103 - All Eyes Are On The Peasant Family’ Adorable Baby Girl

Title: Chapter 103: Whining "Xiao Su, Xiao Su." The gentle call by her ear gradually brought her consciousness back. Shen Su first felt a softness on her chest and the warm breath caressing her cheek. The voice was clear and familiar; it could only be Wei Nan Yi. So where exactly was she pressing against? Shen Su's body stiffened momentarily. She anxiously opened her eyes. Wei Nan Yi's delicate and refined features immediately filled her vision. Due to taking the Youth Retaining Elixir, Wei Nan Yi hadn't aged in these past twenty years, and even the slightest wrinkles had faded. Shen Su hadn't seen Wei Nan Yi for a long time. Acting on instinct, she leaned forward slightly, getting closer to that near-perfect face. Wei Nan Yi's dark, ink-like pupils reflected Shen Su's dazed eyes. As Shen Su drew closer, there was a moment of stillness. Wei Nan Yi's cheeks reddened visibly. She tilted her neck slightly, looking at Shen Su in confusion but not moving. A clueless head then came over, its black fur brushing against Shen Su's head, as if trying to push her away. The head belonged to Black Fox. The presence of Black Fox made Shen Su's mind a bit clearer. But, as the fox's head was blocking her view of Wei Nan Yi, Shen Su instinctively pushed it aside, saying disdainfully, "Don't block me." Wei Nan Yi, clearly surprised that Shen Su could push Black Fox away, moved closer to her. Her beautiful pupils widened in astonishment. "Xiao, Xiao Su." Her speech stuttered slightly, and her breath became even hotter. The heat brought Shen Su fully awake. She suddenly remembered that after falling into the swamp with Wei Nan Yi, they had landed in a medicinal field. Probably because she had been holding a little parrot and gripping Black Fox's bell collar, the three of them had landed in the same spot. Wei Nan Yi had transformed into her human form in her embrace, which had torn her outer garments. Now, Shen Su's outer clothing was mostly ruined, leaving only her undergarments. She was pressing all her weight onto Wei Nan Yi, leaving no space between them, fully feeling Wei Nan Yi's softness. Seeing Wei Nan Yi's blushing face, shyly avoiding her gaze, Shen Su felt like a predator bullying a fair maiden. No wonder even Black Fox couldn't stand it. After a brief daze, Shen Su quickly rolled over and sat up. She clutched the front of her torn outer garment, trying to gather it into a semblance of decency. Fortunately, no one else was around to witness this. Otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing. Her earlobes were burning, and she could still feel the softness from her chest. Wei Nan Yi had transformed at some point, yet she had let Shen Su press her like this. Shen Su mumbled, "My lady, why didn't you push me away?" As soon as Shen Su released her, Wei Nan Yi sat up slowly beside her. Her long hair fell to the ground, and she used it to cover her flushed face, speaking softly through the strands, "I was afraid you'd fall." Her warm, gentle tone rose and fell, sending ripples through Shen Su's heart. Shen Su loved hearing such words and being cared for. Hurriedly, Shen Su turned her head to look at Wei Nan Yi. Her gaze fell on that beautiful face, and she couldn't help but look away shyly. She rubbed her heated fingertips, rare bashfulness coloring her words, "My lady, I'm not that delicate." As Shen Su let go, her outer garment fell apart completely, revealing her soft, glossy curves through the undergarments. Wei Nan Yi blushed, reaching out to awkwardly pull the garment back onto Shen Su. Her intention was to fix Shen Su's clothing, but the fabric, already in tatters, fell apart entirely with her pull. Wei Nan Yi looked at the scraps of cloth in her hand, her eyelashes trembling slightly. Seeing the pieces of fabric in Wei Nan Yi’s hand, Shen Su had a sudden realization. She wasn’t the bully; Wei Nan Yi was. This thought was more a jest. Wei Nan Yi retrieved a new outfit from her ring and handed it to Shen Su, who then changed into it. With her attention now on their surroundings, Shen Su noticed the landscape. It was supposed to be a medicinal field, but the ground was dry, and vegetation sparse. The field looked barren, not full of valuable herbs as she had assumed. They had clearly been sucked into the swamp, so how did they end up in a medicinal field? Where were