Lost You Forever – Yang Zi, Zhang Wanyi

In the chaotic universe, when the Great Void first opened, humans, gods, and demons lived together in the vast and untamed world. Haoling Kingdom was the most prosperous, Chishui Fenglong had abundant land and a large population, and the Xiyan Kingdom had strict laws and a powerful military. The three major clans ruled over different parts of the world, and their strength was evenly matched. Xiyan's Princess, Xiling Yan, married the Haoling King, but she couldn't forget about General Chi Chen from the Chenrong Kingdom.

Princess's daughter, Xiao Yao, was childhood friends with her cousin, Cang Xuan. They were close and spent their days on Chao Yun Peak, hoping for their parents' return after the war. However, due to personal grudges, Xiyan Yipeng intercepted a crucial message seeking reinforcements. The Haoling King saw the situation but refused to help, leading to a disastrous defeat in the Xun Mountain Battle, resulting in the death of Xiyan Zhongyi and six thousand soldiers of the Ruoshui Tribe.

Xiling Yan, disappointed with the Haoling King, and blaming herself for not protecting her son and daughter-in-law, was on her deathbed. She called Cang Xuan and Xiao Yao to her side to entrust them with her final wishes. Tearfully, they vowed to take care of and trust each other, never abandoning each other.

After Xiling Yan's passing, Chao Yun Peak felt empty and cold. Cang Xuan often suffered from mistreatment by the Xiyan clan members, but Xiao Yao protected him in crucial moments. One day, while going back home, Xiao Yao carried Cang Xuan through the Phoenix Forest, and they made a promise to forever be like siblings and never be separated.

That night, Cang Xuan saw his aunt sitting alone at the table, her eyes red. He approached her and learned that the Xiyan war was not over, and the Chenrong army was at the city's gates. Xiling Yan took command to lead the troops but was worried about her two children. Before leaving, she gave Cang Xuan the dagger "God's Blade," hoping he would protect Xiao Yao and give her the Nine-Tailed Fox's tail if he found a girl he loved.

Xiling Yan led the army for years, and spring and autumn came and went. Until news arrived that she died in battle, along with Chi Chen. In fact, the Xiyan King forced XiLing yan into the battle, intending to weaken Chi Chen's army by sacrificing his daughter, but it led to an unexpected outcome.

After this war, the Chenrong Kingdom collapsed, and Xiyan fully annexed it, leaving only two countries in contention. To keep Xiao Yao away from the power struggles, the Xiyan King decided to send her to Yushan to study and train with the Queen Mother. Cang Xuan was heartbroken but realized that he needed to become stronger to protect Xiao Yao. Under the jade mulberry tree, they bid a reluctant farewell. Xiao Yao once again gave Cang Xuan the Nine-Tailed Fox's tail before getting on the carriage and leaving. As she got farther away, Cang Xuan couldn't help but cry out in heartache.

Three hundred years passed, and the once lawless Central Plains became prosperous and well-governed. In Clearwater Town, the elderly recounted the stories of the two orphans from Chao Yun Peak, embellishing the tales with some exaggeration. Xiao Yao, now known as Wen Xiaoliu, was nicknamed Liu Ge, and everyone knew she came from the not-so-famous Huichun Hall medical center, skilled in treating women's infertility and occasionally acting as a midwife. At the same time, Cang Xuan, as the boss Xuan, arrived in Clearwater Town with A Nian and a servant girl but sadly missed the chance to meet with Xiao Yao.

After a busy day, Wen Xiaoliu helped the rabbit spirit deliver its babies and prepared to return to the clinic, but she bumped into A Nian. Surprised to hear A Nian complain about her smell, Wen Xiaoliu found it strange. Cang Xuan looked at Wen Xiaoliu dressed as a man and clearly didn't recognize her as his long-lost Xiao Yao.

Over the years, Cang Xuan had to leave Xiyan due to the unkind treatment from his uncles and went to Haoling Kingdom as a hostage, where he met Princess A Nian. Now, under the pretense of investigating remnants of the Chenrong army, Cang Xuan came to Clearwater Town personally to search for Xiao Yao. He had heard that there was a talking spirit stone in the town, which often transformed into an old man to tell stories about the divine realm to the demons.

Back at the clinic, Wen Xiaoliu overheard Ma Zi and Chuan Zi talking about renting their shop to some newcomers from the East but didn't pay much attention to it. She just wanted to live her own life peacefully. On the other hand, Cang Xuan planted A Nian's favorite plum blossoms in the courtyard and imagined seeing Xiao Yao swinging under the phoenix tree, feeling emotional. Through Mr. Shi, Wen Xiaoliu learned about Cang Xuan's experiences in Haoling Kingdom, where he faced animosity from the fifth and seventh princes and had to accompany Princess A Nian on outings, which made him feel uncomfortable.

The next morning, Wen Xiaoliu carried a bucket full of dirty dishes to the riverside and stumbled upon a beggar lying in the bushes. The man looked ragged and frail, seemingly about to die at any moment. Wen Xiaoliu reminded herself not to meddle in other people's affairs and began walking back without glancing at the bushes. On the other side, the rabbit spirit tried to get information about Cang Xuan's visit to the town. Upon learning that he was opening a tavern, she felt relieved, as she no longer had to worry about him competing with her.

In the evening, they all had dinner together. Ma Zi and Chuan Zi were human orphans taken in by Wen Xiaoliu. Despite their rough appearances, they were kind-hearted and simple-minded. They informed Wen Xiaoliu about the man they saw by the bushes, but she warned them not to get involved. However, after dinner, she found herself inexplicably at the riverside, looking at the man clutching flowers, and her heart softened.

