Love & Redemption
Chapter 164: Volume 4 Hua Meng’s Sudden Rift - 21 Eve (Part 3)

Chapter 164: Volume 4 Hua Meng’s Sudden Rift Chapter 21 Eve (Part 3)

Xuanji finally snapped back to reality, uttered a quiet cry, and immediately wanted to move forward. However, Yu Sifeng gently grabbed her wrist and slowly shook his head. Stunned, she turned to see Linglong holding Zhong Minyan and weeping sorrowfully, while Zhong Minyan, initially enduring, eventually couldn’t help it, encircled her waist with his arm, and softly soothed her.

She had no choice but to forcefully suppress her impulse and did not disturb the two of them.

Chu Lei coldly said, "You still have the face to come back?"

Zhong Minyan hurriedly and gently pushed Linglong away, whispering, "Disciple knows his mistake, went astray. I dare not ask for Master’s forgiveness, please punish me, Master!"

Chu Lei scoffed and said, "Who is your master?"

Zhong Minyan hung his head in silence. Chu Lei sternly said, "I am already showing mercy by not killing you! And yet you still have the face to return!"

"Please punish me, Master! The disciple will not dare to argue!"

Chu Lei said, "Fine! Then tell me, how do you explain Min Jue’s death? A life for a life is natural justice! Will you give your life for his?"

Zhong Minyan was silent as he removed the sword from his waist, held it with both hands, and said in a deep voice, "Please punish me, Master!"

All he could say were these five words, and Chu Lei became furious, sternly asking, "Are you threatening me?" Before he could finish speaking, he had already seized Min Yan’s sword and drew it with a clang. He Yang urgently said, "Sect Leader, think thrice!" As he grew angry, disciples around them knelt down with a rustle. A dead silence fell over the scene.

In a flash, Linglong stood up and placed herself in front of Zhong Minyan, shouting sharply, "Father! You know Min Yan was deceived! You... you also know that he saved me! If you want to kill him, you might as well kill me first!"

Chu Lei coldly watched Zhong Minyan, who was kneeling behind her, and after a long moment, he said, "Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?"

Zhong Minyan straightened up, patted Linglong to reassure her, and whispered, "Disciple has committed a grave mistake and does not dare to plead for himself. But I earnestly ask Master to give your disciple a chance to amend his wrongs, I wish to explain the past matters before being punished."

"What’s there to explain? Min Jue has just been buried, his mourning hall is still there, the evidence is ironclad, what do you want to explain?"

"Second Senior Brother wasn’t killed by me!"

Chu Lei said in a heavy voice, "Are you saying that thousands of eyes in the Shaoyang Sect all saw it wrong? Weren’t you the one who brought back the body that day?"

"I was the one who brought it back but I did not know beforehand that Second Senior Brother’s corpse was in the box!"

"Excuses!" Chu Lei pushed Linglong aside with a swift move, and his treasure sword glittered as he swiftly chopped down amidst the crowd’s gasps. Zhong Minyan closed his eyes, feeling the whooshing blade pass by him and over his chest, then heard a loud "boom" as it struck the ground just inches away from his feet.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked up at his master. Upon seeing Chu Lei’s pained gaze, his own heart trembled, and he lowered his head, his voice trembling, "Please, Master...kill me!"

Chu Lei stared blankly at his pale face, and for a moment, scenes of himself raising the boy from a young age flashed before his eyes. How he taught him to read and write, how he instructed him in the arts of the sword and martial skills. The child grew with each passing year, making new clothes annually, and He Danping, loath to throw away the old clothes, had pressed them in the chest—tiny garments. In the blink of an eye, he had grown up so much and left without a second thought.

But when it came to delivering the next blow, he could not bring himself to do it. Finally, with a long sigh, he dropped the sword in front of Zhong Minyan. Chu Lei turned around, his hands behind him, and spoke softly, "Alright, I will listen to your explanation. This is your only chance."

Zhong Minyan felt a wave of confusion and helplessness, unsure of the emotion he was experiencing. Finally, he clenched his teeth, about to speak, when once again Chu Lei said, "What kind of sight is this, kneeling here? Stand up! Don’t lose face in front of outsiders!"

Everyone got up. Linglong, crying and laughing, hurried over to support him. She kept calling, "Min Yan! Min Yan!" Zhong Minyan gave a wry smile and whispered, "Not calling me Xiao Liuzi anymore?" She clung to his neck, choking up, "At a time like this, you still talk nonsense! It’s good that you’re back!" He sighed and gently touched her hair twice, speaking softly, "Let’s go to the island first, we’ll talk later."