A Ling and the others? Seeing the densely packed vegetation and the desolate landscape, Shen Su’s fox ears picked up many voices. "Lord, there's been an increase in humans coming into Yan Bi Mountain recently. Shouldn't we act soon?" "The Fox King says that those entering are the elites of major sects. If anything goes wrong, it could be disastrous like before. Yan Bi Mountain isn’t what it used to be; Mirror Lake has dried up, and our new generation lacks strength compared to the past. We should avoid clashing with the major sects." "Lord, someone's eavesdropping." "..." Shen Su felt a tremendous noise and quickly retracted her fox ears, covering them with her hands. Thin spiritual energy seeped into her ears, barely mitigating the backlash. Mirror Lake, elite. Something was off about this place. Wei Nan Yi saw Shen Su covering her ears and asked urgently, "Xiao Su, what’s wrong?" Shen Su waved her hand, indicating she was fine, and said blandly, "I was caught eavesdropping by a powerful demon." It was understandable given her abilities hadn't reached their peak, and she lacked items to conceal her presence. They were lucky the powerful demons hadn’t tracked them down. Wei Nan Yi grasped the situation quickly. She fumbled around Black Fox and retrieved the Full Star Jade that Shen Su had previously placed on it. She reattached it to Shen Su, then asked, "Did you hear anything?" "Mirror Lake.” Shen Su shared what she had heard most clearly. Upon hearing the words 'Mirror Lake,' Wei Nan Yi instinctively glanced at Shen Su, then led her around the medicinal field towards the east. They walked until they saw a towering tree. Noticing the carvings on it, Wei Nan Yi suddenly said, "Xiao Su, this is Yan Bi Mountain." Yan Bi Mountain? Shen Su had her suspicions upon hearing 'Mirror Lake,' but once Wei Nan Yi confirmed they were in Yan Bi Mountain, Shen Su was still shocked. Who would've thought the swamp led not to an abyss but to another great sacred ground, Yan Bi Mountain? Could it be that the three great herbal sanctuaries are interconnected? If so, it made sense why the Lei Jie Pearl, which was supposed to be in Yan Bi Mountain, ended up being found in Bi You Valley, and the Ice Breaking Pearl, meant for Jing Zhong Lin, showed up elsewhere. But Du Jun Cai and the others had sunk into the swamp before, and they didn’t end up in Yan Bi Mountain or Jing Zhong Lin. Could it be… Shen Su recalled every incident that occurred before sinking into the swamp. It began with lightning triggering the Lei Jie Pearl’s power, followed by repeated strikes into the swamp... The problem lay with the Li Po Zhu. Li Po Zhu was the key connecting the three great sanctuaries, but it required sufficient power to interlink them. The most likely scenario was that the activation of multiple pearls’ powers simultaneously caused spatial distortion, enabling teleportation. If this was true, A Ling and the others should also have been transported to Yan Bi Mountain, as the Li Po Zhu no longer resided in Jing Zhong Lin. Shen Su remembered that in the original novel, Jiang An gave the protagonist two pearls, the Fire Pearl and Wind Pearl. The remaining ten were scattered between Jing Zhong Lin and Yan Bi Mountain. Jing Zhong Lin housed the Metal Pearl, Ice Pearl, Yin Pearl, Earth Pearl, and the unique Soul Pearl. In the novel, the protagonist and Lin Qing Huai encountered each other in Jing Zhong Lin and, along with Fu Yuan and Wei Jin, found the five pearls. As a token of gratitude, the protagonist even gifted the special Soul Pearl to Lin Qing Huai. However, because it was with Lin Qing Huai, separated from the protagonist’s control, the novel didn’t dwell on its specific use, merely noting its ability to target souls. Even when Lin Qing Huai returned the Soul Pearl to the protagonist, by then, he had already achieved significant cultivation and didn’t rely as heavily on the pearls. However, with Fu Yuan and Wei Jin already dead by her hand, and Lin Qing Huai trapped in Bi You Valley and now dead along with Si Hua, the protagonist might have a hard time gathering all the pearls without the help of these confidantes. Anyway, the Ice Breaking Pearl was now in her possession, having been given to A Ling, thus depriving the protagonist of this valuable artifact. Shen Su had no intention of provoking the protagonist's halo, but she also wasn’t one to hand over