148 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Chapter 148: Day by Day in Rebirth as the Malicious Senior Sister In the worldly realm, individuals often find themselves manipulated by personal interests. Fang Si Jian could sense Fang Ke Yuan's fear and unease regarding the curse, and he understood Fang Si Mian's helpless desire to protect the sect's reputation as the future head. However, he could not accept his father and brother resorting to such inhumane methods to resolve their problems. Staring at the two closest and dearest relatives he knew so well, he felt a coldness seeping through his heart, his hands unable to stop trembling. The area near the icy lake was silent, a thin mist drifting into the air, veiling the faces of the three in white. Seeing Fang Ke Yuan still unresponsive, Fang Si Mian stepped closer, this time directly placing a dagger into their father's hand. "Once the trial begins, Xuanming Sect will no longer have a place in the righteous path. As a descendant of the Fang family, Father, you are single-handedly destroying the family's century-old foundation. If our ancestors knew of this, they'd be utterly disappointed in despair." His words were formal and imposing, though they were meant to persuade; each sentence was actually pressing their father towards suicide. Listening to this, cold sweat drenched Fang Si Jian, his heart contracting, making it increasingly difficult to face his father and elder brother. At this moment, he felt like an outsider, completely unable to intervene in their discussion, nor able to impact the situation. Not daring to wait for Fang Ke Yuan's response, he no longer had the courage to remain. Sensing his desire to leave, Fang Si Mian's cold words halted him, "Si Jian, stay here." Fang Ke Yuan had to die, but not alone, witnessed only by him. There needed to be a third person here— To demonstrate that his father died out of guilt for the murdered child, rather than being forced by him. Without a doubt, Fang Si Jian was the perfect witness. Sweat dripped from his brow, his heartbeat accelerating. Fang Si Jian's keen mind quickly grasped Fang Si Mian's intention. Between brothers, it appears ethical boundaries can also be disregarded for personal gain. On one hand, there lay the innocent, tragically deceased younger brother, and on the other, the respected, beloved father. He knew Fang Ke Yuan's crime was unforgivable, deserving of punishment, but as a son, he didn’t want to be the one delivering the blade. Yet his brother was determined to drag him along the patricidal path. *** Eventually, Fang Ke Yuan was indeed dead. Fang Si Mian announced to the outside world that their father, burdened by guilt for his actions, chose to end his own life to atone for the illegitimate child who met a tragic end. He claimed it was a self-determined end, but the true cause of death was known only to the Fang brothers. With the perpetrator dead, the trial was naturally cancelled. Siyiguang's plans collapsed, his attempt to blow up the situation and disgrace Xuanming Sect indefinitely thwarted. After contemplating briefly, he brazenly accused Fang Si Mian of forcing his father to death in front of the crowd. The audience erupted in chatter, immediately sparking a heated discussion. Fang Si Mian remained calm, turning to summon Fang Si Jian forward. The young man’s face was pale, devoid of any color, his pupils filled with fear, as though deeply shocked. Recalling the scene by the icy lake, he still felt his limbs grow cold, his chest quaking— For Siyiguang wasn't wrong; Fang Ke Yuan was not a suicide, but killed by Fang Si Mian’s own hand. Even an ant clings to life. How could someone who could harm his own flesh and blood be possibly willing to give up his own life voluntarily? Father and son, after all, engaged in combat. Just as Fang Si Mian used Fang Si Jian as a witness, he also exploited the last shreds of paternal affection in Fang Ke Yuan's heart, treacherously killing him with a poisoned needle. The death was excruciating, not only physically but also mentally. Before dying, he finally experienced the pain Fang Yuan Qing felt when she was entombed at his command. But it was too late for regrets. Fang Si Jian saw everything, realizing Fang Si Mian was even more terrifying than Fang Ke Yuan. Called forth now, his heart ached unbearably; whether it was a father killing a son or siblings turning against each other, it was all an intolerable reality. The cacophony around him was relentless, preventing any peace. His trance was only broken when Fang Fu Ren appeared, tearfully present. This once-pampered, delicate woman, realizing her son had killed her husband, would likely spend the rest of her life submerged in sorrow. After all, the collapse of a beloved person's image would be a harsh blow to her. For his mother's sake, and to preserve this facade of familial affection, Fang Si Jian dared not reveal the truth. He ultimately fulfilled Fang Si Mian's wish by telling the second lie of the day— "Our father indeed took his own life." This scandalous farce thus concluded. Jiu Ying and Fu Ling watched from a rooftop, sighing deeply. Both familiar with Fang Si Jian, they understood why he had hesitated moments ago. It must have been because Fang Si Mian had taken Fang Ke Yuan’s life to safeguard the sect’s name. Though Fang Yuan Qing's vengeance was exacted, upon reflection, Fang Si Jian, caught in the middle, was truly pitiable. Even Jiu Ying couldn't help but sympathize. Watching him walk away in loneliness, she clasped the hand of her companion and quietly followed. In such a moment, only revealing the truth could possibly offer him solace, letting him know the injury he endured during the autopsy wasn’t in vain, and that leaving Fang Yuan Qing with a chance at life might soothe his heart. Jiu Ying stood guard on the high wall, while Fu Ling went to knock at the door alone. The young man, looking normal seconds ago, now had eyes bloodshot. The