Chapter 214: Breaking Through the Door

Lu Bing listened to Sun Bushan and Sun Buxi’s incoherent chatter with a blank expression, merely letting out a cold snort.

Sun Buer, standing nearby, seemed to realize that the man beside him might be the very officer from the Jinyi Guard mentioned by Sun Bushan. He cautiously stepped back, glancing at Lu Bing before turning to Sun Bushan and asking, “Bushan, is this person you mentioned just now indeed an official from the Jinyi Guard?”

Lu Bing listened to the incoherent ramblings of Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si, his face expressionless, only letting out a cold snort.

Sun Bu-er, standing nearby, seemed to recognize that the man beside her was the one from the Imperial Guards that Sun Bu-san had mentioned. She cautiously took a few steps back, glanced at Lu Bing a few times, and then asked Sun Bu-san, “Bu-san, is this Lord Lu you mentioned an official from the Imperial Guards?”

Sun Bu-san nodded vigorously, his bald head gleaming as he shook it. “Yes, yes, this is Lord Lu Bing of the Imperial Guards. My brother and I have always served under him.” He then glanced at Lu Bing and added, “Lord Lu has always taken good care of us. This time, we were able to get information about that kid Liu, it was… it was…”

“I am Lu Bing, the Commander of the Imperial Guards,” Lu Bing said with a stern face. “I wouldn’t say I’ve taken care of them, but I haven’t mistreated them either. However, this time, the two of them used classified information from the Imperial Guards as a favor, leaking it out. I wonder what you call that?”

Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si stammered, unable to respond.

After hearing the conversation between Sun Bu-er and the two brothers, Lu Bing and Mei Qing both understood that these two had originally been with Sun Bu-er. Later, it seemed that Sun Bu-er had fallen in love with Liu Xing, but Liu Xing had returned to Anlu and disappeared. These two had joined the Imperial Guards to gather information to please their sister. Back then, Liu Xing was known as Liu Shuxing and wasn’t particularly famous, so the Imperial Guards hadn’t paid much attention to him, and Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si naturally had no leads.

It wasn’t until this time, when they coincidentally learned of Liu Xing’s whereabouts and uncovered some of his past, that Lu Bing hurried to Anlu and arranged for his subordinates to follow. This was how Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si got the information and quickly passed it on to Sun Bu-er.

The Imperial Guards placed great emphasis on secrecy, and now, in front of Mei Qing, this internal betrayal and leaking of information had been exposed. Lu Bing naturally felt embarrassed, and his gaze toward Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si turned somewhat hostile.

Seeing this, Sun Bu-er stepped forward, blocking Lu Bing’s line of sight. “So it’s Lord Lu. My two incompetent brothers have been under your care for many years. I thank you for your kindness. However, they didn’t join the court for fame or fortune. Although they may be a bit slow-witted, they are honest and decent. You must know that. If they have violated any rules of the Imperial Guards, it was only for my sake. If you have anything to say, you might as well say it to me.”

Lu Bing coldly stared at Sun Bu-er, who met his gaze without flinching. Lu Bing snorted and said, “This matter has nothing to do with the cultivation world. Since your brothers joined the Imperial Guards, they should abide by the court’s rules. If they wish to leave, they need only say the word, and I will not stop them. But to remain in the Guards while doing inappropriate things—I wonder how you plan to explain this, Fellow Cultivator Sun?”

Sun Bu-er remained silent for a moment, then asked, “What does Lord Lu suggest should be done according to the court’s rules?”

Lu Bing’s eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, “The Imperial Guards have no place for those who leak secrets.”

Sun Bu-er was taken aback, realizing that Lu Bing meant this matter couldn’t be resolved without a proper explanation. Seeing Sun Bu-er step forward to defend them, Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si felt both ashamed and anxious. Sun Bu-san loudly said, “Lord Lu, all the blame is on us brothers. It has nothing to do with our sister. If you want to kill or punish someone, kill me.”

“Silence!” Sun Bu-er’s eyebrows shot up, and she shouted. Sun Bu-san immediately fell silent, his large eyes darting around, not daring to make another sound.

“Father-in-law, Fellow Cultivator Sun, perhaps we should discuss this matter at length,” Mei Qing, seeing the situation escalating, quickly intervened. “This is not the Imperial Guards headquarters in the capital. We are all guests at Mr. Liu’s residence. Official matters can be set aside for now. Let’s return to the capital and handle this according to the rules, how about that?”

Mei Qing’s words were clearly an attempt to mediate. Since the two brothers had already been found by Sun Bu-er and the mission to find Liu Shuxing was complete, they naturally wouldn’t return to the Imperial Guards. Mei Qing’s mention of “returning to the capital” was just an excuse. There was no way Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si would ever go back.

Lu Bing, having been in the official circles for a long time, understood that Sun Bu-er was merely trying to save face and get an explanation. He knew that if he insisted on punishing the two brothers and clashed with Sun Bu-er, it would not only cause internal strife but also make it unclear whose side Liu Xing would take. With a major enemy at hand, it was indeed not the time for such a conflict. Moreover, Mei Qing was Lu Bing’s beloved son-in-law, and since Mei Qing had spoken, Lu Bing had to give him some face. Therefore, Lu Bing only snorted, flicked his sleeve, and said nothing more.

Sun Bu-er knew that Mei Qing was trying to help the two brothers out of trouble, and her opinion of him greatly improved. Although she wouldn’t openly thank him in front of Lu Bing, her gaze toward Mei Qing softened significantly.

Seeing that the two had stopped arguing, Mei Qing turned to Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si with a smile. “Bu-san, Bu-si, it’s been a long time.”

Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si both looked somewhat awkward, likely embarrassed that Mei Qing had seen them cowering in front of Sun Bu-er. They exchanged glances, and finally, Sun Bu-si whispered, “Ah… Young Master, it’s been a long time.”

