“Lin Muxue, are you willing to accept my challenge? Even now, you’re still hesitating—makes me doubt if your love is real, or if you just want to possess her completely, like that Luo Wuhen…”
Chu Youtong fixed her gaze on Lin Muxue, issuing her “challenge” once more, and this time she aimed straight for her soft spot!
If you can’t even accept the challenge from Chu Youtong, who’s already staked her life, then how can you prove you truly want the best for Su Qianqian, rather than just imprisoning her and satisfying your own possessiveness like Luo Wuhen did?
In doing so, Chu Youtong firmly placed herself on the moral high ground, forcing Lin Muxue to prove whether her love was genuine!
Lin Muxue gripped the sword in her hand tightly. She opened her mouth, but hesitated.
The corner of Chu Youtong’s lips curled up; it seemed she’d really hit Lin Muxue’s weak spot.
“Lin Muxue, oh Lin Muxue, your moral standards are famously high, but that high-mindedness will only bind your hands and feet~”
Chu Youtong thought to herself, though she had no intention of complimenting Lin Muxue.
For the Demonic Path, morality was nothing but a shackle.
If she were the one who’d won Su Qianqian, then as she’d said before—imprisonment, brainwashing, or any means necessary, even forcing her to bear a child—Chu Youtong would do anything to keep Su Qianqian from leaving her side!
Though these were her thoughts, in reality, she wasn’t the first to get Su Qianqian—she was only the third.
But perhaps that, too, could become an advantage…
Now, with righteous words, she stood atop love and morality, facing the once-possessed Su Qianqian and the ever-moral Lin Muxue—the advantage was hers!
“So? Will you accept? Are you so afraid I’ll win Su Qianqian’s heart with pure love that you won’t even try? Then your love is nothing special at all…”
Chu Youtong continued, speaking righteously with a mocking undertone, as if she were the true path.
Lin Muxue wanted to speak but held back, but Su Qianqian, seeing Chu Youtong’s self-righteousness, covered her forehead.
This one’s definitely a devil—she must have some hidden scheme, but for now, the Life Mark really was in her own hands…
“Chu Youtong, I’ll say this one last time: if I return your Life Mark, you leave now and I’ll pretend nothing ever happened. Otherwise, if Master does something later, I won’t stop her.” Su Qianqian spoke again.
But Chu Youtong remained fearless.
She was betting big, wagering her life for love, for passion, for desire—this was truly worthy of the title, Saintess of Hehuan Sect!
“I won’t leave. Whether you restrain me or not, even if Lin Muxue really kills me, then I’ll have lost my bet and accepted my punishment. But…”
“Can you really bear it? Have you forgotten all the days we spent together? Even if you were just pretending, did you never feel the slightest stir in your heart…? After you stole the Sect’s Heavenly Medicine, the Elders put me under tremendous pressure, but I still loved you!”
“Do you remember? You promised to become my Furnace—I don’t long for that now, but… can’t you at least look at me, give me a chance to pursue you sincerely, with my heart and my life…?”
Chu Youtong pleaded, her voice almost begging. Because of her words, Su Qianqian fell into silence.
In the end… she still owed her something…
Watching her Master and older sister fall silent, Su Lingling opened her mouth slightly in surprise.
Chu Youtong’s words were so powerful!
She’d managed to render both her Master and sister speechless even when at a disadvantage. She really had no place to interrupt…
Lin Muxue looked at the conflicted Su Qianqian.
She knew Su Qianqian was wavering, and a large part of her indecision was because of her. In that case…
“Qianqian, it’s your decision. Even if you want her to stay, I won’t oppose you…”
“She’s right. Love isn’t possession. You have the right to choose. She’s no threat now, and might even become your ally. I won’t restrict your choices… If she truly wins you over with her feelings, that’s only my failure…”
Lin Muxue sheathed her sword, let out a sigh, and closed her eyes.
“Thank you, thank you. Lin Muxue, you really do have some redeeming qualities~ Love you~”
Chu Youtong grinned in delight, thanking Lin Muxue, though who knew what she truly thought.
And so, the final decision fell to Su Qianqian herself.
The pressure mounted, her brow furrowed with worry.
She pondered for a full half an hour without reaching a decision, while Chu Youtong kept staring at her with the sad eyes of an abandoned puppy, forcing Su Qianqian to close her own eyes—she couldn’t let herself be swayed by that pitiful act!
Suddenly, Liu Qingyao walked out of the room, worry on her face, heading in their direction. Su Qianqian immediately stopped agonizing and went to greet her.
“Mother, why are you up? You should be resting.”
“I… I’ve been watching through the window. What’s happened? Why are you so troubled, Qianqian? Can you tell me?”
“It’s nothing much, just deciding whether Chu Youtong—Xiao You—can stay.” Su Qianqian answered.
There was no need to hide this from her mother; in fact, she needed her mother’s opinion right now.
Hearing this, Liu Qingyao’s face showed concern.
“Qianqian… well, can you give Xiao You a chance? I’ve spent a lot of time with her. She’s helped me a great deal, and I can tell… she’s a kind child, just lost for a moment. You can punish her, but let her continue cultivating…”
“For an ordinary person like me, the chance to cultivate is precious. I really like her after all this time—I don’t want such a good child to lose her chance at cultivation over this.”
“Aunt Liu…” Chu Youtong looked at Liu Qingyao, her expression softening. She hadn’t expected Liu Qingyao to speak up for her.
“In that case… Chu Youtong, you may stay, but you’re not allowed to lay a finger on me. Also… take good care of my pregnant mother. Can you do that?”
“Of course! I’ll do everything I can to look after Aunt Liu!” Chu Youtong answered with a bright, genuine smile, raising her hand in a cheerful promise!
“Come, Aunt Liu, let me help you inside~”
Chu Youtong skipped over to Liu Qingyao’s side, gently supporting her to help her back inside.
“I’m not so frail yet that I need help just to walk, but I do have some things I need your help with. Qianqian, Lingling, can you two stay the night? I want to talk to you.”
“Okay, Mother. You go ahead, I’ll talk things over with Master for a bit.” Su Qianqian waved with a smile, letting her mother head back in first.
As soon as her mother was inside, Su Qianqian’s face fell into one of helplessness and she let out a long sigh.
Lin Muxue remained silent, but Su Lingling grew worried: “Is it really okay to let her stay? And let her take care of Mother…”
“It’s fine, her nature isn’t bad. Besides, Mother really likes her. Letting them talk more is a good thing.”
“Master, um…” Su Qianqian looked down, anxious as she faced Lin Muxue.
But Lin Muxue only smiled, gently ruffling her hair. “I told you, as long as it’s not too dangerous, I’ll respect your choices. I’m your Master, after all.”
“Master…!” Su Qianqian felt warmth flooding her heart—a feeling called love she could not suppress, even her breath quickened slightly.
“Master, after I spend tonight with Mother, tomorrow…” As she spoke, her cheeks flushed crimson, a blush that said more than words ever could.
Lin Muxue, of course, understood Su Qianqian’s meaning, and kept gently stroking her hair, softly whispering, “I’m looking forward to it…”
Off to the side, Su Lingling—so easily forgotten—watched her blushing sister and understood exactly what was being said between her and Master.
For some reason, her heart felt strangely uncomfortable…
“Why is it, when clearly I…” Su Lingling pressed a hand to her chest, feeling a stuffiness she couldn’t explain…