I Need To Find A Way To Make Her Love Me Again - Chapter 50

Seeing the hesitation on the other woman’s face, Liu Ruoni whispered, guessing the reason for her delay: “Are you worried that Little Palace Master Guan won’t be willing to return to Lingluan Palace?”

Yan Xingyu nodded silently. She knew full well that Guan Fei had a strained relationship with her mother, and they had only recently escaped from Lingluan Palace. How could she have the heart to turn back and beg Palace Master Guan for help?

Observing her reaction, Liu Ruoni flicked her eyelids and lowered her gaze. She filtered the words at the tip of her tongue several times before saying, “This matter might indeed be a bit difficult for you both. If you are unwilling, it doesn’t matter.”

She stepped forward, leaving only her back to the two of them.

Seeing Liu Ruoni about to leave, Yan Xingyu called out, “Is there any other way?”

She saw the figure pause. Liu Ruoni turned back with a smile in her eyes and said, “There is.”

Then she continued, “But it might severely injure Yi Rong. Would you be willing?”

Hearing this, Yan Xingyu fell instantly silent.

Seeing this reaction, Liu Ruoni curled her lips, shook her head, and continued walking out.

Yi Rong spoke up, asking, “What do I need to do?”

Liu Ruoni didn’t stop upon hearing the voice behind her, but she answered nonetheless: “Letting your true form emerge from the East Tai Sea might be able to restrain the Human Ghouls.”

“However.”

“The Earth Spirit Crystal is on Xu Pingxi, and he won’t be leaving Yulan Palace right now.”

Having said all she needed to say, Liu Ruoni left the rest to fate. Reaching the door, she saw the Greedy Ear Monkey peeking at them from a beam. She crooked her finger, and it immediately scrambled down to her side.

Rubbing its fluffy little head, Liu Ruoni left behind a single Blood Swallow before departing with the monkey.

She came and went in a hurry, giving Yan Xingyu no time to deliberate before vanishing from their sight.

Yi Rong looked at the Blood Swallow flying toward them. Her gaze shifted to the person beside her, seeing her brows tightly furrowed in deep thought. After a moment’s consideration, she said, “Returning to Yulan Palace is like walking back into a tiger’s den. We cannot take that risk again.”

“Xingyu, if you are worried about Guan Fei, we can split up. I will go to Lingluan Palace alone to find Palace Master Guan.”

Hearing the proposal, Yan Xingyu remained silent for a long time. She understood that disaster was imminent and she could not afford to be indecisive. After weighing it in her mind, she said, “We shouldn’t go back to Yulan Palace.”

“First, send a message to tell Guan Fei that we are with Liu Ruoni. Once she has recovered, she can meet us here. As for going to Lingluan Palace… let’s keep it from her for now.”

“We will go find Palace Master Guan and explain the situation. I believe she is a person of great righteousness, not someone narrow-minded.”

As she finished, Yan Xingyu caught the Blood Swallow in her palm. A look of clarity flashed in her eyes. She smiled faintly and said, “Liu Ruoni claimed to give me two choices, but she clearly only left me with one.”

Seeing that she had made up her mind, Yi Rong naturally complied. She taught her how to use the Blood Swallow to transmit messages.

Soon, the Blood Swallow took flight, vanishing into the vast sky.

Amidst the ethereal mist, overlapping green mountains, and murmuring waters, a person stood as if possessed of divine power. With every gesture, she could move mountains and divert rivers. Beneath the mountain range, clusters of eerie light were suppressed.

If one drew close, the wailing shrieks could pierce the clouds and ring in one’s ears.

Suddenly, a flash of green light descended, snatching a ball of eerie light, causing the ghostly screams to lessen by a fraction.

Looking up, hundreds of emerald birds circled in the sky above, staring fiercely at the suppressed darkness.

Guan Suxue was focused entirely on the mountains and rivers within the painting before her. Though she had been repairing the Shu Jing Map until now, the evil spirits beneath one particular mountain range refused to be cleared.

Logically, a celestial artifact should not nourish such things, nor had she captured any new spirits. Why were they inexhaustible?

“Palace Master, Little Palace Master Yan is outside and wishes to see you.”

Guan Suxue looked up from the painting, surprised. Why would Rong’er return? However, she had no time to see her at the moment. she commanded, “Arrange for her to stay in the guest rooms first.”

“Yes.”

Watching the maid depart, Guan Suxue thought she might end the repair of the Shu Jing Map early today to see the girl. Returning so soon meant something must have happened.

With that thought, Guan Suxue ordered the emerald birds to disperse and form a boundary array in the air. Once the array was set, she flew into the painting, merging with the scenery within the scroll.

A small figure pressed against the palace doors felt the woman’s aura vanish and crept away.

Yan Xingyu was much more well-behaved upon returning to Lingluan Palace, as she was now a petitioner. To her surprise, the maids treated them with the same politeness as before.

They were informed that Palace Master Guan was temporarily unavailable and were led to the guest rooms to rest and wait.

Though anxious, Yan Xingyu followed them. she turned over many thoughts on how to speak to Palace Master Guan to gain her trust.

Liu Ruoni’s words replayed in her mind, only seven days left. Time was so tight it felt like she couldn’t catch her breath.

