Chaos reigned in Chaoyang Hall for quite some time until Qi Yunke finally used his lion’s roar technique to calm everyone down.
Gradually, silence fell—a deathly, bone-chilling silence.
Cai Zhao’s feet felt icy. He had been wondering how a whole person could fit in that bamboo basket.
Now he understood. It wasn’t a whole person.
Chang Ning held him tightly, her expression grave as she looked towards the main hall.
The monks and nuns began silently reciting scriptures.
Wang Yuanjing finally pushed through the chaotic crowd and threw himself onto Wu Yuanying, weeping bitterly.
Wu Yuanying, with his empty, rotting eye sockets, slowly turned his head. He seemed to recognize his junior brother’s voice and tried with all his might to lean towards him. But with his limbs severed, he could only topple over.
Wang Yuanjing held him tightly, tears streaming down. Wu Yuanying bit onto his wet sleeve, his whole body trembling.
Witnessing this, everyone was overcome with sorrow.
Qiu Yuanfeng stared at Wu Yuanying, his entire body shaking violently. “No, impossible. He was dead. I saw it with my own eyes, I saw it…” He repeated these words as if trying to convince everyone.
Cang Qiongzi’s face turned ashen as he barked, “Enough! Why are you panicking? You made a mistake back then. Who knew Luo’s mirror would work? Who knew Yuanying would survive?”
He turned to Luo Yuanrong, his murky eyes fixed on her. “Yuanrong, let me ask you. Where did you find Yuanying? Where did you get the ‘Rainstorm Thunder’? Your intention to save your senior brother may have been good, but if you colluded with the demonic cult because of this, Taichu Temple wouldn’t tolerate you either. We’ll have to clean house!”
His words sounded righteous, but Wu Yuanying’s horrific state had such a profound impact that everyone knew Cang Qiongzi was just looking for a way out. Many looked at him with disdain.
“I pretended to join the demonic cult,” Luo Yuanrong said calmly. “Three years ago, I had a fierce argument with Third Senior Brother. He beat me severely, and I was only saved by the great hero Chang Haosheng. After recovering, I knew I couldn’t find justice in Taichu Temple. If even my sect wouldn’t believe me, how could other sects? So I changed my name and infiltrated the demonic cult.”
Although Luo Yuanrong was famous as the Ice Fairy, her quiet nature and devotion to Wu Yuanying meant few people had seen her true face, unlike Cai Pingsu who traveled widely.
To gain the demonic cult’s trust, she dared not use her original martial arts.
In her youth, she had heard a girl skilled in disguise techniques say that the most impenetrable disguise comes from thoroughly changing one’s living habits to alter one’s appearance and temperament.
So for a full year, she labored in harsh, remote places, eating the coarsest food, wearing the most tattered clothes, hunching her back, drinking, and gambling. She even pulled out several of her teeth. Finally, she became an old, downtrodden middle-aged woman.
Luo Yuanrong spoke dispassionately as if telling someone else’s story. “The demonic cult has been in chaos these years. I pretended to be deaf and mute, disguising myself as an ugly witch. From the Youming Huangdao to the Sacrifice Altar, through vast dungeons and prisons, I searched for two full years before finally learning of Senior Brother’s whereabouts.”
“It turns out Elder Yaoguang’s attack didn’t kill Senior Brother, so he thought of exchanging him and hastily left with the severely injured Senior Brother. Later, when Elder Yaoguang was killed by my master and Old Patriarch Yin, Senior Brother was left in Youming Huangdao’s prison, forgotten by all.”
“After Cai Pingsu killed Nie Hengcheng, the demonic cult fell into chaos, with infighting for many years. No one remembered who was still in the prison. Those guarding the underground cells were vile creatures. With no one to restrain them, they dared not open the cell doors but amused themselves by mocking and torturing the prisoners when bored. For over a decade, Senior Brother endured a fate worse than death, mutilated inch by inch into his current state…”
The heroes in the hall could barely contain themselves, either silently weeping or gritting their teeth in anger.
Even Song Shijun’s eyes reddened as he clenched his fists in indignation.
Luo Yuanrong stood rigidly in the center of the hall, her face streaked with tears. She dared not turn her head, fearing that seeing Wu Yuanying would make her cry uncontrollably.
