Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: The Successor of Bodhidharma

Page 45

“This woman’s injuries are quite serious and she needs someone to take care of her.” Qiao Tian said calmly, but his gaze turned to Xiao Feng beside him. “Second brother, your internal strength is abundant, so you can help stabilize her heart. I’ll leave the task of taking care of her along the way to you.”

His tone was indifferent, as if he were merely assigning a trivial task, even carrying a hint of casualness, as if he found it troublesome. Xiao Feng was slightly taken aback. He was used to being bold and unrestrained; when had he ever taken such meticulous care of a strange woman? But since his elder brother had spoken, and rescuing someone in danger was a matter of chivalry, he did not refuse and nodded in agreement: "Yes, elder brother."

From then on, the girl named A'Zhu stayed in the group, under Xiao Feng's care. He fed her medicine, healed her wounds, and circulated his vital energy to sustain her life. After several days, A'Zhu's injuries gradually healed. When her bright, lively eyes fell on Xiao Feng, gratitude was mixed with an indescribable dependence and affection. Although Xiao Feng was not good at romantic talk, his hardened heart softened somewhat before the sight of this intelligent and beautiful girl.

After traveling for several more days, the group was nearing the territory of Wudang Mountain. That night, they settled in a dilapidated temple in the wilderness. By the campfire, Jinzha, who had been silently following them, suddenly stood up, walked to Qiao Tian, ​​and bowed respectfully.

"Master," Jinzha raised his head, his eyes filled with barely suppressed sharpness and longing, "I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary skills you have imparted to me. However, I am of a wild nature and cannot endure long periods of solitary cultivation in the mountains. I humbly request that you grant me permission to descend the mountain alone, to meet the heroes of the world, and to prove my skills with the sword in my hand!"

Qiao Tian looked at him, knowing that this disciple was proud and arrogant, and his swordsmanship was just beginning to take shape. It was the time for him to show his skills, and forcing him to stay would not be good. He nodded slightly and only gave him one piece of advice: "The road of the martial world is dangerous. Take care of yourself. Do not tarnish the name of Wudang, and do not lose your true self."

"Disciple will remember!" Jinzha's eyes flashed with wild joy. He bowed again, then stood up without hesitation. He grinned at his senior brother Huang Shang and junior sister Yao Yao, then clasped his hands in greeting to Xiao Feng, Xiao Yuanshan, and the others. With a flick of his wrist, he vanished into the vast night like an owl, leaving behind only a free and unrestrained silhouette. Yao Yao gazed in the direction her senior brother had left, a barely perceptible ripple flickering in her clear, cold eyes.

Upon returning to Wudang Mountain, Qiao Tian immediately began treating Xiao Yuanshan's injuries. In a quiet room on the back mountain, he used the supreme mental cultivation method of the *Marrow Cleansing Classic* to guide his own Yin-Yang balanced Nine Yang True Qi, clearing away the resentment and damaged meridians that had accumulated in Xiao Yuanshan over thirty years due to his forced practice of Shaolin techniques. The process was slow and exhausting, taking over a month to completely remove the hidden dangers from Xiao Yuanshan's body. Although Xiao Yuanshan had lost some of his overly fierce and monstrous true qi, he felt an unprecedented sense of ease and comfort. The lingering pain that had tormented him day and night had completely disappeared, and his mind was much clearer. His gaze towards Qiao Tian held less of his obsession and more of a complex and inexplicable gratitude and acceptance.

During this time, A'Zhu also fully recovered. She and Xiao Feng spent every day together, and feelings secretly blossomed between them. This intelligent woman somehow obtained a scroll of the *Yi Jin Jing* written in Sanskrit and quietly gave it to Xiao Feng, saying it might be beneficial to his martial arts. Xiao Feng appreciated her intentions but dared not practice it himself, instead giving it to Qiao Tian.

After reading it, Qiao Tian's expression turned slightly serious. He possessed profound knowledge of Sanskrit, Buddhist principles, and martial arts, and quickly grasped the key points. "Second Brother," he said, "this scripture is indeed a Shaolin treasure, vast and profound. But its essence lies in Buddhist cultivation, progressing step by step. You can practice the *Divine Foot Scripture* hidden within, but the *Yi Jin Jing* is extremely dangerous. Your internal strength and mental state haven't reached a state of clarity; forcing yourself to practice it will only be harmful." He handed the scripture along with his own translated and annotated key points to Xiao Feng, solemnly instructing him, "You can keep it for reference, to understand its methods of channeling energy and integrate them into your own martial arts, but never recite it verbatim or force yourself to break through. Remember, remember!"

