Chapter 290. What the Mask Hid

Yun Qi’s gaze drifted off, soft and distant. “I don’t know. If I did… I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have had to sacrifice myself.”

Linyue leaned forward. “Then what about this spring? The water here has healing power. We used it to cleanse Crimson Bloodroot and it worked.”

Yun Qi gave a small smile. “That’s clever. But it’s not just the water. My water spiritual energy alone isn’t that strong. The reason it worked was because of your lightning. Combined with the water’s healing effect… it became something new.”

Linyue frowned. “So that’s why it didn’t work when Sister Meiyu tried it?”

Yun Qi nodded gently. “The spring helps, yes. But only a little. It can’t completely purify. But lightning can.”

Silence fell between them. A few white plum blossoms drifted down from the tree behind Yun Qi. There was no wind, but they floated anyway, like the tree had decided to be dramatic.

Yun Qi spoke again, voice soft. “I left the last part of my consciousness here. Just in case someone found this place. Just in case… he came.”

Linyue looked at her. Her voice lowered. “I believe master did come. I think he was the one who created the poem for this spring. That’s how we discovered it.”

Yun Qi smiled warmly. “I believe he did. You’re his disciple, aren’t you? Then… will you carry a message for me?”

Linyue nodded quickly. “Yes. I will.”

Yun Qi’s eyes glowed a little. “Tell him… I love him. I never forgot him. And…” she paused and gave a slightly awkward smile, “I’m sorry.”

Linyue gave another serious nod. “I’ll tell him. I promise.”

Yun Qi looked at her, then at Shu Mingye, her gaze tender and warm. “You two… stay happy. Be loud. Laugh often. And please, no dramatic sacrifices to turn into water. One spring is more than enough.”

Before they could say anything else, she started to fade. Her figure turned light and thin, like mist blown away by morning wind. Then she disappeared completely.

Silence followed. The garden around them began to fall apart. The white blossoms, the clear air, the peaceful space, it melted away into light. Then suddenly, they were back. The spring water surrounded them again, like they had never left.

Song Meiyu gasped so hard she nearly slipped into the spring. “You came out!”

Shu Mingye, still clinging to Linyue, dragged her toward the edge. He scooped her up in his arms and stepped out of the water. Strangely, not a drop of water clung to them. The moment they left the spring, the water vanished from their clothes like mist.

Song Meiyu’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and chaos. “What happened in there? Are you okay? Did anything explode?”

Shen Zhenyu, of course, was calm and serious as always. He stepped forward, giving Linyue a careful once-over. “Are you injured?”

Linyue shook her head and nodded at the same time, then paused and corrected herself. “I’m fine.”

Song Meiyu leaned closer, full of suspense. “Aaaand??”

He Yuying, lounging nearby on a rock, munched on a dried plum. His tone was flat as ever. “Did you fall into the ghost dimension? Did the spring try to marry you?”

Linyue gave him a half-smile. “Kind of. There was a tea party.”

He Yuying coughed on his plum. “A tea party?!”

Shen Zhenyu looked completely done. “Let’s go back first.”

Song Meiyu narrowed her eyes, full detective mode activated. “Did something important happen?”

Shu Mingye didn’t answer. He tightened his arms around Linyue like he was planning to glue her to himself permanently.

Linyue gave a tired sigh and rested her cheek against his chest. “Yup. A lot. But I think we need snacks before I explain it.”

Fluffy, the mighty spirit beast, sneezed from behind them like it agreed wholeheartedly.

He Yuying stood and stretched. “Alright. Let’s go back. If the spring starts offering tea again, I’m not joining.”

The ride back to the palace was quiet. Shu Mingye sat behind Linyue on the horse, his arms wrapped gently around her waist, her back leaning slightly into his chest. The sun had long dipped behind the trees, and shadows stretched lazily across the forest path. But even in this peaceful scene, he could tell her heart was not at ease. She hadn’t smiled much since they left the spring.

So, like any devoted husband with a dramatic streak, he leaned in close enough that his lips brushed her ear, and whispered, “Pie, do you know… we’ve never been on a date?”

