Love & Redemption
Chapter 155: Volume 4: The Splintering Dream of China - 12: Soul and Spirit (Part 4)

Chapter 155: Volume 4: The Splintering Dream of China Chapter 12: Soul and Spirit (Part 4)

Originally, Xuanji thought that after leaving the mountain for training, she would start missing home in just a few days; unexpectedly, as soon as she left, almost a year had passed. She had gone through so much, and at the beginning, she would occasionally think of her parents and long for the carefree life at the Shaoyang Sect, but as time went on, these thoughts slowly faded.

Revisiting the old place brought back a unique feeling in her heart. The scenery hadn’t changed at all; the mountain was still the same mountain, and the water was still the same water. The Martial Arts Arena was still lively with many fellow disciples diligently practicing their skills. What had changed was only a person’s state of mind.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, Xuanji quietly looked at the magnificent and grand entrance of the Shaoyang Sect, and couldn’t help but express her emotions from the bottom of her heart, whispering, "Si Feng, now... I think I can understand why Dad risked his life to protect the Shaoyang Sect."

Just as she wanted to protect the paradise in her heart, everyone had their own most cherished possessions, worthy of defending with their lives. As the Sect Leader, Chu Lei felt that the entirety of the Shaoyang Sect, from top to bottom, was the most precious. His sense of responsibility and burden were not something she, who was still a child back then, could comprehend.

Tengshe sneered at the scenery, snorting, "Trash! Any minor place in the heavens looks far better than this."

Xuanji gave him a look, "If the heavens are so great, you still came down anyway!"

"You need to clear up that being kicked out and sneaking out are completely different things!" The moment his dignity as a Divine Beast was at stake, he immediately jumped to defend himself, "You were kicked out. I, on the other hand, came down on my own! It’s enough to show that you and I are of different classes!"

"That’s right, I’m the master, and you are the spiritual beast. Indeed, our classes are quite different."

Xuanji, too lazy to bother with his shouting, walked up the steps with Yu Sifeng, step by step. After cursing for a while and seeing that no one paid him any attention, Tengshe could only follow them up, feeling bored.

The disciples guarding the gate had spotted Xuanji early on, greeted her joyfully, and exchanged pleasantries. Although she didn’t recognize most of the people standing there, the sight of their familiar robes warmed her heart. The feeling of coming home was truly wonderful.

Upon reaching Shaoyang Peak, Chu Lei and He Danping were already waiting at the door, and other Elders from various halls were also looking at them with smiling faces.

As soon as Xuanji saw her parents, she couldn’t help but tear up, crying out, "Dad, Mom!" and found herself unable to speak further. Overwhelmed with joy upon seeing her beloved daughter return unharmed, He Danping, too, had tears streaming down her face. She embraced Xuanji without regard for the onlookers, cuddling her affectionately. Xuanji had grown quite taller during her time away, almost eye to eye with her mother, and the childishness on her face had greatly diminished, making her look much steadier. He Danping was both relieved and heartbroken, tenderly stroking her cheek, choking up, "You’ve lost a lot of weight. Was it hard being outside?"

Embracing her neck, Xuanji cried so much that she couldn’t speak. Chu Lei patted her head, saying gently, "You’re home now. Why the sudden sadness? All the other Masters and Elders are here."

It was only then that Xuanji stopped her tears, wiped her face, and feeling a bit embarrassed, stepped out of He Danping’s embrace only to rush into the waiting arms of Chu Yinghong, calling out with affection, "Aunt Hong!"

Chu Yinghong smiled warmly as she stroked her head, "It’s been more than half a year, and little Xuanji has grown taller again. In a couple of years, you’ll be taller than Aunt Hong."

Xuanji, with a blushing face, greeted the other Elders with respect, and they all had encouraging and caring words to say. He Yang, seeing Yu Sifeng standing behind, went over and asked with concern, "How is it, have your injuries greatly healed?"

Yu Sifeng recognized him as Elder He Yang who had taken great care of him and immediately bowed with a fist salute, saying, "I cannot thank you enough for your life-saving grace, Elder."

He Yang laughed, "What grace! I have a little knowledge of medicine; saving a life is too much to say. You’ve recovered so well, not because of me, but because of your strong constitution."

Yu Sifeng smiled slightly, recalling how he had been forced to break two of his seals in a time of crisis, knowing that Elder He Yang must be aware but did not inquire. He truly respected him as an honorable gentleman. In his heart, he felt an even greater admiration and thought that he might find an opportunity to share his secret with him.

After entering the room, Xuanji’s first action was to take out Linglong’s soul and whispered, "Father, Mother, we have brought back Linglong’s soul. This time it is the real soul."

Chu Lei was slightly taken aback and curiously asked, "Wasn’t the one you brought back last time real?"

Xuanji’s expression darkened as she shook her head, "No... we were deceived. It’s our lack of experience... This soul was stolen by Sixth Brother..."

Before she could finish, Chu Lei snorted coldly, "Without Sixth Brother, he is not your brother anymore!"

