Bai Yunxi hesitated. Su Kang had left without a word, and she still didn't know how he had managed to find her mother.
He had truly erased one of her deepest regrets. It was, without question, the most precious gift she had ever received.
"Mother, you've heard of Liyun City, right? His family rules over it. He's the young master of the Su clan," Bai Yunxi said softly, her tone heavy with unspoken meaning.
Her mother's brows furrowed at this. Liyun City was the second most prominent city in the entire Qingun Region.
How had her daughter become entangled with someone from a family like that?
"His name is Su Kang," Bai Yunxi said softly, finally deciding to tell her mother everything.
She began to recount her relationship with Su Kang, from the beginning to now.
Her mother listened quietly, her expression growing more complicated with each word. Then her voice turned sharp.
"You never told him about Li Xiao?"
Bai Yunxi shook her head.
Her mother's voice grew colder, tinged with anger and regret.
"Li Xiao chased after you for months, and still couldn't win your heart. You only accepted the marriage because our Bai clan needed the alliance. The Qin family was becoming far too oppressive."
Her eyes darkened.
"Then you got pregnant too soon—right in the prime of your cultivation. And that man, instead of staying by your side, ran off to the Hundred Beasts Mountain despite our pleas."
She paused, her voice trembling slightly.
"Your father was eaten by beasts because of the Li family's enemies. Someone in their clan even poisoned you, ruining your path of cultivation."
Her fists clenched in her lap as she mocked herself with bitter eyes.
"We thought the Qin family was dangerous… but the Li family was worse."
Her voice faltered, and her eyes became wet with unspoken grief.
"If only I'd supported your father when he wanted to send you to Qingyun Sect—even if it meant going against the family elders… then none of this would have happened."
"Your father would still be alive. We would have seen your Foundation Building Ceremony. He would have been...."
She stopped, her voice breaking.
Bai Yunxi lowered her head, tears pooling in her eyes as she thought of her father. Her shoulders trembled.
Her mother calmed her emotions before gently asking, "Xi'er, do you like Su Kang or not?"
Bai Yunxi met her mother's gaze, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Her thoughts drifted to Su Kang—the man who had quietly stood by her side.
The one who helped her son rise to fame as a genius of Jiang State.
The one who didn't just speak of making her happy but proved it through his actions.
She remembered sitting with him under the vast sky, listening to his adventurous tales, laughing at his jokes, and feeling a rare peace in his presence.
"Mother… I… I—him…" she faltered.
Her mother smiled knowingly, having long understood her daughter's heart. "You wouldn't hesitate like this if you felt nothing."
Bai Yunxi lowered her gaze, uncertain.
"Xi'er," her mother said softly, brushing her fingers across her daughter's cheek.
"I won't be around much longer. But you must become a Foundation Building cultivator. Remember the dreams we had for you."
"You must learn to soar on your own. Once you break through, your lifespan will increase by another hundred years."
"I don't want my daughter to spend her life bound by regret—and neither would your father. You've already sacrificed so much for us."
"Forget society and what people might say. In the world of cultivation, even a hundred-year-old man can marry a thirty-year-old woman. This is normal."
"And don't worry about Li Fang. He's your flesh and blood. You raised him alone. He's seen your struggles firsthand. Do you really think your own child would hate you for finding happiness again?"
She gently caressed Bai Yunxi's head, her voice full of warmth.
"My child, think deeply. Do you believe Su Kang would do anything to make you smile? Do you want to spend your days beside him?
"Mother, don't worry. I understand."
Bai Yunxi exhaled softly, a gentle smile on her lips, her eyes now clear and resolute.
Her mother nodded at her expression, feeling a wave of relief settle in her heart.
Bai Yunxi had spent the entire day waiting for Su Kang. Her mind, usually calm, was restless and filled with unease.
The sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting a golden-orange hue across the quiet village.
The warm evening breeze brushed through the bamboo leaves, but it brought her no comfort.
Thoughts churned within her.
Did I say something to upset him?
Did I push him away without realizing it?
Or worse… did something happen to him?
She sat among the children in the bamboo hut, their laughter distant, her thoughts too restless to anchor.
