Chapter 6: The Word Called Love

The sea of raging flames poured down in an instant, engulfing Ba San Dao and the man in white. This battle—Li Moqing had won. Yes, at least for now, it appeared so, but Li Moqing dared not relax her vigilance. These two were the pillars of Taiyun Valley’s martial strength; if they could be defeated so easily, she would never believe it. “Enough, enough. I know your martial arts are profound. Though the River of Fire is formidable, it shouldn’t harm either of you. I've already unleashed my true abilities. Now, it's time you show yours.”

“Demonization!” This was the second move from the Three Blades of Berserk Battle. Li Moqing had witnessed it before, during her fight with Xiong Zhen. But after twice entering the heart-demon illusion, she was intimately familiar with its power and had no intention of giving this man even a moment to strike again. Though she no longer feared the illusion, getting caught again would be troublesome.

“Blades, Mountain, and Sea of Fire!”

This was the ultimate killing move of the seventh realm of Heartfire. Li Moqing’s left hand formed a fist, her right a palm, using both simultaneously to drive the power of the Blades, Mountain, and Sea of Fire to its peak.

Bang.

The essence of Demonization was to trap its victim in an illusion; its inherent power was not overwhelming. Ba San Dao could not withstand this fierce attack and suffered a heavy blow, his internal energy surging chaotically. Yet, as one of Taiyun Golden Valley’s four hall masters, Ba San Dao was a battle-hardened expert, his wild spirit undiminished. Though he had been critically injured by the River of Fire, and only his swift movement had saved his life, he was now battered and disheveled.

But his gaze was fearless, his wild energy surging to its limit. The Three Blades of Berserk Battle, ordinarily of moderate power, would explode with tenfold strength under his wild energy. “Ha! Now this feels right. Let's continue! Years have passed since I last used my wild energy. Little girl, you’re the first to make me unleash it again—impressive! Now, it’s time to end everything.”

“Massacre, Demonization!”

Ba San Dao’s blood-colored blade had turned entirely crimson. His blade technique was fierce, each red edge terrifying. The first two moves of Berserk Battle, enhanced by wild energy, now showed countless variations. “White Robe, Ruina—your presence is no longer needed. Stand aside and watch. Today, this little girl must die by my hand.”

The Three Blades of Berserk Battle, combined with the Taiyun Step of Severing Emotion, unleashed their full power. Though Li Moqing had broken free from her heart demons and possessed considerable skill, her lack of battle experience was her weakness. Now, seeing Ba San Dao’s face twisted like a demon, fear crept into her heart, diminishing the force of her strikes.

White Robe seized the moment, launching Infinite Profound Ice at Li Moqing’s back. Assaulted from both sides, Li Moqing’s formidable skill was undermined by her fleeting fear, leaving her outmatched.

Bang, bang, bang!

Blood spurted from Li Moqing’s lips, staining her pale face and highlighting her fragile beauty. She exhaled slowly; were it not for the Immortal White Flame protecting her since childhood, she would have been powerless against the combined assault.

Li Moqing steadied her breath, calming her swirling energies. Ba San Dao’s ability to become one of the four hall masters was indeed extraordinary. With wild energy unleashed, his attacks had grown far stronger. Direct confrontation was not the wisest choice; she needed a better plan.

“You old fiend, still scavenging like before. Hmph! Your reputation must have been built on such opportunism. If that's so, you’ve truly opened my eyes.”

Ba San Dao could not help voicing his displeasure with White Robe. “Seems you still have fight left in you. I said before: today, Li Moqing cannot leave Taiyun Mountain alive. If this brat escapes, neither of us will survive!”

“She’s gravely wounded now. Let's seize this chance and finish her off—what do you say?” In his wild energy state, Ba San Dao grew even more ruthless.

“Hmph, whether you say it or not, I’d do the same. That River of Fire was powerful; even with our protective skills, we were badly wounded. Yet this brat is worse off. She’s truly remarkable to have driven us to this point. But you’re right—she cannot leave alive!”

“Come again!”

Though White Robe was elderly, his power rivaled his prime. In his hands, Infinite Profound Ice and Splitting Sun Fire reached their zenith.