Xuanji anxiously said, "Father! Listen to me, Sixth Brother was tricked! Someone impersonated you and deceived him! He has always believed it was your command! Now, Wu Tong is using him, and the Shaoyang Sect has abandoned him... Isn’t that too pitiful for him?"

Chu Lei let out a deep sigh without a word. Elder Huan Yang spoke in a grave voice, "Whether it is as you say remains to be seen. Even if it was as you say, that he was deceived. If he could mistake his mentor who raised him since childhood, follow such a ridiculous order so blindly, the person is indeed the epitome of absurdity!"

"That’s because he..." Because he values Linglong too much! Values Master too much! Xuanji didn’t know how to explain and became so anxious that her face turned red. Yu Sifeng patted her sleeve to comfort her and said in a low voice, "My apologies for speaking out of turn, but I would like to say a few words. I have known Min Yan for not a short time. Although he is smart and clever, he easily panics when facing major issues. When we went to Buzhou Mountain, we were prepared for death. In such a situation, it was very easy for someone to impersonate Sect Leader Chu and bewitch him. Besides, Min Yan has just turned eighteen this year and has just left the mountain for experience. It is helpless but also understandable that he was deceived. I hope the elders will take these circumstances into consideration. Before deciding on expelling him from the sect, please reconsider."

Chu Lei sighed again and said, "And about Min Jue’s case... what can be said? On that day, it was Zhong Minyan who personally brought back his corpse..."

"Personally?" Xuanji and Yu Sifeng were shocked.

Chu Lei’s heart ached as he shook his head, unable to continue. Elder He Yang then took over, "Indeed, it was Zhong Minyan who personally brought it back to the Shaoyang Sect. Min Jue’s body was packed in a wooden box and thrown at the gates of Shaoyang Sect. Regardless of how the guarding disciples called out to him, he ignored them and left with a turned face. You haven’t seen Min Jue... he..."

He too couldn’t continue and just let out a long sigh.

"What happened to Second Senior Brother?" As Xuanji saw everyone’s serious expressions, her uneasy premonition grew stronger.

Elder Huan Yang sighed, "Sect Leader, the memorial hall is still there. Why not let these two kids offer incense for him?"

Chu Lei nodded. Xuanji urged, "Wait! How did Second Senior Brother die? Tell me!"

He Danping said through tears, "Xuanji... when your Second Senior Brother was sent back... he wasn’t whole, chopped from top to bottom into over a dozen pieces..."

Xuanji felt a blackness before her eyes and her heart throbbed wildly; she found herself unable to catch her breath.

Chu Lei said harshly, "Whether he was deceived or lacked experience, having done such a thing, no reason however compelling can lead to forgiveness!"

No one knew what else to say, only shaking their heads and sighing. Xuanji stood dazed for a long while before murmuring in a low voice, "I... am going to the memorial hall... to offer incense for Second Senior Brother." She broke off, tears pouring forth like a fountain.

Chen Minjue’s memorial hall was set up in his former room, where he collected many curiosities during his lifetime. All were personally tidied up by He Danping, stacked behind the canopy.

Xuanji recalled how he once gave her a kaleidoscope. He claimed he was reluctant to part with his treasure and refused to give it away, but in the end, he didn’t mind since she wanted it; obviously, he gave it to her to not feel lonely. Back then, he said he had saved up a lot of treasures, and everyone thought he was bragging, but it turned out he really had collected many fine things. A lump formed in her throat as she thought of his usual care for her, and she could only weep with choking sobs.

He Danping was originally speaking in a gentle voice to comfort others, but as she went on, she couldn’t help but cry as well, murmuring, "This child... hasn’t spent many good days since he came to the mountain. With his mediocre talent, nobody ever gave him much kindness... Such a pitiable child... to have passed away like this..."

Yu Sifeng also showed a solemn expression as he offered incense, respectfully kowtowing three times before rising. Just then, he heard Tengshe make a curious "eh" sound from behind. Knowing Tengshe’s temperament—disrespectful and disdainful towards the mortal rituals of life and death—Yu Sifeng turned and asked, "Tengshe, what do you think is amiss?"

Everyone had already seen the white-haired man following behind Xuanji, fierce and aggressive in demeanor, and haughtily unruly. But since Xuanji didn’t introduce him, it wasn’t their place as elders to question the younger generation, so they held back their curiosity in silence. Chu Lei quietly asked, "Xuanji, this is...?"

Wiping away her tears, Xuanji hurriedly got up and said, "Father, this is the spiritual beast I’ve taken in! I was too agitated just now and forgot to introduce him. His name is Tengshe, and he’s very powerful! He is a Divine Beast! Tengshe, this is my father, my mother, and my master, and my martial uncles..."

She introduced them one by one, but Tengshe had already grown impatient, waving his hand dismissively, "So many relatives, so annoying!"

Chu Lei exclaimed in shock, "The Divine Beast Tengshe? Your spiritual beast?!"

All those present were cultivators and naturally knew of Tengshe’s great reputation. However, they all thought he was merely the stuff of legends. Who would have imagined he actually existed and had even been tamed by little Xuanji as a spiritual beast? It was more surprising than seeing the sun rise from the west.

