Chapter 45: Nuolan in Peril

Staring at the figure in the painting, Lin Tian’s eyes revealed an infatuated gleam. In the blink of an eye, however, that infatuation twisted into anger and jealousy. Handing the scroll to his subordinate, Lin Tian’s voice was cold as ice. “Bring me the person in this painting.”

“Yes, sir!” The man, having seen the painting and learned where the subject lived, departed swiftly, disappearing into the darkness of night.

On the southern slope of the main peak, Nuo Lan sat in the courtyard, a trace of melancholy clouding her face. The words Yin Tianfang had spoken yesterday left her torn between hope and anxiety.

“Senior Sister, what’s troubling you?” Qing Luo stepped out of the room, curious to see Nuo Lan sitting in the courtyard so early in the morning. “Don’t tell me your long-lost little brother is about to leave you again?” Qing Luo teased with a laugh.

At these words, Nuo Lan only sighed softly, the melancholy deepening on her delicate features.

“Senior Sister, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for your long-lost brother?” Qing Luo sat beside her, propping her chin in her hands and peering over. “But you’re much older than him, aren’t you? What should that be called? Let me think…”

Tilting her head in thought, Qing Luo’s eyes suddenly sparkled. “Oh, I know! That’s what they call ‘an old leaf enticing a young sprout!’ Ha!”

“You little rascal, you’re asking for a beating!” Nuo Lan’s cheeks flushed, and she shot Qing Luo a fierce glare, inwardly exasperated at her junior’s shameless tongue. She feigned to strike, but Qing Luo had already darted away, and Nuo Lan leapt up to chase her.

Just as the two were playfully tussling, a silver bird fluttered toward them, wobbling through the air.

By now, Little Dot had become quite famous within the Xuan Dao Sect. Last time, because of Little Dot, Liu Feng was injured. During the grand tournament, Liu Feng had even challenged Nuo Lan in an attempt to draw out Yin Tianfang and avenge his humiliation. Yet, he was once again gravely wounded by Yin Tianfang.

Just as the Liu family head was about to erupt in fury, Elder Xuan Yin intervened, making it clear to everyone in the sect that Yin Tianfang and Elder Xuan Yin were far from ordinary acquaintances.

Everyone knew that Little Dot belonged to Yin Tianfang, so no one dared try to capture the bird anymore.

“Hey, Senior Sister, it’s Little Dot!” Qing Luo stopped abruptly.

Hearing this, Nuo Lan also paused, turning her head. Sure enough, it was Little Dot, flapping its wings as it chirped merrily in front of her.

Nuo Lan held out her hand, and Little Dot obediently perched in her palm.

“If Little Dot is still here, then Junior Brother Yin must still be in the sect.” Cradling the bird, a flash of joy lit up Nuo Lan’s heart.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Little Dot stayed by Nuo Lan’s side the entire time, never leaving, confirming that Yin Tianfang was still within the Xuan Dao Sect. Yet, in all those days, he never once sought her out, leaving Nuo Lan quietly disappointed. After long hesitation, she finally made up her mind, taking Little Dot with her as she headed toward the northern peaks.

Walking along the mountain path, Nuo Lan grew uncertain—she had no idea where Yin Tianfang lived, and the thought of asking someone left her embarrassed. After a moment’s thought, she looked at Little Dot on her shoulder, delighted by an idea. She picked up the bird and asked, “Little Dot, would you take me to him?”

Little Dot looked up at her, nodded vigorously, and took wing, leading the way.

Seeing this, Nuo Lan quickly followed, happiness blossoming in her heart.

“Isn’t that Nuo Lan? Where is she going?” Along the way, disciples of the northern peaks paused, watching her pass.

Nuo Lan’s extraordinary beauty captivated the hearts of nearly all the sect’s disciples, inner and outer disciples alike. Those in the outer sect felt unworthy of pursuing her, burying their feelings deep within. Even among the inner disciples, many admired her but lacked the courage to act. Only Lin Tian had ever openly courted her, but after recent events, even that seemed impossible.

Since the last sect tournament, rumors had spread, and the disciples had begun to understand. Seeing Nuo Lan headed toward the northern slopes only confirmed their suspicions.

“Look, that’s Yin Tianfang’s bird,” someone pointed out. “Senior Sister Nuo Lan must be going to find him.”

“Hmph, you’re not the only one who knows. Even without his bird, it’s obvious she’s going to look for him.”

The murmurs of gossip reached Nuo Lan’s ears, making her cheeks burn with embarrassment. Their words grated on her, and she hurried away almost at a run.

Following Little Dot’s lead, she soon arrived before a small courtyard, its gate wide open. Just then, Yin Tianfang emerged, a basin of laundry in his hands. He froze, seeing Nuo Lan at his door.

Nuo Lan smoothed her slightly disheveled hair, standing at the threshold with her gaze lowered, shy and reserved.

“Senior Sister, what brings you here?” Yin Tianfang asked, puzzled.

Whatever shyness Nuo Lan had felt faded at his words, and her expression turned cold.

Before Yin Tianfang could react, she slapped him hard across the face, then turned and fled.

Yin Tianfang stood dumbfounded, watching her run off, his cheek stinging and his anger rising.

“Junior Brother Yin!” From a distance, Ge Bin hurried over. “Did Senior Sister Nuo Lan come looking for you? What did you do to make her cry?” He looked after Nuo Lan’s retreating figure in confusion.

“How should I know? She’s being totally unreasonable!” Yin Tianfang replied, clearly annoyed.

“Junior Brother, my cultivation may not match yours, but in matters of the heart, I’m far ahead. You must have said something wrong to upset her. Just look at that handprint—she didn’t hold back!” Ge Bin clicked his tongue, eyeing the obvious red mark on Yin Tianfang’s face.

“All I did was ask why she came, and she slapped me! How is that fair?” Yin Tianfang grumbled, rubbing his burning cheek.

“Did you go to see her these past few days?”

“No, why? What does that have to do with her hitting me?” Yin Tianfang asked, puzzled.

“There’s your answer. As a man, you didn’t seek her out. She missed you, gathered up her courage to come find you, and you asked her why she came. Serves you right.” Ge Bin shook his head, exasperated.

“So why are you still standing here? Go after her!” Ge Bin pushed Yin Tianfang in the direction Nuo Lan had fled.

Urged on, Yin Tianfang could only sigh and chase after her.

As for Nuo Lan, she ran off in anger, cursing Yin Tianfang a thousand times in her heart. Ignoring the stares of others, she had braved everything to seek him out—only for him to ask her why she’d come. She was furious, but beneath that, she felt deeply wronged.

She ran all the way to the foot of the main peak, stopping quietly by the riverbank, her eyes red with unshed tears. Little Dot fluttered before her, chirping as if to comfort her.

Suddenly, with a splash, the water’s surface broke apart. Several figures sprang onto the shore, and before Nuo Lan could react, she was struck unconscious. The group exchanged glances, then quickly hoisted her up and fled into the distance.