Hua Yan was momentarily stunned, forgetting what she wanted to say. After a while, she said, “Hasn’t anyone come to see you…”
Lu Chengsha hesitated for a moment and then replied, “…You have.”
What’s with this guy? He doesn’t know how to say sweet words, yet he can easily make her heart flutter uncontrollably.
Hua Yan thought, most of the heartache she would experience in her lifetime might just be because of Lu Chengsha.
She lowered her head, carefully re-treating his wounds and using the cloth she brought to fix the parts that shouldn’t be moved. Hua Yan swore she had never been so meticulous before. Throughout the process, she worried about causing him pain, but he didn’t even frown, let alone groan, as if everything was a matter of course. Perhaps the pain he had endured over these days had already made him numb.
Originally, Hua Yan wanted to use the wound on her chest to gain some sympathy and ask for some kisses and hugs, but seeing his miserable state now, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
From beginning to end, Lu Chengsha just quietly watched her without blinking.
As Hua Yan applied the medicine, her loose hair occasionally fell beside her temples. After tucking it back twice, she got lazy and ignored it. Suddenly, she felt a slight touch by her ear. Turning her head, she saw Lu Chengsha, perhaps having regained some strength, was using his long fingers to tuck her hair behind her ear, the skin touched tingling slightly.
She couldn’t help but whisper, “Stop touching me. If you touch me again, I’ll kiss you.”
And then, she heard Lu Chengsha say, “Hmm.”
But his hand didn’t retract.
Her threat wasn’t very intimidating, but had he become a bit mischievous? Hua Yan thought with slightly complicated feelings.
However, Lu Chengsha’s physical resilience was indeed astonishing. Despite his severe injuries and lack of proper treatment, he was recovering at a reasonable pace.
After Hua Yan finished treating him, she was so nervous she had started sweating. She then remembered to hand him the buns she brought, wrapped in oiled paper. Looking at him, it was obvious he hadn’t been eating well. She hesitated and said, “Is it convenient for you? If not, I can feed you…”
Lu Chengsha had already taken the buns and slowly sat up.
The buns were freshly steamed when she took them; they were still slightly steaming. Lu Chengsha stared at them for a moment before looking up at her.
“Eat quickly, while they’re hot! I also have water here,” she added. “I came in a hurry and bought them casually at the entrance of your manor. I don’t know if they taste good.”
As she spoke, she noticed Lu Chengsha handed one to her.
Hua Yan laughed, “I didn’t mean I wanted to eat it. I just meant I don’t know if it’s good. Just make do with it. Hurry up!”
Finally, Lu Chengsha responded with a “hmm” and slowly started eating.
Hua Yan sat beside him, resting her chin in her hand, watching him eat. The dungeon was still dark and gloomy, exuding an unpleasant atmosphere, but at this moment, she felt that the dungeon was indeed a romantic place.
Not long ago, she had thought that if she could save Lu Chengsha, it wouldn’t matter even if she had to die.
But now, she wanted to live, to live and be with Lu Chengsha.
She didn’t expect that Lu Chengsha would soon hesitate and say, “You should leave as soon as possible. It’s dangerous if you’re discovered.”
Hua Yan said, “What about you then…”
“I’ll be fine.” Realizing that this statement wasn’t very convincing, Lu Chengsha added, “I’ll just need some time to recover. I won’t be in any danger. Once I’m healed, I’ll come to find you.”
Knowing he was saying this for her own good, Hua Yan still couldn’t help but retort, “What if your grandfather punishes you again? What if he doesn’t let you leave the mountain? You always say you’ll come find me, but it’s always me coming to find you!”
Lu Chengsha fell silent. After a while, he earnestly promised, “I will come find you.”
Hua Yan said, “Wait for three to five years?”
Lu Chengsha hesitated.
Hua Yan angrily said, “Don’t tell me you’ve actually thought about it! I don’t want to wait that long! What if I end up with someone else after waiting so long?”
Lu Chengsha suddenly looked up and said, “I married you.”
Hua Yan stubbornly replied, “That doesn’t count.”
Lu Chengsha said, “It does.”
Hua Yan said, “But only the two of us know…”
Lu Chengsha said, “It still counts.”
