Song of Everlasting Regret - Chapter 23

Lou Xuanzhi’s remains were laid in the ancestral hall; according to custom, he was to lie in state for seven days. The entire Qian Yuan Sect was draped in plain white silk; the courtyard was solemn, and the mountain itself seemed dejected.

Yu Jingqiu, dressed in plain white robes with a mourning band around her forehead, knelt before Lou Xuanzhi’s coffin. After thanking the heroes of the martial world who had come to pay their respects, she saw Wu Qingtian standing outside the hall with his hands behind his back.

Yu Jingqiu rose and walked forward, asking, “Martial Uncle, how is it?”

Wu Qingtian gazed at the distant mountain forests. Dusk was approaching, yet the world seemed to emit a final, eerie brightness. “The innkeeper identified her face-to-face. That man has no conflict of interest with Lou Jing, nor any old grudges; he has no reason to slander her. Now, all signs point to her being the killer.”

Yu Jingqiu’s face was pale, her brow slightly furrowed. “But given her temperament, even if she truly hated Master and wanted to kill him, she wouldn’t join forces with Shen Zhongyin. She would have confronted Master directly in a head-on duel.”

Wu Qingtian sighed. “One may know a person’s face but not their heart. In the face of a lifelong grudge and a life-or-death situation, who’s to say she wouldn’t act out of character?”

“If, as you say, it was a life-or-death situation, and they intended to murder Master, how could they not have planned an escape route in advance? Even if Jing’er was reckless, you said Shen Zhongyin is meticulous, cunning, and unpredictable—would he act so impulsively? Master would not have gone to face him alone; would they not have anticipated such an obvious problem? If it were premeditated, why didn’t Shen Zhongyin mobilize the Feihua Alliance’s men beforehand to set an ambush for an easy escape?” Yu Jingqiu shook her head gently. “But Martial Uncle Li said that at the time, no trace of other Feihua Alliance members was found. Martial Uncle, neither Jing’er nor Shen Zhongyin is a fool.”

Wu Qingtian said, “That is precisely the part that leaves me perplexed.”

Hearing this, Yu Jingqiu knew he wasn’t blindly clinging to a single narrative or certain of Lou Jing’s guilt, so she felt a surge of relief in her heart.

Although Wu Qingtian was stubborn, he was reasonable and valued evidence above all. If one understood his temperament, he was easier to talk to.

Yu Jingqiu asked, “Martial Uncle, is it possible the innkeeper is being coerced?”

Wu Qingtian shook his head. “Lang Ye and I escorted him back the entire way; we never let him have contact with anyone else.”

Yu Jingqiu said, “Perhaps it happened before you saw him. If we want to get to the bottom of this, we might find a breakthrough through this innkeeper.”

If the killer made no moves, there would be no trail to follow; but as long as they acted, they would leave a flaw.

Wu Qingtian said, “I understand. Lang Ye and I will keep a close eye on him.”

Yu Jingqiu observed his expression. Seeing his attitude soften and his complexion no longer as grim as when he arrived, she hesitated for a moment. “Martial Uncle, Master is to be buried tomorrow. This is the final night. Let Jing’er come and keep vigil for Master.”

“You know your Junior Sister’s temperament better than anyone. The ancestral hall is where the founding masters rest; if she causes a scene, it will disturb the peace of our ancestors!”

“Martial Uncle, you harbor a trace of prejudice against her…” Yu Jingqiu’s pale lips pressed together. She took a step back and bowed deeply. “Shan Jun has been presumptuous.”

Wu Qingtian dropped his hands to his sides and turned to look at Yu Jingqiu. He pointed a finger at the air, his face showing anger. “You are right, I do have a prejudice against her! The Sect Leader is dead. Even if she isn’t the killer, she bears an undeniable responsibility. She may be spared death, but she cannot escape punishment.”

Yu Jingqiu raised her eyelashes, pleading, “If she cannot come to the ancestral hall, then at least let her see Master off during the funeral tomorrow. Master always worried for her; after ten years of a father-daughter bond, he would want to see her one last time at the end.”

Wu Qingtian’s chest heaved as he gradually calmed down. After a long silence, he sighed and said, “Fine, I will go speak with the other two elders.”

Yu Jingqiu said, “Thank you, Martial Uncle.”

At dusk, the cold mountain wind rose, and white lanterns were lit outside the ancestral hall.

Yun Yao returned travel-worn from a trip down the mountain. She changed into plain white robes and bowed before Lou Xuanzhi’s coffin. “Senior Sister.”

Although they were not afraid of the coffin, they instinctively lowered their voices as they spoke. Yu Jingqiu asked, “How is it? Any news from Di Hou?”

