Chapter 42

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Chapter 42: Waiting for a Decision

At the Chang Ming Courtyard on Qingyun Peak of the Liu Yun Sect.

“Recently, various sects pressured us, and I thank Sister Qin for your protection,” Ming He said earnestly, looking at Qin Chu Yi with gratitude.

If Qin Chu Yi hadn’t been so firm, there likely would have been many troubles ahead.

She knew Qin Chu Yi would protect her, but she hadn’t expected her to be so resolute.

“There’s no need for thanks,” Qin Chu Yi replied lightly. “Even if I didn’t act, Yun Zhao Feng wouldn’t just stand by.”

Ming He nodded in agreement. Yun Zhao Feng was indeed prideful and looked down on her, but Liu Yun Sect disciples were known to protect their own, so as her senior brother, he wouldn’t let her be taken away by the Qing Shan Sect or the loose cultivators alliance.

However, Yun Zhao Feng couldn’t defeat that middle-aged cultivator from the loose cultivators alliance.

“If he can’t, you still have a Master,” Qin Chu Yi said softly, sensing her thoughts. She was reminding Ming He that she had support behind her.

“And I’m also here.”

She was her support too.

Ming He’s heart jolted as she processed Qin Chu Yi’s words—did that mean she was also her support?

Was it because she had promised to help her retrieve the spiritual artifact she wanted? If not, why would Qin Chu Yi protect her?

The lofty Young Master from the noble clan wouldn’t care for others’ safety or well-being.

Ming He lowered her gaze in silence as she awaited Qin Chu Yi’s next words.

Qin Chu Yi noticed her silence but didn’t mind; she had saved her life many times, so protecting her once was only natural.

“Did you get the Star Lock?” Qin Chu Yi asked, her voice trembling with anticipation. She already sensed the presence of the Star Lock from Ming He, but she wanted confirmation.

Duan Wu stood at the courtyard gate, his gaze filled with the same nervousness and hope. He had followed the Young Master since childhood and understood better than anyone the hope the Star Lock represented for him.

“I got it,” Ming He said, her eyes flickering with heaviness as she met Qin Chu Yi’s hopeful gaze. She stood up, silently recalling the feeling of summoning the Star Lock before, closing her eyes and whispering its name. In an instant, the light radiated, illuminating both her and Qin Chu Yi.

Nineteen had said that the Star Lock was of great importance and couldn’t be revealed to others, but Qin Chu Yi was not just anybody. She had saved her life—she should be considered… a friend?

Moreover, Qin Chu Yi had come for the Star Lock and knew more about it than Ming He did, so it was impossible to hide it from her.

As Ming He thought this, she slowly opened her eyes under Qin Chu Yi’s shocked and incredulous gaze, accompanied by the brilliance of the spiritual artifact. Her voice was deep and clear, tinged with a hint of discomfort, “But it has recognized me as its master.”

Qin Chu Yi wanted the Star Lock, yet it had chosen her as its master.

What should she do now? Ming He didn’t know.

As a spiritual artifact, there could only be one master.

The Star Lock, a spiritual artifact from the ancient cave dwelling, was the mysterious artifact spoken of by Nineteen, one that could bring her great peril if its existence were known. Naturally, it could only have one master.

Now that master was her, and for Qin Chu Yi to obtain the Star Lock, there was only one way.

That was to kill her.

If she was dead, the master chosen by the Star Lock would no longer exist, and only then could it choose another.

This was also the reason Mu Xuan Ye had gone to such lengths to lure her into the cave dwelling, wanting to put her in a life-threatening situation.

So, what would Qin Chu Yi do? Would she kill her?

Ming He allowed the starlight to envelop her as she stored the Star Lock, watching it transform into a stream of light that vanished into her chest. She stood casually, yet with an underlying sense of caution, her eyes fixed on Qin Chu Yi. The woman in white, as pure as snow, wore a complex and profound expression. She too was watching Ming He, her eyes reflecting a mix of decision and contemplation.

Qin Chu Yi must be considering whether to kill her to seize the Star Lock, Ming He secretly surmised.

“Young Master,” Duan Wu called out to Qin Chu Yi, his gaze conveying an unspoken message. Ming He’s status had shifted in his eyes; he was grateful for her aid during the life-and-death situation for their Young Master and her subsequent actions. Yet, Qin Chu Yi would always remain paramount.

