Chapter 207 – The Nine Layers Complete (1/2)

Despite being rejected at the entrance, Yu Shukuang was not particularly annoyed. Instead, he admired Li Qingshan even more. He had already learnt from Yu Zijian that the foolish bird that flew in and then flew back out was a sixth layer Qi Practitioner.

He became stunned for a very long time when he heard that. Just what did sixth layer Qi Practitioners represent? It was completely beyond his imaginations. He had heard that with a thought and a sweep of their flying sword, they could behead first-rate masters like him.

Yet, someone like that had failed to even withstand a single strike from Li Qingshan before being tossed down. He had even become too afraid to look back. It filled Yu Shukuang with questions.

Just how did Li Qingshan train with how young he was? Was he the illegitimate son of some great clan? Or was he a secret disciple of some cultivation sect?

Even until now, his fantasies still ran wild, but he was unable to make sense of it. All he knew was how lucky he was to be able to establish ties with someone so important.

“Father, I just feel that great hero Niu seems somewhat familiar, as if I’ve seen him somewhere.” Yu Zijian’s face reddened slightly when she said that.

Yu Shukuang was shocked instead. He laughed dryly. “How’s that possible? It must’ve been a false impression!” Li Qingshan had specially reminded him to keep Yu Zijian in the dark about his actual identity. Why would he be bold enough to disobey him now?

Yu Zijian frowned. “Really?”

Yu Shukuang said suddenly, “Let’s go see your mother!”

What happened yesterday unearthed many of the matters that he had buried in his heart many years ago. He had wanted to do this ever since then. However, it was very late at night when all the guests finally left. He had managed to slight all the curious, probing gazes from them.

Yu Zijian agreed gently.

Stepping through the snow, the two of them arrived in the east of the city. Under a beautiful hill was a small grave. It was regularly cleaned and swept, and there were new offerings on it right now. All of this was obviously due to Yu Shukuang’s arrangements.

But today, someone was kneeling in front of the grave with their chest held high. His magnificent, silken robes had been reduced to a mess by mud and blood, but he did not seem to notice it.

“Ma Chaoqun!” Yu Shukuang frowned. As it turned out, he was still here. How had he gotten hold of this place?

Yu Zijian gripped the hilt of her sword and secretly raised her guard. Even she had failed to notice that she was now very different from before.

Yu Zijian said worriedly, “I’m not Zi’er. You’d better tend to your wounds, or you’ll really die like this!”

Although she had grown to understand now, change would not happen in a single day. The kindness she possessed would linger.

Ma Chaoqun made out her face clearly and smiled self-deprecatingly like a dead man. His hatred from all these years had vanished in a single day. He no longer had the strength to live.

Yu Shukuang said coldly, “If you want to die, go die somewhere else. Don’t die here!”

Ma Chaoqun’s eyes coldened, and he pressed down on the hilt of his blade.

Yu Zijian called out, “Father!”

Yu Shukuang pushed Yu Zijian aside and roared, “Just why did she have to grow up with trash like you by her side?!”

“You’re looking to die!” Ma Chaoqun drew his blade with a swish. His face was murderous.

Yu Zijian blocked Yu Shukuang and said anxiously, “Don’t you understand? My mother doesn’t wish for you to be like this. If you die and she finds out in the afterlife, she’ll be heartbroken.”

These words seemed to possess wondrous magic when Yu Zijian said them. Ma Chaoqun was stunned. “I…”

Yu Zijian persuaded softly, “You have to keep living. Only then will my mother rest in peace.”

Mao Chaoqun’s eyes gradually drooped down. “G- girl, you’re… right.” Suddenly, he reversed his grip on his blade and stabbed his own leg before wrenching the blade out. He became even paler.

Yu Zijian covered her mouth to stifle her scream. All she heard was Ma Chaoqun say, “I said many crazy things to you yesterday. Just treat this as my apology. Hehe, someone like me deserves death in the first place to have ever fantasized about her. However, I can’t keep dragging her down like this. I’ll make do and keep living.”

Yu Zijian understood that his extreme personality was unchangeable. She sighed gently. “You might look a little different from others, but what’s inside is always more important than your appearance. You will definitely find a woman who loves you from the bottom of her heart.”

Ma Chaoqun only sneered. All the women in this world liked handsome men. With his current cultivation, there were plenty of beautiful women by his side, but they only liked his money and power. Aside from her, no one had ever treated him with sincerity.

“Even if you just can’t get over it, I’ve heard that the path of cultivation has many wondrous methods that can heal one’s face.”

Ma Chaoqun’s expression gradually changed. There was some light in his eyes now. Suddenly, he turned around and left. He gazed at the grave deeply, as if he wanted to memorise every single word on it. After that, he limped away into the distance.

Yu Zijian could not help but let out a sigh of relief. She smiled. She knew her persuasion had been effective.

However, she failed to hear Ma Chaoqun murmur to himself, “The path of cultivation has many wondrous methods. There’ll definitely be one that can save you!”