“Old thing, I knew you’d save your strength for now. All the better!”

Even Ba San Dao, with his wild energy, was startled by the depth of White Robe’s power. This old man truly had hidden reserves.

“Hall Master Three Blades, you jest. Your wild energy is coveted by many, but now you combine it with your martial skills. In Taiyun Golden Valley, only you could achieve this. Today, life or death—let’s see what fate brings.”

Ba San Dao and White Robe accelerated, finally charging forth together. Their overwhelming momentum threatened to leave Li Moqing dead on the spot.

“Ha! Perfect timing. Today, we settle this in a fight to the death!” The wild energy troubled Li Moqing, but she was not helpless. She thrust her Divine Origin Sword into the ground, tied her hair back with a ribbon, appearing even more heroic.

What of wild energy? She still had the Immortal White Flame protecting her. At this moment, she felt her internal power flowing faster than ever.

Whoosh.

Her left hand’s Supreme Red Flame met White Robe’s Infinite Profound Ice and Splitting Sun Fire, while her right hand’s Heartfire countered Ba San Dao’s Massacre Blade. The situation had reached a point of no retreat.

“Brat, your skill is truly deep—withstanding the two of us alone. But how much longer can you hold out? Aren’t you curious why, after so long, no one else has reacted? It’s because everyone here wishes you dead—or wants you to stay!”

“It shouldn’t have come to this, but you chose the difficult path. Don’t you regret it? Hmph, regret is useless. Though Ba San Dao and I don’t get along, together we are unbeatable.”

“If you won’t be the Valley Master’s wife, at least leave your power behind. If the Valley Master obtains the Immortal White Flame, no one in this world could rival him.”

White Robe truly regretted having to do this. If the girl lived, she would be a tremendous asset to Taiyun Golden Valley. But look what’s happened. White Robe was always softhearted; his wild power slowly receded.

“Old scoundrel, since you’ve said so, let me tell you: today’s battle, I will not retreat, not fall, not regret, no matter how many times!”

“Hmph, you want my power? Fine—if you can take it!”

Her pale face flushed—not with shyness, but from enduring the dual assault of Ba San Dao and White Robe. Anyone else would have collapsed and lost all skill, but Li Moqing still persevered.

“Valley Master, do you truly wish to go this far? Look at Li Moqing—her face is crimson, she’s gravely injured. She’s only sixteen, after all. If she dies in Taiyun Golden Valley, you’ll antagonize Su Yi Tower. Though Su Yi Tower is not what it once was, seeing Li Moqing proves it still has hidden strength.”

Yan Feilong, as Dragon Hall Master of Taiyun Golden Valley, considered what the Valley Master might not. His worries were justified.

“Feilong, do you think I truly want Li Moqing dead? You’re wrong, utterly wrong. I just want her to yield. Hmph, she’s been insolent to me all along, and I’ve been patient. If it were you, what would you do? Today, I must teach her a lesson—to let her know that here in Taiyun Golden Valley, I am the sky, and she is nothing! If you feel pity, you may leave and not watch.”

“Feilong, you’re admirable, your martial arts superb, but your heart is too soft. Sometimes, softness can ruin you! As for Su Yi Tower, ha, you needn’t worry. If I chose this path, I fear nothing from them—I only worry they won’t come!”

Bang, bang, bang!

Li Moqing’s power astonished White Robe and Ba San Dao. She should be gravely wounded, yet her skill remained fierce! They didn’t know that the Immortal White Flame grew stronger against greater foes. Now, five blue fire dragons entwined her, each strike accompanied by a dragon’s roar—the unleashed True Dragon Green Flame Palm.

After the fierce battle, all three were battered, but their fighting spirit deepened. Ba San Dao’s wild energy was immense, but it couldn’t be used for long, lest backlash ensue. But now, nothing mattered except killing the damned brat today.

“White Robe, how are you now? Your face looks terrible, and the brat’s divine skill has shaken you. Though your Taiyun Sutra is pure, winning today won't be easy.”

White Robe’s face was more wrinkled than ever. He knew that today, his life would end here. He was poisoned by love, unable to serve the Valley Master any longer. If, before dying, he could kill Li Moqing, it would be the final achievement of an old waste.

