Immortal Scenic Garden, the Qiao Mansion.

Chen Jingjing took out the key and helped Lu Ran unlock the front door.

Lu Ran smiled and shook his head.

It was odd that he needed an outsider's help to access his own home...

"I'll wait for you, no hurry," Chen Jingjing said softly.

"I'll be right out," Lu Ran quickly changed shoes and entered the living room.

Dawn Silence Night unfurled and soared, to prevent the falling of petals.

Lu Ran also sheathed the Eight Desolate Blade behind him.

He stood in the living room, his gaze sweeping back and forth between his mother's bedroom and her study.

After a moment's hesitation, he still chose the study.

His mother's study.

The home's forbidden area.

Even the small shrine and Sword One Divine Statue were placed inside Qiao Wanjun's grand bedroom, not in the study.

Lu Ran had lived in this home for three years.

And he had only been inside this study once.

Lu Ran had once stood at the doorway of his mother's study in the dead of night, holding a cup of hot milk.

At that time, just after his father's death, Mother had newly accepted Lu Ran back home.

Then, he hoped to take the opportunity to get closer to Mom.

Lu Ran wouldn't deny that there was a hint of trying to ingratiate himself.

Maybe, a mother and son shouldn't bear such feelings.

But truly, it had been a long time since Lu Ran had seen his mother.

After his father's sacrifice, the young boy's sky had collapsed.

In a daze, Qiao Wanjun appeared before him, gently took his hand, and brought him back to Beijing.

That night, that cup of hot milk, it ended up entering the study after all.

Qiao Wanjun allowed Lu Ran to come inside.

But when he left, Qiao Wanjun softly told her son not to disturb her in the study again.

Lu Ran would always remember the feeling in his heart upon hearing those words.

He left silently, gently shutting the door behind him.

Mother seemed to have realized something.

But she didn't come out after him, and that night, she did not leave her study.

However, after that evening, she became gentler toward Lu Ran.

Little Yuanxi even threw a tantrum, claiming that Mom only liked her brother and was only kind to him, not loving her at all.

Following a few days of uproar, Little Yuanxi's antics led to being punished by their mother to kneel for an entire day.

And on that very night,

Qiao Yuansi received a stealthily passed hamburger from his guilt-ridden brother for the first time.

In short,

Since Lu Ran had delivered that hot milk, he never stepped foot in the study again.

"Sigh..."

Lu Ran exhaled deeply, standing at the doorway of the study, hesitating again.

To enter or not?

He could place the flowers in the living room, on the balcony, or even in his mother's bedroom.

But... Lu Ran wanted to enter.

He needed to reconcile with younger self.

That self-doubting, sensitive, and overly cautious version of himself.

His mother was not unapproachable. On the contrary, she loved him dearly.

It was just that at the time, she hadn't found a proper way to interact with him.

"Knock knock knock~"

Standing before the study, Lu Ran knocked gently on the door, softly saying,

"Excuse me."

After a brief wait, with no response from inside, Lu Ran carried the potted plant inside.

The study was spacious and plainly decorated.

So plain that there wasn't even a single potted plant.

Instead of an office desk and computer, there was a writing table.

On the writing table, pen, ink, paper, and inkstone were arranged. It appeared Mother had left in a hurry the last time and had not put them away properly.

On the adjacent bookshelf stood many books, and a large calligraphy scroll hung on the wall.

Sword.

On the vertically hanging scroll was but a single massive character.

With the flourish of knife-like strokes, hook-created by a brush of iron.

In Lu Ran's eyes, that was not just a calligraphy character but a word composed of numerous sharp swords.

Within each horizontal and vertical stroke, a hidden edge of crossed swords could be sensed.

Lu Ran did not know who the word was written by.

Everything in the room was a vague memory for Lu Ran, considering he had only been here once.

And now, as Lu Ran saw the character again, he stood frozen at the doorway.

The sensation was profound.

