The "edict" Su Qingyao had issued—"Within three days, either end it with her completely, or bring her to see me"—had landed like a depth charge in the tranquil waters of the Slaughter God Pavilion's backyard, leaving Lin Che utterly panic-stricken and disoriented.
"Three days! Only three days!" Lin Che paced the courtyard like an ant on a hot pan, his agitation palpable. "How is that enough time?! Just getting to the Canglan Realm via the teleportation array will take half a day! Then I have to explain things to Qingcheng, and then… and then…"
The more he thought about it, the more frantic he became. Bringing Meng Qingcheng to see Su Qingyao? The image was too terrifying to contemplate! Two women on one stage, plus Luo Jiayin with her unique status—this wasn't a meeting, it was the opening session of a living hell!
"No! I can't wait any longer!" Gritting his teeth, Lin Che made up his mind. "I have to leave now!"
Abandoning all pretense of a Pavilion Master's dignity and composure, his body blurred. He transformed into a cyan whirlwind, kicking up a storm of fallen leaves as he shot toward the teleportation array outside the city. He moved so fast he left a faint afterimage in the air.
"Pavilion Master?!"
"Lin Che?!"
Old Ma, Mao Shiba, Shi Jin, and the others, who had been discussing affairs in the courtyard, were nearly bowled over by the sudden gust of wind. By the time they steadied themselves, Lin Che was long gone, leaving behind a scene of disarray and a courtyard full of bewildered faces.
"What in the… What's gotten into the Pavilion Master?" Old Ma stroked his beard, utterly perplexed. "Is his backside on fire? Why the rush?"
Mao Shiba frowned deeply, turning to Luo Jiayin, who stood nearby with a complex expression. "Sister Luo, has something happened to the Pavilion Master?"
Luo Jiayin gazed in the direction Lin Che had vanished, letting out a soft sigh. Her stunning face wore a strange, inscrutable expression—somewhere between a smile and a grimace. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and said, her tone deceptively light, "It's nothing serious. It's just that… the Empress has returned, and the harem… is on fire."
Everyone: "???"
The Empress? Harem on fire? What in the world was she talking about?!
Old Ma, Mao Shiba, Shi Jin, and the rest exchanged baffled glances, their faces a canvas of confusion. Only the miniature form of Blood Fiend, poking its head from Luo Jiayin's sleeve, seemed to understand, flicking its crimson tongue as if to say, "This should be good."
Canglan Realm, Slaughter God Pavilion Headquarters
The massive inter-realm teleportation array flashed. Lin Che stumbled out, his face pale, his spiritual energy chaotic—clear signs of having pushed himself to the limit. He didn't pause to catch his breath or even acknowledge the guards. In an instant, he was a blur again, streaking toward the courtyard where Meng Qingcheng resided like an arrow loosed from a bow.
"Pavilion Master?!" The array guards stared, shocked, at his retreating back. "What's wrong? Has something terrible happened?"
"I don't know! He looks awful. Did something happen to Sister Luo?"
"But Sister Luo is in the Xuantiān Realm. Why would the Master come back alone?"
Speculation ran rampant, but no one could guess the truth.
Lin Che sprinted through the headquarters, leaving a trail of startled disciples and ruffled feathers in his wake. He reached Meng Qingcheng's courtyard, didn't even bother to knock, and threw the door open with a loud BANG!
"Qingcheng!"
Meng Qingcheng, who had been playing her zither by the window, jumped at the sudden intrusion, the music cutting off abruptly. She looked up to see Lin Che standing in the doorway, panting, drenched in sweat, his face ghostly white. Her beautiful eyes widened in shock.
"Lin Che?" She set the zither aside and hurried over, her brow furrowed in concern and confusion. "What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic? Has something happened?"
Lin Che gasped for air, his chest heaving. He grabbed her wrist, his grip so tight it made her wince.
"Come on! Come with me!" he rasped, pulling her toward the door. "I'll explain on the way! There's no time!"
"Where are we going?" she asked, stumbling as he pulled her along. "What's going on? Calm down first!"
"I can't calm down!" Lin Che's eyes were wild. "Qingyao! I found Qingyao! She wants to see you!"
"Qingyao?" Meng Qingcheng stared, dumbfounded for a moment before the name registered. Her face paled. "Su Qingyao? You found her? But she's been missing for years… Why… why would she want to see me?"
"I don't know why she wants to see you!" Lin Che was nearly in tears. "All I know is she gave me an ultimatum! Three days! Either I bring you to her, or… or she'll make my life hell! Let's go! We're running out of time!"
Meng Qingcheng, half-dragged, half-stumbling, followed him out of the courtyard, her mind a raging storm. Su Qingyao… the woman Lin Che had searched for all these years… had actually returned? And her first act was to demand a meeting?
How did she even know about her and Lin Che? Did he tell her? Or…
A thousand thoughts whirled through her head. She tried to pull her hand free, but his grip was like a vise, as if he feared she would vanish the moment he let go.
"Lin Che, slow down!" she pleaded, forced into a jog to keep up. "At least tell me what's going on! Where is she? Is she alright?"
"She's in the Xuantiān Realm!" Lin Che panted, the words tumbling out like rapid gunfire. "She… she's a bit… different now! It wasn't possession! It was… a memory awakening! She's… she's Ying'er, but she's also Qingyao! Ah, it's too complicated! You'll understand when you see her!"
"Ying'er? Lin Ying?" Meng Qingcheng was more confused than ever. "What… what does Lin Ying have to do with this?"
"I don't know! I wish I knew!" Lin Che wailed internally. "All I know is she's… intense! No, not angry, but… in a terrifying state! She said she wants to see you, and I… I didn't dare refuse!"
The two of them raced through the headquarters, drawing stares and whispers from every disciple they passed.
"Isn't that the Master and Lady Meng? Where are they off to in such a hurry?"
"No idea. The Master looks like he's running for his life…"
"Did enemies attack?"
"Doesn't look like it. Who brings a woman along when fleeing for their life?"
Shi Jin, practicing with his giant axe in the training yard, watched them speed by, completely baffled. He scratched his head, muttering to himself, "Weird. The Master went to the Xuantiān Realm with Sister Luo, didn't he? Why's he back alone, dragging Lady Meng with him? Did he… get lonely without Sister Luo and teleport back for a… stress relief session? Man, that's desperate…"
He had no idea that Lin Che's heart was filled with dread. This wasn't stress relief—it was a march toward a potentially disastrous "Banquet at Hong Gate."
They ran in silence all the way to the city's teleportation array. Only when they stood before the glowing runes did Lin Che finally slow, releasing Meng Qingcheng's hand.
"Qingcheng," he said, his voice hoarse, looking at the woman before him with a mix of guilt and helplessness. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this. But… I had no other choice. Qingyao… she means everything to me. I can't lose her again. This meeting… it might be… awkward. It might even be… humiliating. But I hope… you'll understand."
Meng Qingcheng looked at this man—usually so decisive and formidable, now as flustered as a child caught misbehaving. A tumult of emotions churned within her. After a moment of silence, she nodded slowly, her voice calm. "I understand. Don't worry. I won't make this difficult for you."
The array flashed. Their figures vanished.