Who can resist the charm of the bad guy with a soft spot for their loved one?

Su Jing was no exception— That was why Su Jing couldn't help but be curious about Shen Junwu. In the present, he was a core disciple on Konghuo Peak, having the most powerful elder as a master. 

Renowned as the best of the best, he was a star among disciples and the subject of admiration among all female cultivators.

If the story goes well, she should see Shen Junwu easily in the next medicinal contest, where the female lead is supposed to show off her talents.

Before that, they are supposed to first meet in the forest where Feng Zhihao trained in battling demon beasts. Amid a perilous fight and run, she stumbled upon an unconscious Shen Junwu, who was undergoing his first demonic relapse.

Despite being aware of his demonic nature, Feng Zhihao chose to help him, earning his respect and attention. They stood side by side, staying days together, Shen Junwu getting more and more interested in her while Feng Zhihao remained loyal to her duty as a doctor.

Shen Junwu then brought Feng Zhihao to Zhulian City, the residence of the Tianhui Sect. This led to the discovery of the medical contest, prompting Feng Zhihao's participation in hopes of obtaining the spiritual plant from the prizes.

The upcoming scenes held many intriguing details that Su Jing eagerly anticipated. If given the chance, she planned to approach Feng Zhihao and inquire about the possibility of her accepting to cure Yawen.

Su Jing was ready to take the risk and be an NPC to ensure Yawen's survival. Sending Feng Zhihao on this side quest seemed like the best solution to Yawen's dilemma, and Su Jing had high hopes for this plan. 

As Yawen continued describing Youming Peak, all his words aligned with Su Jing's knowledge, except for one unexpected detail. She stopped him, wanting to clear her confusion.

"You say that Third Elder Ming wanted to host the medical contest?" Su Jing asked Yawen with surprise evident in her voice.

The medical contest was said to be Elder He Ning's so it was strange hearing how another Elder wanted to do his work. 

"That's right," Yawen replied, annoyance etched on his face. "He came demanding to take master's authority over the organization. Our peaks always have been at odds, but right now is worse since their master decided on directly offending us."

Su Jing listened to Yawen, getting confused. She knew Third Elder Ming was always focused on fighting Feng Zhihao, the mysterious doctor, but she had never heard of any conflict with Zhulin Peak.

"And it's all because of his disciple, Fen Yulei," Yawen continued, appearing angry at the mere mention of her name. "She wants to use our resources and books to further her alchemy skills. ”

?!

”What?” Su Jing suddenly intervened, not believing what she just heard, ”Fen Yulei?”

Wasn't she ... one of Feng Zhihao's many enemies?

”She claimed she wanted to help with my illness by hosting the contest herself, but I didn't believe her. And when I refused, Third Elder Ming threatened to bring in the Sect Master. Who does that? They act like they rule the sect."

”...”

That was because she was one of the side villains.

The one who got humbled in the contest - Fen Yulei! 

Remembering the two cultivators that flew above her, Su Jing was almost certain that those were Fen Yulei and her master.

So she tried to grab the benefits of this peak when Yawen was all alone thinking he'd get scared by her master and give in? Su Jing felt like laughing a little at her. 

Yawen may be weakened by his illness, but staying these days with him showed Su Jing that Yawen was quite a hard opponent to bring yourself against. 

” I am sure things wouldn't escalate to that point.”, Su Jing tried to assure Yawen, not wanting to see him angrier over some things that in the end would resolve themselves, ”The Sect Master can't stripe Elder He Ning of his own rights without him around.”

No matter how much pressure did give Third Elder Ming.

Yawen seemed to understand her intentions and smiled. He reached out and ruffled Su Jing's hair causing her to protest loudly. 

"Hey, stop that!" 

Yawen however didn't let go, laughing.

"Don't trouble yourself with such matters. For now, just consider yourself your top priority since you have a long way in your cultivation," Yawen advised, his mood lightening as he spoke.

