Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

On Lotus Peak, Zhou Qingfeng walked alone amidst the swirling snow.

His expression was calm, his steps steady, and he walked up the mountain unhurriedly. Lotus Peak seemed to be loosely guarded and unremarkable, with not even a single soldier in sight. In reality, it was a forbidden area of ​​the First Family.

If anyone else were to set foot here, they would likely be captured and killed on the spot in an instant.

This is neither alarmist nor Zhou Qingfeng's wild imagination.

Take the First Scripture Pavilion for example, where the two Elders Qingming guard the gate. These two are truly powerful cultivators with extraordinary abilities, their magical power radiating outwards and their bodies surrounded by yellow light, typical characteristics of a great cultivator in the Appetite Realm.

It was only because the two of them showed themselves that Zhou Qingfeng was able to detect their presence.

Not to mention that Lotus Peak also imprisons First Red Leaf, a key figure whose fate hinges on the future rise and fall of the Sword Tower. Where are her protectors? Where are her personal guards? And who is responsible for guarding First Red Leaf?

All of this is completely unknown, as if shrouded in mystery, impossible to see clearly.

As Zhou Qingfeng passed the lotus pond halfway up the mountain, he deliberately quickened his pace.

As expected, a voice called out: "Hey kid, you're here again."

Zhou Qingfeng paused, then faced the well in the center of the lotus pond and bowed respectfully: "Your younger brother Zhou Qingfeng greets Third Sister. Hello, Third Sister. Greetings..."

"Stop right there, you come here." First Red Leaf knew immediately that this kid was going to use the same trick again, so she didn't give Zhou Qingfeng a chance to refuse and directly told him to come over.

Zhou Qingfeng: "..."

He couldn't act as if he was deliberately getting close to First Red Leaf, lest she become wary and resistant, and suspect that he was sent by his mother. Otherwise, the task his mother had given him would be essentially a failure.

Moreover, the plan to arrange a meeting between the old cripple and the first red leaf will also fall through.

"Third Sister, what are your orders?" Zhou Qingfeng stepped into the lotus pond and stood in front of the Dragon-Prison Well.

Lotus Pond is built on the edge of a cliff, shrouded in mist and surrounded by craggy rocks. A waterfall cascades down the mountainside, like a silver river falling from the sky. Standing on Lotus Pond, one can see mountains and rivers, and birds circling overhead.

The Dragon-Prisoner Well in the Lotus Pond is surrounded by nine lotus-shaped stone platforms for people to walk through.

"Come closer, let me see your face," the voice from the well rang out again.

Zhou Qingfeng followed the instructions and bent down to look down into the well.

Suddenly, a red ribbon shot out from the well, tightly wrapped around his neck, and pulled him into the well. Zhou Qingfeng reacted quickly. Although he found that he could not mobilize any magic power in his body, he still quickly adjusted his body and landed at the bottom of the well in a steady and graceful manner.

As the red silk was quickly retracted, Zhou Qingfeng's gaze followed, finally landing on the end of a woman's hair, which transformed into a scarlet hair tie.

The woman wore a sleeveless red dress with a tattered hem. Her remaining clothing could only cover her chest, back, and buttocks. Her fair arms were tightly bound in shackles, and her long, slender legs, like white jade, knelt on the cold stone surface. Her delicate feet were also locked with anklets.

She knelt on a stone platform, her clothes tattered, her long black hair disheveled, and a flame-shaped mark between her brows. Her eyes, though full of affection, revealed an unapproachable coldness. Her face resembled that of the First Lady, but she possessed a sharper and more unyielding quality.

Upon meeting this woman, Zhou Qingfeng finally understood what it meant to be naturally beautiful and to be able to create a sense of broken art even when dressed in rags.

Zhou Qingfeng, standing three zhang away from her, asked, "Third Sister, what was your intention in pulling me into the well?"

First Red Leaf: "You're pretty good at running. If I pull you down, I can have a proper chat with you."

Zhou Qingfeng feigned helplessness: "Okay, let's talk."

As he spoke, Zhou Qingfeng looked up and surveyed his surroundings. Lines of red characters were carved on the stone wall. Upon closer inspection, it seemed that these were poems written in blood by the First Red Leaf.

First Red Leaf: "You seem very afraid of me, why do you avoid me like the plague?"

Zhou Qingfeng reached out and touched the blood-red characters on the stone wall, saying without turning his head, "Third Sister, you're just asking a question you already know the answer to."

"Your name is taboo in the Tower of Swords; anyone who mentions it publicly will suffer the consequences."

"Although I am loved and valued by my mother, I have a shallow foundation and weak background. I don't think it will benefit me to get involved in your affairs. In fact, I might get into big trouble if I'm not careful."

"I just don't want to cause trouble. It's not that I'm afraid of you, nor am I avoiding you like the plague."

"At most, I will keep my distance from you."

