Love & Redemption
Chapter 60 - 20 Qu Ru’s Truth (7)

Chapter 60: Chapter 20 Qu Ru’s Truth (7)

Everyone had chased after the demon until they found it awkwardly sprawled on the rocks, hemorrhaging what seemed like an ungodly amount of blood, evidently beyond any hope of survival.

"You still thought you could escape!" Although Linglong cursed fiercely, it was still her first time witnessing such a gruesome scene, and she couldn’t help but feel some compassion, turning her head she said, "Xiao Liuzi...you...just end his misery!"

The man glared with his eyes as wide as copper bells, pupils shimmering with a ghostly green, and grimly smiled, "You...you don’t need to pretend...pretend compassion. At this point...I...admit no guilt. What have you people...done...you..."

Before he could finish, Zhong Minyan had already decapitated him with a sword, frowning he said, "Still making excuses when you’re about to die! You’ve made the people of Wangxian Town suffer so much, yet you claim no guilt!"

Startled by the demon’s head bouncing on the ground and landing at her feet, Lu Yanran almost jumped, exclaiming, "Ah! Why did you...decapitate him!"

Ruo Yu stepped forward, picked up the head, wrapped it in a cloth, and sighed, "It’s a mercy for him too. Looking at him, there might be circumstances we don’t know about. Let it be."

Seeing this scene, everyone was truly at a loss for words. What had started as a triumphant victory had oddly shifted to a mood of melancholy, as if they had committed some wrongdoing.

Without another word, the six flew back to Zhao Family Manor on their swords. Although they had told Boss Zhao not to worry and to just sleep, who could possibly sleep? The entire place was brightly lit, awaiting their return.

As soon as Zhong Minyan landed, he put the head down and said, "Uncle Zhao, mission accomplished, the troublemaker from Sea Bowl Mountain has been captured for you."

When the people of Zhao Family Manor heard the demon had been caught, they all came out cheering to see it, both terrified and exhilarated at the sight of the bloody hideous head.

Zhong Minyan then retold their adventures briefly, smiling in conclusion, "We’ve finally killed this mischief-making demon, so from now on, all the uncles and aunties can rest easy. We’ll definitely come back to visit when we have time."

The locals sighed, and ultimately buried the head, planning to later find a Taoist priest to charm it against evil, a meritorious deed indeed. The people here had been tormented by Qu Ru for over three months, unable to bear it, and now with the issue resolved, it felt like a weight was lifted from their hearts. Hearing that Zhong Minyan and his group would leave the next day, they didn’t mind the dim night and all the people of the manor started preparing a feast to reward the young disciples, celebrating until noon the next day before it gradually quieted down.

Zhong Minyan and the others were still in good spirits, the three men busy drinking and reminiscing, Linglong and Lu Yanran busy listening and occasionally interjecting, while Xuanji was busy sleeping, leaning against Linglong, breathing softly.

"Miss Lu said yesterday that demons gather together, is that really true?"

Ruo Yu still remembered the words of Lu Yanran, and couldn’t help but ask.

Lu Yanran, who had just poured herself a drink, her cheeks rosily flushed from the night’s indulgences, looked truly like a lotus with her sharply arched brows carrying an alluring charm. She laughed, "I actually can’t say for certain, just that once I heard the Island Master mention that in the Great Wilderness, demons roam in groups, so I used that info to provoke him, and it turned out to be true."

Yu Sifeng pondered for a long moment, then said softly, "The Great Wilderness is home to many Abnormal People, different nations have their customs, it’s not necessarily demons, just people who look strange."

Linglong wondered, "If they don’t look human, how can they still be human?"

Yu Sifeng smiled, "There are many strange and unusual things in the world, many people may not look human, but they’re not demons. They have their own customs and are much like us."

Linglong changed color and said, "Then...what we killed this time...could it have been...?"

At these words, everyone fell silent. If they had killed a demon, they could have proudly claimed they were ridding the people of harm, but if it was a person, that was decidedly less comfortable. Especially for Zhong Minyan, who had personally beheaded the man; thinking that he might have decapitated a person, he almost wished he could throw away his sword.

"He did what deserved death, even if he was human, he had to be killed," suddenly a voice spoke up. Everyone turned and saw Xuanji, who had awoken at some unknown time, still looking slightly dazed, speaking indifferently.

Zhong Minyan frowned and said, "That’s not something you can just say, demons and humans are different... how can you kill just because a person did something bad..."

