Chapter 220 - 196: Wang Hui Awakens, Two Followers
Chapter 220: Chapter 196: Wang Hui Awakens, Two Followers
After leaving the Le Family, Lu Zhao departed without the slightest pause, his figure a pale blue shadow streaking over the vast, wild forest.
Behind him, the Le Family estate that had devoured Mu Qingquan’s life, along with its sky-high stench of blood and chaos, was swiftly cast to the edge of his Divine Sense, ultimately swallowed by the rolling mountains.
He felt little disturbance in his heart. Life and death were the norm in the Cultivation Realm. The matter of the Le Family was finished, the karmic ties severed. ’His thoughts now turned to Lin Qingshan and Mu Wan’Er, trapped in that hidden mountain hollow within the Black Water Profound Turtle Formation.’
A wait of over three months was enough to wear away anyone’s patience and hope. When Lu Zhao’s figure passed through the dark membrane of the Water Profound Turtle Array and appeared inside, Lin Qingshan, who was sitting cross-legged and circulating his energy, snapped his eyes open. Astonishment flashed across his face, quickly replaced by immense, joyful surprise.
At the side, Mu Wan’Er jumped to her feet with a small cry, her eyes fixed on Lu Zhao, brimming with hope.
"Senior! You... You’re back!" Lin Qingshan’s voice held a barely perceptible tremble as he scrambled to his feet and bowed. Mu Wan’Er timidly bowed as well, whispering, "Senior..."
Lu Zhao gave a slight nod, his eyes sweeping over them. Lin Qingshan’s condition was stable enough, but his face was etched with deep exhaustion and anxiety.
Mu Wan’Er, however, was noticeably thinner, her little face pale. Clearly, the past few months of constant fear and worry had taken their toll. He sighed to himself. ’In the end, I failed to bring everyone back safely.’
"Yes, I’ve returned." Lu Zhao’s voice was calm, betraying no emotion. He raised a hand and formed a seal. With a hum, the Array Disc of the Black Water Profound Turtle Formation activated. The light barrier enveloping the valley rapidly contracted, shrinking down to the size of his palm before he stored it away in his Storage Bag.
Only after doing this did Lu Zhao turn to them. His gaze fell upon Lin Qingshan as he said slowly, "It is done. The Le Family has paid the price."
Lin Qingshan’s body shuddered at his words, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to ask something, but then seemed to lose his nerve. He could only stare at Lu Zhao in suspense.
Lu Zhao didn’t keep him waiting long. With a mere thought, an inconspicuous gray Beast Taming Bag at his waist flashed. An unconscious figure was gently levitated out and laid upon the soft grass of the valley floor—it was Wang Hui.
"Mother!"
A choked scream shattered the valley’s silence. The moment Mu Wan’Er saw the figure of Wang Hui, all her pent-up fear, worry, and sorrow burst forth like a breaking dam.
She forgot all about decorum, lunging forward like a startled fawn. Her small body clung tightly to her mother as tears streamed down her face, soaking the front of Wang Hui’s robes. Her little hands trembled as she stroked her mother’s pale, cold cheeks again and again, as if trying to confirm that this was not a dream.
"Mother... Mother, wake up... I was so scared, I missed you so much..." The little girl’s suppressed cries were punctuated by heartbreaking sobs.
Lin Qingshan looked from the unconscious Wang Hui on the ground to the weeping Mu Wan’Er, and finally his gaze rested on Lu Zhao. His lips moved a few times before he finally forced the words out, his voice dry and hoarse. "Senior, my big brother... Is he..."
He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence, but the unspoken question hung in the air. His eyes held the last, faintest glimmer of hope, yet they were also filled with a terrible fear as he awaited the all-but-certain answer.
Lu Zhao met his gaze. His eyes were calm but held an undeniable gravity. He nodded slowly, his voice low. "I was too late. Fellow Daoist Mu Qingquan had already been killed by the Le Family."
Lin Qingshan swayed violently, the color draining from his face until it was ashen. He staggered back a step, as though he’d been struck in the chest by an invisible sledgehammer. An acute pain, mingled with overwhelming grief, surged through him.
’Big Brother... The man who treated me like a blood brother, who walked the path of a Wanderer alongside me... he’s really gone.’
Lu Zhao’s voice cut in again, with a consoling tone. "However, the entire Le Family has paid for it with their lives. Fellow Daoist Mu’s spirit can now rest in peace."
At these words, Lin Qingshan snapped his head up, his bloodshot eyes locking onto Lu Zhao. In his gaze was the anguish of losing his closest brother, a boundless hatred for the Le Family, and an even deeper gratitude for the Senior standing before him.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions inside him, and bowed deeply to Lu Zhao. His voice was choked but immeasurably solemn. "Thank you, Senior, for avenging my big brother! I will never forget this kindness for as long as I live!"
Lu Zhao waved his hand, dismissing the formality. "The dead cannot be resurrected. You have my condolences. We shouldn’t linger here. The events at the Le Family estate caused a great disturbance, and Xuan Yang Immortal City is bound to send investigators sooner or later. Gather your things. You’re coming back with me to Chen Country."
Lin Qingshan wiped his face and nodded emphatically. "Yes, Senior! I will do whatever you arrange!"
Lu Zhao said no more and slapped the Spirit Beast Bag at his waist. A clear, melodious cry rang out as the massive form of the Golden Feather Bird appeared in the sky above the valley, its golden feathers shimmering in the sunlight.
It descended docilely, its enormous wings stirring up a gust of wind.
Lu Zhao gestured to Lin Qingshan. "Take the mother and daughter. Get on."
Lin Qingshan hastily complied. He carefully lifted the still-unconscious Wang Hui, then gently pulled the sobbing Mu Wan’Er to her feet, saying softly, "Be a good girl, Wan’Er. We’re going with Senior to a safe place now."
Clutching her mother’s robes, Mu Wan’Er nodded, her eyes blurred with tears, and allowed Lin Qingshan to lift her onto the Golden Feather Bird’s broad back.