Li Muzhan chuckled, "It's not an injury, you know. Eating these things is quite nourishing. I certainly enjoyed the feast. Senior Sister Zhu, your culinary skills are exquisite—truly admirable!"

"I just hope you don't find it too rich!" Zhu Chuyun smiled, pursing her lips. "Eating meat all day might get tiring. The vegetables are ready now, so I'll make something lighter!"

"That sounds wonderful," Li Muzhan agreed with a nod and a smile.

Zhu Chuyun appeared like someone whose hands never touched domestic labor, yet her cooking was superb, even surpassing Yi Xiaoru's. Having enjoyed the variety of mountain delicacies she prepared these past two days, he felt thoroughly satisfied.

Gao Jingxuan mused, "Mr. He, perhaps we should resort to consuming elixirs instead? The pills from the Medicine Sect are remarkably effective and could save considerable time!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "No need, Sect Master. I believe I can recover my vital energy in another three or four days. It's hardly worth the trouble... And I presume the Medicine Sect wouldn't dispense elixirs free of charge?"

The three women nodded lightly, showing traces of resentment.

"In that case, we must impose on you, sir!" Gao Jingxuan did not press the matter, slowly nodding. "My life was saved by Mr. He, after all."

Li Muzhan smiled, "It was merely a coincidence, nothing more."

"Alas..." Gao Jingxuan shook her head with a sigh. "These past few days, I've been constantly trying to figure out how to repay you, but no matter how much I think, I can't devise a suitable method!"

Li Muzhan quickly waved his hand, laughing, "Sect Master need not trouble herself so. I saved you not to seek personal advantage. If you insist, Sect Master, I won't be able to accept it!"

Gao Jingxuan nodded helplessly, "Very well, we'll discuss this another day!"

Zhu Chuyun shot Li Muzhan a look—what a perfect opportunity to let slip. Yi Xiaoru glanced at Li Muzhan, also somewhat bewildered.

Li Muzhan smiled at her, and Yi Xiaoru blinked her bright eyes twice. They shared an unspoken understanding; she vaguely grasped Li Muzhan's meaning: the time wasn't right yet!

After dinner, Li Muzhan strolled outside with the three women for a while, basking in the moonlight, his heart settling into a tranquil serenity.

When the night deepened, Li Muzhan returned to his room to continue regulating his breathing. Yi Xiaoru no longer stood guard; few people ever came to this mountain peak, and no one would disturb him.

Moreover, he wasn't actually healing a wound, merely adjusting his internal flow, so there was little danger.

The next morning, Li Muzhan’s complexion showed slight improvement. The three women smiled, sensing hope. Gao Jingxuan, who had initially thought Li Muzhan had only depleted his vital energy, realized upon seeing his subsequent state that she had misjudged; he was actually severely drained.

Seeing Li Muzhan make such slow progress, she began to worry in her heart.

On the evening of the third day, after eating and letting the meal settle, the four parted ways. Yi Xiaoru returned to her room, changed her clothes, and was just slipping into bed when a faint knock sounded at the door. Yi Xiaoru asked softly, "Who is it?"

Li Muzhan whispered, "It's me."

Yi Xiaoru started, whispering back, "So late!"

Li Muzhan said, "Open the door, I need to talk inside."

"...No, it’s too late!" Yi Xiaoru lowered her voice.

Li Muzhan chuckled, "Open up, or I’ll just force my way in!"

"You..." Yi Xiaoru let out a resentful huff, slipped out of bed in her moon-white underclothes, and pulled the door open. Li Muzhan stood outside, a sly smile playing on his lips.

As the door opened, he swiftly slipped past Yi Xiaoru's arm and into the room.

Yi Xiaoru glanced left and right, slowly closed the door, then turned to glare at him, "Why are you here at this hour?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I have something to say."

"Say it then," Yi Xiaoru pointed to an embroidered stool by the table with a huff. "Say it quickly and leave quickly, lest Master and the others overhear and misunderstand!"

