Chapter 227

The bond Tonglao and Li QiuShui once shared as fellow disciples studying martial arts has long since disappeared amid their mutual injuries; all that remains is a deep-seated hatred that has festered for decades. So when Feng Yi spoke a few words, what Tonglao heard was essentially just one sentence.

Translation: "The bond between Tong Lao and Li QiuShui as fellow disciples had long vanished with their mutual harm; only a deep-seated hatred accumulated over decades remained, so when Feng Yi said a few words, all that reached her ears was just one sentence."

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: "The fellow-disciple affection between Tong Lao and Li QiuShui had long disappeared with their mutual harm; only a deep-seated hatred accumulated over decades remained, so when Feng Yi spoke a few words, all that reached her ears was just one sentence."

Check we kept all info: yes.

But just that one sentence made Tonglao feel a sour ache, her face turning deathly pale, and she couldn't help recalling what her master had once said: "You are the eldest senior sister; you should love and care for your junior brothers and sisters." She thought to herself, "I don't want to live today; if I die, will my master blame me for lacking fraternal affection? Will he regret taking me as his chief disciple? Will that fool, Wu Ya Zi, hate me for killing his beloved?"

Translation: "But just this one sentence made Tong Lao feel a sour ache, her face turning deathly pale, as she involuntarily recalled her master's words from long ago: 'You are the eldest senior sister; you should love your junior brothers and sisters.' She thought, 'I don't want to live today; if I die, will my master blame me for lacking fellow-disciple affection, will he regret taking me as his eldest disciple, will he hate me for killing his beloved?'"

We need to keep quotes. Use English quotes.

Tonglao's gaze flickered several times, her eye sockets suddenly grew hot, and she burst into hysterical laughter, tears streaming down in large drops.

Translation: "Tong Lao's gaze shifted several times, her eye sockets suddenly heated, then she burst into hysterical laughter, big tears streaming down as she laughed."

Although she was a dwarf, she had always been strong-willed; among the thousands of disciples of the Lingjiu Palace's nine heavens and nine divisions, no one had ever seen her shed a tear—until now, and everyone was astonished.

Translation: "Although she was a dwarf, she had always been strong-willed; in the Spirit Vulture Palace's nine divisions, among thousands of disciples throughout their lives, no one had ever seen her shed a single tear—seeing this, everyone was astonished."

After laughing once, Tonglao's fierce expression returned, and she shouted, "My master has long been dead; he can't see anything now. Even if he were to blame me in the underworld, that's a matter for later. For now, I'm just glad!"

Translation: "After laughing, Tong Lao regained her fierce look and shouted, 'My master is long dead; he can't see me now. In the Underworld, how he might blame me is a matter for later—I'm just glad right now!'"

Feng Yi calmly replied, "How do you know your master is already dead? Did you actually see him die?"

Translation: "Feng Yi said lightly, 'How do you know your master is dead? Did you see him die with your own eyes?'"

Tonglao stared, then said, "If my master were still alive, he'd be at least 150 years old—could he possibly still be alive?"

Translation: "Tong Lao stared, then said, 'If my master were still alive, he'd be at least 150 years old—could he possibly still be alive?'"

Feng Yi said leisurely, "The divine scripture went with Xiao Yao; only the Eternal Spring remains in this valley. Have you heard this saying?"

Translation: "Feng Yi said slowly, 'The Divine Scripture went with Xiaoyaozi; only the Eternal Spring remains in this valley. Have you heard this saying?'"

Tonglao felt as if struck by a blow to the head, her face turning deathly pale. Seeing Feng Yi's composure, she hesitated and asked, "Where did you hear that? Have you ever seen my master?"

Translation: "Tong Lao felt as if struck by a blow to the head, her face turning deathly pale; seeing Feng Yi's calm demeanor, she hesitated and asked, 'Where did you hear this saying? Have you ever seen my master?'"

"No!" Feng Yi shook his head. "But there is a place in Dali called the Everlasting Spring Valley, where it is said that the inhabitants all live past a hundred years, and even centenarians retain black hair and ruddy complexions, looking like teenagers. Yet as soon as they leave the valley, their hair turns white and they appear aged and frail, which is why everyone says the valley is inhabited by demons."

Translation: "'No!' Feng Yi shook his head. 'But there is a place in Dali called the Ageless Eternal Spring Valley; it's said that those who live there all reach over a hundred years old, and even centenarians have black hair and ruddy complexions, looking like teenagers—yet the moment they leave the valley, their hair turns white and they become frail and aged, so everyone says the valley is inhabited by demons.'"

