With these thoughts in mind, she too picked up her chopsticks to sample the dishes she had ordered.

Shi Chun asked in response, "How come you ended up here, are you also here to enjoy the spectacle?"

Her curiosity stemmed from the impression that this woman, with her cold demeanor, did not seem like one who enjoyed such bustling scenes.

Mulan Qingqing originally wanted to say that she had come to ask him the very question, but as the words reached her lips, they somehow felt inappropriate, so she changed her words to, "The Divine Fire Domain opens once every two or three hundred years. Being born at the right time, I thought I should come and have a look. Coincidentally, I heard you were here too."

In fact, she had come specifically because she had heard he was here, mainly to ask him what he would do about their appointment if he found himself in danger.

Another question she really wanted to ask but knew she couldn't bring herself to ask before she even arrived was how to get rid of the palm print on her chest.

Whenever she bathed, she could see the palm print on her chest, indelible no matter how hard she scrubbed, and no method of refining her fleshly body could remove it. She had tried various high-grade healing medicines to no avail, and while it was harmless and she felt nothing, it persistently lingered on her body. Half a year had passed, and while it seemed to fade slightly, it also seemed unchanged.

How could this be? She had never heard of any palm power that could mark a person in such a way, and she had found no solution in ancient texts.

As a woman marked with such a thing on her chest, how could she bear it? What if it never disappeared in her lifetime?

This truly affected her cultivation mindset. Could she reach the Cultivation Realm she aspired to in three years at this rate?

Now, she was trying to adjust to living with the scar on her chest, convincing herself it didn't matter since she had no intention of marrying in this lifetime and no one would see it anyway.

Of course, if there were a way to remove it, that would be ideal, but she simply couldn't bring herself to speak of it.

She harbored a sliver of hope that Shi Chun might reveal a solution on his own.

Effective communication between people is crucial; if she didn't speak up, how could Shi Chun know of her plight? Instead, their conversation continued around the topic of the Divine Fire Domain.

Not too far away, on an elegant loft, three individuals had their eyes fixed on the pair seated on the cliff.

Mulan Qingqing had chosen a good place to dine, and so had Gong Shaoci, who had also settled nearby, hosting Lan Qiaoyan and her daughter. At this moment, all three of them were surprised by the sight of Shi Chun and Mulan Qingqing together.

All three knew Shi Chun and Mulan Qingqing, as they had spent a considerable time watching them through the Heavenly Mirror during the Sky Rain Meteor Conference.

They had arrived later at that spot.

After a careful observation, Lan Qiaoyan let out a "huh," "How did those two long-standing adversaries end up dining together?"

Miao Yilan was also full of curiosity.

No one imagined Shi Chun and Mulan Qingqing in a romantic relationship; first, because they didn't believe Mulan Qingqing would be interested in someone of Shi Chun's background, and second, because their behavior wasn't indicative of a developing romance.

Observing the reactions of both mother and daughter, Gong Shaoci offered with a smile, "How about I invite them over to join us?"

Lan Qiaoyan declined, "Better not, you guys just wouldn't mingle well."

Mainly, she feared that Shi Chun coming over would disrupt her daughter's budding relationship with Gong Shaoci.

Gong Shaoci insisted, "It's fine, I've been wanting to get to know them."

With that, he got up and left.

Lan Qiaoyan hesitated, then thought better of it. After all, the sweet nothings Shi Chun might whisper to her daughter wouldn't be said in her presence, so she refrained from stopping him.

The man and woman enjoying their meal and the tide on the cliff were suddenly surprised by the unexpected appearance of an uninvited guest.

Gong Shaoci greeted them with a smile, "Brother Chun, Miss Mulan, I've long admired you both. I didn't expect to encounter you here. I'm Gong Shaoci. May I have the honor of inviting you both to share a drink?" He motioned toward the mother and daughter on the nearby loft as he spoke.

Shi Chun looked over and saw that it was Lan Qiaoyan and her daughter; he immediately let out a 'hey' and stood up, waving enthusiastically—he couldn't possibly refuse an invitation from Lan Qiaoyan and her daughter. He quickly said to Mulan Qingqing, "Mulan, let's go. I'd like to introduce you to two distinguished guests."