Now, White Robe’s expression grew devout; he gazed at the boundless sky. “Valley Masters of generations, what virtue do I have to receive your favor? I have little time left. Valley Master, you said I understand the Taiyun Sutra deeply, but my talent limits me from cultivating it further. Now, I have no other choice. Today, I will unlock the restriction you placed on my heart meridian.”

White Robe slowly rose, his aura transformed—not just his energy, but even his appearance changed. At this moment, White Robe became young again.

He had returned to his once-beautiful form. “I haven’t looked like this in so long—such strength is nostalgic!”

“Boy, what are you staring at? Never seen a handsome youth like me?”

Clad in white, face like jade, White Robe was no longer an old man but a spirited youth. More astonishing, his skill was now unfathomable.

Bang.

Li Moqing had no time to react; she was struck by a punch. White Robe’s movement was swift, and after the punch, a domineering palm followed, slamming toward Li Moqing’s crown.

Whoosh.

Boom.

Li Moqing dodged just in time, as White Robe’s fierce palm smashed down, shattering even Taiyun Mountain’s massive stones with a single strike.

“Hmph, quick reflexes—but it’s useless to you. Young lady, no one here can save you. The faster you wield the Immortal White Flame, the sooner you die. Why won’t you believe it? You and Ba San Dao must be curious about my current form. I’ve just unlocked a restriction in my heart meridian; now my skill reaches the sixth realm of the Taiyun Sutra.”

“This power is temporary, but it’s more than enough to deal with you!”

White Robe’s breaths and steps were heavy. Ba San Dao never imagined White Robe could unleash such power at the end. Clearly, today's battle would decide victory or defeat.

Blood spurted from Li Moqing’s mouth. That old scoundrel’s punch was truly formidable, but she still had fight left. “Don’t move rashly. You’re finished now. I’ve disrupted your meridians—you won’t be able to gather energy again. I warned you: disrespect the Valley Master, and I’ll kill you. Now, see? I’ve done it.”

White Robe’s lips bled. Forcing his skill to the sixth realm drained him immensely. The sixth realm, called Withered Flowers, could only be reached by those who had forgotten all emotion.

“All right, young lady—this game of struggle is over. I have one last punch. Take it, and you’ll stay forever.” Withered Flowers had three moves: Forget Emotion, Sever Emotion, and No Emotion—three ultimate killing moves. With his current strength, he could use Sever Emotion, enough to kill this young lady.

“Die. After you’re gone, everything can be settled. Witness my Sever Emotion move!” Fierce energy gathered in his hand for his final attack.

Whoosh.

His ruthless punch struck Li Moqing, who now felt nothing—had she expended too much? Was she really to die here today? Brother, father, forgive me—I have failed you all. But over the years, I have tried my best.

Li Moqing finally collapsed. At this moment, she truly felt fatigue—she had no strength left, and wished only to sleep, free from worry. This was her deepest wish, but now, her heart could finally rest, though not without regret. Was this really the end? Had nothing changed?

“Girl, you’ve always worked hard—your father knows it well. Yes, these years have been tough, and I was the one who gave you that hardship. If I had to do it again, I’d still choose the same. In the Maze Formation, you promised me you’d never give up, no matter what happened. But look at you now—you’ve given up. Are you true to your own years of effort?”

“Giving up means denying your past self. Think carefully—is this really the outcome you want? You can still change everything. Stand up—you are Li Feiyan’s daughter, and you should not be like this!”

Li Feiyan’s figure appeared once more, but in Li Moqing’s eyes, it became Zhuang Yun Zhen’s face. Brother, you’ve finally come. Seeing my state, you must be disappointed.

“Ha! Young lady, though your eyes are full of unwillingness, you can change nothing now. All this is your own doing, not anyone else’s fault.” White Robe slowly approached Li Moqing. At this moment, everything could end.

“Moqing, look at you—how wretched you are. As your fiancé, my heart aches for you. Still unwilling to bow your proud head? Why? I love you so deeply. If you’d smile for me, I’d fetch you the moon. I, Qin Boyu, am so wealthy, yet why do you ignore me?”