Mei Qing smiled warmly. “I didn’t expect to see you two here. When I met your sister earlier, if I hadn’t heard her name, I wouldn’t have made the connection.”

Sun Bu-san rolled his eyes. “What, you think our sister looks younger than us and you’re not convinced? If you’re more capable than me, I’ll call you sister.”

Mei Qing chuckled and shook his head, then turned to the group. “Since we’ve arrived, it’s not proper to stand at the door and chat. Why don’t we all go inside and visit the host together?”

Sun Bu-er was momentarily stunned, then said bitterly, “You’re still talking about that? That guy is determined to hide inside and not come out. What kind of host refuses to meet his guests?”

With that, she called out loudly toward the courtyard, “Is Mr. Liu here? We have guests visiting. Please open the door and meet us.”

After a moment, Liu Xing’s voice came from inside the courtyard. “Honored guests, I should have come out to welcome you. However, I am filled with shame and cannot face you. As they say, sometimes it’s better not to meet. Let’s leave it for another day.”

“Liu Shuxing!” Sun Bu-er, who had been calm just moments ago, suddenly erupted in anger. “You can hide today, but you can’t hide forever. If you don’t come out, I won’t leave! I’ve waited for you for over a decade. Do you still not believe me? I even cut my hair and became a nun for you. Don’t you believe me? I changed my name to Bu-er, meaning ‘loyal and unwavering,’ for you. Do you still not believe me? If you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll die right here at your doorstep!”

“Ah Rou,” Liu Xing’s voice was full of guilt. “I’ve told you before, I have no doubts about you. But fate is a matter of nature, not human will. We are not fated to be together. Why do you insist?”

“I don’t believe it!” Sun Bu-er gritted her teeth. “If you were truly so heartless, you wouldn’t dare to see me. What’s all this talk about fate? Clearly, you have doubts and don’t believe me!”

Mei Qing inwardly marveled at Sun Bu-er’s determination. This sister was truly something, pursuing a man with such fervor. In the entire Ming Dynasty, it would be hard to find another like her. He had heard from Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si that their sister’s name, Bu-er, meant “unyielding.” But now it seemed it was more about her vow to Liu Xing, meaning “I will marry no one but you, with unwavering loyalty.”

Thinking this, Mei Qing turned to look at Sun Bu-san and Sun Bu-si, only to find their expressions quite strange. Sun Bu-san was clenching his teeth, glaring at the gate, clearly furious at Liu Xing’s coldness. Sun Bu-si, however, was looking at Sun Bu-er with a soft, affectionate gaze.

Lu Bing, seeing that this was getting out of hand and fearing it would interfere with more important matters, quickly spoke up. “Fellow Cultivator Liu, I am Lu Bing, here with Mei Qing to discuss important matters. Please open the door and let us in, so we don’t delay crucial business.”

“Lord Lu, I understand what you wish to discuss,” Liu Xing’s voice was grave. “But the trouble is directed at me alone, and I dare not involve my friends. If I have offended anyone, I will make amends in the future.”

Mei Qing shook his head. This Mr. Liu was truly stubborn. Did he think that keeping Sun Bu-er out would solve the problem? That Duan Chaoyong was targeting him alone? It seemed that back then, his mother hadn’t…

Sun Bu-er’s eyes softened, and her tone gradually became gentler. “It’s been so many years, and you’re still as hard-headed as ever. Shuxing, don’t worry. No matter what trouble comes your way, I’ll stand by you.”

Seeing that the situation was only getting more tangled and fearing it would drag on indefinitely, Mei Qing decided not to say more. Instead, he reached into his sleeves and pulled out two small paper talismans. With a flick of his fingers, the talismans flew into the air. Mei Qing chanted, “Heaven one, earth two, activate!” The talismans spontaneously ignited, and a gentle breeze swept through. The previously hazy mountain villa suddenly became clear.

Sun Bu-er was startled. Although she had noticed the young man standing with Lu Bing and sensed his extraordinary presence, she hadn’t expected Mei Qing’s cultivation to be so advanced. With a simple gesture, he had broken the formation at the entrance of Liu’s villa that she had long been unable to decipher.

What Sun Bu-er didn’t know was that Liu Xing inside the villa was even more astonished. However, knowing that Mei Qing had begun cultivating, he had anticipated that Mei Qing would be extraordinary. Though surprised, he didn’t lose his composure, only sighing, “Ah, Mei Qing, why did you have to do this?”

“I am Lu Bing, the commander of the Jinyi Guard,” Lu Bing’s face remained cold and impassive. “I wouldn’t say I’ve been especially considerate, but I certainly haven’t mistreated the two of you. However, this time, you’ve used confidential information from the Jinyi Guard as a favor to others. Tell me, what exactly do you think that makes you?”

Sun Bushan and Sun Buxi stammered, unable to respond.

From the earlier conversation between Sun Buer and the other two, both Lu Bing and Mei Qing had figured out the situation. These two had originally been with Sun Buer. Later, it seemed Sun Buer had fallen in love with Liu Xing, but Liu had returned to Anlu and disappeared. To please their older sister, the two had joined the Jinyi Guard to gather information. However, back then Liu was still known as Liu Shuxing and was relatively unknown, so the Jinyi Guard had not paid much attention to him, leaving Sun Bushan and Sun Buxi unable to act.

It wasn’t until this time that they happened to discover Liu’s whereabouts and uncovered some of his past. Lu Bing had hurriedly rushed to Anlu and arranged for his subordinates to come as well. This time, Sun Bushan and Sun Buxi learned of the information and quickly sent word to Sun Buer.

The Jinyi Guard was known for its strict secrecy, so it was particularly embarrassing for such an internal betrayal to be exposed in front of Mei Qing. Naturally, Lu Bing felt humiliated and looked at Sun Bushan and Sun Buxi with a hint of displeasure.

Lu Bing listened to the incoherent ramblings of Sun Busan and Sun Busi, his face expressionless, only letting out a cold snort.

