Transmigrated Into A Waste Who Married The Villain. Chapter 61: Feelings (Part Two)

The woman gently shook her head. “But among those who have come to the mountains over the years, who hasn’t done so for the sake of their loved ones?”

Luo Jinxiao, having just experienced immense sorrow and enduring the cold for so long, suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She stumbled forward, but the woman reached out and steadied her by the shoulder.

After examining her for a moment, the woman suddenly asked, “What if it’s a life for a life? Would you be willing?”

Luo Jinxiao clutched the woman’s arm, looking up, but she couldn’t make out her face clearly. In the end, she gave up, hanging her head in silence.

“If you’re unwilling, then you may leave. I require a payment for saving a life,” the woman said as she tried to stand up, but Luo Jinxiao forcefully pulled her back.

Her lips trembled, and her fingertips felt numb.

She had never experienced such a deep well of emotions for someone, and if it were her lying there instead, would Qu Weiyin fight vigorously to save her?

Surely she would.

“I am willing,” Luo Jinxiao said, mustering her breath and nodding firmly. “Take whatever you need; I’ll give you anything.”

The woman’s eyelashes fluttered, and an expression of incomprehensible emotion surged in her eyes, appearing simultaneously sorrowful and calm.

“Where is he?” she asked.

“At Wuhui Mountain, Han Yun Cliff,” Luo Jinxiao replied through clenched teeth.

“His physical body has died? But is his soul still present?”

“The physical body has perished, but the soul remains.” Luo Jinxiao fought against the urge to collapse and reached into her pouch, retrieving a crystal-clear, green stone before placing it in the woman’s hand. “This might be of some use?”

The woman accepted the stone with her fair palm, examining it closely. “The dead wood finds spring; this has the essence of the earth and heavens.”

“Just wait a moment. I’ll go check,” she said, gripping the stone firmly in her hand as she turned to leave. With no support, Luo Jinxiao finally tipped sideways and collapsed into the snow.

The woman paused for a moment, then turned back and crouched down again. With a swish of her long sleeve, Luo Jinxiao vanished from her spot.

Luo Jinxiao was awakened by a wave of warmth. Blinking her eyes open groggily, she found herself in a massive ice chamber. The cold surrounded her, yet her body felt extraordinarily warm, as if a fire were burning within her.

Propping herself up, she looked around and saw the woman lying atop a transparent block of ice, her silver hair cascading like water.

This time, she could finally see the woman’s appearance. Other than the head of silver hair, she looked nothing like someone who had lived for thousands of years. Her skin was delicate and youthful, akin to that of a young girl. Her lips were slightly rosy and glossy, reflecting the soft glow of the lamplight.

Even her eyelashes were a pale gray. With her eyes closed, she presented a breathtaking sight.

Luo Jinxiao thought to herself that among all the beauties she had encountered in her two lifetimes, only Qu Weiyin and this woman could rival each other.

The woman appeared very tired, her brows furrowed and her expression troubled. As if sensing Luo Jinxiao’s movements, she suddenly opened her eyes, revealing deep, glass-like orbs.

“You’re awake,” she said, then slowly sat up. Her silver hair draped over her shoulders. If Qu Weiyin had performed this motion, it would have been charming and seductive; yet for this woman, it exuded an aura of noble coolness that made her look like an emperor, even while lying on a block of ice.

Luo Jinxiao hurriedly averted her gaze and nodded, asking, “Sect Master, what about Master Uncle…?”

“She will recover, but demonic energy has damaged her internal organs. She will inevitably be a bit weaker moving forward.” The woman stood up, though her steps wavered slightly. Luo Jinxiao quickly moved closer to offer her support.

The woman gave a slight smile, her gaze flickering to Luo Jinxiao’s outstretched fingers as she shook her head. “Yet I am the one who might take your life; how can you be so unconcerned?”

Seeing the woman’s exhausted expression, Luo Jinxiao understood that saving Qu Weiyin was by no means a simple task. She lowered her head, closing her eyes briefly before opening them again, cautiously asking, “May I see her just once more?”

