The Possessive Beauty Desires Me in Vain - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: No Regrets

After helping Pu Xuefeng back to his room, Chen Hexuan went to the secret chamber where he kept his sword.

Because it lacked ornamentation, the secret chamber was not particularly cluttered, save for a single smear of blood on the floor—likely coughed up by his Master when he was injured.

Chen Hexuan used a spell to clear the blood from the floor and walked toward the weapon, quietly gazing at the sword resting on its rack—the Tai’e Sword.

The Tai’e Sword was an ancient divine blade passed down through his family. Those capable of wielding it were the elite of the Chen clan, chosen from among hundreds. Before it came into his possession, this sword had already slain countless demons.

But who could have imagined that such a demon-slaying blade would be possessed by a demon and turned into a sword spirit?

Regarding the matter of Qi Yu possessing the Tai’e Sword, Chen Hexuan didn’t entirely believe it, as he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes. Yet, he had never imagined that Qi Yu could still be alive, albeit existing in a different form.

Chen Hexuan’s mind was in turmoil. He had too many questions and no idea how to face Qi Yu. All his thoughts coalesced into a long sigh; he said nothing, simply staring at the blade for a long time before leaving.

The snow had only just begun to fall before Chen Hexuan entered the chamber; by the time he emerged, a thick layer already blanketed the ground. After he left, the Tai’e Sword transformed into a human figure.

Qi Yu walked to the window of the secret chamber, watching Chen Hexuan’s receding figure from afar. He whispered to himself, “Senior Brother, I will return the Tai’e Sword to you, whole and complete.”

…

By the following afternoon, the snow had melted. Master and disciple immediately set off to return to the Xingzhou Sect.

Chen Hexuan helped Pu Xuefeng onto the spirit boat and went back one last time to retrieve the Tai’e Sword. As his hand gripped the hilt, the blood-colored streaks on the blade turned an even deeper crimson.

Noticing this, Chen Hexuan took a scabbard from his storage ring. He had spent an entire day refining this scabbard, imbuing it with offensive warding spells to ensure the blade remained sealed within to the greatest extent possible.

As if sensing Chen Hexuan’s intentions, the Tai’e Sword began to vibrate violently, the bloodstains on the steel turning a dark, bruised red.

Chen Hexuan was now certain: Qi Yu was indeed inside the sword.

Having spent seven years in the Demon Palace, Chen Hexuan was well-acquainted with Qi Yu’s little habits. For instance, Qi Yu loathed restraint. He hated wearing layers, detested socks, and preferred to wear as little clothing as possible.

When Chen Hexuan was first imprisoned in the Demon Palace, Qi Yu would still dress properly. Later, as they grew accustomed to one another, he would wear only a single thin layer held together by a sash, frequently exposing his chest and legs. Even when Chen Hexuan called his attire “wanton,” Qi Yu stubbornly persisted.

Once, a demon had burst into the palace and, seeing Qi Yu so lightly clad, assumed he was a kept pet and attempted to take liberties. Qi Yu had wounded him instantly. Since then, Qi Yu only dressed formally in front of outsiders; in front of Chen Hexuan, he often acted as if he’d rather wear nothing at all.

Chen Hexuan hadn’t expected that even as a sword, Qi Yu would so vehemently resist being “clothed” or confined.

The more firmly Chen Hexuan tried to sheath the Tai’e Sword, the more violently it vibrated, as if protesting his rude behavior. Chen Hexuan recalled the Immortal-Binding Ropes Qi Yu had tied around his own wrists and ankles when he first arrived at the Demon Palace. He had resisted just as fiercely then, only to be met with Qi Yu’s refusal.

Thus, he shoved the sword into the scabbard with even greater resolve.

Once encased, the Tai’e Sword went completely still. This reminded Chen Hexuan of how, every time he rejected Qi Yu, the other would look as if he were about to burst into tears. Unconsciously, the corners of Chen Hexuan’s mouth curled upward—a detail he didn’t even notice.

The spirit boat took only the time of a single incense stick to reach the Xingzhou Sect, landing steadily at the side peak. As Chen Hexuan helped Pu Xuefeng disembark, several teaching elders hurried over to surround them.

After exchanging greetings, Pu Xuefeng asked immediately, “What is the matter? Why is everyone so tense?”

The elders exchanged glances before one stepped forward. “Sect Leader, while you were away, Senior Sister Fu committed a grave error.”

Pu Xuefeng couldn’t recall a female disciple capable of wounding the elders. He frowned. “Who is Senior Sister Fu?”

“Master, it is Fu Gufeng,” Chen Hexuan clarified. “The winner of the Sword Trial Assembly ten years ago.”

“Ah, that girl. I remember now—the only woman to place in the assembly since our sect’s founding,” Pu Xuefeng said, not taking it too seriously. “What ‘grave error’ did she commit?”

Another elder stepped forward. “She first destroyed the Nine Pools of Fortune, and then she wounded several Great Elders.”

Pu Xuefeng’s brow furrowed. Seeing they didn’t appear to be lying, he said, “Take me to the Great Elders at once.”

Chen Hexuan nodded, shrank the massive spirit boat into his palm, stowed it in his storage space, and followed Pu Xuefeng to Baicao Peak.

Upon arrival, they found the other elders heavily wounded and unconscious. Only Elder Qingyang, who had sustained the lightest injuries, could sit up to answer a few questions.

