Chapter Fifty-Three: The Inescapable Storm

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Back on shore, Suhe and the others wasted no time, swiftly plunging into the forest.

They all understood that the opportunity before them had been bought with A Xiao’s life. They needed to leave this place as soon as possible—the farther, the better.

As long as they escaped the range of the Sovereign Bird, they would be safe.

After a long, breathless flight, they finally put considerable distance between themselves and the Sovereign Island. Only when they reached open ground did they allow themselves a brief respite.

Throughout the journey, the Egret Child was silent, stubbornly carrying Wulei on his back. No matter who offered to help, he refused.

Since no one could persuade him otherwise, they let him be. Only the Jade Fragment, time and again, tried to touch Wulei’s small face, but every attempt was met with a fierce glare from the Egret Child, sending her scurrying back.

After several failed attempts, she began to whimper and complain to Huai Yin.

Seeing this, Huai Yin felt a headache brewing, but he could never truly be harsh with the Jade Fragment. If he scolded her, he’d pay dearly for it later.

So, dragging along his tearful little companion, he made his way toward Suhe.

Glancing around warily, he frowned and asked, “What’s wrong? Do you sense something amiss?”

Since entering this place, Suhe had grown increasingly silent, his expression clouded with concern.

Suhe looked back at Huai Yin and said, “Look.”

He gestured toward a single leaf drifting down through the still air, though there was no wind.

“Well, since we’re already here, let’s get it over with before we leave.

Everyone, stop hiding—show yourselves.” Huai Yin drew his Silver Wolf blade, scanning the woods with sharp vigilance.

As soon as his words fell, the underbrush rustled.

Xiao the Fourth led his group out from the shadows, while the followers of the River’s Source blocked their retreat from behind.

“You vermin again? Aren’t you sick of this? Don’t you have anything better to do than follow us around sniffing for trouble?” Seeing familiar faces, Huai Yin’s temper flared.

From the Starfall Pavilion to the recent Tong River incident, these people had always meddled, ensuring that no encounter with them ended well.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Long time no see, Huai Yin. Has your mouth grown so foul from eating too much island fish, or is it the water here that doesn’t agree with you?” Xiao the Fourth smirked, tapping his flute. “We’re only here for two reasons.

First, we heard the Young Pavilion Master was resurrected and wanted to see if it’s true.

After all, wouldn’t it be dreadful if someone with ill intent was impersonating her? Don’t you all agree?”

“Yes, yes, let this ‘Young Pavilion Master’ come out and speak for herself. How do we know you haven’t buried the real one and brought out a fake to fool us? In these times, counterfeits are everywhere. She should show herself and speak, to set the hearts of all our immortal friends at ease.”

“Exactly. If she is truly the Young Pavilion Master, she must know who the real murderer is. Let the girl clear up the mystery for everyone. If you’re in difficulty, just blink—we’ll rescue you.”

“Our friend speaks true. Girl, you don’t look like a villain. Don’t become an accomplice. The Pavilion Master was fair to all in life. If you have something to say, think carefully first.”

…

So they were back to their old tricks.

But Huai Yin was not one for patience. He lacked Suhe’s calm and gentle temperament and believed that when enough was enough, there was no need to tolerate further.

Annoyed, he drove his Silver Wolf blade into the soil, pointing at the most vocal hecklers. “You, you, and you—come out. Let’s have a proper explanation.”

With that, he darted into the crowd to seize them.

Xiao the Fourth moved at the same time, blocking Huai Yin with his flute and saying, “Hold on—everyone’s just here for answers about the Pavilion Master.

The person in question hasn’t spoken, so why are you so anxious, Huai Yin? Or is it because we hit a nerve?”

“Screw your nonsense.”

“Ugh… Disgusting, Huai Yin. You really have no manners.”

“…”

Suhe knew those who’d come meant no good—good people wouldn’t have come. He called Huai Yin back and turned to Xiao the Fourth. “Speak, then. How do you wish to resolve this?”

The Starfall Pavilion incident was far from over; today’s confrontation would surely not end with this matter alone.

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Xiao the Fourth toyed with his flute, eyes narrowing slightly, a barely perceptible smirk on his lips. “I’ve long heard Bai Li Suhe is a man of extraordinary bearing. Since you have such looks, why disguise yourself at Starfall Pavilion that day?”

“If you know I am Bai Li Suhe, you should know why. Your every word is barbed, Xiao the Fourth. Am I wrong to suspect you have ulterior motives?”

He laughed. “Just a few questions. Why so defensive? We don’t ask for much: the truth of the Pavilion Master’s death, and whether the ‘Young Pavilion Master’ is genuine.

Convince us, and we’ll let you be. Fail, and we’ll settle both old and new scores together.” With that, he leisurely stepped back into his group.

Truth be told, after their last battle, he felt uneasy facing Suhe again.

As the saying goes, ‘Let others die first, not oneself.’ One must always be wary; otherwise, one might not even know which way their tomb faces when they die.

As soon as he finished, the accompanying immortals began to clamor again, “Yes, either explain, or let her come out and clarify.

Don’t make us seem unreasonable. We’re giving you a chance—if you can’t explain, don’t blame us for what comes next.”

“Exactly. Which of you will speak first…”

Suhe glanced at Yi Qingchen, who remained silent, then turned to address the crowd, “Everything I did that day, I did with Brother Huai. What you saw at Starfall Pavilion is exactly what happened—there’s no difference.

As for the Young Pavilion Master’s identity, if you doubt it, you can go to Weiye Valley and inquire for yourselves. The truth will be clear at a glance.”

“Tch, do you take us for children? Qingfeng of Leaf Valley has vanished, and you want us to go ask? Isn’t that just a ploy to lure us away? Who’s to say she’s real or fake?”