Sun Buer, standing nearby, seemed to recognize that the man beside her was the one Sun Busan had mentioned as a member of the Imperial Guards. She cautiously took a few steps back, glanced at Lu Bing a few times, and then asked Sun Busan, “Busuan, is this Lord Lu you mentioned an official from the Imperial Guards?”

Sun Busan nodded vigorously, his bald head gleaming as he shook it. “Yes, yes, this is Lord Lu Bing of the Imperial Guards. My brother and I have always served under him.” He then glanced at Lu Bing and added, “Lord Lu has always taken good care of us. This time, we were able to find out about Liu’s whereabouts because… because…”

“I am Lu Bing, the Commander of the Imperial Guards,” Lu Bing said with a stern face. “I wouldn’t say I’ve taken care of them, but I haven’t mistreated them either. However, this time, the two of you used confidential information from the Imperial Guards as a favor and leaked it. What do you call that?”

Sun Busan and Sun Busi stammered, unable to respond.

After hearing the conversation between Sun Buer and the two brothers, both Lu Bing and Mei Qing understood that these two had originally been with Sun Buer. Later, it seemed that Sun Buer had fallen in love with Liu Xing, but Liu Xing had returned to Anlu and disappeared. These two had joined the Imperial Guards to gather information to please their sister. However, back then, Liu Xing was known as Liu Shuxing and was not well-known, so the Imperial Guards hadn’t paid much attention to him, and Sun Busan and Sun Busi naturally had no leads.

It was only by chance this time that they learned of Liu Xing’s whereabouts and uncovered some of his past. Lu Bing hurried to Anlu and arranged for his subordinates to follow. This was how Sun Busan and Sun Busi found out and quickly sent word to Sun Buer.

The Imperial Guards place great importance on confidentiality, and now, in front of Mei Qing, this internal betrayal and leaking of information had been exposed. Lu Bing naturally felt embarrassed, and his gaze towards Sun Busan and Sun Busi turned somewhat hostile.

Seeing this, Sun Buer stepped forward, blocking Lu Bing’s line of sight. “So it’s Lord Lu. These two useless brothers of mine have been under your care for many years. I thank you for your kindness. However, they didn’t join the court for fame or fortune. Although they may be a bit dull, they are honest people, as you surely know. If they have violated any rules of the Imperial Guards, it was only for my sake. If you have anything to say, you might as well say it to me.”

Lu Bing coldly stared at Sun Buer, who met his gaze without flinching. Lu Bing snorted and said, “This matter has nothing to do with the cultivation world. Since your brothers have joined the Imperial Guards, they must abide by the court’s rules. If they wish to leave, they need only say the word, and I will not stop them. But to remain in the Guards while doing inappropriate things—what kind of explanation do you plan to give?”

Sun Buer was silent for a moment, then asked, “What kind of explanation does the court require?”

Lu Bing’s eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, “The Guards do not tolerate those who leak secrets.”

Sun Buer was at a loss, knowing that Lu Bing meant that without a proper explanation, this matter would not be easily resolved. Seeing Sun Buer stand up for them, Sun Busan and Sun Busi felt both ashamed and anxious. Sun Busan loudly said, “Lord Lu, all the fault is ours. It has nothing to do with our sister. If you want to kill or punish someone, kill me.”

“Silence!” Sun Buer’s eyebrows shot up, and she shouted. Sun Busan immediately fell silent, his large eyes darting around, not daring to make another sound.

“Father-in-law, Fellow Daoist Sun, perhaps we should discuss this matter at length,” Mei Qing, seeing the situation was getting out of hand, quickly intervened. “This is not the Imperial Guards in the capital. We are all guests at Mr. Liu’s residence. Official matters can be set aside for now. When we return to the capital, we can handle it according to the rules, how about that?”

Mei Qing’s words were clearly an attempt to mediate. Since the two brothers had already been seen by Sun Buer and the mission to find Liu Shuxing was complete, they would naturally not return to the Imperial Guards. Mei Qing’s mention of “returning to the capital” was just an excuse. There was no way Sun Busan and Sun Busi would ever go back.

Lu Bing, having been in the official circles for a long time, knew that Sun Buer was merely trying to save face and get an explanation. He understood that if he insisted on punishing the two brothers and clashed with Sun Buer, it would not only cause internal strife but also make Liu Xing’s stance unclear. With a major enemy at hand, it was not the time for such a conflict. Moreover, Mei Qing was Lu Bing’s beloved son-in-law, and since Mei Qing had spoken, Lu Bing had to give him some face. Therefore, Lu Bing only snorted, flicked his sleeve, and said nothing more.

Sun Buer knew that Mei Qing was trying to help the two brothers, and her opinion of him greatly improved. Although she wouldn’t openly thank him in front of Lu Bing, her gaze towards Mei Qing softened significantly.

Seeing that the two had stopped arguing, Mei Qing turned to Sun Busan and Sun Busi with a smile. “Busuan, Busi, it’s been a long time.”

Sun Busan and Sun Busi were somewhat awkward, likely embarrassed that Mei Qing had seen them cowering in front of Sun Buer. They exchanged glances, and finally, Sun Busi whispered, “Ah… Young Master, it’s been a long time.”

Mei Qing smiled warmly. “I didn’t expect to see you two here. When I saw your sister earlier, if I hadn’t heard her name, I wouldn’t have recognized her.”

Sun Busan rolled his eyes. “What, you think our sister looks younger than us? If you’re more capable than me, I’ll call you sister.”

Mei Qing chuckled and shook his head, then turned to Sun Buer. “Since we’ve come this far, it’s not proper to stand at the gate and chat. Why don’t we all go in and visit the host together?”

Sun Buer was momentarily stunned, then said with a hint of resentment, “He’s determined to hide inside and not come out. What kind of host refuses to meet his guests?”

With that, she called out towards the courtyard, “Is Mr. Liu here? We have guests. Please open the door.”