Seeing his serious expression, Hua Yan had no choice but to compromise, “Alright, let’s say it counts… I don’t want to be without you for so long. Can’t you come with me? We can find a place where no one knows us. The world is vast; we can go anywhere. You don’t have to stay at Tingjian Manor, and I won’t return to the Demon Sect. We’ll just be together, alright?”
Hua Yan didn’t dare tell him that the challenges he faced were more than this; his punishment might not even have been handed down yet.
Perhaps his grandfather was just afraid that if he tormented him too much, he wouldn’t survive to continue enduring the punishment.
Lu Chengsha was silent for a long time before he finally said, “I can’t leave.”
Hua Yan asked, “Why?”
Lu Chengsha replied, “I am a person of Tingjian Manor.”
This time, it was Hua Yan who was left speechless.
She muttered, “They don’t even treat you well…”
Sometimes Hua Yan felt they didn’t even see Lu Chengsha as a human being.
Lu Chengsha didn’t know how to explain to her. This was something that didn’t require an explanation in the first place.
Hua Yan continued, “Besides, you’ve already… fought with your grandfather and those people from the righteous path. They will all think you’ve betrayed the righteous path and colluded with a demoness from the Demon Sect…”
Lu Chengsha said, “It’s different.”
Hua Yan asked, “How is it different?”
Lu Chengsha replied, “You are my…” He hesitated for a moment before muttering, “I have to protect you.”
Hua Yan vaguely understood what he meant, her face flushing. She said, “Can’t you come live with me?”
Lu Chengsha fell silent again.
This person! Could he not fall silent at crucial, difficult questions?
Hua Yan had to change her approach, “If you don’t see me for so long, won’t you miss me?”
Lu Chengsha said, “I will… but I can endure it.”
He can endure it, but why should she have to endure it too!
Hua Yan said, “You won’t be able to kiss me.”
Lu Chengsha said, “Hmm…”
Hua Yan continued, “You won’t be able to hug me.”
Lu Chengsha: “…”
Hua Yan said, “You won’t be able to do anything with me.”
Lu Chengsha: “…”
Hua Yan said, “Think about it. Do you really not want to elope with me?”
A look of struggle flashed across Lu Chengsha’s face, and he seemed very hesitant, but after a moment, he calmed down again. He moved his lips and said, “…Sorry.”
Hua Yan was furious. She had said so much, yet he still remained unmoved!
She started gathering the bottles and jars on the ground but couldn’t bear to take them all, leaving two behind. She huffed, “These are for treating internal injuries. Take one pill a day, remember to take them! I’m leaving!” With that, she walked towards the exit.
However, after taking a few steps, Hua Yan paused and couldn’t help but look back.
She saw Lu Chengsha staring blankly at the medicine bottles, his dark blue hairband loosely hanging down, and the black clothes she had just wrapped him in still covered with deep and shallow bloodstains. His dark eyes were slightly downcast, looking pitiful.
Hua Yan turned back, carefully tugging at his clothes, more angrily than before. “Who knows when we’ll see each other again. Don’t you want to kiss me one more time?”
Lu Chengsha responded quickly, “I do.”
And so, they kissed.
Worried about aggravating his injuries, Hua Yan didn’t dare to touch him, but Lu Chengsha seemed unconcerned. He wrapped his long arms around her, kissing her passionately and lingeringly.
The dungeon was eerily quiet, with only the sound of their intimate exchange filling the space, accompanied by the occasional soft moan from Hua Yan. It was enough to make anyone blush and let their imagination run wild.
This was truly not a suitable place for a kiss.
Every moment was spent in anxious fear that someone else might come in, forcing them to keep a wary ear, but neither of them could bear to separate. The taste of each other was electrifying, making the tension even more exhilarating, their breaths becoming increasingly erratic.
Hua Yan, lost in the moment, realized Lu Chengsha was just as affected.
In their heated embrace, his hand wandered along her waist, making Hua Yan tense up and recall some inappropriate images. By the time they finished kissing and she left the dungeon, her steps were wobbly. Covering her face, she almost forgot she was still angry.
