Chapter 108: How Can the Stars Compare to the Complexity of the Human Heart

"That is correct, I am indeed that daughter of the Qiao Family who foresees disaster," the City Lord Furen said, looking at Lingxiang, "and I also know that you are the daughter of Tumi Xianzi."

Upon hearing this, Lingxiang was startled and stood up, staring at the City Lord Furen for a moment before slowly sitting back down.

She had been wondering why her mother would have given away the Life-Prolonging Pill that had been so difficult to refine; she had not expected there to be this layer of reason behind it.

"Then did Mother not know back then that you had no cultivation?" Lingxiang's gaze wandered, though her thoughts were immersed in these matters.

"At the time, my body was frail and I could not meet Tumi Xianzi. My grandfather did not say much back then either; the two heads of the Long and Lu families simply requested the pill. I imagine they only spoke of the reason for the matter, being in a rush to prolong my life, so they did not tell her. It was only later, after meeting a wandering Daoist, that I learned of these things," the City Lord Furen said, pouring a Tea Cup and handing it over.

"A wandering Daoist?" Lingxiang was extremely surprised. "Do you know who it was?"

"That, I am not too clear on. I only know it was a young Daoist. I heard that he sought us out himself at the time, saying he smelled the scent of an old acquaintance."

To know that a Pill should not be fed to someone at will, he must be an insider. What exactly was the background of this Daoist?

Although Lingxiang had her doubts, she let them go in the blink of an eye; after all, it was a matter from many years ago, and thinking about it now, there was no way to investigate it.

"If that is the case, you had the great ability of prophecy back then, so why could the three families not avoid their disaster, instead of having you married off here in advance?"

"That is hard to say. I have had moments of breaking through to see the future from time to time. I encountered some things back then and originally wanted to avoid them, but in the end, the events would still descend, and they would be even more severe. I suppose this is fate," the City Lord Furen said with a sigh.

"This kind of ability, rather than calling it a gift, is better called a scourge. Every time I foresee something and want to avoid it, fate always finds a way to make it happen. After many times, I could only let nature take its course."

"Regarding that disaster for the three families, I also foresaw that there would be survivors, which is why I proposed the method of marrying out to my grandfather, and I also pointed out a path for the Long and Lu families. Unfortunately, the Lu Family was far away and was the first to meet with disaster, which is why you later suffered that misfortune."

"Misfortune?" Lingxiang asked, puzzled. "What misfortune?"

"The Taishang Sect."

The City Lord Furen did not say more; with just this one point, Lingxiang understood immediately.

"You mean the person in black that day was a descendant of the Lu Family? But... but... but didn't you have the ability of prophecy? How could you know about the things I encountered before?"

"It is a coincidence. The old Daoist who saved you that day is a benefactor of the City Lord Mansion; it was something I saw when we met before. At first, I did not know, but after seeing you, I understood everything," the City Lord Furen smiled slightly. "Speaking of which, that my body has been able to drag on for these years is all thanks to that immortal."

Senior Chiyanzi? How could there be such a coincidence in the world?

"Did that immortal come to the mansion before July of this year?"

The City Lord Furen was taken aback upon hearing this: "Exactly. How did you know?"

No wonder, Lingxiang realized with a start.

"That Senior Chiyanzi was afraid we would encounter unscrupulous people again, so he escorted us all the way to Guyang City. Later, he said he wanted to see an old friend in the city; I imagine he must have meant the City Lord Mansion," Lingxiang said, picking up her Tea Cup and taking a sip.

"There is actually such a thing? I invited you here today because of that immortal. He once came to my door and told me that if I fell ill again, I could have Ajin seek out the Youran Abode in the city."

This old senior had actually buried a matter for himself so early on.

"Then what is the reason you sought me out this time, Furen?"

Upon hearing this, the City Lord Furen actually knelt down. Seeing this, Lingxiang hurriedly dodged and then rushed to help her up.

"Furen, what are you doing? If there is something to say, just say it; why do this?"

"Miss Lingxiang, you should know about my body, otherwise you would not have hinted at it like that during our conversation yesterday. You have a heart of seven apertures and exquisite thoughts. Now I beg you to think of a way to help me delay for a few days. Only after I settle my affairs can I leave in peace. I know this is very troublesome, but if I do not beg you, I imagine no one else can do it."

Lingxiang frowned upon hearing this: "Furen, that is a desperate measure that is extremely damaging to the body. With your current state, you might have a year or two, but if you use that method, you won't even last a few months."

"I understand, I understand all of this. It was only after seeing you that I understood many things. Heaven's mandate is arranged this way and cannot be swayed by your struggles. I only hope to settle all matters before I go, which can be considered a peace of mind. I hope you can fulfill this, Miss..."

Lingxiang felt very conflicted. This was no different from harming someone, but the City Lord Furen had been so sincere with her; if she did not agree, it would be somewhat unreasonable.

"I know you are in a difficult position. For those who cultivate, saving people is the righteous path, but I am already beyond help. Rather than saving the person, it is better to save the heart!" The City Lord Furen said, tears streaming down her face.

……

"So you gave her some Pills?" Xin Yi was shocked upon hearing this. What Lingxiang had done violated the laws of cultivation.

"That is exactly so," Lingxiang saw the look on Xin Yi's face and knew what he was thinking, then continued: "Even so, what of it? I am already someone with no hope for cultivation; it is better to do as Lady Qiao said—saving the heart is also settling one's own heart."

Xin Yi wore a grave expression; such an act would likely damage one's hidden virtue...

"Is that the Furen who told you to keep an eye on me?"

Lingxiang smiled upon hearing this: "Do you still remember our first meeting at Zhuyuan? I had hinted at you then, too. When I first saw you, I just thought this young man looked very handsome, and I didn't think about the Furen's words. It was only when I walked closer that my thoughts turned; at that time, I wondered if you were the assassin I had seen that day."

Upon hearing this, Xin Yi immediately remembered the time Lingxiang had tried to cover his mouth and nose with her hand.

"So that's how it was. It seems this Furen entrusted you with quite a lot of things."

Lingxiang smiled and took a sip from her Tea Cup. "Not entirely. That day, she only requested three things: first, to keep her secret; second, to give her some Pills to boost her Qi; and third, to take care of Wuyang in the sect. For me, none of these three things were difficult, but they were worth it to get news of you."

"Did she say how to deal with the Demon Race in the future?"

"Furen said that everything is fate. Even if one deliberately avoids it, it will only invite more severe disaster. Once human effort is exhausted, the rest should be left to nature. Moreover, at the time, she only pointed out your situation to me; she said nothing else." Lingxiang said, standing up and walking to the fence, sighing as she looked at the stars in the night sky. "It has not been easy for Furen, either. Having understood all the future events, it took all sorts of calculations to tell me these things that do not matter."

Lingxiang said, then turned to Xin Yi and said: "The tea is cold, don't drink it. Get some rest early. I have to go out tomorrow, and there are still things to do now." As she spoke, she turned and headed down the mountain.

In the middle of the night, what could be so urgent?