Chapter Fifty: Farewell to the Arrogant Woman-Eu só aceitei discípulos por acaso, como eles se tornaram Grandes Imperadores?(Espalhadas como estrelas sobre o rio inteiro.)

“It grows deep within the spiritual veins of the southwestern mountains, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon for a thousand years before it takes form.”

“The vitality it contains is extraordinarily pure, possessing unique healing properties for all manner of stubborn ailments, especially severe illnesses like your senior brother Zhao’s mother’s.”

“However, due to its harsh growing conditions, rarity, and the great difficulty in harvesting it, this herb is incredibly precious.”

Ximen Feixue nodded, half understanding.

“So that’s why so many people are searching for it.”

After a brief rest, Ye Xinghe led Ximen Feixue further into the mountains.

Not long after entering the forest, they heard a commotion ahead.

Following the sound cautiously, they saw a group blocking a man who looked like a hunter on a narrow mountain path. At the forefront was Lu Qianqiu.

Lu Qianqiu’s face was full of arrogance, and her henchmen looked fierce and menacing.

The hunter trembled with fear, nearly dropping his bow.

Lu Qianqiu shouted harshly, “You rustic mountain bumpkin, have you ever seen the Ancient Fallen Leaf in these mountains? Tell me now! If I catch even a hint of deception, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

The hunter replied nervously, “M-my lady, I only hunt here to make a living. I’ve never seen anything called Ancient Fallen Leaf.”

Lu Qianqiu’s expression darkened. Angrily, she said, “You dare lie to me? I’ve been searching these mountains for days without a trace. You’ve lived here all year—how could you never have seen it? Search him—he might have secretly gathered some!”

The henchmen surged forward, pinning the hunter to the ground and groping him roughly.

The hunter struggled desperately, begging, “I truly have none, please spare me.”

Ximen Feixue was furious at the injustice. “Master, how can they treat people like this?”

Ye Xinghe gently pulled him back, whispering, “Don’t act rashly yet. Let’s observe first. Lu Qianqiu is no good. If we move too hastily, we might scare others away.”

After a thorough search, they found no Ancient Fallen Leaf on the hunter.

Lu Qianqiu’s eyes blazed. She cracked her long whip twice in the air, striking the ground beside the hunter with a sharp crack, sending up a cloud of dust.

The hunter collapsed in terror.

One of Lu Qianqiu’s men trembled as he spoke, “Miss, Lord Huangfu’s birthday is approaching. You know his injuries remain unhealed. We came to find the Ancient Fallen Leaf hoping its miraculous power might restore him.”

“If we fail, his condition will not improve. If he becomes displeased, he might cancel your engagement with Young Master Huangfu.”

Lu Qianqiu’s anxiety was palpable. The Lu family’s current standing relied heavily on the Huangfu clan’s prestige. She shouted at her men, “You useless lot! You can’t even find a single Ancient Fallen Leaf. What good are you?”

Hearing this, Ximen Feixue and Ye Xinghe suddenly understood why Lu Qianqiu was so desperate to search the southwestern mountains.

Ximen Feixue whispered, “Master, so she’s fighting so hard for the sake of her engagement with the Huangfu family. But her reckless actions are too much.”

Ye Xinghe nodded slightly.

“This engagement involves many interests. Naturally, Lu Qianqiu won’t slack off. But her ruthless methods will only invite greater trouble in time.”

Having scolded her men, Lu Qianqiu turned her gaze back to the hunter.

“You old man, though you don’t have the Ancient Fallen Leaf, you must know something. Tell me—where else in these mountains might it grow? If you provide useful information, I’ll spare your life and reward you handsomely.”

The hunter trembled, looking up. “Miss, I really only hunt around here. I know nothing of where the Ancient Fallen Leaf grows. The southwestern mountains are vast—I dare not venture into the dangerous parts.”

Frustrated at gaining no useful information, Lu Qianqiu frowned and, after a moment’s thought, ordered her men, “Keep searching deeper into the mountains. Don’t leave a corner unturned. I refuse to believe this Ancient Fallen Leaf has vanished into thin air.”

With that, she led her men further along the mountain path, gradually disappearing from Ye Xinghe and Ximen Feixue’s sight.

Watching Lu Qianqiu’s arrogant, overbearing figure retreating, a fiery anger burned within Ximen Feixue. Unable to restrain himself, he bent down and picked up a stone from the ground.

With a swift motion of his arm, he hurled the stone toward the horse Lu Qianqiu was riding.

The horse was strolling leisurely when the stone struck its hindquarters sharply. Startled by the pain, it let out a loud neigh and reared up on its front legs.

Caught completely off guard, Lu Qianqiu was jolted. She grasped the reins tightly, struggling to regain her balance, but the spooked horse went wild, bucking wildly on the narrow path.

“Huff! Huff!” Lu Qianqiu shouted loudly, but the horse ignored her commands, darting left and right along the rugged trail.

Her men were stunned, rushing over to help control the horse, but afraid of being kicked, they could only fret helplessly nearby.

The horse’s madness only worsened as it bolted forward.

The path was rough and uneven, dotted with protruding stones and pits.

After a violent jolt, Lu Qianqiu could no longer hold on. Her body was thrown off like a dark shadow, plunging straight into a muddy pool by the roadside.

“Splash!” There was a loud thud as she fell headfirst into the mire.

The mud pit was thick with sludge and filthy water, emitting a foul stench.

Her entire body was submerged, leaving only her head above the surface, her face and hair smeared with black mud. Her once arrogant demeanor had vanished, replaced by utter humiliation.

“Miss!” Her men hurried over, trying desperately to pull her out.

But the mud’s suction was strong. After great effort, they managed to pull her halfway free.

Gasping heavily, Lu Qianqiu spat out muddy water continuously.

“Which bastard did this? Find them for me!” she screamed hoarsely.

Frantically, she rubbed at her body to clean the mud, but only smudged herself more.

From a distance, Ximen Feixue couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

In his mind, he gloated: Let you be arrogant—this is what happens when you bully others.

Ye Xinghe shook his head in resignation beside him. Though he thought Ximen Feixue’s act was reckless, seeing Lu Qianqiu in such a sorry state, he felt she deserved it.

After all, Ximen Feixue had suffered much at her hands before.