Chapter 3: Apologize in Person
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Yu Zhao narrowed her eyes as she watched Fang Cheng Lang approach, a wave of confusion washing over her.
They often say the eldest brother is akin to a father. For Yu Zhao, Fang Cheng Lang had been both a paternal figure and a mentor.
When Master Qing Yan took her in as a disciple and then abruptly entered seclusion, it was Fang Cheng Lang who filled the void in her growth, guiding her as she matured.
Her first time channeling spiritual energy, her first attempt at writing, her first spell, even her foundation building—all these milestones were accompanied by Fang Cheng Lang’s presence.
If her feelings toward Master Qing Yan were a mix of fear and respect, then her reliance and trust in Fang Cheng Lang were absolute.
So when she realized that his attention toward her had waned, she panicked.
She did everything she could to regain his favor.
When he said that women should be gentle and poised, she curbed her carefree nature, refraining from playful antics.
When he said that cultivation required diligence, she carved out time for intense, solitary training.
When he said cultivators should be self-reliant, she bit back the urge to confide in him, silently enduring her struggles.
She strived to meet the ideal image of the perfect junior sister that Fang Cheng Lang described, only to overhear him telling Ye Cong Xin: “You’re fine just as you are. Stay true to yourself—natural and unpretentious.”
What a joke.
Yu Zhao stood slowly, step by step walking toward Fang Cheng Lang, who was bathed in light.
Then, without a word, she passed by him, her face emotionless.
Fang Cheng Lang froze, briefly startled. Assuming she was still upset, his brow furrowed slightly. Moments later, he sighed.
So be it. Little Six was still young and had lacked parental care from an early age. Her lack of manners was his failure as her senior brother.
He resolved to reflect upon this further after he returned.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhao had already stepped out of the Black Prison’s boundaries.
The glaring sunlight stung her eyes, making her pause. She squinted to orient herself before heading in the direction of Lone Moon Peak.
Fang Cheng Lang, intending to call her back, stopped short when he saw her brisk pace. Instead, he hurried to catch up.
Before long, the towering outline of Lone Moon Peak came into view.
At the base of the mountain, a large crowd had gathered, with a man and a woman at its center, drawing the most attention.
The man had sharp brows and starry eyes, his bearing noble and handsome. A faint, carefree smile played on his thin lips, exuding a sense of casual elegance.
The woman, dressed in a flowing pale yellow gown, had her hair styled in two buns. Her delicate, flower-like smile masked her frailty.
Seeing the pair, Yu Zhao halted, her gaze darkening.
Second Senior Brother, Lan Zi Yu.
Junior Sister, Ye Cong Xin.
So, we meet again.
“Why, after a trip to the Black Prison, have you forgotten how to greet others?” Lan Zi Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone light.
His words prompted a wave of mocking agreement from the crowd.
“Yeah, maybe she’s gone mute?”
“She probably feels too ashamed to show her face!”
“Who says so? Yu Zhao’s skin is so thick, there’s no way she’s embarrassed! She’s definitely faking it!”
“…”
“Stop it, all of you!” Ye Cong Xin stomped her foot, silencing them, before turning to Yu Zhao with an expression full of concern. “Sixth Sister, are you feeling better? It’s my fault for failing to stop Master that day and causing you harm. I feel so guilty.”
If the timing hadn’t been so off, Yu Zhao would’ve applauded Ye Cong Xin.
Her performance was seamless, with every detail meticulously crafted. No wonder she had the senior brothers wrapped around her finger.
Only because Yu Zhao had lived through it all before could she easily see through her facade.
Fang Cheng Lang, arriving a step later, turned pale.
How could he have forgotten this?
That day, Little Six had coughed up blood!
It was only now, seeing her still-pale complexion, that he realized his neglect. He hadn’t even thought to ask after her well-being!
He was both anxious and angry—at her disregard for her own health. Stepping forward, he grabbed Yu Zhao’s wrist, blurting out, “Little Junior Sister, how could you be so careless? Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt? How are you feeling now? Do you need medicine?”
In his moment of panic, he used the title he’d once called her.
Before Ye Cong Xin’s arrival, Lone Moon Peak had only one junior sister—Yu Zhao.
Ye Cong Xin’s fingers twitched, her expression freezing momentarily.
Damn it. She’d intended to remind everyone of Yu Zhao’s disgrace when Master had struck her. Instead, the situation had backfired.
Clearly, they hadn’t fully abandoned Yu Zhao.
Of course, even raising a cat or dog over time could foster some attachment. She just needed to fan the flames further.
Yu Zhao didn’t even spare Fang Cheng Lang a glance. With a subtle twist of her wrist, she freed herself from his grip. Turning to Ye Cong Xin, she smiled faintly. “Thank you for your concern, Junior Sister. I’m fine. In fact, I’d like to thank Master as well. His palm strike finally woke me up.
The past is like a death yesterday; the future, like a new life today.
I’ve moved on.”
The crowd exchanged puzzled looks.
What did she mean?
Had she truly let go?
“Hah!”
A derisive laugh broke the silence.
Lan Zi Yu’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “It’s good that you’ve come to your senses. Since that’s the case, why not apologize to Junior Sister here and now? Let everyone witness your resolve.”
He didn’t believe Yu Zhao’s words for a second.
She was cunning, always putting on a front while harboring ulterior motives. Little Junior Sister had suffered plenty at her hands.
Now, he intended to make Yu Zhao pay in full, right here, in front of everyone.
“Yes! Apologize! We don’t believe your words; we want an apology!”
“Apologize to Ye Junior Sister!”
“Apologize! Apologize!”
The crowd’s chant grew louder, a thunderous wave echoing through the sky.
Disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect who were unaware of the situation also gathered, drawn by the commotion.
The throng swelled.
Standing at the center, Yu Zhao felt the scorching stares from every direction, as though she had returned to the day of her death.
That day, she had uncovered Ye Cong Xin’s secret.
She’d always wondered how Ye Cong Xin, despite her ordinary three spiritual roots, cultivated at an astonishing pace, reaching Nascent Soul before a hundred years of age—the youngest in the sect’s history.
It turned out Ye Cong Xin had made a pact with a demonic entity, devouring others’ fortunes to strengthen herself.
Her master, senior brothers, and all the prodigious talents of the Tian Yuan Continent were merely her sacrifices.
Yu Zhao had thought that exposing the truth would make everyone see Ye Cong Xin’s true colors.
But the outcome was not as she’d imagined.
No one believed her. They accused her of slander and jealousy.
Her third senior brother, Su Ming, even declared that he’d willingly let Little Junior Sister devour his fortune, claiming Yu Zhao was more wicked than a single strand of Ye Cong Xin’s hair.
In the end, she died by her master’s sword.
It was called “cleansing the sect.”
After her death, her body was dismembered and destroyed by Ye Cong Xin’s furious supporters, leaving not even a complete corpse.
That day, Ye Cong Xin had stood in the crowd, just as she did now, wearing a facade of grief and pity, as though Yu Zhao’s fate was entirely her own doing.
Yu Zhao smiled.
An apology?
Of course, she would apologize.
She would elevate Ye Cong Xin to the highest pedestal and then watch as her worshippers fell from grace, reduced to nothing but dust beneath her feet.