Ch68 - Captured

Xie Zhiwei secretly sighed. If he wasn’t fortunate enough to see the memory fragments pulled out by the blood agate today, he’d never expect the hero to have more miserable crying scenes. When he died, the protagonist sobbed like that…if he faked it, then his acting skills are terrifying.

But it didn’t look faked. There was no need for the hero to act when he already recovered his identity. Xie Zhiwei couldn’t see through him and was debating over his thoughts when the hand gripping Mu He’s wrist was heavily knocked aside, making him almost stumble. He quickly steadied himself and looked up to meet Mu He’s eyes. They were no longer red, but as clear and bright as stars. Xie Zhiwei instinctively stepped back, chilled from heart to foot.

The soft expression had disappeared from Mu He’s face and his body seemed flooded with ice. Sensing something, he lifted his right hand and spread out his fingers, letting the dim, dark blood agate rest in his palm. With the bones intact and flesh recovered, he could move the digits freely.

He quickly identified the remnants of spiritual energy in his hand and murmured, “The aura of Red Lotus.”

Xie Zhiwei saw Qingping Sword burst with jade-hued light as his heart thumped. Right, ah. It was effortless to cure the hero’s right hand, which means he clearly wanted to keep it crippled…never mind whether he’s masochistic or just feigning weakness, what do I do now? My good intentions were a bad deed!

Xie Zhiwei incited Mu He’s hatred with the Red Lotus aura above his head while dressed as Chi Yan. The young man quickly absorbed the rest of the blood agate’s energy before raising his hand to dispel the scarlet haze in the air. He stared at his right hand and asked, word for word, “You did this?”

Xie Zhiwei took a deep breath and nodded.

This is too f*cking awkward. Pretending to be Chi Yan while facing the hero and not talking is death. But if I speak, it’ll be too easy for the hero to identify me based on his vivid memories of our two months together. Once the hero realizes I’ve insulted his intelligence, he’ll be furious and I’ll still die.

Actually, I haven’t figured out how to explain myself if he unmasks me. Doesn’t this violate Xie Zhiwei’s character settings? Why is he wearing Chi Yan’s clothes, ah pooh. Can I say Qiu Chongyun forced me? No, as if someone like her could threaten Bixu zhenren. Or, I’m doing this for the sake of the heroine? Hahahah. If the hero misunderstands, I’d just be digging my own grave and die faster.

So in the end, he had to finish playing the part he stole even if he ended up on his knees…

Mu He was obviously angry. As the red light from the blood agate weakened around them, his white robes were still fluttering wildly from raging spiritual power. His face was expressionless, but Xie Zhiwei still felt like he resembled a vengeful ghost from Hell. Qingping Sword’s hilt flashed before a circle of green light burst into bloom to surround Xie Zhiwei. Before he could react, Mu He murmured, “Right, you’re not afraid of this. So…”

Xie Zhiwei was afraid to use his spiritual power and hadn’t touched Red Lotus yet.

He stood in place hesitating over his options. Should I die directly, or run so he can catch and kill me? If there’s a chance, I demand Gallant Outlaw be buried with me. Motherf**ker, he keeps saying I need to steal more scenes, and now? Bastard, the more I try the worse things get!

Still gripping Qingping Sword, Mu He’s black-hearted white lotus changed colors until it was pure white. The greatest power of White Lotus was to protect and purify. Although its attack power couldn’t compare to Black and Red Lotus, it could make formidable barriers. Layers of white light appeared above Xie Zhiwei to envelop his body while he shut his eyes and accepted his fate. Soon enough, he couldn’t move a muscle. As Mu He slowly walked over, the turbulent waves of Blood River Lake behind him gradually calmed down.

With eyes lowered, he asked in a tone devoid of anger or joy, “Why did you do this?”

Can’t I care about your hand?

Once again, the atmosphere grew awkward. Xie Zhiwei kept his lips sealed, not daring to say a word.

“Won’t talk?” Mu He’s brows moved slightly, giving Xie Zhiwei a bad feeling. The next second, his eyes widened.

The White Lotus on Mu He’s forehead turned black as if splashed with ink before tendrils of black qi climbed up from the white light around Xie Zhiwei’s body like strands of silk. A sudden pain in his heart almost made him spit up blood. This was different from ordinary pain or torture methods with knives, beatings, and so on. It left no scars on his body but directly abused his soul, making it agony for Xie Zhiwei to breathe. Still, he couldn’t figure out where it hurt, or maybe it was his entire consciousness that was wracked with torment and forced to focus on the sensations completely.

Four years ago, he had seen the hero torturing Ming Kong in Ashen Cloud Sword Sect and hoped he never experienced that in his lifetime. Really, what a great reincarnation…

Xie Zhiwei originally wanted to scream, but soon lost all strength. The light of White Lotus supported him, making it impossible for him to fall on the ground. He was compelled to stand up straight, eyes bloodshot as beads of sweat flowed past his mask and down his neck.

