Hua Yan had lost count of how many times it had happened. At first, Lu Chengsha had hidden his tracks well, but later, perhaps realizing he had been discovered, he became less cautious. Whenever she was not in the sect, she would occasionally see a shadow flash by!
If her martial arts skills were any worse, she might not have noticed.
Hua Yan never knew that Lu Chengsha’s lightness skill was so good, good enough to make her fume with anger.
Had she known, she would never have given him time to recuperate in the first place!
After the incident at Tingjian Manor, although she knew Lu Chengsha must have been feeling terrible, she also knew that because of Lu Zhenxing, he definitely didn’t want to see her. Hua Yan had no choice but to secretly send a subordinate with excellent lightness skills to follow him, worrying that after being expelled from Tingjian Manor, he might have no food or shelter—although she later found out during an argument with Lu Huaitian that Tingjian Manor hadn’t been so heartless. Before leaving, they had left him with enough funds to last for years if he spent frugally.
Lu Chengsha being extravagant and wasteful was out of the question.
The subordinate she sent didn’t follow him for long before being shaken off. When he returned, Hua Yan couldn’t help but poke his head, saying, “He hadn’t even recovered from his injuries, couldn’t move just a while ago, and you still managed to lose him!”
The subordinate felt extremely wronged and pitifully said, “But he’s still Lu Chengsha…”
Hua Yan retorted, “Still daring to talk back!”
The subordinate quickly said, “It’s my fault, entirely my fault! Lu Chengsha was severely injured, like a tiger fallen into a plain. I should have been able to take down two of him without a problem…”
Hua Yan dangerously said, “Hmm?”
The subordinate’s tone changed, “…but that’s impossible! Anyway, it’s all my fault. I’ll make up for it…”
Hua Yan waved her hand and said, “Forget it, forget it.”
As long as Lu Chengsha was safe, she wasn’t in a rush. So many things had happened suddenly, and being the stubborn person he was, he needed time to process everything and find a place to heal… Thinking this, Hua Yan continued to wait day after day.
Moreover, they still had Xiao Hei between them, so they wouldn’t lose contact completely.
But she didn’t expect that instead of Lu Chengsha, she first saw Xiao Hei. Lu Chengsha had put Xiao Hei in a small jar and delivered it to the Demon Sect’s headquarters under the cover of night.
Hua Yan was dumbfounded when she uncovered the lid.
The round Xiao Hei stared at her, unaware of the situation. Because of their long separation, it affectionately rubbed against her fingers, rolled over twice, and then, somewhat confused, turned in a circle as if wondering why Lu Chengsha wasn’t there.
Hua Yan was so angry she almost lost her temper on the spot!
What did he mean by this!
Should she also stuff the handkerchief she gave him and send it back?
If he didn’t want to be with her, he should just say it directly!
She held the rustic hairpin that Lu Chengsha had given her, wanting to break it several times, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. If Lu Chengsha really wanted to give up, she at least wanted to hear him say it himself, rather than ambiguously sending something back.
Xiao Hei, who had been following Lu Chengsha, obviously wasn’t doing well. It had lost quite a bit of weight compared to when Hua Yan had taken care of it, keeping it chubby and healthy. Back with Hua Yan, enjoying a life of luxury and plenty, it quickly forgot about its former master.
Hua Yan couldn’t help but ask it, “Is he mistreating you, or is he mistreating himself and dragging you down with him?”
Xiao Hei wiggled its antennae in circles, unable to answer her question.
Hua Yan began to suspect that Lu Chengsha hadn’t understood what she said at Tingjian Manor, mistaking it for truth. But she had been so outrageous; she had never forced Lu Chengsha to betray his sect, nor had she pressured him to kill other righteous people. Although it might have sounded infuriating at first, with a bit of thought, he should have realized she wasn’t being serious.
But she still hadn’t seen him.
Until Hua Yan went to pick a fight with Baiya Peak.
She still vividly remembered those people who had driven Lu Chengsha to the brink, causing Elder Lu Zhenxing to take his own life to protect him and the reputation of Tingjian Manor.
Since they were already enemies, it was reasonable for her to pick a fight.
Hua Yan knew they had brought Yu Ye to heal Bai Yujin and couldn’t help but say, “In Bai Yujin’s current condition, unless Yin Xiangsi is willing to spit out the power she swallowed, even a celestial deity couldn’t help, let alone this Yu Ye you found, who is an old acquaintance of Yin Xiangsi. Be careful he doesn’t help Yin Xiangsi, making Bai Yujin even worse.”
However, Baiya Peak had been deeply hateful of the demon sect since the Migu Town incident. Compared to her words, they obviously trusted Yu Ye more: “You demon girl, stop spreading your demonic lies and stirring up trouble!”
