After the Death Ceremony, I was Entangled by My Two Wives - Chapter 9

Well, I’ve already tested the waters and gotten my answer. Tomorrow, I’ll…

Ying Buran watched Cheng Banxia pat her chest and declare this with such conviction, feeling both touched and puzzled. “Why are you so determined to get us to… you know?”

Cheng Banxia stroked her chin thoughtfully, then shrugged. “It’s obvious you two feel differently about each other. I have no interest in playing matchmaker. And selfishly, I don’t want Senior Sister to keep following the path Master has laid out for her.”

The path Master has laid out? Ying Buran frowned slightly, surprised that cultivation even had a “path.” After all, Zhao Qingxun had always let her cultivate freely.

“What… what kind of path is that?”

At this, Cheng Banxia glanced toward the door before beckoning Ying Buran closer.

Once Ying Buran leaned in, Cheng Banxia whispered, “Did you know that the further a cultivator advances, the harder it becomes? The trials they face grow more severe, and the most difficult of all is the ‘Heart Inquiry.'”

“So, some have devised a way to evade the Heart Inquiry: the Path of Ruthlessness. This path requires abandoning all human emotions and focusing solely on cultivation. It’s the path my Master wants Senior Sister to follow.”

Ying Buran fell silent. If Zhao Qingxun was truly following the Path of Ruthlessness, she shouldn’t be clinging to her. It would be detrimental to Zhao Qingxun’s Dao Path. “Then Qingxun…”

Cheng Banxia’s next words brought a wave of relief to Ying Buran. “She hasn’t chosen that path. Our views align perfectly. As humans, it’s impossible to completely suppress emotions. Moreover, we cultivate to save all living beings. What’s the point of cultivating without compassion or desire? That’s not the purpose of our cultivation.”

Ying Buran nodded, calming down as she recalled Zhao Qingxun’s recent behavior. It was indeed inconsistent with the Path of Ruthlessness. But she remembered Cheng Banxia’s earlier remark about Zhao Qingxun’s emotional detachment. “But you said before?”

“She was indeed emotionally detached before. Although she never wanted to walk this path, Master insisted on guiding her down it, which inevitably influenced her to some extent,” Cheng Banxia explained earnestly. “That’s why I hope you can help Senior Sister pull herself back.”

After her conversation with Luo Wangqing, Zhao Qingxun didn’t immediately return to her quarters. Instead, she went to Dustless Cliff.

Luo Wangqing had noticed that Cheng Banxia knew of Ying Buran’s existence and instructed Zhao Qingxun to keep Ying Buran’s true identity hidden from her.

The truth about the Heavenly Sacrifice must never be revealed. Luo Wangqing made Zhao Qingxun swear to tell no one.

What should I do now? Zhao Qingxun felt lost. Should she reveal the truth, or conceal it until the very end?

The sky gradually darkened as the sun sank behind the mountains. Though the Sect was far from any town, cultivators’ vision was far superior to that of mortals. They could still see the city at the foot of the mountain, its lights twinkling like distant stars.

If the Heavenly Sacrifice failed, Heaven’s Wrath would descend, unleashing plagues that would extinguish those lights forever.

Yet the Heavenly Sacrifice required Ying Buran’s life as the price—an innocent soul.

What should I do…?

“Senior Sister? I knew I’d find you here.” Cheng Banxia’s voice came from behind. Zhao Qingxun turned, instantly masking her confusion with a calm nod.

Zhao Qingxun glanced behind Cheng Banxia, noting she hadn’t brought anyone else. “What do you need?”

Cheng Banxia nodded. “It’s about Junior Sister Ying…”

Zhao Qingxun had been looking distracted, her gaze drifting as if preoccupied. But the moment she heard the words “Junior Sister Ying,” her unfocused eyes snapped into sharp focus on Cheng Banxia.

She’s definitely not ordinary, Cheng Banxia thought to herself, then smiled sweetly and said, “Senior Sister, if someone were to fall in love with Junior Sister Ying, would you…”

She decided to cut straight to the point. Any attempt at subtlety would likely be lost on her senior sister, so directness was the best approach.

However, before she could finish, Zhao Qingxun interrupted her.

“Who?” Zhao Qingxun demanded, turning sharply to face Cheng Banxia.

Cheng Banxia’s eyes darted around mischievously. “Senior Sister, do you not believe in love at first sight?”

Zhao Qingxun glared coldly at her. “Don’t even think about it. Don’t develop any inappropriate feelings for her. I know you don’t mean it that way, so just get to the point.”

“Ahem, I was just testing the waters! I didn’t want to overwhelm you with too much at once,” Cheng Banxia said, waving her hand dismissively, a hint of guilt in her voice. She then locked eyes with Zhao Qingxun and asked, “Senior Sister, what are your feelings for Junior Sister Ying? How do you see her?”

Without hesitation, Zhao Qingxun replied, “She’s my junior sister, of course. What else could she be?”

“Liar! You’ve never been this attentive to me!” Cheng Banxia said, her expression skeptical.

Zhao Qingxun had no intention of delving deeper into the topic. Her gaze drifted evasively to the side as she said bluntly, “Don’t overthink it. Read fewer romance novels. It’s getting late, so I’ll head back now.”

Seeing her about to flee and knowing she wouldn’t get any answers today, Cheng Banxia didn’t press further. After all, she’d already gleaned the information she needed. She’d tell Ying Buran tomorrow.

