Sisi's first stop was Su Yuntao's home.
Su Yuntao had worked at the Martial Soul Hall for many years and had saved up quite a bit, purchasing a house in the center of Notting City.
Sisi had been there a few times before. If Su Yuntao wasn't home now, she would have to search the entire city.
Su Yuntao's house was a standalone small building. As soon as Sisi arrived, she noticed the gate to the courtyard had been roughly forced open.
"So he's here after all," she thought, a spark of hope rising in her chest.
She went upstairs and immediately saw Su Yuntao, crazily downing cup after cup of alcohol.
"Yuntao!" she called out.
Su Yuntao suddenly turned around. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with a deep, crushing sadness that made Sisi's heart skip a beat.
"What do you want from me? Why don't you go find that old dog and continue your fun?" Su Yuntao muttered as he drank, his gaze cold and indifferent toward Sisi—no trace of warmth remained.
Without hesitation, Sisi rushed over and grabbed Su Yuntao's arm. "Yuntao, I have my reasons."
For the first time, faced with such an intimate gesture from Sisi, Su Yuntao remained unmoved. His heart felt dead inside.
"Yuntao, I grew up in the slums. I've had enough of poverty. All I ever wanted was a better life," Sisi sobbed.
"So you went to seduce him?" Su Yuntao's voice was icy.
"He promised me the position of Hall Master. But deep down, it's you I love. Every time I'm with him, I cry silently because I feel guilty toward you. But becoming Hall Master is my dream, so I had to accept his despicable behavior."
"Yuntao, please promise me you won't spread this around. I really love you. If it weren't for the Hall Master position, I would have accepted your pursuit a long time ago. Just do this for me once—when I become Hall Master, I'll kick that old Matthew Nuo out. I'll make you the Chief Steward, and we'll be together, ruling the Martial Soul Hall of Notting City."
Sisi's voice was full of sorrowful charm. That last promise wasn't even a lie—she truly had that plan in mind.
Su Yuntao stopped drinking and sat silently. Sisi rested her head on his shoulder, quietly sobbing.
Watching her tear-streaked face, he sighed deeply. How could years of feelings be discarded in a single day? He still loved her deeply.
He pushed Sisi away and said coldly, "Go. We'll have nothing to do with each other from now on. And I won't speak of your affairs to anyone."
"Yuntao, thank you for letting me go," Sisi said, moved to tears. She hadn't expected Su Yuntao to actually accept her decision.
At that moment, something inside her heart shattered. Her love for Su Yuntao surged forth, growing stronger by the second.
Su Yuntao's face was full of bitterness.
All these years I gave you my youth,
Only to hear 'thank you for letting me go.'
Letting you pursue your freedom and adventure,
While I am left with blue skies and empty seas.
He promised you sweet words and vows,
I only have my unregretted release,
Letting you live your today and tomorrow,
Letting me face my next summer alone.
Su Yuntao waved his hand in loneliness and said, "Go…"
Before he could finish, Sisi leaned in closer.
"Wuu... wuu..." she whimpered.
Su Yuntao was speechless. His eyes were wide, his blood boiling to the point of drowning his reason.
Perhaps because of his Martial Soul, he had never been in a relationship at over twenty years old. This was all new to him—like a virgin bride sitting in the bridal sedan chair for the first time.
How could he resist such intense temptation?
He used his remaining reason to try and push Sisi away, knowing he couldn't let things go further.
But before he could act, Sisi took the next step.
Su Yuntao's pupils dilated sharply. Looking at her beautiful face so close to his, he was utterly lost...
…
An hour later, Sisi walked out, completely satisfied.
Her smile was bright as sunshine, the darkness in her heart swept away. In all these years, she had never been this happy.
She had finally seen clearly into her own heart—she still loved Su Yuntao very much; it was only her ambition that had clouded her judgment.
"Matthew Nuo, you old dog, go eat dirt."
"After the election, you'll pay the price…"
At that moment, on the eaves behind Sisi, a small black bird stood still, then suddenly took flight, flapping its wings as it headed toward Notting Academy.
Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze and sighed, "Tao-ge really is something—to forgive after all this. Poor Sisi though, she still doesn't know that Matthew Nuo's got her firmly in his grasp."
As he sighed, Jing Wuming returned. The moment he entered the small forest, he spotted Jiang Chen.
"Young master, urgent news—Su Yuntao has gone berserk."
Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively. "I already know."
Just then, a small black bird flew over and perched on Jiang Chen's shoulder. He gently stroked its feathers a few times.
"This little one is my eyes now. You don't need to go to the Martial Soul Hall anymore. Spend more time on your cultivation."
"Young master, do you no longer need me? I can still assist you," Jing Wuming asked anxiously.
Jiang Chen smiled kindly. "No, I think your cultivation is far more important than spying on Matthew Nuo. I already know where the Martial Soul Hall is; I'll watch it myself from now on. You focus on training—I'm sure I'll need your help again in the future."
"Alright then." Jing Wuming bowed, unwilling to disobey the order.
Then he hesitated before adding, "Young master, could you spare Miss Sisi? I think she's been deceived… she's quite pitiful."
Jiang Chen looked at him with surprise. "Aren't you the ruthless killer who doesn't blink when taking lives? Why pity a woman?"
"I… I just feel she's a bit unfortunate," Jing Wuming said, blushing and lowering his head.
"That figures—after all, she gave you more than two months of 'lessons,' didn't she?" Jiang Chen chuckled, making Jing Wuming's face redden even more.
"Don't worry. She's nothing more than a greedy and foolish woman. But I promise you, I won't kill her."
"Thank you, young master," Jing Wuming said gratefully.
"Good. Now get back to your training. I'm going to eat." Jiang Chen turned and left.
After escorting Jiang Chen out, Jing Wuming began his cultivation in earnest.
Sigh, a person's body is iron, but food is steel—I get so hungry if I miss a meal," Jiang Chen sighed.
He suddenly felt a pang of envy toward Jing Wuming, who didn't need to eat. A single sip of blood could sustain him for days and even boost his power.
But then he shook his head. Actually, he could also drink blood, and it was tempting, but his past life's beliefs made him think it was unnatural and wrong.
Though the taste of blood was enticing, fine food was also enjoyable. Given a choice, he preferred to live like a normal person.
After finishing his meal, he returned to the woods to continue training. The strange fist techniques and body movements fascinated Jing Wuming, but he dared not ask questions.
Time passed quickly—two more days went by in a blink.
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