Chapter 70: Some Come and Go in Haste

In the wilderness, two figures walked side by side—a man and a woman. From a distance, they seemed like a celestial couple: the man handsome and elegant, the woman as beautiful as a blooming flower. Up close, their pairing appeared even more fated; the man possessed fine features but looked frail, while the woman had a large birthmark on her left cheek, startling in its boldness. Now, they could well be described as two peas in a pod.

“Miss, what is your name?” Wu Yue asked, panting slightly.

The cold-faced woman glanced at Wu Yue and replied, “You seem to be in good spirits.”

“It’s alright. I cherish my life as it is,” Wu Yue admitted candidly.

His answer surprised her; she hesitated for a moment, then said, “I can tell you’re not in good shape.”

Wu Yue stopped walking, raised his thumb, and said, “You have a sharp eye. My meridians are severed, my cultivation destroyed—right now, I’m weaker than an ordinary person. If things continue like this, I won’t last six months.” He stomped the ground. “So let’s rest. I can barely walk anymore. Can’t you fly?”

The woman shook her head calmly. “I’m a sword cultivator, and besides, I don’t have my sword right now.”

“Every blade of grass and tree can be a sword; even without one in hand, the sword resides in the heart. Haven’t you heard this?” Wu Yue said, somewhat exasperated.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” she answered coolly. “But I am surprised you’re willing to follow me.”

Wu Yue grinned. “Of course. Without you, how could I survive these two hundred miles of wilderness?”

The cold-faced woman took a deep breath. “Are you seeking death?”

Wu Yue twisted his face as if he’d heard a joke. “Do you think I’m trying to provoke you? I’m not.”

“So what will you do?” she asked.

“You care so much about whether I live or die? That makes me wonder if you have some ulterior motive,” Wu Yue replied with a mischievous smile, continuing his reckless banter. He admitted this was one reason he chose to follow her.

More importantly, after he coughed up blood in the hall, several people had given him ominous looks—he feared trouble would follow. Even in what seemed a safe inn, Wu Yue felt no sense of security. So, weighing his options, he chose the lesser evil and simply followed his instinct.

Despite her cold appearance, the woman spoke kindly. “Regardless of how powerful you once were, you must accept reality. Don’t die lightly; once you’re dead, it’s truly over. Besides, I won’t let you die, for only you can avenge me.”

“Me?” Wu Yue pointed to himself, sweat pouring down his face after only a dozen miles.

She nodded. “The old immortal of the Wen family said so. He can’t be wrong.”

“That limping innkeeper?” At this title, the woman was visibly surprised, but she continued, “That’s right. He said if you survive, you’ll be able to avenge me.”

Wu Yue looked as if he’d expected this. “Then first I need to stay alive.”

They paused, Wu Yue sitting while the woman stood. After a brief rest, Wu Yue was still sweating, now cold sweat. The air between them grew awkward. The woman hesitated, then slowly spoke. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

Wu Yue shook his head, not out of sarcasm, but being honest. “With your cultivation, there’s nothing you can do. My body, energy, and essence have been ruined. My soul is trapped but not harmed, yet with everything so devastated, there’s no telling what may happen.”

Her expression soured at his words—what did he mean, her cultivation was useless? She wanted to argue, but then realized it was true. Had her cultivation been stronger, she wouldn’t have watched her master die, powerless to help.

Her hand unconsciously touched the birthmark on her left cheek, which seemed larger and more vivid.

Seeing her despondent look, Wu Yue realized his words were a bit harsh. “If you can find a safe place for me to meditate for a month, I might have a slim chance. And you might still have hope for revenge.”

Wu Yue was not speaking blindly. For some reason, the murderous old Daoist had only crippled him, sparing his soul, and had not struck further. Wu Yue had narrowly escaped death, brushing past the grim reaper, and his heart was still unsettled. This was why he was adjusting his mindset, much like he had at the Jade Bowl Banquet when he’d heard Da Lie’s words.

Regardless, he still had a chance to turn things around, however slim. Revenge remained possible. For the calamity brought by the old Daoist, Wu Yue wished to repay him in kind—with interest.

Much of Wu Yue’s confidence stemmed from the Void Devouring Spirit; if worst came to worst, he would risk everything under the rules of this world.

“You really are remarkable?” the cold-faced woman asked, feigning extreme indifference despite her obvious curiosity.

Wu Yue smiled, making a gesture as if striking with his palm. “If your question is about you…”

“A palm’s opponent?” She looked incredulous.

“No. A palm can take down a whole crowd,” Wu Yue explained calmly.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves echoed.

“It’s the Black Cloud Stronghold!” The woman’s expression first paled, then filled with endless hatred.

The hoofbeats grew louder.

“Haha! Red-Sleeved Fairy—ah, how you have changed! Once so beautiful, now look at you. Such a pity,” sneered the leader, a man in dark robes, followed by a dozen others, their mouths full of filthy words.

“Well, well, there’s a man here too? Alone together, what could they be up to? If Abbess Water Moon saw this, she would surely crawl out from beneath the earth!”

“I heard that old nun Water Moon was a virgin her whole life—never tasted any pleasure.”

“That’s not certain; maybe she kept a secret lover. Look at our Red-Sleeved Fairy—maybe she’s her illegitimate daughter. See, they look so alike.”

“Hou Baiyu, I’ll kill you!” The cold-faced woman gritted her teeth, spitting out a silver sword embryo, which whistled through the air, generating sword energy.

The dark-robed leader sneered. “Red-Sleeved Fairy, your cultivation was on par with mine, but now, cursed by the Scarlet Blood Spell, you barely have a tenth of your power. How do you expect to kill me?”

Sure enough, her sword embryo was easily repelled by Hou Baiyu.

“Kill her. Her looks disgust me anyway. And kill the man too.”

Wu Yue coughed lightly, stood, and pressed her left shoulder. Smiling, he said, “Shaking with rage? Don’t rush into a fight yet.”

“Well, well, bold fellow,” Hou Baiyu started, but his words cut off abruptly. His face changed drastically. “You’re that young master from the Xie family!”

“You do know me,” Wu Yue smiled brightly. “But I prefer the name Wu Yue.”

“I don’t know you!” Hou Baiyu quickly turned and fled, his followers bewildered.

All of them came and went in haste.