Chapter 70: A Cripple in the Light of Immortals

Because the news Yue Buping had previously released was that Yi Jinghong had unfortunately died, Songya Zhenren’s expression was quite heavy.

Not wanting to upset his little disciple, he racked his brains to ask Yue Buping in a more tactful way.

“Ping’er, you’ve been out alone…”

Before Songya Zhenren could finish speaking, he suddenly saw Sang Zhiyi, who had just arrived.

For a long time before this, Songya Zhenren had only a faint impression of Yi Jinghong as a “junior with decent aptitude who is willing to work hard.”

But after the first time Yue Buping brought Yi Jinghong before him, Songya Zhenren truly remembered her.

How could he not remember the person his most beloved little disciple had chosen as his partner?

Naturally, Sang Zhiyi now was quite different from Yi Jinghong back then, especially in temperament, which could be described as like night and day.

But with Songya Zhenren’s sharp eyes, it wasn’t hard to recognize that this slender, graceful woman was Yi Jinghong.

Even though Songya Zhenren had seen great storms, he couldn’t help but be stunned at this moment.

…Where had this person come from?

The cultivation world never lacked secret techniques like returning from the dead or reanimation by possessing a corpse.

But according to Yue Buping’s earlier account, Yi Jinghong had already been completely destroyed, soul and all, and with her mere Golden Core stage cultivation, it was impossible for her to be resurrected.

Moreover, although the Sang Zhiyi before him had a faint spark of life, her cultivation had completely disappeared, and not a single complete meridian could be found.

Yet her soul and physical body were quite intact, completely inconsistent with the news Yue Buping had sent.

Sang Zhiyi was a step behind Yue Buping.

Having rushed over with a physique no different from an ordinary mortal’s, it was certainly not easy.

“Greetings, —” Sang Zhiyi’s eyelids lowered, she hadn’t even stood steadily before she was panting slightly as she bowed to Songya Zhenren.

“Greetings, Real Person!”

Glancing at the respectfully bowing Sang Zhiyi, Yue Buping felt as if he had been transported back to the first time he had brought Yi Jinghong to see Songya Zhenren.

Yi Jinghong had been just like this back then—eyes lowered, not looking directly at Songya Zhenren, bowing in a precise, mechanical way, even her words simply the brief “Greetings, Real Person,” taciturn, not even announcing her own name.

She was still her, Yue Buping thought.

Some things never change.

However, back then, Yi Jinghong had stood straight, even her bow extremely proper, her whole being like an unsheathed sword—tall, straight, and sharp.

But now, Sang Zhiyi was visibly weak from head to toe, even possessing a fragile quality as if she might shatter at any moment.

Like that unsheathed sword had been damaged, melted down, becoming a pool of rust with no edge.

A very faint trace of reluctance and guilt passed through Yue Buping’s heart.

The person who had damaged that sword was him.

But soon, that trace of reluctance and guilt naturally dissipated, after all, it was so insignificant that even Yue Buping himself didn’t have time to feel it.

Yue Buping’s attention was somewhat involuntarily drawn to Sang Zhiyi.

After finishing her bow, Sang Zhiyi was still breathing slightly heavily.

Her originally pale face now had a very obvious flush, and her lowered eyes grew even more moist.

Yue Buping’s gaze shifted down, focusing on Sang Zhiyi’s lips.

They were slightly parted and moving, the pink, moist, glistening color looking quite enticing.

His gaze shifted down further, and Yue Buping saw Sang Zhiyi’s clearly heaving chest, the curve her soft lines traced…

Yue Buping: “…!!”

What was he looking at?!

Startled, Yue Buping quickly averted his gaze and turned to explain to the bewildered Songya Zhenren.

As for exactly how Sang Zhiyi had “returned from the dead,” Yue Buping had already prepared a story back when he decided to bring Sang Zhiyi back, crafting a version that would convince others, especially Songya Zhenren.

“Master,” Yue Buping said, “Jinghong encountered some fortuitous opportunity and turned danger into safety.”

From the time he had become Songya Zhenren’s disciple until now, Yue Buping himself had encountered countless opportunities that had even amazed Songya Zhenren.

As his partner, it wasn’t too surprising that Yi Jinghong had also encountered some unimaginable fortune.

As Yue Buping had expected, this explanation was quickly accepted by Songya Zhenren.

The elder stroked his long beard, looking at the neat young couple before him with loving eyes.

Songya Zhenren spoke, his tone very kind.

“Jinghong, ah…”

But before Songya Zhenren could say anything, Sang Zhiyi suddenly dropped to her knees with a “thud.”

“Jinghong begs the Real Person,” Sang Zhiyi said, word by word, “to seek justice for me!”

Compared to her earlier bow when greeting, Sang Zhiyi’s words now were much louder, resounding like thunder, and she emphasized every syllable heavily, as if each character was filled with thick grievance and unwillingness.

