Love & Redemption
Chapter 162 - 4 Hua Meng’s Sudden Rift - 19 Eve (Part 1)

Chapter 162: 4 Hua Meng’s Sudden Rift Chapter 19 Eve (Part 1)

The Flower Pinning Conference was set to begin in half a month, and, according to tradition, the foremost characters from the Five Great Sects would go to Fuyu Island in advance to draw lots for the flower picking. Chu Lei and his wife, along with the other five elders, excluding Chu Yinghong, were all prepared to set off. Who knew that out of the blue, Fuyu Island would send a letter. In the letter, the Dongfang Island Master informed them that this year’s flowers had already been picked, hence there would be no draw for the flower picking.

"This is unusual, but I wonder what the already-picked flowers look like," Chu Lei said as he put down the letter, his voice deep. It was customary that the details of the flowers should be shared in advance with everyone, to understand the demon’s characteristics, so they could prepare accordingly. Otherwise, the inexperienced young disciples might easily succumb to stage fright during a confrontation with the demons, even if the demons were seriously injured, posing a threat to their lives.

He Danping chuckled, "Big brother, why worry? If we head to the island a few days earlier, won’t we find out then?"

The other Elders agreed, nodding in affirmation. Chu Lei pondered and said, "No, that’s not what worries me. In recent years, indeed, many things have occurred, and it is hard not to become suspicious... Maybe I am indeed overthinking."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "This time, Yinghong, He Yang, you two will accompany my wife and me to watch the Flower Pinning Conference. The rest will stay in Shaoyang. Don’t bring too many disciples with us to watch; everyone else should stay here and be more vigilant. I will leave Red Bird behind, and it will send a message immediately if anything arises."

He Yang paused for a moment, then quickly realized and said softly, "Sect Leader, are you worried that those demons might seize the opportunity to stir up trouble?"

Chu Lei nodded, "Exactly. That Wu Tong is far too arrogant, even sending some youngsters to send a message; how can I simply open the doors wide for them to create chaos? Moreover, the Xuanyuan Sect has already succumbed to them... I always feel that something significant might happen soon."

While they were discussing, a disciple suddenly reported from outside that Xuanji and the others had arrived. These children had all packed their belongings, full of eagerness, ready to depart with the main force to Fuyu Island, but when they heard from Chu Lei that they didn’t need to pick flowers anymore, each of them seemed somewhat stunned.

"There won’t be no Flower Pinning Conference this year, will there?" Linglong, who could barely contain herself, was looking forward to the quick conclusion of the conference so everyone could head to Buzhou Mountain to rescue those in need.

Chu Lei glared at her, "Nonsense! Why wouldn’t there be? We are leaving in a few days. Your sister is also participating this year, you should also strive in your cultivation, and aim to participate in the next one."

Considering Linglong’s usual temperament, she would have been upset about missing such a grand event, but surprisingly she just paused briefly, and said casually, "That’s not important. The sooner the conference ends, the sooner we can leave."

Chu Lei knew she was hinting that the matter with Zhong Minyan was more critical, and he couldn’t help but feel saddened. The Flower Pinning Conference this time was bound to be disrupted by Wu Tong, and he wondered if Zhong Minyan would also be involved. If he really had to confront him as an enemy, who could bring themselves to do it? Remembering how he had raised that boy from a young age, his mischievous and lively nature, always following behind, calling out ’Master, Mistress,’ greedy enough to eat anything. In the blink of an eye, he had grown up, and children have their own thoughts, adults can no longer control them. Whatever his reasons for doing this, Chu Lei was willing to give him a chance to explain himself.

Since they didn’t need to go to Fuyu Island so early anymore, Xuanji and the others had to go back. Liu Yihuan continued to lie in bed, reminiscing about the past, while Ting Nu was still being pestered by Tengshe, inquiring about the exploits of Wuzhiqi. Linglong gripped Xuanji’s hand, eagerly asking about all that had happened during the past six months. Hearing about all the fun and thrilling things they had encountered, Linglong was all the more upset that she had missed out, missing a year of experience outside the mountain, and her hatred for Wu Tong deepened, wishing she could sever his left leg too and replace it with a wooden prosthetic.

By then, it was late October; the autumn wind was crisp, and the Shaoyang Sect, located at the mountain’s peak, felt the chill earlier. Overnight, the ground was covered with frost, and the vegetation had all turned withered yellow. Several days followed with heavy clouds, hinting at forthcoming snow. Seeing Yu Sifeng dressed lightly, He Danping couldn’t help but feel pitied for him, and had the tailors from the foot of the mountain make several thick clothes for him.

As the saying goes, the more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she likes him. Although Xuanji and he had not yet been formally engaged, cultivators originally didn’t adhere so strictly to conventional rules, and in her and Chu Lei’s hearts, they had already accepted that these two children would be together in the future. They only had one concern: he didn’t seem to belong to Lize Palace anymore. Xuanji had vaguely spoken about his departure from Lize Palace, apparently due to a traitor in their ranks who had injured him, causing him disillusionment, so he left his Sect.

