A small, fist-sized green bird, like an arrow loosed from the southwest, plummeted into the confines of the Xing Yi Men, landing precisely within one of the residences they habitually occupied. Instantly, a disciple of the Xing Yi Men rushed to the bird, retrieving a secret letter sealed within a tiny bamboo tube attached to its leg.

The bamboo tube bore three golden sword marks.

"A Three-Sword Dispatch?" The disciple flinched. This was the highest level of secret correspondence within the Xing Yi Men. Ordinary dispatches were handled by a select few under Elder Zong Lu, but the highest tier was delivered directly to Elder Zong Lu himself.

"We must report to the Elder immediately."

The young disciple bolted, sprinting toward Zong Lu’s quarters.

...

Moments later, within the East Splendor Courtyard.

Teng Qingshan was practicing his martial arts in an open area. His concern for his daughter meant he couldn't possibly commit to a month of closed-door cultivation.

"Sect Master, Sect Master," Elder Zong Lu’s voice echoed from outside.

"Huu."

Teng Qingshan halted his movements, slowly exhaling a breath.

"Uncle Zong, what brings such haste?" Teng Qingshan turned with a smile, only to see Elder Zong Lu’s face etched with urgency as he presented the secret letter. "Sect Master, this is terrible! This dispatch just arrived from Yong'an Commandery. It says Linlin... Linlin has left Yong'an Commandery."

"What?" Teng Qingshan started.

"Why would Linlin leave Yong'an Commandery?" Teng Qingshan immediately took the letter from Elder Zong Lu and unfolded it to read carefully.

Elder Zong Lu remained silent.

As Teng Qingshan read, his expression darkened.

"Left Yong'an Commandery with Fan Anran and his father, that man named 'Fan Wutong'?" Teng Qingshan mentally fumed. The reasoning seemed plausible—a trip to pay respects to Fan Anran’s deceased mother—but... Teng Qingshan had long ago issued explicit commands to both his children. They were only permitted to stay within the boundaries of Great Yan Mountain and Yong'an Commandery for the time being.

They were forbidden to travel elsewhere without Teng Qingshan's prior consent!

Until now, both his son and daughter had complied perfectly. But now, his daughter had left with Fan Anran without a word of notification.

Teng Qingshan understood; clearly, his daughter was sulking with him, yet this also proved one thing... she truly trusted this young man named 'Fan Anran.'

"My girl has lost the sharp sense she used to have," Teng Qingshan shook his head.

"Sect Master, Linlin going out like this—I worry that the forces plotting against my Xing Yi Men might make their move," Elder Zong Lu voiced his anxiety. "Linlin’s life cannot be treated carelessly. If that power captures her, we'll be in deep trouble."

"Rest assured."

A flash of cold light crossed Teng Qingshan’s eyes. "If that force truly reveals itself now, it's a blessing! I already arranged for 'Xiao Qing' to shadow Linlin all along, to protect her. If Linlin truly falls into peril, perhaps we can use this chance... to locate the power behind it all! Hmph. Daring to scheme against me again and again."

"If they dare move against my daughter again..."

"I will eradicate them entirely!" Teng Qingshan hated enemies who threatened the lives of his kin above all else.

"We shall simply watch," he said. "If it’s truly just a visit to Fan Anran’s mother, so be it. If there is a scheme afoot... I will see who is behind it." A sharp, cold light flickered in Teng Qingshan's eyes. He squeezed his right hand involuntarily, and the secret letter in his grip instantly disintegrated into dust and ash.

March 30th, that evening.

"Giddy-up!" "Giddy-up!"

On the main road within Yan Province, three fine horses galloped forward, kicking up plumes of dust in their wake.

"Linlin, the sky is already getting dark, and there’s no village or inn ahead. I suggest we make do and rest somewhere around here for the night," Fan Anran, carrying a long spear on his back, rode alongside Hong Lin.

"Mm."

Hong Lin glanced at the sky. The sun had long set, and the growing gloom indicated nightfall was imminent. "Anran, how about this: we’ll rest for the night right on the desolate ground by the roadside ahead."

"Good," Fan Anran smiled and nodded, then looked back at Fan Wutong riding behind him, calling out, "Father, let's stop here."

"Mmm."

The old vagrant grunted in response. A moment later, the three horses halted in a patch of wasteland not far away. They first tethered the mounts to large trees nearby.

"Sigh," the old man Fan Wutong shook his arms and swayed his head. "Age catches up. I can't believe after just three days on the road, my entire body aches from the jarring. Back when I was a bandit, I was on horseback daily. Old bones, my body just isn't what it used to be." Saying this, Fan Wutong casually sat down on a clump of weeds.

"Linlin, Father, have something to eat."

Fan Anran opened the satchel and spread its contents on the wasteland. It contained quite a bit of food.

"Linlin, we’ll have to make do tonight," Fan Anran said with a smile.

"It's fine. If we get the chance later, maybe we can hunt a couple of wild pheasants or something," Hong Lin looked around, her eyes darting playfully.

