Luo JinXiao felt even more embarrassed. She wanted to explain, but the more she talked, the more suspicious it seemed.
“Healing takes a lot out of you. Anyway, I can’t explain it to you. You’re just slacking off while I go help,” Luo JinXiao muttered, transforming into a flash of light and disappearing.
“Hey!” Lu Fanzhi took a couple of steps forward, but the spot was already empty.
Luo JinXiao joined her Wu Hui Sect brothers and sisters in demon-cleansing, taking down one demon after another. Yet, her thoughts constantly wandered, with Qu WeiYin’s face surfacing in her mind repeatedly.
After shooing away Qu WeiYin’s image for what felt like the hundredth time, a fellow brother patted her shoulder, saying, “What are you thinking about, Junior Sister? We’re done.”
Luo JinXiao looked up at the sky, realizing it was already dusk, the horizon draped in a soft, beautiful red.
“Ah, thank you, Brother,” she replied politely, sheathing her divine sword.
The brother seemed intrigued by her sword, his gaze lingering on it. “That’s quite a unique sword. I’ve never seen one like it. Does it have a name?”
Luo JinXiao glanced at the exquisite sword in her hand, shaking her head. “No. I didn’t know its name when I got it.”
“Strange. Usually, ancient swords have names. I love studying weapons, and yours looks and functions like a fine ancient sword. It’s a pity it has no name.”
Luo JinXiao weighed the sword, agreeing with his logic, and made a mental note.
When Luo JinXiao returned to the inn, the sky was completely dark, yet Qu WeiYin had not returned. Her room was pitch black, showing no signs of being disturbed.
Luo JinXiao sighed, skipping dinner and lying down, pondering what name to give her divine sword but finding no satisfying answer.
Outside, voices drifted in—Tang Lan’er arguing with a middle-aged man as they descended the stairs. From Tang Lan’er’s tone, she still refused to return to the sect with her father.
Once the outside quieted, Luo JinXiao resumed her thoughts. A well-rested QiongQi crawled out of the pouch and lay beside her, resting its head on her chest, moving with her breaths.
After an unknown amount of time, when Luo JinXiao was nearly asleep, QiongQi suddenly lifted its head, peering out the window.
“Is Little Martial Aunt back?” Luo JinXiao’s mind cleared instantly. She opened her eyes and, alongside QiongQi, peered out.
QiongQi let out a confirming howl.
Luo JinXiao leapt from the bed, listening at the door. After a while, it was still silent, with no sign of Qu WeiYin coming upstairs.
Feeling puzzled, she waited a bit longer but grew impatient, turning back to her room. Spiritual energy surged, transforming her into a silver light. When she opened her eyes again, she stood under the inn’s sign, the night wind biting.
She smoothed her wind-tousled hair and looked into the distance. On the inn’s high rooftop sat a woman in white, holding a wine jug, lost in thought. A full moon hung behind her, casting a gentle glow.
The light made her appear ethereal, her features obscured, her clothes fluttering like those of a celestial being.
Luo JinXiao gazed up at her, one on high and one below, separated by distance.
Until her neck ached, Qu WeiYin finally looked down, noticing her. She set the wine jug aside, saying, “Come up.”
With permission granted, Luo JinXiao joyfully leapt up, her robe fluttering, landing beside Qu WeiYin. She sat down boldly, tilting her head to look at her. “Little Martial Aunt, the night dew is heavy. Why aren’t you back in your room?”
Qu WeiYin looked displeased, scolding, “Can’t you sit properly?”
She reached out to tidy Luo JinXiao’s rumpled skirt but withdrew her hand, her expression darkening, avoiding her gaze.
Luo JinXiao watched Qu WeiYin closely. She seemed very tired, her beautiful brows furrowed, burdened by heavy thoughts.
“Little Martial Aunt, what did you do today?” Luo JinXiao couldn’t stop the concern from spilling out.
Qu WeiYin shook her head, not answering. “My business is none of your concern.”
Luo JinXiao felt a wave of frustration, yet she also realized there was no reason for it. Qu WeiYin had her own matters to attend to, things Luo JinXiao couldn’t and shouldn’t interfere with.
“But maybe I can help, even just a little,” Luo JinXiao persisted.
Qu WeiYin turned to her, her gaze softening. She gently shook her head, her lips parting slightly. “It’s dangerous.”
“Focus on your cultivation. If there’s danger, use the spirit stone to call me. Don’t ask about anything else.”
Luo JinXiao bit her lip, disappointment clouding her eyes. She sighed, resting her chin on her knees.
“Little Martial Aunt, do you not trust me at all?” Luo JinXiao spoke with a hint of stubbornness in her tone.
“There are many things about you I don’t know,” she sighed, realizing how much she cared for Qu WeiYin. But being left in the dark was frustrating.
“The less you know, the better,” Qu WeiYin’s eyes were unreadable. “I only want you safe.”
Her voice was so soft that Luo JinXiao thought she heard the wind.
Qu WeiYin finished the last of her wine, glancing at the sky. “It’s late. Go rest.”
