["I won't stop updating, you can all relax."]
["I'm really not feeling well; I'm having a migraine attack. Today's update is a bit late, but I didn't skip it."]
["And I will never skip it. I'm writing this book with great determination and a serious attitude."]
["Migraine attacks are an old problem for me, and they really affect my writing."]
["That's all for today. Please don't complain that it's too little, okay?"]
["Once I'm better, I'll make it up to you with a burst of chapters."]
·
The clash between the two masters felt like a summer evening thunderstorm, except it was all thunder and no rain.
In the mountain forest, the wild winds had subsided.
The abandoned mine pit was silent and deserted.
Chen Nuo cradled Lu Xixi, his fingertips delicately infusing threads of Telekinesis into her brow.
The Wizard's final Spiritual Storm was one of his ultimate life-saving techniques. If someone of lesser power were caught within this storm, the ferocious assault of spiritual power would, at best, render them unconscious on the spot. At worst, their spiritual consciousness could be shattered, potentially even turning them into an imbecile.
Although Lu Xixi was no ordinary person, this Star Sky Empress had been accidentally injured a few days prior; the injury was precisely to her brain. Her spiritual consciousness was already compromised. Moments ago, when facing the Wizard's Spiritual Storm, she had fought recklessly without defense, attacking fiercely without any guard.
This was what had caused the Star Sky Empress to be injured once again; she now lay unconscious in Chen Nuo's arms.
Chen Nuo squinted, carefully sensing Lu Xixi's Consciousness Space.
A few days ago, after Lu Xixi's Consciousness Space had been damaged, her spiritual power had fragmented into several scattered clusters. However, human spiritual power possesses a self-healing function, and as a Controller, her natural recovery capabilities were far superior to an ordinary person's.
After her injury, Lu Xixi's spiritual space had actually been slowly self-integrating over the past two days. This integration started slowly but would gradually accelerate.
With each bit of recovery, her spiritual power grew stronger. And with each increase in strength, the speed of her recovery quickened.
But now, as Chen Nuo examined Lu Xixi, he discovered that the assault from the Spiritual Storm had caused her spiritual space to become chaotic and scattered once more.
With this new injury compounding the old, it would likely take a very long time for Lu Xixi to recover.
Chen Nuo focused, his fingertips feeding delicate streams of Telekinesis into the depths of Lu Xixi's mind, slowly drawing her scattered spiritual consciousness back, guiding the fragments to reintegrate.
This process was exceedingly slow and arduous... and far more difficult than when he had first used Telekinesis to guide Brother Haonan in circulating his Inner Breath in a dream.
Empress Lu was already a Controller-level powerhouse. A Controller's Consciousness Space, if not as vast as an ocean, was still countless times larger than an ordinary person's. The effort required to integrate it was a significant undertaking, even for another Controller of equal stature.
Chen Nuo bit his lip, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead onto Lu Xixi's face. His fingertips poured Telekinesis into the depths of her mind; her breathing fluctuated between calm and rapid.
But Chen Nuo was relentless, madly straining his Telekinetic power. He himself had been nearly depleted, yet now he pushed himself without regard, like wringing a towel that was already dry, twisting it ever harder.
The Telekinesis, which had originally flowed like a babbling brook, dwindled to a trickle, and finally shrank to mere threads, barely maintaining coherence.
Chen Nuo's complexion grew increasingly pallid.
Nearly an hour passed before Chen Nuo finally exhaled and released his fingers.
It felt as if countless sharp needles were pricking the depths of his mind, a dull, throbbing pain.
But this pain didn't bring clarity. Instead, a sensation like he hadn't slept for days and nights numbed his mind, making him drowsy, his eyelids drooping heavily.
Having done all this, Chen Nuo looked down at Lu Xixi, a flicker of relief finally appearing in his eyes.
Within Lu Xixi's Consciousness Space, the largest fragments had mostly reintegrated under Chen Nuo's guidance. Several smaller fragments remained... those would now have to rely on gradual, self-healing over time.
After completing this, Chen Yanluo felt his Telekinetic power utterly exhausted. He finally lowered his arms, then rolled to the side and sprawled out on the ground.
Shortly after, he drifted into a deep sleep.
