Chapter Forty-Six: Unfathomable

At this moment, within the grand hall aglow with warm light, Xie Yingying gazed coldly and impatiently at the man before her. She pushed him aside and turned to open the great doors. Naturally, Gu Ruohan would not let her go; he seized her arm tightly, refusing to allow her even the slightest movement.

Xie Yingying spun around, ready to curse at him, but Gu Ruohan clamped his hand over her mouth, silencing her completely.

Her beautiful eyes widened in shock as she stared at Gu Ruohan.

Leaning close to her ear, he whispered helplessly, “I’ll let you go in a moment.”

No sooner had he spoken than Xie Yingying heard the tinkling of silver bells and the voices of her male companions outside the hall.

Yinling’s voice carried a hint of regret. “What a pity I can’t learn some skills from Senior Sister. Otherwise, I might have a chance with that aloof Daoist cultivator.”

“Yinling, with your temperament, I doubt he’d ever look twice at you,” teased one of her male companions.

“I’ve been thinking of Yingying for days. Now that she’s finally returned, she won’t even spare me a glance,” another young man, handsome and refined, complained, ending with a sigh.

“Honestly, you’re awfully infatuated,” Yinling giggled, the bells on her wrist chiming sweetly. “But don’t fall for my senior sister too deeply. She’s vowed to keep her heart free forever, to speak only of fleeting romance, never of love.”

“I’m well aware,” the young man replied, as if he’d heard some great joke, a mocking smile on his lips. “Don’t forget what path I cultivate.”

Yinling snapped her fingers. “The Path of Romance. No wonder you’re so attached to Senior Sister. I heard when two cultivators of your path join in union, their skills improve greatly. Is that really true?”

...

The laughter and chatter gradually faded away, but Xie Yingying’s face was flushed crimson.

The cause was none other than Gu Ruohan, who kept pressing closer, making her unbearably uncomfortable.

Heaven knew—she, Xie Yingying, had been single for over twenty years. When had she ever been so close to a man?

Only after everyone was gone did Gu Ruohan finally release her lips. There was a touch of emotion in his gaze as he asked in a hoarse voice, “How did you make it back?”

Xie Yingying had not forgotten how she’d pleaded for his help last time, only for him to walk away and leave her to her fate. Anger still burned in her heart, and her disgust for Gu Ruohan deepened.

“It’s none of your business,” she replied coldly, turning to leave.

But Gu Ruohan still held fast to her arm, refusing to let her go. He leaned into the hollow of her shoulder, his voice full of apology. “Yingying, I didn’t expect… I’m sorry.”

Xie Yingying rolled her eyes in secret, curled her lips in disdain, and said icily, “Let go.”

Gu Ruohan’s grip did not loosen, as if he hoped to win her forgiveness.

“Let go!” This time, her anger was real.

Gu Ruohan sighed. “There are still many people outside.”

“So what? I’d rather face their siege than stay here with you!”

As Xie Yingying spoke, memories of her unjust treatment in Gufeng Mountain flashed through her mind—the torment, the ridicule, the humiliation, the scolding before crowds! She’d suffered so much these days, and now she longed for an outlet for her frustration.

Although Gu Ruohan had no obligation to help her, if only he’d reached out back then, she wouldn’t have endured such misery. With this thought, she couldn’t help but blame him.

Hearing her words, Gu Ruohan’s face filled with guilt, regret, and grief—blaming himself for not saving her, and wounded that Xie Yingying now loathed him so much she’d rather face a mob than share a moment of peace with him.

Xie Yingying no longer wanted to look at him. She turned away and opened the doors to the hall.

This time, Gu Ruohan did not stop her. He watched her figure shrink into the distance, his heart sinking.

Xie Yingying hurried back to her chambers, all the while alert for any sign of her male companions or fellow disciples.

Fortunately, her path was smooth and she encountered none of the admirers who might have hounded her.

As soon as she entered her chambers and locked the door behind her, she relaxed greatly. She sat down and sipped her spiritual tea, feeling her mind clear and her body refreshed—as if, for a fleeting moment, she had found the comfort of home.

Propping her chin on her hand, Xie Yingying recalled the words of that young man. For some reason, the memory left her uneasy.

If someone professed affection for her, pursued her relentlessly, but only for personal gain—such a person was not worth having.

Besides, from what she knew, those male companions either sought to enhance their own cultivation by being with her, or simply found pleasure in her company. Sincere hearts like Gu Ruohan’s were rare indeed.

Moreover, those who fell into the first two categories might one day abandon her for the sake of profit, caring nothing for her life or death—a potential disaster if left at her side.

As for hypocrites like Gu Ruohan, who clung to her and refused to let go, she had no wish to show mercy.

Take today, for example—Gu Ruohan constantly closing in on her, which, to her mind, was nothing short of harassment!

She rubbed her fingertips together, already contemplating how to dismiss them all and cleanse her inner circle.

Just then, a knock sounded on her door, accompanied by Yinling’s melodious voice: “Senior Sister, you must be back by now, right?”

Xie Yingying blinked, silently climbed into bed, pulled the covers over her head, and pretended to be asleep.

“Senior Sister, I know you’re in there!” Yinling’s voice was soft and pleading. “I want to pursue a Daoist cultivator—help me! If you could win over someone like Bai Shengyun, this should be nothing for you. Please!”

Beneath the covers, Xie Yingying clamped her hands over her ears.

“Senior Sister!” Yinling called again, unwilling to give up.

Only after a long time, when all was quiet outside, did Xie Yingying poke her head out from under the blanket, gulping in fresh air.

She had to admit, it was terribly stuffy under there!

“Senior Sister!” Yinling’s voice suddenly rang out.

Xie Yingying jumped in fright.

“I saw you!” Yinling stood outside the door, arms akimbo, looking supremely confident. “Hurry up and open the door!”

With no choice, Xie Yingying opened the door, her face full of exasperation. “Junior Sister, I have a terrible headache… Please, let me get some rest, all right?”

Yinling took her hand and checked her pulse carefully, then grinned slyly, “Senior Sister, you’re lying again!”

Xie Yingying was momentarily stunned. She searched her memories—Yinling truly hadn’t known medicine before. In shock, she asked, “Yinling, when did you learn medicine?”

“That Daoist cultivator taught me!” Yinling replied proudly, laughing. “So, Senior Sister, how did you get Bai Shengyun to fall for you?”

Leaning against the doorframe, Xie Yingying herself was baffled. Why was reality so different from the original story? Bai Shengyun sometimes even treated her with special kindness.

After pondering for a long time, she decided to brush Yinling off, replying with a perfectly straight face, “Bai Shengyun must be blind.”