Jianghu Demolition Squad

The Child Returns Home (Part Ten)

The battle was over. Although it had been a grueling fight, it was far less brutal than the one in Miaojiang years ago.

Wu Chang has died. Despite the heavy losses, there’s ultimately a feeling of relief within their hearts.

As New Year’s Eve approached, many of the heroes and sects who had come to their aid began to take their leave. They had arrived with a shared purpose, and now they departed with the same decisiveness.

Those who remained were either too injured to travel, requiring further recuperation at Xuhuai Valley, or were too far from their homes to return in time for the New Year festivities.

They gathered the walking corpses, burned them, collected the ashes, and chose a spot at the back of the valley to erect a tomb where they were buried.

The medical hall in the front valley had been destroyed in the explosion. The fire had spread, consuming several nearby buildings. Everyone was now residing in the tower complex at the back of the valley.

Those who were able-bodied helped rebuild the damaged structures. They had already constructed a new meeting hall.

One day, Yu’er and Jie Qianchou found themselves in this hall, engaged in a discussion with several sect leaders and respected wulin elders.

“I will never agree to hand over Xuanji Tower’s intelligence network to the Ghost Sect!” one of the elders declared vehemently. “Their actions are unpredictable. They’re the most volatile force in the jianghu! Their strength is already formidable. With Xuanji Tower’s network in their hands, they’ll become unstoppable. Who could control them then?”

Jie Qianchou sighed inwardly. He had anticipated these difficulties. He exchanged a few knowing glances with Jian Wangchen, hoping he would intervene.

Jian Wangchen set down his teacup, a calm smile gracing his lips. “The Ghost Sect operates as assassins,” he said, his voice measured and soothing. “They don’t interfere in matters without reason. We promised them a reward, and it wouldn’t be honorable to go back on our word now that the task is complete.”

“But it wasn’t just our promise,” another elder argued. “We all fought together, yet the Ghost Sect will reap the greatest reward. If you ask me… Ah! Elder Qi! Elder Qi, come and speak. Yanyu Pavilion contributed greatly to this effort, and the Beggars’ Sect suffered heavy losses. Surely rewarding either of them would be better than giving this power to the Ghost Sect. Wouldn’t you agree, Elder Qi?”

Someone had attempted to drag Yanyu Pavilion into the debate. Elder Qi, a seasoned veteran of countless such discussions, merely stroked his beard, smiling enigmatically without offering an opinion.

“The Ghost Sect contributed significantly as well,” Jie Qianchou interjected. “Without their arrival and the boost to our morale, who knows how many more lives would have been lost? Sending the Five Ghosts shows their sincerity.”

“I still say we can’t hand it over!”

“Are you forgetting the Ghost Sect’s methods? What will they do if they don’t receive their due reward?”

The Ghost Sect would exhaust all their resources to collect their reward.

Both Yanyu Pavilion and the Beggars’ Sect understood that taking possession of Xuanji Tower’s intelligence network, now entangled with the Ghost Sect, would only invite trouble. It was better to steer clear.

“If they gain even more power, who knows what they’ll do next…”

“We’re not there yet!”

Yu’er shifted uncomfortably, her mind elsewhere, unable to focus on the heated debate.

The voices in the hall seemed distant, as if filtered through a thin veil. The sounds of construction from the nearby building – the rhythmic hammering of wood and the workers’ shouts – were much clearer.

Yu’er wondered how far it was to the tower. Maybe she could reach it within the time it takes to brew a pot of tea…

She hoped her father and Qing Jiu were having a more productive conversation. While her father was generally easygoing, he wouldn’t likely budge on this matter. She prayed he and her granduncle wouldn’t be too harsh on Qing Jiu.

Earlier that day, as Yu’er prepared to join the meeting with the other sect leaders, Jun Lin and Yun Wangran had requested a private conversation with Qing Jiu.

They gathered in a secluded building. Yun Wangran sat at the head of the room, Qing Jiu to his left, and Jun Lin facing her, to his right.

Unlike the lively and boisterous debate Yu’er had left behind, the silence in this room was suffocating. No one spoke, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. The sound of birds fluttering their wings in the snow outside was amplified, each rustle and chirp echoing in the tense silence.

“Miss Qing Jiu.”

“Yes, Manor Master Jun.”

Another agonizing pause stretched between them, an eternity packed into a single moment. “Please, have some tea,” Jun Lin finally said.

Qing Jiu held the teacup in her hand. It was her third cup. She smiled inwardly, her face maintaining a calm, even solemn, expression. “If you have something to say, Manor Master Jun, please speak freely.”

Jun Lin forced a smile. He was a seasoned warrior, a veteran of countless battles, not easily intimidated. But he felt a strange unease in Qing Jiu’s presence.

The reason was none other than Yu’er.