“I stole the two ‘Rainstorm Pear Blossoms’ from a disciple of Elder Tianxuan. I never intended to seriously injure anyone, so I removed half of the poison beforehand.”
Master Jingyuan wanted to speak several times but ultimately remained silent.
Master Fakong sighed, “Miss Luo’s actions show she hasn’t strayed from the righteous path. This incident is truly regrettable. After Nie Hengcheng’s death, the demonic cult was leaderless. If we had known Wu was still alive then, even if we had to use some less than honorable methods, we might have been able to rescue him.”
Although the old monk was a Buddhist, his words were full of human sentiment. Many shared this thought, and now felt even more regret for Wu Yuanying. Their pity for Wu Yuanying doubled into contempt and hatred for Cang Qiongzi and Qiu Yuanfeng.
If they had believed Luo Yuanrong and sought help from their righteous allies, the outcome might have been different.
Cang Qiongzi gritted his teeth, “Yuanying’s fate is indeed tragic, but what could Yuanfeng have done on Mount Dinglu? It took the combined efforts of Old Patriarch Yin and my senior brother to kill that old villain Yaoguang. If Yuanfeng had gone back, it would have been certain death!”
Everyone could hear that he was already subtly yielding to Luo Yuanrong.
Luo Yuanrong laughed coldly through her tears, “Uncle, don’t be hasty. What I’ve uncovered over these years is more than just a little. Do you remember the Twin Heroes of Lingnan? Not everyone escaped that great battle. Many were injured and left behind, but not all died. Some fainted among the corpses and survived—I found them all and questioned them thoroughly.”
Cang Qiongzi was stunned, while Qiu Yuanfeng’s face turned pale.
Luo Yuanrong continued, “That day, Senior Brother turned back to save Third Brother and became entangled with the old villain Yaoguang. The Twin Heroes of Lingnan weren’t dead then. Though severely injured, they saw Senior Brother fighting for his life and still struggled to attack the villain.”
The Lingnan sect members listening couldn’t help but shed tears. The Twin Heroes were the most outstanding of their generation, and they had perished on Mount Dinglu.
“Third Brother, what you saw in your last glance back wasn’t just the old villain Yaoguang grabbing Senior Brother, was it? The Twin Heroes of Lingnan, knowing their internal organs were ruptured and they couldn’t survive, threw caution to the wind. While Senior Brother was fighting fiercely with the villain, one of them grabbed the villain’s legs in a death grip, while the other grappled his upper body from behind…”
Everyone held their breath. The hall was suffocatingly quiet as the extremely dangerous scene from that day seemed to unfold before their eyes.
Luo Yuanrong stepped forward, glaring venomously, “Qiu Yuanfeng, let me ask you: Given the situation then if you had turned back to help, could you have rescued Senior Brother?”
Qiu Yuanfeng stumbled backward, sweat dripping.
“Yes, the old villain Yaoguang’s Venomous Snake Heart-Piercing Claw was incredibly fierce. But he had already used it twice. Would he dare use it a third time immediately? The technique drained immense energy, and the villain was already wounded by Third Brother’s sword. Using his ultimate move thrice would have left him severely injured, if not dead! In that situation, if just one more expert had joined the fight, the old villain Yaoguang would have been wary!”
“If so, you could have rescued Senior Brother! But you fled, disappearing without a trace, leaving Senior Brother to fall into evil hands!” Luo Yuanrong choked with emotion, “You cowardly, despicable person! Senior Brother was ruined because of someone like you, wasting all the years he spent caring for his junior brothers!”
Qiu Yuanfeng was distraught, “No, it’s not like that! I didn’t intentionally harm Senior Brother. I truly thought he had no chance of survival, that’s why I fled…”
In his panic, he saw the contemptuous looks from the crowd around him. Even Cang Qiongzi lowered his head, avoiding his gaze.
Luo Yuanrong pressed on, “For years, you’ve acted righteously indignant and unyielding, selfish and self-serving. Even when you acted improperly, people just said you were straightforward and true to yourself. Only I knew you were calculating and valued your life above all!”
“As soon as Master died, you incited your followers, saying Second Brother hadn’t contributed in the Mount Dinglu battle, that he was enjoying undeserved benefits without merit. After Uncle lost his legs, you deliberately flattered him, constantly saying you wanted to become his disciple and avenge his beloved disciples. That’s why Uncle passed most of his skills to you!”
