Chapter 45: Letter
“I don’t hate you.”
A divine thought echoed in her empty heart, finally causing some ripples in her eyes.
Luo Hongyu turned to look at the boy. He had no facial features, but she could feel his gaze.
“Because I understand you too well.”
“I’ve seen all of your forms, from when you were a girl until now. Your good sides, your bad sides, the things I like about you, the things that hurt me – I know them all.”
“So, I can’t feel anything toward you.”
“I find it strange too. The me talking to you now was born from resentment, yet I feel nothing.”
“Perhaps I’ve already let go, but I just hadn’t noticed.”
Luo Hongyu seemed to find something to support herself. She dragged her body up and staggered toward the boy’s direction.
But the boy simply continued:
“Now that I’m dead, existing as resentment without attachment, I should naturally dissipate.”
“No… no! NO!!”
“If possible, I hope you can forget me.”
That way, it would be best for both of us.
The pain you gave me, I’ve returned to you.
Let’s just, call it even.
The black-robed boy waved his hand and disappeared like a flame being snuffed out.
The consciousness world of this remnant thought evaporated with him.
This also meant that this Shuangpo sword now belonged completely and thoroughly to Luo Hongyu.
Not a trace of Luo He’s aura would remain on it.
When Luo Hongyu woke again, she was on the Ascension Platform that looked as if it had survived the apocalypse.
The blood on her body had already congealed, but her injuries had somehow healed completely, and her spiritual energy was abundant.
The broken blade of the Lulan Sword was stuck beside her. She slowly stood up from the lightning pit, but after taking just a few steps, she collapsed again.
She clutched her chest.
Her sword heart was gone.
She felt her waist.
The Red Jade was shattered.
Not far away, that old mask lay peacefully on the ground.
After more than twenty years, it had returned to its original owner.
Luo Hongyu picked it up, held it to her chest, and lay down, closing her heavy eyelids.
Someone had died.
She believed she should have been an ordinary girl from childhood, but with a brother who was very good to her.
She would push him to see temple fairs, grow many flowers he liked, and take him to see their senior sister.
As for the future, she hadn’t thought it through yet. If he could still cultivate, they would practice together until death; if not, they would grow old together.
She would look into his beautiful eyes and say with a smile…
Everything he had given her years ago, she would return to him.
And he would call her “sister” again.
With such a simple and plain wish, she curled up and slowly fell asleep among the ruins.
Hoping that like those eighteen years, when she woke up, all of this would just be a nightmare.
“…”
A gaze from high above the Ascension Platform silently observed everything below.
She rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.
Who would have thought the effects of the Immortal’s Tears could still linger until now… it’s hard to say whether that’s good or bad.
But looking at the young master’s condition… as far as results go, perhaps she succeeded after all. The current Luo Hongyu looks no different from a broken person.
One could say, after the darkness comes the light, hehe.
As for Luo He, she didn’t particularly care.
The Willow Flute was still with him, which meant he hadn’t reached the point of complete spiritual destruction.
If fate allowed, they might meet again someday.
Huoxin stretched lazily, feeling like she had watched quite a show, and now that the oath was gone, she was free.
After all, the most important thing about being a ghost is freedom.
Huoxin left with this reflection.
…
In that remote teahouse in Gengyang City, the place had long been empty.
Behind the overturned tables and chairs, a letter lay on the counter.
On it, in elegant handwriting, was written:
“Something big happened in Canyue Sect, and I must return immediately. It seems I’ll miss the excitement of the Ascension Ceremony.”
“Don’t ask why I didn’t notify you. Hmph, this lady has no obligation to do so.”
“But since you’ve seen this letter, it means either you have some conscience and remember you owe this lady a favor.”
“Or you’re thick-skinned and want my help again – surely nothing good.”
“Regardless, I’m letting you know that I can’t spare any time right now.”
“If something happens, be careful. If you really have no choice, use the heart method I taught you to cultivate demonic energy and come find me at Canyue Sect.”
“That’s all.”
“Oh, and the lotus you gave me – I like it very much.”
“I’ll give you prettier flowers in the future. Goodbye.”
…
When the heavenly tribulation dispersed and the terrified people who had fled returned, they found Luo Hongyu sleeping.
What happened afterward was recorded like this…
In the 297th year of the Xuanxiu Calendar, Luo Hongyu of Tianzhen Sword Sect forcibly crossed the death tribulation during the Ascension Ceremony.
Although she broke through to Yuan Ying realm, her sword heart was tarnished, and the Lulan Sword broken. Whether this is beneficial or harmful remains unknown.
That same year, Autumn Lady Sword Gu Jing disappeared without a trace, and Sect Leader Luo Wenshui passed away due to illness.
The young master refused to succeed, and with two of the seven swords lost, Tianzhen Sword Sect was severely weakened. The future of this once-leading immortal sect grew uncertain.
The balance between righteous and demonic paths also teetered. The years after would likely not be peaceful.
…
In Xianfeng City, a group of men wearing coarse linen shirts surrounded a thin young man, constantly flattering him and refilling his wine.
“Immortal Master, then what?”
“Heh… then… hic…”
The thin young man hiccupped, looking at the people before him with drunken eyes.
He wasn’t really an Immortal Master at all, just a bottom-tier chore disciple from the smallest branch of Canyue Sect, still at mid-Qi Condensation stage despite cultivating for over ten years.
He was responsible for doing odd jobs at this small outpost, essentially a handyman.
But he didn’t mind, as he quite enjoyed being called “Immortal Master” by these ordinary people.
So even though he knew these people had no real interest in what he was saying, he gulped down more wine and continued his slurred speech:
“Then, our Demon Son, the great one, naturally wanted to… hic… capture that demoness.”
“Haha, who told her to possess something… incompatible with her strength… that old Demon Master’s Demon Relic has always been a legendary treasure…”
“But, that demoness… truly… had some tricks up her sleeve.”
“She pretended to submit but concealed a killing move… when the Demon Son was about to successfully inherit Beichuan, she suddenly struck and crippled him.”
“Not only that… she snatched Beichuan and fled for her life.”
“Hearing Immortal Master describe it, that demoness sounds like quite the character.”
“…Character? Hmph…”
The thin young man waved his hand disdainfully, shaking his head as he said:
“The Demon Son was crippled, and the old Sect Master was so angry he wanted to massacre the city. He personally took action to capture her and bring her back to Canyue Sect…”
“No matter what kind of character she is… hic… I don’t think she’ll live past half a year.”