Chapter 42 (1/2)

A good story has peaks and valleys, ebbs and flows that keep the intensity flowing through a long windy journey If the lovers get their happy ending too early, then what’s the lure to keep readers following along when there is no cons pointing to i lady in Lost You Forever, Xiao Yao’s life was never a calk walk and it would be rash to think differently this ti and Xiao Yao of the heady variety that I prefer, I definitely feel their coh thick and thin to finally reach this point

Xiang Liu has no one to bla to take a chance with Xiao Yao, even when she gives him so many chances to step up, while Zhuan Xuhis love for Xiao Yao away If there are no guys around to interrupt her wedding with Jing, unlike the dra debacle when she was , what could possibly happen now? Read on to find out! This chapter was sooooo long and but each word is worth the exhaustion of translation as the story takes another exciting turn

Chapter 42 – Soul Dreams Cannot Rest Easy:

It was less than ato tradition the tere not to see each until then Jing had no choice but to return to Qing Qiu, try on his wedding attire and inspect the final preparations before settling in to wait for the day to arrive that he wouldthe Tu Shan clan residence, he also redesigned the living quarters and courtyard where he would reside with Xiao Yao according to her likes: Xiao Yao liked to eat snacks so there was a kitchen built within, Xiao Yao liked to drink plum wine so he planted different plu diverted into the pond……

Even though the elders already handled everything, Jing’s requirements for his future residence with Xiao Yao was eventhe place and the elders were happy to let Jing do it himself

Then came word from Hu Mao that Tu Shan Zhen was critically ill and couldn’t take in any food and water, only calling out for his father in bouts of alertness

Hu Mao was Hu Yao’s brother and both were loyal servants to Jing Hu Mao was tasked with taking care of Zhen since he was born, and even if Hu Mao hated Yi Yang and Hou, he couldn’t bring hiood care of hi have her powers and energy sucked dry and die so he devised a plan to have her declared dead and s was very social so many peoplefound the best place to situate her was Qing Shui Town

Even though Yi Yang wasn’t going to die yet, she was gravely injured and even with the best care and recovery atfro Shui Town every spring and summer for a fewed for Zhen to return in the fall, who knew Zhen would unexpectedly fall ill

Hu Mao was a thorough person so this news couldn’t be wrong With twentycouldfelt unease, that he shouldn’t go, but even if Zhen ’s real nephew Plus in Zhen’s eyes, Jing was the father and if anything were to happen to Zhen then Jing would never forgive hi to Qing Shui Town plus having You bring along extra guards

This was the first tiuards so You was taken aback “The wedding is next month, if Clan Leader has any pre replied “If anything were to happen to Zhen, the wedding wouldn’t go on either”

You bowed “I understand! Clan Leader rest assured that illas that is the sole purpose of our job”

Before departing, Jing wrote a letter to Xiao Yao telling her that he needed to go to Qing Shui Town and explaining why He assured her not to worry since he was safely guarded, and would be returning to Qing Qiu quickly

When Jing arrived at Qing Shui Town, it was already dawn Yi Yang sat beside the pallet, her face shrouded in black gauze and wearing all black Her entire form was fully covered other than a pair of autu asked “How is Zhen Er?”

Yi Yang appeared dazed and pointed wordlessly to the pallet Hu Zhen rushed up to take a pulse while Jing kneeled down and gently said “Zhen Er, Dad is here”

Zhen couldout to e?”

Jing took Zhen into his arht the best doctor here and once you’ve recovered Dad will take you to see the open ocean”

Zhen weakly said “I want to see the ocean”

Both Jing and Zhen looked hopefully towards Hu Zhen, who furrowed his brows and set down Zhen’s wrist to exa noticed Hu Zhen’s expression was dark so smiled at Zhen “Sleep a bit, okay?”

Zhen was already exhausted “Yes, I’ll sleep a bit Dad stay withplaced his hand on Zhen’s forehead and soon he was asleep

Jing asked Hu Zhen “What’s the illness?”

Hu Zhen replied “It’s not an illness, it’s poison”

Jing didn’t even try to ask how and anxiously asked “Is there an antidote?”

Hu Zhen dejectedly said “This is a layered set poison and the y is co can cure it, but there is little ti suddenly spoke up “Hu Zhen, all these years and you’ve actually inose this as a layered set poison Actually, why bring anyone from far away, just ask for the antidote fro said “That’s a solution, but do you knoho set the poison?”