"Misunderstand what?" Li Muzhan smiled.

"Hmph!" Yi Xiaoru blushed, chiding playfully, "Say what you need to say quickly!"

Her bright eyes shimmered with flowing light, and her soft, teasing allure stirred the strings of Li Muzhan’s heart, instantly igniting a flame of desire, making him ache to pull her into his arms.

He forced restraint, knowing such an action would frighten her away. He smiled and sat down. "The Sect Master probably won't change her mind..."

"Master has that stubborn nature; she won't change it," Yi Xiaoru nodded lightly, furrowing her delicate brows.

Li Muzhan proposed, "Why don't I just stay here permanently?"

"Stay here?!" Yi Xiaoru paused, then shook her head. "What about the Zishang Palace?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "That's fine, I have my own means."

Yi Xiaoru nodded gently. "That is a possibility. Master probably won't drive you away; after all, you saved her life. Master has always been clear about gratitude and grievance—repaying a drop of kindness with a gushing spring!"

Li Muzhan chuckled heartily, "Then that's excellent. Even if she doesn't officially agree, if I stay here continuously, it's no different than being married to me, isn't it?"

"Who's marrying you!" Yi Xiaoru retorted crossly.

Li Muzhan laughed, "It's just that I can't marry you honorably. I've wronged you!"

Yi Xiaoru snorted, "I don't care!" "Don't you still have Miss Liu from the Longshan Sect?"

The thought immediately made her heart clench uncomfortably. Before, she had merely felt a slight discomfort, but as they spent more time together, the existence of this Miss Liu became increasingly bothersome, like a thorn stuck in her throat.

Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head, offering a wry smile, "You know my status; it’s difficult for us to truly be together..."

Yi Xiaoru sighed, a cloud of worry shadowing her fine brows. She shook her head. "Alas... if only you were truly He Zudao!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I am the real He Zudao now!"

Yi Xiaoru frowned and shook her head. "If they really investigate, we might not be able to hide it from Master!"

"That's not necessarily true!" Li Muzhan smiled.

As he spoke, he slowly reached out and drew Yi Xiaoru into his embrace.

Under normal circumstances, Yi Xiaoru would never have yielded, but now, contemplating a bleak future, her heart felt soft. She was easily drawn into his gentle hold without resistance.

Cradled in his arms, she felt an indescribable sense of security and peace, as if everything else had ceased to exist—only his embrace mattered, and nothing felt frightening anymore.

Li Muzhan held her, tightening his embrace, his hands beginning to wander restlessly. Then, his feet moved, leading them onto the couch, and they fell together, instantly filling the room with spring light.

Suppressed moans, like mournful cries, drifted out of the room, audible across the entire quiet mountain peak in the deep night.

The next morning, Yi Xiaoru suddenly opened her eyes and turned her head. Seeing Li Muzhan’s face so close, she felt his hand resting upon her waist.

She started in fright, her face flushing instantly. Recalling the events of the previous night, mingled with sweet embarrassment, her heart suddenly tightened.

She hadn't been able to stop her moans; the bone-gnawing sensation had driven cries from her very core, sounds she couldn't suppress. Master and Senior Sister must have heard!

Senior Sister might not matter, but Master...

Thinking of this, she slowly moved the hand resting on her waist, quietly slipped off the couch, and used her clothes to cover her graceful figure before tiptoeing out of the room.

As soon as she stepped out, the two women practicing in the training ground looked over, their expressions slightly strange.

Yi Xiaoru forced herself to greet them, "Master, Senior Sister Zhu."

Both women blushed slightly, responded hastily, and then focused intently on their practice, as if they had heard nothing the night before. Yi Xiaoru stood there, momentarily stunned.

She had expected a harsh scolding from her Master, but this reaction surprised her. Had she not made any audible sounds, or was it just her imagination?