 With a gentle touch, he adjusted her hair, surprisingly skilled and efficient in creating an even more beautiful hairstyle for Su Jing. Though lacking a mirror, Su Jing could tell by his movements that he had experience caring for hair.

"That should do," he declared, securing her bangs in place. "Take a few of those spiritual flowers with you. We've got to go."

Yawen efficiently packed up the basket and tidied the area. Following his instructions, Su Jing plucked a small bouquet.

Upon their return to her place, they entered the study room. Su Jing found a vase and placed the flowers on the table, instantly sensing a more comfortable atmosphere in the room. Was this the effect of Wood Qi? Su Jing liked the serene ambience.

Meanwhile, Yawen meticulously selected various books and papers, creating an organized display on the table. Su Jing looked at him curiously, getting that he was now keen on teaching her how to read. With a gentle gesture, he asked her to join him, Su Jing sitting down a little bit nervous.

As the hours passed, Su Jing didn't feel too tired. Learning to read and write was crucial, and she couldn't afford to be lazy. 

”Try grasping the brush gentler, there is no need to keep it so tight. Your calligraphy will get smudgy if not.”

Yawen now tried to guide her hand. However, for some reason, she continued to tremble, resulting in oddly shaped writing. Su Jing fluttered her hand, but it persisted, prompting Yawen to halt the lesson temporarily.

"We should probably take a break. Don't force yourself. We can always continue later," Yawen suggested, rising from the work table. He then placed a basic book of words in front of Su Jing.

"I'll be gone for a while. You can review the words I taught you just now," he added before leaving the room.

Su Jing nodded and returned to her studies, mindful that Yawen had his hands full with peak matters. Communication talismans constantly interrupted him, making Su Jing worry that she might be hindering him from attending to important affairs.

However, Yawen didn't seem overly concerned.

Once he left, an unusual silence enveloped the room, prompting Su Jing to immerse herself in the exercises. 

Suddenly, a peculiar pressure gripped Su Jing's chest, causing her heart to thump strongly. Confused and alarmed, she clutched her chest, only to be startled as white hairs fell around her. 

That made her hit the table, causing the vase of flowers to tumble down the table and wet her book.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no!"

Su Jing swiftly rescued the book from further damage, but the flowers now scattered across the table, creating a mess.

"Li Yuan." Su Jing's voice was directed at the unwelcome visitor. Li Yuan floated near her, looking slightly less transparent than the last time.

"It's not my fault you get scared at the smallest things I do," Li Yuan retorted as he walked over to the place where Yawen had been sitting earlier. He began to tidy up the mess, picking up each flower in silence as if lost in his own world.

Su Jing didn't bother to know what was going on inside his head so she went to search for a cloth to wash the water slipped down. By the time she finished that, Li Yuan put all the flowers back into a bucket, the chrysanthemums looking as if getting ever more blossomed in his hands. 

"These were polluted by the lake water. It would be better to only use spiritual water from the well," Li Yuan suggested as he transferred the flowers into a vase. 

His cleansing touch seemed to enhance their fragrance, and Su Jing couldn't help but notice a stronger Wood Qi, even though she couldn't pinpoint its exact location.

Was he trying to help her?

Regardless, she wasn't going to the well just for water. Su Jing fetched a vial of spiritual water from Yawen left behind and poured it into the vase, refreshing the flowers.

Li Yuan observed them and then shifted his attention to Su Jing's book, questioning her, "How come you don't know how to read?" 

He casually supported his head in one hand, peering over the content she was reading. Su Jing, feeling a bit embarrassed, instinctively covered the book with her hand, trying to salvage what little pride she had left.

Li Yuan, however, seemed unfazed by her actions, more interested in the papers Yawen had left behind.

"I was only a poor mortal. My parents couldn't afford to send me to school," Su Jing lied, looking at him.

"I also don't recognize this language," Li Yuan calmly responded, catching her off guard.

"You don't?" Su Jing asked in surprise.

He shook his head, continuing to peruse the papers. Su Jing realized her earlier attempt to hide her illiteracy felt somewhat pointless. He was amnesiac, for God's sake! 