Yi Yang pointed to herself “Right in front of you”

Hu Zhen was so shocked he unconsciously blocked Jing and angrily asked “They say even the , how could you poison your own son?”

Jing stared in dis, also unable to believe she was the one who poisoned Zhen

Yi Yang laughed “All the people you arranged here are wily and wilier, if it wasn’t using such a complicated set poison so they believed Zhen was close to death, how could I have lured you here”

Jing coldly said “I’ was taken aback “You’re not even going to ask why you were lured here?”

Jing grabbed Yi Yang hard by her ared her to the pallet “Antidote!” Because he was so enraged, his voice was low and his face harsh

Yi Yang fell on the pallet and looked up at Jing, a sheen of tears misted over her eyes “You really do care about Zhen”

Jing coldly repeated “Antidote!” and used power in his grip until Yi Yang’s body shook Yi Yang struggled “The antidote is in the hands of the person who had round and roared “Tu Shan Hou!”

Hou walked into the room with a smile and joked “The one as poisoned is ood little brother, why are you in such a rush?”

Jing asked “What do you want?”

“Everyone you have in Qing Shui town has been……” Hou uards have been detained Right now only my men are here and if I make one call you will be shot full of arrows”

Hu Zhen didn’t believe it and called out but no one answered He angrily said “Hou, don’t forget your vow to the ancestors that if you dare harm the Clan Leader you will die a terrible death”

Hou laughed like he heard a hilarious joke “I die a terrible death? Do you think I’ asked Hou “If you want to kill me, why haven’t you made the call yet?” Hou smiled broadly “Ever since ere kids, everyone said you were better than me No matter what I did, you did it better This tiht, to use life or death to deter said “I have a condition, let Hu Zhen live”

Hou sht? Fine, so she doesn’t shed any tears I’ll spare Hu Zhen” Hu Zhen yelled “No! No, Clan Leader! You can’t agree……” Hou struck Hu Zhen with his palm and Hu Zhen fainted

Hou smiled “Finally I can have a quiet talk with ht?”

Hou said “Right, until one of us dies, and the one who lives is naturally better Neither can dispute the result! Even if ht?”

Jing stared at Hou and his sadness and pity was evident in his eyes Hou smiled back “Since ere kids, mother always helped you cheat No , you owe ’s sadness was as thick as ink in his eyes “If this is a fair fight, you already chose the method, I will choose the location”

Hou scoffed “Fine!”

“Then I agree!”

“This is the antidote!” Hou tossed a pill at Yi Yang before walking out

Jing followed behind Hou silently Since they were kids, he followed countless ti brother out to play, to school, to hunt, to greet their grandined that one day they would fight to the death

The two rode their winged rides to the outskirts of Qing Shui Town, to an open field by the river “Here!”

Hou said “Mountains and strearound”

Jing looked at Hou whoblanketed out fro until the entire field was shrouded infor a direct coe this pathetic habit!”

Hou conjured up a water power based tiger who roa It leaped in one direction and a white nine-tailed fox sca, I know your battle strategy is to buy ti and you desperately want to go back to be a groom, but let er pounced towards the nine-tailed fox, and with Hou being adept at battling since young, ed to escape at the last hed “It’s not only you who is the descendant of the fox” The tiger changed color to white and disappeared into the fog

Many little nine-tailed foxes darted around the fog quickly and the tiger tried to capture each but wasn’t as fast, huffing in frustration while shrinking in size

Hou knew the foxes were an illusion, but if this continued all his poould be depleted with this useless chase Hou suddenly closed his eyes and the white tiger closed its eyes Not seeing, everything turned still, so even if a fox was beside the tiger it did nothing, only hiding in the fog with its senses alert

Hou was relieved that he injured Jing’s hand and throat so long ago, so Jing could never sing or play theMaster of Qing Qiu’s musical talent was unparallel, no one kneas actually an enchanting skill that Jing developed since childhood If he used theer without sight or hearing would find it ier suddenlythe fox on the left but using his strong tail to whip at the fox on the right The fox tried to dodge but the tiger tail smashed down on the fox tail and split it in two

Jing tasted blood in his throat and the thick fog lifted a bit, while the tiger got bigger The nine-tailed fox wasn’t as fast having lost two tails and with a less dense fog it couldn’t hide as well Soon the tiger bit off another two fox tails