Yue Buping’s brow twitched.

“…?!”

He whipped his head around, staring at Sang Zhiyi with a hint of ferocity.

What did she mean by asking Songya Zhenren to seek justice for her?!

Was Sang Zhiyi planning to accuse him in front of Songya Zhenren?!

In an instant, all the clues that had felt off before suddenly connected in Yue Buping’s mind.

So this was why Sang Zhiyi had been acting so obediently and docilely toward him, so unlike her usual self.

So this was why she had schemed to lure him over and bring her back to the Tianhuan Sect.

She had been playing this angel all along!

Facing Songya Zhenren, he was at a disadvantage in every way!

Not to mention the disparity in cultivation between his Nascent Soul stage and the Tribulation stage, Songya Zhenren was also someone he still needed to flatter and rely on.

In Songya Zhenren’s eyes, he had always been an understanding and filial disciple, and he simply couldn’t oppose him.

Sang Zhiyi had endured all the way just for this moment, to stand before Songya Zhenren and expose what he had done to her!

Given Songya Zhenren’s character, he would certainly immediately verify the truth of Sang Zhiyi’s words.

Once he discovered it was true, Songya Zhenren would undoubtedly be extremely disappointed in him.

Yue Buping could easily imagine how harshly Songya Zhenren would order him to reflect and to grovel in apology to Sang Zhiyi.

Thinking this, Yue Buping ground his molars, a trace of self-mockery and resentment flashing in his eyes.

He had spent so many years currying favor with Songya Zhenren, and in the end, the old man was still like this!

At this moment, Yue Buping’s emotions were almost impossible to conceal.

He glared viciously at Sang Zhiyi, a flicker of spiritual energy light appearing in his right hand.

He was ready to draw his sword at any moment and kill this woman!

Feeling the burning, fierce gaze from above and beside her, Sang Zhiyi remained completely unmoved.

She simply continued kneeling properly and continued speaking, each word deliberate.

“I beg the Real Person to send me back to the Yi family!”

The moment her words landed, the spiritual energy that had been gathering to form his lifebound sword froze in Yue Buping’s palm.

Yue Buping: “…???”

What had he heard?

What exactly was Sang Zhiyi trying to do?!

Not hearing the words he had anticipated, Yue Buping’s mind even briefly went blank, unable to process the information in Sang Zhiyi’s words.

Songya Zhenren also looked completely bewildered.

When Sang Zhiyi had knelt before him without hesitation, his heart had indeed skipped a beat with an unpleasant premonition.

Given Jinghong’s upright nature, to beg him like this, it must be no small matter!

Although most of his attention was on Sang Zhiyi, given Songya Zhenren’s cultivation and spiritual perception, how could he not sense that Yue Buping was acting off?

But Songya Zhenren had always been used to trusting Yue Buping, so he hadn’t noticed that Yue Buping had already been ready to act, nor did he think in too dark a direction.

He simply guessed that the young couple might have had some argument.

As for how to handle the marital problems of his juniors, Songya Zhenren had no experience.

He himself was devoted to the Dao, with no romantic history, and among his juniors, only Yue Buping was the one he cherished so dearly; he didn’t know what to do.

And yet, Sang Zhiyi was begging him to send her back to the Yi family?

Songya Zhenren was baffled.

The Yi family was his own family; his original surname was Yi.

Yi Jinghong was originally a member of the Yi family.

What was so special about returning to her family that she needed to beg him so solemnly?

It was at this moment that Sang Zhiyi slightly raised her head and softened her voice to explain.

“Real Person, before our wedding ceremony, Jinghong had already been away from the Yi family for some years.”

“Now, all my meridians are severed, and I am no longer destined for the great Dao.”

“I only wish for a place of peace to live out my remaining days.”

Once again, Sang Zhiyi repeated her plea.

“I beg the Real Person to grant me the grace to return to the Yi family… safely and securely.”

When her words landed, all three fell silent, and the surroundings grew still.

The residual spiritual energy in Yue Buping’s palm had now completely dissipated without a trace.

He finally understood what Sang Zhiyi was trying to do.

This woman was not planning to rebel against him in front of Songya Zhenren.

She was still completely consistent with her attitude ever since they had returned from the far north—seeking more security for her future life.

Back when he was trying to win over Yi Jinghong, Yue Buping had done his homework and knew she had never been well-liked in the Yi family.

She had been partly forced, partly resolute in leaving the Yi family for decades, carving her own path alone.

And now, Sang Zhiyi needed to find a place of refuge for herself.

The Yi family was the best choice.

The reason she begged Songya Zhenren’s grace was that Sang Zhiyi simply had no way to survive alone in the Yi family as a mortal with destroyed meridians.

