Finest Servant

Chapter 441 The Heavenly Ladder

"Sister, is Big Brother really on this mountain?" Luo Ning lifted the curtain of the carriage window and peered outside, her face full of worry. The moonlight was like water, illuminating the crumbling ruins of the Jade Buddha Temple with an eerie glow. In the vast darkness, distant peaks and ridges loomed, emanating an indescribable, icy allure.

Sitting on a low couch, Xiao Qingxuan gently rubbed her belly and sighed. "It should be correct. Qiaoqiao, when you went to the Xiao family earlier, you didn't see My Dear, did you?"

Qiaoqiao softly hummed, her face filled with sadness. "When Sister Ning went to the palace to find you, I went to the Xiao family and even alerted the Madam and the Second Miss. At first, they also thought Big Brother was in the room. But after calling out to him for quite some time, there was no response. Helplessly, we broke in. The bed was still warm, but Big Brother had disappeared without a trace. The Madam and the Second Miss had no idea where he'd gone. The Second Miss was so anxious she even cried."

"What's there to cry about?" Ning'er's eyes were red. "We entrusted them with a good husband, and they lost him. We're already letting them off easy by not settling accounts. I noticed back in Jinling that the Xiao family’s mother and daughter would order Big Brother around yet act cunningly. One moment they’d scold him, the next they’d reward him, making him unsettled. Big Brother is too soft-hearted; they've bullied him for so long that he's actually grown attached. Once we find him tomorrow, I’ll forbid him from entering my room for three days. Let's see if he learns his lesson."

Qiaoqiao's face flushed as she thought, ‘You wouldn't even last three cups of tea without him, let alone three days. It'll be you pulling Big Brother into the room, for sure.’

Hearing Luo Ning's straightforward words, Qingxuan shook her head and chuckled ruefully. This girl was even more jealous than her. She wondered how the Xiao family’s mother and daughter had offended her.

"It's just a man. Is he really worth all this worry?" The young girl, Li Xiangjun, lazily turned on the couch and extended her fair arm from under the silk quilt towards Xiao Qingxuan's belly. "All this noise has kept me up. Honestly, it might be better without him. Then I could just share a room with you, Sis, and be happy. Sister, may I also—"

Her little hand reached toward Xiao Qingxuan's protruding belly. Qingxuan flushed and lightly slapped her hand away. "You cheeky girl, I'm talking with your elder sisters."

Li Xiangjun’s eyes reddened slightly. She huffed, "I just wanted to feel what the baby is like, not take advantage of you. Let me guess, if your husband wanted to touch, you'd be delighted. That man was already making waves early yesterday morning. You think I don’t know? He’s not even afraid he might hurt the baby—"

Qingxuan gasped, her face turning crimson. Ning'er chuckled and covered her red lips. "Sister, Big Brother is a scoundrel of the world; you mustn't indulge him in everything. Little Sister Xiangjun, you sure are well-informed!"

Li Xiangjun huffed again, not sparing her a glance. "I know a lot, indeed. Like a certain someone who cries out so sensuously in the middle of the night—‘Big Brother, come quickly!’" She pinched her nose, imitating Luo Ning’s seductive tone, capturing the essence perfectly.

"I'll get you, you little minx!" Ning'er's face flushed a deep red. Though she was usually unreserved among her sisters, this was too much for her to bear. She lunged forward, chasing after the mischievous young girl. Li Xiangjun giggled and darted behind her senior sister, sticking her tongue out at Luo Ning.

"Xiangjun, stop fooling around," said Qiaoqiao, the most mild-tempered of them all, as she pulled Li Xiangjun aside. The young girl looked at her gratefully and chuckled, "Qiaoqiao is always the kindest to me. No wonder that awful man dotes on you so much, holding you in his arms every night, even without his clothes on."

Even the ever-patient Qiaoqiao couldn't help but blush. Li Xiangjun was an oddball who always seemed to be up to something. According to her, she had done her fair share of eavesdropping.

