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Bian Lingyu personally shut the door before him.
The little bamboo figures followed behind him, all visibly downcast. Though they had no faces, their slumped postures conveyed their unhappiness. After the long journey, they had sensed from Shi Luoyi the vitality that could sustain both their lord and themselves.
But now, their lord had personally shut that vitality out.
All things possess a spirit, and since gaining consciousness, the bamboo figures hadn’t been blessed with the elegant, elongated bodies of humans nor great intelligence—they were simply obedient children. However, after sixty years of accompanying Bian Lingyu, the surviving bamboo figures had developed personalities of their own, and they, too, wanted to live.
Bian Lingyu’s expression remained unchanged as he tossed a bamboo figure clinging to the door back inside: “Go feed the chickens.”
They had been away for several months, and the chickens they kept in the garden were now likely few in number—if any survived at all.
Regardless of whether Shi Luoyi was around, he still had to keep living. There was no principle in this world that dictated one couldn’t survive without another!
The bamboo figures weren’t ready to give up. One by one, they pleaded, tugging at Bian Lingyu’s robes, urging him to open the door.
Their reasoning was simple: Their lord had gone to find her, so why, upon finding her, did he reject her?
A trace of mockery flickered across Bian Lingyu’s usually calm face: “Stop fantasizing. How could she possibly stay here? Are my orders no longer being followed?”
He coldly brushed off the little bamboo figures and picked up a nearby winnowing basket to check on the garden.
Some of the more obedient bamboo figures, seeing that he was truly angry, quickly followed behind Bian Lingyu to help their lord with tasks.
The remaining bamboo figures, observing this, didn’t dare ask Bian Lingyu to open the door or plead with him to speak to Shi Luoyi and bring her back. Instead, they quietly began tidying up the house.
Bian Lingyu ignored them and busied himself with cleaning up the mess left behind after three months of absence.
The bamboo figures noticed that, unlike their own feelings of loss and longing, their lord acted as if he had never stepped out of this house. His face showed no trace of attachment—his decisiveness was just as firm as when he had once ordered them never to search for Shi Luoyi again.
The bamboo figures lamented inwardly: Wuwu, our lord is so cold.
Everyone assumed Bian Lingyu didn’t care, but by evening, as he prepared to turn off the lights and go to bed, one of the bamboo figures came squeaking and gesturing frantically.
Bian Lingyu lowered his gaze and stared at it for a long moment before falling into silence—
One of the bamboo figures was missing. From noon until nightfall, such an obvious fact had almost completely escaped his notice.
Where could it have gone?
Before losing his divine power, Bian Lingyu had created hundreds of sentient bamboo figures. Some had perished during battles against demons, others in secret realms while searching for rare materials, and still others along the way during his early pursuit of Shi Luoyi. Now, only a dozen remained, accompanying him in this remote village and tending to his daily needs.
Of the surviving twelve, each was precious. They all held deep affection for Bian Lingyu and shared strong bonds with one another.
The one that was missing happened to be the youngest among them—the twelfth bamboo figure, affectionately called “Little Twelve.”
Now, all the bamboo figures were in a panic, forgetting their earlier gloom. Losing a companion was a serious matter!
As Bian Lingyu’s divine power faded, so did their vitality, leaving them unable to summon wind or rain. They tugged anxiously at Bian Lingyu’s robes, pleading: “Lord, Lord, let’s go find Little Twelve!”
Some of the smarter ones gestured wildly, and the others understood: “Lord, Little Twelve must be with Miss Luoyi! Go retrieve it! How can you abandon both Miss Luoyi and Little Twelve?”
Bian Lingyu’s lips tightened. He could easily guess where the missing bamboo figure might be, but why would Shi Luoyi take something of his?
Based on her personality, she had once thrown away a peachwood sword he gave her. She treated everything about him, including his very being, as disposable.
Though the bamboo figures were cute, they were useless to someone like Shi Luoyi. Why would she bother taking one? And judging by her actions, it seemed she had no intention of returning it.
Bian Lingyu naturally didn’t believe that Shi Luoyi walking alongside him and the bamboo figures for several days meant anything special. He felt irritated, especially since the bamboo figures kept shaking his clothes. Annoyed, he snapped: “Let go.”
Reluctantly, they released him, forming a small cluster like quail chicks.
The lamp inside wasn’t extinguished. After a long while, Bian Lingyu emerged from the house, with the group of bamboo figures attempting to follow him.
They encouraged him: “Lord, don’t be afraid—we’ll cheer you on!”
