Xie Xuanyi did not stay long at the Sword Palace.

After exchanging a few words of greeting with his senior brothers, he left the mountain gate by sword and headed straight for Qing State.

He wanted to see Jiang Miaoyin.

According to the Zen Master's words, after jumping into the North Sea...the Divine Travel was not over, so at this moment, Jiang Miaoyin should retain her memories, just as he did.

A heavy snow had fallen in Qing State, and Qingyang City had rarely issued a ban, strictly forbidding outsiders from entering the city.

Xie Xuanyi, of course, was an exception.

As soon as "Chen Ke" had flown out of the Sword Palace, the City Lord Mansion of Qingyang City received the Communication Order from True Hidden Peak. Therefore, when Xie Xuanyi arrived in Qing State, all the Honored Guest Elders of the Jiang Family were waiting outside, and dozens of pillars within the clan came out. They greeted him with the highest etiquette…this was respect for the "Ten Heroes," as well as reverence for the future Sword Palace Master.

"Master Xie, you have finally arrived."

"The old man is gravely ill, bedridden, and unable to greet you. Please forgive us."

Jiang Que, the Jiang Family elder who had participated in the Southern Border Demon Cleansing, clasped his fists and bowed at the front, responsible for the reception. In this life, he had no significant connections of cause and effect with Xie Xuanyi, only having met occasionally and exchanged a few words, considered acquaintances at a nod.

"Everyone, you're too kind."

Xie Xuanyi returned the salutes one by one and said, "Please take me to see the old man."

...

...

Jiang Mansion, main courtyard, snow swirling.

Jiang Que, holding a candle, led Xie Xuanyi into the inner courtyard. With the protection of Array Formation Talismans here, it was not considered cold.

The fireplace emitted a faint chill.

The scent of medicinal herbs lingered.

As soon as Xie Xuanyi entered the courtyard, he saw a figure in white crouched by the fireplace brewing medicine.

"The old man is gravely ill, the young lady attends to him personally, brewing medicine and tea daily, looking quite worn."

Jiang Que lowered his voice and softly reminded him, sighing as he said, "Master Xie... I will not disturb you anymore."

After saying that, he took his leave.

"..."

Xie Xuanyi stood before the fire, silently watching the woman.

"You're here."

Jiang Miaoyin raised her head, her voice cool and somewhat hoarse.

The two exchanged gazes, and the warm courtyard, shrouded and sheltered by Array Formation Talismans, inexplicably grew colder.

"I will go see the old man."

With merely a glance, Xie Xuanyi sensed that something was amiss.

Jiang Miaoyin's state...seemed a bit off.

Was she still the Jiang Miaoyin with whom he had "Divine Traveled" together?

Without time for more thoughts, Xie Xuanyi had already pushed open the door and entered the interior of the mansion.

Inside lay an elderly man with a thin frame, covered with a thin cotton quilt, appearing as if asleep. But as soon as the footsteps sounded, the old man opened his eyes.

Jiang Lie propped himself up, slowly sitting upright.

"Old Man."

Xie Xuanyi sat at the side of the bed, softly saying, "I heard you've fallen ill... I came to see you..."

As he spoke.

He gently placed his fingers on the old man's wrist, and his Divine Thought flowed into it like a stream.

"What fallen ill..."

Jiang Lie smiled warmly, saying, "It's just that I'm old; what illness do I have?"

This life of battles, not knowing how many times I have crossed the gate of hell.

The times I escaped death are countless.

Jiang Lie had long since cast "life and death" aside. He knew very well...that this body, having long been on the battlefield, burdened with too much cause and effect, was sooner or later to be weighed down by Evil Qi, destined to not meet a good end in his later years.

"Life expectancy is running low..."

The Divine Thought swept into the old man's lungs and bowels.

Xie Xuanyi quickly got the answer. Jiang Lie's judgment of his own body was not wrong; this body indeed had no real illness, only damage to the muscles and bones from years of battle.

As one ages, so it becomes.

Having fought for Great Chu for so many years… Jiang Lie's hands stained with too much blood.

His cultivation realm was still not enough to ignore these "cause and effect," and once caught in his later years, Evil Qi would entangle him.

"You, young man, coming to see me makes me most happy."

Jiang Lie extended a hand, gently pressing it on Xie Xuanyi's hand. With a gentle voice, the old man slowly said, "Some time ago, old Yan Xin also came once… He told me I probably have only about half a year left, if not less. If it weren't for Miao Yin brewing medicine with 'Divine Phoenix Grass' all this while, perhaps I would already be in the ground by now."

Divine Phoenix Grass is a top-grade herbal medicine found only in the Northern County's Demon Country.

It's said that the herb contains "Phoenix Blood," possessing the effect of Nirvana, capable of prolonging life, extending one's lifespan.

No wonder Jiang Miaoyin personally brews the medicine.

This herb is extremely precious, and the simmering process very meticulous.

A slight mishap, and it would be ruined.

"Old Man, I..."

Xie Xuanyi was just about to take out the Undying Spring when he was interrupted.

"Alright, don't be in such a rush to speak."

Although Jiang Lie's voice was gentle, it carried an undeniable firmness: "I don't have much time...so let me speak first..."

Xie Xuanyi had to remain silent, obediently listening.

"I know, you dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to practice, wanting to realize the Great Dao, with an unswervingly pure mind in cultivating Dao."

Jiang Lie grasped Xie Xuanyi's hand tightly, speaking word by word, smiling as he said, "I also know...though Miao Yin and you grew up together as senior brother and sister, you have no romantic inclinations towards her..."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi's expression grew slightly nuanced, unsure of what to say, so he continued to remain silent.

"I also know that some things in life cannot be forced."

Jiang Lie sighed softly: "So I am not intending to force the two of you into any kind of good outcome. I must confess, some time ago, it was I who sent someone to the Sword Palace with a message to summon Miao Yin back to Qing State."

"...?"

Xie Xuanyi was dumbfounded, somewhat surprised.

"Please forgive me."

The old man sighed again: "After all, I am her father. Which father wishes to see his daughter fall into despair, regretting for life over something unattainable, trapped within the barriers of affection? Over the past half year, she has brewed medicine, tea daily, watched over me at all times; naturally, these decisions aren't simply for the sake of enjoying her service."

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