Decades ago, Nan Ronghong was just an unmarried girl.
Wangchen Sect provided her with plenty of food and clothing. She had ample spiritual stones, superb skills, and her parents doted on her, never demanding anything from her. Even her brother, ten years her senior, cared deeply for her. There wasn't a single woman around her who didn't envy her.
With such a background, she naturally felt that the entire cultivation world revolved around her. Even though she had a bad temper and was vindictive, she still had many friends and no one did not love her. In particular, she had a very high talent for martial arts, and her cultivation level improved by leaps and bounds, and her speed of cultivation was so fast that it was shocking.
Everything was fine until her realm caught up with her brother, and even surpassed him. Her ranking on the heroes' list also gradually rose, moving to the front little by little.
Ever since his brother was called "Nan Ronghong's brother" by someone outside, he seemed to have something stuck in his throat and couldn't get over it.
After Nan Ronghong learned about this, she angrily went to teach the person who had called her that a lesson. "Not knowing someone's name and then asking for it first? That's so disrespectful!"
When other friends came to see her, she told them about it, still feeling a little aggrieved: "You're making trouble out of nothing! You're causing me trouble too!"
A young girl asked her, "Your brother is so petty for getting angry over this! If I were called someone's sister, I'd just think my brother is awesome!"
Nan Ronghong thought about it, but couldn't figure it out. Perhaps it was just that her brother had been in a bad mood recently, and she'd gotten mad at him. After all, he'd just started handling sect affairs, and there were a lot of things to worry about, and it was hot and irritating. It was understandable, understandable.
After a while, everyone started talking about future husbands. After all, she was getting old enough to get married.
Nan Ronghong thought mischievously, I don't like any of those young masters and lords you are talking about.
She didn't say anything, but someone mentioned her. One of her companions enviously said, "Ronghong, your husband must be the most powerful among us. Let me think, who's the most popular person lately? Isn't it Qiu Mo? He's a few years older than us, but still very young."
Nan Ronghong seemed uninterested: "I haven't seen it. Can you tell me something else?"
You don't see male practitioners gathering together every day to talk about women.
But she still took the name "Qiu Mo" in. She was curious, of course. She just felt it was a bit embarrassing to show it.
The second time I heard this name, it was news of a marriage.
Elder Yang praised Qiu Mo to the skies: "He's a man of both civil and military talents, and exceptionally intelligent! You couldn't ask for a better one! If you miss this opportunity, you'll never get it again!"
Nan Ronghong felt awkward: "Dad, Mom, isn't it a little too early for me to get married?"
In reality, she was already in her twenties, not too late, but not too early either. Cultivators had a wide age range when it came to choosing a partner; they either formed a partner young or waited much later. The later a woman became, the less likely she was to risk stagnating her cultivation and having children. But she spent her days wandering the mountains and rivers, drunkenly challenging others to battle, her heart still wild, never considering this matter any more relevant to her.
The elder brother interrupted, "It's getting late, little sister. You'll have to get married eventually, and you can't stay in the sect forever."
"Yes." The headmaster said, "Ronghong, you have grown up. It's time to learn to be more sensible."
Nan Ronghong, accustomed to the wild, suddenly felt as if two imaginary bricks were pressing down on her shoulders. To her left were the expectant eyes of her parents, and to her right was the mission of reviving the sect. She had owed so much to the sect over her many years, and now was the time to repay them.
However, her and her brother's methods of repaying were different. Her brother was to inherit the sect and continue his efforts, while she was to serve as a bridge between the sect and the Body Strengthening Sect. Each of them performed their duties, and both were important.
Yes. Both of them are important.
"Qiu Mo..." Nan Ronghong said, "Then I'll meet him in a few days."
Nan Ronghong had met Qiu Mo several times, and she'd heard he was very pleased with her. She wasn't sure how she felt about him. Was he handsome? Quite handsome. His every move was elegant and courteous, and his cultivation was much higher than hers. He was a rare and gifted expert.
But she just didn't feel anything. She didn't like him, but she didn't really dislike him either. But it was an arranged marriage, so they just had to make do. They could just keep up appearances and get by.
It's just the child, a little troublesome.