treasures she had obtained. She still needed to become stronger to avenge Wei Nan Yi. Raising the average strength of her sect would also increase her chances of bringing Jiang An to justice. The five pearls in Yan Bi Mountain were the Water Breaking Pearl, Wood Breaking Pearl, Thunder Breaking Pearl, Sun Breaking Pearl, and the very special Time Breaking Pearl that could briefly reverse time. This was crucial in allowing the protagonist to turn the tide multiple times in the story. Besides the Thunder Breaking Pearl now with Ruan Tong, the other pearls were still waiting for their destined owner. Although these pearls were said to be in Yan Bi Mountain, aside from the Thunder Breaking Pearl and Wood Breaking Pearl, the rest were hidden in secret realms within the mountain. The protagonist had retrieved the remaining three pearls from these secret realms. What puzzled Shen Su was how the two pearls that Jiang An handed over to the protagonist before his death came to be in his possession. Moreover, why did he refuse to hand them over until his dying breath? If he had helped the protagonist gather all twelve pearls sooner, perhaps things might have turned out differently, and fewer lives would have been lost. Could there have been some unspeakable reason behind Jiang An's actions? Or perhaps it was a plot device, dragging the reveal to the very last moment. This was also the time when the impressive power of the Yuling Sword, the treasured inheritance of the Linxian Mountain, was often lauded—one sword to counter twelve pearls. Jiang Xu, who had merged with the Yuling Sword's spirit and fallen into demonic ways, became an unstoppable slaughterer. The powerful demons had mentioned that all the sects' elites had arrived. Shen Su could match them to those figures in the original novel, the seven who secured the inheritance from Xing Liang Hall by placing in the top ranks of the Four Major Sects' trials. The plot had changed, with Jiang Xu now among the top seven, meaning he must have arrived too. Realizing that they might be in the same place as Jiang Xu made Shen Su's heart skip a beat. She pulled Wei Nan Yi closer anxiously and asked, "My lady, will you leave me?" Shen Su's question was abrupt and left Wei Nan Yi puzzled. But being kind-hearted, Wei Nan Yi responded gently, "Xiao Su, do you want me to leave?" "Of course not." Shen Su's answer was swift and urgent, as if worried Wei Nan Yi might vanish if she hesitated even a moment. She didn’t want Wei Nan Yi to leave; she wanted to keep her by her side forever. Shen Su remembered swearing to Jiang Xu, driven by fear back then, that she would take care of Wei Nan Yi like her own mother. And she did take good care of her, yet not as a mother, but as a lover. She felt love, though she considered herself unworthy. But emotions are the hardest to control. She couldn’t lie to herself and say she didn’t like Wei Nan Yi. When she meets Jiang Xu again, what should she say? Surely, she couldn’t tell Jiang Xu she had fallen in love with Wei Nan Yi and hadn’t won her over yet, so could she keep caring for her? If she dared discuss this with Jiang Xu, Jiang Xu would probably tear her to pieces and feed her remains to wild dogs. But returning Wei Nan Yi would be worse than death. Without waiting for Wei Nan Yi’s reply, Shen Su sighed repeatedly. Wei Nan Yi glanced at her peculiarly, but still responded, "Then I won’t leave." Even if Shen Su wanted her to leave, she wouldn’t. Shen Su was a complex girl. She could take excellent care of Wei Nan Yi but neglected herself. She often didn’t value her own well-being, which worried Wei Nan Yi. Following Shen Su around, Wei Nan Yi hoped Shen Su would at least remember to protect herself a little more, knowing Wei Nan Yi was there. "Xiao Su, you should keep the ring. It’ll be more useful in your hands." Wei Nan Yi returned the ring to Shen Su, who took the opportunity to hold Wei Nan Yi's hand. "My lady, you really won’t leave?" Wei Nan Yi’s fingertips, remaining slightly sharp, brushed Shen Su's soft palm with a faint sting, a real touch confirming the authenticity of the promise Shen Su desperately sought. Wei Nan Yi softly reaffirmed, "Actually, even if you wanted me to leave, I wouldn’t go." Hearing the desired answer didn't fully reassure Shen Su. She tightened her grip on Wei Nan Yi's hand, "What if Miss Jiang comes to take you away? Would you still