Li Yuan showed no sign of judgment - he seemed to accept it as a simple fact.

She sighed, facing her book to him.

"Then you can learn with me. Yawen won't be back for a while, and you can make use of your time freely," she suggested.

Li Yuan shifted his focus from the papers and suddenly took a brush, dipping it into the ink. Elegantly, he attempted to write something, and Su Jing leaned over the table to see what he was writing.

"Oh, your calligraphy is as bad as mine," Su Jing remarked, observing his hand mimic Yawen's example but not quite succeeding. Li Yuan repeated the characters until they started looking more decent.

 He placed the paper in front of her, and Su Jing did her best to read it, recalling Yawen's explanations.

"Have you already forgotten it?" 

"No, I just need a little more time. Give me the brush," Su Jing replied.

Li Yuan made the brush float towards her, and Su Jing caught it. She attempted to write the characters above Li Yuan's attempts, struggling with the long lines.

Glancing through her notebook and the book Yawen left her, she suddenly realized something.

"Oh? It's my name, isn't it?" Su Jing looked at the somewhat shaky calligraphy, certain that she had identified it correctly. These words were the first Yawen had taught her to write, but he hadn't explicitly mentioned that it was her name. 

Surprisingly, the ghost was more attentive and understood what Yawen was trying to imply.

”You can hear things outside the bead? ”

Since he wasn't able to write well, it meant that he probably couldn't directly visually what was happening. Or maybe, since he lost his memories, he still had a muscle memory about writing? 

"You have a talent for stating the obvious."

”...”

So he did.

Li Yuan took the book, studying it carefully. 

The two of them stood in silence, engrossed in their studies. Li Yuan tapped the flowers from time to time, ensuring their wood energy continued to overflow. Unlike the silence she experienced when Yawen left her alone, Su Jing felt a sense of peace, finding this quietude more comforting.

In no time, Li Yuan had finished with the books and papers on the table. He began to search the room for more books, fluttering through them rapidly – a sign that reading still posed a challenge for him.

Meanwhile, Su Jing continued her writing practice, aiming to improve her skills so that she could later learn to draw talismans. Crafting talismans required a steady hand, and Su Jing knew that improvement would come only through consistent practice.

"You're doing it wrong again. Don't hold the brush like that."

Suddenly, Li Yuan appeared behind her, causing Su Jing to flinch. She looked at him and then at the way she held the brush, realizing she had indeed made the same mistake Yawen had corrected earlier.

The ghost sat beside her and placed the book on the table, attempting to adjust the way her fingers grasped the brush handle. His touch couldn't be felt at all, and if Su Jing were to look away, she wouldn't realize Li Yuan was so close. However, since she was aware, a coldness embraced her hand, different from the warmth Yawen provided.

"Try to get used to it. Start by doing something simpler."

Su Jing followed his advice and initially made a few straight lines to gain control over the pressure. After that, she attempted to draw the characters, with Li Yuan correcting her each time she held the handle incorrectly.

"I told you not to keep your finger like that. Why aren't you listening?"

"I am trying!"

Su Jing was convinced that Li Yuan wasn't the best teacher. Her hand was hurting, so she gave up on writing for the moment and decided to lie down. She leaned back in the chair, ignoring Li Yuan's disapproving glare.

"Ha! Already giving up?" he said ironically.

Su Jing ignored him, turning her head away. "I'm taking a break. I'm not privileged to not get tired like you."

Li Yuan couldn't care less, continuing to read through his own books. Su Jing got bored so she put her head on the table, trying to repeat in her head what she learnt from Yawen. 

Just when she felt like relaxing, a strong force suddenly hit her head, almost making her fall down from the chair. Su Jing unconsciously tried to catch Li Yuan's clothes but her hand passed through, making her unbalanced and fall down. 

”Agh!” Her arm hurt so she tried to hide her pain through a muffled sound. 

”Just what the heck is wrong with you?”

Su Jing was, of course, angry so she lashed at the only possible perpetrator.

