Chapter 334: A Journey to Alleviate Worries, A Half-Day Parting
Lin Tianlu, curious, quickly asked:
“What do you mean by that, Valley Master?”
“This girl’s body is filled with a sinister energy. Although she’s fine now, if left unchecked, it will eventually cause trouble.”
The Valley Master explained calmly: “In other words, it’s somewhat similar to Ruoyu’s previous condition.
And we, the Lunar Valley, have the methods to suppress and harmonize it. With proper cultivation, she can return to normal.”
Mo Duanyan stood up abruptly, her face full of surprise: “Are you serious?!”
“Naturally.”
The Valley Master showed a warm and kind smile: “I’ve heard about the Possessor during my travels. Such beings are truly unheard of in the past thousand years, but the methods of corrupting and twisting the body and soul are ultimately the same. We can surely find a way for you.”
Mo Duanyan’s heart was filled with joy, and she instinctively looked at Lin Tianlu: “Master, I…”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but smile: “Since you have no place to go for now, Miss Mo, it’s fine to go to Lunar Valley with the Valley Master. If you truly gain something, it would be a good thing.
And there’s no need to worry about Lunar Valley. The Valley Master and the others are all approachable, and the elders are very gentle and considerate. Just say a few nice words to them, and they’ll treat you well.”
The Valley Master chuckled softly: “There’s no need for such formalities, just tell Jingyun your identity, that you’re Tianlu’s eldest disciple, and she will naturally take good care of you.”
Mo Duanyan hesitated: “But you haven’t officially…”
“That’s fine.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly, agreeing: “With Martial Aunt taking care of you, you’ll be safe and sound.”
Mo Duanyan’s eyes widened slightly, and after a moment of silence, a smile appeared on her face, her eyes filled with joy.
Master was still so considerate and gentle, silently agreeing to accept her as his disciple, fulfilling her previous wish.
“Then it’s settled.” The Valley Master smiled: “You three will come with me to Lunar Valley, and I’ll ensure your safety along the way.”
“Thank you, Valley Master.”
Qiu Shuihan and Tang Qianmen bowed together.
…
Now that the serious matters were settled, Lin Tianlu relaxed his tone and chuckled: “Your arrival was quite sudden, Valley Master, why don’t you stay and have lunch with Ruoyu and me?”
“I won’t disturb your journey.”
The Valley Master’s eyes twinkled, and she said with a faint smile: “I know how affectionate you and your wives are, that’s why I came here to help. If I stayed any longer, it would be counterproductive. If Jingyun knew, she would give me the cold shoulder, complaining that I’m meddling in young people’s affairs.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “You’re not old at all, Valley Master. It’s just a meal, it’s no trouble.”
The Valley Master’s eyes flickered, and she suddenly said: “Then, how about letting Eighth Elder stay and spend some time with you, Tianlu?”
“Uh?”
“Valley Master, don’t talk nonsense.”
A helpless sigh came from outside the window.
Everyone looked towards the sound and saw a graceful woman with long hair sitting on the windowsill with her back to them, dressed in a black, off-shoulder dress, her beautiful figure clearly visible beneath her hair.
Her tight-fitting skirt hugged her buttocks, forming a round and perky curve, as if about to burst out, making one wonder about her alluring and seductive figure.
She casually glanced sideways, revealing half of her exquisite and beautiful face, her hair covering her forehead like a fan, a silver bell and jade pendant swaying gently by her ear, her aura otherworldly and mysterious.
Her lips pursed slightly, she nodded silently in greeting.
Lin Tianlu quickly cupped his hands in return: “Greetings, Eighth Elder.”
“You look well.”
The Eighth Elder raised her slender finger and brushed the hair covering one of her eyes, her voice cold and ethereal: “Don’t mind the Valley Master’s words, I’ll be returning to Lunar Valley with her later.”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly.
He had only briefly met this Eighth Elder in Lunar Valley and hadn’t spoken much to her.
