Chapter 40

Gongyi Xiao watched with concern. "Senior, can you... can you walk? Do you need me to carry..."

Shen Qingqiu’s face darkened. He took a long stride and shot forward, using action to prove he was fine—perfectly fine!

Gongyi Xiao was taken aback for a moment before hurriedly following. Yet, the moment both of them stepped just beyond the stone platform’s boundary and onto the stone path, the curtain of foul water that had just receded erupted with a roar, spraying outward.

Shen Qingqiu had moved fast and stopped just as abruptly, narrowly avoiding being drenched. They retreated back onto the platform, and the water curtain gradually sealed itself once more.

It was as if it were deliberately preventing their escape. How infuriatingly intelligent!

Gongyi Xiao suddenly understood. "I forgot. Once the water prison is activated, at least one person must remain on the stone platform. If that person leaves and the platform’s weight becomes insufficient, even if the mechanism is deactivated, the water curtain will automatically engage." He had never before experienced trying to escape with a prisoner, so naturally, he hadn’t remembered this detail.

Shen Qingqiu said, "So you’re saying one person must stay on the platform for the others to walk out?"

Gongyi Xiao nodded. Shen Qingqiu declared, "You stay here."

Gongyi Xiao: "......"

Having said that, Shen Qingqiu flicked his sleeve and prepared to walk out. Gongyi Xiao weakly raised a hand behind him. "Senior Shen... although this Junior is willing to serve, without me to guide you, I’m afraid you won’t find your way out... Ah..."

Shen Qingqiu glanced back and added, "Wait for me to return."

Gongyi Xiao stood rooted to the spot. Though he wished to follow, he was hindered by his inability to leave the platform’s range and could only wait quietly. Not long after, a dull thud sounded from outside, and Shen Qingqiu dragged someone in by the scruff of their neck.

He hauled the unconscious, pockmarked disciple onto the stone platform, patted Gongyi Xiao’s shoulder, and said, "Just happened to see him on patrol. Borrowed him for a bit. Let’s go!"

In truth, it wasn’t a coincidence. There had been four patrolling disciples. Shen Qingqiu, lurking in the shadows, had carefully selected this one after meticulous consideration!

Gongyi Xiao had also briefly considered grabbing a random disciple to serve as a counterweight, but it had only been a fleeting thought. Now that Shen Qingqiu had taken care of it himself, sparing him the need to knock out a fellow disciple, Gongyi Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. The two walked side by side toward the exit. Seeing Shen Qingqiu adjust the black robe draped over his shoulders, Gongyi Xiao felt a lump form in his throat.

His heart ached. Senior Shen, honored as the master of a peak, trapped and humbled—it was already a helpless situation. And now, he must rely on the clothes of someone who showed him no respect just to cover his body and preserve his dignity. It’s truly... truly heartbreaking!

Shen Qingqiu saw the flicker in his eyes—sympathy, mingled with indignation—and could only respond with an unchanging, expressionless face.

Here we go again. He’s starting again!

Suddenly, Gongyi Xiao said, "Senior, please take it off!"

Shen Qingqiu: "......"

What?!

Before he could react, Gongyi Xiao had already begun removing his own outer robe. Shen Qingqiu was considering whether to hit him with a critical strike to see what was going on when Gongyi Xiao, having taken off his outer garment, presented it with both hands. "Please wear this instead!"

Shen Qingqiu suddenly understood.

Oh! So that’s what he meant. Although Luo Binghe’s clothes were black, they were like the male lead himself—understated yet luxurious, full of subtle refinement. Wearing them was still too conspicuous. Changing into a more common white robe, one with a higher chance of blending in, would be more conducive to escape, right?

How thoughtful!

He decisively removed Luo Binghe’s outer robe and put on Gongyi Xiao’s. Before leaving, he thought for a moment, then neatly folded Luo Binghe’s clothes before placing them on the ground...

Leaving the cavern, Gongyi Xiao led the way. Shen Qingqiu naturally followed closely behind without needing a thousand reminders.

At first, the path didn’t seem particularly difficult, but the farther they went, the more he realized how terrifying the Illusory Flower Palace’s labyrinthine formations truly were. One cavern led to another, one passage branched into mistaken turns, three steps led to nine detours—it was enough to make one dizzy. Even though Gongyi Xiao’s back was right in front of him, Shen Qingqiu nearly lost sight of him several times. If not for Gongyi Xiao’s thorough understanding of the water prison’s personnel distribution and patrol schedules, they would have undoubtedly run into several squads of guarding disciples long ago.

Luo Binghe’s order forbidding anyone but himself from privately visiting the water prison greatly facilitated their escape. Because as long as he didn’t come personally, no one would know the prisoner in that cell had slipped away. Thus, half an hour later, the two finally emerged from the underground water prison. Without pausing for a moment, they traveled several li outward, entering White Dew Forest, nearly leaving Illusory Flower Palace territory. The water prison’s alarm bell still hadn’t been sounded—meaning no one had discovered the prisoner’s escape yet.

It seemed that with an inside agent of sufficiently high status and comprehensive information, breaking out of prison was a trivial matter!

Resting briefly in White Dew Forest, Shen Qingqiu said, "Young Master Gongyi, there’s no need to escort me further. While we haven’t been discovered, you should return quickly."

He paused, then added, "Within seven days, come to Flower Moon City. You will definitely find me there."

Gongyi Xiao said, "Since Senior says so, what more can I say? Although I don’t know what matter this is, please be extremely careful on your journey."

Shen Qingqiu nodded. "There’s one more thing. Please relay a message to Junior Brother Liu of Hundred Battles Peak for me. Ask him to come to Flower Moon City immediately!"

