Chapter 12: Return

Wu Rui’an died, entering the Sword Tomb in Di Jiang’s place. His flesh and bones turned to ashes, offering sacrifice to the spirit of the Tai Xiao Sword.

Di Jiang, exhausted, returned to Baiyun Temple with a dazed expression.

“Boss! What happened? How did you end up like this?” Wen Yao saw Di Jiang walking in the garden wearing a soaked cassock from afar. She rushed over in alarm and discovered that not only was Di Jiang completely soaked, but her right hand was also covered in blood.

She was like a soulless body, wandering aimlessly, filled with desolation.

“Boss? Don’t scare me, say something!” Wen Yao was frantic, but no matter how she asked, Di Jiang remained silent.

This state continued until she met Elder Yu Ling.

“You tell me the truth! Why did Wu Rui’an go to sacrifice himself to the sword!” In a corner of the courtyard, Di Jiang dragged out the cowering Elder Yu Ling. She punched him in the face, angrily saying, “Today, I’ll make you join him in death!”

“It’s not my fault, Miss! It was Lord Wu who insisted on going. He spoke earnestly about dying for his beloved woman—his words brought tears to those who heard them and sadness to those who listened. I had no reason to refuse!” Elder Yu Ling quickly explained, and Di Jiang slightly loosened her grip.

He then added, “It was his insistence! If I hadn’t agreed, he... he would have killed me!”

“Aren’t you afraid I will kill you?” Di Jiang’s face was ashen, and with the blood all over her arms, she looked both eerie and terrifying.

“I’m afraid! How can I not be afraid! Your hand reached into the sword gate, didn’t it? You can still come out alive! Neither of you are ordinary people!” Elder Yu Ling nodded uncontrollably, trembling as he said, “At that time, Abbot Zhong merely pulled Changsheng, and he turned to stone entirely. But you... you can stand here unscathed. What... what kind of person are you?”

“It’s none of your business.” Di Jiang coldly finished speaking, then turned around and said indifferently, “Send a few people to retrieve Zhong Xu and Changsheng. The rest of the account, I’ll settle with you slowly.”

Di Jiang exuded an aura of killing intent, heavy and solemn, revealing extreme danger.

This was a look Wen Yao had never seen on her before.

She dared not say more and followed Di Jiang back to her room.

After returning to her room, Di Jiang took off her cassock. Only then did Wen Yao see that Di Jiang’s right arm was covered in fine wounds, resembling knife cuts or claw marks.

The wounds were small but deep, each still oozing blood.

“Boss, how did you get these?” Wen Yao quickly took out some medicine and began treating her carefully.

“The malevolent qi in the Sword Tomb can tear apart mortal flesh completely.” Di Jiang appeared indifferent, as if the injured person wasn’t herself.

Wen Yao cared about Wu Rui’an, but she pitied Di Jiang even more. Although she hadn’t seen Wu Rui’an with her own eyes, Di Jiang’s injuries were glaringly obvious.

Wen Yao fetched the medicine and cleaned Di Jiang’s wounds. Throughout the entire treatment process, Di Jiang didn’t cry out in pain or utter another word to Wen Yao. She seemed absent-minded, her soul having wandered off somewhere.

After finishing treating the wounds, Di Jiang still appeared lost in thought.

Wen Yao was filled with fear, worried that Di Jiang might do something foolish at this moment.

“Wen Yao,” after a long while, Di Jiang finally sighed and spoke, “Do you think, in this life, what is real and what should we cherish?”

Wen Yao thought for a moment, about to speak, but Di Jiang interrupted, “Think carefully before you speak; I don’t want to hear nonsense.”

“...” Hearing this, Wen Yao didn’t dare to speak carelessly. After much thought, she said, “Remember when Miss Jun Ci passed away, she told us: ‘The world is empty, events are illusory, fame and fortune are fleeting clouds. The only thing we can take with us when we leave this world is ‘love,’ which is the fundamental meaning of our existence.’“

“Is that so... ‘Love’ is the meaning of our existence?” Di Jiang murmured to herself, and after that, no matter what Wen Yao asked, she refused to say more.

That day, she locked herself in her room, ignoring anyone knocking on her door.

In the evening, three knocks sounded at Di Jiang’s door.

“Knock knock knock—”

Immediately afterward, a voice that haunted her dreams rang out, “Doctor Di? Are you alright?”

It was Zhong Xu.

After three years, Zhong Xu’s voice was still concise, arrogant, with a hint of asceticism.

Having known him for many years, he had always been like this—calm and composed. The only time he changed his expression was long ago, on the day of her wedding...

“If you don’t answer, I’m coming in.” Zhong Xu outside urged, pulling Di Jiang’s thoughts back to reality. She had to put aside her memories, wiping her eyes with her left hand, only to realize she had been crying without knowing when.

This shouldn’t be...

She hadn’t shed tears for many, many years.

For reuniting with Zhong Xu?

Or for everything in the past?

No, neither.

These tears were probably all for the deceased Wu Rui’an...

Di Jiang put away her sorrow and opened the door to welcome him.

Outside the door, Zhong Xu was wearing tattered clothes, looking as if they hadn’t been washed for a long time. The collar and cuffs were stiff with grime. What was once an old piece of clothing had become even more filthy after being a stone statue for half a year.