Seeing they were friends, an expressionless Mulan Qingqing stood up and said, "No need, you guys enjoy. I have other things to do."

Without waiting for anyone's response, she turned and left. Her departure, eschewing pleasantries, reflected her preference for solitude over socializing. She liked neither bustling crowds nor the obligations of mingling and did not have what one would call friends, because she saw no need for them.

In this moment, she felt particularly uneasy, as if urgently needing to escape.

Being discovered dining privately with a lone man, and especially with Shi Chun—the man who had killed her fellow disciple—and with the whole matter being common knowledge, was too discomforting a thought. Her hasty departure left behind the half of the charm on the table; perhaps deliberately so, intending not to give the wrong impression.

But Shi Chun was not afraid of misunderstandings; he grabbed the half charm and chased after her, saying, "Mulan, you forgot your belongings."

He forcibly handed it over to Mulan Qingqing, who nearly crushed the charm in her hands before swiftly flying away.

Meanwhile, Shi Chun, rejoining Lan Qiaoyan and her daughter in the loft, was all smiles. Lan Qiaoyan quickly introduced Gong Shaoci's identity.

Realizing he was the grandson of a prominent figure, Shi Chun immediately became much more respectful.

During the meal, Lan Qiaoyan purposefully revealed the relationship between Gong Shaoci and Miao Yilan to Shi Chun.

Gong Shaoci smiled at this gesture. With his connections, he had of course already inquired about Shi Chun's pursuit of Miao Yilan in the Land of Exile.

He was unconcerned; it was obvious from the start: firstly, Shi Chun was no competition for him, and secondly, Shi Chun was no match for a daughter of the Miao family—for the immense gap in social standing, the Miao family wouldn't even consider him.

Lan Qiaoyan's intentions were clear: she was signalling Shi Chun to recognize his place.

He was somewhat puzzled by the Miao family's attitude toward Shi Chun, particularly Lan Qiaoyan's: why bother entangling with someone so beneath her, with whom she clearly had nothing in common? In his eyes, there was simply no need for them to interact.

To him, Shi Chun was merely a pawn to be manipulated, a money-making tool during their leisure, as lowly as an ant and unworthy of a seat at their table.

But he was in pursuit of Miao Yilan, and since the Miao family had taken notice, he naturally followed their wishes. That's what you call consideration.

Shi Chun was no fool and understood Lan Qiaoyan's implication, but he didn't take it to heart.

If your daughter doesn't just talk love with other men, but even discusses it with a hundred men at the same time, I don't give a damn—I'll eat my meals and drink my drinks.

However, he showed great deference to Gong Shaoci, his attitude humble to the point of groveling, clearly intending to curry favor and make connections.

When put side by side, two men: one as elegant as an orchid, the other all flattery and servility—and the latter had not even changed his long-worn clothes. The contrast couldn't be clearer: the refined appeared more distinguished, while the lowly seemed even more despicable.

As a woman, which side one favors goes without saying.

Miao Yilan's feelings were one thing, but her manner of talking and laughing with Shi Chun remained the same as always, showing neither contempt nor anything of the sort. The reason lay in Gong Shaoci's absence of any sign of aversion.

After stating her position, Lan Qiaoyan brought up some light conversation, "Brother Chun, you have a serious grudge with Mulan Qingqing, how come you're now sitting together for a meal?"

Miao Yilan and Gong Shaoci were also curious about this.

In Gong Shaoci's view, Mulan Qingqing was the one who qualified to sit at the table with them.

Shi Chun sighed, "Exactly because our grudge is heavy, I can't let it go. We've made a three-year pact—to have another fight, so she can try to redeem herself. Whether I can even leave the Divine Fire Domain alive, that's another story."

The three of them exchanged glances, so that was it.

On the way, when Gong Shaoci stepped away for a moment, Shi Chun took out a communication device and snapped it in two, handing half to Miao Yilan, "I'm now staying in the capital of Shengshen Continent. If you have any orders, just contact me anytime."

