“Xin’er, why so impulsive? This isn’t like you.”
Fumo Xin’er’s grandmother said sternly.
“Lady Gusu, I was reckless. Please punish me.”
As she spoke, Fumo Xin’er stepped back and half-knelt, performing a gesture of apology.
Seeing this, Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun were dumbfounded, their fear intensifying.
They didn’t know who this elderly woman was.
But Fumo Xin’er’s reaction made it clear that this woman, in both status and strength, far surpassed her.
Just who was this formidable figure?
As members of the Long Clan, they were well-versed in the ways of the world.
Yet, they had never encountered these two individuals.
At this moment, Fumo Xin’er’s grandmother noticed the gazes of Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun.
She said nothing, merely extending her fingers and lightly tapping their foreheads.
In an instant, Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun froze, as if petrified.
After doing this, Fumo Xin’er’s grandmother turned to her.
“Get up. What crime is this?”
She said to Fumo Xin’er.
“Thank you, Lady Gusu.”
Fumo Xin’er bowed in gratitude before daring to stand.
“Lady Gusu, when did you return?”
Fumo Xin’er asked.
“I just got back.”
Her grandmother replied.
“Was it successful?”
Fumo Xin’er inquired.
“Successful,” her grandmother said with a smile, then added, “No need to beat around the bush, Xin’er. Speak your mind.”
“Well…”
Fumo Xin’er hesitated briefly before saying, “Lady Gusu, can we keep today’s events from the Young Master?”
“We can.”
“But Xin’er, answer me truthfully.”
Her grandmother asked.
“Please speak, Lady Gusu.”
Fumo Xin’er replied.
“Have you fallen for Chu Feng?”
Her grandmother asked.
“No, Xin’er wouldn’t dare.”
Fumo Xin’er shook her head repeatedly, but panic flickered in her beautiful eyes.
“Xin’er, I’m saying this for your own good. You must not fall for Chu Feng.”
“He’s a man you cannot love, understand?”
“If you do, even I won’t be able to help you.”
Her grandmother warned.
“Thank you for the reminder, Lady Gusu. Xin’er will keep it in mind.”
Fumo Xin’er nodded repeatedly.
“Alright, go back. I’ll handle things here.”
Her grandmother said.
“Xin’er understands.”
With that, Fumo Xin’er obediently left without lingering.
Her grandmother waved her sleeve.
The motion stirred no breeze.
Yet, Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun, previously kneeling, suddenly stood.
Not only did they stand, but they resumed the exact postures of their earlier conversation.
“Alas, ants have their own lives.”
“Deceit and scheming exist in every group.”
“That’s human nature, I suppose.”
Fumo Xin’er’s grandmother shook her head, looking at Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun, then vanished with a flicker of her form.
After both Fumo Xin’er and her grandmother had left, Long Ruiyun and Long Nanxun, previously frozen, suddenly came to.
Upon waking, they exchanged puzzled looks.
Something felt off, but they couldn’t pinpoint what.
“Young Master Nanxun, where were we in our conversation?” Long Ruiyun suddenly asked.
“Uh…” Long Nanxun thought for a moment before saying, “Grandma Ruiyun, you were telling me to look out for myself.”
“Oh.”
Long Ruiyun nodded, but her expression soon changed drastically as she touched her hair.
“Young Master Nanxun, where’s my Coiled Dragon Hairpin?”
She asked anxiously.
“The hairpin?”
“It was just on your head.”
Long Nanxun said.
“Just now?”
“How could that be?”
“It must have fallen somewhere. Young Master Nanxun, help me find it.”
As she spoke, Long Ruiyun rushed out the door.
Seeing this, Long Nanxun hurriedly followed.
The two began frantically searching for the hairpin.
Clearly, they had no memory of Fumo Xin’er’s appearance, nor of her grandmother’s visit.
They didn’t even recall how the hairpin had been lost.
…
The next day, Fumo Shaoyu finally arrived at the agreed-upon location.
He wasn’t alone, bringing a woman with him.
The woman wasn’t strikingly beautiful but was pleasant to look at, with a clean and simple charm.
Her skin was fair, her gaze clear, and her long hair tied in a simple ponytail.
Even her clothing was quite plain.
She was an unassuming girl, not immediately captivating but increasingly appealing the more one looked at her.
Seeing Fumo Shaoyu return, Chu Feng and Fumo Xin’er were delighted.
Just as they were about to greet him, the black-haired girl suddenly spoke to Chu Feng.
“Chu Feng?”
“Are you really Chu Feng?”
She asked repeatedly.
“I’m Chu Feng. May I ask who you are…”
Chu Feng inquired.
“Alright, lass, save your words for later.”
“I need to talk business with Brother Chu Feng first.”
Before the woman could respond, Fumo Shaoyu pushed her aside.
The woman was sensible and said no more, merely continuing to observe Chu Feng. The more she looked, the more disappointment filled her eyes.
“Hey, Brother Chu Feng, I missed you so much!”
Upon seeing Chu Feng, Fumo Shaoyu gave him a bear hug before grinning and asking, “So, how’s it been? Has my little sister caused you any trouble?”
“Have you two done anything… unspeakable?”
Fumo Shaoyu smirked mischievously.
“Brother, what nonsense are you spouting?”
“What unspeakable things?”
Fumo Xin’er’s face flushed, and she glared fiercely at Fumo Shaoyu.
“Unspeakable things are just things hard to describe.”
“Like eating together, drinking together, or cultivating together.”
Fumo Shaoyu said with a cheeky grin.
“What’s so hard to describe about that?”
Fumo Xin’er stomped her foot in frustration.
Seeing Fumo Shaoyu’s relaxed demeanor, Chu Feng knew the Chu Heavenly Clan was likely fine.
Still, concerned for his family, he asked about them.
Hearing Chu Feng’s inquiry, Fumo Shaoyu grew smug.
“Brother Chu Feng, trust me when I handle things. I personally chose a hiding spot, and your clan has been safely relocated.”
“I guarantee no one will find them. Even if they do, they’ll be helpless.”
“From now on, you can roam the martial world freely, do whatever you want, without any worries.”
Fumo Shaoyu declared.