Seeing the young girl tease every lady in the carriage, even her own senior sister, Ning'er felt more balanced. She laughed, "Little sister Xiangjun, you're both trained by the same master, so why is the gap between you and my sister Xiao so wide? You seem more like someone taught by my big brother, equally lecherous. Don't get me wrong, I'm praising you. 'A gentleman loves beauty but is disciplined about it.' That's exactly how my big brother is!"

Li Xiangjun's diversion immediately lightened the mood in the carriage. Xiao Qingxuan, however, furrowed her brows and turned cold, "Xiangjun, you're still young and ignorant. Who taught you all this nonsense? A young lady should not speak so recklessly. What will become of you when you grow up?"

Apparently fearful of Xiao Qingxuan, Li Xiangjun stopped her antics and quickly grabbed her hand, pleading, "Senior sister, I didn't mean any harm. You've been daydreaming about your Dear Lin for the past six months. Master is often away, and I don't get along well with the other sisters. So I just read some random books, that's where I learned all this. Please don't be mad. I promise I won't act out again."

"So it's a lack of guidance," mused Luo Ning, pulling Li Xiangjun behind her as she spoke up for her, "Sister, Xiangjun is still young and was just playing around. Don't be too harsh on her. By the way, how are you so certain that my big brother is on this mountain?"

The carriage fell silent as they turned to serious matters. Xiao Qingxuan sighed, "Both you, Ning'er, and My Dear speak with deep meanings. The cucumber carved with his name represents him. Telling the kitchen staff not to kill the cucumber means that my master intends to kill him."

"Master's back?" Li Xiangjun exclaimed in joy before noticing the murderous glares from the women in the carriage. She promptly quieted down.

Ning'er looked horrified, tears slowly streaming down her face, "Your master wants to kill my husband? What are we going to do? Sister, your martial arts are so strong, and your master is even more powerful, my big brother doesn't stand a chance. If he's gone, I won't want to live either."

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head slowly but firmly, "Don't panic, Ning'er. I understand my master's character. She's resolute and decisive. Think about it—if she really wanted to kill My Dear, she would have done it already at the Xiao residence. Why would she bother taking him away?"

This made sense to Luo Ning, and she regained some composure, "But if your master didn't take him away to kill him, then why? They're like fire and water; I can't even imagine what they're going through right now."

Indeed, what could happen when her husband and her master were together? Would they fight? Miss Xiao felt an indescribable sense of worry. She shook her head and sighed softly, "I really can't say. Only Master and My Dear would know. At this critical moment, we can't afford to lose our composure. We must remain focused so that My Dear can feel at ease. Although Master is a skilled martial artist, our husband has never relied solely on martial prowess to win. He has walked all the way from Jinling, facing numerous dangers yet always managing to turn peril into safety through wisdom and calculation. If Master fails to kill him the first time, she will find it even harder thereafter. We must have faith in him."

Xiao Qingxuan spoke rationally and reassuringly. As she pointed out, the best chance to kill Lin San was only once. Miss it, and he'd become as elusive as a cat with nine lives, impossible to kill.

"Sister, do you know where Master has taken Big Brother? It's so cold and damp up in the mountains; I wonder how many layers of clothing he's wearing. What if he catches a cold?" Qiaoqiao muttered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I don't know," Xiao Qingxuan shook her head and sighed, her heart even heavier than Qiaoqiao's. On one hand was her master who had raised her and taught her martial arts; on the other was her lifelong companion, her husband. How could she choose between them?

"We'll have to go up the mountain to find out. First, we'll visit Master's residence and then search the surrounding areas. I've already secured a military seal from the Emperor, allowing me to mobilize tens of thousands of soldiers from three different camps. We'll search thoroughly within a twenty-mile radius and won't retreat until my husband is found."

Xiao Qingxuan's words were tinged with determination. Born into a noble family, she carried herself with grace and poise, commanding instant respect. Luo Ning and Qiaoqiao felt much more at ease after hearing her words.