Bian Lingyu frowned deeply: “All of you, leave me alone.”
He intended to retrieve what belonged to him openly and honestly; he had done nothing wrong, so why should he fear Shi Luoyi?
Under the earnest gazes of the bamboo figures, Bian Lingyu opened the tightly shut door and set off toward the village.
He remained seated in his wheelchair. The moonlight bathed the village in coolness, and the distant chirping of cicadas filled the summer night.
Their cries only added to his irritation. Where was he supposed to look for her?
It was naive of the bamboo figures to think that Shi Luoyi, a wandering cultivator who came and went without a trace, would stay in this dilapidated courtyard. More likely, she had gone to Mingyou Mountain, where her senior brother resided.
Thinking of Zhu Shi’er, he circled the village under the quiet night sky. Dew dampened his shoulders, and mud stained the hem of his robe.
But no matter where he went, Bian Lingyu couldn’t find her figure. He let out a self-deprecating smile. Were the bamboo figures foolish, or was he becoming foolish too?
The villagers slept early. At this hour, only one household still had its lights on—it belonged to a young woman named Dong’er.
Dong’er saw Bian Lingyu sitting alone on the path, holding a lantern as if searching for something. Though she knew he was solitary by nature, her father often spoke highly of him. Once, when a villager was attacked by a wild beast, Bian Lingyu had saved them despite passing by chance.
Dong’er hurried over: “Master, what are you looking for? Did you lose something important? Would you like me and the villagers to help?”
Bian Lingyu remained silent and shook his head: “It’s nothing.”
Dong’er wasn’t surprised. This was his nature—he kept everyone at arm’s length. It was said that even the most beautiful girl in the village, who once offered herself to him without dowry, was coldly rejected.
Though everyone respected him, no one could get close to someone so aloof.
Dong’er could only watch as he returned to his courtyard, disappearing into the distance under the moonlight.
Shi Luoyi waited until late at night before emerging.
Upon reaching the foot of Evernight Mountain, she spotted one of the sect leader’s disciples. With the cultivation world currently hunting her, she absolutely couldn’t afford to be seen.
She wasn’t afraid of them. Over sixty years of exile had made her diligent in cultivation, and her strength had skyrocketed. Now, with the divine pearl fully integrated into her, Shi Luoyi realized upon waking that her cultivation had reached the Great Ascension stage!
Even if the sect leader appeared, she was more than capable of fighting back.
But now, the priority wasn’t indulging in fleeting anger and provoking the entire cultivation world to attack her. Instead, it was to reclaim what she had missed in her previous life.
Revenge against the sect leader could wait—it was an opportunity that would come in time. But if she missed Bian Lingyu again, she would never have another chance to make things right.
The kidnapped bamboo figure nestled in her arms, whimpering anxiously.
Though it liked Shi Luoyi, being separated from its lord and companions left it feeling uneasy.
Would its lord come to find it? Would he abandon it?
Although Shi Luoyi had gained memories of another lifetime and vaguely knew she had an adorable little Qilin son, she was still the Shi Luoyi of this life. She had no idea how to handle such small, sentient beings.
Fearing that the little bamboo figure might truly be crying, she quickly consoled it: “It’s alright, alright? I’ll take you back to him, okay?”
She left the cave where she had been hiding and walked all the way to the entrance of Bian Lingyu’s courtyard.
There was no light in the yard, and she assumed Bian Lingyu had already gone to bed. A wave of disappointment washed over her. Had he not noticed the bamboo figure was missing, or had he given up on her entirely, losing all hope of being with her?
If it was the former, things might still be salvageable. But if it was the latter?
Then wouldn’t her desire to get closer to him become a distant impossibility?
Shi Luoyi knew how hard Bian Lingyu had worked over the past few months searching for her. Not wanting to disturb his rare moment of peaceful rest, she sighed and decided to make do with spending the night under the large elm tree outside his house.
Her dejection seeped into the little bamboo figure cradled in her arms, filling it with a sense of melancholy and unease.
The wind rustled through the branches of the great elm, casting dappled shadows under the moonlight. Just as Shi Luoyi found a spot to sit and meditate, she spotted the figure returning from afar, carrying a lantern.
He carried the frost of the night with him, his wheelchair smeared with mud, evidence of how far he had traveled. On such a lonely and cold night, he looked somewhat disheveled.
Shi Luoyi stared at him, transfixed. Thinking about how he had endured life without divine power for so long filled her heart with sorrow.