A sharp knock at the door jolted her.
She shot to her feet, heart pounding. Hope surged in her chest as she rushed to the door.
Su Kang stood there, his familiar calm smile instantly easing the tightness in her chest. Relief flooded her.
"You're back," she said, her voice carrying a restrained emotion. But worry resurfaced, sharpening her tone.
"Why did you leave like that? Not even a word..."
"I had something to retrieve," Su Kang replied evenly, stepping inside. His dark eyes met hers with steady assurance.
"It was quite far from here."
With care, he unwrapped the bundle in his arms—a cloth of pure white, folded around something carefully protected.
Bai Yunxi's brows furrowed. "What is this?" she asked softly.
Su Kang returned the bow with equal respect.
"Madam An," he said gently. "There's no need for such formality. Just call me Su Kang."
Su Kang's voice dropped, quiet but solemn.
"Your father's remains."
"Only a single left hand bone survived."
Her breath caught. A tremble ran through her.
She stood still, utterly silent as tears welled in her eyes. She didn't doubt him—not even for a second.
"My Xi'er is the best… I want you to soar through the skies freely. That's my dream—watching you fly, cheering from below."
Her father's voice echoed in her memory.
He was never able to see her fly.
She had long accepted his death, but seeing the remains—tore open wounds. The weight of his absence became unbearable once more.
Without a word, she turned and hurried out to find her mother.
Moments later, Bai Yunxi returned with Madam An. The older woman's steps faltered when she saw what Su Kang held.
He stepped forward and gently offered her the bundle, his hands respectful, his expression somber.
Madam An's hands trembled as she received it, cradling the cloth as though it held her entire world.
Tears slid down her face—silent, raw, and piercing.
Understanding the sanctity of this moment, Su Kang turned and stepped outside with the children, giving them their space.
Outside, the children lingered, eyes wide with curiosity. Before they could speak, Old Man He appeared, face flustered and panicked.
"Go! Go somewhere else!" he muttered, waving them away like chickens. Though Su Kang hadn't spoken a word, the old man dared not let the kids bother him.
Some time later, Bai Yunxi stepped out and called for Su Kang to return.
Inside, her mother was composed now. She stood with the help of her daughter to greet him and bowed deeply.
"Young Master Su," she said, her voice steady but overflowing with gratitude.
"My daughter has told me everything. You've done more for us than I could ever repay. Please, call me Madam An."
Su Kang returned the bow with equal respect, his expression calm and sincere.
"Madam An," he replied softly, "there's no need for such formality. Just call me Su Kang."
His words carried genuine regard. That simple gesture—offering her the respect due to an elder—softened the last traces of unease that lingered in the room.
A faint smile rose on Madam An's lips.
This young man had returned her husband's remains, giving her something—for her husband's proper burial.
Bai Yunxi stood beside her, quietly watching. She believed Su Kang must have used some profound technique to locate her father's remains.
And now, looking at her mother's peaceful expression, a gentle warmth bloomed in her chest.
The three of them sat for a while, sipping tea in soft conversation.
Madam An spoke of her late husband—memories filled with both sorrow and love. She spoke of their struggles,their sacrifice, and the years spent trying to fulfill their dreams.
She glanced at her daughter, then turned to Su Kang, her voice tinged with concern.
"Her meridians are open," she said quietly. "But her realm hasn't advanced in years. I fear she's… stuck."
Her fingers tightened around the cup. "All our efforts… they might go to waste."
Su Kang's voice remained calm and unwavering.
"She will become a Foundation Building cultivator," he said, meeting Madam An's gaze with quiet confidence.
Madam An's eyes shimmered, though this time the tears weren't born of sorrow.
"It was her father's dream," she whispered. "He was the one who named her… Yunxi."
Her voice quivered with emotion.
"He always said he wanted to see her rise—like clouds drifting high, radiant and free. That was all he ever wished for."
Su Kang bowed his head slightly, his tone solemn.
"Then I'll carry that dream for him," Su Kang said gently.
"I promise you—she will soar like radiant clouds bathed in sunlight."