However, someone left an inscription stating that the valley originally contained a miraculous scripture teaching how to achieve eternal youth; later, that scripture was taken by Xiao Yao Zi, leaving only a spring whose water grants lasting youth to those who drink it.

Translation: "But someone left an inscription saying the valley once held a miraculous scripture teaching how to achieve eternal youth; later that scripture was taken by Xiaoyaozi, leaving only a spring whose water lets one retain eternal youth."

This story is known to some people outside the valley; if you are determined to investigate, you will surely find it.

Translation: "This story is known to some outsiders; if you care to investigate, you can surely find it."

Moreover, Senior Xiao Yao Zi only passed the Eternal Spring technique to you, his eldest disciple; at ninety-six, if the practice truly grants eternal youth, your master might well still be alive.

Translation: "Moreover, Xiaoyaozi passed the Eternal Spring Skill only to you, his eldest disciple; you are ninety-six years old—eternal youth, so your master might well still be alive."

However, he conducts himself with the detached attitude of "finishing a task, brushing off his clothes, and hiding his identity and name," appearing and disappearing suddenly like a brilliant meteor streaking across the night sky.

Translation: "But he conducts himself with the detachment of 'having finished his business, he throws off his robes and hides his name and identity,' appearing and vanishing suddenly like a brilliant meteor streaking across the night sky."

But if one day he feels compelled to see his disciples, only to find that his eldest and third disciples have turned against each other over the second disciple, engaging in mutual slaughter—tut, tut—who knows whether Xiao Yao Zi could still remain carefree?

Translation: "But if one day he suddenly wanted to see his disciples, the result would be the eldest and third disciples turning against each other over the second, becoming enemies and mutually slaughtering—tsk tsk, I wonder if Xiaoyaozi could still remain carefree."

Upon hearing this, Tonglao's eyes turned blood-red, her face twisted, her fists clenched until her joints cracked, a surge of despair rose in her heart, and her gaze suddenly fell on Li QiuShui as she shouted, "Li QiuShui, this life ends here; in the next life I never want to see you again!"

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Tong Lao's eyes turned blood-red, her face twisted, her fists clenched until her joints cracked; a surge of despair rose in her heart, her gaze suddenly falling on Li QiuShui as she shouted, 'Li QiuShui, this life ends here—I never want to see you again in the next life!'"

After saying that, she burst into hysterical laughter, then suddenly opened her mouth and spat out a jet of blood.

Translation: "After saying that, she burst into hysterical laughter, then suddenly opened her mouth and spat out a jet of blood."

"Granny!" everyone cried out in alarm. Feng Yi hurriedly exerted his divine skill, pressing against her back, a powerful surge of energy wrapping around her chaotic inner force, yet he saw Tonglao staring at him, shaking her head slightly.

Translation: "'Granny!' the crowd cried out; Feng Yi hurriedly exerted his divine power, pressing against her back, a surging force enveloping her chaotic true qi, yet he saw Tong Lao staring at him, shaking her head slightly."

Feng Yi hesitated, but he continued to channel his inner energy into her.

Translation: "Feng Yi was taken aback, but he continued to pour his true qi into her."

Tonglao waved her palm, pushing it against Feng Yi's shoulder, and impatiently said, "Get lost."

Translation: "Tong Lao waved her hand, pushing against Feng Yi's shoulder, and said impatiently, 'Get lost.'"

Practicing the "Eternal Everlasting Youth Spring Technique" requires drinking fresh blood daily; however, if one's qi flows backward and the vessels rupture, causing one to vomit blood, expelling even a small half-cupful results in immediate death.

Translation: "Practicing the 'Heaven-Long Earth-Eternal Ageless Eternal Spring Skill' requires drinking fresh blood daily; but if the qi flows backward and the meridians are severed, vomiting fresh blood—just spitting out half a cup—will cause immediate death."

On the final day of her cultivation, Tonglao wished to perfect her merit and demanded a mind free of distractions, but Li QiuShui's arrival caused her emotions to become overly agitated, preventing her inner power from recovering.

Translation: "On the final day of her cultivation, Tong Lao wished to perfect her merit and demanded a mind free of distractions, but Li QiuShui's arrival overstirred her emotions, preventing her divine power from recovering."

It was because Li QiuShui had just breathed her last; Tonglao, overcome with joy and shock, had her breath go awry. Had Feng Yi not suppressed her with his remaining internal force, she would have already been gushing blood and suffered a fatal injury.

Translation: "It was because Li QiuShui had just breathed his last; in her sudden joy and shock, her breath went awry—had Feng Yi not been suppressing her with his remaining internal force, she would have already vomited blood profusely and suffered an incurable injury."