And now, after this brief exchange, he felt that her personality was rather cold and aloof.
“In that case, Eighth Elder and I won’t stay any longer.”
The Valley Master smiled and withdrew her gaze, taking Lin Tianlu’s hand and whispering: “Remember to come back to Lunar Valley during the Spring Festival. Jingyun and the others miss you dearly, family reunions are important, don’t make them wait too long.”
Looking at her closely, he realized that the Valley Master’s beautiful dress was also quite revealing, the bodice seemingly made of thin silk, barely concealing her ample bosom, the curves of her cleavage clearly visible, as if they would spill out with the slightest movement.
Lin Tianlu quickly looked away, composing himself, and said seriously: “Don’t worry, Valley Master, I will definitely return.”
“That’s good.”
The Valley Master looked at Yun Yue and chuckled: “And thank you for your help, Miss Yun, please take good care of Tianlu and Ruoyu.”
Yun Yue curtsied gracefully:
“Taking care of them is my duty.”
“Very good… Then please relax and don’t resist, ladies.”
The Valley Master smiled and waved her sleeve.
Instantly, Mo Duanyan and the others were enveloped in a stream of light and pulled into her sleeve.
Seeing Lin Tianlu’s curious gaze, she couldn’t help but explain softly: “This is a technique using Yin energy, Tianlu, you can learn it later.”
“Cough… Thank you, Valley Master.”
“Alright, let’s part ways here for now, we’ll meet again after the New Year.”
The Valley Master smiled and nodded, turning to leave.
Lin Tianlu was about to see her off when she suddenly stopped.
After a moment of silence, she turned around and asked curiously: “But where is the other young lady traveling with you, Tianlu?”
“You mean Miss Youluo?”
“Indeed.”
“She comes and goes as she pleases, I haven’t restricted her. She’s probably wandering around the village.” Lin Tianlu smiled: “Should I introduce her to you, Valley Master…?”
“There’s no need.”
The Valley Master shook her head, a mysterious and distant smile on her face: “We’ll meet if fate allows.”
As soon as she finished speaking, her figure transformed into a faint rosy light and disappeared, along with Eighth Elder outside the window.
“—The Valley Master and Eighth Elder’s arrival was truly sudden.”
Yun Yue slowly walked to his side and whispered: “It seems they already knew about the incidents here.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “Don’t forget, the Valley Master and the others are skilled in divination, they’re naturally aware of these events.”
“You actually…”
“The Valley Master and I both understand each other. And for her to come and help us despite knowing about the changing times means she has already made her decision.”
Yun Yue smiled faintly: “So, the people of Lunar Valley truly have a deep connection with you, Tianlu, treating you like family.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and scratched his head: “I’ll have to buy more gifts when we visit Lunar Valley after the New Year.”
He was truly grateful for their assistance.
And he had to remember Martial Aunt, Fifth Elder, and Bai Xin.
…
Inside a weathered bamboo forest covered in frost outside the village.
The Valley Master and Eighth Elder walked side by side, their faces hidden behind umbrellas, their figures flickering like blurry phantoms, moving silently through the forest.
After walking for a while, Eighth Elder suddenly stopped, her gaze sharp as she looked ahead.
“That woman is hiding here.”
“Sigh——”
A slightly helpless sigh echoed softly.
Then, Youluo’s figure emerged from behind a bamboo tree.
She stood with her hands behind her back, a helpless look on her beautiful face: “I’ve already concealed my presence and hidden myself, but I didn’t expect you two to come looking for me… It seems your visit wasn’t just to greet Master Lin, but to talk to me.”
“As Tianlu’s elders, we naturally have to see the one who orchestrated all this.”
The Valley Master still had a gentle and calm smile on her face, her voice soft and soothing: “Pulling strings and manipulating events from behind the scenes, dragging both the Luo Xing and the ancient realm into this conflict, even involving the so-called Possessor, stirring up chaos.
The world is on the verge of great change, yet no one knows that you’re the one behind it, everyone is still suspicious and fearful… such a cunning and resourceful person, we can’t just ignore you.”
