Song of Everlasting Regret - Chapter 10
By the fifth watch (predawn), the world was deep blue and shrouded in thin mist. The Zhongwu Hall was brightly lit and had not yet settled down.
In a daze, Yu Jingqiu saw a field of white mist. Vaguely, a figure stood beside her, leaning over and looking down at her. She could not move. No matter how she squinted, she could not see the person’s face; she only felt the person’s lips moving, smiling slightly, saying something.
Once she broke through the shackles on her body, she suddenly reached out and sat up. Her vision cleared, and the surroundings came into focus.
This was a guest room. She was wearing only her inner garments, lying on a bed. A solitary lamp flickered by the bedside. Just as she was wondering where she was, she rose to put on her outer robe, and a knock sounded at the door.
Someone called out tentatively and softly, “Senior Sister?”
Yu Jingqiu recognized Di Hou’s voice and let him in. Seeing her awake, Di Hou seemed to heave a sigh of relief, his shoulders slumping.
Only then did she learn from him that this was the Zhongwu Hall.
After Lang Ye had informed Martial Uncle Yu Xiu, he had also chased after them. He had seen the signal from Caoliu Mountain Manor and found his way to the Apricot Blossom Inn. When he found Yu Jingqiu, she was unconscious on the ground, so he hurriedly carried her back.
As Di Hou spoke, the events of the previous night gradually became clear in Yu Jingqiu’s mind. She asked, “Has Jing’er returned?”
Di Hou frowned and said, “No one knows where she ran off to. Because you were injured, Senior Brother and Martial Uncle worried she might meet with misfortune and went out to look for her. They haven’t returned yet.”
Hearing this, Yu Jingqiu felt a sense of unease grow in her heart. The events of last night were truly strange. At the time, she thought it was just an ordinary theft, but now that she was calm enough to think, it felt as though everything was entangled in a thousand threads. She pondered for a moment but found no clarity, so she set it aside for the moment and asked, “Where is Yao’er?”
Di Hou said helplessly, “She’s dead drunk, currently sleeping soundly. Senior Sister, what happened to you yesterday? How did you end up fainting in that Apricot Blossom Inn? When Senior Brother carried you back, we were all startled. Fortunately, your injuries aren’t severe.”
“This matter… I don’t quite understand it myself.” Recalling the woman who called herself Xuan Ying, everything about her felt bizarre. Yu Jingqiu herself was confused and only vaguely explained that she had chased someone to the inn, encountered the mastermind who had many people on their side, and being outnumbered, she was struck at an acupoint. The Jade Buddha Hand and the thieves were both gone.
Di Hou said, “Hall Master Mu already knows the Jade Buddha Hand was stolen and has sent people to search the city. Many martial arts comrades have stepped up to help. The thieves won’t escape; Senior Sister, you needn’t worry.”
Yu Jingqiu stared at the brightening sky, feeling lost. That woman said the Jade Buddha Hand originally belonged to her; she said she needed it to extend her life. Yu Jingqiu felt ashamed that the item was lost from her hands, yet she also felt anxious that the people of Zhongwu Hall might actually capture that woman.
Yu Jingqiu’s heart was in turmoil until the break of dawn, when Lou Jing followed Lang Ye back into the courtyard.
Lou Jing was in a wretched state—her outer robe was gone, she was soaking wet, and her face was deathly pale. Di Hou asked, “Where did you go? Why do you look like this?”
Yu Jingqiu said, “Jing’er, go change your clothes first before we talk.”
Once Lou Jing had changed and returned, Yu Xiu happened to arrive. Yu Xiu’s face was grim. He rushed back, and upon seeing Lou Jing, a surge of anger seemed to rise in his chest. He said, “You…”
Ultimately, he said nothing more, only sighing, “Hurry and pack your things. We are departing for the sect immediately.”
The sudden change baffled everyone. Not only was the theft of the Jade Buddha Hand unresolved, but they were only halfway through their training journey down the mountain. Why return so suddenly?
Yu Xiu urged, “Do not ask questions now. Once we are on the road, I will explain everything in detail. Go, go quickly!”
The group could only obey. They packed their bags, woke the sleeping Yun Yao, and the Martial Uncle led the five disciples to the main hall to bid farewell to Hall Master Mu.
On this day of great celebration for Zhongwu Hall, there had been a fire, a theft, and now the nephew who went to catch the thief was missing. Hall Master Mu sat in the hall, directing the fire-fighting and the search; he hadn’t slept all night.