First Red Leaf scrutinized Zhou Qingfeng with sharp eyes and said, "You weren't sent by Mother?"

Zhou Qingfeng turned his head and glanced at her, chuckled, and spread his hands, saying, "Third sister, you're overthinking it. What use is it for Mother to send me here? I'm not familiar with you, and you won't listen to what I say. Strictly speaking, today is the first time we've met, and it wasn't my idea to come in; you dragged me in."

First Red Leaf paused slightly, then nodded and said, "That makes sense."

Zhou Qingfeng pointed to the well opening: "Can you let me go now? I have other things to do."

Upon hearing this, First Red Leaf did not want to let Zhou Qingfeng leave so easily. She was very lonely in the well, and no one talked to her all year round. The people who came to talk to her couldn't stop asking her to apologize, which was very annoying.

Since Zhou Qingfeng wasn't sent by my mother, chatting with him to relieve boredom and pass the time isn't a bad idea.

Maybe he can help me pass on a message or find someone, or even secretly release me.

First Red Leaf asked with great interest, "What brings you to Lotus Peak?"

Seeing that First Red Leaf didn't intend to let him leave, Zhou Qingfeng decided not to rush off. With one hand behind his back, he slowly circled around First Red Leaf, examining her while looking at the blood-written words on the stone wall: "I need to go to the Scripture Pavilion to retrieve two secret manuals for cultivation purposes; Third Sister, did you write all the poems on the stone wall?"

Upon hearing this, First Red Leaf remained silent.

With his hands behind his back, Zhou Qingfeng looked at the lines of blood-written fragments of poetry on the stone wall and read them aloud one by one: "Deep in the Lotus Peak, spring sorrow is locked away; in dreams, old memories return and tears flow in vain; if not for love as deep as the sea, how could this lingering hatred come about?"

"Spring goes and autumn comes, how much sorrow there is; moss on the stone wall reflects the flowing water; even if a thousand feelings remain, we are separated by mountains and rivers and cannot stay together."

"Though mountains are high and rivers are long, our love remains; may we be butterflies flying together."

"My longing for you is like the full moon, its light waning night after night. In the silent valley, my heart returns with the flowing water."

Looking at the blood-written fragments of poetry on the stone wall, Zhou Qingfeng was somewhat moved. Some of the poems were complete, while others were incomplete, and the words revealed endless pain, longing, and anticipation.

"Sigh." Zhou Qingfeng sighed deeply.

First Red Leaf: "Why are you sighing? Do you think my poems are bad?"

Zhou Qingfeng sighed, “The poem is very good. It fully expresses the feelings of unrequited love and longing, which moved me. But what is the point? He is just a mortal. He doesn’t know where you are, let alone that you are imprisoned here and suffering.”

“You can only waste your time here. Without your mother’s permission, you can’t leave. If you suffer for another thirty or fifty years, when the lover you long for turns to dust, all your persistence and struggle will be meaningless.”

Upon hearing this, First Red Leaf calmly replied, "I know, that's why I need to get out. Do you have a way to do that?"

Zhou Qingfeng walked up to the First Red Leaf, sat down cross-legged, looked at her, and said with a grin, "I can't help it, Third Sister, don't ask me, it has nothing to do with me anyway. Can we change the subject?"

First Red Leaf quietly looked at Zhou Qingfeng, smiled slightly, and said, "Okay, then tell me about the changes in the outside world over the past ten years or so. Any interesting people or things are welcome."

If Zhou Qingfeng had dared to make her admit her mistake just now, he must have been a persuader sent by my mother.

Then the first red leaf will let this younger brother know why the flower is so red.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng didn't hold back his chatter and patiently gossiped with First Red Leaf. How could gossip be complete without food and drink? He decisively took out two cups of lychee black tea and some fruits and snacks from his sacred ring.

"Third Sister, I love this tea, you should try it." Zhou Qingfeng thoughtfully took out a bamboo straw and inserted it into the bamboo tube, placing the straw near First Red Leaf's lips: "Don't be shy, you can't move anyway, I'll feed you, try it, it's very delicious, trust me!"

First Red Leaf blinked, looking at Zhou Qingfeng, who had a serious expression, with a slightly strange look.

Does this little thing think I'm useless?

I just find wearing shackles tiring, and kneeling is more comfortable; it's not like I can't move at all.

First Red Leaf hesitated for a moment, then slightly parted her red lips, gently bit the bamboo straw, and slowly took a sip.

"Mmm~~~" The first bite was so delicious that First Red Leaf couldn't help but squint her eyes.

Zhou Qingfeng stared at her and asked, "Is it delicious?"

First Red Leaf nodded slightly: "Mm."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled and sat back down on the ground: "Third Sister, let me tell you about a really interesting person. He's a bald, old cripple..."

He deliberately mentioned Old Cripple in front of First Red Leaf, and told First Red Leaf the whole story of how he met Old Cripple, and even embellished the gossip about Jiang Li and Old Cripple.