With that, they attacked her without further ado.
Ordinary disciples posed no threat to Hua Yan, but unexpectedly, there was a Baiya Peak elder among them. He struck viciously, catching her off guard, his staff aiming directly at Hua Yan’s vital points, clearly intending to kill her.
Just as Hua Yan was about to dodge, a sword light flashed over, slicing the staff in half before disappearing without a trace.
No one had time to react to what had just happened.
However, she was incredibly familiar with Lu Chengsha’s sword style and recognized it instantly. Although he didn’t show himself, Hua Yan knew he was nearby.
This realization made her both happy and conflicted, and she felt an urge to curse.
Since Lu Chengsha couldn’t reveal himself in front of everyone, she moved away from the crowd, finding a deserted spot, and asked, “Lu Chengsha, are you nearby?”
Lu Chengsha didn’t respond.
Hua Yan placed her sword against her throat and said, “Speak! If you don’t, I’ll press down!”
Finally, she heard Lu Chengsha’s voice, muffled and drifting from above, “I’m here.”
Hua Yan used her lightness skill to go up, immediately sensing him moving away. She stopped and said, “I’m not chasing you anymore, come down!”
A shadow finally stopped.
Taking a deep breath, Hua Yan asked, “What did you mean by sending Xiao Hei back? Do you not want to be with me anymore?”
Lu Chengsha answered quickly, “No.”
Hua Yan pressed, “Then what do you mean?”
Lu Chengsha hesitated, then said, “…I miss you.”
Hua Yan was momentarily speechless, unable to understand his mindset. One moment she thought he was heartless, the next he was saying sentimental things. She couldn’t help but ask, “Who misses me? You or Xiao Hei?”
Lu Chengsha’s voice was low, “…I do.”
Hua Yan felt a little better but still couldn’t help but say, “…Sending it back means you won’t miss me anymore?”
She heard a faint rustling and realized Lu Chengsha might be shaking his head. His voice drifted over again, “…I still miss you.”
Hua Yan said, “Then why don’t you come find me? You managed to leave Xiao Hei at our sect’s gate, why couldn’t you leave a message, even a note? Just sending Xiao Hei back makes me misunderstand!”
Lu Chengsha paused and then fell silent, seemingly contemplating.
Hua Yan didn’t wait and asked, “Is it because of what I said at Tingjian Manor?”
Lu Chengsha quickly responded, “No, although…” He paused, “I know that wasn’t the truth.”
He glossed over the rest, but Hua Yan guessed he had probably struggled with it when he first heard it.
After all, her acting had been praised by Xie Yingxian as convincing. Being in the moment, no one would doubt it, very compelling. As a result, she still carried the reputation of a demonic witch who toyed with Lu Chengsha’s feelings and wished for his death.
Hua Yan couldn’t help but say, “You believe me that easily? What if it were true?”
Lu Chengsha replied, “You wouldn’t. I trust you.”
Hua Yan’s long-held worries finally eased a bit. She had been worried he wouldn’t believe her and also concerned about how he felt when he left Tingjian Manor, feeling abandoned by everyone. At least she didn’t abandon him.
She had gone to great lengths, hoping he could live a better life, leaving Tingjian Manor with his head held high rather than being branded a traitor colluding with the demon sect.
He was upright and honorable; he shouldn’t bear those slanders.
Taking a deep breath, Hua Yan asked, “And now? How long have you been following me?”
Lu Chengsha was silent for a long time before saying, “A long time.”
Hua Yan felt a surge of anger, “You didn’t follow me all the way since I left the sect, did you?”
Lu Chengsha didn’t deny it.
Hua Yan thought about it and realized, “This isn’t the first time you’ve followed me, is it?”
During this period, she had left the sect more than once or twice.
After another pause, Lu Chengsha responded, “No.”
Hua Yan was really furious. While she was constantly worrying about him, afraid he wasn’t eating or sleeping well, he was just following her, watching?
Lu Chengsha added, “I didn’t follow you to Tingjian Manor.”
Fine, being expelled, he truly didn’t step in.
Hua Yan immediately said, “That’s not fair! Why is it that only you can see me, but I can’t see you!”
Lu Chengsha explained, “I wasn’t watching you. I was just…”
Just worried she might be in danger.
Hua Yan said, “You feel guilty about your grandfather and don’t dare to see me, but that’s not my problem. Why can’t I see you? Why do I have to suffer because of you?”
Lu Chengsha was at a loss for words.
In the end, they could only part on bad terms.
After being discovered, he no longer hid his whereabouts so meticulously, perhaps for the sake of fairness as she had said.
Hua Yan noticed that he indeed avoided looking at her. His gaze never lingered on her, no matter how beautifully or provocatively she dressed. She even consulted Jiang Lan, tugging at her collar, and tentatively asked, “Should I dress even more revealingly?”
