Wandering Swordsman |

After learning the whole story, she knew that her master had high expectations for Shen Mo, and his disappointment at this moment was understandable. But she couldn't help but defend Shen Mo in her heart: "Master, Young Master Shen is not ungrateful; perhaps he has his own difficulties and considerations."

Yun Jingchen sneered, her tone growing increasingly harsh: "Difficulties? What difficulties could a young man who wouldn't even commit to a Daoist partner possibly have? I think he's far too arrogant and thinks he's superior to others. Such an attitude is truly unworthy of forming a bond with our Emei Sect."

Zhou Xinlian lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting together, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that she and Yun Jingchen had gone to thank Shen Mo tonight, and had originally planned to give him a True Essence Pill as a token of their gratitude. However, Yun Jingchen's sudden change of topic prevented her from giving him the precious pill as she had intended.

"Xinlian, you're still young, and you haven't experienced enough of some things." Yun Jingchen naturally sensed that Zhou Xinlian still had feelings for Shen Mo, otherwise she wouldn't have spoken up for Shen Mo for no reason. So Yun Jingchen said in a lecturing tone, "Shen Mo is so ungrateful, he's not a good match for you. You should give up on him as soon as possible."

Zhou Xinlian outwardly nodded in agreement, but inwardly she was filled with conflict. She knew her master's personality; he was always decisive and a man of his word. But at this moment, she made up her mind that she would find another opportunity to give Shen Mo the 'True Essence Pill' she had obtained as a way of repaying him.

"Master, I understand what you mean," Zhou Xinlian said softly. "I will remember your teachings, but Young Master Shen did save our lives, and I cannot forget this kindness."

Yun Jingchen sighed, her tone softening slightly: "Xinlian, I'm not asking you to be ungrateful, I just hope you can see this person's true colors. The world is dangerous, you can't choose a partner hastily. When I was young, I was just like you, and that's why I suffered a lot."

Zhou Xinlian nodded silently, but secretly resolved in her heart: no matter what, she had to find an opportunity to deliver the Wudang secret medicine—the True Essence Pill—that she had obtained in the temple fair martial arts competition to Shen Mo. She knew that this was the only way she could repay Shen Mo for saving her today.

......

In the middle of the night, moonlight, like water, spilled across the winding roads of Wudang Mountain. A gentle night breeze, carrying a hint of coolness, rustled the leaves. The distant chirping of cicadas rose and fell, as if telling tales of a summer night. A sky full of twinkling stars illuminated a tranquil and mysterious night.

Zhou Xinlian gently pushed open the door and slipped silently out of the accommodation arranged by the Emei Sect. She wore a plain-colored long dress, her hair fluttering in the wind. Stepping on the bluestone path, her figure moved swiftly through the night like a wisp of smoke. She skillfully used her lightness skill to leap over low walls, bypass patrolling disciples, and finally stopped in front of the courtyard gate of Shen Mo's room.

She stood outside the door, slightly out of breath, her heart beating even faster than before. At that moment, she felt that the silence around her was so profound that she could hear her own pulse. The wind blew the stray hairs at her temples, disrupting her originally resolute emotions.

"Is he already resting? Is it too abrupt of me to visit so late at night?"

"If other Wudang disciples see this, won't they misunderstand and think I have ulterior motives?"

"But if I don't give them the True Essence Pill to express my gratitude, I'll always feel uneasy..."

She looked down at the exquisitely carved wooden box in her hand, inside which lay the incomparably precious True Essence Pill—a gift that should have been presented in person when she expressed her gratitude, but which she hadn't been able to give due to that unexpected topic of conversation. Now she had come alone, both to repay the debt of gratitude and to take this opportunity to express the thanks hidden in her heart.

She lingered at the door for a long time, her footsteps sometimes near, sometimes far, like a hesitant butterfly hovering among the flowers. Several times she raised her hand to knock, but then hesitated and lowered it again. Her eyes darted back and forth between the ground and the door, a faint blush rising on her face.

Finally, she took a deep breath, as if making some kind of decision, and slowly raised her hand. The moment her fingertips touched the door panel—

squeak-

The door opened silently.

Zhou Xinlian's hand froze in mid-air, and she stood there stunned, as if struck by lightning.

Shen Mo stood quietly inside the doorway, dressed in a plain white robe without a belt, the hem of his robe fluttering slightly. His expression was calm yet alert. His gaze fell on Zhou Xinlian, carrying a hint of surprise, but mostly a gentle smile.

"Miss Zhou," he called softly, his voice as gentle as the night breeze, "It's so late, has something happened?"

Zhou Xinlian stared at him blankly, speechless for a moment. She hadn't noticed any movement from Shen Mo, not even his breathing. She had been holding her breath and being extremely careful, but he seemed to have known of her arrival all along, even timing the opening of the door perfectly.

"So... his martial arts have reached this level." She was secretly amazed, feeling both surprised and admiring, and a touch of indescribable shyness welled up in her heart.

"N-nothing," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Then, realizing she was still holding the wooden box, she quickly hid it behind her back, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I was just... passing by."

"Just passing by?" Shen Mo's lips curled up slightly, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Miss Zhou, you've been lingering at my door for a full quarter of an hour. To say you were just passing by is something even you can't convince yourself of."

This seemingly teasing remark made Zhou Xinlian blush even more. She bit her lip, finally mustering the courage to raise her head and look directly into Shen Mo's eyes: "I didn't... come here randomly. I... came to repay a favor to you."

She took out the wooden box from behind her back, handed it to her with both hands, and said earnestly and sincerely, "This is the True Essence Pill I won at the temple fair. Although it originally belonged to your Wudang Sect, and may not be important to you, it is the only way I can express my gratitude."

Shen Mo looked at the wooden box she handed him, and then at the sincerity and determination in her eyes, and his heart stirred slightly. With his current cultivation level, ten years of internal energy, while not entirely worthless, would hardly cause any trouble.

"Miss Zhou," he gently shook his head, his tone soft yet leaving no room for refusal, "this is too precious. I have already remembered your kindness, but you should keep this True Essence Pill for yourself."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xinlian did not back down, but instead pushed the wooden box forward a few more times. The moonlight shone on her face, and her clear eyes showed no hesitation, but rather a resolute determination.

"Please accept this," she said softly, her voice low but firm as iron. "This is my way of repaying your life-saving grace, and it's also a token of my appreciation." Her tone gradually lowered, but every word was clear and distinct: "I know that with your cultivation level, this True Essence Pill may not be of much help to you... but at least it's a token of my appreciation."

She raised her head, looking directly into Shen Mo's eyes, a barely perceptible glimmer of tears welling up, yet she stubbornly refused to let them fall. "I don't want this to become a regret. Even if it's just a small token of my gratitude, I hope you'll accept it."