The moment Qin Qingyue’s fingertips brushed against the Spirit Sword Pattern, her delicate nose twitched slightly, even making a motion as if to “taste” it.
In another quiet chamber of the Immortal Ship, Wu Zhaohua, eyes closed as she forced herself to suppress the restless anxiety within, suddenly shuddered.
The Spirit Sword Pattern was drawn by her own secret technique, connected deeply to her Sword Heart.
At this moment, she distinctly felt it—Jiang Huai being carefully scrutinized, wildly touched, even caressed by a warm breath.
An indescribable sorrow surged over Wu Zhaohua’s mind.
She had been waiting here, desperately waiting for him to return from negotiations and bring her back to the Wenxuan Sect, back to the place that belonged to them.
What was he doing?
That vicious dragon Qin Qingyue, and that seductress Su Yingman—what were they doing to him?!
While she waited anxiously for his explanation, seeking some hope of reconciliation, he was next door…
Of course! Qin Qingyue was notoriously unrestrained and unruly. How could Jiang Huai withstand such temptation? Surely that Hehuan Sect seductress must have used some despicable means!
Hehuan Sect, anyone who knows, knows.
Every breath of waiting grew unbearably long and torturous.
Jealousy raged wildly within her, tearing her apart.
She loved him—loved him so deeply that she was willing to give everything, to protect him fully, to stay by his side forever.
But could this love tolerate sharing him with others? Especially sharing him with Qin Qingyue?!
Just as Wu Zhaohua’s emotional defenses teetered on the brink of collapse, the door finally opened.
Jiang Huai appeared in the doorway, a trace of lingering helplessness and unresolved complexity etched between his brows.
He had failed to convince Qin Qingyue.
No matter how he reasoned, the Black Dragon acted as if immune to his words, sitting cross-legged on the spot and treating his explanations as mere wind passing by the ear.
Left with no choice, he turned to find Wu Zhaohua.
“Wu Zhaohua, I…” Jiang Huai had just started to speak when he was interrupted.
A figure scented with fragrant breezes suddenly rushed to his side.
Wu Zhaohua did not question, did not scold.
Tears filled her eyes but stubbornly refused to fall, swirling within her gaze, reflecting shattered light.
Suddenly, she threw her arms around Jiang Huai’s neck, fiercely and with no room for refusal, pressing her lips to his.
Faced with a Great Ascension Stage cultivator’s fierce kiss, a small Qi Refining Stage had no chance to resist.
Caught off guard, Jiang Huai staggered back a step, his back hitting the wall.
Why was he destined to be cornered against walls no matter where he went?
This kiss was scorching hot, filled with heartbreak, unwillingness, anger, and a love that cut to the bone.
Her lips trembled, as if pouring every ounce of pain, grievance, and frustration into the kiss.
Jiang Huai felt his tongue go numb, but Wu Zhaohua continued to kiss him passionately, savoring the moment as if it were their last farewell.
After a long moment, Wu Zhaohua abruptly released him and stepped back. Her tears finally broke free like a string of scattered pearls, cascading down fiercely.
“Jiang Huai,” her voice shattered and thick with a nasal sob.
“Do you even realize how I watched you back then…”
“Watched you suffer misfortune again and again because of the curse I carried, getting hurt all over, beaten and dirty, and how much it broke my heart?”
She raised a trembling finger, as if wanting to touch Jiang Huai’s face but falling powerless instead.
“Afterwards, I started counting the days, hoping time would pass and my cultivation would recover from the human calamity.”
“Once I was stronger, I would take you away, keep you from suffering, keep you from…”
The beautiful future was so close—on that very day, she could openly hold his hand and leave.
Why? Why did everything that happened afterward have to happen?
Her gaze locked tightly onto Jiang Huai’s eyes, flames of painful love and unyielding resolve burning within:
“I, Wu Zhaohua, can disregard who you gave your first time to!”
“Maybe it wasn’t your own will, maybe fate played a cruel trick; I can tolerate that!”
Her voice suddenly rose, sharp and resolute:
“But I absolutely cannot tolerate, absolutely cannot tolerate another woman standing openly by your side.”
“Especially Qin Qingyue, I can’t do it, never can.”
“My love is petty.”
“Rather than watching you shuttle between women, watched by others’ covetous eyes and touch, it’s better…”
She spun sharply around, her back facing Jiang Huai, shoulders trembling violently as her voice fell into a deadened calm:
“Better to part ways here!”
“Anyway, we owe each other nothing anymore.”
Jiang Huai panicked, reaching out to stop her.
“Wait, Wu Zhaohua, please wait.”
He hadn’t even spoken a word yet.
Before he could finish, Wu Zhaohua’s entire body suddenly exploded with blinding sword light.
She broke through the cabin door in a flash, leaving behind a single item slicing through the air.
Wu Zhaohua’s figure transformed into a resolute sword rainbow, without hesitation or pause, like a meteor streaking across the sky—disappearing instantly beyond the endless sea of clouds.
Jiang Huai felt a slight weight at his waist and looked down.
There, quietly hanging, was a small, exquisite Jade Sword Pendant, translucent and radiant.
“Jiang Huai, this is my Token of Affection.”
“If you ever find yourself in danger, infuse it with spiritual power.”
“No matter how far apart, I will come to save you.”
She was gone.
Carrying all her love, all her pain, all her uncompromising pride and possessiveness—she had left decisively.
This love made her unable to share him; she would rather bear all the wounds and leave alone.
Jiang Huai stood frozen, his outstretched hand still hanging in the air, fingertips seeming to retain the coldness of her tears and the touch of her robe.
Her words echoed in his ears, the last protective token hanging at his waist.
Faced with two strong-willed women, he had failed to sway either.
They had each fought their way out, each with their own bottom lines—how could Jiang Huai resolve it with just a few words?
He lingered, staring at the distant horizon, memories of the past flooding back—those days in the courtyard:
“This medicine is too bitter; I won’t drink it.”
“I’ll add some sugar.”
“Why are you home so late? Were you hanging out with someone?”
“There were many people today; the shopkeeper asked me to help out more and pay me extra.”
“What’s wrong with you? Why that expression? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Damn it! I got choked by air! What bad luck is this?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“What happened to your leg?”
“I got hit by a carriage on the way home. I’m amazing—the carriage didn’t even manage to kill me.”
“I don’t want to eat this anymore; let’s buy some meat.”
“I want to leave so badly. There’s no future here at all.”
“Then go.”
“What about you? I can’t just leave you behind.”
“Besides, I haven’t saved enough money yet.”
Those memories of relying on each other, struggling for warmth in hardship, carrying the warmth of old dust—they crashed heavily against his heart.
Qin Qingyue seemed to sense something, quietly appearing at the doorway.
She glanced at the distraught Jiang Huai, her gaze landing on the translucent little Jade Sword Pendant at his waist. Her red lips parted, her tone unreadable.
“Quite generous, actually.”
She paused, then averted her eyes, her voice softening with a faint trace of awkwardness:
“Come back. Don’t stare. I… I only don’t want her to be with you.”
If they could just keep their distance and be friends, Qin Qingyue might barely be able to accept it.
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