As they arrived in front of the Jade Buddha Temple, their convoy came to a halt. A rider galloped toward them from a distance, swiftly dismounting to kneel in front of the carriage, "General Hu Bugui, at your service, Princess Chuyun. Please give your instructions."

Luo Ning recognized Hu Bugui. He had helped Lin Wanrong find the silver back in Shandong. Elated, she grabbed Xiao Qingxuan's arm and said, "Sister, this General Hu has been working with our husband and is quite competent."

Xiao Qingxuan nodded calmly, "I'm aware. When Ning'er summoned Xu Wei to the palace late at night to find me, I knew something had happened to My Dear. While requesting the military seal from the Emperor, I made sure to mobilize the old forces that my husband had commanded in Shandong. They would be dedicated in their duties, making it easier for me to coordinate efforts."

Indeed, Xiao Qingxuan was a royal princess, wise and seasoned, with a meticulous approach to problem-solving. Luo Ning and Qiaoqiao listened in admiration.

"General, please rise," Xiao Qingxuan said softly from behind the curtain, "My Dear and I are husband and wife, already promised to each other by the Emperor. From now on, I'm a member of the Lin family, so don't address me as 'Princess' anymore. All of you are good brothers who have been through life and death with my husband. I'll call you Brother Hu."

"I dare not," Hu Bugui was overwhelmed with emotion as he kowtowed repeatedly, "Rest assured, Madam. General Lin is the backbone of our supply army. Without him, we are nothing. The soldiers under my command have all fought bloodily alongside General Lin in Shandong. We will not allow anyone to harm even a hair on his head."

"Indeed, a princess is a princess. With just a few simple words, you've won their hearts," Luo Ning admired, exchanging a glance with Miss Xiao. Xiao Qingxuan paused briefly. "If that's the case, I'll leave it to all of you. Brother Hu, please encircle this area within a radius of twenty miles. Conduct a thorough search, inward from the perimeter. Leave no stone unturned. Fire a cannon every half hour, so that My Dear knows we are close by."

Xiao Qingxuan orchestrated the proceedings seamlessly. Hu Bugui quickly left to carry out the orders. Soon after, the first cannon fired, its roar echoing through the valley.

Supported by Qiaoqiao and Luo Ning, Xiao Qingxuan stepped out of the carriage. As she heard the reverberating cannon fire, she lightly touched her protruding belly and gave a wry smile. "This child is truly unfortunate; its mother has just been freed, and now its father is imprisoned."

Qiaoqiao fretted, "Sister, the mountain is cold, and the journey is hard. You are pregnant; you should not go up. Luo Ning and I can go find big brother."

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head firmly, "That won't do. You two are not familiar with the mountain or the Master’s habits. You might easily overlook important details. I am trained in martial arts and can handle myself. Don't worry; we will find My Dear soon so our family can be reunited."

Their pleas were in vain; they had no choice but to agree. Li Xiangjun, the little girl, clapped her hands gleefully, "Wonderful! Both Master and Senior Sister are back, and so am I. This is indeed a family reunion."

Tens of thousands of soldiers lit their torches and lined up to ascend the mountain. From a distance, it looked like a luminous staircase leading to the heavens. The four women walked amidst the army, their anxious hearts pushing their footsteps to be the fastest.

Both Hu Bugui and Du Xiuyuan's troops were the very soldiers that Lin Wanrong had personally led in Shandong. In everyone's eyes, these insignificant soldiers became overnight heroes because of Lin Wanrong. General Lin was brave, righteous, and had an illustrious military record; who would not respect him?

Upon learning that these women were the wives of General Lin, and among them was the renowned Princess Chuyun, the troops felt invigorated. They naturally formed a protective circle around the women, using their bodies to shield them from the chilling wind.

"What are they doing? Can they really block the cold wind? How silly!" Li Xiangjun couldn't understand the sentiment and began to mock the soldiers.

"Silence!" All three women shouted in unison. Not just Qingxuan and Ning’er, even the usually good-tempered Qiaoqiao changed her expression and glared at her.

