The next morning, Meng Shuying carefully selected a small, sharp knife from the kitchen and tucked it into her belt before leaving.
The journey from Yanmo Peak to the Spirit Pet Garden wasn't short, and with her body still recovering, Meng Shuying quickly grew tired. To conserve her strength, she walked slowly, taking breaks. After more than half an hour, the gate to the Spirit Pet Garden came into view.
Li senior sister wasn't there today, and the garden was full of working disciples. Upon seeing her, they paused their tasks to stare, their gazes filled with disdain, mockery, and even a hint of pity.
Meng Shuying ignored their stares, walking straight to the gate. "I lost something in the garden a few days ago. Can you open the gate so I can search for it?" she asked one of the disciples.
The disciple hesitated and glanced around at the others. Some pretended to look at the sky or the ground, avoiding her gaze.
Afraid to refuse her directly—since her cold, expressionless eyes seemed bottomless and intimidating—the disciple finally said, "I'll ask Senior Brother Li," and hurried away.
Meng Shuying remained calm, leaning against the fence, lost in thought. The knife at her waist was cold and hard, reminding her of her purpose.
She mentally reviewed her plan, ensuring everything was in place. Her expression darkened as her hand instinctively rested on the hilt of the knife, exuding a subtle aura of danger.
Soon, the disciple returned and confirmed Li Guangyao's approval. She stood on tiptoe to remove the gate lock and opened a small gap, allowing Meng Shuying to enter.
Meng Shuying paused before pushing the gate wide open and walking inside. Though she appeared thin and fragile, her presence was commanding, forcing the other disciples to lower their heads and avoid eye contact as she passed by. They knew the truth behind her injuries but were bound by Li senior sister's decision to declare it an "accident."
Meng Shuying said she had lost her belongings near the Purple-Crowned Spirit Eagle's area. The other disciples dared not stop her and watched as she headed deeper into the garden. One of the disciples, however, quietly warned her, "Senior Brother Guangyao is in the eagle's pen."
She was trying to help Meng Shuying avoid Li Guangyao, but to her surprise, Meng Shuying thanked her and continued walking.
After Meng Shuying left, the disciple's senior sister scolded her. "Are you crazy? You shouldn't meddle in Senior Brother Guangyao's business!"
The younger disciple, rubbing her sore cheek from the pinch, replied tearfully, "I just thought Meng senior was pitiful."
"What do you know?" her senior scoffed. "She has Su senior sister behind her—how could she be pitiful? It's yourself you should pity."
Meng Shuying soon reached the depths of the garden, where she found Li Guangyao. He stood up from a pile of hay, grinning with mockery. "I see you've come back for more. Clearly, you didn't learn your lesson last time."
Meng Shuying's eyes narrowed as she reached for her knife. "Coward."
"Coward? You're talking about me?" Li Guangyao laughed. "You only got hurt because you didn't understand the eagle's behavior. That was your own fault."
He reveled in his plan's success—mixing a special herb into the eagle's food to make it aggressive, tricking Meng Shuying into its pen under the pretense of following Li senior sister's orders. The eagle, protective of its newly hatched young, would attack anyone in its space. The door had conveniently been locked, trapping her inside.
Meng Shuying glared at him, the cold light in her eyes making him uneasy. He puffed up his chest in an attempt to assert dominance, but inside, he felt a flicker of fear.
Without warning, Meng Shuying lunged at him, her knife flashing in her hand. Li Guangyao dodged, narrowly avoiding the strike. He was stronger, older, and faster than her, but something about her gaze unnerved him. It was as though she wasn't a mere disciple but a dangerous predator.
Meng Shuying's movements were swift and calculated. She struck again, this time grazing his arm. Furious, Li Guangyao retaliated, but she danced just out of reach.
However, Meng Shuying's stamina soon waned. Still recovering from her injuries, she began to slow, and Li Guangyao seized the opportunity to disarm her, grabbing the knife from her hand.
But not before she had left several deep gashes on his arm.
Staring at the blood trickling from his wounds, Li Guangyao's face darkened. He flung the knife to the ground, his anger boiling over. "You dare hurt me?"
He lunged at her, hands outstretched to grab her by the collar, but she slipped away, retreating into the tall grass surrounding the pen. Li Guangyao, blind with rage, gave chase.
The Spirit Eagle's pen wasn't a small cage but a sprawling enclosure filled with towering trees and waist-high grass. As Meng Shuying weaved through the grass, she kept her eyes on a low-lying area she had memorized. Finally reaching it, she dropped to the ground, rolling herself in dirt and grass to mask her scent.
