Chapter Sixty-Six: Liu Lanzhi’s Vow

“Uh…” Che Wuyou glanced at Zhang Qing’er, then looked in confusion at Liu Lanzhi. He could understand why Miss Zhang, wounded as she was, would cling to his arm, but why did Lanzhi do the same? Though it struck him as odd, Che Wuyou enjoyed the intimacy.

Yet something puzzled him: Lanzhi had seen him agree to accompany Miss Zhang, so why did she insist he practice swordsmanship with her? Did she dislike his company with Zhang Qing’er? But the two had only just met—there ought to be no conflict. Che Wuyou couldn’t figure it out, and in his confusion, he asked, “Lanzhi, you…”

“No! I must practice swordsmanship today, right now!” Before Che Wuyou could finish, Liu Lanzhi glared at him, her tone stubborn.

“Uh…” Che Wuyou closed his mouth, embarrassed. Liu Lanzhi was used to being willful, and Che Wuyou had long since grown accustomed to indulging her. So he turned to Zhang Qing’er and said awkwardly, “Miss Zhang, you see…”

Zhang Qing’er could hardly believe it—Che Wuyou was actually refusing her. Was it that her terms weren’t enticing enough, or was Che Wuyou not the person she had imagined?

She looked at Liu Lanzhi, who seemed faintly triumphant, then at Che Wuyou’s troubled expression. Could he be worried? Perhaps he feared that if he failed to win her favor, he might anger Liu Lanzhi and end up with nothing at all.

The more Zhang Qing’er considered it, the more convincing it seemed. From her understanding of such men, they would never make a choice until forced by circumstances. But what now? Should she resort to her final gambit?

“Brother Wuyou, if you accompany me for a stroll, I’ll give you a low-grade treasure weapon. It’s a keepsake from my grandfather, and its worth surpasses those two swords.” As she spoke, she removed a pendant from her neck, offering it to Che Wuyou. She wanted to see how long he could maintain his composure—before such a treasure, she was sure he’d be tempted.

“After my injury, my grandfather feared for my safety, so he gave me this ‘Heart of Ice Tear’… Don’t underestimate it for being a mere pendant; it can withstand ten attacks from a master at the Core Formation stage. For anyone below that realm, it would take a hundred blows to exhaust its energy.”

“Most importantly, once its energy is spent, you need only place it in sunlight, and it will recharge itself, no other cost required. Imagine, if you own this Heart of Ice Tear, among peers you’d be nearly invincible.” Zhang Qing’er’s face bore a natural hint of pride, her expression silently urging him: Come with me, this will be yours.

Che Wuyou was startled by her offer—just for accompanying her, she would give him the Heart of Ice Tear? That was absurd. Even if she had many treasure weapons, this was too extravagant. He couldn’t fathom what the young lady was thinking, but found himself somewhat afraid of her now. Lanzhi was better—her thoughts forever simple, her feelings always written on her face, never requiring him to guess.

“I need to practice swordsmanship. You can stroll on your own. I won’t take your Heart of Ice Tear, it’s your lifeline… And Miss Zhang, you must remember, such precious treasures should never be shown carelessly. If a villain sees it, who knows what evil intentions might arise.” Che Wuyou spoke with concern. Others gave him a little kindness, and he repaid it tenfold; this had always been his philosophy, and he lived by it.

“Brother Wuyou…” Zhang Qing’er stared at Che Wuyou in disbelief. How could he be so adept at feigning indifference—this was a low-grade treasure, yet he refused.

“Brother Wuyou, Brother Wuyou—who’s your brother? Are the two of you close? You keep calling him ‘Brother Wuyou’ so intimately, aren’t you ashamed?” Liu Lanzhi couldn’t stand it any longer. What was with this Zhang Qing’er? “He’s already made it clear—he’s asked you to do as you please, yet you linger and persist. What are you after? Are you flaunting your wealth, or trying to intimidate me? If so, you’ve succeeded. Now you may leave.”

Zhang Qing’er had never been scolded this way before. For the first time, she was rebuked, and was stunned… It took her a while to realize that the hateful Liu Lanzhi dared insult her… Yet mostly, she felt aggrieved. She pursed her lips: I only wanted to expose Che Wuyou’s true nature, so you could see him more clearly, but instead you misunderstand my intentions and insult me.

