Chapter 8: Perseverance

To fight or not to fight? For Chu Yun, that was indeed a choice. Even with her astonishing strength, she would choose not to fight. All she desired was freedom; as for everything else, she cared not at all. At this moment, she realized that her only wish in this life would likely never be fulfilled, and she felt a sudden sense of listlessness, as if she had lost interest in everything. It was, in itself, a ridiculous irony that someone who should never have been an assassin had ended up becoming one.

Even more ridiculous was that for many years, Chu Yun had pushed the profession of an assassin to its absolute limit. To excel at something one disliked to such an extreme degree—that was a superhuman ability, impossible to describe in words.

"Dongju, let us leave. This place no longer belongs to us. I firmly believe that freedom will eventually return to our hands."

*Thwip.*

Chu Yun suddenly felt a sharp pain in her back. She turned slowly to look at Dongju, whose eyes were filled with tears and whose body was trembling slightly. Clearly, her heart was not in this, yet she had been coerced by others to strike. Such is the life of an assassin: the blade in your hand today is the meat on the platter tomorrow.

"Sister, I truly did not want to do this, but we are no match for this man. You have always known how powerful Yi Shui is. I had no choice but to obey him. All my skills were taught by him; how could I ever be his match? I couldn't do it."

"Hahaha! Dongju, you have done well. In truth, what I asked of you was always simple: I only wanted you to realize that you can only have a better future by following me!"

"Chu Yun, you should have known long ago that Dongju has always been my person. For all these years, I have cultivated her with great care. Did you think I did this for no reason? Naturally, it was for you. If you had chosen to leave with me earlier, Dongju would not have struck. Although she has gained immense power for now, once this energy is exhausted, she will die. Her death is entirely due to your selfishness!"

"I told her that if you died by her hand, I would save her. And in truth, she disregarded our years of affection and really struck you. Honestly, even I am surprised; I did not realize human selfishness could reach such depths. Has your heart turned cold? If I were you, I fear mine would have frozen long ago."

Would Chu Yun’s heart turn cold? No, never. Even if it were to, it would not be now. She was already severely wounded, and with this blade, she had no strength left. She reached out, wanting to pull Dongju close one last time, but Dongju shifted slightly, clearly unwilling to have any further connection with her.

"Even now, you still don't understand that Dongju has never truly listened to you. Dongju, what are you waiting for? Just one more move and everything will be resolved. Once this woman is dead, everything is over. Isn't this the scene you have always wanted to see? You know I am helping you. The choice is yours, but I know you will make the best one, for you always do."

"Sister, you should have known long ago that you cannot stop me. What I intend to do, I will do, even if it means facing great danger. Thank you for taking care of me all these years, but I must walk the rest of this path alone. What I owe you, I will repay if I have the chance in the future."

*Whoosh.*

Chu Yun’s internal energy surged out like a rushing river, pouring into Dongju’s body. Having done so much, it was always this power that Dongju truly craved. Chu Yun’s cultivation was profound, and since it had long been perfectly integrated with her soul, once the energy left her body, she would surely die.

The scene before them was unstoppable. A powerful defensive barrier formed around them, and finally, the power was in Dongju’s hands.

Chu Yun seemed unable to change anything now. *Heh*, with all her energy gone, she was truly a cripple. Perhaps, at this moment, she had finally attained true freedom.

Watching Chu Yun, who had lost consciousness, Dongju felt a pang of reluctance, and a flicker of wavering appeared in her eyes. But she knew better than anyone what she had to do. If she wanted true freedom, the only way was for this Yi Shui to die.

"Very well, everyone. It seems everything is finished. If any of you are dissatisfied, come to the Yi Shui Sect to find me; I shall be waiting. Oh, and one more thing," Yi Shui looked at the fallen Chu Yun, "Chu Yun, including you, you may also come to find me, provided you believe your strength can truly surpass mine!"

"Hahaha! I am so happy today! Excellent, everything is over. Dongju, since it is all finished, what shall we do next? You are the person I value most now. Once we return, I shall pass the position of Sect Master to you! Isn't this what you have always wanted? Now it belongs to you. You must be very happy!"

"Your sister always wanted this position, but how could I ever hand such an important thing to her? She was never worthy. The only person qualified to sit in this chair is you. Your sister never truly wanted freedom; that was just her excuse. Don't believe her!"

Dongju did not speak. What she was thinking, only she knew. But if one looked closely, one would see a faint, lingering sadness on the young girl's face.

"Well, now that everything is done, I have no desire to stay. Shall we go?"

"Naturally. Hmph, these people—if you have the chance in the future, do not spare a single one of them. I remember well what you told me back then. You said you wanted to be the most formidable assassin in the world. Now, your wish is about to be fulfilled, but why do you look so unhappy?"