After a moment, Liu Xing’s voice came from inside. “Honored guests, I should have welcomed you at the door. But I am ashamed and cannot face you. As they say, it’s better not to meet. Let’s leave it for another day.”

“Liu Shuxing!” Sun Buer, who had been calm moments ago, suddenly erupted in anger. “You can’t hide forever! If you don’t come out, I won’t leave! I’ve waited for you for over a decade. Do you still not believe me? I cut my hair and became a nun for you. I changed my name to Buer, meaning ‘loyal to you alone.’ Do you still not believe me? If you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll die right here at your door!”

“Ah Rou,” Liu Xing’s voice was filled with guilt. “I’ve told you before, I have no doubts about you. But fate is a matter of nature, not human will. We are not fated to be together. Why do you insist?”

“I don’t believe it!” Sun Buer gritted her teeth. “If you were truly so heartless, you wouldn’t dare to see me. What does fate have to do with it? Clearly, you doubt me and don’t believe in me!”

Mei Qing inwardly marveled at Sun Buer’s determination. Such a passionate pursuit of a man was rare even in the entire Ming Dynasty. He had heard from Sun Busan and Sun Busi that their sister’s name, Buer, meant “unyielding.” But now it seemed it was more about her vow to Liu Xing: “I will marry no one but you, and my heart will never waver.”

Thinking this, Mei Qing glanced at Sun Busan and Sun Busi, only to find their expressions quite strange. Sun Busan was gnashing his teeth, clearly furious at Liu Xing’s coldness. Sun Busi, however, was looking at Sun Buer with a gentle and affectionate gaze.

Lu Bing, seeing that the situation was getting out of hand and fearing it would interfere with their main objective, quickly spoke up. “Fellow Daoist Liu, I am Lu Bing, here with Mei Qing to discuss important matters. Please open the door and let us in so we don’t delay our business.”

“Lord Lu, I understand what you wish to discuss,” Liu Xing’s voice was heavy. “But the evil man is targeting me alone, and I dare not involve my friends. If I have offended you, I will make amends in the future.”

Mei Qing shook his head. This Mr. Liu was indeed stubborn. Did he think that keeping Sun Buer out would solve the problem? That Duan Chaoyong was coming for him alone? It seemed his mother hadn’t…

Sun Buer, hearing this, softened her tone. “It’s been so many years, and you’re still as stubborn as ever. Shuxing, don’t worry. No matter what evil man comes for you, I’ll stand by you.”

Seeing that the situation was only getting more tangled and fearing it would drag on indefinitely, Mei Qing decided not to say more. He reached into his sleeves and pulled out two small paper talismans. With a flick of his wrist, the talismans flew into the air. Mei Qing chanted, “Heaven one, Earth two, activate!” The talismans burst into flames, and a gentle breeze swept through. The previously hazy manor suddenly became clear.

Sun Buer was startled. Although she had noticed the young man standing with Lu Bing and sensed his extraordinary presence, she hadn’t expected Mei Qing’s cultivation to be so advanced. With a simple gesture, he had broken the formation at the manor’s entrance that she had been unable to penetrate.

What Sun Buer didn’t know was that Liu Xing inside the manor was even more astonished. However, knowing that Mei Qing had entered the cultivation world, he had anticipated that Mei Qing would be extraordinary. Though surprised, he remained composed, only sighing, “Ah, Mei Qing, why did you have to do this?”

Lu Bing stared coldly at Sun Buer, who met his gaze without flinching. Lu Bing coldly replied, “This matter has nothing to do with the cultivation world. Since your brothers have joined the Jinyi Guard, they should abide by the court’s rules. If they wish to leave, I will not stop them. However, staying within the Guard while engaging in inappropriate activities, how do you intend to explain this, Master Sun?”

Sun Buer was silent for a moment before asking, “According to the court’s rules, what should be the proper explanation?”

Lu Bing’s eyes flashed coldly. “The Guard has never tolerated those who leak secrets.”

Lu Bing listened to the incoherent ramblings of Sun Busan and Sun Busi, his face expressionless, only letting out a cold snort.

Sun Buer, standing nearby, seemed to recognize that the man beside her was the one Sun Busan had mentioned as being from the Imperial Guards. She cautiously took a few steps back, glanced at Lu Bing a few times, and then asked Sun Busan, “Busuan, is this Lord Lu you mentioned an official from the Imperial Guards?”

Sun Busan nodded vigorously, his bald head gleaming as he shook it. “Yes, yes, this is Lord Lu Bing of the Imperial Guards. My brother and I have always served under him.” He then glanced at Lu Bing and added, “Lord Lu has always taken good care of us. This time, we were able to find out about Liu Xiaozi because… because…”

“I am Lu Bing, the Commander of the Imperial Guards,” Lu Bing said with a stern face. “I wouldn’t say I’ve taken care of them, but I haven’t mistreated them either. However, this time, the two of them used confidential information from the Imperial Guards as a favor and leaked it. I wonder what you call that?”

Sun Busan and Sun Busi stammered, unable to respond.

After hearing the conversation between Sun Buer and the two brothers, Lu Bing and Mei Qing both understood that these two had originally been with Sun Buer. Later, it seemed that Sun Buer had fallen in love with Liu Xing, but Liu Xing had returned to Anlu and disappeared. The two brothers, wanting to please their sister, had joined the Imperial Guards to gather information. However, back then, Liu Xing was known as Liu Shuxing and was not well-known, so the Imperial Guards hadn’t paid much attention to him, and Sun Busan and Sun Busi had naturally been unable to find anything.

It wasn’t until this time, when they coincidentally discovered Liu Xing’s whereabouts and uncovered some of his past, that Lu Bing hurriedly rushed to Anlu and arranged for his subordinates to follow. This was how Sun Busan and Sun Busi had found out and quickly sent word to Sun Buer.