Zhao Qingxun wasn’t as composed as she appeared. On her way back, she kept replaying Cheng Banxia’s words in her mind.

Knowing her Junior Sister as well as she did, she knew Cheng Banxia wouldn’t have said such things without a reason. Something must have happened with Ying Buran.

Was it because she’d been cooped up in the courtyard lately? Or had Ying Buran shown her something strange?

Even after returning to her courtyard, she couldn’t find an answer.

“You’re back! Dinner’s just ready. Want to eat?” Ying Buran, who was setting the table, turned around cheerfully at the sound of Zhao Qingxun’s voice, waving her over.

Ying Buran wasn’t dwelling on these matters. She was letting things unfold naturally. If Zhao Qingxun reciprocated her feelings, she would pursue them. But if not…

Let’s just maintain our current relationship, she thought. If I get too greedy, I might lose everything.

Zhao Qingxun smiled and waved back at Ying Buran, suppressing her questions deep within her heart to avoid Ying Buran noticing.

After the meal, she took the initiative to ask Ying Buran about her life here.

Ying Buran replied sincerely, “It’s actually pretty good, much better than before. I have a place to live, and I don’t have to worry about where my next meal will come from.”

It’s just a bit boring, she thought. Every day is just cultivation, with nothing else to do. I can’t even go anywhere else, for fear of being captured by those Ghost Clan people.

Despite her words, Zhao Qingxun sensed a hint of loneliness beneath her contentment. “Are you bored here?”

“Not really?” Ying Buran smiled. “After all, you’re here with me.” She was already content with her current life.

Zhao Qingxun fell silent again. The more easily Ying Buran was satisfied, the sharper the pain in her heart became. “Then… would you like to go out and see the world?”

Just once. Just this once. There wasn’t much time left. Let this be my final way of making it up to her.

Ying Buran’s eyes lit up at the mention of going out, but the light quickly dimmed. “Can I? But wouldn’t I get captured if I went out?”

“No, the Ghost Clan has been completely dormant lately,” Zhao Qingxun explained. “Everywhere in the mortal realm is preparing for festivals, and defenses are stronger than ever. It’s safe to go out now.” She added, “Even if there were ghosts, I would protect you. If we miss this chance, we might never get another opportunity to leave.”

Ying Buran remained worried and couldn’t help but ask, “But what about Master…?”

“I’ll persuade Master. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Really? Thank you so much!” Ying Buran was so excited she almost rushed forward to hug Zhao Qingxun, but she stopped herself midway.

Seeing her hesitant and timid demeanor, Zhao Qingxun’s heart ached. She took the initiative and embraced Ying Buran.

“You don’t need to be so cautious around me,” Zhao Qingxun whispered in Ying Buran’s ear, gently patting her back to comfort her. “Don’t bottle up your feelings. You have the right to express them.”

“Look at Cheng Banxia—she never hides anything from me.”

Ying Buran froze for a moment, her eyes suddenly feeling moist and her nose stinging.

It had been so long since anyone had said such words to her. She had only survived the surrounding hostility by being constantly cautious.

Ying Buran returned the embrace, burying her face in Zhao Qingxun’s chest, her head reaching just to her mentor’s heart.

Soon, Zhao Qingxun felt a dampness spreading across her chest.

“…Thank you,” Ying Buran murmured, her voice still muffled.

Zhao Qingxun gently stroked her hair and sighed softly.

If only there were no Heaven’s Wrath…

It took Ying Buran a long while to compose herself. She withdrew from Zhao Qingxun’s embrace, looking slightly embarrassed. “I’m sorry for getting your clothes wet.”

Zhao Qingxun patted her head and smiled. “It’s alright. It’s good to cry sometimes. You’ve been suppressing yourself too much. Letting it out like this is healthy.”

“…Mm, still, thank you,” Ying Buran said, rubbing her nose, still feeling a bit awkward. Then, remembering something, she looked up at Zhao Qingxun and murmured, “Actually, you’re the same. You tell me this, but aren’t you also suppressing yourself?”

Zhao Qingxun fell silent, meeting Ying Buran’s gaze with a smile as she shook her head in acknowledgment. “Yes, I am. I’ll work on changing that. What exactly did Cheng Banxia tell you?”

She immediately noticed Ying Buran stiffen visibly, confirming her suspicions.

Ying Buran coughed twice, looking slightly embarrassed. “Just some personal matters, you know, relationship stuff and questions about my cultivation path.”

“You two…” Zhao Qingxun frowned slightly. Could it be…?

“No, no, nothing like that! We’re not involved at all. I just had some questions and asked her for advice,” Ying Buran said, waving her hands frantically.

Zhao Qingxun sighed in relief, but a strange feeling lingered. After a moment’s thought, she said earnestly, “If it’s about cultivation, you can always ask me too.”

Ying Buran shook her head. “No, it’s about… romantic feelings.” As soon as the words left her lips, a faint blush crept across Zhao Qingxun’s face.

What’s going on? Ying Buran activated her “gaze attack,” her eyes fixed on Zhao Qingxun’s changing expression with a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny.

Zhao Qingxun coughed again, explaining, “Cheng Banxia spoke to me about romantic feelings this evening.”

“And… what did you say?” Ying Buran asked, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation.