"Father, from my childhood right up until this very moment, I always believed you to be the wisest of men. And you once told me that when the time came for me to marry, you wouldn't care about lineage, only about the character of the man. As long as he was a decent person... you would agree. You even promised you wouldn't force a marriage upon me like so many other parents." "Yet, today I realize that with you, just like with other parents, it is the 'elders who decide matters of marriage.'" "You question Anran’s character, but among the tens of thousands who know him in the Guiyuan Sect, how many have said he is a bad person? Are the judgment of tens of thousands in the Guiyuan Sect all wrong? I have known him for nearly a year, and my judgment is wrong? Yet you, having spent only half a day with him, deem him unsuitable for your daughter?" "I understand now." "Father, it must be because you learned that Anran comes from a background of bandits. You feel that your daughter, the descendant of the dignified founder of the Xingyi School, the originator of the Inner Martial Arts lineage, should not marry the son of a bandit. It would be a disgrace to you, wouldn't it? Father, don't deny it. I know that the stronger a person is, the more they value their reputation. I can understand that." "Perhaps my happiness is not as important as your face." "Back then, Mother gave up everything and crossed oceans with you for happiness, and she never regretted it." "Now, for the sake of my happiness, I am also willing to marry the son of a bandit." "Your daughter, Honglin, leaves this note!"

The letter was steeped in indignation, its lines vibrating with resentment. Clearly, Teng Qingshan's forceful demand that she sever all ties with 'Fan Anran' had caused Honglin profound pain and fury. A woman lost in love is often irrational, and she allowed herself to believe that Teng Qingshan acted only out of concern for his own reputation.

Teng Qingshan read the letter and felt a sharp ache in his heart. This cherished daughter, whom he had spoiled since birth, saw him this way.

"Xiao Jun, did you see that? Linlin is following your example," Teng Qingshan said to his wife. "She says that just as you risked everything to cross the sea for happiness, she too will pursue hers." "That child has completely lost her senses," Li Jun replied, shaking her head. "Qingshan, don't take those words to heart, Linlin is just emotional."

How could he not take it to heart? He had treasured her, fearing to crush her spirit or break her with the slightest harshness. Teng Qingshan had always believed in spoiling his daughters while keeping his sons disciplined. He had never had any ulterior motives regarding his daughter, but who would have thought she would run off with a man and abandon her father?

"Linlin can’t be reasoned with in this state," Teng Qingshan sighed, though his heart was heavy. "We must let her bump into a wall... only then will she see the truth. I am eighty percent certain that this Fan Anran is only pretending; his facade is simply masterful."

What had Teng Qingshan been in his previous life? An assassin. He was an expert in disguise. Compared to Fan Anran, he was still lacking, but since a person’s heart is hidden, Teng Qingshan could only claim an eighty percent certainty.

"Fortunately, I had Xiao Qing follow her," Teng Qingshan felt a small measure of relief. "But Qingshan, was what you told Xiao Qing too severe?" Li Jun frowned. "Severe? Anyone who dares to threaten my daughter deserves death," Teng Qingshan thought, utterly unwilling to tolerate anyone harming his kin. Li Jun smiled faintly. "However, if you are mistaken this time..." "If I am mistaken?" Teng Qingshan gave a self-deprecating laugh. "If that were true, it would be wonderful. Being mocked by my daughter a few times, as long as it makes her happy, would satisfy me. My fear is that I am not mistaken..." * "Giddyup!" "Giddyup!"

Two Azure-Maned Snow-Treading Horses galloped down the official road, carrying Fan Anran and Honglin. In truth, over the years, the Undying Phoenix, 'Xiao Qing,' commanded several clans of monstrous birds. Thus, in the Great Yan Mountains, there were more than ten flying demonic beasts residing there. While these flying beasts were not overwhelmingly powerful, their speed was astonishing.

Normally, Honglin and her brother Hongwu traveled between the Great Yan Mountains and Yong'an Prefecture by riding these flying creatures. It was fast, and it was safe. This time, however, Honglin left in a fit of anger, riding a horse.

"Linlin, slow down, slow down," Fan Anran called out from behind. But Honglin urged her horse on, racing ahead by herself. Since leaving the Great Yan Mountains, a deep pain had settled in Honglin's heart. Initially, it was pure, blazing anger. The glorious image she held of Teng Qingshan had shattered; her father was just like any other parent, domineeringly interfering with his daughter's marriage.

"Father, you truly disappoint me," Honglin cried out internally.

Finally, the horse's speed slackened. "Linlin, Linlin," Fan Anran finally caught up. "What is it?" Honglin glanced at him. Fan Anran managed a smile. "Linlin, I know your father dislikes me, but thank you for still choosing to come out with me!" Honglin’s tears turned to a watery smile as she glared at him, then a flicker of warmth crossed her face. "You have some sense, at least!" "Alas, I really thought your father would like me. I don't know how it turned into this," Fan Anran looked troubled. "Forget it, how could you possibly guess what my father thinks?" Honglin shook her head. "But, Anran, you mustn't fail me." Honglin stared intently at him. "I won't," Fan Anran replied with a soft laugh. "Hmph, if you fail me, I'll kill you," Honglin deliberately huffed. "You’re no match for me." "Alright, alright, alright, great heroine, this humble scholar is afraid," Fan Anran played along, feigning surrender.

