Chapter 140: Cutting Through Thorns and Brambles
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Fang Cheng Lang noticed the fleeting look of pity in Ji Han Zhou’s eyes, and a bitter taste settled deep in his heart. He wanted to ask about Yu Zhao, but the words stuck in his throat. It was obvious to anyone that Yu Zhao was thriving after leaving the Five Elements Sect. She was stronger and more confident now, no longer the timid junior sister who used to follow him around, always calling him “senior brother.”
In that moment, Fang Cheng Lang was struck by a painful realization: Yu Zhao had not been happy on Lone Moon Peak. She should have been a shining star, but instead, her brilliance had been dulled by trivial concerns. She was criticized for supposedly lacking spiritual energy, dismissed as foolish and coarse. They had nearly extinguished the potential of a true genius.
His lips twitched slightly as he watched Yu Zhao, a silent grief welling up inside him. Little Six, he thought, Senior Brother was wrong. Senior Brother failed you. Can you forgive me? Just once, give me another chance.
“Are… are you okay?” Ji Han Zhou asked, unable to ignore the overwhelming sadness radiating from Fang Cheng Lang. His voice was cautious, and his eyes filled with sympathy. Poor guy, Ji Han Zhou thought, he must be heartbroken over his junior brother’s condition.
“Cultivator…”
“Ji Han Zhou, are you done yet?”
Fang Cheng Lang had finally mustered the courage to speak, but Mo Ci, growing impatient, interrupted them. They had been ready to leave for some time, only waiting on Ji Han Zhou.
Feeling he had done enough by offering Fang Cheng Lang some medicine, Ji Han Zhou nodded, giving Fang Cheng Lang an apologetic smile. “Senior Brother, I have to go now. If we meet again, I’d love to learn swordsmanship from you. Remember my name: Ji Han Zhou of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Until we meet again.”
Ji Han Zhou cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and quickly returned to Yu Zhao’s side. Together, they headed in the opposite direction.
Fang Cheng Lang stood frozen, his eyes glued to Yu Zhao’s retreating figure. Except for that one glance at the beginning, she hadn’t looked at him again. Is this what the Path of Emotional Detachment truly is? Truly without feeling. A wave of despair washed over him, making him question the purpose of staying in the swampy marshland.
Little Six is cultivating the Path of Emotional Detachment, severing all ties and emotions. No matter what I do, will I ever be able to make up for my past mistakes? No! he thought fiercely. He refused to believe it. Senior Sister Jin Yue had said that Little Six wasn’t truly heartless. She was just too disappointed, and so she withdrew the affection she had once invested in them. If he could prove his love for her was genuine, Little Six would surely come back to them, just as she had accepted Senior Sister Jin Yue and Ji Han Zhou.
Renewed determination filled Fang Cheng Lang as he downed an antidote pill and cast a worried glance at the unconscious Cui Jue. The immediate priority was to save Cui Jue; he wouldn’t last much longer. The swampy marshland was too far from the Five Elements Sect, and Fang Cheng Lang feared Cui Jue wouldn’t make it back in time.
After a moment’s contemplation, an idea struck him: The Green Wood Sect! It was less than seven days’ journey from the swampy marshland, and they had many skilled alchemists who could save Cui Jue.
“Cui Jue, hang in there. I’ll get you to the Green Wood Sect, and their elders will save you. You have to hold on! Little Six is waiting for you. Can you hear me? Little Six is waiting; you must not let anything happen to you.”
“Little Zhao… Little Zhao…” Cui Jue murmured in his sleep, still unconscious but clearly calling out for Yu Zhao.
“Yes, that’s right. Little Zhao is waiting for you, so stay strong,” Fang Cheng Lang choked out, his voice thick with emotion. He gently encouraged Cui Jue while hoisting him onto his back and started walking out of the swampy marshland, determined to reach the Green Wood Sect alive. He had to.
As the group disappeared into the distance, a small, dull-colored beetle slowly fluttered its wings and landed on the gory wound of a nearby beast. It opened its mandibles, biting into the beast’s flesh, and soon, the beetle’s own battered shell began to heal, while its eyes silently turned a blood-red hue.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhao had no idea that she and Fang Cheng Lang were once again on converging paths. Led by Mo Ci and the others, she successfully located the Celestial Orchid and, after some effort, managed to collect three blooms. With this, she had finally gathered all the materials she needed for her artifact refining, and the process could finally begin.
“Yu Zhao, it’s been the greatest pleasure to travel with you on this journey. You must visit us at the Hundred Flowers Valley sometime.”
“Yu Zhao, I don’t want to part ways with you. Please, don’t forget about us.”
“Senior Sister Yu Zhao, the Hundred Flower Brew I make is the best. I’ll be waiting for you at Hundred Flowers Valley.”
“I promise, I will.”
Outside the swampy marshland, the female cultivators from the Hundred Flowers Valley reluctantly bid farewell to Yu Zhao. If it weren’t for Yu Zhao insisting that she had urgent matters to attend to, the four women from the Hundred Flowers Valley might have just tied her up and taken her back with them as a guest. They greatly admired Yu Zhao for her intelligence, strength, and remarkable charisma.
As for Ji Han Zhou, he was, once again, completely overlooked.
After seeing off the women from the female only sect, Ji Han Zhou also took his leave from Yu Zhao.
Yu Zhao wasn’t surprised. Ji Han Zhou had been away from the Heavenly Sword Sect for a long time, only sending one letter home. It was time for him to return. However, she didn’t know that there was another reason for Ji Han Zhou’s departure.
The dangerous experiences they had faced together made Ji Han Zhou realize the vast difference in strength between him and Yu Zhao. To put it bluntly, he was a burden to her. Yu Zhao had to divide her attention during battles to protect him. As a sword cultivator, and one who had been praised for his innate talent since childhood, Ji Han Zhou also had his pride.
He didn’t want to stand behind Yu Zhao, always gazing at her back. He wanted to fight alongside her, to become a companion she could trust with her back. But achieving that wasn’t just a matter of words; he needed to work harder than ever before.
With the great cultivation competition just a year away, Ji Han Zhou knew he had to return to the Heavenly Sword Sect and immerse himself in closed-door cultivation to achieve better results.
“Senior Sister Yu Zhao, the next time we meet, I’ll make sure you see me in a new light,” Ji Han Zhou said, lifting his head with determination. His expression was just as proud and spirited as when they first met.
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Yu Zhao smiled, realizing that the junior brother she had once looked after had quietly grown in his own right. “Alright, I’ll be waiting for that day.”
“Take care,” Ji Han Zhou nodded at Yu Zhao, taking a deep breath before striding away. He walked quickly, afraid that his expression might betray him if Yu Zhao saw his face for too long. Wuwuwu, Senior Sister Yu Zhao, you better wait for me.
Watching Ji Han Zhou’s figure disappear from sight, Yu Zhao sighed softly. After traveling with him for so many months, it would be a lie to say she didn’t feel anything about parting ways. However, Yu Zhao was very clear about what she wanted.
Family and friendship were her motivations, but they would not become chains that held her back. Her life’s path was one of growing stronger, and she would not stop for anyone. She was determined to break free from the cage of her past life and explore a larger, more distant world.
Cutting through thorns and brambles, she would move forward, fearless and unstoppable.