152: Chapter 152 Qingyan "Falsely Accuses" Xu Ruyu: He, he saw my body

When Qingyan left Tingzhu Peak, her footsteps were somewhat erratic.

The wind blew through the bamboo sea, fluttering her double ponytails and goose-yellow skirt, yet it couldn't blow away the turmoil in her heart.

She walked very slowly, occasionally glancing back at the bamboo hut hidden deep within the bamboo forest, her eyes filled with a complex expression.

Xu Ruyu...

This name churned over and over in her heart, leaving her mind in a state of unrest.

She and Xu Ruyu actually didn't have much interaction.

If one had to say there was any, it would be that time in the Back Mountain...

Qingyan's face suddenly turned red.

That was the first time she had met Xu Ruyu.

Later, on the Law Execution Platform, Xu Ruyu, with his Qi Refinement Stage cultivation, had held his ground against Fairy Caidie and set up the Acetylene Great Array to incinerate ten Disciples of the Meiying Sect, becoming famous in a single battle.

But strictly speaking, there wasn't much of a friendship between Xu Ruyu and her.

They might not even... count as friends.

But...

Qingyan stopped and looked toward the distant sky.

Dusk was settling, and the horizon was stained with orange-red clouds.

But she simply didn't want to see anything happen to him.

She didn't want to see him die at the hands of Leng Ningshuang in the duel three days from now.

"Sigh..."

Qingyan sighed and bit her lip.

She had to do something.

Even if... it was to repay that "favor" from back then.

Even if it was for that inexplicable... concern in her heart.

Who could she ask for help?

In the Hehuan Sect, she knew many people, but there were only a few she could truly talk to, besides her Master, Hua Xunhuan.

Su Mei? That woman clearly harbored ill intentions toward Xu Ruyu; it would be lucky if she didn't cause more trouble.

Zhao Yan, Ning Caihe? Although those two didn't seem to have any malice toward Xu Ruyu, they were outsiders after all and might not be willing to intervene.

After thinking it over, there was only her Master.

Hua Xunhuan was the Fifth Elder of the Hehuan Sect and a fellow Disciple sister of Sect Master Xiao Nianyin. Although the two followed different paths—one practiced the orthodox Charm Technique of Hehuan, while the other practiced the Mystic Maidens Sun-Stealing Art—they were still from the same sect. As long as her Master was willing to step in, she could at least have a word with the Sect Master.

At the very least... she could save Xu Ruyu's life during the duel.

A flash of determination crossed Qingyan's eyes.

"Xiao Yuer..." she whispered to herself, her tone carrying a bit of helplessness and a bit of heartache. "For your sake, Senior Sister will sacrifice her dignity this once!"

Having said that, she quickened her pace and headed toward Xunhuan Hall.

Xunhuan Hall was located on the east side of the Hehuan Sect, completely different from the cold and solemn atmosphere of Ningyin Hall.

The entire palace was mainly in warm tones, with carved beams and painted rafters, and wind chimes hanging from the eaves that tinkled whenever the wind blew.

Warm incense burned year-round inside the hall, its sweet and intoxicating scent capable of stirring one's desires—it was Hua Xunhuan's favorite aroma.

Qingyan stood outside the hall doors, took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, and then pushed the doors open to enter.

The light inside the hall was dim, with only a few red candles flickering. The warm incense hit her nose, so thick it made her feel a bit dizzy.

Qingyan composed herself and walked deeper into the hall.

Rounding a screen, the scene before her made her pause.

On a soft couch, Hua Xunhuan was reclining against a handsome man.

Today, she wore a thin, crimson gauze dress with an open neckline, revealing a large expanse of snow-white skin and deep cleavage.

Her skirt was pulled up to the top of her thighs, her long, straight legs crossed, and her feet were bare, with her jade-like feet resting in the man's lap.

The man was handsome with a gentle temperament, and he was currently carefully holding Hua Xunhuan's feet, gently massaging them with his fingertips.

Hua Xunhuan had her eyes closed, looking very much at ease, occasionally letting out a comfortable hum or two.

Qingyan stood by the screen, unsure whether to advance or retreat, her face turning slightly red.

"Master..." she called out softly.

Hua Xunhuan opened her eyes and saw Qingyan. A flash of surprise crossed her eyes, followed by a smile.

"Oh, little Qingyan is here? What, did you miss your Master?"

As she spoke, she waved her hand, signaling the man to withdraw.

The man bowed respectfully and exited the hall.

Hua Xunhuan sat up and patted the soft couch beside her.

"Come, sit here with Master."

Qingyan hesitated for a moment but still walked over. However, she didn't sit down, just stood by the couch with her head bowed, twisting the hem of her clothes.

"What's wrong?" Hua Xunhuan raised an eyebrow, reached out to pull her down to sit beside her, and carefully examined her face. "You look unhappy. Who bullied my little Qingyan? Tell Master, and I'll vent your anger for you."

Qingyan looked up at her Master's incomparably charming face, opened her mouth, but didn't know where to start.

"Hesitating like this, that's not like you." Hua Xunhuan smiled, her finger tilting up Qingyan's chin. "Speak, what is it? Did you take a fancy to some Senior Brother and want Master to help you set things up?"

Qingyan's face turned even redder.

She bit her lip and suddenly looked up, as if she had made up her mind.

"Master, haven't you always been urging me to look for a Dao Companion?"

"Hmm?" Hua Xunhuan raised an eyebrow. "What, you've finally come around?"

"I... I have a candidate!" Qingyan gathered her courage.

"Oh?" Hua Xunhuan became interested. "Who? Is it that repressed Ning Caihe, or that suave Liu Rufeng? Or... that boor Zhao Yan?"

Qingyan shook her head, her voice dropping.

"None of them... It's... it's Junior Brother Xu, Xu Ruyu."

"Xu Ruyu?"

The smile on Hua Xunhuan's face instantly froze.

She sat up straight and stared at Qingyan, her gaze becoming serious.

"Who did you say? Xu Ruyu?"

"Yes..." Qingyan nodded, not daring to look her Master in the eye.

"You like that troublemaker?" Hua Xunhuan frowned deeply. "He shouldn't be the kind of person you like. On the Sect Master's side..."

"Master!"

Qingyan suddenly looked up, interrupting Hua Xunhuan.

Her eyes were red, glazed over with a layer of mist, and her voice carried a sob.

"I didn't want to either... but, but Xu Ruyu, he, he..."

"What did he do?" Hua Xunhuan's heart tightened. "Did he bully you?"

Qingyan shook her head, tears pitter-pattering down.

"He... he saw my body..."

Hua Xunhuan was stunned.

"What?"

"Two months ago, I was bathing in the Cold Pond in the Back Mountain..." Qingyan sobbed, her voice intermittent. "He... he somehow stumbled in... and saw... saw all of me..."