Wen Xiaoliu brought the man back to the clinic and discovered that he had suffered from years of torture, with scars covering his body. His ten toenails had been plucked out, and even his right leg had been broken and regrown misaligned. Wen Xiaoliu had to break and reset his leg properly, and he endured the excruciating pain without making a sound, earning Ma Zi and Chuan Zi's admiration.

Old Mu recognized the man as a member of the divine clan and possibly someone exceptional. He advised Wen Xiaoliu not to get involved to avoid trouble. However, she felt responsible for him after saving him, especially considering his severe injuries and lack of divine medicine. So, when no one was watching, she used her own blood to feed him, hoping for some improvement.

In order to find Wen Xiaoliu's whereabouts, Cang Xuan visited Mr. Shi, hoping he could help him find someone with a peach blossom mark on their forehead. Unfortunately, Mr. Shi's search yielded no results, and Cang Xuan suddenly thought that Xiao Yao might have changed her appearance. He infused his divine power into the Clearwater Spirit Stone, showing images of Wen Xiaoliu. Mr. Shi mentioned that Wen Xiaoliu arrived in Clearwater Town several years ago, taking in a non-combatant soldier from Xiyan and two human orphans, and opened a clinic. However, Cang Xuan still didn't recognize Wen Xiaoliu, and his search ended in failure.

The man woke up and saw Wen Xiaoliu sleeping by his bedside. He lifted his hand to protect her from the dripping candle, and Wen Xiaoliu saw this scene in the early morning, touched by his benevolence despite the hardships he endured. In the following days, under Wen Xiaoliu's careful care, the man gradually recovered from his life-threatening injuries. Wen Xiaoliu teased him about taking a bath, but when she couldn't bring herself to remove his clothes, she quickly found an excuse to leave. The man noticed that Wen Xiaoliu was actually a woman.

As the wooden door slowly opened, everyone finally saw his true appearance. With dark eyebrows and bright eyes, a straight nose, and simple coarse clothes, he exuded an elegant and noble demeanor, making Ma Zi and Chuan Zi feel ashamed and in awe. The man didn't want to leave Clearwater Town and chose to stay by Wen Xiaoliu's side as a servant, finally adopting the name "Ye Seventeen."

In the following days, Ye Seventeen's condition improved significantly. Although he occasionally limped while walking, he never saw himself as a patient and took the initiative to help tidy up the house and take on the task of washing dishes for Wen Xiaoliu. Old Mu worried about Wen Xiaoliu's safety and was suspicious of Ye Seventeen's background, but Ye Seventeen, recalling the humiliation he had endured, vowed to be only Ye Seventeen.

Although Clearwater Town was not large, it was situated in a dangerous area at the edge of the wasteland, surrounded by mountains that formed a natural barrier, making it a lawless area. Here, humans, gods, and demons coexisted harmoniously, and the remnants of the Chenrong army had taken refuge. The military advisor, Xiang Liu, was notorious for his cunning and ruthlessness, rumored to have nine lives, and the Xiyan Kingdom had been unsuccessfully trying to capture him for over a hundred years.

A Nian and the others heard the children talking about Xiang Liu's deeds and were curious about his background, so Old Sang patiently explained. Xiang Liu was still at the top of the most-wanted list, and he not only possessed powerful spiritual abilities and strategic brilliance but also strictly disciplined his army. Cang Xuan highly valued this formidable opponent, knowing that without him, the Chenrong army would not have lasted so long with only the Hongjiang River as their support. Cang Xuan dispatched people to contact the insider in the remnants of the Chenrong army, hoping to turn them into allies and strengthen their forces.

Ye Seventeen helped out at the clinic, doing various tasks such as fetching water, chopping wood, planting herbs, and grinding medicine. He had an excellent memory and a keen intellect, much to Wen Xiaoliu's delight. However, the butcher Gao Su demanded a hefty dowry, delaying Ma Zi and Chun Tao's wedding. Wen Xiaoliu pondered and decided to go up the mountain to collect spiritual herbs and sell them for money.

Old Mu was concerned that Xiang Liu was in the deep forest on the mountain and tried to dissuade Wen Xiaoliu from going, but she reassured him not to worry too much. Unbeknownst to her, Ye Seventeen secretly followed her and Wen Xiaoliu, noticing him, brought him along. She praised him for being very considerate, saying that any girl who married him would be fortunate.

When they arrived at the monument of the Chenrong army, Wen Xiaoliu asked Ye Seventeen to wait for her while she followed the tracks of the Houhou beast to find it. Houhou liked to listen to girls' singing and disliked seeing people sad, so Wen Xiaoliu sat by the river and sang to attract it.

As expected, Houhou appeared, and despite being in danger, it still tried to help Wen Xiaoliu. Wen Xiaoliu couldn't bear to capture it, but suddenly, a giant eagle named Snowball swooped down from the sky. Wen Xiaoliu instinctively hugged Houhou, and while Snowball was distracted, she sprinkled poison powder on its face. Just as she was about to escape, she encountered a white-haired man wearing a mask, and it was none other than the infamous Xiang Liu with nine lives.

The remnants of the Chenrong army's base was there, and Xiang Liu suspected that Wen Xiaoliu was a spy. He brought her back to the camp and subjected her to harsh interrogation. Wen Xiaoliu had forgotten her true identity and vaguely remembered being abandoned when she was young, her ever-changing face reflected in the river water. Twenty years ago, she arrived in Clearwater Town and officially gave herself the name Wen Xiaoliu. Xiang Liu realized she wasn't lying and proposed that she be responsible for preparing medicines for him, obeying his orders at all times.