maiden, touched, though wishing to comfort, knew words were futile. Speaking for the first time, she conveyed only the essential facts— Fang Yuan Qing is not dead; she is a woman. "Yuan Qing still clings to life, though lacking breath to revive, resembling death, she nonetheless retains a sliver of hope." "The autopsy benefited from your aid—the risk being not, she would truly be gone. Regardless, you saved her life." "When she awakens, knowing you inflicted harm upon yourself for her, she will inevitably feel moved." "I believe she, like all little sisters in the world, wishes for a brother to cherish her." "Perhaps you should visit her." His father killed his sister, his brother killed his father—Fang Si Jian's sense of family was critically wounded. The only thing that could mend it a bit was familial love. Fu Ling’s words were like a faint spark, silently lighting his heart, telling him— There still existed someone in this world deserving of his genuine affection. *** The matter of revenge had reached its end. Post-departure from the Xuanming Sect, Fu Ling and Jiu Ying journeyed to Tianwu Cliff. Firstly, to see the female cultivator who saved Fang Yuan Qing from the demon dog attack; secondly, to deliver the small vial of water from the icy lake to her. After all, this was something Fang Yuan Qing intended to do but never had the chance. Gliding swiftly with the wind, they soon arrived at the base of the towering cliff. Having been there once, Fu Ling led Jiu Ying adeptly to the riverbank. Higher on the cliff, Mo Ji's red eyes gleamed with an eerie light. Half a month passed since Fang Yuan Qing departed, and though Mo Ji wanted to search through the major sects, Meng Ji consistently blocked her. She assumed Fang Yuan Qing had delayed returning to fetch icy lake water; however, upon witnessing Fu Ling’s appearance, she sensed something amiss. Desiring to descend and inquire if something had happened to Fang Yuan Qing, she restrained due to Jiu Ying knowing her true form. Appearing would surely expose her intentions of getting close to Fang Yuan Qing. After much deliberation, she retreated silently, seeking Meng Ji in the demon realm. Meanwhile, Jiu Ying and Fu Ling patiently waited, yet saw no one emerge. As darkness approached, a slender figure finally emerged from the thicket behind them. She was a woman dressed in yellow. Her features were beautiful, her demeanor gentle, yet her eyes remained tightly shut, stirring feelings of pity. Moving forward, her steps faltering, it was evident she was blind. Fu Ling, unfamiliar with Fang Yuan Qing’s spoken benefactor, assumed the blind woman passing by was their intended person. Without further thought, she approached warmly and asked, "Is your name Yue Liang?" Hearing this, the woman paused before responding in a gentle tone, "Yes." "Are you friends of Fang Yuan Qing from Yu Chun Hall?" The ability to mention both Yu Chun Hall and Fang Yuan Qing's name indicated there was likely no mistake. Fu Ling turned to look at Jiu Ying, and seeing her nod, she placed the wooden tube into the yellow-clad woman's hands. "Yes, we are friends of Sister Yuan Qing. This is the water she sent for treating your eyes." Water to treat the eyes—ice lake spring water. Ming Yue’s strategy indeed worked successfully. Meng Ji felt a sense of joy as she engaged in conversation, gleaning much information from the two of them, including news of Fang Yuan Qing's severe injuries. Recalling the elegant young woman who had been bitten by a demon dog, she couldn't help but frown. "Why is she injured again?" Fu Ling was momentarily at a loss, uncertain how to respond. After all, Fang Yuan Qing had not revealed her true identity to her benefactor. As an observer, divulging too much information was not appropriate. After pondering, she decided not to answer the question. Before leaving, she simply requested that the blind woman, once her eyes were healed, visit Fang Yuan Qing at Yu Chun Hall. Meng Ji readily agreed. Watching them depart, she then flew up the cliff. In that moment of turning, those tightly closed eyes opened. The sky had already turned dark during the trio's conversation, preventing Ming Yue from seeing their lips move or knowing what was being said. Seeing Meng Ji appear, she immediately approached. "Why hasn't Fang Yuan Qing come?" She even forgot to care about the ice lake water. Meng Ji's frown deepened. Not wanting to see Ming Yue sink further, she coldly questioned, "What would it matter if she came? To continue deceiving her?" "Now that you have the ice lake water, this deception should end." "You are from the demon realm, and she hails from a prestigious righteous sect. Do you truly wish to develop feelings for her?" "Ming Yue, don't forget, her father has a blood feud with you. If you want to be with her, first see if Gui Chen agrees." A few words, like a chilling douse of water, immediately cooled Ming Yue’s heart. Meng Ji was right, even if Fang Yuan Qing appeared, what difference would it make? The two of them were destined for impossibility. She lowered her head, feeling a pang of pain in her heart. After a long silence, she couldn’t suppress her concern and stubbornly asked one last question, "Is she not here because something happened?" Meng Ji sighed, responding sternly once more, "Ming Yue, whether she has issues or not is no longer your concern." "Forget about her—it's best for both of you." Author's note: Thank you to all the little angels who cast overlord votes or provided nutrient solutions between 2020-12-25 23:59:10 and 2020-12-26 23:58:34~ Special thanks to the angels who threw grenades: Yue Ren Yue, Mr. K, Yu Huo, Mu Qing Mu with 1; Thanks to the angels who provided nutrient solutions: happy with 50 bottles; Hua Xi, Smelly Anhui Bun with 15 bottles; Yun Bai Xian Sen, Qian Pei Ting's girlfriend, Pao Hui, Hua Hua Cai Ji, Ben Zhu with 10 bottles; Zhou Xuan with 6 bottles; I am very grateful for everyone's support, and will continue to work hard!