·
As Chen Nuo slept, he drifted through countless dreams, fragments of memories and scenes from his past life flickering before him.
Gradually, he felt a coolness on his face and slowly opened his eyes.
His first sight was the gray sky, and he felt a cool breeze on his face.
The first thing Chen Nuo felt was the hard, coarse ground beneath him. He deduced he was still lying outdoors.
Slightly twisting his neck, he saw he was still in the mine pit. However, he was no longer where he had fallen asleep. He had been moved to the edge of the pit and was now propped against the rock face.
"You're awake~"
It was Lu Xixi's distinctively soft and delicate voice.
A wave of relief washed over Chen Nuo, and his usual smile returned to his face.
"Yeah, I'm awake..." Chen Nuo thought for a moment, then asked, "The 'operation' was a success, wasn't it?"
"...Ah~?"
Chen Nuo sat up and saw Empress Lu sitting about a meter away, looking at him with a puzzled expression.
Forget it... Lu Xixi wouldn't understand a joke from more than a decade in the future.
If, at this moment, the Empress blurted out something like, "The operation was successful; you're a girl now..."
That would scare anyone to death.
Lu Xixi squinted at Chen Nuo, her lips moved slightly, and then she whispered, "You... who are you?"
"..."
Huh? Is this... amnesia again?
This can't be happening! I saved you, helped guide your spiritual power, and was all prepared for you to regain your memory and then give me a good thrashing...
A trace of complex emotion flashed through Chen Nuo's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, burying it deep in his heart. He then gave a bitter smile. "Well... that's a long story."
Lu Xixi scrutinized Chen Nuo, then shook her head. "I don't know about other things... but I'm sure you saved me. I can feel a strong residual Telekinetic force guiding the power within my Consciousness Space... and this force, it's yours. I can sense it."
Chen Yanluo sighed inwardly. He struggled to his feet, still a little weak. After steadying himself against the wall, Chen Nuo stretched lazily, a smile on his face as he looked at Lu Xixi.
"Yes, that's right. I saved you."
"...Can you tell me what happened?" Lu Xixi frowned, looking at Chen Nuo. "I can't seem to clearly recall what happened before I woke up."
Ugh... hold on, let me cook something up.
Chen Nuo sighed.
·
「A moment later.」
"So, you're saying you're a reclusive master who practices Ancient Martial Arts? You were training here in the mountains last night, encountered me fighting someone, and then you saved me?" Lu Xixi's soft, melodious voice carried a hint of skepticism.
"Yes," Chen Nuo casually lied. "I live nearby. But as you know, we Cultivators prefer to keep a low profile in the mundane world. So, I came to the forest to practice at night. That's when I heard fighting. I watched from the shadows and saw you..."
"Who was I fighting?" Lu Xixi rubbed her temples, her face a mixture of confusion and distress. "Why can't I remember any of it?"
"I don't know..." Chen Nuo said with an air of perfect innocence. "I don't know either of you. When I arrived, your opponent had already fled. I just found you lying on the ground, unconscious."
Lu Xixi immediately became vigilant. Her eyes intensely scrutinized Chen Nuo for a few moments, then she looked down at herself.
"You... Hey! You didn't... do anything to me while I was asleep, did you?"
"Ma'am!" Chen Nuo quickly held up his hands, an affronted expression on his face. "What kind of person do you take me for? I'm a kind-hearted and exemplary student, a true successor to the great cause!"
"Really?" Lu Xixi narrowed her eyes at Chen Nuo.
"Of course!" Chen Nuo protested loudly. "Otherwise, why would I have exhausted my energy to save you?"
Lu Xixi studied Chen Nuo intently, as if trying to find a flaw in his expression. However, Chen Yanluo's acting skills were solid. How could the Empress possibly spot any flaw?
Finally, a relieved smile touched Lu Xixi's lips. She sighed, her gaze fixed on Chen Nuo's eyes. "Then... I really must thank you. Hmm, it seems you really are a good person."
"Of course! I'm famous at school for being helpful! I'm even a three-good student!"
Chen Nuo's face wore the uniquely innocent and naive expression of a young man.
After a pause, Chen Nuo cautiously asked, "Miss... who are you, if I may ask?"
