Winds and clouds shifted, seas turned to rivers.
Under the great tide, he and Liu Qiao’e were no longer on the same path.
Parting ways was only a matter of time.
That day, another batch of war captives arrived at Joyous Union Palace.
This was the second batch.
Mu Daoying thought of the fates of those beheaded Immortal Alliance disciples and worried for his friend’s safety. He went ahead of the execution to check.
The little commander in charge of escorting them initially refused.
Zhu Qing scolded, “Open your dog eyes wide and look. Do you know who this lord before you is?”
The little commander hesitated, gazing at the man before him—clear-browed, serene-eyed, elegant as the moon, moving like willow. His face showed helplessness; of course he recognized Mu Daoying and knew his current prestige.
Mu Daoying pursed his lips again, deliberately putting on an arrogant air, threatening in his words. The little commander hesitated a while and was truly scared off by him.
Mu Daoying truly had no intention of making things difficult for this little commander. Since he was willing to let them pass, he softened his tone and spoke warmly, “Thank you for your understanding, fellow Daoist. I will report this to the Old Mother myself. If she blames anyone, I will bear the full responsibility and ensure it does not fall on you.”
The little commander gave a wry smile and said, “As long as the male lord understands the hardships we underlings face!”
Mu Daoying had just brought Zhu Qing close.
Unexpectedly, a disheveled and dirt-covered figure among the captives suddenly shouted, “Senior Brother! Senior Brother Mu!”
Mu Daoying was startled. He turned back and hurried over a few steps, brushing aside the messy hair on the man’s forehead.
“Wu Huayun?”
Wu Huayun saw him as if he had spotted his savior. “Senior Brother! You’re actually here! I thought you were already dead.”
Mu Daoying swept his gaze over the faces of these people and took a closer look. Shockingly, seven or eight out of ten of these war captives were familiar faces from his fellow disciples of the Jade Clarity Temple!
Mu Daoying frowned. “How did you end up here?”
Wu Huayun then recounted the recent developments on the battlefield outside.
Liu Qiao’e wielded the Mountains and Rivers Sword and had the assistance of Luo Naji and other fiends from the Demon Domain.
The Immortal Alliance had laid siege to her for a long time but failed to take her down.
The Immortal Alliance was also divided internally, especially among the disciples of the Jade Clarity Temple. After Qingxu left, the successor Elder Lingwei was soft-tempered and unable to command respect.
The disciples of the Jade Clarity Temple were extremely war-weary and had many conflicts with disciples from the other sects.
They had been betrayed and sold out by their own allies on the battlefield, which led to Jade Clarity disciples making up six or seven out of ten of the captured soldiers.
Mu Daoying’s frown deepened.
Last time, he had arrived a step too late. This time, he naturally could not stand by and watch them die in vain.
He sought out the little commander again and demanded this group of captives, claiming he had obtained important information and that these captives were crucial. He needed to personally escort them to the second young master Cheng Xun.
The little commander naturally did not believe him.
Mu Daoying coldly flicked his sleeve. “…I say this matter is of great importance—am I trying to deceive you?! If the information leaks and we miss the opportunity to strike, can you bear the consequences?”
He put on an air of arrogance and disdain that was quite convincing.
No matter what, the little commander refused to yield. He insisted on reporting to his superiors and demanding proof.
Seeing that he could not persuade the man, Mu Daoying softly apologized. Then, with a flash of his hand like lightning, he struck the commander’s acupoints with pinpoint fingers, freezing him and his guards in place.
After doing all this, his strength began to wane, and his breathing grew rapid.
Suppressing the pain with great effort, Mu Daoying led Wu Huayun and a few others to a safe spot. He untied their ropes, freed them, and found clothes from the Joyous Union Palace for them to change into.
“I cannot escort you out. Whether you escape depends on your own fate and fortune.”
