Chapter 150: A Gentleman’s Word

Chapter 150: A Gentleman's Word

When Chu Qiuyu mentioned this matter, Su Mo was initially quite curious.

However, after a series of events, he no longer intended to delve deeper into it.

Now, hearing her bring it up again, he merely smiled:

"Miss Chu, there's no need to worry. Although I am unaware of what has transpired between the Purple Sun Sect and the Cold Moon Palace, I can imagine that there must be something troubling you."

"Ah..."

Chu Qiuyu's expression was peculiar: "This matter... if I don't speak of it, it truly feels like a thorn in my throat. Since Head Su is not an outsider, it wouldn't be considered airing our dirty laundry...

"To be honest, this matter actually involves two senior figures from both sects."

"Oh?"

Su Mo's interest was piqued at this point. He glanced at Yang Xiaoyun, then at Chu Qiuyu:

"I would like to hear more."

Having come this far, Su Mo couldn't very well cover Chu Qiuyu's mouth and force her to keep quiet.

"This matter... ah..."

Chu Qiuyu's face showed a mix of amusement and frustration: "The relationship between our Cold Moon Palace and the Purple Sun Sect has always been rather peculiar. The two sects are neighbors, with Mount Tonglu as the boundary. Ever since their establishment, they have alternated between alliances and enmity, neither deep hatred nor strong alliances, a tangled history that continues to this day, making it hard to define.

"And this matter dates back twenty years.

"At that time, we had a remarkably talented senior in the Cold Moon Palace...

"Cold as ice, her sword as sharp as a star, she truly had a remarkable demeanor.

"I have always believed that she was the greatest genius in the Cold Moon Palace in a hundred years.

"Even the increasingly popular Junior Sister Wei might find it hard to match her."

She paused slightly:

"Back then, the demonic sects were wreaking havoc in East City.

"The Youquan Cult, Evernight Valley, and Paradise Palace were the most notorious, leading many other demonic sects to advance on multiple fronts, heading westward all the way to Tianqu City!

"These three demonic sects were extremely cruel. The Youquan Cult would capture civilians to create blood slaves, forming blood pools that turned the land red for miles, with screams filling the air.

The shadows of Evernight Valley were insubstantial, and they practiced the art of skinning, peeling away human flesh to fashion garments, leaving a trail of countless bodies devoid of skin.

"As for Paradise Palace... it's hard to describe just how terrible they were.

"At that time, the righteous sects formed an alliance, led by the Cold Moon Palace, Purple Sun Sect, Heavenly Heart Sect, True Wu Hall, Free and Easy Pavilion, Distant Mountain Sword Sect, and Tranquil Zen Temple, to confront the three major demonic sects in Tianqu City.

"For a while, the battle was intense.

"Meanwhile, demonic experts secretly infiltrated the various sects in East City, plotting and causing chaos.

"The seven sect leaders were too busy to spare attention, so they sent their disciples to deal with the situation, including that senior from our Cold Moon Palace..."

As Chu Qiuyu spoke, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun learned that the seven major sects had once clashed with the three major demonic sects in the past.

Su Mo, who had previously known little about East City, gained some insight from her words.

"That senior was away for quite some time. Chaos reigned throughout East City, and it took several months before she returned to Tianqu City.

"When she came back, everyone noticed that she had changed.

"She used to be cold as ice, but now she would occasionally giggle and look secretly pleased.

"Some of her fellow disciples suspected that she had met a man along the way..."

At this point, Chu Qiuyu smiled at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun: "Although our Cold Moon Palace is composed entirely of women, we do not forbid marriage.

"If someone finds true love, it is only natural for them to marry.

"So, no one paid much attention to her behavior at the time, just teasing her a bit.

"Later, a distinguished young man from the Purple Sun Sect came to visit her.

"She went to meet him with a smile, watched by everyone.

"Everyone cheered, believing they were a divine couple.

"But to everyone's surprise, they parted ways in disagreement...

