Chapter 184: Luo Ying

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Wu Liang Mountain was formerly called Meng Le Mountain. It covered several thousand acres. The Qing dynasty poet, Dai Jiazheng, wrote a poem there. Everyone knew Dai Jiazheng was a famous poet during the reign of the Daoguang Emperor, but few knew he had a brother, Dai Jiahui. Around 1816, they encountered members of a hidden sect from Dian Cang and were accepted due to their talent. Dai Jiazheng, aspiring to be a scholar, refused to stay, but Dai Jiahui remained. They feared that leaving together would endanger their family.

After Dai Jiazheng left, he took the national examination. At twenty-four, he was appointed governor of Hunan Province, but he had no news of Dai Jiahui. Missing his brother, he returned to Wu Liang Mountain and wrote his poem. The poem described Wu Liang Mountain as vast and high, its immensity surpassing the limits of sight.

Now, Wu Liang Mountain is a national environmental protection site, concealing countless unknown landscapes and locations. At this moment, in an inaccessible part of the mountains, lay a large, ancient settlement. A winding path led down to the base, the houses appearing from below like a celestial realm nestled in the clouds. Before the houses stood a large tower, bearing the enormous character ‘Serenity.’ This was the hidden sect, Serenity.

In a distant room, Luo Susu sat lost in thought. She had returned to the sect for a month or two. She initially believed she could forget that man in a few days, but two months later, she still couldn’t calm herself enough to cultivate the Serene Heart Manual. Whenever she closed her eyes, Ye Mo appeared. Unbidden memories resurfaced repeatedly.

He nearly died of thirst, yet gave her his waterskin. He understood the desert's harshness and the value of water. What kind of man was he? Despite nearly being devoured by insects, he refused to abandon her, carrying her as he fled. What kind of man was he? He frantically searched for water, his lips cracked and bleeding, then cut his own wrist to give her blood until he fainted. Yet, she had only given him a small amount of water.

And the pool he gave her? The best birthday present she ever received—in the desert. Who would give such a gift in the desert? What kind of person was he?

Luo Susu recalled Ye Mo’s lips—the moment she kissed him—cold yet warm. The thought consumed her.

“I will forget him, I must…”

She cultivated the Serene Heart Manual, but before completing a cycle, she vomited blood again—for the sixth time.

Her master’s words echoed in her ears: “Susu, our sect’s cultivation forbids joy, worry, anger, emotions, hurt…” Yet she defied them all. If her master were alive, she could ask for guidance, but she was gone.

She wondered if he was well, if he had finished his tasks. Her thoughts returned to Ye Mo. What was happening to her? Why did she constantly think of him? It felt as if they had known each other for a long time, yet her memories only held the desert. Perhaps she knew him in a past life.

Luo Susu’s door opened, and a nun-like woman entered. Jing Xi, her master’s junior sister, though in her forties, appeared younger than thirty. Her skin was smooth, her features sharp, and her lips possessed a sensual redness. She possessed an oddly striking beauty, her sharp nose the most notable feature. Were her hair and eyes not black, she might have seemed Western.

“Shi Shu,” Luo Susu said, rising.

The nun frowned: “Susu, you are no longer suited to cultivating at Serenity. A single trip to the mortal world enticed you, causing you to lose your Dao Heart. As a member of the hidden sect, you must never return to the mortal world.”

“Shi Shu…” Luo Susu said worriedly, sensing her Shi Shu’s dislike, likely connected to her master, and anticipating punishment.

The nun shook her head. “Susu, even if you cannot cultivate our way, you need not return to the mortal world…”

Before Luo Susu could feel relief, the nun continued: “The young master of Dian Cang, though only thirty, is in the tertiary stage of the yellow level. His future is limitless. Dian Cang’s martial arts would suit you. Our sects have always maintained good relations, and we are nearby. If you married into Dian Cang…”

“No…” Luo Susu’s face paled. She would not marry. An innate aversion held her back.

The nun’s face fell, about to speak again, when another voice intervened: “Jing Xi Shi Mei, if Susu doesn’t want it, don’t force her. Though we have fallen, we are not yet desperate enough to rely on marriage for survival.”

“Yes, Shi Jie.” Jing Xi’s respect seemed strained.

Luo Susu greeted, “Luo Susu greets sect leader.”

“Mhm.” The nun nodded. “Susu, you have a serious problem since your return. Your heart is no longer at peace…” The nun considered Luo Susu’s situation.

“Leader Shi Bo, I wish to request something. Due to events during my absence, I may not be able to calm my heart to cultivate again until resolving these matters. I beg your permission to leave again.” Luo Susu felt an overwhelming need to see Ye Mo, to ask if he remembered her.

“No,” Jing Xi interrupted. “Jing Xian Shi Jie, Susu yearns for the mortal world. Letting her return could lead to disgrace for our sect.”

Luo Susu trembled with anger but dared not object.

Jing Xian, however, nodded. “Then what do you propose?”

Jing Xi, ignoring Luo Susu, said, “Luo Susu’s previous departure already violated the rules. Her inability to cultivate since her return suggests sending her to the cold room for three years.”

Luo Susu shuddered. Three years in the cold room was a death sentence. With her intermediate yellow level power, she would perish. Her master died three months after two years in the cold room—sent there by this Shi Shu. Now, she faced the same fate.

Jing Xian glanced at Jing Xi and sighed. “Susu, you may as well go to Dian Cang.”

Luo Susu shook her head. “Leader Shi Bo, I will go to the cold room.”

“Hmph, unworthy thing.” Jing Xi left without farewell.

“Sigh…” Jing Xian looked at Luo Susu, then departed. She knew Jing Xi sought revenge on Luo Susu’s master but could not intervene.

“Leader Shi Bo, I wish to change my name,” Luo Susu called.

Jing Xian turned, guilt evident. “Susu, tell me. I can do that much.” She knew the cold room meant certain death, but dared not defy Jing Xi, only feeling guilt towards Luo Susu’s master and Luo Susu herself.

Luo Susu was not foolish. Jing Xian was the leader, yet succumbed to Jing Xi. Some secret must bind her.

“Shi Bo, I wish to be called Luo Ying. I often call myself Luo Ying in my dreams,” Luo Susu said, worried for her Shi Bo.

Jing Xian looked at Luo Susu, nodded, produced a jade necklace, and gave it to her. “Susu, from now on, you are Luo Ying. This necklace, from a friend at the Luo Cang magical artefact society, is a genuine magical artefact. It’s yours. Good luck. I’m going.” …

[1] TL note: Shi Shu: refers to anyone in the same sect, of the same generation as your master, but younger. Shi Bo: same as Shi Shu, but older than your master.