Annoyed, Xiao Qingxuan snorted, "Xiangjun, you’re too young to discern right from wrong. These soldiers are like ordinary folks; their emotions are the most sincere. They are not being good to us because I am a princess, or because you are attractive. They respect not us, but my husband."

Qiaoqiao lowered her head, tears shimmering in her eyes. "The respect they have for big brother was won at the cost of his life. Don't joke about this."

Ning’er’s expression hardened. "Little sister, let me warn you very seriously. If you dare to speak like this in front of big brother, he will surely kill you."

"Ah—" Li Xiangjun, startled, burst into tears. "You're all bullying me; I’m going to find Master!" Stamping her small feet, she dashed toward the mountain and disappeared in an instant.

The three ladies exchanged glances, and Miss Xiao sighed, "Xiangjun is a bit headstrong but means no harm. Please don't blame her."

"I don't blame her," Qiaoqiao said as she wiped her tears and held Ning'er's hand, smiling. "Sister Ning'er, your recent mannerisms and expressions seem increasingly similar to big brother's!"

"Really?" Ning'er bashfully covered her cheeks, secretly pleased. "Where do I resemble him? That would be dreadful!"

Qiaoqiao's words served as a revelation. Even Miss Xiao was shocked. Hadn’t this sort of talk always been exclusive to Lin San? How had it fallen to her? Truly, a woman takes after the man she marries.

—---

"Is that so?" Ning Yuxi's demeanor suddenly changed, becoming unutterably indifferent, a stark contrast from before. Lin Wanrong carefully spoke, "Fairy Sister, I don't want to leave just yet. But Qingxuan is pregnant and has risked much to find me in these mountains. If something goes wrong, I'll die heartbroken. As they say, better to be fickle than faithless. I’ll just step out for a moment and return immediately—"

Ning Yuxi remained silent, eyes closed, a tranquil expression on her face, as if she hadn't heard him at all.

What was this attitude? Was she letting me go, or not? Lin Wanrong frowned, deep in thought. Finally, gritting his teeth, he thought, ‘Ning'er, Qingxuan, Qiaoqiao—they're all down the mountain. And Qingxuan is carrying a heavy burden. How could I abandon them? What kind of man would that make me?’

Determined, he stood up and walked to the door, then looked back to see the fairy sitting motionless on the bed. 'So be it,' Lin Wanrong sighed deeply and walked away, never looking back.

Ning Yuxi opened her eyes, looking at the medicinal salve and telescope tossed on the floor. The blazing fire reflected on her face, tinged with a hint of unspoken sorrow.

Exiting the stone cave, crossing the hot springs, he arrived at the cliff's edge. Gazing into the distance through the mist, he could barely make out rows of lights at the bottom of the mountain, like fireflies, slowly moving upwards. Across from the Fairy Hall, obscured by clouds, the thundering sound of cannons was ceaseless.

"I'm here, I'm here. Qingxuan, Qiaoqiao, Ning'er—" cupping his hands around his mouth, he shouted down the mountain with all his might.

The wind whisked his voice away, scattering it before it could travel even ten yards.

‘I must have been hungry tonight,’ Lin Wanrong thought, gritting his teeth. Gathering all his strength, he yelled at the top of his lungs. This towering peak, Thousand-Forsake Peak, was shrouded in mist and far removed from the closest Fairy Hall. Even if his voice were magnified a hundred times, no one would hear him, no one would see him. In the eyes of the world, he was but a speck of dust on this mountain peak, invisible to all.

His shouts and leaps were all in vain. Having exhausted all his energy, his throat felt scorched. Overwhelmed by both fresh injuries and old pains, he collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. The Fairy was right; this peak was isolated from the world, unreachable by human effort. Even if he screamed for a lifetime, no one would hear him.

‘Am I really going to die here?’ A sense of powerlessness washed over him. Lying on the cold ground, he let the icy wind blow over him, lacking the energy to even stir.

