Chapter 517: 524: Relationship Runs Deep

“Peach Blossom Valley is said to be created by a martial arts ancestor adept in mechanism arts. As a retreat from the world, outsiders are not allowed to enter. The valley is filled with arrays and mechanisms, and over the years many people from Jianghu have attempted to intrude but never returned. Peach Blossom Valley has thus become increasingly mysterious in the eyes of Jianghu People, and while it’s very famous in Jianghu, it’s also a taboo, with no one daring to trespass. And the information my subordinates have obtained is that Madam is currently within Peach Blossom Valley.”

Zhai Li hadn’t expected to uncover such a result. Although the Sikong Family wielded great power in the Imperial Court, they seldom had any entanglements with people from Jianghu. Yet now, Sikong Ling had brought Su Wenyue into Peach Blossom Valley and even assumed the posture of a host.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Is Peach Blossom Valley really that formidable?” Han Yu’s eyebrows knit slightly, yet he didn’t show any fear, only assessing the true level of danger presented by Peach Blossom Valley.

“It’s more than formidable. In fact, the Zhai Family once sent experts to Peach Blossom Valley to investigate due to certain reasons. However, every group that went there never returned. We just don’t know what relation Sikong Ling has with Peach Blossom Valley, to actually be able to bring Madam into it. Could it be that Sikong Ling is the inheritor of Peach Blossom Valley?” Zhai Li voiced his speculation, his expression growing more grave.

“No matter whether Sikong Ling is Peach Blossom Valley’s inheritor or not, since he can stay in Peach Blossom Valley with Lady Yue and even allow doctors to enter, he must have a deep connection with it. It’s very possible that Peach Blossom Valley is the Sikong Family’s contingency plan for the family, no wonder Sikong Ling dares to act so boldly. I previously thought the Sikong Family was fearless due to their great power, but it turns out they had already prepared an escape route,” Han Yu said thoughtfully, as some of his previous doubts became clear.

Han Yu and Zhai Li’s guesses weren’t wrong. Peach Blossom Valley indeed served as a retreat prepared by the Sikong Family as a background measure, but this route had always been controlled by the successive heads of the Sikong Family. Even Sikong Ling’s father was unaware of this secret, and had it not been for Su Wenyue, Sikong Ling truly did not intend to expose this secret. Of course, so far, only Han Yu knew about it.

“With Sikong Ling spending so much effort to summon renowned doctors and seeking the whereabouts of the Divine Doctor, how is Madam’s condition now?” This was actually the issue Han Yu was most concerned about, and only now did he voice it, holding a trace of fear in his heart, afraid of hearing bad news. There had been a time when Han Yu would have also chosen to avoid.

“Madam’s condition isn’t good. She has fallen into a coma and hasn’t woken up. Recently, there are signs of deterioration, which is why Sikong Ling is so urgently searching for the Divine Doctor, sparing no expense.”

After hearing Zhai Li’s words, Han Yu fell into another silence. The news had both good and bad aspects. Naturally, Han Yu wished for nothing to happen to his daughter-in-law, but if her condition was normal, there wouldn’t be a chance to rescue her. As for Sikong Ling, even though Han Yu was confident, he wasn’t delusional. A place like Peach Blossom Valley, without certain knowledge, would definitely be a one-way trip.

Zhai Li knew Han Yu was worried about Su Wenyue and seeing that Han Yu didn’t speak for a long time, he added, “Master, rest assured, although Madam is not in great condition, there’s no immediate danger for the time being. I’ve already made contact with the Divine Doctor, who will arrive in a few days.”

At that moment, Han Yu already had a plan in mind. Since Sikong Ling was searching everywhere for the Divine Doctor, using the Zhai Family’s connection with the Divine Doctor, they might find a way to infiltrate Peach Blossom Valley. It’s likely that even Sikong Ling would never anticipate their collusion with the Divine Doctor. Sikong Ling was only aware of the Divine Doctor’s relationship with the Zhai Family, not knowing that Zhai Li was its descendant.

So far, this was the only strategy Han Yu could think of. If this didn’t work, then he would have to force his way in. Regardless, Han Yu would not let other men take away his daughter-in-law.

However, events unfolded beyond Han Yu’s expectations. Before the Divine Doctor arrived, he suddenly received an invitation from Sikong Ling to enter Peach Blossom Valley.

This was unexpected yet also anticipated, leaving Han Yu unsure how to describe his feelings at that moment. Before, Sikong Ling had shown no intention of returning Su Wenyue to him. Inviting him to Peach Blossom Valley now, he feared Su Wenyue’s condition had turned pessimistic, hence his desire for Han Yu to come, perhaps in hopes he could awaken her.

Previously, Han Yu had no way to enter Peach Blossom Valley, but now that he had received Sikong Ling’s invitation and permission, he didn’t hesitate for a moment and immediately set off to Peach Blossom Valley with his men. Upon arriving at the entrance, they were stopped by a young boy: “Nobody unrelated may enter Peach Blossom Valley, or they will be killed without exception!”

For a place like Peach Blossom Valley to establish such rules was normal. Han Yu had no objections and decided to only bring Zhai Li inside. Whether Sikong Ling had instructed them or not, this time the young boy raised no further objections.

Entering Peach Blossom Valley, Han Yu and Zhai Li felt even more that its reputation was well-deserved. All along the way, they observed their surroundings carefully. Although everything seemed stable and normal, dangers were hidden everywhere. If not for the young boy leading the way, they couldn’t be sure if they would be able to safely enter the valley.

The news of Han Yu’s arrival was quickly known to Sikong Ling.

“You have come,” Sikong Ling said upon seeing Han Yu brought in by the young boy, showing no pleasant expression. If not for Su Wenyue’s condition being so critical, why would he resort to such a measure as inviting Han Yu here? In the end, he wasn’t ruthless enough, unable to disregard Su Wenyue’s safety, even if it meant facing loss. Being alive is better than leaving forever, after all. At the very least, he could still watch from afar. And what did it matter if he informed Han Yu? It wouldn’t be easy to take someone out of Peach Blossom Valley!

“Let’s not mince words. You surely understand why you’ve been called here,” Sikong Ling said, certain of his words as he was well aware of Han Yu’s moves outside.

Han Yu didn’t care about Sikong Ling’s attitude, suppressing the excitement in his heart: “I understand and, regardless, I want to thank you.”

“Psh, who needs your thanks? A man who can’t even protect his own wife, what’s the use of all his abilities? If it weren’t for Lady Yue being in this state, do you think you would still have the chance to see her?” Sikong Ling grew increasingly irritable, probably feeling his own frustrations—unable to have the one he desired, who was treated so carelessly by another.

Han Yu didn’t offer any explanations to Sikong Ling. Firstly, he did feel responsible; if he hadn’t failed to protect her, his daughter-in-law wouldn’t have suffered this way. Moreover, although Sikong Ling had saved his daughter-in-law, he was nobody to her. Han Yu was grateful but felt no need to justify anything.

“Where is Lady Yue? I want to see her!” Han Yu had reached his limit in patience, his voice trembling slightly at the thought of the person he was about to see.

Sikong Ling got even more displeased but since Han Yu was already here, there was no need to delay. It was pointless. He waved his hand, ordering someone to lead Han Yu to Su Wenyue’s room. As for himself, he chose not to witness that heartbreaking scene.