Chapter 849: Chapter 20: Unafraid of Anyone
"Zhou Yan... senior, Qingyang was wrong."
Gongcheng Qingyang had awakened by this time, but his gaze had turned incomparably indifferent, looking at Yang Liuying as if she were a stranger.
The greatest distance in this world is when two people who once loved each other meet again, only to be strangers.
Gongcheng Qingyang was now in such a state.
He no longer loved, but also no longer hated, because neither love nor hate were worth it, not at all.
His previous death was like that of a clown, a joke, ridiculous and humble.
His death held no value whatsoever! It didn’t bring about a moment of conscience in Yang Liuying; if not for Zhou Yan’s intervention, everyone would have perished here.
Thus, Gongcheng Qingyang saw through it all, deciding that from now on, he would live for himself and for those who cared about him, rather than for those whom he cared about but did not care about him.
This is actually a very simple truth, but many people live their whole lives and only understand it at the end.
"I am your brother Zhou Yan, I have always been."
Zhou Yan corrected Gongcheng Qingyang’s mistake in addressing him.
Gongcheng Qingyang froze, and then a touched expression appeared on his face. The indifference in his expression was immediately melted away by this single sentence, but it was only towards Zhou Yan.
"Brother Zhou Yan, Qingyang was confused and almost died in vain. Everything that happened before, Qingyang saw it all, and Qingyang understands now, truly understands. In the future, Qingyang will look to Brother Zhou Yan as a role model, working hard in cultivation, no longer blaming the heavens and others, or indulging in self-degradation."
"Brother Qingyang, your Life Chart is very good, and your future achievements are limitless."
Zhou Yan gave a faint smile and said.
Gongcheng Qingyang took this as encouragement from Zhou Yan, and although he did not fully believe it, he still nodded firmly, gaining a boost in his self-confidence.
"Qingyang, in the future, don’t be so foolish again..."
Gongcheng Diewu came to her senses. Apart from the guilt and remorse, there was also the surprise and excitement of seeing her brother come back to life.
But having gone through such a change, she was gradually able to better restrain her emotions now.
"Sister, I’m sorry, Qingyang was confused."
"It’s okay, all that is in the past. Just don’t make your sister worry so much in the future."
"Sister, I will never do this again."
...
Yang Liuying noticed that Gongcheng Qingyang did not care about her from beginning to end, and she suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment and emptiness.
The days of standing high, admired by others, seemed to have suddenly become so distant, never to return.
She could not help but recall the time when the planet was nearly destroyed, that moment when Gongcheng Qingyang gave up a great opportunity for her, and linked with the subsequent changes, Yang Liuying suddenly questioned if she was still the same person she once was.
Yet some things, once they happen, cannot be undone, even if there’s some regret in her heart, her dignity and pride prevented her from bowing down and apologizing to a man who has always tried to please her.
Thinking this, her heart gradually filled with indignation. Why, why did Gongcheng Qingyang ignore her and not actively apologize? Maybe she would have forgiven him!
Yang Liuying thought about many things in that moment, but all these thoughts were disrupted by the inexplicable runic patterns on her face, for as soon as she thought of those repulsive rune characters, no other thought could arise.
"You, you’re really Zhou Yan?"
Yang Liuying gradually accepted this fact because she saw the truth in the eyes of everyone around her.
And once she accepted this fact, her heart suddenly beat a little faster because she thought of the endless glory and tempting rewards behind this.
If this information were given to the Jiang family, then the benefits the Yang family could gain...
As she thought this, she saw Zhou Yan cast a cold glance at her, as if he could see through her heart.
Yang Liuying felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar and immediately recalled the terrifying legends of Lei Yan King, and for a moment, she couldn’t muster even a sliver of hopeful thought.
However, thinking of the shame on her face, she braced herself and coldly said, "If you really are Zhou Yan, considered a person of great stature, how could you be so petty with someone like me, a fledgling scholar, and insult me like this? How does that befit a person of great power? Aren’t you afraid of losing your dignity?"
"Within five breaths, you can leave unharmed. If you don’t go, you won’t be able to leave anymore."
Zhou Yan’s eyes were icy, murderous intent already apparent, completely disdaining explanation.
His statement did not prompt any objection from those around him. In fact, no one dared to oppose Zhou Yan’s words.
Even though Yang Liuying still had discontent in her heart, at the moment Zhou Yan spoke this sentence, she left in a flash, disappearing like a bolt of light.
A cultivator needing to escape could do so in the span of a single breath.
The Void still held a sense of coldness, but for the cultivators of the Snow Cold Sword Sect, this was the warmest day, the safest moment.
Because at this moment, Zhou Yan was here.
"Uncle—will letting her go expose your whereabouts, leading the enemy here?"
Zhou Zheng approached Zhou Yan with respect and spoke reverently.
His youthful face showed a hint of worry.
"Don’t worry, she carries the Time Origin Tracking Path and Space Power. Once she leaves, it will all seem like a dream, and she won’t remember much. Even if she does, it doesn’t matter; now that I’ve returned, it’s only a matter of time before others find out. No need to hide."
