Bai Zihua at the table using bright red brush on a jade-like stone wrote scripture that You Ruo could not understand at all. You Ruo being absent-minded while grinding cinnabar and mixed it with Xuan Bird's blood as instructed with the face expression of wanting to say something but hold back.
Bai Zihua said without lifting his head: "If you want to say something, just say it."
She had peeked at him all morning with that strange look, as if she never knew him before.
You Ruo asked with grinning smile: "Zun Shang, why don't you ask me what happened yesterday?"
Bai Zihua paused the brush in his hand. Is it useful for him to ask? This girl's purpose came to Changliu just for the sake of Xiao GU. It’s obvious that after yesterday’s meeting, they have reached agreement and colluded with one another. Xiao Gu has intention for not letting him remember, how would she let You Ruo say it. Does he need to beat her up for making her confess?
Seeing Bai Zihua did not say anything unlike last night and behaving as his usual appearance high and unapproachable; a trace of mischievous flashed through her eyes. She intentionally lowering her head and spoke with blushing face: "I, I really didn't expect Zun Shang also has such a passionate and warmth side……"
The tea in Bai Zihua's mouth almost sprayed out. After choked a little bit, he tried his best to keep his calm appearance. He only knew he lost his sense and did something outrageous toward Xiao Gu while he lost his mind, but he didn't know exactly how far he went. But now hearing his grand disciple You Ruo saying this, he feeling even more suspicion, irritating, and awkward.
He has always had great confidence in himself, beside last time that he was poison and lost his mind, having Xiao Gu used the Summon the souls magic to cover up his shameful act. This time, it’s hard to avoid feeling more uneasy about things that out of his control and himself has been forgotten completely.
Even though at that time, he was possessed by the evil spirit, completely lost his mind, it was not like it was his intention, but after all, it was still his fault.
You Ruo saw his eyes were gloomy for a moment carried a sense of guilt and remorse. Seeing this she asked tentatively: "Zun Shang, when can Shifu return to Unfeeling Hall?"
Although he has never said anything, she could tell Zun Shang cares about Shifu more than anyone, and hope that Shifu will come back. However, why did he always have to act so heartless? She really doesn't understand at all.
Bai Zihua looked at her seriously: "You Ruo, do you know what is your Shifu's current status?"
You Ruo lowered her head and said: "Demon god….."
"So, do you think she still has the possibility of returning to Changliu mountain?"
"But, Zun Shang, you….."
"Do you think that the reason I didn't kick her out of the sect because one day she would return to Changliu?"
You Ruo eagerly looked at him and nodded her head repeatedly: "Zun Shang, haven't you you been trying so hard for so long in order to find a way to separate the seal of demon power without harming Shifu?"
Bai Zihua put down the brush in his hand with indifference expression.
"I didn't kick her out of the sect not because due to our teacher and disciple's relationship, but I just wanted to give her a little hope, leaving the light, leaving the way for her to retreat. Then she will at least have some consideration in her future actions, has some consideration for Changliu and the world. You Ruo, you have to remember, even the kindest and gentle person in the world won't be able to withstand the agony of extrem grievances and pain. Everything has its limit, it's also applying to punishment. Killing without mercy will only makes a person who wanted to get a new start becoming ruthless. A thing will turn into its opposite if pushed too far, at the end will only left with destruction. Being hopeless is the most terrified thing, once you let your Shifu feels she was abandoned by everybody in the world, it will only push her further into the demon path. So don't feel that I am merciful, I just thinking about the big picture. Secondly, even if it is for the overall situation, before your Shifu truly becomes the demon god, as long as she is not giving up on herself yet, it is not right for us to abandon her and want to kill her. The true righteousness cannot sacrifice individual one as a prerequisite, but your Shifu has made a big mistake, she has to take responsibility. It can say that even her death is not to enough to pardon her crime, so when everything can't be saved, I will not hesitate to kill her."
You Ruo was shocked upon hearing this and her forehead was covered with cold sweat. She used to think that Zun Shang is unreachable, doesn't like to be close with others, but for the first time she found that his thoughts is deep like sea, his words and demeanor contained too much profound meaning. It is really frightening.
Clearly knowing Shifu's character, if she knows that she still has a little hope to return to Changliu, returns to her Shifu's side, no matter what she will never given up even risking her life, she will try her best not letting herself to be easily controlled by the demon god power. Zun Shang has seen through how deep Shifu loves him, that is why he has used his way to guide her around all along?
