Master Shen’s eyes widened in surprise. He wanted to ask more questions, but Bai Fanlu had no intention of explaining further.

Even though Xiang Wanyi had a kind heart, once people learned of his true identity, they would only be driven by fear, doing whatever they could to make him disappear completely. His very existence was a significant threat to ordinary people.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the door opened from the inside, and Shen Lanshan stepped out, weakly leaning against the doorframe. But from the clarity in his eyes, it was evident that he had regained his senses.

“Lanshan!” Master Shen was overjoyed and hurried to support him, unsure if it was true. “You… you’re better now?”

“Father, I’ve been unfilial, making you worry.”

Master Shen, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged his son tightly, tears streaming down his face. Shen Lanshan also embraced his father, and the servants around them wiped their eyes.

Bai Fanlu watched from the side. He didn’t see Xiang Wanyi come out, but a white shadow flashed by the window, and then he felt Xiang Wanyi reattach himself to him. Likely, he had quietly slipped back in through the window to avoid scaring anyone.

“Immortal Master, you are truly a savior to my Shen family!”

Master Shen, still holding onto Shen Lanshan, wanted to kneel before Bai Fanlu in gratitude, but Bai Fanlu quickly stopped them. “There’s no need for this.”

He took out the longevity lock from his robes. “I’ve placed a protective talisman on this lock. If Master Shen keeps it close, his health will be safeguarded.”

“Thank you, thank you!” Master Shen expressed his endless gratitude and immediately fastened the lock around his son’s neck.

Shen Lanshan looked at Bai Fanlu, his gaze penetrating as if he could see through to the shadow hidden within him. Bai Fanlu nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

When Bai Fanlu seemed ready to leave, Master Shen quickly intervened, “Immortal Master, are you leaving already? If you don’t mind, please stay at our humble abode tonight. Tomorrow morning, I will have a small token of appreciation prepared for you. I implore you not to refuse, or I won’t be able to rest easy.”

Bai Fanlu hadn’t planned to leave immediately, but he was concerned that Xiang Wanyi might feel uncomfortable if he stayed away from the bridge for too long.

“Master Shen, you are too kind. In truth, I have a small matter to trouble you with, but I need to step out for a moment. I will return shortly to impose on you.”

“That’s perfectly fine! I’ll have someone waiting at the door for you.”

As Bai Fanlu left, he could still feel Shen Lanshan’s gaze following him.

From the moment Shen Lanshan had stepped out of the room, he had only spoken one sentence to his father. To others, it might seem like he was still weak from his long illness, but Bai Fanlu understood the unspoken sorrow and longing in his expression. Xiang Wanyi must have explained everything to him.

When Bai Fanlu returned to the bridge, the talismans fluttered noisily in the evening breeze, and he found them particularly irritating. With a wave of his hand, they all burned to ashes.

Xiang Wanyi emerged from Bai Fanlu’s body, just in time to witness this action.

“Master Lu, I’m curious about something. May I ask?”

Bai Fanlu was dusting off his hands. Now that the bridge was clean, he found it much more pleasing to the eye.

“What is it? Just ask. Also, don’t call me ‘Master Lu’ anymore. Just call me Lu Fan.”

“Very well, Lu Fan,” Xiang Wanyi smiled gently, “Are you an immortal? I sensed it from your aura earlier.”

“Yes, what of it?” Bai Fanlu asked, wondering if his celestial energy had made Xiang Wanyi uncomfortable.

As Xiang Wanyi stepped away from Bai Fanlu, he gradually reverted to his more ethereal, ghostly form. The earlier faint smile was barely visible, but Bai Fanlu could sense his peaceful expression because of the comfortable atmosphere around him.

This must be what they call “being bathed in the spring breeze.”

It was strange. Even though Xiang Wanyi had fallen into the demonic path, he still exuded an inexplicable sense of serenity.

Xiang Wanyi continued, “You know my identity, yet you still chose to help me. In the past, the other immortals who came here were nothing like you, so I was a bit surprised.”

Bai Fanlu chuckled. Were they both surprised by each other?

One was a demon who didn’t act like a demon, and the other was an immortal who didn’t act like an immortal. No wonder they found each other so similar.

Suddenly, Bai Fanlu thought of Xiao Liu and his remarks about the lack of difference between immortals and demons. It seemed that the boy had a clearer understanding than he did.

“You’re the one who surprises me. You’re a demon, yet you’re constantly thinking about how to sacrifice yourself for others.”

“Lu Fan…” Xiang Wanyi heard the concern in Bai Fanlu’s voice.

Bai Fanlu sighed and said seriously, “You only have one year left. Do you really intend to just let things go on like this?”

