Chapter Forty: Freedom, Dignity, and Self-Love

He couldn't make sense of it.

Although Zhou Xuanhong had several plausible guesses in his mind, they were still just conjectures. Without a solid foundation, any speculation was nothing but empty words.

However, after an afternoon spent reading, Zhou Xuanhong did discover an intriguing point about sword cultivators: they are mainly divided into two primary branches—Inner Sword and Outer Sword. Each of these branches has numerous offshoots, and among them, one rather fascinating path is known as the Path of the Heartless Sword.

To enter heartlessness through sentiment, one must abandon the seven emotions of life, retaining only the six desires, and take the sword as their sole companion. In doing so, their swordsmanship would progress by leaps and bounds, and their cultivation would advance at a breathtaking pace.

Yet, few would choose to cultivate this path. Within sword sects, practitioners who forsake emotion and pursue the sword alone are greatly despised. Moreover, those who follow this path are rare: first, because it is considered a heterodox method, looked down upon by true sword cultivators; second, because abandoning human emotion leaves one’s cunning and shrewdness stagnant. In this ruthless world of cultivation, survival is difficult. No matter how quickly you progress or how strong you become, without wit, all is for naught.

“Li Li can’t possibly be foolish enough to cultivate the Heartless Sword, could he? If that were truly the case, then it wouldn’t be Qiao Yixue using Li Li, but rather Li Li regarding Qiao Yixue as a vessel for sentiment, destined to be cut down by his sword.

How amusing. I almost hope Li Li really is cultivating the Heartless Sword. If that’s so, then... heh heh...”

The sun dipped below the horizon, and Formshaper Sect was shrouded in night. The darkness was especially tranquil, as if anticipating the coming storm.

“I’d better hurry and find Xiao Ri. If I’m late, that kid won’t save me any dinner. He promised a feast tonight.”

He rushed out of the library, only to be stopped by Old Mountain Baboon, who grinned and asked, “You rascal, still investigating me? If you want to know my abilities, just ask!”

Zhou Xuanhong returned a meaningful smile. “So, Senior, are you hoping I’ll inquire about your innate divine abilities or your longevity?”

Old Mountain Baboon was momentarily taken aback, and by the time he regained his wits, Zhou Xuanhong was already far away.

“That scamp dares to tease this old man. Next time I see you, I’ll make sure to snare you!”

As Zhou Xuanhong’s figure faded into the distance, a strange light flashed through the old baboon’s cloudy eyes, gone in a blink.

At the usual spot by the river, Kong Xiaori and his sister were already there, along with Xu Biao—and another person had joined them: Xu Yuhan.

“What brings you here?”

Zhou Xuanhong was a bit puzzled. Wasn’t this girl supposed to be with Luo Tuan right now? Why had she come here instead?

Xu Yuhan’s eyes were slightly swollen, as if she’d recently cried, but when she lifted her head to face Zhou Xuanhong, she wore her usual lively, mischievous expression.

“Why can’t I be here? It’s not like this is the Sect Leader’s peak. Even if it were, all I’d have to do is let Great Ancestor Lie know I want in.”

“Er…”

Great Ancestor Lie is, in fact, her grandfather’s grandfather’s grandfather’s father—a generation above great-grandfather, ancestor, and sky ancestor. In the world of cultivators, this is quite ordinary. The lifespan of a Golden Core cultivator can stretch over a thousand years. As long as the younger generations are prolific enough, anyone can become a great or distant ancestor.

However, in this world where talent is paramount, if you lack ability, even as a direct descendant, you’re unlikely to be remembered.

Xu Yuhan was highly gifted, especially in alchemy. Even Xuan Qizi considered her a treasure. Entering the Sect Leader’s peak was indeed just a matter of a word.

Sensing that her mood was off, Zhou Xuanhong didn’t pry further—she was just a girl caught in the throes of love.

From Kong Xiaori’s account, Zhou Xuanhong understood: the girl was likely nursing a broken heart and wanted to vent. Passing by, she caught the aroma of Kong Xiaori’s cooking and decided to stay.

“Well, it’s just a matter of setting out one more bowl. Xiaori, you sit here. I’ll have a word with this young lady.”

Seeing the faint smile at Zhou Xuanhong’s lips, Kong Xiaori looked at him with some disdain, suspecting he was up to mischief again.

Zhou Xuanhong took a seat beside Xu Yuhan, who immediately shuffled away in distaste.

“Sigh…”

A long, drawn-out sigh escaped Zhou Xuanhong’s lips, drawing Xu Yuhan’s attention and resonating with her current mood.

“Tell me, is there any pattern to love?”

Caught off guard by the question, Xu Yuhan, influenced by the atmosphere Zhou Xuanhong created, instinctively shook her head.

Zhou Xuanhong’s smile turned bittersweet. “No trace at all. If there were, how could I bring my dearest wife back to my side? If I could, I’d trade my current status for just one lifetime together with her—even if only a mortal’s short life…”

Seeing the twin trails of tears at the corners of Zhou Xuanhong’s eyes, Xu Yuhan’s earlier contempt for this so-called lucky disciple—who relied on a woman to leap to prominence—began to fade.

But now she saw a man who loved his wife deeply, devoted and true. The vulgar image she held of him vanished.