Youluo chuckled softly: “You flatter me, Valley Master, I’m not that—”
“At least you’re involved in the conflicts surrounding those three girls.”
The Valley Master smiled and waved her sleeve: “That Mo girl came to Fengtai County because of your guidance. And Miss Tang met her because you deliberately leaked the information to her.
As for that Luo Xing Soultaker who was played by you with just a few words, there’s no need to mention him. He’s already trapped and will probably be fighting against the ancient realm and other factions until his death.”
Because of this, after meeting Qiu Shuihan and the others, she had deliberately avoided showing herself. If those three girls had discovered her identity, her plans would have been ruined.
Youluo narrowed her eyes slightly.
After a moment of silence, she suddenly chuckled: “As expected of Master Lin’s elders, truly perceptive. I thought no one would notice, but you’ve seen through everything at a glance, Valley Master.”
“With a strange woman like you suddenly approaching Tianlu, we naturally have to be cautious.”
The Valley Master brushed her hair, which was swaying gently in the breeze, and continued with a faint smile: “We can’t let Tianlu and his group be deceived and manipulated by villains.”
“Oh?”
Youluo touched her red lips and chuckled with interest: “Are you saying that I have ulterior motives and want to harm Master Lin and the others?”
“Indeed.”
A cold glint flashed in the Valley Master’s eyes: “You concealed your identity and approached us secretly, your intentions are unpredictable. We won’t let you harm Tianlu and the others. However—”
But then, her tone suddenly changed, and a faint smile reappeared on her face: “Now that I’ve seen you clearly, I’m much more at ease.”
The smile on Youluo’s face gradually vanished, and she asked in a deep voice: “What do you mean?”
“Perhaps we’re not friends, but we’re not enemies either. It would be too harsh to punish you because of this.” The Valley Master’s voice contained a hint of playful teasing: “Celestial Star Demon Empress, Turbid World Princess… For you to become so docile, clingy, and playful after fifteen hundred years is quite amusing.”
“You—!”
Youluo’s expression wavered, her face filled with shock.
Clearly, these words had struck a nerve.
But after a moment of surprise, she quickly put on a seductive smile, crossing her arms and saying coldly: “I see, so Lunar Valley is the Moon Soul Sacred Sect, which should have been destroyed long ago. And you, the so-called Valley Master, are that ignorant little girl… I didn’t expect to meet you again after all these years.”
The Valley Master smiled faintly: “There’s no need to dwell on the past. Thousands of years have passed, and many things have changed. You’re much weaker than before, and I’m no longer that timid little girl. If we were to truly fight now, the renowned Turbid World Princess might end up like before, hanging upside down and having your buttocks whipped until they bleed.”
“What are you— So that woman was your younger sister!”
Youluo’s face showed a hint of anger, and she said resentfully: “No wonder you two look somewhat alike.”
“My younger sister was indeed a bit of a troublemaker, her personality impulsive, not at all like a refined lady, her actions rather crude.”
The Valley Master shook her head and chuckled.
Then, she suddenly flicked her finger, and a streak of light shot out.
“Hmm?”
Youluo caught the flying object with her folding fan, glanced at it, and her expression changed slightly.
It was a translucent jade pearl.
And within this pearl, a powerful and boundless Yin energy swirled and condensed, as if tangible.
“What… what do you mean by this?”
“Just a small meeting gift.”
The Valley Master chuckled: “I see that your injuries haven’t fully healed, so use this to recuperate. It can help you move more freely in this body and reduce some of the restrictions.”
Youluo didn’t immediately accept the pearl, asking in a low voice: “You’ve suddenly become so kind, could there be some trick?”
“I should be the one asking you that. In terms of schemes and plots, even five of me combined wouldn’t be your match.” The Valley Master said softly: “And the one who has truly changed… is you, Miss Youluo.”
“…”
Youluo was momentarily speechless.