In the hearts of the elders, a person always needs a destination. Otherwise, if their daughter married him, how would they live in the future? Having lived a pampered life, Xuanji would undoubtedly suffer hardships in managing a household once her parents were not around. Yu Sifeng, drifting here and there, would not be suitable. Given that women tend to overthink things, she wondered if instead of being a part of Lize Palace, he could just as well join the Shaoyang Sect. Chu Lei could make an exception to take him as a direct disciple; he was capable and rare among the younger disciples, which would make them feel at ease if the Shaoyang Sect were handed over to him in the future.

She shared these thoughts with Chu Lei, expecting him to agree immediately, but Chu Lei pondered for a while and said, "The children are grown up; they have their own decisions to make. Let’s see what Xuanji thinks. They can’t rely on their parents’ protection forever."

"So they have no fixed place, and Xuanji is to follow him and suffer hardships?" He Danping was puzzled.

Chu Lei smiled, "It’s hardly hardship. I see in Sifeng a boy not destined for mediocrity; it’s not that we underestimate ourselves, but perhaps Xuanji is actually reaching above her station in courting him. Moreover, you want him to join our Sect out of your own wish; we, as old folks, can’t be so presumptuous to offend others. The children have their own blessings; why should we worry excessively?"

He Danping sighed, "To say not to worry is easier said than done. In a mother’s heart, they will always be children."

Chu Lei smiled as he held her hand, softly saying, "Are you afraid the kids will grow up, fly away, and leave you all alone?"

He Danping had been married to him for so many years, their bond always stable. Chu Lei wasn’t as stern and old-fashioned in private as he was in public. In her presence, he was still like a young boy at times, occasionally cracking jokes. Her demeanor remained shy, her face blushed as she softly said, "What are you talking about? How could I be all alone?"

Chu Lei laughed, "Exactly, you have this old man to keep you company. The two of us old folks, we’ll just muddle through together."

He Danping spat lightly, feeling the knot in her heart unravel, and decided to follow the kids.

That day, Xuanji went to visit Yu Sifeng and saw him dressed in new clothes, looking rather stylish, and couldn’t help but touch them enviously while laughing, "Did my mom make these for you? She’s really nice to you. Linglong and I haven’t even gotten new clothes yet!"

Yu Sifeng had already been somewhat anxious about accepting the elder’s kindness, and her words only added to his embarrassment. He hadn’t anticipated that Chu Lei and his wife would treat him as one of their own, so intimately. Having faced stern figures like his master or unprincipled ones like Liu Yihuan throughout his life, he had scarcely experienced the gentle, warm care of a female elder. In that moment, he felt both moved and apprehensive, unsure of what to say.

Xuanji teased him by scraping his face, giggling, "Ah, you’re blushing! Embarrassed, aren’t you? Sometimes, Sifeng, you’re like a girl!"

Yu Sifeng glared at her, "So much nonsense so early in the morning."

Xuanji sat beside him, playing with the tassels on his sword, when something occurred to her. She asked, "Right, Sifeng, didn’t you say last time that you were going to attend the Flower Pinning Conference? Now that you’re not with Lize Palace anymore, are you still going to participate?"

Yu Sifeng shook his head, "No, I won’t participate. If it weren’t for accompanying you, I wouldn’t even want to go to Fuyu Island."

"Yeah..." Xuanji suddenly realized that their trip to Fuyu Island would definitely lead to an encounter with the people from Lize Palace, which would inevitably be awkward. If her dad and the others found out that Yu Sifeng left his sect for her sake, she would likely get a severe scolding, and they might even send Yu Sifeng back... No! She couldn’t just stand by and let that happen!

"Sifeng, maybe you shouldn’t go. Stay here. I promise to lose to the opponent in the very first match and come back immediately to be with you."

Yu Sifeng said calmly, "No need, I’ll go too. This matter needs a resolution."

"But..."

"You don’t need to worry," he said with a faint smile, a trace of finality in his expression, "This time, things must come to an end."

After speaking, he raised his hand to caress Xuanji’s bewildered face, softly saying, "Anyway, I am a man. It’s not right for a man to hide behind a woman."

Hiding behind her? She’d be happy with that, others might want to hide, but she could very well manage without them! However, she had heard it said, issues of a man’s pride are significant. Sometimes, their pride is the foremost thing for them, more fragile than even Liuli gems, not to be injured or the consequences would be severe.

Xuanji gazed blankly at Yu Sifeng, secretly wondering if this had to do with his "pride". If that was the case, then she had to play the role of the "good woman" just this once and uphold his dignity.

So she obediently nodded, earning Yu Sifeng’s satisfied, hearty hug. (To be continued. For further updates, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters are available, support the author, support genuine reading!)