"After that, there was much speculation about what had happened between them, but no one could get an answer.

"Even when the palace master personally inquired, that senior remained tight-lipped.

"Her stubborn nature made it impossible for anyone to press further.

"From then on, she became even more ruthless in combat.

"Over the years, the righteous and demonic forces remained deadlocked in Tianqu City.

"But after the Youquan Cult gradually reduced its attacks and the Night Lord and the seven sect leaders clashed, resulting in severe injuries, only Paradise Palace remained to dominate the situation.

"They naturally dared not act recklessly, and the chaos in Tianqu City gradually subsided, leading to the current state of affairs.

"The elite disciples of those days have since risen to positions of power."

"Back then, it was the subject of much gossip, but now, no one dares to mention it anymore.

"The only thing is, neither she nor the senior from Purple Sun Sect has ever married, despite nearly two decades passing.

"In recent years, there have been few disciples from Purple Sun Sect traveling about, making it difficult to know what truly goes on within.

"So, no one expected that half a year ago, the senior from Purple Sun Sect would suddenly pay a visit.

"And he actually came to propose marriage in person!"

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged a glance, both knowing that something must have gone wrong with the proposal.

But by now, they also understood why Chu Qiuyu found it embarrassing to talk about. The love story of their elders had caused a rift between the two sects, making it hard to know how to address the situation.

Sure enough, Chu Qiuyu continued:

"When he arrived, everyone at Cold Moon Palace was very pleased.

"Especially when his intentions became known, many disciples secretly gathered around the main hall, waiting for the news of this monumental event.

"But no one expected that when he revealed his purpose, our senior became furious.

"Only then did the truth of twenty years ago come to light.

"Back then, our senior, following the master's orders, set out to purge the demons, accompanied by the senior from Purple Sun Sect.

"Later, they met another person.

"This person was a close friend of the senior from Purple Sun Sect, known for his righteousness and heroic spirit.

"Upon hearing of the demons ravaging East City, he felt it his duty to join them in their mission.

"During their journey, the young man and woman spent day and night together, which made the senior from Purple Sun Sect fall in love with our senior from Cold Moon Palace.

"But... our senior from Cold Moon Palace fell in love with the hero.

"At that meeting, our senior thought they had come together, but it turned out that only the senior from Purple Sun Sect was present.

"The senior from Purple Sun Sect was actually delivering a message from the hero.

"It turned out that the hero already had a family, so although he noticed our senior's feelings, he could not reciprocate.

"That's why the senior from Purple Sun Sect delivered these eight words: 'Gratitude for your beauty, but I cannot accept it.'"

Chu Qiuyu sighed deeply: "For the past twenty years, our senior has never seen the hero again.

"The senior from Purple Sun Sect knew of our senior's unrequited love, and thus remained unmarried for twenty years as well.

"After hesitating for twenty years, he finally mustered the courage to visit, but was still rejected.

"As junior disciples, we should not comment too much on the actions of our elders.

"But... the junior disciples of Cold Moon Palace and Purple Sun Sect have been affected, making encounters between us awkward and difficult to handle casually.

"That's why, upon hearing about the connection between Head Su and Purple Sun Sect that night, I..."

She clasped her hands and bowed deeply: "I am truly ashamed and hope Head Su will not hold it against me."

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun immediately stepped aside, unwilling to accept the bow.

"Miss Chu, there's no need for this."

Su Mo spoke softly: "As you said, we should not speculate on the actions of our elders.

"Now, the two sects are merely experiencing some tension due to this matter, but it's not a big deal. In a few years, when things calm down, everything will return to normal."

"Hmm."

Chu Qiuyu smiled: "Thinking back to that night, I always felt guilty towards the two of you. Now that I've explained myself, I feel much better."

After a few more words, they parted ways.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged a look, speechless.

They hadn't expected to hear such a romantic and tragic story involving the elders of Cold Moon Palace and Purple Sun Sect.

A love triangle, no less.