Lu Xixi pursed her lips into a smile and stood up. She turned to look at the mine pit, her gaze sweeping around before returning to Chen Nuo. She walked over and extended her hand. "My surname is Lu. My name is Lu Xixi."
Chen Nuo looked at the outstretched hand, then at Lu Xixi's radiant, flower-like smile. "...My name is Chen Nuo."
Lord Yama continued his masterful charade, looking at Lu Xixi with feigned curiosity. "So, Miss... you must be a very powerful expert, right? That fight of yours yesterday... the commotion was incredible!"
Lu Xixi laughed, then glanced at Chen Nuo. "As for that... I'm not telling you."
Then, the Empress's eyes, still fixed on Chen Nuo, suddenly lit up.
Chen Nuo felt the change in Lu Xixi's gaze, and his heart skipped another beat... She hasn't remembered something else, has she? "You! How old are you?"
"Eighteen..."
"Hmm..." Lu Xixi stroked her chin, pondering. "Eighteen... You're a bit old, but your ability must not be bad if you could use Telekinesis to wake me up..."
The Empress clapped her hands, looking at Chen Nuo. "Kiddo, how about becoming my disciple?"
"Huh?" Chen Nuo looked utterly bewildered.
"I'm very powerful, you know!" Lu Xixi's eyes shone, visibly thrilled by the idea. "If you become my disciple, you'll have great prestige wherever you go!
"I see that even though you're a bit older, your skills aren't bad, so you shouldn't be foolish.
"You're barely qualified, but you'll do as my disciple!"
Chen Nuo maintained a look of surprise, but inwardly he was thinking, *Damn it all to hell!*
Seriously? In the blink of an eye, husband turns into disciple?
Wait, no, that's not right. When I tricked her before, I also used the story of Yang Guo and Little Dragon Girl—that's also a master-disciple relationship!
"Uh... I'm afraid I can't do that." Chen Nuo shook his head, smiling bitterly. "I already have a master, and our school has its own rules; we can't just casually accept another master."
"Is that so." Lu Xixi sighed, a little disappointed. "You really can't?"
"No, I can't," Chen Nuo said with a sheepish smile.
Of course, I can't!
Become your disciple?
And then spend my days feeding all those cats, dogs, and turtles of yours, and cleaning your fish tank too?
Do you take me for that naive girl, Yu Naitang, to be so easily fooled?
But...
It seems the Star Sky Empress might have recovered her previous memories...
A wave of relief washed over Chen Nuo, yet there was also a faint, almost imperceptible...
Suppressing a surge of emotion, Chen Nuo turned his head to look into the distance, then took a deep breath.
"Um, Miss, we met by chance. It's common for people in the martial world to lend a hand when they see injustice. Let's part ways here."
Chen Nuo gave Lu Xixi a cupped-fist salute and turned to leave.
"Wait a minute!" Lu Xixi suddenly called after him.
Chen Nuo stopped and turned, a wry smile on his face as he looked at Lu Xixi.
"Hmm..." Lu Xixi thought for a moment, a smile blooming on her face. "You look a bit unsteady on your feet. Saving me must have taken a lot out of you... Didn't you say you live nearby? Let me escort you home."
Absolutely not! Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.
"It is! You helped me, so I must repay you! Let's go!"
"This..." Beads of sweat appeared on Chen Nuo's forehead again.
"What's with all the 'this and that'..." Lu Xixi gently pushed Chen Nuo, a somewhat embarrassed expression on her face. "You helped me, so I'm taking you home. What's there to hesitate about?"
·
After walking out of the mountains, they hailed a taxi on the roadside.
Chen Nuo had discarded his torn outer clothes, leaving him in just a T-shirt. He was covered in dust.
Lu Xixi was in no better state; the sleeves on the Empress's arms were in tatters, and she too was covered in dirt and mud.
The taxi driver was initially very reluctant, but after Chen Nuo gave him some extra money, he grudgingly kept quiet.
Sometime later, the taxi stopped in front of a residential complex entrance. Before the car had even come to a complete stop, Chen Nuo threw a hundred-yuan note at the driver, saying, "Keep the change! Just keep driving this young lady home!"
