Outside the window, the early morning sun had yet to rise, and the chirping of birds echoed faintly through the misty haze.
Shen Jizhi stared coldly at Jiang Qiaoqiao, who stood before him with a troubled expression.
Years ago, he and Jian Huan had personally captured the infamous thief Wuyingshou and brought him to the Imperial Pacification Office to claim the bounty.
Afterward, Wuyingshou had ripped out his own heart in the Imperial Pacification Office, releasing a demonic heartworm that turned one of the office's cultivators into a puppet, secretly setting a trap for Jian Huan.
At that time, Hu Zhi had been lurking in the shadows, launching a poisoned dart at Jian Huan. If Shen Jizhi hadn't arrived in time to witness it, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
While Jian Huan was being treated by the medicine granny, Shen Jizhi had exhausted all means to track down Hu Zhi. However, Hu Zhi was eventually killed by Yin Yusheng in the woods outside the sect's gates.
Ran Mu'er had mentioned that the reason Yin Yusheng killed Hu Zhi back then was due to a secret order from the demonic faction, instructing him to eliminate Hu Zhi.
To this day, no one knew who had issued that order.
Over the years, there were still some things about the ambush that neither Shen Jizhi nor Jian Huan could fully understand.
It made sense that Hu Zhi, due to his grudge against Jian Huan over Gong Feihong, would want to harm her.
But how had Hu Zhi suddenly connected with the demons, and how had he managed to use a puppet to target Jian Huan?
The only explanation was that someone within the demonic faction had also wanted Jian Huan dead.
But who? And why? No one knew.
Shen Jizhi had brought up Jing Chi merely as an excuse for the three of them to infiltrate the Jiang family, to make Jiang Qiaoqiao believe their story.
But judging by Jiang Qiaoqiao's expression, had he accidentally stumbled upon the truth?
Shen Jizhi raised his eyes, his tone laced with mockery. "Miss Jiang, it seems we weren't wrong to come here after all. This matter is indeed connected to your family."
His voice carried undisguised disgust, and Jiang Qiaoqiao, flustered and panicked, stammered, "Senior Brother Shen, I'm sorry... I didn't know about this. I didn't know they had actually targeted Jian Huan... I told them not to do it, and they promised they wouldn't. I thought it was over... I really didn't know..."
"Actually targeted Jian Huan?!"
Under Shen Jizhi's icy gaze, Jiang Qiaoqiao stepped back until she was pressed against the wall.
The memories of that time filled her with shame and fear, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Shen Jizhi, her expression pitiful.
Shen Jizhi remained unmoved, his voice cold. "Explain yourself clearly, or I will report this matter to the sect leader without fail!"
At the mention of the sect leader, Jiang Qiaoqiao's face paled.
She lowered her head, her lips trembling as she spoke. "Hu Zhi held a grudge against Jian Huan..."
Back then, she had happily come to the Jade Clarity Sect to find Senior Brother Shen, only to learn that he was already engaged. Heartbroken, she left the sect to train and coincidentally met Hu Zhi, who was also from the Jade Clarity Sect.
Hu Zhi had told her that he had been close friends with Gong Feihong, but Jian Huan had come between them, poisoning their relationship.
The way he described Jian Huan made her seem utterly despicable, and for a moment, Jiang Qiaoqiao had even wished that Jian Huan didn't exist.
If Jian Huan weren't around, Senior Brother Shen wouldn't be engaged, and she could pursue him without hesitation.
She had always treated Jing Chi as an older brother she could confide in, and once, after drinking, she had told him about these feelings.
But after sobering up, she had told him not to take her words seriously...
Yet one day, Jiang Qiaoqiao had overheard Jing Chi talking to Hu Zhi, vaguely mentioning taking action against Jian Huan.
She had been terrified, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. Instantly sobered, she rushed to stop them, and they had promised not to go through with it.
Afterward, Jian Huan had remained unharmed, and news spread of her and Shen Jizhi exposing Qi Wan's schemes in Yujiang City. Jiang Qiaoqiao had gradually put the matter out of her mind.
However, because of those dark thoughts she had once harbored, Jiang Qiaoqiao had always felt guilty toward Jian Huan, avoiding Shen Jizhi and carefully hiding her feelings.
When she had encountered them in Jiuzhou City, she had even gone out of her way to treat Jian Huan kindly...
