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Jiang Zhaoxue jokingly spoke the truth.
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A’Nan, standing on her shoulder, took a sharp breath and couldn’t help but mentally complain, “Master, your heart is way too dark.”
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“The world is tough. If I’m not a little ruthless, how will I survive?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue responded to A’Nan in her mind while twirling the key in her hand.
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“So, have you thought about it? Want to come with me or not?”
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Pei Zichen listened but didn’t respond.
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His gaze fell on the key in her hand, his brow furrowing slightly.
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“Miss, this key…”
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“I stole it.”
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Jiang Zhaoxue was direct.
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She also knew what he was worried about and glanced outside.
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“Relax. The person’s just unconscious.”
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Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s expression finally eased.
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Jiang Zhaoxue cursed inwardly what a hassle as she observed him and continued persuading him.
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“Don’t think I’m trying to harm you.
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Think carefully.
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“Forget about Gao Wen’s identity for a moment just look at last night.
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“There were only five people on Luoxia Peak, and the people from Lanyue Peak attacked you, didn’t they?
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“They stopped you and let Gao Wen pick the Lingxiao Flower.
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“Then everything went terribly wrong.
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“Do you think they’ll admit to it?
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“Look at you.
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“You haven’t even been interrogated yet, and you’re already in this state.
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“If you stay here, you won’t survive.”
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“So, you think I should escape.”
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Pei Zichen stated matter-of-factly, then smiled.
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“But if I intended to run, why would I come back in the first place?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t reply.
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She suddenly realized that Pei Zichen understood everything quite well.
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Maybe back in Wuyue Forest, he had already figured it all out.
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He wasn’t influenced by anyone he simply did what he believed was right.
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He believed he should save her, so he did.
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He believed he should come back, so he did.
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She silently observed the young man as he spoke seriously and calmly.
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“A gentleman stands in the world with righteousness.
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“He acts with loyalty and integrity.
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“He cherishes his reputation.
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“If I am falsely accused, then I must clear my name with the truth not flee without a fight.
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“And I believe that Lingjian Immortal Pavilion will give me justice.”
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“Who will give you justice?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but laugh.
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She knew exactly what kind of people they were.
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Pei Zichen looked at her without hesitation.
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“My master.”
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He raised his eyes and said seriously, “I know you have past grievances with my master.
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“Grudges are shaped by different perspectives, and I won’t judge who is right or wrong.
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“But in my heart, my master is as bright as the sun and moon.
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“He is not someone who would abuse power or twist the law.
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“If he knows that his disciple has been wronged, he would never turn a blind eye.”
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Jiang Zhaoxue sneered.
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Pei Zichen noticed her displeasure and, after thinking for a moment, asked, “You don’t believe me?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue turned her head away without answering.
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She just thought he was naïve.
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No wonder Shen Yuqing had pushed him off the cliff with a sword.
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Pei Zichen remained silent for a while before speaking in a soft voice.
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“Miss, when I was little, I was born in an ordinary village.”
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“So?”
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“One year, a group of immortals suddenly descended from the sky.
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“They said that a ‘Heaven-Abandoned One’ had hidden among us.
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“And in accordance with fate and righteousness, the villagers had to hand over all children under ten years old…
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“Or they would kill everyone.”
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Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue frowned.
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Heaven-Abandoned Ones…
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They were people marked for extermination by the Book of Fate.
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Ever since Daoist Gujun had introduced the Book of Fate and founded the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, the book had become a religious doctrine across Central Continent and even throughout the True Immortal Realm.
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To the people of Central Continent, Heaven-Abandoned Ones were cursed individuals, feared even more than demons.
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And Pei Zichen… had connections to such a person?
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Jiang Zhaoxue pondered but said nothing, waiting for him to continue.
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“At that time, every household had children under ten, so the villagers refused to hand anyone over.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“The parents hid all the children together and swore that no children were in the village.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“My mother hid me in a haystack and told me, ‘Don’t make a sound, no matter what.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“‘No matter what happens, you must survive.’”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Pei Zichen lowered his head, his voice turning hoarse.
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“I was not yet ten years old.
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“I was afraid I would cry, so I covered my mouth.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“I watched as those immortals said, ‘If there are no children, we will test the adults.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“So they tested every villager one by one, saying ‘not this one, not this one.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“When they had tested everyone and still found nothing, I thought they would leave.
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“But instead…”
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Pei Zichen paused briefly before continuing with a hoarse voice.
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“They set fire to the village.”
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“Fire?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue’s frown deepened.
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Pei Zichen chuckled coldly.
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“I later learned that it was called the ‘Soul-Scorching Curse.’”
