The system suddenly cut in out of nowhere:
【Abnormal heart rate detected. Would you like to activate the “abandon treatnt” option?】
“No—!”
Lian’s hand ca down on my shoulder.
His voice was low, restrained, carrying a faint chill. “At this point, you still don’t want to tell us the truth?”
The way he looked at made my scalp tighten. I figured if I kept playing dumb, I wouldn’t even need the system to reset —he might do it himself. So I forced a bitter smile and spread my hands.
“Alright, alright. I’ll talk.”
I went through everything from the beginning—how the Eighth Prince approached my brother and through Sister Pink-Lotus, how he forced us to drink that bowl of Monthly Crimson, and how he used the antidote as leverage to make us follow him—and Hua—on this hunt for the Blood Lotus Sect’s so-called secret treasure.
“As for what that treasure actually is…” I glanced cautiously at the two of them. “Do you know?”
Lian’s expression barely shifted. “He said it’s my most precious possession?”
I nodded, then suddenly realized sothing. “Your most precious possession? Isn’t that… you? So what, we’re supposed to hand you over?”
Silence fell for a mont.
Hua lazily fanned himself and sighed. “Dear Gong, are you sure you weren’t scamd? I’ve been in this sect for years and never heard of any ‘secret treasure.’ Unless the Sect Leader’s been keeping even in the dark.”
Lian shook his head, his tone eerily calm. “I’ve never heard of it.”
I slapped my hands together, suddenly energized. “Then isn’t this simple? We just go explain it to the Eighth Prince—and the Emperor. Tell them it’s all a misunderstanding. There is no treasure. Everyone go ho, problem solved. I really don’t want to get dragged into so palace intrigue drama.”
“Tch.” Hua flicked his fan lazily. “If it were that easy, I’d have retired to the mountains long ago.”
“What do you an?” I blinked.
“Dude.” He tapped my head with a snap. “Think about it. The Eighth Prince says the treasure exists. The one on the throne wants it too. Do you think we can just say it doesn’t exist? When the people at the top say sothing exists, then it exists—even if we have to conjure it out of thin air. That’s called political wisdom.”
I nodded, then shook my head again. “So… we have to pick a treasure?”
“No.” Lian suddenly smiled—a smile that made my spine crawl. “Have you heard the story of ‘Two Peaches Kill Three Warriors’?”
“Of course.” I rolled my eyes. “My third brother told that when I was a kid. Yan Zi of Qi gave two peaches to three heroes and made them compete for rit. They argued themselves into sha and killed themselves. Two peaches, three deaths. But the problem is—we don’t have any peaches.”
Lian didn’t answer. Instead, he turned to Hua. “Tell —do you think the Eighth Prince would be… interested to learn that the Emperor t with us today?”
Hua paused, then smiled. “Understood.”
The mont he finished speaking, he leapt up like a hawk taking flight. His robes cut through the morning light as he vaulted forward, stepping on air as if it were solid. In a few breaths, he was gone.
I stared, dumbfounded. “Where is he going?”
Lian stood with his hands behind his back, expression indifferent. “To plant peaches.”
I had no idea what the hell they were talking about. All I knew was that both of them had a talent for stirring up trouble.
I sighed and leaned back. “Whatever. We’re all tied to the sa rope now. Might as well bounce however fate wants us to.”
I’d seen Hua’s speed before—he moved like a ghost. I didn’t even bother asking what he was up to.
I turned to Lian. “We’re not waiting for him?”
Lian didn’t even look at . “No need. He’ll catch up when he’s done.”
“Oh.” I hugged the silver box and sat in the carriage, watching the scenery slide past outside. I couldn’t help muttering, “Hope he doesn’t just run off. We can’t reach North Ridge without him.”
Lian seed to hear . The corner of his mouth twitched—maybe a smile, maybe restraint.
“We still need to make haste,” he said calmly. “Once we pass this plain, we’ll reach North Ridge. There are many herbs there. Aside from the Nethervine Three Flowers we’re looking for, we might also find Daily Evergreen—sothing that could cure the Monthly Crimson affecting you and your brother.”
My eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Believe it or not.”
His tone was flat, but I caught a trace of reassurance beneath it. It ward a little. Lian might act cold, but deep down, he actually does care.
…Fine. As long as I help him finish this main storyline, once the system task is done, we’ll part ways—everyone back to their own lives.
…And yet—
For so reason, the thought of “parting ways” made sothing in my chest tighten.
Like soone had squeezed it.
It stung.
System, what kind of side effect is this?
【Emotional module fluctuation detected. Host is likely developing attachnt.】
“Get lost.”
I pulled my cloak tighter and leaned back, ignoring it.
We traveled at an easy pace.
Not because we couldn’t go faster, but because Lian said we needed to “leave markers along the way.” Personally, I suspected he just wanted an excuse.
Most of the ti, I lay stretched out in the carriage, occasionally turning over to look at the sky, nibbling on rations, or taking a nap.
For the first ti in my life, “traveling” actually felt… comfortable.
Even stranger—Lian didn’t make drive the carriage.
He sat in front himself, holding the reins loosely, steady as a painting.
I thought to myself—if it weren’t for the Eighth Prince, the Emperor, and all this Blood Lotus nonsense… living like this wouldn’t be so bad.
Too bad the system doesn’t let dream for long.
【Plot detection: Main storyline entering next phase.】
“Shut up.” I sat up imdiately, alert. “Don’t jinx it.”
The system didn’t respond, but I knew better. It might be useless when it mattered, but when it said sothing like this, it was never for nothing.
—Sure enough.
A few days later, we reached the next city.
It sat at the foot of North Ridge, surrounded by water and mountains, the air noticeably colder. Because of its northern location, people simply called it North River City.
It was said to be the last stop before North Ridge. Beyond it, there were no roads—just endless wilderness, forests, and ravines. From there on, it was all on foot.
Dusty from travel, Lian and I entered the city and found an inn to rest.
The place was far livelier than expected. The streets were packed with herbal traders, hunters, and wandering monks. Everyone carried bundles, all in a hurry.
Lian booked a top room. I collapsed onto the bed, ready to enjoy so proper sleep.
But not long after—
Knock, knock, knock.
Soone was at the door.
I turned over. “Who is it? It’s not even dark yet. What is this, a death summons?”
Lian frowned, not even having risen yet, when a soft, lilting laugh drifted in from outside—
“Sect Leader Hao, Young Master Nangong—I’ve been sent to invite you both… to et my master.”
My head buzzed.
That voice… why did it sound so familiar?
That tone—I’ve got powerful backing written all over it. Definitely not so random nobody.
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