Mr. Du left. All the disciples on Book Mountain witnessed his departure. People working for Donghuang the Great came for him. No one knew exactly who Mr. Du was or that he had anything to do with the Great Emperor.
The people from the Barren State did not actually leave the Eastern Barren Territory and so, they also got wind of this news. They were all shocked but finally understood how Ye Futian acquired the relics of Sky Mountain. His teacher was connected to the Great Emperor, so it wouldn’t be weird for him to get the relics. And so, they decided to leave the Eastern Barren Territory. Not only were they wary of Zhuge Mingyue, but also because of that Mr. Du.
Zhuge Mingyue didn’t go to cultivate at the Holy Zhi Palace and unexpectedly became the disciple of an incredibly powerful recluse.
Ye Futian had someone carve the score for the Ukiyo Song on a stone wall located on one of Book Mountain’s mountains. Whenever someone from the Barren State came, they would be led there. This prevented anyone from targeting the College for the score. What Du Ao did to the Donghua Clan was the perfect example.
The Cottage was engulfed in a peculiar atmosphere.
It was that of parting.
The teacher was lost before but everyone knew that he would come back. This time no one knew if he was coming back or if he was even allowed to. They wouldn’t even be able to go find him. Furthermore, the second sister was also going to leave soon.
This magical place, the Cottage, may truly be split up.
On the mountain, the disciples of the Cottage were currently seated together for a meal. There was chit-chat and laughter. Zhuge Mingyue spoke with a light smile on her face. “Our little fifth brother still makes the best food.”
“Senior Sister, if you like my food then I’ll cook for you every day. I won’t step another foot off the mountain,” Luo Fan replied while bustling around.
“Since when have you been such a good boy?” Zhuge Mingyue chuckled.
“Second Sister, who will look after me when you leave?” Beitang Xing’er’s voice was low and melancholic. After bringing brought to the Cottage by the teacher, Zhuge Mingyue had taken care of her. One could even say that she was raised by Zhuge Mingyue.
“Xing’er, do you want to come with me?” Zhuge Mingyue asked.
Beitang Xing’er froze. When she realized it wasn’t a joke, she began to feel conflicted. Should she leave with the senior sister? If she left, who would take care of the others?
“Go,” Gu Dongliu said in the middle of his meal. “Eldest Brother is busy with the College and won’t have time to take care of you.”
Beitang Xing’er looked toward Gu Dongliu and understood the hidden meaning behind his words. He might leave the Cottage, too. Her eyes reddened. To hide the fact that she was about to burst into tears, Beitang Xing’er lowered her head and continued eating.
Years ago, when her family died, it was the teacher that brought her to Book Mountain. It was Third Brother who got revenge for her. Since then, the Cottage was her home. Her senior brothers and sister were closer to her than family. Now, the teacher was gone and they were all separating. The Cottage would no longer exist in the Eastern Barren Territory.
“Xing’er, why are you crying? You’re all grown up now and will have to marry soon. We would have had to separate sooner or later,” Xue Ye said when he noticed the tears in the corners of her eyes.
“I won’t marry.” Beitang Xing’er shook her head.
“Silly girl.” Zhuge Hui patted her head. She then looked toward Ye Futian. “Why so quiet today?” This rascal was usually the most active, but he hadn’t said a word today.
“What’s wrong? Feeling sad?” teased Zhuge Mingyue.
“Senior Sister, would you pretend not to know me when I go looking for you, wanting to hang out?” Ye Futian lifted his head to face her.
“What goes on in that head of yours?” She lifted her hand to knock on his head. “If you dare to not come looking for me, then I’ll really come after you.”
“Futian and I will definitely come visit together,” Hua Jieyu said softly.
Zhuge Mingyue turned her attention over to Hua Jieyu, giving her a look before chuckling.
“Senior Sister?” Hua Jieyu was slightly confused.
“I know what to do so Little Brother will come see me.” She laughed. “What if I take Jieyu with me so that Xing’er will have a companion.”
Hua Jieyu’s eyes widened before shaking her head no. “I don’t want to go.” That was when she realized Ye Futian was looking at her. Seeing the look in his eyes, she lowered her voice to ask him, “What are you looking at? You want to get rid of me again?”
“Jieyu, Senior Sister’s suggestion is worth a second thought,” he said in all seriousness.
“I’m not reconsidering.” She shook her head.
“You and Jieyu think about it,” laughed Zhuge Mingyue. “Jieyu is so pretty, I’m too worried to let her follow you around while you travel recklessly through the Barren State.” She knew well and clear that after the Cottage disbanded, Ye Futian would definitely head to the Barren State. Without the teacher, the Eldest Brother, and her around, it was all up to himself.
“Okay.” Ye Futian nodded. He was considering similar circumstances as the Second Sister.
“When you return to your family, wait for me.” At this time, Gu Dongliu, who was also unusually quiet today, spoke up. Everyone turned to look at the Third Brother. It was obvious who his words were meant for.
“What for?” Zhuge Mingyue didn’t look at him. Instead, she lowered her head to focus on the dishes on the table.
“You know what for,” he replied.
“I don’t know,” she said, finally looking up at him.
Gu Dongliu and Zhuge Hui met eyes. Everyone else watched them as the atmosphere took a weird turn.
“Wait for me to come marry you.” Gu Dongliu stood up after replying and walked away.
Just like that, everyone was completely frozen in shock.
The Third Brother was so manly.
“The Third Brother is so cool,” Ye Futian exclaimed while watching the departing silhouette.
“A real man,” Luo Fan complimented.
