Chapter Fifty-Seven: Arrogance (Restoration)

"Haha~ Good!" Silver Yao threw her head back in wild laughter, her face in that moment shining with an undeniable brilliance, as if all the colors of the world had faded away.

"Of course. I’ll be waiting for you in three months," Ji Muyu replied, his tone resolute and confident, without a hint of mockery, his attitude uncharacteristically serious. He truly admired a woman like Silver Yao—though only for her strength.

He believed more and more in the duel that awaited them three months later. He knew he would not regret accepting the challenge. Silver Yao’s prowess was indeed formidable, and for the first time, he found himself genuinely looking forward to their confrontation.

Silver Yao swept her wide sleeves with commanding flair. "I return those very words to you, unchanged!"

Only her voice, brimming with confidence, lingered in the air. The white figure had vanished from the night sky.

At that moment, Yin Su’s heart and mind had flown far from her body…

Silver Yao, she clearly knows of her double identity. Would she reveal it? And if so, how should she deal with the predicament once she was exposed? The duel in three months—the master of the tower would face her in battle. What would Ji Xuanyu and Gu Xinyu do? Was this all part of their scheme, or was it the whim of a single person…?

Yin Su had too many questions with no answers. She did not know, she was unsure. She didn’t know when her once unwavering loyalty to Ji Muyu had begun to waver, if only slightly. She truly didn’t understand why. She was desperate for an answer, even if she realized her heart had changed, she could not grasp the reason...

Beside her, Ji Muyu gazed absently at the spot where Silver Yao disappeared. Though his heart was briefly stirred, he would not forget—whoever blocked his path would die, Silver Yao included.

The guards who had surrounded Silver Yao tried to give chase, but her trail was already lost. They had no choice but to give up.

Ji Muyu’s brow furrowed. Three months from now, he vowed he would see Silver Yao fall beneath his sword. He would let no one stand in his way. Three months—he would wait.

In a blink, Ji Muyu returned to his usual icy demeanor, devoid of all emotion, as cold and mechanical as a machine.

Silver Yao strode out of the vast imperial palace without looking back, not even sparing it a glance as she made her way toward the Hidden Tower. She had much to discuss with Li Su. Though she knew he never doubted her words and trusted her completely, she felt it was only respectful to tell him.

Just as she was leisurely wandering the street, a man in red whisked her aside. Recognizing his familiar presence, Silver Yao gave up all thought of resisting.

In a small grove, she glanced at the handsome man, cheeks puffed up in annoyance, and felt a hint of helplessness… What now?

“Li Su?”

Silver Yao called softly, and to her surprise, the man who had been angry just moments before suddenly seemed dazed. Was there something different about her today? She had merely shown a bit more of her true self—did that surprise him? Ha, she rather liked that! Yes, not bad at all.

Li Su stared at Silver Yao, stunned. He had already been informed of what happened at the palace, but seeing with his own eyes the air of superiority and arrogance she exuded today, he was truly taken aback.

“Li Su?” When she saw him still lost in thought, Silver Yao waved her hand in front of him, the bells on her wrist chiming crisply.

He remained a little slow to react—only matters concerning Silver Yao could affect him so, making even one as sharp as he falter for a moment.

“Yao’er?”

“Li Su!” Silver Yao could hardly bear it. She raised her voice, a touch of irritation coloring her words.

“Ahem, Yao’er, you’re really different today! Hmm, a little unusual,” Li Su covered his lapse with a dry cough, though Silver Yao didn’t seem to care much.

“Unusual? Perhaps.” Silver Yao’s voice was soft and distant. Yes, perhaps her aura was out of the ordinary, or perhaps perfectly natural.

Li Su listened, puzzled, tilting his head in thought.

Silver Yao watched his reaction but offered no explanation. She walked to an ancient tree, leaned against it with lazy grace, and spoke in a relaxed tone, “Li Su, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Only when she was with Li Su could Silver Yao feel so natural and at ease, even content. Only with him did her guard drop, leaving her so unburdened and free.

When had she come to trust Li Su so deeply?

Li Su composed himself, stepped closer to her, and nodded. “Go on, I’m listening.”

Seeing his attentive posture, Silver Yao could hardly suppress a smile. There was no need for such formality. “Li Su, you may not agree with what I’m about to say.”

Hearing the worry in her quiet voice, Li Su felt an inexplicable warmth. Was Yao’er considering his feelings? In the Hidden Order, she had always been decisive, often ignoring his presence—though he had allowed it. He never imagined there would come a day when Yao’er would seek his opinion. Did this mean he weighed heavier in her heart now?

How fortunate! Watching her slightly anxious expression, his lips curved into a gentle smile, his dimples faintly visible, a ray of sunlight warming his profile.

With a flourish, Li Su produced a jade fan from somewhere and opened it with a dramatic gesture, his smug smile almost infuriating in its brilliance.

Silver Yao ground her teeth. She was trying to discuss something serious! Why did it always turn into this? What was Li Su thinking?

“Yao’er, just say whatever’s on your mind,” he said, feigning nonchalance as he waved his fan.

“Go away!” Silver Yao found him utterly exasperating. She thought she’d have to save this conversation for another time. With a flick of her sleeve, she leapt into the trees, darting swiftly through the grove until her figure disappeared.

Li Su chuckled and followed at his leisure.

...

Gu Xinyu sat within the Lingyu Pavilion. In recent days, not only he, but Mu Ye and Ai Shuo as well, were often distracted and absent-minded. Their state was far from optimistic. They kept recalling how Silver Yao had gently declined them in the woods—not explicitly, but everyone present was clever enough to understand.

They felt Silver Yao had been too heartless, but the true fault lay with themselves. Had they not acted on impulse back then, perhaps things would not have come to this...

If only...

Staring blankly at an ancient tree outside the window, Gu Xinyu saw a flash of white sweep past. That familiar figure tugged at his heart, reminding him of Yin Su, who also favored plain attire. He realized it had been more than three years since they last met—since their parting on the cliff, there had been no word. How was she now? Likely a trusted general under Ji Muyu’s command, loyal as ever...

With a spin, Wuming vaulted into the pavilion.

——End of Chapter——

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