Nan Ronghong began calculating in the bridal sedan. Her mother had told her that pregnancy was only painful for those ten months, but that birth would be much easier. Everything would be fine, and her mission would be accomplished. As for her cultivation, she definitely wouldn't be able to practice for those ten months, and she would have to stagnate for another month or two... but that wasn't all bad either. She could make up for it with a year of diligent study and practice.
She would go find her friends again after things were settled. She had originally planned to go to the East Realm, but that had to be postponed.
Nan Ronghong counted for as long as the sedan chair swayed.
On the wedding day, the ceremony was quite grand, with many guests coming. Everyone had an envious smile on their face, as if they all thought she had found an incredible husband and that her future life would surely be happy and fulfilling.
Nan Ronghong didn't know if she was happy or not, but comparing them, she must be quite happy, right? With the idea of completing her mission, she used the elixir given by the elder. The elixir promised her a child, but the pain was excruciating, like she was dying. She finally gave birth to Qiu Zhuo, but from that moment on, everything changed.
She found that she was unable to walk out of the black iron gate.
No one cared for her, no one confined her, and there wasn't a formation in place. It was just that she simply couldn't act like she used to. Even if someone cared for her, she'd still be worried about Qiu Zhuo, rushing back to check on him after barely a few words with her friends. Not to mention the impulsive bets she'd made, where she'd lie drunkenly on a mountaintop, wait for three days and three nights, then return home bloodied and happy.
The scary thing was that she found that she didn't like the child.
But what was even more terrifying was that she found she couldn't help but like him. The whole world could be indifferent to him, but she could never be indifferent to him.
Amidst this exhaustion and rush, Nan Ronghong complained to Qiu Mo for the first time. Qiu Mo had just returned from a martial arts competition and said gently and lovingly, "Madam, we have over a dozen attendants to take care of us. If you feel unwell, just let us know. The Body Refining Sect has no shortage of magical herbs and elixirs. You know, other female cultivators don't have such a comfortable life."
Oh, by the way. Her nickname outside the house also changed from "Jueqing Zhang" to "Madam Nan".
Nan Ronghong didn't know if it was her bad habit that came back, she wanted to slap the person in front of her in the face.
What do you know? Get lost! Do you think you know everything?!
But she wasn't having an attack; she wasn't in her own home.
Anyway, she spent more time in the sect, and Qiu Mo seemed to be afraid that she would be bored, so he sent someone to bring some chores for her to take care of.
Nan Ronghong was surprisingly quick to pick up the pieces, and each time she handled them, she handled them with remarkable perfection and perfection, surpassing even the dedicated manager. She also seemed quite interested in this, and perhaps, perhaps, she was channeling her frustration at her lack of progress in martial arts into this sense of accomplishment. In short, her responsibilities grew in number, becoming increasingly crucial. Even Qiu Mo would sometimes consult her on important matters, asking her to make decisions.
As Qiu Zhuo grew older, the Body Tempering Sect's business flourished, attracting more and more disciples. Nan Ronghong, observing the thriving Body Tempering Sect, felt as if the restlessness she had felt during this period had finally calmed down a bit, until she received another resounding slap in the face.
She only realized from the conversation of the attendants that it was the sect's meritorious service meeting that day. The hall was extremely lively and bright as day. Qiu Mo stood in the center, and the elders raised their glasses to celebrate. All kinds of compliments were heard in the air.
"With such a leader, the future of the Body Strengthening Sect is bright!"
"Thank you for your hard work! You've been working really hard during this period, Master!"
"We will fight tooth and nail to the bitter end, and stand together with the Master!"
Qiu Mo still smiled like that, taking it all in. He stood in the brightest spot, while Nan Ronghong was hidden in the darkness, not receiving any attention.
She suddenly remembered what Qiu Zhuo had written: "Father is like a big tree, supporting the heaven and the earth..."
Nan Ronghong thought expressionlessly, if he were a tree, then what about himself? The tree's roots were buried deep below, sucking everything away. Passersby, enjoying the shade, would simply pat the trunk and say, "How nice!"
Nan Ronghong returned to Wangchen Sect, but it seemed that there was no place for her in Wangchen Sect.