She was the Young Master, the future of the Qin Clan, his master. Thus, if their interests clashed, he would act without hesitation at her command.

Ming He was no match for him, and no one within the Liu Yun Sect could stop him.

Perhaps the Sect Master could, but he was not present at that moment.

Killing someone and seizing their treasure before fleeing—what could others do about it?

“Has the Star Lock recognized you as its master?” Qin Chu Yi asked Ming He, disregarding Duan Wu. Her expression was dazed, her eyes clouded with uncertainty.

“Yes,” Ming He replied calmly, her gaze steady. Qin Chu Yi possessed an exquisite face, breathtakingly beautiful. Even with her brows furrowed and lips pressed into a cold line, she was stunning—like the untouchable Tianshan Snow Lotus, distant and aloof.

Yet, she was frowning.

Was it because she hesitated? Was she torn over whether to act against her? To kill her?

Qin Chu Yi was actually hesitating.

Ming He felt a flicker of surprise, though it was not entirely unexpected. Had this been one of their earlier encounters, and Ming He had claimed the Star Lock recognized her as its master, Qin Chu Yi would likely have acted without hesitation to end her life.

Something had indeed changed.

She and Qin Chu Yi were no longer strangers, no longer indifferent to one another. She had saved her, and now Qin Chu Yi was protecting her. At this moment, Qin Chu Yi was weighing how to handle her, while Ming He waited for her decision.

If Qin Chu Yi chose to kill her, Ming He was not without options.

Even if her Master and the Liu Yun Sect refused to stand by her or were unable to stop Qin Chu Yi, she still had the Sword Breaking Talisman.

Nineteen had given her the Sword Breaking Talisman, capable of killing with a single explosion.

Qin Chu Yi had not yet reached the level of controlling the wind, nor had Duan Wu. Elder Lin was likely not present.

Using the Sword Breaking Talisman to kill Qin Chu Yi and Duan Wu, then fleeing the Liu Yun Sect immediately—with the Spirit Gathering Stone and Breath Control Technique, she might still carve out a path to survival.

Mu Xuan Ye could see through the Spirit Gathering Stone and Breath Control Technique because her cultivation was nearly at the pinnacle of this continent. But there were only a handful at such heights; not everyone was the same.

Even if the Qin Clan’s cultivators eventually found her, at least she wouldn’t be the only one to die.

She didn’t like the thought of being alone.

Ming He’s gaze remained cold and steady on Qin Chu Yi, waiting for her decision. It was a pivotal moment, one that would determine the fate of all of them and shape their futures.

Perhaps it would also define her relationship with Qin Chu Yi.

“Ha!” Qin Chu Yi let out a laugh, its meaning unclear—whether it was directed at Ming He, herself, or perhaps the world itself.

“Rest assured, I won’t kill you,” Qin Chu Yi said. As the Young Master of a noble clan, she had encountered countless individuals and easily deduced Ming He’s thoughts in that moment.

She didn’t know what means Ming He possessed to ensure her safety or even threaten her in return. Deep down, she doubted Ming He could escape if she chose to act against her.

But she wouldn’t kill her.

She couldn’t.

It wasn’t a matter of sentiment. Qin Chu Yi had always been cold-hearted and detached. To her, Ming He was merely a disciple of the Liu Yun Sect, albeit an extraordinary genius whose innate talent had compelled an ancient spiritual artifact to recognize her as its master.

To Qin Chu Yi, it made little difference—she was simply a bit more vibrant than the rest.

She did not kill her because her heart forbade it.

For cultivators, striving against fate is also a journey of refining the soul.

If one’s heart is not at peace, what does it matter if the cold poison is cured? If her cultivation does not advance, she still lacks the qualification to step onto the battlefield of the heavens.

Qin Chu Yi raised her hand, signaling Duan Wu to return to his original position. Catching Ming He’s inquisitive and startled gaze, she couldn’t help but laugh, her laughter clear yet tinged with an indescribable sorrow, making Ming He feel that Qin Chu Yi was profoundly isolated and cold at that moment.

She should not have been this way.

Ming He couldn’t express her feelings; she merely felt a pang of discomfort.

She had promised Qin Chu Yi to help her secure the Star Lock, and she would exert every effort to fulfill that promise.