The whole night passed, and Ye Seventeen still hadn't seen Wen Xiaoliu. He followed the remaining traces and entered the temporary base of the Chenrong army with his magic. Initially, Wen Xiaoliu refused Xiang Liu's request, but she couldn't bear the pain of whipping and finally agreed to serve him on the condition that he allowed her to stay in Clearwater Town forever.

Xiang Liu's request seemed simple but was actually difficult and demanding. Wen Xiaoliu complained endlessly, but suddenly, she heard Ye Seventeen breaking into the base. Ye Seventeen broke through the soldiers' encirclement, insisting on taking Wen Xiaoliu away. Surprisingly, Xiang Liu didn't intervene and ordered the soldiers to step aside, watching Ye Seventeen carry Wen Xiaoliu and leave quickly. A woman and a high-level divine being trying to conceal their identities had piqued Xiang Liu's interest.

On the way back, Wen Xiaoliu felt a mix of anger and touched by Ye Seventeen's daring act of breaking into the enemy camp, risking his safety for her. She was also annoyed at herself for not making any money this time in the mountains but instead attracting the attention of the wicked Xiang Liu, making her future days difficult. To prevent Old Mu and the others from worrying, she told Ye Seventeen not to tell them anything. Ye Seventeen personally applied medicine to Wen Xiaoliu and went back to the mountains early in the morning to collect two more spiritual herbs.

Finally, they returned with a full load, and Ma Zi's wedding plans were settled, bringing joy to Old Mu and the others. Under everyone's arrangement, Ma Zi and the butcher Gao's daughter Chun Tao had their engagement, and a lively wedding was held. Ma Zi was a product of war, an orphan who survived through hardship. Wen Xiaoliu had taken care of him since he was six years old, and now, after more than a decade, he had grown into a tall young man. To him, Wen Xiaoliu was like a parent.

At this moment, Xiang Liu, dressed in white, appeared at the entrance of Hui Chun Tang. He stood tall and pure, with a hint of coldness. Wen Xiaoliu left to bring Xiang Liu inside to avoid dampening everyone's excitement. She accompanied him with flattering words, but deep down, she felt disdain for him. Xiang Liu looked at the bustling scene outside and wondered why Wen Xiaoliu, as a divine being, would be infatuated with this fleeting companionship when they would both age after a hundred years.

However, Wen Xiaoliu didn't care at all; she just wanted to enjoy the moment, even if it was temporary. She secretly put poison in Xiang Liu's tea, but to her frustration, it had no effect on him. After Xiang Liu left, she continued to prepare the poison and absentmindedly handed a cup to Ye Seventeen, who promptly drank it. Frightened, she quickly hugged him and fed him the antidote. Ye Seventeen was unharmed, but she was determined to study harder and eventually defeat this big villain.

The insider planted among the Chenrong rebels sent a message to Cang Xuan, claiming to have important matters to discuss. To ensure safety, Cang Xuan arranged for Old Sang to meet with the informant, bringing additional people along to prevent any mishaps. At the same time, A Nian bumped into Chun Tao on the street, and when the sauce spilled on her clothes, she began to pester her.

Since Ma Zi got married, he had become like a brother to the butcher Gao and often helped with the work, which made Chuan Zi somewhat dissatisfied. Wen Xiaoliu and Old Mu paid no attention to it. For Wen Xiaoliu, one Ye Seventeen could handle ten Ma Zis, and for Old Mu, as long as Ma Zi lived peacefully and happily, that was all that mattered.

Surprisingly, Ma Zi, who was big and strong, was very reasonable and always gave people some leeway. So when Chun Tao helped him back while he was injured, it was quite unexpected. Old Mu and Chuan Zi understood the situation and immediately went out to seek justice for Ma Zi. After Wen Xiaoliu finished applying medicine to Ma Zi, she hurriedly followed.

Clearwater Town had no official authority; the only rule was survival of the fittest. But now, Old Mu and Chuan Zi were humiliated in front of everyone, making them lose face. A Nian still didn't want to stop and ordered her servant Hai Tang to continue mocking the two. Wen Xiaoliu suppressed her anger and went up to A Nian, begging her to spare them. When A Nian was off guard, she tried to poison Hai Tang, and Ye Seventeen used the opportunity to break Hai Tang's spell.

The commotion quickly ended, and Old Mu's face darkened. He returned to his house without saying a word. Wen Xiaoliu knew there was no way to comfort him and asked Chuan Zi to watch over him, preventing him from doing anything rash. The people dispersed, and Ye Seventeen noticed a faint hint of hostility in Wen Xiaoliu's eyes. She confessed that she couldn't be considered a good person, having killed many people in the past. Today's events made her want to kill again.

Ye Seventeen agreed to help Wen Xiaoliu deal with A Nian and the others. Hearing this, Wen Xiaoliu felt relieved and waited for them to come. As she expected, Hai Tang's poison was difficult to resolve, and Wen Xiaoliu planned to let Ye Seventeen resist their attack while she observed their spiritual power to determine their susceptibility to poison. But when she turned around, she found the corner empty, and Ye Seventeen had disappeared without a trace.

Cang Xuan never expected Wen Xiaoliu's spiritual power to be so weak that he easily knocked her down. Regretful, he quickly withdrew his power and apologized. As A Nian arrogantly took the antidote and left, Wen Xiaoliu felt extremely disappointed in Ye Seventeen. She followed Xiang Liu, riding on Mao Qiu's back, soaring through the sky, and vented her emotions in the river, reminding herself not to rely on others.

