Song of Everlasting Regret - Chapter 19

The two men were both consumed by rage and acted without restraint. Each unleashed killing moves, determined to take the other’s life and unwilling to stop until one of them was dead.

Whether both were gravely injured or one defeated the other, neither outcome was something Lou Jing wished to see.

Her heart hung suspended with fear.

“Father!”

Even after learning the truth of her mother’s death, although she blamed Lou Xuanzhi for concealing it and resented him for failing to protect her mother, she could not hate him.

He had wronged her mother, but throughout all these years, he had never wronged Lou Jing.

After more than a decade of affection between father and daughter, she could not suddenly regard him entirely as an enemy.

Her mother was already gone.

She did not want anything to happen to Lou Xuanzhi as well.

As for Shen Zhongyin, though he disregarded human life, struck without mercy, and belonged to the unorthodox path, he was also a man who lived according to his passions.

Lou Jing felt relaxed in his company and admired his free and uninhibited manner. If he died here, she would also feel regret.

She wanted to stop them but could think of no way.

When supreme experts fought, she had no possibility of intervening.

Their lightning-like sword shadows were reflected in her eyes.

The violent wind preceding a storm swept chaotically through the surroundings. Dark clouds pressed down, dimming heaven and earth. Only the sword light and flames remained as two brilliant colors within the world.

At that moment, Lou Yan, who had been closely pursuing Lou Xuanzhi, finally arrived.

When Lou Jing saw him, it was as though she had found a savior.

“Second Uncle…”

She wanted Lou Yan to separate the two first, then look for an opportunity to restrain Shen Zhongyin.

But in that instant, Lou Xuanzhi and Shen Zhongyin both unleashed killing moves.

The moment they clashed, destructive force raged outward.

The entire inn resembled a dead tree caught in a storm, nearly torn apart. Terrifying cracking sounds echoed through the building as roof tiles were ripped away one after another.

Lou Jing was also caught in the impact.

Her blood and qi surged violently, and she could no longer remain standing. She was thrown backward and struck something unknown.

Pain exploded through her back.

Unable to withstand it, she spat out a mouthful of blood and lost consciousness.

Lou Jing knew nothing of what occurred afterward.

Only a faint remnant of awareness allowed her to feel the cold wind rushing beside her ears.

At some point, the wind stopped.

Somewhere between dreaming and waking, she heard a sigh and felt someone caress her face.

She exhausted all her strength but could not open her eyes.

Relying only upon instinct, she believed the person was Lou Xuanzhi.

Perhaps because she was only half-conscious, she had become unusually sensitive to emotion.

That sigh seemed unbearably sorrowful.

Her heart ached.

She wanted to rise and comfort him, but her awareness gradually sank into darkness again, and she fainted once more.

Before she completely lost consciousness, rain began to fall.

Droplets landed upon her face, yet for some reason, they felt warm.

It was probably only an illusion.

Lou Jing did not know how long she slept.

Her entire body felt cold, but a beam of warm sunlight shone upon her hand.

When she opened her eyes, she stared at the ceiling.

Still disoriented from waking, she did not immediately recognize anything abnormal. She merely felt that something was strange.

A moment later, it was as though her three souls and seven spirits returned to their places.

Her mind cleared.

She abruptly sat up and discovered that the structure overhead was not made of ordinary wooden beams, but solid stone.

Lou Jing climbed down from the bed and looked around.

She was inside a stone prison cell no larger than a small side chamber.

Three sides were formed from stone walls. The fourth was a prison door forged from refined iron.

High upon the wall opposite the door was a narrow rectangular window, about two palms wide. Sunlight entered through it.

The cell contained only a wooden bed, a wooden table, and a small chair.

Lou Jing found the situation utterly bewildering.

She had clearly been at the inn before. Lou Xuanzhi had arrived and fought Shen Zhongyin.

The powerful force from their battle had exceeded what Lou Jing could withstand and knocked her unconscious.