Pu Xuefeng had Chen Hexuan wait outside and entered the room alone. “How can a mere woman wound you all so severely?” he asked.

Elder Qingyang struggled to sit up. “That woman is not simple.”

“What exactly happened after I left that day?” Pu Xuefeng asked gravely.

“After you left, Chen Hexuan suddenly became violent. We suspected he was possessed by a Heart Demon,” Elder Qingyang explained slowly. “We intended to trap him within the Nine Pools of Fortune, but unexpectedly, he broke the pools directly.”

“We pursued him and were wounded, though we wounded him in return. Then, that woman appeared. If we hadn’t possessed so many magical artifacts, we might not have survived her hand.”

Pu Xuefeng let out a deep, heavy breath. “Could a group of grown men really not defeat one young woman?”

“No,” Qingyang said indignantly. “She is likely already in the late stages of the Void Refinement Realm.”

…

When Chen Hexuan saw Pu Xuefeng emerge looking contemplative, he immediately went to meet him. “Master, what is the situation?”

“Hexuan, since the elders and I are currently unable to manage affairs, I am entrusting the matters of the Nine Pools of Fortune and Fu Gufeng to you,” Pu Xuefeng said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Yes,” Chen Hexuan complied.

As they walked out together, Pu Xuefeng added, “Though the Nine Pools were destroyed because you were bewitched by Qi Yu, for the sake of your reputation, we shall lay the blame on Fu Gufeng.”

Chen Hexuan understood instantly. The news of Fu Gufeng destroying the pools must have been spread by the elders; they were using his Senior Sister as a scapegoat.

He frowned. “Master, I take responsibility for my own actions. I will handle the matters of both Senior Sister Fu and the Nine Pools.”

Seeing Chen Hexuan’s stubborn expression, Pu Xuefeng had no choice but to agree.

After seeing Pu Xuefeng back to the main peak, Chen Hexuan headed to Qinghong Peak, where the teaching elders resided. The place where Fu Gufeng lived was surrounded by dozens of Sword-Wielding Elders, reinforced by various arrays that allowed entry but no exit.

The Chief Sword-Wielding Elder on patrol saw Chen Hexuan and greeted him excitedly. “Brother Hexuan, it has been a long time.”

Chen Hexuan was also pleasantly surprised. “Brother Xiao, indeed it has.”

After a brief exchange, the elder, realizing Chen Hexuan was there to question Fu Gufeng, immediately ordered the guards to let him in.

Chen Hexuan pushed open the door and saw Fu Gufeng practicing her swordplay in the courtyard. Her movements were like a dance of shadows, her blade carrying an overwhelming momentum capable of shattering anything in its path.

Fu Gufeng noticed him and sheathed her sword. “Weren’t you looking for Qi Yu? Why are you back?”

Chen Hexuan suppressed his surprise that she knew his whereabouts and said with a smile, “Your swordplay is excellent, Senior Sister.”

“Cut the nonsense. Tell me, where is Qi Yu?” Fu Gufeng’s gaze sharpened as she lunged at Chen Hexuan with her sword.

Seeing the concern in her eyes, Chen Hexuan’s smile faded. “He has been dead for a long time.”

Fu Gufeng’s pupils dilated. She pressed her blade against his throat. “No… that day, you clearly told me you were going to find him.”

“You must have been mistaken. Even if he were alive, he is a demon and I am human. We are irreconcilable. I would never seek out a demon,” Chen Hexuan said, pinching the tip of the blade with his fingers. He smiled and asked, “What is your relationship with him?”

“To think you could say such things… Qi Yu misjudged you,” Fu Gufeng said, her body trembling with rage. She withdrew her sword. “Tell me his whereabouts at once.”

“Do you really want to hear it?” Chen Hexuan’s expression darkened slightly, though he kept a smile. “He is dead. I killed him with my own hands.”

Knowing that telling the truth would undoubtedly provoke her, Chen Hexuan couldn’t help himself when he saw how much she cared for Qi Yu.

Fu Gufeng’s eyes widened, her hand tightening around the hilt of her sword.

“It’s true,” Chen Hexuan said slowly. “I killed him myself.”

“You!” Fu Gufeng’s sword lunged at him again. “Qi Yu’s feelings for you were deep and sincere. Why would you kill him?”

As he dodged, Chen Hexuan said with a bitter smile, “Do you know that he imprisoned me in the Demon Palace for seven years and subjected me to every possible humiliation? His feelings may be deep, but I want no part of them.”

Fu Gufeng looked at him and smiled bitterly as well. “You only saw his obsessive side. How ridiculous. For your sake, he… forget it. You will regret this.”

“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, Senior Sister,” Chen Hexuan said with a laugh. “I have always acted with a clear conscience. I do nothing I regret.”

Chen Hexuan walked out and immediately called several elders from the Array Sect to head to the Nine Pools of Fortune. He didn’t understand why he was acting so impulsively today, but Fu Gufeng’s words—”You will regret this”—continued to echo in his mind.

How laughable. Why would he regret it? Qi Yu was dead; he should be overjoyed. He only felt hatred for Qi Yu—the man who stole his freedom and destroyed his pride. How could he possibly feel regret?

“Hexuan, we can only repair the outer boundaries of the Nine Pools. As for the interior, we can only wait for it to restore itself slowly over time,” the elders concluded after their study.

Since these elders were the most brilliant array masters in the Xingzhou Sect, Chen Hexuan had no choice but to accept their verdict.