“Gu Xiu, you destroyed my path to enlightenment, severed my future. I never wish to see your face again!”

“Today, I spare your life only because of the bond we shared five hundred years ago.”

“But from now on, I will hate you for a lifetime. I will curse you through all your reincarnations, that you may forever fall into the cycle of rebirth, suffering for all eternity with no place to rest in death!!!”

…

Late at night, in a forest cave.

Gu Xiu abruptly opened his eyes, sat up, and wiped his forehead, finding it already damp with cold sweat.

“Dreaming of people from the Qingxuan Holy Land again?” Gu Xiu sighed, feeling somewhat unsettled. He could only whisper softly to himself: “In this life, I am indebted to no one.”

“The one I am indebted to…”

“Is only myself!”

As these words left his mouth, the turmoil in his heart finally began to fade.

However, although his emotions had calmed, Gu Xiu inevitably thought of Qin Moran. Five hundred years ago, she had most enjoyed composing poetry and copying texts with him. Immediately after, he recalled her various cold attitudes towards him over the past three years.

Shaking his head, Gu Xiu muttered, “Although I destroyed one opportunity for you, it was only to save you.”

“Our fate in this life is exhausted.”

“From now on, we owe each other nothing!”

With this thought, Gu Xiu’s emotions became completely calm and steady again, without the slightest fluctuation. Even when thinking of Qin Moran again, no distracting thoughts arose.

Just then, footsteps approached. Moments later, Ye Hongling returned carrying her red-tasseled spear, her face full of excitement.

“We have completely shaken off our pursuers now!”

Five days had passed since that moonlit night with three kills.

During these five days, Gu Xiu and Ye Hongling had been fleeing and hiding in the forest, encountering enemy bandits several times along the way. However, they had managed to get through each time without major incident. As for the poison in Ye Hongling’s body, it had been completely neutralized by the third day of their escape.

The enemies likely sensed something as well, as their pursuit had noticeably decreased over the following two days. By today, they hadn’t seen a single enemy.

Earlier, Ye Hongling went out to scout and confirmed that no one was following them anymore. This meant they had successfully broken through and shaken off those behind them!

This made Ye Hongling heave a long sigh of relief and feel immensely happy. However, glancing at Gu Xiu… as expected, he remained as before—his expression placid as water, as if nothing could disturb his state of mind.

To be honest, Ye Hongling was starting to get used to it.

Seeing Gu Xiu’s demeanor still cold and detached didn’t discourage her. Instead, she took out several cleaned wild rabbits. “Benefactor, I specifically caught a few rabbits. Today we’ll have a good feast to reward ourselves and treat our taste buds. I’ll also let you sample my cooking skills.”

For these five days, they had been constantly on the run, exposed to the elements. Forget eating well; being able to eat their fill was already a luxury.

Gu Xiu didn’t refuse but continued using his affinity with the Dao Rhyme of Heaven and Earth to sense their surroundings constantly, preparing for any danger.

Ye Hongling was unaware of this. As she skewered the rabbits over the fire and took out seasonings, she asked, “Benefactor, do you have any particular preferences regarding taste?”

“I’m not picky; anything is fine,” Gu Xiu replied.

“Mhm.” Ye Hongling nodded. After a moment, she finally couldn’t help but ask, “Benefactor, where are you heading on this journey?”

“Nowhere in particular; just wandering around.”

This answer made Ye Hongling roll her eyes inwardly. Over these five days, her understanding of Gu Xiu remained at zero. This was evident from her still calling him ‘Benefactor’. She didn’t even know his name—let alone where he came from, where he was going, what his cultivation level was, or which sect he belonged to.

She had tried asking for his name before, but Gu Xiu’s response at the time was simply: “You and I are merely engaged in a transaction; there is nothing worth remembering.” These words made Ye Hongling abandon further attempts at inquiry.

Soon, the rabbits were cooked. Midway through eating, Ye Hongling suddenly asked, “Benefactor, you never seem to have asked who those people chasing me were?”

“I’m not interested,” Gu Xiu shook his head.

“Why?”

Gu Xiu answered, “As a rogue cultivator, one must have a rogue cultivator’s awareness; too much curiosity is not a good thing.”

“Do you have friends?”

“I used to.”

“Used to?”

Gu Xiu didn’t elaborate.

Ye Hongling was burning with curiosity, though. The more she interacted with Gu Xiu these past few days, the less she seemed to understand him. This white-haired rogue cultivator before her seemed full of countless secrets from head to toe. Yet, she also knew propriety, so she didn’t press further.

But then, suddenly, it was Gu Xiu who raised an eyebrow first, saying, “Someone’s coming.”

Huh?

Ye Hongling tensed instantly. Yet moments later, upon hearing a series of somewhat dull clopping sounds approaching, she relaxed again. “That’s the sound of Red-hoof Black Steeds—it should be my fellow disciples!”

Sure enough, not long after, three riders atop three horses arrived near the cave entrance. Earlier, Ye Hongling had left special markers guiding them here.

Seeing that they were indeed allies, Ye Hongling stepped forward first. The three riders, seeing Ye Hongling, immediately gathered around, asking anxiously, “Hongling, are you alright?”

“Junior Sister Ye, are you injured?”

“The message said the Red Water Sect was pursuing you—why would they suddenly attack?”

These three weren’t weak. One was a middle-aged man exuding a powerful aura—unmistakably a Golden Core realm cultivator! The other two were also strong, possessing the same Foundation Establishment realm cultivation as Ye Hongling.

