Proofreader: Papatonks

[Having been around the Luo clan and Zhuo Fan for so long, I’ve become shifty myself.]

[Uh, I mean clever, yes clever!]

Chu Qingcheng showed a bright smile and bowed, “Mountain Lord He, I’m gratified but I don’t feel the same way for young master. I ask that you let us go.”

“A girl’s heart can’t be forced. This means Feng’er isn’t the lucky one. It’s not your fault, miss Chu.”

He Haodong looked out the window, looking pained, “At the devastating news of my son’s demise, I could only shed tears and nothing else. Miss Chu, I ask that you please tell me anything you might know about his death.”

He Haodong gave Chu Qingcheng a deep bow.

Chu Qingcheng helped him up, “Senior, you’re being too courteous to someone like me.”

“It’s only proper. If I can clear my son’s injustice, then I will even kowtow.” He put on a sincere expression, with tears brimming in his eyes.

Chu Qingcheng realized she’d have fallen for his trick if not for knowing the truth.

Even so, her young heart was still moved.

[He must love his son.]

Regardless of sympathy, she would still not rat Zhuo Fan out.

Ugh!

He Haodong held his chest and fell to the ground, looking pale. Chu Qingcheng panicked and rushed to help, “Senior, w-what’s wrong…”

“M-miss Chu, I can’t bear it. Could you promise me something?” He Haodong had a ragged breathing.

Chu Qingcheng was quick to agree, “Tell me.”

“This… is for you.”

He Haodong showed her a jade bracelet in five colors, “It’s made of ancient jade harvested from the Sea Abyss Forest. It only forms once a million years. It helps clear the mind and strengthen the soul. Even those with poor talent can become Saints.”

Chu Qingcheng was shocked, “Sea Abyss Forest has sea beasts and flying spiritual beasts around at the 12th and 11th level. Even Saints don’t go there. This must be invaluable.”

“Yes, it is.”

He strained to explain, “Those spiritual beasts always watch over it with scrutiny. Since it can open their minds, then they would never let anyone take it. The Seven Sacred Mountains had suffered great losses to take just this piece. And now it’s yours.”

“No, I can’t accept something so rare.”

“It’s because it’s valuable that I’m giving you in Feng’er’s stead.”

Cough~…

He Haodong coughed blood looking weaker, “I planned on gifting it to Feng’er’s future wife, but with him gone and as he loved you, I’ll give it to you in his stead.”

He Haodong forced it in Chu Qingcheng’s hand, but she still shook her head, “I can’t accept…”

“Qingcheng, did you forget your promise to me? If you refuse, I’ll just destroy the Luo clan.”

Chu Qingcheng shuddered and was silent.

He Haodong smiled and coughed a few more times. Chu Qingcheng didn’t know what to do.

Two people rushed in just then and cried out at He Haodong’s state.

“Mountain Lord, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I… can’t bear it…”

He Haodong smiled at Chu Qingcheng, “Qingcheng, you can go now.”

“Go?”

“Yes, I got my wish so you can go.”

He Haodong smiled through his tears, “Ever since Feng’er passed, I had two wishes. To find the cause of his death, for revenge, and give this bracelet to you for my son. The second is the most important, for this fulfills Feng’er’s longing. Now I am at peace.”

He Haodong sighed with a smile, closing his eyes like he was no longer for this world.

The two people cried out in panic, “Mountain Lord, you can’t go…”

“Senior, wake up…”

Chu Qingcheng shook all over, “Isn’t senior a peak Saint? How did he become so weak?”

The two attendants sighed, “Miss, ever since young lord passed, Mountain Lord has been sick with worry and in despair. His cultivation went wrong and his heart was plagued by demons. He took medicine but it didn’t help. He had no reason to live, even if he is a peak Saint.”

Chu Qingcheng was filled with worry.

He was ruthless, but he loved his son dearly.

“What will become of the 6th Sacred Mountain with the Mountain Lord’s passing? Civil war, chaos, murder? We’d take Mountain Lord’s place if we could.”

The two teared up and said, “Miss, the Mountain Lord said you can go. I will take care of everything, so that you and young master Luo can leave. We will handle the funeral and won’t be seeing any more guests.”

Chu Qingcheng hesitated, “Let’s not get too hasty. I’ll stay to send senior off.”

“Doesn’t miss hate the Mountain Lord for taking you?”

“Why would I hate him? He has always been kind to me and I’d feel pain to see him go like this.”

“You don’t want the Mountain Lord to die?”

“Of course not!”

Chu Qingcheng sighed, “He is so kind, hurting so much for his son, so pitiful. I really wish I could save him.”

The two nodded and said, “Miss, why not try it. Maybe your kindness and thoughts could help him? The Mountain Lord has always seen you as a daughter-in-law. Without his son, you’re the only one he cares about in the world. That’s why he would give you the most precious item on the 6th Sacred Mountains.”

Looking at the bracelet, Chu Qingcheng nodded and held He Haodong’s hand, using her Yuan Qi.

“Senior, hold on, don’t die.”

He Haodong was still unconscious.

The attendants were panicking, “Miss Chu, you can do it. Heal his heart and the Mountain Lord will surely wake up!”

Chu Qingcheng nodded and used her Yuan Qi until she was almost spent, even sweating from exertion.

“Miss Chu, forgive us for not being of any help. The Mountain Lord cared so much about you, only your Yuan Qi can wake him. We fear our Yuan Qi will only make it worse. The Mountain Lord’s heart is broken and not his body.”

“I know!”

Chu Qingcheng gnashed her teeth and worked harder, with no results.

The two urged her harder, “Miss Chu, you have to save him with all your heart. Your sincerity is sure to save the Mountain Lord.”

Chu Qingcheng closed her eyes and gave all she had.

Chu Qingcheng slumped from tiredness, leaving the attendants sighing, “Mountain Lord, she did her best but nothing came out.”

“This means she must be committed with all her being for it to work.”

He Haodong’s pale face returned to normal and looked at Chu Qingcheng with gnashed teeth, “I had Feng’er get her to be smitten with him so that his death would be the best case to make this work. Now even if this chick wants to save me, it’s not at her own sacrifice, so it is of no use!”

The two were silent.

He Haodong stood, “Let her rest. We’ll think of something. Also, go to the Luo clan and see if Zhuo Fan is back. I heard the two are in love and maybe we can use that prick to get the thing out of her.”

“Mountain Lord, won’t we fail letting him get it out of miss Chu?”

“Fool, ever heard of sleight of hand? I’ll just grab it before it goes to him.” He Haodong glared.

A mocking laughter reach their ears just then, “Ha-ha-ha, you want Sovereignty? Foul wretched bugs like you aren’t worth it!”