After last night, she just has guessed maybe Zun Shang is also likes Shifu a little bit, not just the relationship between teacher and disciple, but now it seemed like it's not the case. Everything in the world is unpredictable. Although things happened cannot always within Zun Shang's predictions, Shifu is different. She was completely within Zun Shang's insight, no matter what she can’t escape from him. However, once this control is about to be lost, Zun Shang will clench his fist without mercy, killing Shifu like squeezing an ant.
You Rou feeling chilly cold through her spine. She doesn't understand that since Zun Shang understands the human nature and human heart so well, himself also said killing without mercy would only force Shifu into the dead end, why does he has to be this heartless towards her?
"Shifu's rational senese is still there not being controlled by the demon power yet. She has always wanted to come back, can't we let her make up for her mistake, lenient her sentence?"
Bai Zihua shaken his head: "You Ruo, you don't understand your Shifu. No matter what Immortal must get rid of Nan Wuye. At that time, in the black hole, your Shifu obviously had opportunity to make up for her crime by killing him but she didn't. Instead, she has deeply attracted to him, do you think based on her nowaday ability, she is willing to put her hands down and come back to Changliu to receive her punishment? Watching Nan Wuye die?"
Looking at Bai Zihua, suddenly making You Ruo felt shudder. Staring at him with worried eyes: "It turned out Zun Shang, you have already decided….."
Bai Zihua did not speak. Since Xiao Gu has the power of demon god, there are only three final outcomes. Either separate the power of demon god from her body, imprisoned her, or kill her. From several battles in ancient time for the power of demon god, the only way to get it was by killing or robbing when the demon god entity has not yet formed, and then transfer ownership through Yin and Yang. Therefore, to say there is the possibility to separate the demon power is impossible. He also does not allow it. Changing demon power from one owner to another is also not a cure for for the root causes. Banished her to the salvage of wilderness, imprisoned her there at least she has the way to live, but from the moment she returned to the Six Realms, she is destined to have only way out is dead.
Returned back to Mount Mao, Dongfang had Hua Qiangu drank the secret recipe medicine that he had prepared, combining with the demon god power, the broken bones injury on her body began to heal very quickly. But as always, even if it's quickly healing, remaining scars and pain were not less. Listening to the creaking sound of bones in her body, as if like the sound of broken machine. Having become accustomed to pain beyond the limits of ordinary people’s endurance, Hua Qiangu turned white as a sheet, biting down hers lower lip hardly trying not make a sound, a cold sweat came from her head.
After all, her body was not as strong as iron, repeatedly passed out from too much pain. It’s like the body of a broken clay doll that being crushed and reshaped. After being tortured for a whole afternoon, her body finally healed about 80% of it. Dizzily dozed off on the bed not knowing how many hours have passed. She heard Dongfang leaned over to her ear and said softly: "Qing Shui, Luo Shiyi, and Xuan Yuanlang have arrived."
Hearing this, her brain was awake in an instant. She opened her eyes and stuggled to sit up. Dongfang rushed to help her: "Don't worry, I told them that you are still asleep, so they are waiting outside."
Hua Qiangu looked around in panic. Dongfang knew what she is worrying about, so he grabbed the thin mask from the side and asked: "Do you want to wear it?"
Hua Qiangu thought about it for bit, Xuan Yuanlang is also came. She then shook her head gently: "It's not necessary. I will meet them like this."
Dongfang opened the door to let Qing Shui and others come in. Lou Shiyi rushed into the door impatiently. Before taking a few steps, 'pa' a soft green thing sticks to his face. He put Tang Bao down and smile at it with affectionate, he then walked to Hua Qiangu's bedside. A happy reunion that is hard to come by making him very excited, but when lifted up his head to see Hua Qiangu's face that has long gone beyond recognition, suddenly the whole person was shocked and the smile on his face instantly solidifies.
At the same time, Xuan Yuanlang and Qing Shui who followed behind him were staggering backwards, almost unable to keep their balance.
Just a glance Lou Shiyi could tell it was from the water of Unfeeling Pool. He remembered at that time when Hua Qiangu just came to Mount Changliu, he was the one who took her to the Three Lives Pool. However, he never expected that Hua Qiangu whose at that time had no greed, no desire and no feeling. The current her has suffered from water of Unfeeling Pool punishment rotten her meat and bones ended up in such situation. It's like tearing him apart when he looked at her. He recalled the scene when she spoke to him with an innocent face when they first met making him almost impossible to breathe.
Qing Shui has already bursted into tears. She walked a few steps forward and choke with sobs with hugging her.
