Qingyun Mountain's Dazhu Peak.

  Zhang Xiaofan sat blankly in his own room, lost in thought.

  It was a sunny afternoon, with soft light shining through the window and onto the bluestone floor. Perhaps due to the lazy atmosphere in the air, Dahuang and Xiaohui also looked rather languid at this moment.

  The big yellow dog lay down at Zhang Xiaofan's feet, burying its head in its two front paws, with half-closed eyes and drooping ears. Its whole body was still, except for the shiny tail that swished back and forth from time to time.

  And the usually energetic little monkey Xiao Hui was now leaning against Da Huang's body, using his belly as a pillow, closing his eyes and sleeping soundly. His body was also gently rising and falling with Da Huang's breathing.

  This quiet afternoon, everything seems just like it used to be.

  Zhang Xiaofan's gaze was aimlessly looking at an unknown place, it had already been the third day since he returned to Qingyun Mountain.

  Suddenly, as if feeling something, the always drowsy and confused Da Huang suddenly lifted his head, opened his eyes, and even perked up his ears.

  Zhang Xiaofan furrowed his brow, and immediately heard the slow footsteps outside the door. After a moment, there was a creaking sound, and the door was pushed open.

  The sunlight poured in, and for a moment it was dazzling. Zhang Xiaofan only saw a figure standing at the door, bathed in sunlight.

  After his eyes had slightly adapted to the sunlight, his face suddenly turned pale. Tian Bu Yi stood at the door with a gloomy expression on his face.

  This was the first time Tian Bu Yi had come to see him in three days, and also the first person he saw except for his senior brother Song Da Ren who brought him food every day. Presumably others didn't dare to come because of Tian Bu Yi's strict order.

  At this time, Da Huang had already run over, wagging his tail and rubbing against Tian Naiyi's legs. He seemed very happy. However, Xiao Hui didn't have such a good feeling. On the contrary, he was disturbed from his good dream and looked quite annoyed. "Squeak" twice, but ultimately knew that Tian Naiyi wasn't someone he could mess with, so he didn't dare to be presumptuous.

  After calling out a few times, Xiao Hui jumped back onto Zhang Xiaofan's bed, leaned against the quilt and fell asleep again.

  Tian didn't easily lower his body, looked at the big yellow dog by his feet, stretched out his hand and touched its head. The big yellow dog let out two low barks and rubbed its head against his palm.

  Tian patted Da Huang's head and stood up straight, looking at Zhang Xiaofan.

  Zhang Xiaofan didn't dare meet his gaze and called out in a low voice: "Master."

  Tian didn't respond to him for a long time and slowly walked closer. Zhang Xiaofan subconsciously took a step back.

  But Tian didn't make any moves, he just slowly sat down on the chair. Zhang Xiaofan was a little scared in his heart, but more of it was confusion and uncertainty. In fact, since he returned to the mountain, he had already anticipated that he would face such a situation, and even more severe ones, facing interrogation and reprimand from many others, and he had long been mentally prepared.

  But in this warm and quiet afternoon, when Tian Ye, whom he had revered as a god for years, sat silently in front of him, he could only lower his head, his mind a complete blank, unable to utter a single word.

  It wasn't until much later that he heard Tian Bu Yi slowly say, "Lao Qi."

  Zhang Xiaofan's body shook slightly, and he almost reflexively replied: "Yes, Master."

  "Do you have anything you want to say to me?"

  Zhang Xiaofan slowly lifted his head and looked at Tian Naiyi, who was expressionless as he stared back at him, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

  After a long silence, Zhang Xiaofan slowly shook his head.

  Tian Ye Yi stared at this apprentice, his hand slowly clenched into a fist in his sleeve.

  "Just now," Tian Bu Yi said slowly, as if this could hide the emotions in his heart: "This morning, Long Feng's Qi Huan came to deliver a message. Tomorrow at dawn, the Sect Master Dao Xuan will see you at the Yu Qing Hall on Tong Tian Peak."

