At first, Hua Yan suspected it was just a case of a common name, but then she heard someone else say that this defector from the demonic sect had saved righteous people multiple times and had never wantonly killed the innocent.
In the Zhengyi Sect, only Yu Ye could receive such an evaluation.
Yu Ye was not a killer.
The disciples he had sheltered under the demonic sect were countless, and even when encountering attacks from righteous sects while traveling, he did his best not to take lives.
Back then, Yu Ye had once told her in a tone of sorrow and gentleness, “Unless it’s a matter of life and death, I don’t wish to kill.”
His hands had never been stained with blood; he had only saved people, never killed them. This was one of the reasons why Hua Yan’s father was so satisfied with him at the time; he believed Yu Ye was kind-hearted. Despite being born in the demonic sect, he, like himself, was forced into it.
Of course, Hua Yan now realized this was not entirely true. At least during his defection, Yu Ye killed swiftly and decisively—though Hua Yan knew he would never do it himself.
“Really? Is there really such a person in the demonic sect?”
“Several disciples from different sects have confirmed his words. They indeed were captured by the demonic sect and were spared by him.”
“I don’t believe it! The demonic sect is full of heartless lunatics. How could there be such a person—even if there is, it’s probably just an act.”
“If you don’t believe it, go to the medical hall in Cixin Valley and see for yourself. He’s severely injured and being watched by guards there. Many have already gone to see him, and he doesn’t look like a bad person at all…”
Upon hearing this, Hua Yan felt a subtle tension. Although it might have only been a month since these events occurred, it felt like a lifetime to her.
Her once-familiar fiancé had become a complete stranger, and now hearing his name made her somewhat anxious.
The medical hall in Cixin Valley was located not far from the Dongfeng Buye Tower Inn.
Would Xie Yingxian intervene in this matter or not?
“By the way, I heard that this defector from the demonic sect knows medicine and claims he can help detoxify the disciples poisoned during the sect battles…”
“He was the one who poisoned them, of course he can detoxify them!”
“Is he kind-hearted or malevolent?”
“In my opinion, everyone from the demonic sect deserves to die!”
“What if he really never harmed anyone and has now turned to the light?”
For a moment, the hall of Dongfeng Buye Tower was filled with diverse opinions. Hearing the last sentence, Hua Yan couldn’t help but perk up her ears. She, too, had never killed anyone or done anything bad—could she also turn to the light?
Before she could listen any further, the hall suddenly fell silent.
Turning her head, Hua Yan saw several familiar black figures. Earlier, she had returned with Lu Chengsha and another uncle from Tingjian Manor. It was said that Lu Huitian had personally gone to find Lu Chengzhao, and now he had finally brought him back.
Lu Chengzhao followed dejectedly behind his father, looking as if he had been through a robbery. Behind him were Lu Chengyang and another disciple of Tingjian Manor, all looking extremely disheveled, though no one dared to laugh.
The hall was silent, and it was only after they passed that people began to speak again.
Since she parted ways with Lu Chengsha in the hall of Dongfeng Buye Tower Inn in the morning, Hua Yan hadn’t seen him. She quietly followed behind, and before she got close, she heard Lu Huitian scolding Lu Chengzhao.
—
Lu Chengzhao had no energy left to respond to his father’s scolding. He felt that just surviving and returning was an achievement!
His father knew nothing!
If he had the ability, he could have gone himself twenty years younger. All he knew was how to scold—don’t think he didn’t know that many disciples had died this time, including some well-known and skilled ones. Did his father know how hard he tried?
If he had really died, would his mother only regret it after pulling his father’s ear in a fit of rage?
The more Lu Chengzhao thought about it, the angrier he got. It was all the demonic sect’s fault!
Thinking of the demonic sect made Lu Chengzhao even more frustrated because this time, with the demonic sect leader as a gimmick, his father demanded he must take the lead and not embarrass Tingjian Manor. He even specifically instructed Lu Chengsha, as everyone knew the deepest feud with the demonic sect lay with Tingjian Manor. If they didn’t win this time, it would be a complete disgrace.