"Why have you stopped shouting?" A gentle voice came. Ning Yuxi stood at the entrance of the cave, her face radiant with an indescribable joy.

"All I wanted was to speak a few words with Qingxuan. Why is it so difficult?" Looking up at the hazy stars, Lin Wanrong sighed, "Sister, you are Qingxuan's master. You should care for her as I do. Can you bear to see her lose her husband, and her child lose its father?"

Fairy Ning's expression remained calm. "I do care for Qingxuan, but this situation is your doing. Everyone has to be responsible for their own actions. Did you consider the consequences when you attacked the Fairy Hall? This is your punishment."

Facing the stubborn Ning Yuxi, he felt utterly helpless. He could only shake his head in resignation, his eyes fixed on the twinkling lights in the distance. Though close, they seemed worlds apart—a feeling he knew he'd never forget.

Seeing his dejected state brought an indescribable satisfaction to Ning Yuxi. The two sat silently, facing each other at the cave entrance. The mountain wind was cold, and Lin Wanrong was already numb, but he bore it silently. Ning Yuxi watched him, her eyes full of mysterious thoughts.

After an indeterminate amount of time, shouts erupted from the mountain below: "General Lin, General Lin—" Although the collective cry of tens of thousands was earth-shattering, it became ethereal by the time it reached the peak. Lin Wanrong leapt up, shouting, "I am here, Qingxuan, I am here!"

A pillar of fire suddenly rose in the distance, piercing the clouds. Lin Wanrong's eyes moistened. This was a signal—it had to be Qingxuan and Qiaoqiao.

Fire? Fire! Startled, he turned and dashed back into the cave.

"Are you looking for this?" Ning Yuxi held up a lighter, a faint smile on her lips.

Lin Wanrong's eyes brightened. He was about to nod when he realized something was amiss— the Fairy wouldn't be this cooperative.

"Watch carefully!" With a cold expression, Ning Yuxi hurled the lighter over the cliff. It fell like a gust of wind, disappearing without a trace.

"You—" Lin Wanrong sprang to his feet, his heart already overwhelmed with fury. "You threw away the fire starter. What are we going to eat or drink now? How could you be so malicious?"

"What did you say?" Ning Yuxi stood abruptly, her expression filled with indescribable sorrow and anger. "Say it again!"

"I said you're malicious. Am I wrong?" Lin Wanrong was infuriated, no longer retaining any pretense of politeness.

"I—I will kill you!" Tearfully, Fairy Ning shouted, her feet barely touching the ground as she lunged at him.

Lin Wanrong chuckled disdainfully, holding his head high, "Go ahead and kill me; it won't be the first time. Do you have anything else to offer other than martial arts?"

"I'll kill you, you little thief!" Ning Yuxi charged forward, her fist raised to strike him in the chest. Lin Wanrong steeled himself and took the hit squarely, a grunt escaping his lips as fresh blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth. Yet, he didn't make a sound.

Seeing his unyielding spirit, a pang of unspeakable pain struck Ning Yuxi's heart. Her teeth clenched, she unleashed a volley of punches and kicks onto him.

"If you can't kill me, I'll bite you to death!" Lin Wanrong spat out the blood at the corner of his mouth, his eyes gleaming fiercely.

For some reason, seeing his ferocious eyes made Ning Yuxi's heart quiver. Fearing him for a fleeting moment, she turned her head away and softened her blows.

"Not daring to hit me anymore?" Lin Wanrong sneered, a trace of contempt in his eyes.

Ning Yuxi was even more stubborn than him. Born never to bow her head, upon hearing his words, rage flared up inside her. Gathering all her energy, she aimed a powerful double-palm strike at his chest.

Lin Wanrong lowered his eyebrows slightly, a fleeting look of longing in his eyes, but not of fear. Fresh blood still flowed from the corner of his mouth, yet his face wore a strange, enigmatic smile.

