As soon as HuLü Wan’s father heard these words, the rush of blood made him dizzy, and he staggered back. Only with the support of HuLü Wan’s mother and HuLü Xing did he manage to steady himself.

“Absurd, truly absurd…” HuLü Wan’s father pointed a trembling finger at HuLü Wan and shouted, “Lock her up! From now on, no one is to let her out without my permission!”

Wen Liuliu had just helped HuLü Wan up from the ground when she watched in stunned silence as HuLü Wan was dragged away by her family.

HuLü Wan’s parents were engulfed in grief and fury, paying no attention to Wen Liuliu, who stood there helplessly. Wen Liuliu had a small courtyard to herself within the HuLü family estate, so once HuLü Wan was taken away, she could only return to her own quarters, filled with worry and tears.

Unable to come up with any other solution, Wen Liuliu decided to contact HuLü Wan’s friends, hoping they could help.

After the crowd dispersed, only HuLü Xing stayed behind, his gaze fixed on the anxious Wen Liuliu. Just as she was about to leave, HuLü Xing stepped in her path.

When Wen Liuliu looked up, she was met with HuLü Xing’s insincere smile.

“Liuliu, you should know what you should and shouldn’t do,” HuLü Xing said with a meaningful tone.

Wen Liuliu had always disliked HuLü Wan’s brother, and her face revealed a hint of guardedness.

HuLü Xing, however, ignored her reaction. He leaned closer and lowered his voice, “My sister was promised to Wen Renzheng before she was even born. Whether she’s willing or not, she was born to belong to Wen Renzheng. We won’t make the same mistake of letting some nameless pauper cultivator have a chance again.”

Pausing briefly, HuLü Xing looked at her with a thinly veiled threat. “So, don’t meddle where you shouldn’t, understood?”

Infuriated, Wen Liuliu glared at him, responding coldly, “You’re such a kind and understanding little brother to Wan.”

HuLü Xing laughed shamelessly, “Why, thank you.”

Wen Liuliu turned pale, refusing to bicker further with HuLü Xing. She quickly walked past him, heading back to her courtyard.

In the days that followed, Wen Liuliu reached out to all of HuLü Wan and Lin Song’s friends in the Xing Tian Sect, even contacting Zhai Feng and Qiu Bei, who were far away on Tian Ming Mountain. But despite their best efforts, they couldn’t come up with a plan to free HuLü Wan and Lin Song.

They even appealed to the elders of Xing Tian Sect, hoping they’d pressure the HuLü family to release Lin Song. However, the HuLü family was determined to separate HuLü Wan and Lin Song. Fearful that Lin Song would cause more trouble, they promised the Xing Tian Sect elders that once HuLü Wan married Wen Renzheng, they would release Lin Song and compensate him generously.

With that promise, even the elders had no choice but to concede.

The HuLü family and the Wen Ren family then agreed to hasten HuLü Wan and Wen Renzheng’s marriage. Originally scheduled for the following year, it was pushed up to just three months later.

However, only a few days before the wedding, a maid discovered HuLü Wan’s pregnant belly.

The maids had noticed her growing belly for some time, but HuLü Wan had been concealing it, and they hadn’t dared to assume the obvious. They thought she’d merely put on weight. But now, with her belly over five months along, there was no way to hide it any longer.

The news caused an uproar, and HuLü Wan’s father fainted from the shock. Her mother reportedly cried all night and, by morning, had made up her mind. She decided to get rid of HuLü Wan’s child. Since it was an illegitimate child of unknown origin, it was better to put an end to it.

But HuLü Wan’s mother’s plan didn’t go as expected. Softening at the last moment, she gave HuLü Wan an opportunity to escape, and HuLü Wan seized it, breaking out along with the imprisoned Lin Song.

That night, HuLü Wan and Lin Song slipped away to find Wen Liuliu, who was waiting in her room.

HuLü Wan’s pregnant belly was now obvious. Though she looked gaunt, she seemed unharmed. Lin Song, however, had not been so fortunate. The HuLü family had tortured him to force him away from HuLü Wan, but he endured the pain without giving in.

Seeing Lin Song’s blood-soaked clothing, Wen Liuliu could barely imagine the injuries beneath. Her throat tightened, and her breathing turned shaky.

Supporting Lin Song to a chair, HuLü Wan turned to Wen Liuliu, taking her hands. “Liuliu, we’re leaving here. Once I’m gone, there’s no need for you to stay, either.”