“So awesome.” Yi Xiaoshi was stupefied.
Zhuge Mingyue watched as he left, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile. She then glared at Ye Futian and the others. “Eat.”
After their meal, Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu strolled toward the back-mountain hand in hand. Hua Jieyu spoke softly, “I won’t go.”
“Wifey, you’re too beautiful, too eye-catching. What happens if someone tries to steal you from me in the Barren State?” Ye Futian joked. Something of the sorts happened in the Donghua Clan. Du Ao went to take Hua Qingqing.
“Then you protect me,” she replied.
Hearing her gentle voice, Ye Futian lowered his head. He felt guilty. Walking over to a cliff, he watched the sea of clouds. “Qingzhou City, Donghai City, the Nandou Nation. I thought I’d seen the whole world, but the world is far larger than I imaged. What they called the fate of an emperor seems like nothing more than a myth. I’ve given you the fate of an empress but to this day, I still don’t have the ability to protect you.”
From his words, Hua Jieyu knew that he was feeling down in the dumps. She lifted her eyes to him. “Look at me,” she said.
Ye Futian turned to her. She walked forward and leaned against him. Standing on tip-toes, she planted a soft kiss on his lips and then separated from him. She never meant for her words to upset the man she loved.
A smile bloomed from her like a beautiful flower. Hua Jieyu looked up to the sky where the sun was shining brightly.
“When you were 15, people thought you didn’t know how to cultivate. You were optimistic and joyful. Then, during the Fall Exams that same year, you shocked everyone with your talent and proved yourself to the entire Qingzhou Academy. At sixteen, you set foot in Donghai City. You played the Melody of the White Feathers Garment at the Luo Palace, used the Decree of the General in front of the School of the Emperor Star, and made yourself known as the Guqin Devil’s disciple. That year, an emperor wanted to kill you and you refused to just give in, taking fate into your own hands. During the Fenghua Banquet, you gained the recognition of Emperor Ye. During the Tingfeng banquet, you were undefeatable. After that, you wowed the Ancient Barren World and entered the Cottage. Your life is just beginning and you’re already a legend in the Eastern Barren Territory. This year, you’re twenty. You dominated in the battle on Sky Mountain and now, there isn’t a single person who doesn’t know you in the Eastern Barren Territory.” Hua Jieyu smiled brightly, the sunlight lighting up her face. In a gentle voice, she spoke, “Ye Futian, I’m proud of you.”
Ye Futian turned to take in her profile. He chuckled. “My fox knows how to console people now.”
Hua Jieyu looked at him again and laughed. “Everything I said was true. You’re only twenty and you’re able to deal with Nobles and Sages so naturally. I believe that since you’re already able to overshadow everyone our age in Qingzhou City, Donghai City, the Nandou Nation, and the Eastern Barren Territory, someday, you’ll be able to do so with the world. There will be a day when the entire Divine Prefecture will know your name.”
“Am I really that outstanding?” Ye Futian was high off the compliments.
“Yeah,” Hua Jieyu nodded in all seriousness. “You said that you’ll make me an empress. I will remember that, so you have to fulfill your promise.”
“Okay.” All of Ye Futian’s dispiriting thoughts were wiped away by Hua Jieyu’s words. He had no time to waste being dispirited. In his younger days, he was so confident in himself. Was he going to let these losses dull his light?
“Then do you agree to go with Second Sister?” Ye Futian asked.
“I agree.” Hua Jieyu nodded. “But not to run away. When I get to the Barren State, I will work hard on cultivation and wait for you to come for me.”
“Okay,” he nodded. Then, he hugged Hua Jieyu close to him and continued, “Before we separate should we take care of something important in our lives?”
“You wish.” She blushed hard in his embrace.
“I’ll be so lonely and cold with you.”
“Then you have to come for me sooner.”
“Fox, you’re too cruel.”
“Hmph.”
Their exchange continued as the sunlight beat down on the green grass. This had Ye Futian thinking that even though the world of cultivation was cruel, it was also beautiful. He had so many people that liked him and there were also people he liked.
Days later, a large group had arrived in the sky above Book Mountain. All of them had impressive auras and were truly outstanding. They were from the Zhuge Family. Naturally, they were here for Zhuge Mingyue. She accepted everything that had happened. Disciples of Book Mountain and the Cottage were here to see her off. Seeing everyone in front of her, she smiled. “Don’t miss me too much.”
Beside her, Beitang Xing’er was already in tears. “Eldest Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, Xiaoshi, Futian, you guys take care.” She then turned to Gu Dongliu who stood further away. “Third Brother, take care.”
“When you get to the Barren State, remember to listen to your Senior Sister,” said the Sword Saint.
“Okay,” Beitang Xing’er nodded.
“Jieyu, you also have to listen to Senior Sister,” he said softly as he patted her head.
“Okay,” nodded Hua Jieyu. She looked behind Ye Futian at Hua Fengliu and the others. “Father, Mother, teacher, Clan Leader, all of you have to take care as well.”
“Little Brother.” Zhuge Mingyue spread her arms for Ye Futian.
He walked forward and shared a light hug with her, then with Beitang Xing’er.
“I look forward to when we meet again, Little Brother,” Zhuge Mingyue said softly. The three of them lifted up in the air and headed for the ship in the sky.
“Let’s go,” said a young man on the ship. He took one look down below, his eyes falling emotionlessly on Ye Futian. The ship in the sky began to move. Zhuge Hui took one last look downward at a lonely figure in white. Then, she turned away and moved further and further away.