Xiang Wanyi was silent for a moment. “When I spoke with Lanshan earlier, he asked me the same question. I didn’t want to tell him these things at first, but I realized you were right.”

“For those we cherish, sometimes a well-intentioned lie is like drinking poison to quench thirst. Instead of leaving without a word in the future, it’s better to cherish the present and leave no regrets.”

Bai Fanlu had guessed correctly—Xiang Wanyi had taken his advice and had honestly told Shen Lanshan that he didn’t have much time left and that there would be no next life.

In the original story, Yun Zhan didn’t let Xiang Wanyi do this, and the original protagonist didn’t intervene either. But when Bai Fanlu read the novel, he felt that if you truly care about someone, you shouldn’t deceive them, especially when it concerns life and death.

Although it might seem cruel, Bai Fanlu believed that if you truly cared about someone and that person reciprocated with sincerity, you should be honest with them, regardless of whether it concerned life or death.

The decision-making power lies with the other person, while the right to speak lies with oneself.

Conversely, if someone were to deceive him and claim it was for his own good, he might not be so quick to forgive them.

Bai Fanlu had never been in a romantic relationship, but he imagined it should be like this. After all, who doesn’t have a bit of idealism? As for reality, he’d deal with it when it came.

The two sat silently by the creek for a while longer until Xiang Wanyi reminded him, “It’s getting late. You should go back.”

Only then did Bai Fanlu stand up. Being with Xiang Wanyi felt like being with an old friend, and he had completely lost track of time.

“There has to be a way. Don’t give up.”

Bai Fanlu didn’t know why he said that. He hadn’t thought of a specific solution, but he believed that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Nothing is absolutely unsolvable.

But Xiang Wanyi shook his head, smiling peacefully. “I thought I would spend this year in loneliness, but thanks to your help, I can spend my remaining time with Lanshan. I’m already more than content. I dare not hope for more.”

As Bai Fanlu walked away, he looked back at the figure by the bridge, feeling a heavy weight on his heart.

The next day, as Bai Fanlu was preparing to leave and bid farewell to the Shen family, a servant reported that the master was already waiting for him and that a young man had come knocking early in the morning, specifically asking for Master Lu Fan.

Bai Fanlu was puzzled about who could have tracked him down here, but when the servant mentioned the name “Lu Fan,” he immediately had a strong suspicion.

Sure enough, as soon as he stepped out of the inner courtyard, he saw a young man eagerly waiting at the entrance, with a small white monkey on his shoulder.

As soon as Xiao Liu spotted Bai Fanlu, he excitedly called out and waved.

“Immortal brother, I finally caught up to you!”

Bai Fanlu was dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected Xiao Liu to be so determined. Judging by the dark circles under his eyes, the boy had probably traveled all night without sleep.

“How did you find me?”

“Of course, it was Zizi!”

So is this a monkey’s nose or a dog’s nose?

Bai Fanlu shot a look at the little white monkey, which responded by puffing out its cheeks and making a funny face at him before quietly squeaking as if in apology.

Bai Fanlu sighed deeply. “Fine.”

There was nothing he could do. He decided to bid farewell to the Shen family first before dealing with the persistent youth.

In the main hall, Master Shen and Shen Lanshan were already waiting for him. After a night of rest, Shen Lanshan looked slightly better.

Besides the prepared tea, the table was also neatly arranged with silver ingots and fine silk.

“Not knowing how to properly thank you, we can only offer these humble gifts. I hope you will not take offense.”

Bai Fanlu had expected Master Shen to offer him a reward, and his original intention was indeed to accept compensation. But his goal

 wasn’t these items.

Since the host was sincere, Bai Fanlu didn’t bother with formalities and said directly, “These are unnecessary, but there is something else I would like to request from Master Shen.”

“Please, speak freely.”

“To be honest, I am in urgent need of a horse for travel. I wonder if…” Bai Fanlu paused.

Master Shen hadn’t expected him to ask for something as simple as a horse. Though surprised, he immediately agreed, “That’s easy! A horse is no trouble at all. I have several fine horses here. You may choose whichever you like.”

Bai Fanlu was about to express his gratitude when Xiao Liu suddenly tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “Immortal brother, what do you need a horse for?”

What else would I do with it? Of course, to ride.

Bai Fanlu replied, “I’ll explain outside.”

In the end, Bai Fanlu chose a chestnut horse. Before leaving, he specifically said goodbye to Shen Lanshan, reminding him to keep the longevity lock close.

Shen Lanshan agreed politely in front of Master Shen. Bai Fanlu thought there was nothing more to say and turned to leave, but he had barely taken a few steps when Shen Lanshan suddenly caught up, shaking off the servants who followed him.

“Master Lu, if there is any way to save him, I will do it, even at the cost of my life!”

