158 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass
Chapter 158: The Nightmares of Reincarnating as the Evil Senior Sister - GL A dream is just a dream, while reality is reality. Despite knowing that the past four days of blissful interaction had been mere illusions, everything felt undeniably real. Fang Yuanqing's fingertips could still recall that sticky, slippery warmth. She couldn't believe it was all false. It wasn't until her mother's voice called out to her that she fully awoke from the vivid dreams. "Qingqing." Feng Suqiu couldn't hold back her bittersweet tears, wiping them away with her hand. Nearby, Fang Sijian stood by the bedside, his eyes reddened, inching closer. "You've finally woken up; everyone was so worried about you." As her rationality slowly returned, Fang Yuanqing forced herself not to dwell on the dreams, though the calmness in her demeanor pained others. "So, I didn't die after all." Her tone, indifferent, seemed a mix of self-mockery and irony. Being killed by her own father was a hard truth to swallow. Feng Suqiu and Fang Sijian were taken aback, their expressions briefly shifting. In the past, Fang Yuanqing would perhaps have missed such subtle changes, but today, her eyes were exceptionally clear. She could perceive what was happening even outside the room. She noticed the fleeting pain and guilt in her mother and brother's eyes, reminding her of how Fang Keyuan had coaxed her into accepting the water essence with deceitful words, causing her chest to ache violently. Sensing her daughter's thoughts, Feng Suqiu quickly changed the topic, not daring to let her linger in the shadow of her attempted murder. "It was Lady Fuling who saved you." Fang Yuanqing's survival was solely due to the heaven-granted breath of Tianyuan True Qi. Jiu Ying hadn't hidden the truth, eventually revealing everything. Feng Suqiu narrated the entire story in detail—from discovering the casket and retrieving the water essence, to orchestrating Fang Keyuan to confess publicly, and Fang Sijian's self-harm to protect her—meticulously recounting each event. It was to show her daughter that there were many who cared for her and valued her—whether through friendship or familial bonds, all sentiments were worth cherishing. Fang Keyuan had committed patricide, while Fang Siyan conducted the autopsy. As the only family member present, Fang Sijian felt unutterably ashamed. Engulfed in remorse, the air's mutterings caught his attention, instantly brightening his gaze. "Brother." It was the first time Fang Yuanqing called him brother. He lowered his head, their gazes meeting, each sensing a gentle closeness through the other's eyes. This closeness, belonging only to the siblings, had existed ever since their expedition to Yin Mountain. Fang Qishan was gone, and now there was only Feng Juan Qing. And she was indeed his sister, Fang Sijian. Having narrowly escaped death, Feng Suqiu was anxious about her daughter's health. Though Fang Yuanqing had long been able to walk, she hadn't yet stepped outside her room in the days that followed. When Jiang Beiqing came to visit that day, she finally had the chance to sit in the courtyard for a while. Just stepping into the courtyard wasn't enough. Where she truly wished to go was the Hehuan Sect on Tianwu Cliff. Whom she longed to see was the girl who had shared the most intimate moments with her in the dreams. Sneaking away from her mother's watchful eyes would be a challenge. But her brother could aid her. Following custom, Fang Sijian would sneak over from Xuanming Sect every few days to check on her. His presence would distract Feng Suqiu enough to loosen the reins. If he agreed to cover for her, he could certainly escort her out. The plan was set, only waiting for her brother to arrive. Feng Yuanqing counted the days, and two days later, Fang Sijian finally came by. In the room, as they conversed, everything seemed usual. Feng Suqiu checked in twice, finding nothing amiss, then resumed her tasks elsewhere. Once she left, Fang Yuanqing lowered her voice to request from her brother, "Mother is in the pill room. She won't return for two hours. Brother, can you take me somewhere?" Fang Sijian hesitated, recalling the name his sister chanted upon waking, and faintly guessed. As expected, before he could respond, Fang Yuanqing continued, "I wish to find someone." Hearing this, he moved his lips, tentatively whispering two words— "Yueyue?" The mention of this intimate name from her brother brought an inexplicable blush to Fang Yuanqing's cheeks. She turned her head, shyly biting her lower lip. Such a reaction left much to the imagination. Fang Sijian, perceptive, quickly discerned the importance of this Yueyue in his sister's heart. Seeing the hope in her eyes, he couldn't muster a refusal and finally nodded in agreement. With his help, leaving Yuchun Hall was no trouble. Honoring the promise Ming Yue mentioned in a dream about wanting to see her in a dress, Fang Yuanqing deliberately donned women's attire. Her hair, no longer tied high like before, was styled into a delicate bun, her gentle face adorned with rouge, rendering her even more beautiful. Such meticulous dressing undoubtedly was for meeting a loved one. Observing his sister's eager expression, Fang Sijian couldn't help but tease, "That Yueyue, she must be extremely beautiful, right?" It was universally known that Hehuan Sect's female disciples were all stunningly attractive. Upon hearing this, an alluring, fair face flashed across Fang Yuanqing's mind. "Extremely beautiful?" She shook her head, then nodded, not hiding her admiration for Ming Yue. "To me, Yueyue is the most beautiful in the world." Surprised by her bold directness, Fang Sijian paused, then let out a soft chuckle. "Well, then. I have another sister in the future." "If you had told me earlier, I could have brought a gift today." Fang Yuanqing pursed her lips, embarrassment deepening, and responded, "We aren't