Chapter Fifteen: Unwilling to Help Him?

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Bai Chuwei didn’t stay there; she twisted her head and ran away. She feared that Yu Wanqiao would discover that within her sword, there was a familiar presence—the sword spirit Yu Wanqiao had once tried to destroy. Bai Chuwei had believed it was gone, but that very day, the sword spirit came to find her.

Originally, Bai Chuwei wanted to avoid meddling, afraid of being found out. Although the sword spirit always came to her when it emerged, and Bai Chuwei sensed Yu Wanqiao’s sword spirit, which also harbored great affection for her. She felt a quiet pride. Despite Yu Wanqiao’s extraordinary talent and high cultivation realm, she was oddly disliked by her junior disciple and master. Even the sword spirit she carefully nurtured preferred Bai Chuwei.

Yet, on the other hand, she felt somewhat defeated. She knew she was the predestined daughter of this world, beloved by all. Sometimes, she couldn’t tell if people or spiritual beasts loved her because she was truly exceptional or simply because everyone was destined to adore her. During that time, she was anxious, often restless as she repeatedly opened that book. Watching the story’s trajectory gradually veer in a different direction, she feared everything she now possessed might change.

Bai Chuwei knew that since she discovered the book, she was no longer herself. Seeing the sword spirit battered and wounded, she hesitated for a moment but ultimately softened. She recalled having a place for the sword spirit to rest and brought it out so it could recuperate. She always seemed to find and possess all the treasures in this world. Yu Wanqiao’s death restored some of her rationality. Now, she had come to apologize to Yu Wanqiao. She believed that if she hadn’t hidden the Voice Stone and tried to explain, none of this would have happened.

*

Although Yu Wanqiao didn’t know if the spiritual beast was still at the Moon Embrace Pavilion after hatching, she had to go down the mountain and pack her belongings there. Determined to act quickly, Yu Wanqiao decided to leave today.

Unexpectedly, just as she opened the door, she locked eyes with a small creature inside—a little phoenix, not yet transformed into human form. The little phoenix excitedly leapt into her arms. Yu Wanqiao reached out to hold it, her heart softening slightly.

“Little one, you still remember me?”

The little phoenix rolled excitedly, and Yu Wanqiao gently stroked its body, feeling somewhat comforted.

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She hadn’t expected that despite only caring for it briefly, it would remember her so clearly. Seeing how well it was cared for, Yu Wanqiao guessed without hesitation that it was thanks to Lord Qingfeng.

“I thought you were still an egg and planned to take you along. But now you’ve hatched and gained your own consciousness. I’m heading down the mountain now; would you like to come with me?”

The little phoenix rubbed against Yu Wanqiao enthusiastically. She understood its feelings.

“Alright, then from now on, we’ll rely on each other!”

The little phoenix immediately forgot Lord Qingfeng’s feedings and happily followed Yu Wanqiao. After tidying up the things she had missed before their reunion, the little phoenix perched on her shoulder.

The little phoenix had a name: Yuan. Yu Wanqiao called it Yuanyuan.

As Yu Wanqiao descended the mountain, she sensed someone watching her from behind but didn’t turn back. She left without mercy.

…

After several days of travel, Yu Wanqiao finally noticed signs of life ahead. Knowing she was close to Xi City, she decided to rest there.

“Steamed buns, hot steamed buns!”

“Sugar-coated hawthorns, sugar-coated hawthorns!”

Yu Wanqiao arrived at a village and began exploring, having not been down the mountain for some time. She bought a skewer of sugar-coated hawthorns.

While walking, a horse suddenly appeared before her.

“Move, move, can’t you see?! Giddy-up!”

The sound of hooves grew louder. Yu Wanqiao saw several children playing nearby when one was suddenly pushed to the ground, crying loudly. The horse showed no sign of stopping.

Yu Wanqiao quickly stepped forward, scooped the child aside, and threw a stone hard at the horse. The horse neighed sharply and came to a halt. The rider was thrown roughly to the ground but was clearly a skilled fighter, quickly getting back up.

“Who dares to mess with me?! Show yourself!” the man shouted.

Yu Wanqiao didn’t foolishly admit anything—she was a stranger here. The man looked around but saw nothing suspicious. Eventually, he blamed the horse for losing control, cursed it a few times, and remounted.

“Ugh, so unlucky.”

He left, the horse’s rear the last thing in sight.

Yu Wanqiao crouched and asked the child if he had been frightened. The boy stopped crying and looked at her with admiration.

“Sister, you’re amazing!”

Yu Wanqiao smiled but sternly said, “Don’t come so close here next time.”

After giving a few words of warning to the other children playing, they scattered. But the little boy stayed behind, clutching Yu Wanqiao’s hand, unwilling to let go.

Puzzled, Yu Wanqiao looked at him.

“Sister, sister, I know you’re an immortal. Can you help my mother?”

Yu Wanqiao thought she misheard and asked again, “What?”

The boy bit his lip.

“Sister, I know you’re a cultivator.”

Yu Wanqiao asked, “Why do you say that?”

The boy’s mood sank.

“Because my father said he was going to cultivate immortality too. I saw you just now—you saved me so swiftly, and you carry a sword on your back. It’s obvious you’re a cultivator coming down the mountain. But my father left five years ago and hasn’t come down to see me or my mother since.”

Tears streamed down the boy’s face.

“My mother’s health has been poor ever since my father left. Recently, I’ve heard her talking to herself. I’m really worried. Now that I’ve met you, I want to ask for your help.”

Yu Wanqiao didn’t immediately agree. She wasn’t foolish—she wouldn’t easily trust strangers. She gently patted the boy’s head.

“Sorry, sister has urgent matters to attend to.”

Sensing Yu Wanqiao’s implied refusal, the boy’s spirits fell.

He handed Yu Wanqiao some clothes.

“Sister, I’m sorry for bothering you.”

Then he ran off.

Only then did Yu Wanqiao notice a small girl beside her, tilting her head and looking at her.

“Sister, why won’t you help the boy from before? You saved him but won’t help him now?”