Chapter 79
Almost instantly, the earth shook and the scene before us seemed to shatter into pieces. For a moment, it seemed as if the very heavens were about to collapse.
Xie Qianjing's voice was drowned out by everything else.
Sheng Ningyu was also in a bad mood. The sealed memories had been waiting to be unleashed, and now they flooded into her mind like a torrent. At one point, Sheng Ningyu could hardly tell whether what was collapsing before her eyes was an illusion or the real world she was inhabiting.
Sheng Ningyu had already run towards that person.
The wind howled, and the world seemed to turn upside down. As she walked against the wind, Sheng Ningyu's white robes resembled flakes of snow, constantly being blown backward by the wind.
Xie Qianjing's vision seemed to blur for a moment. The person running towards him from not far away still had a young face, and his eyes were filled with arrogant arrogance. When he came towards him, it was like the bright moon carrying the spring breeze, about to draw his sword.
This is the look Xie Qianjing is most familiar with.
His heart softened slightly, a faint smile appeared on his lips, his expression softened a little, and he unconsciously walked towards her.
But as they drew closer, the youthful innocence of the person not far away gradually faded, and her features became sharper, carrying a coldness she had never possessed before. Even her hurried and disordered steps became steady.
...It's the Sword Master Mingyue.
Xie Qianjing thought.
She is the moonlight in the hearts of many cultivators, a ray of light that many people can only dream of but never reach in their lifetime, and the bright moon in the sky that countless living beings in the world admire and revere.
This was also a side of Sheng Ningyu that Xie Qianjing had never seen before.
Between her and him, they had already missed out on far too much.
Xie Qianjing slowed down.
A strange sensation came from my chest, and besides the sound of the wind, there was also the bewitching sound of a demon in my heart, each sound more piercing than the last, until it drowned out the clamor of the wind.
Xie Qianjing stood there, quietly trying to discern the situation for a while, before vaguely confirming that his heart, which had long been tainted by demonic energy, seemed to be in pain.
I met him, became his companion, and got engaged to him...
Will she regret it?
Why not?
Xie Qianjing gave a self-deprecating smile.
She could have had a smooth life, protected by the Sword Pavilion Master. She wouldn't have had to experience the sorrow of parting, so many regrets, or get involved in all these rights and wrongs.
If it weren't for him.
But he insisted on taking what didn't belong to him, dragging her into a fate she shouldn't have been involved in.
Bodhi is devoid of things, like a clear mirror and still water.
The Bodhi Immortal Lord of the Xie family should reside on a high platform, detached from the mortal world and indifferent to the plight of the common people.
Without cause, without effect, all things are at peace.
And that little immortal lord once thought the same thing.
What happened next?
The surroundings were so quiet it was almost noisy. Xie Qianjing, now the supreme ruler of the demon race, recalled things with a somewhat bewildered expression.
In those memories scorched by endless flames, amidst the bleakness filled with smoke and blood, he finally discovered a trace of the broken past.
On a certain day of a certain month of a certain year.
In the Xie family compound, where snow falls year-round, a young immortal casually looked up and saw a sliver of moonlight. Suddenly, he realized that he was covered in snow.
It's a bit cold.
In that instant, the young immortal Xie suddenly had a delusion: if he had moonlight, perhaps he wouldn't feel so cold.
However, the moonlight in his arms was blown about by the wind and rushed to the next person's side in an instant. The moonlight hung high and far away, just as before, but the person in the flying snow suddenly had a thought and a wild idea.
Unwilling, unwilling, and unable to find peace.
...
"engagement."
The two simple words, spoken by the little immortal who almost never made any demands, were calm yet like a thunderclap, causing all the elders in the Bodhi Xie family that year to widen their eyes in an instant, looking at each other in bewilderment, but no one dared to utter a single word.
In an instant, the huge main house fell completely silent.
A highly respected elder spoke tremblingly, "You mean..."
"I want to get engaged to someone."
It was just a simple sentence, yet it was so shocking that no one present dared to refute it.
How should I put it? The Bodhi Immortal Lord, who could be described as having an aloof and unworldly demeanor, unconsciously raised his eyebrows slightly when he spoke of "one person".
In an instant, it was as if the ice and snow had melted away, and a myriad of spring colors flooded into this mountain courtyard where snow falls all year round.
