Chapter 50: A Temporary Farewell to Fang Xiaoyu

Yu Yi and Blue Ling’er had just left, when the carriage from Yizhou finally rolled slowly into Yunzhou City.

Two young girls stepped down from the carriage—Chi Ming and Fang Xiaoyu.

As soon as Fang Xiaoyu got off, she started looking around.

“Wow, Yunzhou City really lives up to its name. It’s way bigger than Ling’an City! Look at this street—it’s twice as wide!”

She immediately noticed a crowd up ahead, which was now gradually dispersing.

“It’s so lively over there. Did something happen?”

Fang Xiaoyu loved a good commotion and was instantly curious about what was going on.

Compared to Fang Xiaoyu’s carefree nature, Chi Ming was clearly more purposeful.

“Sunset’s almost here. Our first priority is to find a place to stay, then fill our stomachs…”

She said seriously.

But before she could finish, Fang Xiaoyu had already disappeared from her side.

Chi Ming looked carefully—Fang Xiaoyu had already dashed off toward the gathered crowd.

“Sigh… I didn’t come here to play…”

Chi Ming sighed helplessly, but she had no choice but to follow.

After all, Fang Xiaoyu paid for the carriage.

Chi Ming was penniless, and tonight’s lodging and meals depended on Fang Xiaoyu.

When Chi Ming reached the crowd, she caught a bit of Fang Xiaoyu’s conversation.

“You mean the student of the Child of the Wind God just rejected Li Ruobai here?”

Fang Xiaoyu sounded intensely interested.

“And then? And then?”

Before anyone could answer, Chi Ming hurriedly stepped forward.

“The Child of the Wind God’s student?”

“Yeah. I heard she’s a Martial Dao Practitioner known as the Wind Immortal, and a great beauty too.”

Fang Xiaoyu gossiped.

“Li Ruobai is Yunzhou’s famous playboy. I can’t believe he got turned down. Ah, now I’m really curious about this Wind Immortal lady~”

Chi Ming didn’t care about the gossip. She was filled with shock.

“Fourth Senior Sister… took in a disciple?”

A ‘Demoness’s disciple’ being honored as the Child of the Wind God by the Orthodox Factions was already incredible.

But now she could even accept orthodox disciples?

The thought sent waves of emotion through Chi Ming.

From now on, the Child of the Wind God would just be the Child of the Wind God.

No one would see her as the ‘Demoness’s disciple’ anymore.

She had severed her past and removed the label of Demonic Cultivators.

Chi Ming admired her for it.

Yet, complicated feelings surged inside.

“Fourth Senior Sister left Among the Colorful Clouds so decisively… Could Master—the Demoness—really have…”

As Chi Ming’s thoughts wandered, Fang Xiaoyu suddenly slapped her on the butt.

“Why are you spacing out? What are you thinking about?”

“Yah!”

Startled, Chi Ming jumped aside, face red.

“What are you doing!”

“Hehe, you’re blushing! Your face is so red.”

Fang Xiaoyu teased.

“I’m not.”

Chi Ming turned her head away, refusing to let Fang Xiaoyu see her face.

Then she sighed and put on a serious expression.

“We need to talk.”

They moved to an empty spot with no one around.

“Xiaoyu, I think we…”

Chi Ming had made up her mind, but when it came time to speak, she hesitated, unable to get the words out.

“I know. It’s time for us to go our separate ways.”

Fang Xiaoyu leaned against the wall, arms behind her head, and flashed a bright smile.

“See? I guessed it.”

Chi Ming froze, then nodded.

“It’s not that I find you annoying, I just…”

“I get it, I get it~”

Fang Xiaoyu shrugged.

“I came here for fun, but you’re different. You’re risking your future and carrying your master’s hopes to participate in the Recruitment Assembly. If we keep traveling together, not only would I distract you, but you’d also keep me from enjoying myself. So the best way is to part ways~”

“But… I’m broke, so could you lend me some money? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely pay you back someday. I promise I won’t—”

Before Chi Ming could finish, Fang Xiaoyu produced two coin pouches.

Both were half full.

She tossed one to Chi Ming.

“Here, catch!”

Chi Ming caught the pouch, feeling even more confused.

Fang Xiaoyu had already split the money?

“This is a little present from a senior to cheer you on! Chi Ming, you must achieve your goals!”

Fang Xiaoyu gave a big thumbs up and flashed her signature white smile.

“Xiaoyu… We only just met…”

Chi Ming’s hand trembled, and tears sparkled in her eyes.

“Chi Ming, have you ever heard an old saying? ‘As new as white hair, as old as tilted cover.’ We’re the latter.”

Fang Xiaoyu took Chi Ming’s hand and smiled.

“We’re friends. And fate hasn’t ended yet. Saying goodbye today is for a better reunion in the future, right?”

“We’re… friends?”

“Of course. Wait, don’t tell me you never saw me as a friend?”

Fang Xiaoyu pretended to be angry, then stuck out her tongue playfully.

“Just kidding! I know you’re not that kind of person.”

The more cheerful Fang Xiaoyu acted, the more it hurt Chi Ming inside.

The Demonic Cultivators had destroyed Fang Xiaoyu’s home, and she herself was a disciple of the Demoness.

If Chi Ming could shed the title of ‘Demoness’s disciple,’ she might have been able to face Fang Xiaoyu proudly.

But if she couldn’t escape her past…

“Alright, it’s getting late. I should go.”

Fang Xiaoyu patted Chi Ming’s shoulder one last time.

“Don’t cry for me in secret, okay? It’s not like you’ll never see me again~ There are plenty of people in this world who care about you. Work hard and don’t let them down.”

With that, Fang Xiaoyu waved goodbye and slowly disappeared from Chi Ming’s sight.

“There are many people in the world who care about me…”

Chi Ming muttered, her mind drifting to the faces of her master and senior sisters.

The Demoness was truly good to her.

But so was her deception and concealment.

What was her true face, after all?

***

“Ling’er, that’s enough, right?”

“Eh? Can’t we… wait a little longer?”

“If we go in and someone sees, it’ll look suspicious.”

“How could it? This just proves how close we are as sisters.”

Blue Ling’er gently stroked Yu Yi’s palm, as if she wanted to caress every slender finger.

The two had been holding hands, fingers intertwined, from the start until now.

Because Yu Yi had told Blue Ling’er they should address each other as sworn sisters in Yunzhou City, she had given Blue Ling’er a ‘perfect excuse.’

Since Blue Ling’er had seized such a rare chance, she clung to Yu Yi and refused to let go.

Yu Yi had a bad feeling.

“I always knew Ling’er was coveting my body, but she’s so proper about etiquette. She won’t do anything weird tonight, will she?”

Looking at the inn ahead, Yu Yi swallowed.

No matter what…

“We have to get two rooms!”