stay?" Hearing Jiang Xu’s name again, Wei Nan Yi's expression subtly changed. She didn’t know how to express her complicated emotions. As a mother, she missed Jiang Xu and often worried about her. Reports of Jiang Xu and Yu Muhan fighting during the Great Sect Trials had made her anxious. But hearing Jiang Xu's name from Shen Su brought a painful heaviness to her heart, tears pricking her eyes. She wasn't someone who cried often. Wei Nan Yi placed her hand on Shen Su’s wrist, eventually prying her hand away. "Xiao Su, it seems you really want to see Xu'er." Wei Nan Yi averted her gaze, keeping her emotions hidden. When someone avoids answering, it can be excruciating for the seeker. Shen Su had never expressed any opinions on Jiang Xu in front of Wei Nan Yi before but couldn’t hold back today, fearing Jiang Xu would take Wei Nan Yi away. She hastily exclaimed, “No, I don’t want to!” Jiang Xu was fierce and aggressive, perhaps even wanting to take Wei Nan Yi from her. She would be out of her mind to want to see Jiang Xu. Regretting her outburst, Shen Su wished she could take back her words. Her reaction was too intense. What if Wei Nan Yi realized she disliked Jiang Xu? That would be disastrous. Wei Nan Yi wiped the corners of her moist eyes, looking incredulously at Shen Su's remorseful face. "Xiao Su, it seems like..." Shen Su didn’t let her finish and pinched herself hard, muttering, “My lady, I have no ill will towards Miss Jiang. It’s just that I feel...” Pangs from her wrist couldn’t help Shen Su, a seasoned liar, concoct a believable story on the spot. She knew she had shown too much aversion towards Jiang Xu and couldn’t find the right words to mend it. Though she didn’t harbor malice, she bore grudges and simply couldn’t like Jiang Xu. That unreasonable villain, who wouldn’t listen and went around grabbing necks, was impossible to like. After completely reddening her wrist, Shen Su finally found an excuse. “I feel that although you’ve regained some spiritual roots, you’re not fully recovered. Miss Jiang is at Linxian Mountain, which is fraught with dangers. It’d be hard for you to protect yourself or for Miss Jiang to protect you there. Besides, Miss Jiang is still a child and doesn’t know how to care for others like I do. You’d be better off staying with me.” The more Shen Su spoke, the stranger Wei Nan Yi’s gaze became. Her red eyes lost their tears as she bluntly reminded Shen Su of a simple fact, "Xiao Su, Xu'er is seven years older than you." She had been tactfully turned down by Wei Nan Yi. No wonder, but still, it hurt a little. Shen Su genuinely believed she cared for people better than Jiang Xu, but how could she compare to someone’s own daughter? After all this time, had Wei Nan Yi not felt any of her true feelings? If someone as kind as Wei Nan Yi could reject her plea, who in the world would ever love her? Perhaps Shen Ji was right. Someone like her was unlovable, not even by Wei Nan Yi. She should never have come. No, she should never have been born. Shen Su’s spirit sunk as she avoided her sadness, her mind going blank for a moment. In that moment of emptiness, Shen Su’s body curled up, extreme sorrow causing red fur to sprout uncontrollably. She transformed into a fiery red fox, shrinking further until she curled into a ball, growing smaller by the second. When the little fox had shrunk to the size of a palm, her front paws started to dig at the ground with determination, sending dust flying. Quickly, a small round pit appeared, and without hesitation, the fluffy creature used her head to burrow into the loosened soil, her slender body disappearing into the hole. Seeing the little fox about to bury herself, Wei Nan Yi hurriedly grabbed her flaming tail, pulling her back slightly. For a moment, Wei Nan Yi felt a pang of confusion. Shen Su was supposed to be a fox demon, not a turtle. But the current actions of the little fox resembled those of a timid turtle retracting into its shell when distressed. What was there to be so upset about? Shen Su was, after all, younger than Jiang Xu. The little fox seemed to regain her senses only when her tail was tugged. Realizing her actions must have been rather amusing, she covered her burning ears with her paws and refused to transform back into her human form. As Wei Nan Yi's gaze grew increasingly puzzled, she finally mumbled, "My lady, I'm not a turtle." With one hand