The one who killed the original Qu Yaoyao was a pale, beautiful hand.
Qu Yushu’s hands were fair and slender, and indeed resembled the hand in her dream. But resemblance did not mean identity—Qu Yushu did not have sharp, long fingernails. However, this discovery reminded Qu Yaoyao of something.
“Brother,” she coughed a few times, her small face pale as she asked weakly, “Have you found the culprit who harmed me the other day?”
The girl who had just been struggling and willful suddenly grew quiet and subdued.
Qu Yushu did not know why she suddenly brought this up. He shook his head and said, “We are still investigating, but there has been no trace of that evil entity.”
“Has Yaoyao remembered something?”
Qu Yaoyao raised her face, gazing intently at Qu Yushu.
Though her complexion was pale, her eyes were bright and round, appearing lively and gentle. Biting her lip, she replied cautiously, “I haven’t remembered anything.”
“But, brother, how can you be so sure that the one who harmed me was definitely an evil entity?”
“Perhaps… it was a person.” And possibly even someone from the immortal sect.
Qu Yushu was taken aback.
Qu Yaoyao was right. That night, the evil entity had appeared too suddenly, targeting only Qu Yaoyao and sparing no one else. It had come and gone without a trace, disappearing too completely. Aside from the original Qu Yaoyao, no one had seen what the evil entity looked like.
The reason the sect suspected an evil entity had killed Qu Yaoyao was because she had a fondness for dabbling in unorthodox practices and was physically weak, easily attracting evil influences. Previously, Qingxi Immortal Venerable had said the wound on her neck was caused by a demon, so everyone assumed it was the work of an evil entity.
But in the end, no one had actually witnessed an evil entity killing Qu Yaoyao. Moreover… it wasn’t only demons who could emit demonic energy; those who had fallen into demonic paths could do so as well.
“Yaoyao is right,” Qu Yushu said after a moment of stunned silence, his handsome face quickly calming as he slowly released Qu Yaoyao’s hand.
He showed no signs of abnormality, and there was no panic or gloom in his expression. Instead, he met Qu Yaoyao’s gaze and gently affirmed her speculation. “Tomorrow, I will send people to investigate within the sect and find the true culprit who harmed you.”
Qu Yaoyao nodded, smiling at Qu Yushu. “Thank you, brother.”
“No need for thanks,” Qu Yushu patted her head, as if coaxing a child. “You are my youngest sister. Protecting you is what I should do.”
Qu Yaoyao didn’t know what to say. Deep down, she felt Qu Yushu’s words were sincere, but after her experience with Qingxi Immortal Venerable, she was left with lingering unease.
“Can I still trust you?” she murmured to herself as soon as Qu Yushu left, relaxing her body and lying back on the bed.
After days of nightmares and confusion, Qu Yaoyao was not entirely unaware. In her moments of drifting between sleep and wakefulness, every time she opened her eyes, she saw either Yun Zhi or Qu Yushu, as if the two of them had been taking turns caring for her.
“Brother…” Qu Yaoyao softly whispered the name.
In her heart, she thought: Qu Yaoyao is Qu Yushu’s own sister. How could he harm her when he treated her so well? If he truly wanted to harm her, he could have taken her life a hundred times over during these days of her unconscious illness.
“Is the young lady feeling better?” Yun Zhi entered.
She had prepared hot water and came to help Qu Yaoyao bathe and change clothes. After calming her emotions, Qu Yaoyao was still uneasy about the spiritual medicine sent by Qingxi Immortal Venerable. Before bathing, she asked Yun Zhi to fetch a physician. Only after confirming that her body was unharmed did she feel reassured enough to bathe.
Steam rose from the bathing pool as Qu Yaoyao lazily reclined against the edge, allowing Yun Zhi to scrub her body.
The spiritual medicine sent by Qingxi Immortal Venerable was highly effective. Seeing that she had mostly regained her energy, Yun Zhi recounted some events that had occurred during her slumber. "Young Miss, you wouldn’t believe how lively Xianxu has been these past few days."
The Yaowang Sect was one of the six sects under the Wanmen Immortal Sect, holding the same status as the Xingyang Sect.