Mu He’s lips curved mockingly as he nodded. “I have methods to make you speak. Do you believe me?”

Xie Zhiwei wanted to nod, but he was in too much pain to move. Because his divine sense was in chaos, Red Lotus quaked within his consciousness before slowly emerging from the top of his head. Seeing this, Mu He’s eyes took on a strange look before his pupils flashed. “It’s mine.”

Xie Zhiwei was too tired to retort.

He said he was willing to hand over the Red Lotus to Qiu Chongyun, but she didn’t believe him and insisted on finding a way to snatch it herself. He was also going to give it to the hero, but he simply snatched it without a word and planned to put him to death.

Can’t we all just get along?!

In the midst of his agony, Xie Zhiwei felt a large part of his divine sense turn empty as the Red Lotus was dug away. The black-hearted white lotus on Mu He’s forehead underwent another transformation, its aura turning scarlet with Red Lotus’s murderous qi. Xie Zhiwei used all his strength to suppress his own spiritual energy so nothing would be exposed. It wasn’t until Red Lotus slowly sank into Mu He’s body that he opened his eyes in satisfaction. He released the restraints on Xie Zhiwei, who felt as if he’d been pressed to the ground and beaten until his bones were knocked out of place. He fell like a puddle of mud on the ground, unable to move.

Listlessly he thought, I was fortunate not to be tortured by the hero every moment, but I didn’t understand how to cherish my luck in the past…

A long shadow fell across his body as Mu He sauntered over with a condescending look. “You actually have no spiritual power without Red Lotus. What a waste of reputation.”

Fine fine fine, whatever makes you happy, Xie Zhiwei thought, Can you let me go now ah, youngster.

Naturally not.

Mu He declared airily, “I’ve never tried the strength of these three treasures combined. Today I’ll test them on you.”

MMP, what…whatever makes you happy.

The unloved Xie Zhiwei closed his eyes, preparing to be violently baptized in a storm.

“Wait!” someone cried to stop him.

“What is it, Aunt Yun?” Mu He didn’t even look up.

Xie Zhiwei’s eyebrows relaxed. He had never found Qiu Chongyun’s voice to be so melodious, just like a song from Heaven.

With the blood agate destroyed, the light from the Blood River Lake withdrew, thus breaking the formation. Qiu Chongyun stopped at a piece of flat ground where the light had dissipated, covering her mouth as she looked with wide eyes of astonishment. Avoiding Xie Zhiwei’s gaze, she smiled at Mu He. “Nephew, congratulations ah. You’re victorious.”

“You came just to say that?” Mu He asked.

Qiu Chongyun waved a finger and winked towards the cliff wall. “Of course not. There are so many people outside, how am I going to explain things if you kidnap Chi Yan? And also…how are you planning to deal with him?”

Heaven have mercy, this woman still cares about my plight, Xie Zhiwei thought silently. …as much use as that is.

“Dispose of him according to the original plan,” Mu He spat out icily. “Aunt Yun, you hold high seniority within the Demonic Sect. Do you really need me to teach you how to make up a simple explanation?”

Qiu Chongyun laughed hurriedly and said, “How could I? Naturally I know what to say but nephew, you have Red Lotus now. You should be taking over the Demonic Sect. If I speak, won’t it be stealing your thunder, ah?”

Mu He put away Qingping Sword and raised a hand in the air. “You deal with it, I’m not interested in Demonic Sect matters.”

The elegant motion of his limbs overlapped with the description in the book, combining his kingly aura with his scholarly looks. But what was wrong with his dialogue? Not interested in the Demonic Sect? “You deal with it?” Ah pooh, youngster. You’re only supposed to be disinterested on the surface, not genuinely indifferent. Xie Zhiwei was yelling internally when Qiu Chongyun said, “Yes, yes, the only thing you’re interested in now is Golden Lotus. But it’s in the possession of that girl from the Buddhist sect. Are you going to kill her directly or spare her on account of Du Sheng?”

Mu He finally looked at her. “Be straightforward.”

“That is, I’ve already captured that girl. She’s currently in the Demonic Sect prisons.”

“I’ll take a look.” There were no ripples in his tone, but it was clearly unfriendly.

Xie Zhiwei’s heart clenched. Crap, what if the hero really kills the heroine? Even if he doesn’t, his white lotus image will be ruined once news leaks out that he robbed Golden Lotus. He finally found enough strength to raise himself on one arm, but Qiu Chongyun noticed and whisked her sleeve to knock him back down.

Smiling, she said, “Saint sovereign, you’re already so miserable. It’s better to save your energy and wait for death. Later you can relax and watch a good show so you know exactly what happens to those who mess with my nephew.”

A good show? At a time like this?

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Translator’s Note: I’m not your mom but I can give you triple releases for Mother’s Day! Enjoy (and hug your real moms or mom-equivalents okay?).