Chapter 31 Hug Me (Second Update) Isn't someone else the one who should be crying? ...
(31)
After a long while, Chu Li led Shang Xinglan, whose eyes were red with tears, out of the Central Water Pavilion and walked nonchalantly to Xie Liyi.
She asked casually, "Where is Chu Shuyi?"
Xie Liyi was slightly taken aback when she saw the teeth marks on her neck, and even more surprised when her gaze fell on Shang Xinglan's face beside her.
This demon looked like he'd just finished crying; his eyes were red-rimmed, and his face was extremely pale, as if he'd run off to hang himself if left unattended. He'd originally planned to tie them up tightly with the demon-binding rope and take them to the Sword Immortal Palace as soon as they came out, but now it seemed unnecessary.
"Chu Shuyi? If you're asking about that woman from earlier, she's already gone." He stared at them suspiciously, as if trying to guess what they had done inside.
Xie Liyi did not know Chu Shuyi. He had only returned to the sect today and had not yet heard the news of the distinguished guest's arrival.
After a moment, he curiously looked at Shang Xinglan again.
There was truly no trace of demonic energy on his body, and his cultivation had also vanished. How exactly did this demon survive the Soul Cleansing Spring?
Well, the most urgent thing is to take them to his master for processing as soon as possible. After that, he still needs to capture the other two missing demonic cultivators and wipe them out in one fell swoop.
"Come with me," Xie Liyi said coldly, arms crossed. "This time, you can't afford any other excuse to delay, can you?"
Hearing that Chu Shuyi had left, Chu Li finally felt relieved. She turned her head to look at Shang Xinglan, who was still suppressing his anger, and gently beckoned his finger. "Husband?"
Shang Xinglan did not answer her, silently shook off her hand, and followed behind Xie Liyi.
Chu Li pursed her lips, knowing he was still angry, and turned to look at Xie Liyi, "I told you long ago, no one would believe he was a demon. Whether you believe me or not is fine. Lead the way."
Upon hearing this, Xie Liyi narrowed his eyes. He clearly remembered that it was Chu Li who had her child tell him that there were three devils in the family. Now she was denying it. She was really good at distorting the truth.
When they finally stand before their master, who knows what new explanation they'll give?
Cangshan Sect, Sword Immortal Hall.
A gentle breeze swept by, and a tree of crabapple blossoms fell like rain. My boots stomped on the dry petals, making a soft, rustling sound.
Two young servants stood outside the palace gate. Upon seeing Xie Liyi, they asked excitedly, "Senior brother, how is it? Have you found the demon's whereabouts?"
Xie Liyi nodded rather reservedly, "Is Master inside the hall?"
"Yes, senior brother, please come in."
He turned to look at Shang Xinglan and Chu Li, who were standing close together. However, Shang Xinglan's expression was still not good, and she looked gloomy.
Xie Liyi's lips twitched slightly, and she said rather bluntly, "Go in."
Hearing his words, Chu Li cautiously glanced at Shang Xinglan's expression and softly said, "Shall we go, husband?"
Shang Xinglan ignored her and walked straight into the hall, which greatly displeased Xie Liyi.
This demon is acting as if he's at home, strolling around leisurely. Does he really think he's been reborn after cleansing himself of his demonic energy?
Xie Liyi drew his sword and said coldly, "You fiend, you dare to be so arrogant even after entering the Sword Immortal Palace? Kneel down now."
Shang Xinglan remained silent, indifferently passing his sword.
Seeing that he ignored her, Xie Liyi's anger intensified. Just as she was about to say something more, Chu Li stopped her.
"If he doesn't want to kneel, fine, but why force him?" she muttered under her breath. "I've never heard of having to kneel before a sword immortal. You yourself are standing perfectly straight."
Xie Liyi gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "How can you lump me in with him? I am a cultivator, and what is he? He is a demon!"
Having said that, he picked up his sword and pretended to walk towards Shang Xinglan.
"Remove your clothes."
A deep, resonant voice suddenly came from behind the screen.
Xie Liyi was stunned for a moment, then his expression turned solemn. "Master, this disciple has brought the Demon Lord Wuming here."
A figure with an air of otherworldly grace slowly walked out, with two children carefully supporting him. "I understand, please take a seat."
His voice was unsteady, sounding as if he couldn't catch his breath and was hoarse.