But when Feng Yi mentioned Xiao Yao Zi at this moment, Tonglao couldn't help recalling her master's kindness in teaching her martial arts, and naturally also remembered his earnest instruction that they, as siblings, should love and care for one another. Her emotions fluctuated, her focus scattered; since her inner power had not yet recovered, the latent danger of erupting into violence immediately surfaced.

Translation: "But as Feng Yi mentioned Xiaoyaozi at this moment, Tong Lao couldn't help but recall her master's kindness in teaching them, and naturally also his earnest instruction that they love one another as siblings; her emotions fluctuated, her mind could not focus, and with her divine power not yet restored, the danger of an imminent clash immediately manifested."

Mei Lan Zhu Ju all rushed over, and Mei Jian loudly asked, "Feng Yi, is the leader's injury serious or not?"

Translation: "Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum rushed over together, and Meijian shouted loudly, 'Feng Yi, is the sect master's injury serious or not?'"

Tonglao glanced at Mei Jian.

Translation: "Tong Lao glanced at Meijian."

Lan Jian took out a bottle from his bosom, poured out a pill, and said, "Quickly give this Nine‑Transformations Heroic Snake Pill to Granny."

Translation: "Lanjian produced a bottle from his bosom, tipped out a pill, and said, 'Quickly give this Nine-turn Male Snake Pill to Granny to take.'"

Tonglao waved her hand, saying, "No need."

Translation: "Tong Lao waved her hand, saying, 'No need!'"

"Granny!" Lan Jian was about to feed her the medicine when Tonglao gave a cold snort, causing Lan Jian to shudder involuntarily.

Translation: "'Granny!' Lanjian was about to feed her the medicine when Tong Lao gave a cold snort, and Lanjian immediately shuddered."

Tonglao said, "You're right. Since learning that Wu Ya Zi is dead, I have no will to live. But Li QiuShui isn't dead, so I naturally cannot die before her; now that she has died, I have no further attachments and can peacefully pass away."

Translation: "Tong Lao said, 'You're right—since learning of Wuyazi's death, I have no will to live. But Li QiuShui isn't dead, so I naturally couldn't die before her; now that she is dead, I have no further attachments and can die in peace.'"

Then she suddenly turned to A Zi and said, "I heard A Zi say that Wu Ya Zi gave you a painting; when I asked her who it depicts, she said she doesn't know. Bring it here for me to see."

Translation: "Then she turned to Azi, saying, 'I heard you say that Wuyazi gave you a painting; I asked who it depicts, you said you don't know—hand it over so I can take a look.'"

Feng Yi gave a slight nod, shifted his gaze, glanced at A Zi, saw her deep concern, and already understood.

Translation: "Feng Yi nodded slightly, his gaze shifting to Azi; seeing her deep concern, he already understood."

Wu Ya Zi had clearly stated back then that the painting was of Li QiuShui; A Zi knew this, but she had not revealed it fully.

Translation: "Wuyazi had clearly said back then that he painted Li QiuShui; Azi knew this, but she did not spill the beans."

Feng Yi took out the scroll and handed it to Tonglao.

Translation: "Feng Yi took out the scroll and handed it to Tong Lao."

Tonglao unfurled the scroll; Feng Yi and A Zi were seeing it for the first time, both very curious, leaning in to look—the scroll indeed depicted a beautiful maiden dressed in palace attire.

Translation: "Tong Lao unfurled the scroll; Feng Yi and Azi were seeing it for the first time, both curious, they leaned in to look—the figure depicted was indeed a beautiful maiden in palace attire."

A Zi exclaimed in astonishment, "This truly resembles Wang Yuyan!"

Translation: "Azi exclaimed in amazement, 'This truly resembles Wang Yuyan!'"

Feng Yi also nodded involuntarily.

Translation: "Feng Yi also nodded involuntarily."

He was purely driven by curiosity, wanting to see whether this so‑called painting could fully reveal a person's appearance.

Translation: "He was purely curious, wanting to see whether this so-called painting could fully reveal a person's appearance."

But upon seeing the painting, it was as lifelike as a photograph, rendering the whole figure in proper proportion—indeed, it was the likeness of Wang Yuyan.

Translation: "But seeing the picture, it was like a photograph, the whole person rendered in proportion—indeed it was Wang Yuyan's likeness."

Wu Ya Zi's painting skill truly left Feng Yi in awe, beyond comprehension.

Translation: "Wuyazi's painting skill truly left Feng Yi in awe, beyond comprehension."

However, upon seeing it, Tonglao stamped her foot and cursed, "He… even on his deathbed he still couldn't forget that hussy, painting her so beautifully!"

