Chapter 163 Atonement Through Cleansing (Second Update) "This is my fault..."

The sound of water from the inner room came abruptly, and Wei Changzai's voice sounded somewhat hollow. Lin Feiran's hand, which was about to push the door open, stopped halfway, and she hesitated.

Are you taking a shower?

"No."

Lin Feiran breathed a slight sigh of relief and, without thinking much about it, pushed the door open and entered.

A gust of night wind swept in, stirring the candlelight, causing the light and shadow to tremble and distort before quickly settling, once again casting a pale gray gloom over everything around.

Lin Feiran looked around in surprise, momentarily forgetting what she was about to say.

The inner room was covered by a layer of dazzling ice and snow.

The windows, beams, tables, and even the burning medicine stove were all covered in a layer of silver, emanating a pale, cold aura.

Even the beams are draped with frost, and beneath them burns a lamp, the tiny flame melting the snow and creating the sound of dripping water.

It sends chills down one's spine and makes one tremble with fear.

Lin Feiran exhaled a breath of hot air, withdrew her gaze, and glanced around briefly, but could not see the person's figure.

Suddenly, the lights went out, leaving only the slanting moonlight shining on the snow, which did not make it too dark.

"I apologize, my emotions were too turbulent today, and I couldn't control myself, so I activated the Sword Realm."

A cold voice came from behind, without any hint of anything unusual.

Lin Feiran turned around and saw Wei Changzai standing barefoot by the table, quietly looking at her with eyes as black as lacquer.

He seemed to have actually taken a bath; his damp, black hair was disheveled, and water droplets from the ends of his hair occasionally dripped onto his loose Taoist robe, leaving dark stains.

On my face, chest, and the back of my hands, I could still see obvious streaks of water, one after another, glistening faintly in the snow.

Lin Feiran suddenly felt a headache coming on.

She could even sense a resentment emanating from this person, as if he had just emerged from a deep pool of water, every drop of water he fell filled with bitterness.

She hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help asking, "What are you doing?"

"Take a bath to cleanse yourself."

Wei Changzai lowered his eyes and looked at the object in his hand.

It was a rugged plum blossom hairpin, originally an ordinary object. Even with the nourishment of spiritual power, it still showed signs of decay.

He walked barefoot toward Lin Feiran, stopped a step in front of her, and raised what he was holding, whether as an explanation or a simple statement, it was unclear.

"This is the plum blossom hairpin you gave me. It was knocked off and broken that day in the monster cave. After you passed out, I found it and it took a long time to repair it."

Lin Feiran's eyes widened slightly as she looked closer.

This plum blossom hairpin was originally made by her own hands. Although it is now pieced together somewhat crookedly, its original form can still be seen.

Lin Feiran stared at it for a moment, then looked up and said, "...So what? Didn't you say you were going to tell me who was behind it all? Who is it?"

Wei Changzai's eyelashes were half-closed, his lips were slightly pursed, and a hint of pain flashed in his eyes.

The plum blossom hairpin was never lost.

But she no longer cared.

The ice and snow were frozen solid, reflecting two separate figures in a silent, chilling stillness.

"Slowly."

He finally spoke, but his voice was not as clear as before; instead, it was very hoarse.

"I regret it."

He sat in the medicine hut for a whole day, thinking all day, and all that could be seen in his mind was her calm gaze.

She had never seen herself this way before.

He pulled her clothes up with his hand and repeated.

"Slowly, I regretted it."

"I shouldn't have agreed to your marriage contract back then."

Lin Feiran paused, pulled out his robe, took two steps back and said, "No need to regret it, it's already untied."

Wei Changzai's gaze followed her movements, and water droplets fell from her black hair, one by one hitting the back of her hand.

"The relationships among relatives, friends, teachers, fellow disciples, and Daoist partners are all fragile and fleeting, turning into nothingness in the blink of an eye."

How could I have entered into this relationship with you? It's my fault.

Suddenly, the love beans on his arm gradually became hot, burning unbearably, and a slight ripple stirred in his heart as the vines climbed down and covered his heart once more.

The next moment, it suddenly tightened, and a sore, throbbing pain spread throughout the body.

"Back in the dense forest, you told me that as long as I was willing, and as long as we shared the same interests, we could be friends for life."

Later, when we got together, you said you wouldn't leave me, and I completely believed you. It was my fault.

A strange crunching sound suddenly came from the hard ice and snow. Lin Feiran snapped back to reality, immediately averting her gaze from him and looking around warily.

There was nothing unusual about his surroundings, but from the ice beneath his feet, long, thin, intertwined thorns suddenly sprouted.

The thorns are covered with sharp, fine thorns, making them a chilling sight.

Lin Feiran thought these creatures were coming for her and was almost ready to draw her sword when they instead entangled themselves around Wei Changzai.

Barefoot, ankles, calves...

Lin Feiran stood there stunned, while Wei Changzai continued to recount his crimes.

"I knew long ago that Master wanted to take your sword bone, but I colluded with them to keep you in the dark. That was my fault."