"Little Junior Sister, come, come! Let me see if you’ve been slacking off lately!" Zhu Chuyun called with a smile. Yi Xiaoru’s face reddened.

She finally understood: they had heard, but simply chose not to mention it; Senior Sister Zhu's odd smile confirmed it. Master’s reaction, however, was peculiar.

"Alright," she readily agreed, taking two quick steps forward, and unleashed a palm strike: "Please enlighten me, Senior Sister!"

The two clashed in a flurry of palms—peng-peng-peng-peng! Zhu Chuyun cried out while striking, "Oh dear, Little Junior Sister, what spiritual medicine did you eat? How did you become so formidable?!"

She found herself on the defensive, unable to suppress Yi Xiaoru during their exchange of force. Her internal energy seemed inferior to Yi Xiaoru's now, as if her cultivation had suddenly jumped ahead by more than a decade.

The Little Junior Sister had exceptional aptitude; her swordsmanship and palm techniques surpassed Zhu Chuyun’s, but her internal energy was lacking. Having practiced the same cultivation method, Zhu Chuyun had always possessed a greater talent in the path of internal focus, keeping her significantly ahead. Just a while ago, during their spars, she had firmly suppressed the Little Junior Sister. How was it that today she was like a different person, possessing such profound internal strength that Zhu Chuyun couldn't compete?

Gao Jingxuan watched the two women closely for a while, then nodded. "Little Ru, what is going on?"

Yi Xiaoru shook her head, equally bewildered. "Master, Senior Sister, I don't know either."

Zhu Chuyun exclaimed with envy, "To become so much stronger without anyone noticing, it’s truly... Little Junior Sister has had great luck recently! First, she found a sweetheart, and now her cultivation has soared! Huh!"

"Speak!" Gao Jingxuan commanded.

Zhu Chuyun glanced at Yi Xiaoru, pursed her lips, and smiled. "Master, perhaps it’s better left unsaid!"

"Enough nonsense!" Gao Jingxuan huffed.

Zhu Chuyun chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Master, I'm just guessing, so I'll tell you!"

"You insolent girl, are you forcing me to demand it?" Gao Jingxuan said testily.

Yi Xiaoru asked, "Senior Sister, what exactly happened?"

"Hee hee, the root of it lies with your sweetheart!" Zhu Chuyun said, blushing slightly. "His cultivation is so deep; he must have transmitted it to you, right?"

"How could that be..." Yi Xiaoru blushed and shook her head.

"Hmph, you were yelling so loudly last night!" Zhu Chuyun chided, her face red.

Gao Jingxuan quickly shouted, "Little Yun!"

She also flushed, snorting impatiently. "Enough! You two go practice on your own!" She turned and walked away. Yi Xiaoru glared at her sister in embarrassment, "Senior Sister, how can you say anything?!"

Zhu Chuyun returned the glare, her face crimson. "I was only speaking hypothetically. You were much bolder—daring to do that in front of Master! You two really are...!"

"Siii—nior Sister—!" Yi Xiaoru cried out in mortified anger and lunged to tickle her.

Zhu Chuyun yelped and scrambled away, as that was what she feared most.

The two girls tumbled into play-fighting. After a while, Li Muzhan made a sound from within the room. Zhu Chuyun shoved Yi Xiaoru, "Your Master is awake, go serve him quickly!"

Yi Xiaoru glared at her with a flushed face but went over anyway.

Just then, footsteps sounded. Zhu Chuyun and Yi Xiaoru looked up and instantly broke into joyous smiles. "Senior Sister Cheng!"

A beautiful woman in a goose-yellow silk robe drifted into view, tall and slender, with long eyebrows and bright eyes, possessing a calm, gentle expression and graceful movements.

Li Muzhan, seeing the beautiful woman from inside the room and hearing the address, knew this must be their Senior Sister, Cheng Lian.

The two girls rushed forward, each grabbing a hand, exclaiming happily, "Senior Sister Cheng, you're finally back!"