Translation: "However, upon seeing it, Tong Lao stamped her foot and cursed, 'He… even at death's door, he still couldn't forget that lowly servant, painting her so beautifully!'"

"Take another good look," Feng Yi said slowly and deliberately. "Mei Jian, you lot come and shine a light on Granny."

Translation: "'Take another good look.' Feng Yi said calmly, 'Meijian, you lot come illuminate Granny.'"

"What?" Tonglao, originally burning with anger and jealousy, almost wanting to tear the painting to shreds, sensed the hidden meaning and shouted, "Bring a torch!"

Translation: "'What?' Tong Lao, originally seething with anger and jealousy, wanting to tear the painting to shreds, sensed the hidden meaning and shouted, 'Bring torches!'"

Mei Lan Zhu Ju stood behind Tonglao holding torches.

Translation: "Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum held torches and stood behind Tong Lao."

Looking at it by the firelight, Tonglao couldn't help uttering an "eh," her face showing a mix of surprise and joy; upon closer inspection, she suddenly lifted her face and burst into hysterical laughter, "It's not her, it's not her, it's not her! Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha!" As she laughed, tears rolled from her eyes and slid down silently.

Translation: "Looking at it by the firelight, Tong Lao couldn't help but utter an 'eh,' her face showing a mix of surprise and joy; upon closer inspection, she suddenly lifted her face and burst into laughter, 'Not her, not her, not her! Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha!' Amid the laughter, tears welled and slipped silently down."

Feng Yi calmly said, "Do you think the two of you are pitiful?"

Translation: "Feng Yi said lightly, 'Do you think the two of you are pitiful?'"

Tonglao's cheeks flushed again, she gritted her teeth and demanded, "What are you saying?"

Translation: "Tong Lao's cheeks suddenly flushed red, she gritted her teeth and said, 'What are you saying?'"

Feng Yi gave a light smile and said, "Men usually judge by appearance, loving whoever they see; Xiao Ya Zi, though excellent, is no exception. You and Li QiuShui, both outstanding women, have borne a deep grudge for decades over this one man."

Translation: "Feng Yi gave a light smile and said, 'Men mostly judge by looks, loving at first sight; even someone as outstanding as Xiaoyaozi is no exception. You and Li QiuShui, both outstanding women, have borne a deep grudge for decades over just such a man.'"

Truly pitiful and sad; I only considered your age and didn't want your sincere feelings to have nowhere to rest, so I concealed something—I never imagined…

Translation: "Truly pitiful and sad; I only considered your old age, not wanting your sincere feelings to have nowhere to go, so I concealed things—I never expected……"

"Enough, enough…" Tonglao couldn't help covering her ears, saying, "I won't listen, I won't listen…"

Translation: "'Enough, enough…' Tong Lao couldn't help but cover her ears, saying, 'I won't listen, I won't listen.'"

Feng Yi laughed and said, "These words indeed hit home; you may choose not to hear them, but I think you are pitiable, and your junior sister even more so—she seemed to have obtained Xiao Ya Zi, yet…"

Translation: "Feng Yi smiled and said, 'These words really hit home; you can choose not to listen, but I think you are pitiable, your junior sister even more so—she seemed to have obtained Xiaoyaozi, yet……'"

Upon hearing this, Tonglao immediately exclaimed, "Yes, she just died like that—isn't that letting her off easy?"

"No, I must make her understand that Xiao Ya Zi never loved her…" Saying this, she helped Li QiuShui to her feet, placed both palms on her back, and continuously poured internal energy into her, yet Li QiuShui's heartbeat and breath showed not a trace.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Tong Lao exclaimed, 'Yeah, she just died like that—isn't that letting her off easy? No, I must make her know that Xiaoyaozi never loved her either.' Saying this, she helped Li QiuShui sit up, pressed both palms to her back, and poured true qi in an endless stream, yet Li QiuShui's heartbeat and breath were utterly absent."

The divine light in Tonglao's eyes gradually dimmed; she suddenly lifted her head to gaze at the sky, a flash of pain crossing her brow, then she burst into a prolonged, loud laugh.

Translation: "Tong Lao's divine light in her eyes gradually dimmed; she suddenly lifted her head to the heavens, a flash of pain crossing her brow, then she burst into a long, mournful laugh."

Everyone could hear the profound sorrow in her laughter.

Translation: "Everyone could hear the profound sorrow in her laughter."

After one laugh, Tonglao turned her eyes toward Feng Yi and shouted sternly, "You faithless wretch! You said you wouldn't kill Li QiuShui, yet you did—you are a man who forgets righteousness for beauty; in this life you dare not lay a hand on my Mei Lan Zhu Ju!" As she spoke, her eyes flashed with sharp light that shot forth.

