Chapter 1

My husband, a cultivator on the Path of Detachment, lost his memory. He couldn’t believe he’d practiced dual cultivation with a disciple of the Hehuan Sect.

Convinced I’d tricked him into it, he demanded a divorce.

I rubbed my aching lower back and meekly agreed.

Yun Heng had been good to me, but cultivators on his path were far too intense about their training…

Next time, I was finding someone else to practice with. The disciples of Lingyun Peak were supposed to be very gentle…

……

I was down in the town at the foot of the mountain, drinking buttery tea, when I heard Yun Heng had lost his memory.

It’s all right, I told myself. Feelings could be built from scratch. I was sure he’d fall for me again.

That wasn’t just a Hehuan Sect disciple’s inflated confidence. Yun Heng really did love me.

We’d entered a life-and-death bond. If one of us died, the other would have to follow.

He’d endured a hundred lashes to be with me.

The whip had been charged with spiritual power. It tore through flesh and shook the soul; any single blow could have damaged his spiritual channels or scattered his soul beyond recovery.

Blood had bloomed across his white robes like red plum blossoms. Fighting through the pain, he’d managed a smile and reached up to wipe the tears from my face.

“Don’t cry, Mu Chen. Being with you is worth it. However many times we’re reborn, I’ll find you. We’ll be together in every life.”

I could almost hear the promise again.

It steadied me enough to push open his door.

I held up the milk-skin treats I’d bought. “Husband, I’m back! I brought you—”

He cut me off.

Yun Heng was sitting in bed. His voice came coldly from behind a gauze curtain.

“So you’re the Hehuan disciple who seduced me and disrupted my cultivation.”

I froze.

Seduced him? Disrupted his cultivation?

I bit my lip. “I didn’t seduce you. You were the one who said you wanted to practice dual cultivation with me.”

Yun Heng gave a disbelieving laugh. “You didn’t? Are you denying that seducing me was your assignment? If you hadn’t resorted to some underhanded trick, why would the eldest disciple of the Path of Detachment—a man who’d never harbored worldly desires—have taken up with a loose, frivolous Hehuan disciple like you?”

I couldn’t believe these words were coming from his mouth.

“I have to end a marriage founded on ulterior motives,” he continued. Then, coldly: “Let’s divorce.”

I stared at him. Yun Heng wanted a divorce?

After we’d become cultivation partners, he’d never felt secure. He’d even found the life-and-death bond for us: neither could leave the other, not even in death.

It still hadn’t been enough. He’d guarded me against everyone, men and women alike. Even sword spirits.

He was supposed to be an aloof, dispassionate cultivator. Yet when it came to keeping my attention, the man had an endless repertoire of seduction techniques.

He had a husband’s status, a mistress’s insecurities, and a courtesan’s tricks.

Now he wanted a divorce. It had to be the amnesia.

I walked over to the curtain. “Husband, could you pull that aside and look at me? I’ll do everything I can to help you remember.”

His hand shot up. A barrier sealed him off behind the pale gauze.

“Get away! Just what I’d expect from a Hehuan disciple—trying to charm me again. It won’t work this time.”

He wouldn’t even let me see him. That was how much he wanted to keep me out.

But he’d been the one who’d promised we’d never part, in this life or any other.

My eyes burned. I bit my lip and forced myself to sound strong.

“Fine. Let’s divorce. You’re injured, so we’ll wait until you’ve recovered to undo the life-and-death bond. After that, we’ll never see each other again.”

Yun Heng paused, as if he hadn’t expected such a quick agreement.

“Is this another trick? Playing hard to get? Your sect is a cunning lot.”

My eyes reddened at the insult. “However cunning we are, we keep our word. Unlike the disciples of your path, who turn their backs on people without a second thought.”

“Sophistry.”

He pulled off his bracelet and threw it on the floor.

“I have no use for such things. And leave Wuqing Mountain before the day is out. I won’t have you corrupting the other disciples.”

Tears fell before I could stop them. I bent to pick up the bracelet.

“Don’t worry. I’m never getting involved with another disciple of your path.”

I wiped my face and left.