"He is my disciple. If anyone dares to harm him, they'll have to step over me first."
"Bai Yang, remember this well. Your master, and even the Song Clan behind me, will always have your back. Go ahead, do what you must. Whatever happens, I will carry the consequences for you."
"Bai Yang..."
Memories of those moments surged through Bai Yang's mind, one after another. He could still recall, with painful clarity, the proud, protective expression his master wore while saying those words.
But now...
Everything had changed.
Panic twisted in Bai Yang's chest. He clutched at his heart and stared desperately in the direction Song Wanníng had gone.
The Sect Master approached, his gaze falling on the three disciples sprawled across the ground. He sighed, more helpless than before.
"What had driven Junior Sister Song to this point? Was she truly giving up on her disciples?"
Looking down at Bai Yang, he let out another long sigh.
"Whatever one might say about Junior Sister Song's temperament, Bai Yang and the others had clearly been in the wrong."
"Bai Yang, you were wrong this time. Go back and apologize. Maybe there's still a chance to make things right." Seeing Bai Yang still holding onto some sense of grievance, the Sect Master's face darkened.
"If one of my own disciples betrayed me for an outsider, their punishment would be far worse than what you've received. Junior Sister Song has already shown remarkable restraint."
He offered that final piece of advice, then called over a few disciples to carry the three of them back to Yunxiao Peak.
...
News that the three direct disciples of Yunxiao Peak had been carried back quickly spread through every corner of Wentian Sect.
Many clapped their hands in approval.
After everything Master Song had done for them, they had the gall to steal pills? Serves them right!
The news also reached Xuelai Peak.
Gu Qingyuan was currently guiding spiritual energy through Ye Chuxue's body to purge the lingering poison. His close friend Xiahou Shang came rushing over with the story.
As he spoke, Xiahou Shang couldn't help stealing glances at the two, his expression complicated.
Ye Chuxue pressed her lips together, uneasy. Ever since waking up, she had noticed something strange in how everyone looked at her.
She clutched her sleeves tightly, unsure why.
But the moment she heard Bai Yang had been seriously injured, worry filled her face.
"Uncle Xiahou, is Bai Yang alright?"
Her concerned tone made Gu Qingyuan's hands falter. The flow of spiritual energy froze.
Cough, cough, cough—
Gu Qingyuan suddenly began coughing hard.
Xiahou Shang shot Ye Chuxue a look, full of sympathy for his friend.
Gu Qingyuan had not yet recovered from the injuries he sustained from Song Wanníng. Yet here he was, helping Ye Chuxue detoxify her system. And still, all she could think about was Bai Yang.
"He'll live. Won't die from it."
"It's all my fault... If it weren't for me, Senior Brother Bai wouldn't have—"
Ye Chuxue's voice was filled with self-blame. If not for her, Bai Yang would never have angered Song Wanníng.
"What does that have to do with you? Your pill was from Gu—"
"Xiahou Shang!"
Gu Qingyuan cut him off sharply, stopping him before he could reveal the truth. He didn't want Ye Chuxue to know. Didn't want her to distance herself. Xiahou Shang glared at him, eyes full of frustration. Without another word, he stormed off.
Gu Qingyuan told Ye Chuxue to rest, then chased after him.
Xiahou Shang waited in the bamboo grove outside the hall. When Gu Qingyuan arrived, his confusion only deepened.
"What is it that you even see in her?" Ye Chuxue was beautiful, yes, but next to Song Wanníng, she paled in comparison. In talent, temperament, ability—there was no contest.
Was Gu Qingyuan out of his mind?
"Chuxue is kind. She's different from everyone else. She truly believes all lives are equal. Everyone deserves compassion."
Naive, kind, and pure. She made you want to protect her, to keep her untainted by the world's filth.
"You—"
Xiahou Shang could hardly believe what he was hearing.
Equal in the cultivation world? What a joke.
If everyone were truly equal, why wasn't Ye Chuxue training among the outer disciples? Why was she enjoying resources reserved for true disciples?
"And what about Song Wanníng? Are you really going to break off the engagement?"
At her name, Gu Qingyuan's expression darkened.
"We've already broken it. There is no future between us."
His tone was firm, cold, like he was speaking of a stranger, not the woman he had loved for over a century.
"Gu Qingyuan, if you let Song Wanníng go, you'll regret it." Xiahou Shang's voice was low, his emotions bubbling to the surface. Feelings he had suppressed for years came rising back.
He knew better than anyone how deeply Song Wanníng had loved Gu Qingyuan.
He envied that.
He had always watched from the shadows, guarding silently.
And now, Gu Qingyuan was throwing away what he had yearned for all his life.
What a joke.
"Gu Qingyuan, since your engagement is over, I suppose you wouldn't mind if I pursued Song Wanníng?" He locked eyes with Gu Qingyuan.
Gu Qingyuan's breath caught. He turned sharply.
"What did you just say?"
Xiahou Shang didn't answer.
Silence fell. Even the air seemed to still.
Gu Qingyuan clenched his fists, heart weighed down by something heavy.
After a long pause, he finally muttered, "Whatever happens to Song Wanníng from now on has nothing to do with me."
"Is that so?" Xiahou Shang gave a crooked smile, eyes narrowing as he caught the flicker of unease in Gu Qingyuan's gaze. "Then don't regret it later."
He turned and left, a trace of triumph in his step.
It was better this way.
He had watched Song Wanníng change, watched her grow jealous and fierce, all for Gu Qingyuan.
She used to be like the sun in the sky—radiant, untouchable.
Now...
His friend disappeared down the mountain trail. Gu Qingyuan stood frozen, his heart in turmoil.
But soon, he composed himself.
"Song Wanníng loved only me. Even if Xiahou Shang pursued her, it wouldn't matter.
She would never love anyone else."
Atop Yunxiao Peak.
Bai Yang sat cross-legged on his bed, replaying the Sect Master's words in his head.
Maybe... maybe he had made a mistake.
But still, part of him believed Song Wanníng was at fault too. The conflicting thoughts warred in his mind, refusing to settle. His injuries were no small matter, but he paid them no attention. What weighed on him was her change.
After a long while, he finally stood up, wincing with effort. He took a pill and swallowed it. Staring at the pill bottle in his hand, his thoughts grew resolute. This time, he would be the one to back down. He would take the first step. His heart lightened with the decision. He pushed open his door and headed toward Song Wanníng's hall.
Each true disciple had their own courtyard, nestled halfway up the mountain. But atop the peak stood Chaoxia Hall—Song Wanníng's residence.
His steps quickened with expectation.
But the moment he reached the summit, his smile froze.
Beside Chaoxia Hall, a new three-story courtyard had been built, grand and elegant. It was surrounded by blooming flowers and weeping willows that swayed like dancing silk.
Outside the gate, Song Wanníng stood, gently stroking a young girl's hair.
Her gaze was warm, affectionate.
Bai Yang stopped cold. A wave of loss and fury surged through him.
Jealousy and pain churned in his chest, suffocating.