Xiao Feng accepted the instruction with awe and carefully put the scriptures away.

Life in the mountains was peaceful and serene, and more than a month passed in the blink of an eye. Xiao Yuanshan had fully recovered from his injuries, and gazing towards the borderlands, his eyes often revealed a sense of reminiscence and melancholy. Xiao Feng knew his father's feelings, and with his own origins now clear, although the Central Plains were vast, it seemed there was nowhere left for him to linger. His affection for A'Zhu deepened day by day, and he also felt a desire to distance himself from the turmoil of the martial world.

On this day, the Xiao father and son bid farewell to Qiao Tian.

"Brother," Xiao Feng grasped Qiao Tian's hand, his tiger-like eyes slightly red, a thousand words finally turning into a bow, "The kindness of our parents in raising us, and the kindness of my elder brother in protecting us time and time again, Feng... will never forget!"

Qiao Tian helped him up, patting his younger brother's broad shoulder forcefully, everything understood without words. He looked at A'Zhu, who was already dressed and standing gracefully beside Xiao Feng, and at Xie Xiaoyu, who was silent but resolute, and nodded: "Go. The frontier is vast and perfect for you to ride horses. Take good care of Father, and take good care of Miss A'Zhu."

Xiao Yuanshan bowed deeply to Qiao Tian, ​​entrusting all grievances to this gesture.

Outside the gates of Wudang Mountain, along the ancient road, Xiao Feng, Xiao Yuanshan, A'Zhu, and Xie Xiaoyu bowed once more to Qiao Tian and the Wudang disciples who had come to see them off. Xiao Feng and Qiao Tian, ​​brothers, embraced warmly.

"Take care, brother!"

As the sun set, the four riders sped away, heading towards the vast and boundless grasslands beyond the Great Wall. Their figures blended into the rosy glow of the sky, and a legend belonging to Xiao Feng, the Southern King, and A'Zhu was about to slowly unfold in another world.

The martial arts world remains the same.

After the Battle of Shaoshi Mountain, Wudang's name resounded throughout the world, and it seemed poised to become the leader of all.

With Shaolin Temple closed, the landscape of the martial arts world is being reshaped, and beneath the surface, opportunities and crises coexist.

In the imperial court, Empress Dowager Gao, who was getting old, seemed to have the intention of returning power to the young and vigorous Emperor Zhezong of Song, Zhao Xu. A new round of power transition was brewing.

In a remote, mountainous region, ancient trees reach for the sky.

The young swordsman Jinzha, with a blade of grass dangling from his mouth and his face hidden by a bamboo hat, lay lazily on a thick tree branch, using his treasured sword, "Azure Frost," as a pillow. A mountain breeze swept by, carrying the scent of distant lands.

Suddenly, his ears twitched, and his sharp eyes, hidden beneath his straw hat, snapped open, gazing into the depths of the mountains. In the distance, startled birds took flight, and beasts fled in terror. Accompanied by the faint sounds of explosions, a powerful surge of energy rapidly spread from afar!

"Oh?" Jinzha's lips curled into an excited smile as he spat out the grass stem!

With a swift movement, he silently slid down the branch like a falling leaf, rushing towards the direction from which the commotion came.

Chapter 133 Is there anyone who can ask for a bowl of water?

In the heart of the Central Plains, an ordinary roadside inn.

It was nearing noon, and the inn was bustling with noise, a gathering place for all sorts of people. At one table by the window, however, the scene was quite peculiar. A beggar, dressed in tattered robes, his face greasy, his hair and beard tangled, was grabbing a greasy roasted chicken with his bare hands, tearing into it with gusto, making loud smacking noises as he ate, juices dripping down his face, completely oblivious to his surroundings.

Beside him, a middle-aged monk dressed in Tibetan robes, with a dignified appearance but a hint of helplessness and determination in his eyes, carefully poured him wine. This man was none other than the Tibetan National Preceptor, Kumārajīva. At this moment, he showed no airs of a National Preceptor, acting more like a servant attentively attending to the old man, occasionally trying to wipe the grease from the corner of Old Xuancheng's mouth with his sleeve, only to be impatiently waved away by the other.

