Chapter 97: Without You, What Matters Most to Me!
With the cold moonlight and the chorus of insects…
In a vast desolate land outside the Imperial Capital, two beauties stood side by side, gazing at the endless sky.
If a mortal were to witness this scene, they would surely stop and be enchanted, perhaps even a scholar passing by would pick up their brush and compose exquisite verses.
Unfortunately, this beautiful sight could only be appreciated by the gentle breeze and bright moon.
“Sister… Am I beautiful?”
Chen Ling’er, looking at the indifferent Lian Hanxing beside her, asked timidly.
At this moment, she was unlike her usual self.
Enthralled by the Sword Path, she typically wore tight-fitting clothing that, while exuding elegance, lacked a touch of gentle beauty.
Tonight, she had changed into a long-awaited feminine outfit.
The flowing azure dress rippled like water, perfectly outlining her delicate figure.
Her tiny waist was slender and soft, leading to a flat abdomen that sharply curved into two towering peaks.
She wore golden silk shoes, adorned her wrists with jade bracelets, her ears with bright moon ornaments, and had a dot of vermilion on her brow; every frown and smile radiated tenderness, every movement showcased her grace.
Even the most skilled painter could not capture her beauty on paper.
“Very beautiful.”
Even Lian Hanxing, who often criticized, could not lie with open eyes.
Chen Ling’er was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, especially with that fragile charm, making people unable to resist the urge to cherish her.
“Thank you, sister…”
Chen Ling’er smiled, lifting one side of her skirt and twirling lightly, causing the hem to dance in the air.
“These are all gifts he once gave me. Do you think he will like it?”
Chen Ling’er giggled, entirely enveloped by immense happiness since Zhou Tong had replied that he would come.
A hero would die for a confidant.
A woman would beautify herself for the one she adores!
Seeing her enchanted demeanor, Lian Hanxing still poured cold water on her spirits.
“Old clothes can’t compare to new ones.”
She said lightly, hinting that the Zhou Tong from the past was no longer present.
“That’s right… People aren’t as they used to be. My junior apprentice brother is always nostalgic; I don’t believe he would continue to ignore me.”
Hearing this, Lian Hanxing’s head filled with black lines, followed by a deep sense of speechlessness.
The behavior of infatuated people truly is a form of self-comfort.
“Ha…”
The wind blew, casting a shadow under the moonlight.
“He’s coming.”
Lian Hanxing stepped back two paces, choosing to observe from the side.
“Junior brother!”
Chen Ling’er looked up in surprise; that soul-stirring figure, even silhouetted against the moonlight, still captured her gaze.
At that moment, her heart nearly skipped a beat, and she instinctively held her breath.
Such a youth was unmatched.
“How did I miss this? I must have been blind at the time, not knowing whose love potion I had ingested.”
She constantly berated herself in her heart, yet couldn’t help but feel delight.
Fortunately, she still had a chance to make amends.
“You really came! Is it really you? I knew you would come!”
As Zhou Tong landed, Chen Ling’er was like a bird returning to its nest, wanting to rush into his embrace.
“Six Combinations Annihilation Sword!”
Zhou Tong brought his fingers together and sliced the air in front of him.
“Fire, divide the clouds from the mud!”
A line of fire shot up, completely separating the two.
Chen Ling’er halted her steps; it wasn’t the searing flames that stopped her but Zhou Tong’s icy stare.
“Junior brother…”
She called, her face devoid of color.
“Speak clearly.”
“Can we return to the past? Just like before…”
She bit her lip, her eyes laced with hope, and under such a gaze, any man would find it hard to refuse.
Only Zhou Tong replied with a cold smile.
“Am I supposed to continue being your infatuated fool? You certainly know how to enjoy life!”
“You are not; you never have been!”
Chen Ling’er was nearly in tears, hurriedly explaining.
“I was too stubborn; I clearly found out about your feelings but didn’t dare respond directly.”
“I just wanted to see how much you cared for me, so I treated you coldly. In fact, I like you too!”
She lifted her skirt, showcasing her lovely figure to Zhou Tong.
“Do you remember this outfit? You personally chose it for me…”
“My taste has always been good.”
Zhou Tong proudly boasted, and upon hearing this, the other party finally revealed a hint of a smile.
“Too bad my judgment in people back then was terrible!”
At this remark, Chen Ling’er’s smile suddenly froze.
“Why are you still keeping these things? Don’t you find them disgusting? Don’t you find them filthy? Don’t you find them laughable?”
“When I was at the Jade Purity Sect, you thought these things were utterly dirty. Did they somehow become clean after I left?”
“If that’s the case, you should stay further away from me; best to never see me again!”
“I won’t!”
Her expression turned anxious as she crossed the fire line, allowing the flames to lick at her skirt.
“Are you really this indifferent, this heartless, this cruel?”
“We’ve clearly lived together for ten years. Can you just throw everything away? Don’t you feel heartbroken?”
As she spoke, she opened her arms to hug Zhou Tong, her soft chest nearly pressed against him.
“Why can’t you look at me a few more times? If you did, maybe you would like me again.”
“Ha… Chen Ling’er, there are some things I can barely remember. May I ask you a few questions?”
Zhou Tong wore a friendly smile, and Chen Ling’er nodded repeatedly.
“Feel free to ask; I will answer everything.”
“Alright, tell me, for whom did I wear myself out, setting up the Heavenly Dao formation to help her become the sword master amongst our peers?”
“And who was the one who feared my Sword Path skills would exceed Tang Qi’s, breaking my five fingers, nearly rendering me unable to wield a sword?”
Upon hearing this, Chen Ling’er wobbled, seemingly about to collapse.
“It was me…”
“Good, now tell me, who was it that accepted all my cultivation resources without any shame, and who was it that forced me to give all my opportunities to Tang Qi?”
“It was me…”
“Now tell me, during the Hundred Sects Battle, for whom did I risk my life to rush into danger? And who framed me for stealing credit, attributing all my achievements to Tang Qi?”
Chen Ling’er became silent, her strength drained, softly kneeling before Zhou Tong, yet one hand still clutched tightly at his clothing.
“And also…”
“Don’t say any more; I know I was wrong.”
Chen Ling’er wept bitterly; each of those deeds was fresh in her memory, and some were even done on purpose. At the time, she thought it was fun, but now she realized how beastly her actions were.
If roles were reversed, she would probably not be able to endure a single day, while Zhou Tong had endured it alone for a whole decade.
“Junior brother, can’t we just move past these things? We can start anew, I will give you whatever you want, even if it’s me…”
“No.”
Zhou Tong decisively refused.
Why? Are those past matters more important than me?
“No, none of it matters as much as you do, but…”
Zhou Tong stated calmly, bringing a glimmer of hope back to Chen Ling’er’s eyes.
“But what?”
“Without you, that matters most to me!”
