Two months passed since the cataclysmic incident at the Mu Treasure Cave. Occasionally, news still trickled in of bodies washing downstream near the local villages, grim reminders of the disaster.
Zhu Mingyang and Gu Yingjie had settled into a quiet life at Yan Zhanjin's home. The three got along exceptionally well, establishing a simple, comforting routine. While Zhu Mingyang and Yan Zhanjin spent their days in the woods—chopping wood and digging for herbal roots—Gu Yingjie remained at the house. He managed the cooking and diligently helped to dry the medicine, ensuring a warm meal and a welcoming home awaited them when they returned each evening.
It was evening, and the two men sat outside on a simple bed, looking up at the countless stars., as they sat enjoying the quiet afternoon talk, Zhu Mingyang broke the silence. "Yingjie, let's leave here and forget about the martial arts world."
Gu Yingjie looked at him softly. "Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know, maybe we can wander around this land and find a place that suits us." Zhu Mingyang held Gu Yingjie's hand tightly. "I was thinking of a very secluded place, with only the two of us."
Gu Yingjie sighed wistfully. "A place like that is so hard to find."
"What about one of those islands down south?" Zhu Mingyang suggested.
Gu Yingjie shook his head. "If you want to live there, you can say goodbye to the quiet life. Most of those islands are controlled by the Seventy-two Islands Clan."
"Well, that would be bad," Zhu Mingyang conceded.
Gu Yingjie leaned on Zhu Mingyang's left shoulder, savoring the simple comfort. "Mingyang, I am looking forward to living in seclusion with you. I want to be able to sit down and eat with you without worrying that someone will poison me."
Zhu Mingyang grew serious. "Yingjie, I am just an ordinary person without a title and no fame. If you choose to be with me, then all you have is me. You won't have those extravagant clothes anymore."
Gu Yingjie smiled up at him. "I would rather live freely with you in torn clothes than be forced to do what I don't want to do." He looked at Zhu Mingyang, his expression hurt. "Mingyang, why do you speak as if I like those things?"
Zhu Mingyang sighed heavily. "I wanted to make it clear to you, because I'm worried that one day you'll leave me because of this."
Gu Yingjie's grip on his hand tightened. "I'm no longer the heir. Even if I return to the Gu Manor, I'm no better than a servant with the Gu's blood running in my veins." He added, his voice laced with concern, "Mingyang, I don't want to hurt Yan Zhanjin. He has done so much for us. I..."
Zhu Mingyang finished the sentence for him. "I have told him clearly what I think of him."
After their night talk, their decision had been set, it was time to leave. On the seventh day after their conversation, Zhu Mingyang, Gu Yingjie, and Yan Zhanjin sat together in the backyard.
Zhu Mingyang looked at Yan Zhanjin. "Zhanjin, we are leaving in two days."
Yan Zhanjin asked quietly, "Where are you going?"
Zhu Mingyang shrugged. "As of right now, we don't know yet."
Gu Yingjie added, "We'll just wander around. If we see a secluded place, that's where we'll be."
Yan Zhanjin's expression softened. "I know a place that is very quiet, and no one will go."
Zhu Mingyang smiled gently. "Thank you, but you have done enough for us."
Yan Zhanjin insisted, "There is everything in that place. If you two live there, you just have to clean up."
Gu Yingjie, intrigued, asked, "Where is this place?"
Yan Zhanjin replied, "It's my old house. I will take you there. Because the platform has been destroyed, we must prepare everything."
A week later, Zhu Mingyang, Gu Yingjie, and Yan Zhanjin stood on the edge of a cliff, overlooking another cliff deep in the bamboo forest. Zhu Mingyang tied ropes to four arrows and expertly shot them across the chasm to the other side of the cliff. The four arrows priced firmly into the mountainside.
Yan Zhanjin looked at them, a serene smile on his face. "Well, I guess this is goodbye."
Zhu Mingyang smiled back warmly. "Zhanjin, thank you so much."
Gu Yingjie added, "Zhanjin, if you need anything, you know where to find us."
Yan Zhanjin's eyes shone with genuine happiness for them. "I bid farewell to my friends many times, but this time is the happiest farewell."
