Gathering and Parting Like the Wind, Sweeping Away

Marquis Li's Residence.

A large crowd of people lay prostrate on the ground—servants and lavishly dressed noblewomen alike. The scene was eerily silent, the sound of their rapid breaths clearly audible.

Chu Xingchen swept his gaze over them before letting out a soft sigh.

It seemed most of the household was gathered here.

Back then, Li Yingling had told him she was merely "not doing well." But this…

Minister Wang had already sent someone to summon him.

Yet the commotion here was far from subtle, likely alerting their target.

Still, whether he came or not hardly mattered.

If Minister Wang refused to appear, did that mean Chu Xingchen wouldn’t go to him?

A monk may flee, but the temple remains.

Chu Xingchen knew his eldest disciple well—she was unlikely to resort to wholesale slaughter.

Li Yingling had come primarily for her late mother—to give her peace and sever her last ties to this place.

As for these people? They were likely just background noise.

But whatever Li Yingling chose to do, Chu Xingchen would stand by her.

Seated in a chair, his eyes drifted over the figures below.

Behind him, Chen Baiqing sat with a frosty expression.

She had listened silently during Yingling’s conversation with their master on the way here.

Though she hadn’t spoken a word, that didn’t mean she had nothing to say.

If it were her, Chen Baiqing might have remained silent. But when it came to her senior sister being wronged? Unacceptable.

Yingling had always been kind, treating her with nothing but warmth.

She didn’t deserve this.

Chen Baiqing’s icy stare fixed on the prostrated steward. Their master was right—they had to protect everyone in their sect.

Time dragged like a blunt knife, slowly fraying the nerves of those below.

Like an executioner’s blade suspended mid-fall, stretching the torment endlessly.

Even harder to swallow was how the former "lowborn wretch" had transformed into a disciple of a prestigious sect.

In the past, though none dared lay hands on her, mocking words and sneers had flown freely.

Now, even those who had merely jeered knelt among the rest.

Wen Qing stood composed behind them, silent as time crawled by.

Until Li Yingling and Li Xingtian returned.

Li Yingling’s eyes were red-rimmed. She ignored the kneeling crowd, her gaze locking onto her master before she finally broke.

"Shifu…" she sobbed, collapsing into his arms, tears streaming down her face.

Li Xingtian’s expression was equally grim. Chu Xingchen could tell—he was genuinely furious now.

Chu Xingchen gently patted her shoulder.

"What happened? Tell me. I’ll make it right."

"I… I couldn’t… find it."

Her tears soaked his robes as he murmured, "It’s alright. I’ll help you look."

Li Yingling didn’t answer, only shaking her head faintly between sobs.

Qiu Ling entered from outside, scanning the scene before exchanging a glance with Wen Qing. A slight shake of her head confirmed the worst.

But Li Yingling’s reaction defied all expectations.

"Shifu, let’s go… I don’t want to stay here anymore," she pleaded.

To her, this place was now only pain.

She didn’t know how to face them—she couldn’t slaughter them all, not when some had merely hurled insults.

Silence followed her words.

Then Chen Baiqing’s small hand clutched her sleeve.

The girl’s lips trembled, her own eyes welling up. Seeing her senior sister hurt made her ache too.

Chu Xingchen spoke softly, "My mistake. I shouldn’t have brought you here."

Li Yingling shook her head again, wordless.

"Alright, we’ll leave. Your future achievements will make these blind fools realize what they’ve lost."

"They’ll spend their lives drowning in regret."

A faint nod, then she pulled away, turning to face Marquis Li. She stared at him for a long moment before speaking for the first time:

"Plant that mass grave with orchids."

Her mother had once murmured in her sleep—how she loved the orchids he gave her.

Yet no one had ever gifted her a single bloom.

---

At dawn the next day, Li Yingling slipped out alone from the Destiny Pavilion where the Xuanwu Kingdom had housed them.

On a hillside overlooking the mass grave, she watched Marquis Li’s servants sow orchid seeds under Wen Qing’s supervision.

She didn’t know if this was right, but she had spared them all.

Her master had spent fortunes to arrange this grand display, promising beforehand that no matter what, he’d shield her from consequences.

She’d come prepared—with a list of despised targets, plans to make them suffer.

Yet seeing them trembling on the ground brought no joy, no satisfaction.

Only a hollow, conflicted ache.

Her mother had never hated the Marquis’ household, blaming only her own weakness.

Li Yingling couldn’t bring herself to act in her mother’s name, not when it might sadden her spirit.

Perhaps the only closure was to walk away, cutting ties forever.

A thought surfaced—Mother, am I useless?

"What’s on your mind?"

Her master’s voice came from behind.

Turning, she found not just him, but her junior siblings too.

Chen Baiqing barreled into her with tiny legs.

"Don’t be sad, Senior Sister! Baiqing will buy you candy!"

Li Yingling stroked her head gently. "Alright…"

Li Xingtian, ever awkward with words, managed only:

"Senior Sister… don’t grieve too much."

She rewarded him with a bright smile.

A breeze stirred.

"Shifu!" Li Yingling inhaled deeply. "Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me!"

"Meeting you was my fortune too," Chu Xingchen replied, sincerity ringing in his voice.

Chen Baiqing piped up, "Baiqing is super lucky to have Shifu, Senior Sister, and Senior Brother too!"

Li Xingtian stayed silent, but his smile said enough.

This time, Chu Xingchen found his second disciple’s expression far more pleasing.

Li Yingling didn’t linger, soon urging them to leave the valley.

---

At the capital’s eastern market, she held Chen Baiqing’s hand before a sweetshop, buying local candies.

The Li Yingling of old seemed to have returned, cheerfully treating her junior sister.

Li Xingtian observed them quietly before glancing at his master.

After a pause, he spoke abruptly:

"Shifu, let’s dine together sometime."

Chu Xingchen stared at him, stunned.

Li Yingling and Chen Baiqing blinked in surprise.

What had gotten into the boy today?

Since when did he initiate meals?