Chapter 63: I Lost Yu Zhao
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation.
The group scarcely noticed the figure descending the mountain when a distant laugh rang out, echoing through the air. It was a haunting sound, tinged with sorrow, that tugged at their hearts and filled them with an inexplicable sadness.
As the figure drew closer, the group could finally make out who it was. Fang Cheng Lang, usually the epitome of calm and grace, looked utterly broken. His face was streaked with dried tears, and his once pristine white robes were smeared with mud. Every step he took seemed to drain the last bit of strength from him, and it was clear he was on the verge of collapse.
Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd.
“Is… is that really Senior Brother Fang?” someone whispered in disbelief.
“My gosh, did Senior Sister Jin Yue hurt him that badly?” another murmured, unable to tear their eyes away from the disheveled figure.
“What could have happened? Why does he look like this?”
Zhang Jun swallowed nervously, feeling a sudden gratitude that Senior Sister Jin Yue had always been relatively kind to him at the main peak.
“Senior Brother Fang…” Zhang Jun called out, trying to approach Fang Cheng Lang as he neared. But Fang Cheng Lang brushed past him without a glance, followed by Lan Zi Yu, who looked equally troubled.
Zhang Jun awkwardly lowered his hand, a puzzled expression on his face. The others noticed Fang Cheng Lang’s unusual state and, despite their curiosity, respectfully stepped aside, creating a clear path for him.
As Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu walked away, the murmurs and speculations among the disciples only grew louder.
….
“Fools!” Master Qing Yan’s voice was cold and resonant, echoing through the hall as he stared down at the kneeling forms of Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu. Though his tone was controlled, the anger simmering beneath it was palpable.
Fang Cheng Lang kept his head bowed, his entire posture exuding defeat and despair. Lan Zi Yu, on the other hand, bowed deeply, trying to placate their stern master. “Master, please, calm yourself.”
“You have both disappointed me greatly,” Master Qing Yan said, his words landing with the weight of a mountain. Lan Zi Yu bowed even lower, feeling the oppressive burden of their master’s disappointment.
Fang Cheng Lang, however, remained a mere shadow of his former self. The absence of Yu Zhao seemed to have drained him of all vitality, leaving him an empty husk. Master Qing Yan couldn’t help but feel a flicker of surprise. He had never expected Yu Zhao’s departure to affect Fang Cheng Lang so deeply.
“Cheng Lang,” Master Qing Yan addressed him.
“…Yes, Master,” Fang Cheng Lang responded after a long pause, his voice rough.
“Do you blame me for sending Yu Zhao away?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Fang Cheng Lang replied, though his tone was hollow.
“Then why are you behaving like a lovesick fool?” Master Qing Yan’s voice cut through the silence.
“Forgive me, Master,” Fang Cheng Lang said, lowering his head until his forehead touched the ground. “I am weak and unable to bear this separation. I deserve punishment.”
Though his words were respectful, they were laced with a quiet bitterness. Master Qing Yan realized that Fang Cheng Lang was trapped in a cycle of self-pity and blame, unable to confront his own failings. He turned his gaze to Lan Zi Yu. “And you? Do you blame me as well?”
“No, Master,” Lan Zi Yu replied, lifting his head. “I blame myself.”
Unlike Fang Cheng Lang, Lan Zi Yu understood the situation clearly. Master Qing Yan had merely provided an official reason for Yu Zhao’s departure. In reality, it was their own actions that had driven her away. Fang Cheng Lang wasn’t truly blaming their master; he was just projecting his frustration, unable to face the truth. Seeking punishment was his way of escaping his guilt.
Seeing the clarity in Lan Zi Yu’s eyes, Master Qing Yan felt a sliver of satisfaction. “Since you understand, you will explain this to him. He will not be allowed to leave until he comes to terms with it.”
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Master Qing Yan transported them back to Fang Cheng Lang’s quarters.
Lan Zi Yu sighed and turned to his senior brother. “Senior Brother.”
Fang Cheng Lang barely responded, casting a half-lidded glance at Lan Zi Yu before walking into his meditation room. He lay down, still in his grubby clothes, as if the weight of the world had crushed him. Lan Zi Yu followed, torn between frustration and concern. If Fang Cheng Lang didn’t snap out of this, they could be stuck here indefinitely. A few years might be manageable, but if Fang Cheng Lang never recovered, they could be confined forever. Lan Zi Yu couldn’t bear to watch his senior brother waste away.
While Lan Zi Yu wrestled with how to reach Fang Cheng Lang, their junior brother, Cui Jue, emerged from his seclusion. Having just completed a round of refining pills, he headed straight for his medicinal garden to tend to his herbs.
It took him two full days to water, weed, prune, and harvest the garden. When he finally finished, he exhaled deeply, surprised at how exhausted he felt. He chuckled to himself, realizing he hadn’t experienced this level of strain since Yu Zhao had been there to help.
Ever since Yu Zhao had joined them as a junior sister, Cui Jue hadn’t worried about the garden’s upkeep. It was only when she went into seclusion to heal her damaged spiritual foundation that he had to resume the garden’s care. During that time, he had come to appreciate just how much work she had taken on.
“Three years have passed. Yu Zhao should be coming out of seclusion soon,” he thought, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He had been planning to make amends for the misunderstanding over the dragon’s tongue flower incident and decided to offer her some of the pills he had refined as a gesture of goodwill.
Feeling a sense of relief at the prospect of clearing the air, Cui Jue changed into clean robes and made his way to Yu Zhao’s quarters, his steps light with anticipation.
As he approached, he noticed the door was slightly ajar, and the usual defensive barrier were absent. His heart lifted. “She must be out of seclusion!”
He took a deep breath, straightening his posture to look composed. He wanted to surprise her. But as he stepped closer, a strong smell of alcohol hit him, mingled with a sour scent. He frowned, quickening his pace. How much had she drunk?
Then he heard muffled sobs. Concern overrode his caution, and he rushed inside.
“Little Six!” he called out, his voice edged with alarm.
Inside the empty room, he found Su Ming, another disciple, slumped amidst a mess of empty wine jars. Su Ming looked up at Cui Jue with bleary eyes, clearly intoxicated. The moment their eyes met, Su Ming’s expression crumbled, and he burst into tears.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation.
“Fourth Brother, I… I lost Yu Zhao!”
Cui Jue stood frozen, the shock washing over him like a cold wave.
“What did you just say?” he demanded, barely believing his ears.
As Su Ming tearfully recounted what had happened, Cui Jue’s mind went numb. He had come to apologize, to make amends, and to ask for her help with the garden once more. But now, she was gone.
Yu Zhao had been reckless to confront their master. Did she not understand that a single word from him could seal her fate? Why had she insisted on keeping the Starstone for herself? He could have found another, even several, to satisfy her needs.
Why had she chosen such a perilous path? Cui Jue just couldn’t understand.