Love & Redemption
Chapter 63 - 20: The Truth About Qu Ru (7)

Chapter 63: Chapter 20: The Truth About Qu Ru (7)

Note: This story is updated twice a day, occasionally three to four times (mostly on weekends), and generally will not fall below this number.

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When everyone had chased the demon to the bottom, they found it clutching its arms and legs, lying on its back on the rocks, and bleeding what must have been copious amounts. It was evident that it couldn’t survive.

"You still tried to escape!" Linglong cursed fiercely, but it was her first time witnessing such a gruesome scene, and she couldn’t help but feel some compassion. She turned and said, "Xiao Liuzi... you... give it a quick end!"

The demon glared with eyes as big as copper bells, its pupils shining with a ghostly green hue. It let out a dismal laugh and said, "You... you all... don’t pretend... to show mercy. Even now.... at this point... I... believe I have a clear conscience. What... what have you people done... you..."

Before it could finish, Zhong Minyan had already swung his sword, severing its head. Frowning, he said, "Still arguing even in the face of death! You caused the people of Wangxian Town so much suffering, yet you claim to have a clear conscience!"

Lu Yanran saw the demon’s head bounce off the ground and roll to her feet, and she nearly jumped in fright, exclaiming, "Ah! How could you... chop off its head like that!"

Ruo Yu stepped forward, picked up the head, and wrapped it in a square cloth, while sighing, "It was to grant it a quick death. Looking at it like this, there might be some hidden facts we don’t know about. Let it be."

Everyone, witnessing this scene, found themselves at a loss for words. What should have been a clear victory now felt anything but triumphant, and the mood became inexplicably somber, as though they had committed some wrongdoing.

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Without further ado, the six of them flew back to Zhao Family Manor using Sword Control. Although they had reassured Boss Zhao and the others not to worry and just go to sleep before leaving, who could actually sleep? Everyone was up with lanterns lit, waiting for their return.

As soon as Zhong Minyan landed, he placed the demon’s head on the ground and said, "Uncle Zhao, we’ve fulfilled our duty. We’ve captured the demon from Sea Bowl Mountain that was causing trouble."

The moment the young and old of Zhao Family Manor heard that the demon was caught, they all came out shouting and cheering, excited and fearful as they saw the bloody and ferocious head.

Zhong Minyan then summarized their experience and finally said with a smile, "We’ve finally killed the troublemaking demon. From now on, everyone can rest easy. We’ll surely come back to visit when we have time."

The people expressed their gratitude, and eventually buried the head, planning to find a Taoist priest to attach talismans to suppress evil as an act of merit. Having been harassed by Qu Ru for over three months, everyone was at their wit’s end; now that the matter was finally resolved, and it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Hearing that Zhong Minyan and the others would be leaving the next day, nobody minded the dark of night, and the whole village began to prepare a feast to reward the young heroes. The celebration continued until noon the next day before it gradually dispersed.

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Zhong Minyan and the others were still in good spirits. The three men busied themselves with drinking and catching up, while Linglong and Lu Yanran were busy listening and occasionally chiming in. Xuanji was occupied with snoozing against Linglong, her breaths light and soft.

"Miss Lu said yesterday that demons gather together. Is this really true?"

Ruo Yu still remembered what Lu Yanran had said and couldn’t help but ask.

Lu Yanran was in the middle of pouring herself another drink. She had drunk quite a bit that night and her cheeks were flushed, making her truly look like a blooming lotus, with her delicate eyebrows arched like willow leaves, exuding extreme charm. Hearing Ruo Yu’s question, she laughed and said, "I can’t really be sure either. It’s just that I once heard the Island Master say there are demons in the Great Wilderness, and they tend to move in packs. So I used that to get him to talk, and it turned out to be correct."

Yu Sifeng pondered for a moment, then softly said, "The Great Wilderness is full of Abnormal People, and each country has its own culture and customs. They might not be demons, just looking strange and unlike regular humans."

Linglong said in surprise, "How can they be human if they don’t look like humans?"

Yu Sifeng smiled, "The world is full of strange and unusual things. Many people from different places may not look human, but they are not demons. They have their own customs and habits, not much different from ours."

Linglong’s face fell as she said, "Then... the one... we killed this time... could it also have been...?"

With that said, everyone fell silent. If they had killed a demon, they could claim to have eliminated a bane for the people. But if they had killed a person, that would not be an easy pill to swallow. This was particularly true for Zhong Minyan, who had personally beheaded the creature. The thought of having decapitated a human being made him almost want to throw his sword away.