Song Shijun suddenly realized, “I wondered how he defeated Brother Yuanjing so easily in last year’s Taichu Temple competition. So he inherited Elder Cang Qiongzi’s skills!” He had been watching from the guest seats then, puzzled by the result, and hadn’t even had a chance to make his prepared sarcastic comments.
Luo Yuanrong approached Qiu Yuanfeng, her smile cruel and satisfied: “Indeed, do you all wonder how our great hero Qiu suddenly increased his power in just a few months? This waste couldn’t catch up to Senior Brother and Second Brother in a hundred years on his own. He relied on groveling and flattering, fawning on Uncle like a slave!”
Qiu Yuanfeng retreated to the altar, drenched in cold sweat. The crowd’s mocking, accusing, and contemptuous gazes seemed to strip away his skin, revealing his ugly, bloody shell. Even the Taichu Temple disciples kept their distance as if avoiding a plague.
Cang Qiongzi sighed, “Enough, Yuanrong, enough! Yuanfeng has made mistakes, he’s a coward. Let him return to Taichu Temple for you to punish, even strip him of his position as leader. You’re still a Taichu Temple disciple, please save some face for our sect!”
Master Fakong also said, “Miss Luo, what’s done is done. Later generations can only regret but can’t change the past. Please look to the future. If you don’t mind, you could entrust Master Wu to our temple. I dare say we’ll do our best to treat him, to make his future days more comfortable…”
Even the compassionate old monk couldn’t continue. Everyone saw Wu Yuanying’s tragic state and wondered what treatment could improve his condition.
Master Jingyuan added, “If Miss Luo and Master Wu find Changchun Temple inconvenient, Xuankong Nunnery, though small, can accommodate you.” She guessed Luo Yuanrong wouldn’t want to leave Wu Yuanying, but as a woman, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to stay in a temple. It would be better for both to go to Xuankong Nunnery. Given Wu Yuanying’s current state, it wouldn’t affect the nuns’ reputation.
For the usually stern Master Jingyuan to say this was quite remarkable.
Hearing these words of pity, Luo Yuanrong could no longer hold back. She fell to the ground, weeping bitterly.
Through her tears, she recalled Wu Yuanying’s handsome, heroic smile that morning long ago. He had laughed, telling her not to worry, saying he’d be back soon. But from that departure, he never returned.
To the righteous heroes, Wu Yuanying might have been just a young hero, a friend to chat with, a chivalrous figure who fought injustice, a sigh in casual conversation, an occasional fleeting memory, a regretful reminiscence blurred by time.
But to Luo Yuanrong, Wu Yuanying was her life’s most intense, bone-deep love, a devotion she wouldn’t abandon even through a thousand deaths, a beloved she would never forget for all eternity.
For over a decade, she watched as Wu Yuanying’s traces were erased one by one as if he had never existed.
Only one person in the world kept insisting “He’s not dead,” but no one listened.
Luo Yuanrong slowly stood up and bowed to everyone, “Today, Senior Brother’s and my grievances have been cleared. I thank you all for your help.”
Hearing this, everyone in the hall felt deeply ashamed, knowing they hadn’t helped Luo Yuanrong at all.
Luo Yuanrong walked to Cang Qiongzi’s side and bowed slightly, “Uncle, I’ve been stubborn and obstinate these years. Please don’t blame me.”
Cang Qiongzi sighed, “It’s good that you understand. We must always consider our sect’s reputation… Ah!” His eyes widened in shock as he clutched his throat, blood gushing between his fingers, making gurgling sounds.
Luo Yuanrong held a short knife, saying coldly, “This is how stubborn and obstinate I am, Uncle. I’m sure you won’t blame me.”
Before the crowd could react, Luo Yuanrong pulled out a black “Rainstorm Thunder” from her chest and leaped towards Qiu Yuanfeng, throwing it at lightning speed.
A deafening explosion erupted, far more powerful than before, as if the entire Chaoyang Hall might collapse.
As the smoke cleared, among the scattered debris, they saw Qiu Yuanfeng with his abdomen burst open, half his body charred, blood flowing from his ears, eyes, and nose.
Luo Yuanrong’s legs were also torn open, exposing bone. Yet she determinedly embraced Wu Yuanying’s mutilated body. Before Qi Yunke and others could approach to inquire, two muffled groans were heard, and both Luo Yuanrong and Wu Yuanying went still.