She rose, but her skirt was caught. Luo JinXiao suddenly remembered something, summoning her divine sword. Holding onto Qu WeiYin’s skirt, she looked up. “Little Martial Aunt, can you name my sword?”
“Why the sudden thought? Naming it should be your decision, or your master’s,” Qu WeiYin said, glancing at the sword, exasperated.
“I want you to name it,” Luo JinXiao insisted, knowing that the more she acted like a spoiled child, the less likely Qu WeiYin would get angry.
Qu WeiYin looked into Luo JinXiao’s bright, moonlit eyes, her heart stirred. She quickly turned away, avoiding her gaze.
“Wu Jue,” she said.
“Wu Jue?” Luo JinXiao repeated, mulling over the name. “Does it pair with Wu Hui?”
“Think what you want. Use it or not. I’m leaving,” Qu WeiYin said, spreading her arms and gracefully leaping off the roof.
Luo JinXiao hurriedly stood, calling after her, “Thank you for the name, Little Martial Aunt!”
Though she didn’t fully understand Qu WeiYin’s intention, she really liked the name.
Qu WeiYin returned to her room with a calm expression. Once inside, she seemed to shed a heavy burden, sitting on the bed with her fingers pressed to her forehead, looking exhausted.
The long-absent sword spirit appeared behind her, leaping in front, frowning. “I’ve sensed something off with you today. From what I saw earlier…”
“I can’t wait any longer. With what’s happening, I must act sooner,” Qu WeiYin said coldly, her eyes filled with a deadly resolve.
“In my past life, I became a demon, and he hid in fear his whole life. Though he died, I never got to personally end him. It’s a thorn in my heart. This time, I won’t let him go.”
“But you lack the power to confront him now. It could be mutually destructive. Plus, his cultivation has likely increased with that evil technique. A direct confrontation won’t work,” the sword spirit, unusually serious, cautioned.
“Yes. So I’ll use their own tactics against them,” Qu WeiYin declared, her gaze deep and filled with killing intent, even the sword spirit dared not meet her eyes.
“Alright. But take care of yourself, if only for that little girl. Though I still don’t understand what makes her so special to you,” the sword spirit mumbled, rubbing its chubby chin thoughtfully.
Qu WeiYin’s aura softened slightly, frowning. “What nonsense. Don’t talk rubbish.”
“I don’t believe you only see her as a junior to care for,” it continued, its expression cheeky. “Naming the sword Wu Jue… Everyone knows your sentiment: ‘I wish to know you, a long life without decline…'”
Before it could finish, it stiffened, its eyes rolling back as it collapsed, disappearing in pieces.
“Nonsense!” Qu WeiYin’s eyes burned with embarrassment.
Luo JinXiao stayed in the small town for a few more days before leaving with the group. Since that night, Qu WeiYin hadn’t appeared again.
The Wu Hui Sect saw little change, with disciples going missing every few days. Anxiety spread, and rumors circulated about sending disciples home.
This troubled many disciples, especially those with no home to return to. Even the bustling Bai Yu Platform was empty, leaving the sect desolate like the autumn scenery.
As autumn deepened, the trees on Wu Hui Mountain shed their leaves, branches bare against the sky.
Meanwhile, classes were canceled, leaving disciples to train alone. Lower-level disciples rarely left their quarters.
One day, Luo JinXiao sat in the noisy dormitory with Luo Ning and Lu Fanzhi, enjoying snacks sent by senior sisters for comfort. Suddenly, Situ Xue entered, softly saying, “Luo JinXiao, Yan Ying is looking for you.”
Hearing Yan Ying’s name, Luo Ning perked up, listening intently.
“Looking for me? What for?” Luo JinXiao asked, puzzled, turning to Luo Ning. “She hasn’t been following you around lately.”
“I don’t know. Maybe she’s tired of arguing with me,” Luo Ning replied, her round face looking even more so.
“Hey, I’ll go with you. She’s probably causing trouble again. Let’s see if I don’t give her a piece of my mind,” Lu Fanzhi said, getting up with her mouth full of crumbs, rolling up her sleeves.
Luo JinXiao tossed a handkerchief at her. “Clean your mouth first. She’s just outside. I’ll be back soon.”
Situ Xue smiled and left as Luo JinXiao wiped her mouth and stepped outside, seeing Yan Ying standing with her arms crossed.
Yan Ying’s once-vibrant face looked weary, her eyes shadowed, her spirit dull. Even seeing Luo JinXiao, her gaze flickered with annoyance, then emptiness.
“What do you want?” Luo JinXiao kept her distance, asking from afar.
“How’s Luo Ning been lately?” Yan Ying asked.
Luo JinXiao pointed to the door, puzzled. “She’s inside. If you want to talk, go in. Why ask me?”
Yan Ying shook her head quickly. “No, I can’t see her. Just tell me.”
She hesitated, making Luo JinXiao feel confused. “Anything else?”
Yan Ying seemed to make a decision, pulling her closer to whisper, “Can you reach Little Martial Aunt Qu? If you can, tell her someone’s been plotting against her for a long time. She’s in danger.”
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