Chapter Sixty-Four: Protecting the Lady

"I left my friend on the mountain; I've prepared a meal and I'm waiting for him. I'll come back and drink with you," Zhou Yi called out, turning to greet Baozi and Mu Chen.

Baozi hardly needed welcoming, but the issue was that Mu Chen was visiting Changbai Mountain for the first time; as the host, Zhou Yi felt it would be rude to leave his guest unattended.

Just as he reached the village entrance, he saw Baozi and Mu Chen already approaching.

"I thought you'd gone to Nanshan Village to find your wife," Baozi said, eyeing Zhou Yi with a dissatisfied tone.

Zhou Yi could only scratch his head and give a silly grin. "I hunted a wild pheasant on the mountain this weekend. Let's have a good drink tonight."

The three arrived at Zhou Yi's home, and after a short wait, dinner was ready. The four drank late into the night; Mu Chen, unable to handle his liquor, fell asleep after barely half a bottle of spirits.

The three laughed heartily at Mu Chen. In the northeast, those who can't hold their drink are often ridiculed, and someone like Mu Chen, knocked out by half a bottle, was fair game.

As midnight approached and the gathering dispersed, Zhou Yi sat on a bench in the courtyard, gazing up at the sky, with Xunfeng lying beside him.

"Do you think she's thinking of me now?" Zhou Yi murmured as he gently stroked Xunfeng's fur.

Xunfeng gave a soft grunt in reply.

"You understand?" Zhou Yi looked down at Xunfeng and smiled. Ever since he learned she had forgiven him, his thoughts had flown to her side, joy blooming in his heart and naturally showing on his face.

Xunfeng rose and trotted back into the house. Zhou Yi assumed Xunfeng was tired of his rambling and shook his head in self-mockery.

Soon, Xunfeng returned from the house, carrying Lihuo in his mouth and placing it in Zhou Yi's hand. Xunfeng's gaze lingered affectionately on Lihuo.

Seeing this, Zhou Yi couldn't help but chuckle.

Lihuo was of the Yang, and Xunfeng of the Yin. The two weapons had once suppressed the spirits together at Zhuolu, naturally forging a deep bond. Even the spirits of objects have emotions; all things under heaven are bound by the word 'love.'

Watching the yearning in Xunfeng's eyes, Zhou Yi gently stroked him, his gaze turning southward—to the direction of Nanshan Village.

Lost in thought, Zhou Yi fell asleep on the bench. The next morning, he slowly awoke to find Wu Qian sitting beside him, resting her head on his shoulder, eyes half-closed.

Thinking it a dream, he wrapped his arm around Wu Qian’s shoulder to warm her. Though it was July, mornings in the northeast still carried a chill.

Wu Qian nestled closer into Zhou Yi's embrace.

The faint fragrance from Wu Qian stirred Zhou Yi, and he realized this was no dream.

Dreams are born of weak consciousness, when thoughts scatter and the mind wanders even in sleep. But Zhou Yi, a practitioner of the Dao, had a powerful spirit; his mind rarely strayed when thinking, always focused, and in sleep, his mind was clear, dreaming no more.

Knowing it was real, Zhou Yi dared not keep holding Wu Qian, for they were not yet married and it would be improper.

"You're awake?" Wu Qian, as Zhou Yi wrestled with his thoughts, had already awakened, her cheeks flushed as she shyly lowered her gaze.

"Awake," Zhou Yi replied, searching for words but finding none.

"Why are you sleeping outside?" Wu Qian asked, looking up.

Zhou Yi would never admit he'd come out for air because he missed her, so he fumbled for a reply.

"Sister-in-law is here, come inside," Zhou Mo called from the house, seeing Wu Qian and greeting her. Though she rescued Zhou Yi from embarrassment, calling Wu Qian 'sister-in-law' made Zhou Yi uneasy. He glanced at Wu Qian, but seeing only a blush and no correction, his heart settled.

"I'm not going inside. I'm heading home now," Wu Qian said, preparing to leave.

"You're leaving already?" Zhou Yi frowned slightly, unable to grasp Wu Qian's thoughts. Hearing she was about to leave, his just-settled heart was unsettled again.

"Come with me, I have something to say," Wu Qian said, turning away.

"Alright, let's go to the village entrance," Zhou Yi replied.

Romance was not openly displayed among the people, especially at the foot of this honest mountain.

At the village entrance, Zhou Yi voiced his doubt. "How did you know Uncle wasn't killed by me?"

Wu Qian, hearing Zhou Yi mention Wu Guishun’s death, lowered her head in sorrow. "That day you visited my house—no, the first time you came, you wore a sheepskin coat. I remember thinking, it's June, why still a sheepskin coat? But I didn't dwell on it then.

Later, when you came again, after my father had passed, I hadn’t noticed anything amiss. I hurt you then—does it still hurt?" Wu Qian reached to touch Zhou Yi’s forehead, recalling the day she struck him with the fire poker.

Zhou Yi, realizing he'd be a fool not to act, stepped forward and embraced Wu Qian. "It was my fault, I shouldn't have been petty," he said softly, feeling a pang of guilt that Wu Qian had apologized first.

Wu Qian made no effort to break free, letting Zhou Yi hold her, feeling utterly secure.

Suddenly, Zhou Yi remembered something, gently raising Wu Qian. "Come with me, I'll show you something wonderful."

Without waiting for her answer, he took Wu Qian’s hand and led her up the mountain.

By the time they reached the summit, Wu Qian was breathless. "Why are we here?"

Zhou Yi smiled gently. "Close your eyes."

Obediently, Wu Qian closed her eyes. She felt her body grow light, and when she opened them again, she and Zhou Yi were above the clouds.

"Ah!" Wu Qian had never been so high and cried out in fright, but as soon as she did, Zhou Yi silenced her with a kiss.

What happened next cannot be detailed here.

Now, in Dunhua City, at Zhou Jianwei's home.

The physicians of Dunhua City were in a frenzy that day, for Zhou Jianwei's wife was about to give birth. Three days had passed, but the child refused to be born. Anxious, Zhou Jianwei paced outside the delivery room, peering in from time to time, but two maids at the door barred his entry.

"Mengru, hang in there, stay strong!" Zhou Jianwei shouted encouragement from outside.

Just then, the midwife emerged, her expression panicked. "Master Zhou, I am powerless. You must choose: we can only save either your wife or the child. Please decide."

Hearing this, Zhou Jianwei was horrified. He seized the midwife’s shoulders and cried, "What did you say? Repeat yourself! I want both my wife and child. If anything happens, I’ll have your head!"

Terrified, the midwife fell to her knees. "Master Zhou, you are known as a great philanthropist in Dunhua City. Please don’t threaten me—I truly am powerless. Please, make your decision quickly!"

Zhou Jianwei closed his eyes. "Thank you, Granny Sun. Save my wife."