The Valley Master then curtsied gracefully: “I hope everything goes well for you in the future, Miss Youluo. I’ll take my leave for now.”
“You… came all the way here just to give me this?”
“We’ll have many more opportunities to interact in the future.”
The Valley Master smiled meaningfully at her: “Tianlu has a keen eye, he knows who is sincere and who has ulterior motives.”
Youluo frowned, a displeased look on her face, and snorted softly:
“So you came here to threaten me.”
“It was just a friendly reminder.”
The Valley Master looked at her intently and then turned to leave, leaving behind a meaningful sentence: “But I hope… that we won’t become enemies in the future.”
Seeing her about to leave, Youluo narrowed her eyes, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly chuckled: “If I were to cause some trouble and leave some unforgettable ‘scars’ on your precious Lin Tianlu, I wonder how you would feel, Valley Master?”
—Clang!
A cold light flashed, like a ripple of light.
Youluo tilted her head back slightly, barely avoiding the blade that grazed her throat.
“If you dare do such a thing, I will be the first to take your life.”
A cold and sinister voice whispered beside her ear, and she saw Eighth Elder, who had been silent, standing behind her, her face as cold as frost, a sharp blade pressed against Youluo’s neck, as if a slight movement would sever her head.
“Such a strong reaction?”
Youluo chuckled playfully, glancing at Eighth Elder: “What is your relationship with Lin Tianlu? Or could it be—”
She looked at the Valley Master and sneered: “Should I admire your leadership, Valley Master, to have such a skilled subordinate obey your every command?”
“Tianlu has a deep connection with our Lunar Valley, you’re still an outsider, how would you understand?”
The Valley Master waved her hand with a wry smile: “Please calm down, Eighth Elder. This young lady is just trying to provoke us, she doesn’t mean it.”
Eighth Elder frowned slightly and slowly dispersed the blade in her hand:
“If you spout such nonsense again, I won’t show mercy next time. If I ever see you plotting against Tianlu, I will take your head!”
“Hmph~”
Youluo just chuckled sinisterly, but a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes as she looked at Eighth Elder.
What was the relationship between this cold beauty and Lin Tianlu? Why did she seem so…
…concerned?
“However, if Miss Youluo keeps saying such nonsense, she should be taught a lesson.”
The Valley Master smiled and made a gesture of slapping her hand: “Like tasting this again?”
Youluo’s face stiffened slightly, and she murmured, forcing a smile: “Tell that woman to wait, I’ll get my revenge sooner or later.”
“Wulei will be waiting.”
The Valley Master smiled gently and bowed.
Then, her figure transformed into a faint rosy light and disappeared.
“Then—”
Youluo turned to look at Eighth Elder, who was standing beside her: “Do you have anything else to say?”
“Don’t betray this trust.”
Eighth Elder’s face was cold and frosty as she tossed something towards Youluo, then turned and left quietly with the Valley Master.
“…”
Youluo was slightly stunned. After the bamboo forest returned to its quiet and serene state, she looked at the object she had instinctively caught…
…an exquisite and beautiful dagger in its sheath.
She slightly drew the blade, looking at the beautifully crafted and sparkling edge.
After a moment of stunned silence, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“A cold exterior, but a warm heart.”
Could it be that they truly considered her as Lin Tianlu’s future wife or concubine, giving her a gift as a token of their goodwill?
However—
“The more entangled I am, the softer my heart becomes.”
Youluo sheathed the dagger and sighed helplessly.
When she first met Lin Tianlu, she had set up many traps and schemes. But now, she was starting to regret it.
“…This journey… I’ve truly lost completely.”
Youluo clutched the dagger, raised her head, closed her eyes, and remained silent for a while.
Then, she took out a delicate letter from her bosom and murmured: “I’ve been traveling for a long time, it’s time to say goodbye for now.”
…
The sun rose, its warmth particularly pleasant on this winter day.
“Mmm…”
The slight swaying sensation made Mao Ruoyu murmur softly, waking up from her sleep. She sat up, slightly drowsy, and rubbed her forehead, sighing softly.