Jiang Lan shook her head gently, saying softly, “If you dress more revealingly, the Sect Leader might not be pleased.”
On the contrary, Ning Yin was excited and said, “Holy Maiden, whatever kind of revealing dress you want, I’ve got it!”
Xie Yingxian really thought it unnecessary. He said, “As long as Lu Zhenxing doesn’t see you, it’s easy. Just cover his eyes with something, and he won’t see you.”
Hua Yan’s eyes lit up, but then dimmed again. “That’s still a shortcut. He definitely wouldn’t agree.”
Following her around was probably the biggest compromise Lu Chengsha could make at the moment.
Xie Yingxian continued, “Otherwise, have him blind himself. That way, he can’t see you and it won’t seem like a shortcut. It’s serious enough.”
Hua Yan shuddered, “…Let’s forget that. Not seeing him is fine.”
Xie Yingxian said, “If all else fails, there’s always the Forgetting Sorrow Gu or something similar. Although I dislike Yu Ye, it’s not unusable. Our sect has plenty of messy methods. Pick any, or approach Lu Zhenxing. He’s not dead yet and is seriously ill now…”
Hua Yan cut him off, “Forget it, forget it…”
What if it really kills Lu Zhenxing?
Xie Yingxian looked at her with a somewhat helpless expression, “I have other ideas. There are always many solutions. It’s just a matter of whether you’re willing to do it.”
Hua Yan sighed, “But I want him to be willing.”
She believed that Lu Chengsha would eventually understand.
How could anyone bear having their loved one so close and endure it every day?
No one could endure it that well!
Then Lu Chengsha showed her through his actions—he could.
As time passed, Lu Chengsha’s lightness skill even improved a bit. Hua Yan was so angry she almost wanted to punch the table. Having talent doesn’t mean you have to use it like this!
Did he plan to be with her like this for the rest of his life?
Was she the crazy one, or was he?
Hua Yan couldn’t help but find a secluded place again, angrily saying, “If this continues, I’ll end up with someone else sooner or later!”
Lu Chengsha responded quickly this time, “No.”
Hua Yan said, “Why not? I can’t see you anyway.”
Lu Chengsha began to speak but was interrupted by Hua Yan, “I’ve already told you, that doesn’t count. If no one knows, it doesn’t count! Our Zhengyi Sect isn’t exactly known for keeping promises. It’s common to go back on our word. Besides, I’m not exactly a good person anymore.”
After she finished speaking, Lu Chengsha’s voice took a moment to respond, his clear tone turning somber, “Do you… really have to be with someone else?”
How could he sound so aggrieved!
She hadn’t even gotten to feeling aggrieved yet!
Hua Yan said, “But I want to hold hands with the person I like, to hug, to kiss, and even…” Her voice trailed off into a whisper as she spoke.
Lu Chengsha’s voice came slowly, “I…”
Hua Yan coaxed, “You want that too, don’t you?”
Lu Chengsha said, “…But I can’t.”
Stubborn and old-fashioned! Was he really Xie Changyun’s son? One of them must have been mixed up at birth!
Hua Yan was getting ready to leave for Night City, determined to ignore the shadow following her.
She had disguised herself, changed her clothes, worried that Lu Chengsha wouldn’t recognize her, but now it seemed there was no need to worry.
The carriage was ready. If the demoness persona wouldn’t do, she would have to adopt another identity. Traveling as a woman could be inconvenient, so she borrowed the identity of a wealthy merchant. But since the merchant was a man, she had to pose as his sister or concubine.
Originally, she planned to pose as the sister, but in her current pique with Lu Chengsha, she declared, “I’ll be the favored concubine!”
Unfortunately, no one dared to play the wealthy merchant.
Since she was going alone, Hua Yan picked a moderately handsome disciple from the demon sect, saying, “You’ll do.”
The disciple’s legs nearly gave out as he stammered, “Holy Maiden… perhaps someone else would be better.”
Hua Yan said, “No, it’ll be you. Be strong, don’t be afraid.”
The disciple, now dressed in the luxurious garments of a wealthy merchant, even had his hair meticulously groomed, trying his best to appear calm.
He did look the part. After all, a merchant didn’t need to be exceptionally handsome. Hua Yan encouraged him, “Not bad, keep it up.”
She had carefully disguised herself to look delicate and fragile. Although not as stunning as her true appearance, she was still a beauty.
As she was about to board the carriage, Hua Yan leaned towards the demon disciple.
Before she could get close, the disciple trembled and said, “Ho-Holy Maiden, I feel a murderous aura…”
Hua Yan gritted her teeth, “Feeling a murderous aura is good, just ignore it!”