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]