“The man you love is Zhuang Yun Zhen, isn’t he? Now you’re reduced to this—where is he? He can’t even protect you. Only by my side are you truly safe. Come, admit your mistake, and I’ll forgive you—because I love you so much. No matter what wrong you’ve done, I won’t hold it against you.”

Qin Boyu’s slender fingers gently traced Li Moqing’s pale cheek. Such beauty, now so disheveled by pride and strife. His gaze was tender as water, but its coldness could not be hidden.

It seemed Li Moqing’s life and death were truly in this man’s hands. Yes, he loved the feeling of control. If she begged for mercy, would he spare her? Never. Anyone who defied him would only meet one end—death.

Li Moqing spat in contempt at the handsome man before her. If she still had her power, she would have killed him. Sadly, now her strength was gone.

Qin Boyu wiped away the spittle. “Good, now you look the part. Even wounded, you remain as fierce as ever. The more you resist, the more I like you. You won’t admit fault? Fine. You came here for the Blue Luan Sword, didn’t you? It pains me. That sword was meant as a token of affection from your Su Yi Tower. Now you want it back? Let me tell you: neither you nor the sword will leave here!”

“White Robe, I leave this woman to you now. Faced with a stubborn stone, only destruction will do. You’ve done this many times before—handle it. Ba San Dao, you did well. The target of your vengeance stands before you. The two of you, act together. Moqing, what a pity—I prepared many interesting things for you, but now you seem to have no use for them.”

“You think I fear your uncle? Though I haven’t reached the sixth realm of Taiyun Sutra, even if your father were reborn, I’d not fear him. When you die, I’ll have your uncle join you. To obtain your family’s Immortal White Flame, I’ve endured much and prepared long. Today, it all ends.”

“Valley Master, today, we’ll settle things with this brat!” Ba San Dao’s energy surged to the extreme—a single blow would kill Li Moqing. Yet Li Moqing’s expression was calm, as if life and death meant nothing. “Hmph, these two wastes can’t kill me.”

“Fine. If you all seek a fight to the death, I accept. Come and die!”

Despite her wounds, Li Moqing picked up the Divine Origin Sword once more. Sword light and her aura fused together—she unleashed the Infinite Vermilion Bird Sword, her last strength. Today, she might not escape, but as long as she killed one of the two, it would be worth it. The other she would leave for her brother.

Whoosh.

Her sword pierced White Robe’s body. After using all his strength to punch Li Moqing, White Robe was already spent. He could not withstand her peerless blade.

Ba San Dao steadied himself, witnessing this terrifying scene. Li Moqing, wounded, killed White Robe—did she not realize what awaited her?

White Robe saw a flash of blue and collapsed. The strike was so swift, pain was absent. At this moment, White Robe was freed—he had completed his final battle. His eyes, clouded once more, looked to the stunned Qin Boyu. “Valley Master, forgive me. Things have come to this; I am powerless.”

“Ha! Ba San Dao, now it's your turn. Weren’t you arrogant? Where is your wild energy now? Come! Your disciple Xiong Zhen was killed by me. Now, I have no strength left. If you want to strike, do it—or are you just a coward who hides behind others?”

Wild energy? What is wild energy? At this moment, Li Moqing displayed astonishing wild energy. She truly had no strength left; her steps faltered, blood streaked her pale face, but her gaze was resolute. Each step weighed a thousand pounds.

Ba San Dao knew the woman before him had no strength left—a single move would end her. But why, then, did he fear her spirit?

“What’s wrong? Afraid? Hmph, you’re a coward—a waste. I stand before you, and you dare not act. After today, you’ll never kill me. Ha!”

“Qin Boyu, don’t look at me like that. White Robe was killed by me. What will you do? Since I can’t leave, I’ll leave my life here—do you dare to take it?”

This battle had drained Li Moqing; now, even walking was impossible. She slowly collapsed. Qin Boyu watched her fall, his gaze complicated. “Take her away, guard her closely. She’s wounded—send the divine physician. Feed her three meals a day without fail. Understood? Go now.”

