Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Qi Wuyu was staring idly at the trees outside the window when he suddenly heard the door creak. He turned his head and saw someone carrying a tray of food, who seemed to be a member of the demon race.

Qi Wuyu jumped down from the window ledge and walked over. He glanced at the food on the tray, which looked surprisingly appetizing. "Hey, the grub here's pretty decent," he remarked.

He then looked at the person who had brought the meal. The face seemed unfamiliar, yet... oddly familiar.

Qi Wuyu's expression turned perplexed, wondering if Dan Cangke had some strange fixation and was addicted to putting on an act with him.

But this person didn't feel like Dan Cangke. He kept his head down, lacking Dan Cangke's arrogant and domineering air, instead appearing somewhat sullen.

Qi Wuyu's hand shook. After a moment, he picked up the wine pot, took a sip, took a deep breath and sat down.

"I haven't seen you before," he said, gesturing with his chin toward the seat opposite. "Sit. It's just me here, and I'm bored. Keep me company for a chat."

Liu Nanzhou sat down across from him. Qi Wuyu poured him a cup of wine. "What's your name?"

Liu Nanzhou: "..."

It was all a bit rushed—he hadn't even made one up yet.

Liu Nanzhou pushed the wine aside and poured himself a cup of tea instead. "Um... my name is... uh... Chen Mo."

Qi Wuyu: "..."

He let out a dry laugh. "Ha, good name."

Liu Nanzhou pursed his lips, not wanting to dwell on the name any longer, and changed the subject. "You're from the Tianyao Sect. Why did you come here?"

Qi Wuyu replied, "It was too dead quiet up there, got bored and came down the mountain, then got hoodwinked into coming here."

Liu Nanzhou mustered his courage and asked, "I've heard the Tianyao Sect has many disciples. Why would it be quiet? Doesn't the Daoist Master have his own disciples?"

Qi Wuyu gave him a deep look. Liu Nanzhou immediately regretted his question; that glance made him feel as if Qi Wuyu had already seen right through him.

Then, he heard Qi Wuyu say, "No, I don't."

Liu Nanzhou had only ever known swords and blades to cause harm, but he never imagined words could cut even deeper.

"I have never taken a disciple."

Liu Nanzhou had anticipated this, yet hearing the words still made his body sway imperceptibly. He felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss, cold from the inside out.

He couldn't bear to listen any longer and wanted to flee, but his legs felt rooted to the ground, unable to move an inch. His heart was in turmoil, yet he could barely maintain a calm facade.

He lowered his eyes and said softly, "Oh, I see."

Qi Wuyu clenched his fist beside him, nearly fuming with anger. Seeing the other's pale face, he couldn't bring himself to be too harsh.

"Just kidding. I did take one."

Liu Nanzhou was startled, looking up at him, his heart pounding like a drum. Before the drumming could settle, Qi Wuyu added coldly, "But he's a little ingrate. He ran off to wander and hasn't come home for ages, not even a word of news. If he ever comes back, I'll break his legs."

As he spoke, Qi Wuyu shot him a pointed look.

Liu Nanzhou: "..."

Must be his imagination.

Qi Wuyu crossed his arms, wearing a thin, mocking smile. "Little brother, I see you've been frowning since you came in. Something on your mind? Why not tell me about it?"

Liu Nanzhou spun the cup in his hand, his mood rising and falling several times. He felt more exhausted than after a full day of training. Yet, because of Qi Wuyu's admission of having taken a disciple, his heart, which had been oppressed for so long, finally found a moment of relief. Carried away, he blurted out, "Daoist Master, if someone committed a grave mistake, nearly causing the death of the person they love most, do you think they could be forgiven? Could they be forgiven? Do they even deserve forgiveness?"

Qi Wuyu leaned back in his chair, watching Liu Nanzhou, his eyes devoid of emotion, simply observing him.

"Things in this world aren't always so black and white. Can you hide forever? If you want an answer, why not go ask him? Maybe in others' eyes, they never even thought he made a mistake."

Liu Nanzhou's eyes flickered slightly. He whispered, "What if... he's too afraid? What if he can't forgive himself?"

Qi Wuyu scoffed. "Then he still doesn't truly believe he was wrong. If it were me, I'd have long since gone to beg for forgiveness with a bundle of sticks on my back."

"He wouldn't see me..."

"If he won't see you, then shamelessly beg, pester him, block his way." Suddenly, Qi Wuyu closed the distance between them, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. "Are these truly your difficulties, or are they just your excuses?"

Liu Nanzhou felt as if he had been struck by a blunt weapon. He couldn't bring himself to meet Qi Wuyu's gaze, avoiding it by hastily taking a sip of tea in a futile attempt to cover up.