Chu Li had met people like this before. The old man who had taken her in was the same; he often complained of chest tightness, discomfort, and difficulty breathing. Later, she learned that he was ill.
Is this the legendary sword immortal?
He looks like just an ordinary old man in a Taoist robe, easily fooled. If he were smart, he wouldn't have taught a simple-minded disciple like Xie Liyi.
She glanced at him furtively, then felt that the other person looked familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
Xie Liyi didn't know why his sword immortal master was treating this scoundrel so gently, but since his master had given the order, he could only endure it and sit down on the right.
Shang Xinglan sat down opposite him with complete ease, followed closely by Chu Li.
The sword immortal at the head of the table slowly took his seat, his gaze falling on Shang Xinglan, and remained silent for a long time.
"Long time no see, young master Shang."
Xie Liyi opened her eyes slightly and looked at Shang Xinglan in disbelief.
He thought the other person was deliberately lying to him by saying their surname was Shang.
Shang Xinglan respectfully greeted the Immortal Venerable, "It has indeed been many years since we last met. How is the Immortal Venerable's health?"
"I remember now!"
Chu Li's memory suddenly returned, and she looked at the sword immortal in surprise, "You are the old man who gave me two tattered books on the day of our wedding."
She received many gifts that day. The old man's arrival was quite grand; even the head of the family stood up to greet him. He also gave Chu Li a gift, which was placed in an expensive sandalwood box inlaid with beautiful and translucent jade.
The gift from such an important person must be extraordinary, so she was extremely excited. After the wedding, she couldn't wait to go to the storeroom to find it, but when she opened it, there were only two tattered books inside.
Therefore, Chu Li has always remembered it deeply.
As soon as she finished speaking, Shang Xinglan's eyelids twitched, and she squeezed her hand hard under the table.
Chu Li immediately realized that she had said the wrong thing, and quickly lowered her head and obediently apologized, "I'm sorry, I was rude."
She hadn't experienced such a formal occasion in a long time. She used to only do this when she was with Shang Xinglan. After eloping with Shang Xinglan, she had become used to being free and unrestrained, saying whatever she wanted, and she had forgotten about those rules and etiquette.
"You're not just rude, you're simply..." Xie Liyi gritted her teeth and stared at her, but before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted in a low voice by the person at the head of the table.
"Li Yi, you may leave now." The sword immortal spoke calmly, without a hint of reproach.
Xie Liyi was stunned for a long time, but still picked up his sword and walked out of the hall in frustration.
After he left, the sword immortal looked at Chu Li and sighed, "The book I gave you is for self-cultivation; have you read it carefully?"
How could it be a tattered book? It was a rare and precious book by a sage, carefully selected by him, and he had to make a difficult decision to part with it.
Chu Li pursed her lips, looked up at Shang Xinglan, and whispered, "Can I say?"
Shang Xinglan paused for a moment, already knowing her answer, and said helplessly, "Go ahead and say it."
"I didn't see it, I used it to seal the windows."
Hearing this, Shang Xinglan looked at her in confusion, "Which window in the house is broken?"
Chu Li became even more flustered, twisted the hem of her clothes, and said weakly, "It's not torn, I just think it looks better covered up."
"..."
Both the sword immortal and Shang Xinglan fell silent.
Shang Xinglan took a light breath, stood up and bowed, saying, "Immortal Venerable, please don't be offended. My wife is simple-minded and naive, and did not mean to do so. I will find two more books to return to you another day."
Upon hearing his words, the sword immortal smiled and said, "Gifts given away are like water spilled; Madam can dispose of them as she pleases."
Chu Li was surprised to find that they were acquaintances. Since they were acquaintances, they probably wouldn't have killed Shang Xinglan as a demon, right?
The sword immortal indeed had no intention of pursuing the matter further. He simply watched Shang Xinglan quietly for a long time before taking out a letter from his bosom.
“These past few days, the woman of the sky has been visiting the Cangshan Sect, and I guessed that she might be waiting for you.”
He raised his hand, and the letter, as if it had grown invisible wings, slowly flew to the table in front of Shang Xinglan.
“I am like a candle flickering in the wind, with little time left. I never thought I would see you again.” The sword immortal coughed twice, picked up his teacup and took a sip, and continued, “It is a pity that I was unable to see your patriarch one last time when he was critically ill. He sent me a letter, which I only received when I returned from exorcising the demon. After thinking it over, I think this letter should be read by you.”