She went to see her friends, but they seemed a little distant. It wasn't intentional, they just had nothing to say. She wasn't as up-to-date on recent events and influential figures as she used to be. Regarding her previous plans to go to the East Realm, her friend cautiously asked, "Are you still going?"
Nan Ronghong wanted to go, but she hesitated for a moment. Then her friend said understandingly, "Okay. Don't worry. If you don't have time now, you'll always have time later!"
Will there really be time in the future?
Nan Ronghong returned to the Body Strengthening Sect. She thought, this cannot go on any longer.
She had to resume her cultivation as soon as possible and catch up with her friends. She was the same Nan Ronghong as before, and nothing had changed.
But for some reason, the aftereffects of this elixir seemed even worse than she'd imagined. Wasn't it said that her cultivation would only stagnate for two months? Why was there still no progress?
Nan Ronghong suppressed her uneasy mood and began to study pharmacology on her own, mixing spiritual plants for her own restoration. She only gave the formula to the Great Elder and asked him to find all the spiritual materials, but to no avail.
She originally thought that these spiritual materials were too precious and difficult to find, but she discovered that every time one was found, it was provided to the headmaster or elders in advance.
"These are all spiritual materials for healing." The Great Elder scratched his head and said, "It's not that I don't want to give them to you, Madam, but... your injuries can't wait!"
Then her needs are not urgent??!
Nan Ronghong was almost on the verge of collapse. She hurried back to the west building, but it was a rare sight to see Qiu Mo, who had been busy with work, standing inside the building, still with that familiar faint smile on his face.
"Madam, there's no need to be so anxious." He said, "You are in the heart of the Body Refining Sect. Who would dare to attack you? Nothing will happen. The elders and disciples will fight to the death to protect you."
Who wants them to risk their lives to protect?!
"If I can't find it, I'll go find it myself," Nan Ronghong said coldly. "It just so happens that the Sword Saint is distributing inscriptions and calligraphy. I've been wanting to go there for a long time."
Qiu Mo said, "Don't go, Madam. It's too dangerous. I don't want you to take the risk."
Nan Ronghong said coldly, "How can it not be dangerous to travel the world? Are you kidding?"
Qiu Mo stopped and looked at her. His eyes changed for a moment, and suddenly became tender. "Madam, Zhuo'er just had his bone structure tested a few days ago... Maybe it was due to the cold he caught earlier, his physical condition has always been poor, and I'm not surprised that his bone structure is so talented. From now on, there's no need to be so harsh on him."
Nan Ronghong heard the hidden meaning in his words: "What do you mean?"
"Madam, please have another one." Qiu Mo said, "I know you've worked hard, but this time..."
Nan Ronghong said sharply: "No!!!"
Qiu Mo was frightened by her and asked, "What's wrong? Why? Do you hate me so much?"
"..." Nan Ronghong took a deep breath and said stiffly, "My martial arts are special and it's not easy for me to conceive. You clearly know that. Are you kidding me?"
If she had another daughter, would she be sent to another sect to be humiliated?! If her physique was still weak, would she still have to continue?! She wouldn't agree to this, even if she was out of her mind! Get lost!
Seeing that Qiu Mo remained silent, Nan Ronghong thought that he had given up. Just as she was about to leave, she saw Qiu Mo smile gently.
Nan Ronghong would never forget that indifferent, frivolous teasing, as if it had revealed some little secret, that had trampled underfoot all her unforeseen and unshared pain. Qiu Mo smiled and said, "But don't you have the elixir?"
So you knew it.
So you know everything, yet you still dare to speak so brazenly. Why do you know? What are the side effects of this elixir? Do you know? So, I'm deliberately keeping it secret, deliberately withholding the medicinal ingredients, spending all my time in the sect, handling matters you're unwilling to handle, and doing everything I can to assist you.
Does my father know? Does my mother know? Does my brother know? Do all the elders of Wangchen Sect know?
When the Great Elder lied to me casually saying that the medicinal materials were in urgent need, was he actually laughing secretly?
What kind of situation am I in now? Can I go back?
If Nan Ronghong had to rank them, perhaps this was the first time she felt the intense desire to kill.
I wish this person, these people, could just die.
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