Zhou Yun asked, "Can't you let go of your brother or the other girls around you?"

"It's my brother I can't let go of. I wish he hadn't died, or had never appeared in my life at all. That way, I might not have had any improper thoughts about you, or even met you at all."

Zhou Yun laughed, "If you hadn't met me, wouldn't you regret it?"

"Regret? Of course I would. Meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life."

Zhou Yun sighed and said, "It's been six years since your brother's death. To be honest, I never had much feeling for your brother. Marrying him was just a rebellion against my family. I even forgot what he looked like."

Ling Zhenfei had expected this, so he wasn't very surprised.

At this moment, Zhou Yun gently pulled away from Ling Zhenfei's body. She looked up at him and said, "I want to ask you a question. It's been so long. Shouldn't I be able to remarry?"

Ling Zhenfei was startled and hurriedly said, "Of course you can."

"What if I want to marry you?"

Ling Zhenfei was stunned upon hearing this. Zhou Yun had hit the nail on the head, and for a moment, he was speechless, his mind blank.

Seeing Ling Zhenfei's reaction, Zhou Yun laughed again, "Don't be scared, I was just joking. I'm too old to compete with Ling Xiu and Zi Xuan for you."

"Sister-in-law, please don't say that. To me, you are the most perfect woman in the world."

"Really?"

The two of them gazed deeply into each other's eyes. In the dark night, it seemed as though nothing could come between them. As they stared into each other's eyes, they drew closer and closer.

Two people who had long been destined for one another seemed to ignite, like two blazing flames about to merge.

"This can't be. We can't do this." Zhou Yun suddenly pushed Ling Zhenfei away. Just as the flames were about to melt them together, she made a decision, which surprised Ling Zhenfei.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Yun shook her head bitterly and said with a pained expression, "I still can't do it. I always think of your brother, He Lingxiu, Yang Zixuan, and many others. I just can't do it."

Ling Zhenfei understood that Zhou Yun had too many burdens because of her complicated background and life, and because of his own complexities. So it was understandable that she hesitated.

"It's okay, sister-in-law. Let's head back, and we'll discuss it another time." Ling Zhenfei steered Zhou Yun back.

Zhou Yun asked, "Zhenfei, don't worry about me. I want to know, how do you feel about Ling Xiu and the other two girls who came last time? In our country, a man can only have one wife. When it comes to marriage, who do you actually want to marry?"

This question left Ling Zhenfei even more stumped, unsure of how to answer.

"Honestly, I don't know either. Originally, I treated Ling Xiu as a sister. I didn't expect that she'd jump off a cliff for me. How could I not cherish a woman like that?"

Zhou Yun asked curiously, "So how did you explain this to Ling Xiu?"

"She said she knows I have many women and doesn't mind how many are around me, as long as I keep a place for her in my heart."

Zhou Yun was surprised, "That's absurd, a joke. I can't believe she would accept several women in your life."

"What else can I do, take it one step at a time."

Zhou Yun fell silent, and they walked back together until they reached the doorstep. As they were about to enter, Zhou Yun suddenly stopped and turned to Ling Zhenfei.

"If you want to marry me, and I ask you to give up all the other girls, would you do it?"

Zhou Yun's words startled Ling Zhenfei, leaving him unsure of how to respond. He had feelings for each woman he met, with his bond with Zhou Yun being the deepest. But asking him to give up everyone else made him hesitate.

Yet Zhou Yun didn't wait for his answer and turned to walk alone into the courtyard. By the time Ling Zhenfei realized what had happened and followed, Zhou Yun had already returned to her room.

Feeling helpless, Ling Zhenfei stood in the yard, dazed. Of all the girls around him, his feelings for Zhou Yun were the most complicated.

As time passed and Zhou Yun continued to care for him, these feelings gradually transformed into a special kind of affection, closer even than familial bonds, though indescribable.

The next morning, Ling Zhenfei was cultivating when he heard Chunyu's door open, and she left early. Ling Zhenfei knew Chunyu was off to spar with Bai Mei again.

He had inquired about Bai Mei's current situation during the day. Bai Mei was now living with Sun Liqing. The old man had only one elderly companion at home, with all his children having gone to work elsewhere. So there were few people in the house.

Bai Mei, being a slow-witted kid, was very much liked by the Old Master Sun, who let him stay in his home. Bai Mei had adapted to this way of living.

Bai Mei had originally been sent by Qiulian Mountain to kill Ling Zhenfei, but he got separated from his grandfather on the way. Thinking about it now, it seemed a joke—was Qiulian Mountain really out of capable people to send him?

Ling Zhenfei quickly followed Chunyu. As before, it was in the same small grove, where Bai Mei was already waiting for Chunyu.

"Today, I'll definitely defeat you and show you the prowess of Qiulian Mountain martial arts," Bai Mei said, slow-wittedly.

Chunyu laughed, "Stop bragging. With your abilities, you think you can handle me? Watch as I make you run for your life."

The two began sparring again, with the same opening moves as yesterday. But Ling Zhenfei noticed the changes in Chunyu's cultivation technique.

Yesterday, Ling Zhenfei had given Chunyu a book on the "Lotus Flower Severing Finger." The techniques were very complex but extremely subtle.

Compared to yesterday, Chunyu successfully used the "Lotus Flower Severing Finger" to limit Bai Mei's moves. Though her practice time was short, its power was evident.

Bai Mei was visibly surprised, "You've improved since yesterday."

Chunyu smiled, "Of course, the best is yet to come."

Bai Mei's expression changed, "I'll let you taste my strength then."

With another change in moves, Bai Mei and Chunyu resumed their bout. Ling Zhenfei had witnessed Qiulian Mountain's skills, each person having their own signature technique with intricate changes.

This shift in techniques made Chunyu struggle. After a series of moves using "Lotus Flower Severing Finger," she successfully forced Bai Mei to retreat. Bai Mei wanted to charge again, but Chunyu gestured for a halt.

"What do you want now?" Bai Mei asked, puzzled.

Chunyu said, "Sorry, my brother is calling me home for a meal."

"Your brother? Isn't it usually your sister-in-law who calls you home?" Bai Mei said.

"My brother came back today, you dummy. I'm going home for a meal first. We'll continue tomorrow."

With that, Chunyu walked away. Ling Zhenfei, who had been watching from afar, chuckled to himself. This Chunyu was truly clever and mischievous.

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