The next day.

When Luo Xiu woke up, he received a message from Zhou Jingong and learned of the deaths of Boss Huang and his men. In the message, Zhou Jingong said that Boss Huang, Qian Laoyao, and Zhu Hongmo had been taken to the hospital the previous night. Despite resuscitation efforts that lasted all night, they couldn't be saved. In the end, all three of them died in excruciating pain, their bodies corroded from the inside out by a virulent poison.

Additionally, Zhou Jingong said he had finished his business in Sea City and had also consoled Cao Hong's family. He would be returning to the Wind Blade Sect today.

Luo Xiu sent Zhou Jingong a "666" red envelope as a farewell gesture.

...

After freshening up, Luo Xiu went downstairs.

As always, Ye Ningxue seemed possessed. She was meditating cross-legged in the courtyard early in the morning. Anyone who didn't know better might have mistaken her for someone simply basking in the sunlight. Through her recent efforts, Ye Ningxue's strength had recovered to the Grandmaster Realm. To cross the threshold from the Grandmaster Realm into the Gathering Spirit Realm, however, would still require some time. However, Ye Ningxue had already reached the Gathering Spirit Realm once before using the Blood Essence Sacrifice Technique on Luo Xiu. Retracing a path she had already walked would be much easier.

Xia Chan sat on the sofa in the little dress Luo Xiu had bought her the previous night. She was hugging a pillow and giggling like a little fool while watching Bald Qiang chop down trees on TV.

Lin Xiyue isn't here. She probably returned to the Lin Family last night.

"Master, make breakfast!"

"Brother Luo, Xiaochan is hungry."

Luo Xiu stood silently at the kitchen doorway, looking from his foolish disciple to the equally silly Xia Chan with an expression of utter despair.

These two are my little tyrants!

With a long sigh, Luo Xiu resigned himself to reality and turned to enter the kitchen.

Three bowls of noodles and three fried eggs. Breakfast was just that simple.

After breakfast, Luo Xiu walked into the courtyard to find Ye Ningxue.

"Xiao Xue, I see you training so hard you forget to eat or sleep. What is your goal?"

Ye Ningxue replied with resolute eyes, "I want to become as strong as you, Master. I want to protect our home and our nation, and drive away any enemies who dare to invade Hua Country!"

Luo Xiu fell silent. Her answer is just what I expected. Even though she no longer bears a soldier's mission, that deeply ingrained military mindset of hers is impossible to change.

So, Luo Xiu took a long-prepared letter from his Holy Lotus Jade Pendant and handed it to Ye Ningxue.

"Then go here. When we meet again, I trust you will have become strong enough."

Ye Ningxue's face was full of confusion. "Where is this?"

Luo Xiu answered, "My sect, Ghost Valley Mountain."

"Of course, it's your sect too. I've written everything down in the letter, and there's a map for ascending the mountain inside. Once you get there, find my master—your grandmaster—and give him the letter.

"I have already taught you all the basics. As for the cultivation path that truly suits you, you need to go up the mountain to find the answer.

"Every disciple of Ghost Valley specializes in different things, so what I'm good at might not necessarily suit you.

"Also, to be honest... I'm quite lazy by nature and not really cut out for teaching disciples.

"Moreover, Ghost Valley is a Secret Realm, rich in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, with treasures everywhere. With your grandmaster's guidance, your cultivation there will be twice as effective with half the effort."

Ye Ningxue pouted, on the verge of tears. "Master, you don't want me anymore?"

Luo Xiu gently rubbed her head. "Silly girl, it's precisely because I'm your master that I have to be responsible for you."

Ye Ningxue looked reluctant. "I understand what you mean, Master. But... how long before we see each other again?"

Luo Xiu looked toward the distant sky and said slowly, "When your grandmaster feels you're ready to graduate and lets you leave the mountain, you can come back to find me."

"I will work hard!"

Luo Xiu smiled. "Go pack your things. Bring a few extra warm clothes; it's colder up on the mountain."

"Mhm!"

Watching Ye Ningxue's retreating figure as she went inside, Luo Xiu sighed silently.

In truth, I decided this several days ago. Firstly, just like I said, I'm not suited to teaching disciples, and what I teach might not be right for her. Secondly, I need to send her away because I don't know how much longer I have to live. Even now that I know of a way to survive, I can't bring myself to accept it. If it means sacrificing Lin Xiyue, I would rather die.

Now that Xiao Xue is leaving, it's Xiaochan's turn. Ugh, I have to help her find her family as soon as possible. It's not right for her to just keep staying with me.

That very afternoon, Ye Ningxue boarded a plane leaving Sea City. Luo Xiu personally took her to the airport.

...

...

Since that day, Luo Xiu hadn't seen Lin Xiyue again, because he was deliberately avoiding her. Even when Lin Xiyue took the initiative to message him, he would offer some excuse and refuse to meet.

As Sun Li put it, "So quick to cut things off. A textbook scumbag!"

His days were spent in leisure, aside from eating and sleeping. Sometimes he would invite Li Jiuzhen and Wu Tianhua to go fishing for fifty-pound bighead carp, having a great time. He would also go on dates with Su Shenyun, and after seeing her, he'd go on a date with Sun Li. As for Luo Xiu's suggestion that they all get together at once, both Su Shenyun and Sun Li firmly refused. Helpless, Luo Xiu could only see them one at a time.

Occasionally, Li Zihan would also reach out, sending him sexy pajama photos in the middle of the night.

Time flowed like water. Day by day, month by month... several months passed just like that.

「Today.」

Luo Xiu set his alarm and got up at seven in the morning. It was the day their six-month agreement with Lin Xiyue was up.

It was time to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Summer had quietly slipped away without leaving any little secrets behind, only pink-tinted memories and a cool autumn breeze. Autumn, it seemed, was a season for goodbyes.

Most people on the street were already wearing long sleeves, though a few women still flaunted their figures in shorts and miniskirts.

「Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau.」

Luo Xiu had just parked his car when he saw Lin Xiyue, who had arrived before him. Besides Lin Xiyue stood her parents and grandfather.

Zhang Cui hurried toward Luo Xiu. "Luo Xiu, Xi Yue is pregnant now! Why do you still want to divorce her?!"

Lin Youpeng tried to persuade him, "You young people, can't you sit down and talk through your conflicts?"

Lin Daqi sighed. "Luo Xiu, I admit our family was wrong about you before... but now, we truly hope you'll stay with Xi Yue and be our son-in-law. Besides, you two have a child now!"

...

Luo Xiu chose to ignore the entreaties from Lin Xiyue's family.

Lin Xiyue's lips were slightly pursed, her gaze calm as she looked at him, not saying a word. She had known this day would come but had been unable to prevent its arrival.

Seeing her slightly reddened eyes, Luo Xiu's heart ached. I haven't seen her in months. She looks more haggard... and she seems to have lost some weight.

"This is your Jade Pendant." Lin Xiyue extended her hand, passing the other half of the Holy Lotus Jade Pendant to him.

Luo Xiu took it and nodded, feeling the last of its warmth slip through his fingers.

"Let's go in."

Lin Xiyue looked back at her family. "Mom, Dad, Grandpa, you should go home. There's no need to persuade us anymore. This was my decision."

...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.