“Miss Qing Jiu,” he began.

“Yes, Manor Master Jun,” Qing Jiu patiently replied.

“I’ve heard that you and Yu’er have… made a commitment to each other.”

Yu’er had told him herself, and Jun Sixue had corroborated her story. The news had struck Jun Lin like a thunderbolt.

The Jun family valued propriety and tradition. While Jun Lin wasn’t particularly old-fashioned, he still held certain expectations befitting their status. The idea that his daughter had not only entered into a secret engagement but had also consummated the relationship – and with a woman, no less! – was a devastating blow.

He was furious, but as a widower, with only this one daughter to cherish, a daughter he felt he had failed in many ways, he couldn’t bring himself to confront her directly or unleash his anger.

He channeled his frustration towards Qing Jiu, blaming her for leading his daughter astray.

Yet he couldn’t openly confront Qing Jiu either. He wouldn’t harm her, and even his words were carefully chosen, delivered with a forced gentleness.

He had his reasons for treading carefully. Jun Lin knew why Yu’er, who had initially refused to return to the Jun family, had changed her mind.

It all came down to who arrived first, who held Yu’er’s heart.

Six years ago, Yu’er had chosen to roam the jianghu with these people. He had witnessed her despair during their separation and the immense joy of their reunion. Yu’er’s smile now held a radiance he had never seen at Jiuxiao Manor.

He felt a profound sense of loss, a crushing disappointment, but he couldn’t deny the truth.

These people had rescued Yu’er, raised her, cherished her. They had come before him, and it was only natural for Yu’er to feel closer to them.

He needed time to bridge the gap, to mend the broken bond with his daughter.

For now, these people held a greater significance in Yu’er’s heart. If forced to choose between them and Jiuxiao Manor, he lacked the confidence that Yu’er would choose her family.

That’s why he was cautious, careful not to provoke a confrontation with Qing Jiu. If things escalated, she might simply run away with Yu’er, leaving him with nothing.

He knew, without a doubt, that Yu’er would follow Qing Jiu anywhere.

He had finally found his daughter, only to feel her slipping away again.

But he couldn’t let Qing Jiu off the hook so easily. He was furious and bewildered, struggling to comprehend how two women could end up entangled in such a way.

He had intended to intimidate Qing Jiu, but her calm demeanor and respectful behavior disarmed him. Her composure, in a strange way, seemed to overpower him.

Through Yu’er’s introduction and his own investigations, Jun Lin had learned a great deal about Qing Jiu. He knew she was the last surviving member of the Lin clan, driven by vengeance, a survivor who had clawed her way out of despair, a prodigy whose martial arts skills already ranked among the best in the wulin. She was an extraordinary woman, a rare talent.

Witnessing her grace and poise, he couldn’t help but admire her. But the reminder of her relationship with Yu’er sparked a fresh wave of frustration. He was torn, his emotions a turbulent mix of admiration and anger.

Qing Jiu’s lips curved into a faint smile as she set down her teacup. “Yes, Manor Master Jun, it’s true,” she confirmed

“What are your intentions, Miss Qing Jiu?” Jun Lin asked, his voice gentle despite his internal turmoil. “You’re both women. Yu’er is still young, easily swayed by the allure of the world. You, however, are old enough to know better. Why…”

“Love is a powerful force, Manor Master Jun,” Qing Jiu replied, her voice calm and steady. “If you’ll forgive my boldness, Yu’er mentioned that you and your wife shared a deep love. I believe you understand the meaning of ‘uncontrollable passion’.”

“As for my intentions…” A soft, genuine smile touched Qing Jiu’s lips. “Manor Master Jun, I simply love her. Just as you loved your wife. There’s no difference. She said she wants to be with me, and I feel the same.”

Qing Jiu mentioned Yun Zheyue. A wave of tenderness washed over Jun Lin as he remembered his beloved wife.

Yue’er, my clever girl, she’s using us as an example. How can I be heartless now?

He observed Qing Jiu, her lack of shame as she declared her love, the tenderness in her eyes mirroring the look Yun Zheyue had often given him in the throes of passion.

These feelings were undeniable.

Two birds in flight, their wings beating in unison, their love a beautiful, intricate dance. He had experienced that same love, shared that same joy.

Life was unpredictable. Now, he was alone, facing a future devoid of love.

He had arguments prepared, reprimands ready to unleash, but his own grief, the overwhelming sense of loss, sapped his energy. He couldn’t bring himself to fight anymore. He had lost this battle.

He turned to Yun Wangran, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, hoping his uncle would intervene, hoping he could reason with this young woman.

Yun Wangran was a respected elder, someone Qing Jiu would surely respect. Unlike Jun Lin, he wouldn’t be swayed by Qing Jiu’s words, wouldn’t be softened by memories of Yue’er.