"Hahaha, this is hilarious! The young master of the mighty Winter City is throwing himself at a bald cripple and still hasn't caught up with him. It's utterly ridiculous! Once I get out of here, I'm going to give Jiang Li a good laugh."

First Red Leaf laughed so hard she almost fell over, unable to sit still, she collapsed to the ground, laughing so hard she was rolling around on the floor.

This was the happiest day she had had in over a decade.

For her, this gossip was so outrageous, hilarious, and tragic that it was far worse than falling in love with a mortal and being imprisoned for over a decade; it was simply unbelievable.

Zhou Qingfeng stared at the First Red Leaf rolling all over the ground, looking completely bewildered: "You can move?"

First Red Leaf paused in her rolling motion, then nimbly sprang to her feet, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Of course I can move. I'm not crippled. What's the name of this bald, crippled old man you're talking about? The man who rejected Jiang Li's advances—I really want to see what special charm he has."

Zhou Qingfeng took a sip of his lychee black tea and asked, "Do you know Liao Huaizhen?"

Upon hearing this, First Red Leaf moved her lips and repeated several times, "Liao Huaizhen, Liao Huaizhen, let me think..."

Zhou Qingfeng secretly observed First Red Leaf's reaction. He talked so much gossip as a prelude to naturally introduce the name Liao Huaizhen and see how First Red Leaf would react to it.

"Never heard of it," said First Red Leaf, shaking her head.

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "He told me before that he was looking for you and privately asked me to find a way for you to talk to him face to face. I can't bring him here, so I've been dragging my feet and haven't given him an answer."

"It just so happened that we were talking about this today. If you don't know Mr. Liao, then I have a reason to politely decline his offer."

First Red Leaf frowned slightly, wearing shackles and chains, her clothes tattered, and her bare feet pacing back and forth on the rocky ground: "Liao Huaizhen, I don't even know her, what do you want to talk to me about, and why are you sneaking around to find me?"

"Wait, I need to see this person." Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind. First Red Leaf seemed to have realized something. She rushed to Zhou Qingfeng, squatted down with her feet together, and stared intently into Zhou Qingfeng's eyes with her fox-like eyes.

Zhou Qingfeng braced himself with his hands on the ground, tilted his head back, and tried to create some distance: "Third Sister, what's all the excitement about?"

"Am I excited? Am I excited?" First Red Leaf's eyes turned completely red, as if they were burning with flames. She was indeed excited without realizing it, because she had waited for more than ten years and it seemed that she had finally received the news.

For more than a decade, she has resolutely refused to admit her mistakes because she knows that admitting mistakes is only the first step.

Admitting a mistake is so simple, just bow your head and think the matter is over? How naive.

The second step requires you to provide detailed information about your sweetheart, such as their name, appearance, age, and location.

The third step is to kill her beloved.

It's all just a routine.

She saw things clearly, which is why she refused to yield or admit her mistakes.

For many years.

On the one hand, she hoped that her beloved would become a great hero to propose marriage or take her away.

On the one hand, she didn't want her sweetheart to come, lest she be discovered by the First Family and her life be in danger.

She counted down the days, enduring them one by one. Her beautiful hope gradually turned into perseverance. She didn't know what she was persevering for, but she knew that if she didn't resist, her beloved would turn around and die.

Today, she suddenly heard that someone had come to see her privately, the first time in more than ten years, which made her think a lot.

People tend to get agitated when they overthink.

Zhou Qingfeng pointed at her eyes: "Aren't you excited, Third Sister? You're so excited you're practically breathing fire."

First Red Leaf realized her lapse in composure and quickly composed herself. She stood up, took a few steps back, and took a few deep breaths. "Fourth Brother, can you help me see this Mr. Liao?"

Zhou Qingfeng licked his lips, shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, I can't help you. Third Sister, you know that not just anyone can enter the inner courtyard. Even if I could let him enter the inner courtyard openly, there would be sword attendants accompanying him in and out, following a fixed route. He couldn't just wander around, so it would be even more impossible for him to get here safely."

Upon hearing Zhou Qingfeng's words, First Red Leaf felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head.

She also realized that it was impossible to do so. Apart from the panda, who had a special identity, the other fifteen sword servants in the inner courtyard were all evil demons that her father had subdued, and were specially left for her mother to use.

She looked dejected and silently sat down on the ground, the shackles resting on her knees.

Seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng's palm flashed with a green light, and he took out a telescope from his holy ring and said, "Third sister, although I can't bring Mr. Liao in, we may be able to talk to him remotely through the telescope."

"You're messing with me?" First Red Leaf suddenly looked up at Zhou Qingfeng, speechless.

Zhou Qingfeng shrugged and chuckled, "Would you believe me if I said I just remembered?"

First Red Leaf: "..."

P.S.: Many thanks to fans 43743063, 尸·骸, 关泽脀, and 68132487 for their generous donations.