"Senior, eat slowly, eat slowly, there's plenty more," Kumārajīva advised in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of a mother hen's nagging.

Just then, a burly Tibetan warrior with a weathered face strode into the inn, approached Kumārajīva, bowed, and whispered in Tibetan, "Grand Preceptor, urgent news from the royal court. The Tsanpu (king) urges you to return immediately after this matter is settled, as there are important matters to discuss!"

Kumārajīva frowned slightly, but his gaze never left Xuan Cheng, who was enjoying his meal. Looking at this seemingly mad but incredibly skilled martial artist, he recalled the time they had spent together. Though it had been mentally taxing, it had inexplicably filled a void within him. The thought of leaving Xuan Cheng in this state alone in the perilous world filled him with immense reluctance and worry.

“Reply to the King,” Kumārajīva’s gaze sharpened, his tone firm, “tell him that this humble monk still has important matters to attend to and must postpone his return. Once these matters are completed, he will return as soon as possible.”

The Tibetan warrior looked troubled and wanted to persuade him further: "Grand Preceptor, the Zanpu..."

Kumārajīva ignored him and turned to take a clean and tidy new set of clothes from the stool next to him. He walked to Xuancheng's side and said in a gentle tone that was almost coaxing, "Senior, look at these clothes. I specially prepared them for you. Shall we change into these clean ones? These old ones... are really quite unbearable."

Xuan Cheng munched on a chicken leg, rolled his cloudy eyes, and shook his head with a grin: "No way! The old ones are better, the old ones are more comfortable! The new ones are uncomfortable!"

Kumārajīva patiently spoke as if dealing with a mischievous child: "Senior, the new clothes are soft, warmer, and easier to move in. Look how fine the fabric is..."

One patiently persuaded, the other argued irrationally; this strange combination drew frequent glances and whispers from the other diners in the inn.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, in those remote, mountainous regions...

Jinzha moved like lightning, swiftly traversing the forest, tracking the source of the roaring sound and the fluctuations in energy.

Passing through a dense ancient forest, the view suddenly opened up. A huge waterfall, like an inverted Milky Way, crashed into a deep pool below, the mist rising and reflecting a rainbow of colors. The pool's edge was surrounded by jagged rocks; what should have been a tranquil paradise was now filled with an invisible pressure.

Jinzha's sharp eyes immediately noticed a few pieces of women's undergarments casually draped on a smooth boulder not far away. Their colors were simple and elegant, yet they clashed with the wild and untamed environment. A thought struck him, and he concealed himself, held his breath, and gazed at the shimmering surface of the pool.

The pool was calm and still, and except for the area where the waterfall struck, the surroundings were like a mirror.

With a soft "splash," a figure burst forth from the center of the pool without warning!

It was a woman, tall and exquisitely graceful. Her jet-black hair, damp with moisture, clung to her smooth back, droplets sliding down her flowing curves, shimmering alluringly in the sunlight. She was completely naked, her skin as white as the finest jade, as if shrouded in a hazy moonlight. Though a thin white veil covered her face, obscuring her features, her perfect figure, her exposed, smooth forehead, and her cold, clear eyes, like icy stars yet possessing a natural allure, already created a breathtaking picture. Standing in waist-deep lake water, she was like a spirit nurtured by the mountains and waters, or a bewitching woman fallen to earth; purity and seduction, two contrasting qualities, were perfectly blended within her, making her utterly captivating!

Although Jinzha was proud and arrogant and had seen a lot of the world, he had never seen such a vibrant and exciting scene. He froze instantly, his breath caught in his throat, and his eyes were filled with undisguised amazement.

In the instant he lost his focus, the woman in the water seemed to sense something and suddenly turned her head! Her icy eyes instantly locked onto the direction where he was hiding, and the previous hazy charm was instantly replaced by a chilling killing intent, like ten thousand years of ice, freezing his heart!

Jinzha's heart pounded with alarm; he knew something was wrong! In a flash, a brilliant idea struck him. He drew his "Azure Frost" sword from his waist, took a step forward, and slammed it into the ground. At the same time, he stared blankly around, feigning a bewildered look, and groped forward with his hands, muttering to himself, "Ah, this mountain path is really difficult to walk on, but the sound of water is quite pleasant... I wonder if there's a house nearby where I can ask for a drink of water?"