Wen Liuliu choked up, tears welling as she looked at HuLü Wan.

HuLü Wan gently caressed her face, her own voice wavering. “Liuliu, you’re a good girl, and I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you.”

Wen Liuliu shook her head, her tears falling silently.

“You should go home,” HuLü Wan continued. “I’ve already made arrangements with Xing Tian Sect. They’ll keep a spot for you. Do you remember the spot where we used to train, under that big osmanthus tree? Dig about a foot south of it, and you’ll find a small bag I’ve hidden for you, with all the dowry I’ve saved over the years. The bag’s charm is set to recognize only you and me.”

Closing her eyes briefly, HuLü Wan suppressed her reluctance and said, “I have a feeling about you and Zhai Feng. Go get the bag and live a good life together.”

At that moment, Wen Liuliu had become a sobbing mess.

There was no time to lose; HuLü Wan and Lin Song quickly departed under the cover of night.

Their escape route had been carefully planned. Once they made it out of Immortal Valley, they’d be able to board the flying artifact Wen Liuliu and the others had prepared for them.

Alone in the dark, Wen Liuliu anxiously awaited word of their safe departure. But instead of good news, she was met with devastating news—HuLü Xing had somehow discovered their plan and informed their parents, who intercepted HuLü Wan and Lin Song.

The two were captured once more.

When Wen Liuliu arrived, she only caught sight of HuLü Xing standing in the distance, his face twisted in a cold, mocking smile as he watched his parents weeping in each other’s arms.

From her hidden spot, Wen Liuliu noticed the intense jealousy and murderous intent in HuLü Xing’s eyes.

Even after everything HuLü Wan had done, their parents had not abandoned her, still recognizing her as the primary heir and protecting her honor. HuLü Xing could no longer suppress his long-buried resentment.

Wen Liuliu felt a chill run down her spine as she watched HuLü Xing, as if she were staring at a demon emerging from the depths of hell.

What happened next completely shattered Wen Liuliu’s expectations.

HuLü Wan agreed to marry Wen Renzheng on the condition that Lin Song be freed and her child be allowed to live. She staked her life on the deal, holding out against her parents’ pleas for three or four days until they finally conceded.

During this time, Wen Liuliu packed her belongings, retrieved the dowry bag from under the osmanthus tree, and found it filled with rare elixirs. HuLü Wan had been thoughtful enough to prepare these items for Wen Liuliu’s cultivation, knowing her lack of natural talent and resources.

Wen Liuliu sobbed uncontrollably as she held the bag. She knew life would never return to how it had been.

For the next few months, Wen Liuliu focused on her studies in Xing Tian Sect, spending most of her time training by the osmanthus tree in silence.

Four months passed in the blink of an eye.

When Wen Liuliu next saw HuLü Wan, she was lying weakly in bed after a difficult childbirth. Her face, once beautiful, was now ghostly pale, drained of blood.

HuLü Wan had nearly died giving birth, and Wen Liuliu dared not touch her, letting her tears soak her own face.

“Where’s the baby?” Wen Liuliu looked around, her voice choked. “Where’s the child?”

HuLü Wan managed a small smile, her brows relaxing as if she had just laid down a heavy burden. “It was a boy, but you’re too late. My maid just took him away.”

Wen Liuliu’s heart sank, sensing there was more to the story. “Where did she take him?”

“Left him,” HuLü Wan replied, her voice breaking as she stared blankly at the ceiling, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. “Neither Lin Song nor I could care for him. He’s better off left behind.”

“Where did she leave him?” Wen Liuliu pressed, shock and anger rising within her. “That’s your child with Lin Song! You went through so much to bring him into the world—how could you just abandon him?”

HuLü Wan turned her head towards her, a strained smile on her face. “It’s for the best. Here, everyone schemes and struggles; life is full of unrest. Better for him to be like his father, to grow up healthy and happy as a normal child.”

Wen Liuliu’s eyes widened, and after a long silence, she asked, “Where did you leave him?”

“At the foot of the mountain,” HuLü Wan reassured her. “Don’t worry. There are plenty of couples in Echeng without children. Someone will find him and feed him.”

Wen Liuliu wiped her face roughly, saying, “But what if he isn’t found by kind people? There are people in Echeng who sell children, you know.”

HuLü Wan smiled. “I believe in my child. No matter the hardship, he’ll survive, and that suffering will make him stronger.”