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Jiang Zhaoxue’s pupils shrank.
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The Soul-Scorching Curse was one of the most vile curses in Central Continent.
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It burned not just flesh and bones but the soul itself.
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Even cultivators found it excruciating.
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For mortals, it was a nightmare beyond imagination.
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“Those who die under the Soul-Scorching Curse are reduced to nothing not even bones or souls remain.”
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Pei Zichen’s voice was eerily calm.
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“That fire burned for a long time.
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“I watched as it devoured my parents, my brother…
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“Then, they found me.”
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“And then?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue was drawn in.
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She had never heard Pei Zichen’s past before.
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In the books, when he first appeared, he was already the prodigy of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.
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All they mentioned was that he was from a common background and that his parents had died.
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There had never been any details about his past.
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Pei Zichen listened to Jiang Zhaoxue’s question and suddenly smiled.
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“Then I ran.
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“My family had died so that I could live.
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“I couldn’t die.
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“I ran for my life, but they were immortals.
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“Just when I thought I was about to die…
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“My master appeared.”
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A soft light entered Pei Zichen’s eyes.
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“His sword descended from the heavens, unleashing countless sword rays that wounded those immortals.
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“They fled in panic.
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“Before they left, they threatened him, saying they were disciples of the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion and were following the mandate of the heavens to hunt down a Heaven-Abandoned One.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“My master said
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“‘Heaven’s way distinguishes right from wrong and judges good from evil.
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“‘The path of cultivation is about defying fate.
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“‘If mindless slaughter is Heaven’s decree, then even if I defy the heavens, I will not obey.’”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyebrows in surprise.
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Shen Yuqing the loyal guardian of the Book of Fate had said this?
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Defying fate?
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That sounded like something a Fate Master would say.
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How could Shen Yuqing possibly say it?
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Pei Zichen shook his head with a smile.
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“No.”
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As he spoke, he lifted his head and looked through the small ventilation window in his cell, gazing at the bright moon outside.
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“My master may be indifferent, but he is fair and just, always protecting the weak.
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“My fellow disciples have occasional conflicts, but we are mostly united, like branches from the same tree, caring for each other.”
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“What about your master’s wife?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but ask.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Then, worried Pei Zichen might notice something, she quickly added, “I heard she is the most beautiful woman.
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“She must be as kind as she is beautiful, right?”
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Pei Zichen paused for a moment before replying vaguely.
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“My master’s wife only has eyes for my master.
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“She rarely interacts with disciples.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“And as an elder, she is not someone to be casually discussed.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Not to be casually discussed.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Oh?
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
That usually meant there was a lot to discuss.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
So this little brat didn’t like her.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jiang Zhaoxue smirked but didn’t argue with him.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
After thinking for a moment, she continued, “Did you ever find your enemies?”
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“I did.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Pei Zichen’s tone was calm.
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“They were all disciples of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.”
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“And then?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jiang Zhaoxue was curious.
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“Did you let them go?”
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Judging by Pei Zichen’s gentle and compassionate personality, she expected something dramatic
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Perhaps he forgave them, chose to move on, and then embarked on a new journey, possibly even forming a heartfelt reconciliation.
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However, Pei Zichen shook his head and said calmly,
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“I investigated each one thoroughly.
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“I gathered evidence of their past crimes and submitted it to the Punishment Hall.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“I personally oversaw their trials.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“There was resistance at first, but when I reported everything to my master, he reviewed the case…
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“And granted me permission to execute them myself.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jiang Zhaoxue listened, suddenly realizing
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
She didn’t understand Pei Zichen as well as she thought.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Karma is orderly.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Debts must be repaid.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Pei Zichen’s voice was warm but carried a trace of regret.
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“Still… I no longer have a home.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
From the moment he had packed his belongings and left Jiangzhou, he had already lost his home.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jiang Zhaoxue sensed what he was about to say and turned to look at him.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
She saw his serious expression tinged with a hint of apology.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“With nowhere else to go, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion is my home.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“My master saved my life.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“My existence belongs to the sect.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“I cannot leave just because of a mere misunderstanding.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“I hope you understand.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
His voice was steady and sincere.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jiang Zhaoxue remained silent.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Karma is orderly.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Debts must be repaid.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
That had always been her belief as a Fate Master.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
But karma was sometimes difficult to grasp.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Like him
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
His future was destined to be blood-soaked, yet right now, he was pure and untainted.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
So what was his true karma?
