Chapter 69 Kindness His soft heart had made him unable to tolerate anything in the world…
...
Half an hour later, Feng Xixue nodded solemnly: "Okay, I've memorized it all." Although the formation was extremely complex, the other party explained it clearly, and he was also highly perceptive, so he had it deeply engraved in his mind after hearing it just once.
Zhe Qing hummed in agreement, then added, "This magic array seeks the faint connection between the item and its owner. The duration is uncertain, so don't rush it. Also, remember that the array can only be activated once, and it must be done in one go. Never interrupt it midway."
"I know what's important."
In fact, Zhe Qing knew that Feng Xixue would definitely value this matter more than his own life, but he could only give a few more instructions as if he could buy some more time.
But it didn't work out in the end. The two were now speechless. Feng Xixue looked around again to make sure no one was there, and then asked the original question: "Mu Qingheng, what exactly is going on?"
He lowered his voice and looked at the man opposite him—his appearance was very different from that day, not only because of the scars on his face, but also because he had carefully disguised himself. Apart from his eyes, which still vaguely revealed his former glory, there was almost no trace of his past self.
Zhe Qing, also known as Mu Qingheng, slightly shifted his gaze after hearing Feng Xixue's question: "This matter is a long story, and it's not that important."
He was unwilling to talk about it, and Feng Xixue didn't force him. He had already seen Mu Qingheng's physical deformities when they first met, and talking about it would only reopen old wounds. Besides, Mu Qingheng had once suffered a shattered soul and spirit; he must have paid an unimaginable price to be where he is today.
In any case, he survived, and the method he used is really not important.
"Actually, when we first met in the northern frontier that day, I felt that you were somewhat familiar, but the aura of your kinship was almost imperceptible, so I didn't think much of it."
Feng Xixue's gaze fell on him, fixed on those dark eyes, "Until today..."
“Until today, when I offered to help you, you were almost certain of my identity,” Mu Qingheng finished slowly.
Feng Xixue turned her head, her gaze somewhat distant: "Yes. The only person in this world who told me there was a way to find Shengsheng was Mu Qingheng. You may be able to deceive Mu Meng and Lu Zhaoxin because your origins are unknown and unfathomable. Perhaps you are a master trained in some place. But to me, besides that, you also have a very faint trace of your kinship. If you are not Mu Qingheng, then there is no way to explain it."
After he finished speaking, he looked Mu Qingheng up and down again, frowning slightly. "You seem to have known all along that I could recognize your identity."
Mu Qingheng nodded silently.
Of course he knew. Feng Xixue was an extremely intelligent person. When they first met, he had already become somewhat suspicious when his gaze fell on her, but he probably thought the matter was too far-fetched and did not think about it deeply.
But if he still hasn't noticed anything amiss after today, what's the point of talking about the once invincible First Demon Realm Envoy?
Mu Qingheng said, "It was indeed a chance encounter that we met in Tiancang Realm, but I saw that you chased after her there because of Si'an Flower." He rested his hand on his forehead and pinched his brow. "Judging from your condition, I can roughly guess that the lover you are looking for may not be in good condition and may not be able to wait for the remaining hundred years."
Feng Xixue raised an eyebrow in surprise, and after a moment of stunned silence, asked incredulously, "So, you saw my predicament and made this special trip just to tell me in advance how to find Shengsheng?"
"yes."
"Why?"
Mu Qingheng glanced at Feng Xixue with a puzzled look, then slightly raised the corners of his lips, but there was no hint of sarcasm in his expression; rather, it was genuine gentleness: "Why not? If your beloved doesn't have much time left and can't make it to the date we agreed upon, you'll only have regrets in the end, and you'll inevitably die for love. What good would that do?"
He shook his head and sighed, “You and I are truly of the same kind, and I understand what is truly in your heart. If I were completely unaware, that would be one thing, but now that I have seen through it, how can I remain silent and risk your lives?”
Feng Xixue remained silent for a moment.
After a long while, he sighed with a bitter smile, "The hearts of the demons are truly laughable."
