Chapter 192

Yin Qiu stood under the eaves until dusk.

The people in the courtyard were busy, and few people were seen sitting down to rest. Hearing that Meng Jing's condition was critical, many disciples rushed over to visit him, but Elder Xu stopped them outside and forbade them to disturb him.

Yin Qiu knew nothing about medicine and couldn't offer any help, so she could only wait quietly in the corridor. The spring night was chilly, and Yin Qiu's legs grew stiff from standing, a chill running down her back. A disciple, seeing how cold she was, gave her an outer robe to keep warm and said with concern, "Why don't you go back first, Junior Sister? We'll look after him here. Junior Brother Meng will be alright. If he shows any improvement, I'll send someone to inform you."

Yin Qiu shook her head, looking worried, and said, "At this time, how can I leave with peace of mind? Senior brother, you don't need to worry about me. I just need to trouble you to send someone to inform our master that I will not be returning to Jingyue Peak tonight. Meng Jing needs someone to take care of her here, so I have to stay."

Considering that young ladies are generally more meticulous and caring than their clumsy male disciples, the disciple replied, "Alright, I'll go inform our master now. Junior sister, please sit down. I'll have someone bring you some food later. Although you're supposed to be taking care of a patient, you should take care of yourself first."

Yin Qiu nodded in agreement, and the two exchanged greetings before the male disciple left the courtyard. A while later, the senior disciples brought the food, and several people set up a table in the corridor, but none of them had much of an appetite. Yin Qiu only ate a little to fill his stomach. When it was completely dark, the long-closed door was finally gently pushed open, and as soon as the disciples saw Elder Xu appear, they rushed over in a flurry.

"Master, how is my junior brother?"

Elder Xu sighed and waved his hand: "Disperse, everyone. Don't make a fuss here. I will personally watch over him tonight. If he can get through this night, tomorrow will be easier. Two of you will stay outside on duty, and the rest of you will go back to your rooms to rest."

In fact, this wasn't the first time Meng Jing had fallen ill during his years at Wenxin Peak; he had faced dangerous situations in the past, but had always managed to escape with his life. Therefore, when the disciples heard Elder Xu say this, they felt somewhat at ease and obediently took their leave and returned to their rooms.

The figures left one after another, only Yin Qiu remained standing. Elder Xu smiled at her and asked, "Are you going to stay and look after Jing'er?"

Yin Qiu quickly nodded: "I just heard from my uncle yesterday that Meng Jing seemed to be sick again. I didn't expect it to get so serious today. She has never been willing to say much about her condition, and I don't really know how she is. Elder Xu, could you tell me if her heart ailment can be cured?"

Elder Xu seemed somewhat surprised by her words and said, "You don't even know? I thought he had told you a long time ago."

Yin Qiu, who had been on tenterhooks all afternoon, became even more nervous: "What do you mean by that?"

Elder Xu looked at her, sighed again, and said, "Back when Jing'er had not yet officially entered the palace, she was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease in Qingluo City. The doctor did not want to tell her the truth in front of her, so he only told Huaiwei and Jiang Xue in private. I suppose you were young at that time, so they must have kept it from you as well."

Yin Qiu asked疑惑地问道, "The truth... what truth?"

Elder Xu hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Jing'er may not live past thirty."

Upon hearing what he said, Yin Qiu's heart stopped instantly, and she froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

As if someone had poured a bucket of snow water over his head, or as if someone had hit him hard on the head with a club, Yin Qiu's vision went black, and all his strength receded like a receding tide, almost causing him to fall down the steps.

Elder Xu looked reluctant and helped Yin Qiu up, comforting her, "Good child, calm down, don't panic."

The courtyard was quiet and secluded, with no one else around, but Yin Qiu found it incredibly noisy, her head buzzing as if countless birds were chirping wildly inside her.

Meng Jing... might not live past thirty.

Why did no one ever tell her?

