"You have to listen to me in everything."
Riding the sword borrowed from Pei Congzhou, Ning Xi no longer had to trek over mountains and valleys for half the night this time.
When she arrived in front of Wen Xian Tang, she couldn’t spot Pei Bu Chen at first glance.
Only on the second look did she barely make out a small moon-blue dot in the vast expanse of white.
Ning Xi was about to stride toward the frost-covered figure when Pei Congzhou pulled her back.
His expression was conflicted: "Are you really going over there?"
He blamed himself for being too talkative. Deep down, he knew that with Pei Bu Chen’s icy, aloof temperament, it was impossible for him to have any entanglement with this junior apprentice sister, Ning. He had only told Ning Xi those things as a joke.
He had assumed that after learning about the medicine-seeking incident, Ning Xi would simply comfort Pei Bu Chen afterward. Who could have guessed she wouldn’t hesitate and directly begged him to ride the sword and bring her here?
"This matter actually involves other sects… Uh, Junior Apprentice Sister Ning, you might not know, but the Helian Family of Kunlun Hill has a rather delicate relationship with our Baiyujing."
Ning Xi nodded. She remembered—in her past life, the Helian Family had been at odds with the Pei Family. At the time, she had naively assumed it was due to He Lian Han Shan’s death, which led to Pei Bu Chen being suspected by the Helian Family. This was followed by Baiyujing disciples clashing with the Helian Family’s guests and causing the deaths of several Helian disciples, ultimately severing ties between the two families.
But after listening to Pei Congzhou’s rambling explanations, she realized the truth was far more complicated than she had imagined.
Strictly speaking, Baiyujing’s rise among the Xian Sect families was a recent development, largely credited to Pei Bu Chen’s father, Pei Qing Ye.
Pei Qing Ye’s ancestors had once produced great masters capable of splitting mountains and parting seas, but later generations displayed mediocre talent, and the Pei Clan gradually declined.
It wasn’t until a century ago, when Pei Qing Ye made significant contributions in the Xian Sect’s campaign to suppress Yan Ye and married the second young lady of the prestigious Wei Chi Family, that he single-handedly revived Baiyujing through his military achievements and powerful marital connections.
But how could a former fallen family stand on equal footing with noble lineages of established prestige?
No matter how renowned the Pei Family of Baiyujing became, there were always those who refused to accept them.
The Helian Family of Kunlun Hill was one of them.
Whenever Pei Congzhou spoke of this, he grew indignant: "What right does the Helian Family have to look down on others? They shut their doors and practice their bloodline discrimination—fine, but they even want to poison other Xian Sects with their rotten ideas! They despise our Pei Family for coming from a fallen lineage, and they even drag Da Shi Xiong into it…"
His voice gradually lowered, heavy with emotion: "You know, Pei Bu Chen’s father passed away early, and he has to support the entire Baiyujing on his own. Although there are elders in the sect, those stubborn old men are more of a hindrance than a help… He has to uphold the sect above and assist his junior disciples below. My cousin leads a truly arduous life."
Ning Xi’s heart felt as if it were being twisted and squeezed, aching and swelling with emotion. She murmured softly, "I only know that not long after I joined the sect, Sect Leader Pei died unexpectedly during a demon hunt…"
Pei Congzhou, however, didn’t want to elaborate. He simply waved his hand and handed her a paper umbrella and a hand warmer. "I’ll leave you here. Take these. My cousin is proud and values face—he dislikes others seeing him in a sorry state. If I go over to help him, he might think I’m just here to watch the spectacle."
Ning Xi nodded solemnly, hastily bowed to Pei Congzhou, and hurried toward Pei Bu Chen.
Ning Xi trudged through the snow, her steps uneven as she sank deep with each movement. As she drew closer, she noticed a group of the He Lian Family members standing on the steps where Pei Bu Chen knelt.
At the forefront stood an elderly woman dressed in a golden peony-patterned robe the color of rouge, draped over with a crimson tiger-fur cloak. This was none other than He Lian Ting Chuan, the acting head of the He Lian Family.
