novelraw Chapter 400: Go Ahead and Die If You Wish
Chapter 400: Go Ahead and Die If You Wish
“Eldest Senior Brother!”
From a distance, Su Ming and Cui Jue witnessed the scene and were terrified. Their hearts clenched in fear as they rushed forward, desperate to stop Fang Cheng Lang from ending his own life.
“Stay where you are! None of you come closer!” Fang Cheng Lang’s voice was sharp and commanding.
The blade of his sword pressed closer to his neck, its razor-sharp edge breaking the skin and drawing thin trickles of blood.
Su Ming and Cui Jue froze in place, not daring to advance any further for fear of agitating Fang Cheng Lang.
Su Ming glanced at Fang Cheng Lang’s face, which was filled with despair, and then at the impassive expression on Yu Zhao’s face. Clenching his teeth, he fell to his knees with a resounding thud.
“Little Zhao! Yu Zhao! I beg you, I kneel before you and beg! You don’t have to forgive me, but please forgive our Eldest Senior Brother!”
“He was the first among us to realize his mistakes. He hasn’t done anything to wrong you since! He truly cares about you! If you refuse to forgive him, he’ll really kill himself!”
“If you’re still angry, take it out on me! Hit me, scold me, or even take my life in exchange for his! Please, just don’t abandon Eldest Senior Brother! He’ll really die, truly…” Su Ming’s voice broke as he sobbed uncontrollably.
Tears streamed down Su Ming’s face as he cried.Cui Jue tried to pull him up, but Su Ming shook him off and even shoved him away.
“Leave! You heartless bastard! If you won’t help Eldest Senior Brother, I will!”
Cui Jue’s face turned ashen.
Su Ming, you fool! There was still room for reconciliation, but now you’ve completely ruined it! Yu Zhao will never forgive us now!
Damn it, I should never have brought him along!
Yu Zhao watched the unfolding drama before her with an eerie calm.
Fang Cheng Lang’s plea for death—was it pitiful?
Su Ming’s kneeling and begging—was it pitiable?
But weren’t these things she had done in her previous life?
Back then, she hadn’t harmed them, yet they never pitied her. So why did they think such tactics would work on her, their victim, now?
“Su Ming, do you remember that pouch?” Yu Zhao’s voice was cold as she looked down at him.
Su Ming’s entire body trembled as he lifted his head in fear. “No… no, it’s not…”
“When you used the wish slip in that pouch to force me to kneel and slap myself, didn’t I beg you then? How did you respond? And now you kneel before me—what is this supposed to accomplish?”
Su Ming’s strength gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, his face filled with terror and despair.
“Taking one’s own life is the act of a coward. If she wishes to die, let her. No one should stop her.” Yu Zhao sneered, her gaze shifting to Fang Cheng Lang.
Fang Cheng Lang’s arm trembled, and blood flowed more freely from his neck.
“Fang Cheng Lang, do I need to remind you who said those words? I’ll give them back to you exactly as you said them: If you want to die, go ahead and die. But I’ll say this—don’t disturb people who don’t wish to see you. If it happens again, I won’t be lenient.”
Yu Zhao turned and left without sparing a glance at the three brothers whose faces reflected a mix of emotions.
The pain of the past was no longer an untouchable scar but a stepping stone to her growth. She had crossed that threshold and left behind the chains of her former life.
Old grievances no longer swayed her heart; they only made her stronger.
As for those ensnared in their own misery, they had nothing to do with her anymore.
Yu Zhao’s figure faded from Fang Cheng Lang’s blurry vision. The sword fell from his hand with a clatter, but he paid it no mind.
Su Ming, perhaps finally recalling the terrible things he had done to Yu Zhao in their past lives, fainted, his face pale as a sheet.
Cui Jue’s expression was numb as he gazed at his half-dead brothers. His heart felt like it had been pierced by a cold wind, chilling him to the bone.
This was karma.
Their karma.
No one could escape it.
…
After parting ways with the three, Yu Zhao noticed the faint sensation of being watched disappear. Her brows relaxed.
In truth, her earlier words weren’t just directed at Fang Cheng Lang and the others but also at the unseen observers.
Now that the three were no longer a threat to her, she had no reason to waste time on them.
But there would always be those she couldn’t confront head-on.
She had grown tired of being spied upon and used this opportunity to assert her resolve.
Yu Zhao remembered the words of Hermit Bright Moon from her biography: “The Path of Emotional Detachment severs the seven emotions and six desires. Rejoice not in gain, grieve not in loss—this is the way of cultivating the heart.”
Yu Zhao had always held herself to the tenets of the Path of Emotional Detachment, ensuring she wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of her past life.
Seeing the people of Lone Moon Peak mired in their past and resorting to incomprehensible acts, she felt a deep sense of relief—relief that she had escaped that mire early and avoided sinking alongside them.
She was also grateful to have found the right path and a true confidant.
Looking up at the azure sky, Yu Zhao’s eyes shone with determination. The cultivation world was merely her starting point. She was certain she could uncover a way to restore the Heavenly Ladder and explore a broader world, making the most of her second chance at life.
…
Yu Zhao’s letters had received replies one after another. The recipients promised to come to Harmony Sound Temple as soon as they had settled their affairs.
Thus, she remained in Chaozong Gorge, awaiting them with a calm heart. Occasionally, she sought guidance from seniors on cultivation matters, making her days productive rather than tedious.
One day, while meditating in Chaozong Gorge, she heard a hearty laugh.
Looking up, she saw Sect Master Ji Yuan approaching with several peak masters and their disciples. Among them were Zhou Jin Yue and Zhang Jun.
Yu Zhao quickly stood to greet the elders respectfully.
Even Master Qing Yan, who had been avoiding her, emerged from some obscure corner to exchange curt greetings with the group.
Sect Master Ji Yuan gave Master Qing Yan only a perfunctory nod before turning to Yu Zhao. Clapping her shoulder lightly, he praised her enthusiastically. “Good child! You really pulled it off! You didn’t let me down! Hahaha!”
His touch was gentle, but Yu Zhao still felt a weight on her heart.
It was only later that she learned how Sect Master Ji Yuan had written to other sects immediately after she left the Five Elements Dao Sect, begging and bargaining for their help, even offering considerable benefits.
Yet, in her presence, Sect Master Ji Yuan said nothing about his efforts, instead attributing all the credit to her.
Yu Zhao felt undeserving of such praise. She was about to protest when Sect Master Ji Yuan laughed heartily and moved on to chat with the elders from other sects, quickly mingling with the crowd.
Zhou Jin Yue approached Yu Zhao, her radiant face full of warmth. “Well done, you’ve improved again.”
“Senior Sister Zhou.”
With Sect Master Ji Yuan’s full support, Zhou Jin Yue had begun taking over sect affairs. Her every gesture exuded authority, but her smile revealed her sincere care.
“You two are amazing,” Zhang Jun grumbled, pouting. “Meanwhile, I’m stuck in place and getting nagged to death by Master.”
“Maybe if you took cultivation seriously,” Zhou Jin Yue retorted.
“I do! Not everyone can be a prodigy like you and Yu Zhao!”
Zhang Jun’s complaints grew louder, only to be silenced by Zhou Jin Yue’s overwhelming strength. Rubbing his head, he whimpered in defeat.
Yu Zhao watched their lively interaction and couldn’t help but smile softly.