Fan Anran surveyed the surroundings. "It’s desolate wilderness out here; finding a pheasant will be tough." He then took a few bites of flatbread, pulled a waterskin from his waist, and handed it to Hong Lin with a smile. "Linlin... here, have some water. You must be parched after riding so long without a drink?"

"Mmm, my throat is terribly dry." Hong Lin deliberately coughed twice, causing Fan Anran to chuckle.

"You two chat. I'll step aside for a moment."

The old man Fan Wutong blinked twice and walked to the side.

Hong Lin and Fan Anran exchanged a look and both chuckled. Hong Lin immediately grabbed the waterskin and tilted her head back to drink.

"Gulp-gulp~~" Her fair neck entranced Fan Anran. The sound of Hong Lin drinking was startlingly clear to him.

"Sigh..." Fan Anran let out a long sigh.

"Anran, why the sigh? You sound like an old man," Hong Lin lowered the waterskin, wiping her lips, and said with a grin.

"Nothing, just feeling a bit down," Fan Anran casually took the waterskin back, glanced down at it, then looked back at Hong Lin. His gaze was peculiar, shifting between fleeting sadness, deep affection, and sudden resentment.

Hong Lin started. "Why are you looking at me like that? It’s a bit unnerving."

"Hmm?"

Hong Lin's expression suddenly changed, her brow furrowing sharply.

"Anran!" Hong Lin urged him urgently. "Don't drink! Something is wrong with the water in this waterskin—it’s poisoned!" As she spoke, Hong Lin's complexion grew faintly pale.

"It is indeed poisoned," Fan Anran stated calmly. He looked down at the waterskin he held, then shook his head and smiled. He tossed it aside effortlessly. The waterskin arced through the air before landing on the wasteland, water spilling out with a gurgling sound.

"This poison is called Soft Bone Powder. It won't kill a person, but it will render the limbs weak and useless, and one cannot mobilize their inner strength. Even a child could probably defeat them." Fan Anran stood up. Across the way, the old vagrant 'Fan Wutong' also straightened; the previously sluggish old man suddenly looked utterly alert, his demeanor vastly more imposing.

"Soft Bone Powder?"

Hong Lin stared fixedly at Fan Anran. Even a fool would understand by now, looking at this young man who wasn't handsome, only slightly refined and plain.

"Anran, Anran... Why? Why are you doing this?" Hong Lin could not believe it, even now.

"Such a foolish girl," the old man Fan Wutong muttered, glancing down at Hong Lin, letting out a sneer. "Teng Honglin, if you want someone to blame, blame your father."

"Blame my father?"

Hong Lin shook her head, still locked onto Fan Anran. "Anran, tell me, tell me why. Why did you do this? Was everything you told me before a lie?" Though her body felt weak and powerless, Hong Lin was like an enraged lioness, glaring hatefully at the only man she had ever loved since childhood.

"Teng Honglin," Fan Anran looked at her, shaking his head with a faint smile. "I hold no great hatred for you, but neither do I have much affection. Towards the daughter of the man who ruined my family... I simply cannot muster any trace of love."

Teng Honglin felt a chill pierce her heart.

Enemy's daughter?

Cannot muster any love? Even knowing Fan Anran had administered the poison, Hong Lin still couldn't accept that the past year had been an act.

"I must admit, Teng Qingshan is indeed Teng Qingshan—a monumental figure across the Nine Provinces. I thought I had done well enough; even my sworn father couldn't spot a flaw. But Teng Qingshan saw through it." Fan Anran smiled faintly. "What a pity. No matter how brilliant a figure, the daughter they bear is not necessarily clever."

"Sworn Father, notify them," Fan Anran instructed.

The old man Fan Wutong nodded and quickly retrieved a signal arrow from his satchel.

"Hiss-hiss~~"

After lighting it, a "Whoosh!" shot the signal arrow into the sky, emitting a piercing sound.

"Anran, Anran, you... how could you..." Hong Lin couldn't believe it. "You are a disciple of the Guiyuan Sect! How could you..." She simply could not accept that a young man who had grown up in the Guiyuan Sect was entirely a fabrication.

"Fifteen years."

"My Sworn Father and I have been acting in Yong'an Commandery for fifteen years. No... to be precise, my Sworn Father has been disguised for fifteen years, and I, for ten. Ten years ago, once I knew the truth, I, Fan Anran, knew exactly what I had to do." Fan Anran's gaze was sharp. When he first joined the Guiyuan Sect, he truly was not in disguise, for at that time, he knew nothing of his true origins. Later, he found out.

"My Sworn Father and I dedicated these fifteen years to this single day—to capture you. That is enough," Fan Anran’s eyes glowed menacingly.

"No, no..."

Hong Lin still refused to believe it. The man who had been so sweet to her just moments ago, the man she was prepared to marry, had transformed in an instant. This was a nightmare! A nightmare she refused to accept.

"Hmm? They are coming."

Fan Anran and Fan Wutong gazed toward the distance down the main road, where the faint thunder of hooves could already be heard approaching.