First Immortal of the Sword - Chapter 2380 - A Difficult Confession
Chapter 2380 – A Difficult Confession
Lu Qingmei’s eyes shone with reminiscence as she recounted her history with Yi Daoxuan, from their first meeting, to getting to know each other, to falling in love and becoming Dao Partners.
She spoke of it all with the utmost nostalgia.
It was only when she got to the part of the story where she attacked Yi Daoxuan that her eyes dimmed.
“Everyone thinks that I’m a heartless woman, and that I harbored malicious intentions from the moment your father and I met.
“In truth, that’s not the case,” said Lu Qingmei, her gaze full of grief. “If I’d harbored malicious intentions when your father first met, he would have seen through me immediately.”
Before Yi Chen could ask, Lu Qingmei said, “The truth is actually rather simple.
“Before I met your father, my master played a trick on me!” Lu Qingmei’s eyes blazed with hatred. “She planted something known as a Paired Heart-Guiding Worm in my soul, then used it to control my mind.”
Yi Chen was stunned. What kind of cursed worm could possibly be so sinister?
“The cursed worm was incomparably strange. At the time, not even I had any idea of my master’s plans,” sighed Lu Qingmei. “Master is exceedingly patient, too. It was years after your father and I became Dao Partners that she suddenly seized control of my mind, attacking your father while he was off guard and dealing him a heavy blow.
“At the time, I had no awareness of my own. It was only after I came back to my senses that I realized the truth of what I’d done.
“It was also only then that I realized that Master had worked with numerous others to make arrangements before attacking your father. I was the crux of their plan.
“Think about it. Your father was caught off guard by the woman he trusted most. How astonished and furious must he have been?” The rims of Lu Qingmei’s eyes reddened and glinted with unshed tears.
“Although I failed to kill your father, I hurt him badly. It was then that Master and his other enemies seized the opportunity to attack him.
“All of this convinced your father that I’d joined forces with his enemies in a bid to exterminate him. Similarly, it convinced him that I’d been harboring malicious intentions from the moment we first met…” Tears silently poured down Lu Qingmei’s cheeks. “The most ridiculous part is, I had no way to explain myself.
“Because your father’s wounds were indeed dealt by my hand…”
Yi Chen felt a chill course down his spine, and his heart quivered with fright.
The sight of his mother’s tears of regret and agony made his heart ache. “Mother, the real culprit was your master. This isn’t your fault at all. You needn’t blame yourself.”
Lu Qingmei shook her head. “No matter how you try to explain it, I’m Gu Huaxian’s disciple. That’s an incontrovertible fact. Based on that, there’s no room left for me to explain.”
Yi Chen froze, stunned, then sighed.
“But you know what? Although your father and I hail from hostile factions, learning of his passing filled my heart with agony. I could in no way bring myself to celebrate.
“I once interrogated my master about this, but she said… that I actually knew of this, right from the start….” said Lu Qingmei, her face suddenly pale and wracked with bitterness.
“What do you mean, Mother?” Yi Chen couldn’t help but ask.
Lu Qingmei sighed. “It’s simple. Back then, in order to defeat your father, Master placed two countermeasures in my body.
“The first was the Paired Heart-Guiding Worm.
“The second was a seal on a portion of my memories. The sealed memories were to hide my identity and let me get close to your father without letting anything slip.
“Master did indeed discuss her plans with me before sealing my memories. At the time, I had never met your father, and we were on different sides. I saw him as an enemy. What reason did I have to refuse?
“But I miscalculated.” The light in Lu Qingmei’s eyes dimmed. “Without those memories clouding my sight, I… really loved your father.
“After losing my memories, I was a completely different person, thus… your father and I were Dao Partners for years, but I never once aroused any suspicion.
“We lived together, discussed the Grand Dao together, traveled together… Those were the happiest days of my life.
“But then, all of it came to ruin in just one night!” said Lu Qingmei, covering her face and sobbing as if she’d lost control of her emotions.
Yi Chen felt incomparably upset on his mother’s behalf. He roughly understood what had happened.
At first, his parents didn’t know each other, and they were in hostile factions.
His mother’s master had decided to send his mother to get close to Yi Daoxuan and bide her time by his side until the right opportunity arose.
Toward that end, Gu Huaxian arranged two methods. The first was the Paired Heart-Guiding Worm. The second was the seal on his mother’s memories.
Without those memories, his parents’ bond was as pure as could be. Even Lu Qingmei herself had had no idea of the insidious plot lurking behind it all.
It was precisely because their love had been real that Lu Qingmei had never once aroused Yi Daoxuan’s suspicions.
It was years later that Gu Huaxian decided the time was ripe to close the net. She seized control of Lu Qingmei’s mind, attacking Yi Daoxuan while he was off guard. At the same time, she joined forces with other experts to set a trap for him!
There was no denying it. Her plan had taken years, but it succeeded in the end.