  Zhang Xiaofan's body shook slightly, and at this moment, it finally arrived.

  A cool mountain breeze blew gently in from the open doorway, as if still carrying the rustling sound of bamboo from a distant bamboo forest, but the people inside the room didn't feel it.

  Xiao Hui seemed to have fallen asleep again, Da Huang also lay down again, ignoring them, only Tian Bu Yi was still staring at this disciple.

  Gazing deeply at him.

  "These past few days, have those senior brothers of yours been neglecting you?"

  Zhang Xiaofan shook his head and said, "No, my senior brothers have all been... good to me."

  Tian did not say another word, and the room fell silent once again.

  After a long time, Tian Ye suddenly let out a breath, as if he had made some kind of decision. He stood up, turned his head and walked out the door without looking back or saying a word.

  Zhang Xiaofan gazed at the familiar figure in the distance, feeling lost and bewildered.

  Just as Tian Bu Yi was about to walk out of the room, he suddenly stopped again, but still didn't turn around. Zhang Xiao Fan called out in a daze: "Master..."

  "Old Seven!" Tian Bu Yi's voice remained calm, but behind it, a strange emotion flowed subtly.

  "I'm asking you for the last time, are you really a spy sent by another sect to infiltrate our Qingyun Secret Arts?"

  Zhang Xiaofan bit his lip and slowly knelt down: "Master, I didn't, I haven't done anything to betray you!"

  He said in a low voice, as if speaking to Tian Naiyi, but also to his own deep heart, "I will definitely do it."

  In the sunlight, there seemed to be a soft sigh. When Zhang Xiaofan raised his head again, that familiar figure had vanished into thin air.

  Zhang Xiaofan stared blankly at the door, maintaining this posture for a long time before slowly getting up and walking back to sit down on the bed.

  The little monkey Xiao Hui was awakened by his movements, turned around, saw that it was Zhang Xiaofan, cracked a smile, and after sleeping, his spirit began to recover, and he jumped onto his body with some restlessness.

  Zhang Xiaofan subconsciously wrapped his arms around, holding Xiao Hui in his embrace, but his gaze remained fixed on the outside of the door. After a while, he spoke in a low voice that only he and Xiao Hui could hear: "You know, I promised that person back then, even if I die, I won't say it, even if I die, I won't say it..."

  Xiao Hui didn't know if he understood or not, but it was clear that he wasn't very concerned. He stretched out his hand and affectionately grabbed Zhang Xiao Fan's head.

  Zhang Xiaofan didn't move his body, letting Xiao Hui act as she pleased, and slowly said in his mouth: "It's only you now, Xiao Hui, only you are by my side to accompany me..."

  Xiao Hui let out two "squeaks" and started laughing, but it's unclear if she actually understood anything. Meanwhile, in the distance, Da Huang seemed to have fallen asleep again, its tail quietly curling up and tucking under its own body as it dreamed.

  The warm sunshine still shone gently, and Du Bishu, standing outside the door, couldn't help but open his mouth to yawn. But after a moment, the original faint sense of fatigue disappeared, and Tian Naiyi walked out of Zhang Xiaofan's residence with slow steps.

  "Master." Du Bishu called out, carefully observing Tian Naiyi's expression, hoping to discern something from his face. However, Tian Naiyi was expressionless, only nodding slightly before walking past him towards the Shou Jing Tang.

  Du Bishu stood respectfully to the side, waiting for Tian Bu Yi to walk far away. He gazed at his back, but what he was thinking about was Zhang Xiao Fan. He couldn't help but let out a sigh. On the top of Da Zhu Peak, no one could have anticipated that this ordinary little junior brother would encounter such an event.

  At this moment, even he, who was usually lively and energetic, couldn't help but feel a little down, and his heart was secretly worried about Zhang Xiaofan.

  He was so lost in thought that he didn't know how much time had passed, until a voice called out from behind him: "Sixth Brother."