Shang Xinglan picked up the letter, her eyelashes lowered, concealing her unsettled thoughts.
"I had heard that the new ruler of the Demon Realm, Wuming, used a sword technique that was seven-tenths similar to that of Shang Shang. I originally did not want to guess that it was you, but now it seems that I guessed right after all."
He gripped the letter tightly with his fingertips, pressing it until it turned white.
Shang Xinglan remained silent.
The sword immortal put down his teacup, looked at him, and a thousand sorrows in his eyes turned into a silent sigh.
"Li Yi told me you needed to cleanse yourself of demonic energy. Now that you're here, the demonic energy should have been completely cleansed, and you've lost all your cultivation. So stay at the Cangshan Sect and recuperate for a few days." With that, he stood up with the help of the boy and waved his hand.
Another child walked up to him, bowed, and said, "Gentlemen, I will arrange accommodations for you."
Upon hearing this, Chu Li stood up as if granted a pardon, her clothes already crumpled and wrinkled beyond recognition.
She could hear the disappointment in the sword immortal's tone. Shang Xinglan was a recognized ascendant, a righteous genius destined to be relied upon and worshipped, but now he had fallen into becoming a demon. Anyone would feel regret and sorrow.
She will make it up to him; as long as Shang Xinglan doesn't run away, she promises to do her best to make it up to him.
"My husband..."
Chu Li reached out and tugged at his sleeve in a flattering manner, "What was written in that letter?"
"It's none of your business."
Shang Xinglan uttered these words, then tucked the letter into her clothes and left with the boy leading the way.
Xie Liyi stood outside the hall, sword in hand. Seeing him emerge unscathed, his face turned ashen. "Where are you taking them? The Demon-Suppressing Tower?"
The boy shook his head and relayed the sword immortal's words to him.
"What?! Take them to stay at the Burning Pepper Palace?" Xie Liyi almost fainted. "Isn't that right next to the Central Water Pavilion? Doesn't Master know he's a demon?"
The boy answered him softly, "Senior brother, this is Master's instruction. If there is no other reason, please do not interfere."
Chu Li walked past him, looked up at him, and then quickly looked away. "See, I told you this before."
Xie Liyi: ...
The world has become distorted, people's hearts have lost their original purity, and even the revered master has fallen from grace!
He pursed his lips, turned around and entered the Sword Immortal Hall; he was determined to get to the bottom of this.
Not long after, inside the Burning Pepper Palace.
After the boy led them in, he left, leaving only Shang Xinglan and Chu Li in the vast palace.
Chu Li tentatively approached him, but Shang Xinglan dodged her by turning to the side. He said coldly, "I'll sleep in the west wing."
He was still angry with her.
Seeing Shang Xinglan walk into the west side hall and close the door, Chu Li felt a sense of emptiness and indescribable bitterness in her heart.
She knew she shouldn't pressure him with the threat of divorce, and she knew it would hurt him.
Chu Li couldn't think of a better solution, so she couldn't calm down. Just seeing Shang Xinglan and the Daughter of Heavenly Yin standing together filled her mind with anxiety and fear.
They were such a perfect match, from head to toe, a match made in heaven.
Chu Li couldn't remain indifferent; she was heartbroken, devastated, so heartbroken that her body trembled uncontrollably.
Only when she saw Shang Xinglan as heartbroken as she was could she be sure that he loved her and couldn't live without her.
Even though she herself knew that this would only push Shang Xinglan further away.
What should we do?
After a long while, Chu Li moved a stool over and placed it in front of the west side hall. She curled up on the stool and hugged herself.
Can someone teach her?
The silent and empty hall was utterly still.
Scalding tears rolled down her cheeks unexpectedly. She carefully wiped them away with her sleeve, making not a sound.
Suddenly, the palace door behind them opened a crack.
Chu Li turned around, sobbing, and met the other person's helpless gaze.
She looked at him expectantly, and whispered with a wronged expression,
"Shang Xinglan, hug me."
Shang Xinglan sighed, bent down, picked her up horizontally, and carried her into the side hall.
His small, thin body had spent half his life in hunger, and when he grew up, he didn't weigh as much as a few bags of grain.
So stupid, and so good at making people angry, then afterwards she stands weak and helpless at the door, shedding tears. What's there to cry about? Someone else should be crying, shouldn't they?
She's a despicable idiot; she can't live without him.
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