Love & Redemption
Chapter 116: Volume 3 Heartless Xuanji - 23 This Love Must Ask the Heavens (11)

Chapter 116: Volume 3 Heartless Xuanji Chapter 23 This Love Must Ask the Heavens (11)

"You... why do you want to go to Buzhou Mountain? It’s not a place where ordinary people can go as they please."

Returning to the inn, Ting Nu was eager to discuss matters without rest, and the first question he asked was about their intentions to go to Buzhou Mountain.

"It’s a bit complicated..." Zhong Minyan gave a wry smile and hastily recounted everything that had happened after they left Gao Mountain.

Ting Nu’s expression gradually softened, and finally, he said gently, "That is the Soul Capturing Technique. As long as I retrieve the souls, I can cast a spell to restore Linglong to her original state."

Everyone was taken aback. Xuanji asked urgently, "Ting Nu, you know this technique?!"

Ting Nu nodded, "I have learned this technique before. Although I’m not an expert, it is more than enough to save Linglong."

The group was overjoyed, as they had originally planned to capture the person who had taken Linglong’s two souls and six spirits and force him to cast a spell to save her. Whether it would be successful depended on fate. Now that they suddenly learned that someone in the group knew the technique, it meant that success would be as simple as retrieving the soul, and they might not even need to fight, thus significantly increasing their chances.

Zhong Minyan was so delighted he couldn’t stop grinning, repeatedly saying, "I was indeed right to find Ting Nu first!" Fortunately, they hadn’t dismissed Zi Hu’s plea out of hand; fate played its part, it seemed destiny truly had lent a helping hand!

Liu Yihuan patted his shoulder and said in a mysterious tone, "Be careful when you go to Buzhou Mountain this time. You must be very, very careful."

Zhong Minyan was startled. "Brother Liu is worried about me?" He laughed naively, suddenly feeling a sense of fondness for this seemingly carefree man who knew how to care for his companions.

Liu Yihuan just gave a slight smile and said nothing more; clapping his hands, he spoke up, "You kids quiet down a bit and listen to me."

While everyone was chattering excitedly, they quieted down upon his gesture. Liu Yihuan smiled and said, "Regarding Buzhou Mountain, you can go, but I can’t. I will have to stay in Qingyang and wait for your good news." Then, after glancing at Ting Nu, he added, "Leave the merfolk here too. The mountains and waters there are treacherous. Are you planning to push a wheelchair all the way up? Let these youngsters take the challenge. We old folks can stay home and wait."

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this; Yu Sifeng asked anxiously, "Brother Liu... do you really not plan to join us?"

Liu Yihuan had ventured to many places in his youth, and there were hardly any places he didn’t know of. Moreover, with the help of Heavenly Eye, he was a significant asset to the group. When they came to Qingyang, their initial hope was to enlist his assistance. Yet, unexpectedly, he refused to go. With just the five of them, how would they find Buzhou Mountain and retrieve Linglong’s soul?

Liu Yihuan nodded earnestly, "Yes, I’m not going. I’ve already opened the Heavenly Eye for you once. Little Phoenix, you can’t be too greedy now."

Yu Sifeng lowered his head, feeling ashamed and realizing he had perhaps been too demanding. Liu Yihuan sneakily wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pinched his face while laughing, and said, "What’s the matter? Sad? Can’t bear to part with Brother Liu? You...you’re still just like when you were a kid... still so clingy."

It was actually the other way around. Liu Yihuan hadn’t changed—he was still as unscrupulous as ever. Yu Sifeng helplessly pushed him away and said firmly, "Then I must trouble you to give us directions to Buzhou Mountain."

Liu Yihuan shrugged, "No need for directions. Just take Zi Hu with you. She knows the way, she’s grown up playing at the foot of the mountain!"

Seeing that Liu Yihuan refused to offer further assistance, Yu Sifeng didn’t feel it was right to ask again and had no choice but to give up.

*******

The story of Liu Daxian exorcising demons at the Zhou Residence spread throughout Qingyang City overnight. For the first time, countless people visited and admired his makeshift home in Mazao Alley. It was a pity that the immortal didn’t stay in his Immortal Residence, preferring to linger nightly at Jiaohong House instead. The old madam there was good at reading people; knowing he was an extraordinary person, she didn’t charge him a single silver tael, hoping that he would stay at Jiaohong House. Many people stayed at Jiaohong House just to catch a glimpse of him, which was a great way to attract business.

While Liu Yihuan spent his days in pleasure at the brothel, hardly showing himself, the young ones left at the inn were burning with impatience. Zi Hu had been poisoned by a snake and had not awakened, and they were relying on her to guide them to Buzhou Mountain. Unable to restrain herself, Xuanji ran to ask Ting Nu if he knew the way, but he just shook his head, imitating that detestable Liu Yihuan, playing dumb.

It was a strange feeling, as if both Liu Yihuan and Ting Nu knew something but wouldn’t say a word. It was a journey that could be explained in a few sentences, yet they insisted on waiting for Zi Hu to wake up to guide them.

"Ting Nu, that Buzhou Mountain, I’ve heard it’s the den of the demons who destroyed the Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain. Don’t you... don’t you want to go and have a look?"

