Chapter Nine: Lu Xiao, Aren't You Tired?

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Bai Chuwei opened the book and glanced inside. Sure enough, it had already begun to slowly record everything that had happened. She couldn’t help but start to panic. This was the second time now. She dared not imagine what would come next, now that the story was no longer unfolding as it had originally. Would she still be able to find other spiritual herbs to help clear her meridians, as she had seen before? Originally, she had relied on the snow lotus and discovered that she was a rare dual spiritual root. Now, all her previous efforts were for naught. Tears unconsciously fell onto the page, smudging a name—Lu Xiao. Her junior senior brother, and also Yu Wanqiao’s junior apprentice brother. True to his name, he was a free spirit who was seldom seen. He possessed a wood spiritual root and often ventured out to commune with nature as a form of training. Bai Chuwei stared at the soaked name and suddenly remembered something. Yes, she was not without options—there was still a path she could take. She stood, closing the book.

...

When Yu Wanqiao saw Qingfeng Zhenjun again, there was no surprise. This time, Qingfeng Zhenjun did not punish Yu Wanqiao in the main hall as before but came personally to Lanyue Pavilion. “Yu Wanqiao, as a sword cultivator, you have destroyed your innate sword. Your punishment is three months at the Reflection Cliff, forbidden to leave. Do you admit your guilt?” Kneeling before Qingfeng Zhenjun, Yu Wanqiao looked up in disbelief. She had prepared herself for the worst but did not expect such a light sentence—just a stay at Reflection Cliff. She had thought she would endure punishments like the sect’s fiery spiritual blaze scorching her soul, or the freezing cold pool chilling her body, or confinement in a specially sealed cell for reflection. She had prepared for a period of interrupted cultivation. “Disciple Yu Wanqiao admits guilt,” she said, bowing deeply. Yet her palm clenched tightly. She understood Qingfeng Zhenjun’s intentions. After leading her to Reflection Cliff, he turned to leave. “No one will disturb you here for three months. Use this time to cultivate your heart and character well.” Yu Wanqiao watched his retreating figure, battling the urge to call out to him. Once he was gone, she slapped herself fiercely.

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“Yu Wanqiao, you are too easily swayed!” The slap sobered her considerably. The next moment, she drew her sword and began to practice. However, the peaceful days did not last long. One day, while meditating, she faintly heard a voice. “Senior sister, it’s me.” Yu Wanqiao did not open her eyes at first. But as the voice grew louder with her indifference, she realized it was no hallucination. She suddenly opened her eyes to meet someone’s gaze. “Lu Xiao?” she said, incredulous. “Senior sister, you’ve finally awakened. I’ve been here with you for days, but you ignored me.” Among the few who did not believe only one side of the story, Lu Xiao was one. “How long have you been here? How long have you been back?” Yu Wanqiao asked. Lu Xiao grinned, “I’ve been back for several days, but you stayed in Lanyue Pavilion the whole time, and Master didn’t allow us in. When I finally heard about you, I learned your innate sword was destroyed and you were punished to Reflection Cliff.” Yu Wanqiao felt a subtle unease but did not dwell on it. After all, Lu Xiao was the one among her four juniors she trusted most. Besides her, Lu Xiao was the second genius of Xuanyuan Sect. Sometimes, Yu Wanqiao admitted that because of Lu Xiao, she worked harder, afraid that if she slackened even for a few days, he would surpass her. Lu Xiao had never once defeated her. She had never lost. But now... Yu Wanqiao was unsure if he knew her cultivation had fallen to the Qi Refining stage. Seeing Lu Xiao acting as usual, she guessed he did not know. Otherwise, knowing him as she did, he would be frantic. Smiling, Yu Wanqiao reached out to pat his head. “I’m fine.” Lu Xiao leaned into the touch obediently. “Senior sister, I miss you so much. I want to hug you.” Yu Wanqiao was taken aback, not expecting such a request but agreed anyway. She embraced Lu Xiao without reservation. “Master said no disciple may enter Reflection Cliff within these three months. Though I don’t know how you sneaked in, you should leave soon...” Before she could finish, she felt a sharp stab in her chest.

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She felt restrained. Looking down, she saw vines coiling tightly around her. She met Lu Xiao’s gaze in disbelief. “You... um...” Lu Xiao smiled innocently. “Senior sister, don’t blame me. Junior sister needs your heart’s blood.” Bai Chuwei? Now unable to move, enduring the sharp pain in her chest, Yu Wanqiao said, “What does this have to do with Junior Sister Bai?” Lu Xiao tilted his head silently, then shoved a pill into Yu Wanqiao’s mouth. “Senior sister, don’t be afraid. I won’t let you get hurt—just taking a bit of your heart’s blood. See? It’s done.” He drew his sword and sprinkled medicinal powder on her wound, then smiled satisfactorily. Meeting Yu Wanqiao’s angry glare, he showed no remorse. “Senior sister, don’t hate me. This is all what you owe Junior Sister.” Boom. Familiar words echoed in her mind. Xie Wenyun turning away in anger. “This is all what you owe Junior Sister.” Jiang Xuanyan pointing his sword at himself. “Senior sister, this is what you owe Weiwei.” Qingfeng Zhenjun pityingly coaxing Bai Chuwei. “Wanqiao, this is what you owe Chuwei.” ... Countless similar words. Suddenly, the face in her mind sharpened—it was Lu Xiao’s. The one who would unconditionally believe himself no matter what others said had become one of them. “Why?” Why do they keep hurting me again and again? She closed her eyes, a single tear sliding down her cheek. Just one drop—then no more. Lu Xiao sighed. “Senior sister, I know you’re hurting now, but Junior Sister is suffering more. What should have been a hopeful snow lotus was swallowed by you. Fortunately, the snow lotus has already merged with your blood. If I take seven days of your heart’s blood, Junior Sister’s meridians can be cleared, and then she can cultivate like us.” So that was it. Everything before was a facade. This Lu Xiao was the true one. “Lu Xiao, do you find it amusing to toy with me? Aren’t you tired of always pretending to selflessly stand before me?”