Honglin couldn't help but let out a clear, happy laugh. The sound echoed along the sides of the official road as the two horses sped southwest at an astonishing pace. About two or three thousand zhang above them, a blurry cloud mass, only five or six zhang long, drifted slowly. Inside this cloud resided the entirely crimson Undying Phoenix, 'Xiao Qing.' Xiao Qing could easily see the pair below through the cloud cover. It could even see the little white bird perched on Honglin’s saddle...

Ever since Honglin and Fan Anran returned to the Guiyuan Sect in Yong'an Prefecture, intelligence regarding their every move was delivered to Teng Qingshan’s desk almost daily. Teng Qingshan monitored his daughter constantly.

But everything remained tranquil. Time slipped by, and soon it was the third month, the time of blooming flowers. Within the city of Yong'an Prefecture, in a very ordinary courtyard, lay Fan Anran's home.

"Uncle Fan," Honglin chirped, holding a basket of fruit. "Girl, you've come. And you brought fruit? If you had some silver, you should have bought good wine instead. Your old uncle loves wine the most," a grizzled old man, smelling strongly of alcohol, squinted his bloodshot eyes. He mumbled, struggling to steady himself as he rose. "Father, why are you drinking again, and so much?" Fan Anran asked with clear displeasure. "Heh heh," The old drunkard shook his head. "It's nothing, just thinking about your mother. Anran, in half a month, it will be your mother's death anniversary. Prepare yourself; we should go outside the city to pay our respects." "Mm," Fan Anran nodded. The old man staggered into his room. "Anran, you’re going to visit your mother’s grave? When do you leave?" Honglin inquired. "In about seven or eight days, we should depart," Fan Anran sighed. "My mother's tomb is actually just a cenotaph. The grave site is near the bandit encampment where I lived as a child. It’s within Yan Province. Yong'an Prefecture is the closest prefecture in Yang Province to Yan Province, but the journey there will still take four or five days. It’s best to leave a bit early." Fan Anran looked somewhat melancholic. "Mm," Honglin nodded in return. "Linlin," Fan Anran’s eyes suddenly lit up. "Tell you what, why don't you come with me to pay respects to my mother? If my mother, seeing us visit together, seeing the daughter-in-law of the Old Fan family, she would surely be happy in the afterlife." "Daughter-in-law?" Honglin shot him a look. Fan Anran grinned shamelessly. "We'll go together to honor my mother, okay?" "Me?" Honglin paused, tempted, but then shook her head. "No, Father won't allow me to wander off." "Going with me to my mother's grave counts as wandering off?" Fan Anran sounded a little angry, then sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, if you don't want to, then don't." "Anran, it’s not that—" Honglin struggled internally for a moment, then made up her mind, nodding with a smile. "Alright. Anran, I'll go with you. I want to pay respects to your mother too." "Really?" Fan Anran seemed pleasantly surprised. "Of course. What? Why so shocked?" Honglin chuckled smugly. "Thank you," Fan Anran gently took Honglin’s hand, his voice filled with gratitude. Honglin’s face flushed slightly, but she did not pull away, allowing Fan Anran to hold her hand. At that moment— Within the Guiyuan Sect, in a certain mansion, the Undying Phoenix was resting, yet its domain constantly monitored Honglin’s precise location. * The twenty-eighth day of the third month arrived. Honglin, Fan Anran, and Fan Anran’s father, 'Fan Wutong,' departed Yong'an Prefecture together that morning. By evening— In a humble residence in 'Xin'an City,' a small town within Nanxing Prefecture of Yang Province, a silver-haired elder was rapidly heading toward the deeper parts of the manor. He ran along corridors and past courtyards until he reached a secluded small courtyard. Standing before the gate, the elder paused, holding his breath. After gathering himself, he called out respectfully, "My Lord, an urgent dispatch from Yong'an Prefecture." "Enter," a low voice commanded. The silver-haired elder carefully pushed the door open. Inside the courtyard stood a tall, imposing man. Barefoot, clad in coarse linen robes, with long, unbound hair, the man possessed an eerie charisma. Most striking was the golden mask covering his face. "Mm. You may leave," the mysterious golden-masked man said, waving his hand after taking the dispatch. "Yes." After the silver-haired elder respectfully withdrew, the mysterious golden-masked man opened the dispatch and read it carefully. The golden mask concealed his expression entirely, yet as he read, he suddenly let out a strange laugh: "Dodged it once, twice. Teng Qingshan, let's see how you evade this third time!"

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