But when she saw the lantern in his hand, something clicked in her mind. The joy in her heart suddenly bloomed like a dandelion blown open by the wind, scattering softly.
Peeking out from beneath the tree’s shadow, Shi Luoyi called out timidly: “Bian Lingyu, were you looking for me?”
His gaze abruptly shot up from the wheelchair.
Their eyes met—his stern visage marked by the passage of time, while her delicate face peeked out from behind the elm tree, soft and beautiful.
Bian Lingyu’s expression remained taut as he curtly replied: “No.”
“And what are you doing out here so late, then?” she asked.
“What concern is it of yours?” he retorted sharply.
She tightened her hold on the little bamboo figure and softly responded: “Oh… Then go ahead and do your thing.”
Bian Lingyu silently passed beneath the tree, and she watched his shadow move across the ground. There were things both of them understood but dared not say aloud, emotions swirling in the unobstructed darkness, tugging at hearts neither could fully express.
Silently counting in her heart, Shi Luoyi observed that Bian Lingyu wasn’t walking quickly. Just as his hand touched the copper ring of the gate, he finally turned around: “Give me back what’s mine.”
A gentle pang struck Shi Luoyi’s heart—not painful, but softening her resolve. She knew how much courage it must have taken for him to say those words after all these years, signaling a tentative thawing of their relationship.
Without hesitation, she pulled the little bamboo figure from her embrace, showing it briefly to Bian Lingyu before quickly tucking it back in: “I found it, so it’s mine now.”
His face darkened as he glowered: “You…”
She pursed her lips and cautiously glanced at him: “I’m a demonic cultivator. We’re all greedy and reckless like that. No one who finds treasure ever returns it!”
Seeing the storm clouds gathering on his face, she added in a quieter tone: “But fine, I can give it back. I don’t have anywhere else to go right now—they’re hunting me everywhere. If you let me stay here for a while, I’ll return it.”
When Bian Lingyu heard her say this, he fell silent.
Just as Shi Luoyi knew that Bian Lingyu hadn’t come looking for her because he didn’t care, Bian Lingyu also knew that her claim of needing shelter was a lie.
With her cultivation level and beauty, whether in the cultivation world or among mortals, Shi Luoyi could easily find a better place than his humble courtyard.
But some things were best left unsaid.
Decades of separation stood between them, their fractured and hopeless past leaving them both too cautious to do anything but carefully test the waters, inching forward step by step.
Though he had never truly possessed anything, there was also nothing left for him to lose.
After a long silence—long enough for even the little bamboo figures to fear rejection—Bian Lingyu finally spoke in a hoarse voice: “Do as you wish.”
Shi Luoyi jumped down from the elm tree and happily followed in his footsteps.
Thus, Shi Luoyi settled into the small courtyard.
While the master of the house seemed oblivious to her presence, the little bamboo figures were overjoyed.
Bian Lingyu retreated to his room and ignored her completely. The rooms were cleaned by the little bamboo figures.
The return of Little Twelve was celebrated by all the bamboo figures. Twelve held its head high—it was a hero, having brought Shi Luoyi back!
Though Bian Lingyu’s face betrayed nothing, the twelve little bamboo figures, along with Shi Luoyi, could sense a shift in his emotions.
For the first time in sixty years of exile, Shi Luoyi experienced a peaceful and stable life within this courtyard.
For the first time, she immersed herself in such ordinary daily routines, observing Bian Lingyu’s habits.
In the mornings, she sat by the well and petted the fluffy chicks in his yard. When Bian Lingyu saw her, he sulkily ignored her.
Occasionally, she accompanied him into the mountains—
Every so often, Bian Lingyu would venture into the forest with the bamboo figures to gather rare herbs and delicacies. He had lived this way for years.
Shi Luoyi carried a basket and followed behind him, picking mushrooms as the bamboo figures chirped and chattered around her. From afar, he cast a cold glance at her but said nothing.
It was as though she really was just a demonic cultivator seeking refuge.
They coexisted in a strange manner, but amidst this strangeness, the bamboo figures were happiest—they could stay with their lord, and Shi Luoyi had truly stayed.
Bian Lingyu’s condition gradually improved. His silver hair slowly receded, turning black again, and vitality returned to his body bit by bit.
One sunny afternoon, a little bamboo figure was struggling to hang Bian Lingyu’s clothes on a line in the yard. It was short and earnestly, yet clumsily, trying for quite some time but couldn’t manage to hang them up.
Shi Luoyi approached: “Let me help.”