Appealing wouldn’t work, so Xuanji tried to tempt him. She was now propping her chin with her hands, sitting opposite Ting Nu, her eyes shining persuasively.

Ting Nu held a celadon tea cup in his hands, his expression tranquil like still water, and said indifferently, "I don’t want to go. But you need to be careful on the road, and don’t go head-to-head with them. It’s best if you can stealthily retrieve Linglong’s soul. If you can’t manage it this time, you will have another chance. With your present skills, fighting them would be seeking death."

Xuanji didn’t take it seriously and laughed, "I’ve also killed many demons at Fuyu Island! They are not as terrible as you say!"

Ting Nu spoke solemnly, "That’s because they are making concessions, not wanting to start a life-and-death struggle with your Cultivation Sect. If you encounter those extremely vicious demons from Gao Mountain, let alone you, even your father might not be able to handle them."

His words sounded so mysterious. Xuanji was very puzzled and curiously asked, "Do you mean... these demons also have divergent factions with different opinions? Some are conciliatory, while others are aggressive?"

In her mind, a demon was just a demon, a motley crowd haphazardly gathered together. She found it incredible to think that they, like mortals, might also have their factions, orderly in their actions.

Ting Nu sighed and softly said, "Knowing nothing and rashly going there is no different from seeking death... Listen well, although Buzhou Mountain is their stronghold, the action to destroy the Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain was organized separately by many forces. Broadly speaking, there are the friendly faction and the radical faction at odds with each other. The friendly ones only aim to destroy the chain without intending to conflict with mortals; the radicals, however, are different. In my opinion, the one who took Linglong’s soul must be part of the radical faction, so on this trip, focus on retrieving the soul, and avoid any conflict at all costs. Understand?"

Xuanji stared at him blankly, murmuring, "Ting Nu... how do you know so much... "

Ting Nu suddenly held his tongue and, after a long while, softly said, "They began planning a long time ago. These plans aren’t recent."

Seeing Xuanji staring intently at him, he curved his lips upward, touched her head, and softly said, "Be careful on this trip, and don’t act recklessly anymore. I will wait for you two in Qingyang City."

Ting Nu seemed to know a lot. Xuanji, covering her touched head, pushed the door open and walked out.

Recalling how she had met him four years ago and comparing it to now, he seemed completely different from the helpless, pale merfolk of that time. How could he have been captured and hurt like that with Qing Geng and Dangkang taking care of him? Or was it that their meeting and recognition were fated from the start?

Turning a corner, she ran into Yu Sifeng, whom she had failed to avoid. Xuanji’s heart skipped a beat, and she turned to flee, but as she hesitated, he approached, grasped her wrist, said nothing, and pulled her into the room.

She was taken aback, her mind in turmoil, as he pressed her to sit down on a chair. She warily gazed up at him, her heart fluttering madly as if a little rabbit were trapped inside.

Was he... angry? About to scold her?

Yu Sifeng took a paper bag from his robe and placed it in her hands, speaking softly, "You haven’t eaten since morning, have you? This was just made."

Xuanji slowly opened the paper bag to find two freshly steamed cakes, still steaming warmly, obviously just bought by him. He remembered that she liked steamed cakes, back then in Lutai Town...

Xuanji bit into one and felt a mix of emotions. Yu Sifeng poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of her, whispering, "Eat slowly, don’t choke."

After speaking, he got up to leave. Xuanji, in a panic, called out, "Where... where are you going?"

She jumped up, causing the tea to spill over the table. Yu Sifeng’s sleeve was caught tightly by her, her urgency as if she had a thousand words to say. He looked back at her, surprised, and saw her cheeks suddenly flush, as delicate as the day’s first light.

"You... join me in eating..." she stammered, wishing she could bite off her tongue.

He smiled, "I’ve already eaten. I’m now going to discuss with Min Yan the matters regarding Buzhou Mountain. You have fun by yourself."

"Wait... wait!" she called out, clutching the other sleeve, and the steamed cake dropped to the ground.

Yu Sifeng stared at her, as if asking what she wanted to say.

After hemming and hawing for a while, Xuanji calmed down, bit her lip and softly said, "I’ve thought it over. Once we rescue Linglong, let’s find a place like Fuyu Island and stay together...never to part again, okay?"

She waited a long time for his reply, but he remained silent. Xuanji’s anxiety mounted again, and she rambled, "Also... There’s Brother Liu... Ting Nu... When there’s nothing else, we can visit Linglong and Sixth Brother on Shaoyang Peak... Then go to Lize Palace... see your master and fellow disciples..."

Her hand was suddenly held, and her rambling words stopped abruptly. Xuanji looked up, startled, as he leaned in, whispering by her ear, "Is this truly what you want in your heart?"

She was stunned for a moment, her grip on his sleeve unwittingly relaxing. Yu Sifeng stood straight, turned his gaze toward the misty window, and spoke lightly, "Xuanji, I’m a selfish man. I don’t believe in anything until it’s absolute."

Absolute... what absolute? She took a deep breath, gazing at him silently, and he smiled again, traced her lips gently with his thumb, and left.

Xuanji sat alone in the room for a long time. Even after such time, she still didn’t understand. (To be continued. For further content, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters are available, support the author, support genuine reading!)