At that moment, everyone in the Xie family understood that Bodhi Immortal Lord was not consulting with them, but had already made a decision.
Finally, it was the eldest elder of the Xie family who stepped forward first.
He lowered his gaze and sighed deeply: "Since the Immortal Lord has made his decision, then we..."
Naturally, we can only do our best to accomplish this.
...
Xie Qianjing lowered his eyes, and the gentle smile on his face had long since vanished.
This memory is etched in my heart; even after more than a hundred years, it remains vivid in my mind.
The wind howled in my ears, and the collapsing illusion surged in all directions like a broken waterfall.
Xie Qianjing remained unmoved.
He thought that perhaps he was no different from people like Chu Jiye and Feng Qingli.
They are equally selfish, equally unscrupulous, equally...
"Thank you, Qianjing!"
Xie Qianjing watched as Sheng Ningyu ran towards him. She called his name, and her hand in her sleeve seemed to move.
But this time, she did not hold his hand as she had in the past.
She looked at him, as if she wanted to say something, but the illusion around her collapsed in an instant, and Sheng Ningyu's pupils shrank sharply.
Her hand was already halfway out, but she suddenly pulled it back.
"Let's go out first!"
Xie Qianjing's eyelashes trembled, and a hint of darkness flashed in his eyes.
"……good."
...
Why is there still no movement?
The Chu family's fate was sealed, and Chu Jiye had already been subdued by Yan Ruchao, who had arrived at the scene.
Yan Ruchao casually picked up a tree branch as a sword and used his ghostly energy to pierce Chu Jiye's heart. Watching the blood meander down, he curled his lips into a cold smile.
"Is the blood of someone as treacherous as you red?"
A long, drawn-out phoenix cry rang out, and starlight seemed to fall from the sky, gradually condensing into a red figure.
Feng Xiaosheng's already sharp eyes were now filled with rage. She took a few steps to Chu Jiye, grabbed him by the collar, and said sternly, "Where is Sheng Mingyue!"
Chu Jiye was seriously injured. Even though Feng Xiaosheng was only an avatar, he could not withstand such pressure. Under the impact, he coughed up several mouthfuls of blood again, and his face turned pale. Coupled with his deliberately maintained youthful appearance, he did not look like the head of the Chu family, but rather resembled a carefree young man from back then.
Chu Jiye struggled to his feet, but turned to Yan Ruchao. He was stunned for a moment, then revealed a strange smile: "Senior Brother Yan is joking. Under heaven, whose heart is not made of flesh, whose blood... is not crimson?"
yes.
Whose blood is not crimson?
Was that marriage contract from back then truly Mingyue's blood?
Thinking this way, Chu Jiye felt as if he were trapped in a thick fog, becoming increasingly self-entangled, his expression like that of a demon in the mountains.
Yan Ruchao frowned, Chu Jiye lowered his eyes, and suddenly looked at Feng Xiaosheng in front of him: "Young Master Feng is as impatient as ever, which reminds me of Qingyi Academy."
Many of the cultivators following Yan Ruchao were also graduates of Qingyi Academy. Now that their memories were stirred, they couldn't help but feel emotionally affected, and their expressions were somewhat dazed for a moment.
It wasn't directed at Chu Jiye, but rather at that period of time.
Sincere, naive, and with an almost foolish recklessness, as if determined to smash the sky apart.
Not only those directly involved, but even bystanders felt a deep sense of empathy and passion.
At that time, the bright moon was not yet high in the night sky, but seemed to be able to fall into everyone's arms.
However, Feng Xiaosheng was not fooled by this situation.
She sneered, tightening the spiritual energy she had gathered in her hand, causing the veins on Chu Jiye's neck to bulge. Chu Jiye had not expected Feng Xiaosheng to be so ruthless, making no attempt to conceal her actions in front of everyone.
In an instant, Chu Jiye's internal organs clenched tightly. He had never suffered such humiliation before. He was in so much pain that he broke out in a cold sweat. Even so, he still managed to stand up and maintain the dignity of the head of the Chu family.
One of the cultivators looked reluctant and whispered, "Young Master Feng..."