Even Qin Boyu hadn’t expected he would act thus—did he truly like this woman? What exactly did he like? Her beauty? Her fierceness? Perhaps both. But beyond that, what was there? Who knew?

“Yes!” The crowd dared not defy the Valley Master. Now, the only survivor was the unconscious Li Moqing.

Ba San Dao finally shook off his fear, his face twisted, eager to finish Li Moqing with one blow. “Stop! You’ve shamed Taiyun Golden Valley enough. Now you know fear—why didn’t you act before? Look at yourself—what a mess! Get out!”

Qin Boyu would never let Ba San Dao harm Moqing. They simply met at the wrong time; if he had met her earlier, would everything have been different? He never believed in what-ifs, but now, seeing Moqing’s pale face, his heart ached.

So this was what people meant by heartache? He never cared before; now, with it in his own life, he truly felt it—painful indeed. “Why do you hate me so? I never treated any other woman this way. You’re the only one. I just want you to smile at me. Is it so hard?”

“Is loving you a mistake? Do you know, from the moment I first saw you, I could not forget you? Years have passed, but every midnight, my heart thinks only of you—no one else. Why won’t you believe?”

“Believe? I’ve never believed in you. In my heart, you are nothing. That is my answer today, and tomorrow will be the same. You want to lock me up? Fine, after these battles, I’m tired anyway. Do you know why I’m not afraid? Because I know my brother will come for me. My brother, Zhuang Yun Zhen, is a peerless hero. What are you? I don’t want to talk to you. Get out!”

Li Moqing awoke, her eyes bright. Being liked by Qin Boyu was, to her, a great tragedy.

“Fine, you don’t like me. Then you’ll never leave here. On my territory, you live for me, die for me. No matter how many years pass, that won’t change. As for Zhuang Yun Zhen, honestly, I never cared about him. You claim he’s so great—hmph, I don’t believe it. If he dares come, I’ll kill him right in front of you!”

“You two are supposed to be lovers? I forbid it. Let’s see what you can do. Now, you have no strength left. Save it—think carefully about what you should do next. When you’ve decided, come find me. Remember: I am the one who loves you most in this world. Remember that always.”

Qin Boyu’s tone was playful, his gaze once more smug. Yes, this was Taiyun Golden Valley—his territory. Zhuang Yun Zhen? What was he? Who knew where he was? Perhaps just a figment conjured to placate him. Regardless, Li Moqing was by his side—that was what mattered. He believed that with enough time, everything could change.

Everything is powerless before time. Hmph, dream on—I will never change my mind!

This was a house built on the cliff of Taiyun Mountain. Step outside, and there was a bottomless abyss. Even at her peak, Li Moqing would not dare rashly leap such a precipice, let alone now with no strength left.

The room was elegant, faintly fragrant. But no matter how pleasant, Li Moqing disliked it. Brother, have you finished your business yet? Alone here, I miss you. But don’t worry, soon we’ll meet again. I know you will come for me in the end.

“Damn it, damn it, damn it! Go investigate this Zhuang Yun Zhen—I want to know everything about him. I want to know why Moqing can’t forget him. If he truly comes, I’ll kill him myself, so Moqing knows that only I am good enough for her—no one else deserves her. Now, this is your most important task. Go, do it now—don’t delay for a moment!”

In the eyes of the crowd, the Valley Master had always been gentle. Now, all his anger was because of Li Moqing. “Rest assured, Valley Master, disciples are already on it. Soon, all news of Zhuang Yun Zhen will reach you. You are gravely wounded—don’t get agitated.”

“You people never understand—Taiyun Golden Valley never falls in love. Once we do, it’s for life. My heart holds no other woman but Moqing. But the woman I love ignores me—how can I endure that?”

Qin Boyu never imagined he would become a madman for love. Hmph, but he was already a madman—now only more so, and he reveled in it.

The deeper his feelings, the stronger his power—a blessing, not a curse. Love meant nothing to him, but since meeting Moqing, everything changed. Moqing, Moqing, I’ve waited for you so many years, and now you cannot treat me this way. I refuse—I’ve never yielded to anyone. I have my pride, but now you’ve destroyed it!

Do you think these things are over? No, between us, there is never an end. You will always be mine, forever—I promise.