Xiang Liu saw that Wen Xiaoliu was becoming more and more reckless and daring. He deliberately bit her neck to punish her and it indeed scared Wen Xiaoliu. Afterwards, Xiang Liu personally escorted Wen Xiaoliu back. Ye Xiaoqi was still waiting by the river. When he saw the red mark on Wen Xiaoliu's neck, he felt uneasy. Wen Xiaoliu was still upset about what happened today, so she decided to distance herself from Ye Xiaoqi.

Jin Yi also arrived at the agreed location and encountered Xiang Liu, who had transformed into the appearance of an insider. Since he was far inferior to Xiang Liu in terms of power, he was quickly defeated. Jin Yi had already set up a formation with his men so that they could capture Xiang Liu when he was seriously injured. However, Xiang Liu broke free from the restraints and escaped.

Since that day, Wen Xiaoliu's attitude towards Ye Xiaoyi had undergone a significant change. Although they spoke as usual every day, there was a noticeable distance between them. Ye Xiaoyi personally prepared a sumptuous lunch with several dishes that Wen Xiaoliu loved. Wen Xiaoliu didn't care much and asked about Old Mu's situation, learning that he hadn't left yet, which made her somewhat worried.

Chuanzi was clamoring to retaliate against Boss Xuan's liquor store, but Wen Xiaoliu reminded him not to act impulsively, as the other party was from the divine race, high above them. Old Mu didn't want to cause trouble for Wen Xiaoliu, so he voluntarily went out pretending that nothing had happened. However, Wen Xiaoliu couldn't swallow this, so she went to the liquor store to deliberately provoke trouble. Eventually, no customers dared to stay in the store.

Jiang Xuan still tried to be patient and listened to Wen Xiaoliu's intentions. He immediately brought a large group of people carrying mulberry wine and went to Huichuntang to sincerely apologize to Old Mu. Old Mu could see that Jiang Xuan was a reasonable person and his anger subsided. They toasted each other until dark before parting ways. Not far away, Wen Xiaoliu saw this scene and felt that Jiang Xuan was indeed a talented person. He could be gentle and coax a girl, yet he could also be bold and decisive with his brothers.

After Old Mu and Jiang Xuan had three rounds of drinks and went home, Wen Xiaoliu tidied up the mess they left behind. When Ye Xiaoyi offered to help, she was refused. Watching Ye Xiaoyi's figure in the distance, Wen Xiaoliu didn't know how to explain her feelings. Jiang Xuan returned to the shop and stopped pretending to be drunk. He considered A Nian's misbehavior as a result of her young age and indulgence towards Xiao Yao due to her debt to her.

Xiang Liu suffered a lot of spiritual power losses from Jin Yi's ambush and hurried to Huichuntang to find Wen Xiaoliu. She used her blood to heal herself. Although Wen Xiaoliu's spiritual power was weak, her blood had healing properties, which was a precious treasure for many people to practice their spiritual power. Wen Xiaoliu noticed that Xiang Liu tonight was different from before. Although his white hair was still neat, and his white clothes were still clean, the bloodstains on his cuffs were hard to ignore.

It was because of this that Wen Xiaoliu took the opportunity to poison Xiang Liu, rendering him unable to resist, and brazenly drew nine heads on his face. Xiang Liu was extremely angry, but he couldn't stop his cultivation to heal the injuries, or they would worsen. After Wen Xiaoliu finished everything, she called Ye Xiaoyi to watch over Xiang Liu in the room and not let anyone disturb him.

Later, Wen Xiaoliu hid in Jiang Xuan's hidden wine cellar, leisurely drinking wine. Unexpectedly, she overheard Jiang Xuan and his men discussing getting rid of Xiang Liu. She felt somewhat uneasy but chose to stay and see how Xiang Liu would handle the situation. On the other hand, when Ye Xiaoyi entered Wen Xiaoliu's room after daybreak, Xiang Liu had already left. There was a strand of his hair left on the bed, which made Ye Xiaoyi feel jealous and he directly changed the bedding.

Jiang Xuan found Wen Xiaoliu hiding in the liquor store and invited her to have breakfast together. They were both testing each other, appearing harmonious on the surface but harboring secret intentions. Ye Xiaoyi made flower cakes for Wen Xiaoliu and solemnly promised that there wouldn't be a second time. If she still wanted to rely on him in the future, he would never disappear again. Wen Xiaoliu was touched by his words and ultimately chose to forgive him.

Old Mu suspected that Chuanzi had a crush on someone and took Wen Xiaoliu and Ye Xiaoyi to follow him. They saw several women from the brothel coming out of the liquor store, and one of them, Sang Tian'er, followed Chuanzi into an alley and kissed him passionately. Old Mu's face turned livid, and he left in anger. Wen Xiaoliu teased Ye Xiaoyi a few times about this and was met with his clear and intense gaze, making her feel embarrassed.

Although Wen Xiaoliu was worried about Sang Tian'er's identity, seeing that Chuanzi sincerely treated her, she deliberately acted to make Old Mu agree to the marriage. Old Mu advised Chuanzi to carefully consider the matter, but he couldn't interfere too much. When the time was right, Wen Xiaoliu reminded Old Mu to prepare money to redeem Sang Tian'er, as they couldn't just break up the couple forcibly.

The brothel in Qingshui Town was an especially unique place, with many beautiful and talented women. It was also a hub for gathering and spreading information. So, Old Mu needed a large sum of money to redeem Sang Tian'er, but even if they sold the clinic, they might not have enough.

Chuanzi was determined to marry Sang Tian'er, and he came to the liquor store to drown his sorrows. Through him, Jiang Xuan learned that Wen Xiaoliu's fondness for mulberry wine was due to her older brother. This made Jiang Xuan curious, and Chuanzi revealed that Old Mu was Wen Xiaoliu's brother, shattering the last bit of hope in Jiang Xuan's heart. Just then, Ye Xiaoyi came to take Chuanzi back, and Jiang Xuan became curious about Ye Xiaoyi's identity.