Hou said “Jing, if you adood as ’s face was ashen and he tightly pursed his lips, saying nothing Hou said “Then I’ll keep ripping each tail off one by one so you die in the er ripped off another fox tail and Jing screaer bit off yet another tail and Hou roared “Jing, you rather have every organ ripped to shreds and still won’t ad’s body shook but his voice was calm “If it was my older brother from before who asked ood, there areme now, I can tell you clearly that I look down on you! You’re just a weakling who let jealousy and hatred control your heart”

Hou’s face was contorted in range and he screaround shook and all the fog lifted The tiger pounced and pressed down on the nine-tailed fox under its paws

Jing collapsed on the ground covered in blood Hou yelled “Who is the weakling no dare you look down onand didn’t even look at Hou

The tiger ripped another fox tail and Jing’s body convulsed in pain Hou raged “Who’s stronger than who? You answer! Who isn’t as good as who? You answer er raised its front paws and was about to smash the entire fox body to smithereens when suddenly Hou’s entire body froze and his roar stopped, while the tiger’s body began to shrink

Hou looked down in disbelief as an arrow tipped with a pair of intertwined mandarin ducks protruded from his chest He touched the tips with the lover birds and !”

Hou lifted his head to look up towards the sky

A white flying horse descended and an all black clad Yi Yang was sprawled on the horse and holding a beautiful bow in her hand

Because she was so weak and afraid of falling off the horse, she used a rope to tie herself to the horse’s back Now Yi Yang untied the rope and fell off the horse She appeared too weak to walk but used the bow as a crutch to slowly stu as the blood dripped fro sned for you?”

“This is also so ripped off her black face veil and her face was completely shriveled and dried, without any blood or flesh It was like dried skin directly plastered on bone, except her eyes were bright and shi+ny like a young girl, hastly

Hou h or cry “You’re saving him? You came to save him? If it wasn’t for him, ouldn’t have ended up like this”

“You should say that if it wasn’t for you, everything would be different!” Yi Yang glanced at Jing with conflicted eive her She used to see his kindness as weakness but only after she was truly heartbroken did she understand that hating is easy but forgiving required a stronger vaster heart

Yi Yang stumbled towards Hou “But I met you first! That year it was festival season and I was in Gao Xing traveling with irl friends to see the lanterns There was an accident and I fell in the water, but I couldn’t swirass demon It was you who savedon the lake to help me find my friends I could tell this wasn’t your first ti and asked why you were there You said “I ca the lanterns” I kneas already engaged but felt this disappointment in , and you heard that and asked if I was Ms Fang Feng I said yes and you stared at“So it’s you!” You then rowed out towards the ocean and I heard so Master Tu Shan” and you responded All ht you were the Tu Shan young ed to, and you ca aith surprise and joy in“So it’s you!” I prepared my trousseau and happily waited to rave illness and the wedding called off Father tried to find out if you were dead orto die He wanted to cancel the engage within the lanterns with a snoredthousands of ht – I would find out who harmed you and kill that person Even if you didn’t randmother When I learned that Tu Shan Hou hare for you once Hou ca deal and carandmother out to welcome you back and you walked towards me under the lit lanterns and I stared duht “So it’s you!”

Yi Yang used all her strength to shoot out that arrow and now she collapsed on the ground, and ignoring the mud on her face, she raised her head to look at Hou “That moment, all my hate turned into joy I didn’t care who you were or what you had done, as long as you were alive then I was happy”

Yi Yang softly asked “Hou, I just want to knoas your true heart there even for one hed “We’re about to die, what does itcrawled forward and stood up shakily She looked at Jing “I agreed to set this trap for Hou not to kill you, but to kill Hou I told you before that I’s me, I will make him pay! Zhen Er’s poison has been lifted and I wrote his his rows up, he can repay you on ood, it’s that you’re too good! The heavens knew that you were too good for h for you, so that’s why Iwalked up to Hou and whispered in his ears “I don’t care if you were sincere or faking it this whole time, you promised to be a pair of mandarin ducks with rabbed Hou’s waist with one hand and the arroith the other, and used all her re power to push the arroard until it pierced fully through Hou’s heart and into her heart

Hou ravely injured with the arrow but he still had power, he could have pushed Yi Yang away It wasn’t clear if he was dazed or wanted this, but he let Yi Yang e to do When Yi Yang touched the arrow, he actually wrapped his arms around her to pull her closer into his ar “This ti for you is , Hou used all his reht “Let’s all die together!”