proposing marriage; Yueyue won't mind." Fang Sijian shook his head, speaking quite earnestly, "This is a gift from an elder brother for a first meeting. As for a proposal, we should further discuss it with Mother Feng." Fang Yuanqing looked up at him, seeing no jest in his handsome face, realizing he was serious. "Brother, you mean—" "If you like her, then naturally you should marry her, regardless of outsiders' opinions. I acknowledge it, and I'm sure Mother Feng will too." In the cultivation world, there were precedents of same-sex cultivators forming Dao bonds, though rare and often without public blessing. Knowing her family recognized her love for her benefactor, Fang Yuanqing's smile deepened with joy. At that moment, she longed to see Ming Yue, to relay Fang Sijian's words verbatim and ask if she would marry her. Recalling the dreamy romantic moments, she thought her moonlit sister would surely consent. Together, the siblings journeyed swiftly to Tianwu Cliff. With Fang Sijian, someone promptly came out to meet them. As rumored, every girl here was a peerless beauty. Upon Fang Sijian's arrival, four or five young female disciples gathered around him. After all, as the second son of Xuanming Sect, pairing with him promised numerous benefits. Feng Yuanqing watched as her brother was surrounded by a group of women, smiling on the sidelines as if enjoying a show. Her gaze swept across the disciples, yet she failed to find the one she longed to see. It wasn't until a middle-aged beauty appeared that the female disciples respectfully stepped aside. This must be Zhu Su, the head of the Hehuan Sect. Despite her age, she exuded an alluring presence, every frown and smile captivating all around her. Fang Sijian explained their purpose for visiting, and Zhu Su, without making it difficult, called out all the sect's disciples, letting them search freely. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Ming Yue among them. Feng Yuanqing searched repeatedly, still not finding the girl who occupied her thoughts day and night. Her brows knit together, and the smile on her face gradually faded. Fang Sijian noticed her discomfort and quickly sensed something was amiss. He turned to the beautiful woman, and softly inquired, "Master Zhu Su, are these all the disciples of the Hehuan Sect?" Zhu Su nodded, showing some confusion herself. She had indeed summoned all the female disciples, save for the servants, without missing a single one. "Whom exactly is the young master looking for? Is she truly a disciple of my Hehuan Sect?" These words tightened something in Feng Yuanqing's chest. She stepped forward, describing Ming Yue in detail. "Her name is Moonlight. She has an injury in her eyes, can't see, and has a faint scar from the corner of her right eye down to her cheek. She is definitely a disciple of the Hehuan Sect." Zhu Su frowned upon hearing, and quickly shook her head. Just one sentence caused Feng Yuanqing’s heart to sink. "You can't be serious." Feng Yuanqing's face changed slightly, her lips quivering. Seeing her confusion, the woman looked at the gathered disciples and explained— "The Hehuan Sect only accepts beauties. Anyone with a blemish on their face is not allowed to enter the sect. Even a mole disqualifies one from joining." "Moreover, the essence of seduction lies in the eyes. A blind person cannot use their eyes to allure others and hence cannot practice our arts. How could such a person enter the Hehuan Sect?" "There is no disciple named Moonlight. I think—perhaps you've been deceived." What? Hearing the word ‘deceived’, Feng Yuanqing's face turned ashen. Her eyes held disbelief and pain, reminiscent of when she awoke from the coffin, the water essence crushing her heart, making breathing a challenge. There were no disciples named Moonlight in the Hehuan Sect— Once again, she had been deceived. But this time, it wasn’t her father who tricked her, it was the one she loved. In an instant, the world turned silent, devoid of any sound. Zhu Su was still speaking, but she couldn't hear a thing. She turned her head, meeting Fang Sijian's gaze, much like the look she saw when she awoke from her dream. In them, she saw pity and pain. She wished to say something, but her throat felt unbearably dry, unable to utter a single word. Only after the crowd dispersed did her emotions gradually calm. She took a shallow breath, appearing somewhat lost, her eyes slightly reddened, stirring deep compassion in others. Fang Sijian felt anguished, never expecting things to turn out this way. As he pondered how to comfort her, a barely audible whisper reached his ears, tugging painfully at his heart— "Why?" Why is everyone lying to her? Author's Note: Alright, we're back to regular updates. I'm on winter break, aiming for six updates daily. The secondary couple's segment concludes here, with a brief parting of the Qingming duo. The secondary couple's line will blend with the main storyline, never written separately again. Look forward to the Qingming pair's reunion! The next chapter resumes the main storyline! Thanks to the little angels for your votes and nutrition fluids! Special thanks to the little angels for the rewards: 2 rockets from Yujun Chushi; 1 rocket from Feng Zi! Thanks to those who donated grenades: 2 from Yujun Chushi; 1 each from You Yi Shuo Yi, Aaron! Thanks to those who supported with mines: 2 from Duan Xiange; 1 each from Jinge, Sui Yuan Bi Hao, Yujun Chushi, Gu, Fan Guo Lai Zou Zou, Pao Hui, La Mian, Jin Jie De Xiao Si'er, Wu Wei Ruo De! Thanks for the nutrition fluids: 40 bottles from Sui Yuan Bi Hao; 34 from Ge Li Fan Hua; 20 from Qing Qing; 10 each from Xiangyuan Xiu, 48813736, Li Luo, Ning Zhen Dou, Sha Wo; 9 from Nickname; 5 each from Xing Xing Bu Xi Huan Ni, Zhu Shuo; 4 from Huang Tingting's Official Girlfriend; 3 each from Chuan Lu, HEY; 1 each from Ju Jingyi's Outer Ring Girlfriend, Hou Fei, Zeng Keni Ben Ren. Thank you for your support! I will continue to work hard!