Xuan Yuanlang didn't know about what Changliu's Unfeeling Pool water was. He only knew that Hua Qiangu's appearance was ruined. Standing there in dismay, there were thousand words that he longing to tell her but now chock in his throat unable to say a word.
Hua Qiangu tired to raise her mouth, afraid that everyone could not see her smile. She gently patted Qing Shui's back and soothing her in tender voice. As a person who practiced Taoism why haggled over outside appearance. Even she said that but Qing Shui still couldn’t stop crying. Her teas has already dampened Hua Qiangu's cloth and her hands were hanged in mid air did not dare to touch her face.
"Don't cry. You want to flood Wanfu Temple? It is hard to meet with each other, you should be happy!" Hua Qiangy helplessly hugged Qing Shui and felt Luo Shiyi touched her head in heart ache. For a while, they did not know what to say to each other.
Hua Qiangu looked at Xuan Yuanlang who was still standing at the same spot motionless. Seeing this, she could not help but smile: "What's wrong, Lang gege? Didn't you say it before whether Qian Gu is a man or a woman, whether I grew up look like a normal person or like a pig head, it doesn't matter with you. You will never disgusted me. But now you can't even recognize me?"
Xuan Yuanlang felt sour in his heart, and the tears almost fell down. Thinking of the suffering she suffered in the past year, he felt overwhelming by guilty feeling and self-blaming. He clearly promised to protect her, but at the end there was nothing he can do for her…….
His body felt as heavy as layers of mercury poured into him while he walked step by step forward, holding her hand tightly. Hua Qiangu could feel he was trembling, obviously he could not bear to look, but still forcing himself to stare at her face, as if there was something in his heart.
They chatted about the situation that happened the past year, and Hua Qiangu told them in detail of what she encountered while she was at the salvage of wilderness. After having dinner, the sky is already dark. It's time for the three to leave.
"Lang gege, I have a few words to talk to you." Hua Qiangu suddenly said
Everyone went out first, leaving only the two of them in the room.
Xuan Yuanlang wanted to hold her as before, but suddenly felt that himself doesn't have the qualification. He has always been arrogant and conceited, but never done anything for her. He couldn't even accompany her. This kind of powerless is worse than any failure, it's make a person felt self-destruction.
Although Hua Qiangu could not feel the pain and anger in his heart at the moment, she is able to tell he is blaming himself. She then pat his shoulder and smiled trying to comfort him.
"Lang gege, everything has its retribution. This is the punishment I deserve, so there is nothing to be sad about. Although I have escaped from the salvage of wilderness, my mind still haven't been at ease these day. There’s always an ominous premonition feeling. I raised Xiao Ye up with my own hands, he is like my child. He has never done anything wrong, so even if I lose my life, I must find a way to save him. Therefore, from now on, it will inevitably be the enemy with the Six Realms. Myself is already committed a sin, life or death does not matter to me anymore, but there are still too many concerns that I can't let go. In the future, Dongfang can help me take care of Xiao Ye. Tangbao also has Lou Shiyi. As for Qing Shui, I can only entrust her to you. She loves you so much……"
Xuan Yuanlang interrupted her and frowned: "Qian Gu, are you telling me your last words? Or after saving Xiao Ye, you plan to die to apologize for your crime?"
"No, Once people have too many things to cherish and tie down to, they will become greedy for life and fear death. Like myself, I clearly know I am a curse, I should have obediently stayed at the salvage of wilderness, but I still couldn't help myself from wanting to come back, come back to see you guys. But the future is very dangerous, in order to save Xiao Ye, it's unavoidable to oppose with the Six Realm, I am not confidence that I will be able to retreat safely. If anything happens, I can only ask you to take care of Qing Shui, so that I have nothing to worry about anymore."
Xuan Yuanlang looked at Hua Qiangu firmly: "I’ll do everything I can to take care of her and protect her, but Qing Gu, you have to remember, the person I love has always been you."
Hua Qiangu faintly shakes her head: "Lang gege, the person you love is not me. All theses years, we didn't spend much time together, so we don't really understand each other. A split second of heartbeat is not love, you were just confused by the feeling of youthfulness, and no longer care to see anything else. We are both very persistent and you have always been very competitive, accustomed to insist. For you, I am more like a belief and a symbol than love. Lang gege, instead of ignoring the happiness and true love that is at your fingertips, and continuing to stubbornly adhere to the illusion and dreams of your youth,he illusion that vanished into bubble; you're better to calm down and think about what you have always been wanted all along."