The Imperial Guards placed great importance on secrecy, and now, in front of Mei Qing, this internal betrayal and leaking of information had been exposed. Lu Bing naturally felt embarrassed and looked at Sun Busan and Sun Busi with a less than friendly gaze.

Seeing this, Sun Buer stepped forward, blocking Lu Bing’s line of sight, and said, “So it’s Lord Lu. These two incompetent brothers of mine have been under your care for many years. I thank you for your kindness. However, they didn’t join the court for fame or fortune. Although they may be a bit slow-witted, they are honest and straightforward. I’m sure you know that. If they have violated any rules of the Imperial Guards, it was only for my sake. If you have anything to say, you might as well say it to me directly.”

Lu Bing looked coldly at Sun Buer, who met his gaze without flinching. Lu Bing snorted and said, “This matter has nothing to do with the cultivation world. Since your brothers have joined the Imperial Guards, they must abide by the court’s rules. If they wish to leave, they only need to say the word, and I will not stop them. But while they are still in the Guards, they should not be doing inappropriate things. I wonder how you plan to handle this, Fellow Cultivator Sun?”

Sun Buer was silent for a moment, then asked, “What do you suggest, Lord Lu?”

Lu Bing’s eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, “The Imperial Guards do not tolerate those who leak secrets.”

Sun Buer was taken aback, knowing that Lu Bing meant that without a proper resolution, this matter would not be easily settled. Seeing Sun Buer stand up for them, Sun Busan and Sun Busi felt both ashamed and anxious. Sun Busan loudly said, “Lord… Lord Lu, all the mistakes are ours. It has nothing to do with our sister. If you want to kill or punish someone, kill me.”

“Silence!” Sun Buer’s eyebrows shot up, and she shouted. Sun Busan immediately fell silent, his big round eyes darting around, but he didn’t dare to make another sound.

“Father-in-law, Fellow Cultivator Sun, perhaps we should discuss this matter at length,” Mei Qing, seeing that things were getting out of hand, quickly intervened. “This is not the Imperial Guards’ headquarters in the capital. We are all guests at Mr. Liu’s residence. Official matters can be set aside for now. When we return to the capital, we can handle it according to the rules. What do you think?”

Mei Qing’s words were clearly an attempt to mediate. The two brothers, Sun Busan and Sun Busi, had already been seen by Sun Buer, and the task of finding Liu Shuxing had been completed. Naturally, they would not return to the Imperial Guards. Mei Qing’s mention of “returning to the capital” was just an excuse. There was no way Sun Busan and Sun Busi would ever go back.

Lu Bing, having been in the official circles for a long time, knew that Sun Buer was not easily fooled. However, he was only trying to save face and get a proper explanation. In reality, he knew that if he insisted on punishing Sun Busan and Sun Busi, it would lead to a conflict with Sun Buer, which would not only cause internal strife but also make Liu Xing’s stance unclear. With a major enemy at hand, it was not the time for such a confrontation. Besides, Mei Qing was his beloved son-in-law, and since Mei Qing had spoken, he had to give him some face. Therefore, Lu Bing only snorted, flicked his sleeve, and remained silent.

Sun Buer knew that Mei Qing was trying to help Sun Busan and Sun Busi, and her opinion of him greatly improved. Although she wouldn’t openly thank him in front of Lu Bing, her gaze towards Mei Qing softened significantly.

Seeing that the two had stopped arguing, Mei Qing turned to Sun Busan and Sun Busi with a smile and said, “Busuan, Busi, it’s been a long time.”

Sun Busan and Sun Busi were both a bit tongue-tied, likely embarrassed that Mei Qing had seen them cowering in front of Sun Buer. They exchanged glances, and finally, Sun Busi whispered, “Ah… Young Master, it’s been a long time.”

Mei Qing smiled and said, “I didn’t expect to see you two here. If I hadn’t heard your sister’s name, I wouldn’t have recognized her.”

Sun Busan’s eyes widened, and he said, “What, you think our sister looks younger than us? If you’re more capable than me, I’ll call you sister.”

Mei Qing shook his head with a laugh, then turned to his friend and said, “Since we’ve come this far, it’s not proper to stand at the door and chat. Why don’t we all go inside and visit the host together?”

Sun Buer was momentarily stunned, then said with a hint of anger, “Speaking of which, that guy is determined to hide inside and not come out. What kind of host refuses to meet his guests?”

With that, she called out towards the courtyard, “Is Mr. Liu at home? We have guests visiting. Please open the door.”

After a moment, Liu Xing’s voice came from inside the courtyard, “Honored guests, I should have welcomed you at the door. However, I am filled with shame and cannot face you. As the saying goes, it’s better not to meet. Let’s leave it for another day.”

“Liu Shuxing!” Sun Buer, who had been as calm as a virgin, suddenly erupted in anger. “You can’t hide forever. If you don’t come out, I won’t leave! I’ve waited for you for over a decade. Do you still not trust me? For you, I even cut my hair and became a nun. Do you still not believe me? I changed my name to Buer, meaning ‘loyal and unwavering,’ just for you. Do you still not trust me? If you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll die right here at your doorstep!”

“Arou,” Liu Xing’s voice was full of guilt. “I’ve told you before, I have no doubts about you. But fate is a matter of nature, not human will. We are not fated to be together. Why do you insist?”

“I don’t believe it!” Sun Buer gritted her teeth and replied. “If you were truly so heartless, you wouldn’t dare to meet me. What’s all this talk about fate? Clearly, you have doubts and don’t trust me!”

Mei Qing secretly marveled at Sun Buer’s determination. This sister was truly something, chasing a man with such fervor. In the entire Ming Dynasty, it would be hard to find a second one like her. He had heard from Sun Busan and Sun Busi that their sister’s name, Buer, meant “unyielding.” But now it seemed that it was a declaration to Liu Xing, meaning “I will marry no one but you, and my heart will never waver.”

