Chapter 484: Nu Qinghui
Chapter 484: Chapter 484: Nu Qinghui
"Big flirt, your eyes light up when you think of beautiful women!" Gu Qianyou teased.
Zhong Shan looked at Gu Qianyou and chuckled helplessly. How could he explain? Nonetheless, he took her playful reproach in stride, appreciating these moments that added flavor to life.
"But I never expected that Nian Youyou\'s master, Nu Qinghui, would be the leader of the Seven Star Hall," Zhong Shan remarked, sighing.
Nu Qinghui, Nian Youyou\'s master, was the woman whose bell could shatter the souls of a million soldiers during the conflict with the Great Bright Empire.
"I didn\'t expect it either. But there\'s something even more surprising," Gu Qianyou suddenly said.
"There\'s more?" Zhong Shan asked, intrigued.
"I also saw Zi Xun," Gu Qianyou revealed.
"Elder Zi Xun?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised. He picked up a cup of tea, trying to hide a hint of melancholy in his heart.
Elder Zi Xun, or Zi Xun Fairy, had a complex connection with him. After the Longmen Conference, she had accidentally become involved with him. Later, she recommended him as an elder to the Kaiyang Sect, leading him to Shenzhou. They had met again near the Yuheng Sect at an immortal\'s remnant, where he had given her a fairy rose.
"Yes, and do you know? Zi Xun is actually Nu Qinghui\'s daughter," Gu Qianyou said.
"Pfft!" Zhong Shan sprayed his tea in shock. What? Her daughter? Nu Qinghui\'s daughter? Nian Youyou\'s senior sister?
Zhong Shan stared at Gu Qianyou, utterly incredulous.
"But, it should be her daughter from a previous life," Gu Qianyou quickly added.
"Previous life?" Zhong Shan didn\'t understand.
"Zi Xun is Nu Qinghui\'s daughter from her previous life with the Holy Emperor. Now, Nu Qinghui is the reincarnated version of herself," Gu Qianyou explained.
"Uh, this is so complicated," Zhong Shan said, puzzled.
"Yes, and for some reason, Zi Xun seems unwilling to acknowledge her as her mother, even as a reincarnation," Gu Qianyou said after some thought.
"Since it\'s not her previous self, Zi Xun might be resistant. But this means Zi Xun is the Holy Emperor\'s daughter, a princess?" Zhong Shan pondered.
"Yes, but she refuses to accept it. I don\'t know why, but Zi Xun seems very averse to both Nu Qinghui and the Holy Emperor," Gu Qianyou said.
"The affairs of the previous generation are always filled with complexity," Zhong Shan sighed.
"However, Nu Qinghui did teach me some incredibly wondrous spells and cultivation methods not of this world," Gu Qianyou said, smiling.
"Not of this world?" Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, it seems Nu Qinghui brought them back from the underworld, and their effects are extraordinarily powerful," Gu Qianyou said excitedly.
"That\'s good to hear," Zhong Shan nodded.
"There\'s only six months left. I wonder if the Holy Emperor will succeed," Gu Qianyou suddenly said, her expression turning wistful.
"Creating a new world is a monumental feat. Even if it doesn\'t succeed, it will be remembered throughout history. Moreover, opening a new world requires pioneers. If no one dares to try, it will never succeed," Zhong Shan said.
Gu Qianyou nodded thoughtfully, appreciating Zhong Shan\'s perspective on this historic endeavor.
"Mm!" Gu Qianyou exhaled deeply.
"Marshal, Mr. Shui Jing requests an audience," Liu Wushuang announced as she approached.
Mr. Shui Jing? Zhong Shan and Gu Qianyou exchanged glances.
"Please, let him in!" Zhong Shan immediately said.
"Yes!"
Soon, Mr. Shui Jing was escorted in.
"Shui Jing greets Mr. Zhong Shan and Princess Qianyou," Mr. Shui Jing said, bowing respectfully.
Gu Qianyou nodded without saying much. Zhong Shan stepped forward and said, "Please, Mr. Shui Jing, have a seat."
"Thank you," Mr. Shui Jing replied with a deep breath.
The three of them sat down again, and Zhong Shan personally poured a cup of tea for Mr. Shui Jing.
"Thank you," Mr. Shui Jing said, appreciating the gesture.
"What brings you here, Mr. Shui Jing? Is there something important?" Zhong Shan asked.
Mr. Shui Jing smiled bitterly. "It\'s about the same matter as before. I\'m sorry to trouble you again."
"No trouble at all. As friends, I will naturally do my utmost to help," Zhong Shan replied with a smile.
Zhong Shan was genuinely happy, not just because he could assist Mr. Shui Jing, but also because the Great Zhenn Empire would soon have another powerful ally.
Mr. Shui Jing looked at Gu Qianyou, unsure how to begin. Noticing his hesitation, Gu Qianyou was about to excuse herself.
"Qianyou is my confidante. You don\'t need to hide anything from her. She stands by me unconditionally," Zhong Shan said immediately.
Hearing this, Gu Qianyou felt a warmth in her heart and gave Zhong Shan a loving glance.
Mr. Shui Jing, slightly taken aback, nodded in appreciation. "In this regard, I must admit I fall short compared to you."