Facing Zhou Zheng, Zhou Yan showed a gentle smile and affectionately said.
"Uncle, your strength is unparalleled. Could you deduce how my parents are doing now?"
Zhou Zheng’s eyes revealed a pleading look, expressing endless concern.
"Them... Knowing now won’t help, focus on your cultivation. Everything in this world is not as important as you think. Becoming stronger is what truly matters."
Zhou Yan thought for a moment and, after careful analysis, arrived at this somewhat helpless conclusion.
Zhou Zheng seemed to partly understand, showing a momentary look of confusion, but soon, that look turned into resolute and confident determination.
"Uncle, I understand. Without power, the more you know, the more pain it brings. I understand."
Zhou Zheng’s gaze was resolute, demonstrating great maturity.
The hardships he faced made his mind especially mature; although he previously didn’t handle the relationship with Gongcheng Qingwan well, he actually had his own persistence, afraid of dragging his lover down due to his inability. Isn’t this approach so similar to Zhou Yan’s past?
Now, it’s naturally good that lovers eventually come together.
"Uncle—"
Gongcheng Qingwan shyly and somewhat embarrassedly called out softly, standing next to Zhou Zheng with a flushed face. She had some words to say but seemed hesitant.
"Qingwan, you are the daughter of the Butterfly Dance Fairy and a wonderful girl who won my affection at first sight. Being with Zhou Zheng, you will be happy. As for your feelings, I understand, you needn’t worry about Zhou Zheng’s health; I will take care of it."
Zhou Yan said softly.
Facing Gongcheng Qingwan, Zhou Yan indeed felt an indescribable connection. This girl seemed to deeply touch his heart, making him fond of her, yet this fondness was different from romantic feelings.
Hearing Zhou Yan’s words, Gongcheng Qingwan was both very happy and highly moved, while Gongcheng Qingyang’s expression turned somewhat complicated, and Gongcheng Die Wu seemed dazed, lost in her thoughts.
"No, Uncle, you needn’t heal me or help open some restrictions in my body. Really, there’s no need."
Zhou Zheng’s attitude was exceptionally firm, and Zhou Yan, through his fiery eyes, saw that he wasn’t being polite but genuinely meant it.
Zhou Yan fixed his gaze on Zhou Zheng, who didn’t avoid it and remained candid.
"Zheng’er, Uncle will just tell you one thing—Uncle Zhou Yan now fears none in this world, no one includes the Nine Heavens Supreme! So don’t worry that opening your seal might cause others to hunt me because of changes in your situation."
Zhou Yan seemed to instantly see through Zhou Zheng’s heart.
This terrifying gift, the ability to pierce hearts with wisdom, was chilling!
Even thoughts so deeply hidden as Zhou Zheng’s were seen through by Zhou Yan at a glance.
Experiencing this firsthand, Zhou Zheng felt that Uncle Zhou Yan’s frightening reputation was well-deserved; this wisdom, this instant ability to pierce hearts, was truly powerful.
Zhou Zheng understood his heart, and at this moment, even he hadn’t considered this—though he had long known he was made to be bait, that if he ever met his uncle or family, he could never let them help him. Yet fear of uncle seeing through his mind made him bury this notion deeply!
Even so, it was seen through, making Zhou Zheng’s heart tremble uncontrollably.
Thankfully, he’s not an enemy; were he an enemy, it would simply be unimaginable!
"Zheng’er... Zheng’er, obey."
Zhou Zheng was momentarily dazed, then respectfully bowed deeply.
Gongcheng Qingwan, after her surprise, was also extremely excited, her beautiful eyes filling with tears of relief and happiness—because Zhou Zheng could finally be free of pain, poison, and sealing torment.
Zhou Zheng’s happiness was indeed her happiness.
"Zhou Yan... Can we have a few words? Wan’er, you and Zhou Zheng, and your Uncle Qingyang, go back to the Snow Cold Sword Sect first. Later, I will find you with Zhou Yan."
Gongcheng Die Wu hesitated slightly and said.
"Hmm, Wan’er knows."
Gongcheng Qingwan nodded lightly in agreement, her voice tinged with sweetness.
"Uncle Zhou, Wan’er takes her leave."
Gongcheng Qingwan bowed gracefully to Zhou Yan, then looked at Zhou Zheng.
Zhou Zheng glanced at Zhou Yan, then at Gongcheng Die Wu. As smart as he was, he knew that his charming, peerless uncle, who attracted countless fairies, likely had more stories with Wan’er’s mother, so he smartly also withdrew.
Afterwards, the elders who guarded Gongcheng Die Wu quietly left.
Though they observed everything, they said nothing, nor interfered deeply understanding life’s truths.
...
"Zhou Yan, have you examined Wan’er’s bloodline? Do you know who her father is?"
Gongcheng Die Wu asked in a gentle voice.
She spoke, giving a somewhat helpless and worried sigh.
"Hmm? Qingwan... who is her father?"
Zhou Yan’s heart skipped a beat, a sudden sense of dread arising.