Qi Wuyu leaned back, his anger nearly boiling over. He was too fed up to keep up the act and refused to play along with Liu Nanzhou any longer.

"Liu Nanzhou, when did I ever teach you to be so timid and hesitant?"

Liu Nanzhou's pupils contracted. His hand trembled, and the teacup fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. He stood up abruptly, taking a step back, instinctively wanting to flee. Then he saw Qi Wuyu slam his own cup onto the table and shout in a low voice, "Liu Nanzhou! If you leave today, don't you ever think of returning to Fengsheng Wutong again in this lifetime!"

Liu Nanzhou's steps faltered, rooted to the spot by those words.

Qi Wuyu, suppressing his anger, stood up and looked at him. "Come here."

Liu Nanzhou slowly walked over. Qi Wuyu said irritably, "Take off that damn face-changing spell."

Liu Nanzhou hesitated for a moment but didn't dare disobey. He dispelled the spell and lowered his head.

Qi Wuyu looked at his face. The person he had longed for day and night suddenly appeared before him. He was stunned for a moment, then his anger surged. He punched Liu Nanzhou in the abdomen.

It had been a long time since Liu Nanzhou had been hit like this. He was taken aback for a second, stumbling back two steps from the blow. Tripping over something, he fell to the ground, a metallic taste immediately rising in his throat, which he silently swallowed back.

Qi Wuyu abruptly stepped forward, crouched down, grabbed Liu Nanzhou's collar with one hand, and lifted his chin with the other, staring at the person before him.

Liu Nanzhou had grown much thinner, his facial features sharper, making him look like a slender blade—sharp and unyielding. The mole on his nose bridge and his light-colored eyes added a fragile quality to him, making him all the more heartbreaking.

Only then was Liu Nanzhou forced to look into his eyes. With that one glance, Liu Nanzhou's eyes instantly reddened.

Qi Wuyu's hand gripping his collar trembled slightly as he demanded angrily, "Do you really think I'm a fool? Trying to trick a ghost here? All this time outside, not a single word, and when you finally see me, you hide behind someone else's face. Do you think this is fun? Huh? Look at me when I'm talking to you!"

Liu Nanzhou's lips moved, but no words came out. "I..."

He looked into Qi Wuyu's eyes. Beyond the surface anger, there was more heartache and an indescribable... longing.

Liu Nanzhou's heart felt as if it had been pierced, the pain bringing tears to his eyes. "I'm sorry... Shizun..."

Seeing the tears streaming from the corners of Liu Nanzhou's eyes, Qi Wuyu found he couldn't bring himself to scold him anymore. He released Liu Nanzhou's chin and raised his hand to caress his face. His own eyes were frighteningly red as he sighed, "Have you been imprisoning yourself here, giving up on yourself like this? Didn't I say I would never abandon you? Why didn't you believe me?"

A wave of sorrow washed over Qi Wuyu. Thinking of the life Liu Nanzhou had been living all this time, he couldn't help but feel heartache again. His Adam's apple bobbed before he spoke, his voice tinged with grievance. "Where did you run off to?"

Liu Nanzhou's eye twitched. "I..."

"Why didn't you come home?"

Liu Nanzhou felt as if he had been struck over the head.

Did he even have a home anymore?

Qi Wuyu finally wrapped his arms around him, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, finally felt secure enough to land.

The familiar scent assailed Liu Nanzhou's face, and within that fragrance, he recalled many past memories: things he had deliberately tried not to remember.

The bits and pieces of the Tianyao Sect now felt like a lifetime ago, yet looking back, it had only been two years.

Those days seemed like a previous life to him.

But he could never go back.

Slowly, he raised his hand, carefully placing it on Qi Wuyu's back. He finally felt grounded. His arms tightened, burying his face in the crook of Qi Wuyu's neck, like a small animal drenched in cold rain.

His spirit was unsteady; Dan Cangke grew restless. Within his Spiritual Platform, dark mist continuously gathered, with only the area around the Shejiang Sword retaining a last bastion of purity.

Liu Nanzhou pushed Qi Wuyu away, his entire body trembling uncontrollably, his eyes bloodshot. He pushed himself to his feet, pulling Qi Wuyu up with him. Qi Wuyu looked at him with concern. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. You need to leave."

Liu Nanzhou tried to pull him toward the door, but Qi Wuyu stood firm.

Is he joking? He had come here to take Liu Nanzhou home; how could he possibly leave alone?

Seeing Qi Wuyu wouldn't budge, Liu Nanzhou was about to speak when Qi Wuyu's hand gently touched his forehead. His hand was warm and dry, and Liu Nanzhou was momentarily stunned.

