Chapter 113: I Can’t Bear to Let Her Go
Qinglian City was adorned with festive decorations. Everyone was busy preparing for the upcoming celebration.
A figure darted through the moss-covered stone streets, splashing through puddles, swift as the wind, heading towards the pavilion beside the clan’s main hall.
“Luo Luo!” Chen Yin burst through the door.
…The room was empty.
Chen Yin paused, then turned to leave, when Qingying’s cold voice came from behind him:
“Don’t bother.”
“Even if you find her, what then?”
“Are you going to stop her?”
Chen Yin didn’t answer.
“Ya Ya and the others made it clear. They’re hiding this from you because they don’t want you to be sad.”
“Even if you find her, you can’t change anything.” Qingying said calmly.
Chen Yin lowered his head, his eyes unfocused.
Ya Ya’s words echoed in his ears.
“The Azure Fox clan is connected to the void, guarding a void seal located deep within the barrier. This seal has been passed down since ancient times, and only Azure Foxes with the purest bloodline can maintain it.”
“When the current guardian’s bloodline weakens, their descendant must awaken their bloodline and take over their duty.”
“The Lotus Birth Ceremony is the ritual for bloodline awakening.”
“The seal needs to be reinforced every two hundred years. The guardian must enter the seal, where even time stands still, and use their bloodline’s power to strengthen it.”
“Madam Qingmei has been the guardian for nearly a thousand years. She can only return to the world for less than twenty years every two hundred years. This is her fourth time.”
“Now, Madam Qingmei’s bloodline is weakening, and only Luo Luo can reinforce the seal.”
Chen Yin hadn’t realized that such a heavy responsibility lay behind the so-called celebration.
He had thought it was just a coming-of-age ceremony. He had planned to return in ten days or half a month to see Luo Luo again.
But…
If he left today…
He might never see her again.
Human lifespans were shorter than those of demons. Except for anomalies like his Master, even Grand Clarity Realm cultivators rarely lived past two hundred years.
Chen Yin wasn’t confident he could cultivate the “Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra” to the same level as his Master. Even if he could, two hundred years was simply too long.
Long enough for one person to forget another.
…Luo Luo knew this too.
She must have known that this parting might be their last.
That’s why she had said those words to him.
But he hadn’t noticed anything at the time.
If only he had realized sooner.
“I want to see her,” Chen Yin said to Qingying.
“As who? As her ‘Young Master’?”
Qingying leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed. “You said it yourself. You’re no longer her Young Master.”
“As a friend, you should be happy for her, like Ya Ya and the others.”
“Awakening her bloodline is a good thing for her. It will greatly enhance her cultivation.”
Chen Yin’s eyes were unfocused.
Yes.
If he saw Luo Luo, what would he say to her?
Tell her not to go?
Tell her that she was his servant and he wouldn’t allow her to leave?
Chen Yin couldn’t say those words. He didn’t think he had the right to control someone else’s life.
Luo Luo was different from Shen Shuanglian and Yu Xiang. Their encounter had been a coincidence.
He had taken her in as his servant. She had accompanied him through the most difficult part of his journey to save Xiang’er.
He still felt a sense of guilt towards her.
He didn’t know what right he had to ask her to stay.
More importantly… what if this was her own choice?
Seeing Chen Yin’s silence, Qingying couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
…Serves you right. You bully me all the time, now it’s your turn to be unhappy.
“You knew about this all along, didn’t you?” Chen Yin suddenly asked.
“You were the only one who didn’t know.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Because you always bully me.” Qingying smiled triumphantly, as if she had finally gotten her revenge.
Chen Yin lowered his gaze, his eyes dull and lifeless. He didn’t retort or tease her like he usually did.
He just stared out the window silently.
Qingying had never seen him like this before.
After a moment of hesitation, she lowered her head, her voice softening slightly.
“Alright… I’m sorry for not telling you. Is that okay?”
“Why are you apologizing? You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s my fault.” Chen Yin shook his head.
…I should have noticed sooner.
Noticed her strange behavior.
“I’m telling you,” Qingying couldn’t help but say, “Seeing her again will only make things more painful. It’s better to just say goodbye.”
“It’s better to forget each other than to stay together and suffer, isn’t it?”
“But I’m not a fish. And neither is Luo Luo.”
Chen Yin shook his head gently. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to see her.”
Even if it was her own choice…
…He had to say goodbye properly, face to face.
“Hey!”
Qingying watched as he left the room, stomping her foot angrily. “What about our trip to the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain?!”
As dusk settled, lanterns began to illuminate the mountain city.
Chen Yin was still searching as the sky gradually darkened.
Countless lanterns, each beautifully decorated, were lit in front of every house, transforming the city into a magical and dreamlike wonderland.
By the lake at the foot of the mountain, many Azure Foxes had gathered with their families to release floating lanterns.