Seeing Yin Qiu's reaction, Elder Xu felt heavy-hearted. He helped Yin Qiu into the house and sat her down in the outer room. He said, "On the eve of the new disciple assembly that year, Huaiwei came to me and told me about Jing'er's background and illness. She asked me to bring him to Wenxin Peak to teach him medicine. At that time, I didn't even know that there was such a person as Jing'er in the palace. Since Huaiwei had asked, I agreed. I thought that the child had a heart ailment and couldn't practice martial arts, so learning medicine was a way out. That's why I took him on as my disciple back then."

Yin Qiu was stunned and hadn't come to her senses yet.

Elder Xu continued, "His illness is incurable; he can only be kept alive with medicine. Since he came to Wenxin Peak, I have been telling him to cultivate his character, not to get angry easily, and not to wallow in self-pity. You must know that people with heart ailments are most afraid of extreme joy or sorrow, and emotional fluctuations. Although he appears to be becoming more composed and different from before, the knot in his heart has never been untied. In addition, after the disasters that struck the major cities last winter, he went down the mountain to treat the victims, which was exhausting for a long time. Later, he was injured by the secret guards in Wei City and learned the truth about his parents' murder. All these things combined have left him internally weak and depleted of his vital energy. Not to mention that recently he has been working day and night for you and Huaiwei, and he has been burdened with worries and melancholy. As the saying goes, illness comes like a landslide, but recovery is like pulling silk. Once a person falls, it is naturally difficult for him to get up again."

Yin Qiu slumped in the wooden chair, her eyes bloodshot, and couldn't utter a sound for a long time.

Meng Jing was two or three years older than her, and was in the prime of her life. If she really didn't live past thirty, it would mean that Meng Jing only had ten years left to live.

And in these ten years, no one can guarantee that she won't suddenly collapse and die one day. If she is carefully cared for and well-nourished, Meng Jing may live another ten years. But if she continues to overwork herself, or if the pain in her heart cannot be completely healed, she will eventually run out of energy and die.

When that day truly arrives, not even Elder Xu, let alone a deity, could save the day. At this moment, Yin Qiu recalled many details that had been overlooked in the past.

Over the years, the lingering melancholy on Meng Jing's face, the pills she always carried, her countless inexplicable hesitations and taciturn moments when they were together, and Lu Huaiwei's unique concern and care for her—all these signs had already indicated something. However, Yin Qiu never gave it much thought. Even when she did, Meng Jing always managed to dispel her doubts in time, so Yin Qiu always believed that Meng Jing was simply awkward and not good with words.

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She didn't know she was already this sick.

Even with the doors and windows tightly shut, a faint smell of blood lingered in the room. A sheer curtain hung on one side, separating the inner and outer rooms. Through the gap in the curtain, Yin Qiu could see Meng Jing's figure lying on the bed, but not her face.

“Nobody told me,” Yin Qiu said softly, fighting back tears, “I never knew…”

Elder Xu poured her a cup of tea and said in a low voice, "Don't even mention you, not many disciples on Wenxin Peak know about this. As far as I know, only Huaiwei and Jiang Xue know. But seeing that you two have a good relationship and often visit each other, I thought Jing'er must have told you. Now that I think about it, he probably didn't want you to be sad for him if you found out, so he didn't let you know."

Yin Qiu remained stunned for a long time, as if in a dream, unable to accept this reality. She murmured, "How could this be..."

Elder Xu sighed repeatedly, raised his hand to pat Yin Qiu's head, and comforted him, saying, "Don't worry too much. I've already given him acupuncture to protect his heart meridian. As long as he gets through this night, he'll be out of danger. Fortunately, I've been letting him stay here with me and haven't arranged a separate disciple's room for him, so I can deal with any emergencies in time. Since you're staying, please take good care of him tonight. I'm also tired and need to take a nap to replenish my energy. If anything happens to him, please remember to wake me up immediately."