Tengshe laughed and said, "Forget it, you don’t need to introduce me. These mortals are blind to true greatness; they wouldn’t recognize me, so explaining is pointless."

Xuanji glared at him, "He’s my father, show some respect!"

He turned his face aside and snorted, acting like a petulant little ghost. Chu Lei, half-doubtful, half-believing, bowed and said, "My daughter must’ve troubled Your Excellence... But... Tengshe..."

Tengshe frowned, "You old man, you sure do babble on! Is there a fake Tengshe out there or what? But yeah, your daughter has indeed been a bit of trouble for me. However, I am magnanimous and don’t hold it against her. Ha ha! Ha ha!"

Chu Yinghong saw his prideful nature and eyed him, thinking of a way to take him down a notch. She smiled and said, "You call yourself Tengshe, but do you have any proof? While people with youthful looks and white hair are uncommon, they’re not all that extraordinary. The Divine Beast Tengshe is famously known, but rarely seen by the world, and it wouldn’t be too difficult to impersonate. Deceiving a young girl hardly makes one a hero."

Thinking Tengshe would be easily provoked due to his irritable temper, Chu Yinghong was surprised when he simply snorted and said, dismissing the concern, "I don’t bother with mortals."

Chu Yinghong curiously asked, "Then why have you become a mortal’s spiritual beast?"

Tengshe looked at her as if to say "how stupid can you get," and sighed, "Of course, that’s because she’s not just a..."

"You talk too much," Yu Sifeng interrupted him, "What exactly did you notice just now?"

Not irritated by the interruption, Tengshe simply rubbed his nose and said, "I’ve smelled this man’s scent before. That night, by the lake, one of them was covered in his blood."

Xuanji eagerly asked, "Who is it?"

Tengshe shrugged his shoulders, "The one with the marbles, of course! Wow, you can’t even smell that? So useless!"

Ruo Yu?! Xuanji and Yu Sifeng glanced at each other. It was him who killed Chen Minjue! But why did they let Zhong Minyan deliver the body?

"Dad, the one who killed Second Senior Brother wasn’t Sixth Brother." Xuanji turned back and said firmly, "It was someone else."

She quickly recounted Ruo Yu’s affairs and added, "The one who injured Si Feng was also him."

Chu Lei pondered for a long while, seemingly unable to make a decision. Then, Elder He Yang said, "Sect Leader, I also think the decision to expel Zhong Minyan from the sect was somewhat hasty. How about we go to Buzhou Mountain after the Flower Pinning Conference? After all, Zhong Minyan was once a disciple of Shaoyang Sect. We can’t just ignore it."

Chu Lei was silent for a long time before he finally nodded, "Alright, let’s do it that way."

Xuanji was ecstatic, looking back at Yu Sifeng. The two of them smiled foolishly at each other for a long time before she said, "Right, I haven’t visited Linglong yet!"

He Danping wiped away her tears and revealed a loving smile. She said softly, "She’s asleep in her room. Everything will be fine once the ’expert’ you mentioned comes to restore her soul."

Xuanji replied with a smile, "It’ll be soon! Si Feng, let’s write a letter to Brother Liu right away and invite him to bring Ting Nu to Shaoyang Sect, okay? Oh, and Mom, who in Shaoyang Sect knows the Earth Manipulation Technique?"

He Danping was surprised and said, "Your dad knows how to do it. Silly girl, you don’t even know what spells your dad can use?"

Xuanji was overjoyed once again and immediately wrote a letter with Yu Sifeng. They entrusted Red Bird to find Liu Yihuan and deliver the letter to him.

Seeing their little daughter after a year and observing her significant changes, both Chu Lei and his wife couldn’t help but feel a multitude of emotions. No one expected that the unlikable, lazy Xuanji from their childhood would become a true lady. It is indeed true that a girl changes eighteen times between childhood and womanhood, and it’s truly impressive.

Moreover, she now had Yu Sifeng by her side, a clever and capable young man whom Chu Lei deeply favored. He Danping, being a meticulous woman, had already noticed his unusual feelings for Xuanji. Undeniably, as her parents, they had been very worried about Xuanji’s future. Being so unlikable, which man would want to marry her? But now, seeing the graceful and dignified Yu Sifeng, the elders instantly took a liking to him. Coupled with his deep affection for Xuanji and her complete trust and obedience to him, He Danping, as a mother, was already joyfully contemplating when to arrange their grand wedding.

As the saying goes, a parent’s love is universal. The children’s happiness is their greatest joy. He Danping and Chu Lei exchanged glances and couldn’t help but smile at each other, feeling completely content.

******

Ugh, I don’t have enough highlight quotas every week. I can’t highlight all the comments.

Dizzy, I heard today that it’s related to the number of recommendation tickets. It seems the more recommendation tickets, the more weight the highlights carry.

SO, guys, don’t be stingy with your recommendation tickets. I’ll try to highlight all the comments next week.

I have to focus on both the monthly tickets and the recommendation tickets... got to be strong on both fronts.

Running away... (To be continued, for more details, please log in to www.qidian.com. There are more Chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)