“I was foolish enough to give my life to a man who used me… ”
“So I killed his entire family. Seventy-four people? I didn’t even spare a dog. They call me cruel? Then what about the cruelty of deceiving a woman’s heart? What’s wrong with the bloody massacre of the Ouyang Family? I hate his heartlessness even more than his false promises.” Gui Po spoke through gritted teeth, her expression shifting between sadness and a carefree demeanor.
Xi Fuhong watched, feeling a pain in her chest, almost unable to speak from the frustration.
Who was right and who was wrong in this matter? Who betrayed whom? The bloody massacre of the Ouyang Family, the fleeting promises of love, the Black Dragon Tail Ring, the pursuit by the Righteous Path…
“Fu Hong, remember, if someone bullies you, fight back.
In this world, only the strong prevail.” Xi Fuhong heard this and lowered her head in thought.
Is love the same way? Did Ouyang Qian lose to her mother-in-law? Is her mother-in-law happy? Is she comfortable being the victor? She didn’t understand, nor did she want to.
In her heart, she only wanted to live a peaceful and ordinary life, far from the chaos.
Who betrayed whom, who killed whom… it’s all too complicated.
“…Mother-in-law,” Xi Fuhong initially wanted to persuade her not to dwell on past grievances, but suddenly saw the tears in her weathered eyes, and all her words vanished.
Her mother-in-law, whom she had lived with for ten years, the stern and unsmiling woman, was in such pain over these deeply buried memories.
Xi Fuhong gritted her teeth and, as if possessed, said, “Mother-in-law, let me go.” Gui Po was shocked and looked at her, “Fu Hong, this has nothing to do with you.
Don’t get involved.”
“It’s not that, mother-in-law.
I just think… since they’re all after the Black Dragon Tail Ring, why not just give it to them? If I hand it over, I think the Righteous Path won’t trouble me.
Besides… you’ve been hiding in the valley for ten years, suffering enough.
There’s no need to go to your death, especially since the Ouyang Family… was also at fault.”
“Aren’t you afraid? Of those who once captured you, aren’t you afraid?” Gui Po asked sternly.
“…I, I’m just giving them the ring, not asking for a share of the treasure.
They won’t make things difficult for me.” Of course, Xi Fuhong was afraid, but for her mother-in-law’s safety, she had to take the risk.
She had endured hardships before, what else could break her? If it was just handing over the ring and negotiating with the Righteous Path to leave her mother-in-law alone, it shouldn’t be too difficult.
“Mother-in-law, let me go.
After I return, we’ll find a place to live in seclusion and go back to the way things were,” Xi Fuhong quickly said, fearing her mother-in-law might want to go to her death again.
“Even though I’m not smart, I can handle this.
Look, Fu Hong has grown a lot since leaving the valley, hasn’t she?”
“…You child…” Gui Po looked at her, her eyes filled with an indescribable emotion.
Gui Po was silent for a moment, then suddenly got up and left.
Xi Fuhong quickly got out of bed, put on her shoes, and followed her outside.
The sun was glaring, and she had to shield her eyes to see her mother-in-law’s figure.
Shi Cuiyan, who had been idly kicking stones in the courtyard, immediately approached when she saw Gui Po and Xi Fuhong come out.
“Shi Cuiyan, I want you to escort Fu Hong safely to Wu Xun Peak.
Once she hands over the Black Dragon Tail Ring to the leader, I’ll have her cure the poison in you.
If you fail, you’ll suffer the consequences of the poison eating your heart.” Gui Po stared at Shi Cuiyan and added, “Don’t think you can easily remove it.
It’s a unique poison of our clan.
If you disturb it, you’ll suffer.”
“Gui Po, you’re so suspicious.
Since my life is in your hands, how could I not behave?” Shi Cuiyan stuck out her tongue and turned her gaze to Xi Fuhong.
She was puzzled as to why Gui Po was willing to let her go to the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
Wasn’t she supposed to go to Miaojiang?
“Fu Hong, come here.” Gui Po called her over and led her to a secluded room.
“This is the antidote for the poison in Shi Cuiyan.
Keep it safe.
This poison is fed with your and my blood.
If she tries to take the antidote without your blood as a guide, it will be useless.
So don’t worry, she won’t be foolish enough to act rashly.” Xi Fuhong took the porcelain bottle and put it away.
