The Ruined Tomb at Longshan Temple 28 by Hu Qiuyan

“Master Li, wait a moment. Young Master Yang has been struck by lightning and lies unconscious. It’s truly unwise for you to leave now,” called Hu Qiuyan, hastening to stop Li Xintian.

“Then let’s go visit Brother Zixin,” Li Xintian agreed, realizing it would indeed be inappropriate to depart so abruptly. Besides, he had forgotten to issue a warning. Yang Zhenye, despite being a scoundrel, possessed an admirable spirit; he had risked the wrath of thunder to save a demon fox. This act changed Li Xintian’s opinion of Yang somewhat, though his view of Yang’s character remained unchanged.

Li Xintian and the demon fox headed straight for Hu Na’s boudoir.

There, Hu Na pressed her lips to Yang Zhenye’s, gently exhaled a radiant red demon orb into his mouth, then smoothed it down his throat, ensuring it reached his abdomen.

Yang Zhenye’s complexion improved significantly.

With her demon orb separated from her body, Hu Na felt a wave of weakness, her head spinning. Hu Qiuyan hurried forward to support her, chiding, “Sister, how could you be so foolish?”

“Elder sister, Young Master Yang was struck by lightning to save me. If giving my demon orb can revive him, I’m willing to do it,” Hu Na replied, leaning weakly into Hu Qiuyan’s arms.

A demon orb forms only after five hundred years of cultivation; a demon pill requires over a thousand. Though Hu Na had lost her orb and was frail, her five centuries of cultivation remained, preserving her human form and preventing her return to her original shape. She would now need to resume her secluded practice to forge a new orb.

Li Xintian witnessed this scene and couldn’t help but envy Yang Zhenye’s luck.

Yang Zhenye soon regained consciousness. His attendant helped him sit at the bedside and explained that Hu Na had healed his thunder injuries with her demon orb, and that the thunder calamity had been dispelled single-handedly by Li Xintian.

“Miss Hu, you placed your demon orb in my abdomen—what about you?” Yang Zhenye asked upon hearing the attendant’s explanation.

“If I hadn’t done so, you wouldn’t have survived,” Hu Na answered with a smile, pleased to see him awake.

“That orb is your life, your root—how could you give it up for me?” Yang Zhenye felt the red demon orb in his abdomen, slowly mending his wounds.

“Young Master Yang, though this orb is the fruit of my life’s cultivation, I willingly give it to you. Perhaps you’ll need it in the future,” Hu Na said, managing to stand despite her lingering frailty, which would persist for some time.

“Miss Hu, I shall never forget your grace for as long as I live,” Yang Zhenye declared, bowing with clasped fists.

Li Xintian felt an urge to punch Yang Zhenye. Could he truly not see that Hu Na cared for him? Despite all his efforts and misunderstandings, Yang Zhenye gained nothing but luck. Li Xintian envied him deeply.

After the ordeal with the Thunder Eagle, Yang Zhenye spent a month recuperating at Hu Mansion before bidding farewell.

Li Xintian, meanwhile, had been honored as a distinguished guest by the demon foxes of Hu Mansion, though they still harbored some fear toward him. He proved amiable and showed no prejudice against their identities. Hu Qiuyan, in particular, sought his company daily.

Li Xintian found it difficult to avoid her, especially now that the truth was known. To shun her would be absurd.

“Brother Zhixian, why not attend my wedding?” Yang Zhenye invited Li Xintian, for he was returning home to wed Qi Hui, and Li Xintian, as his close friend, was first on the guest list.

“Very well. With nothing else to do, I’ll attend Brother Zixin’s wedding,” Li Xintian agreed.

As they departed, Hu Changyun attempted to assign Hu Qiuyan to care for Li Xintian, but he declined.

Hu Qiuyan’s eyes were reddened as she watched the three men leave.