What had happened afterward?

Why was she here?

Lou Jing frowned and stared at the iron door, countless possibilities flashing through her mind.

Since she had been imprisoned, an enemy must have captured her.

Perhaps this was one of the Feihua Alliance’s strongholds.

She refused to believe that her father could have lost, especially since Lou Yan had also arrived. But Shen Zhongyin might have used some hidden scheme.

Alternatively, this could be Caoliu Manor.

The inn had stood within the manor’s sphere of influence. Such a tremendous disturbance could easily have attracted their attention, allowing them to capture her.

Lou Jing had many suspicions, but no one was present to confirm any of them.

Anxious to learn about the current situation, she called outside.

“Is anyone there?”

A short while after she shouted, footsteps sounded beyond the cell.

A white-robed man carrying a sword appeared outside the door. He glanced at Lou Jing and immediately turned away.

Lou Jing understood that he was merely a guard and had probably gone to report her awakening.

She sat back upon the bed.

The beam of sunlight happened to fall over her.

She raised her head and narrowed her eyes.

Remembering the earth-shaking battle between Lou Xuanzhi and Shen Zhongyin, she could not help feeling uneasy.

She wondered how her father and second uncle were doing.

As her thoughts wandered, she waited for a long time, yet no one came.

Could this prison be located somewhere remote?

Why is the person in charge taking so long to arrive after the guard went to report?

The more she thought, the more something seemed wrong.

She suddenly felt that the man from before had looked strangely familiar, as though she had seen him somewhere.

At that moment, footsteps again sounded outside the cell.

They were disorderly.

Five people had arrived.

The moment they appeared outside, Lou Jing shot to her feet and froze.

“Martial Uncles?”

The two men at the front were both familiar.

One wore a long green robe and had a goatee upon his chin. He was her Martial Uncle Li, Li Changhong.

The other had a square face, a vertical line between his brows, and bright eyes. He was her Martial Uncle Wu, Wu Qingtian.

Lou Jing had never imagined that this was neither Caoliu Manor nor the Feihua Alliance.

She was inside the Qianyuan Sect on Tiger Roar Mountain.

The Qianyuan Sect also possessed a black prison.

Although Lou Jing was frequently reprimanded by Lou Xuanzhi, the worst punishment she had ever received was spending several days in the ancestral hall for a serious mistake, or fewer days for a minor one.

She had never entered the black prison before, so she had not recognized it.

Lou Jing thought that perhaps her father was furious because she had secretly descended the mountain and independently decided to follow Shen Zhongyin.

He might have thrown her into the black prison as punishment.

She still felt somewhat relieved.

If that was the case, her father was probably unharmed.

But resentment quickly accumulated inside her again.

Her father was furious and wished to punish her, yet he had concealed the truth of her mother’s death and failed her mother.

Lou Jing had not even punished him for that.

The group unlocked the prison door and entered.

Wu Qingtian’s face was stern and solemn.

Li Changhong’s gaze was cold and severe, as though he were looking at an utterly wicked criminal.

He shouted, “Who is your martial uncle? I, Li Changhong, refuse to acknowledge an ungrateful and monstrously disobedient person like you as my martial niece!”

Lou Jing furrowed her brows.

She wondered what act of monstrous disobedience she had committed to deserve such an accusation.

Her gaze moved toward Wu Qingtian.

Seeing him remain unmoved, she became displeased.

Wu Qingtian was the elder responsible for the sect’s laws and discipline.

Lou Jing and the other personal disciples of the sect master were directly governed by Lou Xuanzhi, but every other disciple who made a mistake was punished by Wu Qingtian.

Whenever someone committed a crime, he conducted the interrogation and determined the sentence.

He had always been upright and strictly followed the rules, so he particularly disliked those who behaved however they pleased.

Li Changhong was the elder responsible for the armory and library.

He had always considered Lou Jing rebellious, eccentric, and impossible to discipline. Whenever she committed an offense, he believed Lou Xuanzhi’s punishment was too lenient.