Seeing the fresh blood at the corner of his mouth, Ning Yuxi felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart. Realizing her palms were about to land, she dispersed her inner energy hastily. Her palms landed softly, like tufts of cotton, on his body. Tears involuntarily flowed from her eyes.

Seizing the opportunity of her emotional turmoil, Lin Wanrong swiftly embraced her slender waist and whispered into her ear, "Sister, I'm going to bite you!"

"What are you trying to do—umph—" Ning Yuxi exclaimed in surprise as she was pulled into his arms, her lips met with his bloodstained, fervent kiss.

Her heart rate surged, her mind going blank, unaware of anything. A mixture of sourness, bitterness, and sweetness overwhelmed her as if a bottle containing all flavors had been upended in her heart. She struggled violently, raining punches and kicks on him, but they were feeble. Her ferocity seemed to have vanished.

Lin Wanrong was not to be trifled with. Clenching his teeth, he drew her tender body closer into his embrace as they both tumbled onto the ground.

Ning Yuxi seemed to have forgotten all her martial skills, behaving like a petulant woman as she thrashed around, punching and kicking him. Lin Wanrong tightly clasped her lithe waist, pressing his lips onto her bright red mouth and refusing to let go, come what may.

The two of them tumbled ceaselessly on the cliff, grappling with one another, neither willing to yield. Several times they rolled dangerously close to the cliff's edge, about to plunge down together. Ning Yuxi's heart trembled as she met Lin Wanrong's fearless eyes; not knowing how to warn him, she could only return shyly to their previous position. To Lin Wanrong, it felt as though the celestial beauty before him had willingly kissed him. In that instant, he couldn't help but hold her tighter. His hot tongue invaded her small mouth, seeking out her red, tiny tongue, and sucking on it passionately. Her mouth seemed to have a faint, indescribable sweetness that overwhelmed him.

Ning Yuxi felt lightheaded and dizzy, as if she had lost herself. The only thing she remembered was: This man had overpowered me, I can't defeat him, but I will never submit.

On this isolated peak, no one would disturb them. They embraced tightly, rolling around, back and forth countless times. Lin Wanrong's head felt foggy, and his mouth had been bitten several times by Ning Yuxi. Blood seeped out, causing his lips to swell. Ning Yuxi's willpower was extraordinary; another woman in her situation would have long given up, but she continued to struggle against Lin Wanrong, leaving their battle unresolved.

Suddenly, with a yelp of pain, Lin Wanrong's head collided with a rock, causing him to grimace. Tears nearly escaped his eyes, but he still clung tightly to Ning Yuxi's waist. They lay atop each other, panting heavily, staring into each other's eyes.

In a daze, Lin Wanrong noticed tears brimming in the corners of Ning Yuxi's eyes. They were crystal-clear like pearls, trickling down and landing on his chest. For a moment, he was entranced and softly called out, "Sister..." He lifted his head to kiss her small mouth but felt a sudden sharp pain—Ning Yuxi had bitten his lip. Her tiny white teeth sunk into his flesh, and droplets of blood oozed out.

Ning Yuxi sprang up, her clothes torn and disheveled. Her ample bosom and slender waist occasionally revealed themselves, bursting with youthful allure. She didn't care, though, and her tears flowed freely as she covered her cheeks and cried out, "How could this happen? I hate you, I hate you!"

She had been reduced from her celestial grace, but had gained a touch of worldly charm. Coupled with her stunning face and clear teardrops, she seemed like the world's most beautiful peach blossom, blooming atop the isolated peak.

Her small foot stomped on Lin Wanrong's chest, going back and forth a few times. However, she couldn't muster the strength, and in her teary-eyed vision, she couldn't describe her mixed emotions. Sobbing, she covered her cheeks and rushed into a nearby cave.

Chaos, utter chaos. Lin Wanrong lay on the ground, taking deep breaths. ‘Sister is Qingxuan's master, Qingxuan is my wife, and here I am, alone with her master—everything's a complete mess,’ he thought. Just the memory of Ning Yuxi's taste made his heart warm up again. Not only was she stunning in appearance and figure, but her strong-willed personality was unlike any he had ever encountered. The clingy tactics he usually disdained proved to be incredibly effective here.