After leaving Immortal Valley, Wen Liuliu went straight to the base of the mountain. Night had already fallen, and despite searching for some time, she found nothing. As the night deepened, she reluctantly gave up.

Days later, however, Wen Liuliu received horrifying news—Lin Song had died, HuLü Wan had disappeared, and their child had reportedly been beaten to death by the HuLü family and buried in an unmarked grave.

The news shook Wen Liuliu to her core.

But she remembered HuLü Wan’s words, and reasoned that if HuLü Wan had spoken the truth, then the HuLü family’s claims might be a lie. The child might still be alive.

She rushed to the mountain and scoured the roadsides, searching tirelessly. But with so much time having passed, her search proved fruitless.

She called Zhai Feng to join her, and together they continued searching. They knew the possibilities were slim—maybe the child had been taken in by a kind couple, or perhaps he’d fallen prey to wild beasts or succumbed to other dangers.

Just when Wen Liuliu was on the verge of despair, on the fifth morning of their search, they found the child.

The baby was wrapped in HuLü Wan’s robe, tiny and wrinkled, lying quietly amidst the grass.

When Wen Liuliu picked him up, his breathing was so faint it was barely perceptible.

She and Zhai Feng rushed him to a healer, who managed to pull him back from death’s door.

After thanking the healer, the two stood in silence on the street. Zhai Feng asked what she intended to do.

Looking at the baby, Wen Liuliu finally spoke, “He’s HuLü Wan’s child… I want to raise him.”

Zhai Feng frowned, “The HuLü family will likely come after him. They may even plan to kill him if they find him. Keeping him could put you in great danger.”

Wen Liuliu responded, “But I can’t just abandon him again. He’s already been through so much.”

With no more objections, Zhai Feng remained silent.

Wen Liuliu took the child home, taking a leave from Xing Tian Sect to care for him.

Life, however, didn’t stay peaceful for long.

One morning, the HuLü family stormed into Wen Liuliu’s family’s house, demanding she hand over their “young master.”

Her parents tried to protect her, but the HuLü family didn’t hesitate to push them aside.

Accusing Wen Liuliu of hiding their young master, they threatened her parents, who adamantly denied it.

With the help of a servant, Wen Liuliu fled with the child through the side door. But as she left, an explosion shook the house behind her, flames rising to the sky, consuming everything.

Caught between heartbreak and survival, Wen Liuliu kept running, tears blurring her vision. She set a mark in the wall for Zhai Feng to find and fled.

After that, Wen Liuliu spent years in hiding, moving from place to place with HuLü Yan. Even after crossing into the Demon Realm, life was a constant struggle.

When HuLü Yan was a small child, he’d comfort Wen Liuliu when villagers scorned them, his young eyes full of fierce defiance as he yelled at anyone who insulted his mother.

“Get lost! Don’t bully my mother!” he’d shout, his face red with anger, his gaze ferocious.

Despite the challenges, HuLü Yan grew up resiliently.

When life pushed Wen Liuliu into working at a brothel, her once-gentle spirit darkened, and she came to resent HuLü Yan, seeing him as the cause of her suffering. Her resentment often turned into physical punishment for HuLü Yan.

But one day, HuLü Yan, desperate to help his mother, let her drink his blood. Miraculously, she recovered.

Shocked, Wen Liuliu wondered if the boy possessed a rare “medicine body,” a unique constitution.

Terrified, she eventually sent HuLü Yan away for his own safety.

But word of his special constitution had already spread, drawing countless people to Wen Liuliu, demanding information about his whereabouts.

For four years, Wen Liuliu fended off these inquiries, but when the pressure became too much, she attempted to flee. Tragically, the brothel’s madam betrayed her, and she was beaten to death by her captors.

In her final moments, Wen Liuliu laughed bitterly, blood seeping from her lips as she cursed, “Wait and see. My son will come back for vengeance. He’ll make sure none of you die a peaceful death.”

At this point, HuLü Yan could no longer hold back his anguish. He collapsed, blood spilling from his mouth as he sank to his knees, overwhelmed by despair, self-loathing, and disbelief. His tears fell to the ground, one after another.

“Why… Why was it like this…?”

Why wasn’t she his mother?

And why was this the truth?

The person he’d hated all these years had actually sacrificed everything for him.

Why?

Just… why?

Author’s Note:

Happy holidays, everyone! It’s getting cold, so remember to stay warm. I’m updating early since I’ll be going out to play today, hehe.