Chapter 113: Endless Agony

Of course, these murmurs were barely audible, so Du Huiming naturally couldn’t make out the words clearly. For him, perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing. Yet, standing there quietly like that carried a certain awkwardness. Dao Tianfeng certainly noticed this; the expression on his face soon returned to its usual calm demeanor. After pondering for a moment while looking at the middle-aged man, he finally responded, “Your Highness’s words have already pointed us in a general direction. This old man will mobilize people from the martial world to search at once. However—”

At this point, Dao Tianfeng hesitated noticeably, as if something was holding him back. Du Huiming, however, was merely a messenger and couldn’t fathom the deeper implications. Having spent years navigating the court’s intrigues, he may not have mastered everything, but two skills were essential: first, the ability to read others’ expressions and intentions; second, knowing when to keep one’s mouth shut. Speaking too much only leads to mistakes. So, in that moment, Du Huiming’s lips twitched slightly, stifling the urge to speak.

“Forget it. You may report back to His Highness that Dao Tianfeng will do his utmost to locate the Blue Lotus Sect. But since the battle twenty years ago, the sect vanished without a trace from the martial world, its whereabouts shrouded in mystery and difficult to track. Though we have infiltrators inside, it will not be so easy to find them. I hope His Highness will prepare for other possibilities, as the time is fast approaching and delays cannot be afforded!” Dao Tianfeng’s tone was measured, not rushed, but the weight behind his final words was unmistakable; this was of utmost importance. Yet, these details remained secret, and Du Huiming still found them beyond understanding. He merely clasped his fists respectfully, took a step back, and bowed: “I shall take my leave for now and faithfully convey your words. His Highness is a shrewd and intelligent man, surely well prepared. You, Lord Dao, need not worry excessively.”

Such polite formalities were expected and no one paid them much heed. Dao Tianfeng understood this well and waved his hand lightly, signaling the man to depart. Left alone in his seat, silence was perhaps the best way to think. His fingers trembled slightly on the edge of the chair, and his eyes closed momentarily. To those unfamiliar with him, it might have looked as if the old man was resting, perhaps even envied, but that was impossible. Dao Tianfeng was the Mountain Lord of the Qilian lineage, leader of the Central Plains martial alliance, with entanglements even within the Prince Qi’s residence. A man like him could never afford leisure.

Light shifted subtly near the main gate—someone left, another entered. At that fleeting moment as they passed by, the two exchanged a brief smile. The departing figure was Du Huiming; the newcomer, naturally, was Xia Wuya. To him, there was a hint of reluctance, and even the smile seemed somewhat forced. “Brother Du, are you leaving already?”

“The prince specifically instructed me to come and go swiftly, without lingering. I had hoped to catch up with you, Third Brother, but it seems there isn’t time. Perhaps next time.” Though both were from Qilian Mountain, their status differed greatly. Facing Xia Wuya, Du Huiming relaxed somewhat, his tone lighter, as though speaking with an old friend. Upon hearing this, Xia Wuya suddenly halted, as if recalling something, and said eagerly, “That’s a pity. Second Brother heard you had arrived and prepared some delicacies for you to enjoy. You know, as Second Brother, I’m usually rather reserved and don’t say much among our fellow disciples—especially with our eldest brother. Never mind, thinking of it makes me sad. If Master heard this, he’d probably be angry again. But with you, you get along well with him, so I always look forward to your visits. Sometimes I can’t help but whisper about it privately.”

“That’s hardly a skill of mine—I’m just fond of good food. I don’t know why, though I’ve never tasted many rare delicacies, I have sampled quite a few dishes. To be honest, I’ve never found a simple mountain dish that matches Second Brother’s cooking. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have thought about it, but now that you have, my stomach seems to be rebelling. Well, it’s not urgent. I’ll go have a look, perhaps enjoy a bit, and satisfy these little cravings.” Truly, it was hardly a dignified admission—just plain gluttony. His words carried a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness. Seeing this, Xia Wuya’s smile deepened, free of mockery; if anything, his teasing was gentler than usual. “I suppose it’s because I’ve stayed on Qilian Mountain so long, eating Second Brother’s meals every day that I’ve gotten used to them. You, on the other hand, occasionally enjoy these simple rustic dishes, which seem to delight you more. Go quickly—Second Brother is waiting for you!”

This casual exchange could not last long. At this point, neither Xia Wuya nor Du Huiming intended to continue the conversation. One stepped forward, the other retreated, and soon they vanished from each other’s sight. Xia Wuya’s movements resumed their earlier solemn, somewhat slow rhythm. Despite this, he was not far from the Way Master, so it did not take long before he stood respectfully before him. “Master, do you have any instructions for me?”

Respect like this was normal between senior and junior disciples, but on Qilian Mountain, things were different. Perhaps because of Chou Wanyan’s presence—the playful, mischievous girl who had gradually eroded the Master’s authoritative image—everyone still addressed him as Master to his face, but behind his back, they often called him “Old Man.” Not out of disrespect, but because their relationship had become more casual over time. Yet, in the past three years, this atmosphere changed completely. The sword wound on Hantan Yi’s body and Chou Wanyan’s sudden departure from the sect had altered everything. Even someone like Xia Wuya now lived cautiously, uncertain when this state of affairs would end. Whenever he was alone, he could be found on a lonely green stone, perhaps lost in thought about old friends and rivals.

Thinking of Hantan Yi, Xia Wuya’s mind turned to the Flower Butterfly woman. Though he had only seen her once or twice, her beauty was breathtaking and unforgettable. Now, the small wooden cabin in the back mountain valley still stood, but she had long since vanished. It was during a brief absence of Dao Tianfeng from Qilian Mountain that a group of mysterious men from outside abducted her. Who they were or why they targeted such a peaceful girl remained a mystery to this day.

“Some matters cannot be rushed. You need not meddle in the affairs of Prince Qi’s residence. I will make my own arrangements. Instead, you should go to Xingyang City. I have a feeling something is about to happen at Mingyue Villa. I just feel unsettled. Remember, whatever you do, be cautious. Above all, do not let Old Shen discover anything. Though I now hold the alliance leader’s position, Mingyue Villa’s long-standing influence and strength should not be underestimated. We have not reached a breaking point yet, so caution is paramount. Remember, remember!”

Dao Tianfeng could not have anticipated Xia Wuya’s true thoughts. After all, the barrier between them was thick, making it difficult to gauge. Yet, having known each other for many years, though not intimate friends, they understood each other to some extent. Dao Tianfeng was unwilling to dwell on such matters; if the roles were reversed, he might feel the same, perhaps even more intensely.

“I understand, Master!” Without hesitation, Xia Wuya turned and left. Though his pace was not fast, he moved forward resolutely. His face, turned away, relaxed noticeably, and with each step, that sense of ease grew stronger. Yet, he stopped abruptly because a hesitant voice came from behind, breaking the silence in a faltering tone: “Wuya, three years have passed. Do you think Master was wrong back then?”