When Lou Jing first returned to the sect, Yu Jingqiu had consulted with her fellow disciples and sent Di Hou and Lang Ye down the mountain. Lang Ye went with Wu Qingtian to find the witness, while Di Hou went south with several disciples to notify Lu Yuanding.

Lu Yuanding and Lou Yan had always been Lou Xuanzhi’s left and right hands. Now that Lou Yan was severely injured, the sect needed Lu Yuanding to return and take charge. Furthermore, Lu Yuanding was gentle and insightful; if he returned, Lou Jing’er’s situation would improve significantly.

“The latest news says he reached the south, but he hasn’t made contact with Martial Uncle Lu yet. That little monkey—always useless when it counts.” Yun Yao scolded him for a moment before her expression changed to concern. “Senior Sister, I heard Second Senior Brother is back. How did the witness identification go?”

Yu Jingqiu closed her eyes wearily and shook her head. A sense of sorrow escaped with her soft sigh. “The innkeeper said he saw Jing’er act with his own eyes. Although the man was found, the situation has turned even more against her.”

“Impossible! He must be under someone’s orders!” Yun Yao’s voice rose in shock and anger. She quickly suppressed it, glancing at Master’s coffin, and lowered her voice again. “With A’Jing’s temperament, being slandered like this… I fear…”

Yu Jingqiu said, “In a while, we’ll go see her.”

Yun Yao murmured, “Ever since I snuck in to see her last time, Martial Uncle Li has been in a towering rage. He forbade me from visiting her again.”

Yu Jingqiu said softly, “I will go with you.”

“But Master’s vigil here…”

“A’Ye is back. Let him keep watch for Master for a while.”

Yun Yao’s brow cleared, and she said happily, “Good, I’ll go get him!” She thought that Martial Uncle Li would have to show some respect to her Senior Sister.

Just as Yun Yao left the ancestral hall, a disciple carrying several rolls of ledgers approached the mountain steps. Seeing this, Yun Yao’s eyebrows, eyes, and nose all scrunched up together.

The disciple in plain robes indeed headed for the hall, walked up to Yu Jingqiu, and presented the ledgers. “These are the funeral offerings sent by the various sects today, as well as the records for supplies and expenses. Please verify them, Senior Sister. Also, regarding the room assignments for tomorrow’s guests, Martial Uncle Wu said they must be arranged by the hour of Hai.”

Seeing the disciple arrive at such a “perfect” time to disrupt their plans, Yun Yao—who was already holding back a belly full of fire—raised her eyebrows and pointed at the disciple. “How can there be so many things? When Master was alive, things were never this complicated! Are you trying to work my Senior Sister to death? Whoever handled this before, let them do it still!”

Since Lou Xuanzhi’s body returned to the sect and the coffin was placed in the hall, it fell to them, his disciples, to keep vigil. Lang Ye and Di Hou were away, and Lou Jing was imprisoned and forbidden from coming, leaving only the two of them.

Beyond the vigil, they had to manage the news from Di Hou, which was already exhausting. But Yu Jingqiu also had to handle the sect’s tedious trifles, leaving her not a moment to breathe.

Though they understood that the sect was in turmoil and things were different now, seeing their Master dead, their sister imprisoned, and their brothers running themselves ragged felt like being a tender sprout crushed by cold spring rain. Forced to take on the role of pillars, their hearts were naturally cold, and resentment grew.

Yu Jingqiu calmed her gently. “Why are you angry with him? He is only following regulations. With Master gone and Jing’er in jail, the sect has lost its core and is busy hunting the killer; it’s naturally more chaotic than usual.”

Yu Jingqiu took the ledgers and said to the awkwardly standing disciple, “You may go. I will have the room assignments finished by the hour of Xu. I will handle the verification later.”

The disciple, looking as if a weight had been lifted, hurriedly withdrew.

Yu Jingqiu looked down at the scrolls in her hand. After a moment, she said to Yun Yao, “You go first. I will join you later.”

“But Martial Uncle Li…”

“Go ask Martial Uncle Wu to intercede.”

“Alright, I understand.”

After Yun Yao left, Yu Jingqiu let out a sigh so faint it was nearly inaudible. She entered the hall, had a disciple set up a long desk to one side, and unfurled the guest registry.

The ancestral hall was silent, save for the curling incense smoke and a lamp as small as a bean.

After an unknown amount of time, the mountain bell suddenly rang. The heavy sound rippled across the sky, echoing through the hills.

The sound reached the hall, and Yu Jingqiu’s heart jolted. Her hand slipped, leaving a long ink smear across the snowy white paper. A ringing of the mountain bell meant a major incident. Sensing a bad omen, Yu Jingqiu walked swiftly out of the hall.