The menacing thorns had already wrapped around his waist, and were now slowly moving up his wrists, binding his arms behind his waist, and then continuing upwards, tightly encircling his neck and wrapping around the back of his head...

Suddenly, the thorns tightened, and Wei Changzai lost his strength, kneeling straight in front of Lin Feiran with his legs slightly apart, his tightly pursed lips reflected on the smooth ice surface.

"In the Demon-Slaying Cave, I first rescued Qiu Tong, and then released our mayfly butterflies. This was my fault."

As soon as he finished speaking, thorns entangled his eyes, leaving only a small gap through which he could see Lin Feiran.

"I knew our fate all along, yet I was still blinded by greed and agreed to this marriage, forging this destiny that was bound to end, which has made you resent me to this day... It's all my fault."

He only had her; before they got together, they were each other's only one.

After they got together, he asked her how long the relationship would last. She replied that such things are hard to predict, and that the day their fate ended would be the day they parted ways.

Friendships have an expiration date, and lovers only wait until their fate ends. He knew that his destiny was not with her, so there would surely be an end. Therefore, those who share the same path are the most compatible. As long as the path exists, the road will never end.

If time could turn back, he would not have agreed to Lin Feiran's proposal. If they were not together, they would not be separated, just as if without hope, there would be no disappointment.

"The Daoist Canon says that if one does not wash with water, one's spirit and soul will wander and be captured by others."

Slowly, I have invited you here today to atone for my sins. I have already cleansed myself, and my soul remains intact. Now I offer it all to you, so you may whip me and vent your anger.

Slowly, as long as you stop looking at me like that, as long as you stop looking at him like that…

Wei Changzai knelt on the ground, his body covered in thorns, each one binding him tightly.

The damp Taoist robe was torn by fine thorns, tattered and worn, revealing the bleeding flesh inside.

Strands of vibrant color slid down her ankles, arms, and neck, seeping into her robes, but he remained oblivious, only staring at her, his clear, dark eyes misting over.

Finally, the thorn pierced his eyelid, and a drop of hot blood dripped from the corner of his eye.

Lin Feiran stared in shock at everything, speechless for a moment, and only recovered after a long while.

"……What are you doing."

Wei Chang stared at her intently, his expression unwavering and devoid of any shame, and then he spoke.

"Bearing thorns to plead guilty."

He felt guilty for his unrequited love; this was the punishment he had inflicted upon himself.

I apologize...

Lin Feiran silently watched everything unfold before her, unsure how to react.

The pure white ice surface was stained with an eerie pale pink hue, and a faint, warm smell of blood wafted over, but it wasn't unpleasant; instead, it had a rich, floral fragrance.

She finally realized something was wrong: "What exactly is this on you?"

Wei Changzai said softly, "Love Beans. Do you remember when you led me into Liuzhu Pavilion to browse through the eighteen volumes of forbidden books? I happened to see them then."

Lin Feiran fell silent for a moment.

Of course she remembers.

The Love Bean is a forbidden chapter in the Daohe Palace. Its essence is a token of love, but its effects are very difficult to describe. Even in the eyes of normal people, it is particularly strange. Therefore, even if the Love Bean can sense the other person's feelings, very few people would use it.

When lovesickness becomes an illness, vines will grow in the veins of the heart to relieve the pain.

When one feels guilty for unrequited love, thorns will sprout as punishment.

If there is no hope of reconciliation, then let us live and die together.

Lin Feiran asked in disbelief, "You mean, you planted love beans!"

He did not answer, but there was no need for his answer; everything was already clear.

Lin Feiran was almost stunned: "You really are..."

What is the truth? She remained silent for a long time.

Wei Changzai looked up at her expression, the fine thorns tearing at his flesh, but he seemed oblivious.

He was searching, trying to find a trace of regret in Lin Feiran's expression, but he found none.

Her expression showed regret, bewilderment, confusion, and melancholy, but not sorrow.

Now, Lin Feiran no longer feels sad for him.

Today, when several people were vying for the Cold Cicada Plum, he raised his hand to stop Lin Feiran, saying that the plum blossom should belong to him, and repeatedly said that it was not possible.

But why not? And what right does he have to stop him?

Were they from the same sect? But she and Qingzhu were also envoys of the demon race.

Are they fellow Daoists? All those who cultivate the Dao in the world are her fellow Daoists.

Are they kindred spirits? Lin Feiran doesn't think so.

He found himself unable to find a single word to define his relationship with Lin Feiran.

Even without a formal marriage certificate, their relationship remained inseparable as long as she kept looking at him.

When she turned and left, even though she had everything, it all seemed like nothing at all.

At that moment, he suddenly understood the difference between a Daoist partner and a Daoist friend.

He pondered for a long time, and finally understood at this moment.

The difference has nothing to do with external things, but only with Lin Feiran.

Those she saw were her Daoist partners; those beyond her sight were her fellow Daoists.

His previous insistence on being a like-minded person and his persistent pursuit of constancy and permanence meant that he would no longer exist in her eyes.