Xuan Yuanlang stunned feeling like his head was slammed hard with a stick. However, after retreated two steps he stubbornly said: "Qian Gu, you are not me, you don't understand how I feel. I’ve never done anything for you and not expecting anything in return. I only want to you to understand my mind. It's not important if you don't believe me now, one day you will understand. Take care….."
"Lang gege!" Hua Qiangu reaching out her hand trying to grab his magnificent satin sleeves, but Xuan Yuanlang left without looking back. Not far away, Qing Shui stood below the plum tree waiting for him.
"Is Qian Gu okay?"
"She is okay."
"I really admire her, she has always been so optimistic and strong no matter what she encountered. If my face……" Qing Shui touched her own face with lingering fears, she couldn't help but felt shiver. Water from the Unfeeling Pool, to her now is also like a deadly poison.
"She may have a plan in mind already, but just didn't say it. She only told me to take care of you."
Qing Shui was taken aback.
Xuan Yuanlang looked up into her eyes, ignoring the pain in his heart and said with a low voice: "But I love Qian Gu and I will always be there for her. Now her face is destroyed and with the power of demon god inside her, she will be surrounded by extreme danger, I can't abandon her and leave. Qing Shui, I hope you understand."
Qing Shui watching the whole year being together went by, finally his eyes became softer and gentle when he looked at her. But at this moment, it's full of firmness with no regrets. She knew he has already determined, she could not help but smile in bitterness and shake her head.
"Do you know the reason Qian Gu's face is destroyed? It's the water of Unfeeling pool from Mount Changliu. The stronger the feeling, the heavier the injury. Qian Gu can be hurt like this, showing how deep her loves. Even if she loves someone else, you don't care at all?"
There was a flashed of astonishment and pain in Xuan Yuanlang's eyes. He then slowly shaken his head: "I know, the person she loves is Bai Zihua. I was be able to guess it when we were at Mount Taibai. But as long as she is happy, I don't care about other things."
Qing Shui sighed deeply and her eyes appeared to be more sadden: "Good, she doesn't care, you don't care, I will not care either. Let’s wait together, wait until one day, among us who will be the first one to wake up."
————————————————-
Dongfang pushed the door and walked in, he saw Hua Qiangu was sitting on the bed with deep frown while her mind at loss.
"Dongfang, just now did I say something wrong?"
Dongfang Yuqing smiled in deep profound: "You didn't say anything wrong. You seemed to have a better understanding about feeling more than before. It just that your answer was not absolute. Do you think since you are disfigured, Xuan Yuanlang will retreat? You reminded him to look into what himself really wants and faces it? After you wholeheartedly entrust Qing Shui with him, do you think he will be willing to be with her? Feelings is not easy to resolve. Based on Xuan Yuanlang's character, perhaps the result will turn out to be just opposite of your wish."
"Ah? What should I do then?"
Dongfang Yuqing touched her head gently: "You can't even take care of yourself, don't need to bother your mind with Qing Shui's problems. She’s a lot more mature and steady than you are. She knows what she wants and should also knows how to strive for it. Unlike you, being foolish. Do you think scarified yourself everything will be settle?"
Hua Qiangu bowed down her head: "That’s the only thing I can do. Dongfang, where is Xiao Ye? When are we going to save him?"
"Your injury hasn't fully recovered yet, let's discuss later when your injury is healed."
Hua Qiangu rolled up her sleeves: "You see, they are almost healed. Let's get ready quickly, the sooner we save him, the better. We are running out of time. I always feel alarmed these day, every night I dreamed about Xiao Ye crying and calling for me. I don't know how much he has suffered during this one year."
Dongfang Yuqing sighed: "No matter how anxious you are, you have to wait for tomorrow. Now you need to have a good sleep first."
"Do we both secretly sneak out?"
"Yes, of course. Knowing well that it is a trap, do you want to drag those two to die with us too?"
"A trap?"
"I have tried to save him many times with Sha Qianmu, plus with so many people want to compete for the power of demons god, how can there be no trap? Besides, Mo Yan has already known that you are back, surely the net will well laid waiting for you to go save the person. Even if there is the trap, it is better than to fight head to head on the day of execution when the enemy outnumber us. Therefore, this time no matter what we have to jump in."
"Since that the case, you tell me where he is, I'll go alone. I have the power of demon god, I could run faster."
"A fool, how can I let you risk your life alone? Moreover, those trap formations can't break through with power alone. You are so stupid, without me by your side to guide you, how can you make it? Mo Yan and those people from Immortal Realm, I can handle all of them, but what I am afraid of is Bai Zihua makes a move……"