holding the little fox, Wei Nan Yi touched her own lips in surprise. She didn’t remember voicing her thoughts, so how did Shen Su know she was comparing her to a turtle? She asked curiously, "Xiao Su, did you gain mind-reading abilities after coming to Yan Bi Mountain?" Since they were in Mirror Lake’s vicinity, if there were residual powers from the lake, it would be understandable. "I guessed." As Wei Nan Yi’s spiritual roots began to recover, no longer rendering her a fragile woman, the little fox had become a bit temperamental. She still wouldn’t transform back, letting her head droop. Wei Nan Yi chuckled, "Xiao Su is very smart." It wasn’t really about being smart; Wei Nan Yi's suspicious look was too obvious, nearly broadcasting her disbelief that Shen Su still harbored a hidden demon form. But Shen Su wasn’t throwing a tantrum at Wei Nan Yi. She understood the maternal love Wei Nan Yi felt for her child, much like how Shen Su had accepted Fu Jing loving Shen Ji exclusively back then. Mainly, her earlier foolish actions were so amusing even to herself. If she transformed back now, Wei Nan Yi would see her flushed ears and cheeks, making it even more embarrassing. Fortunately, unlike Wei Nan Yi, who turned into animals with white fur making blushes more evident, Shen Su was a red-furred fox. As long as she didn’t transform back, Wei Nan Yi wouldn’t notice. If Wei Nan Yi saw her currently flushed and hot skin, even being awake wouldn’t stop Shen Su from wanting to bury herself out of embarrassment. Lost in these thoughts, Shen Su peeked out of her hole, inspecting the pit she had absentmindedly dug. Before she could get a closer look, Wei Nan Yi’s finger lightly touched the fox’s forehead, gently pushing her head back. She said softly, "If Xiao Su doesn’t want to be a younger sister, you can be an older sister." That wasn’t the point of her distress. “I don’t want to be Jiang Xu’s sister.” The little fox lay in Wei Nan Yi’s palm, her beautiful tail draped over Wei Nan Yi’s fingers. The sweeping movement of the tail brought an itchy sensation to Wei Nan Yi’s heart. She suddenly wanted to ask the little fox in her hand, if not an older sister, then what? A lover? Before Wei Nan Yi had the chance to feel sad, the little fox raised her head, her previously dim eyes suddenly shining with light. Her mouth moved slightly, "My lady, you’re very pretty even when seen this way." Her body had become smaller, but her words had become sweeter. But that wasn’t the point. The little fox gave Wei Nan Yi no chance to respond. She quickly lowered her head again, muttering dejectedly, “Pretty but still belongs to Jiang Xu.” Would her mind and emotions shrink with her body? Shen Su’s behavior was peculiar, and her words baffling. The little fox flipped over in Wei Nan Yi’s palm, still mumbling, “I really think I can take better care of people than Jiang Xu.” Her voice was soft, more so than her previous statements, but Wei Nan Yi, holding her close, heard it clearly. Wei Nan Yi seemed to grasp the source of Shen Su’s unhappiness. Shen Su didn’t want her to go with Jiang Xu. But without even seeing Jiang Xu, where did Shen Su’s worries come from? And shouldn’t Shen Su like Jiang Xu? Shouldn’t she be worried about Wei Nan Yi forbidding Jiang Xu from associating with her instead? Why was she worried about her leaving? Wei Nan Yi couldn’t comprehend Shen Su’s thoughts, so she merely responded softly, “Okay.” The sudden answer made the little fox raise her head, “My lady, what’s okay?” “Didn’t you say you wanted me to stay with you?” She wasn’t being rejected. Of course, Wei Nan Yi, a kind person, wouldn’t reject someone who genuinely cared for her. Shen Su’s spirits lifted, diminishing her fear and resentment towards Jiang Xu. The little fox’s eyes sparkled, her ears perked up, previously drooping. Shen Su often called Lin Shui Yan stubborn, but she could be just as stubborn. The two of them were rather alike. The little fox lay contentedly in Wei Nan Yi's palm, her tail wagging vigorously as she held Wei Nan Yi’s hand. Transformed into a fox, Shen Su couldn’t contain her feelings as well as in human form. Wei Nan Yi noticed her tail wagging out of the corner of her eye, her eyelashes fluttering, and a smile inadvertently forming on her lips. In high spirits, Shen Su didn’t notice her tail’s frantic movements. To avoid showing any signs, she waited