Chapter 28: Weisheng Holding the Pillar (Part 4) “And I, without a past, even more…
Lian Qiang was stunned for a moment, not knowing what he was asking.
She wasn't someone who didn't know about the world; she vaguely sensed the subtle emotions in An Ziliang's glance. But she didn't think it was important. She was more concerned with the relationships within the An family and what An Ziliang had inadvertently revealed.
But when Chi Xingji asked this question, was he asking what she had seen from An Ziliang, or was he asking... her attitude towards An Ziliang?
Lian Qiang wasn't sure if anyone else could discern the unusual meaning in his eyes, and if it was Chi Xingji, she'd be even less sure. But her intuition, or perhaps something else, made her think he wanted to ask the latter question.
But Lian Qiang was unwilling to answer in that direction. She could only avoid looking at the candlelight and feigned composure, saying, "Perhaps, he's not as he appears to be. City Lord An never revealed that the great demon was a fox demon, yet he readily said so... The eldest sister he mentioned, perhaps because I once had siblings, also makes me very concerned..."
Chi Xingji was a little surprised: "You had brothers and sisters?"
Lian Qiang smiled slightly and said, "Our bodies and hair are inherited from our parents. I am no different. I have compatriots and relatives. Isn't that strange?"
"It's not surprising. I just asked casually. So how are they doing now?"
Chi Xingji continued talking about the next topic, but when he saw the fleeting smile on Lian Qiang's face, he realized that he had said something wrong.
"They are not like me. They have no fate with Taoism and have turned into dust long ago." Lian Qiang answered very calmly. She thought she could look back on the past calmly, but in the end, her heart was still turbulent.
She had the best parents in the world, loving her brother and treating her sister well. They loved her as much as she loved them. How could she remain indifferent when she thought of them?
But fortunately, she can still remember them through her memories, and she will have a long time to remember them.
"...My condolences," Chi Xingji said hesitantly, "At least you can still remember their existence."
"Yes, they should have been reincarnated and are living a new life. No matter how sad I am, I should look forward." Lian Qiang smiled again, unwilling to indulge in sadness anymore.
She walked out of her gloom, and Chi Xingji's next words seemed to comfort her, but also seemed to be sighing to himself: "I am actually a little envious of you. You have someone you care about, and maybe someone also cares about you. But I have no past, and I don't know who will remember me. Who can I care about?"
Lian Qiang was stunned. Yes, strictly speaking, Chi Xingji is now a person without a past, not supported by any memories or emotions.
"Don't be sad, Immortal Lord. Everything depends on fate. Perhaps one day, you will suddenly see the light," Lian Qiang sincerely wished. But she only said half of her words. The rest of her words were that when that day came, they would no longer be on the same path.
"That's fine." After this, the room fell silent. After a long moment, Chi Xingji raised his eyes and said noncommittally, "Besides that, what do you think of An Ziliang?"
"Besides that, what besides that?" He changed the subject so quickly that Lian Qiang almost didn't react. She could only pretend to be completely confused and asked him, "Could it be that Immortal Lord, have you discovered anything else besides this? Tell me about it."
Her smile was truly flawless, not fake. Chi Xingji stared at her for a moment, realizing he couldn't detect any more clues from her face. He stepped aside and shook his head, "...No. After all, you always have a unique angle to approach things. I just hope you'll gain something else."
From then on, the two of them said nothing more. Lian Qiang stood up and said, "It's getting late. I'll take my leave now."
Chi Xingji didn't stop her. He waited until she reached the door before calling out in a muffled voice, "Lian Qiang."
Lian Qiang rarely heard him call her by her full name. At that moment, she was suddenly struck by a strange feeling, as if struck by lightning. She slowly turned around and saw Chi Xingji's face hidden behind the bright flames, and his face was not clear. Sitting there alone, he seemed a little lonely.
“…Nothing, sorry.”
Chi Xingji said this without any beginning or end. Lian Qiang couldn't tell whether Chi Xingji was looking at her. She just nodded stiffly and left quickly.
After walking out of the door, Lian Qiang lifted her skirt and almost ran back to her room, almost tripping over the threshold. When she was alone, she felt her throbbing heart gradually calm down.
Despite repeatedly telling herself that she had to work hard the next day, Lian Qiang still couldn't sleep all night.
When the time was almost up, the two met in front of the house and went to An's house. Along the way, neither of them spoke a word.
Although it was just a normal way of calling him by his name, Lian Qiang always felt that there was a silent resentment in her heart.
The inn they stayed in was not far from the An family. The two were respectfully welcomed in and had a smooth journey.
Arriving at the main hall, I was surprised to see Lord An and his wife sitting at the head of the table. Surprisingly, An Ziliang was also sitting nearby. Compared to yesterday, his arrogance had subsided considerably. Sitting there, he appeared somewhat humble, courteous, and well-educated.
Lian Qiang looked at him curiously and unconsciously took a few more glances, which happened to meet his gaze. Lian Qiang did not avoid him and nodded politely. Now it was An Ziliang who was frozen. When he looked away, the tips of his ears were already red.