Although Yin Qiu found it hard to accept this news, she was not so distraught as to lose her soul. Upon hearing this, she got up and helped Elder Xu to the other side. After Elder Xu lay down, Yin Qiu lifted the gauze curtain and sat down next to Meng Jing.

Two small oil lamps were lit in the room; the light, though dim, was enough to illuminate the entire space. Meng Jing was already unconscious, and his usually sickly face was even paler now. Perhaps he had a nightmare, or perhaps he was still unable to bear the pain in his body even in his unconscious state. Meng Jing's brows were tightly furrowed, and his forehead was covered with a layer of sweat; his expression was one of great pain.

Yin Qiu stared at her blankly, recalling all the things they had known each other since childhood, and felt a pang of sorrow in her heart, and tears involuntarily fell.

Was this what Meng Jing really wanted to say to her last time at the medical pavilion?

But judging from Man Jiangxue's reaction that day, it seems that it wasn't like that.

What exactly did Meng Jing want to say to her?

Yin Qiu's mind was in turmoil, and she had no way of knowing what was going on. She couldn't spare any extra thoughts to guess anything. She wiped the sweat from Meng Jing's face, sat blankly by the bed, and could only wait for dawn by the candlelight, enduring the long night with Meng Jing.

Spring rains fell incessantly, and the cold wind returned, plunging Jinhuai City once again into a desolate rainy scene.

Meng Wugui sat at the wooden table by the window, alone. She had been there for a while; the teahouse was quiet, as most customers had already gone home, and no one else seemed to be coming due to the rain.

A light rain was falling outside the window, and the lanterns along the street were all extinguished. Only the shops on both sides were still lit, like starlight falling in the dark night, sometimes bright and sometimes dim in the wind and rain, creating a unique kind of beauty.

The tea on the table had been replaced three times, but the person she was waiting for had not yet arrived. Meng Wugui was not wearing a veil today, and her face, free of makeup, was very calm. She drank the tea in front of her and was about to call someone to inquire when she heard a series of slightly dragging footsteps slowly coming upstairs, as if they were approaching her.

Soon, two figures appeared outside the curtain, but they just stood there, neither of them daring to come in.

Meng Wugui put down her teacup and glanced out through the semi-transparent curtain. She didn't speak, and neither did the person outside. It seemed as if they were both quietly observing each other.

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy during the silent standoff. The teahouse fell silent instantly, and even the sound of rain outside the window disappeared.

This untimely tranquility lasted less than a moment before Meng Wugui suddenly stood up and slammed his palm on the table. The table remained completely still, and not even the tea left in the teacup rippled. However, the curtain hanging on the door was shattered into pieces by the surge of invisible true energy.

The moment the curtain was torn, the man wearing a silver mask outside was completely revealed to Meng Wugui.

Shen Wang's brows furrowed, and he drew his sword and stepped forward to take the attack head-on. However, the true energy was extremely fierce, forcing Shen Wang to take several steps back and only managing to stand up by supporting himself on the corner of a table.

Young Master Fan stood still, not even moving the tip of his shoe.

Meng Wugui smiled, a mocking curve to her lips. She crushed the teacup with her bare hands, then slammed her palm on the table. Shards flew through the air like sharp projectiles, aimed directly at Gongzi Fan's face. Seeing this, Shen Wang quickly leaped forward, hastily raising his sword to block. A clang rang out, sparks flew, and although he protected Gongzi Fan, his sword was badly damaged, riddled with nicks and chips.

Shen Wang's eyes widened in surprise, and a sense of reverence welled up within him. He was about to offer a word of praise, but before he could even utter a sound, he felt his blood surging rapidly in his chest. Shen Wang's expression changed slightly, and he could no longer hold back, spitting out a mouthful of blood that stained the curtain on the ground.