He only uttered a sarcastic remark, then remained silent with a blank stare, but Mu Qingheng fully understood his meaning:
The hearts of demons seem to be a cruel joke played on them by the heavens—initially incredibly hard, they can even cruelly hurt their beloved.
After falling in love for the first time, although one cherishes the one they love as the most precious treasure, one still regards the rest of the world as worthless.
But in the end, as the love in his heart deepened, it completely transformed into a compassionate heart. He not only understood love and cherishment more, but also couldn't help but feel soft-hearted and compassionate towards all things in the world.
However, as the son of the demon race, he could only bear this unfair helplessness. Feng Xixue's face darkened: "I really didn't expect... your heart has reached such a point that you would risk being recognized by me to find a way to tell me the clues you are looking for."
"Mu Qingheng, the softer your heart, the greater the heartache you will suffer."
Mu Qingheng did not change his expression because of Feng Xixue's advice. He smiled slightly and said, "That's nothing. Besides, what difference is there between you and me? When we first met Mengmeng at the desolate tomb, you spoke up for me. So you don't need to feel indebted. Today, consider it as me repaying the kindness you showed me back then."
“Mu Qingheng, there’s no need for us to refuse favors like we did with Yun Jiuyan or Sheng Yuanting,” Feng Xixue said, his gaze sharp. He slightly curled his lips, slowly shook his head, and said, “In these few chance encounters, you clearly didn’t want Mu Meng to know your true identity. If you wanted to keep it a secret, you shouldn’t have helped me so easily. Do you know that your actions today have been extremely dangerous—”
He pursed his lips, paced back and forth a couple of times with his hands behind his back, and said, “Mu Meng is exceptionally intelligent and quick-witted. Although she has slightly less information than I do and can’t recognize you directly, judging from her reaction, she must have already sensed that something is amiss. Secrets can’t stay hidden forever. Even if she can’t directly connect you to Mu Qingheng, if she becomes suspicious, she will definitely investigate on her own without anyone noticing. Perhaps it won’t be long before she exposes your identity.”
Feng Xixue's voice was very low, and it didn't even resonate in the main hall. However, it was this deep, magnetic voice, with its calm and indifferent tone, that created a sense of tension in the air.
The bright lights in the hall shone on Mu Qingheng's face, making the scars on his face slightly less noticeable, and his bright, star-like eyes became even more dazzling. "I know."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but gently curl the corners of his lips, his gaze filled with tenderness, making him appear even more handsome and dashing, with clear and bright features. "Mengmeng has grown up."
She was no longer that weak and naive little girl who only relied on her older brother.
Now, she is so wonderful, brave, calm, and radiant, like a polished pearl, or even the bright moon in the sky—you don't need to stand too close to see the light emanating from her.
It's a pity that his soul was filthy and his body was broken and decayed, so he was no longer qualified to stand beside Mengmeng.
However, as long as he could look up at her radiance amidst the mud and struggle, it was enough to comfort him for the rest of his life.
Seeing Mu Qingheng's expression, Feng Xixue naturally understood what he was thinking. After a while, she reminded him, "Since you know that Mu Meng will find out sooner or later, how do you plan to deal with it?"
Mu Qingheng smiled and said, "I guessed that things wouldn't go smoothly today, so I called you here alone. I want to ask you for a favor."
"Please speak." Although Feng Xixue readily agreed, he vaguely understood that Mu Qingheng's request was probably another method that would harm himself. He couldn't help but say frankly, "Although we are of the same clan, I understand your thoughts, but I have to advise you that now that things have come to this, it is not unreasonable to make some plans for yourself."
“Feng Xixue, I am different from you. Although you have also hurt the one you love, she has been reincarnated. When you find her, she will have forgotten her past life, thus erasing the hurt. With your current affection, you will surely be able to rekindle your relationship. But I am different.”
Mu Qingheng sighed softly and repeated in a low voice, "I'm different. Mengmeng won't want me, and I'm no longer worthy of her. If it weren't for fate playing tricks on me, I would never want to appear in front of her again and again. I'm terrified that one day she will see through my disguise and recognize my true identity. At that time, I don't care what happens to me, but seeing that I'm still alive will make her angry and sad, and that would be something I could never atone for..."