It was as if...

The word on the paper conveyed a message that never changed.

When Lu Ran was young and naive, he could recognize each character.

When he went to school, he understood the meaning of the sentence.

And as he entered society, weathering trials, he read the line again and comprehended the deeper metaphor behind it.

Was this "Sword" character written by Mom?

Unyielding, with a spirit that soared with pride!

Was she... wronged?

Was she fighting against something?

"Buzz~"

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, a vibrating sound of trembling weapons arose from the right side.

Lu Ran turned to look.

Two treasured swords hung on the wall, unexpectedly flying down.

These were Divine Weapons!

Chillingly radiant, their edges unmistakably sharp!

They buzzed, as if expressing discontent with Lu Ran for lingering too long.

"Buzz!"

"Buzz!"

Dawn Blade and Silent Night Blade buzzed in unison!

The twin blades swiftly entered the study, positioning themselves before the two treasured swords.

Dawn Blade shined brilliantly.

Silent Night Blade emanated an aura of murderous intent!

As they stood opposed, the Divine Weapons protected their owner!

Accompanying the crisp "clang clang" sounds, the blades and swords intertwined.

"Stop!" Lu Ran bellowed sharply.

Before opening the door, Lu Ran had knocked and said "Excuse me," addressing the two swords inside.

The former Lu Ran knew nothing of them at all.

Only after returning here for the New Year did Lu Ran realize:

There were Divine Weapons in his mother's study!

Of course, even then, Lu Ran had not entered the study.

It was the Dawn Blade and Rebirth Money that informed Lu Ran of the kindred presence within that ever-closed room.

"I am the son of your master."

While speaking, Lu Ran gestured for his Divine Weapons to retreat.

The twin blades slowly disengaged, gradually flying back, but still guarding in front of Lu Ran.

"I'll just put the flowers down and leave right away."

Holding the pot, Lu Ran stepped forward, under the watchful eyes of the treasured swords, and reached the writing table.

He picked up the pot and placed the Chui Si Immortal on the corner of the table.

Without meaning to, he also saw an unfinished piece of writing on the table, with only half a line:

"Don't say women cannot form part of greatness..."

Lu Ran's brow furrowed.

He wasn't looking at the poetry, nor reading into its meaning.

Instead, he noticed the sword-like strokes within every curve and line, revealing subtle rage and sorrow.

Rage and sorrow?

"Buzz!" The treasured three-foot blade trembled once more, seemingly reminding Lu Ran it was time to depart.

Lu Ran turned to look at the Divine Weapon, his face somber, and spoke lightly,

"That's enough now."

Another sword suddenly pressed against the vibrating blade, retreating a half-inch backward.

Lu Ran turned his gaze to the Chui Si Immortal, his expression softening slightly.

This plant from the Demon Cave, both its branches and petals were delicate.

But its vitality was incredibly tenacious!

It didn't even require light or water.

The Chui Si Immortal would silently draw energy from the world around it, sustaining itself and releasing any excess energy.

That's what the soldiers from the Demon Cave told Lu Ran.

Initially, Lu Ran thought the plant self-generated energy.

Turns out, it was just a transporter of nature's gifts...

Regardless, its beauty, fragrance, and rarity were genuine.

The subtle jasmine scent also reminded Lu Ran of Jiang Ruyi.

When he saw Mother, he would mention her, too.

That way, every time Mother entered the study and saw the beautiful Chui Si Immortal, smelled its sweet fragrance, she might think of Jiang Ruyi too.

Over time, this might improve Mother's impression of Jiang Ruyi.

Lu Ran exited the study, gently closing the door behind him.

He pulled out his phone, thinking of the incomplete poem on the desk, and immediately searched for it.

Seconds later, Lu Ran's brow quirked.

"Say not that women are unfit for heroics; their swords clash by the wall every night."

Lu Ran silently stared for a long time, then let out a deep breath.

