Chapter 206: Southern Lotus, Northern People

Lian Mu paused for a moment before speaking, “I cut a strand of your hair, not expecting it to cause you such harm. I feel guilty about it and should return it to you.”

She lifted her head to meet his gaze. Ying You tried to discern any other emotion in her eyes, but found nothing.

His eyelashes trembled slightly. “Did you climb over the wall to see me in the middle of the night just because you felt guilty?”

“Well…” Lian Mu awkwardly touched the tip of her nose. “To be honest, after seeing your weakness in the Heart Realm, I attacked you when we came out. It was dishonorable of me. I was worried you might really die, and the Azure Profound Sect would come after me. Flying Swan Sword Spirit was willing to take me to find you, and in my haste, I followed.”

Her expression was utterly sincere, without a hint of false discomfort.

The room fell silent for a moment, then he spoke in a low voice, “I see, it seems I was overthinking things.”

Lian Mu responded, “Does Team Leader Ying mean to say you’re interested in me? With your exceptional looks and talent, if you insist, I suppose I could agree…”

As she spoke, she reached out to touch his face, looking every bit the rogue.

Ying You suddenly let out a soft laugh, as if mocking himself, and stepped back two paces. “Sorry.”

“I came to make a deal with you,” Ying You said. “No matter what you saw in the Illusion Realm, please keep it a secret. I owe you a favor. If you ever need my help, just ask.”

He was calm again, returning to his usual gentle yet distant demeanor.

Lian Mu replied, “Don’t worry, my character isn’t that rotten. You don’t owe me anything.”

Ying You said nothing, only smiled, though it seemed forced.

Lian Mu continued, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going. It’s quite warm in here.”

With that, she left without waiting for his response, slipping out and closing the door behind her.

Lian Mu walked briskly forward, her palms already damp. She stopped at a safe distance and glanced back.

She breathed a sigh of relief. “…”

Such overwhelming pressure.

Lian Mu opened her hand, squinting slightly.

From the moment she stepped into this area, she felt a powerful pressure, as if threatening her. Every step closer to Ying You increased the intensity of this pressure.

Someone was protecting Ying You from the shadows, yet even Ying You himself was unaware.

Indeed, her decision was the right one. If she chose to acknowledge Changsheng, and the Azure Profound Sect discovered that all his suffering over the years was because of her, hindering his cultivation, they would certainly come after her.

The earlier threat already indicated the Azure Profound Sect’s stance. They only cared about Ying You and disregarded others’ lives.

If the Azure Profound Sect found a way to break the Sword Contract by killing her, she’d be in grave danger.

Lian Mu was relieved she acted quickly, playing a bit of a rogue to make Ying You dislike her, allowing her to escape.

She wasn’t afraid of Ying You, but facing an entire sect’s hostility alone was an impossible task with her current strength.

Lian Mu gazed deeply in the direction of the pavilion, silent for a moment.

In truth, it wasn’t that she disliked Changsheng.

But Changsheng had lived in the Azure Profound Sect for so many years. After he gained sentience, she hadn’t been by his side for a moment. After so long, she wasn’t sure if he still wanted to stand by her.

What if he only wanted to be Ying You? What if he pretended to be affectionate just to lower her guard and strike against the Returning Immortal Sect?

Their time apart wasn’t long for a cultivator, but it was a crucial period.

He came into this world, reincarnated as a human, gained sentience, and it was the Azure Profound Sect that loved and protected him, while she brought him only the pain of the Sword Contract.

Aside from the identity of Changsheng, she knew nothing about him now.

His Innate Sword Bone was restricted by her Sword Contract. To say he harbored no resentment was something Lian Mu couldn’t believe.

Until she fully understood him or had absolute self-protection, she wouldn’t acknowledge her identity.

And as for breaking the Sword Contract, the Azure Profound Sect only cared about Ying You. If they found a method, they wouldn’t consider her. So, she had to break the Sword Contract herself.

Lian Mu wiped the sweat from her palms and turned decisively to leave.

…

At the Clear Lotus Water Pavilion, shadows danced over the lake.