For years, Hua Tianhai, the sect master of the Yaowang Sect, had been obsessed with studying medicinal herbs. With few disciples under his care, he had painstakingly raised only one son, placing all his hopes on him. Yet who could have imagined that this son would vanish so abruptly?
Yun Zhi sighed with regret. "Truly, fate plays cruel tricks. Recently, the Yaowang Sect master often took his son to Wangxu, hoping Qingxi Immortal Venerable would accept him as a disciple. It’s said the Immortal Venerable had even relented and was on the verge of agreeing."
As the revered leader of all sects, Qingxi Immortal Venerable rarely took disciples. The few he did accept were all exceptionally talented prodigies of their time, outstanding in every way. But what kind of person was Hua Song?
Relying on his status as the sect master’s son, he was arrogant and unruly, with ambitions far exceeding his abilities. Despite lacking any real skill, he constantly stirred up trouble, to the point where even his own father couldn’t control him.
At this point in her story, Yun Zhi suddenly realized that Hua Song bore some resemblance to her young miss and quickly fell silent.
Seeing Qu Yaoyao resting her chin in her hand and listening without any unusual reaction, she cautiously continued, "This servant heard that Hua Song died a gruesome death."
His limbs severed, his body covered in wounds, his heart missing, and his soul scattered to the winds. His dozen or so attendants died even more horribly, their bodies left incomplete. But before Yun Zhi could finish, Qu Yaoyao sat up straight, her voice trembling as she said, "Stop."
Yun Zhi’s description had once again stirred memories of her nightmare, and she knew far more about it than Yun Zhi did.
Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Yun Zhi quickly changed the subject. "Hua Song’s death alarmed both Qingxi and Zicang Immortal Venerables. Since the Yaowang Sect has always been close to Qingxi Immortal Venerable, Wangxu is now almost solely investigating the matter. Qingxi Immortal Venerable has been incredibly busy."
"Despite his busy schedule, the Immortal Venerable still remembered to arrange a meeting with you, Young Miss. When he learned of your illness, he even sent Immortal Lord Tianci personally to deliver medicine. It shows he truly cares."
To be honest, everything Yun Zhi was recounting was precisely what Qu Yaoyao least wanted to hear. But now that she knew, there was no point in avoiding it. Qu Yaoyao seized the key point in Yun Zhi’s words. "What meeting?"
Yun Zhi coughed awkwardly, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "That day, many people saw you running out of Qingxi Immortal Venerable’s hall in tears, believing he had mistreated you."
That was the gist of it, but the rumors outside actually claimed that Qu Yaoyao had failed to seduce him and was coldly rebuked by Qingxi Immortal Venerable, leaving in tears out of shame. Regardless of the reason, the fact remained that Qu Yaoyao had been reduced to tears by Qingxi Immortal Venerable. Thus, he wished to invite her to Xianxu once more, as a gesture of apology.
Instead of the expected joy, Yun Zhi noticed her young miss’s expression turn uneasy as she murmured to herself, "It seems my illness came at just the right time."
"What did you say, Young Miss?" Yun Zhi hadn’t caught her words.
Qu Yaoyao didn’t repeat herself, instead gripping Yun Zhi’s arm and saying, "You must not let anyone know I’ve recovered."
"Just say I’m still unconscious, unable to see anyone or receive visitors."
Yun Zhi was stunned. "Why?"
Qu Yaoyao couldn't very well say that she felt Qingxi Immortal Venerable had changed his mind and wanted her life again, could she? Unable to find a suitable reason, she could only feign weakness and lean against Yun Zhi, saying feebly, "I'm indeed still not feeling well."
"I want to rest quietly for a few more days."
"What about Qingxi Immortal Venerable…"
"Let's not see him for now."
Qu Yaoyao said pitifully, "When I recover, I want to face the Immortal Venerable in my most beautiful state."
Yun Zhi believed her.
"…"
Wangxu, Chengyu Hall.
Xie Qingxun was resting with his eyes closed.
A faint lotus fragrance burned in the hall, mingled with a hint of coldness, no different from the scent emitted by the Frozen Pond Snow Lotus. Gu Tianci approached, suppressing his annoyance as he whispered, "Master, Hua Tianhai is here again."