Jing’s body flew into the air and fell into the Qing Shui River

With that kick Hou used up all his energy and died, but his body continued towith Yi Yang

Yi Yang held hi froether with an arrow tipped withwaves

When Xiao Yao arrived at Qing Shui Town, it was already dusk The field was covered in blood, a winged horse grazing, a bloody round The bow reflected the sun but not a soul was in sight

Xiao Yao knew that Jing was not a fighter, and coer The tiger ht not be able to catch the fox in the woods, but in a direct battle the fox was dooht but he chose theto die either he agreed to the fight or not

But Xiao Yao didn’t believe it She kept telling herself that Jing was alive! Heto marry her, so how could he not be alive?

Xiao Yao followed the river calling out “Jing ——– Jing——–“ But no one answered her

Xiao Yao didn’t care and even if her throat was parched raw she kept yelling while Jing Ye kneeled before her sobbing “We’ve searched everywhere, Clan Leader hasn’t been found”

Hu Ya and You walked the field and stopped by a patch of blood Hu Ya said to Xiao Yao “This is all Clan Leader’s blood, because his poere ripped when the nine-tailed fox tails were pulled off, his internal organs were severely injured He couldn’t even stand soaround, he continued “This is where he laid the longest, and he would be severely injured so couldn’t move easily If he moved anywhere he would leave a trace behind, unless…Clan Leader went fro Ye was ecstatic “That means Master must have escaped, he’s still alive!”

You shook her head so Jing Ye’s face fell Hu Yao continued “You doesn’t believe that If Master escaped then Hou should still be alive, but You smells Hou’s scent of death” Hu Ya pointed to the trail of blood leading to the river “That’s all blood from Hou’s heart, and the blood on that final stretch doesn’t have any scent of life, which means Hou was already dead”

Xiao Yao anxiously asked You “If you smell Hou’s death scent, do you smell anyone else’s?”

Hu Ya said “Clan Leader is the King of the fox tribe You has no ability to determine if he’s dead or alive” Hu Ya saw Xiao Yao’s face ashen and about to cry so quickly added “Right now it’s just Hou, she also can’t s’s death either”

Xiao Yao said “But you’re certain Jing fell in the river?” Hu Ya added “Clan Leader couldn’t have vanished into thin air, so that’s the only possibility”

“I’ll go find him!” Xiao Yao dove into the water with a plop and vanished in the waves Hu Ya yelled “We’ve already send shi+ps searching up and down the river!”

Jing Ye cried “Let her go, if she doesn’t do anything sheShui River was brightly lit with lath There were also tens of water deht, even more shi+ps and water deht as the sun was close to rising, at the darkest and coldest point of the night, Zhuan Xu arrived

He was in full arht fro the fastest winged ride to get here

Xiao Yao was still in the river looking for Jing, from dusk until now she refused to leave the water She searched every inch of the river floor fro Shui Town until when the riverShui Town but she refused to quit and wanted to swiain Everyone could see she was exhausted but no one could stop her Xiao Yao jus spasrabbed onto an oar and still refused to get out of the water, as if she could stay closer to Jing if she stayed in the water, and give hi alive

It was only when Zhuan Xu arrived that he forcefully pulled Xiao Yao out of the water Her face was blue and her lips black, her eyes blank, with her hair plastered on her face and body colder than ice Zhuan Xu called her to drink wine but she didn’t respond Zhuan Xu forced her lips open and poured wine in her h

Xiao Xiao dried Xiao Yao’s hair with a towel and used her power to dry her clothes Zhuan Xu wrapped Xiao Yao up in a blanket to carry her away but Xiao Yao’s eyes remained fixed on the water in abject terror as she shook her head vigorously Zhuan Xu had no choice but to let Xiao Yao sit by the shore

Xiao Yao stared blankly at the shi+ps co on the river, and whatever Zhuan Xu said it was like she didn’t even hear it From ti Shui River had been searched upside down, and it wasn’t just Jing not found, neither Hou or Yi Yang had been found either The only find was a jade bracelet, dark green and n on it but the jade itself was very high quality and exquisite But it wasn’t finished yet so the bracelet shape wasn’t finished either

Jing Ye saw it and burst into tears “Clan Leader said the Miss didn’t wear jewelry but a bracelet wouldn’t be too cu her this bracelet hirabbed her “Where was it found?”

One person replied “Down river close to theis there!”

“Because this bracelet was found there, we had men search that area top to botto was found Likely carried by the current into the ocean” Xiao Yao’s voice was tight and sharp “Then search the ocean”

No one dared say anything other than to hly”