Hearing the commotion, the disciples of the Nine Immortals Hall, who had been lying in wait in other private rooms, immediately filed out and quickly surrounded the two. Shen Wang felt as if his chest was on fire, and he was panting heavily against the door frame. Gongzi Fan helped him up and finally spoke, "My apprentice's skills are not yet proficient. This is our first meeting. Why must Hall Master Meng be so kind?"

Meng Wugui remained as steady as a mountain, standing in the inner room wiping her hands with a handkerchief, as if nothing had happened. She looked at Gongzi Fan and smiled, her tone kind, "It's not that his skills are lacking, but rather that I have practiced diligently for many years, making me far beyond the reach of ordinary juniors." As she spoke, she walked step by step towards Gongzi Fan, adding meaningfully, "Back when I was still at the Ruyi Sect, someone once showed me this move, but I didn't like martial arts then, only knowing how to play, and that person thoroughly humiliated me. Later, my family was destroyed, and I wandered from place to place. Only then did I resolve to hone my skills and stand above everyone else. Now, after many years, we meet again. Why don't you give your opinion? Was you better back then, or have I surpassed you now?"

All around them were gleaming swords, and their eyes were filled with undisguised killing intent. The two stood facing each other, and their gazes met for the first time.

"I have lost all my power and am now practically useless," Gongzi Fan said softly as his wide black robe fluttered in the wind. "Master Meng is naturally far superior to me."

"Is that so?" Meng Wugui remained unmoved, waving his hand to signal his disciples to leave, and then asked, "This is a skill you learned from elsewhere. You taught it to more than just me back then. So, in your opinion, who is better, me or Sister Dong?"

All the disciples of the Nine Immortals Hall were ordered to withdraw. Seeing this, Shen Wang did not want to stay any longer. He exchanged a glance with Gongzi Fan and followed him downstairs.

Gongzi Fan said, "Each has its own merits."

Once the bystanders left, Meng Wugui's smile faded. She snorted coldly and, without saying a word, raised her hand and removed the mask from Gongzi Fan's face.

The teahouse was brightly lit, even the most inconspicuous corners were bathed in light. Young Master Fan's bloodless face appeared extremely pale in that bright light. His face was remarkably handsome, with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, thin lips, and a straight nose. His gentle and composed demeanor remained unchanged; time seemed to have left few marks on him. He looked clean and pristine, still like a blank sheet of paper, as if seeing him for the first time.

Her gaze fell upon that familiar face, and memories of the past flooded back, stirring her heart. With a slight exertion of her fingers, Meng Wugui shattered the mask into dust in an instant.

"You're still alive?" Meng Wugui said sharply, enunciating each word clearly, "How dare you still live?"

Gongzi Fan seemed somewhat uncomfortable being exposed to such a bright environment. He coughed, clenched his fist to his lips, and lowered his head slightly, saying, "Manzhen, let's sit down and talk."

Upon hearing those two words, Meng Wugui flew into a rage, shouting, "Don't call my name!" She said coldly, "I had your disciple tell you that you should be prepared to meet me. You're here today to confess your sins and be beaten. If I tell you to stand, you stand; if I tell you to kneel, you kneel. Even if I were to kill you right now, it would be as easy as crushing an ant."

Young Master Fan, still recovering from his injuries, had been lying in Fanxin Valley for quite some time, and this was his first time venturing out. He was weak and exhausted, his back already soaked with cold sweat, yet he could only smile gently at Meng Wugui and say softly, "Once this is over, you can kill me if you want. I'm powerless to resist anyway, so you can deal with me as you see fit. For now, let's be patient. If you lose your temper and kill me, Fanxin Valley won't be willing to follow you, and why add another enemy to your ranks?"

Meng Wugui's face showed a sneer: "I've struggled my way up to where I am today, and I've never relied on anyone. You're using this to threaten me? Do you really think I'm afraid?"

“I’m not threatening you,” said Gongzi Fan, “I’m just stating the facts.”