Thinking of this, Mei Qing turned to look at Sun Busan and Sun Busi, only to find their expressions quite strange. Sun Busan was gnashing his teeth, glaring at the gate with a furious expression, clearly angry at Liu Xing’s coldness. Sun Busi, however, was looking at Sun Buer with a gentle and affectionate gaze.

Lu Bing, seeing that this was getting out of hand and fearing that it would interfere with their main mission, quickly spoke up, “Fellow Cultivator Liu, I am Lu Bing, here with Mei Qing to discuss important matters. Please open the door and let us in, so we don’t delay our business.”

“Lord Lu, I understand what you wish to discuss,” Liu Xing’s voice was steady. “However, the evil man is only after me, and I dare not involve my friends. If I have offended you, I will make amends in the future.”

Mei Qing shook his head. This Mr. Liu was indeed stubborn. Did he think that keeping Sun Buer out would solve the problem? That Duan Chaoyong was only after him? It seemed that his mother hadn’t…

Sun Buer’s eyes softened, and her tone gradually became gentler. “It’s been so many years, and you’re still as hard-headed as ever. Shuxing, don’t worry. No matter what evil man comes after you, I’ll stand by you.”

Seeing that the situation was only getting more tangled and that it might drag on indefinitely, Mei Qing decided not to say more. He reached into his sleeves and pulled out two small paper talismans. With a flick of his fingers, the talismans flew up, and Mei Qing chanted, “Heaven one, earth two, go!” The two talismans spontaneously ignited, and a gentle breeze passed by. The previously hazy mountain villa suddenly became clear.

Sun Buer was startled. Although she had seen this young man standing with Lu Bing and had sensed his extraordinary presence, she hadn’t expected Mei Qing’s cultivation to be so advanced. With a simple gesture, he had broken the formation at the gate of Liu’s residence that she had long been unable to decipher.

What Sun Buer didn’t know was that Liu Xing inside the residence was even more surprised. However, knowing that Mei Qing had cultivated, he had expected that Mei Qing would be extraordinary. Although he was surprised, he didn’t lose his composure. He only sighed and said, “Ah, Mei Qing, why did you have to do this?”

“Silence!” Sun Buer’s eyebrows furrowed as she shouted, and Sun Bushan immediately fell silent, his large round eyes darting nervously.

“Father-in-law, Master Sun,” Mei Qing interjected, seeing the situation spiraling out of control. “Perhaps we should discuss this calmly. We are not in the capital, and we are all here as guests at Master Liu’s residence. Let us set aside official matters for now and deal with them according to the rules when we return to the capital. How does that sound?”

Mei Qing’s words were clearly an attempt to mediate. Since Sun Buer had already seen the two brothers and their mission to find Liu Shuxing was complete, there was no need for them to return to the Jinyi Guard. Mei Qing’s suggestion of returning to the capital was merely a polite excuse. Even if they were beaten to death, the two brothers would never dare to go back.

Lu Bing, experienced in court politics, understood that Sun Buer was simply trying to save face and demand an explanation. Deep down, he knew that if he insisted on punishing the two brothers now, it would lead to a conflict with Sun Buer, potentially causing internal strife. Moreover, Liu Xing’s stance on the matter was uncertain. With a greater enemy looming, it was unwise to escalate the situation. Besides, Mei Qing was Lu Bing’s beloved son-in-law, and since he had spoken up, Lu Bing had to respect his words to some extent. Thus, he merely snorted, flicked his sleeve, and said nothing more.

Sun Buer understood that Mei Qing was trying to protect the two brothers and couldn’t help but feel grateful. Although she wouldn’t express her thanks openly in front of Lu Bing, her gaze toward Mei Qing softened noticeably.

Seeing that neither of them spoke further, Mei Qing turned to Sun Bushan and Sun Buxi with a smile. “Bushan, Buxi, it’s been a long time.”

Sun Bushan and Sun Buxi were somewhat embarrassed, clearly feeling self-conscious about Mei Qing witnessing their timid behavior in front of Sun Buer. They exchanged glances before Sun Buxi softly said, “Ah… young master, it’s been a long time.”

Mei Qing smiled and said, “I didn’t expect to see you two here. When I saw your elder sister just now, I almost didn’t recognize her if I hadn’t heard her name.”

Sun Bushan rolled his eyes and said, “What, you think our sister looks younger than us two brothers? If you’re stronger than me, I’ll call you brother.”

Mei Qing laughed and shook his head, then turned to his companions. “Since we’re here, we shouldn’t just stand at the door chatting. Why don’t we all go inside the estate together and visit the host?”

Sun Buer was taken aback, then angrily said, “You’re saying that? That fellow must have decided to hide inside and not come out. ‘Where can a noble guest come without the host receiving them?'”

With that, he loudly called toward the courtyard, “Is Master Liu at home? A guest has come to visit; please open the door and meet us.”

After a while, Liu Xing’s voice came from the courtyard, “When noble guests arrive, I should sweep the steps to welcome them. However, I feel ashamed and dare not face you. It’s better to meet another day than to meet now.”

“Master Liushuxing!” The previously calm Sun Buer immediately became furious. “You can hide today, but not forever. If you don’t come out, I won’t leave! I’ve waited for you for over a decade. Don’t you still believe in me? I even cut my hair and became a nun for you. Don’t you still believe in me? I changed my name to Buer, meaning I will be loyal to you and no one else. Don’t you still believe in me? If you don’t give me an explanation, I will die right at your doorstep!”

“Arou,” Liu Xing’s voice was filled with guilt. “I’ve already told you that I have no doubts about you. But fate is determined by heaven, not by human will. We have no fate together; why do you insist on forcing it?”

“I don’t believe you!” Sun Buer snapped through clenched teeth. “If you were truly so heartless, you wouldn’t dare to hide and avoid me. Why talk about fate? You’re just doubting me and refusing to believe in me!”