Translation: "After a laugh, Tong Lao glared at Feng Yi and shouted sternly, 'You faithless wretch, you said you wouldn't kill Li QiuShui, yet you did—you oath‑breaker who forgets righteousness for beauty; in this life you shall never lay a hand on my Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum!' At this, her eyes flashed with sharp light."

No one expected this turn of events; for a moment they stared, mouths agape.

Translation: "Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn, staring speechless."

"Well said!" Feng Yi sighed, "If a woman takes a man's words as truth, she will suffer endless hardship. To realize this now is not too late."

Translation: "'Well said!' Feng Yi sighed, 'If a woman takes a man's words as truth, she invites endless suffering; to realize this now is not too late.'"

Seeing him reach this point, Tonglao remained composed, secretly marveling in her heart, and was about to speak.

Translation: "Seeing him reach this point, Tong Lao remained composed, secretly marveling, about to speak,"

Just then Feng Yi took a step forward and said: "Tong Lao, I can now save Li Qiu Shui; will you let me save Li Qiu Shui?"

Everyone was greatly startled; Tong Lao couldn't help but feel doubtful in her heart, secretly thinking: Could he be faking it to deceive me?

He reached out to take the torch, crouched down, and looked again at Li QiuShui; seeing her complexion deathly pale, eyes tightly shut, a mass of dark qi gathering between her brows, he also examined her chest and pulse points—her body was ice-cold; this was her meridian severed by Feng Yi's Yin-Cold Finger Force, indeed she was dead, certainly not in suspended animation.

Feng Yi saw her full of hesitation and knew she suspected him of letting Li QiuShui fake death; he then smiled and said: "Could a severed meridian not count as death? Or do you suspect I'm colluding with Li QiuShui to trick you?"

Tong Lao said in a hoarse voice: "Can you really revive her?"

Feng Yi said: "I have the power to raise the dead; reviving her is no trouble, but after she lives, you'll continue your life-and-death struggle—what's the point of saving her?"

Tong Lao's heart raced unbidden, her breathing grew difficult, and her thoughts whirled: "That wretch is dead—why should I save her? But Wu Ya Zi doesn't love her; she doesn't know, and if she just dies like this, wouldn't that be letting her off easy? No, no!" She immediately laughed: "If I don't disappoint her once, I won't die in peace—let her live, let her live!"

Feng Yi rolled up his wide sleeves, slowly extended his palms, pressed them against Li QiuShui's chest, and the Divine Illumination Art flowed continuously into her body.

Tong Lao and the several women said nothing, merely staring fixedly at the two; after a moment, Feng Yi's forehead veins bulged, white vapor rose from his head, while Li QiuShui's pallid complexion gradually turned rosy, her lips gained luster, and her curled body twitched slightly.

Seeing this, everyone was astonished; Tong Lao's face showed a strange hue as she murmured: "In this world, there truly exists a technique to raise the dead?"

Feng Yi said: "Although that is so, Li QiuShui's inner strength is profound and she has a Yin-Cold foundation; I deliberately shattered her meridian with Yin-Cold Finger Force, then rescued her with divine skill, making it not so difficult. Otherwise, it would be extraordinarily troublesome."

Internal arts emphasize the balance of Yin and Yang, but since women are Yin by nature, they mainly cultivate Yin-Cold force, whereas men focus on Yang strength.

Even if one opens the Ren and Du meridians and achieves a state where Yin and Yang are both present, it's still ordinary; only by deliberately practicing a particular martial art will a man turn to Yin softness and a woman transform her internal force into Yang strength.

For example, in the original plot, Xu Zhu's Northern Dark True Qi possesses both Yin and Yang; Tong Lao initially taught him martial arts, training him purely in Yang strength, but later she created the Life-and-Death Talisman, and the true qi emitted from her palm was several times colder than ice, so that clear water could freeze into ice—thus she had to reverse the flow of her internal energy.

Seeing that Li QiuShui's internal foundation was Yin-Cold in nature, Feng Yi wounded her with Yin-Cold force, then at this moment used the robust Yang Harmony of the Divine Illumination Art to rescue her, making it easier—this is also the principle of mutual generation and control.

As Feng Yi's words fell, Li QiuShui suddenly let out a long sigh, then with a "wa" sound spat out a mouthful of clotted blood, emitting faint heat, and abruptly opened her eyes.

She saw Feng Yi crouching before her, his hands pressing on her chest; unable to help herself, she exerted a sudden jerk, her body flipping violently, and she sprang to her feet, laughing: "Amazing, amazing—your endless array of tricks truly astonishes."

