My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 627 - 414 Farewell_2

Flying Sword Master took a deep breath and clasped his fists toward Xiao Tao, saying, "I've troubled you greatly."

Xiao Tao nodded and personally escorted him out the door.

After he walked far away, Xiao Tao returned to her room, shut the door tightly, and took a deep breath, saying,

"He's gone far."

A pair of eyes appeared from inside the wardrobe.

Dong Gong Ruo Shu pushed the door open, jumped out from the pile of clothes, and landed steadily.

She and Chen Yi had hidden separately.

It was because Chen Yi was a Fourth Rank Martial Artist; his energy was too potent and easily detected by masters. By contrast, she was only at the sixth or seventh rank, naturally better suited for hiding in plain sight.

"Thank you, Xiao Tao." Dong Gong Ruo Shu said earnestly.

Xiao Tao chuckled. Not realizing Dong Gong Ruo Shu was disguised as a man, she spat, saying,

"By rights, no men are allowed in the women's quarters."

"By rights?" Dong Gong Ruo Shu asked, confused.

Xiao Tao's pretty face turned red, but she did not avoid the topic and replied,

"We're from the lower class, after all. We have to rely on the upper class to survive…"

The silly girl scratched her head, clearly failing to comprehend Xiao Tao's meaning.

Xiao Tao found this amusing and said, "You're really just a fledgling."

Dong Gong Ruo Shu didn't deny it and nodded. Indeed, she was still a fledgling. Though she had once gone through a marriage ceremony and nearly entered the bridal chambers, she hadn't lost her chastity.

She sat down on a chair, swinging her legs as she mused,

"I wonder how he's doing."

Hearing Dong Gong Ruo Shu mention another person, Xiao Tao recalled the earlier chit-chat with the maidservant. Her eyes lit up as she gossiped,

"Is he your household retainer or your Attendant Student?"

Dong Gong Ruo Shu shook her head, replying, "Neither… just someone I'm close to."

She wanted to say they were friends, but the relationship between her and Chen Yi… could never merely be called friendship.

"So… I guess you're married to him?"

"…I suppose so."

Xiao Tao made an "oh" sound, her expression indifferent. After exchanging a few casual words, she turned and stepped out the door.

Not long after, the maidservant approached, her eyes filled with anticipation as she looked at Xiao Tao.

Xiao Tao sighed and teased her, saying, "What're you expecting? That household master is a fledgling. You'll have to find someone of your own status in the future."

"I'm destined to be a concubine anyway," the maidservant said, though she sounded disappointed. She didn't admit it, her eyes sparkling as she asked, "And the other person?"

"They're married, but their martial arts are impressive, their temper is difficult to deal with, and they're from Jianghu, always roaming from place to place."

"What a pity," the maidservant said, pausing before adding, "But Xiao Tao, you're so beautiful. You'll definitely capture someone handsome!"

Xiao Tao tapped the maidservant's head, saying,

"Stop wishing for me to find someone handsome. Handsome men are fickle; they're not trustworthy for a lifetime. Better to find someone plain. The uglier they are, the more they'll appreciate you."

The maidservant looked disappointed, rubbing the spot where she'd been tapped.

"Does it hurt? Let me blow on it for you."

Xiao Tao leaned over and blew gently on her head.

The maidservant's eyes sparkled as she exclaimed, "It doesn't hurt anymore!"

Just then, a figure passed through the corridor. It turned out Chen Yi had somehow climbed into the courtyard.

The two women were startled. As Chen Yi glanced over at them, their faces flushed shyly.

Chen Yi returned a gentle smile, clasped his fists, and said, "Thank you both for your assistance."

The two women said nothing, exchanging a few glances and nodding toward him. Chen Yi turned and headed toward the room where Dong Gong Ruo Shu was staying. As he left, Xiao Tao and the maidservant began whispering to each other.

"He's not as handsome as that Chen fellow."

"Shh, keep your voice down."

"What are you afraid of? Xiao Tao, you've done him a favor."