As he spoke, he took out a sheet of white paper and, relying on his memory, quickly and meticulously drew a map of the palace and the guard routes.
Wu Huayun asked, “Why doesn’t Senior Brother come with us?”
“I am injured, and they all recognize me. I won’t get far.”
“Go on, then. As for that little commander…” Mu Daoying paused and shook his head. “He was only following orders. I put him in a difficult position. I still need to explain and apologize to her. In the future, if there is a chance, we might meet again.”
With that, he ignored Wu Huayun and the others’ attempts to persuade and retain him, forcibly sending them away.
Liu Qiao’e was not in the palace, so Mu Daoying went to Chen Yuro’s cave abode to accept punishment.
He was not acting without considering the consequences. He knew full well that Wu Huayun and these few were not pivotal figures; their lives would not affect the bigger picture.
Given that he had lent his sword bone to Cheng Xun, Chen Yuro was unlikely to refuse him some leeway.
Sure enough, when Chen Yuro heard his purpose, she only mildly reproached him a few times and said nothing more.
Instead, she asked, “The Old Mother will return to the palace tomorrow. Has the male lord heard?”
These days, the Immortal Alliance and the Joyous Union Palace were locked in a stalemate. There were also rumors that Luo Naji planned to take advantage and attack the Taihe Sect to seize the final Dao artifact—the Mirror of Past and Future.
The Immortal Alliance seemed to show signs of withdrawing troops to provide reinforcements.
Liu Qiao’e had finally caught a breather amid the relentless assaults of recent days.
Mu Daoying fell silent upon hearing this. He cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Chief Steward, for informing me. Now I have heard.”
Even though Liu Qiao’e was returning to the palace, he still did not know what attitude he should adopt when facing her.
–
Perhaps because he was preoccupied with the news of Liu Qiao’e’s return to the palace.
From early morning that day, Mu Daoying had been particularly restless.
He either accidentally knocked over the inkstone or choked while drinking his medicine, coughing violently until the world spun. His emaciated back hunched like a shrimp.
This frightened Zhu Qing, who rushed over to support him, patting his back to help him catch his breath.
Mu Daoying panted heavily and waved his hand with difficulty.
After a long while, he finally caught his breath.
The young attendant still gazed at him worriedly, ready to hand him some water.
Mu Daoying looked into his eyes, dark and grape-like, and suddenly said, “Zhu Qing, my illness has mostly healed. From now on, it will only improve with time and gentle nurturing.”
Though Zhu Qing was young, he was perceptive. He froze upon hearing this. “Daozhang, are you chasing me away?!”
His eyes reddened at once. Though they had not spent much time together, he had already come to genuinely like and admire this gentle, kind immortal elder who was like an elder brother.
Seeing this, Mu Daoying could not help but stroke his fluffy head. “You cannot stay with me any longer. I will implicate you.”
He would have to leave sooner or later.
“These days,” Mu Daoying paused, then earnestly said, “thank you. Without your company, I wouldn’t know what to do.”
He had seen everything this child had done for him.
Zhu Qing always reminded him of the days back at the Jade Clarity Temple, and his presence had indeed brought him much comfort.
Those playful junior brothers and sisters, with their smiling faces and crisp calls of “Senior Brother.”
Mu Daoying closed his eyes slightly. But now, they lay fallen on the battlefield like swathes of wheat reaped by scythes. How could he bear to sit idly by?
“Go on,” Mu Daoying opened his eyes, his tone now carrying an undeniable resolve.
The child could not accept the parting. Tears streamed down Zhu Qing’s face.
Mu Daoying felt reluctant and comforted him a few more times.
As the two spoke, a palace maid came to report that the Old Mother had arrived.
Mu Daoying stiffened slightly and said coldly, “Tell her I am ill and cannot receive guests.”
The palace maid hesitated. “But… the Old Mother… this…”
Mu Daoying said coldly, “Go quickly.”
Zhu Qing hesitated. “Daozhang?”