"Love is not like a battlefield; it can\'t be compared. Did you visit Liu Yanyan after you returned?" Zhong Shan asked.
"Yes, after the Da Luo army marched towards the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I went to see Yanyan," Mr. Shui Jing replied.
Zhong Shan silently gave Mr. Shui Jing a thumbs-up, recognizing his strategic timing when the Great Mysterious King was absent.
"I told her about our past lives and, at the last moment, used her own words to awaken her memories. She remembered everything in an instant—all our past together. She remembered me," Mr. Shui Jing said, frowning.
"She remembered? That\'s good. What happened next?" Zhong Shan asked.
"I left her then, giving her time to process everything. She cried so much, but I couldn\'t bring myself to comfort her," Mr. Shui Jing said, showing a hint of pain.
"You did the right thing. She needs to fully grasp the depth of her past emotions. If you had approached her too soon, it could have disrupted her thoughts and lowered your standing in her mind," Zhong Shan nodded.
"After the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss was destroyed, she returned to her old self but became much more reserved and thinner. She looked at me with affection and reluctance, but refused to acknowledge me. I know she\'s suffering," Mr. Shui Jing said, his pain evident.
"Yes, a love from a past life tormenting two people in this life. She is likely in love with the Great Mysterious King as well. Her current status means she can\'t be with you. She has given herself to the Great Mysterious King, and she can\'t be with you in this life," Zhong Shan sighed.
"Yes, why couldn\'t I have met her first?" Mr. Shui Jing\'s eyes welled up with tears.
"What do you plan to do now?" Zhong Shan asked.
"I know. If I forcefully take her away, she might eventually accept it, but over time, she would still be heartbroken over the Great Mysterious King. Her inner torment wouldn\'t lessen, and that would be too cruel. I don\'t want to see her suffer," Mr. Shui Jing said.
Zhong Shan looked at Mr. Shui Jing and shook his head. "Mr. Shui Jing, do you know what your greatest weakness is?"
"Being too rigid?" Mr. Shui Jing replied with a self-deprecating smile.
"No, it\'s being too upright. Do you know that being overly rigid can harm both yourself and others?" Zhong Shan said.
"You possess world-shaking strategies and an unparalleled ability to foresee events, but you often overlook yourself, striving to maintain a perfect image. You must understand that no one is perfect—not me, not the Holy Emperor, and not you," Zhong Shan said earnestly.
"Maybe so. As long as she isn\'t hurt, it\'s fine," Mr. Shui Jing said with a bitter smile.
"Your fear of hurting her is what causes her deeper pain," Zhong Shan said.
"Then what should I do? You are the expert," Mr. Shui Jing asked, eager for guidance.
Zhong Shan smiled wryly. How had he become an expert?
Gu Qianyou, standing nearby, couldn\'t help but laugh. Indeed, with everything Zhong Shan had accomplished over the years, it was hard not to see him as an expert.
"If you can ease her pain, I will give you this feather fan," Mr. Shui Jing said, taking out the fan.
"A feather fan?" Zhong Shan asked, curious.
"This is a Ninth Grade magical treasure," Mr. Shui Jing said.
Ninth Grade? Gu Qianyou was slightly surprised, while Zhong Shan\'s eyes lit up. However, after the initial excitement, he quickly looked away. Though he needed Ninth Grade magical treasures, he couldn\'t accept this one.
"Since you put it that way, let\'s talk business. I do have a method, though it\'s somewhat unconventional," Zhong Shan said.
When Mr. Shui Jing had mentioned their past lives years ago, Zhong Shan had been racking his brain for a solution, preparing for this day.
"Oh?" Mr. Shui Jing could tell Zhong Shan was setting terms. He didn\'t mind; he just wanted a solution.
"I can remove all of Liu Yanyan\'s pain, leaving no regrets or sorrow. She will leave with you willingly, without any attachment to the Great Mysterious King," Zhong Shan said.
"Really?" Mr. Shui Jing\'s eyes brightened.
"No, wait, are you planning to seal her memories?" Mr. Shui Jing frowned, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
"Of course not. Sealing memories is a last resort, and since she\'s already experienced this once, the seal could break at any time. Why would I leave such a flaw?" Zhong Shan laughed.
"Really?"
"Absolutely!" Zhong Shan assured him.
"What do you want?" Mr. Shui Jing asked, slightly excited.
Zhong Shan was known for his integrity. When he made a promise, he kept it.
"I want you," Zhong Shan said, pointing at Mr. Shui Jing.
"Me?"
"Yes, your intellect," Zhong Shan confirmed.
Mr. Shui Jing thought for a moment, squinting his eyes before nodding heavily. Though he felt some resistance, his love for Liu Yanyan outweighed it.
"Alright, then follow my lead. Qianyou and I will assist you fully," Zhong Shan said, taking a deep breath and smiling.
"Hmm. You mentioned the method is unconventional? How so?" Mr. Shui Jing asked, puzzled.
"Unconventional as in a bit of scheming," Zhong Shan said, laughing at Mr. Shui Jing\'s startled expression.
To Gu Qianyou, Zhong Shan\'s smile was one of pride; to Mr. Shui Jing, it was somewhat unsettling.