Before he could finish speaking, a chill rose from his heart, as if to freeze his soul into the sea of ghostly wails. The cultivator shuddered and dared not say another word.
Yan Ruchao gave a mocking smile, his gaze falling on Chu Jiye once again.
He did believe that Sheng Ningyu couldn't escape the formation set up by that bastard Chu family.
He naturally knew his junior sister.
Aside from her exceptional talent in swordsmanship, what is even more remarkable about Sheng Ningyu is her unwavering will.
Once she makes up her mind, she will not be swayed by external things. No matter how many changes those demons and monsters make, it will be of no use. They can even temper her character.
Feng Xiaosheng was certainly aware of this.
only……
Yan Ruchao tightened his grip, and the leaking ghostly energy crushed the tree branch into powder.
Even if such suffering is beneficial to one's character, it is still too painful.
It's too bitter.
Feng Xiaosheng's eyes were almost bloodshot, but before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a slightly off-key voice.
"Feng Xiaohong, go easy on him, don't really strangle him. I still have some questions to ask him."
Chu Jiye suddenly raised his head and saw Sheng Ningyu raising her eyebrows and walking briskly towards him.
"Why hasn't Senior Brother left yet? Is he worried about me?"
Yan Ruchao took a deep breath, then expressionlessly conjured a sword shadow and slammed it heavily onto Sheng Ningyu's head.
"Never again."
"I will never do that again!"
The two voices rang out almost simultaneously. Meeting Yan Ruchao's gaze, Sheng Ningyu felt even more guilty. She coughed lightly, and her right hand was already gently grasped by Feng Xiaosheng's illusory figure.
"Are you injured again?"
These people are treating her like a porcelain doll.
Sheng Ningyu was both amused and exasperated: "I'm fine." She said to Feng Xiaosheng, "That guy Chu Yuandao is digging holes everywhere, and you're probably in quite a mess over there too, tsk... Xiao Hong, go and deal with it quickly. I'll come find you as soon as I'm done here."
As Sheng Ningyu spoke in a coquettish tone, Feng Xiaosheng, unusually, looked away, coughed lightly, and glanced behind Sheng Ningyu, saying, "It might be too late."
Sheng Ningyu: "?"
She turned her head sharply, and in less than a second, Yuan Bushu and Madam Xiang appeared.
Sheng Ningyu: "..."
Perhaps out of guilt for leaking information, after confirming that Sheng Ningyu was unharmed, Feng Xiaosheng's figure vanished instantly and then appeared behind Yan Ruchao, condescending to lead the group of cultivators to remove the puppet barrier.
Sheng Ningyu: "…………"
What a true friend! He left her alone to face the impending storm.
Yuan Bushu and Xiang Bieyun arrived in a great hurry. The broken walls and ruins of the Chu family and the rampant demonic energy were already terrifying. In addition, Sheng Ningyu looked at the two of them with a pale face. The two of them were startled, their spiritual power increased, their expressions became more serious, and they rushed straight towards the two of them.
With these two, plus the senior brother's constant nagging...
My life is over!
Before Sheng Ningyu could find a way out, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Sister Mingyue!"
Sheng Ningyu paused, then slowly looked away.
Chu Jiye, who was on the ground, started to laugh.
He stared at Sheng Ningyu with almost obsessive eyes, wiped the blood from his lips, tilted his head, and said in a joyful and confident voice, "I knew it, none of these things could hold you back, you would definitely come out."
Sheng Ningyu suddenly opened her eyes wide.
Before her mind could process it, Sheng Ningyu spun around, grabbed Xie Qianjing's sleeve, and pulled him in front of her.
Xie Qianjing was slightly taken aback.
He thought that after remembering those things, Sheng Ningyu would no longer want to talk to him, or that she would treat him no differently from any other person.
But now...
Xie Qianjing's gaze shifted downwards, landing on the hand that was gripping his sleeve.
He was somewhat puzzled.
She seemed to have forgiven his deception, but refused to touch him again.
Having just breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that Sheng Ningyu was alright, Yuan Bushu couldn't help but feel a little strange seeing her act this way.
He desperately wanted to ask directly, but the teachings he had received from Linghuanwu instilled in this young master a natural sense of propriety, and he was determined not to be impolite in front of others.
