Chapter 22: I’m Very Curious
“However, there’s still one thing I’m particularly curious about.”
“By all accounts, you, Young Mistress Luo, should be the person he most despises and hates.”
“I gave him such a perfect opportunity, yet he chose—almost without hesitation—to turn the tables on me, causing me to waste so much time and effort.”
“When he had better options right in front of him, why would he do all this for you? Why sacrifice himself for you?”
“Why would he treat you this way?”
Beyond just trying to disturb Luo Hongyu’s composure, Huoxin’s words also carried genuine curiosity.
She stood a short distance away, resting her chin on her hand, trying to find some clues in Luo Hongyu’s expression.
In her calculations, Luohe not trusting her, suspecting her, or even setting up a counter-scheme were all within her expectations. Yet he had chosen what seemed like the most self-destructive path.
Did he have some other leverage, or was the relationship between these people and Luohe far more complex than she had imagined?
This was truly difficult to figure out.
What surprised her further was that despite her attempts to provoke Luo Hongyu’s emotions, she couldn’t sense any emotional change from her.
Was this the legendary sword clarity that could commune with sword spirits, or was she truly that heartless toward Luohe?
Or perhaps… both?
“You only need to answer me: where is Luohe?”
“Tell me, and I’ll spare your life.”
Luo Hongyu remained unmoved because she knew her most fundamental need was to find out where Luohe was. Only by finding him could she figure out how to solve the problem affecting him.
Being led around by the person in front of her wasn’t worth it.
“Hehehe… Young Mistress Luo truly lives up to her reputation. This unshakable composure is worthy of your name. But there’s no need to hurry—I still have more to tell you.”
Huoxin smiled softly and continued:
“To be frank, the thing that was meant for you but swallowed by Luohe is called the Demon Relic. It’s a crystal formed from the resentful energy of the previous Demon Lord after his death.”
“It’s quite interesting—for righteous cultivators like you, it’s the most vicious poison.”
“It lurks silently in your spiritual center, slowly eroding your clarity.”
“And when the time is right… boom, I can detonate it.”
“Do you know what happens after detonation?”
Luo Hongyu ignored Huoxin’s approaching malicious smile, just silently watching her, waiting for what would come next.
“That Demon Relic rapidly engulfs your entire spiritual center. It seals your divine consciousness and pollutes your spiritual energy.”
“It taints all the pure energy you’ve worked so hard to cultivate with demonic breath, instantly transforming a noble, exalted cultivator into a demon cultivator swirling with demonic energy.”
“But it’s not satisfied with just that. It begins to torture your physical body and seal your five senses, making you unable to see clearly or hear anything.”
“You can only taste the suffering of body and mind in complete chaos. The entire process lasts for quite a long time… By now, it should be nearly complete.”
“That Luohe is probably gone already.”
Noticing the movement of the Deer Orchid Sword in Luo Hongyu’s hand, Huoxin smiled slightly. She had achieved her goal.
Luo Hongyu’s expression was no longer as cold and composed as before. Now her brows carried deep anger, and her gaze toward Huoxin was tinged with profound killing intent.
But Huoxin didn’t retreat—instead, she advanced, completely disregarding the naked hostility.
“And do you know what’s most fascinating? Your little follower Luohe is a very clever, very clever person.”
“He clearly understood the terrifying effects of this Demon Relic, so when I found him, he immediately pretended to agree and swallowed it himself.”
“Because he knew that even if he refused right away, even if you became cautious afterward, I would still find every possible way to make you fall into my trap.”
“So he simply kept it inside his own body for safekeeping. This was the best, most secure way to protect you.”
“After all, for a Young Mistress like yourself, mere sword attendants are a dime a dozen, aren’t they?”
“I don’t fear clever people, nor do I fear fools, but I happened to encounter a clever fool…”
Huoxin gently stroked her chest, making a sighing gesture.
“Though it’s an interesting situation and he’s an interesting person, having my plans disrupted is still somewhat regrettable…”
Before she could finish, sword light came in rapid succession.
But Gu Jing, who had remained silent all this time, blocked Luo Hongyu’s furious sword strike and grabbed her hand, saying:
“Young Mistress, don’t be provoked by his words. Please check your Hong Yu first.”
“…”
Luo Hongyu touched her waist.
Though the Hong Yu remained dim, it still had some luster and hadn’t completely faded.
“The Hong Yu hasn’t extinguished. Luohe… is not in mortal danger for now. This person before us has doubts too, which is why they’re provoking us.”
“…I understand.”
Hong Yu…
Huoxin raised an eyebrow. There was such a thing? It seemed her investigation hadn’t been thorough enough.
But… this Autumn Lady Sword Gu Jing seemed to know quite a lot about the situation… Ah, I see.
Hehehe, not surprising.
Huoxin found a new angle to approach from.
“If you ask me, Young Mistress Luo, you needn’t bother looking for that Luohe. Someone of your stature surely doesn’t lack people willing to die for you.”
“Or does that person hold some other meaning for you?”
“I’ve heard that you two have been inseparable since childhood. Perhaps it’s not merely a master-servant relationship. No wonder you care so much about him.”
“So, Young Mistress Luo, what exactly is your relationship with Luohe? What does he mean to you?”
“Why has he always been by your side?”
“Have you ever thought about these questions?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Luo Hongyu pressed her lips together and said coldly.
“I’ll ask you one last time: where is Luohe?”
The Deer Orchid Sword, wrapped in Luo Hongyu’s blue-white sword energy, pointed directly at Huoxin.
“Stop wasting time, or I won’t hesitate to search through your remnant soul for memories, taking my chances.”
“Hehehe… Don’t be hasty, Young Mistress Luo. You’ve kept me company in conversation for so long; I should certainly repay you.”
Huoxin walked straight toward Luo Hongyu and softly said to her:
“Actually, I don’t know where he is either.”
After speaking, Huoxin materialized cold ghost claws in her hand and violently struck toward Luo Hongyu.
This keen killing intent was still detected by her. She instinctively swung her sword to cut it down, but Huoxin suddenly withdrew her hand and crashed directly into the position of the Deer Orchid Sword…
Squelch.
A sudden change—crimson blood splattered on the ground.
The Deer Orchid Sword had pierced through “Shen Huai’s” chest. Blood bubbles continuously formed in his mouth, but his face showed no sign of pain or fear.
“Young Mistress Luo… cough cough… you… killed someone in private on Star Moon Pavilion’s territory… you… broke the rules.”
“Whether it was Xiao Yang or me, Shen Huai… next… you’ll… have some trouble, haha.”
“Shen Huai’s” eyes gradually filled with the gray of death. Soon he bled out and stopped breathing.
“…”
Luo Hongyu silently pulled out her sword, staring somewhat absent-mindedly at the blood on her Deer Orchid Sword.