Chapter 124: Zi Ning I Will Protect You, Gongsun Huaiyu’s Growth
Chapter 124 Zi Ning I Will Protect You, Gongsun Huaiyu’s Growth
Chen Changsheng’s erratic behavior left Fu Yao thoroughly perplexed.
However, a sharp, primal intuition prevented Fu Yao from engaging with the topic Chen Changsheng had raised.
“Brother Chen, you jest. Your strength is unparalleled, a feat that shall ring through the ages; how could it ever be my turn to protect you?”
“Pray, Brother Chen, let us speak no more of such jokes.”
Hearing Fu Yao tactfully decline his request, Chen Changsheng’s expression shifted instantly, his mask of affability vanishing.
“If you aren’t here to protect me, then why are you even here?”
“Begone then. The injuries of those two are of no great concern.”
Faced with this blunt dismissal, Fu Yao did not take offense. After a few hollow pleasantries, he turned and vanished from the Eastern Wasteland residence.
Witnessing Chen Changsheng’s “cowardly” and “shameless” display, Zi Ning could no longer suppress her disdain.
“If you are truly so terrified of the coming storm, why bother attending the Heavenly Talent Assembly at all? Would it not be better to simply crawl back home and hide?”
As Zi Ning’s mockery hung in the air, Nalan Jing moved to rebuke her, but Chen Changsheng raised a hand to stay her.
“From the way Miss Zi Ning speaks, it seems you intend to act as my protector during tomorrow’s Heavenly Talent Assembly?”
“My Master has commanded me to ensure your safety.”
“Though I find your character loathsome, I shall fulfill my duty with the utmost diligence.”
“I cannot promise to strike down every formidable foe in your path, but I can promise this: I will never be the one to retreat while you still stand.”
“Remarkable!”
At those words, Chen Changsheng began to clap, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light.
“Miss Zi Ning truly possesses exceptional courage. Since you have shown such resolve, I shall not be a miser.”
“Provided you do not flee the field tomorrow, I shall personally impart a method of cultivation to you once the assembly concludes.”
“This art is the very same one practiced by Gongsun Huaiyu.”
Zi Ning’s eyes ignited with sudden fervor.
She had indeed tasted defeat at the hands of Gongsun Huaiyu, but she knew it wasn’t a lack of talent or effort—it was the disparity in their fundamental techniques.
If Chen Changsheng truly granted her such a profound law of the Dao, she would once again have the capital to contend with the greatest talents of the realm.
“Are your words true?”
“As true as the rising sun. If I harbor even a shred of deceit, may the Heavens strike me down where I stand.”
“But remember, you must not flee from the assembly tomorrow.”
“Understood,” Zi Ning replied, her confidence swelling. “Though I am no match for Fang Qiancheng, I can certainly stall him for a time.”
“If I were to tuck tail and run, I would no longer have the face to look upon you.”
Watching the girl’s spirited gaze, Chen Changsheng allowed a cold, imperceptible smile to touch his heart.
Foolish girl, you truly know nothing of the vastness of the heavens. Even the Yaoguang Saint Son dared not accept such a burden, yet you rush in headlong. Let us see if you still have tears left to shed tomorrow.
After finalizing a few minor details, Chen Changsheng dismissed the group to their rest.
It was then that Gongsun Huaiyu emerged from her chambers, her face as pale as winter snow.
Chen Changsheng cast a glance her way and spoke softly, “Come. Sit with me upon the roof.”
……
The Rooftop.
Chen Changsheng gazed out at the azure horizon and the drifting clouds, his posture radiating a rare sense of ease.
In contrast, Gongsun Huaiyu’s features were twisted with profound guilt.
“Young Master… please, scold me.”
“Punish me however you see fit, but I beg of you, do not ignore me!”
As she spoke, her voice trembled, carrying the weight of a sob.
To feel discarded by the one she relied upon was a torment far worse than a thousand cuts from a blade.
