Chapter 39
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Chapter 39: Title
"Mu Huaiyun!" This marked her second rejection today. Her master’s dismissal was one thing—but why did Mu Huaiyun shut her out too?!
Ye Qingshang snapped, "What madness possesses you now?!"
"I came in goodwill! If you scorn friendship, so be it—but how dare you cast me out?!"
"Mu Huaiyun, open this door!!"
Another barrier materialized abruptly. Ye Qingshang crashed face-first into it, pain stinging her nose as tears sprang to her eyes.
"Your kindness is noted. But such regard is wasted on me. Leave."
His icy tone ignited her fury. She summoned Qianyu, slashing at the barrier. Yet Mu Huaiyun had reinforced it with Yunshan Sect artifacts—double-layered defenses. Her spiritual power still depleted, two strikes failed to breach it.
Her silhouette shifted beyond the door. Inside, only desolate eyes stared back, etched with pallor.
After a prolonged gaze, Mu Huaiyun twitched his fingers. Spiritual energy drew forth a violet blossom—the one Ye Qingshang had plucked for him at Quan Village’s cave. He’d kept it pressed over his heart ever since.
"If your heart is empty… why offer me this flower…?"
"Bosom friends…" The words hung bleakly in the air. He suddenly laughed, each chuckle dagger-sharp through his lungs, bending him double over the bed. Agony overwhelmed him; tears spilled freely down his cheeks.
"Ye Qingshang…" Grief-laced anguish pierced his next words. Through blurred vision, he clutched the purple petals tighter. "You truly… are detestable…"
The barrier muffled his voice. Unaware, Ye Qingshang ceased her assault with Qianyu. "Mu Huaiyun?!"
He strained to lift his gaze. Seeing her shadow, his heart lurched violently. Torment exploded through his golden core—ten thousand arrows skewering his spirit.
Blood gushed from his lips.
Darkness swallowed him.
"Mu Huaiyun?" Silence answered Ye Qingshang’s repeated calls.
She recalled Qianyu, pacing outside. Ready to depart, she remembered his injuries and turned back.
*Fine. He’s wounded—I’ll indulge him.* Dawn was mere hours away. She’d endure the night here.
Ye Qingshang slumped against the railing. Not wanting to offend him further, she cloaked herself in a barrier, vanishing her aura. Though not invisible, the railing’s cover and concealed presence made detection unlikely.
Exhausted from emotional turmoil and incomplete recovery, sleep claimed her the moment she settled.
Midnight deepened. The beauty slept soundly beneath the eaves, never noticing how the troublesome barrier flickered weakly… then collapsed into nothingness.
At dawn, Qiao Zhu carried a bowl of medicinal soup toward Mu Huaiyun’s residence. The young master’s weakened inner core had left him severely injured by the divine whip yesterday. His master Elder Feng expended thirty percent of her spiritual power to suppress the divine energy within him. She had wanted the young master to enter meditation for recovery, yet persuasion proved futile despite explaining all consequences.
With no alternatives, they resorted to sustaining him with herbal soup. The delivery task naturally fell to Qiao Zhu.
Amidst the quiet surroundings, she pushed the door open. "Young—"
The word "master" died in her throat. She hastily set down the bowl and rushed forward. Mu Huaiyun lay frowning deeply, finding no peace even in unconsciousness.
Checking his pulse, her expression grew more pained than his. What had happened overnight? Why were his pulses more chaotic than yesterday? His energy felt unstable, spiritual power raging beyond his inner core.
"This—"
As she prepared to summon her master, Mu Huaiyun convulsed into sudden coughs. "Young master?"
"Cough… cough…" Fresh blood stained his lips as he gripped Qiao Zhu’s wrist, too agonized to speak. Only then did she notice the purple flower clutched in his other hand—its petals tender as newborn flesh, revealing extraordinary care from its keeper.
Did he treasure it so deeply because the giver was…
"Mu Huaiyun!" Ye Qingshang rushed in upon hearing commotion, the open door granting entry. Blocked by Qiao Zhu’s position, she demanded anxiously, "What’s wrong with him?"
"Make her leave." Mu Huaiyun barely contained his turbulent spiritual power, the dismissal clear.
Seeing his critical state, Qiao Zhu guided Ye Qingshang out to prevent further agitation. Another fit of violent coughs erupted behind them.
"Mu Huaiyun!" Ye Qingshang tried to reenter, but Qiao Zhu summoned spiritual weapons that materialized a translucent barrier sealing the doorway.
"What are you doing?!" Ye Qingshang snapped.
Ignoring the outburst, Qiao Zhu inquired, "Sister Ye, was that purple flower in the young master’s hand your gift?"
"What flower?"
"The purple one."
Recognition dawned. "Yes."
Qiao Zhu’s brow furrowed as though uncovering secrets. "You claimed no special feelings for him. Then why gift a flower? Do you know Xingzhou’s custom regarding flower-giving?"
Puzzled, Ye Qingshang asked, "What custom?"
"In Xingzhou, a woman gifting flowers declares romantic affection—reserved only for beloved ones. Presenting flowers casually announces your love publicly. If a man accepts…" Qiao Zhu paused meaningfully, "…it’s equivalent to pledging love."
"What?!" Ye Qingshang paled, unfamiliar with Xingzhou traditions. She’d given the flower impulsively, never anticipating this. She’d mistaken Mu Huaiyun’s reluctance as rejection, but…
Wait. He’d accepted it?
A man accepting such a gift meant…
No way, no way! How could Mu Huaiyun possibly like her?!
Absolutely impossible!
Ye Qingshang forcibly pushed aside the swirling thoughts in her mind and explained, "I didn’t know Xingzhou’s customs back then. Giving that flower was completely accidental. You must’ve misunderstood—I… I’ll clear this up with Mu Huaiyun immediately."
"Sister Ye, you…" Qiao Zhu considered Mu Huaiyun’s current state, thinking *better not upset the young master further*. She retrieved her spiritual weapons blocking the doorway and added, "Since it wasn’t intentional, you should heed the young master’s words and return."
"Sister Ye, the young master is ill and needs quiet rest. Please… don’t trouble him again."
And so, for the third time, Ye Qingshang was shut out.
