The manor was large and felt empty, with few residents, now even more desolate.
At a glance, white silk hung everywhere in the manor, and everyone visible wore expressions of grief.
Without needing guidance, moments later, Zhang Ruochen stood outside the memorial hall.
In the hall, a coffin made of ten-thousand-year ice jade was placed, exuding cold air, faintly revealing a person lying inside.
Besides the coffin, only one other person was in the hall—Gusong Zi.
Sensing someone’s arrival, Gusong Zi turned his head.
Upon seeing Zhang Ruochen, Gusong Zi rushed out, grabbed his collar, and roared, “Aren’t you supposed to be with your Fairy of a Hundred Flowers, Ling Feiyu? What are you doing here?”
“Let me in. I want to see Lingxi,” Zhang Ruochen said, trembling.
Gusong Zi shoved him back, eyes full of grief and anger, pointing at him, “Zhang Ruochen, you’re a bastard. When you were inseparable from Ji Fanchen, did you ever think of Lingxi? Poor Lingxi waited here for you, but in the end, she didn’t get to see you.”
“Now that Lingxi is gone, what’s the point of you coming here? Get lost. I don’t want to see you, and neither does Lingxi.”
The commotion quickly drew others—familiar faces: Fourth Brother Zhang Shaochu and Ninth Sister Zhang Yuxi.
Zhang Yuxi stormed over, eyes red, “Ninth Brother, I’m disappointed in you. You let Lingxi down. She was so good to our family, treating Mother like her own, and what did you do?”
With that, Zhang Yuxi turned and left, unwilling to look at Zhang Ruochen again.
Zhang Shaochu approached slowly, patted Zhang Ruochen’s shoulder, and sighed, “Ninth Brother, my condolences. This was something none of us expected.”
Zhang Ruochen said nothing, only stepping toward the memorial hall.
“Bang.”
Gusong Zi struck, pushing Zhang Ruochen back with a palm.
“I told you, Lingxi doesn’t want to see you. Get out,” Gusong Zi roared.
Zhang Ruochen remained silent, continuing forward.
Gusong Zi’s eyes blazed with fury, striking several more palms, forcing Zhang Ruochen to retreat repeatedly.
From start to finish, Zhang Ruochen didn’t speak or fight back, letting Gusong Zi’s palms hit him.
Seeing Gusong Zi about to strike again, Zhang Shaochu intervened, “Senior, stop. Let Ninth Brother go in!”
By then, Shoushu had followed, quickly pulling Gusong Zi back.
With no obstacles, Zhang Ruochen finally entered the hall, step by step, approaching the ten-thousand-year ice jade coffin.
At last, he saw Mu Lingxi, lying quietly in the coffin, looking serene, as if asleep.
“Lingxi, why were you so foolish?”
Zhang Ruochen reached out, gently touching Mu Lingxi’s face.
Even before entering, he’d held a sliver of hope that Mu Lingxi wasn’t dead, just playing a prank.
But now, his last hope shattered. Mu Lingxi’s body was cold, with no trace of life. She was truly gone.
Losing Mu Lingxi, Zhang Ruochen truly understood heartache. His world turned grey, devoid of colour.
Reflecting on their journey, Mu Lingxi had always given silently, but what had he given her? He’d made her sad and hurt repeatedly, failing even to fulfil the simple request of companionship.
“Lingxi, I’m sorry. I came too late. I let you down.” Zhang Ruochen’s eyes grew sore, tears he hadn’t shed in ages flowing now.
“Let’s go. Let Ninth Brother stay here alone. He must be hurting,” Zhang Shaochu sighed, leading the others out.
“I should’ve come sooner. The moment I returned to Kunlun Realm, I should’ve found you.”
“You should’ve known, even if you were just a mortal, I’d never abandon you.”
“I trained so hard to give you, to give everyone, a better future, to hold up the sky for you. You didn’t need to push so hard…”
…
Zhang Ruochen’s voice choked, raising his head, trying to hold back tears.
“Don’t worry. I’ll bring you back, no matter the cost. I’ll take you to the Moon God. There must be a way… there has to be. You have to live. I won’t let you die…”
Zhang Ruochen leaned down, about to lift Mu Lingxi’s body to take her to the Heavenly Court.
But…
He froze.
Mu Lingxi had sat up in the coffin, her beautiful eyes smiling at him, playfully saying, “You say I can’t die, so I can’t? How domineering!”
Before Zhang Ruochen could react, Mu Lingxi stood, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her crystal-clear lips to his.
Time seemed to stop. Zhang Ruochen was stunned, his mind blank.
Only when Mu Lingxi’s soft, wet tongue parted his lips, touching his, did he snap back.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly, kissing her back.