The bamboo figure affectionately rubbed against her. Though a cultivator had likely never done such chores, it was no challenge for Shi Luoyi. Smiling, she patted the little figure and took Bian Lingyu’s clothes from the wooden basin.
Just then, Bian Lingyu emerged from the house to dry medicinal herbs and caught sight of the scene. His voice was icy as he snapped: “Let go. Don’t touch my things!”
His tone was stern and cold, and not only Shi Luoyi but even the little bamboo figures could sense their lord’s icy anger.
Shi Luoyi turned to look at him. Under the sunlight, they were no more than three feet apart, yet she clearly felt Bian Lingyu’s rejection and aversion.
She grew a little angry herself. So what if they argued? Who couldn’t handle that? If it weren’t for her lik—
Who didn’t have a temper? Shi Luoyi immediately threw his clothes back into the wooden basin: “Fine, I won’t touch them.”
Deep down, Shi Luoyi felt wronged. In her memories, he had been so close to her, but now he wouldn’t even let her touch his things.
She walked out of the courtyard and headed toward the stream, never looking back.
The little bamboo figures looked anxiously between her retreating figure and their tightly-lipped lord, tugging at his robes in distress.
—Lord, Miss Luoyi is upset! Go apologize and comfort her!
Bian Lingyu brushed them off: “Go do your own tasks.”
What did they know? In the mortal world, only a wife would do such things for her husband. What were they to each other? If he didn’t stop her from fully integrating into his life, how could she ever leave? And what would he do then?
He couldn’t even compare to an ordinary mortal man now, let alone Wei Changyuan.
The words he had long suppressed had, over the years, become a sharp blade, cutting deeply whenever touched.
He no longer had the strength to start over, nor could he wait another sixty years.
By dusk, Shi Luoyi still hadn’t returned. Normally by this time, she would already be in the yard, watching the mother hen lead her chicks back to the coop.
Seeing their lord’s expression grow increasingly grim, the little bamboo figures exchanged worried glances. He glanced outside, then coldly averted his gaze.
The clever Bamboo Twelve scurried out, returning shortly after with a flurry of squeaks: Lord, it seems she’s crying by the stream…
Bian Lingyu lowered his eyes, his expression stiffening slightly.
Shi Luoyi was gazing at the marriage fish in the water.
After storming out of the courtyard earlier, still fuming, she had stumbled upon a marriage fish wandering in the mountain stream behind Bian Lingyu’s yard.
The marriage fish was a legendary creature, said to bond with its master when fed tears. Whoever owned a marriage fish was destined to live a perfect, lifelong union with their beloved.
Ever since her fortunes were tainted by Bian Qingxuan, Shi Luoyi’s luck had been abysmal. This was the first spiritual creature to cross her path.
She couldn’t help but feel excited. Whether the legend was true or not, she wanted to try.
Once she caught the fish, she planned to shove it in Bian Lingyu’s cold face, daring him to doubt her feelings again!
But before her tears could fall, she heard his footsteps approaching. Though he could now walk, it was still a struggle.
Focused on capturing the fish and bonding with it, Shi Luoyi paid him no mind.
He stood beside her for a moment, and after a long while, unable to bear her crying any longer, he gently lifted her face.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with brilliant hues, he murmured: “Don’t cry.”
Through her tear-blurred vision, she watched as he wiped away her tears, suppressing his emotions while finally breaking through the barrier he had long feared to breach: “You see my current state. I have nothing left to offer you. Now that you’ve broken through in cultivation, sooner or later, not even this world will be able to hold you. Your senior brother waits for you at Mingyou Mountain. What do you expect me to do? Grovel before you in humiliation, or beg like a dog?”
With a bitter undertone, he continued: “You once despised and hated me so much. Why couldn’t you just stay resolute… Why, now that you’ve awakened, do you give me this illusion? Do you even know what you’re doing?”
Shi Luoyi hadn’t expected to hear such a raw confession while trying to catch a spiritual fish.
Staring into his restrained eyes and hearing his almost desperate question about whether she knew what she was doing, she hesitantly replied: “I’m probably… catching a marriage fish.”
Their eyes met, and Bian Lingyu shifted his gaze from the stream to Shi Luoyi.
For a moment, there was silence. Bian Lingyu finally realized his misunderstanding—and what he had done. He had poured out his heart to Shi Luoyi in a jumble of hope and despair!
“Heh.” The ill-tempered lord finally cracked, roughly wiping away another tear from the corner of her eye, causing her to wince softly.
One word at a time, he ground out: “You—con—tinue!”
She stared at him blankly for a long moment before bursting into laughter.
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