The disciples of Fuyu Island, seeing that their private matters had been dealt with, then led the way as they flew toward Fuyu Island with Sword Control.

Xuanji could not help but repeatedly want to talk to Zhong Minyan but hesitated and withdrew each time. That world of two seemed not to be one she could intrude upon. Yu Sifeng appeared to have seen through her thoughts, squeezed her hand, and spoke softly, "We’ll go find him together tonight. Let’s give them time to talk now."

She nodded. Suddenly, Ting Nu whispered, "This matter may not be simple. Once we’re on the island, you have to watch him closely and not relax."

Xuanji was taken aback and asked urgently, "Wait, he was originally one of us! He’s come back now! Ting Nu, why would you say that?"

Ting Nu spoke softly, "Calm down. Think carefully, he could have returned sooner or later, but he chose to do so just as we are about to go to the island, which might suggest a conspiracy behind it. The conspiracy may not be his, though Zhong Minyan is smart, when it comes to shrewdness in dealing with people, even Linglong is more astute than him. Consider the strategy of Dongfang Island Master not allowing outsiders on the island, then think about why he has returned now."

Yu Sifeng frowned and said, "Are you suggesting that Wu Tong sent him to scout the island?"

"We can’t rule out that possibility. Make sure you keep an eye on him."

Xuanji and Yu Sifeng looked at each other and, although reluctantly, they both nodded.

Liu Yihuan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly scoffed and rubbed his nose, saying, "Fool! Such a fool! Tricked time and again—only he could be such a fool in the world!"

The two remembered the words he had spoken in Qingyang and felt a profound sadness in their hearts.

Meanwhile, the group arrived on Fuyu Island, and indeed, the security was much tighter than during their previous visit, with sentries standing every five steps and inspections every ten. Upon reaching the main hall, Dongfang Qingqi was already there, his face beaming with a smile, as Chu Lei and the others hurried to greet him. After a round of cordial exchanges, they were finally seated and served tea.

When Dongfang Qingqi noticed Zhong Minyan standing in the crowd, his face still marred by tear stains, he immediately understood and cheerfully said, "This time around, the Min Generation disciples of the Shaoyang Sect have really shined! Everyone’s here, right? Let me see... Eh? Why isn’t Min Jue here?"

Despite his intelligence, he had no inkling of the underlying reason. As soon as the words left his mouth and he saw everyone’s somber expressions, he hastily shut up, gave two embarrassed chuckles, and said, "The little guys are also here! Linglong, you really had us worried sick last time. As a punishment, you’ll have to drink two extra cups of wine today! Hehe."

Chu Lei laughed, "What are children doing with alcohol! Brother Qingqi, don’t spoil them."

Linglong hurriedly said, "It’s only right! Uncle Dongfang, I’ve always been longing for the Baihua Qinglu Wine from your island! And the appetizers made by the Island Owner’s Wife too... Oh, right, Uncle Dongfang, where is your wife?"

Zhong Minyan surreptitiously tugged at her sleeve to signal her to stop talking, but Linglong was completely oblivious.

Dongfang Qingqi pretended not to hear and just smiled, "There’s plenty of wine! I’m just afraid you’ll drink too much and your daddy will have to carry you back."

Chu Lei asked, "Has Valley Master Rong and the Palace Master not arrived yet?"

Dongfang Qingqi shook his head, "Valley Master Rong will arrive tomorrow, and Lize Palace seems to be tied up with some private affairs, so it might take a few more days... Ah, Si Feng is also here! Hehe, your Palace Master is always so secretive, truly unfathomable."

Yu Sifeng gave a faint smile but said nothing. Chu Lei saw that both sides were unaware of some embarrassing matters, and saying more would only make things awkward, so he ordered, "I haven’t seen the Island Master for a long time and have a lot to talk about. You all go rest first, and we’ll call you when it’s time to eat."

The children dispersed in a buzz, each being led to their guest rooms to settle in.

Xuanji sat in the room for a while, feeling stifled. When she opened the door to look outside, she saw Fuyu Island disciples patrolling everywhere. It seemed that this time the Dongfang Island Master was determined to offend the Jianghu people if necessary to maintain order at the Flower Pinning Conference.