Without An Ziliang interfering, the attitude of City Lord An and his wife was impeccable. Ever since Chi Xingji expressed his willingness to give it a try, the two of them were filled with gratitude, ready to kneel and kowtow to them.
"There is no time to lose, let's go into the mountains and search today." Chi Xingji suggested.
Hearing this, An Chen's face showed a hint of worry: "The road ahead is dangerous, let's make more plans. We have some wealth in our family, why don't you two pick up some magic weapons before you go."
"No need," Chi Xingji refused firmly. He was already the sharpest sword in the world, so why would he need other sharp weapons to embellish it? "Don't worry, we won't fail."
"Wait a minute—" An Ziliang, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly rushed in front of the two of them, his face flushed, as if he had mustered up a lot of courage, "Can you two take me with you?"
"Nonsense! Do you think we are going for an outing?" An Chen shouted again, pretending to hit him.
An Ziliang was quick-witted and calmly confronted his father from a distance: "This is a decision I've carefully considered all night! This is not a joke!"
An Chen knew that his son's limited cultivation level meant that if he really faced the demon, he would be courting death. He was about to scold him again when Chi Xingji interrupted him, "Why do you want to go with us?"
Seeing that someone took his suggestion seriously, An Ziliang straightened his back a little as he spoke: "Unfortunately, I have met that demon a few times before. I know a little about him, and maybe I can help you."
"What else?" Chi Xingji asked back calmly. There was no disdain in his tone, but there was an inexplicable coldness in it.
"Isn't this enough?" An Ziliang asked in surprise, "You two know so little about him..."
"Knowing very little doesn't mean we are unsure. If this is all you can do for us, I advise you to stay home and don't go out." Chi Xingji pointed out the interests involved in just a few words.
An Ziliang also understood that whether he could go with them did not depend on his parents, but on the two people in front of him. He pursed his lips and stomped his feet: "...I want to prove myself!"
After he finished speaking, a long silence fell. The silence was broken by a burst of laughter, not from Chi Xingji, but from Lian Qiang. She stared at the rather clueless young man before her and asked, "Does going with us and returning with us prove that you can handle things on your own?"
An Ziliang was about to answer, but Lian Qiang spoke faster than him: "Do you know that a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage like you would be powerless against that monster? Do you know that if you're not careful, you'll end up dead?"
"Of course I know..." An Ziliang was still trying to be stubborn. Lian Qiang chuckled again, "You don't know. You're probably still hoping that if you're not careful, we'll come to your rescue. But why would we do that? We've already done what's right. If we don't save you once, it would just be an accident."
When she said this, her expression didn't show any ferocity, but it still frightened An Ziliang.
"A person's growth doesn't depend on their courage at a particular moment, but on their responsibility at all times. You've acted without regard for the consequences time and time again, and it's hard for me to believe... that having someone like you by my side is a good thing."
Lian Qiang didn't really look down on An Ziliang as she said. He had his own unique courage, but it was precisely because Lian Qiang knew too well the importance of self-knowledge that she wanted to wake him up.
Being weak isn't a fault; not being able to see clearly what's in one's heart is. Perhaps this is why An Chen values the "elder sister" An Ziliang calls her more than him.
Furthermore, from Lian Qiang's own perspective, she didn't want to know what An Ziliang had experienced or what he had carried.
"No, I will bring many magical weapons with me to protect myself, and I will definitely not end up like that..." After being refuted repeatedly, An Ziliang's face turned pale. He forced himself not to be forced back. Even so, he still had a stubborn tone.
Lian Qiang sighed silently. After all, he was still a young boy, so one shouldn't be too harsh on him...
"In that case," Chi Xingji said at this moment, "then you should go with us."
Lian Qiang turned to look at him in disbelief, only to be met with a pair of eyes as calm as a deep pool—he was also looking at her. Lian Qiang naturally didn't think An Ziliang's words could convince Chi Xingji. Chi Xingji did have the energy to save him, but what was his intention?
Chi Xingji repeated: "You, go with us."
"Fellow Daoist, my son's cultivation is low, I'm afraid this is not appropriate..." Either out of concern for his son's safety or fear that he would become a burden to the two of them, An Chen hurriedly dissuaded him.
"It's okay, I can handle it." These words can be described as arrogant, but when spoken by Chi Xingji, they are extremely appropriate and convincing.
An Ziliang was undoubtedly overjoyed. Although the An couple were worried, they also believed Chi Xingji. At this time, he seemed to remember and asked Lian Qiang: "What do you think?"
Since he was already acting arbitrarily, why bother asking her? Thinking of this, Lian Qiang still maintained a faint smile on her face: "If you think it's good, then so be it. After all, it's you who has to protect him, not me."
-----------------------
The author has something to say: I have no more manuscripts. I need TT to thank the little angels who voted for me or irrigated nutrient solution during 2023-04-23 21:00:00~2023-04-25 18:52:00~
Thanks to the little angel who cast the mine: 55104477 1;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