"It must be hard for you," Qi Wuyu said, closing his eyes and murmuring something under his breath. The technique felt both familiar and strange to Liu Nanzhou. He felt a gentle breeze sweep through his Spiritual Platform, carrying away some of the filth within. Dan Cangke's Divine Sense also ceased its mischief.

Qi Wuyu withdrew his hand, pulling a porcelain bottle from his robe and tipping out a pill. "Take this."

Without a word, Liu Nanzhou put it in his mouth. Seeing him take it without question, Qi Wuyu chuckled. "Aren't you afraid I poisoned it?"

Liu Nanzhou replied, "If you gave it to me, I'd take it even if it were poison."

Qi Wuyu snorted lightly. "Sweet talk won't help now; I'm still angry." He nudged Liu Nanzhou's calf with his foot. "Go, meditate. Use the Purifying Spirit Curse I just cast to help digest the Calming Spirit Pill."

Obediently, Liu Nanzhou sat on the bed. Qi Wuyu sat down beside him. "This medicine was refined by your junior sister. Ever since you left, Xiao Ning has been researching demons and Heart Demons, practically living in the alchemy room. She failed many times but stubbornly turned herself into an expert."

Liu Nanzhou pursed his lips. "Is everyone doing well?"

"They're all fine," Qi Wuyu said, lifting his gaze to look at him. "Did you think the Tianyao Sect would disband just because you were gone?"

Liu Nanzhou: "..."

Qi Wuyu's sharp tongue had always been reserved for others; this was the first time Liu Nanzhou had been on the receiving end. Already not the best with words, he was momentarily left speechless.

Qi Wuyu sighed, walked over, and ruffled his hair. "Alright, focus your mind."

Liu Nanzhou closed his eyes, feeling the pill's spiritual energy circulate through his body. After several cycles, it gathered in his Spiritual Platform, forcing the Heart Demon and demonic energy into a corner, where they curled up.

Qi Wuyu propped his head on his hand, watching Liu Nanzhou intently. After what felt like a long time, Liu Nanzhou slowly opened his eyes.

"How do you feel?" Qi Wuyu asked immediately.

"Much lighter."

He hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. Ever since he learned Dan Cangke was in his Spiritual Platform, he hadn't had a moment of peace, let alone a good night's sleep. Because his will was strong, Dan Cangke had actually been unable to do much to him. Dan Cangke had tried every method—threats, temptations—but Liu Nanzhou remained impenetrable, like a sealed iron barrel.

"Xiao Ning said this medicine can only provide temporary control, and its efficacy isn't certain. It should last a few days, at least. Better than nothing."

Liu Nanzhou nodded. "It's enough."

Qi Wuyu: "Then get some sleep for now?"

Qi Wuyu knew he must have suffered greatly to stay alert. Having a demon in one's Spiritual Platform was bad enough, but even without that, how could anyone sleep soundly alone in a den of demons? Liu Nanzhou wasn't as carefree as he was.

Qi Wuyu arranged for him to lie down. Liu Nanzhou was indeed tired, but he stubbornly refused to close his eyes and rest. Wherever Qi Wuyu went, his eyes followed. He had so many words and questions, and he was afraid to sleep, fearing Qi Wuyu would be gone when he woke.

Qi Wuyu: "I told you to sleep. Why are you staring at me?"

Just as Liu Nanzhou was about to speak, Qi Wuyu placed a finger to his lips. "Shh. Whatever you have to say, say it after you wake up."

Liu Nanzhou blinked at him a couple of times. Qi Wuyu: "Fine. One sentence only."

Liu Nanzhou looked at him for a long moment. A thousand questions flashed through his mind, but when it came time to speak, he only asked, "Does it still hurt?"

Qi Wuyu was taken aback, taking a moment to understand what he meant. The long-healed wound on his waist and abdomen seemed to itch faintly. He curved the corner of his mouth, placing his hand over Liu Nanzhou's eyes to force them shut. "It doesn't hurt. Go to sleep."

Darkness fell before Liu Nanzhou's eyes. He thought: *Liar. It must have hurt terribly.*

"I'm sorry... I... mmm—"

Before Liu Nanzhou could finish, Qi Wuyu manually covered his mouth again. He said softly, "I know. It's alright. It's all in the past now."

Liu Nanzhou grasped his hand, catching the familiar scent once more. Within this comforting aura, he gradually fell asleep.

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Author's Note: Who didn't get a single day off during the eleven-day holiday? Me. [Melted] I haven't run away; I'm still here, still here. Just finished writing at 4 AM. [Prayer hands] [Prayer hands] Hoping to finish within ten chapters. Thank you all for your support. [Heart] [Heart]