Xie Qingxun did not open his eyes, reclining on the couch with one hand supporting his forehead, and said calmly, "Didn't I say I would give him an explanation? Why has he come again?"
Gu Tianci replied, "We've been investigating for so many days without finding any clues. That old scoundrel can't wait any longer."
"What if he can't wait?"
Gu Tianci opened his mouth, hesitating for a long moment before speaking the truth. "He said if the Immortal Venerable refuses to help him seek revenge, he will… go ask Zi Cang Immortal Venerable for help."
There were two Immortal Venerables in Xianxu, and not all of the tens of thousands of sects obeyed Xie Qingxun alone. Zi Cang Immortal Venerable was the only one who could oppose him.
"He dares to threaten me." Xie Qingxun chuckled softly.
Wanmen Immortal Sect had six sects, four pavilions, and thirteen peaks, with the six sects holding the greatest influence. The Immortal Venerable with more sects under his command held greater authority within the immortal sect.
Considering his master's current standing in the sect, Gu Tianci had thought he wouldn't fear Hua Tianhai's threat. Yet, to his surprise, he heard his master say lightly, "Tell him that in three days, I will give him an explanation."
Gu Tianci was taken aback for a moment before accepting the order and leaving.
As the hall doors closed once more, Xie Qingxun slowly opened his eyes.
His handsome face was pale, his lips blood-red. If Gu Tianci were still present, he would have noticed that Xie Qingxun's dark pupils had lightened, faintly tinged with an eerie crimson-gold.
Maintaining his reclining posture with his forehead propped up, he slightly moved his free left hand. A flash of spiritual light flickered at his fingertips, and the scroll resting on the table instantly unfurled in mid-air.
It was the portrait of the young woman in white.
The hall was dimly lit, with only the ice-silk paper shimmering with a flowing light, as if the young woman's dress in the painting swayed, ready to break free from the paper at any moment.
Xie Qingxun stared at the young woman in the painting for a long time. The crimson-gold in his eyes deepened, and a faint dark red mark appeared between his brows, which he quickly suppressed.
"You really know how to cause trouble for me," he murmured, feeling a twinge of regret for having killed her.
The scroll was swiftly rolled up and placed back on the table. Xie Qingxun closed his eyes again, the image of the young woman in the painting still lingering in his mind—bearing a forty percent resemblance to Qu Yaoyao.
Thinking of Qu Yaoyao, Xie Qingxun curled his lips slightly and called out coolly, "Tianci."
"Your disciple is here."
Gu Tianci stood quietly outside the hall, hearing his master ask leisurely, "What has Qu Yaoyao been up to lately?"
Gu Tianci didn't know why his master would ask about her but answered honestly, "Her maid said she's still bedridden and recovering, unable to see anyone."
But it shouldn't be like this.
Gu Tianci added silently: The spiritual medicines he sent were all of immortal grade. After so many days, even someone on the brink of death should have recovered. Had Qu Yaoyao not used the medicine, or was she feigning illness?
Silence fell within the hall.
Xie Qingxun let out a scornful laugh. It seemed she had truly been frightened that day, but perhaps that was for the best. It would be ideal if she could remain this docile and easy to control.
After a long while, Gu Tianci finally heard Xie Qingxun speak again, "Send someone to investigate where Qu Yaoyao was on the night Hua Song's life lamp went out."
Qu Yaoyao?!
Gu Tianci nearly thought he had misheard. "Master, are you suggesting…"
Could Hua Hai's death be related to Qu Yaoyao?! No wonder she had been so terrified when she saw Hua Hai's corpse that day.
Meanwhile, at the Xingyang Sect.
Unaware of any of this, Qu Yaoyao sat before a mirror, pinching her cheeks. She couldn't help but feel that her face looked different from when she first saw it—it seemed to be growing more and more like her true body.
How could this be? Was her soul influencing this body?
A rhythmic knock sounded at the door. Qu Yaoyao glanced outside at the dark, gloomy night. It had started snowing again.
"Who is it?" she asked, slightly on guard.
Qu Yushu's voice came from behind the door. "Yaoyao, are you asleep?"
Qu Yaoyao fell silent for a moment, unsure why Qu Yushu had come to see her so late at night.