“No,” the woman replied, shaking her head. “Anyone who has seen me can never descend from this Southern Dipper Peak for all eternity.”

Luo Jinxiao let out a soft “oh” and closed her eyes again, saying, “Thank you for saving me, Sect Master. Please proceed.”

The woman gazed at Luo Jinxiao as she slowly approached, her pale, slender hand resting on her neck. Her eyes, however, remained fixed on Luo Jinxiao’s brows and eyes, unblinking.

Luo Jinxiao had already resigned herself to her fate, feeling somewhat at peace. After all, having died once, she was not particularly afraid of death.

Yet the woman’s icy hand lingered on her throat for what seemed like an eternity, without making any further move.

“It’s too similar,” the woman suddenly sighed.

Luo Jinxiao opened her eyes in surprise. “Similar to what?”

The woman abruptly withdrew her hand, gliding gracefully past Luo Jinxiao, the cool, smooth fabric of her veil brushing against her cheek.

“Come with me; I wish for you to meet someone.”

This ice chamber connected to a stone cave that was even colder than the outside. Luo Jinxiao had to use her spiritual energy to keep herself from freezing solid. Despite the chill, the cave was remarkably clean, showing signs of daily upkeep. Even in the corners, a few plum blossoms were arranged, exuding a subtle fragrance.

In the center of the cave lay a wooden coffin, an ordinary one at that, yet it was adorned to resemble a warm, inviting bed, with a few strings of candied hawthorn berries placed beside it.

Though the sight was eerie, it also possessed a kind of poignant beauty.

Suddenly, Luo Jinxiao remembered the story Lu Fanzhi had once told her—could this be the woman the Sect Master loved?

Gathering her courage, she leaned in closer to take a look. The woman inside the coffin appeared as if she were merely sleeping—her skin looked delicate and flawless, slightly childish in appearance. There was a striking resemblance to Luo Jinxiao in the features around her eyes and brows.

Upon seeing the woman, the Sect Master’s expression softened, her gaze filled with tenderness as she knelt beside the coffin, studying her intently.

“I have saved the lives of thousands, yet I could never bring her back,” the woman lamented.

“On that day, she took a blow for me and endured the heavenly tribulation. Her soul scattered, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t find her again.”

Even though the woman’s voice was remarkably calm, it struck Luo Jinxiao’s ears with an indescribable pain.

“Is her name Qu Weiyin?” the woman suddenly asked.

Luo Jinxiao paused for a moment before nodding vigorously.

“You love her.”

Love? Luo Jinxiao was about to nod in agreement, but something in the woman’s tone made her hesitate, unsure of how to respond.

The woman looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes, and a smile played at the corners of her lips. “Could it be that you don’t understand anything yet you’re willing to exchange your life?”

“Do you wish to hold her, to kiss her, to take her hand, wanting to be with her for a lifetime?” The woman spoke these words with a gleam in her eyes that seemed to carry warmth and a touch of earthly charm.

Luo Jinxiao pondered over this, and suddenly her face turned crimson. Stupidly, she scratched her head, her mind conjuring an image of herself embracing Qu Weiyin’s waist.

The woman burst into laughter, shaking her head. “What a foolish child. She thinks about these things far more than you do. When I was restoring her pulse, all she called out was your name.”

“Luo Jinxiao?”

Luo Jinxiao nodded repeatedly, a pang of sorrow filling her heart. Even if she dared to openly like Qu Weiyin, what would come of it? Soon, she would no longer see her. All she hoped was that after Qu Weiyin returned to life, she would be a bit happier than usual.

Seeing the resolute yet sorrowful expression on her face, the woman shook her head. “Don’t worry; I won’t kill you. But you must stay here and guard her, as if you had already perished.”

“You must keep watch for a lifetime,” she added.

At this, Luo Jinxiao felt no real emotional upheaval. Let Qu Weiyin think that she had died, and after ten years or a hundred years had passed, she would surely forget her.

“Yes, Sect Master,” she whispered softly, her gaze turning dull and resolute.