Qingshang frowned, baffled by that regret.
The feeling lingered until deep night.
Unable to endure it, Ye Qingshang convinced herself repeatedly before rising, dressing, and tiptoeing toward Mu Huaiyun’s quarters.
*He must be asleep at this hour. I’ll just peek without waking him—one look, then leave.*
A faint light glowed conspicuously in the silent darkness. Edging closer, she peered through the door crack and saw him lying sideways in his clothes, gaze unfocused but clearly awake.
She shifted for a better view, planning to slip away unseen, but a clumsy move made the door creak.
“Who’s there?”
Caught, Ye Qingshang sheepishly pushed the door open. “It’s me.”
“Why come?” His tone held a flicker of resentment.
“I…” She instinctively sat by his bed. “You were injured today. I came to check. Why aren’t you resting?”
“Can’t sleep.”
“Why?”
“Pain.”
“Pain?” Unnoticed panic flashed across her face.
She pressed her hand to his forehead, closed her eyes, and guided her spiritual power into him. Inside, chaos reigned—especially near his inner core, where defenses had weakened. Her eyes flew open. Such grave wounds…
“The divine whip’s power is terrifying. You’re badly hurt. Did Elder Feng from the Medicine Hall see you?”
“Yes. But divine pain won’t cease unless I enter meditation.”
“Then why ignore the healer’s orders?”
“I… waited for you.”
“For me?” Bewildered, she watched him take a shallow, pained breath. After a moment, he lifted his eyes to hers, gaze intent and serious. “Ye Qingshang, I—”
He broke off. To her, he seemed like a phoenix stripped of talons and fire—dimmed, huddled, pitifully watching for relief.
*If sweet springwater and a soft breeze could soothe his agony, she’d gladly grant this wounded phoenix his solace.*
“Mu Huaiyun, I’ve thought it over. You’ve got a rotten temper, flying into baffling rages that overwhelm everyone. But you’re good-hearted, and you’ve treated me well all along.”
"Especially that day outside the cave, you had been willing to abandon the perfect chance to hunt Yin Huai just to save me. Now that you’re punished by sect rules and bear such severe injuries, I share the blame. Though I don’t know why you did these things, to me, you seem… quite a decent person."
"Setting aside your status as Yunshan Sect’s young master, I believe I could try to connect heart-to-heart with you. To become lifelong bosom friends."
"Bosom friends?" Mu Huaiyun’s voice trembled. Excruciating pain radiated through his core, turning each breath into torment. "You truly… mean that?"
Ye Qingshang answered without hesitation, "Yes."
Mu Huaiyun drew a sharp breath, his face turning ashen. He shut his eyes. "Leave."
"Wh-what?" Ye Qingshang thought she’d misheard.
Before she could react, Mu Huaiyun summoned spiritual power. A barrier dropped over her, sweeping her off her feet and hurling her outside.
