The Mountain Lord's Daughter

She didn't mind, so naturally, he wouldn't either.

As night fell, Yue Zhi Heng was busy sketching some plans when Fang Huai arrived, carrying a jug of wine.

"I just returned from the spiritual realm's barrier to the capital, and I heard you're getting married—an imperial marriage, no less. I also heard that you've long been infatuated with Pei Yujing's fiancée, and that you personally requested her from the Emperor. Is that true?"

Yue Zhi Heng's brush didn't stop, but his brows furrowed slightly. Without lifting his head, he asked, "Who spread this rumor?"

Was he crazy? Infatuated with Pei Yujing's fiancée?

Fang Huai quickly understood, "Is it to lure Pei Yujing out?"

Yue Zhi Heng remained silent. This matter was well-known to those in the know, even to those fleeing the Immortal Sect. They understood—this gamble was based on Pei Yujing's feelings for Zhan Yunwei. The question was whether he would risk his life to fight for her.

Fang Huai raised an eyebrow. "Master, do you want him to come, or not?"

Yue Zhi Heng finished his last stroke and said coldly, "Are you free?"

"I'm just joking." Fang Huai, seeing his indifferent attitude, found it boring. He leaned over to look at the sketch and realized that Yue Zhi Heng was drawing an improved version of the "Mirror of the World's Depths."

The surrounding area was filled with Yue Zhi Heng's annotations, detailing how to widen the scope of vision, how to avoid detection by the one being tracked, and calculating precise measurements along with the materials to be used.

Sometimes, Fang Huai had to admire the craft of a weaponsmith. The process, from sketching to finishing, was tedious, lonely, and uninteresting. What kind of personality must one have to endure this day after day?

Yet, Yue Zhi Heng, with his cold and arrogant demeanor, was actually a weaponsmith.

After staring at the drawings for a while, Fang Huai suddenly spoke up, "Could you make me one of these mirrors?"

Yue Zhi Heng put the sketch away and asked, "Is there unrest in Du'e City recently?"

"No." Fang Huai's eyes lit up, "This mirror is so useful. When I'm free, I can use it to watch Xiao Die."

Xiao Die was his fiancée, chosen by his family, and also a spirit master. Fang Huai adored her to no end.

"Master Fang, please go ahead. I'm tired and not in the mood for entertaining."

Fang Huai quickly apologized, "No, no, no, let's talk business."

He grew serious, "Recently, more and more commoners who have been possessed by evil spirits have been quietly heading to Du'e City."

Talking about this, Fang Huai also felt troubled. In the past, the Immortal Sect stood tall and would save commoners infected with evil spirits, preventing them from falling into despair, maintaining some balance.

But now, the Emperor's ruthless actions had destroyed the Immortal Sect, leaving those tainted by evil spirits in a state of hopelessness and fear.

Once the evil energy entered the body, if it wasn't eliminated in time, it would eventually turn into a sinister entity. The nobles had spirit masters to save them, but the commoners had nothing.

Rather than slowly suffocating for a few years and then dying by the hands of the Che Tian Mansion, it was better to head to Du'e City on the other side of the barrier.

Du'e City was naturally no safe haven. It was the city of evil spirits, full of dangers. Yet ironically, it was also the place with the most abundant spiritual energy and the greatest number of rare treasures.

These commoners thought that even if they died in Du'e City, they could at least find some rare treasures to bring back for their companions. That way, their families would have a better life.

This situation was exactly what Yue Zhi Heng had expected. After hearing this, he didn't react much. He simply said, "Either way, they're dead. This is just another way out."

Even if they didn't go to Du'e City to die, they'd still die in a few years by his hand.

Fang Huai couldn't help but glance at him. As another "hound of the dynasty" in the eyes of the common people, sometimes Fang Huai felt that this Master Yue was even colder than himself.

The Yue family, once part of the Immortal Sect, had produced such a cruel and heartless monster.

No wonder the commoners hated him, and even the Yue family didn't accept him.