until she calmed down before transforming back into her human form. After transforming back, Shen Su didn't argue about the ownership of the ring. Instead, she obediently erased Wei Nan Yi’s imprint from it and injected her own power back in. She was accustomed to using the ring to hide weapons for surprise attacks. Wei Nan Yi, being of noble stature, had no need for such methods. The ring was indeed more useful in Shen Su's hands. Nevertheless, Shen Su secretly decided to follow Lin Shui Yan’s example and find a storage pouch for Wei Nan Yi. As for weapons... Bai Ruoyi should be here. According to the original plot, the protagonist Yu Muhan was supposed to have already given the Moon Shade Bow as a token of love to the heroine. Could she retrieve the Moon Shade Bow from Bai Ruoyi for Wei Nan Yi? That weapon originally belonged to Wei Nan Yi; retrieving it wasn’t excessive, but it was uncertain if Bai Ruoyi would give it up willingly. However, Shen Su wasn’t sure if leading Wei Nan Yi around Yan Bi Mountain was a good idea. The next part of the original plot involved the protagonist angering the powerful demons in Yan Bi Mountain, opening secret realms, and drawing various factions to compete for entry rights. Jiang Xu then obtained entry rights, bringing the transformed rabbit Wei Nan Yi into the secret realm. Jiang An, suppressing his cultivation, stealthily entered and killed Wei Nan Yi inside, driving Jiang Xu to madness. Despite the plot already deviating significantly, Shen Su dared not gamble with Wei Nan Yi’s life in the original place of her death. She wasn’t certain she could protect Wei Nan Yi should danger arise. Now, her cultivation level was nearly on par with the protagonist’s, both lingering at the peak of the Golden Core stage, without breaking through to Nascent Soul due to fears of inner demons. However, their actual combat abilities differed significantly. Shen Su’s state was precarious, and how much her dual forms could compensate was unknown. Plus, her opponent wouldn’t be the protagonist but Jiang An. Victory seemed unlikely. However, Yan Bi Mountain was the most monster-infested of the three sacred grounds, making it a promising place for Wei Nan Yi to gain blessings. Indeed, Yan Bi Mountain. As long as they stayed in Yan Bi Mountain without entering the secret realms, there would be no worries about Wei Nan Yi’s death. Moreover, entering a secret realm wasn’t easy. The top disciples in the cultivation world were predominantly at the Golden Core stage, fewer in number than Nascent Soul level but stronger than those below. The original book mentioned three thousand contenders vying for just two hundred spots to enter the secret realm. It wasn’t an easy feat. Even if Shen Su wished to enter, it wouldn’t be easy. And being alone in the realm without support from various factions would likely lead to a swift demise. Such a dangerous place was no place for her and Wei Nan Yi. Determined, Shen Su's heart gradually calmed down. Her immediate task was to find A Ling and the others. Once they were all together, they could devise a plan to get the powerful demons above the Golden Core level in Yan Bi Mountain to grant Wei Nan Yi their blessings, thus continuing to restore Wei Nan Yi's spiritual roots. Just as Shen Su regained her composure and was about to speak to Wei Nan Yi, she was startled to see an enlarged fox face right in front of her. She stepped back in shock and guiltily said, "Why are you looking at me like that? It was you who promised not to go with Miss Jiang. I didn't play any tricks." Realizing her absurd little outburst earlier when she had turned into a small fox, Shen Su quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment. She knew her antics were both childish and laughable, even starting to find her own behavior somewhat unethical and, amusingly, had blurted out her inner thoughts. Black Fox, however, had no such implications. It couldn't understand the nuances of their conversation. Instead, it gently patted Shen Su's head. Feeling something odd, Shen Su touched her hair and realized it was still a tangled mess. Although the lightning strike hadn’t seriously harmed her, it had left her looking quite disheveled, prompting Black Fox to give her a gentle reminder. As Shen Su began to wrestle with the mess of her hair, Wei Nan Yi gently pulled on her sleeve, “Xiao Su, let me help.” Black