Although the chaos caused by the demonic sect had disrupted the sect competition, it didn’t stop some disciples from performing exceptionally—like Mu Xuelang from Qingcheng Sect.
On the way back, he had heard that Mu Xuelang had demonstrated leadership by organizing and mobilizing disciples. His father now pointed at his nose, scolding him, asking when he would become capable, saying that when Mu Xuelang became the head of Qingcheng Sect, what would Tingjian Manor have to compare with them…
Damn it, wasn’t there still one more person?
Lu Chengzhao involuntarily looked at the even more infuriating figure, the black-clothed youth sitting on the rooftop with a contemplative gaze, as if deep in thought—what the hell could he be thinking about? Daydreaming and pretending to be profound!
He knew Lu Chengsha had been equally prominent, yet this guy hadn’t cared about them since the fog formation!
Otherwise, how could they have ended up so disheveled!
He had heard that somehow, Lu Chengsha had even brought his sweetheart along. While he was enjoying tender love and care, maybe even doing who-knows-what in three days and nights of solitude, what about them!
Finally, Lu Chengzhao couldn’t hold back his frustration, and he said, “Father, don’t just scold me. Some people run away at the first sign of danger, abandoning their comrades. Why don’t you say something about that!”
Lu Huitian glanced slightly at Lu Chengsha and then said, “You only know how to rely on others. Why don’t you show some backbone yourself.”
“Do you know how hard it was for your son this time! Instead of worrying about me, you just scold! Am I even your real son!”
With that, he plopped down on the ground, sounding both shameless and aggrieved, “Father, I am truly exhausted this time! You have no idea how many traps and dangers there were along the way, how many injuries I have. You almost lost your son! Show some concern for me!”
Lu Huitian seemed quite exasperated with his son.
“Enough.” He rubbed his temples. “Chengyang, take your brother back to rest.”
Lu Chengyang quickly helped Lu Chengzhao up, and the two of them prepared to return to their rooms. Halfway there, they were stopped by Lu Huitian. “Wait.” He took out a bottle from his robe and tossed it to Lu Chengyang, his voice cold and hard. “This is Nian Yi’s medicine. Make sure both of you use it later.”
Nian Yi, the master of Cixin Valley, made medicines that were incredibly hard to come by but highly effective.
Yu Ye had once tried to replicate it, but ultimately sighed and gave up, saying that the process was too precise and complex, requiring extremely skilled pharmacists. It couldn’t be mass-produced, so it naturally couldn’t be sold.
At this moment, Hua Yan, who was eavesdropping from afar, almost couldn’t help but speak up.
Great Hero Lu was injured too!
Could she get some medicine for him as well?
As the courtyard noise subsided, it seemed no one remembered Lu Chengsha, let alone cared if he was injured or exhausted.
Hua Yan wanted to get closer, but as she reached the courtyard gate, she was stopped.
“Miss, the senior brothers are all resting now. Please leave.” A disciple with a yellow sword tassel raised his scabbard and blocked Hua Yan’s path.
Hua Yan glanced at Lu Chengsha, who sat on the rooftop, oblivious to everything. The wind gently blew his black hair, his face calm and aloof. She recalled when they first met, Lu Chengsha had also sat on a rooftop like this, gazing at the bustling world, appearing both lonely and detached from everything.
As if he had no ties to the mortal world.
Hua Yan didn’t like seeing him this way.
She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, “Great Hero Lu! Are you there?”
Lu Chengsha, as if awakening from a trance, looked over. His gaze, like a stone tossed into a still lake, created ripples. Something flickered in his normally calm black eyes, making them suddenly vivid. His black robe fluttered as he leapt down from the rooftop and walked towards her.
Though it was just a few steps, to Hua Yan it seemed like he was stepping on lotus flowers, and even his black robe seemed to come alive with color.
She felt an inexplicable joy.
Lu Chengsha stopped a step away from Hua Yan, with the disciple with the yellow sword tassel still awkwardly holding the scabbard between them.
Ignoring the disciple, Hua Yan said, “Are your injuries healed? If not, remember to apply the medicine!”