Chen Changsheng chuckled softly. “And why should I scold you?”
“Because I departed the residence without leave, and because of my folly, Young Master has been forced into a blood-feud with Fang Qiancheng.”
“Had I not been so reckless, your arrangements would not have been shattered, and we would not be mired in this disadvantageous position.”
“A feud is but a feud; it is of little consequence.”
“Sooner or later, we were destined to cross blades with such people.”
The more nonchalant Chen Changsheng appeared, the deeper the thorns of guilt pierced Huaiyu’s heart.
Since the moment she began following him, she felt she had done nothing but stumble from one mistake to the next.
“But—”
“There are no ‘buts’.”
Gongsun Huaiyu attempted to speak, but Chen Changsheng’s voice cut through the air like a cold wind.
“Girl, you do not walk the solitary path of a Rogue Cultivator. In the future, many shall follow in your wake.”
“But you must grasp this truth: not a single soul under the Heavens is immune to error.”
“If you only know how to heap blame and vitriol upon those who falter, your path shall soon reach its end.”
“The error has been committed. Whether I berate you, punish you, or even take your life, the reality of the situation remains unchanged.”
“You failed, yes. But it is a failure I can still mend, a knot I can still untie.”
“I can assist you once, twice, or even thrice… but what of the fourth time? What of the fifth?”
“If you never learn to weigh the fated paths before you act, who will be left to save you then?”
Gongsun Huaiyu bit her lip so fiercely that a bead of crimson blood bloomed.
Though she was often impulsive and retained the spirited nature of a youth, she had never intended to become a burden to those around her.
Chen Changsheng’s words, though devoid of anger, were more agonizing than having her flesh flayed.
She had disappointed the one person who truly cared for her growth.
Sensing that the lesson had taken root, Chen Changsheng reached out and patted her head.
“Burn this lesson into your soul. I do not wish to see you stumble over the same stone twice.”
“By the way, that medicine boy from Butterfly Valley… what is his name?”
Gongsun Huaiyu’s gaze shifted evasively. “I… I do not know. I merely encountered him while wandering.”
“Cease your lies. If I am asking, it means the truth is already within my grasp.”
“Nalan Xingde,” she whispered, lowering her head in defeat.
“Nalan Xingde… a name with a certain elegance to it.”
“How did your paths cross?”
“Five years ago, I was grievously wounded by the Kunlun Holy Land. After tearing through their encirclement, I collapsed from exhaustion. He was the one who saved me.”
“So, it was a debt of life-saving grace!”
Chen Changsheng’s eyes twinkled. “Small wonder that the so-called Enchantress of the Middle Heavens has become so hopelessly smitten.”
“Since the affection is mutual, cherish these fleeting moments. Do not wait until your hair is white to harbor regrets.”
Gongsun Huaiyu looked up, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Young Master… you do not oppose us being together?”
“Why should I?”
“Because Big Brother Nalan… he possesses no talent for cultivation. He is but a mortal.”
“Lack of talent is just that. Do you truly believe your Master and I are the sorts of people who would sacrifice your happiness for a political marriage?”
“As long as your hearts are intertwined, that is sufficient. We shall not interfere.”
“Furthermore, if a day comes when you are imperiled and neither I nor your Master are at your side, you may seek aid from the Yaoguang Saint Son.”
“Eh?”
Confusion washed over Gongsun Huaiyu’s pale face.
“Why him? I barely know the man!”
“Because Nalan Xingde is his biological younger brother—though Xingde himself is unaware of this bloodline.”
“With such a connection, Fu Yao would never stand idly by while his kin’s heart is broken.”
“If he hadn’t been quietly scrubbing away the traces of your movements all this time, your secret trysts would have been exposed long ago. Did you truly think you could hide from the eyes of the world on your own?”
“And mark my words: do not speak of this to Nalan Xingde. To do so would only invite a lethal calamity upon his head.”