Chapter 526 - 262: The Passionate Are Always Hurt by the Unfeeling

Chapter 526: Chapter 262: The Passionate Are Always Hurt by the Unfeeling

Seeing Chu Xuan lost in thought, Lady Baihua did not disturb him, only quietly watching him.

After a long while, Chu Xuan raised his head and asked, "Why did the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable secretly support Wuyou Valley in the past? What specific help did he give? How long did it last?"

Lady Baihua pondered, "The reason we truly do not know, perhaps it was due to the friendship with Ancestral Master Li."

"As for the support and help, it lasted about five or six years, the timing was very crucial."

"As fellow Daoist might know, our Wuyou Valley has some inheritance, but unfortunately suffered two major calamities."

"The first time, as a secluded righteous sect, we were overwhelmed by the Demonic Sect, suffering heavy damage and losing our tradition."

"Then the new leaders went on a rampage, acted recklessly, even turning the sect into a demonic sect."

"The second time, as an evil sect, we were besieged and fought by righteous sects, once again overwhelmed with numerous casualties, leaving only a few survivors."

"Ancestral Master Li Qiuyue took charge of the sect after the righteous sects retreated, vowing to revitalize the sect alongside the ’Six Hermits,’ and from then on becoming a neutral sect not involved in the battle of good and evil."

"But at that time, the sect was desolate, everything needed rebuilding, how difficult was it to revitalize the sect?"

"Celestial Evil, or rather Leng Yubing, appeared at this time."

"He first deciphered an ancient mural left by our sect’s ancestor, an ancient scattered immortal, in the stone cave behind the mountain, acquiring a fundamental scripture ’Wuyou Inquiry Heart Sutra,’ which he gifted to Ancestral Master Li, aiding our sect in restoring its lost inheritance."

"Then he sent spirit stones, spiritual objects, spirit medicines, a set of Mountain Protection Array, and gathered some homeless orphans to serve as disciples, enriching the sect."

"In short, these things might not mean much to fellow Daoists at the time, but to our Wuyou Valley, it was truly a blessing in disguise."

Lady Baihua said with a hint of gratitude on her face.

After she explained thoroughly, Chu Xuan’s mind finally conjured some vague outlines, as if there was indeed such a matter.

But what was the reason?

He knew well his own character; occasionally assisting with justice was one thing, but supporting another sect for five or six years and later never utilizing that sect was quite puzzling.

Ji Mingyu already listened with a cold sneer, suddenly asking, "Was this Li Qiuyue very beautiful?"

Lady Baihua cautiously glanced at "Xiao Xue’s" expression before saying, "Ancestral Master Li had some beauty, but compared to your master, she was far inferior."

Ji Mingyu nodded slightly, feeling things were clear to her; Chu Xuan must have been involved with the woman surnamed Li, hence assisting her so much.

"Is there a portrait?" Chu Xuan suddenly asked.

"There is one, in the Ancestral Master’s abode, a self-portrait of hers. How about we go see it now?"

Chu Xuan nodded, still feeling something was amiss. If Li Qiuyue was indeed a lover of his, he ought to have some memory of her.

Although quite disreputable, he wasn’t so callous as to forget a woman completely after being involved with her.

...

Li Qiuyue’s abode was located behind the mountain of Wuyou Peak, beside the ancestral stone cave.

The long-sealed abode was hidden by an array until Lady Baihua unveiled it, pushing open the door, revealing an incredibly simple living space.

The place was divided into front and back sections, with a dried spirit pool, stone table and chairs, screens, and other items in the front, meant for receiving guests, cleaned spotlessly. ℯℯ𝑙.

The back section was a place for cultivation and rest, appearing more like a study.

On the right stood a white jade bed, and on the left, an empty bookshelf, with a desk at the head, holding a set of scholar’s tools.

Behind the desk was a smooth white stone wall, on which hung a rolled-up painting scroll, with faint skylight spilling over.

Other than this, the entire abode was practically empty, and any treasures or elixirs left by Li Qiuyue had long been taken away.

The so-called "never went back" referred to the time after the abode was sealed, as there were no valuable treasures left, the place had been forgotten.

Chu Xuan saw this and slightly furrowed his brow, "Isn’t this a bit too clean?"

Lady Baihua was a bit embarrassed and quickly explained, "Actually, Ancestral Master Li left very few relics, most were inherited by her disciples, hence why it looks exceptionally tidy here."

"As for clothing, jewelry, and personal items, most were buried with her senior."

Chu Xuan sighed, just stepped forward, untied the red string of the scroll, and unfolded the scroll to examine it closely.

The woman in the painting was a delicate beauty, wearing a light green dress, with hands behind her back, holding a long sword with a red tassel, standing on a mountaintop at dawn, her skirt fluttering with the mountain wind, giving a sense of ethereal grace.

Her appearance seemed gentle, but her eyes were exceedingly firm, giving a persistent and calm impression at a glance.

After seeing the portrait, Chu Xuan finally recalled something; he indeed had met her.

But when was it, and under what circumstances? He couldn’t help but ponder deeply.

"Want to check the stone cave next door?" Lady Baihua suggested.

"Later. By the way, why is this painting scroll still left here?" Chu Xuan casually asked.