After checking out of the Ghost Lantern Inn and politely declining Mei Niang’s insistence that they stay for a meal—mainly because both she and Mu Hanzhang, being relatively normal humans, simply could not stomach dishes like *brains tossed with noodles* or *black-eye pearl milk tea*—Qu Xiangxiang finally left Shiling Village and returned to Cangxuan Mountain.
When she arrived back at Xiwufeng, the sun was setting. Qu Xiangxiang watched the half-round orange-red sun sink slowly behind the mountains, and a surge of joy welled up in her heart at seeing daylight again.
Shiling Village had no distinction between day and night. She had no idea how long she had stayed there, though it hadn’t felt too long. Still, living without sunlight could easily drive a person into depression. Mu Hanzhang had spent nearly his entire childhood there—no wonder he turned out so twisted.
What Qu Xiangxiang hadn’t expected was that the very first person they encountered upon returning to Cangxuan Mountain was none other than the heroine, Ruan Qingtao.
Could this be the mysterious magnetic pull between male and female leads? Sure enough, they ran into each other everywhere.
As expected, Ruan Qingtao quickly spotted Mu Hanzhang. Her eyes lit up, and lifting the hem of her pale-blue skirt, she ran lightly toward him, smiling shyly. “Senior Brother Mu, do you still remember me?”
Mu Hanzhang asked calmly, “You know my name?”
Ruan Qingtao lowered her gaze bashfully. “I asked one of the teaching brothers—he told me.” Her fingers nervously twisted the turquoise ribbon at her waist. “And… if you still remember me, my name is Ruan Qingtao.”
The male and female leads were beginning their emotional exchange. Though Qu Xiangxiang possessed the most basic human trait—curiosity—she wasn’t so shameless as to intrude on a budding romance. She decided to slip away quietly while they were distracted.
“Senior Sister Qu,” Ruan Qingtao called sweetly, “I was just about to head to Zhenshan Hall. Have you eaten yet? Why don’t we go together?” Though her words were directed at Qu Xiangxiang, her eyes never once left Mu Hanzhang.
“We…?” Qu Xiangxiang pointed at herself in confusion.
Wait—Ruan Qingtao was inviting Mu Hanzhang. Why drag her along as the glaring third wheel?
“Does little senior sister not want to come?”
Qu Xiangxiang: “…”
Exactly. As a tragic cannon fodder, she’d have to be brainless to tag along and interrupt the male and female leads’ romance. Did she have a death wish? And besides—what kind of twisted taste was this, dragging an audience along while flirting? Heroine, since when were you into this sort of thing? Even the novel hadn’t hinted at this hobby of hers.
Mu Hanzhang cast Ruan Qingtao a faint glance. A strange, familiar sensation stirred in his chest. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it left him vaguely irritated. Without a word, he turned and began walking away.
“Senior Brother, you’re not coming?” Ruan Qingtao called after him.
But Mu Hanzhang ignored her, striding off alone.
Her smile collapsed instantly.
Qu Xiangxiang’s heart sank as well.
Clearly, Mu Hanzhang and Ruan Qingtao’s relationship was already diverging from the original story. And for reasons she couldn’t explain, she felt her own entanglement with Mu Hanzhang deepening. Uneasy, she stared at her elongated shadow on the ground. She didn’t know if this change was good or bad—but if events no longer followed the novel’s script, she would lose every advantage she had in this world. Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Ruan Qingtao calling her name several times until she finally snapped back.
“Senior Sister Qu,” Ruan Qingtao asked, “since Senior Brother Mu isn’t going, would you honor me by joining me for a meal instead?”
Qu Xiangxiang didn’t know why Ruan Qingtao wanted to eat with her, but she didn’t refuse. She had questions of her own to ask, so she agreed.
On the way, Qu Xiangxiang noticed quite a few male disciples sneaking glances at Ruan Qingtao—just like in the original novel.
Ruan Qingtao walked with her back straight, the pale-blue hem of her skirt curving gracefully with each step. A faint smile lingered on her lips, her eyes brimming with confidence.
Perhaps Qu Xiangxiang was imagining it, but she thought she caught a hint of pride in Ruan Qingtao.