She knew her mother-in-law used to raise insects in the valley, but she didn’t know they were the “gu” mentioned in books.
It turned out her mother-in-law had her feed the insects with blood to raise the gu.
Once again, she admired her mother-in-law’s foresight.
The two returned to the courtyard, where Shi Cuiyan was sitting on a stone bench playing with her hair.
Gui Po approached and said, “The Black Dragon Tail Ring is no longer my concern.
From now on, I, Gui Po, will no longer meddle in Jianghu affairs.
Fu Hong, after you hand over the ring to the leader, come to Miaojiang to meet me.”
“Understood, mother-in-law.” Xi Fuhong nodded vigorously.
Shi Cuiyan suddenly leaned over.
“Sister Xi, we’ll have to rely on each other on the road,” she said, hooking her arm around Xi Fuhong’s shoulder and teasing, “If things go wrong, shall we become a pair of fugitive lovers?”
“No!” Xi Fuhong pushed Shi Cuiyan away forcefully, frowning.
“On the road… don’t touch me.”
Shi Cuiyan wanted to tease her a bit more, but Gui Po said, “This matter cannot be delayed.
You must set off immediately.”
Author’s note: So Sister Cui takes over! Ah Fu is on the road again~ Hey! Dear readers~ Let’s make a deal, daily updates are on the verge of collapse.
Starting next week, I’ll switch to updating every other day or every two days.
Anyway, abandoning a story is not something a good child does, so I won’t do it.
But with limited stock, I’ll resume daily updates once I have enough.
Well… slow work yields fine results.
You want to see a delicate love story, right? (Who wants that!!)
☆ Chapter 29: The Falcon Delivers a Message
Wu Xun Peak is located in the center of Zhongyuan, with its five peaks forming a single range.
It is an important mountain range that divides east, west, south, and north, and has been the residence of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader for generations.
It takes at least seven days to travel from Tonghui City to Wu Xun Peak, but with the Black Dragon Tail Ring in hand, it’s like holding a hot potato.
Even if the evil sects don’t come to snatch it, the Righteous Path sects are eyeing it covetously.
Therefore, Shi Cuiyan suggested taking the water route.
“Boatman, are you going to Lumei City?” Lumei City is at the foot of Wu Xun Peak, and the water route is the fastest way to get there.
Shi Cuiyan stood by the dock, dressed in a simple yellow outfit, disguised as an ordinary woman.
Behind her, Xi Fuhong wore plain clothes.
At Shi Cuiyan’s insistence, she also disguised herself, covering the red mark on her face, and played the role of a merchant’s daughter with her.
“Yes, of course! Our boat is fast to Lumei!” The boatman, wearing a large straw hat, saw Shi Cuiyan’s fresh and refined demeanor and thought she must be a lady from a wealthy family.
Traveling by water to Lumei City, one would either be a Jianghu hero or a high-ranking official.
He bowed and nodded, afraid of losing a source of income.
“Alright, take us to Lumei City, and I’ll reward you with five taels of silver.” Shi Cuiyan glanced back at Xi Fuhong, signaling her to board the boat first.
It was her first time on a boat, and she felt a bit excited.
She stepped lightly onto the deck, but the boat swayed violently.
Xi Fuhong lost her balance, and Shi Cuiyan, standing behind her, quickly stepped forward to support her waist, almost causing her to fall into the water.
“I know you can swim, but falling into the river is not the same as the small pond in your valley.” Shi Cuiyan whispered in her ear with a low laugh, her fingers rubbing Xi Fuhong’s side, making her blush.
She quickly pushed the other away.
“I told you not to touch me!” She frowned, looking troubled.
“Where did I touch you? Look, I just helped you.” Shi Cuiyan laughed and walked past Xi Fuhong, sitting at the bow of the boat to enjoy the scenery.
Xi Fuhong realized she might have overreacted and quietly walked to the stern to rest.
On the river, the water sparkled, and the boatman hummed local folk songs, leisurely swinging his long pole.
Shi Cuiyan leaned against the cabin, playing with her hair.
Since boarding the boat, she hadn’t seen Xi Fuhong, knowing she was sulking again, and sighed helplessly.
Ever since traveling with Xi Fuhong again, she had been avoiding her.
