Chapter 36:Prepare toRun Away

Chapter 29

The cave abode’s arrays hummed softly, but the air felt heavy with Cheng Mo’s frustration. She gripped Liu Qingxu’s jade slip, its saccharine tone laced with venom echoing in her mind. She’s coming for Qing Wan… and me. The threat was clear—Liu Qingxu’s jealousy had morphed into a calculated strike, and Jinghong Peak was a powder keg waiting to ignite. Cheng Mo’s heart raced, her transmigration fears clashing with her resolve to protect Qing Wan. I can’t run now—not with her in danger.

Her attempt to mend things with Qing Wan had crashed spectacularly, the girl’s silence behind her courtyard’s barrier a wall of ice. She heard me… but she doesn’t believe me. The memory of Qing Wan’s buried face, her refusal to respond, twisted Cheng Mo’s chest. I’m not just failing to survive—I’m failing her. And now, Liu Qingxu’s message was a ticking bomb, threatening to exploit Qing Wan’s vulnerability and destabilize Cheng Mo’s position.

Outside, the sect buzzed with whispers. Liu Qingxu’s rumors had taken root, painting Elder Luyue as a reckless favoritist. In the council hall, elders debated, their patience fraying. “Elder Luyue must answer for her actions,” one insisted. Liu Qingxu, seated among them, hid her smirk. “Her disciple’s sudden breakthrough is… convenient. Perhaps there’s more to this story.” Her words sowed doubt, nudging the council toward a formal inquiry.

Cheng Mo paced her cave, her mind racing. Step one: protect Qing Wan. Step two: neutralize Liu Qingxu. Step three: find a way out of this death trap. Her divine sense, partially restored by the elixir, pulsed with renewed clarity, but her heart remained a mess. I’m not supposed to care this much. She’s the protagonist—she’s supposed to thrive without me. But the image of Qing Wan’s cold, broken eyes haunted her, undermining her survival instincts.

She summoned Chu Yi with a jade slip, her message curt: “Come to the cave. Now.” As she waited, she scanned the sect’s task records, desperate for an excuse to leave. No missions, no tours—nothing. The elders’ advice to “consolidate her realm” felt like a cage. They’re keeping me here, whether they know it or not.

Chu Yi arrived, his face etched with worry. “Master, you called? Is it Qing Wan? I checked her courtyard—she’s locked herself in, but her aura’s unstable.” His voice wavered, his loyalty to both master and sister-disciple clear.

Cheng Mo’s expression softened briefly, then hardened. “She’s hurting, Chu Yi, but she won’t let me near. I need you to watch her—discreetly. Don’t let anyone, especially Liu Qingxu, approach her courtyard. Report any trouble immediately.” She handed him a protective talisman, its glow faint but potent. “This will shield her if her sword intent spirals again.”

Chu Yi nodded, clutching the talisman. “I’ll keep her safe, Master. But… the council’s summons came again. They’re demanding you appear today. Liu Qingxu’s pushing hard—she’s saying you’ve neglected the peak for Qing Wan.”

Cheng Mo’s eyes narrowed. Of course she is. “Let them wait,” she said coldly. “Qing Wan comes first. But keep your ears open, Chu Yi. Liu Qingxu’s playing a dangerous game—she’s not just after me.” She hesitated, then added, “And Wan Qing… be cautious around her. Don’t trust her too easily.”

Chu Yi’s brows furrowed, confusion flickering. “Fairy Wan Qing? She’s been helping…” He trailed off at Cheng Mo’s sharp look, nodding. “I understand, Master.”

As Chu Yi left to guard Qing Wan, Cheng Mo turned to her next problem: Liu Qingxu. She’s not just a jealous rival—she’s a plot catalyst. If I don’t stop her, she’ll push Qing Wan into a corner… or worse. She drafted a message to Elder Yun, requesting a private meeting to discuss “sect stability.” If I can expose Liu Qingxu’s schemes, I might buy time.

Meanwhile, at Qing Wan’s courtyard, the girl sat against the wall, her sword across her knees, her aura flickering like a dying flame. Shu Yue’s words echoed—“I’m sorry… it wasn’t what you thought”—but they felt hollow against the pavilion’s memory. She saved me, but she chose her. Her Silent Annihilation Sword Intent stirred, unstable, feeding on her pain. I’ll repay her… then I’m done.

Outside, Wan Qing lingered near the peak’s edge, her zither silent, her thoughts sharp. The Elder’s pulling away… but she’s still tethered to Sunny Sister. She smiled faintly, calculating. Let Liu Qingxu stir the pot. I’ll be the one to catch her when she falls. She sent a subtle message to a council disciple, reinforcing the rumors while appearing to defend Shu Yue.

As Cheng Mo prepared to meet Elder Yun, a disciple burst into the cave, breathless. “Elder Luyue! Qing Wan’s courtyard—her sword intent’s gone wild! Chu Yi’s trying to stabilize her, but it’s bad!”

Cheng Mo’s heart stopped. Not again. She vanished in a streak of light, racing to Qing Wan’s courtyard, Liu Qingxu’s threat and the council’s summons forgotten. I won’t let you break, Qing Wan. Not while I’m still here.

At the courtyard, Qing Wan’s aura raged, cyan winds tearing at the barriers, her eyes unfocused, lost in despair. Chu Yi stood guard, his talisman glowing, but it was faltering. Cheng Mo landed, her voice cutting through the chaos. “Qing Wan, listen to me! You’re stronger than this—don’t let it consume you!”

Qing Wan’s gaze met hers, raw and fractured. “Why… do you keep coming back?” she whispered, her sword trembling. The storm of her intent threatened to shatter everything—her dao heart, her life, and Cheng M

o’s fragile hope.