Linyue blinked and turned her head just enough to glance at him. “Date? We’ve been together all day and night. We even sleep in the same bed.”

Shu Mingye gave a long, exaggerated sigh. “It’s different, Pie. That’s daily survival. A date is about romance, anticipation, awkward eye contact. Maybe dumplings. You’ve really never thought about it?” He sighed again, extra pitiful this time. “I’m sad.”

Linyue chuckled quietly, the corner of her lips lifting. “Alright. Let’s go on a date.”

He smiled into her hair. That was better. A small victory. Then he said softly, “Pie, I know you feel bad. And sad. I’m here. I’m always by your side.”

Linyue nodded, her voice low. “I know.” She paused, eyes downcast. “I’m just… thinking about Master. About Yun Qi. They were so in love, but it still ended like that.”

Shu Mingye’s arms tightened around her, his chest solid and warm against her back. His tone was serious, though his words were anything but. “If you ever turn into a spring like her, I’ll be very heartbroken. I’ll melt myself into another spring right beside you. So we can bubble together forever.”

Linyue let out a soft chuckle, her lips curving despite the heaviness in her heart. “I won’t leave you. I’ll stay by your side too. No matter what happens. I promise.” Her smile deepened. “But… if it’s really inevitable, fine. We’ll become springs together.”

Shu Mingye’s lips curved into a grin. “But Pie, even if we’re springs, you still owe me thirty kisses a day. Don’t think I’ll forget.”

Linyue smiled and muttered, “Shameless.”

Their horse trotted steadily under the soft rustle of evening wind, carrying the two future springs back toward the glowing lights of home. When they reached the palace gate, the guards bowed, and the heavy doors slowly creaked open. The golden light of lanterns spilled across the courtyard, but Linyue didn’t move.

Still seated on the horse, she turned her head toward Shu Mingye. Her eyes gleamed faintly in the lantern glow, steady and searching.

He met her gaze and stopped breathing. There was something in her eyes. Like the moment before a storm. A look that said she had already made a decision. He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Pie, what do you mean by those eyes?”

She didn’t answer at first. Her gaze dropped to her hands resting on her lap.

He reached up and cupped her face, tilting her chin gently so she had no choice but to look at him. His thumb brushed over her cheek, warm and steady. “Tell me.”

Linyue finally spoke. “I want to go outside the wall.”

There it was. The storm.

He sighed and nodded once. “Alright.”

“...Really?”

Her disbelief was written all over her face, and that alone made him laugh quietly. “Why are you so surprised?” he asked.

Leaning closer, he pressed his forehead to hers. Their breaths mingled in the cool night air. His voice was low, steady, and impossibly sure. “Didn’t I tell you already? I’ll be by your side no matter what. If you want to go outside the wall, I’ll go with you. If you say you’re going to hell…” His lips curved into a smile. “…Then I’ll pack extra dumplings and go with you.”

Linyue’s heart warmed, her lips pulling into a faint smile she couldn’t stop.

Of course. This man. This unreasonable, dramatic, devoted man was always like this. Even if she walked into the unknown, he’d be right there beside her. Maybe holding a sword. Maybe holding her hand. Maybe holding dumplings. But always there.

The horse turned with a gentle tug of the reins. Its hooves clicked softly against the stone as it moved away from the palace gates and toward the looming outer wall. The guards froze, confused. The night breeze whispered through the courtyard. And not far behind, a group of very confused friends paused mid-step, staring at the sight.

Song Meiyu blinked once. Then twice. Then she yelled, “WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!”

Linyue glanced over her shoulder and replied in the most casual voice ever. “Date.”

Song Meiyu’s mouth fell open so wide it was a miracle a passing moth didn’t fly in. “DATE?!”

Shu Mingye was already laughing, his low voice rumbling against Linyue’s back. “So, our first date will be… in a wasteland? With demons lurking around? Is this what you consider romantic ambiance?”

Linyue gave him a small smile. “We can go on a proper date later. I’ll go wherever you want.”

Shu Mingye leaned closer, lips brushing dangerously close to her ear, his voice a satisfied murmur. “Wherever I want? Are you sure? Because you know my favorite place… is the bed.”