He spoke earnestly, his words concise, but the emotion in his eyes was intense. The moment he finished speaking, he began coughing violently again, his emotions overwhelming him. Only when the servants rushed to support him did he reluctantly turn back, still repeating, “Please… please…”

The deep, sorrowful emotions in Shen Lanshan’s sunken eyes were so intense that Bai Fanlu felt a chill in his own.

“I’ll think of a way. Don’t worry, and take care of yourself.”

This wasn’t the same as last night’s “There must be a way.” This time, it was “I’ll think of a way.”

Bai Fanlu didn’t know why he made such an uncertain promise. Originally, he had only intended to deal with this situation to secure a horse.

But ever since meeting Xiang Wanyi in person, Bai Fanlu had felt that he couldn’t just stand by and watch such a gentle, beautiful person be denied even the chance of reincarnation.

And now, this feeling had solidified into a decision.

As he made his decision, the system’s voice echoed in his mind:

“Side mission ‘Good Ending for the Good-Hearted’ unlocked. Mission objective: Help Xiang Wanyi enter reincarnation.”

“Mission reward: ‘Reader’s Imagination’ fragments ×5. Unlock hidden events for additional rewards.”

“Mission hint: By the Yellow Springs, drink Meng Po’s soup. Life is death, and death is life.”

“Immortal brother, what method are you going to use? I’ll help you think of one!” Xiao Liu’s voice interrupted Bai Fanlu’s thoughts.

Feeling heavy-hearted, Bai Fanlu didn’t want to engage with him. He led the horse out of town, planning to buy some supplies along the way. But he suddenly noticed a small pouch hanging around the horse’s neck. Inside were several silver ingots.

Bai Fanlu realized that Master Shen had secretly placed the silver there when he had refused to accept it earlier.

Since that was the case, he decided to keep it. The long journey ahead required funds, so this would save him the trouble of finding ways to earn money.

After securing the money in his pouch and gathering travel essentials, Bai Fanlu had already left the town and was about to mount his horse when he noticed Xiao Liu still following him, determined as ever.

Bai Fanlu couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you so determined to come with me?”

Xiao Liu looked up at the sky. “A man’s ambition knows no bounds. I want to travel the world like you, immortal brother, helping others.”

This “A man’s ambition knows no bounds” phrase struck a chord with Bai Fanlu. He had said something similar himself once.

Oh, that’s right. He had said it to Yun Zhan.

“I’m not traveling to help others; I have important matters to attend to.”

“Then I promise I won’t get in your way.” Xiao Liu raised his hand in a vow.

Bai Fanlu, feeling defeated, said nothing and mounted his horse. But Xiao Liu unexpectedly started running after him, quickly becoming short of breath.

Unable to bear it any longer, Bai Fanlu stopped.

“To be honest, I was ambushed by that thief the night before last, and my spiritual power is damaged. If you come with me, I might not be able to protect you, and you might not learn anything.”

“What?!” Xiao Liu exclaimed, panting heavily, then caught his breath and placed his hands on his hips, speaking with great seriousness. “Then I must protect you even more!”

“…” Bai Fanlu was speechless, feeling a headache coming on. “Let me put it this way: the place I need to go is several thousand miles from here. Normally, I could use a spell and arrive in half a day, but now I have to rely on walking. It might take me years to get there, so you see—”

Bai Fanlu patted the chestnut horse beneath him. “That’s why I specifically asked for this horse. But even with the horse, it will take me a very long time to get there. Why waste your time coming with me?”

“Ah?” Xiao Liu suddenly widened his eyes.

Bai Fanlu thought he had finally succeeded in scaring the boy off. He had exaggerated the situation to make the reckless youth reconsider, and it seemed to be working.

But instead of responding loudly as before, Xiao Liu now looked as if he had just had an epiphany.

“Immortal brother, why didn’t you say so earlier? I have a way! It’s definitely better than that skinny little horse.”

Skinny? This horse is perfectly strong! Bai Fanlu thought. He must be bluffing. What way could he possibly have? Could he build a plane in this era?

But then Xiao Liu pulled out a jade leaf from inside his collar and brought it to his lips. A long, clear whistle echoed through the sky.

Before Bai Fanlu could figure out what was happening, he saw a black dot appear on the horizon, where the sky met the wildlands.

The black dot grew larger at an incredible speed, and as it drew closer, Bai Fanlu could see the outline of a magnificent, pitch-black horse with white hooves, galloping toward them with a loud neigh.

The system’s beeping sounded again.

“Congratulations on unlocking the hidden event ‘Spring Breeze at My Heels.’ Reward: ‘Divine Steed: Snow Beyond the Mountains,’ ‘Reader’s Imagination’ fragments ×3.”