Transmigrated into a Waste Who Married the Villain.

Chapter 64: Leaving the Mountain

“Go ahead and leave,” the Sect Master suddenly stated.

Luo Jinxiao didn't immediately respond, looking up at the Sect Master in a daze.

“I asked you to stay to help me watch over Zhao Zhao, but now that she is gone, your presence here serves no purpose,” the Sect Master said, shaking her head as she slowly stood up.

Luo Jinxiao realized she was speaking the truth, and a surge of wild joy filled her heart. However, that joy was swiftly followed by a wave of guilt.

It seemed the Sect Master could read her thoughts, and she spoke softly, “You don’t need to overthink it.”

After a moment of hesitation, Luo Jinxiao asked, “Since Zhao Zhao has already departed, why don’t you come down the mountain with me and leave this place?”

“Staying here is no different for me. It’s a solitary existence day after day, and I bear it as penance; it helps to ease my heart,” the Sect Master replied.

Penance? Luo Jinxiao had never heard her mention this before, rendering her momentarily speechless.

“To atone to Zhao Zhao, if I hadn’t been consumed by my own sorrow and preoccupation with the world, she would not have died,” the Sect Master’s voice was filled with a sudden, unfocused sadness.

Seeing Luo Jinxiao’s expression shift in sync with her own grief, the Sect Master unexpectedly smiled again. “It’s all in the past; there’s no need to dwell on it. Since you will be leaving the mountain, you can travel and help me retrieve an item.”

“What item?” Luo Jinxiao straightened up, intrigued.

“Don’t be alarmed. It’s merely an old item that I’ve been thinking about for a long time.” The Sect Master pulled out a piece of yellowed silk cloth from her sleeve and placed it in Luo Jinxiao's hand.

“Don’t let anyone know that I’ve entrusted you with this. There’s a clue on this cloth. The barrier has been broken, so gather your things and leave around noon.”

After the Sect Master finished speaking, she closed her amber-colored eyes, not giving Luo Jinxiao another opportunity to speak.

Holding the silk cloth, the thought of whatever she needed to find giving her a chance to see Qu Weiyin back filled Luo Jinxiao with an indescribable joy—an emotion she hadn’t felt during her five years on South Dipper Peak.

However, the Sect Master also worried her. Luo Jinxiao looked back at her once more but said nothing, turning to leave.

Behind her, a tear escaped the Sect Master’s eye. She opened her gaze, watching Luo Jinxiao depart.

“Zhao Zhao, I still can’t let go. I can’t ignore it all.”

Luo Jinxiao took nothing with her, except for a well-fed Qiongqi, who waddled along in the snow as they reached the edge of the barrier.

As she gazed at the path down the mountain, empty and lonely, her heart swelled with excitement.

Footsteps approached from behind, and when she turned around, she saw the Sect Master draped in a snow-white cloak, standing solemnly in the snow. The wind caused her silver hair to dance, and the bright sunlight made it almost transparent, resembling an ethereal dream.

“Sect Master!” Luo Jinxiao called out, recognizing that after spending five years together, she felt a pang of reluctance to part ways.

“Be careful on the road; I don’t want to have to come to your rescue again.”

“Miss Luo, don’t forget to come back and visit,” the elderly woman trembled as she spoke.

Luo Jinxiao felt her nose tingle with emotion. She glanced at the narrow, winding path ahead and then back at the Sect Master, her heart a mingling of feelings. After a moment, she suddenly extended her hand, tentatively reaching toward the Sect Master.