"Ah—" he let out a long, loud cry, finally venting his pent-up emotions. His body was covered with injuries, and not a shred of his clothing remained intact. Worst of all, his lips had swollen like under-fermented steamed buns. Luckily, he was in a place where no one could see him; otherwise, he would have been a laughingstock.

The cliff on the opposite side had been ablaze since the fire was kindled, and it never ceased. Amid the roaring flames, he thought he saw the smiling faces of Qingxuan, Ning'er, and the others. The taste of being so near yet so far was enough to break his heart.

He lay still for a long while, concerned about the fairy inside the cave. Finally, unable to put his mind at ease, he mustered the strength in his fractured bones to walk inside.

As soon as he entered the stone chamber, he saw Ning Yuxi seated on a couch. Her complexion changed from pale to flushed, her tears not yet dried. Her lips were slightly open and red, and her beautiful eyes were swollen from crying. Her dark hair hung down softly, and she seemed lost in thought. Her clothes were tattered and could no longer be worn.

"Get out!" Ning Yuxi coldly huffed.

"I won't leave, even if it kills me," Lin San stubbornly replied. "Fairy Sister, can we talk?"

"You won't leave?" Seeing his swollen lips, Ning Yuxi was annoyed and embarrassed. She wished she could bite him again and suddenly stood up. "Then I will leave—"

Her expression was resolute, showing no sign of jest. Lin San quickly grabbed her and sighed, "Fine, I'll leave. My skin is thick; I'll be fine even if I freeze for ten or twenty days."

Noting that the fairy made no attempt to stop him, he reluctantly exited. As he turned the corner, he saw the homemade communication device and picked up the bamboo tube, shouting loudly, "Hello, hello, sister, I like you, I like you. Did you hear me? Please reply if you did. Ou Wu Er!"

What did Ou Wu Er mean? Ning Yuxi felt her face turning red as she grasped the bamboo tube. She thought to herself, ‘Nonsense, sweet talker. I don't believe you.’ Her heart was pounding, a feeling she couldn't describe. She almost threw the bamboo tube away several times but kept it eventually.

After an indeterminate amount of time, she snapped back to reality. She opened her eyes to find that it was already dawn and there was a faint light outside. Lin San had gone silent, and she wondered what he was doing.

Looking at her tattered clothes, she shook her head slightly. She could no longer wear her beloved white dress. She was on a cliff, isolated—where could she find a second set of clothes? She couldn't hide from his gaze even if she were dressed; what would happen if she were not? Her face flushed at the thought. Pushing aside these concerns, she adjusted her appearance and slowly stepped outside.

The flames on the opposite cliff had not been extinguished all night. It must have been Qingxuan's idea. The sky was bright, mist was rising, and the clouds obscured everything. Neither sound nor sight could cross this distance; it would be strange if the others thought of looking here.

She glanced around but saw no sign of Lin San, which struck her as odd. Suddenly, she heard the sound of tinkling from the edge of the cliff. Panicked, she leapt over and found Lin San hanging onto a rock at the edge of the cliff. Half his body was leaning out as he held the precious sword, making tinkling sounds as he carved something into the cliffside.

"Sister, you're awake?" Lin San turned his head and smiled at her, dew still clinging to the hair beside his ear, his face flushed from the mountain wind.

She clenched her teeth and grunted, averting her eyes, "What are you doing here?"

"Your clothes are torn," Lin Wanrong sighed deeply, a look of regret in his eyes. "Don't worry, one day I'll get you new ones, and you'll be the most beautiful woman in the world."

"Don't bother with sweet talk," Ning Yuxi retorted, her voice trembling slightly as she feigned indifference. "Aren't you afraid of heights? What if I kick you off this cliff?"

