Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 71  - 50: The Finale (Two in One)_2

...

Let's set aside the various thoughts and considerations for now.

Amidst the misty rain, a lone boat floated by.

Upon the boat, a figure stood as if she were an archer, detached from the world, in white garments surpassing the snow, ethereal like a celestial being!

Though the boat was light, it did not fear the surging waves of the river, gliding through as a butterfly flits among flowers, approaching the grand treasure ship from below.

Subsequently, the woman stepped upon the water as if walking on ripples, rising straight towards the clouds, and lightly landed on the treasure ship.

Atop the treasure ship, several people were awaiting respectfully, with Su Beixuan at their head.

Leading the others, Su Beixuan stepped forward to greet the aloof and indifferent Shi Feixuan with a bowed salute, "We've seen Fairy Shi."

The people behind him followed suit, bowing in unison, "We've seen Fairy Shi!"

Confronted with the bowing crowd, Shi Feixuan fell silent, at a loss for what to do.

However, Su Beixuan seemed unconcerned, speaking directly, "The master has been waiting for a long time."

In the midst of his words, his gaze fell on the sword in her hand.

Shi Feixuan glanced briefly and softly asked, "Should I lay down my sword?"

"There's no need," Su Beixuan replied, shaking his head gently.

"It's just that there is something we would like to clarify with Fairy Shi," Su Beixuan continued in a soft voice.

"Hmm?"

Shi Feixuan's brows furrowed, looking at Su Beixuan and the crowd behind him, "What is it?"

With a smile and a soft voice, Su Beixuan inquired, "Does Fairy Shi know who I am?"

"..."

Tightly furrowing her brows in confusion, Shi Feixuan still responded, "The chief disciple of Heavenly King Wu, the head disciple of Security Hall, the fame of Young Master Beixuan, who in the world does not know it?"

"I don't deserve to be called any 'young master'!"

Su Beixuan shook his head, speaking calmly, "Fairy Shi may not know this, but I was not always known as Su Beixuan. I was once called Little Dog, a lonely orphan begging in the streets of Xuzhou City, without a father or mother, without any support."

"..."

Shi Feixuan fell silent, as if she knew what he was about to say.

But Su Beixuan paid no heed and continued, "That year, I was only eight years old when several old beggars broke my limbs and left me on the streets to beg for coins. If not for meeting the master, I would not have survived that winter!"

"The master killed those beggars and took me back to Security Hall. He mended my limbs, took me as his disciple, taught me to read, to practice martial arts, and guided me carefully, shaping me into the Su Beixuan of today!" Su Beixuan stated, looking at Shi Feixuan with a calm demeanor.

Shi Feixuan could only respond with silence.

Su Beixuan, not minding her silence, continued, "There are thousands, tens of thousands of people like me!"

Shi Feixuan's gaze sharpened as she watched him, still remaining silent.

"Fairy Shi!" Su Beixuan also looked at her, calmly saying, "The master is a man of deep sentimentality. You once saved his life with a simple meal, and therefore, he must hold you in high regard. Therefore, you are the only person in the world who might be able to afflict the master's state of mind. You are his only flaw, his only weakness."

"...!" Shi Feixuan's gaze sharpened, and she involuntarily gripped her treasured sword tightly.

Su Beixuan caught her action in his eyes, shook his head, and calmly said, "No need to be nervous. Without the master's commands, we will not make a rash move. We are here to tell Fairy Shi something."

"..."

Silent and full of apprehension, Shi Feixuan looked at him and the people behind him, and after a long while, she asked, "What is it?"

"Should today's battle go awry..."

Su Beixuan looked at her calmly and said, "We, these people, will definitely seek vengeance for our master!" n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"..."

Stepping forward, Su Beixuan, with the people behind him stepping up in unison, met Shi Feixuan's gaze and said word by word, "At any cost, regardless of gain or loss, we will stop at nothing to—avenge!"

"..."

Faced with such calm gazes, such calm words, Shi Feixuan's heart trembled, and she involuntarily took a half step back.

"We hope the Fairy takes heed, keeps it in mind, and inscribes this in her heart."

With that, Su Beixuan said no more, turned his body to the side, and with a beckoning hand, said, "Please."

"..."

After a long period of silence, Shi Feixuan finally took a step forward.

Shortly after, at the top of the treasure ship.

Xu Yang stood alone, hands behind his back, gazing into the distance at the ripples on the river.

Once Shi Feixuan reached this location, led by Su Beixuan, he turned to leave, leaving the two alone.

Xu Yang said nothing, and Shi Feixuan remained silent as well.

That silence lasted until a gentle breeze accompanied by a light rain arrived, whisking away the light veil on Shi Feixuan's face.

Xu Yang turned around, looking at her somewhat disconcerted expression, and said with a light laugh, "It's been a long time since we last saw each other."

"..."

Shi Feixuan did not speak, silently resting her hand on her sword.

Catching a glimpse of her action, Xu Yang's expression remained unchanged, "Did they send you to kill me?"

"..."

Shi Feixuan remained silent as if her silence spoke volumes.

Xu Yang did not care and calmly stated, "You can't kill me."

"I know," Shi Feixuan replied, still pressing on the treasured sword, finally breaking the silence, "But I had no choice but to come."

In her eyes lay struggle.

"Is that so?" Xu Yang said with a smile, his voice still calm, "Then draw your sword."

"..."

Shi Feixuan, silent, her hand quivering on the hilt of her sword, could not draw it after a long standoff.

"You needn't be afraid," Xu Yang shook his head and spoke calmly, "You can't kill me, nor can you injure me. You can only kill one person."

"One person?" Shi Feixuan's eyes wavered, uncertainly staring at him, "Who?"

"You!"

"..."

"..."

The words hung between them, both silent.

Xu Yang looked at her and softly smiled, "In this life, one should have a clear conscience."

After saying this, he also did not wait for her reaction and simply strode off.

Shi Feixuan stood rigid in place, one hand on her sword, motionless for a long time.

It was not until they brushed past each other, crossing paths, that a sound was heard...