Chapter 206: Jiuying

Chapter 206: Jiuying

"Kill you!"

Those two words cut through the air like daggers, aimed at piercing Su Mo's heart.

Su Mo’s expression froze in shock, as if he had been struck by those words like a physical blow.

"I don’t understand how I could have possibly offended you so deeply that you’d want to kill me while I was still a baby."

"What could you, a baby, have done to offend me?"

The woman lowered her head again, looking at the writings in front of her. Her eyes shimmered with an unreadable emotion.

She smiled softly, and the tension in the room dissipated as quickly as it had come, the sharp edge of her words fading away.

She raised her head and looked at Su Mo. "But tell me, do you really have no idea why I wanted to kill you?"

"You said I was just a baby then—how could I possibly know why you wanted to kill me?"

"You didn’t know then, and you still don’t know now?"

"I don’t, please enlighten me, senior."

"Hmph."

From what you’re saying, it seems you don’t know that Duan Song visited me before this.

"..."

Su Mo raised an eyebrow. "Who’s Duan Song?"

Hearing this, the woman laughed.

She studied Su Mo with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "I know Qiuyu very well."

Su Mo twitched the corner of his mouth, already able to guess what she was going to say.

Sure enough, the woman spoke lightly. "When she first met you, she likely kept her distance due to the strained relationship between Cold Moon Palace and Purple Sun Sect."

"But you saved her life twice, so she will definitely not ignore the matter of the grudge between Cold Moon Palace and Purple Sun Sect, or rather, the past between me and Duan Song."

"You went to Haoran Academy. At that time, Duan Song had come to me to propose marriage but was rejected. At the invitation of Yang Yizhi, he also went to Haoran Academy."

"But at that time, I didn’t expect that Yang Yizhi would still be... Yang Yizhi."

"That Iron Blood Dragon Spear of his never changes with time."

"He had Duan Song act in his place, using it as an opportunity to escape."

"But when Duan Song arrived at Sunset City, he met you, who already knew about this, and Yang Yizhi’s daughter."

Finishing her long speech, she looked at Su Mo.

"You know about Yang Yizhi’s feigned death, and you know who Duan Song is."

"Now you say that you don't know why I intended to kill you when you were still in your infancy.

"How am I supposed to trust you?"

"……"

Su Mo was momentarily speechless, thinking to himself that Duan Song, oh Duan Song, really was a loyal fool who ends up with nothing.

You can't keep a secret to save your life, can you?

You got the Secret Box and could have just returned to Purple Sun Sect.

What were you doing at Cold Moon Palace?

And once you were there, why did you feel the need to talk behind my back?

Now you've put yourself in a difficult position.

Seeing Su Mo's inability to respond, the woman sneered coldly:

"I thought you were an honorable man. Completely different from your father, who appears loyal but is actually treacherous.

"Now it seems I was wrong.

"You and your father are cut from the same cloth. In the end, you are just like him."

Su Mo sighed, "As a son, I ask that you be careful what you say about my father, senior."

"What?"

The woman looked at him, "Can't I speak of it?"

"……"

Su Mo was rendered silent again. Ordinarily, no one would dare to speak of it, but this woman was one of the few who could.

He sighed again, "I am somewhat aware of the past between you and my late father. However, as a junior, I don't feel right talking about the past between you two. I merely wished to pretend ignorance.

"I apologize if I offended you."

"Who asked for your apology?"

The woman coldly snorted.

In the next moment, a white figure flashed, and Su Mo, feeling a rush of fragrant wind, instinctively clenched his fists. However, he saw that the woman was merely standing before him, quietly looking at him.

She was much shorter than Su Mo, but her eyes at this moment were like autumn water.

Her silent gaze seemed to convey a thousand unspoken words.

Her eyes were filled with sorrow and longing, as if she had so much to say but couldn’t find the words.

In that moment of surprise, Su Mo sighed. The person this woman was looking at was not him.

But… Su Tianyang.