"Little Lu?" At the doorway, Chen Jingjing's soft call came through.

"Ah, sis, let's go," Lu Ran hurried towards the doorway.

Chen Jingjing: "Just now?"

Lu Ran shook his head, "It's nothing."

Chen Jingjing faintly heard the clashing of blades and Lu Ran's commands, but she did not enter out of trust for Lu Ran.

Another reason was that this was Qiao Wanjun's home, and without the explicit command of the Peak Master, Chen Jingjing would not daringly intrude.

"Want to eat something first?" Chen Jingjing led Lu Ran toward the elevator.

"Do you still eat meals, Jingjing?" Lu Ran was rather surprised.

Chen Jingjing shook her head: "Very rarely, the last time was when I dined with you at Autumn Water Home."

Lu Ran: "..."

Well, that's still not necessary. Business prioritizes.

They drove away from the Immortal Scenic Garden, heading straight for Jinghong Peak.

On the way, Lu Ran sent a WeChat message to Qiao Yuansi, fearing she wouldn't find him when she got home.

But Qiao Yuansi didn't reply; she must be busy at school.

As the setting sun gradually fell, Lu Ran and Chen reached the base of Jinghong Peak.

As a man, Lu Ran did not rashly climb the Spirit Mountain of the Sword One sect.

He handed the Dawn Blade to Chen Jingjing and then waited at the mountain's foot.

Hopefully, the Dawn Blade will keep Jingjing safe...

Considering things, the Divine Weapons in the study should rightfully belong to Mother.

Lu Ran could contact Qiao Wanjun directly through the Divine Weapons.

However, seeing the attitude of those two swords, Lu Ran did not impose.

And in Lu Ran's mind, coming to the foot of the mountain to ask to see her should increase the likelihood of success, right?

Soon, Lu Ran heaved a sigh of relief.

The Dawn Blade brought good news: Mother would see him!

Hmm, that's good.

Putting aside the mother-son relationship, after all, he was Da Xia's foremost Heavenly Pride.

Should Peak Master Qiao refuse to see me...

Wouldn't that hurt my face?

Subsequently, Lu Ran saw the joyful figure of Chen Jingjing descending rapidly.

She guided him, circling half the base of the mountain before flying straight up.

"Little Lu."

Midway up the mountainside, Chen Jingjing suddenly spoke.

"Hm?" Lu Ran looked down, to see Chen Jingjing hovering on her sword.

"I won't go. Peak Master Qiao asked you to come alone."

"Thank you, Jingjing," Lu Ran replied.

"Young master, let's not be so formal anymore," Chen Jingjing said with a smile, slowly descending.

Lu Ran: "..."

He clutched the Silent Night Blade and flew straight up, heading to the peak behind Jinghong Peak.

Under the afterglow of the sunset,

The peak was covered in pure white snow.

A striking figure suddenly caught Lu Ran's eye.

Dressed in a gold and white dress, with an antique charm, the mountain breeze caused her skirt to flutter playfully alongside her raven-black hair.

The setting sun tinted her features with warmth.

Yet it was a superficial remedy.

Eyebrows like distant, misty mountains, eyes like the depths of serene lakes.

Only when Qiao Wanjun turned to him did Lu Ran see the profound indifference within her eyes, now revealing a faint warmth.

"I thought you had forgotten me."

Qiao Wanjun stood with her hands behind her back, speaking lightly.

"Ah?" Lu Ran clutched his sword, hanging outside the cliff.

Qiao Wanjun smiled faintly: "What was the promise you gave your mother last time?"

Lu Ran suddenly remembered that Qiao Wanjun had once asked him if she were to retreat right here, whether or not Lu Ran would come to see her.

At that time, Lu Ran had agreed eagerly.

"Heh."

Suddenly, Lu Ran laughed.

Looking at the woman before him, with a gentle expression.

I was worried about being turned away, afraid you would drive me off.

Yet,

You were waiting for me.

...

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