Wen Xiaoliu suspected that Xiang Liu was causing trouble behind her back, so she went to find him. Finding a suitable moment, she began to rehearse her apology, but she couldn't find a good reason. Instead, she lay on the tree, not closing her eyes, and admired the moon in the distance until she felt a bit dizzy, reminding Xiang Liu to stop. Wen Xiaoliu treated Xiang Liu candidly and spoke about the time she encountered a snake demon. She felt lonely and was accompanied by the snake demon for a while, although she later learned that the snake demon also wanted to eat her.

However, in Wen Xiaoliu's view, humans and demons could communicate and had emotions. When the Nine-Tailed Fox wanted to eat her, the snake demon stood up for her and died in front of her. The Nine-Tailed Fox captured Wen Xiaoliu but didn't eat her right away; instead, it intended to fatten her up. However, she didn't know that well-fed prey could turn around and bite, so she personally killed the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Initially, Xiang Liu had some sympathy for Wen Xiaoliu, but when he thought of his past experiences, anger and hatred surged in him. He threw Wen Xiaoliu off the tree, telling her she was nothing more than a snake's egg meant to be eaten. After saying that, he left with Maoqiu. Wen Xiaoliu was in a daze but managed to get up and, leaning on a stick, limped back. Just then, Ye Xiaoyi came looking for her.

Ye Xiaoyi used magic to ease Wen Xiaoliu's pain, but when he saw the bite marks on her neck, a nameless anger surged within him. Wen Xiaoliu noticed Ye Xiaoyi's expression and quickly pretended to be pitiful and coquettish. Ye Xiaoyi reluctantly carried Wen Xiaoliu back to the clinic and blamed himself for not protecting her. After Ye Xiaoyi applied the herbal medicine to Wen Xiaoliu and saw her sleeping peacefully, he couldn't help but smile.

Since Sang Tian'er's matter had nothing to do with Xiang Liu, Wen Xiaoliu thought of Sang Tian'er having visited the liquor store and personally went to Jiang Xuan, hoping he could help resolve the situation and allow Chuanzi to marry her, giving Old Mu a comfortable retirement. This was her only wish. Jiang Xuan listened thoughtfully and eventually agreed to help Wen Xiaoliu with this matter. Happily, Wen Xiaoliu stood up to express her gratitude but nearly stumbled. Jiang Xuan was about to help, but Ye Xiaoyi suddenly appeared and stopped him, personally supporting Wen Xiaoliu back.

Jiang Xuan observed how carefully Ye Xiaoyi took care of Wen Xiaoliu and secretly had Jin Yi investigate his background. In fact, Jiang Xuan wanted to help Wen Xiaoliu fulfill her parents' expectations for her, as he himself had not been able to marry and have children. If he could help others achieve this, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Jiang Xuan wished to become an ordinary person and settle down with Wen Xiaoliu in Qingshui Town, living an ordinary life.

Soon, Old Mu and the others redeemed Sang Tian'er and brought her back to the clinic. Wen Xiaoliu deliberately kept everyone away and asked Sang Tian'er to tell the truth. Sang Tian'er admitted that she was asked by a man to approach Chuanzi and investigate their identities, and that man was Jiang Xuan. Although Sang Tian'er had never believed that men could be sincere, after meeting Chuanzi, she wanted to gamble with her true feelings. If Chuanzi didn't disappoint her in this lifetime, she would accompany him forever.

In the end, Wen Xiaoliu accepted Sang Tian'er and Chuanzi's marriage, and everyone joyously celebrated their wedding, inviting Jiang Xuan to the wedding banquet. A Nian suddenly appeared, catching everyone off guard, and her unfiltered words added tension to the atmosphere. Seeing this, Jiang Xuan made an excuse to take A Nian away.

Cang Xuan, before leaving, still remembered to ask about Ye Shiqi, but was brushed off by Wen Xiaoliu using excuses. Afterwards, Wen Xiaoliu reminded Ye Shiqi to be cautious and vigilant as she sensed ill intentions from Cang Xuan. While they were talking, Xiang Liu suddenly appeared to take Wen Xiaoliu away. Ye Shiqi intervened, and it seemed like a fight was about to break out, but Wen Xiaoliu quickly defused the tension, riding on a furry creature and leaving with Xiang Liu. Ye Shiqi watched them depart, feeling lonely.

Xiang Liu was obviously in a bad mood but still curious about why Wen Xiaoliu's spiritual power was so weak. Wen Xiaoliu admitted that she used to be ranked high among her peers but was later captured by a fox demon who forced her to take a medicine that weakened her spiritual power. She endured long-lasting pain and suffering and ended up like this. Although Wen Xiaoliu pretended not to care, she actually held a lot of grievances. Whenever Xiang Liu raised his hand, she would instinctively flinch, indicating that she had often suffered abuse.

Not long after, the furry creature gradually descended and flew close to the sea's surface. Xiang Liu held Wen Xiaoliu's hand, walking on the waves, gazing at the bright moon. Both of them had similar experiences, which made them empathize with each other. Xiang Liu comforted Wen Xiaoliu, saying that appreciating such beautiful scenes in the world would make life precious. Wen Xiaoliu reflected that beautiful scenery needed someone to accompany and give it meaning.

On their way back to Qingshui Town, Wen Xiaoliu noticed the fatigue in Xiang Liu's eyes and suggested that if he liked power, he could abandon Hongjiang and join the Xiyan Kingdom. However, this angered Xiang Liu, and his eyes turned blood-red. He used magic to imprison Wen Xiaoliu, causing her injuries and weakness. She pleaded desperately to save her life.