Jun Lin saw Yun Wangran as their last line of defense. But Yun Wangran glared back at him, his expression clearly saying, “Why are you looking at me? You expect me to step in?!”

Jun Lin pretended not to notice and looked away.

Yun Wangran cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his hand.

“Miss Qing Jiu.”

Qing Jiu turned to face him. “Yes, Elder Yun.”

Yun Wangran offered her a gentle smile. He, too, felt a certain unease around Qing Jiu.

He knew about the history between her and Du Zhong. Although Du Zhong was now dead, and Mingjian Manor hadn’t been directly involved in the events of the past, they had been close to Du Zhong and knew about what had happened, knew where he was hiding.

He felt a lingering sense of guilt for having protected Du Zhong, especially knowing that Qing Jiu was the last of the Lin clan.

He had heard from Yu’er that Qing Jiu had let go of her grudges, also influenced by the teachings of Daoist Yiye and Venerable Kuyuan, understanding early on the principle of not harming others, which relieved him somewhat. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know what to do.

Only when Yu’er assured him that Qing Jiu had let go of her anger, that her upbringing under Yiye and Kuyuan had instilled in her the principle of not harming innocents, did he feel a sense of relief. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known what to do.

Yun Wangran sighed inwardly. Yu’er’s feelings for Qing Jiu ran deep, and Jun Lin was burdened by guilt over Yun Zheyue. This young woman was undeniably talented, sharp-witted, and her bond with Yu’er was undeniable. They had put Jun Lin in a position where he had little choice but to accept the situation. Minjian Manor, in a way, owed Qing Jiu a debt.

It was as if fate itself conspired to unite them, leaving no room for opposition. If any of these factors were absent, they could easily have rejected Qing Jiu, declaring, “I forbid you from being with Yu’er!”

Thus, after much deliberation, Yun Wangran could only say, “Yu’er must stay in Jiuxiao Manor!”

The statement was ambiguous. It could be interpreted as acquiescence, implying that Yu’er couldn’t marry outside the sect, and Qing Jiu would have to join Jiuxiao Manor. Or it could be a warning to Qing Jiu that they would never allow her to take Yu’er away.

The interpretation depended on the listener. Jun Lin was disheartened. Yun Wangran’s tone was gentle, lacking any real authority. It was clear they were willing to compromise, to negotiate.

He felt an unprecedented weariness, a deep sigh escaping his lips.

Qing Jiu simply smiled and said, “I will follow her wishes.”

She was agreeable, which was a relief. Yun Wangran, regaining a semblance of control, nodded, forcing a stern expression. “Very well.”

Yu’er, meanwhile, had skillfully employed both persuasion and pressure in her negotiations with the other sect e. Having secured a favorable outcome, she excused herself and rushed to join Qing Jiu and her father.

However, by the time she arrived, the meeting had already concluded. Yun Wangran and Jun Lin had departed.

Yu’er approached, her anxiety not hidden as she looked around and asked, “Where are father and Granduncle?”

Qing Jiu responded, “They’ve already left.”

Yu’er asked, “Did they give you a hard time?”

Qing Jiu stood up, stretching leisurely, a long, contented groan escaping her lips. “A hard time? Not really. I just had to drink a few extra cups of tea. My stomach feels a bit bloated now.”

She caught a glimpse of Yu’er nervously fidgeting with her prayer beads, a habit Qing Jiu herself had when she used to wear them. It made her wonder when this girl had picked up such a habit.

Still stretching, Qing Jiu suddenly turned, pulling Yu’er into a hug.

Yu’er, lost in her anxieties, was startled. “What are you doing?” she asked, a smile touching her lips despite her lingering worries.

Qing Jiu replied, “Don’t you trust me? When have I ever lost a verbal spar?”

She paused and added with a smile, “Well, except against you, of course.”

“I’m just worried you held back because of me,” Yu’er confessed. “Father was very upset about this. He didn’t say anything harsh, but I know he’s furious. I was afraid he wouldn’t be so understanding.”

Qing Jiu, recalling Jun Lin’s reluctant acquiescence, chuckled softly. “You give your father too little credit. If he knew what you were thinking, he’d be heartbroken.”

Yu’er’s heart warmed, a mixture of gratitude for her family’s acceptance and the sheer relief of seeing her six-year-old promise finally coming to fruition. The sweetness of this victory, after so much hardship, brought tears to her eyes. It felt surreal, like a dream. “He agreed?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“He’s already softened his stance,” Qing Jiu confirmed. “A little more persuasion, and he’ll give his blessing.”

Qing Jiu wouldn’t lie about something like this. Yu’er knew it was true.

She embraced Qing Jiu tightly, a wave of pure joy washing over her. All her worries seemed to melt away, leaving only a sense of lightness and contentment.

To finally be united with you in marriage… Such happiness is beyond words…