Chapter 108: Catastrophe
“However, while I believe what you’ve said, many disciples won’t, and outsiders will be even less likely to believe it. This means that the two of you will find it difficult to appear in public from now on. Have you considered this?”
Her white eyelashes fluttered slightly as she raised her eyes to look at Luo Jinxiao, her gaze deep and unreadable.
Luo Jinxiao’s expression turned serious as she nodded. “Of course. We’ve already decided to go to the Celestial Realm. If we never see mortals again, so be it.”
She walked over to Qu Weiyin and smiled. “We only came back this time to say goodbye to everyone.”
“Never to return?” The Sect Leader’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
“Well, at least you’ll have a place to belong,” she said, her expression softening.
A sudden clap of thunder echoed in the sky. The previously clear sky had become overcast with dark, rolling clouds driven by the wind.
Almost everyone in the hall looked up towards the entrance at the same time. The disciples who had been eavesdropping were already running away, hands over their heads.
“The sun was scorching hot all day. How did it suddenly start raining?” Lu Fanzhi peered out the door, only to be startled back by a flash of lightning that split the sky.
“It’s been a drought all year, we haven’t had any heavy rain,” Yan Ying said, then quickly grabbed Luo Ning. “What are you doing?”
Luo Ning had run out, looking up at the sky as large raindrops splashed on the ground.
She turned back to look at Luo Jinxiao, her gaze intense and unreadable.
“Since the weather has changed, let’s disperse for now. Jinxiao, you and Qu Weiyin stay the night. There’s no need to leave in this heavy rain. With such a downpour, no one will bother you.”
Luo Jinxiao thought for a moment and agreed.
The rain was not only heavy but also persistent. It poured for an entire day. Even as night fell, but the rain showed no signs of letting up, as if the sky had split in two.
From the moment the rain began until dusk, Luo Ning hadn’t moved from her spot under the high eaves of Wuhui Palace. She stood alone, looking up, her body trembling slightly.
The world before her seemed to have been submerged in a vast ocean, water everywhere, connecting heaven and earth as if it were about to be destroyed by the downpour.
Yan Ying also remained, standing silently in the darkness, watching over Luo Ning without taking her eyes off her.
After an unknown amount of time, Luo Ning reached out to support herself against the door frame, lowering her head. At the same time, another bolt of lightning struck the ground. Seeing this, Yan Ying quickly rushed forward and pulled her away.
“What are you looking at?” she asked, exasperated. “Do you want to be struck by lightning?”
Luo Ning didn’t argue. Her body seemed unsteady as she closed her eyes slightly. When she opened them again, her clear and delicate eyes were filled with tears.
Yan Ying panicked and didn’t dare to speak harshly anymore, anxiously scratching her head.
“What’s wrong? Don’t cry. Tell me what’s happening, and I’ll help you.”
“You can’t help me,” Luo Ning shook her head slightly.
“Everything is the same as before. I can only watch helplessly as the world is destroyed.”
Was she going to have to endure those lonely days again, watching the people around her die one by one, waiting alone in the passage of time?
“It’s just rain, why are you reacting so strongly?” Yan Ying was puzzled.
“This is not rain,” Luo Ning shook her head, her eyes filled with sorrow. “It’s a catastrophe.”
Lightning struck. The Hanyun Pavilion atop the cliff looked perilously close to collapse in the torrential downpour.
Luo Jinxiao closed the window tightly to prevent rainwater from seeping into the room. Then she trotted over to the table, sat down cross-legged, and rested her chin in her hands as she looked at Qu Weiyin.
Qu Weiyin was lighting an oil lamp, reading a book under the dim yellow light.
“What are you doing sitting there? Come here,” she said with a dissatisfied expression, patting the space beside her.
Luo Jinxiao chuckled. “I can see you clearly when we’re face to face.”
“Come here,” Qu Weiyin repeated, her serious tone laced with a hint of playfulness.
Luo Jinxiao didn’t dare to disobey. She walked around the table and sat down beside her.
Qu Weiyin naturally put down her book and wrapped her arms around Luo Jinxiao’s waist. Leaning down, she rested her head on Luo Jinxiao’s shoulder. The flickering flames reflected in her phoenix eyes like tiny stars as she gazed out the window.
“Why is this rain getting heavier and heavier?” she asked.
Luo Jinxiao, feeling the warmth of the body beside her, nuzzled her face against Qu Weiyin’s smooth, fragrant hair. “I don’t know. Perhaps the heavens are weeping.”
Qu Weiyin chuckled softly, shaking her head at the childish thought.
In this weather, with the world seemingly on the verge of destruction, having someone by her side, feeling their warmth, was incredibly comforting.
It was a feeling difficult to describe, only expressible with a soft sigh as she buried herself deeper into her lover’s embrace, letting contentment wash over her.
“Weiyin,” Luo Jinxiao suddenly said.
Qu Weiyin looked up at her and hummed. “Why are you calling me that again?”
The firelight cast a soft, hazy glow on her face, softening her usually striking beauty into something surprisingly gentle. Her red lips were slightly curved upwards, and her soft, slender fingers caressed Luo Jinxiao’s cheek.
Luo Jinxiao suddenly felt a pang of sadness. She turned her head away, sniffling slightly, before turning back and holding Qu Weiyin tightly.
“What’s wrong?” Qu Weiyin seemed to sense Luo Jinxiao’s distress. A hint of surprise flickered in her eyes as she reached out and gently patted her back.
“There, there,” she murmured, her body swaying slightly as if soothing a child.
Perhaps it was the atmosphere, but Luo Jinxiao couldn’t detect any of her usual coldness in her tone. It was filled with tender, loving concern.