Ying You stood by the lotus pond, watching Lian Mu’s silhouette disappear. Only after a long while did he blink.

“Do you like her?” A white-haired Elder descended from the rooftop, smiling.

Ying You asked, “Master, how long have you been here?”

“Since she stepped into the Clear Lotus Water Pavilion, I happened to pass by,” Xie Yunshan said. “It was the first time I saw my disciple serving someone tea, so I stayed to watch a bit longer.”

Xie Yunshan glanced at the pink lotus on the table and asked, “Southern Lotus, she doesn’t like it?”

Ying You replied, “…I didn’t give it to her.”

In fact, before Lian Mu entered the Clear Lotus Water Pavilion, he had sensed her. Hearing her unsteady footsteps, he guessed she hadn’t been sleeping well recently. So, he picked a lotus flower to give her. The lotus in his courtyard had a calming effect, making for a restful sleep when placed indoors.

He looked helplessly at Flying Swan, who tilted its goose head at him with an innocent expression.

Unfortunately, the flower was bitten and ruined before he could give it to her.

Ying You said, “I’ll give it to her another day.”

“Useless thing,” Xie Yunshan teased. “With that hesitant attitude, how do you expect her to take a liking to you?”

“Besides, someone from the Black Tortoise North probably wouldn’t appreciate a Southern Lotus.”

His words were pointed, and Ying You’s smile turned a bit bitter.

“Xiao You, when did you meet her?”

Ying You replied, “A long time ago, we relied on each other, then parted ways.”

“Really? She doesn’t seem to care much about you,” Xie Yunshan observed. “You’ve been in the Azure Profound Sect for ten years without leaving. Are you sure you haven’t mistaken her for someone else?”

Ying You remained silent.

He was sure he hadn’t mistaken her. Only when he was near her did the mark on his body react.

Yet, she seemed not to recognize him… or perhaps she didn’t want to.

He hoped it was the former, that she had simply forgotten and not remembered.

But all signs pointed to her deliberately avoiding him.

“Maybe it’s because I’m not worthy of her attention yet,” Ying You could only comfort himself this way.

Xie Yunshan asked, “Is your condition related to her?”

Ying You replied, “…No. It’s my own issue, nothing to do with her. Master, you and the other elders, please don’t trouble her anymore.”

“If you don’t care, I can’t force it,” Xie Yunshan said. “But you should know what kind of obstacle this will pose to your cultivation.”

Ying You insisted, “I said it has nothing to do with her.”

Seeing his disciple frown, Xie Yunshan sighed inwardly: Why do all my disciples stumble over emotions? First Shang Liu, now Ying You…

“I still advise you to be clear-headed,” Xie Yunshan said helplessly. “That girl seems like a wanderer. Recently, the sect master found her sneaking out, who knows what she was up to.”

“The Azure Profound Sect’s barriers can’t hold her, and she can’t sit still for even this short time. If you truly become Dao companions with her, who knows how much you’ll suffer.”

“Your elder Shang Zun was deceived by that drunkard woman from the Crimson Sky Sect back in the day, and he still curses her in his dreams. I don’t want you to follow in his footsteps.”

Ying You replied, “It’s different. Lian Mu is a responsible person.”

Xie Yunshan said, “Responsible? Yet she casually makes playful remarks and gets handsy with you? If I hadn’t held her back just now, her hand might have ended up on your face.”

Only then did Ying You realize, “Master, you…”

No wonder Lian Mu ran off so quickly.

Xie Yunshan continued, “I’ll make sure Shang Liu and the others stop meddling in your affairs with her. The evil mark on you has just been suppressed, so take good care of yourself for now.”

Ying You replied, “Thank you, Master.”

Xie Yunshan’s gaze was deep and thoughtful. “Also, don’t invite people into your room recklessly. You can’t use your spiritual power right now. Luckily, I was here this time. If something happens when no one’s around, you won’t even have the strength to defend yourself.”

Ying You pressed his lips together, lowering his head slightly. His white hair fell to the side, hiding his reddening ears. “I will heed your teachings, Master.”