Bing Xin-Yue . . .
The lady in white remained silent after Cha-Eun Xiao's statement. She turned her gaze towards Wen-Ren Chu-Chu. However, when she spoke again, it was directed at Cha-Eun Xiao. Her words carried an air of frankness, "Evidently, you have the capacity to support Chu-Chu until she requires the Regeneration Jade Lotus... Beyond that, her future will depend entirely on her own achievements."
She added casually, "I had intended to kill you. If your last sentence had come a second later, you might have been a lifeless corpse by now."
Cha-Eun Xiao replied in a solemn tone, "I am aware of that, which is precisely why I spoke as I did. Nevertheless, even without my words, you might not have killed me."
"I currently have no desire for your demise. Your importance cannot be underestimated," the lady in white stated.
Cha-Eun Xiao sighed and remarked, "You've long since relinquished concerns about your own life and death. You no longer value your own life. You indeed do not require my assistance. However, your disciple, Lady Chu-Chu, will not have a bright future without my help. The ability to develop the Regeneration Jade Lotus is my unique gift. This gift has elevated my importance to a level where nobody in the Misty Cloud Palace can afford to disregard me."
Quoting the lady in white's earlier words, "The small and elegant body; the cold and clean virginity. The heart will prove to gods that I shall never be in love..." Cha-Eun Xiao admitted, "Those phrases are rather enigmatic."
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu, who had previously displayed fierceness in front of Cha-Eun Xiao, was now anxious. She glanced between him and her master, unsure of how to react.
After a brief silence, Cha-Eun Xiao inquired, "I truly do not comprehend. Could you please explain?"
The lady in white sighed gently, "I apologize."
Cha-Eun Xiao sensed something amiss and was about to react when suddenly, his vision darkened. A white figure enveloped him completely, and a sharp pain radiated from his head before he lost consciousness.
The last thing he heard before slipping into unconsciousness was Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's anguished cry, "No! Master... No!"
Upon awakening, he was greeted by a faint fragrance in the air. Without opening his eyes, he recognized the surroundings—it was Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's residence, the same room where he had been held when he was captured.
He couldn't help but wryly smile inwardly. "It seems I have a peculiar connection to this place. I've been here twice now, and both times I've lost consciousness. I just hope I can leave here alive."
In the dimly lit room, a slender figure sat quietly nearby.
Cha-Eun Xiao rubbed his head and sat up, his frustration evident as he exclaimed, "I never said I didn't want to come with you. Was it necessary to resort to these measures? Are you people kidnapping me? Forcing me?"
The figure in white turned to him with a soft voice, saying, "I apologize."
Annoyed, Cha-Eun Xiao muttered, "It's you."
To his surprise, it wasn't Wen-Ren Chu-Chu sitting with him in the room; it was her master, the enigmatic lady in white.
Bing Xin-Yue confirmed, "Yes, that's right."
Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but huff and remarked, "You've captured me, so what now? Do you want me to cure you?"
The lady in white blushed, a flicker of anger in her eyes. She was acutely aware of what he meant by "cure." She replied tersely, "I don't need you to cure me. I never needed it, I don't need it now, and I will never need it in the future. I just... I just have some questions for you."
Cha-Eun Xiao nodded and inquired, "Very well, but you haven't told me your name yet. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
She responded softly, "I am Bing Xin-Yue."
Cha-Eun Xiao was taken aback, and his face momentarily paled. However, he quickly regained his composure. Such a visible reaction was a rarity for the Xiao Monarch. He spoke in a hoarse voice, "Bing Xin-Yue... that's a beautiful name."
Bing Xin-Yue regarded him with a curious expression. She asked, "Feng Zhi-Ling, why did your heart rate spike when you heard my name? And why did your face briefly lose color, only to recover immediately? You seemed to think I wouldn't notice. Does my name hold special significance for you?"
Cha-Eun Xiao replied, "It's nothing, really. I've heard your name before."
"Oh? From whom did you hear my name?" Bing Xin-Yue's eyes took on a peculiar gleam.
Cha-Eun Xiao explained, "I've heard of Misty Cloud Bing Xin-Yue..."
Bing Xin-Yue's tone remained even as she continued, "And the Broad Heaven Jun Ying-Lian... Do you know my Sister Jun?"
Cha-Eun Xiao felt a sharp pang in his heart, as if a needle had pierced it. He shook his head and replied, "No, I don't know your Sister Jun."
Bing Xin-Yue commented blandly, "If you had some knowledge of the Qing-Yun Realm, it wouldn't be surprising. However, when those two names are mentioned together, there are probably fewer than five people who know of them. You, Feng Zhi-Ling, are definitely not one of those five. There should be no connection between you and any of them."
Cha-Eun Xiao spoke ruefully, "You are mistaken, Lady. I only knew of the first name, 'Misty Cloud.' The latter one, 'Broad Heaven,' I heard for the first time today."
Bing Xin-Yue replied flatly, "That's reasonable. In fact, my Sister Jun didn't have that name before. She's a rather unfortunate woman. She changed her name for an ungrateful man. However..."
She trailed off, leaving Cha-Eun Xiao hanging on her words.
Jun Ying-Lian?
The mention of Jun and her tender care raised questions within Cha-Eun Xiao. Who was this Jun, and who was the subject of her tender concern?
Clearing his throat, Cha-Eun Xiao spoke, "Oh, really? That's peculiar."
Bing Xin-Yue responded with a bland smile and gracefully shifted the conversation away from the topic. Yet, when her gaze fell upon Cha-Eun Xiao, her eyes betrayed a mix of complex emotions.
A sharp pang tugged at Cha-Eun Xiao's heart. Jun Ying-Lian!
The name reverberated through his mind like a haunting melody. No matter how many lifetimes he experienced, he would never forget this name, the girl associated with it, or her visage.
Cha-Eun Xiao sighed inwardly as old memories surged back into his consciousness.
"I've recently met a little sister. While her cultivation is somewhat lacking at the moment, she possesses a delightful personality that I've grown fond of," Jun Ying-Lian had shared with the Xiao Monarch.
"She goes by the name Bing Xin-Yue, and I adore her name and her character," she had continued. "As a result, I've begun to regard her as my sister. From now on, we'll support each other. Can you do something to strengthen the bond between her and me, so that no one dares to harm her?" Jun Ying-Lian had earnestly implored the Xiao Monarch.