Should I say "it's so" or "it's as expected"?
Hearing this unexpected yet reasonable answer, Shen Qingmang didn't know what expression to make.
Of course, she had doubted him, more than once, and felt that he held many mysteries. She had also speculated whether he was reborn, but she didn't dare to think too deeply.
As a person from another world, she came to this world, and all the social relationships she came into contact with were inherited from the original Qiongju. Only these disciples of hers were actively recruited after she became Qiongju.
In her heart, they were the closest people to her, because they only came into contact with her, Shen Qingmang, and not Qiongju Zhenren. When she faced them, she didn't need to consider their personalities or feel any burden of human relations. She only needed to face them with the most sincere heart.
Among these apprentices, her favorite is Gu Sui Han, because this child is steady and sensible, never requires her to worry too much, and can often help her.
She thought it was a gift from God, but she didn't expect it was stolen from someone else. He treated her well out of his gratitude for Qiongju.
"When?" she asked hoarsely.
Gu Suihan was unsure of her emotions and didn't dare to let go, fearing that his master would leave him. He only loosened his grip slightly. "After the master's death."
"Where were you then?"
"My disciple was trapped in the Frost Sky Wall and failed to arrive in time. It was my fault."
Shen Qingmang felt a little sad. "I don't blame you."
She won't blame you.
"Master, it's Anyan Township."
"What?" Shen Qingmang frowned, not understanding why he mentioned Anyan Township's name.
"It was he who colluded with the enemy, letting the wolf in, and causing great suffering to the people of Taichu. It was also he who set up the formation. Otherwise, how could Junior Brother have trapped Master on his own?"
"I should have thought of it earlier..." Shen Qingmang murmured.
The most skilled in formations within the Taichu Sect is Wuwei Peak. As the Peak Master, An Yanxiang is the strongest of the new generation of Taichu Sect, second only to Qiongju. His attainments in formations are naturally top-notch. It would have been difficult for the fledgling Hao Xin to trap Qiongju, but An Yanxiang could do it.
"But why is he doing this? He has been in the Taichu sect since he was born. Taichu is his home. How could he betray his own family?"
"Disciple, I don't know." Gu Suihan shook his head. "But I know why he trapped Master."
"for what?"
"He wants to make you his own."
"ha?"
Shen Qingmang now wanted to drag Li Shutong out of the spirit palace and give him a good shake. What kind of melodramatic plot was this? Qiongju's misfortune stemmed from her suitor's ill intentions? Is romance novel writers' minds solely focused on love?
"I suspect his formation may weaken Master's power, preventing Master from leaving Linyuan Palace."
"Indeed," Shen Qingmang nodded. Because she'd been trapped in Linyuan Palace, even she'd been haunted by the more luxurious Peak Master's Palace and hadn't moved there yet. "But if he wanted to make Qiongju... me his own, why would he allow me to be sacrificed?"
Gu Suihan finally released her wrist, his voice a little hoarse. "Because my disciple had always wanted to escape from the Frost Sky Wall, he kept fighting me to stop me. We didn't know that Master had already decided to die, otherwise he would have stopped you."
"There's no point in saying this now." Shen Qingmang rubbed his wrist, thinking that his eldest disciple's hand was really strong.
"Master, rest assured. This time, I will do my utmost to protect you and will never let you put yourself in danger."
Shen Qingmang was very happy to hear this, but his happiness was also tinged with a bit of bitterness. "No need. Just take care of yourself. I will not let this happen."
"I didn't tell Master before because I was worried that Master would distance himself from me. But now that I've said it, I feel much more relaxed. Master, you won't blame me for hiding it, right?" Gu Sui Han looked at her cautiously.
"No." Shen Qingmang shook his head.
He smiled. "Master is so kind. He's always so kind and doesn't hold grudges. I know you want to resolve this crisis and change everything. But you don't have to force yourself. Whether it's teaching me or socializing with the elders, I can do it for you. You can just focus on your practice as before."
"No need." Shen Qingmang sighed softly. "I appreciate your kindness, and I'm not forcing you."
"Master, do you no longer trust anyone because of what my junior brother did before? I can promise that I will never touch the authority of the Peak Master!" Gu Sui Han said anxiously.
"That's not the reason." Shen Qingmang said, "Master, what I said is sincere. What I am doing now is what I am willing to do. No one is forcing me, and I am not doing it just to change the ending. Sui Han, you... don't treat me like the Qiongju of the past, okay?"
Gu Suihan looked a little confused, but he nodded obediently. "Okay."
"Go back and rest. We still have to watch the game tomorrow. I'll go check on your fellow apprentices."
"Master, please rest early."
"Um."
Shen Qingmang left Lingshuangju and went to visit Si Rong and Hao Xin first to reassure them that the eldest brother was fine. She then went to visit the outer disciples. Tomorrow's events were very similar to ordinary sports games, both of which were competitions of athletic ability. It was basically the outer disciples' home turf, so she encouraged them to perform well.
When all these things were done and the night was getting darker, she dragged her tired body back to Qiongzhi Palace. Her expression remained normal all the way until her body touched the bed, then she fell back, covered her face, and sobbed softly.
There was no such thing as love or hate without reason; everything was stolen by her. She had usurped the magpie's nest and become Qiongju. She knew she should be grateful, not complain. They had both died once, Qiongju's soul had been scattered, but she had luckily been transported into the book and had a second life. No matter what was inflicted on her, she should bear it. At least she was more fortunate.
But reason is one thing, emotion another. Wearing someone else's body, playing someone else's role, participating in someone else's story... She always existed as Qiongju. Now think about it, besides Gu Suihan, was it because of her, Shen Qingmang, that Si Rong and Hao Xin chose to be her disciples? Si Rong wanted to be her disciple because she had admired Qiongju Zhenren's grace since childhood, and Hao Xin wanted to learn from the strongest, and one day surpass her and create a new legend.
As for those outer disciples, she had only accepted them at her own request. Were they all willing? A few days ago, she had heard Ah Niu say that he was having nightmares every night because of the approaching scheduled competition day. He was terrified that if he lost, his master would lose his position as Peak Master. He didn't really have such big ambitions himself and was content to be an ordinary outer disciple.
What did she bring to them? Can she leave her own mark in this world?
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