At the mention of “applying medicine,” Lu Chengsha seemed to remember something and took a step back.
Hua Yan: “…”
Hua Yan said, “If you take one more step back, I’ll really jump on you!”
Fortunately, Lu Chengsha stopped. He said, “It’s fine.”
She knew he hadn’t applied the medicine!
Hua Yan crossed her arms, looking at him with a questioning expression. Her bright eyes stared at him intently, making Lu Chengsha’s Adam’s apple bob slightly. He said, “I’ll apply the medicine.”
That’s more like it!
Hua Yan then asked, “Are you heading back to Tingjian Manor next?”
Lu Chengsha replied, “Yes.” He paused and added, “After the judgment is over.”
Hua Yan opened her mouth, not sure how to phrase her thoughts.
—Can I go with you?
—What should I do then?
—Will you come back after you return to Tingjian Manor?
That didn’t seem quite appropriate either. Suddenly, she felt a bit nostalgic for their time in the adventure land.
Lu Chengsha seemed to be thinking too.
Both fell silent.
Meanwhile, the disciple with the yellow sword tassel in the middle felt immense pressure. Could these two stop treating him like he didn’t exist? He was still there!
“What should I do…” Hua Yan whispered.
Lu Chengsha seemed to understand her unspoken words. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “I will come back soon.”
Hua Yan’s eyes lit up instantly. “Then I’ll wait for you!”
They had only been together for a few days, and she hadn’t had enough of doing righteous deeds with Great Hero Lu!
“Uh… uh…” The disciple with the yellow sword tassel couldn’t help but cough loudly. “It’s getting late, uh…”
Lu Chengsha glanced at him.
The disciple shivered instantly.
With Lu Chengsha’s promise, Hua Yan was no longer worried. She waved and smiled, “Then I’ll go rest first. Remember to apply the medicine!”
Lu Chengsha looked at her seriously and said, “Okay.”
—
At dawn, Hua Yan got up in a good mood, washed up, and headed to the hall of Dongfeng Buye Tower Inn. Just as she was about to go out to find a nice breakfast spot, she suddenly met a pair of gentle, smiling eyes. Startled, she took two steps back, her scalp tingling.
She couldn’t be blamed for such a reaction. Who would have thought Yu Ye would appear at the entrance of Dongfeng Buye Tower!
Steadying herself, Hua Yan realized Yu Ye was quite far from her, surrounded by a crowd.
He looked at her through the crowd, his gaze fixed as if speaking to her. But soon, Yu Ye looked away—his current state was not enough to threaten Hua Yan. His slender, delicate wrists were bound with iron rings, and his light blue robe was stained with blood. His long hair hung slightly, giving him a gentle, harmless, and sickly appearance that aroused pity.
At least, many passing female warriors and young girls couldn’t help but stop and look.
A cordoned-off area at the entrance of Dongfeng Buye Tower housed several unconscious, poisoned disciples. Yu Ye was being guarded there, working on antidotes for them, but it looked more like a public display.
The crowd was indeed buzzing with discussions.
“Is this the demonic sect defector? He really doesn’t look like a bad person…”
“What is he doing at the entrance?”
“I heard that some people don’t trust him to detoxify properly, so they made him do it in public under everyone’s supervision to prevent any foul play.”
Someone boldly shouted “Demonic sect monster” and threw their breakfast at Yu Ye. The egg pancake left a faint yellow stain on his moon-white robe. He endured it silently.
His pale, shaky appearance aroused too much pity, prompting a female voice to say, “We, as righteous sects, don’t need to humiliate someone who can’t even resist.”
“Demonic sect monsters deserve death from everyone. You see him harmless now, but who knows how many righteous disciples he’s killed?”
The two were about to argue when Yu Ye spoke up. “Thank you, lady. Though I have never killed anyone, being born in the demonic sect is an undeniable fact. Today’s treatment is something I deserve.” His voice was gentle and courteous, flowing like a spring, with no trace of malice.
His words left his accuser speechless.
Someone asked, “Have you really never killed anyone?”
