Chapter 563: Chapter 563: The Years Are Truly Lonely, I Have Returned

Lin Fanpeng repeatedly instructed Ning Wanru not to act on her own anymore, and without his permission, she was not allowed to come here again.

Ning Wanru helplessly agreed to each condition.

Then, Ning Wanru left East Mountain.

Steward Wu drove the car, making his way toward the Imperial Capital under the cover of night.

The night deepened, and a crescent moon hung over the treetops of East Mountain.

The moon’s radiance fell through the gaps between the trees, casting a faint luster, cooling the woodland like water.

A man wearing a black jacket was walking toward Lin Fanpeng’s residence unhurriedly.

At his side was a pure white cat with purple eyes that sparkled like gemstones under the moonlight.

Although he seemed unhurried, the man was actually walking quite fast.

Passing by guard posts with bodyguards, he gently moved his fingers, effortlessly getting past the posts.

Then, he stood with his hands behind his back at the entrance of Lin Fanpeng’s courtyard.

He looked at the half-open door, gently pushed it, and with a creak, the door opened…

Lin Fanpeng, who was lost in thought in the courtyard, thought it was Ning Wanru returning.

Impatiently, he said, “Why have you come back again?”

Before he could finish, Lin Fanpeng suddenly stiffened.

He felt as though thunder had struck him.

Even his breathing stopped at that moment.

In the hazy night, a handsome young man stood at the doorway, hands behind his back.

At his feet was a white cat.

The man’s expression was very calm.

However, his eyes were as black as if ink had spilled in them.

It was as if the profound darkness of the night had flooded into them.

This man was the same one who had been fishing by the lake in Diannan Valley that day.

He still stood at the doorway, his back to his hands.

He was dressed in a black jacket and pants, but for some reason, his outline was distinctly visible against the pitch-black night, making it impossible to overlook his presence.

After a moment, he slightly furrowed his brows and spoke softly, “How is it that you do not recognize me?”

Lin Fanpeng finally recovered from his initial shock and terror.

He shifted his stiff body, managed to walk a few steps forward, then suddenly knelt down, his eyes brimming with ecstatic light, choking up, “Sect Leader, you have finally returned.”

The young man nodded slightly.

He didn’t look at Lin Fanpeng, nor did he allow him to get up.

Instead, he looked up at the pitch-black night and said softly, “Indeed, the years have been lonely; I have come back.”

…

The next day, news came from the hospital.

Gu Yalan’s life had been saved, but due to the excessive mud she had inhaled and the pressure of the water, her intelligence had regressed to the level of a three-year-old child.

At this point, even if she had committed a capital offense, she could not be put on trial.

And the two bodyguards and driver, unsurprisingly, did not implicate Ning Wanru and Gu Cheng.

They knew that if they did involve Ning Wanru and Gu Cheng, they would really have no hope whatsoever.

Ning Wanru could still pull some strings for them from outside.

Moreover, they had families that needed their care.

So, as they had previously agreed, should anything happen, they would blame it all on a dispute fueled by jealousy.

Nevertheless, the three were still incarcerated.

They were waiting for the severe punishment of the law.

Since they were willing to take the fall, Gu Qingfeng didn’t mind seeing them receive the harshest penalties.

But he made no move against Ning Wanru.

To kill Ning Wanru under the current circumstances would be quite simple.