Chapter Seventy: Relentless Pursuit

“What? Silver Yao has left the Hidden Sect?” Gu Xinyu could no longer contain his impatience and turned hurriedly toward the subordinate who had come to report.

“Yes, just now. One of our brothers saw her riding a horse, rushing toward Jiangnan,” the subordinate replied bluntly. He had just received the news himself and had immediately come to report to the Pavilion Master.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xinyu asked nothing further and merely waved his hand to dismiss the man.

Chu Suyi, who had remained silent since the subordinate’s announcement, was now as quiet as ever. It was impossible to tell if he had even heard the news. Watching his brother’s distracted state, Gu Xinyu was perplexed. Ever since they had crossed paths with Silver Yao again, Suyi’s state had grown more and more unsettled.

With a sigh, Gu Xinyu waved his hand before Chu Suyi’s eyes, “Suyi?”

“Hm?” Chu Suyi’s gaze cleared, and he looked at Gu Xinyu in confusion.

Pressing a hand to his forehead, Gu Xinyu wasn’t sure what to think. His brother’s absent-mindedness was all too obvious. “Did you even hear what was just said?”

“Why do you think Silver Yao is in such a hurry to go to Jiangnan? It looks like she’s going after Muye and Aishuo,” Chu Suyi replied, not answering Gu Xinyu’s question, but voicing his own doubts.

Now Gu Xinyu understood—Suyi had heard, and in detail, too. And he was clearly concerned about the main character of the report! He’d fallen straight into silent contemplation.

Pouring himself a cup of tea and taking a slow sip, Gu Xinyu finally replied, “How would I know? I’m not a worm in Silver Yao’s belly…”

That answer was as good as saying nothing. Chu Suyi lifted his head, shooting Gu Xinyu a sidelong glance and rolling his eyes. “Can’t you say something useful?”

For some reason, seeing his brother like this gave Gu Xinyu a sense of satisfaction. Feigning indifference, he replied lazily, “I can.”

“Then say it,” Chu Suyi replied impatiently.

Draining the last drop from his cup, Gu Xinyu set it down and arched a brow at his brother. “Suyi, why do I get the feeling you’re very concerned about Silver Yao?”

His tone was teasing, but Gu Xinyu’s mind was a whirlwind of speculation. Could Suyi be interested in Silver Yao? Surely not? Yet, given his recent behavior, it seemed all too possible. This matter… it was hard to say!

Faced with Gu Xinyu’s direct and half-mocking question, Chu Suyi’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. At last, he looked away and muttered, “Don’t you think Silver Yao is going after Muye and Aishuo? I’m just concerned about my comrades!”

Gu Xinyu only smiled at these obviously insincere words. At that moment, he wasn’t sure what to do; perhaps all he could do was watch quietly and let things take their course. What is meant to be will be; what is not, cannot be forced.

Chu Suyi felt increasingly uneasy at Gu Xinyu’s laughter and snapped, “What are you laughing at? Shouldn’t you be thinking about why Silver Yao is in such a rush?”

“All right, all right.” Seeing Chu Suyi’s anxious expression, Gu Xinyu stopped teasing him. With a whistle, he summoned a figure shrouded in black cloth, who swiftly entered the inner chamber.

“Nameless, at your service, Pavilion Master, Deputy Pavilion Master,” came a husky female voice.

“Rise,” Chu Suyi said at once.

Such impatience, Gu Xinyu thought, glancing at Chu Suyi with a half-smile. He turned to Nameless, who had just stood up. “Have you found out why Silver Yao left so suddenly?”

Nameless raised her head; her expression was unreadable behind the black cloth. “Deputy Pavilion Master, the latest intelligence is that Ji Muyu has sent a formidable general to hunt down the Ghost Doctor and the Venomous Enchantress. The man is highly skilled and is said to be accompanied by other experts. I believe Silver Yao may have gone herself to lend the Ghost Doctor and the Venomous Enchantress a hand.”

No one knew what Nameless truly thought as she spoke—she revealed nothing.

“It’s possible,” Gu Xinyu said, stroking his chin in agreement. Then he turned to his brother, “Suyi, what do you think?”

Chu Suyi nodded thoughtfully. “Xinyu, I need to go. You’ll have to manage the Lingyu Pavilion for the next few days.”

As Chu Suyi departed, Gu Xinyu let out a mournful sigh. “Seriously?!”

For some reason, seeing Gu Xinyu’s defeated look made Nameless quite pleased. She stifled a laugh and bowed, “I take my leave.”

When the chamber was empty, Gu Xinyu could only shake his head and accept his fate.

Not far from the Lingyu Pavilion, under a great tree in the forest, two people stood together.

One glanced around to confirm they were alone before speaking to the black-clad woman before him. “Secret Envoy Yin, the Tower Master commands you to hasten your search for Shanglian. Lord Lie will also personally join the search, and the Tower Master wants you to assist him.”