While these three were catching up with Ye Hongling, however, Gu Xiu’s attention wasn’t on them but rather focused on their mounts.

Those horses were pitch-black overall, with hooves that appeared to be aflame, leaving special imprints wherever they passed. They were unique beasts belonging solely to Tiance Mansion. Although Foundation Establishment cultivators could already fly via artifacts and Golden Core cultivators could traverse the void directly, the charge speed of Tiance Mansion mounts was not slow at all. Plus, during combat, they received technique enhancements that were quite marvelous.

“Uncle-Master, two Senior Brothers, regarding the Red Water Sect matter, allow Hongling to explain the details upon return.” After a few words, she remembered her companion beside her, saying, “This benefactor saved me this time. If not for him, I likely would have perished within the Tian Qi Mountain Range.”

Instantly, all three noticed Gu Xiu. Though somewhat curious how a mere Qi Refining third-layer cultivator could save Ye Hongling, they still politely nodded towards him.

Except for one handsome young cavalryman. Seeing how close Ye Hongling stood next to Gu Xiu, he couldn’t help frowning slightly. Yet he didn’t comment, instead showing concern by stepping closer towards her and asking, “Junior Sister, are you injured?”

“Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao, for your concern. Hongling has recovered quite a bit already.” She instinctively sidestepped, avoiding giving him a chance to approach her.

This subconscious action made Senior Brother Zhao frown even more. Watching her distance herself from him yet move closer towards Gu Xiu, he couldn’t help glancing at the latter once more.

“The Red Water Sect attacking our Tiance Mansion personnel is a grave matter. We should return and report quickly,” the Golden Core cultivator spoke up.

Thus, all mounted up immediately. Senior Brother Zhao extended an invitation towards her first, saying, “Junior Sister, ride with me.”

“Thank you for Senior Brother’s kindness, but Hongling can follow behind just fine.” She refused again, making Senior Brother Zhao stiffen awkwardly.

Another disciple smoothed things over, laughing, “Haha, Hongling is a girl after all. How about this? Hongling, take mine instead. I’ll ride with Senior Brother Zhao.”

He offered his own Red-hoof Black Steed. This time, she didn’t refuse. Yet after mounting, she actually extended an invitation towards Gu Xiu, saying, “Benefactor, mount up. I will take you away from here.”

This stunned the other three, especially Senior Brother Zhao, whose eyes instantly locked onto Gu Xiu.

But contrary to expectations, Gu Xiu didn’t mount. Instead, he frowned, saying, “Don’t ride the horses.”

Huh?

All four were puzzled. Ye Hongling smiled, explaining, “Benefactor, these are Tiance Mansion’s unique Red-hoof Black Steeds. Their speed is not slower than flying artifacts, plus they conserve spiritual energy better.”

“Those pursuing us earlier know your identity. If they haven’t found us for so long, they will think you have reinforcements. They will also assume you have Red-hoof Black Steeds,” Gu Xiu said, shaking his head.

Surprised, Ye Hongling asked, “Benefactor, do you mean the pursuers haven’t given up?”

“Since they dared to pursue you, they must have a reason to kill you. Do you think they would give up?” Gu Xiu countered.

This… Ye Hongling furrowed her brows deeply.

Gu Xiu spoke again, “If I were them, I would definitely set an ambush targeting your Red-hoof Black Steeds specifically.”

This shocked Ye Hongling greatly. “Set an ambush?”

Just then, Senior Brother Zhao couldn’t help scoffing, laughing disdainfully. “You think we are lowly Qi Refining cultivators like you?”

The other two were also somewhat amused. They felt he probably didn’t even know what cultivation levels they were. One Golden Core leading three Foundation Establishment cultivators—such a force was not something ordinary bandits dared to scheme against. They looked towards Gu Xiu with curiosity, wanting to see what other ridiculous thoughts he might have.

But…

“If so, then we part ways here.” Unexpectedly, Gu Xiu directly proposed parting ways. He didn’t argue or debate; he simply suggested separation.

“Benefactor…” Ye Hongling was somewhat surprised.

Just as she started to speak, she saw Gu Xiu say, “I promised to help you once. Now that you are safely reunited with your fellow disciples, consider the promise fulfilled. Thus, we part ways now.”

Finished speaking, he actually turned and walked away with hurried footsteps.

Watching his retreating back, Ye Hongling wanted to stop him, yet Senior Brother Zhao was already urging impatiently, “Junior Sister, the Red Water Sect matter is grave. Let’s hurry!”

“Yes, Junior Sister, let’s go quickly!”

“Although his cultivation is not high, he is exceptionally vigilant. Following us might make him feel uncomfortable instead.” The other two chimed in.

Hearing this, Ye Hongling hesitated. Finally, she nodded towards Gu Xiu’s retreating back, calling out loudly and gratefully with a sincere promise of future aid if ever needed. Then, the three urged their mounts forward. Accompanied by the thunder of hoofbeats, they swiftly departed.

While on the other side, after confirming they had gone far, Gu Xiu changed direction and continued onward.

Being a rogue cultivator required rogue cultivator self-awareness. Preserving oneself was always the wisest choice.

In situations like earlier, five hundred years ago, he might have argued, reasoned, tried to persuade, or even clashed unnecessarily with that Senior Brother Zhao. But now, his mindset had changed. Mentioning it once was considered being a decent person; beyond that, there was no need to persuade.

Besides…

Looking at the darkening sky, Gu Xiu immediately found another hidden cave concealed inside the forest. Then, he took out the green bamboo rod.

This green bamboo rod could fish once every ten days. Now, ten days had passed!