Did her father intend to punish her severely this time, so severely that he was unwilling even to show his face?

Lou Jing was angry and deeply unconvinced.

She straightened her back, cupped her hands toward Li Changhong, and deliberately replied sarcastically, “This junior is unworthy of Martial Uncle’s generous praise.”

Li Changhong said, “There is no need for you to put on an act.

“What? Do you believe that after committing such an intolerable crime against heaven, you will be let off lightly as before?

“Or do you think you can escape, and that the demon Shen Zhongyin will rescue you?”

Lou Jing thought, So Shen Zhongyin is also alive.

From Li Changhong’s words, he had probably escaped from her father.

Yet she did not understand why Li Changhong believed she expected Shen Zhongyin to rescue her.

Why would she need Shen Zhongyin to save her?

Lou Jing shook her head.

“Lou Jing does not understand what Martial Uncle is talking about.”

Wu Qingtian said gravely, “You do not need to pretend to be confused before us.”

Lou Jing replied openly, “Pretend to be confused about what? If Martial Uncle has something to say, then speak plainly.”

Had she not merely descended the mountain without permission and followed Shen Zhongyin?

Was that truly some unforgivable crime?

She was not Yu Jingqiu.

Whenever Yu Jingqiu encountered an elder, she would lower her head three parts regardless of who was right or wrong.

As long as Lou Jing believed she was justified, she would never bow.

Li Changhong narrowed his eyes.

First, he sneered twice. Then he said, “You truly have no idea what we are discussing, yet you continue joking around with us?”

Lou Jing felt as though her two martial uncles had come only to toy with her.

If they intended to punish her, they should simply state it directly.

They kept speaking in circles, and naturally, she refused to indulge them.

“I want to see my father.”

Lou Jing saw Wu Qingtian’s expression change abruptly.

His jaw clenched, and the muscles along it twitched. His eyes seemed ready to release flames, while his chest rose and fell.

He appeared about to say something but ultimately restrained himself.

Li Changhong glanced at Wu Qingtian and shouted angrily at Lou Jing, “You still possess the face to mention the sect master!”

Because of all these unusual reactions, a thought suddenly flashed through Lou Jing’s mind.

Her heart slowly became suspended in the air.

“Why would I lack the face to mention him?”

“This proves that you feel no remorse whatsoever.”

“I committed no wrong. Why should I feel remorse?”

Li Changhong stepped closer.

“You committed no wrong? If so, why did you secretly descend the mountain?”

Lou Jing replied, “Because I wanted to uncover Cao Ruxu’s true murderer and prove my innocence!”

Li Changhong stepped closer again.

“You committed no wrong? Then why did you secretly meet Shen Zhongyin?

“He is a demon of the Feihua Alliance. What intentions were you concealing by traveling with him?”

“I encountered him by coincidence upon the road.

“He was the one who killed Cao Ruxu’s subordinates in the abandoned garden that night. The person who killed Cao Ruxu was probably connected to him, so I followed him!”

“By coincidence? Hah! What an excellent coincidence.

“Then why did you secretly plot with Shen Zhongyin and use the Second Elder to deceive the sect master into going there?”

Lou Jing said indignantly, “What deception?

“I sent someone to deliver a message to the sect, but the messenger mistook Second Uncle for my father and handed the letter to him.

“The letter requested that the sect elders work together to capture Shen Zhongyin!”

Li Changhong raised his voice.

“You committed no wrong?

“You colluded with the unorthodox path and murdered your own father with your own hands!

“You are monstrous, disobedient, ambitious, and wolf-hearted, yet you dare claim you did nothing wrong!”

Li Changhong’s questions came more quickly one after another.

Because Lou Jing had nothing on her conscience, she had answered every rapid accusation fluently.

But when he spoke this final charge, she froze.

Lou Jing stared at Li Changhong, her expression filled with disbelief.

She repeatedly shook her head.

“Martial Uncle, have you gone mad? You are speaking complete nonsense.”

Although Lou Jing was difficult to discipline, she still possessed basic respect for her elders.

She spoke without restraint now only because Li Changhong’s accusation was too absurd.

Wu Qingtian glared and roared, “You are still pretending to be ignorant!”

Lou Jing stumbled one step forward, leaving the beam of sunlight and entering the shadows.

The prison suddenly felt unbearably cold.

“Why would I kill my father? Martial Uncle, your words are not merely unreasonable. They are utterly ridiculous.”

“Then you must ask yourself!

“What did Shen Zhongyin tell you that made you viciously attack your own father, the man who gave birth to and raised you?

“You and that demon Shen Zhongyin killed him together. You are truly lower than pigs and dogs!”

The string inside Lou Jing’s mind snapped.

She could no longer argue against this utterly absurd accusation.

Only the word dead circled endlessly through her thoughts.

She stared blankly at Wu Qingtian.

“You… Martial Uncle, what did you say? I did not understand.”

Wu Qingtian said, “You caused your father’s death.

“The sect master’s remains are presently lying in state inside the ancestral hall.

“The sword wound you left upon his neck is being witnessed by every ancestral master as evidence of your treason and lack of filial piety!

“Lou Jing, if you still possess the slightest conscience, then truthfully confess everything that happened that day!”

A buzzing sound filled Lou Jing’s ears as though insects had flown inside them.

“Martial Uncle, this is not something you should lie about.

“I know that my independent actions this time angered my father.

“I admit my mistake. I will apologize to him.

“Just do not play such a joke on me.”

“Do you think I am amusing myself with you?”

Wu Qingtian’s voice was deafening.

Standing beside Li Changhong was his inner disciple, Jia Yu.

“Lou Jing, stop pretending to be insane.”

All color drained from Lou Jing’s face.

Her eyes gradually reddened as she repeatedly shook her head.

“No. You are all lying.”

It felt as though all the air inside her chest had been squeezed away.

Her voice became thin and hoarse, as though she could no longer breathe.

“I want to see him!

“I do not believe you. There must be some mistake.”

Lou Jing rushed toward the door.

Jia Yu stepped forward to block her.

“You intend to escape?”

Lou Jing’s heart burned like fire, and she was on the verge of collapse.

Trying to restrain her at that moment was no different from volunteering to be struck.

She possessed no weapon and could only use her fists and palms.

She swept his arm aside, turned her palm, and struck.

Jia Yu was caught unprepared and received the blow directly.

The two disciples behind him hurriedly caught him.

Lou Jing passed them and attempted to leave.

Several disciples on either side immediately drew their swords.

As she approached, their blades thrust toward her.

While her mind remained confused, Lou Jing instinctively used a palm technique.

Two metallic clangs rang out.

The swords of both disciples fell to the ground one after another.

It was the move Shen Zhongyin had used during their two fights to take the sword from her hand.

The technique used inner force to deflect the sword edge, break through the exposed center, and strike an acupoint upon the swordsman’s arm, weakening the limb until the hand could no longer grip the weapon.

The technique was exceptionally ingenious for disarming an opponent and perfectly suited Lou Jing’s current circumstances.

Although she had learned only its outward form, it had already proven effective.

Lou Jing forced the two disciples back and was about to rush through the door when wind suddenly surged behind her.

Li Changhong shouted furiously, “Wicked disciple! You still dare run wild here!”

The palm strike from behind came too quickly.

Lou Jing could not evade and could only turn to meet it directly.

She had not expected Li Changhong to use the full extent of his strength.

The moment their palms collided, it felt as though an iron hammer had smashed into her internal organs.

Her heart blood surged, and she vomited a mouthful of blood.

Before she could recover her breath, Wu Qingtian abruptly attacked from the side and struck one of her acupoints with a finger.

Lou Jing’s vision went black.

She collapsed to the ground.