At daybreak, Yu Xiu led Yu Jingqiu and the others to say goodbye to Mu Yunsheng. “Hall Master Mu, we have troubled you for a night. I must take these children and leave now.”
Mu Yunsheng spoke earnestly, “Leaving so soon? Why not stay a couple more days?”
Yu Xiu said, “Something happened back at the sect. A message arrived this morning asking us to return as soon as possible.”
“If that’s the case, I won’t insist you stay.” Mu Yunsheng smiled bitterly. “Some things have happened in the manor, and I am currently in a state of chaos. I fear I haven’t hosted you properly.”
After a few more pleasantries, Yu Xiu led the group out of Zhongwu Hall and hurried toward the Salt Gang. Lou Jing and the others were worried sick hearing that something happened at the sect, but they couldn’t interrupt while he was speaking with Mu Yunsheng. As soon as they left the hall, they hurriedly asked, “Martial Uncle Yu, what happened at the sect?”
“The sect is perfectly fine.”
Yun Yao said, “Then why did Martial Uncle say—”
“That was just an excuse to get away.” Yu Xiu’s gaze fixed on Lou Jing, his expression stern. “Jing’er, I ask you: last night, did you have a conflict with Cao Ruxu and fight him?”
Lou Jing answered frankly, “Yes.” She explained how she had chased the wrong person, had a disagreement, and fought, though she omitted the part where Cao Ruxu called her a “bastard.” Mentioning those words even to others made her feel stifled and enraged, her face stinging as if pricked by needles.
Yu Xiu said, “Cao Ruxu is dead.”
Lou Jing dithered for a moment under Yu Xiu’s gaze, then said, “I did fight him, but I only wounded him. I didn’t kill him.”
“The people of Caoliu Mountain Manor say you killed him! Currently, the Zhongwu Hall and they are related by marriage. If they side with them and a conflict breaks out, it won’t look good. Moreover, if they demand a life for a life without listening to reason, we might not be able to stop them from taking you. It’s better to avoid them for now. Once we return to the Qian Yuan Sect and report this to the Sect Leader, we can decide what to do.”
The group went to the Salt Gang, took several fast horses, and left the city. As they rode, Lou Jing detailed the events of last night. When she mentioned that Cao Ruxu’s subordinates died from palm strikes, Yu Xiu said, “Cao Ruxu suffered a sword wound. Killed by a single strike.”
Just as they left, the people of Caoliu Mountain Manor returned to Zhongwu Hall with Cao Ruxu’s body. Upon entering the courtyard, they roared for the culprits, only to find from Mu Yunsheng that the people of the Qian Yuan Sect had escaped.
Cao Ruxu’s uncle was filled with resentment. “The monk can run, but the temple cannot! (There’s no escape in the end!)”
“My Xu’er was in the prime of his life, his life ended by a single sword strike. If we don’t demand justice from the Qian Yuan Sect for this, we shall not rest!”
The subordinates echoed in unison, “Demand justice!”
They immediately bought a coffin, shrouded the body, and planned to send it back to Caoliu Mountain Manor. Meanwhile, they sent a messenger on horseback to deliver the news to the manor first. When the Manor Lord, Cao Bo, received the news, he initially couldn’t believe it. He rode over, and upon seeing the coffin, he was overwhelmed with grief.
He ordered the coffin to be sent back to the manor properly while he himself headed for the Qian Yuan Sect, vowing to demand an explanation.
Although Lou Jing and the others had set off toward the sect before Cao Bo, Yu Jingqiu was injured and could not travel fast. Meanwhile, Cao Bo, consumed by the agonizing pain of losing his beloved son, traveled day and night. Thus, the two groups arrived at the Qian Yuan Sect at roughly the same time.
Yu Xiu calculated that once Caoliu Mountain Manor received the news, Cao Bo would surely come to the sect in person to seize the culprit. If Lou Jing were present, Cao Bo would be facing his enemy while in a towering rage; he would never let the matter go and things would only escalate into a violent confrontation. It was better for Lou Jing not to return to the sect yet, but to stay at the foot of the mountain and let Lou Xuanzhi deal with Cao Bo first. Once Cao Bo left and the storm passed, she could return.
Consequently, he settled the five of them at Di Hou’s home at the foot of the mountain. Unintentionally, this stay allowed them to avoid the group from Caoliu Mountain Manor that was arriving right behind them.