A slight ripple stirred within him, and his gaze toward Lin Feiran suddenly changed.

A sigh suddenly echoed in the empty house.

Lin Feiran walked up to him, knelt on one knee, and looked him in the eye: "You did all this just to make me stay here for a long time tonight, and you want this winter cicada plum blossom, is that right?"

She raised her hand, and a pale white plum blossom appeared in her palm, its subtle fragrance gradually overpowering the rich scent emanating from him.

Wei Changzai wanted to deny it, but didn't know how to start, so he just lowered his eyes and said, "We have been searching for plum blossoms for many years, and I know what it means."

Lin Feiran's eyes were clear: "It means nothing. The plum blossom that belonged to me, I had already taken it down and put it in a mustard seed bag."

This branch... to me, it's just a plum blossom that I saw from afar, liked, and brought back.

You've given it far too much meaning that doesn't exist.

“Wei Changzai, there is no turning back in life. What are you trying to do by atoning for your sins today? Can this make up for the deception, disregard and harm you have done to me?”

"...I gave you a chance before."

Wei Changzai closed his eyes, a blush sliding down his cheeks. He knelt before her, seemingly able to anticipate what she was about to say. His voice was already very low and hoarse as he murmured her name.

"Slowly..."

He couldn't give the plum blossoms to others, he couldn't have other friends, he couldn't let the torch go out, he couldn't break his promise—all these things combined to dispel the fog in his heart.

Is he obligated to accept a predestined marriage?

Lin Feiran raised her hand, grabbed the thorns on his arm, and with a slight force, the seemingly tough and unbreakable branch snapped in two.

The thorns growing from the love bean can only be cut by the one who loves the other. At the moment of breaking them, Lin Feiran was momentarily stunned.

She looked at the withered branch in her hand and said in a low voice, "It seems that it is difficult for you to discuss important matters with me right now. Why don't you wait until you get better before telling me?"

"I have already promised Ruxian that I will only stay here with you for one hour at most..."

Just as Lin Feiran was about to get up, Wei Changzai grabbed her wrist.

He looked up at her, his eyes no longer cold and aloof, but filled with a pain that Lin Feiran had never seen before.

"You're going to give him my flowers, right?"

Lin Feiran subconsciously raised her hand to support him, stared at him for a long time, and finally sighed before opening her mouth to answer.

"I have been searching for plum blossoms in Sanqing Mountain, but to no avail, as you should know."

That day, I finally encountered such plum blossoms in the south, so I picked the first branch, because it had been my obsession all along, and it finally came to fruition.

However, I still picked the second branch.

I've never understood why I wanted to pick one more branch...

"Until today, when you all came to me for plums, I suddenly had the answer."

"I just thought that this winter plum blossom was exceptionally beautiful and complemented the snowflakes, so I took it down, that's all."

Wei Changzai looked at her and said softly, "Manman...you can't treat me like this."

Lin Feiran simply lowered his eyes, took out a spiritual medicine from his mustard seed bag, gave a word of advice, and then got up and left.

...

In the snowy landscape, Wei Changzai quietly gazed out the window. The thorns she had torn off were scattered all around, just like him, abandoned there.

He realized tonight that it seemed she was always the one watching him leave, while he rarely saw her back.

Now everything is upside down.

Cracking sounds came from all around. The ice and snow that had been spread out in the medicine hut suddenly cracked and shattered into countless ice crystals. The next moment, he was sitting on a towering snow cliff, looking down at the vast expanse below.

This is his true sword realm.

It appears to be a small area, but in reality it stretches for thousands of miles, yet it is so cold and desolate. At the very center of the entire sword realm, a clear lake is gathering, beneath which lies his sword heart.

Suddenly, a vortex of spiritual energy flowed into the icy realm, pouring into his body as if it were being dumped.

The jade pendant on his waist suddenly shone brightly. He waited a long time before taking it out, then formed a hand seal and made a mudra. Immediately afterward, Zhang Chunhe's loud laughter came from behind the jade pendant.

This was unusual, so Wei Changzai glanced at it sideways.

"Changzai, your heart just now changed, and you actually broke through to the Free Realm in one fell swoop. Congratulations!"

Wei Changzai lowered his eyes, stroking the withered vine in his hand, and said as usual, "Master's teachings are excellent."

Zhang Chunhe's joy had not diminished; in fact, he paced anxiously in the room: "Now that you have broken through, your sword realm must have reached its peak. Quickly go and find your sword heart manifestation within it, and see if it is a clear mirror!"

Wei Changzai did not set off as he had said. Instead, he looked at the lake, remained silent for a long time, and then closed his eyes, as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

“Master, it is indeed a bright mirror, a very bright mirror.”

...

Thousands of miles away, a bright mirror shone brightly, as dazzling as daytime. At a certain moment, it suddenly swelled up and shattered.

The guard of the Mirror of Light was overjoyed. He immediately pushed open the door and shouted, "He's broken through! He's finally broken into the Free Realm!"

Author's note: Sending love