At Zhenshan Hall, Qu Xiangxiang, starved for normal food, ordered boldly: a braised pork knuckle, spicy fish fillets, and a bowl of shredded chicken noodles. She sat down, satisfied, only to glance at Ruan Qingtao’s tray—just vinegar-dressed vegetables and a small plate of fruit. Qu Xiangxiang couldn’t help asking, “Junior Sister, you’re eating so little?”
Ruan Qingtao smiled. “I’m afraid if I get too fat, I won’t be able to fly my sword properly. Unlike Senior Sister, you have such a good figure, you never look fat, no matter how much you eat.”
Qu Xiangxiang: “…”
Half the disciples of Cangxuan Mountain had seen her crash her sword right into Mu Hanzhang. So, heroine, what exactly are you implying here?
In the novel, Ruan Qingtao was cheerful, lively, and just a little scheming—perfectly complementary to Mu Hanzhang. Maybe Qu Xiangxiang was being too sensitive, but why did her words feel barbed? She hadn’t offended Ruan Qingtao, had she?
“By the way,” Ruan Qingtao said after swallowing a bite of vegetables, “Senior Sister, I heard you and Senior Brother Mu are close. Is that true?”
“Ah?” Qu Xiangxiang’s eye twitched. “Who… who told you that?”
She could swear her relationship with Mu Hanzhang wasn’t even as good as his relationship with Dahua—the kitchen cat raised by Aunt Wang, who ran the dining hall. Qu Xiangxiang remembered once seeing Mu Hanzhang feed Dahua, and she’d even mocked him for it.
But Ruan Qingtao didn’t answer her question. She blinked innocently. “So it’s not true?”
Qu Xiangxiang forced a laugh, choosing her words carefully. “Uh… well… Mu Hanzhang and I… we’re just… ordinary acquaintances.”
“Then…” Ruan Qingtao lowered her eyes shyly, her voice soft, “does that mean Senior Sister doesn’t like Senior Brother Mu?”
At that, Qu Xiangxiang choked violently on her spicy fish fillet. The numbing pepper sent her into a fit of coughing loud enough to shake the rafters. Luckily, there weren’t many disciples dining at that hour, or she’d have died of embarrassment.
“Cough… cough… of course I don’t… cough cough cough…”
Yes, she had once told Mu Hanzhang she liked him—but only because she knew he’d never reciprocate, nor spread the word. It had been a desperate lie to save her own life. She had no intention of letting the heroine think she was competing for him.
Damn it, she nearly coughed her lungs out.
Ruan Qingtao tugged at the corner of her mouth, then quickly lowered her head to pour Qu Xiangxiang a cup of water.
“That’s good,” Ruan Qingtao said. “I thought you and Senior Brother Mu were dao-companions. Looks like I was overthinking.”
Once Qu Xiangxiang finally caught her breath, her mind caught up too. She tested cautiously: “Junior Sister… do you like Mu Hanzhang?”
Ruan Qingtao blinked, but didn’t answer. Still, Qu Xiangxiang understood.
In the original novel, Mu Hanzhang had fallen for Ruan Qingtao at first sight, while she only grew to love him later. Now the roles were reversed. The plot was veering wildly off course.
“You do know he’s half human cultivator, half demon?” Qu Xiangxiang asked.
Ruan Qingtao paused, then nodded. “I know. But I don’t care.”
That matched the novel—Ruan Qingtao hadn’t cared about his heritage there either, which was why they could be together, and why Mu Hanzhang loved her so deeply.
Qu Xiangxiang nodded. “It’s rare to think that way.”
Ruan Qingtao said, “Senior Sister, everything I’ve told you tonight—I hope you won’t repeat it to anyone.”
Qu Xiangxiang assured her, “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
For now, Mu Hanzhang didn’t seem to like Ruan Qingtao, but Ruan Qingtao clearly liked him. Switching the order shouldn’t affect the story too much… right?
After dinner, Qu Xiangxiang returned to her courtyard, ready for a hot bath and a good sleep. But under the acacia tree stood a shadowy figure. As she drew closer, she realized it was her elder brother—furious.
“Brother…” Qu Xiangxiang called weakly.
The veins on Qu Weiran’s forehead bulged one after another. “Qu! Xiang! Xiang! You’d better give me a reasonable explanation. Where the hell did you and that Mu brat disappear to for a whole day and night?”
Qu Xiangxiang: “…”
Oh no. She was doomed. And she hadn’t even thought up a lie yet…