After Bai Luochu and Pei Rumo met up with the soldiers, she immediately informed them, "Everyone, there is a sudden change in plans. Even though I’m sorry for suddenly transferring all of you out here from the borders of the Desolate Region, now is not the time to harp on this. We need to quickly consolidate our knowledge on the geography of the Desolate Region and the factions present.”

"Divine Physician Bai can relax. We understand the urgency of the matter." The leading soldier immediately made their stand clear.

Bai Luochu nodded and sent everyone out to their respective areas.

When Pei Rumo saw how Bai Luochu treated his soldiers, he snickered, "You’re behaving more and more like a military general…”

Bai Luochu raised her brows but she didn’t deny his ‘praise’. After all, she had grown significantly more mature.

Lu Wenshu became increasingly furious as he witnessed Pei Rumo and Bai Luochu’s intimate behavior. He thought of ways and means to rejoin the group. He might be clouded by emotions but his plan to regroup with Bai Luochu and Pei Rumo would allow his sect members to avoid detection for the time being. Of course, he didn’t wish for Bai Luochu to get too close to Pei Rumo.

But Lu Wenshu felt very surprised that he wasn't able to find an opportunity to get close to them. Every time he felt that there was an opening for him to approach them, Bai Luochu would suddenly change the topic or would up and leave the area she was scouting. Lu Wenshu wasn’t able to find a chance and he even suspected that she was doing it on purpose.

Of course, Bai Luochu was doing it on purpose. She already felt the presence of someone monitoring the both of them early in the day. Even though she knew that someone was following them, she never expected it to be Lu Wenshu. He was more like an annoying fly than a powerful cultivator… However, even though she didn’t know who it was, she knew that Lu Wenshu had been looking for a chance to rejoin the group. Whenever she felt that something was off, she would leave.

Lu Wenshu felt there was a breath stuck in his throat and he nearly choked to death.

Too bad Bai Luochu didn’t care about Lu Wenshu enough to be bothered with his life or death. She had better things to do and she didn’t have the time to bother about others.

"Your First Highness, we found something here!" A soldier discovered tracks on the ground and immediately yelled out.

Bai Luochu and Pei Rumo turned and walked towards the soldier that yelled the very next instant.

After scrutinizing the tracks on the ground, Bai Luochu turned to look at Pei Rumo in dismay. These were familiar tracks...

"What is your opinion on the matter?" Bai Luochu wasn't in a hurry to voice her opinion. Instead, she asked Pei Rumo for his thoughts on the matter.

"You’re right. I guess there is someone monitoring the Desolate Region after all..." Pei Rumo had a gloomy expression on his face and he fell deep in thought.

In fact, Bai Luochu had already formed an understanding about the truth behind the spies in the Desolate Region. She recognized the footprints and tracks on the ground. Looking at the wavy patterns of the sole-prints on the ground, coupled with the piece of cloth Pei Rumo’s soldiers obtained, Bai Luochu confirmed the guess in her heart. Lu Wenshu’s sect members...

"Alright. We shall move on to another spot tomorrow." Bai Luochu ignored Pei Rumo and she turned to look at a place devoid of human presence. A profound light flashed through her eyes.

When Bai Luochu turned his gaze onto him, Lu Wenshu nearly revealed himself as his mind shook. It was as though a gigantic sledgehammer slammed into his heart. Even though her appearance was different, the spirit was the same. The aura she emitted wouldn’t change either.

She still noticed me... Lu Wenshu shook his head silently in response. After thinking about it, he discovered that he was never able to hide himself from Bai Luochu.

Why is she looking at me? Is she waiting for an answer?

Lu Wenshu remained silent as the matter was related to his sect. He knew that there were only two answers to Bai Luochu’s question, ‘yes’ and ‘no’, but he didn’t know how to respond. On one hand, it was the love of his life. On the other, he had to face his sect. He felt that it was too difficult to make a choice.

By the time he was feeling tired, Lu Wenshu made his decision. Bai Luochu’s death was caused by his sect and they owed her far too much.

...

"The few of you will patrol the Desolate Region with me today. This will count as my proper apology." Lu Wenshu's juniors didn't know if they were getting the long end of the stick. With Lu Wenshu’s temperament, it was rare for him to give them an opportunity like this. However, they felt that they wouldn’t be able to reap any benefits by going with Lu Wenshu. In fact, he might even lash out at them for no good reason. They pulled long faces as they stared at him.

"What’s the matter? You don't wish to? If you don't wish to, return to the sect and explain your foolishness to the sect master!" Lu Wenshu threw out a bomb.

When his juniors heard him, their souls almost scattered in shock. No matter how temperamental Lu Wenshu was, he wouldn’t punish them. If they returned to the sect empty handed, it was going to be difficult to escape punishment. Moreover, their cultivation would probably stagnate for a period of time due to the punishment.

"We understand Senior Brother’s intentions and shall follow your instructions."

After realizing that his plan was half complete, Lu Wenshu went to the place pointed out by Bai Luochu the day before.

Maybe it was because he was down on his luck, or perhaps it was because Bai Luochu was intentionally avoiding him, Lu Wenshi encountered her only when the sun was about to set.

"Divine Physician Bai, such a coincidence!" Lu Wenshu's eyes lit up when he saw Bai Luochu. Are we finally going to have a good conversation?

Before the leaders of the two sides did anything, Lu Wenshu's juniors and Pei Rumo's soldiers drew their weapons as they faced each other.

Before Bai Luochu could clear the forest of doubt in her mind, the two parties almost broke out into an all-out brawl.