“You… you insulted me? You’ll regret it, mark my words,” Zhang Qing’er finally managed, her anger rising after much deliberation.

“So what if you’re Zhang Qing’er? I insulted you—why should I regret it? Don’t think your status makes you special. Remember, if it weren’t for the people of Miao Village intervening, would you even be standing here talking to me?” Liu Lanzhi retorted with a hint of mockery. Little troublemaker, threatening me? I won’t play your game.

Zhang Qing’er was so enraged by Liu Lanzhi’s sharp words that she trembled slightly, unable to respond. She hadn’t meant any of this, didn’t think herself so important—she only wanted to warn her, make her understand. Che Wuyou was a great deceiver, everything about him was an act, all motivated by ulterior purpose…

At that moment, Zhang Qing’er caught sight of Che Wuyou, standing aside as a spectator. His skill was remarkable—what magic had he used to win Liu Lanzhi’s devotion, and even leave his mark in her own heart? For such deep scheming, only by laying everything bare could she break his pretense…

“Lost in illusion, unable to awaken, I came with good intentions to rouse you, yet you see me so. Very well, since you remain so stubborn, don’t regret it when your Dao foundation collapses.” Zhang Qing’er shot Che Wuyou a cold look, then turned to Liu Lanzhi.

“Awaken me? Dao foundation collapse? Stubborn? Regret? What do you mean?” Liu Lanzhi was bewildered—how could it be so serious, why should she regret anything?

“Do you like Che Wuyou? Don’t deny it—I heard your conversation.”

“…” A blush bloomed across Liu Lanzhi’s cheeks, embarrassed that her feelings were exposed so openly. After a moment, she murmured, “Who I like has nothing to do with you.”

Her voice was soft, barely audible, all her former confidence and aggression gone. She was now like any ordinary girl, perhaps even less.

Zhang Qing’er saw Liu Lanzhi’s shyness and smiled knowingly. “It has nothing to do with me, but don’t you find it strange? With your talent, you’ll soon reach the Core Formation stage, and you’ll remain young even then. If you fall for Che Wuyou, in a hundred years you’ll still look youthful and radiant, but he’ll be a gray-haired, dying old man. Can you imagine how you’ll feel then?”

“Won’t you regret your decision then? When the pain becomes unbearable, you might succumb to darkness, your Dao foundation collapse, and all your years of cultivation will be wasted… Are you still so determined to be with him, to commit yourself to someone who will never reach Core Formation?”

Zhang Qing’er’s voice rose, carrying a thunderous force, determined to awaken Liu Lanzhi. Without waiting for her reply, she continued, “With your talent, Core Formation isn’t your limit—you could reach Divine Transformation, even the legendary Dao Ruins. Why would someone so outstanding love a failure? Someone who will never step into Core Formation?”

She emphasized “failure,” as if warning Liu Lanzhi, or perhaps herself.

“There’s only one answer: you’ve been deceived by Che Wuyou’s cunning guise. He seems honest and loyal, but in truth he’s a master manipulator, deeply understanding the human heart. He treats you this way, and me as well. He sweet-talked you into giving your heart; not satisfied, he seeks to climb higher.”

“So he chose me. These days he’s been attentive, comforting me at every turn. He tells me not to fear, that with him my wounds will heal. He urges me not to worry, says he’s suffered worse and recovered… Tell me, is such a man worthy of your love? Worthy of your devotion? He’s nothing but a scoundrel, fickle, greedy, utterly shameless.”

With each word, Che Wuyou’s face paled further, and by the end, his complexion was bloodless. So that was how she saw him. He looked at Liu Lanzhi—were they truly from different worlds?

When she was in her prime, would he be nothing but a dying old man? No matter how hard he tried, it would all be futile? Suddenly, he felt everything was lost, all his years of striving rendered meaningless. Even if he memorized countless prescriptions, even if his alchemy was unmatched—he would never form a core.

“Shut up, shut up… I, Liu Lanzhi, swear here and now: in this lifetime, I will marry no one but Che Wuyou. If I break this vow, let me never find peace.”