The senior from Cold Moon Palace fell in love with a married man and suffered for twenty years.

The senior from Purple Sun Sect pined for the senior from Cold Moon Palace and also suffered for twenty years.

But where was the hero now?

Yang Xiaoyun thought for a moment and said: "Do you think if the hero had married the senior from Cold Moon Palace back then, things would have been different?"

"Hmm?"

Su Mo looked at her: "What do you mean?"

"Think about it, the senior from Cold Moon Palace suffered so much because of her unrequited love.

"If she could have been with him, she would have been happy.

"The senior from Purple Sun Sect is not the type to cling on. If he saw such an outcome, he might have let go.

"Then, all three of them wouldn't have suffered."

Su Mo listened and shook his head: "That's not right..."

"You only think about the suffering of these two seniors, but have you considered how their wives might feel?

"A loving couple, living in harmony, with the husband going out to uphold justice, only to bring back another woman?

"Where can they go to seek justice for this?

"Moreover, if this precedent is set, should this hero marry every woman he likes whenever he meets one?"

"Having multiple wives is quite common for a man."

"Common?"

Su Mo glanced at Yang Xiaoyun: "My father met with disaster in the martial world, and my mother pined away day and night until she passed away. She never thought of remarrying... And Uncle Yang has never remarried since Auntie's passing, let alone taken multiple wives."

"This..."

Yang Xiaoyun suddenly looked at Su Mo: "Xiao Mo, promise me one thing!"

"Hmm?"

Su Mo was taken aback: "What is it?"

"We both live in the martial world, where deceit and conflict are constant."

Yang Xiaoyun said, "Your martial arts are strong, and your mind is sharp, so you naturally fear no danger.

"But... if something were to happen to me in the future, I mean, if... if something were to happen to me. You must not torment yourself, and you must not remain alone..."

Before she could finish, Su Mo pressed a finger to her lips.

Then he tapped her head lightly: "Nonsense, spit three times."

"...Oh."

Yang Xiaoyun pouted and obediently spat three times toward the river.

But she felt Su Mo's hand tighten slightly, pulling her into his embrace.

At first, she was a bit nervous, as Su Mo had never done such a thing before.

But when she looked up at him, she saw a rare seriousness on his face. He sighed and leaned his face against Su Mo's chest:

"I'm just saying, what if... it's not real.

"With you protecting me, how could anything really happen to me?

"But, sigh, just thinking about it, if only you were left...

"My father loved my mother deeply and couldn't accept anyone else.

"So I understand his pain, even though he never speaks of it.

"Uncle Su and Auntie were deeply in love, leaving you alone in this world.

"Uncle Fu is getting old, and we will eventually have to take care of him in his old age.

"But if I were to leave you, who would take care of your daily needs, your meals?

"Who would remember to add an extra layer of clothing when it gets cold, or warm your porridge when it gets cold?

"Alone and without care...

"Just thinking about it makes my heart ache.

"Xiao Mo... will you promise me, okay?"

"No."

Su Mo shook his head quietly: "If that day ever comes, I will be miserable every day, unable to eat or sleep well, losing interest in running the escort agency, leading to its decline.

"I will end up wandering the streets, drinking myself into a stupor every day...

"Who knows when I might be killed by someone.

"Even if not, I would die of cold and hunger..."

Yang Xiaoyun quickly covered Su Mo's mouth: "Quick, spit three times!"

Su Mo just looked at Yang Xiaoyun.

Under his intense gaze, Yang Xiaoyun finally lowered her head:

"I understand... I won't leave you alone."

"Good to know."

Su Mo then spat three times toward the river.

Yang Xiaoyun couldn't help but laugh: "Chief Escort Su, the hero who defeated the Youquan Cult, how formidable... yet you act like a child, completely unaware of the situation."

"Deputy Chief Escort Yang, do you have the face to say such things?"

Su Mo rolled his eyes at her, then took her hand and held it gently in his own: "You said that I cannot let you go, that I cannot abandon you in this life.

