The outcome of the Wen Family’s day of great celebration ultimately surprised everyone. Wen Tongyu’s true parentage became the talk of the Celestial Martial Country, and the Wen Family became its biggest joke—especially Wen Xu.

After that, the Wen Family, who had occupied the top spot among Phoenix City’s four great families for less than a year, fell into decline once more. Unable to recover, they became the family with the least influence in Phoenix City. Everyone couldn’t help but sigh with regret over this outcome and the news of Wen Tongyu’s suicide.

「Imperial City East Palace.」

Crown Prince Ling Qi sat on the high seat, with Liu Ying standing below.

Liu Ying frowned and asked, "Crown Prince, for what reason have you summoned me?"

Ling Qi stared straight ahead and sighed deeply. "I never expected Wen Qingye to be so capable. I really should have tried to win him over back then. A pity... It’s impossible to get his help now."

"So, the Crown Prince is planning to...?" Liu Ying held out his hand and made a slitting motion across his throat.

Crown Prince Ling Qi smiled and shook his head, saying, "Killing Wen Qingye has nothing to do with my throne. My goal *is* the throne."

Ling Qi paused, his smile fading slightly. He picked up a nearby vase and began toying with it in his hand. "Right now, Father intends to pass the throne to my third brother. My eighth uncle has always been the sharpest sword in Father’s hand, obeying his every command without question. My position as Crown Prince could be lost at any time. And most critically, there’s also Ling Wei. For Huang Yi to be so deferential toward her is simply baffling. Securing this throne will be quite difficult."

"Then?" Liu Ying asked, puzzled.

"I have an idea."

Ling Qi set the vase down, looked at Liu Ying, and said grimly, "For many years, no one in our Celestial Martial Country has managed to obtain both an Array Disc and a Talisman Seal. Yet this year, there were five. Therefore, my father, the Emperor, plans to host a grand banquet for them before they depart. When the time comes, all we have to do is poison the wine, and all our problems will be solved."

"Poison?" Liu Ying’s frown deepened. "Rumor has it that Wen Qingye’s skill in the Alchemy Dao is extraordinary, far beyond that of an ordinary person. If you were to use poison..."

Crown Prince Ling Qi said with full confidence, "Rest assured. The poison I’m using this time is colorless and odorless. Never mind Wen Qingye; even a master of the Yin-Yang Realm would find it difficult to detect."

"That’s good, that’s good." Liu Ying nodded in relief.

Crown Prince Ling Qi sneered, "This time, I’ll slaughter Third Brother and Ling Wei together. Let’s see who Father will pass the throne to then, if not me."

Crown Prince Ling Qi then turned to Liu Ying and cupped his fists. "I’ll be counting on the National Master for this."

"Of course, of course," Liu Ying said with a smile.

........

Wen Qingye stood beside the courtyard, a letter in his hand.

Liu Shi spoke from nearby, "That little girl was very polite when she came. She gave me this letter as she was leaving and told me to make sure I gave it to you."

Wen Qingye nodded. The letter was undoubtedly from Xiaxia; there was no mistaking the handwriting. It was ugly, but neat.

Liu Shi smiled at the mention of Xiaxia and continued, "That little girl is quite clever, and such a sweet-talker."

Wen Qingye couldn’t help but smile as he gently opened the letter.

The characters on the letter looked like a turtle’s scrawl, but each stroke was deliberate. It was clear Xiaxia had written it with great concentration, even if the result was unsightly.

Master, by the time you read this, it means you’ve made it out of the Thousand Rivers Secret Land. I’m so, so happy. It also means that I’ve already left—left the Celestial Martial Country. You always told me how big the outside world is, so I want to go and explore it for myself.

You might have already gone to the Celestial Profound Sect, too. Maybe we’ll even see each other again soon. Across these thousands of kingdoms and this vast expanse of land, I believe that I will meet you again, Master.

I know about the condition inside my body now. Some things a person just has to face on their own. I can’t live under your protection forever; that’s not what I want. I can do this, because I am your apprentice.

As for what happened with your wife, I believe you two will meet again. Because you are my master—Xiaxia’s master.

When we meet again, I will make you proud of me.

Your apprentice, Xiaxia.

Reading the last line, Wen Qingye couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. He then looked toward the distant sky, his expression tinged more with worry than anything else.

Wen Qingye couldn’t help but worry about Xiaxia, who bore the Nine Tribulations Burial.

Liu Shi smiled gently and said, "Finished reading? If so, sit down and chat with me for a bit."

"Mm," Wen Qingye nodded and sat down across from Liu Shi.

"Go on, eat. Your favorite Apricot Blossom Cake." Liu Shi pointed at the pastries on the table, then pushed the Apricot Blossom Cake toward Wen Qingye with a small smile.

Wen Qingye reached out and gently picked up a piece of Apricot Blossom Cake.

Liu Shi gazed at Wen Qingye and said wistfully, "After you leave this time, who knows when you’ll be back."

For some reason, Wen Qingye felt a pang in his heart. He smiled and said, "It’ll be soon. I’ll be back before you know it."

"Don’t try to fool your mother. I looked it up on a map. The Celestial Profound Sect is dozens of countries away. It would take two months just to get there on a Flying Demon Beast. And you’ll have to cultivate in the Sect... who knows when you’ll return. In the past, many who went to the Celestial Profound Sect either didn’t come back for decades, or they just..." Liu Shi paused, then waved her hand dismissively and forced a smile. "Forget it, let’s not talk about that. Go on and eat. Have some more."

Wen Qingye nodded solemnly and said, "In half a month, I have to head to the Imperial City."

Wen Qingye also made a silent resolution. Even though his cultivation was already at a bottleneck and nearing a breakthrough, he would cultivate at night and spend more time with Liu Shi during the day.

Liu Shi also picked up a piece of Apricot Blossom Cake and put it in her mouth, her eyes gazing lovingly at Wen Qingye. "Mm, be careful on the road. If you’re wronged or run into any trouble out there, take out the Protective Talisman I gave you."

Wen Qingye subconsciously touched the Protective Talisman he carried.

Liu Shi said softly, "If I can, I’ll go see your father tomorrow."

"See him?" Wen Qingye frowned slightly.

Liu Shi nodded. "We lived together for decades, after all. It’s impossible to feel nothing at all. I should go see him. Even if it’s just like visiting an old friend."

"Then..."

As if she knew what Wen Qingye was about to say, Liu Shi shook her head. "There’s no need. It’s better if I go by myself."

Wen Qingye nodded and sighed internally. ’He could afford to feel little for Wen Xu, but Liu Shi couldn’t. After all, they had been husband and wife for many years.’

Liu Shi looked at Wen Qingye, and the corners of her mouth curled into an involuntary smile. He was her pride and joy, the greatest one of her life.