He tried his best to maintain the posture of a blind man, but he was extremely nervous inside, his ears perked up, ready to catch any sound.

Seeing his reaction, the masked woman's murderous intent subsided slightly, but the scrutiny in her eyes remained undiminished. Without any attempt at concealment, she walked naked from the lake, water droplets constantly rolling down her pale skin. She silently approached Jinzha, and from less than three steps away, her icy eyes fixed intently on his, as if trying to pierce through his feigned blindness and reach his very soul.

The air was filled with the woman's cool, moist scent and a faint, exotic fragrance, mixed with an intense sense of oppression. Jinzha forcibly suppressed his wildly beating heart and churning blood, trying to keep his eyes vacant and lifeless.

The woman scrutinized him, her gaze lingering on his handsome yet "bewildered" face. Just as Jinzha thought he was about to get away with it, he suddenly felt a heat in his nose...

One drop, two drops...

Bright red blood flowed uncontrollably from his nostrils.

The woman's gaze sharpened as she looked at the two glaring red marks on his "bewildered" face, and the murderous intent in her eyes surged once more!

Chapter 134 If I lose, I'll call your mother.

Shaolin Temple Sutra Repository

A solitary lamp illuminates an ancient Buddha statue, and incense smoke curls gently from its flame.

The sweeping monk sat cross-legged on a futon, his expression serene. A group of high-ranking monks of the Xuan generation, including Xuan Nan, Xuan Ji, and Xuan Ku, stood solemnly around him, their gazes all focused on Xuan Ci, who lay motionless on the ground, his face ashen and lifeless. A heavy atmosphere, tinged with a barely perceptible anticipation, filled the air.

“Xu Zhu,” the sweeping monk said slowly.

"Brother...Disciple is here!" Xu Zhu hurriedly stepped forward, his honest face full of nervousness.

"Your inner strength comes from the same source as mine, it is extremely refined and pure, and contains boundless vitality." The sweeping monk looked at him gently. "Now, I will teach you a set of 'Formless Brahma Light Finger.' As I have instructed, concentrate your inner strength at your fingertips and press it onto the four acupoints of Abbot Xuanci: Baihui, Tanzhong, Shenque, and Guanyuan. The pressure should be neither too light nor too heavy, like the spring sun melting snow!"

Xu Zhu carefully noted it down. Although he felt a great responsibility, out of absolute trust in the monk, he took a deep breath and tried to calm his mind. His pure inner energy flowed naturally. He extended his index finger as instructed, and a layer of warm, soft, and faint white light appeared on his fingertip.

He carefully pressed on Xuan Ci's four vital acupoints one by one. With each touch, Xuan Ci's body trembled almost imperceptibly, and a faint trace of color began to return to his previously lifeless face. Xu Zhu was completely focused on saving Xuan Ci, his inner energy flowing into Xuan Ci's body like a gentle stream.

About an incense stick later, Xu Zhu's forehead was covered in a fine sweat, but he dared not stop. Finally, as he pressed the last finger on the "Guanyuan" acupoint, Xuan Ci let out an extremely faint "ho" sound, and his chest began to rise and fall slightly!

"Abbot!" The monks were overjoyed and almost cheered. Their eyes were filled with gratitude and astonishment as they looked at Xuzhu.

Xuan Ci slowly awoke, his eyes initially glazed over, but quickly cleared. He struggled to sit up, and Xuan Ku quickly stepped forward to help him.

“Amitabha…” Xuan Ci’s voice was weak, but it carried an undeniable determination. “Fellow disciples, Xuan Ci is deeply sinful, incompetent and without virtue, and has no face to remain as abbot. From this day forward, the position of abbot of Shaolin will be taken over by Junior Brother Xuan Ku.”

"Abbot Brother!" Xuan Nan said urgently, "This matter needs further consideration..."

Xuan Ci waved his hand to interrupt him, his gaze sweeping over Xuan Nan: "Junior Brother Xuan Nan, you are upright and straightforward. You must remember this in the future, restrain your sharpness, be patient and prudent, and put the overall interests of Shaolin first." He then looked at Xuan Ku, "Junior Brother Xuan Ku, Shaolin... is now in your hands."

Finally, his gaze fell on the sweeping monk and Xu Zhu, and he struggled to put his palms together in a gesture of respect: "Thank you, divine monk, Xu Zhu... for your life-saving grace. For the rest of my life, I wish to remain in this scripture pavilion as a menial monk, with the green lamp and ancient Buddha, to repent for my sins until my passing."