“Exactly—saying you acted with Huai Yin. Who here doesn’t know that this kid is completely bewitched by you? What’s the point of asking him?”

“Right. Today you either pay with your life or prove your innocence.”

Looking at the mouths twisting in accusation, Suhe found it all darkly amusing. People were like this—no matter how desperately you spoke the truth, they simply wouldn’t believe it.

Such is the innate flaw of human nature…

Huai Yin was growing anxious. The Young Pavilion Master was never one to ignore others. Why was she letting everyone misunderstand her in silence? If anyone should know the truth of Starfall Pavilion’s destruction, it was her.

He dragged the Jade Fragment with him and approached Yi Qingchen. “Young Pavilion Master, say something, won’t you?”

They might not be top cultivators, but enough vermin can exhaust you to death even if they can’t bite you to death.

Yi Qingchen looked up, meeting Huai Yin’s hopeful gaze. Suddenly, she sighed, “It’s not that I don’t care. It’s just that, when the incident happened, all I remember is sudden darkness. When I woke, I only saw… him and you.”

“...No…no, how could that be?” He’d never asked before, planning to wait for a better time. Never did he imagine such an answer. Her explanation was worse than none at all…

“Sorry.” Yi Qingchen lowered her head, sneaking a glance at Suhe, her heart a mix of emotions.

She knew well the real culprit wasn’t Suhe. With her father’s cultivation, not even her uncles could overpower him—let alone Suhe.

“I…I didn’t mean to pressure you. I just asked out of worry, not—” Before he finished, Huai Yin suddenly sucked in a breath, looking at his arm in pain. “Ow… Ancestor, why are you biting me again?”

The Jade Fragment froze for a moment, then flung herself into his arms, wailing, “Bad people, so many bad people, wuuuuu…”

Her sobbing nearly took her breath away.

Huai Yin shook out his hand, examining the bleeding bite, and rubbed his brow. Honestly, if this went on, he’d go mad one of these days.

Why was it that everyone bit him whenever there were bad people? What sort of curse was this?

“I…I…” The Jade Fragment couldn’t finish a sentence and, for some unknown reason, fainted on the spot.

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“Hey? What’s wrong?” Huai Yin hurried to catch her as she slipped downward, kneeling to turn her over. Her pretty face was ashen, a fine sheen of sweat beading on her brow.

Seeing her like this, Huai Yin dared not scold her further. He gathered her into his arms, murmuring softly, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Uncle was wrong, Uncle was bad. Wake up soon, and Uncle will go fight the bad people for you.

Whoever bullies our Jade, I’ll go beat them up…”

Yi Qingchen knelt down, lifting her skirt, and dabbed at the sweat on Jade Fragment’s face with her sleeve. “Should I try to comfort her?”

Huai Yin glanced at the Jade Fragment. “No, I’ll do it myself. It’s my fault—I couldn’t hold back, even knowing she’s timid, I kept scolding her…”

Looking up at the others, his brows furrowed deeply. What had Second Miss gone through back then?

Why did she panic so much at the sight of these people?

“Take care of her, then. I’ll go explain to everyone,” said Yi Qingchen, rising to her feet.

“But didn’t you just say you didn’t know who the culprit was? If you go now, won’t that—?”

“Even so, I must step forward. I can’t let him bear it all alone.

He’s innocent, isn’t he? You know that, don’t you?”

Huai Yin opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. Know? Of course he knew. That was exactly why he knew it wouldn’t help—the outcome would be the same no matter what he said.

That’s why he felt so aggrieved.

Not for himself, but for Suhe. The man had been plagued with endless misfortune ever since entering Desire Sea Heaven.

Yi Qingchen lowered her eyes with a faint smile, turned, and walked toward Suhe.

Of course she wanted to avenge her destroyed clan.

But she couldn’t let him bear the blame for it.

Suhe gestured for her not to approach. If it could be explained, he would explain. If not, they would wait until the Wushuang incident was resolved.

After that, they would unmask the true villain behind the scenes.

“If you wish to test my authenticity, then may I ask—by what standard will you judge?

And if I prove myself genuine, will my word then stand for all of Starfall Pavilion?” Yi Qingchen gave Suhe a subtle shake of the head, moving to stand by his side, ready to face the storm together.

At her words, the others broke into hushed debate.

They argued for some time, but reached no consensus, so they turned to Xiao the Fourth.

Half-lidded, Xiao the Fourth watched them all, then coughed delicately into his sleeve. “Ahem… If the lady can prove she is indeed the Young Pavilion Master, then of course she may speak for Starfall Pavilion.

After all, the Young Pavilion Master is its true master. We are here only out of righteous indignation, seeking justice for the world.”

Yi Qingchen smiled to herself, turning away. “Well then, what proof would satisfy you?

Let’s agree on the terms now, so none can go back on their word later.”

Xiao the Fourth ignored the sarcasm, clapping his flute. “It’s simple. When the Young Pavilion Master was born, the Pavilion Master had the best artisans craft a Four Symbols Pipa.

It’s said that only the Young Pavilion Master can play it. If you have it, bring it out to prove yourself.”

People can be impersonated, and objects imitated, but he didn’t believe the instrument truly existed.

Perhaps the tale had been exaggerated by someone with ulterior motives.

“Very well. If I produce it, will you all step forward and try for yourselves?

Otherwise, how can my words convince the crowd?”

“Of course.”

Yi Qingchen shot Xiao the Fourth a glance, then drew forth the Four Symbols Pipa and swept her gaze across the assembly.

She plucked the strings with her fingers—a vibrant, resonant note filled the air.

“Well? Who among you dares come forward and try?”

(End of chapter)