However, during all this time the ghost stood impassive, slightly raising his head at her. A shiny gold talisman fluttered, stopping in front of Su Jing. 

”...”

Did this hit her?

Su Jing immediately got up, catching the talisman in her hands. The glow went away along with the symbols, showing to her a short text from Yawen. He didn't sign himself but sensing this talisman energy made Su Jing automatically assimilate it to him.

”Don't wait for me,” she started to read, ”Take the flowers and go train by walking up and down the mountain five times. ”

Su Jing frowned while reading the message, feeling that she was made fun of. However, before she could embody the situation, her surroundings immediately changed, getting herself into another area. She looked confused around, observing how it was in front of her courtyard. 

The flowers were in her embrace and the talisman disappeared, as it went in her chest in a bind of light.

She tried to go back into the house and talk to Li Yuan but just as she made one step, a weird barrier stopped her, flicking her off. 

Su Jing recognised it again as Yawen's energy, however, she couldn't comprehend what he wanted to do. 

Su Jing understood the need for her training, but didn't he say he didn't want to force her body? Did he forget about that?

She frowned, seeing the trees from up the mountain like small points moving in the background. Yawen wanted her to reach there and then come back.

Five times?

Su Jing continued to beat the barrier, but nothing happened. She looked around but caught no sight of Li Yuan, nor his energies in the bead. He couldn't possibly stay alone. What if someone came and he didn't know where to hide?

He was risking her to be put in jail!

”Li Yuan!”

She tried to call him in a lower volume tone, scared that maybe someone would hear her. However, no one responded, making Su Jing beat more strongly in the barrier.

”Li Yuan!”

She checked the bead again however it was left of his presence so that meant that he was still in the house. Su Jing tried to beat into it.

”What do you want?”

His tone was cold, appearing annoyed. 

Su Jing looked around but couldn't see him. The voice seemed as if it was coming from beside her, yet Li Yuan was nowhere in sight. Su Jing rotated a few times, unsure if something was wrong with her head.

"Su Jing, what the hell are you doing?" His voice appeared again, confirming to Su Jing that he used some kind of trick to confuse her. She ignored his question and crossed her arms, keeping the flowers tightly against her chest.

"Get into the bead. Yawen or some elder may sense you if you stay outside of the bead."

Su Jing waited but didn't hear anything from the other side of the door. Was he ignoring her? Su Jing beat again in the barrier however just a sight was heart, which was soon continued by Li Yuan's words.

"You can go train. I'll be fine on my own."

With that, Li Yuan left her alone again.

"Are you for real?"

No response was heard, just the sound of the birds from the surroundings.

She sighed.

Su Jing had no other choice but to begin her training.

...

Li Yuan sat in Su Jing's vacant seat, finding himself alone in the room. The once-full vase of flowers now stood empty, prompting Li Yuan to get used to the silence.

He noticed Su Jing's notebook and decided to take a look. Flipping through the pages, he paused at a section filled with strange characters. 

Recalling the recent events, he tilted his head, gently tracing the letters with his finger.

"Oh, Li Yuan, you say? Is she one of your friends?" Yawen's voice quivered slightly as he inquired. After a moment's hesitation, Su Jing nodded, avoiding eye contact.

"You can consider it as such," she replied.

Yawen, curious, tilted his head and swiftly sketched the name on the paper. Su Jing observed closely, trying to imprint the movements in her memory.

"That's it. She has a pretty name," Yawen commented.

Taking the brush from him, Su Jing attempted to write the name herself, with Yawen's watchful eyes on her.

"Oh! It's good, just relax your grip; you're going to break the handle," he advised.

Ignoring him, Su Jing focused on her writing. The boldly lined name remained on the paper, alongside Yawen's elegant handwriting.

Li Yuan observed the place where Su Jing wrote it previously, unsure of how to feel. Was that his name? It looked weird, strange and for sure not related to him.

He couldn't help but take the brush again, dipping it into the ink to rewrite the name as he observed Su Jing doing.

Questions lingered in his mind.