"I've grown accustomed to it," Lin Wanrong chuckled, going back to his work. The morning sun, breaking through the thin mist, illuminated his face, painting it a golden hue. Ning Yuxi looked at him silently, a warm feeling stirring within her. It made her heart tremble, though his swollen lips annoyed her enough to look away.

Down the mountain, the search party's steps never ceased. Every so often, horns would sound, and cannons would roar. Several times, distant drumming echoed from across the sea of clouds. At each of these moments, Lin Wanrong would stand and shout in that direction, hoping someone would hear him.

It was all in vain. Ning Yuxi offered a faint smile, not stopping him. Watching him oscillate between hope and disappointment was, in its own way, enjoyable.

By midday, utterly exhausted, Lin Wanrong leaned back and sighed. Suddenly, a strange fragrance filled the air. Turning his head, he found some vibrantly red fruits wrapped in verdant leaves beside him. They were warm to the touch, obviously freshly washed in hot springs. Ning Yuxi looked away, refusing to make eye contact.

"Sister, are you afraid I might fall?" Lin Wanrong chuckled, noting Ning Yuxi's proximity. He picked a fruit and tasted it; it was wonderfully aromatic and flavorful.

"Who's worried about you?" Ning Yuxi quickly backed away, snorting dismissively.

After gobbling two fruits, Lin Wanrong nodded, "Fairy Sister, were these fruits washed in the hot springs?"

"Why so many questions?" Annoyed, she took a small bite from a fruit, her movement graceful.

"They taste wonderful. You must have bathed in the spring last night!" Lin Wanrong chuckled, trying to gather the remaining fruits.

"You're asking for trouble!" Flushing red, Ning Yuxi flicked her fingers, sending the fruits plummeting into the ravine. Lin Wanrong broke into hearty laughter and returned to his work.

Ning Yuxi stood by his side, resisting several urges to see what he was doing. His teasing remarks made her grit her teeth and hold back.

The army searching for Lin Wanrong had camped below the mountain. Every so often, they would call out his name, cannons firing and lights visible across the way. Lin Wanrong looked longingly in their direction, eyes moist. Once the calls ceased, he threw himself back into his work.

Days and years seemed irrelevant in the mountain. Three days had swiftly passed. Each night, he slept outside the stone chamber. Although the fairy sister never invited him in, he always woke up inside, mysteriously relocated, while Ning Yuxi slept soundly on a bed far from his own.

The army at the base of the mountain had never ceased their search, their clamor growing louder by the day. Lin Wanrong could even faintly hear a woman's cries among the noise. Gritting his teeth, he wished he could leap off the cliff right then.

By the morning of the fourth day, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Ning Yuxi peeked out. She saw that Lin Wanrong was carving a series of footholds into the cliffside, each with holes—steps that could be scaled by hand and foot.

"What are you doing?" Her expression turned cold.

"Building a staircase to the heavens," he chuckled. "This mountain may be thousands of feet high, but my energy is boundless. I've calculated it; if I keep up this pace, carving one or two steps each day, I'll reach the base of the mountain in thirty years."

"Thirty years?" Ning Yuxi sneered. "By then, you'll be an old man. What would you go down for?"

"It doesn't matter how old I am," Lin Wanrong sighed softly. "What's crucial is that I fulfill the promises I've made to you."

"What promises have you made to me?" Ning Yuxi was puzzled.

Lin Wanrong smiled gently, "This is called the Ladder of Love. One step a day, and in thirty years, I can carry you down this staircase. I told you, I will get you a brand-new outfit, making you the most beautiful woman in the world. I will keep my word. Sister, you must wait for me."

Ning Yuxi was stunned. How could this fool have such thoughts? Her shoulders trembled, her body quaked, and her eyes filled with tears as if a dam had burst. She lunged at him frantically, "You're courting death! You're risking your life, you thief! I hate you, I absolutely loathe you—"

Pounding his chest with all her might, her heart felt as if it had been emptied. Unable to contain her aching sorrow, she buried herself in his arms and burst into uncontrollable tears.

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