Feng Yi said: "Tong Lao had me save you, but it's not to take advantage of you."

Li QiuShui used to like handsome young men, but now she's an eighty-eight-year-old old lady, so she naturally doesn't care about that; she merely glanced at Tong Lao.

Tong Lao sat quietly to the side, gazing at her with a complex, inscrutable expression; though her face was once exceptionally lovely, it now looked terribly frightening.

Tong Lao sneered: "From life to death, from death to life—how does it feel?" Li QiuShui's expression was half crying, half laughing: "It feels like a dream; I only thought I had died and was going to meet my senior brother."

She then exhaled and said: "Senior Sister, since Feng Yi favors and helps you, you naturally win—what is this about?"

Tong Lao snorted: "I want to show you something." She handed the scroll in her hand to Li QiuShui.

Li QiuShui took it suspiciously, her gaze shifting, and laughed loudly: "This is certainly Senior Brother's brushwork; he painted me. Senior Brother's exquisite painting skills—how could he depict you as a dwarf, neither human nor ghost? He's not painting Zhong Kui to catch demons; why would he paint you?"

Back then, although Tong Lao was short in stature, her appearance was very beautiful, and her junior martial brother Wu Ya Zi shared mutual affection with her.

She practiced the "Eternal Everlasting Youth Spring Skill," could maintain her youthful appearance, and retain her looks; at age twenty-six she was already able to reverse her divine art to correct the defect of her short stature.

At that time, her junior sister Li QiuShui was eighteen, had fallen in love with her senior brother Wu Ya Zi, envied Tong Lao, and while she was practicing at a critical juncture, Li QiuShui shouted loudly behind her, startling her so that her inner energy went awry, her true qi entered a deviant channel, from then on she could never recover, never grow tall, and the two women became mortal enemies.

Therefore, after Li QiuShui was resurrected, knowing Feng Yi was present and that she could not defeat Tong Lao, she immediately used this to attack Tong Lao.

Unexpectedly, Tong Lao showed no anger, calmly saying: "Is this you? Heh, I doubt it! Mei Jian, let her use the torch to examine it well."

Mei Jian handed the torch toward the scroll; Li QiuShui looked again, and suddenly her face showed an abnormal look of terror, saying: "How could it be her? How could this be her? Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha," her hands trembling incessantly, causing even the painting to quiver.

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In an instant, Li QiuShui felt as if she had stepped off a towering peak ten thousand feet high; her body and mind sank, and her laughter was filled with sorrow and bitterness.

Feng Yi couldn't help but let out a sigh.

"Junior Sister!" Tong Lao gave a cold smile, "Are you happy or not?"

But Li QiuShui stared blankly for a while, then suddenly gave a bleak smile: "Senior Sister, you merely discovered this person isn't me, so you wanted me to know, just to die without peace?"

Tong Lao chuckled: "At first I thought this person was you; only after looking a few more times did I realize it wasn't you."

Li QiuShui said sorrowfully: "She is my little sister!"

My younger sister looks very much like me, except she has dimples while I don't, and she has a tiny black mole beneath her nose, which I lack; if one doesn't look closely, others would hardly notice. Moreover, when you and I were feuding, my little sister was only eleven—how could you have suspected her?

"Yes!" Tong Lao lightly furrowed her brows, "I only thought the person Wu Ya Zi liked was between you and me, never expecting..."

"You only think of hating me!" Li QiuShui bit her lip, eyes flashing with unwillingness: "Who would have known people grow up—an eleven-year-old girl becoming an eighteen- or nineteen-year-old maiden; Senior Sister, you are indeed more ruthless than I."

Following that, her eyes lost focus, her lips trembling slightly: "Ah, little sister, hello, hello, hello!" Tears slipped down silently.

Tong Lao's years of anger, resentment, and sorrow were released at this moment; though she was old yet steadfast, her gaze turned grim and cold as she said sternly: "Not bad—I just wanted you to know that Wu Ya Zi doesn't love you either; if I let you die easily, wouldn't that be too lenient? Hahaha, hahaha..."

Li QiuShui turned her head, gazed at her, and spoke softly: "Senior Sister, I have a private affair with Ding Chunqiu; the senior brother originally knew nothing, but it was you who informed him, causing the matter to be exposed."

He wanted to kill me to vent his anger, so I joined forces with Ding Chunqiu and knocked him off the cliff; at the time I truly had no choice—if I hadn't fought back, my life would not have been spared. Yet I did not use any lethal, love‑ending technique; although he was on the brink of death, I still pulled Ding Chunqiu away and left, not taking his life.