Lan Qiaoyan teased, "Wow, moving up in the world, even using communication devices now, and casually handing them out."

For most ordinary monks, these things were expensive.

Miao Yilan smiled and quickly put away the communication device, fearing Gong Shaoci might see.

After the meal when Gong Shaoci went to pay, Shi Chun hurried over to fight to foot the bill. Gong Shaoci wasn't in the habit of jostling with others, but he frowned slightly, though said nothing.

Two thousand some gold—the amount wasn't huge, but not insignificant either. It was half a year's earnings for a lower-level monk.

After paying, Shi Chun took out another communication device and offered it, "Young Master Gong, I'm now a permanent resident in the capital of Shengshen Continent. If you're ever there and need anything, you can ask me anytime. I'll go through fire and water to accomplish it."

Gong Shaoci glanced at the communication device in his hand, showing no intention of accepting. He didn't lack people willing to walk through fire and water for him, and, with a light smile, he said, "I don't carry such things; they're a hassle when you have too many and can't remember who is who. If you need anything, just contact Young Master Nan directly, he will help make the connection. Let's go, mother and daughter are still waiting outside."

With that, he nodded slightly in farewell and walked away.

"Fine, contacting through Young Master Nan works for me too." Shi Chun, putting away the communication device, eagerly followed.

Gong Shaoci was used to flatterers and wasn't surprised, but found Shi Chun's behavior in front of Miao Yilan quite pleasing.

Outside, night had fallen, and the sea breeze swayed the lanterns under the various buildings on the island, which glowed brightly.

After everyone parted ways, Shi Chun, back to his stopover in Qi Yun Valley, greeted his companions before heading into his room to sit down.

Thinking over the day's events, he took out the communication device meant for Mulan Qingqing and, after a moment's thought, sent a message: Mulan, you are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.

After sending the message, he sat in front of the communication device waiting.

No other intention—just casting a net to see if anything bites.

He didn't expect to move her heart or for her to fancy him either; he knew how insignificant he was in her eyes. The reason he did it was quite simple: she had a father with high authority and influence.

Just like how he shamelessly pursued Miao Yilan before—not hoping to succeed, aware it was impossible.

Just as Wu Jinliang knelt down and called Lan Qiaoyan "mother"—would she really see him as a son?

It's useless, impossible, but the outcome was good—if not for Lan Qiaoyan's intervention in Zhixu City, he and his brother might have lost their lives.

It didn't matter if he couldn't catch Mulan Qingqing's attention; making a connection like the one with the Miao family was enough. He could get the likes of Chu Jingtang thrown in jail; wasn't that enough?

Mulan Qingqing, already resting in her room at the inn, took out the communication device and stared at the dimly lit words for a long while.

What the heck? Was this from Shi Chun? Why would he send this? Could this even be considered human speech?

She doubted her own eyes, but after confirming it was indeed from Shi Chun, she rolled her eyes, tossed the communication device aside, and did not reply.

On the other end, Shi Chun, who had been watching the communication device for quite some time without a response, couldn't help but bite his finger and mutter, "Could she have left Yan State already?"

Never mind, he put away that communication device and took out the other one, the piece connected to Miao Yilan.

It was his first time contacting Miao Yilan via communication device; it felt fresh. He sent a message right away: Lan Lan, you are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.

Compared to the message to Mulan Qingqing, he only changed one word, too lazy to bother his brain any further.

The term "shameless" didn't apply to him.

The similar flattery, he had already told Miao Yilan face to face countless times in Life Prison.

If he could do it face to face, all the more behind the back.

Miao Yilan replied swiftly: You scoundrel, you're out of Life Prison now, watch your mouth and don't be so indiscriminate lest people get the wrong idea.

Shi Chun immediately responded: The wrong idea about what? You are indeed beautiful—whoever denies that, I'll fight them to the death!

Miao Yilan: Spouting nonsense... I'm going to rest and won't deal with you anymore.

And then she really stopped responding, no matter what Shi Chun sent.

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