That day, Han Lie took Xiao Qingge to the Qingzhou City Lord’s Mansion to formally meet Han Zhentian and Li Susu.

Upon entering the estate, Han Lie finally witnessed the sheer, terrifying power of Xiao Qingge’s social maneuvering. It was weaponized charm. Despite it being her first visit, she showed not a hint of shyness or reservation. She latched onto Li Susu immediately, her conversation flowing like water.

She knew exactly what to say to tickle Li Susu’s delight, her timing impeccable, often sending Han Lie’s mother into fits of hearty laughter. By the end of the visit, both Han Zhentian and Li Susu were thoroughly charmed, nodding in extreme satisfaction at this “future daughter-in-law.”

They stayed at the City Lord’s Mansion for about ten days.

Estimating that the agreed-upon time with Xiao Yuruo was approaching, Han Lie bade farewell to his parents and escorted Xiao Qingge back to the sect.

“Brother, I’ll go back first. You must come find me whenever you have time!”

“Definitely.” Han Lie smiled and waved.

“Brother, I’m leaving now… I’ll miss you!”

She took a few steps, then suddenly spun around, ran back, and planted a quick peck on his lips before skipping away toward Spirit Treasure Peak, her face glowing with happiness.

Han Lie watched her disappear into the distance before turning back toward his small wooden cabin at the Violet Heaven Palace.

Inside, Xiao Zi was still curled up under the bed, deep in hibernation. It seemed her breakthrough to the Golden Core Perfection stage wasn’t quite finished. Han Lie didn’t disturb her.

He spent the next two days cleaning the Violet Heaven Palace inside and out. Once his affairs were in order, he descended the mountain alone and headed for the Clear Breeze House in Qingzhou City.

“Excuse me, are you Daoist Han Lie?”

He had barely taken a seat when a young attendant approached.

Han Lie nodded.

The attendant pulled a sealed envelope from his robe and placed it reverently on the table. “Daoist Han, someone entrusted our humble establishment to deliver this to you. Please accept it.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

Once the attendant retreated, Han Lie slit the envelope open.

[To Han Lie:]

[Daoist Han, I wish to offer you a sincere apology. I have spent this time in reflection, and I have realized that we are not suitable for one another. My Master is correct; you are a disciple of a Demonic Sect, and I am of the Righteous Path. We are as incompatible as fire and water.]

[Please do not wait for me. I will not be coming. The next time we meet, regardless of the circumstances, I will not hesitate to draw my sword against you. This is the highest respect I can offer you.]

[Signed: Xiao Yuruo]

Han Lie finished reading, his brow furrowing slightly.

The tone… it mimicked Xiao Yuruo’s style, certainly. But something felt off. The entire letter reeked of dissonance, like a song played in the wrong key.

“Heh… interesting.”

After a long silence, Han Lie let out a soft chuckle, the tension in his shoulders releasing. He didn’t burn the letter; instead, he carefully folded it and tucked it into his storage ring. This piece of paper might prove useful later.

He didn’t believe for a second that this was a genuine breakup letter written by Xiao Yuruo of her own free will.

His interactions with her had been brief, but intense. He had a read on her character. If Xiao Yuruo truly wanted to sever ties, she was the type to stand before him, sword in hand, and look him in the eye while she did it. She would never hide behind a courier and a sheet of paper.

There was only one possibility: she was being coerced, or the letter was a forgery.

However, Han Lie didn’t linger. He left Qingzhou City immediately.

He wasn’t foolish enough to storm the Myriad Sword Pavilion demanding a face-to-face confrontation. Charging into a hostile sect’s headquarters right now would be no different from serving himself up on a silver platter. He knew he would cross paths with Xiao Yuruo again. When that time came, he would return this letter to her.

“Since the Xiao Yuruo lead is cold for now…”

Outside the city gates, Han Lie weighed his options.

He decided to honor his pact with Qin Lianyi. Years ago, he had promised her that once he attained the Nascent Soul stage, he would return to Qin Yang City and accompany her to face the Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty. Since Xiao Yuruo had been delayed by “unforeseen circumstances,” he would prioritize the Qin family matters.

Han Lie had a pretty good guess as to what had happened to Xiao Yuruo after her return to the Myriad Sword Pavilion, so he wasn’t overly anxious. She was alive; that was enough for now.

Decision made, Han Lie launched himself into the sky.

The first time he traveled to the Great Qin Dynasty with Zhuo Hongyi, the journey had taken ten grueling days. Now, as a Nascent Soul powerhouse, he tore through the distance, arriving at the border city in just a few hours.

After spending a thousand Spirit Stones to grease a few palms, he bypassed the bureaucratic red tape and entered the country without incident.

Returning to Qin Yang City felt familiar. He navigated the streets with ease, heading straight for the Zhuo Mansion, intending to stay there for a few days.

But when he arrived, he stopped dead in his tracks.

The entrance to the Zhuo Mansion was heavily guarded.

And these weren’t the Zhuo family’s private guards. The soldiers wore the distinct armor of the City Commandant’s forces—official state troops.

“Something’s wrong.”

Sensing the danger, Han Lie didn’t approach. He blended into the pedestrian traffic, walking past the mansion as if he were just another passerby. He circled back to a nearby teahouse, sat by a window, and analyzed what he had just seen.

“It shouldn’t be like this…” Han Lie muttered, drumming his fingers on the table.

The Zhuo Family was a branch of the nobility. Even if their influence had waned, falling to the point of being under house arrest—or worse—in just ten years was absurd.

No, five years. It was only five years ago that Zhuo Hongyi inherited Ancestor Zhuo’s cultivation and returned to the Heavenly Void Sect.

Unless… Mu Feng? Or perhaps the Minister of War was finally making a move to crush the Zhuo lineage completely?

But Han Lie clearly remembered asking Qin Lianyi to look after the Zhuo Family before he left. Had she failed? Or was the political pressure too great even for her?

Hiss…

Possibilities swirled in his mind, but speculation was useless. He needed facts.

“Forget it.”

Han Lie downed his tea. There was no point guessing. He would sneak in tonight and ask Zhuo Cheng directly.

Night fell over Qin Yang City.

The perimeter of the Zhuo Mansion remained locked down. The guard rotation was tight; a fly couldn’t squeeze through without being swatted.

However, to a Nascent Soul cultivator, these mortal soldiers were little more than statues.

Han Lie found a secluded alleyway in the blind spot of the patrols. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he tore a small rift in space—a simple blink technique—and stepped through the void, bypassing the walls and wards entirely.

He reappeared silently inside the estate.

The atmosphere was desolate. He made his way to the main hall.

Zhuo Cheng sat in the master’s chair at the head of the room. He was alone.

Compared to ten years ago, the man looked like a ghost of his former self. His temples were completely gray, and deep lines of exhaustion carved his face. He looked as though he had aged decades in a handful of years.

“Uncle Zhuo?”

Han Lie stepped out of the shadows, his voice soft.

Zhuo Cheng, who had been staring blankly at the floor, flinched. He slowly raised his head, his eyes unfocused and dim. He stared at Han Lie for a long time, squinting as if trying to recall a dream.

“You… you are Han Lie?!”

“It’s me, Uncle Zhuo,” Han Lie nodded, stepping into the light.

The moment recognition dawned, Zhuo Cheng’s face didn’t light up with hope—it twisted in sheer terror.

He scrambled up from his chair, waving his hands frantically.

“Go! Leave! Quickly!” Zhuo Cheng hissed, his voice trembling. “The Zhuo Family is finished… we are beyond saving! Just go! I entrust Hongyi to you—take care of her!”