I was reborn after cheating on the aloof and powerful man.

Chapter 157 Bad Habits

This was the first time Fei Xi had heard Bian Yuan's voice since they parted last night.

Ignoring her slight unease, she rushed to the door, pressed her ear against it, and asked nervously and worriedly:

"You are hurt?"

Old Miao, who overheard Fei Xi's words, remained unmoved, seemingly accustomed to such behavior. Even if those inside might not see it, he maintained his bow, his wrinkled face displaying an air of evasiveness, seemingly unafraid of being questioned by his master.

“Master, Fei is worried about the child named Qin Lan and wants to go down the mountain to visit her. We hope you will allow us to take her down the mountain to find her.”

The person inside did not respond to Fei Xi's concern. After a long silence, a hoarse voice, stiff and weary, sounded from within:

"Shuohan Peak does not accommodate outsiders."

"Am I not an outsider either!"

"After you get married, you no longer need to stay on Shuohan Peak. In a few days..."

"I won't marry!"

Before the person inside could finish speaking, Fei Xi angrily interrupted them. The entire space fell silent for a long while before a soft sigh came from within.

"Alright, if you're still worried, let Elder Miao take you there. Elder Miao, once you bring the person back, hand him over to Elder Chunyu for arrangements."

Miao Lao was secretly wondering if his master and Fei Yatou had quarreled again without his knowledge.

He sensed something was off about the atmosphere between the two of them.

Also, does the master want Fei Yatou to marry and leave Shuohan Peak?

How could he not know that his master would really be willing to part with it?

Old Miao's questioning gaze darted back and forth between the door and Fei Xi. Seeing that the master had called on him, he quickly looked away and responded with a sound of agreement.

"Yes! Don't worry, Master, I will take good care of Fei."

That was his original plan; once he found someone, if there really was no one to take care of the little girl...

If we find a few acquaintances and a talented young girl, are we really worried about not finding a good mentor for her?

However, since the master specifically requested Chunyu Yuan to take care of him, and that old fellow is of good character and a decent person, it is quite suitable.

That's good, Fei girl can rest assured now.

After Elder Miao gave his reply, there was no further movement from behind the door.

When people brought up the topic of her getting married again, Fei Xi angrily kicked the door. But after Old Master Miao finished speaking and came to pull her away, she followed him for a few steps, then anxiously turned back, ran to the door, and nervously knocked on it.

"You're injured, are you really alright?"

It was so quiet behind the door that it seemed like no one was there, but Fei Xi was certain that the person was still there, just ignoring her.

She lowered her head in disappointment, and no response came from behind the door until Old Miao pulled her back the way she came.

As the two approached the entrance, Old Miao noticed that the girl beside him was still looking down, her face filled with dejection.

The old man felt a soreness in his teeth, thought for a moment, stroked his white beard, and spoke to comfort him.

"Don't worry, little girl. Master always does this after each trial. It will get better after a while."

"Does this happen every time?"

“Our master is no ordinary person. There are few in this world who can hurt him, let alone take his life. Girl, you can rest assured.”

Recalling the scene she saw underwater, Fei Xi nodded in agreement.

However, a solemn expression once again appeared on the face of Elder Miao, who was leading the way, but could not see it.

Fei Xi suddenly remembered the question that Bian Yuan had avoided answering.

Is the Lord of Tianshan chosen through the Tianshan Trials merely someone who enjoys everything that comes with that identity?

What is the significance behind this selection process that has been maintained for over a thousand years?

Before Fei Xi could think it through, the moment she was pulled off the wall by Elder Miao, the feeling of weightlessness made her involuntarily let out an "Ah!"

Their bodies plummeted straight down, and within seconds, a gust of wind suddenly appeared, easily carrying Fei Xi and Elder Miao to the edge of the cliff.

When Fei Xi went up the mountain, it was already dusk. Now that the two of them had returned to the cliff, it was pitch black all around them.

It was getting late, so Elder Miao took Fei Xi back to the cabin to rest for the time being. They would prepare in the morning and then go to look for the person.

Fei Xi started cooking and made two bowls of noodles, which were hard to classify as either dinner or a late-night snack. He and Old Miao ate a few bites together.