  Du Bishu was startled and turned his head to look, but couldn't help being stunned. He only saw Zhang Xiaofan unknowingly walking out of the room and standing behind him. The monkey Xiao Hui was perched on his shoulder, grinning from ear to ear as it looked at him. As for Da Huang, it hadn't followed them out, probably still sleeping.

  "Uh, little brother!" said Du Bi, "What's up?"

  Zhang Xiaofan looked at him and slowly said: "Sixth Brother, I want to go for a walk in the back mountain."

  Du Bishu was taken aback by the words, and his heart felt a bit difficult. Since returning to the mountain, Tian Buyi had not directly ordered anyone to monitor Zhang Xiaofan, but Shifu's wife, Su Rou, had secretly instructed everyone.

  Looking at his younger brother's pale face, Du Bishu felt a pang of sympathy in his heart, but he didn't dare to go against the sect's intentions. After a long time, he stammered: "Younger brother, you...you know now...I...I..."

  Zhang Xiaofan quietly lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Tomorrow, the Sect Master Daoxuan will send me to Tongtian Peak. I just want to take another look at my old place."

  Du Bu Shu's body shook slightly, his mouth opened slightly, and suddenly he felt a strange heat in his eyes. The young man standing before him seemed to have transformed back into the ordinary child he was when he first came to the mountain, the image of himself and that child betting on who would enter the kitchen first at the dinner table...

  However, the order of his master, he did not dare to disobey in any way. Just as he was at a loss, he suddenly heard footsteps and turned around to see Tian Ling'er walking towards them with a complex expression on her face.

  This was the first time Zhang Xiaofan had seen Tian Ling'er in three days, and he saw that her face was slightly pale, as if she was also a bit haggard. She must not have been at ease these past few days either. Yet, even so, she still looked lovely in this sunlight.

  Zhang Xiaofan lowered his head.

  Tian Ling'er walked up to the two of them, facing Du Bi Shu, but her eyes darted towards Zhang Xiao Fan, saying: "Sixth Brother, my dad said that Xiao Fan won't do anything, just let him be!"

  Du Bi Shu was taken aback, and Zhang Xiao Fan's body also seemed to tremble slightly. He slowly turned around to look towards the Shou Jing Tang direction, but only saw the deep entrance of the hall, with no sign of Tian Bu Yi's figure anywhere.

  Zhang Xiaofan slowly bowed in the direction of Shou Jing Tang, his voice low and seemingly still choked with sobs, saying: "Thank you, Master."

  Tian Ling'er stood by, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end didn't say anything, pursed her lips and turned back.

  Watching her walk away, Du Bi said: "No wonder this morning, Little Shifu and Long Feng's Qi Huan Shixiong had a big argument."

  "What?"

  Du Bi: "This morning, Qi Huan Shixiong came over and after talking to Master and Mistress, Little Sister pulled him aside. Unexpectedly, not long after, it seemed like Little Sister said something that made Qi Huan Shixiong very embarrassed, and then she got angry." Du Bi Shu paused for a moment, glanced at Zhang Xiaofan, and continued, "I guess she probably also asked Qi Huan Shixiong to plead on your behalf to Master Cang Song, which is why they had a big argument."

  Zhang Xiaofan let out a low, bitter laugh and didn't know what to say either. He shook his head and headed towards the back mountain.

  Du Bi Shu gazed at his back, but saw the little monkey Xiao Hui perched on his shoulder, occasionally reaching out to play with his head, looking quite comical. However, as soon as he thought about Zhang Xiaofan's fate after tomorrow, he couldn't help but furrow his brow and let out a deep sigh.

  The mountain path leading to the back mountain of Dazhu Peak, Zhang Xiaofan had not walked for a long time. Along the way, he saw lush greenery on both sides of the road, and birds chirping in succession, occasionally coming from afar.

  The mountain wind came straight at him, blowing across his face and bringing a hint of coolness. Along this winding road, it seemed as if he had returned to the past once again.

  It's really nothing has changed here! Even the white clouds drifting in the distance, on the waist of the Dazhu Peak, seem to be exactly the same as they were back then.