“Junior Shishu,” Luo Jinxiao said, rubbing her nose against Qu Weiyin’s shoulder. “I’m so grateful that I met you.”
“Even though it hasn’t all been pleasant?” Qu Weiyin asked with a faint smile.
Luo Jinxiao nodded vigorously.
“Me too,” Qu Weiyin said. “If there’s a next life, I will still protect you, shielding you from all disasters.”
“And if fate doesn’t allow it, I’ll wait for you at the Naihe Bridge. No matter how many ghost attendants try to pull me away, I’ll cling to the bridge and refuse to leave.”
She said it jokingly.
Luo Jinxiao fought back her tears, a wide grin spreading across her face.
“Alright, why are we saying such gloomy things today? I’m still waiting for you to take me to the Celestial Realm, to see how magnificent your godly abode is.” Qu Weiyin held Luo Jinxiao’s shoulders, leaning down to kiss her gently on the corner of her eye.
Luo Jinxiao closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of Qu Weiyin’s breath.
They lingered in each other’s embrace for a while. Qu Weiyin was clearly tired. She pushed herself up from the table and walked towards the bed.
Luo Jinxiao quickly followed, wrapping her arms around Qu Weiyin’s waist from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder.
“What are you doing? I’m going to sleep. We can talk tomorrow,” Qu Weiyin said helplessly, reaching back to pat Luo Jinxiao’s forehead.
“No,” Luo Jinxiao mumbled, tightening her embrace.
“Then what do you want?” Qu Weiyin tried to turn her head to look at her.
“Can I carry you to bed?” Luo Jinxiao asked, gently nuzzling her head.
“I have legs, you know. Besides, we’re at the Wuhui Sect. What would people think?” Qu Weiyin shook her head, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Then I won’t let go,” Luo Jinxiao said stubbornly.
Qu Weiyin sighed softly, turning around and draping her arms over Luo Jinxiao’s shoulders. Tilting her chin up slightly, she said indulgently, “Fine, have it your way. It’s not like I’m the one who’ll be tired.”
With Qu Weiyin’s permission, Luo Jinxiao suddenly bent down, one arm around her shoulders and the other under her knees. With a gentle lift, Qu Weiyin’s slender, soft body was cradled in her arms, her skirt flowing over Luo Jinxiao’s arm and cascading to the floor.
Luo Jinxiao walked slowly, savoring the feeling of holding Qu Weiyin close.
Qu Weiyin remained silent, her eyes closed, her head resting on Luo Jinxiao’s chest, listening to the steady beat of her heart.
One beat, two beats…
Luo Jinxiao leaned down and gently placed Qu Weiyin on the cloud-like bed as if she were a precious treasure.
Qu Weiyin kept her eyes closed, seemingly asleep, peaceful and still. Luo Jinxiao watched her silently for a moment, then suddenly stood up and disappeared from the bedside.
The heavy rain washed over the trees, stripping them of their blossoms. Petals lay scattered on the ground, mixed with mud. Thankfully, the Sect Leader’s small bamboo hut on the mountain was spared from flooding.
Luo Jinxiao appeared at the door, drenched from head to toe. She knocked gently on the courtyard gate.
The door opened, revealing the Sect Leader, her clothes spotless. Seeing Luo Jinxiao, she quickly pulled her inside, helping to brush off the rainwater and leading her through the courtyard.
Inside the bamboo hut, it was dry and warm. Yan Ying and Luo Ning sat side-by-side at the table. Seeing Luo Jinxiao, they both stood up.
“Sister,” Luo Ning said, her voice choked with tears.
“Let’s talk later. Why didn’t you use a water-repelling spell?” the Sect Leader asked with concern. She muttered something under her breath, and Luo Jinxiao was instantly dry from head to toe.
Luo Jinxiao brushed aside her damp hair and grinned at her. “I wanted to feel the rain.”
She suddenly understood what Qu Weiyin meant that day, about how only by feeling the rain could one truly feel alive.
The Sect Leader paused for a moment, then pointed to a chair, gesturing for Luo Jinxiao to sit down.
With a wave of her snow-white sleeve, a cup of tea appeared on the table.
“Luo Ning told me everything,” the Sect Leader said, her expression grave, her white hair cascading down her back.
“Good, then I don’t have to repeat myself. Saves me the effort,” Luo Jinxiao chuckled and took a sip of tea.
She looked up in surprise. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“Sister, you’re not going to…” Luo Ning trailed off, rushing forward and grabbing Luo Jinxiao’s arm.
“Please don’t, Sister,” she choked out.
Luo Jinxiao squeezed Luo Ning’s hand reassuringly and stroked her hair gently. Then she beckoned to Yan Ying. “My sister has always been alone. I’m afraid I’ll have to entrust her to you from now on.”
“Of course, I’ll take care of Luo Ning, but what nonsense are you talking about?” Yan Ying said angrily, stepping forward. “If we’re facing some catastrophe, we’ll face it together.”
Luo Jinxiao raised an eyebrow playfully. “But Luo Ning can go back to before the catastrophe.”
Yan Ying immediately spun around, grabbing Luo Ning’s hand and pleading, “Can you take me with you?”
“Get lost,” Luo Ning sobbed, shaking her off and whispering.
“Alright,” Luo Jinxiao said, her playful expression fading. “What did the Father God tell you before he died?”
“He told me to find your soul and prevent the greater catastrophe that would follow the destruction of the God Clan.” She lowered her head, biting her pink lips until they bled. “He also prophesied that only you could do it.”
Luo Jinxiao snorted and nodded. “It seems we all misunderstood. Preventing the catastrophe doesn’t mean stopping the war between immortals and demons.”
“It means only I can use divine power to mend the heavens.”