Cheng Lian smiled. "When did you all return?"

"We've been back for several days!" Zhu Chuyun replied cheerfully. "We've been waiting for you, Senior Sister!"

"Is Master in?" Cheng Lian asked.

Zhu Chuyun said, "Yes, Senior Sister Cheng, come inside quickly!"

Yi Xiaoru returned to the room shortly after. Li Muzhan was leaning casually on the couch, relaxed and at ease.

Yi Xiaoru brought him his clothes. "Hurry and get up, Senior Sister Cheng is back!"

Li Muzhan commented, "Your Senior Sister Cheng's cultivation isn't low!"

Yi Xiaoru nodded gently. "Yes, Senior Sister Cheng's aptitude is excellent, and she is also diligent. She is the one destined to inherit the Hidden Sect."

Li Muzhan frowned. "She will inherit the Hidden Sect?"

Yi Xiaoru nodded. "Yes. In terms of martial arts, Senior Sister Cheng is the best, and her methods are meticulous and thorough—we are far behind her!"

"I see!" Li Muzhan replied.

Yi Xiaoru urged him again, "Hurry up and get dressed; don't be rude."

Li Muzhan smiled slyly, "It seems you hold Senior Sister Cheng in high regard!"

"Naturally." Yi Xiaoru nodded quickly. "Senior Sister Cheng raised me since I was young. Master was always busy cultivating martial arts back then and didn't have time to manage us."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly and said no more, dressing quickly before exiting the room to meet Cheng Lian.

Cheng Lian treated him gently and warmly, as if they were family, showing him no neglect. Li Muzhan inwardly praised her skill.

He also understood that Cheng Lian treated him this way out of respect for Yi Xiaoru; she wasn't truly warm toward him but maintained a careful reserve and wariness, only not showing it outwardly.

Yi Xiaoru, though intelligent and quick-witted, seemed somewhat naive and lacking in worldly experience compared to Cheng Lian; her composure was less profound.

At breakfast, the four sat around one table, chatting like a family while they ate.

"Senior Sister Cheng, was your trip smooth this time?" Zhu Chuyun asked.

Cheng Lian nodded lightly. "Yes, it was fine."

She was elegant and composed; even picking up and eating food was done slowly and deliberately, displaying a composure that surpassed the other two women—a different kind of grace.

Zhu Chuyun smiled. "Was there any interesting news?"

Cheng Lian paused in thought, then slowly nodded. "There was indeed a major event that shook the world!"

"Tell us!" Zhu Chuyun immediately urged.

Cheng Lian smiled faintly. "Have you all heard of the Zishang Palace?"

"Zishang Palace?" Zhu Chuyun thought for a moment, then shook her head, looking at Yi Xiaoru. "Junior Sister Yi, you usually handle these matters; have you heard of it?"

Yi Xiaoru nodded lightly. "Zishang Palace? Yes, I know. They offended the Longshan Sect a while ago, and it was rumored the Longshan Sect destroyed them. As far as I know, they went into hiding; the Longshan Sect found nothing."

She spoke composedly, reflecting as she spoke, without looking at Li Muzhan.

"Offended the Longshan Sect?" Cheng Lian considered, shaking her head. "That's quite troublesome!"

Yi Xiaoru eagerly prompted, "Senior Sister, hurry and tell us! What is the world-shaking event, and how is it related to the Zishang Palace?"

"Don't rush. Let me take a sip of soup," Cheng Lian replied with a slight smile, slowly picking up her spoon and bringing the soup to her mouth, elegant and calm, her movements very slow.

Zhu Chuyun and Yi Xiaoru stared at her intently, watching her sip the soup deliberately. They felt antsy, like cats scratching at something. Gao Jingxuan also watched them, shaking her head secretly—this Cheng Lian still had a hint of girlishness about her!

"Senior Sister Cheng—!" Seeing that she was about to ladle another spoonful, Zhu Chuyun exclaimed in mock protest. (To be continued)