Ye Shiqi waited by the riverbank throughout and saw Wen Xiaoliu return with injuries. He felt uneasy and personally cooked hot soup for her. Luckily, there were no red marks on Wen Xiaoliu's neck this time, which somewhat relieved Ye Shiqi. He promised never to leave Qingshui Town, but Wen Xiaoliu didn't care and was focused on planning how to deal with Xiang Liu.

In the following days, everything remained the same at the Return Spring Hall, despite the addition of a new girl named Sang Tian'er. Old Mu still managed the kitchen, teaching cooking to Sang Tian'er. Chishi's intelligence was lacking, always inferior to Ye Shiqi, and often received scolding from Wen Xiaoliu, making him resentful.

However, this warm and lively atmosphere at the Return Spring Hall was suddenly disrupted by news that Mr. Yu announced the reclamation of the shops near the riverbank, including the Return Spring Hall. Though Qingshui Town appeared fragmented, it was organized, and Mr. Yu's efforts played a significant role, almost like a half king of the town, someone to be obeyed without question. But the Return Spring Hall was where everyone made a living, so Wen Xiaoliu was determined not to sit idly by and decided to negotiate with Mr. Yu, bringing Ye Shiqi along.

A crowd had gathered near Mr. Yu's mansion, all curious about the celestial-like woman who seemed to be a distinguished guest. Mr. Yu understood Wen Xiaoliu's purpose, honestly but ruthlessly stating that he was just following orders and couldn't go against his family's commands. He then instructed his servants to escort them away.

As Wen Xiaoliu and Ye Shiqi prepared to leave, a beautiful woman rushed out and claimed to be Ye Shiqi's maid, Jing Ye. She tearfully clung to his leg and refused to let go. Ye Shiqi stood rigidly, looking back at Wen Xiaoliu, and in those few steps, they seemed like an insurmountable barrier. His eyes carried sadness. Wen Xiaoliu suddenly realized and pretended not to care, smiling at him, and asked him to stay to handle family matters.

Although Wen Xiaoliu knew that Ye Shiqi had met an old friend and might leave her, she still held a glimmer of hope. Sang Tian'er came to the Return Spring Hall with a smile, understanding some truths and using them to comfort Wen Xiaoliu. Meanwhile, in the military camp, several soldiers were infected with a miasma, and Xiang Liu knew they were short on medicine. He commanded his subordinates to buy all the herbs needed for Xiang Liu. When they were desperate and had no other choice, he could use that opportunity to persuade them to surrender.

That evening, Ye Shiqi came back to find Wen Xiaoliu, dressed in simple clothes, and still loyal as ever. Wen Xiaoliu felt somewhat relieved and gave him some herbs she had prepared, teaching him a few self-defense methods. The next day, Mr. Shi talked about the Three Royal Families and Four Aristocratic Families in the vast wilderness, including the rich Tu Shan family, whose wealth was countless and made both kingdoms wary.

The current generation of the Tu Shan family had two legitimate sons, twin brothers with the same parents. The second young master, Tu Shanjing, was resourceful and intelligent, becoming the dream husband of all the women in the clan. He was engaged to the young lady of the Fengfeng family, but he fell seriously ill before the wedding and had to cancel it. He disappeared for many years, leaving the family business to the eldest young master, who was relatively unknown.

Mr. Shi talked endlessly, and everyone chimed in, discussing the upcoming battle between the two Tu Shan brothers and who would eventually take control of the Qingqiu Tu Shan family. Wen Xiaoliu played with the remaining white fruit in her dish, visibly in a bad mood. Beside her, Ye Shiqi and Cang Xuan had different states of mind – one stiff and cautious, watching Wen Xiaoliu, and the other smiling playfully, occasionally teasing Ye Shiqi about his identity.

Ye Shiqi's real name was Tu Shanjing. He had concealed his true identity and stayed in Qingshui Town for many years. Now that his identity was exposed, he didn't even bother to explain, leaving Wen Xiaoliu angry and vowing to have nothing to do with him anymore. Tu Shanjing's appearance made Qingshui Town lively and bustling, with power and fame at stake.

In recent days, Wen Xiaoliu hadn't gone to the riverbank to cool off. She lay alone on the grass, gazing at the stars in boredom. Xiang Liu took the initiative to find her and asked her to gather the required herbs through Tu Shanjing's connections. Wen Xiaoliu resolutely refused, but Xiang Liu had already discovered that the two Tu Shan brothers were at odds. If the elder brother hired someone to kill, Tu Shanjing's life would be in danger. Xiang Liu had a grasp on Wen Xiaoliu's lifeline, and she had no choice but to take him to see Tu Shanjing and hand over a list of prescribed herbs, which Tu Shanjing readily accepted without hesitation.

Before Xiang Liu obtained the herbs, he took Wen Xiaoliu back to his base as a hostage. Last time, she didn't pay much attention to her surroundings, but now, looking at the dilapidation, she couldn't help but tease him. Xiang Liu didn't want to hear her rambling and directly took her Hundred Poisons Pill. However, Wen Xiaoliu also fed two gu worms with her essence and intended to implant them into Xiang Liu, but the gu worms seemed to be afraid of him and hesitated to get close.

As an important general of the righteous army, Xiang Liu lived a simple and harsh life. Wen Xiaoliu couldn't understand his true intentions. Soldiers were meant to defend the country and its people, but they were hiding in the deep mountains without any country or people to protect. The next morning, she saw Xiang Liu training with the soldiers and felt a hint of admiration.

