Inside the Haotian Mirror, young Leng Ruoxue fainted from the series of blows she had suffered.
Xiao Fan, looking sorrowful, gazed at the unconscious Leng Ruoxue. He knew that no matter how he explained it, Leng Ruoxue would never believe him. Recalling the hatred in her eyes, Xiao Fan gently caressed her innocent face.
He didn't want Leng Ruoxue to become consumed by hatred as he once had. With his revenge fulfilled, he felt his life was nearing its end. He had decided to let all the hatred fall on his shoulders, planning to die at Leng Ruoxue's hands to end the cycle of vengeance. However, he had promised her mother, Xia Jing, to take care of her, so he couldn't die until Leng Ruoxue was strong enough to protect herself.
While Leng Ruoxue was unconscious, Xiao Fan revealed the truth about the past to the steward and the remaining old servants of the Xiao family, reclaiming his true identity. He instructed them not to tell Leng Ruoxue the truth, as she would likely think they were all bought off by him.
When Leng Ruoxue awoke, the "Cold Mansion" plaque had been replaced with the "Xiao Mansion" plaque, and the household's master had changed from her father, Leng Feng, to her master, Xiao Fan. This was the first time she learned her master's name, which she etched into her heart as the name of her nemesis.
She soon realized that although she still held the title of the young lady, everyone in the Xiao Mansion sided with Xiao Fan. No matter what she said, they all insisted she was mistaken, clearly believing they had been bought off by him.
Distraught and enraged, she remembered her father's last words, urging her to avenge him. Feeling unsafe in the mansion, Leng Ruoxue decided to escape, fearing that Xiao Fan would kill her when he had the chance.
During the funeral for Xia Jing, Leng Ruoxue seized the opportunity and fled from the Xiao Mansion.
After her departure, the steward approached Xiao Fan, reporting quietly, "Young Master Fan, as per your instructions, we allowed Miss Xue'er to leave without interference."
"Good," Xiao Fan replied, nodding slightly before erupting into a fit of violent coughing, black blood pouring from his mouth.
"Young Master Fan, are you alright?" The steward, panicked, was about to fetch a doctor when Xiao Fan stopped him.
"No need, it's futile," Xiao Fan said softly. "I don't have much time left."
The steward's eyes reddened with tears, and he spoke with a choked voice, "Young Master Fan, it can't be. You will recover."
Xiao Fan shook his head with a bitter smile. He knew his condition well. His only remaining concern was Leng Ruoxue. Knowing she would eventually leave his side, he had arranged for her smooth departure.
He then instructed the steward to sell off all the Xiao family properties except the old mansion, using part of the proceeds to reward the dismissed servants and the rest to aid the poor in the surrounding areas, accumulating virtue for his deceased parents.
With everything in order, Xiao Fan secretly followed Leng Ruoxue, silently protecting her.
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
Kneeling before Xiao Fan, North Sea Empress Leng Ruoxue felt a shocking thought arise as she watched Xiao Fan's actions inside the Haotian Mirror. Her master had been following her all along, protecting her. Could it be that her brother... was her master?
Trembling uncontrollably, she covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes filled with disbelief. If her brother was indeed her master...
The thought, once formed, could not be suppressed.
With red-rimmed eyes, she looked at the living corpse of Xiao Fan before her, barely controlling her emotions.
Master, how many more secrets are there that I don't know...
Raising her eyes to the Haotian Mirror again, Leng Ruoxue awaited the revelation of the full truth.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
Xiao Fan continued to follow the young Leng Ruoxue, eliminating any threats ahead of her. Eventually, an unforeseen event forced him to reveal himself. To avoid being recognized, Xiao Fan wore a smiling mask.
"Don't come near me! Stay away!"
Inside a dilapidated temple, young Leng Ruoxue brandished a wooden stick, facing two vicious men.
"Oh, the little girl has some spirit! But she looks quite fetching. She should fetch a good price," one man sneered.
"Don't waste time. Someone might come," the other man urged.
They quickly moved in on her.
"Stop!" a deep voice sounded from the temple entrance.
Xiao Fan, wearing his smiling mask, had lowered his voice to avoid recognition.
The two men turned to see a tall, thin figure in a mask, dismissing him as a threat.
"Kid, I advise you not to meddle!"
"And if I insist?" Xiao Fan replied in a low voice.
"You're asking for it! Let's see your face under that mask," one man snarled, drawing a long knife and approaching Xiao Fan.
"Boy, you brought this on yourself!" The man swung his knife, aiming to split both the mask and Xiao Fan's head.
Xiao Fan didn't dodge, instead, he caught the knife between his fingers.
"Impossible!" the man exclaimed in shock.
With a flick of his wrist, Xiao Fan snapped the knife and drove the broken blade into the man's chest. The man fell back, eyes wide in disbelief.
The second man, realizing they were facing a skilled fighter, grabbed Leng Ruoxue as a shield.
"Don't come closer! I'll slit her throat!"
Xiao Fan remained calm, swiftly kicking the fallen knife into the man's forehead.
The man fell backward, dead before he hit the ground.
With the danger eliminated, Xiao Fan turned to check on Leng Ruoxue, worried she might be scared.
Leng Ruoxue was studying her masked savior. Their eyes met, and Xiao Fan, fearing recognition, turned to leave.
"Big brother, don't go!" Leng Ruoxue ran forward, blocking his path.