She just doesnt know that you like her too. The demonic spirits voice seemed to possess a magnetic, hypnotic rhythm. Doesnt Yun Ruoyan treat you differently from anyone else?

Zhuo Yifeng recalled how, the first time he met Yun Ruoyan, she had given him more help than he had ever received from anyone before. She had helped him craft a set of tiger-canine arrows, then found him a place to stay within the Lin family. Didnt Yun Ruoyan take care of him more than might have been expected?

Youre not a bad match for her, the demonic spirit continued. Yun Ruoyans had a good impression of you from the very beginning, but Li Mo got to her first.

Is that really the case?

Of course, the demonic spirit replied. What you need to do now is to snatch her back.

How?

First, make her aware of your intentions, the demonic spirit said.

You mean, confess?

Yes, confess! Think about itif you lose your life in a fight, wouldnt you at least want the woman of your dreams to know that you loved her? Not doing so and dying would be the most tragic your life could get!

Confess, I have to confess, haha, I have to confess and let her know, I love her, before I die Zhuo Yifeng murmured, his mind in a drunken haze.

As the new year began amidst a sky wreathed with fireworks, Yun Ruoyan turned sixteen. On both the Chenyuan and Mingyuan continents, one reached adulthood at fifteen and was truly an adult by sixteen.

Amidst the festivities, Yun Ruoyan turned to glance at Li Mo, whose arms wrapped around her in an embrace. When Li Mo noticed her gaze, he too looked toward her.

Yaner, Li Mo whispered. Youre finally an adult now.

Yun Ruoyan frowned. Ive long since grown up.

Is that so? Li Mo raised his eyebrows. Yaner, why dont we have a baby?

Yun Ruoyans cheeks and ears flushed a bright red. She didnt respond verbally, but her head inclined in what seemed like the barest fraction of a nod. Li Mo grinned, his smile as bright as the fireworks against the night sky, glowing with warmth.

After the celebration, everyone returned to their own rooms.

Sister, can I sleep with you tonight? Lin Qingxue tugged on Lin Qingchens clothes.

If you arent afraid of the creatures by my house, youre welcome to stop by, Lin Qingchen replied. During this period of relative peace, she had begun learning medicine from Feng Bo and to study all sorts of strange pills and the herbs, insects, and beasts that were relevant as ingredients for these pills. Except for sleeping, eating, and cultivating, all she would do was study and research these ingredients and beasts of hers.

Lin Qingxue had originally found her sisters life to be boring and dull, but now, she was somewhat envious of her ability to concentrate on what mattered most to her. As far as she could recall, Lin Qingchen had never been too bothered about anything; after dedicating herself to the study of medicine and pillmaking, she seemed to have become immune to mortal woes.

Of course Im not scared! Lin Qingxue claimed, puffing up her chest. Im not even scared of your catfish anymore, so what else is there that could scare me?

In that case, do come. Lin Qingchen smiled.

When Lin Qingxue stepped into her sisters yard, she sucked in a deep breath. Whats that?! She was pointing at a big cage by the corner of the yard, in which a black, indistinct creature was being kept. It was snoring so loudly that she could hear, and even feel, it from across the yard.

Its a snoozebear, Lin Qingchen explained. I asked for a remedy against sleeplessness from Feng Bo, and one of the essential ingredients is the blood of a snoozebear.

Sister, youre wonderful! Lin Qingchen tugged on her sleeve coyly. How did you know I was suffering from insomnia?

Lin Qingchen glanced at her. This isnt for you, Qingxue.

Ah? In that case, who is it for? Lin Qingxue seemed a little confused. Uncle isnt suffering from insomnia. In fact, he created his own technique to allow him to sleep whenever he wants.

Why not let Father teach it to you, then?

I tried asking, but Uncle told me that the techniques only suitable for him. If I tried to practice it, it would hurt my body, Lin Qingxue replied wearily. So, if this isnt for me or for Uncle, who could it be for?

Lin Qingchen refused to tell her, but Lin Qingxue didnt back down. She asked again and again, not stopping until they were both tucked in bed and ready to sleep.

Its for Madam Hong, from the courtesan troupe, Lin Qingchen finally relented, unable to stand her sisters pestering. Shes trying to find a way to bring the head of a small family to our side. He suffers from insomnia, so when Madam Hong last returned to the Feng city, she asked if I could make a cure for it.