***
Lu Zhusheng had been waiting for her for a long time, having distracted the guards. When he saw her come out, face flushed and clothes slightly disheveled, he was taken aback and said, “You two…”
Hua Yan quickly shook her head and waved her hands, “No, no! I just went to see him…”
Lu Zhusheng gave a knowing smile, “So, how was it?”
Hua Yan used the back of her hand to cool her cheeks. The cold wind on her face quickly brought her back to her senses. She asked, “What’s going to happen to him? Will his grandfather punish him again? When will he be released?”
Lu Zhusheng’s smile faded slightly, “I don’t know. My father was injured too and is recovering.”
Hua Yan let out a small gasp.
Lu Zhusheng chuckled, “Did you think he was the only one hurt in their fight? But my father is proud; he won’t show his injuries easily, especially to those not close to him. Plus, this time, Little Sha angered him quite a bit. He probably needs more time to recover. Age catches up with everyone, after all.”
Hua Yan felt a bit dazed, thinking that someone else seemed to be in the same situation.
Lu Zhusheng pointed into the distance, “See that?”
Hua Yan followed his hand and saw that Tingjian Manor was brightly decorated, as if for a festival. The night view was resplendent, and she could even see the seven-story Xiangjiu Treasure Pagoda at the nearby Dongfeng Buye Pavilion adorned with red lanterns, adding to the festive atmosphere, even though the New Year had long passed.
Lu Zhusheng said, “In a few days, it will be my father’s birthday. You probably know he’s turning seventy. Originally, we planned a celebration, with heroes from all over coming to congratulate him, but now it seems no one’s in the mood.”
Hua Yan asked, “Should I feel sorry?”
Lu Zhusheng laughed heartily, “He’s not exactly likable, I know that… Little Sha had a tough time growing up under his hand. But haven’t you noticed how similar they are? Including my eldest brother, Lu Huaitian. You met him, right? That’s what a typical Lu family member is like. It’s a surprise that Xiao Zhao turned out differently. I often wonder if my brother picked him up from somewhere.”
Hua Yan pursed her lips, not commenting.
“Little Sha wasn’t always like this.” Lu Zhusheng gestured, “He was about this small back then, a little guy. Though he learned swordsmanship quickly, he was very resistant to the outside world. How to put it… timid? That doesn’t fit either. Later, training with my father, he became more and more like him—cold, indifferent, no fun. I thought he’d end up just like my father.”
Hua Yan listened quietly, unable to help but argue, “He’s not cold.”
Lu Zhusheng laughed, “Hahaha, that’s because of you. I never expected that kid to be a romantic. Can you believe it? Is he passionate with you?”
Hua Yan was stunned by his improper comment.
She quickly changed the topic, “You said the Lu family members are like that, but… what about his mother? What was she like?”
Lu Zhusheng was silent for a moment, then said, “Why are you asking this suddenly?”
Hua Yan replied, “I just think it would be better if his mother were still alive, and I’m a bit curious…”
Lu Zhusheng said, “I also wish she were still alive. She wasn’t like her father or mother. She was gentle and resilient. My father loved her the most. No matter how angry he was, seeing her would calm him down. He couldn’t bear to blame her for anything. It was different with me; my father didn’t speak harshly to me because I was an outsider. With her, it was out of love.”
Hua Yan couldn’t help but ask, “Then what happened later…”
Lu Zhusheng was silent for a while, then said, “It’s hard to imagine that such a gentle and obedient girl would grow up to be so rebellious. Even if it was just a one-time act of rebellion, it came at a great cost.”
Hua Yan’s heart tightened, “So he was so angry because…”
Lu Zhusheng said, “Because both his only daughter and only grandson defied him. How could he not be angry?”
Hua Yan said, “But he can’t punish him like that…”
Lu Zhusheng replied, “I’m not trying to excuse him. My father is just that kind of person. He’s dictatorial, principled above all else, and his hatred for the Demon Sect is part of his principles. He won’t show leniency to anyone. So, if Little Sha continues to be stubborn, he won’t have a good time.”
Hua Yan paused, “Does this mean I have to die?”
“Young people always think about life and death. I was joking,” Lu Zhusheng shook his head. “Life brings hope, right? Once you’re dead, it’s over. I’ll leave you to find your way from here. No one will check you as you leave the manor. And don’t come back again.”
