Chapter 17 - Hatred is Hatred's Due
The matter of Luo He and Luo Hongyu was absolutely heretical and taboo.
Luo Wenshui might have been able to deceive the entire righteous cultivation world, but he couldn't deceive those close to him. After all, Luo Hongyu wasn't an inanimate object incapable of speech; wherever she went, she brought Luo He, which would inevitably cause gossip and criticism from others.
Therefore, Luo Wenshui definitely had a helper to help him conceal and falsify, and thoroughly cover up the truth.
Although she didn't dare say for sure... Su Huanhuan intuitively sensed that Luo Wenshui's helper was very likely this Autumn Maiden Sword Gu Jing before her.
As for whether it truly was or not... she'd know by testing it.
"Esteemed Autumn Maiden Sword graces me with your presence; this junior wouldn't dare to disobey. However, your information is truly up-to-date; Luo He did indeed come looking for me earlier."
Su Huanhuan sat on the chair, her demeanor languid, putting on an appearance of trying hard to recall.
"At that time, he came to discuss a matter with this junior. His intention was to shatter that red jade on your Young Master Luo's waist..."
"You're lying!"
The tip of Gu Jing's sword was instantly at Su Huanhuan's neck. But Su Huanhuan's face showed not the slightest fear; instead, an expression full of mockery and sneering appeared.
As expected, ah, as expected. This Gu Jing also knew the inside story; otherwise, why would she rush over so hastily looking for someone? Their Young Master herself couldn't wait for Luo He to be far away.
Wasn't it because this Gu Jing, like herself, knew that Luo He and Luo Hongyu were existences that shared weal and woe?
Who would have thought that this renowned female Sword Immortal, with her aura of purity and gentleness like water, would secretly sit by and watch Luo He suffer for Luo Hongyu, while she, Gu Jing, continued to pretend how lofty and pure she was.
You righteous path people are truly interesting and laughable to the extreme.
Su Huanhuan couldn't help but burst into loud laughter. Gu Jing also sensed several gazes from around the teahouse locking onto her, but the Autumn Maiden Sword in her hand did not move in the slightest.
"What a 'Knowing Hearts and Knowing Swords,' 'Autumn Maiden Conceals Splendor' Autumn Maiden Sword Gu Jing, ah! Truly worthy of being a disciple of the most noble and pure Tianchen Sword Sect. You and your Sect Master are truly cast from the same mold."
"Why put on such a frightening expression, Elder Sister Gu Jing? Is it because you're afraid Luo He's worthless life will disturb the destiny of your most honored and most important Young Master?"
"Aiyaya, that's truly too pitiful. If you ask me, this Luo He too is truly insensible."
"To be a dog that dies in place of your Tianchen Sword Sect's Young Master is supreme glory. How could he still cause you trouble? Don't you think so, Elder Sister Gu Jing?"
From "Esteemed Autumn Maiden Sword" to "Elder Sister Gu Jing," although the address became increasingly familiar, in Su Huanhuan's mouth, it was filled to the utmost with sarcastic and derisive meaning.
But how could Su Huanhuan be satisfied with this? In her Remnant Moon Sect's territory, although she couldn't really do anything to Gu Jing, she also didn't need to worry about Gu Jing taking her life.
Ignoring the slightly trembling sword tip at her own neck, she even moved a bit closer and said slowly:
"Worldly justice, the continuation of Tianchen, and that little Young Master of yours with peerless talent—these things are so important, they must certainly be placed first."
"It's just a mere outsider, after all. If sacrificed, then sacrificed. So what?”
"Elder Sister Gu Jing, I understand you all too well. In our Demonic Gates, ah, this kind of thing happens every day. Not strange, not strange at all."
The Tianchen Sword Sect, leader of the Righteous Path, was now being told by someone from the Demonic Gates that she understood and empathized.
Su Huanhuan clearly knew, for a traditional Righteous Path person like Gu Jing, what to say to truly cut open her heart and make her directly face her own bloody and flaw-riddled life doctrines.