Jiang Qiaoqiao closed her eyes, unable to muster the courage to explain everything in detail.
She paused, her voice trembling as she continued, "Jing Chi... Jing Chi has always been a righteous person. He just believed Hu Zhi's words... It wasn't Jing Chi who ordered Hu Zhi to do this. Hu Zhi had asked Jing Chi for help... You've misunderstood, Senior Brother..."
Hidden beneath the bed, Jian Huan raised an eyebrow slightly.
In the book, the male lead, Jing Chi, was indeed portrayed as sincere and chivalrous.
But now, Jian Huan didn't believe a word of it.
Three years ago, Jing Chi, like Hu Zhi, had wanted her dead.
According to the timeline Jiang Qiaoqiao provided, by the time she discovered the two plotting to kill her, she and Shen Jizhi hadn't yet exposed Qi Wan's schemes, nor had they disrupted the demonic faction's plans.
At that time, she had no conflict with Jing Chi—their only connection was Jiang Qiaoqiao.
Had Jing Chi wanted to kill her to clear the path for Jiang Qiaoqiao, removing an obstacle in her pursuit of love?
But didn't Jing Chi like Jiang Qiaoqiao? Shouldn't he have been the happiest that Shen Jizhi was engaged?
Was his love for Jiang Qiaoqiao so selfless that he would be content as long as she was happy, even if it meant not being with her?
As Jian Huan pondered this, a refreshing breeze suddenly swept past her, rustling her hair and the hem of her clothes, even causing the stealth talisman on her body to flutter.
...Wind?
Jian Huan froze, her internal alarms blaring as she quickly glanced outside.
The curtains hanging by the bed were perfectly still—there was no wind!
So where had this breeze come from?
As expected of a once-in-a-century prodigy with a rare mutated wind spiritual root. Her stealth talisman, which could even fool a Nascent Soul cultivator, had no effect on Jiang Qiaoqiao!
Jian Huan's heart tightened as she gripped her silver sword, ready to strike.
"...Please come out, both of you." A melodious, bird-like voice, tinged with a hint of sobbing, came from outside the bed. "I know you're there."
Behind his back, Shen Jizhi's fingers intertwined, colorful spiritual energy flickering at his fingertips before dissipating.
He lowered his gaze, his thick lashes concealing the depth of his thoughts.
No wonder Jiang Qiaoqiao had said they were no match for her as soon as they entered.
A Nascent Soul stage cultivator with a mutated wind spiritual root—her power was truly terrifying.
It was a pity, though. Such a promising talent had been ruined by the Jiang family, molded into this naive personality...
But if the Jiang family had harmed Ran Mu'er's family to obtain a child with exceptional talent, why hadn't they nurtured Jiang Qiaoqiao properly, allowing her to remain so innocent?
Something didn't add up.
It didn't make sense.
Hearing the commotion, Shen Jizhi temporarily set aside his doubts and turned to exchange a glance with Jian Huan, who had emerged from under the bed.
With a creak, the wooden window was pushed open, and Ran Mu'er, who had been hiding outside, slipped in.
The three of them exchanged glances, subtly spreading out to form a loose circle, encircling Jiang Qiaoqiao.
Jiang Qiaoqiao lowered the hand she had used to summon the wind, a bitter smile on her lips as she observed the scene.
When she had knocked on the door earlier, she had already sensed the presence of the other two.
As a rare cultivator with a mutated wind spiritual root, she was naturally attuned to all movements around her, including the hundred guards her father had stationed to protect her.
Jiang Qiaoqiao took a deep breath and looked at the two women in the room, her voice soft as she asked, "May I ask which of you is Miss Jian Huan?"
Jian Huan stepped forward. "That would be me."
Jiang Qiaoqiao hesitated, glancing at the other woman who had entered through the window. Since arriving, the woman had remained silent, her piercing gaze fixed on Jiang Qiaoqiao, making her skin crawl.
Jian Huan glanced at Ran Mu'er. "She's a friend of mine and Shen Jizhi's, here to help."
She crossed her arms, her tone sharp and accusatory. "Jiang Qiaoqiao, what do you plan to do about your 'Brother Jing Chi'? Are you just going to let my past injuries go unaddressed?"