  The little monkey Xiao Hui was overjoyed, and suddenly jumped down from Zhang Xiaofan's shoulders, "squeaking" as it ran into the nearby grass thicket, then suddenly climbed up a big tree, swinging back and forth on top.

  Zhang Xiaofan looked at its appearance, and couldn't help but reveal a faint smile, thinking of the scene when he met Xiao Hui back then, as if the heavy pressure on his heart had also eased slightly at this moment.

  As he walked, Xiao Hui was excitedly jumping around on top of his head, at the treetop, but Zhang Xiaofan's gaze gradually only looked forward, to that piece of gradually clear and emerald green bamboo forest.

  How many memories have solidified here!

  He stopped in his tracks at the front of the bamboo forest.

  The mountain wind blows, countless black bamboo sways in the wind, rustling loudly, as if also welcoming the return of an old friend.

  Zhang Xiaofan took a deep breath of the fresh, sweet and free air that only existed in this place.

  Then he went in.

  The lush green bamboo forest is as dense as it was in the beginning, and under those tall and green bamboo trees, countless bamboo shoots are breaking through the soil and growing freely.

  Unconsciously, he walked back to where he used to practice chopping bamboo. The slender black bamboo joints that were once so thin now seemed to have thickened by a circle.

  Bamboo shadows swayed, bamboo waves surged in layers, as if they were also surrounding him.

  Past events surge up in my mind like waves.

  He stared blankly at everything around him, as if he was a little dazed.

  "Zhang Xiaofan!"

  Suddenly, a soft and slightly surprised cry came from deep within the bamboo forest.

  Zhang Xiaofan's body shook, this voice was so familiar, but it was something he never thought he would hear in this place. He immediately turned around and looked towards the source of the sound, his breath caught in his throat as he saw Bi Yao standing amidst a cluster of bamboo shadows, her aqua-green dress shimmering in harmony with the surroundings, smiling brightly as she gazed at him with a mix of tenderness and infatuation.

  "You, how did you end up here?" After staring at each other like fools for a long time, Zhang Xiaofan muttered.

  Biyao walked over slowly, her eyes shining with a warm smile, and said softly: "I came to see you!"

  Zhang Xiaofan's heart was racing with excitement, and he unconsciously bit his lower lip, before saying after a while: "But what if you're discovered by someone? You'll be in great danger!"

  Biqiao shook her head and said: "I don't care, I just want to take a look at you."

  Zhang Xiaofan's body shook, this was the first time he had heard Bi Yao express her intentions so directly. As if noticing Zhang Xiaofan's surprise, Bi Yao's face also turned red, and she continued: "Your Qingyun Gate has been stable for over a hundred years, you've all relaxed your guard, I snuck up the mountain without anyone noticing."

  Zhang Xiaofan nodded silently, but immediately thought that nowadays everyone in the righteous path knew that Bi Yao was the daughter of the Demon King of the Ghost Sect. If he were to be seen talking to her at this moment, the consequences would be unimaginable.

  Bi Yao was so clever that she saw the hesitant look on Zhang Xiaofan's face at a glance, and her original smile was gradually replaced by a gloomy color. She said softly: "If you're worried about something, then I'll leave."

  Zhang Xiaofan looked at her, but saw that although Bi Yao's face had a joyful expression, it couldn't hide the fatigue. He thought to himself that these past few days must have been due to worrying about him. Suddenly, his heart felt hot and he blurted out: "What else can I worry about? Can things get any worse?"

  Bi Yao was taken aback and looked at him, Zhang Xiaofan smiled wryly and said: "It's okay, no one will come now, you accompany me to chat!"

  Bi Yao smiled and nodded: "Good."

  But after finishing this sentence, the two people looked at each other, but unexpectedly neither of them knew what to say next, and the atmosphere suddenly cooled down, with a hint of awkwardness.

  After a while, Bi Yao said with a pout: "Idiot, speak up!"

  Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head, but his mind was a complete blank, and he really didn't know what to say to this beautiful woman. Just then, he glanced sideways with the corner of his eye and saw not far away on the ground a thick black bamboo stem that had fallen due to years of decay. He walked over and said softly, "You sit down!"

  Bi Yao burst out laughing, like a fresh flower blooming, pure and unparalleled.

  She walked over and was about to sit down when Zhang Xiaofan suddenly pulled her back, saying: "Wait a minute."

  Bi Yao was taken aback and asked: "What's wrong?"

  Zhang Xiaofan bowed his head, using his sleeve to wipe the black bamboo with force, wiping out a clean spot. Then he stood up, without looking at Bi Yao, and said in a low voice: "You can sit now!"

  Bi Yao put away her smile, her mouth moved slightly, and her bright eyes only stared at Zhang Xiaofan's figure. After a while, she slowly sat down, then pulled Zhang Xiaofan and said: "You sit too!"

  Zhang Xiaofan's face turned red and said: "I, I can sit on the ground..."

  Unexpectedly, Bi Yao pulled him over with a force and they sat together on the bamboo, scolding: "I told you to sit, so sit! What are you doing sitting on the ground?"

  Zhang Xiaofan smiled awkwardly, feeling a faint scent of fragrance around him, which drifted into his nose and reached the depths of his heart. He couldn't help but turn his head to look at her, only to see Bi Yao gazing back at him with gentle eyes that spoke volumes of warmth.

  He had never felt that even when they were trapped in the Blood Drop Cave of the Dead Spirit Spring, Zhang Xiaofan didn't feel so close to her. After a while, he suddenly said: "Biyao."

  "What's wrong?" Bi Yao smiled and asked.

  "Zhang Xiaofan gazed at her and said: 'Why are you so good to me?'"

  Bixiao was taken aback for a moment, then slowly shifted her gaze to the land in front of her, and a faint confusion seemed to drift across her face as she said, "Yes! Why am I so good to you?"

  Above their heads, the bamboo leaves swayed gently in the mountain breeze, as if also whispering something.

  "My family background and past events, you know them all now?" After a while, Bi Yao said faintly.

  Zhang Xiaofan nodded slightly and said, "Yes."

  Bi Yao said slowly: "I lost my mother when I was young, and Father was busy with the affairs of the Holy Sect, so he had little time to take care of me. The people around me always smiled at me because of Father's face, and they always tried to please me."

  Zhang Xiaofan fell silent for a moment before saying, "Your dad actually still cares about you."

  Biyao nodded and said: "Yes. But I didn't understand before, until I met you."

  She gazed at Zhang Xiaofan and said quietly: "Xiaofan, those days in the Blood Cave, I will never forget for the rest of my life."

  Her voice, at this moment, seemed a little distant: "It turns out that even in the darkness, even when I'm about to die, I can still find someone to rely on."

  Zhang Xiaofan was moved in his heart, but he didn't know what to say.

  A hand as smooth as jade reached out, and Bi Yao gently grasped his hand, conveying a faint warmth from her soft skin.

  She took out a handkerchief from her bosom and gently wiped away the stain on her sleeve that Zhang Xiaofan had left when he helped her wipe the bamboo earlier.

  "From young to old, I don't know how many people have tried to please me, sending me countless rare and precious treasures, but...” She lifted her head, gazing into Zhang Xiaofan's eyes, softly saying, “Even if all the treasures in the world were placed before my eyes, they couldn't compare to this sleeve of yours that you used to wipe away my tears.”

  At this moment, all the voices in the world suddenly disappeared.

  Only this beautiful woman's gentle gaze surrounded him.

  How many years later, you look back on past events, and still remember that year when someone whispered their innermost thoughts to you?

  Do you still remember those passionate and naive words spoken in your youth?

  Like an unyielding vow deeply engraved in one's heart!

  Have you ever opened your arms and hugged that loved one in your bosom?

  At some point, in that gentle silence, he opened his arms and tightly hugged the beautiful woman beside him.