The reason Chen Qing wanted to kill Yun Qingxue was because his divination foretold that one day, the world would descend into chaos because of her.
But now… her identity and abilities made it impossible for him to continue with his plan.
“Is that so? You think I’m exaggerating? I feel like the Grand State Preceptor’s actions were far more severe,” Yun Qingxue said coldly, staring at Chen Qing while silently strategizing how to escape unscathed.
Chen Qing was also deep in thought. Though he could no longer bring himself to kill Yun Qingxue, letting her leave just like that unsettled him.
Both harboring their own thoughts, they stood in silent confrontation for a brief moment before Chen Qing suddenly burst into laughter.
“What just happened was purely a misunderstanding. I hope Your Majesty, the Flower King, won’t take it to heart!”
“Hmph.” Yun Qingxue gave him a forced smile. “Since the Grand State Preceptor calls it a misunderstanding, I’m not one to nitpick. After all, taking a step back leads to a broader horizon. As the ruler of my people, I do have the magnanimity to tolerate such things.
However, I do hope such unfriendly misunderstandings won’t happen again. Otherwise… if I were to accidentally unleash the power of the Flower King’s Decree, it would be the innocent who suffer!”
“Your Majesty is most generous. This old man is truly impressed!” Chen Qing’s earlier ruthless demeanor was completely gone. Smiling warmly, he now looked like nothing more than a harmless, kindly old man.
“Since the misunderstanding has been cleared, I’ll take my leave now. There’s much to attend to in my kingdom, so I won’t keep the State Preceptor any longer,” Yun Qingxue said indifferently before turning to leave.
But after just two steps, Chen Qing suddenly blocked her path.
Her heart tightened, but her expression remained calm. “Does the Grand State Preceptor have something else to say?”
“Ah, yes. This old man does have an… unreasonable request,” Chen Qing said with an innocent smile.
Yun Qingxue didn’t bother humoring him. “If it’s unreasonable, then don’t say it. I wouldn’t want to refuse and embarrass you.”
Chen Qing’s smile stiffened. Her words were undeniably blunt.
But her attitude was understandable—who would be polite to someone who had just tried to kill them?
After a brief pause, Chen Qing ignored her tone and continued, “This old man truly overstepped earlier. Since Your Majesty has graced our human lands as a guest, why not accompany me back to the city? Allow me to properly host you and make amends for my earlier actions.”
Yun Qingxue studied him with a mocking smile. Did this old man think she was a naive child? His so-called hospitality was likely nothing more than a trap.
“Grand State Preceptor,” she said lightly, raising an eyebrow. “I appreciate your… kindness, but my guards were severely injured by you, and you did just try to kill me. My attendant has already left ahead of me. If I don’t return soon, he might send word to my people. And if they misunderstand the situation, they might mobilize forces to rescue me…
Wouldn’t that cause unnecessary trouble?”
Chen Qing’s smile remained unchanged as he lowered his head in thought. “Ah, it seems this old man was inconsiderate.”
“Your hospitality is noted, Grand State Preceptor. Farewell.”
With that, Yun Qingxue stepped past him and walked steadily into the deepening night, her movements poised and unhurried.
Chen Qing’s kindly expression faded, replaced by solemnity. His eyes, heavy with complexity, followed her until she disappeared into the darkness.
Why did the divination have to point to the ruler of the Flower and Wood Tribe as the harbinger of chaos? This made things far too complicated!
Was he really supposed to stand by and watch the world fall into turmoil because of her? If he hadn’t foreseen the calamity, it would be one thing—but now that he knew, how could he bear to do nothing?
The night wind lifted Yun Qingxue’s ink-black hair, her sleeves fluttering as she walked. Her steps were steady—the more composed she appeared, the less suspicious she would seem to Chen Qing, and the less likely she was to reveal her unease.
The darkness around her grew still, leaving only the sound of her own footsteps.
She let out a quiet sigh of relief. It seemed she had managed to bluff her way out.
Only when her nerves finally relaxed slightly did she realize something was missing.
Glancing at her wrist, she noticed that A-Dai, who had always coiled around it, was gone.
She checked both wrists—left, then right—but A-Dai was nowhere to be found. Frantically searching her entire body, she confirmed it: A-Dai had truly disappeared.
Her heart sank. The brief joy of survival vanished, replaced by guilt and worry.
She had assumed A-Dai was still safely wrapped around her wrist. In the midst of danger, she had focused only on escaping—completely forgetting about A-Dai!
“A-Dai! A-Dai!”
In the darkness, Yun Qingxue called out, desperately hoping that A-Dai had only just slipped away…
But her voice echoed unanswered through the cold, empty night. The wind rustled the trees, their branches swaying like monstrous claws celebrating some unseen victory.
Her fragile hope shattered. A-Dai hadn’t just disappeared—it had been gone for a while, and she hadn’t even noticed.
The realization crushed her. Turning back to the path she had come from, an overwhelming dread spread through her.
Shaking her head forcefully, she repeated to herself, “A-Dai will be fine. It has to be fine…”
A-Dai was clever. Maybe it had hidden itself when danger arose…
But another voice in her mind whispered that A-Dai would never abandon her in danger. If it was gone, something had happened to it.
“A-Dai!!!” Her voice cracked with tears as she numbly stared down the path. Unbidden, her tears fell to the ground.
“A-Dai…”
She didn’t know if Chen Qing and his cultivators had left. All she knew was that her little companion, who had faced hardship with her, was missing.
She had to go back. She had to find it.
Step by step, Yun Qingxue retraced her path, calling A-Dai’s name, praying it would suddenly dart out from the roadside and leap onto her.
But even when she reached the place where she had nearly met her end, there was no sign of A-Dai’s small figure.
She clearly remembered A-Dai being with her when they left the city. As she walked through the darkness, it had reassured her in its own way that she wasn’t alone.
But now…
If she couldn’t find A-Dai here…
She didn’t dare think further.
Chen Qing and his men were gone. Now, only darkness remained.
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