Through Elder Miao's explanation, Fei Xi gained a general understanding of the Tianshan Trial process.

The selection of trial participants has always been handled by the Eight Great Families in both the Heavenly and Earthly Kingdoms, and the arrangements for those who fail the trials but survive have also always been the responsibility of the Eight Great Families.

Miao Lao told Fei Xi that as soon as they saw their master come down from the mountain alone yesterday, they knew what the outcome would be.

Seeing that his master looked strange, he led the others and followed his master back.

Qin Lan, who was left behind, was likely sent back by Elder Guo or Elder Chunyu of the Taixu Sect.

Fei Xi only knew about the three children: Xie Fengrong was from the Heavenly Kingdom, and Qin Shu and Qin Lan were from the Earthly Kingdom. Because the three children were young, they couldn't say exactly where their home was when the topic came up.

To find Qin Lan now, we need to go to the Taixu Sect and find out who is responsible for taking Qin Lan home.

However, when Fei Xi and her group arrived at Beitian Peak the next day, they found nothing.

Elder Chunyu had to go out on important business, and Elder Guo was also absent for some unknown reason.

The three remaining elders of the Taixu Sect were not allowed to participate in the trial and were unaware of who had taken Qin Lan away or where she was now.

Fei Xi narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling that all of this seemed too coincidental. Her smile remained unchanged, and she changed the subject, saying that she had brought the things that the two senior brothers under Elder Chunyu had asked her to find last time, and that she had come to visit them on her way.

Elder Ma, who was hosting them, heard this and instructed his disciple to relay the message. After a while, the disciple returned and said that Senior Brother Su had gone out with his master, while Senior Brother Chunyu had returned home.

……

"Miss Fei, are you going to the Chunyu family in Xianheng City?" Chen Jinwang asked, seeing that Fei Xi didn't seem interested in what he was saying. He then politely changed the subject.

"Indeed, I wonder what Young Master Chen's opinion is on the Chunyu family's traditions?"

The woman turned her head, but her slightly reddened ears betrayed her thoughts.

Chen Jinwang was stunned for a moment, wanting to show a disdainful expression but forcibly suppressing it. Recalling the rumors, his eyes flickered, then his smile vanished, and he adopted a serious demeanor, saying in a deep voice:

"This... it is not the behavior of a gentleman to speak ill of others behind their backs. However, I, Chen, cannot bear to see Miss Fei being deceived by villains. Apart from Uncle Yuan, who is now an elder of the Taixu Sect and is upright, the rest of the Chunyu family, alas... perhaps the only clean thing about the Chunyu family now is the two stone lions at the gate."

"You! I really misjudged you, Young Master Chen. I thought you were a good person. Who knew you were such a petty person who slanders others behind their backs. Young Master Chunyu is straightforward and genuine, and he never speaks ill of others behind their backs. How could you say such things about him behind his back!"

After scolding the person, Fei Xi turned around and pretended to leave.

Elder Li and Elder Miao stood to the side, their faces grim and silent, afraid that if they uttered a sound, they would burst out laughing.

Being publicly humiliated, especially by someone he despised, Chen Jinwang was instantly enraged, his face turning red with anger, looking as if he had been slandered and was desperate to defend himself.

“Miss Fei, you have really wronged me! Putting aside everything else, Chunyu You has always been arrogant and domineering in Xianheng City, and... he also has some despicable fetishes.”

Now that the words were out, there was no need to hold them back any longer. Chen Jinwang composed himself and continued:

"Miss Fei must know that our eight families hold a transcendent position in both Heaven and Earth Kingdoms. In addition to intermarrying with each other, the eight families also marry into the royal families of both countries. My fourth aunt is Chunyu You's aunt. I only learned about this by chance."

"To be honest, young lady, we all have several maids in our rooms who have been trained by our elders since we were young. Some things are tacitly approved by our elders, and no one will say anything."

"Chunyu You was originally engaged to the beloved Eighth Princess of the Heavenly Kingdom, and the two were to get married when the princess came of age. However, when the Eighth Princess came to the Earthly Kingdom as a guest when she was 12 years old, the engagement was canceled after she returned."

“When my fourth aunt talked about this with my mother, I heard eight words: ‘eccentric behavior, fond of young maids.’”