Qi Yunke and others were shocked. They moved Luo Yuanrong aside to find identical daggers deeply embedded where their bodies met. Though they couldn’t live together, they sought to die together. All who saw this sighed.
Cang Qiongzi had already died, while Qiu Yuanfeng was still rolling and wailing in the rubble.
Qi Yunke, Song Shijun, and Zhou Zhizhen exchanged glances, all sharing the same thought.
Song Shijun said, “A quicker end would be better. It’s a shame for Sister Yuanrong though. I think she wanted Qiu to suffer more.”
Zhou Zhizhen shook his head, “We can’t delay. It’s not just Taichu Temple losing face now. Brother Yunke, if you’re uncomfortable, I can do it.”
Qi Yunke hesitated, then smiled bitterly, “I’m truly an incompetent sect leader.” He walked to Qiu Yuanfeng and placed his right palm on the Baihui acupoint on his head. Blood was flowing from Qiu Yuanfeng’s nose, his pupils dilated, mumbling, “One moment of weakness, how could I have been so foolish…”
Qi Yunke looked at Song Shijun and Zhou Zhizhen. They had heard these words too and slowly shook their heads. Qi Yunke channeled his energy, and Qiu Yuanfeng died instantly.
He stood up and said, “Qiu Yuanfeng of Taichu Temple betrayed trust and harmed his fellow disciples. Today I take his life to uphold the Six Sects’ principles. Does anyone object?”
The decision made jointly by the three leaders of the Northern Chen sects to take Qiu Yuanfeng’s life first and then ask for opinions implied that ‘outsiders should mind their own business’. The crowd naturally had no objections. Even the sarcastic Taoist Yun Zhuan remained silent.
Watching Wang Yuanjing lead disciples to silently collect the four corpses, Cai Zhao felt deeply saddened.
He said softly, “Just a while ago, Taichu Temple was so arrogant and domineering. In such a short time, they’ve lost four people and their reputation is ruined. It’s truly a case of extreme joy breeding sorrow.”
Chang Ning gently brushed off the debris from Cai Zhao’s body, “You think only Taichu Temple has lost face? All six Northern Chen sects have been thoroughly embarrassed.”
“Don’t gloat, please. Sigh, your father was truly a good person. He had no real connection to Taichu Temple, yet he was willing to treat Lady Luo. Why don’t good people live long?”
Chang Ning remained silent.
Cai Zhao looked up to see Song Yuzhiu leading disciples to examine the remains of the “Rainstorm Pear Blossom”. Confused, he asked, “Why is there such a big difference between these ‘Rainstorm Pear Blossoms’?”
Chang Ning glanced up, “It seems Luo Yuanrong stole three ‘Rainstorm Thunders’ in total. She removed half the poison from the first two and distributed it among three; then she took the poison needles from those three and put them into the first two.”
Cai Zhao worried, “The demonic cult is truly formidable. Even the hidden weapons left by the dead are so powerful.”
Chang Ning’s expression was indifferent, “That was in the past. Now the demonic cult is too busy with internal strife. Back then, Nie Hengcheng wasn’t particular. He recruited all sorts of demons and monsters as long as they had skills. They say he could keep them in check.”
“So the current demonic cult leader doesn’t recruit powerful monsters because he can’t control them?”
“It’s an acting leader.”
“All right, acting leader.”
“Of course, he can’t control them. That’s why my father says it’s good that Nie Zhe is sitting in the leader’s position—he has no real ability, so he doesn’t dare recruit powerful subordinates.”
At this moment, Wu Yuanying’s body was carried past them. Cai Zhao suddenly felt stifled, “It’s too stuffy in here. I want to get some fresh air.”
Chang Ning naturally accompanied him.
As they were about to step over the high threshold of Chaoyang Hall, they suddenly heard a loud bell from outside.
Those inside the hall naturally heard it too.
Zeng Dalou reported to Qi Yunke very awkwardly, “Master, the time for the sacrificial ceremony has passed.”
Cai Zhao felt the ceremony was truly inauspicious and didn’t want to stay. He turned and stepped out of Chaoyang Hall.
At this time, the sun was high in the sky, with clear blue heavens. The bright sunlight fell directly on the facade of the Muwei Palace group, illuminating the shadows hidden in the corners of the eaves, making everything clear and visible.
[End of Volume One]