“What’s going on? She’s alive? Can someone tell me what happened?” Shoushu muttered outside, dazed.
Gusong Zi stroked his beard, a satisfied smile on his face.
Then, he smacked Shoushu and Zhang Shaochu, glaring, “What are you looking at? Move.”
Before they could respond, Gusong Zi dragged them away.
In the hall, Zhang Ruochen and Mu Lingxi’s kiss lingered.
He lifted her from the coffin, holding her close, afraid to let go, fearing she’d vanish.
“Too much. Everyone tricked me. Your idea, right?” Zhang Ruochen said.
Mu Lingxi looked up, meeting his gaze, nervously asking, “Are you mad?”
Zhang Ruochen smiled, shaking his head, “Of course not. When I thought you were gone, I realised how important you are to me.”
“Lingxi, I’m sorry.”
“It’s all my fault. The Drunken Madman and Gusong Zi were right. I should’ve come to you the moment I returned to Kunlun Realm, not let you worry.”
Knowing Mu Lingxi’s personality, if she’d truly forced the ancestor’s inheritance, this could’ve been real.
If that day came, he’d be filled with regret.
Mu Lingxi nestled into his chest, smiling sweetly, nodding, “Mm, I’ll always be by your side. You live, I live; you die, I die.”
Zhang Ruochen’s heart trembled, holding her tighter.
From this moment, their lives were intertwined. For Mu Lingxi, he had to live well.
“Hahaha, Zhang Ruochen, even you cry!” The Drunken Madman burst in, laughing.
Gusong Zi, Shoushu, Zhang Shaochu, and Zhang Yuxi followed.
“Old Drunkard, how’s my fake death pill? Zhang Ruochen didn’t suspect a thing,” Gusong Zi said smugly.
The Drunken Madman nodded, “You nailed it. This was well done.”
“Pity Lingxi woke too soon. We acted our hearts out for nothing,” Gusong Zi sighed.
The Drunken Madman glared, “What do you know? Lingxi felt bad for Zhang Ruochen. But, Zhang Ruochen, we need to talk. This isn’t Lingxi’s fault. It’s yours. It’s been so long, and you only now came to Phoenix Lake. You didn’t take Lingxi seriously.”
“Exactly. I’ve seen Lingxi sitting by the lake, lost in thought. You don’t care, but we do,” Zhang Yuxi added.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen felt deep guilt, realising he owed Mu Lingxi so much.
Before he could speak, Mu Lingxi grinned mischievously, “It’s not as complicated as you make it. I just wanted to surprise Zhang Ruochen.”
“More like a scare,” Shoushu muttered.
“Alright, tidy up the manor. I’ll make some dishes, and we’ll have a good gathering later,” Mu Lingxi said, giggling as she left.
“Lingxi, I’ll help,” Zhang Yuxi hurried after.
Zhang Ruochen stood still, gazing at Mu Lingxi’s departing figure.
“Cherish those with you. Don’t regret it when they’re gone,” Gusong Zi said, patting his shoulder meaningfully.
Regardless of Zhang Ruochen’s ties with other women, they hoped he and Mu Lingxi would stay together.
Life was unpredictable, and they genuinely wished to soon attend Zhang Ruochen and Mu Lingxi’s wedding, fulfilling a wish.
Of course, this was their matter, and no matter how eager others were, they couldn’t decide for them.
“Cherish those with you,” Zhang Ruochen murmured.
He should cherish Mu Lingxi and give her a proper place sooner.
He’d considered this before, but the chaotic situation in Kunlun Realm left him no time for such matters.
For now, the priority was to increase his cultivation strength. Only then could he protect those he cared about.
The Drunken Madman and Gusong Zi worked quickly, soon removing all the white silk, dispelling the oppressive atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Zhang Shaochu led Zhang Ruochen to a small courtyard.
This was where Concubine Lin lived, visited only by Mu Lingxi, Zhang Shaochu, and Zhang Yuxi.
Both Zhang Shaochu and Zhang Yuxi’s mothers were gone, so they treated Concubine Lin as their own. When Zhang Ruochen was away, they cared for her.
“Fourth Brother, thank you and Ninth Sister for these years,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhang Shaochu slung an arm around his shoulder, laughing, “We’re brothers. No need for that. Besides, we didn’t do much. Lingxi’s the one who’s been tirelessly caring for Mother. So, treat her well, or I won’t let you off.”
Zhang Ruochen nodded, “Don’t worry. I won’t let Lingxi down, or I wouldn’t forgive myself.”
“Good. That’s my Ninth Brother. Let’s go see Mother Lin. She’s missed you all these years. She’ll be thrilled to see you,” Zhang Shaochu urged.
Zhang Ruochen said no more, stepping into the courtyard. After years away, how could he not miss his mother?
