534: Lu Xueqi (Eleven)

“The situation is urgent; we can't afford to be particular,” Su Han said, then turned to Bi Yao. “Bi Yao, you help Junior Sister Lu on the other side. We need to find a more secluded spot quickly.”

Bi Yao looked at Su Han’s arm supporting Lu Xueqi, her lips pouting slightly. But she also understood the gravity of the situation, so with a huff, she stepped forward and supported Lu Xueqi’s other arm.

“Hey, don’t push yourself. If you collapse halfway and fall, we’ll be dragged down with you.”

Lu Xueqi glanced at her, ignoring the barb in her words, and simply said in a low voice, “Thank you.”

The three no longer delayed. Su Han identified a direction, choosing a mountain path that was opposite to the Shadow Assassins' escape route and much more rugged and difficult to traverse.

He still had to keep a firm grip on qingming sword with one hand for emergencies, while with the other hand, he and Bi Yao helped Lu Xueqi. The three quickly disappeared into the dense mountain forest.

The night was as dark as ink, and in the mountain forest, one couldn't see their hand in front of their face.

Only occasional faint moonlight, filtering through gaps in the clouds, outlined twisted silhouettes of branches, like ghouls baring their fangs and claws.

Su Han forced himself to stay alert, spreading his spiritual sense as far as possible, perceiving every rustle and stir around him.

Each hoot of a night owl, each rustle of a small beast darting through the bushes, tightened his nerves.

Bi Yao also put away her usual lively demeanor, her expression grave. heartbreak flower floated beside her, emitting a faint glow, serving both as illumination and as a readiness for any sudden situation.

Lu Xueqi was supported by the two, with most of her weight leaning on Su Han.

She tried her best to adjust her breathing and match their pace to reduce their burden.

Taiji Profound Clarity Dao's Mind-Cultivation Technique quietly circulated, slowly repairing her internal injuries.

She could clearly feel the warm energy emanating from Su Han’s arm and his muscles tensing slightly due to his vigilance.

This posture, almost of reliance, stirred a never-before-felt, ineffable complex emotion within her heart.

There was embarrassment, helplessness, and also a hint of… extremely faint reassurance.

But she immediately suppressed this unusual feeling and simply continued forward in silence.

After walking for about half an hour, the mountain path became increasingly steep and difficult.

Su Han found a concave section of the mountain wall, half-hidden by vines, which looked like a shallow cave and was quite secluded.

“Let’s rest here for a bit. We must treat the wounds, and you also need to recuperate,” Su Han said to Lu Xueqi, also informing Bi Yao.

Lu Xueqi nodded. She was indeed nearing her limit.

The three pushed aside the vines and squeezed into the shallow cave, which was barely large enough to accommodate them.

The cave was quite damp and small, but sufficient to temporarily hide their tracks.

Su Han had Lu Xueqi sit against the innermost rock wall, while he guarded the position near the cave entrance.

Bi Yao immediately took out medicinal paste again.

“Idiot, treat the wound on your arm again. That claw poison might not be completely gone.”

She then looked at Lu Xueqi, “Your internal injuries…”

“I can do it myself,” Lu Xueqi softly interrupted, taking out a small white jade bottle commonly used by the Qingyun Sect from her embrace. She poured out a fragrant Medicinal Pill and swallowed it, then closed her eyes and concentrated, focusing on circulating her Cultivation Technique to heal her injuries.

Bi Yao pouted and no longer insisted, instead turning to help Su Han clean the wound on his left arm.

Looking at the gash, with flesh torn open and bone visible, her eyes reddened again, but her movements were exceptionally gentle.

“You're not allowed to do that again next time! Do you think you're made of iron?” she grumbled in a low voice, carefully sprinkling medicinal powder and re-bandaging it with a clean strip of cloth.

Su Han looked at her focused and worried profile, feeling a warmth in his heart, and said softly, “The situation was urgent then; there was no other way.

If we hadn't taken such a risky approach, we might have all perished there.”

“But you can’t gamble with your life!” Bi Yao looked up, glaring at him, her eyes shimmering with tears.

“If you… if something happened to you, I…”

She didn't finish her sentence, but the depth of her feelings was clear.