"If he did something deserving of death, he should be killed, even if he is human," a voice suddenly rang out. Everyone turned to see that Xuanji had woken up at some point, still with a hint of confusion on her face, speaking indifferently.

Zhong Minyan furrowed his brow and said, "We can’t just say that. Demons and humans are different... We can’t just kill someone because they’ve done wrong... "

"But we can kill a demon that has done wrong?" Xuanji asked softly, nonchalantly.

"That... is different..." Zhong Minyan, who always prided himself on his eloquence, seemed at a loss for words now. Although he knew in his heart that there was a difference, he couldn’t articulate what exactly it was.

Linglong said, "Those not of our kind must have a different heart! Since they are not human, they definitely can’t be good!"

Xuanji replied calmly, "There is no difference. If not being human means not being good, then there are too many non-humans in this world. Whether it is a human or a demon, or something else, as long as they have committed deeds deserving death, they should be killed. As long as they have not done wrong, they should not be killed."

"Uh, you..." Zhong Minyan was stunned and it took him a long time to squeeze out the words, "How... how do you know whether they should be killed or not?"

Xuanji rubbed her eyes, filled with heavy drowsiness, and said softly, "Of course, I know. I know it in my heart."

Zhong Minyan had nothing to say and finally waved his hand, "This is nonsense! It’s just sophistry! Forget it, I’m tired, I’m going to sleep. We still have to travel tomorrow!"

Seeing that the argument would end on a sour note, Linglong hurriedly tugged at Xuanji’s sleeve and whispered, "Sister, are you intentionally stirring things up?"

Xuanji shook her head blankly, "No, I am speaking the truth."

Linglong was at a loss for words.

Ruo Yu quickly tried to smooth things over with a laugh, "Why bother with these frustrating words? Come on, let’s have another drink! Zhong Shaohua, you should have one too, rest a bit before you go to sleep! It’s rare that we’re all so cheerful."

Zhong Minyan felt embarrassed to dismiss his hospitality and reluctantly raised his glass with a smile, touching it lightly.

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After three rounds of drinks, the earlier friction seemed to vanish into thin air. Yu Sifeng became a bit drunk and, holding his wine cup, asked with a smile, "Min Yan, where are you planning to go next?"

Zhong Minyan said, "We plan to keep traveling eastward, observing the customs along the way and dealing with any demons causing trouble. Our final destination is to visit Dongfang Island Master on Fuyu Island."

After listening, Yu Sifeng fell silent. Linglong clapped her hands and said, "Si Feng, Ruo Yu, Miss Lu, since you are all out for training, why don’t we go together? It’s not fun to act separately!"

Ruo Yu just chuckled but did not speak, turning her head to look at Yu Sifeng, obviously waiting for his opinion. After thinking for a while, Yu Sifeng finally nodded, "Alright, we shall go together. It just so happens that Ruo Yu and I have no particular destination in mind, it would be more enjoyable to wander and see the sights with you all."

Linglong, happy to see him agree, reached for Lu Yanran and the two girls, no longer at odds, found that they got along well, feeling somewhat reluctant to part.

"Yanran, you should come with us too! It’s more fun with more people!" Linglong held her hand, clearly speaking from the heart.

Lu Yanran was moved and said softly, "Thank you, Linglong. I said many unpleasant things to you before, please don’t take them to heart. And to Xuanji... I am very sorry as well."

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

Lu Yanran smiled faintly, "However, I have realized something and have decided to find my fellow disciples, apologize to them, and then return to Fuyu Island together. So... I can’t travel with you anymore."

Everyone was startled, and Linglong quickly said, "Why... say you’re leaving now?!"

Lu Yanran said earnestly, "I always felt others should indulge me, and it didn’t matter if I didn’t do some things well, but now I’ve realized I was completely wrong. I don’t want to be a burden who needs to be looked after anymore; I want to be like Linglong and Xuanji, an independent heroine on par with any man. So I must go back to apologize to my fellow disciples and start over. Besides, my time for training outside is nearly up, and as soon as I’ve found them, we’ll need to return to Fuyu Island. You all will also visit Fuyu Island, right? We will meet again then. I’ll treat you to the tastiest delicacies on the island."

Hearing her say this and knowing she was determined, Linglong did not persist. Holding her hand, she asked with a smile, "Alright then, we’ll meet on Fuyu Island. When do you plan to leave, and where will you go to find your fellow disciples?"

"I plan to look to the west first, as they should be lingering near Taihua Mountain. It’s the exact opposite direction of where you all are heading. Since the issues here have been resolved, I’ll set off early tomorrow morning."

No one said anything more, and they all filled their cups and drank them down, considering it a farewell toast.

They continued drinking until the afternoon before they staggered off to rest.

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