His resolve was firm, and the monks, knowing there was no turning back, all bowed their heads in silence. Xuanci said no more, slowly walked to a corner, picked up a broom, and began to silently sweep the already spotless floor. His figure was desolate, yet it exuded a calmness that came from the weight of a thousand-pound burden being lifted.

The sweeping monk nodded slightly and said no more. Xu Zhu scratched his head, looking at Xuan Ci's retreating figure, then at the sweeping monk, scratching his head sheepishly.

The sweeping monk gazed intently at Xuan Ci's retreating figure and said calmly, "The obstacle of the physical body has been removed, but the tribulation of the inner demons has only just begun. Whether he can overcome it or not depends on his own destiny."

Standoff at the Waterfall

"Tick...tick..."

The blood dripping from the nose onto the lush green grass looked particularly striking.

Jinzha inwardly cursed, knowing he could no longer pretend. He leaped backward, escaping the woman's aura, and at the same time ran his hand to wipe his nose. Looking at the bright red on his fingertip, a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face, but was quickly replaced by his usual nonchalant expression.

"Hey! I'm telling you, young lady!" he retorted, pointing at her, "In broad daylight, you...you're here...aren't you deliberately inciting someone to commit a crime? I almost got a sty!"

Seeing that he had revealed his true form, the masked woman's murderous intent intensified, but a cold smile curved her lips. She reached out and grabbed a plain-colored outer robe from a nearby boulder. With an elegant spin, the robe covered her lithe body, though the ties were loose and the neckline slightly open, revealing a breathtaking glimpse of her snow-white cleavage and curves, which was even more alluring than if she were completely naked.

Jinzha felt another surge of blood rushing to his head, and quickly looked away, but kept saying, "Aren't you going to put your clothes on properly!"

Upon hearing this, the woman was not annoyed at all. Instead, she let out a soft laugh, a clear laugh that carried a chilling coldness: "It's alright. In a little while, no one in this world will have seen my body anymore."

Upon hearing this, Jinzha raised his eyebrows high: "Oh ho! You've got quite the nerve! Trying to kill me to silence me? Girl, how old are you? You're so hot-tempered!"

The word "age" seemed to have touched a nerve; the woman's eyes suddenly turned cold, and she sneered, "Hmph! Sixteen years old, in the prime of life!"

"Sixteen?" Jinzha counted on his fingers. Sixteen years old? Looking at the other girl's cool and mature demeanor, she didn't seem like a sixteen-year-old girl at all. He assumed she was just making it up and immediately laughed, saying with a roguish grin, "Ha! You're just bragging! If I lose to you, this 'sixteen-year-old' girl, today, I'll call you 'Mom' right here and now!"

The woman chuckled in anger at his shameless words, like ice thawing, but her eyes grew increasingly dangerous: "Fine! Then today, I, as her mother, will see my son off on his deathbed!"

Before she finished speaking, she raised her hand again, and a wine gourd that had been tied to her picnic bag by the pool flew into her hand. She uncorked it, tilted her head back, and drank heartily, while casually beckoning Jinzha with her other free hand, her posture carefree and unconcerned, completely disregarding him.

"This is outrageous!" Jinzha had never been so disrespected, especially by a (seemingly) young woman. His anger flared, and with a sharp cry, the "Azure Frost" sword was drawn, transforming into a streak of cold light, aimed directly at the woman's throat! It was the "Qi-Breaking Style"!

Before the sword tip even arrived, an incomparably sharp sword intent, specifically designed to break through internal energy, had already enveloped the area!

The woman continued drinking until the sword tip was about a foot in front of her, at which point her free left hand suddenly and slowly extended. She did not meet the sword head-on, but instead, her five fingers blossomed like orchids, with a faint mist swirling around them, and she gently brushed and guided the side of the sword!

Jinzha felt the "breaking energy" force gathered on his sword vanish like mud oxen entering the sea, and was instead deflected by an extremely flexible and smooth force, grazing the woman's neck without even cutting a single strand of her hair.

The woman tilted her head back and drank the last mouthful of wine, casually tossing aside the empty gourd. For the first time, a hint of genuine interest appeared in her beautiful eyes as she looked at Jinzha: "Boy, your sword technique is quite interesting. With your innate realm, you actually managed to glimpse a trace of the true meaning of 'breaking qi,' attempting to shake my protective true qi. Do you have any other skills?"