"I especially can't stand the words 'let's discuss the facts,'" Meng Wugui said coldly. "If we really want to discuss the facts, all of you deserve to die, especially you."

Gongzi Fan shook his head and chuckled: "That's the logic, but you say it to everyone you meet, yet you haven't actually killed anyone." @Unlimited Good Stories, All at

"If I hadn't waited for Yin Qiu to grow up, would I have endured this long?" Meng Wugui's brows furrowed coldly. "If she had truly died in that fire, things would have been easier for me. I could have gone all the way and slit that person's throat with my sword. How could we have ended up in this situation? She was rescued by Ye Zhilan, who intends to use her to torture Man Jiangxue. She has already revealed herself, so I can only wait until she is old enough to distinguish right from wrong and has the ability to protect herself before I take action. You have been keeping to yourself for so many years, it's time for you to come out and pay your debts. I only have one question for you now: I want to rebuild Ruyi Sect, will you help me or not?"

Gongzi Fan said, "I will help, but I will not help you deal with Yunhua Guan."

Meng Wugui said indifferently, "You think you have the right to negotiate with me?"

Gongzi Fan looked at her and sighed: "Xiao Qiu has already regarded Yunhua Palace as her home. I can't just stand by and watch you destroy Yunhua Palace."

“Her home, like mine, is long gone,” Meng Wugui sneered. “I am determined to have Yunhua Palace and Ziwei Sect. If you refuse, I will kill you immediately. I mean what I say, and I never lie.”

Gongzi Fan struggled for so long that he gradually lost his balance and had to move to a nearby table to sit down. He said, "I can agree, but you have to tell me who that person is first."

Meng Wugui stared at him coldly and said in an unquestionable tone, "I said, you have no right to negotiate with me. If you want to know who that person is, you must first agree to my demands."

The spring rain outside was falling heavily, dripping and pattering against the windowsill, splashing water droplets onto Gongzi Fan's sleeves. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then said, "Since you want to deal with Yunhua Palace first, it means that person is from Yunhua Palace. But have you considered that even if I were willing to help, the number one sect in the martial arts world isn't so easily defeated? We can leave Xiao Qiu aside for now; I know you won't hurt her. But what about Man Jiangxue? How many moves can you withstand from her?"

Meng Wugui said, "If a direct assault fails, we must resort to strategy. You burned down the Ziwei Sect that year to save Yin Qiu, so of course I have ways to deal with Yunhua Guan. I might not be able to defeat Man Jiangxue alone, but what if there are more than just me?"

Just as Gongzi Fan was about to ask her who else was there, Meng Wugui impatiently said, "Enough with the nonsense. I don't have the patience to chat with you. If you don't agree, don't even think about leaving here alive. If you agree, then we can continue our discussion."

She gave Gongzi Fan almost no other choice; everything she said was coercive. Gongzi Fan pondered for a moment, then could only reply, "Fine, as long as you don't hurt Xiao Qiu, I'll agree to anything you ask."

Hearing his words, Meng Wugui smiled again. She walked to the table, knocked over the teapot, and wrote a word on the table with her fingertip dipped in tea.

Gongzi Fan took a closer look, and his expression changed drastically.

"Unexpected, isn't it?" Meng Wugui observed his expression and sneered, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have imagined it either. He not only killed Sister Dong, but also my parents. Nangong Min killed my uncle and aunt. The once mighty Ruyi Sect is now reduced to just me. All of this started with you, but compared to the other two, Nangong Min is not so easy to defeat. I have decided to attack Yunhua Palace soon. Tell your men to get to the vicinity of Shangyuan City as soon as possible and make preparations."

Gongzi Fan stared at the word on the table, his breathing quickened, and he coughed violently.

Meng Wugui's eyes were filled with disgust, and she refused to look at Gongzi Fan any longer. She turned around, took two steps, and then slightly turned her head and said, "Remember, if you go back on your word, you can forget about ever seeing Yin Qiu again for the rest of your life."