Yuan Bushu nodded slightly to Xie Qianjing: "Thank you for protecting me, Demon Lord."
Xie Qianjing lowered his gaze, his face as cold as ice, and said indifferently, "You're too kind, Palace Master Yuan..."
"Senior Brother Yuan, why are you being so polite with him?"
The remaining four people turned around and saw Sheng Ningyu tugging at Xie Qianjing's sleeve and taking a few steps forward. The action seemed intimate, but in reality, she didn't lean on him at all.
Is this a sign of closeness or distance?
Those present were somewhat confused.
Especially when they got closer, something seemed to float past her nose, and Xiang Bieyun felt that it was somewhat familiar. She was a step too slow to speak, and Yan Ruchao beat her to it.
"Sheng Ningyu." Yan Ruchao looked directly at Xie Qianjing, interrupting Sheng Ningyu, "Have you figured out the matter of the spirit bone?"
Naturally, there hasn't been time yet.
Sheng Ningyu blinked rapidly a few times, then tilted her head and coughed lightly: "Senior Brother Yuan, Sister Ayan, Senior Brother."
"Let me introduce you first. This is Xie Qianjing." Sheng Ningyu turned her head, smiled at Xie Qianjing, raised one eyebrow slightly, and then turned back to the other side.
"He is my fiancée."
This is a bit strange, since Sheng Ningyu had already used the identity of "Xie Qianjing's fiancé" to deceive many people in Qingyi Academy before.
Sheng Ningyu could tell at a glance that the others didn't care. Even Xie Qianjing only glanced at her and gave a gentle smile, but there was no great emotion in his eyes.
It was as if the heavy snow that once blanketed the Xie family's land had been completely captured in his eyes.
How did she, a perfectly innocent and pure little fairy, end up like this?
I used to not know how to smile, and now I know how to smile, but that's all I can do.
Sheng Ningyu sighed, shook her head, and dismissed the inappropriate emotions that had surfaced in her heart.
Yan Ruchao and Yuan Bushu exchanged a glance, temporarily setting aside their previous questions and listening quietly.
Sheng Ningyu gripped Xie Qianjing's sleeve tightly, her face a mixture of forced composure and a strange, inexplicable hint of embarrassment and annoyance, making her appear almost tense.
Sheng Ningyu used all her spiritual power to transmit her voice far and wide, so that almost all the cultivators removing obstacles outside the Chu family could hear her.
These words sounded somewhat vague, even a bit childish and out of place. The cultivators stared wide-eyed, almost unable to believe their ears.
,
"Is...is that the voice of the Sword Master?"
"Nonsense! Besides the Sword Master, who else in the world could be called 'Sheng Ningyu'?"
"Xie Qianjing? That's a nice-sounding name, and it sounds somewhat familiar..."
Upon hearing this, the surroundings immediately fell silent, and even those who were removing obstacles became more cautious in their movements.
Finally, the cultivator suddenly realized that everyone wanted to ask this question! But no one dared to ask it aloud!
Amidst the rampant ghostly energy and the howling wind, a crimson figure stood, its aura terrifying, as if it were enveloped in frost and ice.
The man was so frightened by Feng Xiaosheng's imposing aura that he trembled and dared not utter another word. But just then, a majestic voice rang out.
It's her.
Everyone held their breath and couldn't help but look at each other to make sure they hadn't misheard.
Even so, some people still didn't believe it and stepped forward tremblingly to bow: "This humble one dares not presume to believe it. May I ask, Young Master Feng, was that voice just now truly that of the Sword Master Mingyue?"
The other cultivators were all sweating bullets for him.
Feng Xiaosheng lazily raised her eyes.
Given her personality, she shouldn't have said anything to these irrelevant people.
If anyone dares to block her path or question her words, she doesn't even need to lift a finger; her guards will take care of it for her.
But now Sheng Ningyu has returned.
As a result, her temper improved considerably.
“I confirm, it is your Bright Moon Sword Master.” Feng Xiaosheng snorted coldly, his magic weapon, the Hundred Feather Mo Lan Fan, swaying gently. “Even when she was trapped just now, I didn’t see her use such full strength.”
Is this...is this blaming the Sword Master?
The crowd looked at each other, speechless.