One by one, the lanterns drifted across the surface of the vast, shimmering lake, carried by lotus leaves.
“It’s starting soon, it’s starting soon!” Ya Ya and the others had already arrived at the lakeside, lollipops in their mouths, their eyes fixed on a wooden boat by the shore.
“Is that the Lotus Boat made by Madam Qingmei?”
“It’s so beautiful… The entire boat is like a giant lantern.”
“I wish I could ride on that Lotus Boat one day.” Ya Ya said with a wistful expression.
At that moment, Ya Ya suddenly noticed a familiar figure standing by the lake.
“Huh? Is that… Brother Chen?”
Not just her. Many Azure Foxes noticed Chen Yin standing there motionless and began to whisper amongst themselves, pointing at him.
But he seemed oblivious, his gaze fixed on the boat.
“Young Master Chen, the celebration is about to begin.”
An Azure Fox servant approached him and said respectfully, “It’s not appropriate for outsiders to watch. Please return.”
“I want to see Luo Luo.” Chen Yin said seriously.
“Well… Miss Luo Luo is preparing for the ceremony. She can’t be disturbed.”
“Then I’ll wait until she’s ready.”
Chen Yin remained by the lakeside, unmoving, like a statue.
The servant looked troubled, unsure what to do, when a seductive voice rang out:
“You’re not a man of your word, Young Master Chen. Didn’t you promise to leave today?”
Chen Yin turned and saw Qingmei Niang, dressed in a beautiful and flowing dress, landing gracefully by the lake.
“What’s this? Are you reluctant to part with Luo Luo?” Qingmei Niang asked with a playful smile.
Chen Yin bowed respectfully. “Madam Qingmei, I need to speak with Luo Luo.”
“Unfortunately, you’re a step too late, Young Master Chen.” Qingmei Niang’s lips curled into a smile. “That girl is preparing for her bloodline awakening ceremony. She doesn’t have time to see you.”
“I must speak with her, no matter what. Please, Madam Qingmei, grant me this request.”
“What if… I refuse?” Qingmei Niang’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Chen Yin’s expression remained unchanged. He said calmly, “Then I’ll have to be disrespectful.”
Qingmei Niang’s smile faded.
Chen Yin stood his ground, his eyes clear and calm, his resolve unwavering.
“With your temper, Young Master Chen,”
“You even cleaved through our city’s protective formation without hesitation. I assume you won’t leave easily if you don’t get to see her today.” Qingmei Niang chuckled.
“Unfortunately, I can’t allow that.”
“…Luo Luo’s bloodline awakening is a matter of great importance. I can’t let you interfere.” A strange glint flashed in her alluring eyes.
The next moment, the scenery around Chen Yin began to shift rapidly. He felt the familiar sensation of being connected to the void, as if he was about to be teleported away.
He looked up at Qingmei Niang, a smile still on her face.
“I apologize for the inconvenience, Young Master.”
Qingmei Niang winked at him. “I’ll apologize properly later.”
“But for now, excuse—”
Her words were cut short, and her smile froze on her face.
Before her very eyes, Chen Yin slowly drew his Eternal Light sword.
Then, with a swift and effortless motion, he swung it.
The sword erupted in a blinding light, like the brightest lantern by the lake, so bright that it was impossible to look directly at it.
The very space seemed to tear apart under its power.
Bathed in the radiant light, Chen Yin stood on the shore, his sword in hand.
“Excuse me,”
Chen Yin returned her words, “I’ll apologize properly to Madam Qingmei later.”
“But today,”
“I must see Luo Luo.”
On the Azure Lotus Boat, a pair of fox ears perked up, listening intently to the commotion outside.
Qingmei Niang’s voice turned cold, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you so persistent, Young Master Chen? The master-servant contract has been broken. You’re no longer her Young Master.”
“But she’s my only servant.”
“I can’t bear to let her go.” Chen Yin said seriously, each word deliberate.
On the boat, Luo Luo’s eyes widened slightly, her breath catching in her throat.
…Fireworks exploded in the night sky.
Bursts of colorful light, one after another, painted the sky, a breathtaking spectacle. The cheers of the Azure Foxes echoed across the lake.
Chen Yin looked up, and he heard the sound of wooden clogs on the deck of the boat.
Luo Luo was dressed in an extravagant and ornate traditional dress.
Her pink and white skirt, adorned with blooming flower patterns, trailed behind her on the deck.
Her makeup was elaborate and striking, her lips red, her teeth white, her eyes as bright as lanterns in the night. A magnificent floral crown adorned her head.
She looked completely different from the innocent and clingy little fox he knew.
She was a stunning young woman, her beauty breathtaking.
“Young Master,” Luo Luo said softly, a gentle smile on her lips.
“Did you come to find Luo Luo?”
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