Gongyi Xiao said, "I will certainly convey it. Regarding the joint trial of the four sects one month from now, Senior, please rest assured. As you said, the clear will remain clear. The various Sect Leaders will surely clear your name."

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but laugh.

First, black history couldn’t be scrubbed clean. Second, what did the joint trial a month later have to do with him? Ha ha ha ha... Filled with boundless courage in his chest, he also clasped his hands. "Until we meet again!"

Gongyi Xiao suddenly said, "Wait!"

Shen Qingqiu turned. "What is it?"

Gongyi Xiao smiled. "If we do meet again, Senior must fulfill your promise and take me to see Qing Jing Peak. This Junior has been waiting all along."

After parting ways, Shen Qingqiu traveled by sword for a stretch before finally realizing a problem.

The route from the Illusory Flower Palace border to Flower Moon City passed through the most densely populated and economically developed region of the Central Plains.

These two conditions also meant the density of secular cultivation sects and clans in this area was extremely high.

Cultivators in this world took aerial defense very seriously. Just like in Golden Orchid City, they typically established anti-air barriers above their territories. If a spiritual sword or magical artifact flew over at a speed exceeding the limit, it would undoubtedly be detected and reported to the sect’s superiors.

Imagine it—it would be like holding a loudspeaker and loudly announcing one’s escape route.

Which meant he still had to fly for a stretch, then travel on foot for another!

Shen Qingqiu really wanted to take all the nonsensical settings in this book and slap the author’s face with them: Are you kidding me?!

Traveling day and night without rest, Shen Qingqiu finally reached Flower Moon City on the third day.

Only, his timing was terribly unfortunate.

It happened to be the Flower Moon City Founding Festival. The city was ablaze with lights all night, adorned with festive lanterns and colorful decorations. Dragon and lion dances filled the streets, drums and music shaking the heavens. People pressed against people, stalls crowded against stalls, vendors’ carrying poles sliding everywhere. It seemed as if everyone had come out of their homes.

Even more unfortunately, when he arrived, dark clouds veiled the moon.

Without the blessing of sunlight or moonlight, the chance of failure for this trip would greatly increase. Shen Qingqiu felt it was going to be tough and decided to wait a while longer. One day at most. If the clouds hadn’t dispersed within a day, he would have no choice. A higher chance of failure was better than clutching an overripe Sun-Moon Dew Lotus and crying—by then, even stir-frying it or using it as a side dish for wine would be unappetizing.

Shen Qingqiu walked slowly, occasionally bumping into playful children from some family, brushing past groups of laughing young women. He felt a slight regret. If he weren’t fleeing for his life, he could have properly enjoyed the city’s festivities.

Suddenly, several men walked toward him, carrying longswords on their backs and wearing uniform attire. Each held their head high, their chests out—clearly arrogant disciples from some minor sect.

Strangely enough, the more insignificant the sect, the more its disciples seemed afraid others wouldn’t know they were cultivators, as if they wished to embroider the words on their clothes.

Shen Qingqiu naturally turned aside, casually picking up a ghost mask from a nearby stall and placing it over his face. He walked straight toward them with an air of nonchalance. During the festival, six out of ten revelers wore masks. Blending in, he wasn’t afraid of standing out.

He heard one of the men say, "Senior Brother, would that Elegant Sword really just wait in this city to be captured?"

The leader scolded, "The joint pursuit order issued by the four sects—could it be false? Haven’t you seen how many sects have sent people to block him? Keep your eyes open. You saw Illusory Flower Palace’s bounty. Don’t you want it?"

Holy shit, so I’ve been publicly wanted. How many people have already rushed here without my knowledge!

"No wonder Illusory Flower Palace is offering such a huge reward. Speaking of which, they really had it rough..."

Shen Qingqiu thought, At most, I just knocked out one insignificant Illusory Flower Palace disciple. I didn’t do anything else. How did Illusory Flower Palace become such a tragic victim?

He wanted to hear more, but the group walked farther away. Shen Qingqiu, buffeted by the human tide, had no choice but to give up. He was just contemplating finding an abandoned house to rest in when a weight suddenly clung to his leg. Looking down, he saw a small child hugging his thigh.

The child slowly tilted its face upward. Its complexion was pale, as if malnourished, but its eyes were large and bright. It stared straight at him, refusing to let go of his leg.

Shen Qingqiu patted its head. "Whose child are you? Did you get separated?"

The child nodded. When it spoke, its voice was soft and tender. "Got separated."

The child was undeniably cute, with a face that stirred a faint sense of familiarity in Shen Qingqiu. He bent down, scooping the boy up and settling him on his arm. "Who brought you out here?"

The little one wrapped his arms around Shen Qingqiu's neck, his lips pressing into a thin, pitiful line. "My master..."

For some reason, Shen Qingqiu felt an unusual pang of tenderness for this child. He gave the soft little bottom a pat. "Your master has a black heart, letting you wander off like this. Do you remember how you got separated?"

A giggle, soft and sticky like sweet rice cake, whispered directly into Shen Qingqiu's ear. "How could I forget? My master pushed me down here with his own hand."

In that instant, a wave of icy dread washed over Shen Qingqiu, freezing half his body solid.

The warm, small body in his arms no longer felt like a child. It was a viper, coiled around his neck, fangs bared and poised to sink venom into his flesh. With a violent jerk, he hurled the figure away, his skin erupting in goosebumps as he spun around. Every hair on his body stood on end.

The entire street was watching him.

Masked and unmasked, every figure seemed to have frozen in place, holding their breath as they stared.

The masked ones wore grotesque, terrifying visages. But those without masks were far more horrifying—they had no faces at all.