Chapter 73: Returning to the Peak Part 2

Feng Yun’ai thought to herself that no matter how hot the sun was, it couldn’t compare to the hand currently touching her.

“What, are you unhappy now?” Sang Chencao wore a veiled hat as well, but she had flipped the silk over the brim, revealing a face that, while tanned, was dense with an alluring beauty.

“You don’t seem to think you’re hot at all,” Feng Yun’ai said tonelessly.

“Hot? How am I hot?” Sang Chencao was still on her horse, leaning half her body out to reach under Feng Yun’ai’s veil.

Feng Yun’ai hurriedly leaned back to avoid her, but the hand she held on the reins was caught nonetheless.

Sang Chencao gave her wrist a squeeze and sat back up. “You, on the other hand, are quite cool to the touch. We really do make a perfect match.”

Feng Yun’ai remained silent. She didn’t circulate her inner qi to dispel the lingering warmth on her wrist, letting it stay right where it was.

Even with the horses at a gallop, it took four days to reach Cold Cicada Ridge. They had to traverse uninhabited lands lush with flowers and grass, then cross shallow streams before they could catch a glimpse of the snowy ridge.

The mountain peaks looked close enough to touch, yet they were impossibly far. Further beyond, Snow-Top Peak pierced the heavens, its summit blending into the clouds.

At the foot of Cold Cicada Ridge, the two were forced to leave their horses behind. They used their lightness techniques to ascend against the wind.

The surroundings were initially green with grass, but as they climbed higher, the vegetation grew sparse. The greenery was gradually replaced by a blanket of white snow, and the winds turned biting and cold.

Sang Chencao’s inner qi was naturally hot, so she did not fear the cold.

And since this chill was far less intense than the Solitary Gall sword and couldn’t overcome the Lonely Heart Mantra, Feng Yun’ai didn’t feel cold either.

Two figures moved across the snowy ridge like startled swans, covering ten yards in a single flash.

By the time they reached the summit, night had fallen, and the sky was thick with stars.

Feng Yun’ai sat cross-legged to regulate her breathing when a ball of heat suddenly pressed against her back, nearly causing her inner qi to go astray.

“Are you cold, Xiuxiu?” Sang Chencao asked, pressing close.

Feng Yun’ai hadn’t felt cold before, but the moment this person drew near, the warmth seeping into her skin spoiled her instantly. It completely demolished all the self-reliance Feng Rong had taught her over the past decade.

She suddenly felt cold for no reason.

Refusing to admit it, Feng Yun’ai kept her eyes closed to continue her meditation, but then something soft and warm pressed lightly against the back of her neck.

It was warm and supple, accompanied by a steady breath. It was clearly Sang Chencao’s lips.

Feng Yun’ai turned her head abruptly, covering the back of her neck with her hand without a word. After a moment, she saw Sang Chencao’s eyes curve into crescent moons as she laughed. “Why are you teasing me again?”

“Are you unhappy, Xiuxiu? It only counts as teasing if you’re unhappy,” Sang Chencao said, leaning toward her.

Feng Yun’ai… didn’t actually feel displeased. When she thought about it carefully, it really didn’t seem like teasing.

But if it wasn’t teasing, then what was it?

Sang Chencao seemed to read her mind, instantly understanding the confusion in her eyes. She smiled. “It’s called flirting.”

Feng Yun’ai couldn’t handle such blunt words. Her ears instantly turned scarlet. Fortunately, the mountain winds were brisk, preventing her thoughts from being laid bare.

She didn’t respond, instead pulling out the whistling arrow Sui Jianxue had given her. With a stoic face, she said, “Since you’ve rested enough to have the leisure for such words, you might as well send the signal to the various sects.”

Sang Chencao was all smiles. She didn’t call out Feng Yun’ai’s bashfulness and nodded. “I’ll do whatever you say.”

In the vast night sky, a whistling arrow was propelled by inner qi, soaring hundreds of feet high to rival the stars.

The arrow let out a sharp, piercing cry, and when it reached its zenith, it suddenly exploded, painting the horizon in a riot of brilliant light.

Feng Yun’ai’s palms felt numb. She brushed her hands together and said coldly, “Once the people from the sects arrive, you mustn’t say things like that anymore.”

Sang Chencao humored her and stood up. “Whenever Xiuxiu wants to hear it, I’ll say it then.”

Feng Yun’ai opened her mouth but hesitated. She didn’t particularly want to hear it, but if this person really wanted to say it, she would… endure listening to it.

Regardless, she chose not to reply.

After about fifteen minutes, rustling sounds could be heard from the distance as the thick snow on the ridge was trampled by hurried footsteps.

People approached quickly, holding fire strikers that were on the verge of going out. When they saw the two women, they were all taken aback.

They had expected the people from Qiushui Pavilion, not these two.

The incident half a month ago had happened so suddenly. When the fires had begun to die down, the Nightmare Art affecting everyone had faded away. The sect leaders had been liberated and immediately set off to hunt Lin Yaoyao, leaving no time to find these two and discuss what had happened.

Now, the leaders of the Chuanyun Sect, Guanfeng Gate, and the Hengshan Sect had all regained their senses. They all harbored deep regrets. Seeing these two women unharmed, their initial shock turned into relieved smiles.

The Sect Leader of the Chuanyun Sect cupped her hands. “Our thanks to you two for your assistance that day. If not for you, the three of us would likely still be trapped by the demonic cult’s Nightmare Art, and the martial world of the Central Plains would… be in a dire state.”

Sang Chencao let out a scoff. “Old Madam Yu, you exaggerate. Our intentions were never for the sake of the martial world. Even if we had stood by and done nothing, Zhou Gui would have eventually slipped up.”

The Master of Guanfeng Gate looked embarrassed and shook his head. “It was the three of us who were dull-witted. We failed to see the strangeness and were bewitched for months.”

“The Central Plains is fortunate to have the two of you,” the Hengshan Sect Leader said, bowing with lowered eyes.

Feng Yun’ai scanned the followers behind the three leaders. She couldn’t see their faces clearly, which only made her gaze seem more vast and cold.

The crowd felt ashamed; none dared to speak or meet her eyes.

After a long silence, Feng Yun’ai spoke tonelessly. “We did not come for the Central Plains martial world. We came only for my master, Feng Rong. Now that she has been buried on Listening Goose Peak, I believe she would not wish to see the martial world fall into ruin.”

Back when the walls were crumbling and everyone was pushing, the celestial Feng Rong had suddenly become like filth in the eyes of many.

The three leaders looked at each other sorrowfully. Suddenly, they dropped to their knees facing the direction of Cloud City and bowed deeply toward the sky. The other warriors, though startled, followed suit and knelt.

“We have failed Alliance Leader Feng. We ask that she accept this bow from us.”