"So, it’s okay to kill if a demon did something bad?" Xuanji asked gently, seemingly careless.

"That’s... different..." Zhong Minyan, normally so proud of his eloquence, didn’t know where it had gone, knowing in his heart it was different, but unable to articulate exactly why.

Linglong said, "Those who are not of our kind will definitely have a different heart! Anyway, if they’re not human, they’re definitely not good!"

Xuanji replied indifferently, "There’s nothing different. Just because something isn’t human doesn’t mean it’s bad. There are too many non-human things in the world. Whether human or demon, or something else, if someone commits an act that warrants death, then they deserve to die. If they have done nothing wrong, they shouldn’t be killed."

"Uh, you...," Zhong Minyan stammered, struggling to find his words, "how do you know whether they should be killed or not?"

Xuanji rubbed her eyes, her voice laden with sleepiness, "I naturally know. I have my own judgment."

Zhong Minyan had nothing to say, and finally waved his hand, "This is preposterous! Twisting logic to win an argument! Enough, enough, I’m tired, going to sleep. We still have a journey tomorrow!"

Seeing that things were ending on a sour note, Linglong quickly grabbed Xuanji’s sleeve, whispering, "Sister, are you deliberately saying provocative things?"

Xuanji shook her head in confusion, "No, I was telling the truth."

Linglong was at a loss for words.

Ruo Yu quickly tried to smooth things over, laughing, "Why say such disheartening things? Come, let’s have another drink! Zhong Shaohua, have a drink too, rest a bit before you sleep! It’s rare for us all to be so merry together."

Zhong Minyan, not wanting to offend, could only smile and raise his glass, clinking it softly.

After three rounds of drinking, the minor squall also vanished into thin air. Yu Sifeng, somewhat drunk, pinched his cup and laughed, "Min Yan, where do you all plan to go next?"

Zhong Minyan said, "We plan to keep heading east, to observe the local customs along the way and deal with some demon-caused troubles. Finally, we’ll visit Dongfang Island Master at Fuyu Island."

After listening, Yu Sifeng fell into a deep thought. Linglong clapped her hands, "Sifeng, Ruo Yu, Miss Lu, since you are also out for training, why don’t we stick together? It would be much less fun to operate separately!"

Ruo Yu just chuckled without speaking, turning to look at Yu Sifeng, clearly awaiting his decision. After a long thought, Yu Sifeng finally nodded, "Alright, let’s go together. Anyway, Ruo Yu and I don’t have a specific destination, it might be more interesting to travel and enjoy the scenery with you."

Seeing that he agreed, Linglong couldn’t hide her joy and went to pull Lu Yanran. The two girls, no longer having any disagreements, felt they were kindred spirits and were somewhat reluctant to part.

"Yanran, join us too! It’s more fun with more people!" Linglong held her hand, obviously speaking sincerely.

Lu Yanran, moved, said softly, "Thank you, Linglong. I said many unpleasant things to you before, please don’t take them to heart. And to Xuanji... I’m sorry too."

Linglong waved her hand nonchalantly, "Why bring up those old issues! I’ve already forgotten them!"

Lu Yanran smiled slightly, "However, I’ve realized something. I’ve decided to find my fellow disciples, apologize to them, and then return to Fuyu Island together. So... I cannot accompany you anymore."

Everyone was stunned. Linglong hurriedly said, "Why... why say you’re leaving now?"

Lu Yanran seriously said, "I always felt like others should accommodate me, and it was okay if I didn’t do well in some matters. But now, I realize that was a huge mistake. I don’t want to be a burden that needs to be taken care of anymore. I hope to be independent and as capable as Linglong and Xuanji. That’s why I need to go back to apologize to my fellow disciples and start over. Besides, my time for training outside is almost up, once I find them, we have to return to Fuyu Island. Linglong, you are also heading to Fuyu Island, aren’t you? We will meet again then. I’ll treat you to the most delicious dishes on the island."

Hearing her resolved heart, Linglong did not insist further, holding her hand and smiling, "Alright then, we’ll meet again at Fuyu Island. When do you plan to leave? Where will you find your fellow disciples?"

"I plan to start by searching in the west; they should be staying near Taihua Mountain. It just happens to be in the opposite direction to where you are heading to the east. Now that the matters here are resolved, I will leave first thing tomorrow morning."

No one had more to say. They all poured another drink and finished it off, considering it a farewell drink for her.

They drank until noon, then each staggered off to rest.