But what disappointed her somewhat was, although Gu Jing's face turned ashen as she listened and the Autumn Maiden Sword in her hand trembled ceaselessly, she never once talked back.
What a pity. She truly wanted to see this Autumn Maiden Sword, with her impeccably good reputation, in a flustered and exasperated state. Why didn't her composure break?
Or could it be...
Su Huanhuan's train of thought became active. Before long, she had an answer; the provoking and mocking words she had been thinking of continuing with were swallowed by her, turning into a light sigh.
"Such hypocrisy, truly uninteresting. Little do you know, that bit of pity you let show—let alone Luo He, even a dog wouldn't look at it. You might as well keep it for your pitiable self."
"I don't have any news of Luo He here either. Elder Sister Gu Jing, if you have no other business, then please go back. In any case, the Star Moon Pavilion is still around, so don't you think about actually making a move."
"......"
Gu Jing put away her sword.
It wasn't that she had listened to Su Huanhuan's words.
While Su Huanhuan was deriding and mocking her, she was also observing Su Huanhuan.
She had long since imagined countless times the scene of herself being pointed at by a thousand accusing fingers; mere words like these were not enough to make her lose her composure.
She had merely discerned other things hidden within these words of Su Huanhuan.
"You... care a lot about Luo He."
Gu Jing looked directly into Su Huanhuan's red pupils.
"Ridiculous. A person from your Tianchen Sword Sect—is it my turn to care about him?"
She, however, did not deny it.
Gu Jing stood silently in place like a wooden statue for a good while, then said:
"Just a short while ago, my Young Master's red jade encountered a problem."
"...Oh?"
Su Huanhuan's cold smile gradually faded.
Not long after he left my place, how did a problem arise...
Right, that Ghost Sword Shen Huai...
Su Huanhuan pondered many possibilities.
Seeing Su Huanhuan fall into thought, Gu Jing did not press her, but just watched her quietly.
Someone cares about Luo He, although she didn't know why.
This is a good thing... Is this a good thing?
Perhaps she herself wasn't even qualified to consider such questions; it would be best for her to be a purely bad person.
This way, no one would be conflicted. Let hatred belong to hatred, and love to love, clearly demarcated.
Su Huanhuan over there sorted out her thoughts, no longer bothered with excessive nonsense or getting bogged down, and looked directly at Gu Jing, her expression blank.
"A few hours ago, he accompanied me to stroll through the Water Lord Festival here. After that, I don't know his whereabouts, nor what his current situation is."
"However, you need to pay attention to one person, Ghost Sword Shen Huai. He has plans concerning Luo He, and also your Young Master."
"My words end here; I won't say anything more."
"......"
Gu Jing nodded her head, glanced at a departed figure, and then looked at Su Huanhuan.
Her power was clearly not as simple as that of a mere True Disciple of the Remnant Moon Sect.
But it had nothing to do with her either. From now on, she would no longer have the heart to exterminate demons and defend the Dao.
Gu Jing, carrying the Autumn Water Sword, walked to the teahouse entrance. She turned her head and said softly:
"Thank you."
"......"
After Gu Jing had left, Su Huanhuan then let out a disdainful laugh.
"Thank me for what? Truly disgusting."
However...
Although Luo He couldn't speak, Su Huanhuan also knew he was an thoroughly and exceptionally sharp-witted person. For him to suffer such an unheralded setback... who could have done it?
Thinking of this, Su Huanhuan's two thin, upward-slanting eyebrows, which always held a smile, furrowed slightly.
...
"......"
Where is this...
When Luo He woke up again, what he felt was warm sunlight.
He was sitting on a clean, soft grassy field. Above his head was a vast, cloudless sky. Beside him was a sparsely built wooden and stone cottage; next to the cottage was a small garden, in which some delicate little saplings were planted.
This was a small mountain peak that looked incomparably peaceful and serene.
But...
Luo He couldn't hear the wind blow, couldn't hear the grass move, couldn't hear birds or beasts making sounds.
He immediately knew this place was fake; it was an illusory realm.
As for who had brought him into this illusory realm... he had an answer, but he didn't know why the other party had done so.