Phoenix Destiny
chapter-313-30041322

Five years ago, he was an adult, while she was a child. Now, she had grown into a beautiful young woman, while he was still the same.

Lu Mingshu's mind flashed back to the past. The image of a scary-looking but naggy guy came to her mind. She recalled how he cared for her and couldn't help but smile at the fond memories.

"Yeah, we are the same now…." she murmured and rested her head on his back.

Yan Wugui carried her and went on for some time, only stopping when he saw a huge tree trunk on the ground.

He slowly put her down and started working on the tree, carving a hole out of it.

"How is this? We can sleep here tonight, do you agree?" Yan Wugui looked at her in satisfaction, cleaning up his hands.

Lu Mingshu smiled and nodded. She actually had a tent in her mustard pouch, but it would not be as comfortable as staying in a tree trunk.

Yan Wugui set up a fire and started cleaning the interior of the tree trunk. He was fast and good at doing these chores.

Lu Mingshu just stood at the side and watched him work while he hummed a song that she had never heard before. It was as if they had travelled back in time, and they were back at the valley five years ago.

"I'm going to change, you better not peep at me!" Yan Wugui joked after he finished the work.

Lu Mingshu stared at him blankly before rolling her eyes.

Who would!?

Yan Wugui got into the tree trunk, and when he came out, he was just like he was in Lu Mingshu's memory: black clothing and a saber. He was just missing the scar on his face, but he was indeed the Yan Wugui that she knew.

Seeing her in a daze, Yan Wugui cut her train of thought off. "Are you sure you do not want to wash up?" He raised an eyebrow. "You have a lot of blood on you, smelly."

Lu Mingshu's face immediately turned black. It's been five years, yet you're still saying that I smell!?

"Come with me, I'll bring you."

Even though Lu Mingshu wasn't pleased with what he just said, she followed after him anyways. The main concern wasn't about being smelly, but that the smell of blood would attract demonic beasts. If there was one nearby, they would be in trouble.

Yan Wugui was well equipped with survival skills in the wild. He found a stream quickly and let Lu Mingshu down. "I'll be there. Just shout if you need me."

"Okay." Lu Mingshu nodded. What could possibly happen? Her legs were still movable. However, his care made her feel warm at heart.

After she finished cleaning up, she smelled food.

Yan Wugui came over with a bowl of soup. "Look. I just got a fish. Taste it, how is it?"

The fish soup was now milky white. Even if he didn't have any seasoning, it still tasted delicious.

Lu Mingshu stared blankly at the bowl of soup and murmured, "If you become homeless one day, you could just open up a restaurant."

Surprisingly, Yan Wugui didn't seem to be disturbed by the comment. He even laughed proudly. "That's what I thought too!"

"Do you really think that you would become homeless one day?" Lu Mingshu suddenly felt that something was out of place.

In the past, she did not know Yan Wugui that well. But now that she thought about it, he seemed to be planning something in the dark.

Being born as Xie Lianzhen, he would not need to know any survival skills, but Yan Wugui seemed to be good at it. And back at Jade West Mountain Forest, he learned to live on his own and trained hard. He even mentioned that Jade West Mountain Forest was a good place for him to hide, as if he was preparing to leave.

However, what would happen to Xie Lianzhen if he left? Was it his plan, or was Xie Lianzhen in on it? What about the queen?

Seeing her staring at him, Yan Wugui couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Am I so handsome that you can't stop staring at me?"

This face clear of the scar was indeed better looking. What was weird was that it was the same face, but when Xie Lianzhen wore it, it was like a gentle spring, while Yan Wugui was more rugged.

Back then, when Yan Wugui said that he was good looking, she couldn't help but roast him in her heart, feeling that he was full of himself, but now, it seemed like he was indeed stating the facts….

"You haven't answered my question!"

"Hey! You were so polite last time, always addressing me as Brother Yan. Where's the formality now?" Yan Wugui shot her a disgusted look.

But Lu Mingshu continued to stare at him intensely, not making any response.

Yan Wugui felt chills down his spine. He rubbed his nose and sighed. "Fine! What's the big deal in telling you? Do you think I can be Xie Lianzhen forever?"

"Why not?" Lu Mingshu blurted out. Xie Lianzhen had recovered and his legs were fine, so there was a ninety-nine percent chance that he would break through. With the queen as support, he would surely live a good life as the Alioth Star Lord. "What are you going to do if you do not want to be Xie Lianzhen anymore? Do you think that the queen would let you leave?"

Yan Wugui didn't respond.

"Have you ever met the queen?" Lu Mingshu felt curious. "As Yan Wugui, I mean."

Yan Wugui shook his head.

"Does she know about your existence?"

"Most likely," Yan Wugui said softly. "She may be ambitious, but she has always loved Xie Lianzhen with all her heart. He always locked himself up when he felt bad, and she never forced him either."

Hearing that he sounded sad, Lu Mingshu couldn't help but ask, "Are you jealous of Xie Lianzhen?"

"…" Yan Wugui laughed and raised his eyebrows. "Little girl, do you even know what jealousy is?"

Why would she not know? Yan Wugui was the opposite of Xie Lianzhen; Xie Lianzhen was gloomy and had evil tendencies, and Yan Wugui was optimistic and cheerful. From her conversation with Xie Lianzhen, Lu Mingshu could tell that he didn't really care about how much the queen cared for him and wanted to deny the fact that they were related. But Yan Wugui knew how much the queen loved him, and that was his mother too, so how could he not crave love? Sadly, the queen only really knew about Xie Lianzhen and only loved Xie Lianzhen. Perhaps that was why he dared not appear in front of her.

Yan Wugui sighed, seeing her staring at him again. "I'm going somewhere, but who knows if I'll be back or not…."

"To where?"

Yan Wugui didn't respond again.

"The Yin Mountains?"

Yan Wugui's eyes widened in shock. "Who told you?" he blurted out.

"It was an easy guess. Your mother and sect, all those that matter to you, are in Zhongzhou. There must something way more important if you are choosing to leave. And other than the Yin Mountains, where else has a relation with your life?"

Xie Lianzhen wanted to avoid facing reality, but Yan Wugui wouldn't do so. If he was choosing to leave, there must've been something very important, and he might possibly not come back.

And the Yin Mountains were the turning point in his parents' lives and the thing that placed him in such a tragedy.

Yan Wugui chuckled and looked at her. "Stop being so nosy and guessing so much! You might end up becoming an idiot if you continue."

"So I'm right?' Lu Mingshu nodded. "That means your father's death was not a natural death, huh?"

Yan Wugui was once again speechless.

Just a few years and now she is so smart, tricking me into giving out all the information!