The sky was already dark, and a solitary moon lit the sky.

Eventually, a disciple came sprinting toward her. Yu Jingqiu asked, “What has happened?”

The disciple reported, “Lou Jing injured the guards and escaped!”

Yu Jingqiu’s heart sank. She asked hurriedly, “Where is she now?”

The disciple said, “Her whereabouts are unknown. Elder Li has rung the bell and is organizing a search of the entire mountain.”

Yu Jingqiu’s mind raced. She said, “Go to the main peak and call Lang Ye to guard the ancestral hall.”

“Yes.”

Yu Jingqiu called him back. “Wait! Give me your sword.”

Weapons were forbidden in the ancestral hall; Yu Jingqiu’s sword had been left at the Clear Heart Waterside Pavilion.

The disciple didn’t have time to think. He offered his sword as requested and turned to leave.

As soon as he was gone, Yu Jingqiu turned and moved like a white bird in the mountains, her steps light and agile as she headed toward the back mountain.

There was a steep, winding path down the back mountain located behind Xiangri Peak. Aside from their circle of disciples, few knew of it.

Yu Jingqiu was certain in her heart that Lou Jing would take that path.

When Yu Jingqiu reached the mountainside, she caught sight of a figure. Gathering her qi, she leaped and surpassed her, landing on a mountain rock. She turned around and said, “Jing’er, where are you going?”

The person hurrying down the narrow mountain path froze. Her frame was lean, her hand gripped a long sword tightly, and several strands of hair at her temples whipped wildly in the wind. Her lips were parched, her expression sinister—only her eyes were exceptionally bright, flashing like the cold light of blades.

Cloaked in the night, Yu Jingqiu could not see the bloodshot veins in her eyes.

The Lou Jing before her was like a cornered beast escaped from its cage, claws out and back arched, in a posture of constant aggression.

Lou Jing said, “You are asking what you already know.”

Yu Jingqiu said, “You cannot leave.”

“If I don’t leave, am I to stay here and wait to be slandered to death?”

“Your case is still under investigation. I will prove your innocence. Regarding that witness A’Ye found—if he was coerced into framing you, a flaw will eventually show. Martial Uncle Yu has found a lead on how to save Uncle Lou; as soon as he wakes, he can testify for you. Di Hou has gone to the south, and Martial Uncle Lu will return soon to take charge. Jing’er, you cannot be foolish at a time like this…”

Still under investigation? Not an execution at dawn?

Lou Jing froze, looking at Yu Jingqiu’s expression. She knew what Yu Jingqiu looked like when she lied: her face would turn red and her limbs would be restless. Yu Jingqiu’s current expression was calm, meaning she wasn’t lying—but her words contradicted what the man who had unsealed her acupoints in the Black Jail had said.

After a moment of wavering, her gaze darkened.

Whether it was true or false no longer mattered.

Lou Jing asked, “Senior Sister, do you believe me?”

Yu Jingqiu thought she was wavering and needed affirmation. Naturally, she tried her best to console her. Furthermore, she truly believed Lou Jing was innocent, so she said, “I believe you would not harm Master.”

Lou Jing’s gaze was piercing. She said coldly, “But I don’t believe you. I don’t believe anyone.

If the killer wasn’t me, then it must be someone within the sect. The most likely suspects are these elders. Do you have the power to investigate Elder Wu? Can you imprison Elder Yu in the Black Jail? Can you interrogate Elder Li twelve hours a day? Do you even dare to suspect Elder Lu? And what if my Second Uncle never wakes up?”

Yu Jingqiu stood frozen, unable to speak.

“You won’t suspect them. The thought won’t even cross your mind. It’s your nature to think all your friends and teachers are good people. What use is your belief in me? You are just a fledgling whose feathers haven’t grown yet. In the middle of this storm, you can’t even protect yourself. How can you help me?”

“But Jing’er, have you thought about this? Master had many friends and great prestige in the martial world. If you walk away from here, it is a flight of guilt. It confirms your cowardice. At that point, not only will the sect hunt you, but the entire martial world will not let you go. If you encounter those of fierce temperament, they might take your life on the spot. This journey isn’t a path to life—it’s a mountain of blades and a sea of fire!”

“I am not afraid to die. I am only afraid of dying without clarity. I am not afraid of being killed by outsiders—I am afraid of being stabbed in the back by my own people!”

Facing Lou Jing’s fearless gaze, Yu Jingqiu, for the first time, did not yield. She said firmly, “I will not let you go.”

Lou Jing drew her sword. “If you block me, you are my enemy!”