Chapter 11: Rainbound Fates

                                     

The rain in Jiuxiao City came and went, light one moment and heavy the next. Two more days slipped quietly by.

Su Muyu stood beneath the eaves, gazing at the endless curtain of rain.

So many days had passed, yet Mu Yumu still had not returned. That was far from a good sign. But Tang Lianyue hadn’t shown up either—at least it meant Mu Yumu had successfully delayed him, though Su Muyu had no idea by what method.

“I hope she’s alright,” Su Muyu murmured.

“Worried about Sister Yumu?” Bai Hehuai’s voice sounded behind him as she suddenly appeared.

“Yes,” Su Muyu replied with a nod.

“Do you love her?” Bai Hehuai asked.

“I do love her—but not the way you’re imagining. More like family.”

Bai Hehuai stuck out her tongue. “Such a cliché answer! Don’t worry, I wouldn’t tell her.”

“It’s the truth. Yumu grew up with us. Maybe Changhe loves her,” Su Muyu said quietly. “I’m not sure.”

Bai Hehuai blinked, stunned for a moment, then shook her head rapidly. “Your relationships are so complicated. Tsk tsk tsk.”

“Two days have passed. Is the Divine Physician ready?” Su Muyu shifted the topic, unwilling to discuss it further.

“Of course! Have your people prepare a hundred red candles and eighteen bronze mirrors in the room. The Patriarch’s condition has been properly stabilized. I’ll rest today and perform the Soul Transfer Technique tomorrow!” Bai Hehuai said confidently.

“Then we must trouble the Divine Physician.” Su Muyu turned, placing a feathered arrow in her hand. “This is a Sky-Piercing Arrow crafted by Thunder Gate. In a critical moment, pull the mechanism at the bottom—the arrow fires automatically. It explodes on impact. It could save your life.”

“Thunder Gate weapons? Must be pricey.” Bai Hehuai twirled the arrow curiously.

Su Muyu’s smile was faint. “A gift from when we fought alongside Thunder Gate.”

“Isn’t Thunder Gate a righteous sect? They’d fight with Dark River?” she asked, confused.

“Dark River is no one’s enemy,” Su Muyu answered.

---

Outside Jiuxiao City, at Desolate Pavilion.

Mu Yumu’s purple robe was soaked through, clinging to her slender figure—an irresistible temptation to most men. Unfortunately, she faced Tang Lianyue. He sighed. “You really are a persistent woman.”

“Persistent? Is that a compliment?” Mu Yumu leaned against the stone table, looking exhausted.

Tang Lianyue blinked, then realized her teasing and snapped, irritated, “Enough. I don’t want to kill you, but my patience has limits.”

“Killing… I’m already dying,” Mu Yumu suddenly coughed, a mouthful of blood spilling past her lips as she clutched her chest and dropped to one knee.

Tang Lianyue frowned. In the past few days, Mu Yumu had staged several dramatic near-death scenes—it was hard to believe anything she did. But this time, she collapsed completely and fell silent. Tang Lianyue narrowed his eyes, turned, and began to walk away. Yet after several dozen steps, he found himself glancing back.

Mu Yumu still lay motionless on the ground.

Could she really be dead? he wondered.

She was neither friend nor kin—she was his enemy’s guard, a woman who had caused him endless trouble. Her death should have been a relief. So why did uneasiness bite at him?

At last, Tang Lianyue sighed and retraced his steps. Looking down at Mu Yumu, he whispered, “I’ll save you only because I dislike killing—especially women.” He bent to check her injuries, but Mu Yumu suddenly turned and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“You’re trying to deceive me again!” Tang Lianyue snapped, reaching for his finger blade.

But her embrace was weak—barely clinging to him. Her face was pale, yet she still managed a faint smile. “So you do care about me.”

“You—!” Tang Lianyue exhaled helplessly.

“This time, I really am dying. Your hidden weapons were too strong; I couldn’t win. The rest… I leave to Brother Yu and the others.” With that, Mu Yumu closed her eyes and slumped unconscious.

“You won’t die.” Tang Lianyue gently patted her back, sending inner force into her body. Warmth spread through her, but she did not wake—only tightened her hold around him. Tang Lianyue awkwardly turned his head away, then had no choice but to lift her into his arms and carry her out of Desolate Pavilion, heading toward Jiuxiao City.

---

At Luojiuxiao Inn.

Su Zhe ordered a pot of tea, lit his pipe, and sat in a corner, watching the fine rain with evident contentment. Su Changhe came down from upstairs, saw his demeanor, and smiled. “Uncle Zhe seems to be living quite comfortably.”

“I’m just a sword in your hand. I go wherever you point; otherwise, I enjoy my days.” Su Zhe took a long puff, then looked at the rain and spoke in a solemn dialect: “Let everything end when this rain stops.”

“Indeed. May the rain end soon.”

At the counter, the innkeeper yawned. Business had died with the weather—the main hall was empty except for Su Zhe’s table, and the upstairs guests had mysteriously checked out days ago. If this continued, the inn might not last.

As he fretted, a man dressed in black walked in, carrying a woman in purple.

Tang Lianyue and Mu Yumu.

Su Zhe stiffened. His hand flicked, instantly covering Su Changhe’s face with a human-skin mask.

Tang Lianyue turned at the sudden movement, seeing an ordinary young man watching him, and a middle-aged man calmly smoking while eyeing Mu Yumu in his arms.

“Young brother,” Su Zhe said lazily, “you’re quite lucky with the ladies.”

Tang Lianyue frowned, ignored him, and addressed the innkeeper. “Innkeeper, I need your best room.”

“Just one?” The innkeeper beamed. “Very well—the finest and most expensive room! Laifeng, take the guests upstairs!”

Su Changhe’s fingers moved toward the dagger hidden in his sleeve. Su Zhe chuckled softly. “Between your Inch Sword and his Finger Blade, which is stronger?”

Su Changhe sneered. “Uncle Zhe wants to know?”

“You want to know too, don’t you? You lured Tang Lianyue here to deal with the Patriarch… but as for that Mu girl—” Su Zhe exhaled a thin trail of smoke. “What man wouldn’t be moved by her?”

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