As the door to the pavilion swung open, Du Hong saw two hunched, sneaky figures appear.

Tao Mian and Rong Zheng were originally facing each other, whispering. When the focus of their conversation finally appeared, they both paused in surprise.

Tao Mian reacted quickly, his words flying out.

"Little Hua, today is the day we seize the position of Pavilion Shi Fu of the Floating Pavilion!"

Rong Zheng immediately agreed with him.

"Alright! Today it is! Little Tao, you cover us, you go first!"

"And what about you?"

"I'll support you with my thoughts."

"…"

The Shi Fu and disciple continued talking to themselves, completely ignoring Pavilion Shi Fu Du inside the room, leaving him aside.

Du Hong wasn't annoyed.

"This must be Immortal Tao."

Tao Mian straightened up, finally willing to cast his gaze upon him.

"Pavilion Shi Fu Du has sent several groups to Peach Blossom Mountain, disturbing my meditation. There's no need to pretend this is our first meeting."

Tao Mian wasn't one to hold grudges. After all, his lifespan was long, and most living beings' lives were fleeting, almost like the dead in his eyes.

If he kept track of every grievance, his little notebook would circle Peach Blossom Mountain three times.

However, the other party's repeated provocations, even the most patient person would be annoyed by such persistence.

Tao Mian intended to settle this score, but he planned to wait until his disciple's matters were resolved.

Now that the other party had come to him, it was just as well.

Du Hong appeared to be a refined and courteous person. If not for Rong Zheng's prior briefing, no one would associate this man with so many bloody incidents.

Facing Tao Mian's implicit and explicit questioning, Du Hong chuckled.

"I apologize for any previous offenses. I offer my apologies to Immortal Tao."

"Spare me the unnecessary words," Tao Mian waved his hand, unwilling to hear another word of nonsense. "My disciple and I broke into your Mist Tower's pavilion not for the treasures here. We only want the items from the Jade-Hiding Altar. We'll take them and leave, leaving the altar for you, without disturbing Pavilion Shi Fu Du."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Du Hong maintained his fake smile.

"And if I don't allow it?"

"Then that's troublesome," Tao Mian shook his head, his left hand slipping into his right sleeve, turning his head. "Little Hua, see if you can use your past friendship to persuade Pavilion Shi Fu Du to give us a way out?"

Rong Zheng's smile was cold, speaking to Tao Mian while her eyes remained icy as they looked at Du Hong.

"Little Tao, forget it. Pavilion Shi Fu Du doesn't appreciate my goodwill."

It had been several months since their last meeting. Back then, Rong Zheng hadn't yet shed her "respectful" facade, feigning politeness towards Du Hong.

In just a few short months, Rong Zheng's heart had been tempered several times.

She had visited Hibiscus Mansion, retrieved the Snow-Embroidered Sword, and her junior brother Chen Yan had passed away.

"Did Chen Yan die of illness, or did Pavilion Shi Fu Du eliminate him to the root?"

Facing Rong Zheng's pressing question, Du Hong remained unruffled.

"Chen Yan merely fulfilled his mission. Dust returns to dust, soil to soil. Little Zheng, like Chen Yan, you will ultimately return to the Floating Pavilion. You were both raised by the pavilion since childhood. Even plants have feelings; fallen leaves return to their roots. This is your true home."

"Home," Rong Zheng repeated, her lips slowly chewing on the word, "Hearing it from your mouth is truly ironic."

Du Hong shook his head, seemingly helpless against Rong Zheng's "stubbornness."

"Sigh. Since you were young, your Shi Fu taught you not to be swayed by the fleeting illusions outside. They are nothing but passing clouds, serving only to disturb your true heart."

Rong Zheng had been able to maintain her composure, but when Du Hong mentioned "Shi Fu," her eyes reddened, and she clenched her teeth.

"Du Hong, what right do you have to mention my Shi Fu?"

Rong Zheng drew the Snow-Embroidered Sword, its blade honed to an even sharper edge by the Xuanji Tower, and as it was unsheathed, a thin layer of frost coated the pavilion walls.

Du Hong recognized the familiar silver blade and sighed.

"So, you did retrieve it."

"Enough with the nonsense."

Rong Zheng swung her sword forward, the Snow-Embroidered Sword infused with spiritual power, its momentum thunderous.

Du Hong raised his hand slightly, and six Shadow Guards stood before him.

These were once her fellow disciples, sharing life and death. Now, facing their drawn swords, Rong Zheng felt a deep sorrow.

Leading them was Third Junior Brother Lianqiao. He said, "Sister Zheng, forgive us."

The sword light shimmered like a rainbow, flickering and darting within the cramped pavilion. The Shadow Guards of the Floating Pavilion were indeed formidable, able to execute their sword techniques even in such a confined space, gradually encroaching on Rong Zheng's maneuvering room.

In her prime, even with two more Shadow Guards, they wouldn't be a match for Rong Zheng, the most talented assassin the Floating Pavilion had seen in a century. Unfortunately, if not for blocking that one sword for Du Hong…

Du Hong stood with his hands behind his back, indifferently watching the tragic drama of fellow disciples turning against each other.

"Little Zheng, if you lower your head and submit, the doors of the Floating Pavilion will still be open to you."

"I won't bow," Rong Zheng parried Fifth Junior Brother's long knife with one sword, kicked back to repel the attacking Seventh Junior Brother, "Du Hong, that one sword was the end! I, Rong Zheng, owe nothing more to the Floating Pavilion!"

"So that's how you see it," Du Hong's eyebrows raised slightly, "When you blocked that sword for me, what were you truly thinking… Never mind. You six, do not let past sentiments hold you back."

At Du Hong's command, the six Shadow Guards' sword moves became even colder.

Rong Zheng's arm began to tremble.

She blocked the sword thrust from the left front but couldn't stop the knife from behind.

Rong Zheng hated her own powerlessness.

In the past, even if tethered by an unbreakable string, the kite soared high in the sky, looking down on those on the ground.

Her talent allowed her to stand proud.

Back then, she was fearless, boldly infiltrating the demon clan leader's home, severing his head in his sleep. She also ventured into forbidden lands no one dared to enter, seizing the spirit pearl sealed within ten layers of barriers.

She once lived freely and unrestrained, riding the spring breeze, silver saddle, and white horse.

Even without revealing her true face, the name of the Kite was enough to instill fear in the demon realm. They dreaded the Floating Pavilion's kite drifting into their windows at night, silently reaping lives like a specter.

But now, even holding the sword for a moment longer, her right arm spasmed and trembled.

A useless person who couldn't even hold a sword.

When Rong Zheng was troubled, she would bite her lower lip. The more she sank into such despair, the harder it was to extricate herself.

She had only ever been loyal to one person and one pavilion. With all her heart, why did she have to end up like this?

The knife behind her was about to pierce her back. Rong Zheng exhaled, turning to block, but held no hope.

As she raised her hand, what she grasped wasn't a sharp blade but a rough peach branch.

Rong Zheng looked up in surprise, meeting the deep, tranquil eyes of the Immortal.

Those eyes were so calm they seemed to dissolve all worldly worries, leaving only scattered petals floating on the water, rippling gently.

Tao Mian exclaimed, "Oh dear, Little Hua, you're blocking my branch. Let go, and let Shi Fu help you vent your anger."