Fox knelt down, carrying Wei Nan Yi and Shen Su on its back. Shen Su sat in the front, with Wei Nan Yi behind her. Wei Nan Yi knew many kinds of spells, including the rather seemingly insignificant one of conjuring a jade comb. Shen Su hadn’t expected Wei Nan Yi to help her with her hair. Though she couldn’t see Wei Nan Yi’s face, she could feel the gentle motion of her hands as they worked through her knotted hair. She could imagine the attentive and tender expression on Wei Nan Yi’s face as she sorted out the tangles. The jade comb carried a faint, cool fragrance, mingling with the scent from Wei Nan Yi’s sleeves. The two distinct aromas made Shen Su’s head feel a bit dazed. Shen Su remembered times when her hair was similarly messy, back when she was very young and lacked the ability to care for herself. During those days, no one would help her manage her hair, leaving it messy and somewhat dirty. Eventually, her hair was cut short enough that it required no care. No one had asked her opinion or even considered her feelings, treating her with nothing but disdain. She kept her hair short until she could care for herself. Wei Nan Yi was like a family member from her dreams—thoughtful, gentle, and never repulsed by her. With endless patience, she meticulously combed Shen Su’s waist-length hair and then asked, “Xiao Su, would you like me to braid it?” “Yes,” Shen Su replied with red-rimmed eyes. Unbeknownst to Wei Nan Yi, the resolute girl was shedding silent tears beyond her sight. She continued to weave Shen Su’s hair, unaware of her emotional breakdown, “My lady, if only you could always be so kind to me.” Wei Nan Yi hadn’t heard a single quiet sob, but Shen Su’s silent tears shook her heart. What could possibly bring Shen Su comfort if being treated kindly was enough to move her? The countless times Shen Su had risked her life for her, what did that signify? Wei Nan Yi embraced Shen Su, saying softly but firmly, “I will.” Fearing Shen Su might not believe her, she repeated, “Xiao Su, I will.” Shen Su always comforted her, and now it was finally her turn to comfort Shen Su. Shen Su had hidden her true feelings too well. Always composed and rational, Shen Su could deal with enemies like Si Hua without a trace of negative emotion. When Wei Nan Yi felt weak and powerless, Shen Su remained unwavering, making Wei Nan Yi believe that Shen Su was a bright, lively girl basking in the sunlight. But after enduring the trial, Wei Nan Yi realized Shen Su had a fragile side too. At times, she would resemble a wounded young animal, waiting for her wounds to be healed. Shen Su let Wei Nan Yi hold her, sitting on Black Fox's back, allowing her tears to fall freely. She felt as if she was taking advantage, expecting Wei Nan Yi, who had only just started to recover her spiritual roots under her care, to always be kind to her. She even insisted that Wei Nan Yi promise not to follow Jiang Xu if she came looking for her. She felt greedy, a bad person ruining the bond between mother and daughter. With her vision blurred by tears, Shen Su’s hearing sharpened. Despite not using her inherent ability, Shen Su detected sounds before Wei Nan Yi did. The rustling sounds made Shen Su halt her tears, and she patted Wei Nan Yi’s hand around her waist. “My lady, someone is coming.” Seeing no way to avoid it, Shen Su gently patted Black Fox’s back, pointing towards a large, leaf-covered tree. Black Fox understood immediately and carried both of them up the tree, hiding them within the thick foliage. Shen Su turned the Full Star Jade to conceal their presence, watching as a man and a woman approached. The leading man was strikingly handsome with a tall, stately figure, while the woman beside him, dressed in a white gown, looked like a celestial being, occasionally glancing at him. Having seemingly endured a silent journey, the woman finally spoke, “Junior Brother Yu, how long will you carry that corpse?” Only then did Shen Su and the others notice that the man was carrying a female corpse on his back. From a distance, they hadn’t noticed because the corpse was mostly just bones, making it look very small. Shen Su wiped her tears and examined the corpse. Even with just half of the face intact, it seemed somewhat familiar. All novels on this site are uploaded by users. If your rights are violated, please contact us, and we will delete them as soon as possible.