Hua Yan stopped, the wound on her chest aching slightly, “Do I have to wait for your father to pass away before there’s any hope?”
Lu Zhusheng said, “Get rid of that thought. My father isn’t that easy to kill. If Little Sha found out, you two would be finished.”
Hua Yan blushed with anger at his words, “I never thought that! I was just asking! I’m not that bad!”
Lu Zhusheng was taken aback, “Isn’t that how your Demon Sect operates? No worries, I’ve seen it all.”
Hua Yan finally understood what prejudice against the Demon Sect meant.
After parting ways with Lu Zhusheng, she fixed her disguise and straightened her clothes, then started walking toward the mountain gate.
As expected, they were strict with those coming up, checking names and appearances, but those going down were barely glanced at. Hua Yan stepped down the stairs, unable to resist looking back at the Tingjian Manor nestled in the mist on the mountainside.
The entire manor looked like a giant black beast.
She didn’t know when she would see Lu Chengsha again.
Hua Yan vaguely remembered the time when Lu Chengsha was punished to reflect in the Meditation Cave. They spent carefree days together in the manor, back when her identity hadn’t been exposed and no one knew they were always together.
How could those days be so short? she thought with a pain in her heart.
After returning, Hua Yan relayed the events and her conversation with Lu Zhusheng to Xie Yingxian, editing out certain parts. She couldn’t help feeling despondent.
After listening to her, Xie Yingxian laughed, “That’s indeed a possible solution, but Lu Zhenxing is hard to kill. He’s rarely left Tingjian Manor since he got older. The last time he came out to hunt you was an exception.”
Hua Yan replied expressionlessly, “Oh… I’m truly honored.”
Xie Yingxian said, “If you really want him dead, I might be able to think of a way. After all, he’s getting old…”
Hua Yan was startled by his calm suggestion, “No! Let’s not think about that for now!”
She still didn’t want to reach a dead end with Lu Chengsha!
—
In the past days, rumors and whispers couldn’t be suppressed. People were intrigued by such old secrets, especially those involving well-known individuals.
There were even private speculations about who Lu Chengsha’s biological father was. Some said it was Bai Hengjue, but this was quickly dismissed. Others listed the names of many famous young heroes of the past, most of whom were either dead or married. The most outrageous rumor was that it was Lu Zhusheng; though they had no blood relation, they were siblings in name, making it impossible to disclose due to ethics. However, Lu Zhenxing’s attitude towards Lu Zhusheng didn’t fit this narrative… The most extreme rumor suggested that Lu Chengsha’s real father was someone from the Demon Sect, but this was dismissed even quicker, as the Demon Sect would have shamelessly broadcasted this if it were true.
Hua Yan, unable to hold her anger, secretly spread other rumors.
Soon, people learned that Bai Yujiang, who was severely injured in Migu Town, had actually been drained by the Demon Sect enchantress Yin Xiangsi, rendering him unable to continue practicing martial arts. The rumor was vivid and enticing, more thrilling than any novel about a demoness seducing a hero. The story sparked great curiosity and widespread protest from many women, firmly believing that Young Master Bai would never fall for a demoness’s trap!
However, Hua Yan fanned the flames. She even paid a few writers to create several salacious stories based on this event as a hint.
Bai Yufeng was immediately enraged, not only buying up all the copies but also threatening and bribing many storytellers to stop spreading falsehoods. Ironically, this made the rumors spread even more.
The only downside was that whenever someone mentioned Yin Xiangsi, someone would always ask, “The Sect Leader of the Wan Gu Sect? What’s her connection to the Demon Sect?”
“They’re the same, just under a different name! No difference.”
But Hua Yan was too used to such slander to care anymore.
Afterward, Xie Yingxian said to her, “Did you enjoy the joy of being a villain?”
Hua Yan nodded, then shook her head.
There was joy, but it was insignificant.
“But there’s something I need to tell you. On Lu Zhenxing’s birthday, representatives from all major sects will come to celebrate.”
Hua Yan nodded, “So what?”
Xie Yingxian said, “With everyone present, it’s a good opportunity. Bai Yufeng is furious and might demand to settle scores. Yu Ye harbors resentment and has ties with Yin Xiangsi; he might make a move too… Do you understand what I’m saying?”