Mu Daoying steadied his mind and softened his expression and tone. “It’s fine. Let us continue talking.”
It was already destined that he and Liu Qiao’e would part ways. Rather than meet and end on bad terms, it was better not to meet at all.
“Little Zhu, listen to me.” Mu Daoying sighed softly and said tactfully, “I… will not stay here for long…”
Zhu Qing’s eyes were red, filled with sorrow. He understood.
Mu Daoying gently patted his head again. “All banquets must end. You and I will part someday. Whether sooner or later makes no difference, does it?”
“But Daozhang…” Zhu Qing gritted his teeth, suddenly lifted his robes, and knelt down, kowtowing three times with resounding thuds.
He no longer insisted but only said, “Daozhang’s injuries still need five more days of medicine!”
Mu Daoying was taken aback. “Zhu Qing, sooner or later—”
“There is a difference!” The youth interrupted him firmly. “There is a difference to Zhu Qing! Even one more moment with Daozhang is Zhu Qing’s fortune! Please let Zhu Qing change Daozhang’s medicine for the final five days!”
Mu Daoying met the youth’s clear, resolute eyes and finally relented out of reluctance.
He sighed softly. “Then we will do as you say. We can talk about it in a few days.”
Zhu Qing wiped his tears and broke into a smile.
“I will go prepare to change Daozhang’s medicine right now.”
He left happily.
Afterward, Liu Qiao’e came once more.
But Mu Daoying uniformly excused himself with illness and refused to meet her.
Perhaps because she felt guilty and short of breath over “borrowing” his sword bone for Cheng Xun, she did not press him when he claimed illness.
Mu Daoying knew full well that relying on such excuses was not a long-term solution. He mocked himself inwardly. He had spoken so nicely to Zhu Qing that day, but perhaps it was as he had said.
Sooner or later, one day or two made a difference.
He would delay for as long as he could, one day at a time.
However, on the morning of the third day, when Mu Daoying rose, he did not see Zhu Qing.
His heart skipped a beat right then, sensing something amiss.
Zhu Qing was diligent and full of energy. Whenever he rose, the boy waited at the door.
He had once pitied his youth and growing body, not wanting him to attend so closely from early morning. But the boy was like a sturdy calf, brimming with strength, his eyes sparkling.
He insisted he was not tired and grew more energetic with work.
Not seeing him, Mu Daoying leaned on his staff and searched around, asking the nearby palace maids. They all said they had not seen him.
An ominous premonition rose in his heart.
And unfortunately, his premonitions were always spot on.
Until he asked one palace maid.
“Where is Zhu Qing?”
The palace maid was not entirely sure. “It seems… early this morning, someone called him away, saying the Old Mother wanted to see him?”
Mu Daoying’s heart sank. He hurried toward the Floating Flower Hall.
After many days, this was his first time coming to the main Floating Flower Hall.
A palace maid led him to the rear hall, through winding corridors. Cascades of wisteria flowers brushed against the trellises, blooming in profusion.
The mistress of the palace, in a white robe, stood with her head raised, gazing at the full trellis of purple wisteria.
Mu Daoying was anxious about Zhu Qing’s safety, but upon suddenly seeing that familiar figure, he unconsciously slowed his steps. A wordless emptiness slowly spread in his heart.
He nearly forgot his purpose and stood dazed for a moment before snapping back.
He opened his mouth, about to speak.
But that small figure had already sensed his spiritual aura.
Liu Qiao’e turned her face, looking at him indifferently, and stated his intention outright:
“You refused to see me, and I did not want to force you, so I could only use this method to invite you to come see me of your own accord.”
Mu Daoying was momentarily speechless; all the words he had prepared were rendered useless.
She admitted to taking Zhu Qing? Hearing her absurd words, he could not help but feel a slight anger. He squeezed out a few words through his teeth: “This is ‘inviting,’ not ‘forcing’?”