"Okay, you can leave," said Xue'er.
"Xue'er, why did you come to Fallen Star Mountains this time? I heard that you were going to hunt Flaming Python, it's not that simple right?" asked Xiao Yan.
"Mm, I came this time for two reasons, father said Yang and Ma families might attack in full force because he announced that he was attempting to form Golden Core, but a few days ago he had already formed it and entered Golden Core realm. He wanted to use this chance to clean them up in one go. But he couldn't keep my safety during that time. So, he had these elders protect me in secret while I went out with the telling everyone that it's to hunt. Well, any plan will have a loophole, father didn't imagine Thousand Poison Sect to act in secret. Without that elder from your family, it would have been terrible for us. So, thank him for us next you see him," said Xue'er. Even though she didn't like that elder who practices curses, she would have to thank him for his kindness, "Also, a couple of weeks ago, someone found that the Flaming Python is guarding an Extreme Yang Grass in its cave, it's probably waiting for advancement. We desperately needed that Yang Grass, so I chose that Python as the target for hunting."
"Why are you looking for Extreme Yang Grass?"
"I … never mind, you will see once you visit my house anyway," said Xue'er with a touch of sadness and … self-blame?
"It's fine. Why don't we go hunt that beast then?" asked Xiao Yan.
"I proposed to use it as my training before Pure Mist Academy Entrance Test, but now that I am injured, I think I will ask one of the elders to get the grass, we can return to Fallen Star City at once," said Xue'er. She was eager to show her house to Xiao Yan and to her father the man she had chosen for herself.
Xiao Yan could sense her eagerness and nervousness he just smiled, "Fine, let's go, I am eager to meet your parents too …" causing Xue'er to blush and she tried to hide her face in her chest before nodding shyly "Mm".
…
It was already noon when the group from Lin family started moving towards Fallen Star City. Inside Xue'er's carriage, Xue'er, Xiao Yan and Yi were sitting together enjoying the lunch Yi had just made, while Yun was sitting silently in one of the corners.
"Yun, come join us," said Xiao Yan.
"Thank you Young Master Yan. But I am sorry, I don't deserve to be called a friend anymore, now I am only a servant. Please forgive me for not joining," said Yun with an expressionless face with a courteous bow. It was as if she had forgotten to smile after the incident.
Xiao Yan and Yi both got sad at her new behavior, even Xue'er showed a hint of sadness. Even after all that's happened, she couldn't truly hate her. She may not forgive her but hating her, Xue'er found it impossible for her to do. It made Xiao Yan even sadder, as he was the one responsible for this. The thought of removing the curse came to his mind multiple times, but he forcefully held himself back.
According to Xue'er, the return trip to Fallen Star City would take nearly two days. So, Xue'er decided to concentrate on treating her wounds and cultivating. Xiao Yan was also recovering rapidly.
…
At night, both Xue'er and Yi were sleeping peacefully leaving Yun and Xiao Yan awake. Both were silent. Xiao Yan didn't know what to say and Yun had nothing to say.
"Yun, do you hate me?" asked Xiao Yan.
"No. Why do you ask Young Master Yan?" asked Yun turning her head to look at his handsome face.
"I cursed to endure pain, probably for the rest of your life you know."
"If I am being honest, when you put the curse on me, I hated you, I wanted nothing else than to tear you piece by piece. But when I calmed down and thought about it, I found how much pain must you have endured when I injured Miss, for you to put such a curse on me? And how much must you love her to go to such lengths for her sake? After thinking thus far, I had no reason to hate you," said Yun.
"Yes, I was extremely angry at that time not only towards you but myself for not protecting her properly. Still, I owe you an apology, I am really sorry. I will remove the curse," said Xiao Yan and stretched his finger towards Yun's forehead.
Unexpectedly, Yun dodged his finger by tilting her head backward, "it's okay Young Master Yan, I can understand your feelings. A kind man like you would not have done it if I wasn't the one who angered you first. Please allow me to bear this punishment. I will definitely get Miss to forgive me someday."
"If your mind breaks before then, I will blame myself for the rest of my life, please let me remove it," said Xiao Yan.
"it's fine. I will let you know if I can't take it anymore. I really want to serve miss and get her trust back, until then even if suffer more pain, it's worth it."
"You know, I really admire you now, although you were misguided by someone, your will to stay true to your heart is truly admirable. I, Xiao Yan don't have many friends not because I don't want to, but because not everyone qualifies, but you are. Do you want to become a friend of the man who cursed you to endure endless pain?" asked Xiao Yan with a slight smile on his face.
"Are you sure? I just betrayed my best friend you know?" asked Yun.
"A hundred percent."
"Young Master Yan do you truly forgive me for hurting your lover?" asked Yun while tears started flowing down.
"Yes, I forgave you the moment you made the decision to come back. If you don't believe me, you can trust the curse you know. You must have felt the difference in pain this morning."
She threw herself into his arms and started crying, "Thank You! Thank you, Young Master Yan."
"it's fine, I am here for you. If you need anything find me. I will be leaving Fallen Star City within a week, If the curse is still there by that time, I will remove it even if you want me to do it or not. I cannot let my friend suffer," started patting and consoling her.
…
Two days pass uneventfully inside the carriage. To cultivators, two days is nothing much. To high-level cultivators, just one seclusion might take more than a couple of years.
Fallen Star City was built by Pure Mist King to facilitate hunters and mercenaries to recuperate and restock before heading towards Fallen Star Mountains. It was a considerably large city among the Three hundred and twelve cities under Pure Mist Country. Considerable focus was given to build a massive city wall that could protect the city and its residents from occasional beast tides. Four massive gates provided entry and exit to the city. Internally, the city was divided into Outer and Core zones. The Outer zones were the residences of mercenaries, hunters and common people. It occupied almost eighty percent of the area of the city. Inside the Core zone were the estates of reputable families such as Lin, Ma, and Yang. At the center of the city, on a somewhat elevated ground was a magnificent palace where the current City Lord was staying.