Fang Huai said, "Our Fang family will probably be so busy we'll barely have time to breathe, but you, you'll have some free time for a while."

The Fang family had been known for producing battle-ready cultivators for generations. Now, the barrier protecting the spiritual realm was maintained by Fang Huai's grandfather, Old Master Fang. As his grandfather aged, the burden was gradually falling on Fang Huai.

With the commoners heading to Du'e City, the Che Tian Mansion would have fewer people to hunt down and capture.

"Speaking of which, with your free time, you can cultivate your relationship with your new wife," Fang Huai continued. "I've heard she was once the most gentle and beautiful woman in the Immortal Mountain. Haven't you ever thought of truly becoming a Dao partner with her?"

Yue Zhi Heng didn't respond. If killing the Third Prince without batting an eye could be considered "gentle," then he supposed that was one way to look at it.

He began cleaning his hands, staring at the ink stains, and calmly spoke, "I haven't thought about it."

If not for the fact that no one in the court dared to handle this hot potato, it wouldn't have fallen to him.

Fang Huai sighed. "Miss Zhan is truly pitiful, left behind in the capital as a hostage. Pei Yujing won't come to save her."

Yue Zhi Heng said, "How do you know Pei Yujing won't come?"

"I'm not as good as you when it comes to weapon forging, but when it comes to Immortal Sect gossip, if I'm second, no one in the dynasty would dare claim first," Fang Huai chuckled. His mother was the head of the Zhi Qiu Pavilion, so he knew everything about the spiritual realm and the human world. "People only know that Pei Yujing is a prodigy with a natural sword bone, growing at an incredible pace. But they don't know that since childhood, he's been practicing the Sword of Indifference."

The Sword of Indifference was a path that prevented its practitioner from becoming emotionally attached to any woman.

"Strangely enough, he himself requested this marriage with Miss Zhan, going against his master and his own mother. He must have real feelings for her. But whether it's for the sake of the Immortal Sect's foundation or Pei Yujing's life… his elders and mother will never allow him to set foot in the capital. Just wait and see."

Yue Zhi Heng looked out the window. It was midsummer in the capital, often a season of endless rain, and he didn't even notice when it started to rain again.

The attic where the girl was confined faintly lit up, like a small star in the dark night.

Thinking about why she couldn't sleep, Yue Zhi Heng withdrew his gaze and sneered inwardly. The Che Tian Mansion had always been such a loathsome, unappealing place.

She'd better hope that Fang Huai was wrong and that Pei Yujing would indeed come. He could deliver his report, but she...

She might as well pray that Fang Huai's words are false, and that Pei Yujing will still come. If he can fulfill his task, she might be able to leave sooner.

Yunwei leaned against the window, pulling her hand back from touching the raindrops.

She couldn't go outside. Having slept so much during the day, she was wide awake at night, so she decided to stay up and enjoy the rain. She didn't expect that, after all these twists and turns, she would find herself in the same situation again.

Even though much time had passed, she still remembered how eagerly she had waited for Pei Yujing to come, to take her away. Pei Yujing was the first person to make her heart flutter.

If she had known back then, when she first went to the academy to study, that he was cultivating the Heartless Sword Path, she would never have used her spiritual abilities to "save" this pitiful senior when he was surrounded by ice. She would never have allowed him to see her the moment the frost melted.

Back then, when he opened his eyes after the frost melted, his expression was surprised, his eyes carrying a faint smile. "Junior Sister, are you saving me?"

She blinked, confused, and nodded.

He looked at her, letting out a soft laugh. "Then, I must thank you, Junior Sister."

They were innocent and carefree in their youth.

That young man would often smile at her under the moonlight. "Junior Sister, if you want to cultivate spiritual control, you don't have to hide alone. You can try on me; I'm not afraid of pain."

Later, when Pei Yujing insisted on marrying her, the elders of Penglai almost died of anger. Even the lady of the Penglai Mountain Master personally resorted to punishment.

His mother cursed loudly, "You fool! You've been bewitched by that little witch, and you'd rather ruin your own future than listen to me? Why don't I take matters into my own hands and kill you myself?"