Mei Qing silently marveled at Sun Buer’s persistence. This woman was truly determined, pursuing a man so passionately that it would be hard to find another like her in the entire Ming Dynasty. Back then, when he had heard from Sun Bushan and Sun Buxi that their sister’s name was Buer, meaning “unyielding,” he hadn’t realized it was actually a declaration of her unwavering loyalty to Liu Xing.

Thinking this, Mei Qing turned to look at Sun Bushan and Sun Buxi and saw their strange expressions. Sun Bushan was gritting his teeth, glaring at the mansion gate, clearly furious at Liu Xing’s coldness. Sun Buxi, however, was looking at Sun Buer with a gentle and affectionate gaze.

Lu Bing, seeing that the situation was getting out of hand and fearing that it might delay their important mission, quickly spoke up, “Master Liu, I am Lu Bing, here with Mei Qing. We have urgent matters to discuss. Please open the door and receive us, lest we miss an important opportunity.”

“I understand the matter you wish to discuss, Master Lu,” Liu Xing’s voice was heavy. “However, this is a personal matter involving me alone. I dare not involve my friends. If I have offended you, please allow me to apologize later.”

Mei Qing shook his head. This Master Liuxing was indeed stubborn. In his opinion, did he really think that avoiding Sun Buer would solve the problem? The threat from Duan Chaoyong was not just against him alone. It seemed that Mei Qing’s mother had not been mistaken in her assessment.

Hearing this, Sun Buer’s expression softened, and her tone changed slightly as she said, “It’s been so many years, and you still have such a stubborn temper. Don’t worry, Shuxing. No matter who comes to threaten you, I will stand by your side.”

Lu Bing listened to the incoherent ramblings of Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si, his face expressionless, only letting out a cold snort.

Sun Bu Er, standing nearby, seemed to realize that the man beside her was the one Sun Bu San had mentioned as a member of the Imperial Guards. She cautiously took a few steps back, glanced at Lu Bing a few times, and then turned to Sun Bu San, asking, “Bu San, is this Lord Lu you mentioned an official in the Imperial Guards?”

Sun Bu San nodded vigorously, his bald head gleaming as he shook it. “Yes, yes, this is Lord Lu Bing of the Imperial Guards. My brother and I have always served under him.” He then glanced at Lu Bing and added, “Lord Lu has always taken good care of us. This time, we were able to find out about that kid Liu, it was also… also…”

“I am Lu Bing, the Commander of the Imperial Guards,” Lu Bing said with a stern expression. “I wouldn’t say I’ve taken care of them, but I haven’t mistreated them either. However, this time, the two of you used the secret correspondence of the Imperial Guards as a favor, leaking it out. I wonder what you call that?”

Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si stammered, unable to respond.

Having just heard the conversation between Sun Bu Er and the Bu San Bu Si brothers, both Lu Bing and Mei Qing understood that these two had originally been with Sun Bu Er. Later, it seemed that Sun Bu Er had fallen in love with Liu Xing, but Liu Xing had returned to Anlu and disappeared. These two had joined the Imperial Guards to gather information, hoping to please their sister. However, back then, Liu Xing was known as Liu Shu Xing and was not well-known, so the Imperial Guards hadn’t paid much attention to him, and naturally, Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si had no leads.

It wasn’t until this time, when they coincidentally learned of Liu Xing’s whereabouts and uncovered some of his past, that Lu Bing hurried to Anlu and arranged for his men to follow. This was how Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si had gotten the news and quickly passed it on to Sun Bu Er.

The Imperial Guards placed great emphasis on secrecy, and now, in front of Mei Qing, this internal betrayal and leaking of information had been exposed. Naturally, Lu Bing felt embarrassed, and his gaze towards Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si turned somewhat hostile.

Seeing this, Sun Bu Er stepped forward, blocking Lu Bing’s line of sight, and said, “So it’s Lord Lu. These two incompetent brothers of mine have been under your care for many years. I thank you for your kindness. However, they didn’t join the court for fame or fortune. Although they may be a bit slow-witted, they are honest people, as you surely know. If they have violated any rules of the Imperial Guards, it was only for my sake. If you have anything to say, you might as well say it to me directly.”

Lu Bing looked coldly at Sun Bu Er, who met his gaze without flinching. Lu Bing snorted and said, “This matter has nothing to do with the cultivation world. Since your brothers have joined the Imperial Guards, they must abide by the court’s rules. If they wish to leave, they need only say the word, and I will not stop them. But to remain in the Guards while doing inappropriate things—I wonder how you, Sun Daoyou, plan to explain this?”

Sun Bu Er was silent for a moment, then asked, “According to the court’s rules, how should this be explained?”

Lu Bing’s eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, “The Guards have no place for those who leak secrets.”

Sun Bu Er was taken aback, understanding Lu Bing’s meaning. If there was no proper explanation, this matter would not end well. Seeing Sun Bu Er standing up for them, Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si felt both ashamed and anxious. Sun Bu San then shouted, “Lord Lu… it’s all our fault, it has nothing to do with our sister. If you want to kill or punish someone, kill me!”

“Shut up!” Sun Bu Er’s eyebrows shot up, and she shouted sharply. Sun Bu San immediately fell silent, his big round eyes darting around, not daring to make another sound.

“Father-in-law, Sun Daoyou, perhaps we should discuss this matter at length,” Mei Qing, seeing the situation was getting out of hand, quickly intervened. “This is not the Imperial Guards headquarters in the capital. We are all guests at Mr. Liu’s residence. Official matters can be set aside for now. When we return to the capital, we can handle this according to the rules, how about that?”

Mei Qing’s words were clearly an attempt to mediate. The Bu San Bu Si brothers had already been seen by Sun Bu Er, and the mission to find Liu Shu Xing was complete. Naturally, they would not return to the Imperial Guards. Mei Qing’s mention of “returning to the capital” was just an excuse. Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si would never go back.