As he spoke, he seemed to already see the scene, and couldn't help but shiver slightly.
Feng Xixue frowned and couldn't help but say, "Mu Qingheng, have you ever thought about this—"
"Impossible. Even if demons are deeply in love, their passion never dies, and their fantasies never fade, I... I have long since lost all fantasies. Look at me now—I've lost half a leg, two fingers, and my face is completely disfigured. How could I possibly have the audacity to dream of standing beside Mengmeng like this?"
Mu Qingheng's expression was calm, and his tone was even more indifferent. "Besides, there's no need. I once had my soul shattered and my spirit torn apart. Now I'm just a walking corpse with a barely cobbled-together soul. Since my days are numbered, why let Mengmeng know that I've returned and only add to her troubles? I won't appear before her on my own initiative. I'll just wait until I've finished my business, killed those who deserve to be killed, and then leave quietly... That's the best ending."
He spoke with absolute certainty, leaving himself no room for maneuver. Feng Xixue heard him clearly; his mind was made up and he would not change his mind.
After a moment of silence, Feng Xixue finally nodded:
Tell me, how can I help you?
...
Feng Xixue returned to the Ghost King's Palace alone.
Mu Meng and Lu Zhaoxin had been waiting for them for almost an hour. Lu Zhaoxin was busy with his Samsara Disc, constantly working on the accounts of souls in the human and ghost realms. Mu Meng, having nothing to do, could only casually pick up a book to read.
He kept his eyes fixed on the book, but would occasionally glance towards the door.
So she was the first to see Feng Xixue walk in. Mu Meng even looked behind him and asked, "Huh... why are you alone?"
Feng Xixue nodded: "Yes, he's gone."
He left again?
This is the third time!!
Mu Meng stood up abruptly, a hint of anger creeping onto his usually calm face. Ignoring the two other people present, he said in a deep voice with a half-smile, "Fine, fine, fine. He's the best runner I've ever met!"
Feng Xixue looked at her, then suddenly narrowed her eyes slightly: "He's gone, and you're very unhappy?"
"Why should I be happy?! He seems humble and respectful, but he's actually incredibly arrogant! He completely disregarded me, leaving without even saying goodbye. How many times has he done this?! I don't want to see him again! If I see him even once more, I promise—"
Mu Meng was speaking angrily when she finally realized that her words might have been a bit harsh. She cleared her throat and barely managed to regain a semblance of composure.
He casually straightened his clothes, sat back down, and with a rather imposing air, uttered a single syllable: "Heh."
This time, not only Feng Xixue, but even Lu Zhaoxin felt something was strange. He frowned and asked, "Why are you so agitated?"
"Am I excited?" Mu Meng retorted, then corrected himself, "This is called anger, shouldn't I be angry?"
The first time was when they first met; he left and that was it. She didn't think it was a big deal.
The second time was when they met again. He tricked himself, promising to wait for her to heal his wounds the next morning, but he stood her up.
The third time, they had already considered each other friends. They had a deep conversation and traveled together. He even solved her immediate problem. She thought they were already close friends, but she never expected that he would run away without a word.
Why is he so unwilling to see her even once more?
Mu Meng crossed her arms and took small, deep breaths. In truth, she felt there was no need for her to be angry. She was a princess of the Celestial Clan, and it was always others who eagerly sought to see her, while she herself was not always available. As for someone like Zhe Qing, she should have given him a good beating long ago, so he could see her if he wanted, and if he didn't, he could get lost.
As Mu Meng thought about it, her anger flared up again, but this time she didn't say anything in a fit of rage. She just sat there alone, resting her chin on her hand and occasionally letting out a cold laugh.
Lu Zhaoxin also imitated Mu Meng by resting his chin on his hand. He stared at her with his bright and piercing eyes for a while, and when he saw that she did not notice his gaze, he pursed his lips and casually turned his head to the side.
He lowered his eyes, fiddling with the tassels on his clothes.
There was silence in the hall for a moment. After asking the question, Feng Xixue remained silent, standing quietly to the side, waiting for Mu Meng to calm down on his own.
