The light of dusk was mottled and fragmented, the fiery red sunset burning in a distorted blaze against the dark horizon.
When Ji Lin found Fu Hua and mentioned Fenghuang Down, a clear flicker of vigilance crossed the sturdy woman's eyes.
Ji Lin quickly realized her slip of the tongue.
According to her Master's explanation, Chiyuan was currently undercover at St. Freya Academy, pretending to be a modern girl to get along with everyone.
Most importantly, she had lost her memories of Taixuan Mountain.
For a "stranger" to suddenly bring up Fenghuang Down would naturally arouse suspicion and alarm.
But as Ji Lin remembered that Chiyuan no longer knew her, her heart couldn't help but sink with disappointment.
"Please, don't misunderstand. In fact, five thousand years ago, we were... friends."
Ji Lin's words were filled with bitterness.
After all, even if she had said "spouses," Chiyuan surely wouldn't understand, would she?
It would only seem strange.
Ji Lin's eyes were like pools of water, staring directly at Fu Hua. "You will always be this servant's most... best friend. This servant would never harm you."
Fu Hua was not a suspicious person by nature; in fact, she could genuinely be described as "loyal and honest."
Seeing Ji Lin's genuine display of emotion, Fu Hua's heart wavered.
Besides, Ji Lin was a famous legendary figure in Shenzhou.
The guardian of the people of Shenzhou, the protector of all under heaven.
Thinking this, Fu Hua let down her guard.
Whether they had known each other in the past or not, there was no need to dwell on it.
Fu Hua held out her hand. "You said you need to use Fenghuang Down to save your friends."
"Yes. Cangxuan and Danzhu, do you still remember them?"
Ji Lin's bright eyes stared at Fu Hua, filled with both tension and hope.
At this moment, she hoped Chiyuan remembered them, as it would make many things proceed more smoothly.
But at the same time, a petty woman's thought surfaced from the bottom of her heart: Chiyuan doesn't remember me, but she still remembers Cangxuan and the others... The thought had barely formed when she saw Fu Hua shake her head in confusion.
"I'm sorry... I... don't remember..."
Ji Lin breathed a sigh of relief.
—Wait, no!
Ji Lin felt incredibly ashamed of her subconscious reaction.
She knew perfectly well what that "sigh of relief" was for!
What in the world am I getting so worked up over?
This was as pointless, hollow, and meaningless as the competition between Kiana and Jingliu.
"Miss Ji Lin?"
Fu Hua's confused voice pulled Ji Lin from her self-reproach and shame.
"Ah, it's nothing. If you have time, Fu Hua, could I trouble you to come with me to Chiyou's island now?"
"Oh, I see." A look of understanding flashed in Fu Hua's eyes. "Your friends must be sealed within those two formation eyes."
"They are your friends, too."
Ji Lin looked at Fu Hua and said, "It was because of you that this servant was able to meet them..."
"...."
Fu Hua truly had no memory. She fell silent for a moment.
"I apologize."
"Ah, no, please don't apologize. Really. Cangxuan once told me that Fenghuang Down must burn memories to unleash its power..."
Ji Lin's gaze softened with pity as she looked at Fu Hua. "You must have been through so much these five thousand years. We are the ones who should be sorry, for leaving everything to you."
Fu Hua pushed up her glasses and didn't respond, simply taking a step forward.
"Let's go."
"Ah? Yes!"
Ji Lin looked at Fu Hua's unyielding, ramrod-straight figure and nodded firmly.
Chiyuan is as reliable as ever.
Cangxuan, Danzhu, this servant will save you right now.
---o---
And what was Cangxuan doing at this moment?
At this moment, Cangxuan was eating abalone. Ah, no, she was about to be eaten.
Danzhu was like a happy little bird, spreading her wings in the kitchen.
Not only was she a foodie, but she was also a skilled cook.
In fact, the "housekeeping system" for Little Xuan had been programmed by Danzhu.
Today's dish was braised abalone.
The recipe wasn't overly complicated, but the result was delicious, tender, and smooth. It was also known for its health benefits, such as nourishing yin, clearing heat, and improving essence and eyesight.
Danzhu was at the counter preparing the ingredients.
Cangxuan seemed a little fatigued. Her back was pressed against the wall, the hem of her feathered dress spread open to her sides, revealing two legs as smooth and flawless as jade.
Her skin, so white it was almost translucent, seemed to glow faintly in the sunlight streaming in...
But Ye Feng was looking at Danzhu's back as she prepared the meal.
"Your sister is quite something. Did she always do the cooking?"
Ye Feng, who was kneeling, couldn't help but praise.
Cangxuan trembled slightly, her eyes frantic. "...You, don't try anything."
"Didn't I tell you? Your sister can't 'notice' me. As long as you don't give anything away, there won't be a problem. But if you let Danzhu sense that something is amiss, I, who exist in her 'mental blind spot,' will suddenly draw her attention."
"...."
Cangxuan glanced at the kitchen counter. Her sister indeed couldn't hear a thing. She was concentrating fully on preparing the meal.
Slice, slice, slice—
At the counter, Danzhu was scoring the meat on the cutting board.
A horizontal slice, then a vertical one. The fresh, tender ingredient's white flesh parted slightly where it was scored, revealing a small opening, all the better to absorb the flavor.
Braised this way, it would be exquisitely smooth, with a fresh and tender texture that was deeply satisfying, striking right at the soul.
Cangxuan lowered her gaze.
She knew perfectly well what a mental "blind spot" was. It wasn't that one "couldn't see," but that the brain simply didn't process the information it received—a form of neurological avoidance. It was an incredibly advanced form of cognitive interference.
Danzhu poured two bowls of clear water into the pot, added slices of ginger, and prepared to blanch the abalone. She turned her head and saw Cangxuan leaning against the wall like a weeping willow, her gaze lost as she stared at the sky outside the door.
"Sister, are you still worried about that Evil God? He hasn't shown up at all, has he?"
Danzhu put down the kitchen knife and tilted her head, her face full of innocence.
"Sister, I have a feeling... maybe we're stuck in a certain mindset? What if the 'Evil God' we're talking about is actually good?"
"???"
Cangxuan's calves tensed, her jade-like toes curling tightly, as her sister continued:
"Look. He brought us out of that bizarre academy and settled us here on Taixuan Mountain. He even provides us with delicious food every day... Other than not being able to leave, it's not bad at all."
"No, Danzhu."
Cangxuan's voice was perfectly steady, without a trace of abnormality. She opened her ice-blue eyes and said with a nonchalant air:
"Whether the Evil God harbors goodwill cannot be determined by such speculation."