Su Han's heart trembled. Looking at her delicate face so close, he was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

A brief silence fell inside the cave, broken only by their soft breathing and the ceaseless wind outside.

The air was filled with the bitter scent of herbs and a faint, elusive fragrance belonging to Bi Yao.

Although Lu Xueqi closed her eyes to heal, the sounds and scents from outside could not be completely shut out.

The low murmurs of complaint, the unfinished words, the subtle flow of emotions, like tiny ripples, quietly spread into her calm heart.

Her long eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, and the Origin Qi of the Taiji Profound Clarity Dao, which was circulating, experienced a minuscule hesitation before quickly returning to normal.

But she knew that some things had already changed.

Su Han also sensed the subtle atmosphere. He lightly coughed, changing the subject.

“These Shadow Assassins are well-trained, work together seamlessly, and possess bizarre Cultivation Techniques. They are definitely not an ordinary force.

Especially their leader, whose concealment and Clone techniques are simply unheard of.”

Bi Yao also composed herself, frowning, “Indeed.

And their objective is clear; they are targeting you two… especially Lu Xueqi.

What exactly does that phrase, ‘Heavenly Dao’s Lost Treasure,’ mean?”

Su Han shook his head, his expression grave.

“I don’t know either.

But clearly, we've gotten ourselves into a huge mess.

Within the Qingyun Sect, I'm afraid also… Sigh.”

He sighed, not continuing his words.

Lu Xueqi slowly opened her eyes at this moment. Her breathing was much more even than before, and although her injuries were still severe, they had temporarily stabilized.

Her clear gaze met Su Han and Bi Yao, her voice still cool but with a hint of fatigue.

“The Heavenly Dao’s Lost Treasure is a secret known only to a very few people in the Qingyun Sect, such as the Peak Masters and Elders.

According to ancient legends, it is related to the ancient Heavenly Dao and contains unimaginable power and secrets.

But what it is specifically, and where it is, has been lost for a thousand years. I only heard my Master and Junior Martial Uncle Shui Yue mention a few words about it by chance.”

She paused, then continued, “These Shadow Assassins were able to accurately state this matter and believe it is related to me. Their mastermind must be extremely knowledgeable about the Qingyun Sect, and perhaps… even among the high-ranking officials within the sect.”

At these words, Su Han and Bi Yao’s expressions grew even uglier.

If the enemy came from within the Qingyun Sect, the situation would become even more dangerous and complex.

“It seems we can’t return to Qingyun Mountain for now,” Su Han said in a deep voice.

“We must first find an absolutely safe place for you two to fully recover.

Then, we can find a way to uncover this conspiracy.”

“The world is vast, but where is truly safe?” Bi Yao worried.

“The Demonic Sect… my Ghost King Sect certainly cannot be an option.

And the Qingyun Sect might have internal traitors.

Are we to hide in these desolate mountains and wild forests forever?”

Su Han pondered for a moment, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

“Let’s go to Heyang City.”

“Heyang City?” Bi Yao and Lu Xueqi both looked at him.

“Yes, Heyang City is the largest town under the Qingyun Sect, a melting pot of people, and its large population makes it easier to hide.

We can disguise ourselves and find an inconspicuous inn to stay in.

As the saying goes, ‘the greatest hermits hide in the busiest cities.’

Moreover…”

He looked at Lu Xueqi, “There is a secret branch of the Qingyun Sect in Heyang City. Perhaps we can find a way to contact absolutely trustworthy people, such as Junior Martial Uncle Tian from Da Zhu Peak. He is upright and incorruptible, and can perhaps be trusted.”

Lu Xueqi thought for a moment, then nodded.

“At present, this seems to be the only viable method.”

With the plan decided, the three rested in the shallow cave for about an hour.

Su Han seized the time to circulate his Cultivation Technique, completely expelling the lingering cold Qi from his left arm.

Bi Yao also recuperated for a while, recovering some of her energy.

Lu Xueqi continued to heal her injuries, striving to recover as much strength as possible.

As a faint sliver of dawn appeared on the eastern horizon, the three rose again.

Su Han and Bi Yao supported Lu Xueqi, leaving their temporary refuge, and cautiously made their way towards Heyang City. (End of Chapter)