Jinzha was defeated in one move, and his face turned red from being judged as if he were a junior by his opponent's tone. However, he refused to admit defeat and said, "Hmph! I am skilled in both sword and claw techniques. What I just did was just an appetizer!"

He knew that he could not win with swordsmanship alone. In a flash, his footwork changed and he charged forward again! The light of the "Azure Frost" sword surged, still using the "Qi-breaking" style to clear the way. The sword light wove a cold net, locking onto the woman's aura and forcing her to be distracted to deal with the sword intent that specifically broke her inner energy.

Just as the woman flicked her sleeve to deflect the sword net, Jinzha's left hand, with its five fingers forming a claw, shot out with lightning speed! The move was ancient and profound, with subtle variations, seemingly containing the ultimate principles of grappling and neutralizing all martial arts techniques, aiming directly at the woman's wrist joint and her vulnerable chest! It was none other than the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand!

This sudden change of tactics was extremely abrupt, with the sword and claw working together flawlessly.

The woman's previously composed expression suddenly changed upon seeing Jinzha's technique. Her usually cool voice betrayed her surprise as she exclaimed:

"Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand"?

Chapter 135 Even if he's the emperor, I'll still kidnap him for you.

Mantuo Mountain Villa

Lady Wang, Li Qingluo, irritably dismissed her maids and returned to her room alone. These past few days, her daughter Wang Yuyan's sudden departure felt like a piece of her heart had been ripped out; she was filled with anger and anxiety, yet had nowhere to vent her frustration. Rubbing her aching temples, she thought bitterly, 'Murong Fu, you won't get away with it! I will never betroth Yuyan to you! Others may not see your ambition to restore Yan and your cold-hearted nature, but you can't fool my eyes!'

She slammed the door shut and turned to walk into the inner room, but suddenly stopped in her tracks, her pupils contracting sharply!

Inside the room, a white figure stood with her back to her, hands clasped behind her back by the window. Her figure was slender and graceful, and her demeanor was ethereal and otherworldly, as if she had become one with the misty rain outside the window.

"Who?!" Li Qingluo's heart trembled, and she shouted sharply, instinctively wanting to call for the guards.

Hearing the sound, the woman in white slowly turned around. Her face was covered by a light veil, revealing only a pair of deep, cold eyes that held a hint of alluring mystery. Under Li Qingluo's surprised and uncertain gaze, she raised her hand and gently removed the veil.

Beneath the veil was a face of unparalleled beauty, with skin as white as snow and eyebrows and eyes as exquisite as a painting. Although she was no longer a young girl, she was still graceful and charming. Time seemed to have left few traces on her face, instead adding a touch of mature and unpredictable charm.

When Li Qingluo saw that face clearly, she was struck dumb, her whole body trembling violently, and the handkerchief in her hand fluttered to the ground. Her lips trembled, her eyes instantly filled with tears, and she cried out in disbelief, her voice trembling with sobs:

"Mother... Mother?!"

She could no longer restrain herself. Like a child who had suffered a great injustice, she suddenly rushed forward and buried her head in the other person's arms, tightly hugging his waist and burying her face in his cool, exotic embrace, sobbing softly.

The woman in white was none other than Li Qiushui.

Feeling the trembling of her daughter's body in her arms and the grievances suppressed for many years, Li Qiushui's usually cold heart couldn't help but ripple. For once, she didn't push her away immediately, but instead raised her hand and somewhat awkwardly patted Li Qingluo's back gently, her voice softening a bit: "Alright, don't cry. You're such a grown-up now, why are you still acting like a little girl?"

This rare moment of tenderness made Li Qingluo cry even harder. Li Qiushui sighed inwardly, a long-lost sense of guilt quietly growing within her for her daughter who had been separated from her and Wuyazi since childhood and had wandered the martial world alone.

After a long while, Li Qingluo gradually stopped crying, raised her head, and looked at Li Qiushui with teary eyes, her tone filled with resentment and confusion: "Mother, where is Father? Why...why did you leave without saying goodbye back then? Why have you neglected me all these years?"

Li Qiushui remained silent for a moment, avoiding the first part of the question, and simply said, "Your father... he is currently at Wudang Mountain. If you wish, you can visit him in the future."