He Lian Ting Chuan, with her white eyebrows and beard, exuded an aura of immortal grace and stern authority. She spoke slowly, "…Young Master Pei, there is no need to kneel before this old woman. The Taiyi Xuan Teng you seek does indeed exist at Kunlun Hill."
Ning Xi heard Pei Bu Chen's hoarse voice reply, "This junior thanks the He Lian Family Head."
He Lian Ting Chuan waved her hand impatiently, "Do not thank me so soon. This old woman never said she would lend the medicine."
Suspecting they might have more to discuss, Ning Xi halted a few steps away, intending to wait until Pei Bu Chen and He Lian Ting Chuan finished speaking before approaching.
After a moment of silence, Pei Bu Chen spoke, "Is the Family Head still troubled by Fellow Cultivator Han Shan's death? If so, this junior is willing to swear upon my Dao heart that Fellow Cultivator Han Shan's death has absolutely no connection to me. If I speak even a single false word, may I be struck by ten thousand heavenly tribulations—"
He Lian Ting Chuan coldly interrupted, "Do you think this old woman is someone who cannot separate public and private matters? The investigation into my grandson Han Shan's death is being handled by the Disciplinary Department. Although your suspicion has not been cleared, since I promised Sect Leader Pei, I will not seek private revenge against you."
"Then may I ask why the elder refuses to provide medicine to Baiyujing? During the recent Demon Calamity, many disciples of Baiyujing were infected with demon poison. To cure this poison, Taiyi Xuan Teng is an essential ingredient. Were it not for this, this junior would not have presumptuously asked you for the medicine."
"The path of cultivation is long and arduous. This old woman is not heartless either. In times of crisis, I am naturally willing to join hands with fellow cultivators to overcome difficulties—but they must truly be fellow cultivators!"
He Lian Ting Chuan's voice carried three parts disdain and contempt: "I heard that you seek this medicine not only for inner sect disciples but also for those unenlightened outer sect members?"
Pei Bu Chen replied, "When demon poison enters the body, it can lightly damage one's mind or heavily endanger one's life. Outer sect disciples are lives too. What is improper about this junior seeking medicine to treat them?"
Ning Xi froze, her heart suddenly skipping a beat. Having never cultivated, she didn't understand the stakes involved—was demon poison really this dangerous?
Then why was she still alive and kicking three days after being struck by Yinglong's claw?
Could it be related to how Da Shi Xiong had cast spells to protect her heart meridian…
"The Great Dao is inherently merciless. The distinction between immortal and mortal is like that between humans and livestock. Spiritual roots are not easily obtained, and should not be tainted by earthly vessels." He Lian Ting Chuan said coldly, "Those outer sect members haven't even awakened their spiritual roots—mere mortals molded from clay and grass. What worth is there in saving them? That you would kneel here for them brings disgrace to noble families!"
Kunlun Hill looked down on everyone, disdaining the Pei family's decline, and Pei Bu Chen suffered guilt by association.
Malice, scorn, and mockery fell with the swirling snow, accumulating on Pei Bu Chen's shoulders.
He remained silent, his back straight, and simply kowtowed solemnly once more: "I beg the elder to show mercy and grant the medicine."
He Lian Ting Chuan snorted heavily and, followed by the He Lian Family elders and disciples, turned and left in a flurry of sleeves.
Ning Xi dug her nails into her palms until it hurt, nearly breaking the skin, restraining the impulse to rush forward and argue with the He Lian Family Head.
She was insignificant and didn't want to cause trouble for Da Shi Xiong.
So what if they had argued? She was the only one who had vented her anger, but in the end, Da Shi Xiong still had to humble himself to apologize and make amends for her.
Just like today.
Clearly, the Demon Calamity was not his fault. Clearly, the injuries to the disciples were not his responsibility. He could have ignored it all—he was the esteemed Da Shi Xiong seated high in the hall, untouchable by wind or snow.