She had wasted twenty years on him, so it wasn’t surprising that she would look. But the longer she stared, the more unsettling it became.

Su Mo gave a slight bow:

"Junior Su Mo, greeting the elder."

The deep emotion in the woman's eyes dissipated like smoke at that moment.

With a soft sigh, she gently flicked her sleeve:

"At that time, due to a momentary lapse in judgment, I almost killed you myself.

"Now that you're pretending not to know, I can't really blame you."

"……Speaking of which, why did the elder change their mind back then?"

Su Mo asked, somewhat curious.

"……"

The woman glanced at Su Mo, her expression slightly odd:

"It was the peak of summer back then.

"Your mother needed to recover after giving birth and was sleeping soundly.

"I sneaked into the escort agency, and there you were, with only a small piece of cotton on your belly, your small fist clenched tightly as you slept soundly too.

"Driven by my resentment, I picked you up, fully intending to end your life with one strike.

"But……"

She shook her head slightly: "Once I held you, your tiny, soft body made me lose focus for a moment.

"You squirmed a bit in my arms and then suddenly opened your eyes.

"I was already on edge from sneaking in, and when you opened your eyes, I feared you'd cry out loud.

"Just as I was about to cover your mouth to stop you from crying, you smiled at me instead.

"That smile unexpectedly softened my heart.

"But… you were such a little troublemaker.

"While I was distracted, you peed all over me."

At this point, she glared fiercely at Su Mo.

"……"

Su Mo didn't know how to respond. After all, he hadn't been there when it happened. Even though he was now bound by this chain of events, he had been a baby back then. Who could control such natural functions at that age?

He bowed again and said, "This is indeed my fault."

"Hmph, like I need your apology."

The woman gave Su Mo a cold look before continuing:

"As a proud disciple of the Cold Moon Palace, roaming the jianghu, I earned the title of Cold Rain Flying Star Sword.

"Sneaking into an escort agency to kill an infant would have been a huge disgrace."

"In the end, I left in such a sorry state because of you... You're really something else."

Although she said 'you're really something else,' by this point, any previous dissatisfaction or intent to kill had already faded away.

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but it never fully formed, fading into a long sigh.

"After that, I headed back to East City, and the more I walked, the more fear and dread gripped me.

"What if I had killed you that day—struck you down or smothered you?

"What would have become of me then?

"It wasn't until then that I realized what love really means.

"It can make someone glow, but it can also twist them into something unrecognizable."

At this point, she looked up at Su Mo: "So, here's the question... Do you know what love between a man and a woman is?"

"……To me, it's mutual affection."

Su Mo carefully weighed his words.

"Mutual affection, huh?" The woman let out a soft sigh: "But if there's mutual affection, can you still betray someone even if you're in love?"

"This..."

Su Mo furrowed his brow slightly, then shook his head: "I'm too young and inexperienced to answer this question.

"However, not long ago, I found a letter from my father.

"He wrote that he had four major regrets, and the first was letting too many people down."

"Letting too many people down..."

Upon hearing these words, the woman paused.

She took two steps forward but then suddenly turned back to Su Mo, her eyes filled with even more anger.

"You..."

She began to speak but stopped, realizing that this wave of anger should not be directed at Su Mo, and sighed instead:

"You must not follow in his footsteps."

"……I won't."

"It's too early to say."

The woman shook her head, looking up at Su Mo with a gaze as clear and cold as ice:

"Your father regretted letting too many people down.

"So, I hope that in the future, you will think twice before acting.

"To me, love between a man and a woman is the most dangerous poison.

"Yet, this poison is something no mortal can escape."

"I only hope you will savor it slowly.

"Do not treat it as if it were venomous snakes or scorpions, yet do not indulge too much, lest it brings harm in the end."

"The junior will keep it in mind."

Su Mo clasped his fists and said solemnly.

"Go on."

The woman propped her chin with one hand and waved gently: "In three days, Liu Suifeng will personally visit Cold Moon Palace. At that time, I will engage him in battle, and you may stay to witness the ceremony."