Later I went to Western Xia and became a royal consort, enjoying a lifetime of wealth and honor. You came looking for me, slashing a well‑shaped mark on my face with a knife; seeking revenge on me would be understandable enough, but you cannot escape responsibility for the senior brother's death.

Feng Yi and A Zi exchanged a glance; this part, Wu Ya Zi had never mentioned.

Feng Yi secretly sighed: "This is sending someone to catch an adulterer, only to be harmed by the adulterer himself. Old brother Wu Ya Zi, you really are tragic."

Tong Lao gazed at the night sky, dazed for a while, then suddenly sighed: "Actually not bad! So back then I merely scratched your face, didn't kill you—were you thinking I feared your son would become the King of Western Xia?"

Li QiuShui gave a light smile, neither affirming nor denying.

Tong Lao stared at her for a while, then glanced around, and suddenly laughed through tears: "Ah, today I've merely let the juniors see a joke." Suddenly her body went limp, she collapsed to the ground, and blood gushed out in mouthfuls.

"Granny!" Mei Lan Zhu Ju were about to go help Tong Lao.

Tong Lao's mouth spewed blood like a spring, her eyes widened, and she suddenly cried out sharply: "Wu Ya Zi, Li QiuShui—in this life I'm done with you! In the next life we'll settle the score!" After saying that she burst into hysterical laughter, which gradually faded and then cut off abruptly.

"Granny!!"

"Feng Yi, quickly save Granny, quickly save Granny!"

Feng Yi hastily helped Tong Lao sit upright, one hand on her back, the other on her chest, using his divine art to restore the breath that was about to cease; all that could be heard was Tong Lao's soft, gentle panting, as if she were asleep.

The several women again saw Feng Yi's face full of pain, his bones and joints cracking all over, sweat pouring down like rain; he had just saved two people on the brink of death in a short time, which was doubly difficult, yet seeing Tong Lao open her eyes, she glanced at him faintly and said dimly: "Forget it—even if you could revive me, I would not last long in this world."

Saving her life would take great effort from Feng Yi, but merely getting her to breathe again was a trivial task.

Seeing her give that faint glance, so frail and sorrowful, Feng Yi felt a surge of unease and sighed: "Granny, men with great talent who can stay faithful to the end are exceedingly rare. I originally wanted to conceal the truth so you could all be a bit happier, never imagining I would bring you to this state—rest assured, I can save your life."

A Zi felt an inexplicable sorrow surge through her chest; memories of Tong Lao's playful anger and fierce glare flashed in her mind, her brows and eyes reddening, tears welling up, she said hoarsely: "Granny, it's my fault—I shouldn't have shown you that painting."

Tong Lao's expression was mournful; she shook her head with a bitter smile: "Good child, what's there to blame you for? I understand your feelings; you heard Feng Yi say I had a death wish, so you used the fact that Wu Ya Zi's painting still exists to give me hope—only I myself am to blame for being muddle‑headed."

She then looked at Feng Yi: "Don't expend any more energy; I'm already old, and even if revived, it would merely prolong my life a little."

If you have the heart, just treat A Zi and Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum well, keep them company, stay happy, and don't learn from Wu Ya Zi.

Feng Yi looked at her vacant gaze, full of pleading, sighed, and thought: "I only thought that letting Li Qiu Shui fake her death would let her vent her inner resentment, let her recall childhood events, then revive her so they could spend their twilight years in peace."

But I forgot the principle that there is no greater sorrow than a dead heart. Even if I saved Tong Lao, it would only make her suffer more!

Feng Yi was also accustomed to partings and deaths; he then took back the Divine Illumination Skill, chuckled, and said: "Old lady, I'm actually worse than Wu Ya Zi, just that my skin is thicker. I'm extremely goal-oriented; actually all this is for Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum, to win your favor, and I wouldn't hesitate to deceive you for it—you don't need to be so good to me."

Tong Lao smiled faintly and said: "Old lady isn't foolish; when one is near death, emotions are fragile and one easily recalls childhood. You defied Wu Ya Zi's last words, beat Li Qiu Shui to death, yet could revive her—old lady long guessed you wanted us sisters to reconcile."

Then she coughed lightly, smiled, and said: "Even with a thousand flaws, you're still an upright, fine young man. Old lady entrusts the Spirit Vulture Palace to you; I'm at ease. Though my life has been painful, just now I felt as if I'd grown young by decades, returning to the days when I studied beside my master..."

But two streams of tears rolled down her cheeks, while a joyful smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, yet her eyes were dull and lifeless, finally closing.

"Old lady, Venerable Lord!"

A Zi, Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum, and the surrounding Spirit Vulture Palace women all knelt and wept.