Zhu Mingyang nodded. "Until next time."
They bid their final farewell. Zhu Mingyang picked up a metal rod and slid across the gorge to the other side, using the ropes as guides. Gu Yingjie immediately followed suit. When they reached the safety of the other cliff, Zhu Mingyang and Gu Yingjie waved at Yan Zhanjin.
Gu Yingjie then picked up a leaf and used his internal strength to swiftly cut off the four ropes on the side where Yan Zhanjin stood. Simultaneously, Zhu Mingyang drew his sword and cut the ropes on their side. The four ropes slowly slipped into the turbulent sea current far below, permanently severing the connection.
Yan Zhanjin watched Zhu Mingyang and Gu Yingjie slowly walk down the other side of the hillside into the quiet bamboo forest. He whispered to himself, "I wish you two full of joy and happiness when you start your new journey."
The small path winding down the cliff face was heavily overgrown by nature, but its shape remained clearly visible, a testament to years of passage. Surrounded by the dense wilderness, Zhu Mingyang and Gu Yingjie felt a powerful sense of peace settling over them.
Soon, they reached a small valley and stopped. There, nestled quietly in the center, stood a small bamboo house.
"This must be the house Zhanjin mentioned," Gu Yingjie murmured, a touch of wonder in his voice.
"Let's go inside and take a look," Zhu Mingyang said, his smile wide with genuine happiness.
The vegetation around the house had grown to knee height. They carefully pushed the thick vines away from the gate and stepped into the yard. To their right was a small garden, completely choked with weeds. Near the back corner of the house stood a sturdy water well.
"I wonder if there's still water inside," Zhu Mingyang mused, walking toward the well. He found it tightly covered, clearly sealed against animals and debris. He turned back to Gu Yingjie, satisfaction on his face. "The well is good."
"Mingyang, why don't you clean up the yard while I tackle the inside of the house?" Gu Yingjie suggested, his hands already itching to start. "Later, we can go see what we can find to eat."
Zhu Mingyang gave a firm nod and a smile. He spotted a rusty knife hanging from the fence. He retrieved it, found a sturdy rock, and immediately began the rhythmic, focused work of sharpening the blade.
It took Zhu Mingyang and Gu Yingjie two days of tireless work to clean up their new sanctuary. On the third night, the two sat at the table to share their dinner.
Zhu Mingyang looked at his companion, the quiet of the night inviting a moment of vulnerability. "Yingjie, do you regret it?" he asked.
Gu Yingjie shook his head instantly. "I don't regret being with you." He picked up a piece of wild vegetable and placed it in Zhu Mingyang's bowl. "Mingyang, tomorrow we will go to see if there are any pheasants. I also want to pick some wild fruits."
Zhu Mingyang stood up, moved by his simple domesticity, and knelt in front of Gu Yingjie. He wrapped his arms around Gu Yingjie's waist. "Yingjie, thank you for being with me."
Gu Yingjie stroked his hair. "Mingyang, thank you for always loving me."
Zhu Mingyang picked up Gu Yingjie, carrying him into their bedroom. He gently placed Gu Yingjie on the bed, lowered his head, and kissed him, before beginning to undress.
In the silent night, only the crickets squeaked. The soft breeze stirred the bamboo wind chimes outside their small shed, sounding a gentle melody. Zhu Mingyang and Gu Yingjie lay side by side in each other's arms, finally at peace.
Meanwhile, in the backyard of the Beixing Sect, Cao Fengge stood alone late at night in a small, secluded pavilion. Behind him stood a silent man masked in black.
Cao Fengge spoke, his voice low and sharp. "Are you sure Mu Dishi is dead?"
The masked man replied, his voice flat. "The boulder blocked the door, so we were unable to get in, but with his injuries, there is no way he will escape death."
Cao Fengge smiled, a look of chilling satisfaction crossing his face. "You did a great job. Yuan'er, you have never let me down." He reached out and slowly took the mask off the man's face, revealing Fu Yuanjun's.
Fu Yuanjun smiled back at Cao Fengge, and said, "Thank you, father."