Chapter 346 - 286, Dongjia
Quwu Mountain, an eastern extension of the Qilian Mountain Range, has long been a place of strategic contention for military forces.
Standing on the main peak, South Valley Peak, one can overlook the entirety of Guyuan City.
On this mountain summit lies a small, unmarked grave, in front of which stands a tombstone devoid of inscriptions.
Beneath the dazzling starlight, a woman dressed in black, her face veiled under a hat with a thin gauzy curtain, concealed her features.
She was holding a cloth, bending over to wipe the tombstone while murmuring softly, "Over all these years, I’ve never dared to return to Guyuan. It’s not that I fear facing you, but that I dread what changes might await. So I hoped Guyuan would forget both you and me—that might’ve been for the best."
The woman softly continued, "But did you see? The sky we once gazed upon twenty years ago in Guyuan remains the same, unchanged as now when I lift my head; people haven’t changed either. I will visit you often from now on. Once I’ve completed my final task, I’ll stay here with you."
At this moment, footsteps echoed from the mountain below as Third Master Hu ascended under the cover of night, carrying a severed head. Upon reaching the grave, he carefully placed the head before the tombstone. After backing up two steps, he gave a deep bow. "General, I’ve brought Yuan Zhen to you."
Not far away, Xiao Wu stood holding a food box, nervously waiting.
Third Master Hu turned and glared at him. "What are you waiting for, stunned like that?"
"Ah!" Xiao Wu hurriedly stepped closer, first cupping his hands toward the woman in black to salute, and respectfully addressed her as "Proprietress." Only then did he begin setting out the food box’s contents—roast chicken, buns, oranges, and rice wine—before the grave.
Still wiping the tombstone, the woman in black asked softly, "Old Second is gone?"