Yu Ye smiled bitterly. “I know it may be hard to believe, but if you can find a single person I’ve killed, I will accept any punishment from the victim’s family without complaint.”
The crowd immediately started murmuring.
Someone weakly said, “My uncle was once saved by him…”
“You’re lying. Which sect are you from, and what is your uncle’s name?”
“Did you warn about the ambush at the sect competition? Aren’t you afraid of demonic sect remnants retaliating against you?”
Yu Ye heard this and softly replied, “I am afraid, but if I remained silent, my conscience would be troubled. The thing I regret most in my life is being powerless to stop the Miyin Dragon Cave massacre when I was just a baby. Despite my efforts to reform the demonic sect over the years, my abilities are limited, and I couldn’t stop the sect leader…” He sighed gently, his eyes lowering, almost tearing up.
His words caused even more discussion.
“The Miyin Dragon Cave massacre was indeed caused by the demonic sect!”
“What is there to doubt! Who else but the demonic sect could do such a vile thing!”
After that, Yu Ye spoke no more, focusing on detoxifying the disciples. His gentle and refined demeanor, free from anger even when verbally abused by those passing by, made it hard to hold any ill feelings toward him.
By mid-morning, some had already started speaking in his defense.
Hua Yan watched from a distance, feeling deeply conflicted.
Yu Ye still seemed like the man she once knew—polite, gentle, with a temper so mild it was almost nonexistent. His unconventional conduct in the Zhengyi Sect couldn’t stop many disciples from admiring him. How much more appealing would this demeanor be to those in the righteous sects who were predisposed to appreciate such qualities?
If Hua Yan hadn’t witnessed firsthand the sordid affair between Yu Ye and Shui Se, she might not have believed Yu Ye could show such a face.
As Hua Yan was lost in thought, she suddenly saw Yu Ye look up at her again.
His gaze remained gentle as he looked at her, smiling in a familiar way, with a hint of indulgence and a touch of affection. He always smiled at her like that, as if no matter what she did, he would tolerate it endlessly.
—If he hadn’t smiled like this at Shui Se too, Hua Yan might have believed him.
He said, “Young lady, may I have a word with you?”
Hua Yan immediately turned to leave.
Behind her, Yu Ye continued, “I know your parents died at the hands of the demonic sect, and you may hold some resentment towards me. I deeply regret this as well. If you truly hate me so much, feel free to take revenge on me personally.”
He followed her fabricated story, showing no intention of exposing her lie.
Seeing that Hua Yan didn’t turn back, Yu Ye’s voice grew softer, almost with a touch of humble pleading, making it almost unbearable to listen to. “Do you truly hate me so much? Won’t you even give me a chance to make amends?”
Hua Yan was once so familiar with this voice. From childhood to now, Yu Ye had coaxed her countless times. She couldn’t even remember how many times. No one had ever been so kind to her, more gentle and patient than her own parents. Whatever she wanted to do, Yu Ye would find a way to make it happen. Whatever she wanted, Yu Ye would get for her, no matter how troublesome or difficult, even if it was something she casually mentioned.
A flash of memory brought back the image of the man in a moon-white brocade robe, his clothes fluttering like clouds, his demeanor gentle and elegant. He would smile and tap her forehead, saying, “Silly girl, of course I treat you well because I like you. After all, you’re my betrothed.”
Yu Ye had always indulged her whims, to the extent that even her mother, who was initially dissatisfied with the engagement, couldn’t completely oppose it.
He was so perfect that even she genuinely wanted to marry him.
But unfortunately, it was all a lie.
How could he sweet-talk Shui Se and then use the same tone to coax her?
Shameless!
The people around them had started whispering excitedly.
Hua Yan turned back, glaring fiercely. “What exactly do you want!”
The question wasn’t just about what Yu Ye was saying now but also about his current actions. Why was he pretending to be a traitor and infiltrating here? She had even found out that Xie Yingxian was still locked up in the mountain prison, not even moving to deal with him!
Yu Ye looked at her fierce expression, his eyes suddenly dimmed, and he smiled sadly. “I just… really miss you.”