Su Mo pondered for a moment, then nodded:

"Very well."

Just as he was about to turn away, he paused, glancing back at the woman.

She remained fixed, staring at the table before her.

After a brief hesitation, Su Mo ultimately said nothing and walked away.

Opening the door, he saw Wei Ziyi sitting on the steps downstairs, scraping the ground with her sword scabbard.

Su Mo tiptoed to look, relieved to find she wasn't drawing circles.

"What are you looking at?"

Wei Ziyi suddenly turned her head: "Have you not heard, 'Do not look at what is improper'?"

"……Can this phrase be used here?"

Su Mo stared in disbelief.

"I can use it if I want. What’s it to you?"

Wei Ziyi snorted.

Su Mo realized that this girl was getting more and more unreasonable.

Not bothering to argue with her: "Your master invited me to stay at the Cold Moon Palace for a few days so I can watch her fight with Liu Suifeng in three days."

"My master is going to fight?"

Wei Ziyi was shocked: "She hasn’t fought in a long time, but if she does, Liu Suifeng might be in danger. He’ll be down one before he even gets to Tianqu City."

"……Not necessarily."

Su Mo shook his head.

"What are you saying?"

Wei Ziyi bristled, thinking Su Mo was disrespecting her master.

But then she paused. Su Mo wasn’t the type to do that.

When he talked, he knew what he was talking about.

Moreover, he was incredibly skilled in martial arts, and he had a deep connection with Liu Suifeng. He might have a good reason for saying that, or maybe he knew something she didn’t.

He immediately asked, "I hope Chief Escort Su can enlighten me."

"Enlighten you?"

Subconsciously, Su Mo wanted to tease her, but just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered what Wei Ziyi's master had said earlier. The playful words stuck in his throat.

He could only shake his head and say, "To be honest, after the battle at Profound Theory Valley, Lord Liu thanked me for saving his life and gifted me the sword manual of the Heavenly Rainbow Heart-Seeking Sword."

"What?"

Wei Ziyi was greatly surprised: "Liu Suifeng is quite generous. The Heavenly Rainbow Heart-Seeking Sword is his signature technique that he uses to dominate the martial world. He actually gave it away? I've never heard of Jade Willow Villa's sword techniques being passed on outside the family."

"You're making a fuss over nothing."

Thinking of how Wei Ziyi often flaunted her knowledge in front of him, Su Mo couldn't help but feel a bit elated:

"In the past, Jade Willow Villa used to open its doors widely and accept many disciples.

"Unfortunately, the Heavenly Rainbow Heart-Seeking Sword was unknown in the martial world at that time, leading to few disciples.

"Later, they went into seclusion, and even after Liu Suifeng became famous, no one dared to seek instruction from them."

"…Is that true?"

Wei Ziyi's eyes lit up: "If so, why not demonstrate the Heavenly Rainbow Heart-Seeking Sword to my master? I'm sure with my master's martial arts knowledge, finding any flaws would be no problem."

"Miss Wei, be careful what you say."

Su Mo frowned slightly and glanced at Wei Ziyi.

Wei Ziyi was taken aback, realizing that her words were indeed out of line.

Liu Suifeng, grateful for Su Mo's life-saving help, gifted him the sword manual.

Now, knowing Liu Suifeng was coming to challenge her master, showing him this sword technique would make Su Mo look like he's playing dirty, right?

She was so worried about her master's safety that she didn't consider how tough it must be for Su Mo. That wasn't fair of her.

She quickly composed herself, bowing slightly, "I spoke out of turn. Sorry about that, Brother Su."

She was also confused by this. Why did I keep slipping up and saying things without thinking when I was around Su Mo?

"Let it go."

Su Mo shook his head, "You just said what came to mind because you were worried."

"But... you mentioned that my master might not win. Can you explain why?"

"Can you explain?"

"Sure, I can explain."