After that battle, Yi Daoxuan was covered in wounds. He fled to the ends of the earth, but in the end, he failed to escape disaster, and he died by his enemies’ hands.
Gu Huaxian’s schemes had come to fruition at Lu Qingmei’s expense!
Yi Chen didn’t even need to think to know that his mother had later recovered her missing memories and learned the full story.
All of this had come as an incomparably heavy blow!
When she regained her lost memories, two distinctly different experiences intermingled. It was obvious how agonizing that must have been for her.
“Master, it seems to me that it’s your master who deserves to die!” Yi Chen said darkly. “She’s the one who put you in this cruel position. She’s the one who hurt you!”
Lu Qingmei took a deep breath, then wiped away her tears. “You’re right, Chen’er. Should the opportunity arise, I’ll be sure to let her experience agony worse than death!”
Her voice was calm, but full of utter loathing.
But then, Lu Qingmei suddenly let out a muffled grunt. Her expression contorted, and her eyes gradually went blank.
Yi Chen’s heart thudded in his chest. “Mother, what’s wrong?”
“You sure are filial, my dear apprentice.” Lu Qingmei glanced down at herself and murmured.
The empty look in her eyes vanished, replaced with cold, icy indifference. Her eyes were like stagnant pools, without so much as the barest ripple of emotion.
Yi Chen’s hair stood on end. His mother suddenly seemed like an entirely different person!
“Mother!” Yi Chen cried out, his voice booming like thunder. “Wake up! Hurry!”
Lu Qingmei shook her head, then stared at Yi Chen, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “So, you’re here too, you little beast. Excellent! I didn’t break precedent and come in person in vain.”
Yi Chen panicked as a name rose unbidden to his mind. The Paired Heart-Guiding Worm!! Gu Huaxian must be here. She’s using the worm to control Mother’s mind!!
Yi Chen turned to flee without hesitation.
“Heh, you reacted quite quickly. It seems your mother told you what happened back then.” Lu Qingmei laughed coldly, stretched out her hand, and pulled Yi Chen back. “Be good and stay put. I have use for you, so I naturally won’t hurt you.”
With that, Lu Qingmei flipped her palm, and a black jade floated into the air. This was the treasure used to control the Bamboo Mountain Hidden Realm!
Weng!
When Lu Qingmei activated the stone, the Bamboo Mountain Hidden Realm opened.
Two figures walked inside. These were none other than Gu Huaxian and Yu Xun!
“Master, your abilities are extraordinary indeed. You captured Senior Apprentice Sister and that little beast with ease!” Yu Xun exclaimed.
Gu Huaxian said calmly, “Be more respectful to your senior apprentice sister. I brought her up. Even though she erred gravely, I’m willing to give her a chance to make amends.”
Yu Xun’s smile froze, and he said in a low voice, “Your disciple understands!”
Meanwhile, Lu Qingmei shuddered, as if she’d found her soul and recovered her awareness.
When she looked around and saw Gu Huaxian and Yu Xun, her face paled. She instantly realized what had happened.
“You lied to me, Master!” Lu Qingmei took a step forward, then stood in front of Yu Chen, her face full of fury. “You said you’d removed the Paired Heart-Guiding Worm from my soul, so why is it still there!?”
Gu Huaxian looked at her expressionlessly. “If you hadn’t erred so deeply this time, how could I ever have had occasion to use the Paired Heart-Guiding Worm again?”
Lu Qingmei’s expression shifted erratically. Finally, she said in a pleading tone, “Master, you can’t hurt my child. He’s innocent! Don’t bring him into this. I beg of you!”
With that, she prostrated herself on the ground and lowered her head into the dirt.
Her humble, frantic demeanor left Yi Chen completely stunned. He felt a piercing pain in his chest and a chill in his hands and feet as his mind went numb.
Mother is throwing herself to her knees and begging her master for mercy… because of me?
“Rest assured. As your senior, how could I possibly hurt your child?” Gu Huaxian said coldly. “Get up, and I’ll help you extract your Paired Heart-Guiding Worm.”
Lu Qingmei instantly understood. She pleaded once more, “Master, I’ll do everything in my power to resolve the enmity between us and Yi Daoxuan, but if you insist on getting Chen’er involved, I’d… rather die!”
Gu Huaxian frowned, then shook her head. “It’s only by casting aside emotion that you can achieve Eternity. How could something as trivial as the bond of a mother and child ensnare you? You’re truly muddle-headed.”
Yu Xun agreed completely. “You’re right, Master. Senior Apprentice Sister’s mind is clouded. If it were me, there’s no way I’d concern myself with a mere hunk of my flesh and blood.”
Yi Chen felt a chill course through him. If he cast your emotions aside to such an extent… are you even human anymore!?
But then, Gu Huaxian suddenly raised her hand and reached for the kneeling Lu Qingmei from afar.