At this time, two more soldiers died from miasma poisoning. Dozens of soldiers stood solemnly, and Xiang Liu first toasted three cups of wine, then threw a torch into the pile of firewood. Under the blazing fire, the soldiers' weather-beaten faces showed little emotion, as if they had long since grown indifferent to life and death. However, their low voices sang a mournful and sorrowful song, "Embracing decay, loyal soldiers' bones, never surrender, the glory of Chenrong warriors." These two lines finally made Wen Xiaoliu understand the significance of Xiang Liu staying in the Chenrong army and made her appreciate him more.

Upon hearing that the herbs from various places had been bought out, Tu Shanjing asked Mr. Yu to visit noble families on his behalf, willing to exchange Crystal of Return to Nothingness for the herbs listed, not wanting to disappoint Wen Xiaoliu. On the other side, Cang Xuan learned about Tu Shanjing's cooperation with Xiang Liu and had his people inquire about the location of the herbs, preparing to seize the chance to capture him.

Seeing more and more soldiers falling ill, Wen Xiaoliu wanted to use her fresh blood to save everyone, but Xiang Liu hurriedly intervened. Maomao delivered a message that Xiang Liu took Wen Xiaoliu to meet Tu Shanjing and find out where the herbs were stored. However, when he arrived, Xiang Liu fell into an ambush again and not only failed to get the herbs but also got injured, so he had to seek Wen Xiaoliu's help.

Xiang Liu analyzed that there might still be spies in the Chenrong army that hadn't been completely eliminated. Wen Xiaoliu immediately thought of the conversation she had overheard in the wine cellar and suspected it was Cang Xuan's doing. While Xiang Liu wanted to confront Cang Xuan, Wen Xiaoliu advised him not to act impulsively. If he wanted to retrieve the herbs without bloodshed, he could capture A Nian and use her as a hostage.

Afterward, Xiang Liu arranged four of his subordinates to follow Wen Xiaoliu while he went alone to attract Cang Xuan's attention. Wen Xiaoliu took the opportunity to go to the wine shop, lied that Cang Xuan was severely injured, intentionally distracting Lao Sang, and then, with the help of the four subordinates, knocked out Haitang and left a letter before abducting A Nian, who was arrogant and overbearing.

Haitang and the others handed the note to Cang Xuan, and Lao Sang regretted and blamed himself, knowing he shouldn't have believed Wen Xiaoliu's words. Cang Xuan left the note and turned to leave, vowing not to allow his sister to be lost again. He was determined to make everyone who hurt her pay the price, including Wen Xiaoliu.

Xiang Liu vaguely guessed Cang Xuan's identity, but it hadn't been confirmed yet. Therefore, he worried that Cang Xuan's protective instincts towards Wen Xiaoliu might harm her. He wanted her to return to the Chenrong military base with him. However, Wen Xiaoliu didn't agree. After Xiang Liu obtained the medicinal materials, he prepared to return to Qingshui Town with A Nian. During their journey, he playfully teased A Nian, scaring her into tears.

In haste, Cang Xuan arrived with his men to find the heavily injured Wen Xiaoliu. He immediately ordered her to be taken back for severe torture, especially after hearing from A Nian that Wen Xiaoliu had poisoned her. The executioner was called upon to inflict torment on Wen Xiaoliu. They smeared corpse oil on her hands and let corpse maggots gnaw at them. Before leaving, they blew out the oil lamp, plunging her into darkness to intensify the excruciating pain of her fingers.

During this ordeal, Wen Xiaoliu kept talking to herself, forcing herself to think of pleasant things to distract her mind. She ended up losing track of time, coming up with dozens of ways to cook fish and use spices. The executioner couldn't help but marvel at her resolute will, which was extraordinary. At the same time, the venomous insects Wen Xiaoliu raised quietly entered Cang Xuan's body. Although these creatures didn't pose much harm to a person, they made the victim experience the pain inflicted on the venom's target.

Tu Shanjing took the initiative to meet Xiang Liu and offered a hefty sum of money to help save Wen Xiaoliu. In response, Xiang Liu inquired about their relationship. Even if Tu Shanjing hadn't sought his help, Xiang Liu was already prepared to save Wen Xiaoliu, as he still intended to use her to kill Cang Xuan. When Wen Xiaoliu woke up, she was already wearing clean clothes and lying on a soft couch, but her hands were wrapped in layers of gauze, like two big rice dumplings.

Both of them were currently in the Chenrong militia's territory. Tu Shanjing asked about the purpose of the venomous insects and intended to stay and take care of Wen Xiaoliu, but she firmly declined. She didn't want to burden Tu Shanjing and Xiang Liu and had always been used to facing things alone; relying on others was not her style. Xiang Liu sat on a tree outside the house, listening to their conversation with a contemplative expression.

Currently, Cang Xuan's body was experiencing the effects of the venomous insects, and the intense pain in his hands was unbearable. He called for a physician, but they found nothing wrong. Although Tu Shanjing had sent back the Gui Xu Crystal and the Ten Thousand Years Jade Marrow, Wen Xiaoliu didn't use them immediately. She wanted Cang Xuan to experience the same pain. Though Xiang Liu blamed Wen Xiaoliu persistently, he was genuinely worried about her and lamented her foolish behavior of harming herself to harm the enemy.

Due to using the Gui Xu Crystal and the Ten Thousand Years Jade Marrow for recovery, Wen Xiaoliu's pain significantly diminished. Cang Xuan ordered his men to find her whereabouts and led the divine troops to rush over. Feeling Cang Xuan approaching, Wen Xiaoliu informed Xiang Liu, who had already prepared himself. He couldn't forget the war between Chenrong militia and the Xiyan Kingdom hundreds of years ago; now, it was time to settle old scores.