She had a belly full of questions for Zhong Minyan, but he would surely be with Linglong right now. After a long separation, she felt it would be inappropriate to disturb them. She decided to take a detour and went to Yu Sifeng to pour out her doubts. Just as she took a few steps, something struck her head. Stunned, she looked up to see Tengshe sitting on the highest branch of a large peach tree, leisurely munching on a peach. The peach pit that had struck her was his leftover.

"Hey! Where are you going with that gloomy face?" he was as irritating as ever.

The moment Xuanji saw him, she got angry, bent down to pick up the peach pit, and hurled it at his face. Tengshe stuffed the peach into his chest and deftly dodged the pit. With a flip of his waist, he jumped down from the tree while snickering, "Missed!"

Before he finished speaking, a clump of mud smashed right into his face, leaving him with a mouthful of dirt.

"Ptui, ptui! You little wench! Are you trying to set me on fire?" he fumed, wiping his face with his sleeve, "How dare you throw mud at Lord Tengshe! I’ll complain about you to the Heavenly Emperor and you won’t get away with it!"

Seeing his face smeared with alternate patches of black and white, Xuanji couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, and her moodiness seemed to vanish.

"Did the hit knock you senseless? What’s so funny..." Tengshe took out another peach and tossed it to her, "Tastes good. It’s a reward for you!"

Xuanji didn’t stand on ceremony, she wiped the peach on her sleeve and bit into it heartily, finding it indeed deliciously sweet.

"This place isn’t bad, much prettier than Shaoyang and the like! It’s a bit like the Heavenly Emperor’s private garden." Tengshe shaded his eyes with his hand, looking around. The beauty of Fuyu Island was renowned throughout the world, yet in his mouth, it was merely a small garden of the Heavenly Emperor.

"Is it nice in heaven?" Xuanji, after finishing the peach, dug a hole in the ground and buried the pit.

Tengshe thought for a moment, "The scenery’s not bad. But the food is tasteless, like mud! It may look nice, but it’s bland compared to the human world’s delights."

Xuanji smiled slightly, whispering, "Things that look beautiful are often fake."

Tengshe clapped his hands, "Right! You know the saying too! Emperor Bai always said, things that appear beautiful and tempting are often unreliable. Whether it’s people, events, or food, only through personal experience and taste can one make a true judgment."

"He’s really wise. But... who is Emperor Bai?"

Tengshe looked at her with a tinge of pity and sighed, "You’ve become so ignorant you don’t even recognize Emperor Bai... The cycle of reincarnation is truly harmful..."

Xuanji tugged his hair forcefully, causing him to wail, "Speak up! Enough nonsense!"

Tengshe cautiously touched his own poor hair and kept a safe distance before he said, "You ignorant girl, I’ll tell you. Emperor Bai is the Eastern White Emperor, who governs everything in the east. He’s like a brother to the Heavenly Emperor! If Emperor Bai hadn’t pleaded for you back then, you’d be dead! And yet here you are, asking me who Emperor Bai is?"

Xuanji vaguely felt she had some impression, but it was too vague. Eventually, she gave up trying to remember and sighed, sitting down on the ground, speaking softly, "He’s right. The better things seem, the more likely they are fake. Linglong has been saved now, Sixth Brother is back. Si Feng is here too... and Brother Liu, Ting Nu... Everyone is so good, too good indeed, almost like a beautiful dream. But I still worry..."

Tengshe listened to her serious confession for the first time, and couldn’t help but move closer, asking, "What are you worried about? Women always worry about trivial things."

Xuanji said quietly, "I don’t know... perhaps I’m worried that someone will disrupt all this, or even worse... that it’s all a fake."

"Whether it’s fake or not, I don’t know..." Tengshe crouched down and said, "But if someone comes to disrupt it, why not just beat them back? The War God General, afraid of demons and devils? You were their scourge in the past!"

"Was I really that powerful before?" Xuanji asked.

"Absolutely! But still, you were no match for Lord Tengshe. Alright, I’m in a generous mood right now and willing to help you a bit – you should thank me graciously for that."

Xuanji, unusually calm, pondered and then seemed to find Tengshe’s straightforward thinking not bad. If someone came to wreck things, just beat them back – wasn’t that the solution? With this realization, she felt suddenly relieved, took a deep breath, lay back on the ground, and declared, "This beautiful dream, if anyone comes to shatter it, I’ll send them packing!"

"I’m in too! I want to fight as well!" Tengshe immediately perked up at the thought of a fight.

Xuanji patted his handsome face like one would pat a little puppy, saying, "Alright, when the bad guys come, I’ll make you the vanguard! Hehe." (To be continued. For further details, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)