She seldom made promises to others, believing that a promise made must be honored; otherwise, how was she any different from those who break their word?

Yet, in the end, she failed, as the Star Lock chose her as its master.

Qin Chu Yi continued to laugh.

The sorrow in her laughter grew more intense, as if it were releasing the deep-seated chill within her bones. The spring breeze lifted her dark hair, which brushed against her profile. She was as beautiful as a painting yet as cold as ice, a chill that seeped into the bones.

“Why doesn’t Sister Qin kill me?” Ming He interrupted her laughter, meeting her gaze and speaking softly. “Is it because you cannot, or because you do not wish to? Or is it against your will?”

“What does the Star Lock mean to Sister Qin? Is there truly no other way?” Besides killing her.

“I do not kill you; it has nothing to do with you.” Qin Chu Yi tried to suppress her smile, attempting to regain her initial aloofness. She pressed her red lips together but failed, so she decided not to force herself.

Allowing her emotions to surface, she looked at Ming He and said deliberately, “The Star Lock represents hope for me, a chance at survival. It is the only thing in this world that offers me the opportunity to fight on the battlefield of the heavens against the other races, and it is of paramount importance to me.”

“Ming He, do you know what the battlefield of the heavens is?” Qin Chu Yi’s expression shifted as she gazed at Ming He, her voice clear and resolute, laden with myriad emotions. She was giving Ming He a rare glimpse into her true self.

It seemed she was asking Ming He, yet also questioning herself.

Before Ming He could respond, before she could even grasp the significance of the battlefield of the heavens within the vast narrative, Qin Chu Yi had already provided the answer herself.

Ming He watched her step closer, standing directly in front of her. The scent of rosewood and a cool, ethereal aura enveloped her, drifting into Ming He’s nostrils.

She sniffed and looked up, seeing Qin Chu Yi’s elongated phoenix eyes and delicate features so close that even the beauty mark behind her ear was clearly visible. Ming He had never been this close to anyone before.

Qin Chu Yi leaned in and spoke slowly, her cold and clear aura wrapping around Ming He. At that moment, Ming He felt somewhat disoriented, her heart racing with tumultuous emotions.

Amidst her swirling feelings, she heard Qin Chu Yi softly say, “It is the pride of the human race, but also its shame.”

Ming He detected the coldness in her voice, mixed with a hint of confusion, like the murmurs of someone slightly intoxicated. Beneath her usual icy exterior lay a subtle fragility and helplessness, concealing depths that Ming He could not yet comprehend. “That is my pride and my shame as well.”

After uttering this with a smile, she stepped back from Ming He, continuing to laugh, “There are no other options. I don’t even know what else could be done.”

“Perhaps, the Star Lock was never meant to be mine. The ancestor said my sliver of hope and lifeline lie in the ninth prefecture of the Eastern Region, in Liu Yun Sect, but I cannot find it or see it.”

Qin Chu Yi swayed as she approached Ming He, then stepped away, pacing back and forth within the space around Ming He. Ming He watched her fall into silence.

She did not fully understand, but the significance of the Star Lock to Qin Chu Yi was unmistakable, perhaps even more vital than her own life.

Yet, she still chose not to kill her.

It was because they knew each other.

If they did not know each other, Qin Chu Yi would not be so conflicted.

Ming He glanced up at the drifting clouds in the sky; they seemed to flow endlessly forward, ever moving. The blazing sun remained bright, warming her skin, yet Ming He felt a chill.

The Star Lock.

Is there truly no other way? Is there really no solution?

As she pondered, her gaze fell upon Qin Chu Yi. From the corner of her eye, she noticed something trip Qin Chu Yi, causing her to fall straight towards the ground. Startled, Ming He rushed forward, catching her in her arms, feeling the warmth that was so close at hand. Her body felt much warmer than it appeared.

Embracing that warmth, Ming He thought there must be a way.

Nineteen had said to follow one’s heart; she believed that there is always a way out. In the original story, Qin Chu Yi had survived all challenges until she was saved by the Dragon Hero, living together with his father. Was it because she had obtained the Star Lock?

But with Mu Xuan Ye present, in the original story, Su Cheng Feng had never learned the Flickering Light. Would the Star Lock still recognize Qin Chu Yi as its master?

Ming He couldn’t understand, and there was no time to figure it out now. She just felt that since Qin Chu Yi was the mother of the Dragon Hero, she would surely receive the favor of fate, so there must be hope.