Then Chen Nuo opened the door, jumped out, and quickly said, "Alright, Miss, I live here... Um, you don't need to get out. Let this taxi take you back..."
Before Chen Nuo could finish, Lu Xixi had also gotten out of the car. She shut the door, her expression serious. "How could I do that? If you start something, you finish it! I absolutely must see you to your door!"
"Really, there's no need!" Chen Nuo hurriedly shook his head. "Truly, no need! I can walk and move around just fine, and we're already at the complex entrance!"
"Really no need?"
"Really no need!"
Lu Xixi frowned, seeming a bit displeased, but she still nodded reluctantly. "Well... alright then."
Chen Nuo quickly patted the roof of the car and called out loudly to the driver, "Driver, go! Hurry and get this young lady home!"
Standing by the roadside, watching the taxi pull away, the smile on Chen Nuo's face slowly faded.
Lu Xixi... now that you've regained your memory... let's bid farewell here...
Well, some things are better left forgotten.
·
Chen Nuo entered the residential complex but then exited through another gate.
Of course, this wasn't where he lived!
A guy as sly as Chen Yanluo—sly as a fox, not a dog—how could he possibly bring Lu Xixi back to his own neighborhood?
If she remembered something, who would be to blame?
Exiting the complex from another gate, Chen Nuo quickly crossed two streets before returning to his own place.
He went upstairs, entered his apartment, and surveyed the utter mess inside.
The door had been torn off its hinges when the Wizard broke in.
The cleaver embedded in the wall, the shattered porcelain bowls on the floor, and the refrigerator he had tossed out into the living room...
The room was desolate and silent.
Chen Nuo sighed. He first propped the door back into its frame... I'll find someone to fix it tomorrow!
Then he lifted the refrigerator back into the kitchen, retrieved the cleaver from the wall, and finally grabbed a broom to sweep up the shattered porcelain.
Chen Nuo sat on the living room sofa, picked up the pack of cigarettes from the table, and lit one.
He didn't quite know what to feel.
He felt empty, unmoored...
Not a sound disturbed the silence in the apartment. Chen Nuo looked around his home.
It felt as if, any second now, Lu Xixi would peek her head out from one of the rooms, look at him shyly, and call out sweetly, "Hubby~"
Chen Nuo's expression grew solemn, and he slowly exhaled...
Well, let's just call it an end.
These past two or three days... I suppose they can be considered some measure of atonement for the regrets of my past life.
Having had this much, I should be content.
Lu Xixi...
She can't follow me!
Otherwise... the tragedy of my past life might repeat itself...
·
With a tinge of sadness, melancholy, and a sense of world-weariness in his heart, Chen Nuo quietly finished his cigarette. He was just about to go to his room to wash up and change...
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Chen Nuo frowned, looking up at his apartment door.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
A jolt went through Chen Nuo!
His energy depleted, Chen Nuo couldn't clearly sense what was outside the door, but a sense of alarm rose within him... Damn it, it can't be that old schemer back again, can it?
That shouldn't be possible!
The Wizard was extremely cautious and cherished his life above all! Tonight, he had fought a major battle with Chen Nuo and then encountered Lu Xixi.
With an expert like the Star Sky Empress present—a Controller of the same caliber—the Wizard would never risk his life. Injured and having lost a Soul Device, given his personality, he would have fled a thousand miles away!
Based on Chen Nuo's understanding of the Wizard, that old schemer would need at least two to three years to recover from such serious injuries. He would have fled back to the Cultivator Association to recuperate at the first opportunity.
That guy... is terrified of death!
So... who could it be this late?
Chen Nuo took a deep breath, picked up the cleaver from the table with one hand, gripping the handle in a reverse hold, and slowly approached the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
CRASH!
There were more knocks, but the final one, perhaps delivered with a bit too much force, sent the door panel—which had only been resting loosely in its frame—crashing to the floor!
Chen Nuo stood inside the apartment; Lu Xixi stood outside. Only the fallen door panel lay between them.
"Err..."
Lu Xixi's hand was still raised in a knocking gesture, an embarrassed smile on the Empress's face. "Uh... I didn't mean to..."
Chen Nuo was stunned!
·
[No more banging, my head hurts.]