Feng Shaojun, now among the onlookers, naturally dared not refute, but the same was true for Sword Master Mingyue. Perhaps the crowd had forgotten him before. But after this ordeal, who wouldn't remember Sheng Ningyu's life-saving act, who wouldn't recall the Sword Master's former brilliance, like the bright moon hanging high in the sky?
Someone in the crowd offered a faint explanation: "Perhaps someone is impersonating someone..."
"How could I not recognize her voice?!"
Feng Xiaosheng suddenly turned around, her red dress billowing and overlapping, blending with the moon-like outer gauze, like twinkling stars shining under the moonlight.
The young lord of the Phoenix Clan turned cold. "In your hearts, are the people of my Phoenix Clan so bad at judging character?"
"No, no, no! We have absolutely no such intention! We are only worried that someone might impersonate the Sword Master, deceive the public, and smear the Sword Master!"
The cultivators felt the eerie aura emanating from Feng Xiaosheng's still-open Hundred Feather Mo Lan Fan, as well as the ghostly energy that she had dispelled with a single move. They immediately bowed in respect. Feng Xiaosheng's icy and stern expression softened slightly. She floated to the person who had spoken earlier and slowly said, "I have known her since we were young, and I would never mistake her voice."
The phrase "to know each other well" was spoken with particular emphasis, as if afraid that no one would hear it clearly; it was almost as if it had been chewed up and broken down.
The man looked up, flattered. For a moment, he wondered if he had misinterpreted the boastfulness in Feng Shaojun's tone. After hesitating for a moment, he mustered his courage and said, "The friendship between Shaojun and the Sword Master is naturally beyond the reach of ordinary people."
hiss!
How dare you say such nonsense?!
Many of the people present were still unsure about the current relationship between the two. Although they seemed to be getting along well just now, it was probably just an act.
The idea had just surfaced when, in the next second, it vanished completely upon seeing Feng Xiaosheng's expression.
The aura emanating from the young Phoenix Clan lord, dressed in splendid fairy robes, suddenly dissipated, the imposing presence of her ancient divine bloodline fading away. She even slightly raised the corners of her lips, and actually smiled.
This smile was different from his usual dignified and imposing demeanor, which made people dare not offend him. Instead, it looked like a young man's pride and smugness.
She completely put away her magical artifacts: "The ghostly aura here has dissipated. Let's go. Come with me back to take a look."
...
Based on her recovered memories, Sheng Ningyu naively believed that, given the nature of the young immortal lord of the Xie family, he would not care about such trivial worldly titles as "unmarried Daoist partner" or "fiancé".
Not only would they not care, they might even be puzzled as to why she was taking this so seriously.
But Sheng Ningyu stubbornly felt that this was different.
She didn't know why Xie Qianjing had been silent after leaving the secret realm, but she felt that she should introduce him to her sect and relatives.
The person Sheng Ningyu likes should be publicly announced and known to the whole world.
He will make up for all the prophecies he could not speak out because of the "Fragment of Heavenly Destiny".
As soon as he finished speaking, the ruins were so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Madam Xiang's eyes widened, and in a flash, she suddenly connected everything together.
"That snowy winter night, the Sword Master arrived under the moonlight, sword in hand, only to... to thank Young Master for the incense he requested?"
The girl's voice was clear and crisp, as if she wanted to proclaim every bit of her love to the world.
Sheng Ningyu couldn't help but smile as she recalled that scene.
It's strange. Scenes that she thought she would never remember again are now vivid in her mind, as if she had just parted ways with that demon in the snow yesterday.
“It’s him.” Sheng Ningyu turned her head and glanced at Xie Qianjing, only to see him staring blankly, and she immediately felt a little guilty.
Putting aside the word "fool," her blatant disregard for others, without even asking Xie Qianjing, and simply announced the two of them together to the world, is something that this little immortal lord might not be able to accept for a while.
Sheng Ningyu dared not look at Xie Qianjing again. She coughed lightly, shook her head, raised her eyebrows, and gave a carefree smile: "Sister Ayan, it was unfortunate back then, but now I've brought him to see you."
The image of that radiant face was still vivid in her mind, and it merged with the image of the person in front of her who, even after growing up, still couldn't hide his unrestrained nature. In an instant, Madam Xiang's heart softened like a flower bud.