Who would have thought that Chu Yun, the legendary King of Assassins, would end up like this? No one could have predicted it. But Chu Yun seemed indifferent to these matters, as if she had known from the very moment she became an assassin that this would be her ultimate fate.

"Forget it. Everyone, do not pursue them. I am a cripple now. What meaning is there in living like this? Actually, this is quite fine. The energy I cultivated so arduously has finally found a worthy successor. That is quite good."

"You are truly foolish. Do you know what will happen to you now that you have no power? Look at what you’ve become. You loved helping others so much, but what did you get in the end?"

"What did I get? Looking at it now, I suppose it is freedom. In truth, I was willing to do anything to attain freedom. Even I did not expect the result to be like this."

Chu Yun did not look at the person behind her. This individual had followed her for many years, yet had never once allowed her to see his face.

"We have known each other for so many years, yet why have you never let me see your face? Do you truly have so little confidence in your appearance?"

"Yes, I have no confidence in my appearance. Actually, you had the ability to kill Dongju earlier, but you chose not to. She once told me that if there was one person in this world who truly understood her, it would be you. It seems she was right."

"I could certainly have killed her, but you know I would not. Dongju absorbed my power; I suspect she has her own plans. I am truly curious to see what this little girl intends to do. Aren't you?"

"I am not curious. I only want to know what you will do now that you have lost all your power. You are in the greatest need of help. Just say the word, and I will do whatever you ask."

To protect a woman with such devotion is surely love, yet this love could never see the light of day. Xiao Mo felt deeply inferior when facing Chu Yun. He should have revealed himself, but he hesitated, fearing he might frighten her.

Being here, speaking quietly with her, was something he had never dared to imagine. If only this moment could last forever—but that was a fool's dream. What needed to be done must be done. Even if Chu Yun never asked it of him, anyone who dared to harm her must die.

"Rest well. I have things to do. Trust me, I will return."

Chu Yun knew what he was going to do. If she were her former self, she would have had the power to stop him, but now, she could only pray in silence.

"Master, now that everything is done, I must rest. You know I have not rested well in a long time. After continuous battles, even with my foundation, I cannot hold out any longer!"

Dongju was in a foul mood. She felt she had committed an irreparable mistake. In such a state, how could she be happy?

Yi Shui understood her mood perfectly, for he had been there once himself. Betraying those closest to you is a torment, but only by pushing through can one gain greater power. He had managed it, and so, naturally, could Dongju.

"Very well, rest now. Whatever you need, I will provide!" The matter was settled; her attitude toward him mattered little.

Time passed. Dongju, who had stood like a statue, finally moved. She looked drained of all vitality, like a withered tree.

"Since you are here, why not reveal yourself? You came to kill me, didn't you? Your wish is about to be fulfilled. You have waited so long for this moment, haven't you?"

Dongju knew Xiao Mo would come. They were both waiting for one another. But this man should not have come; once here, leaving would be impossible.

"Since I am here, I will not leave. You know my purpose. You absorbed all of Chu Yun’s power. She may choose not to hold it against you, but I cannot, because I love her."

"Senior, I am pleased you can speak so plainly. But you know this is the Yi Shui Sect. From the moment you stepped inside, your fate was sealed."

"I have my reasons. You have come a long way, but it is a pity you have ruined it all. Do you truly feel no regret? You still have a choice: if you leave now, I will bear the consequences of whatever happens later. As for my sister’s power, I will return it to her."

"Little Mo, I knew you existed. All these years, though we never met, I knew that every time my sister escaped danger, it was because of you!"

"I am glad you know. For the one I love, I am willing to do anything. I have come to help your sister. I give you two choices: fight me, and if I die, so be it; or surrender Chu Yun’s power!"

"She will choose neither. I have watched you follow us all this way. What, do you think you have gained enough power? Your opponent is me. Defeat me first, then we shall discuss other matters!"

*Swish.*

Yi Shui’s movement was swift, his strike even faster. With a sharp, piercing sound, Xiao Mo lost consciousness. Yet, he was remarkably resilient; even after suffering such a blow, he did not fall. But what could he do now, devoid of all awareness?

"What? You managed to withstand that? It shows you have some use, but that is all. You know you cannot beat me!"

"Even if I cannot, I will fight!"

*Bang.*

The sound of an explosion echoed. This time, there was no one left to help him. Xiao Mo had no strength remaining, yet he refused to yield. Is dying for someone else truly worth it? Is love really so powerful? Some people live for love; without it, their lives are meaningless. Xiao Mo was such a man.

Unfortunately, his meridians were shattered. "You are a cripple now. You did all this, yet the woman you love still does not hold you in her heart. What meaning is there in your actions?"

Meaning? Had he not already achieved it? As long as he accomplished his goal, that was enough. Chu Yun had achieved her aim.