“Alas, Qiuyan, Master Li is a man of propriety. By acting thus, you preserve your reputation. It’s best to return,” Hu Changyun sighed, understanding her feelings and offering comfort.

Hu Qiuyan hung her head, quietly weeping.

“Sister, Master Li is such a good man—don’t let him slip away. If you like him, go after him. I’ll support you,” Hu Na said, also mourning. She knew Yang Zhenye’s heart belonged to Qi Hui, so Hu Qiuyan now had an opportunity; Li Xintian was unattached.

“Ah, you child, how can you speak to your elder sister that way? If Master Li turns her away, how will she hold her head high?” Hu Changyun, versed in propriety, knew that a woman cast aside would be disgraced, like Madame Chen.

“Sister, don’t listen to Father. I’ve come to know Master Li’s character these past days. He wouldn’t turn you away—he’d keep you by his side. I support you,” Hu Na ignored Hu Changyun, instead encouraging Hu Qiuyan to pursue Li Xintian.

Hu Qiuyan was swayed. Her interactions with Li Xintian had been awkward, and she barely knew him. She raised her head and asked, “Sister, do you truly know Master Li?”

“Of course, sister. Rest assured, Master Li is righteous and treats us kindly, without prejudice. If you don’t trust me, you should trust his upright nature,” Hu Na said, hugging Hu Qiuyan’s arm.

“Very well, I’ll go,” Hu Qiuyan resolved, nodding firmly and departing.

Hu Changyun wanted to stop her, but ultimately let her go; otherwise, Qiuyan would languish in sorrow, better to let her pursue Li Xintian.

“Ah, you girl, supporting your sister—if she succeeds, all is well. If she fails, how will you comfort her?” Hu Changyun said before leaving.

“Master Li, don’t disappoint me—please keep my sister with you,” Hu Na murmured as she watched Qiuyan chase after Li Xintian and his companions, before closing the courtyard gate and retiring to her room, sorrowful herself.

Once Hu Na closed the gate, Hu Mansion vanished. Where it had stood, there was only an empty plot, no trace of courtyard.

“By the way, Brother Zhixian, with your talent, wouldn’t winning the top scholar’s title be as easy as taking something from your pocket? Why haven’t you tried for it?” Yang Zhenye asked as they walked.

Nowadays, a scholar without funds to bribe officials held only his title, no post. Only the palace exam could grant an official position. Thus, many scholars strove diligently, unlike Li Xintian, who traveled and possessed the power to subdue demons.

“My ambitions don’t lie with the imperial exams. Regardless, you must keep what we know a secret. No more careless talk,” Li Xintian replied. He had used his righteous energy several times, all learned from tales of gods and spirits. That energy was said to be extinct, yet Li Xintian controlled it, so he needed Yang Zhenye’s discretion. As for Hu Mansion, he had long since sworn them to secrecy.

“Of course, Brother Zhixian. I promise absolute secrecy—my attendant and I will never reveal anything,” Yang Zhenye insisted, admonishing his attendant as well.

Just then, a woman’s voice called out.

“Master Li, wait for me!” Hu Qiuyan, nearing Li Xintian, called out, fearing he might react defensively and unleash his righteous energy, which would be unpleasant.

Yang Zhenye and his attendant, seeing it was Hu Na’s elder sister, exchanged knowing glances, sharing a smile Li Xintian understood, then walked ahead, leaving him behind.

“Now I’m truly misunderstood. Seeing their smiles, clearly they think they know,” Li Xintian thought, uneasy at their expressions and Hu Qiuyan’s voice.

“Miss Hu, I haven’t left anything behind at your mansion,” Li Xintian said as she approached, feigning a search through his belongings.

Hu Qiuyan’s face flushed, her head lowered, shyly whispering, “There’s nothing of yours left at the mansion—it’s you who left me behind.”

“What?” Li Xintian was stunned as if struck by lightning. How could this demon fox utter such modern words of affection? He understood her feelings now—could ancient romance truly be so simple?