Chapter 40: Nangong Lin’s Search

Winter faded into spring as another year slipped by. Amidst the fleeting beauty of wind, flowers, snow, and moon, the sunset painted the clouds in breathtaking hues while a chilling breeze carried snowflakes across the sky.

The day of their promised meeting drew closer with each passing moment.

Nangong Lin’s heart raced with anticipation as she pictured meeting Gu Qingyi again. His handsome face flashed vividly in her mind.

A soft smile played on her lips as she murmured to herself, “I wonder what Brother Gu is doing right now. How has he been?”

The day before their agreed meeting arrived.

Nangong Lin waited endlessly at the entrance of Tianwu Academy, but Gu Qingyi never appeared.

A dark premonition gnawed at her. Panic surged as she whispered, “Brother Gu isn’t the type to break a promise. Something must have happened. I can’t just wait—I have to find him!”

Nangong Lin pleaded with Nangong Wentian to delay the academy’s opening until her return, ensuring enrollment would only start once she was back.

Ignoring everyone’s protests, Nangong Lin set off alone. She mounted a fiery red horse and galloped away with fierce determination.

Her search spanned a thousand miles, covering every inch of the surrounding lands.

Yet she found no trace of Gu Qingyi, no whisper of his whereabouts.

Racking her memory, Nangong Lin recalled Gu Qingyi once mentioning he hailed from the Gu family in Sky Sword City.

Her resolve hardened as she thought, “That’s it! The Gu family. Brother Gu must be there!”

With a clear destination in mind, Nangong Lin pressed forward.

She asked passersby for directions to Sky Sword City and, after receiving a satisfactory answer, spurred her horse onward with renewed urgency.

Spring had only just begun, and the air still bit with icy cold. A sharp wind whipped against Nangong Lin’s slender frame, turning her small face red from the chill.

Through sheer grit and determination, she pushed herself to the limit.

After days of relentless travel, she finally arrived alone at the gates of Sky Sword City. Lifting her gaze, she saw the bold characters etched above: [Sky Sword City].

Tears mingled with sniffles as she exclaimed, “Sky Sword City, I’m finally here!”

Overjoyed, Nangong Lin prepared to lead her horse through the gate.

A nearby guard eyed her up and down with a leering gaze.

Suddenly, he barked, “Hold it! Outsiders entering Sky Sword City must be searched!”

The guard stepped forward, clearly intending to pat her down with less than honorable intentions.

Nangong Lin noticed others passing through without a second glance. Realization dawned, and fury flared within her.

Her teeth ground together in anger, her chest heaving as she snapped, “Why don’t they need to be searched? I see what you’re doing—trying to take advantage of me. Don’t even think about it!”

Ignoring the guards’ attempts to stop her, Nangong Lin mounted her horse and charged straight into Sky Sword City, only to find herself pursued.

Wrapping her face tightly with her cloak to hide her identity, she discreetly inquired about the Gu family while evading capture.

Spotting a white-haired old woman, Nangong Lin cautiously approached and asked, “Granny, do you know the way to the Gu family? I have urgent business there.”

The old woman pointed casually in a direction and said, “At the foot of Sky Sword Mountain, then two miles up the slope. You’ll find it there.”

“Thank you, Granny!” Nangong Lin hurried off after expressing her gratitude.

Moments after she left, the pursuers arrived at the same spot.

A squad leader glared at the old woman and demanded, “Old woman, have you seen a young girl in red riding a horse?”

The old woman shook her head nervously under their intimidating stares. “This old hag knows nothing. Try asking somewhere else.”

The squad leader shot her a cold look and snorted, “I doubt you’d dare lie. Let’s move—onto the next place!”

At the base of Sky Sword Mountain, Nangong Lin climbed upward, panting heavily.

She muttered to herself, “This mountain is ridiculously high. Is Brother Gu’s home really up here?”

Still, she pressed on, inching her way up the steep path.

After a quarter of an hour, something caught her eye. Whether it was a trick of the mind or reality, she saw a faint sign ahead with two bold characters: Gu Residence.

The sprawling expanse of the Gu family’s estate came into view, vast and imposing.

Hesitation flickered in Nangong Lin’s heart, but she steeled herself and stepped forward. Gathering her courage, she knocked lightly on the door and called out, “Is anyone home?”

The faint noise quickly stirred those inside.

Gu Qingxiao was with her mother, Shen Yue, tending to a small sapling in the yard when they heard the sound from the gate.

Exchanging a quick glance, Gu Qingxiao stood to answer the door.

With a creak, the heavy gate swung open.

Gu Qingxiao’s eyes met Nangong Lin’s startled gaze.

Politely, Gu Qingxiao looked her over and asked with a gentle tone, “Hello, miss. May I ask what brings you here?”

Nangong Lin stammered as she faced Gu Qingxiao. “Is this the Gu family? I’m looking for Gu Qingyi.”

Though a flicker of suspicion crossed her mind, Gu Qingxiao invited Nangong Lin inside.

Once inside, Nangong Lin shed her cloak, revealing a delicate face flushed red from the cold.

Gu Qingxiao leaned close to Shen Yue and whispered, “Mother, do you think Brother did something outside? This girl came all the way here!”

Their exchanged glance spoke volumes, a silent agreement that Gu Qingyi must have caused some trouble for this young lady to show up.

Gu Qingxiao turned to Nangong Lin and explained, “We’re Gu Qingyi’s family. I’m his younger sister, and this is Shen Yue, our mother.”

Nangong Lin quickly bowed to Shen Yue, a bit flustered. “Aunt, my name is Nangong Lin. I’m here to find Gu Qingyi. Is he home?”

Shen Yue gazed at Nangong Lin, her heart softening at the sight of the girl’s frostbitten face. “You must be freezing, poor thing. Let’s go inside and talk.”

Caught off guard by Shen Yue’s warmth, Nangong Lin stammered, “Y-Yes, thank you, Aunt.”

She followed the mother and daughter into the house.

“Miss, may I ask why you’ve come looking for my son?” Shen Yue glanced at Nangong Lin with a warm smile.

Nangong Lin’s nose twitched as tears streamed down her face. She poured out her story, recounting how she met Gu Qingyi and the hardships she endured to find him.

Gu Qingxiao and Shen Yue shared a knowing look.

“So that’s how it is. You poor child, you’ve been through so much.” Shen Yue pulled Nangong Lin into a comforting embrace, gently patting her back.

With a tender smile, Shen Yue asked, “Miss Nangong, may I know what you are to my son?”

The question from the elegant woman caught Nangong Lin off guard, leaving her flustered.

Her face flushed crimson as she stumbled over her words. “Brother Gu and I… we’re… we’re friends! Yes, just friends!”

Shen Yue and Gu Qingxiao exchanged a glance, their eyes twinkling with unspoken understanding.

Shen Yue looked at the lovely Nangong Lin in her arms with growing fondness, her smile warm and approving.

In her heart, Shen Yue thought, “Polite, well-mannered, and beautiful. My son might be the one reaching above his station!”

“You must be hungry, child. I’ll prepare some food for you soon,” Shen Yue said, her gaze already that of a doting mother-in-law.

Overwhelmed by the sudden care, Nangong Lin fumbled for words. “Then… I’ll leave it to you, Aunt.”

The Gu household echoed with the joyful laughter of the three women.