Chapter 681 - 666: Even When You Smile, You’re So Lonely

When Chu Qingcheng stopped Shen Jianfeng and told him Shen Lang’s residence was in the opposite direction...

The expressions of both Shen Moran and Shen Jianfeng changed instantly!

"Ah? Oh..."

Shen Jianfeng responded timidly, ducking his head as he walked off in the opposite direction.

Once his figure had vanished into the distance, Shen Moran asked in a low voice, "Are you sure that was really Jianfeng? If it was, how could he not know where Xiaolang lives?"

"He is... and he isn’t. All I can say is that he’s a pitiful soul," Chu Qingcheng said somberly.

Shen Moran looked like she wanted to say something but held back. After a long moment, she asked, "If you knew he was pitiful, why didn’t you help him?"

Chu Qingcheng fell silent.

After a long pause, he finally said, "When they’re young, many people share a dream: to roam the world, freely repaying kindness and avenging wrongs. They’re filled with heroic passion, dreaming of performing peerless deeds and saving the world."

"Only when they grow up do they discover they can’t even save themselves..."

At this, Chu Qingcheng pointed to the star-filled sky. "In the end, even the legendary Emperor Star is just a pitiful creature... because it wants to do so many things, yet can accomplish nothing."

Shen Moran remained silent.

Chu Qingcheng continued in a low, soft voice, "I’m not like Xiaolang, always meddling in others’ affairs. In other words, I’m not as kind as he is. For me, protecting the people by my side is more important than anything else... To do that, I wouldn’t hesitate, even if it meant my soul would scatter."

Chu Qingcheng’s voice was quiet, calm, and gentle, but to Shen Moran’s ears, it was like the furious crack of thunder...

"Qingcheng!" Shen Moran lifted her head in alarm.

Sometimes, calm and simple words carry more conviction than a resounding oath.

Chu Qingcheng smiled elegantly. "I know you have many questions, but there are many things I can’t tell you right now."

"Do you ever wonder why I always keep so many things to myself? Why Xiaolang gives so many powerful Cultivation Techniques and Magical Treasure Secret Artifacts to others, but not to you or your parents? Why he’ll spend so much time instructing the disciples of the Five Great Sects, yet won’t spare a moment to guide you?"

"But deep down, you already know the answer..."

"In a world where strength reigns supreme, where everyone wants to become powerful enough to dominate everything, the greatest happiness is actually to have no power at all, to never experience conflict and war..."

"If I could, I would rather do nothing—not cultivate, not worry about some great worldly calamity—but simply stay by your side, playing music for you and watching you dance."

Gazing into Chu Qingcheng’s eyes, which shone as brightly as the stars, Shen Moran felt a sharp pain in her heart, and her eyes began to redden.

"Look at you. I told you these things so you wouldn’t worry and could just be happy, yet you... All right, I’ll stop talking. It’s getting late. We should head back." Chu Qingcheng gently stroked her hair.

"Mm," Shen Moran nodded lightly.

Chu Qingcheng took Shen Moran’s hand and stood up.

With his other hand, however, he flicked a finger toward the bushes by the pond.

POP!

Just as Chu Qingcheng and Shen Moran turned to leave, Duanmu Zheng’s head popped out of the bushes. "No wonder they say that bastard Chu Qingcheng is terrifying—he could talk a man to death... Damn it, I listened for ages and didn’t understand a single word!"

’Huh? That’s not right! The boss sent me to secretly protect Miss Moran. My cultivation is climbing steadily, and I’m about to recover to the Emperor Martial Realm. That bastard Chu Qingcheng is only in the Spirit Martial Realm, so how could he possibly have detected me?’

’Holy shit, I knew it! All of the boss’s friends and brothers are monsters!’

Muttering curses, Duanmu Zheng’s body suddenly dissolved into a black mist, vanishing completely into the darkness.

Meanwhile, Chu Qingcheng stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching Shen Moran walk away. He whispered softly...

"The night air is cool as water. Take care to dress warmly."

But just as his figure vanished in the distance, the door to Shen Moran’s room opened again.

Gazing deeply in the direction Chu Qingcheng had gone, Shen Moran drew her Longsword. With a hum of the blade, she began to practice her Swordsmanship under the moonlight.

’Qingcheng, I’m so curious about all the things you hide in your heart... It must be so difficult for you to keep them hidden, isn’t it?’

’I count your smiles every day, but even when you’re smiling, you seem so lonely...’

Her exquisitely beautiful figure danced among the trees, her Longsword moving like an elf, trailing streaks of beautiful blue light.

Her falling tears were sliced into countless tiny droplets.

A heart-stoppingly sharp Sword Intent emanated from her. It was formless and invisible, yet it sliced every falling leaf in the vicinity in half.

’No matter what happens in the future, I want to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, not behind you. I hope I can do something to help, too.’

...

Inside the room, within an Array that flickered with Spirit Light, Shen Lang held his hands in a circle. A vortex swirled in each of his palms, covering the large pile of Spirit Stones before him.

Like a great torrent, the pure and surging Spiritual Qi from the massive pile of Spirit Stones churned and flowed into his body.

While Yin Shanhan couldn’t possibly have been wandering around with the entire fortune of the Artifact Origin Sect, the amount of Spirit Stones, Demon Crystals, and various Spirit Grasses he carried on his person was truly substantial.

The resources of an Artifact Refining Sect like the Artifact Origin Sect, which many Spirit Copper Level Sects would desperately try to curry favor with, were truly extraordinary. The items Yin Shanhan carried alone were enough to ensure Shen Lang wouldn’t have to worry about Spirit Stones for the next three months.