Li Guangyao, now unable to spot her, halted in his tracks. The area ahead was dangerous, and though furious, he wasn't completely reckless. After a moment of hesitation, he turned to leave.
But Meng Shuying wouldn't let him go so easily. With a quick movement, she threw a stone at him, hitting him square in the forehead. Blood trickled into his eyes as he turned, enraged, and sprinted toward her.
Just as he reached her, there was a sudden roar. The Spirit Eagle, sensing danger to its remaining egg, dove at Li Guangyao, knocking him to the ground. Before he could react, the eagle's beak and talons were upon him.
Desperate, Li Guangyao curled into a ball, trying to protect himself. But it was too late. The eagle, frenzied by the loss of its offspring, had no intention of letting him go.
Meng Shuying watched from the grass, a faint smile on her lips as Li Guangyao's screams filled the air. The disciples outside, hearing the commotion, rushed to the gate but hesitated, too afraid to enter.
When Li Guangyao's cries weakened, the eagle turned its attention to Meng Shuying. As it lunged toward her, she tried to defend herself with the knife, but the blade barely scratched the eagle's thick feathers.
Before the eagle could strike, a white cord wrapped around its neck and wings, pulling it to the ground. Meng Shuying looked up to see a familiar figure standing before her.
"Can you stand?" Su Luowei's soft voice reached her.
Meng Shuying blinked, then nodded, her voice faint. "Yes."
Su Luowei extended her hand, and Meng Shuying grasped it, allowing herself to be pulled to her feet. After a quick inspection to ensure she was unharmed, Su Luowei turned her attention to Li Guangyao, who was barely clinging to life.
At that moment, Li senior sister and the other disciples finally arrived, horrified by the scene. Without a word, they carried Li Guangyao away.
Li senior sister, glaring at Meng Shuying, demanded an explanation.
Su Luowei calmly stepped forward, shielding Meng Shuying. "You saw what happened. The Spirit Eagle attacked again, injuring your disciple and nearly harming mine."
"That's impossible," Li senior sister retorted. "Li Guangyao has cared for that eagle for months—it wouldn't attack him without reason."
Su Luowei's eyes sharpened. "Then perhaps you should investigate why your Spirit Pet has become so aggressive. This is the second time it has injured someone under your care. Reflect on that."
Li senior sister was taken aback, knowing Su Luowei was right. Reluctantly, she dropped the issue, but her expression made it clear that the matter wasn't over.
As they left the Spirit Pet Garden, Meng Shuying, exhausted, struggled to keep up with Su Luowei's pace. Sensing her fatigue, Su Luowei slowed, allowing her to walk beside her.
After a long silence, Meng Shuying finally spoke. "Why did you come to the garden today?"
Su Luowei didn't hesitate. "I hadn't seen you all morning. You mentioned you'd be here, so I came to check on you."
Warmth spread through Meng Shuying's chest at the thought that Su Luowei had come just for her.
Su Luowei glanced at her, her tone gentle. "It's a good thing I did."
If she had been even a moment later, Meng Shuying might have been seriously hurt again.
After a pause, Su Luowei added, "Next time, think things through carefully. Don't put yourself in danger like that."
Meng Shuying's heart fluttered. She didn't know how much Su Luowei had pieced together, but there was no reproach in her voice.
After a moment, Meng Shuying quietly asked, "Do you think I'm cruel?"
"No," Su Luowei replied without hesitation. "He tried to harm you, and you retaliated. That's only fair. But next time, be more cautious. If I hadn't arrived, the consequences could have been severe."
Meng Shuying nodded, feeling a mix of guilt and joy. Su Luowei's words echoed in her heart, filling her with warmth.
As they continued walking, Meng Shuying couldn't resist asking, "Why didn't you tell me to forgive him?"
Su Luowei stopped in her tracks, her expression serious. "Because I don't want you to live a life where people think they can bully you without consequence, Meng Shuying. I want you to stand up for yourself."
She paused, then added softly, "But remember, not every battle needs to be fought with bloodshed. Sometimes, showing mercy can be just as powerful."
Meng Shuying stared at her in awe, feeling both overwhelmed and grateful. In this harsh world, Su Luowei was her only light.
As they neared Yanmo Peak, Su Luowei's voice cut through her thoughts once more.
"And if anyone tries to take your life," she said firmly, "I will protect you."
Meng Shuying's heart swelled at the promise, the warmth spreading through her entire being.
"Senior Sister…" she whispered, feeling a connection that would last for lifetimes.
Su Luowei responded with a simple "Mm," her presence as steady and comforting as always.
It was a moment Meng Shuying would carry with her for the rest of her life.