"You would go to such lengths for a Chu Yun? What is so good about her? There are so many better women in the world. You are blind. Since she was a child, Chu Yun was unruly. If not for her contributions, I would have ended her years ago. And now, you die for her? But believe me, no matter what you do, she will never feel a shred of gratitude!"

"This woman has always been this way. Chu Yun, you are here, aren't you? Why won't you show yourself? Ah, I see, you are not worthy to appear. This man has fought for you his whole life, yet you don't even know his true identity. I know it now. Don't you want to know?"

Silence. The sky remained empty. Chu Yun did not appear. But a moment later, her voice echoed, "I have no desire to know Xiao Mo’s identity. He is my friend; that is enough."

"However, I have no energy left. Sect Master, you are indeed the strongest. I must admit I am not your match. But do you think it is over? No. You have tried to control me for years, but you never succeeded!"

"Hahaha! Is that all you have, Chu Yun? I have always wanted to fight you, truly. But seeing you like this—your power not even restored—no wonder you dare not show yourself. Everything in the Yi Shui Sect is mine now. You have no one to help you."

"Hahaha! I am at the peak of my power. You are a cripple; how can you possibly defeat me?"

"I cannot fight you now, but do not be arrogant. If you grow complacent, you know better than anyone what will happen. You say everything is in your grasp, but I do not believe it. I have arranged a formidable opponent who has been waiting for you for years!"

"In my territory? If someone wants to fight me, they will die. No one is my match anymore!"

Yi Shui was raving. His power was indeed immense. "Chu Yun, you don't know, do you? I just absorbed the power of the Forbidden Grounds—the very power you always wanted. Too bad you will never have the chance."

"What a pity. A woman like you, dying at the hands of the sister you trusted most. Are you sad? It doesn't matter; your sadness is useless now."

"Dongju, your sister is here. Do as you will. I leave her to you."

Finally, Chu Yun appeared. She was truly devoid of all power, no longer the beauty she once was.

"You have become like this? I never expected it. You must need power, but you should know this power belongs to the disciples of the Yi Shui Sect. Am I wrong?"

Yi Shui looked at the haggard Chu Yun, feeling triumphant.

"Master, this woman is no longer a threat. Leave her to me. We have known each other for years; if she is to die, let it be by my hand."

Dongju’s voice was icy. She did not know why she said it. Was it not for her sister that she had this status? But she knew she had no other choice.

"Sister, I am sorry it has come to this."

"Say no more. I have known this all along. You are still the same as before. Since our battle is inevitable, why worry? Just do it. I have already passed all my power to you. Use it as you will. I trust you. I know you have a plan. Whatever you want to do, do it!"

"Sister, even without my former power, I will support you. It is the only thing I can do."

"Sister, rest assured, I will repay what I owe you. This man will pay the price. I know how he treated you. I have the power now to deal with him."

"Why have you returned? Did you kill Chu Yun? Dongju, you know that as long as she lives, we have no peace!"

"Rest assured. I have never forgotten your orders. She has no power now; I can deal with her as I please. Just as she once treated me, so she shall face her end. Isn't that right?"

"Excellent. Now that you have this power, you are different. Go and rest. I will call you if I need you."

*Dongju, why do you lie to me? I heard everything you said to Chu Yun. You want to oppose me? Very well, I want to see what tricks you have left! My life has been so boring; having opponents like you is delightful.*

Dongju’s plan was simple: combine her sister’s power with her own to kill Yi Shui. It was risky, but without risk, there would be no result.

Night fell. Dongju chose to strike. She knew Yi Shui was waiting.

"I knew you would come. You have integrated your sister’s power well. It is ironic that you use the power I taught you to fight me."

"What is funny? You think you are invincible, but if everyone unites, they can defeat you. You know this."

"And I am one of them. Sect Master, I owe you, but that does not mean you can beat me. I will not give up."

"You have disappointed me. Show me your full strength!"

"But you will not have the chance. This is an ultimate formation. No one can resist it."

The formation was indeed powerful. Dongju felt her energy being sealed.

"Yes, your power is sealed. Come now, show me what strength you have left!"

Dongju felt her power fading. She persisted, believing that if she held on until the end, she would succeed.

*Puff.*

She spat out blood, clearing her head.

"Is that all? Do not disappoint me. You must persist."

"Master, you talk too much. I will persist until the end. Just wait and see."

"Hahaha! How long can you hold out under such pressure? I will not let you die easily. Fight me!"

Persist until the end? She was failing. She hated failure, yet here it was.

"I cannot go on. I don't know why I persisted, but if I don't fight now, I never will."

Yi Shui felt mad with power, yet he was also struggling; the immense energy was spiraling out of control. He had to suppress it. It seemed they were both severely wounded—this battle had become a test of sheer willpower. Whoever’s will was stronger would win.