Noticing Xu Yuhan’s silence and the lessening of her resistance, Zhou Xuanhong continued, “I can see you like Senior Li very much. It makes sense—any girl would be swept off her feet by the hero-rescues-beauty trope. But it seems you’ve run into trouble. Mind telling me about it?”

Xu Yuhan choked, “So you noticed too. But why is it that blockhead can’t see it? He’s fixated on that seductive fox! That awful woman isn’t as pretty as me, nor as talented, but he won’t even look my way!”

Zhou Xuanhong shook his head. “Unrequited love. The one involved is always blind, while outsiders see clearly. The unattainable is always the most desired. You can’t win Senior Li’s affection, but Senior Sister Qiao gets it effortlessly, so she keeps him dangling. The immortal path is endless, but there’s no way to turn back. I won’t tell you to give up—that’s unrealistic. It might become your heart demon one day.

But as someone who’s been there, let me offer some advice. Everyone has a world of their own. In that world, you are the main character. Remember this: In the vast sea of people, with crowds coming and going, cherish yourself, respect yourself, love yourself, and live freely. If you confine yourself to the shadows of another, your whole world will be clouded. Disperse those clouds and you’ll see the rainbow, the blue sky, and all the hope the future holds.”

Zhou Xuanhong’s words echoed powerfully in Xu Yuhan’s mind: In the vast sea of people, with crowds coming and going, cherish yourself, respect yourself, love yourself, and live freely…

After a long moment, Xu Yuhan finally came to her senses, as if she’d parted the clouds in her world and seen the rainbow beyond. She wiped away her tears and smiled sweetly.

“In the vast sea of people, with crowds coming and going, cherish yourself, respect yourself, love yourself, and live freely. Thank you, Junior Brother Zhou, for your advice. I hope you can also live true to these words. I believe you’ll see your wife again, and your love will be restored.”

Zhou Xuanhong nodded. “I will. I surely will.”

Nearby, Kong Xiaoyue listened intently, but Kong Xiaori, being a boy, was unmoved by matters of the heart—he’d take a bowl of chicken soup over a stirring speech any day.

“All right, all right, enough talk—come eat before it gets cold!”

Zhou Xuanhong invited Xu Yuhan to join them. She had intended to refuse—growing up in the Five Spirits Pill Valley, she was accustomed to fasting pills—but when Kong Xiaori lifted the pot’s lid, the words died on her lips. Unable to resist, she swallowed and said, “Well, I won’t be shy, then!”

Dinner was sumptuous: roasted, stewed, boiled, and stir-fried dishes of every kind, the atmosphere lively and the conversation congenial.

Of course, this was all orchestrated by Zhou Xuanhong; his aim was to glean useful information from Xu Yuhan.

“Sister Xu, your Xu family is the founding family of Formshaper Sect, and the ‘Formshaper Art’ created by the sect’s founder is said to be earth-shattering. I was fortunate enough to master it myself. May I ask, what technique do you cultivate?”

Busy stuffing herself with spirit delicacies, Xu Yuhan replied with her mouth full, “I may be a Xu by birth, but I’m a direct disciple of the Five Spirits Pill Valley. I practice the ‘Grand Unity Spiritfire Art.’ Still, it’s impressive that you managed to master the ‘Formshaper Art.’”

Zhou Xuanhong pressed, “The ‘Formshaper Art’ is notoriously difficult to learn, but surely as members of the main family you have ways to master it quickly. Shouldn’t you all be practicing it? Why have I heard that even my own master doesn’t cultivate it?”

Xu Yuhan replied, “I’m not sure. I belong to the main Xu line, and when I was little, I wanted to learn the ‘Formshaper Art,’ but my grandfather wouldn’t allow it and sent me to the Five Spirits Pill Valley instead. I think only Ancestor Xu Yuan from the main line practices it. Maybe there’s something wrong with the technique. I recall that those from the collateral branches who cultivate it often die suddenly. But since you’ve already succeeded, I suppose you’ll be fine.”

A glimmer of comprehension flashed in Zhou Xuanhong’s eyes. So that’s how it is.

Hearing Xu Yuhan’s explanation, his suspicions that Xu Yuqi was still alive grew stronger. The main line avoids the art, while the collateral branches suffer high mortality. Thus, the main family remains dominant. But why does Xu Yuan practice it?

As Zhou Xuanhong pondered, Xu Yuhan suddenly asked, “Junior Brother Zhou, why did you set up a perception-isolating array?”

Zhou Xuanhong laughed smoothly, “Of course we need one. Cultivators have big appetites. With Xiao Ri’s cooking being so good, if others notice, we won’t have enough to eat!”

“Oh, I see!”

Deceiving a pure-hearted girl brought Zhou Xuanhong not the slightest pang of guilt. The array wasn’t to hide the food, but to block the divine sense of the sect’s leaders—he couldn’t afford to openly reveal his suspicions.

When dinner ended, Xu Yuhan generously produced a pile of small bottles—pills, of course. As a direct disciple of Five Spirits Pill Valley and an alchemist about to reach the third rank, she was never short of pills.

“Take these. It’s only fair, since you treated me to dinner. You two are entering the Small World tomorrow—take good care of yourselves. Remember, survival is the most important thing. Good luck!”

Zhou Xuanhong accepted a heap of pills, smiling to himself: What a silly girl. She’ll surely be deceived by some heartless man one day.

He failed to realize, however, that he was the one deceiving Xu Yuhan.