"I agree to this, but you must also promise me that you will stay by my side for the rest of your life.

"Through all the corners of the earth, you must never leave me, not even for a moment."

Yang Xiaoyun bit her lip and nodded firmly.

"A man's word is as binding as a four-horse chariot cannot catch up.

"A gentleman’s promise weighs a thousand catties; if you dare to break your word, Xiaoyun, I will not agree, even if it means descending into the netherworld."

Su Mo’s voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally firm.

Yang Xiaoyun took a deep breath, reached out to smooth his furrowed brow, which had somehow knitted together, and then smiled, saying:

"Alright."

...

...

The story of Chu Qiuyu from Cold Moon Palace and Purple Sun Sect was just a story to Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun.

At least for the time being, Su Mo did not plan to visit Purple Sun Sect.

And it would not be easy to come into contact with people from Cold Moon Palace either.

During their journey down the river, this period on the boat was a rare moment of peace for Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun.

They would sometimes admire the scenery along the river, and other times sit down to fish.

Zhen Xiaoxiao would sometimes follow them, carrying a one-legged bronze man, warning others to stay away.

Other times, she would sleep soundly in the cabin, her snoring shaking the heavens.

Several days passed swiftly, and before they knew it, the large boat had docked again, this time at Ji Yang Ferry.

"Head of the Escort, Su Mo, Head of the Escort, Yang Xiaoyun, the machinations of Evernight Valley are sinister and likely have significant intentions. We must report this matter to our sect first before taking any further action.

"Therefore, we bid you farewell here."

Chu Qiuyu and the disciples of Cold Moon Palace bowed to Su Mo and his companions.

"Agreed, the demons of the Cult are despicable. Please be cautious.

"As the saying goes, the green mountains remain unchanged, and the clear waters flow forever. Until we meet again!"

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun returned the bow.

Beside them, Zhen Xiaoxiao, carrying the one-legged bronze man, looked around fiercely.

But seeing that Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun were doing the same, she thought for a moment and put down the bronze man, mimicking their actions.

After watching Chu Qiuyu and her group leave, the three of them set off again.

Ji Yang Ferry was still quite a distance from Haoran Academy.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun continued their journey on horseback, initially planning to let Zhen Xiaoxiao try riding as well.

However, they underestimated her weight.

An ordinary horse could not bear her weight; as soon as she sat on it, the horse would collapse, its legs giving out.

Even a fine steed could only manage a few steps before giving up.

This left Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun speechless.

Zhen Xiaoxiao’s weight seemed far more than her size suggested.

At first, Su Mo thought she might be carrying something heavy, like a breastplate or arm guards.

But he found nothing.

This girl was simply that heavy.

Yet, this unusual weight was mysterious. When asked, Zhen Xiaoxiao explained that it was because she had many tadpoles inside her. The combined weight of these tadpoles made her heavier.

If one day these tadpoles merged with her completely, she would become much lighter.

Su Mo did not comment, but out of helplessness, they decided that he and Yang Xiaoyun would ride the horses while she walked behind them.

This girl’s internal strength was boundless, seemingly endless.

As long as she had enough food, she could run indefinitely.

They traveled for about five or six days without incident.

One noon, as they watched Zhen Xiaoyao’s pace slow down, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun knew she was hungry again.

Just as they were looking for a place to rest, Yang Xiaoyun spotted a teahouse by the roadside.

After discussing it with Su Mo, they decided to stop at the teahouse for some food and drink.

Inside the teahouse, several groups of people were seated, and there were still two empty tables.

As Su Mo and his companions approached, everyone turned to look at them. Their gazes lingered longer on Zhen Xiaoxiao.

The three entered the teahouse and were about to sit down when a faint breeze suddenly blew past.

Turning around, they saw a soft sedan chair approaching from the end of the road.

Four white-clad maidens carried the chair with quick, light steps, and on the chair sat a white-robed young man, engrossed in a book, his eyes focused and seemingly unable to tear himself away.