Love & Redemption
Chapter 192: Volume 4: Sudden Rift in the Chinese Dream, - 49: Riot (11)

Chapter 192: Volume 4: Sudden Rift in the Chinese Dream, Chapter 49: Riot (11)

Chu Lei had a talk with He Danping, then turned his head and saw Liu Yihuan and the others helping the younger disciples bandage their wounds and apply medicine, while Linglong sat alone, constantly touching the scar on her head. He Danping emerged from between the gates of the Mystic Iron Gate, steadied Linglong’s shoulders, and spoke softly, "Let me have a look... Hmm, it’s not a serious injury, stop touching it."

Linglong made a pained face and said, "Mom, will I go bald? That would be so ugly!"

He Danping was both annoyed and amused as she scolded, "Nonsense! How could such a small scar make you go bald! Why are you sitting here alone, where is Min Yan?"

Linglong laughed, "Oh, him? He’s got diarrhea... Don’t know what he ate, but he’s not back yet after going at it for so long."

He Danping couldn’t help but laugh as well, "This child, still so careless... Linglong, I heard from your father, you and Min Yan don’t wish to remain Shaoyang disciples anymore?"

Linglong’s expression darkened, and after a long while, she finally nodded, "Yeah... Since dad wants to kick Sixth [Xiao Liuzi] out, I can’t leave him and he can’t leave me. No matter where he goes, I’ll follow. Mom, I’ve made up my mind, don’t try to persuade me."

He Danping said gently, "Ever since you were little, you’ve been impulsive to the core. If you impulsively follow him, are you certain that he truly cares for you? Do you understand that?"

Linglong hastily replied, "Mom! Why would you say that! Don’t you know what kind of person Sixth is?"

He Danping paused for a moment, then sighed, "Alright, let’s say mom was wrong. But think about it, you two are still young, with no real skills other than cultivation. If you leave Shaoyang Sect, how will you make a living? Linglong, girls your age naturally like romantic things, and mom understands, mom was once that age too. But living in this world, you always need a stable place to call home, something to occupy your time. In a sudden impulse, if you descend the mountain, do you really plan to wander for a lifetime?"

Linglong had indeed not thought about these things, but her nature was inherently carefree, without considering such details very much. She immediately said, "We can deal with the future later! We can’t let worries about tomorrow take away the joy of today, can we? You like a stable life, but there are people who enjoy living each day differently. Since I’ve decided to be with Sixth, no matter what hardships come our way, I am willing to endure them."

He Danping was somewhat shocked, gazing steadily at her face. Was this the same Linglong? That willful, spoiled, impulsive young lady? She had already made up her mind so resolutely. As a mother, should she be happy, or should she feel a loss? Suddenly, she recalled what Chu Lei had said: The kids are grown up now, they have their own ideas, and we old folks shouldn’t always be so bothersome.

Indeed, the children who were once cradled in arms and cried out loudly had, in the blink of an eye, grown tall and graceful. They had grown up, they all had grown up, they had things to hold on to, and their own pursuits. He Danping stroked her hair and said softly, "Alright, then mom supports you too. However, there is one thing you must listen to mom about: you must get married before leaving Shaoyang Sect with him."

Linglong’s face turned red, and she stammered, "Ma-Married... What marriage... Mother, why are you speaking so loudly..."

He Danping chuckled heartily, feeling a mix of joy and sorrow in her heart. She was happy that Linglong had found her place in life, but sorrowful because of her younger daughter Xuanji’s situation. Yu Sifeng was a demon, and no matter how open-minded she and Chu Lei were, they couldn’t immediately accept entrusting their daughter’s future to a demon. However, her current concern wasn’t about that, but about Xuanji herself. Chu Lei’s words lingered in her mind, and she didn’t want Xuanji to become an immortal. She was her child, and even if she was lazy, useless, and nothing noteworthy, she was still better than becoming a distant, lofty immortal.

She said she needed to talk to Xuanji, but what about? She didn’t know. Was she supposed to just blurt out and ask her: "Are you a star descended from heaven to experience tribulations?" When it came to Xuanji, she always felt affection, but in truth, she didn’t know how to interact with her, not since she was a child. Linglong would share all her thoughts with her, and they would have warm, heartfelt conversations, but Xuanji never did that. She kept everything to herself without uttering a word.