With Songya Zhenren’s protection, it was like getting a golden life-saving talisman in the Yi family.

The entire Yi family relied on their ancestor, Songya Zhenren, and naturally wouldn’t dare to harm Sang Zhiyi.

Moreover… Yue Buping glanced at Sang Zhiyi again.

Her words actually contained some implied information.

Why had she left the Yi family?

And why did she specifically emphasize returning “safely and securely”?

Of course, it was because there were enemies in the Yi family, people who would kick her while she was down and harm her.

Sang Zhiyi was indirectly asking Songya Zhenren to help her overcome the disasters that would surely come after she returned to the Yi family.

Yue Buping finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yi Jinghong had indeed changed quite a bit, but actually, not that much.

She was still the same as when they had met in the ice prison—more cautious, yes, but still the straightforward, unsmiling sword cultivator who said what she meant and didn’t play games.

Just as Sang Zhiyi had said: the victor is king, the loser is outlaw.

She accepted it.

Admitting defeat was something ordinary people often found shameful, but not Sang Zhiyi.

She had knelt openly and solemnly before Songya Zhenren, acknowledging that she had been defeated by Yue Buping.

She was now willing to live under another’s roof in the Yi family—a place controllable by both Songya Zhenren and Yue Buping—demonstrating her obedience.

She did plainly and simply what she believed a loser should do.

Otherwise, why would she have made such a big scene just to beg for Songya Zhenren’s protection?

Songya Zhenren stroked his long beard and sighed softly.

He understood what Sang Zhiyi meant.

Unlike Yue Buping, who knew Yi Jinghong well, Songya Zhenren had a very limited impression of her.

Although he felt that Sang Zhiyi was not quite the same as the Yi Jinghong he remembered, he didn’t dwell on it.

He was just a bit regretful that this once-famous, outstanding junior now had to beg him for such a small matter.

“Jinghong,” Songya Zhenren gestured to Sang Zhiyi, “come here, come to me.”

He needed to take another careful look to see if Sang Zhiyi’s meridians could still be saved.

Sang Zhiyi smoothly stood up and obediently let Songya Zhenren hold her right wrist, using his spiritual energy to carefully examine her injuries.

After the examination, Songya Zhenren’s expression darkened further.

Even with his Tribulation stage cultivation, facing Sang Zhiyi’s battered meridians, he was completely helpless.

Even the method of reforming her physical body was impossible, because Sang Zhiyi’s soul was also unstable.

If he tried to reshape her body and transfer her soul, the odds were nine out of ten that she would be completely destroyed, soul and all.

Better to stay in this broken shell; at least she could survive a bit longer.

Yue Buping had also completely adjusted his emotions, returning to the familiar person Songya Zhenren knew.

He proactively expressed his guilt toward Sang Zhiyi and his joy that she was still alive.

Sang Zhiyi’s acting was certainly no worse than Yue Buping’s.

She didn’t say a word, but occasionally when she looked back at Yue Buping, the faint tenderness and trust were flawless.

Seeing the young couple so deeply in love, Songya Zhenren couldn’t help but feel somewhat gratified as an elder.

In the end, Songya Zhenren naturally granted Sang Zhiyi’s request.

He specifically ordered that all those in the Yi family who were hostile to Yi Jinghong be dealt with.

He personally brought Sang Zhiyi back to the Yi family and declared before the entire clan that Sang Zhiyi was his recognized disciple’s wife, specifically instructing the current head of the Yi family to take good care of her.

Sang Zhiyi knew that previously, not a single person in the entire Yi family had any goodwill toward Yi Jinghong; at best, they were indifferent.

But there were always those who insisted on harboring malicious intentions.

Dealing with them now would be troublesome for her.

It was better to borrow the power of their ancestor, Songya Zhenren.

With Songya Zhenren’s intervention, the effect was immediate.

In places Sang Zhiyi couldn’t even see, those troubles had already silently disappeared.

Sang Zhiyi lowered her eyelids silently.

That was at least some revenge for Yi Jinghong.

The head of the Yi family respectfully saw Songya Zhenren off.

He immediately busied himself arranging Sang Zhiyi’s residence, gifting her resources, and following Songya Zhenren’s orders, he freely gave her all sorts of heavenly treasures from the family treasury that could nourish meridians and strengthen the foundation.

To maintain his persona, Yue Buping accompanied Sang Zhiyi throughout.

The head of the Yi family, being perceptive, demonstrated his attitude and then quickly took his leave, giving the couple some privacy.

The courtyard arranged for Sang Zhiyi was spacious and quiet.

Now, with only Sang Zhiyi and Yue Buping present, many things could be said openly.

From the moment she arrived at the Yi family until now, Sang Zhiyi had been completely quiet, not saying a word.