With that, he drew a letter from his sleeve and handed it over.

“Yes.” The voice belonged to Yin Su. She accepted the letter and left in haste.

In moments, the forest was quiet once more, as if nothing had happened.

On her way back, Yin Su kept wondering—why had Ji Muyu suddenly sent Lie? Was he growing impatient? After scanning the woods, she gathered her thoughts and continued her duties as if nothing were amiss.

…

“Muye, how much longer until we reach the Valley of the Medicine King and Venom Master’s Peak?” Aishuo glanced at the map and decided to ask Muye, the living map.

Muye took the map, checked the nearby terrain, and confirmed their location before answering, “About three more days.”

Aishuo nodded. They had been riding for five days already, pushing on without pause, hoping to reach their destination as soon as possible.

Liyue seemed not to have heard their conversation; he rode with a distracted gaze, which was dangerous enough on horseback. After a moment, his eyes regained focus and he asked the Ghost Doctor and Venomous Enchantress, “How much longer?”

His question was odd—they had just discussed this a moment ago. Aishuo looked at Liyue in puzzlement. Had he not heard? What could have distracted this usually taciturn man so completely?

Muye smiled. “Three more days on the road.”

“Three days…” Liyue calculated silently.

It had been five days already. The people Ji Muyu sent must be about to cross paths with Yin Rou. This time, the opponent was not so easily dealt with. Could Yin Rou handle them alone and escape unharmed?

The more he thought, the more he worried about Yin Rou’s situation. He checked the map, assessed the next three days’ route for danger, and, finding none, made his decision.

“Ghost Doctor, Venomous Enchantress, to be honest, the master sent not only me to protect you but also my comrade. Right now, to ensure your safety, she stayed behind to deal with the assassins. After we parted last time, we guessed that the next wave of assassins would be especially formidable. I… I fear for her safety. Please forgive me, but for the next three days, I must leave you to travel on your own.”

It took great courage for Liyue to say this, for he was not one to disobey orders. But the thought of Yin Rou facing so many powerful enemies alone filled him with dread; he could not help but want to return and join her in the fight.

For Muye and Aishuo, this was the first time they learned there was another protecting them. Hearing Liyue’s reasoning, they found it plausible. Ji Muyu was never one to give up easily; having failed so many times, surely he would send stronger men now. He would not miss a chance to eliminate Suyi’s allies.

Liyue waited for their answer. If they truly refused, he might have to stay, bound by duty. But if there was any chance, he was determined to go back for Yin Rou.

In that moment, Liyue seemed to realize his own feelings for Yin Rou. But now was no time for reflection…

With a glance, Muye and Aishuo exchanged a silent understanding unique to couples. Muye spoke on their behalf, “How about this, Liyue? We’ll go back with you to find your comrade. Don’t worry, Aishuo and I aren’t in such a hurry.”

It was a good idea, but Liyue would not agree. “No. Our master sent us to protect you precisely to save you time on the road. If we do as you suggest, what was all her effort for?”

Muye and Aishuo hadn’t expected Silver Yao’s instructions to be so strict and were stunned for a moment.

Seeing their hesitation, Liyue insisted, “Please, just do as I say.”

With a fist salute, he wheeled his horse around and galloped off.

Muye and Aishuo, collecting themselves, exchanged another look—all understood without words. Then they spurred their horses in pursuit.

…

Crouched low in a dense thicket, Yin Rou crept forward. She was now only thirty paces from Lin’s squad. To avoid detection, she had suppressed her presence for three days and nights. Hiding her strength like this was difficult for her, but she had endured—testament to her resolve.

Liyue and the others had departed five days ago; it would take them three more days to reach the Valley of the Medicine King and Venom Master’s Peak. She hoped they would arrive soon, and that she could successfully delay this group.

Up ahead was a large boulder, perfect for cover. Yin Rou seized the moment, darted forward, and hid behind it.

Lin, frowning in frustration as he reviewed the map, muttered to himself—they still hadn’t caught up. He had to intercept them before they crossed into the valley; otherwise, all would be for naught.

“Rest here. In two hours, we set out again and won’t stop until we catch the Ghost Doctor and Venomous Enchantress!” With that, Lin gave the order and headed into the woods to lie down for a proper rest.

He was drawing closer and closer…

…

Riding hard, Silver Yao urged her horse on. Dusty and travel-worn, she looked almost haggard. In five days, she had already worn out several fine steeds, never resting or closing her eyes. Where Muye and Aishuo had taken half a month to reach Jiangnan, she was determined to get there in the shortest time possible.

Fortunately, Silver Yao’s body was now markedly different from that of ordinary people—she barely needed food. When she first realized this, she’d laughed at herself: had she become an immortal, not needing to eat?

Yet it was this very constitution that kept her from collapsing.

Unbeknownst to her, a man was following her at a constant, measured distance, mirroring her every move…

———Author’s Note———

No one urging me to update? Then Mili will keep slacking off~