It seemed that she and her husband were destined to worry more about this younger daughter.

Chu Lei saw Liu Yihuan and others helping the younger disciples with bandages and medicine, and joined in to help, all the while expressing his gratitude to Ting Nu and Liu Yihan, "Shaoyang Sect has met with disaster, and the two of you have extended your help; I am profoundly grateful."

Ting Nu responded with a courteous gesture, while Liu Yihuan laughed and said, "Sect Leader Chu, you are too polite! By the way, Dongfang Island Master and Valley Master Rong asked me to give you a message. They had originally agreed to come help Shaoyang Sect with Xuanji, but something urgent came up on the island, and they could not leave. Once it is taken care of, they will rush over immediately."

Chu Lei nodded and sighed, "Actually... I didn’t want to trouble them so much."

Liu Yihuan laughed it off, "After all, you all believe in ’sharing a common breath and fate’... After all, this is not merely a private matter for your Shaoyang Sect. The Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain is of concern to the entire world, and those with the capability should certainly lend their full support."

Chu Lei knew he possessed the Heavenly Eye and was aware of things unknown to ordinary people. Since he could speak like this, he must know more, and earnestly sought his guidance. Liu Yihuan was the sort who sets up a dye workshop at the offer of three colors, and being asked for advice delighted him to no end. He started talking Liu Yihuan’s ear off, disclosing everything he had heard when he stole the Heavenly Eye.

It turned out that he had lost his daughter years ago, filled with indescribable regret, intent only on finding her reincarnation to fulfill his responsibilities as a father. Later, he heard that there was a magical object in the Upper Realm called the Heavenly Eye that could discern mysteries, the cycles of all creatures, and cause and effect in an instant. He was immediately consumed by the desire to possess it.

Strangely enough, back then, he truly had a fearless determination. Now, if he were asked to sneak into Heaven to steal something, he’d rather die than dare. But back then, he had a stubborn streak, secretly infiltrated Kunlun Mountain, and when daylight shone and the Heavenly Ladder descended, he climbed up.

Perhaps it was his fate to obtain the Heavenly Eye. Heaven was so vast, yet he wandered blindly, encountering many immortals, none of whom questioned or captured him; they all looked straight ahead. Eventually, his courage grew, and to his surprise, he found the Heavenly Eye in a small attic. He had heard that the Heavenly Eye would attach itself upon contact with blood, so fearing detection if kept on his person, he made a cut on his forehead and placed the Heavenly Eye inside.

He expected thunder and earth-shattering changes, but there was no reaction after inserting the Heavenly Eye into his forehead. It felt wooden to the touch and he felt nothing. Not daring to linger, he held his forehead and was about to leave when, after inserting the Heavenly Eye, his previously dull eyes and ears became extremely sensitive. He could hear the casual conversation of two immortals chatting outside the small attic from who knows how far away.

"Sect Leader Chu," he began, "it was only after I listened to those two immortals that I realized Wuzhiqi’s imprisonment in the Netherworld was due to his own fate. If someone from the Lower Realm were to forcibly break the Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain to rescue him, it would be going against the Heavenly Dao, and the Upper Realm would surely send someone to punish them. Although I do not know how severe the punishment of the gods may be, even the greatest demon was captured by them and locked in the Netherworld, so I can only imagine that mere mortals and other ordinary demons would be even less of a concern. Whether it’s the Li Ze Palace or Buzhou Mountain, their actions are also against the Heavenly Dao, and sooner or later, immortals will come down to deal with them. Therefore, you can rest assured, even if you cannot handle these demons, sooner or later, Heaven itself will take care of them for you."

Having cultivated for many years, Chu Lei had never before known that one could ascend to Heaven. Overjoyed by the revelation, he let go of his concerns about the Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain and kept asking about Heaven, its scenery, and whether immortals would sometimes descend to the Lower Realm.

Liu Yihuan chuckled and said, "Sect Leader Chu, forgive my frankness, but mortal cultivation is a matter of fate, not something one can simply strive for. Since ancient times, there have been very few who succeeded, and even more so now, having strayed from the true path. All beings have their own karma within the cycle of rebirth; there is no such thing as opposites. Don’t think that by killing more demons, you’re cultivating."