"Of course not!" Jiang Qiaoqiao, no longer concerned about Ran Mu'er, turned to Jian Huan and bowed deeply, her face filled with sorrow as she apologized. "Miss Jian, I'm truly sorry. Jing Chi really didn't mean any harm! I apologize on his behalf to you and Senior Brother Shen. If there's anything you need, please let me know. I'll do everything in my power to compensate you..."
Since childhood, anything Jiang Qiaoqiao had desired, Jing Chi had gone to great lengths to obtain for her. Anything she disliked, he had resolved for her.
Though she didn't have romantic feelings for Jing Chi, their lifelong bond made it impossible for her to abandon him.
Outside, the sky gradually brightened, a sliver of dawn light squeezing through the cracks in the wooden window, illuminating the golden threads on Shen Jizhi's white robes.
While Jiang Qiaoqiao spoke, the three of them exchanged glances.
Finally, Jian Huan nodded slightly, clearing her throat to interrupt Jiang Qiaoqiao. "Alright, here's the deal."
The soft, delicate voice of the girl paused.
Jian Huan met the other's pitiful gaze and said, "For now, I'll believe that your Jing Chi brother was misled by Hu Zhi's words. Since that's the case, and considering we're both disciples of the Jade Clarity Sect, as long as you agree to three conditions, I won't pursue this matter further."
"First, we won't report this to the sect leader, but for now, you mustn't reveal our identities to anyone. We'll prepare for tonight's birthday banquet and leave afterward. Otherwise, we won't be able to explain things to the Golden Three Chefs."
Jiang Qiaoqiao obediently agreed and waited for Jian Huan to state the second condition.
Jian Huan smiled mischievously. "Second, the money I spent on medicine back then—your Jing Chi brother should repay me, shouldn't he?"
Shen Jizhi chimed in casually, "Six hundred and eighty." That was the amount she had spent on medicine.
Jiang Qiaoqiao: "..."
Ran Mu'er: "..."
"Of course, it's only fair!" Jiang Qiaoqiao quickly reacted, pulling out her Mustard Seed Pouch. Without counting, she handed over all the spirit stones she had.
"Thanks." Jian Huan happily accepted the pouch, weighing it in her hand. Her eyes darted around Jiang Qiaoqiao, who instinctively shifted her feet under the scrutiny. Jian Huan then added meaningfully, "You seemed quite skilled at blowing wind earlier."
Jiang Qiaoqiao was confused: "?"
Jian Huan declared decisively, "Third, come and help me blow some wind."
Jiang Qiaoqiao: "Huh?"
...
Half an hour later, Jiang Qiaoqiao stumbled out of the room, her face as pale as paper.
Inside the room, Jian Huan was gleefully counting her talismans, muttering to herself, "Five gentle breezes, five small breezes, five moderate breezes, five strong breezes, and two hurricane-level ones."
She chuckled and tossed the small fan Shen Jizhi had made for her the previous night back to him. "I don't need this anymore. It's not great. I'll just use the wind-storing talismans tonight."
Shen Jizhi remained expressionless as he caught the fan. He examined it, then lightly channeled his spiritual energy to activate the array inside. The smooth wooden blades spun rapidly.
The cool breeze brushed aside the hair on his forehead, making his dark lashes flutter like crow feathers.
Isn't this quite useful?
Shen Jizhi put it away and said indifferently, "You just don't appreciate quality."
Jian Huan stuck out her tongue and made a face at him: "Pfft."
Shen Jizhi caught sight of it and couldn't help but smile. He flicked her forehead with his finger and teased, "So ugly."
Jian Huan pretended to be angry and reached for his toned abs, but he caught her wrist. With a soft laugh, he said, "Alright, let's behave..." Shen Jizhi coughed lightly and glanced toward the window, lowering his voice to a whisper, "...she's still here."
"..." Ran Mu'er twitched her lips, utterly speechless.
She stood by the window, scanning the surroundings, then turned back to the two of them. "Jiang Qiaoqiao has left. It's almost time. We should get ready to head out."
The two of them straightened up, each retracting their hands.
At the third quarter of the mao hour (around 6:45 AM), the autumn sun hung above the tree branches, its light glistening off the dew on the leaves.
The strong winds from the night before had scattered fallen leaves across the dirt path. As the three of them walked, their footsteps left a crisp, rhythmic sound in their wake.