The elegant sword immortal lowered his eyes, his back covered in wounds. He knelt deeply, not saying a word.

He used half of his life to exchange for a marriage contract with her.

Yunwei never doubted his sincerity. But the world was cruel—evil spirits ran rampant, and everyone was powerless. Pei Yujing was born destined to carry great burdens. He carried the hopes of Penglai and even the entire Immortal Sect. Compared to these great responsibilities, that innocent Junior Sister from that afternoon was always going to be left behind.

In her past life, she didn't understand, insisting on being with him, despite the constant difficulties the Penglai matriarch and elders imposed on her. They hated her to the core, resenting her for blocking Pei Yujing's path.

Then, when she lost her spiritual roots, Lady Penglai even resorted to threatening him with her life, forcing Pei Yujing to either sever his emotions or marry Ming Xiu.

With a sword pressed to his neck, Pei Yujing couldn't bear to see his mother harm herself. In the end, with his sword drawn, he chose to end his own life.

"Mother, if you must force me, this is… my answer."

Fortunately, Pei Yujing was saved in the end. He opened his eyes, pale, and whispered, "Sorry, Yangyang, I seem to always make you cry."

Perhaps this event gave her the courage to finally stop believing in fate and destiny. Yunwei didn't believe in predestined separations anymore.

It wasn't until Pei Yujing entered the secret realm and came out, with Ming Xiu by his side, pregnant, that she finally understood. His voice was hoarse as he apologized again.

He had been the best and most virtuous disciple of Penglai, and so he couldn't bring himself to kill his own child and Ming Xiu.

At that moment, Yunwei understood what it meant for fate to play tricks on people.

She sat motionless the whole night. By morning, Yunwei's eyes had cleared, and she stood up decisively, leaving the Jade Tower small cottage behind.

Before she left, she didn't forget to pull out her sword and destroy Ming Xiu's beloved herb garden, leaving behind the spirit jade Pei Yujing had given her.

She couldn't blame Pei Yujing. He had done so much for her, even almost giving his life. Yet, in the end, he couldn't escape his mother and Ming Xiu's machinations.

Pei Yujing loved her, but he never truly protected her. His mother's hatred and humiliation, Ming Xiu's covert harm and schemes... All of this, happening behind Pei Yujing's back, had already left her battered and scarred.

Yunwei counted her spiritual stones, dreaming of the day she would find the world's greatest talisman master—

She had heard that the Sword Immortal Pei Yujing, as the Immortal Sect wished, had sealed his memories and returned to the sword path. His only request was that his mother and Ming Xiu be imprisoned for life by the Immortal Sect.

He never ended up with Ming Xiu, but he had already lost the Junior Sister who once used spiritual techniques to melt the ice for him.

Yunwei ignored all the voices and moved further away from them, without looking back. Her mind was set on finding a path forward. If she couldn't be a spirit master, she would become a cultivator, a talisman master! She would do whatever she could.

Before she became Pei Yujing's fiancée, her first identity in this world had been the daughter of the Mountain Master of Changya. The Yunwei who once dreamed of using her delicate body as a spirit master to eradicate evil spirits, protect peace, and bring prosperity.

Sadly, she died before she could fulfill her mission.

She might as well pray that Fang Huai's words are false, and that Pei Yujing will still come. If he can fulfill his task, she might be able to leave sooner.

Yunwei leaned against the window, pulling her hand back from touching the raindrops.

She couldn't go outside. Having slept so much during the day, she was wide awake at night, so she decided to stay up and enjoy the rain. She didn't expect that, after all these twists and turns, she would find herself in the same situation again.

Even though much time had passed, she still remembered how eagerly she had waited for Pei Yujing to come, to take her away. Pei Yujing was the first person to make her heart flutter.

If she had known back then, when she first went to the academy to study, that he was cultivating the Heartless Sword Path, she would never have used her spiritual abilities to "save" this pitiful senior when he was surrounded by ice. She would never have allowed him to see her the moment the frost melted.

