Chapter 1018: Of One Heart
Proofreader: Papatonks
Ouyang Changqing glared at them and roared, “This isn’t a play for you to enact, but a sacred compet.i.tion! What is equally matched? I’m not about to throw the match over a demented woman just so you can have your act. Brothers, I want to hear you cheer!”
“Senior brother!”
“Senior brother!”
Sea Bright Sect disciples exploded in an even bigger uproar, constantly clanging their spiritual weapons.
The whole stage rumbled from the noise and as it thundered in the lady’s ears behind the white veil, it made her s.h.i.+ver in fright. The two girls helping her held her close to soothe her, their eyes filled with tears.
Wu Qingqiu grew angry as he shouted back, “Ouyang Changqing, you’re a man coming from a respectable clan! Are you not aware that saving a life makes everything worth it? And we’re allies as well. You can’t even do this little effort?”
“I will never give up no matter what, and I’ll be d.a.m.ned if I’ll play your little role you have for me, just over some crazy woman.”
“A fake match won’t deceive her. We’ve tried that already. Her mind might be lost but not her eyes. We only want to see the same power struggle we had in the western lands back then. We think that only you can do it and don’t need anything from you, just to give your all. Is that too much to ask?” Wu Qingqiu shouted at him.
Ouyang Changqing flicked his head away, not willing to cave.
Bam!
A youth filled with savage aura stepped in, Ye Lin.
Glaring at Ouyang Changqing, Ye Lin mocked, “I have no interest in the fight between western lands and northern lands’ strongest disciples. The only reason I even accepted fighting such a mundane guy like you is to help sister Qincheng. But now, humph, I think you’re in need of a harsh lesson. You’re far from ever being my match!”
“You’re the best disciple in western lands?”
Ouyang Changqing squinted with a cold smile, “Fine, come teach me then. If you’re just another pretender, then I’ll have Wu Qingqiu answer for it once I’m through with you. I don’t care who calls himself the best disciple in western lands, I’ll be finding him once I go through all of you!”
“Senior brother’s almighty!”
“Senior brother’s almighty!”
The roaring of the crowd once again exploded and Qingcheng shuddered in the two girls’ embrace from terror.
Western lands’ group gnashed its teeth, with Ye Lin filled with murder.
“Why don’t we take Qingcheng back? She shouldn’t be here and take this!” Shui Ruohua, holding Chu Qingcheng close, said with tears.
The others gave a helpless nod. Since Ouyang Changqing was so against it, staying here would only hurt her more.
[But this b.a.s.t.a.r.d Ouyang Changqing has to be put in his place!]
Everyone of them only felt rage and fury for this arrogant p.r.i.c.k, wanting to beat him to a pulp.
Ouyang Changqing didn’t care, since this was his sect, his home, and he had the numbers if it came down to a brawl.
As the two sides were at odds, one hand extended in front of Chu Qingcheng’s eyes as a man with an eagle mask spoke, “Miss, it’s much quieter where I’m staying. Would you care to sit with me? A fight between two lands’ strongest disciples shouldn’t be missed.”
“Sorry, sir, she needs peace and quiet. I’ll take her back.” Shui Ruohua gave him a look then an awkward smile as she refused.
Ouyang Changqing was annoyed, “Steward Qian, why would you want that crazy woman around you? Also, I know I chose your seat specifically, but it’s not that quieter either. Once the fighting starts, it’ll be bad for you when the crazy woman starts losing it.”
“Hey, what did you say? Qingcheng’s mind is only vacant, not crazy! Say that again!” Shui Ruohua snapped at him.
The people around got enraged as well, judging by those glares.
Zhuo Fan ignored it all and tearfully gazed at Chu Qingcheng, “It’s really quiet there, believe me. You’ll be safe…”
“Sir, we appreciate the gesture, but Qingcheng is too frightened and would never let strangers touch…”
A sudden chill took her then, noticing that the s.h.i.+vering Qingcheng in her arms no longer shook as she calmed down. Her dainty hand even reached out, to the shock of all present, placing it in Zhuo Fan’s wide hand.
[How is this possible?]
Shui Ruohua widened her eyes as she and the western lands group watched in disbelief.
Chu Qingcheng had lost her fame as a cold beauty ever since her husband pa.s.sed away and her mind couldn’t take it, few people approaching her. Afterward, she hardly met anyone, shunning almost anyone that approached, finding peace only around her two sisters.
But today, to this stranger, she reached out on her own. Why?
[She’s even scared of her acquaintances…]
“Elder brother…”
Only Ye Lin knew Zhuo Fan to be alive and well. He muttered under his breath, watching the man with the eagle mask with a knowing gaze.
[Bro had been away for so many years. Now he’s finally back!]
Holding Chu Qingcheng’s hand, Zhuo Fan led her to his spot, under the shock of everyone. With every step, his heart bled.
[I left to spare her the pain, but now I see that I hurt her the most.]
[Was I wrong?]
Chu Qingcheng’s veil fluttered, hiding her face, like that of a child, as she followed Zhuo Fan. Despite the uproar outside, her heart has found peace.
The hand felt so familiar to her and it now became her world, knowing there was nothing to fear as long as she held it.
Her mind was vacant and knew not who he was, nor the ones around her, but their hearts had once been one, something that would never change.
Even without needing to see his face, his mere presence made her know by instinct that he was hers.
And she his…
Under the dumb looks of everyone, Zhuo Fan took Chu Qingcheng to his seat, in Bali Yuyu’s place.
Glancing at Qiao’er, Zhuo Fan said, “Qiao’er, say h.e.l.lo to mother.”
“Mother!”
Qiao’er could feel a rare warmth from Zhuo Fan’s gaze and called out. The others looked at him and one guard sighed, “Sir, we only knew you to be cunning and ruthless, but now we see there’s a gentle side as well. But this also revealed to us your weakness.”
Zhuo Fan sighed a nod, “Yeah, but she can never be my weakness, because I’ll always take her with me from now on. They will have to walk over my cold corpse before they can touch her. I will be her s.h.i.+eld and as long as I stand no one can use her!”
Zhuo Fan looked at Chu Qingcheng with hazy eyes, not knowing if she understood any of it.
Her eyes were still vacant, her expression tranquil, like that of an infant sleeping. Only her hand shook slightly.
Shui Ruohua and the others saw Chu Qingcheng so at peace around a stranger they didn’t know how to react. Needing a moment to come to and go to her.
Even so, they still couldn’t tell who Zhuo Fan was since he had been dead to them for five years now.
The guards knew how to act and seeing the two girls looking after Chu Qingcheng, they made way, standing with the other disciples to watch the fight.
“Now that the mental patient is taken care of, we can begin! But let me reiterate, I will not throw the fight!”
Ouyang Changqing shouted once more.
At which the mob of disciples coming to cheer roared once more. Only this time, Chu Qingcheng no longer shook in fear, holding to the lifeline, the hand that would give her peace. This only baffled Shui Ruohua.
Ye Lin had a cold smile as he stood on stage, smirking at Ouyang Changqing, “Then allow me to teach young master some manners. I’d hate to shame my elder brother for not taking care of my sister-in-law!”