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jiang Zhaoxue stared at him in silence.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Pei Zichen finished speaking and noticed she had not responded.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Curious, he asked, “What are you thinking?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“I’m thinking…”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her eyes, watching the ripples in the water of the dungeon.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
She casually lied, “After all that, you just don’t want to repay me.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Pei Zichen chuckled.
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“Miss Jiang, greed will swallow you whole.
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“Last night, we helped each other.
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“Even if I did offend you, do you really think taking my life is a fair price?”
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“But what if you don’t survive?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly interjected.
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Pei Zichen’s expression sharpened, sensing something.
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Jiang Zhaoxue looked him in the eye.
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“If your innocence and reputation are doomed to be lost, would you still stay?”
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“Yes.”
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Pei Zichen answered without hesitation.
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“I know you are a Fate Master, someone who peers into destiny.
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“But I cannot judge a person as evil before anything has even happened.
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“I refuse to trust the heavens over trusting people.”
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Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart stirred at those words.
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She gazed at the clear, gentle eyes of the young man, absently rubbing her fingertips as she asked,
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“Which do you think is worse death, or climbing to the top only to fall and become an ordinary person again?”
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“An ordinary person?”
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Pei Zichen laughed lightly.
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“I am an ordinary person.”
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He had climbed mountains and crossed rivers
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But he had always been just an ordinary human.
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“A mayfly is born and dies within a day.
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“A cicada spends seven years underground before emerging for a single summer.
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“To live even a few decades, to witness the vast sky and earth, is already a gift.
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“And if I could climb to the peak, even if I eventually fell
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“Such a life would be grand and magnificent.
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“In the face of that, why would there even be a choice?”
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His voice was gentle and steady.
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Pei Zichen lifted his head to gaze at the bright moon.
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“As long as I am alive, that is enough for me.”
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“You’re really afraid of death, huh?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but tease him.
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Pei Zichen turned to her with a soft chuckle.
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“Aren’t you?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t reply.
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After a moment of contemplation, she asked seriously,
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“If I could clear your name, would you come with me?”
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Pei Zichen smiled but remained silent.
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Jiang Zhaoxue understood his answer.
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“What if Shen Yuqing himself agreed?
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“What if Lingjian Immortal Pavilion ordered you to go?”
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Pei Zichen froze slightly and thought for a moment.
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After a brief hesitation, he said,
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“If the sect commands it, as a disciple, I have no choice but to obey.”
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“Understood!”
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Jiang Zhaoxue clapped her hands, stood up decisively, and turned toward the door.
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“I’m going to find Shen Yuqing and ask for you.”
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Pei Zichen was stunned.
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Watching her take two steps away, he suddenly seemed to remember something.
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“Oh, is there anything I can do for you?”
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Hearing this, Pei Zichen hesitated briefly before replying cautiously.
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“Thank you, Miss Jiang.
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“There is one small request…
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“My junior brother, Jing Lan, is still missing, and I am worried about him.”
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Pei Zichen furrowed his brows, looking serious.
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“You seem to move freely here, so I assume you’re no ordinary person.
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“My life is insignificant, but my junior brother”
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“Got it, I’ll look for him.”
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Jiang Zhaoxue cut him off before he could finish.
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“Anything else?”
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“There’s… one more thing…”
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Pei Zichen hesitated, looking slightly embarrassed.
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Then he awkwardly mumbled, “I… I have a dog in the disciples’ quarters.
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“Now that both Jing Lan and I are gone, it’s just a normal dog…
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“I’m afraid it might starve…”
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Jiang Zhaoxue slowly processed his words, eyes widening.
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“You’re asking me to feed your dog?!”
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Pei Zichen panicked.
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“I apologize!
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“But the dog has been with me since I climbed the mountain.
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“It means a lot to me, so if you could just”
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“Fine, fine. What does it look like?”
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“It’s black and white.
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“It’s the only normal dog in the sect.
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“His name is Fatty.
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“Call his name, and he’ll respond.
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“He eats anything as long as it’s cooked meat.
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“But if you could bring him a fresh, whole cabbage, that would be even better.”
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“A balanced diet? What a spoiled mutt.
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“Dogs and people are equally troublesome.”
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Jiang Zhaoxue grumbled.
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Pei Zichen was confused.
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“Miss Jiang?”
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“Nothing. Any other requests?”
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“Just… my deepest gratitude.”
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“More nonsense. I’m leaving.”
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She turned and walked away.
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Before she disappeared, Pei Zichen hesitated, then called out,
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“Miss Jiang!”
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She turned back.
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Pei Zichen blushed slightly.
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Looking at her seriously, he asked, “May I know your name?”
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Jiang Zhaoxue paused, then smirked.
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“Maybe someday.”
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