The people from Caoliu Mountain Manor went up the mountain that same day and met with Lou Xuanzhi.
In the study, the air was exceptionally tense. Cao Bo’s face was ashen, his fingers drumming a dull rhythm on the armrest. “Sect Leader Lou, what do you have to say about this!”
Lou Xuanzhi said, “The dead cannot return to life. Manor Lord Cao, please accept my condolences.”
“Condolences?” Under the force of his fury, Cao Bo’s face contorted as he shouted, “Sect Leader Lou! My son had extraordinary talent; even after a hundred years, I hoped he would support the Caoliu Mountain Manor. Your daughter is so cruel, cutting off the foundation of my manor! And you have only the words ‘accept my condolences’?!”
Lou Xuanzhi said slowly, “Manor Lord Cao, this matter still requires verification.”
“My son’s body is not yet cold, and his sword wound is right there—is that not evidence? My subordinate saw with his own eyes that Lou Jing attacked my son, filled with killing intent—is that still not evidence?” Cao Bo pointed to a man waiting nearby. This was the servant who had followed Cao Ruxu that night; because he worried about the chaotic situation, the escape of the Feihua Alliance, and Cao Ruxu being injured, he had returned to Zhongwu Hall for help, unknowingly escaping the slaughter.
“This is a grave matter; we cannot listen to only one side. Wait for my daughter to return. Once the events are clarified, I will naturally give Manor Lord Cao an explanation.”
Cao Bo said, “I only hope the Sect Leader does not practice favoritism just because she is your own daughter!”
Lou Xuanzhi stood up, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression composed. “Manor Lord Cao is right. Since they are our children, we must know their temperaments deep down.”
Cao Bo frowned, “What do you mean?”
“My daughter has a stubborn and arrogant temperament, and though she loves to win, she has no heart for bullying the weak. If there were no reason, why would she attack your son for no reason?”
Cao Bo glanced at the servant standing nearby, who gave a general account of the dispute that occurred in the derelict garden that night. After hearing it, Cao Bo interrogated, “Sect Leader Lou, your daughter protected a person from the Feihua Alliance and instead attacked a fellow comrade. Tell me, what logic is this!”
“You say my daughter started a dispute and fought with your son because she refused to let you harm that woman in labor.” Lou Xuanzhi paced back and forth before the desk, musing, “What logic is this? Calamity should not befall the elderly, the weak, or women and children among one’s kin. I heard that woman was from a good family; though it was entirely improper for her to be with Long Chou, I have never heard of her committing any evil deeds, let alone that she was pregnant. What fault does an unborn child have? There were many ways to capture Long Chou’s subordinate. Your son sought quick results and chose to harm two innocent lives. Manor Lord Cao, tell me, what logic is this?”
“Evil must be completely eradicated! If we leave this scourge, are we to wait for him to seek revenge in the future?!”
Lou Xuanzhi swept his sleeves. “If we could bring this child back and teach her to be good, would that not be better?”
Recalling something, Cao Bo began to sneer. “Lou Xuanzhi, to protect your own daughter, every word you say is biased. Towards the Feihua Alliance, you have actually become soft-hearted like a woman!”
Lou Xuanzhi gave him a sidelong glance. “Manor Lord Cao, we are discussing the facts.”
“You don’t intend to hand over Lou Jing!” Cao Bo no longer wanted to waste words and slammed the table, shouting.
“If she committed a wrong, she must be punished. But if she did not, no one can pin this mess on her head!” Lou Xuanzhi was now slightly angered, his words sharp and unyielding.
“So you intend to die before admitting it!”
“If it truly happened as your subordinate said, and a dispute arose over protecting a woman in labor, it is not a major matter. She was merely indignant for a moment; she would never have broken out into murder!”
“With a flip of your tongue, you can say whatever you want. You say she wouldn’t kill; what do you offer as a guarantee?”
Lou Xuanzhi’s gaze darkened, revealing a majestic aura like a dragon or tiger. He patted his own face and spoke with ringing clarity: “I offer her father’s head as a guarantee!”
“Good! Good, good, good.” Cao Bo flicked his sleeve and left. “Lou Xuanzhi, to save your daughter, you disregard justice. I will remember today’s matter!”
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Thank you so much for the translation! I really like this author’s works, and this novel is no exception.