Chen Yi, with his keen hearing, caught their low remarks and couldn't help but chuckle.

Passing acquaintances, mere travelers in a foreign land—after today, they'd go their separate ways. Yet, in fleeting moments, amidst the misty dust, he caught a glimpse of shy and delicate faces…

Even if they were just strangers, and their true names unknown, they left behind faint traces of memory.

Chen Yi pushed open the door to see Dong Gong Ruo Shu turning toward him. Her eyes lit up as she exclaimed,

"You're alright!"

"Of course I'm alright."

Chen Yi had eluded their pursuers and noticed they hurriedly returned to Yuanfeng Building, so he quickly headed back.

Dong Gong Ruo Shu sized him up, inexplicably delighted, her face slightly flushed. After a moment of thought, she said,

"You're quite impressive!"

Her words were naive. After surviving such a perilous ordeal, Chen Yi was both amused and exasperated, saying,

"Don't take on such tasks again. If you refuse, Xique Pavilion wouldn't dare send you into danger."

"I have to work, and I'm capable."

"You have no capability," Chen Yi said sternly. "Without you, I could've escaped alone long ago. You're just a burden."

"How was I a burden?" she muttered in dissatisfaction. "I was essential!"

Chen Yi paused.

Suddenly, he found her somewhat endearing.

Dong Gong Ruo Shu, seeing him silent, assumed he agreed. She puffed out her chest triumphantly—it was tightly bound beforehand and concealed by loose robes, yet the contours were still faintly discernible.

In her mind, she felt proud—not only had they faced four opponents, but also provided timely and decisive assistance in critical moments.

They had fought against overwhelming odds, slaughtering with abandon together.

Chen Yi took note of the silly girl's enthusiasm but said nothing more, commenting instead, "We should leave; it's not safe to stay here long."

Before leaving, he left behind a silver note worth three hundred taels.

A form of compensation.

Dong Gong Ruo Shu nodded, rising to follow Chen Yi's lead. The two exited the room and expressed their gratitude once again to the two women. Xiao Tao remarked that the main entrance wasn't safe, leading them out through the rear.

The back door was narrow, opening into a cramped, single-person alleyway. Dong Gong Ruo Shu walked ahead, followed closely by Chen Yi. Xiao Tao brought up the rear.

Dong Gong Ruo Shu strode briskly, carefree and unguarded, without much scheming. Chen Yi remained cautious, vigilant for lurking dangers.

Behind them, Xiao Tao escorted them out with her gaze lowered, hands folded inside her sleeves.

Her hand suddenly raised.

A chill flashed in the alley.

"Put the knife down. You can't kill us, nor could you capture us for a bounty."

Without turning, Chen Yi's lips moved, his voice arriving directly in Xiao Tao's ear.

Through the secret transmission, there was a sudden sound—

A dagger clattered to the ground as Xiao Tao's wrist loosened.

Dong Gong Ruo Shu turned her head in confusion, asking, "What was that noise?"

Xiao Tao hurriedly hid the dagger behind her back. Chen Yi answered, "Nothing. Xiao Tao just dropped something."

Dong Gong Ruo Shu didn't question it further, turning back to continue walking.

Xiao Tao took a deep breath and said nothing, silently realizing how close she had come to death.

The intention to kill had arisen but was detected. All that remained was for the other party to make their decision.

At the alley's end, as they parted ways, Chen Yi finally turned back to look at Xiao Tao. After a long pause, he simply smiled.

"You helped us, but… this is goodbye."

With that, he strode away with Dong Gong Ruo Shu.

Xiao Tao exhaled deeply, looking down at the dagger in her hand, murmuring bitterly to herself:

"Forget it, I'll just keep earning money honestly, redeem myself, and marry into a respectable family."

Disheartened, she turned away, rubbing her dull eyes and letting those passing travelers fade from her thoughts.

At dusk, as birds and beasts dispersed across the sky,

She returned to her life among the lower ranks.