She let Songya Zhenren, the head of the Yi family, and even Yue Buping, who occasionally spoke, make the arrangements.

She was so obedient that Yue Buping felt a hint of pity.

He casually cleared his throat and spoke first.

“Actually… you could have asked me for these things, too.”

As Songya Zhenren’s most beloved and valued disciple, Yue Buping’s actual authority in the Yi family was, in some ways, even greater than the family head’s.

Hearing this, Sang Zhiyi gently shook her head.

“Having you bring me back to the Tianhuan Sect was already troublesome enough.

I can’t keep imposing on you like this.”

“Besides, my previous ‘disappearance’ needed to be explained to the Real Person.”

Sang Zhiyi glanced at Yue Buping, a shallow smile in her eyes.

“It also conveniently demonstrates your deeply devoted image to the Real Person—multiple benefits in one go.”

Hearing the words “deeply devoted” from Sang Zhiyi’s mouth, Yue Buping’s gaze involuntarily drifted for a moment, feeling somewhat guilty.

“Don’t worry,” Sang Zhiyi withdrew her gaze and looked straight ahead at the pond.

“I won’t cause you too much extra trouble.

When you need me to help build your reputation, I will cooperate promptly.”

The tone in which Sang Zhiyi said this could be described as cold.

But it was actually closer to the version in Yue Buping’s memory.

Concise, to the point, and she would always do what she said.

***

Facts proved that Sang Zhiyi’s performance had been remarkably effective.

Yue Buping finally had some preliminary trust in her.

After observing her overtly and covertly for a month or two and finding nothing to worry about, he relaxed.

With his “Baixiao Kuimi” system, the most efficient way for Yue Buping to cultivate was naturally to travel around, seeking opportunities across the Lingyun Continent.

Staying in the Yi family or the Tianhuan Sect was just a waste of time for him, so he would certainly leave.

But before leaving, he didn’t forget to secretly place a restraint on Sang Zhiyi, and also put a parasitic insect in her as a double safeguard, ensuring she would have no other ideas.

The moment Yue Buping applied these two small measures, System Sir alerted Sang Zhiyi.

Feeling as if something had touched her damaged meridians—very, very faintly—Sang Zhiyi made no move at all.

In fact, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of her eyes.

This beast of a male lead really did rely on these crooked means.

The restraint was not from the same system as the ice prison formation, but in Sang Zhiyi’s eyes, once you understood one, you understood them all.

It wouldn’t take much effort to undo it.

As for the parasitic insect, it served the exact same function as the restraint: to monitor her remotely.

If she ever did anything detrimental to Yue Buping, both measures would activate simultaneously, killing her instantly.

But she hadn’t yet squeezed enough value out of Yue Buping.

To strike at him so early would be letting the beast off too easily.

Sang Zhiyi acted as if she had noticed nothing, letting Yue Buping use these small tricks.

Yue Buping was truly confident.

He had only slightly restricted her speech and behavior.

It hadn’t even occurred to him to monitor whether her meridians might recover.

Well, it made sense.

Even Songya Zhenren couldn’t help her injuries, so what did Yue Buping have to worry about?

Taking small sips of the medicinal broth specially prepared for her by the Yi family’s high-grade alchemist, Sang Zhiyi felt relaxed.

Yue Buping could never imagine that she had a way to repair her meridians.

***

While Yue Buping wasn’t around, Sang Zhiyi executed her plan methodically.

Her efforts to maintain Yue Buping’s image as a devoted partner naturally also brought her benefits.

For instance, now the entire Yi family and the Tianhuan Sect knew she was Yue Buping’s beloved.

Even though she had become a cripple, he had not abandoned her.

Thus, all the permissions Yue Buping had within the Yi family and the Tianhuan Sect, Sang Zhiyi could naturally share.

Whether it was exchanging, collecting, and using various heavenly treasures, or accessing and borrowing books from the various libraries, everything was very convenient.

Especially the Tianhuan Sect, truly worthy of the number one immortal sect.

Its abundant resources saved Sang Zhiyi a tremendous amount of effort.

With her exceptional intelligence and extraordinary mental strength, Sang Zhiyi’s efficiency in learning this knowledge was so high it would shock the entire Lingyun Continent.

But who would pay attention to whether a cripple like her was learning anything?

Ten years was but a flick of the fingers for cultivators.

Yet Sang Zhiyi, in this short time, had gone from a newcomer who barely understood this world to being self-taught as a master of formations, alchemy, and magical techniques.

What had originally been only a directional plan was gradually refined down to every last detail.

After all, Yue Buping’s entire cultivation was thanks to Yi Jinghong’s sacrifice and contribution.

So she might as well just take that cultivation back from that beast.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

We Transmigrated Together, So Why Are YOU The Only Guy Left?

dominant MLFantasy RomanceFriendsToLovers

Read Now →
Not interested