The Star Absorption Technique was an unorthodox method, one that seized the fortune of heaven and earth and plundered the secrets of the sun and moon.

It could completely devour Spirit Stones, Demon Crystals, or any other Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in a very short time.

Right now, the World Tree within his Tai Chi Diagram was refining the Tribulation Thunder and required a massive amount of energy, so Shen Lang began to absorb the Spirit Stones and Demon Crystals from Yin Shanhan without reservation.

However, the consumption of Spirit Stones was simply too immense, and even this large supply couldn’t compare to the Supreme Yin Qi he had absorbed from the Earth Rift.

’Looks like when I head to the Barbaric lands, I’ll need to adjust my route to pass by a place with an Earth Rift and absorb all its Supreme Yin Qi!’

A brilliant light flashed in Shen Lang’s eyes as he thought of that torrential Supreme Yin Qi.

To the various Righteous Sects, it was a terrifying scourge, but to his Tai Chi Diagram, it was the ultimate tonic!

"Hm?"

Just then, Shen Lang’s gaze flickered.

Outside, Shen Jianfeng was being blocked by Duanmu Xie and was trembling in fear before him.

"Let him in," Shen Lang said faintly.

The door opened, and a nervous Shen Jianfeng walked in.

Sitting on the platform bed, Shen Lang raised his hand and made a grasping motion. An overwhelmingly powerful suction force instantly pulled Shen Jianfeng’s entire body toward him!

Before Shen Jianfeng, who had just entered the room, could even say a word, Shen Lang had him by the throat!

"Ghhk!"

Terror filled Shen Jianfeng’s eyes. He grabbed Shen Lang’s wrist with both hands but was completely unable to muster any strength.

"How audacious! To possess my cousin’s body and still dare appear before me!" As Shen Lang spoke, a tyrannical, peerless Spiritual Power flooded into Shen Jianfeng’s body. Spiritual Lines spread throughout Shen Jianfeng’s meridians, sealing him in an instant.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he tossed Shen Jianfeng aside. "Speak. What kind of specter are you? What do you want with me?"

Shen Jianfeng clutched his throat, coughing relentlessly. After a long moment, he managed to choke out in a hoarse voice, "I... I am Shui Ningxin."

"..." Even someone like Shen Lang, whose mind was capable of heaven-defying schemes, couldn’t help but be taken aback.

’Just a few days ago, Shui Ningxin was pointing her finger in my face, cursing and mocking me nonstop. How did she end up in this state in the blink of an eye?’

’In a place like the Imperial Capital, the Shui Family itself is incredibly powerful.’

’And on top of that, I crippled experts from Celestial Sword Mountain for their sake, which made it clear to everyone that the Shui Family was not to be trifled with.’

’Who would be so audacious as to kill Shui Ningxin when there was no apparent conflict of interest?’

Shen Lang’s eyes narrowed. He said in a heavy voice, "Was it the Third Prince? You already know this Third Prince isn’t the *real* Third Prince, don’t you?"

"Waaaah..." Seeing that Shen Lang truly knew everything, Shui Ningxin broke down and began to sob uncontrollably.

The fear and despair, the grievance and sorrow that she had suppressed for days—it all came pouring out in that moment.

Shen Lang didn’t speak or offer any comfort; he simply stood by quietly and let her cry.

When Shui Ningxin had nearly cried herself out, she exclaimed through her sobs, "Shen Lang, I know I was awful before, how I mocked you... I was wrong, and I apologize! But you have to help me! Help me save Brother Third Prince! That monster has taken over his body, but Brother Third Prince is still alive!"

Shen Lang glanced at Shui Ningxin, his expression turning serious. "Were you only able to escape from his clutches because the real Third Prince made a move?"

Before Shui Ningxin could answer, You Yue’s voice came from outside. "My lord, You Yue has a matter to report."

"Come in," Shen Lang said quietly.

You Yue entered gracefully. When she saw Shen Jianfeng to the side, she couldn’t help but pause in surprise. "My lord, you already know?"

"I’ve guessed some of it, but I don’t know the details," Shen Lang replied, his expression unchanging.

You Yue nodded slightly. "My lord, you said the Third Prince was viciously ambitious and wouldn’t likely stay put in the Imperial Palace, so you ordered Evil Song and me to patrol the area."

"And as it turned out, the Third Prince was indeed audacious enough to make a move right inside the Imperial Palace. He tried to kill Jianfeng and Yan Qi."

"By the time I arrived, it seemed the Third Prince had already attacked once. For some reason, however, Jianfeng was unharmed, though he had been possessed by a specter."

"I sent him and Yan Qi back, then deliberately caused a huge commotion to attract the experts from the various sects near the Imperial Palace. That was enough to intimidate the Third Prince and make him back off."

Shen Lang’s gaze turned icy. "I haven’t even gone after him, yet he dares to come after me! Does he really think I won’t touch him?"

He snorted coldly, then said slowly, "You know my relationship with the Shui Family, and I’m good friends with your sister. That bastard is my enemy as well; dealing with him is only a matter of time. But if you want me to help you rescue the Third Prince, I’m afraid I can’t help you."

Shui Ningxin stopped crying, a bitter look on her face. "Is it because he’s too powerful? Or are you still angry that I cursed you at Cangxia Mountain? Isn’t my apology enough? As long as you’re willing to save Brother Third Prince, I’ll do anything you ask!"

"Even if you wanted my soul, I would give it to you!"

At Shui Ningxin’s words, the expression of You Yue, who was standing to the side, shifted slightly.