As her hazy consciousness gradually cleared, she blinked her eyes and looked around, realizing that she was sitting in the familiar carriage.
“Did you sleep well, Ruoyu?”
“Sister Yun?”
Mao Ruoyu looked sideways and saw Yun Yue sitting beside her with a gentle smile, their shoulders touching intimately, and she said softly: “You’ve been sleeping all day, are you feeling any discomfort?”
“I should be fine.”
Mao Ruoyu glanced at Cheng Yishi, who was still sleeping soundly beside her, and asked curiously: “How long has it been since the incident in the mountain?”
“We’ve already left Fengtai County and are now leaving Wuchang Province, heading towards the Zhengyang Prince’s Mansion where Shuya is.”
Yun Yue smiled faintly and explained what had happened in the past two days.
The battle in Fengtai County, the reunion with Mo Duanyan, the arrival of the Valley Master and Eighth Elder… Everything that had happened in these two short days almost made Mao Ruoyu unable to process it all, and she even wondered if she and Yishi had truly only been asleep for less than two days.
“…Wait!”
Mao Ruoyu asked in surprise: “Sister Yun, you said… Miss Youluo has already left?”
“Yes.” Yun Yue sighed softly: “She left a letter at the inn this morning and left alone, I don’t know where she went.”
“She left so… abruptly.”
Mao Ruoyu pursed her lips, feeling a strange emptiness in her heart.
They hadn’t even had a chance to say goodbye, and now she was gone, it was a bit hard to get used to.
“Did Miss Youluo say where she was going?”
“She only wrote a few simple farewell words in the letter.” Yun Yue smiled helplessly: “But with her eccentric personality, now that the incident in Fengtai County is over, she’s probably off to find something else interesting. There’s no need for you to worry too much, Ruoyu.”
“I understand.”
Mao Ruoyu sighed inwardly.
During their battle with those Savage Realm corpse puppets in Immortal Phoenix Mountain, if it weren’t for Youluo’s help, she and Yishi wouldn’t have gotten away with just minor injuries.
“Alright, since you’re awake, let’s stop at the next tea stall and rest for a while.”
Lin Tianlu lifted the carriage curtain and chuckled: “You’ve been sleeping for so long, it’s time for some warm tea to warm yourselves up.”
“Mm.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled, but then she was slightly surprised to see Cheng Yishi suddenly wake up, her body swaying unsteadily as she fell into Mao Ruoyu’s arms, half-asleep.
“Y-Yishi, wake up!”
“Mmm… my… my head is a bit dizzy… I think I just heard my husband’s…”
Seeing Cheng Yishi’s sleepy and adorable appearance, Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but chuckle: “It seems Yishi truly needs some warm tea to wake up.”
…
Not long after, the carriage stopped.
There were only two or three travelers at the simple tea stall by the roadside. Although it was a pleasant afternoon, the place was still quite deserted.
Yun Yue helped support Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi as they walked towards a nearby table.
Lin Tianlu had just tied the reins and taken a few steps when one of the travelers sitting at a tea table, his hand on his bamboo hat, suddenly spoke: “You’re quite slow, I’ve been waiting for a while.”
“Uh?”
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
He looked at the person’s face under the bamboo hat with a strange expression.
The traveler slightly lifted the brim of his hat with his fingertip, revealing Youluo’s seductive and charming face, and she chuckled mischievously: “What? Have you already forgotten my voice and appearance after just half a day of separation?”
“But you said you were going to…”
“Isn’t half a day considered leaving?”
Youluo rested her chin on her hand and smiled seductively: “I’m curious about how grand and luxurious the Zhengyang Prince’s Mansion is, so naturally, I have to come along and see for myself.”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.
“Then why did you suddenly disappear for half a day, Miss?”
“That’s a woman’s secret.”
Youluo winked, tilted her head slightly, and smiled seductively: “Even my ‘dear husband’ can’t pry~”