Lu Bing, having been in the official circles for a long time, understood that Sun Bu Er was just trying to save face and get an explanation. He knew that if he insisted on punishing Bu San and Bu Si, it would lead to a conflict with Sun Bu Er, which would not only cause internal strife but also make it unclear whose side Liu Xing would take. With a major enemy at hand, it was not the time for such a confrontation. Besides, Mei Qing was Lu Bing’s beloved son-in-law, and since Mei Qing had spoken, Lu Bing had to give him some face. Therefore, Lu Bing just snorted, flicked his sleeve, and said nothing more.

Sun Bu Er knew that Mei Qing was trying to help Bu San and Bu Si, and her feelings towards him grew warmer. Although she didn’t openly thank him in front of Lu Bing, her gaze towards Mei Qing softened significantly.

Seeing that the two had stopped arguing, Mei Qing turned to Bu San and Bu Si with a smile, “Bu San, Bu Si, it’s been a long time.”

Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si both looked somewhat awkward, probably because they were embarrassed that Mei Qing had seen them cowering in front of Sun Bu Er. They exchanged glances, and finally, Sun Bu Si said softly, “Ah… young master, it’s been a long time.”

Mei Qing smiled and said, “I didn’t expect to see you two here. When I saw your sister earlier, if I hadn’t heard her name, I wouldn’t have recognized her.”

Sun Bu San rolled his eyes and said, “What, you think our sister looks younger than us? If you’re more capable than me, I’ll call you sister.”

Mei Qing chuckled and shook his head, then turned to his friend and said, “Since we’ve come this far, it’s not proper to stand at the gate and chat. Why don’t we all go into the manor and visit the host together?”

Sun Bu Er was taken aback, then said with a hint of anger, “You say that, but that guy has decided to hide inside and not come out. Where is the host who refuses to meet his guests?”

With that, she called out loudly towards the courtyard, “Is Mr. Liu at home? Guests have arrived, please open the door and meet us.”

After a moment, Liu Xing’s voice came from inside the courtyard, “Honored guests, I should have swept the steps to welcome you. However, I am filled with shame and cannot face you. As they say, it’s better not to meet than to meet. Let’s leave it for another day.”

“Liu Shu Xing!” Sun Bu Er, who had been as quiet as a virgin, suddenly exploded with anger. “You can hide today, but you can’t hide forever. If you don’t come out, I won’t leave! I’ve waited for you for over a decade, and you still don’t trust me? I cut my hair and became a nun for you, and you still don’t trust me? I changed my name to Bu Er for you, meaning I would be loyal to you alone, and you still don’t trust me? If you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll die right here at your doorstep!”

“A Rou,” Liu Xing’s voice was full of guilt. “I’ve told you before, I have no doubts about you. But fate is a matter of nature, not of human will. We are not fated to be together, why do you insist?”

“I don’t believe it!” Sun Bu Er gritted her teeth and replied. “If you were truly so heartless, you wouldn’t dare to see me, let alone talk about fate! It’s clear that you doubt me and don’t trust me!”

Mei Qing secretly marveled at Sun Bu Er’s determination. She was pursuing a man with such fervor that it would be hard to find a second one like her in the entire Ming Dynasty. He had heard from Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si that their sister’s name, Bu Er, meant “unwavering.” But now it seemed that it was a declaration to Liu Xing, meaning “I will marry no one but you, and my heart will never change.”

Thinking this, Mei Qing turned to look at Sun Bu San and Sun Bu Si, only to find their expressions quite strange. Sun Bu San was gnashing his teeth, glaring at the gate with a furious expression, clearly angry at Liu Xing’s coldness. Sun Bu Si, however, was looking at Sun Bu Er with a gentle and affectionate gaze.

Lu Bing, seeing that this was getting out of hand and fearing that it would interfere with more important matters, quickly spoke up, “Liu Daoyou, I am Lu Bing, here with Mei Qing to discuss important matters. Please open the door and let us in, so as not to delay our business.”

“Lord Lu, I understand the matter you wish to discuss,” Liu Xing said solemnly. “But the evil man is after me alone, and I dare not involve my friends. If I have offended you, I will make amends in the future.”

Mei Qing shook his head. This Mr. Liu was indeed stubborn. Did he think that by keeping Sun Bu Er out, he could solve the problem? That Duan Chaoyong was coming for him, but it wasn’t just him who was in danger. It seemed that his mother hadn’t…

Sun Bu Er, hearing this, her eyes softened, and her tone gradually became gentler. “It’s been so many years, and you’re still as stubborn as ever. Shu Xing, don’t worry, no matter what evil man comes for you, I’ll stand by you.”

Seeing that the situation was getting more and more tangled, Mei Qing decided not to say more. He simply extended his hands from his sleeves, revealing two small paper talismans. With a twist of his palms, the talismans flew up, and Mei Qing chanted, “Heaven one, Earth two, go!” The two talismans ignited without wind, and a light breeze passed by. The previously hazy manor suddenly shook and became clear.

Sun Bu Er was startled. Although she had seen this young man standing with Lu Bing, exuding an extraordinary aura, she hadn’t expected Mei Qing’s cultivation to be so advanced. With a simple gesture, he had broken the formation at the gate of Liu Manor that she had been unable to decipher for so long.

What Sun Bu Er didn’t know was that Liu Xing inside the manor was even more surprised. However, knowing that Mei Qing had cultivated, he had expected Mei Qing to be extraordinary. Although he was surprised, he didn’t lose his composure. He just sighed and said, “Ah, Mei Qing, why did you have to do this?”

Sun Buer was shocked. Although she had noticed the young man standing beside Lu Bing was dignified and impressive, she had not expected Mei Qing’s cultivation skills to be so profound that he could easily break the formation that had long eluded her.

Sun Buer did not know that inside the mansion, Liu Xing was even more astonished. Although he had anticipated that Mei Qing must be extraordinary when he learned of his cultivation, he was still surprised. However, he did not lose his composure. He sighed and said, “Ah, Mei Qing, why must you insist on doing this.”