Back then, when he opened his eyes after the frost melted, his expression was surprised, his eyes carrying a faint smile. "Junior Sister, are you saving me?"

She blinked, confused, and nodded.

He looked at her, letting out a soft laugh. "Then, I must thank you, Junior Sister."

They were innocent and carefree in their youth.

That young man would often smile at her under the moonlight. "Junior Sister, if you want to cultivate spiritual control, you don't have to hide alone. You can try on me; I'm not afraid of pain."

Later, when Pei Yujing insisted on marrying her, the elders of Penglai almost died of anger. Even the lady of the Penglai Mountain Master personally resorted to punishment.

His mother cursed loudly, "You fool! You've been bewitched by that little witch, and you'd rather ruin your own future than listen to me? Why don't I take matters into my own hands and kill you myself?"

The elegant sword immortal lowered his eyes, his back covered in wounds. He knelt deeply, not saying a word.

He used half of his life to exchange for a marriage contract with her.

Yunwei never doubted his sincerity. But the world was cruel—evil spirits ran rampant, and everyone was powerless. Pei Yujing was born destined to carry great burdens. He carried the hopes of Penglai and even the entire Immortal Sect. Compared to these great responsibilities, that innocent Junior Sister from that afternoon was always going to be left behind.

In her past life, she didn't understand, insisting on being with him, despite the constant difficulties the Penglai matriarch and elders imposed on her. They hated her to the core, resenting her for blocking Pei Yujing's path.

Then, when she lost her spiritual roots, Lady Penglai even resorted to threatening him with her life, forcing Pei Yujing to either sever his emotions or marry Ming Xiu.

With a sword pressed to his neck, Pei Yujing couldn't bear to see his mother harm herself. In the end, with his sword drawn, he chose to end his own life.

"Mother, if you must force me, this is… my answer."

Fortunately, Pei Yujing was saved in the end. He opened his eyes, pale, and whispered, "Sorry, Yangyang, I seem to always make you cry."

Perhaps this event gave her the courage to finally stop believing in fate and destiny. Yunwei didn't believe in predestined separations anymore.

It wasn't until Pei Yujing entered the secret realm and came out, with Ming Xiu by his side, pregnant, that she finally understood. His voice was hoarse as he apologized again.

He had been the best and most virtuous disciple of Penglai, and so he couldn't bring himself to kill his own child and Ming Xiu.

At that moment, Yunwei understood what it meant for fate to play tricks on people.

She sat motionless the whole night. By morning, Yunwei's eyes had cleared, and she stood up decisively, leaving the Jade Tower small cottage behind.

Before she left, she didn't forget to pull out her sword and destroy Ming Xiu's beloved herb garden, leaving behind the spirit jade Pei Yujing had given her.

She couldn't blame Pei Yujing. He had done so much for her, even almost giving his life. Yet, in the end, he couldn't escape his mother and Ming Xiu's machinations.

Pei Yujing loved her, but he never truly protected her. His mother's hatred and humiliation, Ming Xiu's covert harm and schemes... All of this, happening behind Pei Yujing's back, had already left her battered and scarred.

Yunwei counted her spiritual stones, dreaming of the day she would find the world's greatest talisman master—

She had heard that the Sword Immortal Pei Yujing, as the Immortal Sect wished, had sealed his memories and returned to the sword path. His only request was that his mother and Ming Xiu be imprisoned for life by the Immortal Sect.

He never ended up with Ming Xiu, but he had already lost the Junior Sister who once used spiritual techniques to melt the ice for him.

Yunwei ignored all the voices and moved further away from them, without looking back. Her mind was set on finding a path forward. If she couldn't be a spirit master, she would become a cultivator, a talisman master! She would do whatever she could.

Before she became Pei Yujing's fiancée, her first identity in this world had been the daughter of the Mountain Master of Changya. The Yunwei who once dreamed of using her delicate body as a spirit master to eradicate evil spirits, protect peace, and bring prosperity.

Sadly, she died before she could fulfill her mission.