After Daoist Priest Mingzhang recuperated in the temple for some time, his body gradually healed, but he still stayed in bed every day, "feigning illness." Leng Qingqiu felt deeply guilty in her heart, after all, Mingzhang had been injured precisely because he saved her. Therefore, every day she would punctually bring meals and change the medicine for Mingzhang, taking care of him with the utmost dedication and care. Meanwhile, Lord Xiangliu never appeared in the temple again.
Not long after, Chunyangzi returned to the temple from his travels. As soon as he stepped into the back courtyard, he came to "examine" Daoist Priest Mingzhang. Outside, the disciples had described how badly his disciple had been bitten by a poisonous snake, exaggerating the severity to the utmost. In a moment of anxious worry, Chunyangzi pushed the door open, only to find Leng Qingqiu feeding Mingzhang—a scene of mutual tenderness and affection between a loving couple. Chunyangzi took it all in at a single glance, and when he took Mingzhang's pulse and made his diagnosis, he described the condition in the gravest of terms.
"Female benefactor, the poison in my disciple's body runs deep and has yet to heal after all this time. I need to purge the poison for him. Please step outside for a moment so I can take care of him."
"Very well," Leng Qingqiu nodded. She picked up the food box and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she cast a parting glance at Mingzhang, her worry written all over her face.
"Go ahead."
Chunyangzi closed the door securely, reached out, and grabbed Mingzhang by the ear, twisting hard.
"You little rascal, using long-distance sound transmission to call me back just so I could watch you flirt!"
"Master, I was only acting rashly out of concern. With Lord Xiangliu coming and going from the temple, I was afraid Benefactor Leng's life might be in danger."
"Rest assured, that demon is afflicted with the Lover's Gu and will not harm Benefactor Leng."
"But he'll harm your disciple! Can you just sit there and watch me lose my life?"
"You had best not harbor romantic feelings for Benefactor Leng. The two of you share no mortal destiny; you must preserve your Daoist heart and cultivate diligently."
"But I don't want to cultivate the Great Dao. I want to experience true human affection."
Chunyangzi slapped him across the face, leaving five distinct fingerprints on Mingzhang's jade-like cheek.
"Look after yourself. Send Benefactor Leng out of the temple immediately. Keeping her here spells trouble. As long as she stays a single day, Xiangliu will not leave this place."
"Master, I want to marry Leng Qingqiu. Why do you always force me to push her away?"
"Disciple, you have no idea how terrifying the Lover's Gu is. As long as Benefactor Leng does not fall in love with Xiangliu, he will suffer the backlash. If you want Xiangliu dead, he won't make things easy for you. I have only ever had you as a disciple—you can marry anyone you like, except for Benefactor Leng."
Outside the door, Leng Qingqiu suddenly didn't know where to put her hands. She felt she couldn't leave, yet couldn't stay either. She quietly backed away and began packing her luggage, preparing to leave the temple.
Mingzhang intercepted Leng Qingqiu: "Let's elope! I will go with you. Anywhere will feel like home as long as I have you."
"Daoist Priest Mingzhang, you were not poisoned at all—why did you deceive me?"
"I truly like you, and I want to take you as my wife."
"I am not willing. I will not make things difficult for you. The world is vast; surely there is some place that will take me in."
With her luggage on her back, Leng Qingqiu walked slowly out of the mountain gate. Her footsteps appeared somewhat heavy, yet carried a resolute determination. Every step seemed like a farewell to the past as she strode toward an unknown future.
Upon reaching the entrance of the mountain gate, Leng Qingqiu stopped. She turned around and swept her gaze across a place that had once been so familiar. Yet, there was not the slightest trace of attachment in her eyes—only coldness and absolute resolve.
She seemed to have made up her mind to make a complete and final break with this place. Neither the scenery on the mountain nor those past memories could make her turn back now.
Then, Leng Qingqiu resolutely turned and left, not sparing a single glance for anything behind her. Her retreating figure gradually vanished into the distance, leaving behind only silence and emptiness.
This scene could not help but make one sigh that perhaps life is simply like this: sometimes we must make choices, letting go of the past in order to welcome a new beginning. And Leng Qingqiu's resolute turning away displayed a kind of courage and boldness in pursuing the life she truly wanted.
Invisible, Xiangliu followed closely behind. Without revealing himself, he silently protected Leng Qingqiu. Suddenly, the weather changed drastically, and a torrential downpour lashed down from the mountains. Yet, as Leng Qingqiu walked all the way, not a single raindrop fell upon her head. Puzzled, she spun around and said, "Daoist Priest Mingzhang, you have gone to too much trouble. Hurry back! I don't need you here."
A sharp, agonizing pain pierced Xiangliu's heart, and a mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips. He silently wiped away the blood and continued walking behind Leng Qingqiu.
"Mingzhang, I truly only feel gratitude toward you, not romantic love. You should go back."
Hearing these words, Xiangliu materialized at Leng Qingqiu's side:
"I know she isn't in your heart. Is there room for me in your heart?"
Leng Qingqiu started in surprise, seeing the man in fluttering white robes standing beside her, holding an umbrella, his eyes filled with love, helplessness, and yearning.
"Lord Xiangliu, are you alright?" Leng Qingqiu drew out a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from the corner of Xiangliu's mouth. "Your joke is far too cold—it's not funny at all."
"I will say it again: I did not kill your father. Can you not feel how I truly feel about you?" His blue eyes brimmed with intense emotion.
"I am merely your blood bag; I wouldn't dare harbor any improper thoughts. My lord needn't fear that I will run away again—from now on, I will wholeheartedly support my lord."
Xiangliu said nothing. He reached out and pulled Leng Qingqiu into a tight embrace. His movement was somewhat rough, yet filled with strength and determination. He pulled her tightly against his chest, as if trying to press her directly into his own body.
Startled by this sudden embrace, Leng Qingqiu tried to push Xiangliu away, but his arms locked around her like an iron hoop. She could feel his heartbeat, its powerful thumps transmitting through his chest into her own body.
Xiangliu held her so tightly that Leng Qingqiu could barely breathe. Strangely, however, she felt neither fear nor aversion. On the contrary, from his embrace she felt a warmth and security that caused her racing heart to calm down just a little.
Xiangliu was like a drowning man, while Leng Qingqiu had become his lifeline. He clung to her tightly, unwilling to let go, terrified that the moment he loosened his grip, she would vanish from his sight.
"Stay by my side and let me take good care of you. We share the same fate; we are bound together as one. I swear I never harmed your father, and I will help you take your revenge. Don't leave me, please?" His gentle yet low voice carried endless sorrow and pleading, just like an abandoned child bitterly begging the person they loved most not to leave them.
That figure still stood quietly in the same spot, only her slightly trembling hands revealing the turmoil within her heart. She bit her lower lip hard, wanting to say something, but in the end chose silence.
The man's gaze grew somewhat hollow, as if he had lost all hope. He slowly turned around and began to walk forward step by step, each step looking so heavy, as though the entire world were crushing down upon his shoulders.
With his back turned to her, he said softly, "Go on then... If you ever want to return, you are welcome at any time." With that, he left her standing there in a daze, watching his departing figure as tears finally spilled uncontrollably from her eyes.
"Xiangliu, I will go with you, to the ends of the earth! Remember what you said."