The improved female villains regained their memories.

"I lied to you, I cried, I'm sorry, I lied to you, I couldn't bear to lose you..."

Yang Pingsheng stroked Xu Anlu's head, looking into the distance, his gaze seemingly piercing through time.

"Xiao Lu".

As he spoke, he finally called out the name.

When will you grow up?

Humans are born only to die. Humans meet only to part in the end.

Such a simple truth can only be understood by adults.

"I'm sorry, Grand Tutor, I don't want to leave you."

Xu Anlu said, crying.

The red figure wriggled amidst the snow-white surroundings, watching everything with a cold expression.

It's not like we'll never see each other again. That old man is so wicked. He's going back to the palace in a few days, but he just won't mention it, Xu Anyin thought.

She couldn't understand what was there to cry about. Compared to her experiences before her rebirth, Xu Anlu's situation was insignificant.

"I don't understand what they're thinking. Even if we really do separate, so what?"

Xu Anyin shook his head dismissively.

People will eventually part ways, and clinging to those who part is a sign of extreme immaturity.

Xu Anlu hasn't grown up yet, but Xu Anyin has.

Her experiences and hardships have made her see through the coldness and warmth of human relationships, and she will no longer be attached to the differences between people.

She has grown up.

At least, that's what she thinks.

Chapter Seventy-Two: Releasing Pigeons

The mountains and forests are desolate, even on New Year's Day, they exude a sense of loneliness.

Only Yang Pingsheng was left.

The falling snow, carrying the scent of spring, rolled down, melting the ice and causing the river's water level to rise considerably.

He listened to the sound of water and watched the snow for several days.

After the New Year, the weather didn't warm up immediately; it was still terribly cold. The fire in the brazier went out in the middle of the night, and no one came to relight it for him, so he had to add several more layers of quilts and cover himself up tightly.

This kind of life is a bit lonely. He thought that if he completed all nine worlds, he would definitely make a wish to the system to see if he could have someone to accompany him.

Ideally, that person should be a woman—beautiful, gentle, and someone he can spend the rest of his life with.

But after this life, there are still six more to go. It's such a long journey. He doesn't know if he could still love her if such a person truly existed.

He had already realized that his heart was hardening.

A month later, the weather warmed up slightly, and the sunlight reflected off the snow, making it appear white.

"It's time to go."

Yang Pingsheng pushed open the door, let out a deep breath, and said.

"Is it really a good thing to stand Xu An'yin up?"

The ball of light flew out and hovered beside Yang Pingsheng: "What's wrong with it?"

"It's nothing, I was just wondering if they've already made their move over there?"

“That’s right,” the system said. “Ling Shui’er is dead.”

Hearing this, Yang Pingsheng looked at the snow scene before him and, after a long while, took a step forward.

"I see."

It's terrifyingly indifferent.

His body remained upright, his face slightly aged, but his eyes were bright and still held hope.

The system watched, seemingly lost in thought.

"Let's go."

"Have you packed everything?"

"Do I even need to clean up?" Yang Pingsheng looked at it. "Aren't you perfectly fine?"

"Hmph, as long as you follow the way of Heaven, I am very reliable."

The ball of light swayed left and right, merging into Yang Pingsheng's body.

"No matter what, I'm still your partner. If something happens to you, I'll be in big trouble."

it says.

"Thank you so much."

Yang Pingsheng pushed open the courtyard gate and walked out. It was here that he parted ways with Xu Anlu a month ago.

He walked a few steps along the stone path, then stopped and turned around.

It was the time of spring's arrival. The snow was melting, and everything was thriving. The willows in the yard were sprouting new buds, the green bamboo stood tall, and the newborn flowers swayed in the wind.

“If it were all over, I would want to live here,” he murmured to himself.

I just don't want to be alone anymore.

The best time during those six months was when I had people with me. Once most of them had left, I inevitably felt lonely.

He thought of many things: Xiaohua's gentleness, Xiaozhu's respect. If he really was their teacher, perhaps this would be a good ending.

Unfortunately, this is only the beginning.

Bye now.

He withdrew his gaze and descended the mountain.

Upon entering the city, they first went to the inn to gather the latest intelligence. Just as the system had predicted, Xu Anlu had been targeted by assassination attempts at least ten times since returning to the palace this month.

Xu Anyin had anticipated this, which is why he made an agreement with Yang Pingsheng that Yang would return within a few days after the New Year to ensure Xu Anlu's safety. But clearly, he broke his promise; without Yang Pingsheng's protection, Xu Anyin was left to fend for himself.

If she were still alive and her cultivation level were still that of a True Immortal, she could not only protect Xu Anlu, but also take revenge directly. Unfortunately, she is now just a remnant soul.

"The Wentian Sect has already sent people to the court, and Xiaozhu and Xiaohua, these two pawns, have also entered. Xu Anyin dares not expose himself, and his methods are limited."

In his room at the inn, Yang Pingsheng placed the intelligence report on the table, sat down in a chair, and gazed at the moonlight outside the window, lost in thought.

"What does Ling Yan'er mean by recalling me at this critical juncture?"

“What’s so hard to understand?” the system popped up again. “Recalling you is definitely not her idea, it must be the idea of ​​the Wentian Sect. To put it bluntly, you and Ling Yan’er are both pawns of the Wentian Sect. It’s just that they are fighting among themselves, so there are two pawns in the Great Yan Dynasty.”

"Why did Ling Yan'er kill Ling Shui'er?"

This is the biggest question right now, and Yang Pingsheng hasn't figured it out either.

"Who knows? Who cares? We'll leave once we've completed the mission. The power struggles here have nothing to do with us."

"That's right."

"Oh, right, remember your character setting. Show more tenderness towards Ling Yan'er."

"understood."

tenderness.

He clutched his heart, and for some reason, thought of his previous two lives.

Wen Shihan, her own younger sister, was alone and huddled in bed when they parted, feeling helpless and alone.

Luo Benmo, her own sister, stayed underground alone when they parted ways, never seeing the light of day.

Parting is such a heartbreaking word.

He looked at the bright moon in the sky and wondered if he could still be tender-hearted.

As he was thinking this, suddenly, the light sphere that the system transformed into came close to him and nestled beside him.

I said…

It said, "The mission is complete. How about I get you a house in the mountains too?"

Why are you suddenly saying that?

"Didn't you mutter that yourself?"

The system remembered Yang Pingsheng's words to himself as they parted.

"We'll see when the time comes."

Yang Pingsheng said, "At that time..."

Perhaps his wish will be different when the time comes.

---

Imperial palaces throughout history have always been built to be majestic.

Palaces typically have golden roofs and red doors, with an antique style that evokes a sense of solemnity.

As the sun rises, it illuminates a corner of the palace wall, and the warm light within those high walls has trapped countless emperors throughout history.

Not far ahead, a large red gate with vermilion lacquer hangs above, topped with a black and gold-trimmed nanmu wood plaque inscribed with the words "Cining Palace." Water drips from the eaves, creating ripples on the ground.

pat.

Yang Pingsheng stepped over the stone steps and arrived at the entrance of Cining Palace.

The golden glazed tiles shimmered with light. Below, Eunuch Shi had been waiting for a long time. When he saw Yang Pingsheng arrive, he immediately smiled and approached.

"Good morning, Grand Tutor. The Empress Dowager has been waiting for you inside for a long time."

"Lead the way."

"This way, please."

He followed Eunuch Shi inside, stepped over the threshold, and entered the inner room.