Chu Lei had cultivated for decades and had had these doubts before, but since the ancestors had left such teachings, he could only follow them. He said quietly, "Becoming an immortal is indeed the ultimate wish of us cultivators, but even more so, it is our duty to protect the safety of the common people with our chivalrous ways. I understand what Mr. Liu is saying, but even if this is not the proper path to cultivation, at the very least, we have maintained peace in the world, and that alone leaves us with a clear conscience."

Liu Yihuan simply smiled, and after a long time, he said, "If you truly can do so with a clear conscience, then that’s very good, very good. Hehe..."

Chu Lei wanted to ask more about the Upper Realm when suddenly he heard Ting Nu cry out in urgency, "There’s demon energy! Demon energy is gathering! It’s a lot of demons!"

Chu Lei leapt into the air; his profound power also detected an unsettling fluctuation in the wind, and even the sky above seemed to darken. He immediately shouted, "Everyone, get into Mingxia Cave at once! Do not come out!" The younger disciples, still unaware of what was happening, looked at him blankly. Chu Lei frowned and said sternly, "Go now!" His tone was so severe, akin to when he saw unambitious disciples before, that it scared the disciples into hastily nodding and sliding through the cracks of the Mystic Iron Gate into Mingxia Cave without making a sound.

He Danping asked with concern, "Big brother, what’s happening now?"

Chu Lei did not speak but flew higher with Sword Control, only to see the top of the highest Shaoyang Peak covered with a dense mass of black-clothed demons. He was shocked and immediately realized that the demons in front of Mingxia Cave were just the beginning, and the real battle was still to come. The arriving demons were no fewer than the entire Shaoyang Sect combined, perhaps even more. That Wu Tong, he was truly going all out for revenge!

He saw the demons rise into the air, forming a giant cloud as they flew straight towards Sun Peak, which startled him so much he nearly fell from his sword. Chu Lei had lived through many battles in his life, but never before had he felt as much fear as he did at that moment.

What should he do? Rush at them alone to hold off the countless demons for a short while, or retreat and die together with his wife and friends? Indeed, at that moment, he could not see any way out. Facing thousands of demons, what chance did he have?

These thoughts flashed through his mind for only an instant; the next moment, he was filled with fervor, drawing his sword and charging forward—Chu Lei would never be a coward who hid behind others! If Wu Tong wanted his Shaoyang Sect wiped out, leaving him alone alive, how could Chu Lei grant his wish?! Even if it meant death, Chu Lei would die fighting bravely against the demons, and not by taking his own life in resentment!

His sword tore through the mist, shooting forward like an arrow to meet the dark, dense mass of demons that spread across the sky. Suddenly, he heard a voice from behind, "Dad, you go back." He turned abruptly, only to see his young daughter Xuanji standing steadily on her sword, less than ten feet away from him. Her slender figure, her white clothes fluttering in the wind.

She appeared so fragile, as if a mere push could topple her, but from her, he sensed a chilling, fierce aura. She was so unfamiliar, her expressionless face, her deep eyes, her complexion white as if translucent.

"You..." For the first time, Chu Lei found himself at a loss for words.

Softly, Xuanji said, "Tengshe, take him down."

In her heart, there was no voice... Tengshe gave her a glance, feeling somewhat intimidated for the very first time and, remarkably, did not argue with her. He obediently grabbed Chu Lei and flew down without looking back.

Then, everything began. Xuanji slowly drew Bengyu, her eyes fixed on the daunting array before her.

This scene was so familiar to her. Demon Gods invading the Sacred Land across the Heavenly River, countless enemies, six arms, and three heads, with flames burning all around them. Time and again, she faced thousands of foes alone. Yes, this was where she belonged, her faith, her everything.

She had nowhere else to go but to stay here.

This was the only place for her.

She held Bengyu upright, pressing its cool surface against her forehead, allowing the last bit of noise in her heart to settle.

"Ding Kun," she murmured softly, and in the next moment, the slender sword swelled in size, gradually opening its palm to hover in mid-air. The Azure Blue Flames ignited silently, rippling out in waves centered on Ding Kun.

Looking up from below, the waves of Azure Blue Flames bloomed like a giant, ethereal lotus in the sky—a vast, illusory lotus. (To be continued, for what comes next, please visit www.qidian.com, with more Chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)