Su Mo said, "Do you know what makes the Sky Rainbow Interrogating Heart Sword so special?"

Wei Ziyi thought for a moment and said, "On that day, during the great battle at Profound Theory Valley, I watched from afar as Lord Liu of the Willow Manor fought with the leader of the Blood Sea Sect. The sword energy was breathtaking, sweeping across the battlefield with immense power."

"But if you try to pinpoint the key points, it's like looking at flowers through a mist—hard to see clearly."

"If one could see the key points so easily, how could Master Liu have used this martial art to dominate the jianghu?"

Su Mo gently shook his head and said in a low voice:

"The essence of the Sky Rainbow Interrogating Heart Sword lies in the concept of 'Interrogating the Heart.'"

"The most crucial aspect of this sword technique is that the sword points to the heart, questioning one's past actions."

"If one's mind is free of flaws, the technique flows effortlessly."

"Conversely, if one's mind is riddled with flaws, even if the martial skill itself is flawless, the intent of the sword can still pierce the heart."

"This..."

Wei Ziyi furrowed her brows and said, "It seems the Sky Rainbow Interrogating Heart Sword has reached a truly profound level."

"Exactly."

Su Mo nodded slightly. "Though I've studied the Sky Rainbow Interrogating Heart Sword, my skill pales in comparison to Master Liu's."

"Moreover, if Master Liu has advanced further during his journey east, no one can predict just how far he's progressed."

"I see."

Wei Ziyi nodded. "Thanks for being so honest, Chief Escort Su."

"No problem. The state of mind is the hardest thing to talk about. If there are flaws, it's hard to know how to fix them."

Su Mo shook his head and asked something more important:

"Where am I staying tonight?"

"Let me take you out and see what I can find."

Wei Ziyi led Su Mo out of the courtyard.

Inside the Han Xi Lou, the woman sat alone, lost in thought.

She quietly looked at the desk in front of her, upon which a painting was placed.

She had just completed a quick sketch, using only a few strokes of ink, yet the figure was already clearly defined.

It was a young man.

He wore a long robe, though not properly fastened, somewhat loose and baggy.

One of his sleeves was rolled up, revealing a strong arm.

The other hand was reaching for the gourd at his waist, his face full of a bold, hearty smile.

But his eyes were incredibly sharp and lively.

It was as if he was looking at the person outside the painting, inviting them, inquiring.

The woman stared blankly at the figure in the painting, meeting his gaze. They looked at each other in silence.

After a long while, she sighed:

"So, you're still burdened by so many... is it?

"You know you're burdened by so many...

"If you know that, why don't you change?

"You're one of the sharpest minds I've ever known, the most brilliant person in this world.

"If you had been willing, things wouldn't have turned out this way for either of us.

"But you... chose to carry that burden."

The woman smiled lightly, yet there was a tinge of sorrow in her voice. After a moment of silence, she continued:

"Your son is nothing like you—he's a good-hearted kid.

"Did he say those words just for me?

"He was afraid Liu Suifeng would kill me...

"Does the *Sky Rainbow Interrogating Heart Sword* affect the mind?

"My heart has been broken for so long.

"That day, I sneaked into the *Ziyang Escort Agency* to kill him, and my heart was already clouded.

"Since your tragic death and disappearance from the jianghu, every time I think of you, my heart aches.

"I'm still alive, but for what reason?

"You and your spouse have finally reunited in the underworld...

"Leaving me behind to struggle in this world, dealing with the mess you left behind...

"Su Tianyang, how cruel you are!"

She pointed at the painting, suddenly exerting force as if to destroy it.

But as her internal energy surged and ebbed, she ultimately couldn't bear to.

With a light sigh, she dipped her brush in ink and added the date on the side of the painting.

In the end, she added a single word: Jiuying.

After the final stroke, she sat there quietly, watching.

As if the man she once knew had come back to her, just as he was in those days.

As time passed, the entire *Han Xi Lou* fell into silence along with the woman, as the sun sank in the west.