Chapter 052: Don't Die, Wait for Me

After Han Yuntian had left, Ning Wanqing’s disciple Shui Xinxin hurried back, bringing with her the anxious Yun Yin.

“Master, I did as you asked! I brought Sister Yun Yin back. Please praise me!”

Before Ning Wanqing could reply, Yun Yin urgently asked, “Is my father here with you? Was he badly injured? And are you really my aunt? Please, take me to see my father.”

Ning Wanqing stepped forward, her eyes growing misty. This child, Yun Yin, looked exactly as her elder sister had in her youth. Over all these years, Ning Wanqing had remained hidden in the shadows, never revealing herself to Yun Yin, and even Yun Mobei had only met her a handful of times. That was why Yun Yin only learned today that she had an aunt, and one who was none other than the Mistress of Youxiang Hall at the Scarlet Lotus Palace.

But now was not the time to dwell on such matters. As long as she could see her father, the truth would reveal itself.

Yun Mobei’s grievous injury and Daisy Hall’s expulsion from the sect—these were things Shui Xinxin had quickly summarized for her, leaving Yun Yin in a haze of confusion and worry on the journey back. She was deeply concerned for her father, and also for Lin Zhan. Where was he now? Was he even still alive?

Ning Wanqing took Yun Yin’s hand, relating stories from the past as she led her to a secret place—the very room where Yun Mobei was convalescing. It was the most hidden chamber within Scarlet Lotus Palace.

At the door, Yun Yin rushed inside. Shui Xinxin, following closely, was about to burst in as well when Ning Wanqing caught her by the collar and pulled her back. “This is a reunion between father and daughter—what are you doing crowding in?”

After struggling free, Shui Xinxin turned and clung to Ning Wanqing’s leg, crying, “Master, you haven’t praised me yet…”

With a swoosh, Shui Xinxin was flung away by her master. “Go to the kitchen and tell Aunt Mei to cook up something good for dinner.”

Inside the secret chamber, Yun Yin helped Yun Mobei sit up, already reduced to tears. When she heard from his own lips that everything Ning Wanqing had said was true, she could no longer contain her emotions.

“Father, you should have told me about Mother long ago, not kept it from me. All these years, you’ve seemed content on the surface, but in truth you must have been grieving in silence, haven’t you? And I never knew, never shared your burden. I even made you angry all the time…”

“Silly child…” Yun Mobei stroked his daughter’s head softly. “Cough, cough… To let you live free of worry has always been my greatest wish. But now, seeing me like this—have I let you down?”

Yun Yin buried herself in his embrace, weeping bitterly. “In my heart, you’ll always be the best. From now on, I want to face everything together with you…”

“Good, good!” Yun Mobei was overwhelmed with emotion and could not help but cough again.

At this moment, Ning Wanqing entered and gently helped Yun Yin up. “Let your father rest a while, child. Let’s go outside.”

Obediently, Yun Yin left the chamber with her aunt.

“From now on, you’ll remain here at Scarlet Lotus Palace and cultivate with me,” Ning Wanqing suggested, testing the waters.

Given the current situation, Scarlet Lotus Palace was clearly the safest place for her. Out there, dangers lurked at every turn.

“Yes, I need to strengthen myself as quickly as possible. But…” Yun Yin hesitated.

Ning Wanqing looked at her, her gaze heavy with the wisdom of experience. “But what? If you mean you’re worried about Lin Zhan, or about those junior brothers of yours who’ve been thrown into the Ice Prison, then I have a few words for you.”

Yun Yin lowered her head respectfully, ready to listen.

“First, about those fellow disciples of yours—Peak Master Han Yuntian has already made arrangements to ensure they won’t come to harm. In time, there may be hope of rescuing them,” Ning Wanqing explained.

Yun Yin knew well that the Disciplinary Hall’s Ice Prison was a place jointly managed by all the major peaks. Once someone was locked away there, not even the peak masters could get them out. It was an unbreakable rule—the Ice Prison only took in prisoners; it never released them, and showed no mercy. Even Han Yuntian and Ning Wanqing were powerless.

As for her senior brothers, she could only wait for an opportunity. But Lin Zhan—she had just confessed her feelings to him, and now had no idea what had become of him.

“As for Lin Zhan, he’s safe for now. He’s both brave and resourceful; he won’t come to harm easily,” Ning Wanqing continued, watching Yun Yin’s reaction closely.

After all, as the Mistress of Scarlet Lotus Palace, she was perfectly aware of Lin Zhan’s movements—he was her unofficial disciple, and Yun Yin was her niece. The whereabouts of these two had always been under her watchful gaze, even through her spiritual avatars. She had seen Yun Yin chased into the secret cave, and Lin Zhan’s transformation into a cultivation fanatic.

She’d even witnessed Lin Zhan’s cunning when he killed Cheng Zhi and Wei Tielong, and had been inwardly shaken by his decisiveness.

At the time, she’d thought, “If this boy doesn’t die young, he’s destined for greatness.”

Busted by her aunt about her budding romance, Yun Yin blushed furiously, her face reddening down to her neck. She mumbled, “I knew he’d be all right!”

Ning Wanqing then described in detail how Lin Zhan had outwitted Cheng Zhi and Wei Tielong, and Yun Yin’s expression shifted back and forth between relief and tension, finally ending with her stamping her foot and clapping in delight.

“Yun’er, isn’t Lin Zhan quite remarkable, with limitless potential ahead?”

“Yes,” Yun Yin thought with certainty, “Of course. My judgment is never wrong. Lin Zhan is so caring…”

Ning Wanqing continued, “Yun’er, right now you and he are caught in separate whirlpools of danger. If you were together, the risk would only double or triple. Isn’t that so?”

Yun Yin fell silent, nodding honestly.

She longed to see Lin Zhan right away, to encourage and support each other. But hearing her aunt’s analysis, she realized she had been too naive.

Lin Zhan’s cultivation was advancing at an astonishing rate. Before long, his level would surely surpass hers by far. If Yun Yin didn’t improve herself, she would be left in the dust, doomed to become a burden to him—something she could never accept.

She had always been proud and competitive, eager to help those around her, not drag them down. That was her true nature.

“Yun’er, your father is seriously injured and not fit for revenge. I want you to calm your heart and train here with me as my last disciple. When you have truly mastered your skills, then you can go seek out Lin Zhan. What do you think?” Ning Wanqing finished, waiting quietly for her answer, prepared to give her time to consider.

Unexpectedly, Yun Yin raised her head, gazing into her aunt’s eyes with determination. “Very well. I’ll do as you say. From today on, I am your last disciple. Thank you, Master!”

“Good, good! I knew Yun’er was a clever child!” Ning Wanqing opened her arms and gently drew Yun Yin into her embrace.

In her aunt’s arms, Yun Yin’s bright eyes shone with unyielding resolve. Gazing toward the distance, she whispered to herself, “Lin Zhan, I will come find you. Don’t die. Wait for me…”