Chapter 43 Part 1
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This chapter is edited by Farouq Omileye. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 43: An Lan and Little Bai Lian (1)
To be honest, when An Lan arrived at the crooked-neck tree, she was genuinely moved.
One person.
One tree.
Four hundred years of unwavering loyalty.
Good!
Lately, An Lan, who had grown unexpectedly sentimental, even let out a quiet sigh.
Everyone, it seems, is struggling in their own way.
In the long journey of life, having a “brother” like this tree looking after Yan Yue was something to be envied.
If only she had…
Eh?
An Lan scratched her head.
There it was again!
A flicker of light seemed to shine through her soul, fleeting and intangible. When she tried to grasp it, she found only emptiness.
“…”
She grew increasingly certain that something important had slipped from her memory. It had to be connected to her soul’s partial destruction by her foe’s Taiyi Divine Wheel.
And yet, even with missing pieces, her memories still felt seamless. The events of her past lined up as if nothing was ever lost.
Was that logical?
Not at all!
“Perhaps this isn’t just simple amnesia.”
Could it be… deeper? Were some of her memories fabricated?
An Lan’s mind swirled with confusion.
But she didn’t linger on it for long. A sound from inside the house shook her from her thoughts—low, muffled sobs.
It was Yan Yue.
Through her tears, Yan Yue’s voice trembled:
“I treat her as my sister and my mother.”
Bang!
The words struck An Lan’s heart like a silver bullet.
Memories surged forth: the image of Gong Xuexin, the person who had set up the stone tablet for her, and Jue Yunzi’s words that still echoed in her mind.
She thought of her centuries-long “struggle” with Yan Yue.
“Go ahead,” An Lan muttered under her breath, her tone both resigned and indulgent. “Who made you so unlucky anyway?”
She decided to forgive Yan Yue.
For now.
After all, Yan Yue had only rubbed Bai Lian’s chest—nothing further.
As the Immortal Heavenly Lord, An Lan had to remain magnanimous.
Seniors, after all, should look out for their juniors!
Of course, in the past, her reaction would’ve been entirely different. But since wandering aimlessly with Bai Lian during the lantern festival last New Year’s Eve, she’d begun to savor the quieter pleasures of life.
Not that she’d ever admit it.
Even now, whenever she saw fireworks streaking across the sky, she was reminded of that night. Bai Lian had held her hand, guiding her as they played with the fireworks together.
The air had carried a faint, acrid smell.
Electric sparks scattered like fiery trees, weaving momentary waves of joy.
And in the fleeting brightness of those bursts, An Lan had found a happiness she wanted to experience again.
That feeling was… wonderful!
An Lan squinted, a rare smile gracing her face.
Still, she’d never ask Bai Lian to do it again.
What for?
If Bai Lian knew how much she cherished those moments, she’d think An Lan was needy and insatiable.
Joke’s on her!
An Lan wasn’t that kind of woman.
Even if Bai Lian invited her again, she’d refuse. Twice, at least, before reluctantly agreeing—just to maintain her Heavenly Lord dignity, of course.
But all of these musings vanished the moment she heard Yan Yue’s voice:
“Will you raise me then?”
It wasn’t a pathetic plea. It was shy, playful, and tinged with something… inexplicable.
“…”
An Lan’s head shot up sharply, her figure vanishing like a ghost before reappearing outside Bai Lian’s window.
Peering inside, what she saw nearly made her explode on the spot.
Yan Yue, sitting across from Bai Lian, had leaned forward, lowering herself onto the floor. Her upper body rested against Bai Lian’s embrace, her posture reminiscent of a hungry baby seeking warmth and comfort.
You, you, you…
Shameless!
Fuck you!
For the first time, An Lan cursed furiously in her heart.
She glared at Yan Yue, her eyes seething with indignation.
She had been wrong to show Yan Yue lenience. This silly woman would only take advantage of every opportunity she got! Clearly, Yan Yue needed constant pressure to keep her in line.
Yan Yue swallowed nervously.
It’s over!
She didn’t expect An Lan to show up—again—at just the wrong time.
Is this woman a demon?
Why does she always appear at the most critical moments?!
Before Bai Lian could turn around and assess the situation, An Lan leapt gracefully through the window.
Fast and fierce, like an enraged kitten, she left only a fleeting blur in her wake.
Then…
Pah!
A ruler struck Yan Yue’s bottom, rippling up like waves on a pond.
That… was incredible!
Bai Lian froze.
Even Yan Yue, who had been bracing herself to fight back, was stunned.
It didn’t hurt.
But the sheer audacity was terrifying!
An Lan loomed over Yan Yue like a Black-Faced Demon God, gripping her ear tightly.
“Are you doing enough to live up to your father’s expectations? Or the Duxian Sect’s efforts to cultivate you?”
Pah pah!
Two more strikes landed on Yan Yue’s bottom.
They didn’t hurt either.
But tears welled up in Yan Yue’s eyes all the same.
An Lan’s glare was sharp enough to cut steel.
“Reputation is everything for a great family. If news of this behavior spreads…”
Yan Yue, sulking, muttered under her breath, “I’m not from a great family. I’m the only one left in mine.”
Indeed, the Yan family now consisted of only Yan Yue.
She continued defiantly, “Besides, my family never cared about reputation. My ancestors wouldn’t mind what I do.”
How dare you argue with me!
Fine. Let’s make it two more!
An Lan raised the ruler again, but this time her voice softened slightly.
“Even if you don’t think of yourself, think of Bai Lian.”
Yan Yue lowered her head.
She was right.
Even if her own dignity didn’t matter, she didn’t want her actions to bring trouble to Bai Lian.
Bai Lian wasn’t just another disciple of the Duxian Sect. To Yan Yue, Bai Lian was the one who had guided her out of her darkest moments.
Bai Lian was her light.
Her superhero.
The thought of Bai Lian disliking her for being too careless was unbearable.
Yan Yue blinked, her tears drying.
She understood now.