Yet here he knelt, speaking up and pleading for medicine on behalf of countless ordinary disciples like Ning Xi, who had no voice, enduring humiliation he never needed to suffer.
On such a cold day, would Da Shi Xiong’s heart feel cold too?
Ning Xi raised her paper umbrella and walked slowly toward the figure half-buried in snow.
Before she knew it, she had already reached Pei Bu Chen’s back.
The sound of her footsteps on the snow was crisp, like shattering jade, step by step.
Pei Bu Chen had heard her but did not turn around. Perhaps he had recognized her from her shadow on the ground, as he spoke hoarsely, "Ning Shi Mei?"
He must have been kneeling for a long time before Ning Xi arrived. Even his Golden Core cultivator’s body, impervious to cold, was trembling slightly.
Ning Xi hummed in acknowledgment and took another step toward him, but Pei Bu Chen suddenly chuckled softly:
"Don’t come closer."
His tone was gentle but firm. Any perceptive disciple would have retreated at this point, but Ning Xi was stubborn by nature—either unable to read the atmosphere or unwilling to.
She circled around to stand in front of Pei Bu Chen and crouched down before he could turn away to avoid her.
Da Shi Xiong’s eyelashes were frosted, his features still as cold and striking as ice and snow, but the dark circles under his eyes seemed even heavier now.
Their eyes met as the snow fell softly around them.
"…"
"Don’t look at me," Pei Bu Chen suddenly laughed.
But Ning Xi stared at him expressionlessly, and his smile slowly faded.
In truth, Pei Bu Chen’s features were sharply defined—a high, narrow nose bridge, slender eyes, thin eyelids, and thin lips. When he wasn’t smiling, he appeared especially cold and detached.
Perhaps for this reason, he usually wore a harmless, gentle smile, as if even if the sky fell, he could remain unruffled.
Ning Xi pushed her umbrella slightly in his direction, shielding him from the palm-sized snowflakes.
But Pei Bu Chen showed no gratitude. His tone turned abruptly cold: "I told you not to look. Can’t you hear?"
Ning Xi had never heard him speak so harshly before. She froze for a moment, then sniffled.
It was only because of the freezing weather, but Pei Bu Chen clearly misunderstood. After a stiff pause, he was the first to look away, slowly lowering his head.
Falling strands of dark hair obscured his brows and eyes, revealing only the lower half of his face, pale as cold jade. His faint pink lips and sharp jawline were both tightly drawn.
In the deep cold of twilight, heavy clouds brewed more snow, which fell ceaselessly like willow catkins, like goose feathers.
Pei Bu Chen knelt upright in the snowy woods, stripped of the usual grace that rivaled spring blossoms.
After a long while, he sighed.
"…Just leave me alone." He buried his face deep in his arms, his voice unbearably hoarse.
Ning Xi said nothing but took out her hand warmer from her robes and offered it to him.
Pei Bu Chen remained motionless for a long moment before slowly accepting it, clutching it tightly in his ice-crusted palm.
Suddenly, she remembered how, in her past life, Pei Bu Chen had held her Spirit Tablet before drowning himself—just like this, hiding his face.
Back then, he hadn’t wanted anyone to see him cry, had he?
Despite being someone who prized dignity so highly, unwilling to let others witness even the slightest unbecoming display of tears, he had knelt in the torrential rain, covered in mud, clutching her spirit tablet as he collapsed into the mire…
Ning Xi suddenly said, "I saved Da Shi Xiong before, right?"
Pei Bu Chen responded with a nasal "Mm."
"Then I am your lifesaver. People often say that a life-saving grace should be repaid with unwavering loyalty. How does Da Shi Xiong plan to repay me?"
Without waiting for Pei Bu Chen's answer, Ning Xi continued, "Since I saved you, your life belongs to me now. You must obey me in everything."
"Then I want you to get up," she inhaled deeply, striving to maintain composure as she repeated, "Get up."
"I forbid you from kneeling before them."