His beard had grown almost to his neck. Previously, it gave him a mature man’s charm, but now it made him look like an old man. If his beard turned white, one could respectfully call him “Grandpa”...

Thinking of this, Di Jiang broke into a big smile and said to Zhong Xu, “Master Zhong, it’s been three years. Your beard has grown longer again.”

“Yes... it’s been a long time.” Zhong Xu was startled, clearly not expecting Di Jiang to have such an expression.

After waking up, he had heard the whole story from Priest Yu Ling and knew Wu Rui’an’s death had hit Di Jiang hard. He hurried to comfort her, not expecting her to appear unconcerned.

“Are you alright?” Zhong Xu couldn’t help but express concern.

“Except for my hand being a bit clumsy, everything else is fine.” Di Jiang’s feigned ease made Zhong Xu think she was in good spirits. His wooden brain didn’t detect the fatigue and bitterness in her eyes.

“I’m glad you’re fine. I heard about Wu Rui’an. The deceased have passed; you’ve done your best,” Zhong Xu sighed deeply, “As for me... I’m sorry, there was nothing I could do.”

“It’s alright. It’s all his fate. His life and death trials were continuous; sooner or later, he would perish anyway.” Di Jiang spoke word by word, feeling her heart ache with each syllable.

If she had any doubts about Wu Rui’an before, now they were all gone.

A man, regardless of his initial intentions, didn’t fear death for her. What else couldn’t she believe?

She understood his feelings now.

But it was too late.

Di Jiang originally thought she would be happy to see Zhong Xu, but found she couldn’t cheer up after Wu Rui’an’s actions...

“Let’s eat something. Wen Yao and Yu Ling prepared a feast, everyone is waiting for you.” Zhong Xu expressed concern, fearing Di Jiang would refuse.

Di Jiang initially intended to refuse; at this moment, she really couldn’t eat anything.

But seeing the glimmer of anticipation in the usually icy Zhong Xu’s eyes, she couldn’t bear to refuse him.

Di Jiang nodded, “Alright, I’ll change and come out.” With that, she closed the door.

When Di Jiang finished grooming and opened the door again, she found Zhong Xu still standing motionlessly outside.

“You don’t need to wait for me,” Di Jiang said indifferently, “I know the way.”

“It’s alright.” Zhong Xu shook his head, hiding the concern in his eyes.

Though this expression was fleeting, Di Jiang caught it. She covered her mouth and smiled, “Let’s go, don’t let them wait too long.”

“Alright.”

The two strolled through the mountains. Everywhere was covered in silver snow, the northern wind howling beside them. The roadsides were full of unmelted snow, and icicles hung from tree branches, appearing extremely cold. But neither Di Jiang nor Zhong Xu felt the chill.

Zhong Xu had protective qi around him, so it wasn’t an issue for him.

Di Jiang, preoccupied with thoughts, didn’t pay much attention either.

Seeing Di Jiang keeping her hands in her sleeves without speaking, her lips pale, her expressions changing unpredictably, Zhong Xu thought she was cold. He took off his outer robe and gently draped it over her shoulders.

Feeling the sudden warmth, Di Jiang was momentarily stunned. Looking down, she saw Zhong Xu’s robe already on her.

“Ah, thank you,” Di Jiang turned around, seeing Zhong Xu’s flushed face, and teased successively, “After three years, Master Zhong knows how to care for people.”

“...” Hearing this, Zhong Xu became even more embarrassed. His expression seemed to say, “Just wear it, don’t talk so much nonsense.” It felt like he had never done anything like this before.

Indeed, he had never done anything like this.

Others might not know, but Di Jiang understood his character well.

From the day she met him, she knew he was an iron-faced, upright man, devoid of affection. He didn’t know what it meant to care for others. What he cared about were the deployment expenses of the ghost clan’s hundred thousand shadow soldiers, the reincarnation of souls, and all the mountain spirits and ghosts that shouldn’t exist in the world.

In the past, asking him to take off his clothes for someone else was less likely than asking him to cut off his head and soak it in wine for you. He... was a man she hadn’t seen smile once in hundreds of years.

“Do you think I’ve changed?” Zhong Xu, walking a step behind Di Jiang, suddenly spoke.

Di Jiang smiled and nodded, tacitly agreeing.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Zhong Xu looked puzzled, seemingly unable to understand why he had changed or why it was considered bad.

Di Jiang shook her head, stopped, turned around, and looked at him, “I’m very happy with your change, extremely happy.”

“Why? I... I caused trouble for you, and Baiyun Temple was destroyed under my watch.”

“How can you call that destruction?” Di Jiang solemnly stated, “I am truly happy. According to Master Zhong’s previous nature, he would only say, ‘Since Changsheng was born a slave, he must fulfill his mission, even if it means being shattered to pieces, it’s not regrettable,’ right? But now, there’s a sense of ‘human warmth’ in your heart. How rare is that? Willing to sacrifice yourself for others, such kindness makes me incredibly happy. How could I call you foolish?”

Zhong Xu was speechless, unable to respond.

“You must believe that the current you is more likable than the past you, at least to me.” After speaking, Di Jiang smiled charmingly, then turned around and walked towards the kitchen.

Zhong Xu stood frozen behind her for a long time, as if he were struck by a petrification spell the moment she smiled.

“What are you spacing out for? Hurry up!” Di Jiang called from ahead. Zhong Xu snapped back to his senses and quickly followed.