Chapter 196: Decisive Action
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious.
He hadn’t expected her to admit it so readily. And her tone didn’t sound like she was joking.
“You knew about the Soul Moon’s transformation, Valley Master?”
“Of course.”
“So you knew what was going to happen, and yet you allowed yourself to be imprisoned?”
“I wanted to see how far the First Elder would go.”
The Valley Master’s smile remained bright and carefree. “And she was quite decisive. She acted swiftly and secretly, capturing me without anyone noticing. I have to commend her efficiency.”
“But you knew about her plot. Why didn’t you resist?”
Lin Tianlu said thoughtfully, “And you don’t sound regretful or angry.”
The Valley Master narrowed her eyes and said something shocking. “Because I didn’t want to resist.”
“You… You intentionally let the First Elder capture you?”
“Indeed.”
She smiled seductively. “To avoid suspicion, I pretended to be my usual self. I only feigned panic when I fell into her trap, to make her believe she had succeeded.”
The Valley Master touched her chest, her voice filled with mock exasperation. “But I didn’t expect her to be so rough with me, all those restraints and seals… I almost thought I would be trapped here forever. It was quite a headache.”
Lin Tianlu was silent for a moment.
Then he said thoughtfully, “It seems even you, Valley Master, couldn’t avoid the Soul Moon’s influence.”
The Valley Master’s eyebrows twitched, and she admitted frankly, “You’re right, Master Lin. I did it because of the Soul Moon.”
She looked up at the night sky, her voice soft as she explained.
“The Soul Moon originated from the Moon Soul Sacred Sect a thousand years ago. It’s a sacred artifact, passed down through the Saintess. It contains the essence of our sect, the culmination of generations of knowledge and power. But… the deeper one cultivates the Moon Soul Sacred Sect’s techniques, the more susceptible they become to the Soul Moon’s influence.”
“The First Elder is a prime example. And I’m no exception.”
“When the previous Saintess passed away, the Soul Moon was released, seeking a new vessel. I knew the moment I sensed the change that things were going to get out of control.”
The Valley Master flexed her wrists, still sore from the restraints. “If I hadn’t let the First Elder capture me, while I still had some control over my mind, and used those chains to seal myself here, I fear I would have done something even worse than her.
It was safer for everyone in the Lunar Valley for her to drain my Yin energy and keep me locked up.”
Lin Tianlu was speechless.
So the Soul Moon, a legacy of the Moon Soul Sacred Sect, was also its greatest weakness.
No wonder the Saintess was so important to the Lunar Valley.
“You were willing to sacrifice yourself for the sake of your people, Valley Master. That’s truly admirable.”
“There’s nothing admirable about my cowardice.”
The Valley Master sighed, her voice filled with shame. “I simply shifted the burden to the other elders.”
Lin Tianlu pondered her words, then smiled faintly and bowed respectfully.
“You knew all along that there would be a solution, didn’t you, Valley Master?”
“Oh?”
The shame on her face vanished, replaced by a mischievous smile. “You’ve seen through me again, Master Lin?”
“You don’t seem like someone who would give up so easily.” Lin Tianlu said meaningfully. “It must have something to do with fortune-telling.”
The Valley Master’s eyes widened in surprise.
Then she nodded, her voice filled with wonder. “You’re right, Master Lin. I’m somewhat skilled in divination. The First Elder foresaw the arrival of a special individual. And I foresaw—”
She looked at him intently.
“—The arrival of an extraordinary man, someone who would shatter the Soul Moon and sever the thousand-year-old curse. And after that, the ‘Lunar’ and the ‘Moon Soul’ would finally part ways.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression remained calm, and he bowed slightly. “You flatter me, Valley Master. I’m just doing what I can. But I’m curious, why would you allow an outsider to interfere in the Lunar Valley’s affairs, to destroy a sacred artifact of the Moon Soul Sacred Sect?”
The Valley Master’s eyes flickered, her voice turning serious. “The Soul Moon wasn’t static. Over the past thousand years, it has been corrupted by… impurities. The ancient resentment and hatred have become twisted and extreme, willing to do anything to achieve their goal of revival.
I also want to see change in the Lunar Valley, but I wouldn’t gamble with the lives of my people, condemning them to a fate worse than death.”
Her expression turned grim, her voice filled with conviction. “That thousand-year legacy is no longer a source of strength and guidance, but a poison, slowly consuming our Lunar Valley, dragging us down with it.
If we cling to the past, we’ll only destroy ourselves. We must… make a clean break.”
“Only by destroying the old can we create something new.”
Her words, filled with determination and wisdom, impressed Lin Tianlu.
This Valley Master was no fool.
“And now—”
The Valley Master smiled gently. “It seems my choice was the right one.”
Lin Tianlu bowed his head respectfully. “Your courage and wisdom are admirable, Valley Master.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “There’s no need for praise, Master Lin… I simply left the matter in your hands. I feel quite guilty for not taking action myself.”
Lin Tianlu smiled, not wanting to dwell on the topic.
Now that he understood the situation, there was no need for further questions.
“Valley Master, you’ve just been freed. Shouldn’t you rest for a while?”
“I’ll help clean up this mess.”
The Valley Master chuckled. “I’ve been resting for almost ten days. It’s time to get moving.”
She stretched, then frowned slightly, her voice hesitant. “Master Lin, I’m feeling a bit weak. Could you help me?”
“Just hold onto my arm, Valley Master.” Lin Tianlu took off his outer robe and wrapped it around her.
She was startled by his kindness, then she looked up at him, noticing that his eyes were still closed. Her smile softened, and she gently tapped his chest. “Why don’t you take Ruoyu and the others back to their rooms to rest, Master Lin? I’ll deal with these matters. We can talk properly tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
“And—”
The Valley Master’s smile faded, and she said seriously, “Thank you for saving the Lunar Valley, Master Lin. I won’t forget your kindness.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and lifted her into his arms, leaping gracefully into the air. “Just let Ruoyu and me visit more often during the holidays, Valley Master. That would be enough.”
They emerged from the underground chamber, landing softly in the moonlit valley.