134 Changing Fate

After the morning court session, Feng Xilou walked with unsteady steps, looking like a puppet in motion. He had searched—he had searched for a long time, but there was no news of Yun Xueyan. Even posting public notices had proven useless.

He was truly in despair. That river flowed into the sea; how was he supposed to find her? Four months had passed, and he had not found a single trace of her.

If she were still alive, why would she not return? His hope, as thin as a cicada's wing, was on the verge of being completely shattered.

Behind him, Duan Nanyu approached with a steady, measured gait, walking past him as if he were invisible.

"Duan Nanyu!" Feng Xilou called out in a low, heavy voice. He grabbed Duan Nanyu by the collar and stepped forward to block his path. "What is this behavior supposed to mean?" Ever since learning the truth, Duan Nanyu had been searching for Yun Xueyan day and night, yet he, too, had returned empty-handed.

"You and I both know that Yan'er is not dead, don't we?" Duan Nanyu looked at Feng Xilou, his eyes devoid of light, his voice unnaturally calm, unlike the usual Duan Nanyu. "She will return. You think so too, don't you, Xilou?"

Dejectedly, he pulled Feng Xilou’s hand away and continued walking forward. He had to keep looking for Yun Xueyan; he had to apologize to her.

Therefore, she could not be dead!

He had not been there to accompany her, so how could she bear to stay alone in the darkness? She must hate him—if she hated him, she should return to seek her revenge. He would wait…

Watching Duan Nanyu’s figure grow smaller in the distance, Feng Xilou stood rooted to the spot. He, too, wanted her to be safe… He refused to give in to grief, refused to build a tomb for her, and simply waited for her to return.

Looking up at the sky, a faint smile touched Feng Xilou’s lips, his eyes as gentle as water. "Yan'er, if you can hear my call, come back soon. I miss you..."

A sharp pain struck Yun Xueyan’s chest, jolting her awake from her sleep. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. She wiped it away with her sleeve and rose from the bed. She had just… she felt as if she had heard a voice calling her.

She shook her head with a bitter smile. She must be overthinking things; even if someone were truly calling, how could she possibly hear it?

As she opened the door to step out, she saw Feng Yihan walking toward her from a distance, holding several books in his hands. When he reached her, he gave a slight nod.

Yun Xueyan stepped aside to let him pass, and seeing him enter, she followed him inside. "Young Master Feng, what are these?"

Shifting her gaze from Feng Yihan to the books he had placed on the table, she saw they were volumes on military strategy. Yun Xueyan was stunned. Why would Feng Yihan bring these?

"These are for you," he said in a detached tone, offering no further explanation.

"For me?" Yun Xueyan was bewildered. What would she do with military texts? "I don't understand. What do you mean, Young Master Feng?"

"If you wish to stop relying on others in the future, if you wish to survive on your own, you must first possess the capability. You can only protect yourself if you are strong. You have little left to learn in terms of martial arts, but in terms of wisdom and strategy, you can still improve." He flipped through the books on the table, his slender fingers brushing against the pages. "Reading them will do you good."

Understanding his words, Yun Xueyan simply nodded. Strong? She wanted that too. She did not want to be a wanderer anymore, nor did she want to depend on others for her livelihood. The only way was to transform herself.

She picked up the books, clutching them tightly. "I understand, Young Master Feng. Thank you." She looked up, her bright, clear eyes meeting his. "Why are you helping me like this?"

"Does it require a reason?" With a soft scoff, Feng Yihan did not linger. His detached voice echoed as he walked away. "Believe whatever reason you wish. Once you finish these books, I will bring you more."

Looking down at the books in her hands, Yun Xueyan let out a long sigh. She would rely on these to change her future.