Su Feng Hua gave a cold smile, “We spread the word early, and sure enough, among those twelve beauties, someone was replaced by an insider from Tian Gang… But the person turned out to be from the mortal world. Young Master, that was a clean and beautiful move. As for the ‘Shan Shui Yao’, my Huan Sha Sect does not have the financial or human resources to collect landscape paintings from various places. Naturally, we could only rely on the help of the Young Master. I didn’t expect the Young Master to trust Chu Xia so much, hehe.”
“Inside this secret chamber in Jun Mountain, you’ve already taken the items stored here long ago. It’s just that you didn’t find this silver box, which is why you lured me here, isn’t it?” The Young Master remembered the thin layer of dust on the stone bookcase, his eyes darkening.
“Indeed. In this aspect, the Young Master did not disappoint.”
“And what about Master Tu Feng? Did you have him killed too? What secret are you trying to hide? ‘Be cautious from beginning to end’… Is that a reminder for you not to forget your own intentions?”
Chu Xia’s amber eyes moved slightly, a strange smile flitting across her face, seemingly of despair or resignation: “What’s the point of asking these questions now?”
The Young Master looked at her intently, “Do you really not want to explain? Are you determined to give up… this last chance?”
“Last chance?” Chu Xia murmured the words, her eyes suddenly misting over… Yes, the last chance, her and his last chance — but how could she explain? Everything he should have guessed, he had guessed; even what he shouldn’t have guessed… even she herself couldn’t explain.
“You want to destroy Tian Gang, I’ll do it for you; you want the ‘Shan Shui Yao’, I’ll give it to you; you want to kill Tu Feng, I’ll deal with the consequences in Shaolin; I don’t want to delve into past events… I can forgive you for all this, but Chu Xia… you didn’t even spare Qing Long?”
The Young Master paused, seemingly at a loss, “He was like a child, so frank even in his affection for you… Is your blood truly cold?”
Chu Xia suddenly closed her eyes, as if not hearing the soft weeping of Bai Xue beside her, repeating in a low voice, “Yes… my blood is cold.”
For a moment, no one spoke. Cang Qian Lang’s voice came calmly, “Young Master, should we apprehend them?”
Looking over, the Young Master’s cheeks seemed slightly gaunt, his thin lips pressed into a straight line, his deep eyes reflecting only Chu Xia’s figure, his voice low, “Tell me, why are you so fearless? Is it because you believe I like you and will surely let you go?”
He unsheathed his Yu Yang sword, its snowy blade pointing directly at Chu Xia’s heart. Beside Chu Xia, Su Feng Hua, as if to provoke him, laughed, “Just moments ago, you were praising the Young Master for his loyalty. How quick to change your tune?”
Chu Xia did not respond to him, just looking at the Young Master, even slightly puffing out her chest, “You… kill me.”
The Young Master held the Yu Yang sword steady, his gaze unwaveringly on her, the sword’s tip piercing her clothes, a hint of red blood seeping through.
“Jun Ye An, even if you no longer remember the affection we once shared, you shouldn’t kill her…” Su Feng Hua stepped forward, laughing, “Ah Hui… she’s your half-sister.”
“What?” Jun Ye An and Chu Xia exclaimed almost in unison, their voices filled with shock.
Su Feng Hua remained silent for a long time, a cruel smile at the corner of his lips: “Yes, didn’t the old Sect Master tell you… Ah Hui, you are siblings.”
Jun Ye An’s sword shifted, pointing at Su Feng Hua’s throat, his voice showing urgency and anger: “Say that again.”
Su Feng Hua pinched the blade with his thumb and index finger, enunciating clearly, “Jun Ye An, you and Chu Xia are half-siblings. Is that clear enough? Your father was quite the philanderer, which you should know. What’s so surprising about an extra sister?”
Chu Xia stepped back, almost unable to stand, trembling, “She… never told me—I don’t believe it! I absolutely don’t believe it!”
Under the moonlight, her hair was disheveled, her pupils nearly scattered, murmuring, “How could it be…”
The Young Master closed his eyes briefly, hiding his reluctance, and after a long pause, asked, “Who was her mother?”
Su Feng Hua sighed, raising the silver box in his hand, “All the secrets of Jun Tian You’s life are here. Do you want to know?”
The Young Master, without speaking, swiftly retrieved the box with a movement so fast it was almost unseen. Before he could unlock it, he forcefully pried it open with his fingers. Upon opening, a burnt smell filled the air. The letters inside had turned to ash, unreadable. He angrily asked, “When did you tamper with it?”
“Just now. Did you think I would let you know everything so easily? Haha! Years ago, Jun Tian You caused the death of my parents. Thankfully, he died early; otherwise, I would have returned his actions a hundredfold, a thousandfold today.” Su Feng Hua laughed, feeling immense pleasure, “As for you, Jun Ye An, you’ll probably spend the rest of your life in regret and speculation.” He watched Jun Ye An’s expression closely, smiling, “Come closer, I’ll tell you.”
“Young Master, don’t—” The Young Master approached indifferently, and Su Feng Hua whispered something in his ear, then loudly concluded, “Jun Ye An, you’ve enjoyed honor in the first half of your life, but in the second half… I’ll make sure you desire what you can’t have.”
The Young Master’s expression changed, lips pressed together for a long time, “Who exactly are you?”
“I and Ah Hui, oh, Chu Xia — we are both holy envoys of the Huan Sha Sect. It took us three years to plan to place her by your side, and fortunately, Young Master Jun did not disappoint with his heroic love.” Su Feng Hua glanced at Chu Xia, the corner of his mouth curling up, “Ah Hui, you’ve done well, not disappointing the Sect Master’s expectations.”
Chu Xia’s lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something but ultimately did not. The Young Master gazed at her for a long time, finally dismissing Cang Qian Lang with a wave of his hand, and said softly, “Girl, I’ve said before, in this life, I’m not afraid of being outmatched or deceived — but I hate being lied to by the one I love. Now, I only ask you one question.”
“Ask.”
“Have you ever felt anything for me?”
Chu Xia’s long lashes drooped, silent. He asked if she had ever felt anything for him… How could she not? From watching snow in Mei Valley, sharing hearts by Jing Lake, to later, his indulgence and open-heartedness… How could she not be moved? She closed her eyes tightly, her mind blank, only one word remaining: “Yes.”
But this one word… how could it overcome the barriers of ethics, morality, mountains, and rivers? She had so much to say in her heart, yet she couldn’t utter a single word, just murmured, “Yes.”
“Good…” The young master gently caressed her cheek, yet gave a slight smile, addressing Su Fenghua, “If revenge is merely about killing to pay for a life, it would be rather petty. You’ve destroyed what I held dear in my heart. Are you satisfied now?” Su Fenghua smiled faintly, “Very satisfied.”
“You may leave now. I won’t pursue the past anymore. Girl, the martial world is full of dangers… and you can sometimes be too naive…” The young master paused, seemingly feeling that the word “naive” was inappropriate, and gave a self-deprecating smile before continuing, “Do not get involved in this anymore.”
“Chuxia has made a great contribution; the sect leader certainly won’t blame him, instead, she’ll reward her well,” Su Fenghua said with a light laugh. “Jun Ye’an, you don’t need to worry about this.”
Chuxia coldly interrupted him, standing before the young master, enunciating each word, “Indeed, I am the one who killed Qinglong. Jun Ye’an, kill me then.”