Oh, is that so? In that case, Sister, would you make me a little too?

No! Lin Qingxue pulled her sleeve away from her sisters hand. Youre not suffering from insomnia, but from an illness of the heart. Once thats resolved, your insomnia will go away on its own.

Lin Qingxue repeated her sisters words. An illness of the heart in that case, whats my cure?

You like Zhuo Yifeng, but Zhuo Yifeng likes Sister Ruoyan.

When she heard these words from her sisters lips, Lin Qingxue pursed her lips, her eyes drooping. The room was dark, and she could barely make out her sisters features. She clamped her mouth shut and refused to speak.

First, you dont know how to let go of Zhuo Yifeng, how to stop thinking about him. Second, youve developed feelings of jealousy toward Sister Ruoyan, because Zhuo Yifeng likes her but not you.

No, I havent! Lin Qingxue denied her sisters claims futilely. Im just, Im just

Perhaps not jealousy, Lin Qingchen corrected herself. But at least reproach, annoyance, irritation

During this period of time, she could clearly see that Lin Qingxue was no longer as intimate with Yun Ruoyan as before, but this was understandable. However, there were quite a few times when Lin Qingchen caught her sister staring at Yun Ruoyan with something very close to jealousy in her eyes, which prompted her to have a discussion with Lin Qingxue.

If Lin Qingxue hadnt shown up at Lin Qingchens rooms, she would have gone out to find her herself.

However, you know better than anyone else that Sister Ruoyans heart is with the Slaughtering King. Whether or not Zhuo Yifeng likes you has nothing to do with Sister Ruoyan, Lin Qingchen concluded. You just cant bear to admit it.

Sister, stop! Lin Qingxue clutched her face in agony.

Lin Qingchen had no intention to stop. Regardless of whether you want to hear it, I feel obligated to say this out loud. If you like Zhuo Yifeng, thats your own business. If Zhuo Yifeng doesnt like you back, thats his. Dont hate or begrudge anyone else for it. If you can do that, I promise youll be able to sleep well at night.

Lin Qingxue began to cry, small sobs that turned into bawls. Tears flowed down her eyes through the cracks in her fingers, wetting her hair and Lin Qingchens pillow.

Lin Qingchen rubbed her sisters fleshy earlobes, just like she had done when she was scolded as a child. Cry, cry. Let your negative emotions flow out of you.

Sister, my heart feels like its going to split in twoit hurts, it hurts, Lin Qingxue choked out.

Let it out. Time will cure all wounds. Lin Qingchen patted her sisters back. Better to let it out than let it corrupt your heart.

Sister, will I be able to forget about Brother Zhuo?

Thats a hard question, Lin Qingchen replied truthfully. Itll be best if you can, but its fine even if you cant. Just know that hes not obligated to like you back. Your heart might twinge when you think of him, but youll still be able to lead a very happy life.

Is that really possible? Lin Qingxue wiped her face with her hands, then looked piteously at her sister.

Of course. When have I ever lied to you? Sleep well and welcome the start of the new year.

In her sisters arms, Lin Qingxue finally fell into a deep sleep.

The temporary ceasefire was slated to end about ten days after the new year. Feng Bo began busying himself training the Feng swordsmen, and Zhuo Yifeng and Qin Feng both returned to the Feng city guards. They were both inducted into their ranks, and would train, fight, and carry out difficult missions together.

One day, Yun Ruoyan also received a mission, one that came from Lin Qingchen. She started by going to Yun Ruoyan and Li Mo, then Feng Bo. Madam Hong sent word saying that the families shes been recruiting have volunteered to send a few swordsmen to supplement the Feng troops. Lin Qingchen handed the note in her hands to Feng Bo.

Feng Bo took the note and read it carefully. Where did you get this news?

Lin Qingchen explained how Madam Hong had asked her to make a cure for insomnia. She told me to hand the cure to a travelling merchant called Huai Da in the eastern part of the Feng city. A few days ago, I finished the cure and handed it to him. Today, he found me and handed me this note, claiming that Madam Hong wrote it herself.

When Yun Ruoyan saw how serious Feng Bo seemed, she asked, Feng Bo, are you suspecting the veracity of this letter?