She said in an almost indulgent, sighing voice, "That's wonderful."
Yuan Bushu glanced at his wife, then at his junior sister opposite him, and hesitated before opening his mouth as if to say something.
But Sheng Ningyu was completely unaware that at this moment, she cared more about the other person's feelings.
Why is Xie Qianjing still not reacting at all?
Sheng Ningyu turned her head, pondered for a few seconds, and then looked at Xie Qianjing with a hint of disbelief and grievance, saying, "Xie Qianjing, do you want to call off the engagement now?"
In an instant, the demonic cultivators in the shadows gasped, pressed down by the rapidly spreading demonic energy to the ground, unable to straighten up at all.
Good heavens, what are you saying, Sword Master?!
Sure enough, almost before she finished speaking, Sheng Ningyu received a reply.
Such a swift and urgent reply is neither in line with Xie Qianjing's current status as the Lord of Ten Thousand Demons, nor with the character of the Bodhi Immortal Lord who once lived on the snowy high mountain.
Yan Ruchao remained expressionless, the sword in his hand flashing between illusion and reality, then solid again.
He has always been reluctant to speak to others.
All I want to do now is take action.
Yuan Bushu looked at the figure not far away, which resembled a wooden sculpture and was stained with blood beyond recognition, and sighed inwardly.
He always felt that this was not good.
Chu Jiazi is indeed of bad character and immoral conduct, but no matter what, it is wrong to toy with his feelings like this.
But Yuan Bushu looked to his side again, while Xiang Bieyun smiled. She was genuinely happy for the proud and bright swordswoman from her memory. As a result, Yuan Bushu's expression became more and more complicated, but then quickly returned to calm.
Lady Xiang: "What are you thinking about, my husband?"
Yuan Bushu gently pressed the corner of her eye to wipe away some tears; "I was thinking, it's better to share happiness than to enjoy it alone."
The lady was happy, the junior sister was happy, everyone was happy.
If the head of the Chu family is unhappy, then so be it.
As for Yan Ruchao, after catching a glimpse of the large number of cultivators coming to provide support not far away, he unusually relaxed his condensed sword intent, coughed lightly, and tried to remind someone of something.
At the same time, however, a laugh rang out. The sound was short and sharp, echoing among the blood-stained ruins. It was desolate and somewhat insane, extremely jarring and terrifying, and made people feel a heart-wrenching discomfort.
"From beginning to end... I've always kept it in my heart..."
With a manic laugh, Chu Jiye repeatedly murmured this sentence, his voice rising from soft to loud.
After a moment, he seemed to finally react, hunching over and staggering forward a few steps, staring intently at Sheng Ningyu.
Yan Ruchao frowned: "Be careful!"
At the same moment, Chu Jiye unleashed his spiritual energy in a violent and scattered manner without any restraint. However, this spiritual energy was not used for attack, but rather to push away everyone who was blocking him and to support himself as he slowly stood up.
In this conspiracy where everyone had their own ulterior motives, Chu Jiye got what he wanted, but his bones had already been broken by the huge impact earlier.
As he moved, the broken bones were forcibly pieced together by spiritual power, making a teeth-grinding "crunching" sound. Thick, almost black blood gushed from the joints of the bones and flesh. He had somehow managed to make his face very clean, but the extreme paleness and blood made him look like a blood corpse.
Even so, he did not stop.
Yan Ruchao watched coldly and made a judgment: "A madman."
If Sheng Ningyu hadn't signaled him not to interfere, Yan Ruchao would have already stepped forward and dealt with the person.
Step by step.
Chu Jiye straightened his back and walked up to Sheng Ningyu with his clean face.
It was as if he were still that little immortal lord of the Chu family, showered with love and adorned with silk and magical artifacts.
Chu Jiye stubbornly stared at Sheng Ningyu with eyes that were already beginning to well up with blood and tears, as if he were looking at something else entirely.
He asked repeatedly, in a hollow voice, over and over again, "Then what am I?"
"Sister Mingyue, what are you and I?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Updates resumed! I had some health issues and am currently recovering! I'll be able to maintain about three updates a week for the time being! Please don't wait! However, the ending and several key plot points were set and written from the beginning, and my readers have all seen them, so there's no need to worry about it being abandoned!
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