While Yi Rong followed the maids, she noticed a figure peeking from behind a pillar. The person wore the same uniform as their guides but was acting suspiciously.

She sent a mental transmission to the person beside her.

“Xingyu, someone is watching us.”

Hearing Yi Rong’s voice, Yan Xingyu looked up from her thoughts. She didn’t see the person at first, but knowing Yi Rong wouldn’t lie, she scanned the area carefully.

After a while, she saw a familiar small head pop out and quickly retract.

Recognizing the person, Yan Xingyu’s eyes flashed with surprise. On the surface, they continued to follow the maids to the guest room. The maid said, “Please rest here. If you need anything else, just let us know.”

“No, thank you. Sorry for the trouble.”

Yan Xingyu replied politely. Once the maids had withdrawn, she didn’t close the door, standing there waiting for the little person to appear.

Sure enough, it didn’t take long for a figure to rush in, just like their first meeting, immediately closing the door behind her.

Yan Xingyu watched as the cautious figure turned around. It was Guan Fei’s little maid. She said, “Xuan Ya, why are you here?”

“Why did you two come back?”

Xuan Ya wondered why they had returned so soon after breaking out two days ago. Seeing that the Little Palace Master wasn’t with them, she asked worriedly, “Where is the Little Palace Master?”

Yan Xingyu said, “Guan Fei is in Fu City.”

“We came back this time to ask Palace Master Guan to let us use the Shu Jing Map.”

Xuan Ya gasped and said, “That’s impossible. The Palace Master won’t lend it out, and the Shu Jing Map can’t even be used right now.”

Yan Xingyu said, “I know it’s broken, so we’ve come to help the Palace Master repair it together.”

Xuan Ya’s face crumpled. “That’s even more impossible. The Palace Master would never let you touch the Shu Jing Map.”

“If that’s why you’ve returned, you should give up now.”

Hearing her so adamant, Yan Xingyu’s mind whirred. She said, “Then Xuan Ya, why don’t you help us steal the Shu Jing Map?”

Seeing the girl’s eyes widen as if they might fall out, she shook her head frantically. “No, no, absolutely not!”

Yan Xingyu feigned a sigh.

“Xuan Ya, this doesn’t seem like you. You were so resolute when you led us to the secret chamber to save Guan Fei. It’s only been two days, how has your courage shrunk so much?”

“Miss, those two things cannot be compared.”

Xuan Ya shook her head. Last time, the Little Palace Master had protected her escape, so no one discovered she was the one who led them there. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be walking freely in the palace now.

Seeing her resistance, Yan Xingyu tried another tactic: “Sigh, it’s a shame. Guan Fei said you were her most trusted person here and told us to find you for help, saying you would do your absolute best.”

“Sigh, it seems…”

She trailed off, but seeing the girl’s expression soften at the mention of Guan Fei’s name, Yan Xingyu added, “How about this? We won’t steal the Shu Jing Map.”

“Xuan Ya, just let us get close to it.”

Seeing the girl stop shaking her head and fall into thought, Yan Xingyu took the chance to coax her: “Then you can just ignore us. No one will ever know you helped.”

“Xuan Ya, what do you think?”

Yan Xingyu spoke softly and persuasively. Seeing her inner conflict, the maid finally said, “If you want to get close to the Shu Jing Map, come with me now.”

Xuan Ya bit her lip, having made a decision. She turned and opened the door. “The time is now. Let’s go.”

Yan Xingyu’s eyes lit up. Without a word, she grabbed Yi Rong and followed.

With their previous experience, they were much more adept at navigating Lingluan Palace while avoiding eyes. Yan Xingyu asked, “Xuan Ya, why can we only get close now?”

“Because the Palace Master is currently repairing the map. This is the best window. If we miss it and she learns your intentions, she will never bring the map out again.”

Xuan Ya whispered while watching her surroundings. She was terrified, but she didn’t want to fail the Little Palace Master’s trust.

Fortunately, the journey was smooth. They reached the main hall. “You two will have to find your own way in from here. I can only take you this far.”

Xuan Ya warned, “The Palace Master is currently inside the map. Be careful.”

Having reached their destination, Yan Xingyu let Xuan Ya leave first. She stared at the closed doors. Yi Rong, knowing her thoughts, stepped forward. “I’ll take you in.”

Though she knew it was a bit late for pretense, Yan Xingyu sighed. “Actually, I really wanted to visit Palace Master Guan officially.”

“Unfortunately, time is of the essence.”

Yi Rong replied, “An official visit definitely wouldn’t have gotten her to agree to our request.”

Yan Xingyu said, “It seems Xuan Ya’s assessment was spot on.”

“Yes,” Yi Rong agreed.

Then this was their only way. Yan Xingyu said, “Let’s go. We’ll talk after we get in.”

As soon as she spoke, Yi Rong swept her hand, pulling them into the shadows and stepping through the palace doors.

The moment they emerged, a sharp green light shot toward them. Yan Xingyu looked up to see waves of black eyes and sharp beaks descending upon them.

Mist swirled in the hall. Above, a massive floating scroll displayed green mountains and long rivers. Before they could even get a clear look at the painting, a crisp, majestic female voice struck their eardrums:

“Who goes there?”