Li Qiu Shui's voice came from nearby, faint as silk, seemingly there and not, speaking in a dreamlike murmur: "There is no greater sorrow than a dead heart. Sister thought I stole her lover, but she never imagined that the one he loved—or perhaps even the one she herself loved—was unknown to her; how sorrowful..."

The Spirit Vulture Palace women originally hated Li Qiu Shui intensely, wishing to hack her to pieces, but seeing her in white silk, her joy and anger indiscernible, yet her brows furrowed in worry, eyes slightly closed, she seemed deeply troubled, burdened with heavy thoughts, standing dazed and motionless, they couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy.

Feng Yi snapped: "Why can't you just stay in Western Xia and enjoy your wealth and honor?"

Li Qiu Shui nodded with a faint smile: "What do you know? After my senior brother died, if I didn't go look for my senior sister, my senior sister would come look for me."

Feng Yi and A Zi both sighed.

Indeed, Tong Lao also wanted to wait for her divine skill to recover before seeking Li Qiu Shui.

Li Qiu Shui gazed into the distance, seemingly reflecting on the past, lost in thought, and said slowly: "My senior sister's Eternal Spring Skill hasn't recovered, yet she rushed out to find me; with my death, her wish is fulfilled. This spitting of blood has left her five viscera empty, her bones ruined and meridians destroyed; even if a deity descended to the mortal world, they couldn't save someone who truly wishes to die."

Feng Yi sighed: "You women both evoke pity and provoke hatred; I truly don't understand!"

Suddenly hearing A Zi snort coldly, she said: "Tong Lao is bad enough, but you plotted against her first, then betrayed Mister Wu Ya Zi—what else is there to say? If you have any shame, just end it!"

Li Qiu Shui smiled faintly and said: "You little girl, have you ever been jealous? Feng Yi is handsome and elegant, his martial arts unmatched; even if he didn't intentionally provoke, how many girls would actively provoke him? Can you stay calm and share your lover with others?"

A Zi was momentarily speechless.

Li Qiu Shui sighed and said: "When I harmed my senior sister, I was only eighteen, just like your age—my mind was full of wanting to be with my senior brother, and anyone who stood in my way was an enemy. If I were thirty or forty, perhaps this tragedy wouldn't have happened."

Feng Yi thought: "That's not entirely wrong; just that in past lives, women received such open education, yet in the bloom of youth, for love they could disregard material concerns and ignore everything."

For example, defying family opposition to elope, becoming pregnant, turning raw rice into cooked rice—such things abound, but by thirty or forty they cease; as a man, trying to deceive women also becomes hard to coax."

Li Qiu Shui picked up that portrait again and looked at it a while, then said: "Senior brother, when did you paint this? Senior brother, you truly love my little sister in your heart; why do you gaze so fondly at that jade figurine? Why? Why? Now I finally understand."

She muttered to herself: "Sect Leader, when Wu Ya Zi passed the sect leadership to you, did he mention me? Did he think of me? Has he been happy all these years?"

Actually, I never truly liked Ding Chun Qiu, not even a bit. I drove him away—does he know? I left a written testament in the jade statue at Boundless Cave, vowing to slaughter all disciples of the Carefree Sect, which means wiping out Ding Chun Qiu and all his disciples and descendants; does he know of this?

A Zi saw she seemed devoid of anger, and sighed: "He knows; he said this portrait depicts you, and at his death he knew your heart held only him, which made him happy."

Li Qiu Shui burst out laughing: "Yeah, even until death, my heart still holds only him..."

She said this, then suddenly cried out shrilly: "Senior sister, we two are both pitiful creatures; even your junior brother, until his death, still doesn't know who he loves in his heart. He still thinks he loves me—that's also fine! Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha!"

She laughed three times, then suddenly struck her own Baihui Acupoint with a palm, spouting a mouthful of blood, her body toppled backward and fell to the ground.

Everyone gaped, stunned.

The tragedy of Tong Lao and Li Qiu Shui lay in falling for a fickle, unfaithful man; here, all were women, many having suffered emotional wounds from men, rescued by Tong Lao, and in an instant everyone's hearts ached with pain and anger, turning their gazes to the sole man present.

Feng Yi slowly rose, composed himself, and laughed loudly: "These old sisters could wake up even on their deathbeds—men aren't good things, but it's not in vain."

"Being able to bury the two sisters together is better than Wu Ya Zi sitting alone in a lone grave—it's a swift and beautiful thing!"

Having said that, he laughed long and soared into the heavens, flicked his sleeves away, and in an instant was already several zhang away.

Everyone saw his solitary figure fade, vanish into the darkness in a blink, leaving only his laughter shaking the mountains and clouds. (End of chapter)