Finally, Mu Meng let out a long breath, his expression returning to normal: "Forget it, let's ignore him. Zhao Xin, we've bothered you for so long, it's time for us to take our leave."
She glanced at Feng Xixue and nodded slightly to him as if to indicate that she was doing so. Feng Xixue had finally obtained a clue to find Yu Sheng. Although he did not show it on his face, he must have been anxious and wanted to activate the magic array as soon as possible.
But as Zhe Qing just mentioned, the magic array cannot be completed overnight. It cannot be activated in the Ghost Realm; it must be done after returning to the Kunlun Realm.
Lu Zhaoxin shook his somewhat stiff wrist and gave her a smile: "Okay, go ahead."
Watching Mu Meng's retreating figure, he smiled and said, "Your birthday is on the third day of next month. I'll come to celebrate with you."
"Alright, I'll be waiting for you." Mu Meng turned around and smiled, waved, then took a few steps out of the hall and disappeared from sight.
...
Back in Kunlun, Mu Meng had calmed down considerably. She suppressed the last bit of dissatisfaction in her heart and, seeing that Feng Xixue was about to part ways with her at the border, she quickly called out to him, "Wait a moment."
Feng Xixue stopped and gave her a slightly questioning look.
“Activating the magic array is no small matter, and it’s hard to predict how long it will take. Don’t go back to your residence. Go to my secluded stone chamber. I can still protect you from outside.”
Feng Xixue's brows relaxed, and she was about to refuse when Mu Meng, seeing this clearly, waved his hand first: "Don't refuse. This matter is so important that we can't afford to make a mistake. You've protected the law for me for so many years, so it's only natural for me to repay you once."
Her words left no room for refusal, and Feng Xixue, not one to mince words, nodded and smiled, "Alright, then thank you very much."
"No problem, don't be shy."
Mu Meng didn't mind, and the two walked into the territory together.
Halfway there, she glanced at Feng Xixue, thought for a moment, and finally couldn't help but say, "Feng Xixue, although everything went smoothly today, which is something to be happy about, don't you feel that something is a little strange?"
They've arrived.
Feng Xixue's expression remained unchanged, her demeanor composed: "What do you want to say?"
There was no point in beating around the bush with him, so Mu Meng said directly, "I feel like Zhe Qing came here specifically to help us. He seems to have sensed something. He said he was traveling with me, but his real purpose is very clear: he wants to help us resolve our current crisis."
Feng Xixue nodded and said, "That's right, he did come here specifically."
"Huh? How did you know?" Mu Meng was surprised that Feng Xixue admitted it so quickly.
“Because I also had this suspicion, I asked him about it after Young Master Zheqing taught me the formation,” Feng Xixue explained. “He is knowledgeable and well-read. He recognized the item we were trying to retrieve as the Si'an Flower when we were in Tiancang Realm, so he secretly guessed that we might have encountered some trouble.”
At this point, Feng Xixue slightly curved the corners of her lips, "But given his personality, it's impossible for him to directly ask us what kind of help we need. In addition, he doesn't know the specifics and isn't sure what he can do, so he has remained silent all the way and hasn't shown his willingness to help."
"Is that so? That makes sense," Mu Meng nodded secretly. This was indeed something Zhe Qing was capable of doing.
It turned out that this was another instance of his good intentions, but he never liked to take credit, so he came casually and left quietly as always.
"It's impossible not to feel sorry for him..." Mu Meng muttered to himself, shaking his head.
Feng Xixue paused, then quietly asked, "What makes you say that?"
Mu Meng sighed, "Who knows how he developed this temperament?" It's both infuriating and pitiful, and one can't help but feel a little heartache.
However, she didn't say the last sentence.
Feng Xixue shook her head imperceptibly and sighed softly.
They walked a few dozen steps further, and as they neared the stone chamber, Mu Meng spoke again, "Hmm... there's another question that I can't quite figure out. Although I know you're honest and trustworthy, and although we all trust Zhe Qing's character, and even Lu Zhaoxin laughed at me for overthinking, I still find something strange—"
She repeated "although" several times, then turned her head and slightly raised one of her long eyebrows: "You have a strange trust in Zhe Qing. Feng Xixue, were you two acquaintances before?"
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