Goodbye.

Hansu was brought into a great hall within the City Lord’s estate. Several others were already imprisoned inside; each was bound with Immortal Binding Rope, and, to her surprise, they were all familiar faces. The sisters Joy and Felicity, Yu Yicong and his attendant, even Cong Baoxin was tied up as well...

Hanshu was brought to their side and bound in the same manner.

Afterwards, the others all withdrew, leaving only them in the vast hall, exchanging uneasy glances.

“You’re... Hansu! It’s been so long. The jerky you gave me last time was delicious, do you have any more?” The plea for food came impetuously from Joy.

“You fool, we’re all tied up, how could we eat?” Felicity countered.

“Heh, true, I forgot we’re all tied up. Well, later, remember to give me some more, okay?” Joy grinned.

Hanshu returned her smile, then turned to Cong Baoxin. “Fellow Daoist Cong, what is going on? I was seized and brought here the moment I left my cave. Why are you here as well?”

Cong Baoxin’s face was grim. He replied in a low voice, “City Lord Liuli Ji fell last night... Without her as my backing, I don’t know if my business can continue.”

“What? They arrested us just because the City Lord died?”

“They say there were clear traces of Daoist magic on her wounds, so we are the suspects.”

Hanshu glanced at the others thoughtfully. She herself could not possibly be the culprit. Judging by the sisters’ conduct, they seemed unlikely as well; besides, they were physical cultivators. As for Yu Yicong and his attendant, they practiced Confucian cultivation—not very fitting either.

If she considered it further, Cong Baoxin seemed the most likely suspect. After all, he was close to Liuli Ji—there might even be deeper ties. If anyone had the means, it was him. But what motive could he possibly have?

Still, Hanshu did not believe Cong Baoxin was the perpetrator. Though her contact with him had been brief, she found that business was always his top priority. Liuli Ji was his protector, enabling him to run his shop here and gradually expand throughout the Fuhai Realm. Killing her would bring him no benefit—only harm.

Merchants prized profit; even if there were personal conflicts, he would not resort to such things.

So who could it be? Was there another Daoist cultivator lurking here?

Or... was the true culprit not a Daoist at all? With the right magic artifact, even a Confucian or physical cultivator could inflict such wounds—though it would be awkward, it was not impossible, especially if it was done deliberately to deflect suspicion.

Indeed, Hanshu’s suspicion turned toward Yu Yicong.

Why was this man here? Judging by Liuli Ji’s attitude, she clearly liked him, and would thus let down her guard. Otherwise, with her cultivation comparable to Nascent Soul, which among them could possibly kill her?

Noticing Hanshu’s gaze, Yu Yicong nodded to her with gentlemanly poise, his manner as distinguished as ever—as if he were not bound, but still an honored guest enjoying the City Lord’s personal banquet.

Yet, something about him felt off... Hanshu was still reasoning through it when a group of newcomers entered the hall—or, more precisely, a group of demons.

At their head was a portly demon cultivator, seemingly of the eighth rank. He stooped slightly, speaking obsequiously, “This way, sir. These are all the humans who attended the City Lord’s banquet—they must be the ones.”

A simple sound of acknowledgment came, yet the voice was so melodious it made one’s ears itch. Two long legs stepped into the hall, and against the light entered a man of broad shoulders and narrow waist, features radiant and refined, an air of extraordinary grace.

The moment he entered, his gaze fixed solely upon Hanshu, who could not help but smile at him.

“These people are all at most in the Golden Core stage—how could they have killed Liuli Ji? Are you not interested in finding the real culprit?” Seeing her smile, Huai Yin did not look at her again, but turned to the portly demon and said, “Why haven’t you released them yet? Arresting so many humans without cause—are you trying to start a war between humans and demons?”

“Your servant wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare.”

The portly demon hurried over to personally untie them, though his face remained dark, constrained by Huai Yin’s presence.

“But... about the City Lord’s death...”

“Investigate carefully. You can’t decide just from wounds caused by Daoist artifacts.”

“Understood, sir...”

With that, Huai Yin flicked his sleeves and strode out. The other demons quickly followed, leaving not a soul behind.

Hanshu fingered the jade talisman Huai Yin had covertly passed her, watching him leave and pondering in silence.

Though freed from their bonds, the group was left awkwardly standing in the hall, unsure of what to say. Cong Baoxin stepped forward. “Master Jiang, I’ll return to my shop first. If anything comes up, I’ll send word.” He nodded to Yu Yicong, then departed. Yu Yicong, as the head of an academy, had not protested or struggled while the demons treated him like a criminal—this left Cong Baoxin with a poor impression, not as respectful or admiring as before.