Wen Xiaoliu decided to help Xiang Liu. She hid in the shadows to observe their confrontation and deliberately injured herself, causing Cang Xuan to shift from an offensive to a defensive position. Cang Xuan accidentally dropped the Nine-Tailed Fox's tail he carried with him, and Wen Xiaoliu recognized his identity, feeling shocked and sad.

Just as Xiang Liu was about to kill Cang Xuan, Wen Xiaoliu, disregarding her own safety, bravely stepped forward and intercepted Xiang Liu's thunderous strike intended for Cang Xuan. Cang Xuan felt her pain as if it were his own, but he was only in agony, not injured, and couldn't understand why Wen Xiaoliu would sacrifice herself to save him.

The attendants took the opportunity to take Cang Xuan away, leaving Xiang Liu, who was on the verge of losing his temper, and the almost unconscious Wen Xiaoliu. In the end, Xiang Liu couldn't bear to kill Wen Xiaoliu. Instead, he took her to a mountain cave with a healing spring containing Ten Thousand Years Jade Marrow, Gui Xu Crystal, and Tanggu water to help her recover. Despite Xiang Liu's own injuries, he still transferred his demonic power into Wen Xiaoliu's body.

Xiang Liu sat cross-legged on a piece of jade bed, his brows knitted with a gathering of hostility, as if it could collapse at any moment. However, when he treated Wen Xiaoliu's injuries, he was extremely gentle and attentive. When Wen Xiaoliu regained consciousness, she faintly heard the coldness and suppressed anger in Xiang Liu's voice when he faced questioning. He immediately used the excuses he had prepared long ago, claiming that he had already guessed Boss Xuan's identity. If Qiang Xuan were to die, the King of Xiyan would undoubtedly seek revenge, and she might never have peace again.

Furthermore, Wen Xiaoliu also noticed Tu Shanjing's and Xiang Liu's intentions. Tu Shanjing deliberately provoked the century-old feud between Xiang Liu and Qiang Xuan, using the opportunity to take her away. On the other hand, Xiang Liu wanted her to confirm Boss Xuan's identity and waited for the right time to eliminate him completely. Xiang Liu had thought that Wen Xiaoliu was timid and weak, but now he was surprised by her intelligence. He couldn't help but feel resentful at being toyed with by her.

However, Xiang Liu didn't kill Wen Xiaoliu; instead, he vented his anger by biting her neck, leading to a misunderstanding when Qiang Xuan sensed the situation. Wen Xiaoliu always maintained her carefree and reckless appearance, but when she saw Xiang Liu staring at her and his fingers sliding down to her collarbone, she quickly stopped him and emphasized that she was a man.

Xiang Liu didn't believe her and trusted his instincts, so there was no need to continue questioning. Initially, Xiang Liu planned to take Wen Xiaoliu back to the Chenrong military base, but she was in pain whenever she moved. Feeling Qiang Xuan's presence, Xiang Liu infused some demonic power into Wen Xiaoliu to help her endure the discomfort and hastily left.

Following the trail, Tu Shanjing found Wen Xiaoliu and personally took her back to their residence. The room was filled with Gui Xu Crystals, and he used his spiritual power to help her heal. In just a few days, Wen Xiaoliu made a remarkable recovery. Tu Shanjing was delighted and hugged her, and she reciprocated, making the atmosphere more ambiguous, until Jing Ye's appearance disrupted the mood.

As her injuries gradually healed, Wen Xiaoliu bid farewell to Tu Shanjing and returned to her clinic. Watching her back, Tu Shanjing suddenly missed Ye Seventeen's identity. In Rechuntang, Wen Xiaoliu wanted to let Chuanzi treat the patients and injuries, but Chuanzi pretended to have a stomachache, and Sang Tian'er voluntarily helped bandage the wounds. Wen Xiaoliu noticed Sang Tian'er's talent for medicine and expressed her willingness to take her as an apprentice so that she would have a skill to rely on in the future. Sang Tian'er was deeply grateful, and Wen Xiaoliu also entrusted some matters to her, as if she was preparing for what might come.

While they were talking, Qiang Xuan came to the clinic and bluntly said that Wen Xiaoliu was pretending to be helpless. This startled Wen Xiaoliu, who wasn't ready to interact with her brother whom she hadn't seen in hundreds of years. Qiang Xuan misunderstood her nervousness as guilt and questioned her about the venomous insects. Wen Xiaoliu promised not to harm him and assured that if she ever left Qingshui Town, she would remove the venomous insects. Qiang Xuan was half-believing and half-doubting, reminding her that she could come find him for a drink when she had the time.

The first snow of winter came, and Wen Xiaoliu, Laomu, Chuanzi, and Sang Tian'er gathered around the stove to eat. They were happy and harmonious, while Xiang Liu silently stood outside the house, recalling when he said that he didn't seek long-lasting companionship, just hoping for a short period of company. On the other hand, Qiang Xuan and A Nian had arranged to taste wine and appreciate the plum blossoms. However, because A Nian drank too much, they couldn't enjoy the plum blossoms. Qiang Xuan was left sitting alone by the window.

Wen Xiaoliu thought about Qiang Xuan leaving Qingshui Town soon, so she brought a lamp to have a few drinks with him. They sat on the warm couch, with five or six small dishes, and a small red clay stove. Snowflakes and plum blossoms were all in sight, creating an atmosphere of intimacy. However, Wen Xiaoliu knew that this intimacy was unique to A Nian. As she listened to Qiang Xuan mentioning A Nian throughout, she felt uncomfortable. Drink after drink, she unknowingly fell asleep, and Qiang Xuan contemplated taking action but hesitated and ultimately gave up.