“Senior Sister, there will be a way,” Ming He said softly as she held her. She had unknowingly learned to comfort someone without a teacher. “Let’s think of another way, alright?”

Do not give up so quickly, do not despair so soon.

Duan Wu silently watched the two embrace for a moment before stepping back to look at them from the courtyard gate.

Perhaps Ming He was different for the Young Master. He had never revealed his emotions like this in front of others before; Ming He was the first.

Duan Wu wondered if maybe, just maybe, the Young Master’s hope and lifeline were not in the Star Lock, but in Ming He?

He stared at the gentle girl in blue clothes, thinking that it was absurd, so he turned his gaze away, pushing those thoughts aside.

What Duan Wu did not know was that he was only a step away from the answer.

Qin Chu Yi was unaware of her subordinate’s thoughts. As she listened to Ming He’s voice, which was much softer than usual, her heart trembled, feeling strangely… cared for.

“Let’s think of another way, alright?” Ming He’s voice sounded again in her ear, gentle and soft, a warmth Qin Chu Yi had never seen before.

So her sword could cut through the skies, and her voice could be gentle like the Deep Sea.

Qin Chu Yi thought distractedly, her next realization hitting her as she felt warmth at her waist and suddenly realized Ming He had wrapped her arms around her.

She held her like one would soothe a child.

This realization made Qin Chu Yi’s face heat up, and some of her earlier despair faded. She stood up straight, trying to maintain her composure while inadvertently meeting Ming He’s concerned gaze, causing her heartbeat to flutter.

Clearing her throat, Qin Chu Yi looked at Ming He’s clear phoenix eyes reflecting the scenery around them. After a brief silence, she opened her mouth, intending to say, “Alright, let’s think of another solution.”

After all, there wasn’t much they could do right now, and she did not want to kill her.

“Thud!”

Just before Qin Chu Yi could speak, a shadow fell from the sky, landing beside Qin Chu Yi and Ming He. It was a powerful and familiar presence—Elder Lin, who had set up the formation to forcibly draw out the ancient cave dwelling, was now in front of them.

“Young Master.” Elder Lin appeared not knowing from where, still faintly carrying the chilling scent of blood. He looked at the atmosphere between Qin Chu Yi and Ming He and felt out of place. “Did you manage to obtain the Star Lock?”

He had hurried from the southwest of the Eastern Region, clearing out some other races along the way, which explained the faint remnants of bloodshed surrounding him.

“Sort of, but not really,” Qin Chu Yi replied quietly, feeling down but much better than before. She met Elder Lin’s puzzled gaze and added, “The Star Lock recognizes Ming He as its master now.”

“Recognizes Ming He?” Elder Lin repeated incredulously. After receiving a nod from Qin Chu Yi, he still could not hide his surprise. That was an ancient spiritual artifact!

An ancient spiritual artifact recognizing a cultivator at the Spirit Guiding stage as its master!

What kind of genius was this? Could it be that Ming He’s talent surpassed that of the Young Master and the Long Gongzi? But how could that be possible?

Elder Lin was astonished but quickly realized that now was not the time for surprises. No wonder there had been such a strange atmosphere when he arrived.

The Star Lock could not recognize two masters at once; for the Young Master to have the Star Lock, he would have to kill Ming He.

But Ming He was still standing there.

With far more experience than anyone else present, Elder Lin grasped the situation almost instantly—The Young Master did not wish to kill Ming He.

So, was there still another way?

Elder Lin looked into the hope lingering in the Young Master’s eyes and felt a pang of compassion. Just when her gaze was about to dim, he suddenly remembered reading something about the Star Lock in an ancient book long ago—there was indeed another way!

Though it would be the first time he had mentioned it, the method was recorded in the ancient texts and could not be false.

“Young Master, Miss Ming He, even if the Star Lock has recognized a master, it is not without means to serve Young Master,” he carefully began.

“There is a method I read in an ancient book. Though the process is a bit complicated, it should still allow Young Master to fulfill his wishes.”

Ming He felt a spark of hope reignite in Qin Chu Yi’s dark eyes and instinctively asked, “What method?” She turned to Elder Lin, her eyes glancing toward Qin Chu Yi.

Elder Lin looked at them both and spoke word by word, “Establish a contract!”