Yu Yicong himself showed no reaction; still as graceful as ever, he nodded to Hanshu and made to leave. Hanshu felt something was amiss. She reached out, “Dean Yu, please wait a moment.”

Her hand touched his body, only to find it paper-thin and fragile. Looking closely, Yu Yicong was gone—replaced by a paper effigy that had deceived them all!

This discovery deepened Hanshu’s suspicion. She quietly gathered the scattered paper, while Joy and Felicity, having watched the entire scene, showed no surprise. Instead, they crowded around, saying, “Hanshu, about that jerky—can we have it now?”

“You knew we’d be fine?”

“Didn’t you see our young mistress just now? She was right behind, told us not to panic, and went to get help.”

So... they hadn’t come to rescue her after all...

Hanshu took out the rest of her jerky and divided it between the sisters, and then they parted ways.

Hanshu traveled a long distance before finally activating the jade talisman Huai Yin had given her.

“Wait for me at the Ziyun Winery, a hundred miles away.”

Since she had come to the Fuhai Realm to seek him out, there was no need for further hesitation. Though she had initially felt unsettled, the journey had cleared her mind. She hadn’t informed Huai Yin when she arrived, nor when she was in trouble—so it was hardly fair to expect him to come rescue her. Still, she was curious; Huai Yin had always avoided Suoyun as if she were a venomous snake, so why now...

The Ziyun Winery, a hundred miles away, was run by a cat demon.

This was odd, for the cat clan traditionally feared water and rarely settled near the sea. Hanshu eyed the proprietress, “Ziyun,” whose cat ears had yet to fully transform—she did seem to be a cat, after all.

Huai Yin had not yet arrived.

The winery was tiny—only two tables. At one sat the proprietress Ziyun; at the other, Hanshu.

Ziyun was beautiful, a typical cat maiden, her gait graceful and languid, exuding a bewitching charm. After placing a plate of unidentifiable snacks before Hanshu, she occupied herself with manicuring her claws.

The snacks looked quite unappetizing; Hanshu summoned her courage for a long while but could not bring herself to try them. Resting her chin on her palm, she pondered the events in Liuli City.

The shell wind chimes at the entrance tinkled crisply as a tall figure entered, momentarily blocking out half the light as he sat.

“You came here? And in such a sorry state?”

Contrary to her imagination of his delight, his face betrayed some fatigue.

“I... My cultivation advanced too quickly, so I set out to travel.”

“You really did. So young, yet your cultivation leaps ahead—just like her.”

“Like whom?”

“Ah? No one.”

“Is it Sister Suoyun?”

“You’ve figured it out.”

“Didn’t you used to...”

Huai Yin shifted, gaze fixed ahead. “There are many things you don’t know.”

After a moment’s silence, Hanshu forced a light tone. “What really happened to the City Lord? Was something amiss?”

Hearing her change the subject, Huai Yin finally looked at her. “She died in her bed, wounds made by Daoist artifacts. Nothing else was stolen, except for a useless necklace.”

“A necklace? Was it one with watery, flowing clouds?” At the mention, Hanshu’s heart raced.

“You’ve seen it?”

“She wore it while dancing that night.”

“Yes. No one knows why such a necklace was taken. You shouldn’t linger here—leave quickly.”

“Have you found... your mother?”

Another brief silence. “I found the clan, and only then did I learn I was half-demon. It took great effort to gain acceptance, but there’s still no news of my mother. No one knows who she is or where she went.”

“No clues at all?”

“The Heavenly Fox clan rarely has descendants. According to the elders, there are three possible candidates. One failed her tribulation and died; one vanished thousands of years ago; the third is impossible.”

“Have you searched for them?”

“What’s the point of this? This place is dangerous—leave now. I’m going ahead.”

“Huai Yin?”

Huai Yin turned for a last, lingering look, as if to imprint her upon his heart, then strode out the door and vanished.

She had grown up.

Hanshu sat quietly in the shop for a while, then, under the catwoman Ziyun’s watchful gaze, stood and departed Liuli Town.

Once, she thought they could be lifelong friends. But people change; when circumstances shift, so do the bonds between them.

“He still cares for me, but he has his secrets. Isn’t that right, Xueling?”

“Enough with these pointless thoughts. I wonder where my parents and the Immortal Lord have gone...”

Perhaps the Fuhai Realm simply did not suit Hanshu. For, not long after leaving Liuli City, she encountered danger again. Unlike last time, when she’d escaped unscathed, this time, blades and swords flashed in earnest.

Author’s Note: Many people come and go throughout our lives as we grow... That’s something we cannot avoid.