Chapter 227

At the time, Liu Xing heard it all and was utterly confused, feeling utterly baffled.

Unfortunately, Lady Jin never bothered to explain in detail.

But precisely because of that, Liu Xing never moved against Kong Que Shanzhuang over these years.

It wasn't until the Shuang Long issued the task.

Now, after reading the diary, Liu Xing's doubts dissolved instantly.

So she and Qiu Qiu Tianming had this connection after all!

As for why Qiu Qiu Tianming wouldn't kill Jin Kaijia?

That's easy to understand—he likely still cherished old feelings and couldn't bear to see the orphaned mother and daughter.

Indeed, Jiang Sishui wrote—

【That battle, Qiu Qiu Tianming won, but didn't kill the opponent】

【Yet Jin Kaijia lost an arm】

【After that, Jin Kaijia's choice became baffling】

【He didn't return home for twelve years!】

【The reason given in the drama was also absurd—he feared enemies would learn he was still alive and disabled, and come looking for him. With only one arm, he couldn't fight back and would only drag his wife and daughter into danger】

【I don't understand this logic】

【So he thought if he died, all his enemies would suddenly uphold martial virtue and declare the feud over, sparing his family?】

【Besides, as the ruthless man who could cleave Ximen Yu with one axe, Jin Kaijia—even with one arm—was among the top few in combat power; few could defeat him】

【So this plot point… was truly forced】

【I wonder what the real Jin Kaijia was thinking】

【Out of respect for my father-in-law's dignity, I couldn't bring myself to ask】

"What was the real thinking…" Liu Xing fell into deep thought.

She had asked Jin Kaijia this same question—he gave the exact same answer as in the drama.

At the time, after their long separation, Liu Xing's mind was flooded with joy, and since she'd never seen Jin Kaijia fight, she didn't know his current strength, so she never sensed anything odd.

But now, with Jiang Sishui's remark, she realized that explanation was riddled with holes.

So, did her father lose his mind? Or was there another reason?

Liu Xing furrowed her brows, feeling she needed to find a time to probe subtly.

【Jin Kaijia didn't return home; his wife fell ill from longing and wept until she went blind】

【The daughter, desperate to find him, became her mother's scapegoat, then set out alone into the martial world. Though she mastered Wu Gong, she accidentally fell into Shuang Long's control and was forced to serve Weiqinglong Society】

【Meanwhile, Liu Xing grew cold and ruthless】

At the start of the plot, to complete Shuang Long's assigned and urgent task, she mercilessly crushed to death her childhood friend—a pure, trusting girl named Deng Yuru.

【Then she took on Deng Yuru's face and assumed her identity to carry out her plan】

【Unfortunately, karma returns】

【At the end of the drama, though Liu Xing repented and changed, how could the death of an innocent life be undone?】

【So her final death at the hands of Deng Yuru's father was, in a way, paying her debt for her childhood friend's life】

"I died…"

Seeing her own ending in the story, Liu Xing sat frozen for a long while.

She never imagined this "heroine" would meet such a grim fate.

"Karma returns… does such a thing truly exist in this world?"

Liu Xing whispered softly, her gaze falling again on the three characters: "Deng Yuru."

She had memories of this childhood friend.

Using her sole privilege, she checked—

【Character: Deng Yuru】

【Appearance: 8】

【Affection: 8】

Just enough to qualify for a diary copy.

"So you saw it too, didn't you?"

Liu Xing paused thoughtfully, deciding she should go see her.

……

Yuzhou, Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

Deng Yuru's clear, innocent eyes blinked, her small face filled with shock.

"Liu Xing? My childhood friend? That little star in the sky?"

"She… she actually choked me to death…"

Suddenly, Deng Yuru's neck grew cold, as if icy hands had settled upon it, ready to squeeze tight and suffocate her.

Deng Yuru jolted in terror and clutched her neck with both hands.

She turned sharply, scanning the room—only she was there.

Still uneasy, Deng Yuru rose and checked every corner of the 3.7-square-meter room, confirming no one was hiding, then breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Much later, her nerves finally calmed.

She thought to herself: "Liu Xing didn't mean to kill me. She… she was forced, with no choice. Maybe I shouldn't blame her."

【Family reunited, freed from the soul tablet—Liu Xing's two greatest wishes were fulfilled; she no longer had to live so burdened】

【It's clear her state was now relaxed】

But she was willing to come with me, probably out of gratitude.

Getting her to stay willingly still remains a long and difficult path.

……

【Detected: Jiang Sishui has completed today's diary entry. Congratulations, you have received one month of True Qi.】

【Selecting today's winner…】

【Congratulations, Liu Xing, you have received the Divine Art "Kong Que Ling".】

252 A Divine Art capable of slaying half-gods, Niu Fu Zhou

"Kong Que Ling?!"

For the women, the three characters "Kong Que Ling" meant far more than just a drama title.

Its fame was not confined to Yuzhou; over these two hundred years, it had long spread throughout the Central Region.

Even beyond the Central Region!

Thus, before the diary copy appeared, many of them had already heard of its fame.

Now, "Kong Que Ling" had been awarded to Liu Xing by the system!

So the question arose: was this "Kong Que Ling" the same one from Kong Que Shanzhuang?

Immediately after, someone noticed the prefix: "Divine Art? Is 'Kong Que Ling' a Divine Art?"

……

Yuzhou, Kong Que Shanzhuang.

Miss Nangong Ling could no longer sit still, her expression filled with shock and uncertainty.

"Kong Que Ling… Kong Que Ling… could it be ours?"

As a member of Kong Que Shanzhuang, she naturally did not want their sacred treasure to fall into another's hands.

Yet she herself did not know what their "Kong Que Ling" truly was—only the Lord of the Shanzhuang knew.

Precisely because she was uncertain, she could not find peace.

"Divine Art? Probably not."

Though she had never seen the true form of their "Kong Que Ling," she leaned toward it being a tangible, physical artifact.

Otherwise, it would be difficult to pass down continuously through generations.

"Liu Xing…" Miss Nangong Ling memorized that name at once.

……

Man Tuo Shanzhuang.

After receiving the reward, Liu Xing stirred her thoughts.

In an instant, divine light blazed from her back—golden, speckled with flecks of greenish-blue, like a peacock spreading its tail, magnificent and radiant, bathing the entire room in gold.