CLX Book 6 Chapter 12

Chapter 12 – Miracles

The door was opened.

Lantern light came in from outside the door, but Ai Qing already stepped over Chu Liuxiang and walked out. _{Translated by foxs}

She did not even look back, she did not even look at Chu Liuxiang again.

Who said that men are fickle? Who said men have hard hearts?

When a woman’s heart hardens, even a nail can’t be hammered in.

Chu Liuxiang simply closed his eyes, not looking at anything, not thinking about anything.

There is only one kind of people who can really not thinking about anything: dead people. Chu Liuxiang had never thought that he was a dead person, he never felt that he was someone who was about to die soon either.

No matter how difficult, how dangerous the situation he was in, his heart was still brimming with hope.

As long as one has hope, one would have the courage to fight; as long as one has the courage to fight, one would be able to survive.

Someone even said: even if you put a blade on Chu Liuxiang’s neck, he still had a way to escape from under the blade.

But now, he suddenly felt that he was simply a dead person.

All these things were started by Ai Qing, all these schemes were obviously masterminded by Ai Qing in secret. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Without Ai Qing, practically nothing would have happened.

Any living person, as long as he has a bit of brain – would definitely think that Ai Qing was the person who really wanted to kill Chu Liuxiang.

Yet Chu Liuxiang himself never thought about it, so much so that he never suspected her.

It was like someone was looking everywhere for a key to open the door, yet the key was clearly in front of him, but he just could not see it; he clearly had to bore through into the hidden gutter, dig a pit on the ground, and found himself covered in mud.

In the end, since his eyes were covered with mud, naturally he could not see where the key was even more.

If you say that this kind of person is not a dead person, then what is he?

Chu Liuxiang heaved a sigh, his mouth was as bitter as if he had just swallowed seventy jin [catties] of Huanglian [Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis), rhizome used in medicine; reportedly, it is very bitter].

That night, the old woman in black who appeared in the stream was obviously in collusion with Ai Qing, maybe it was even Ai Qing herself. _{Translated by foxs}

She deliberately told Chu Liuxiang all those things, it was no more than she wanted Chu Liuxiang to fall into the trap by himself.

Didn’t Ah Juan also attempt the same thing?

The fact of that time was the ingenuity that Chu Liuxiang was proud of, so many elaborately crafted scheme, all were seen through by him one by one.

But this time, no matter who, maybe other people would not fall into the trap, yet Chu Liuxiang clearly fell in.

As long as you use the right method, there is practically no one in the world who will never fall into any trap, even Chu Liuxiang was no exception.

No one is an exception, in front of a certain someone, even the smartest person will become an idiot.

Maybe this place did not have that damned [orig. seeing ghost] holy altar at all.

The damned holy altar, this kind of thing was so absurd to begin with, probably even a real idiot may not believe it.

Yet Chu Liuxiang, a smart person, believed it.

Now he finally figured it all out, but it was already too late. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

There were footsteps outside the door again, the sound of footsteps of several people.

Chu Liuxiang closed his eyes.

He really did not want to see Ai Qing’s proud-of-herself look, that kind of smiling expression brimming with ridicule.

He could not stand it – not that he could not stand other people, he could not stand himself.

Ai Qing did not show proud-of-herself look, she did not smile either.

In fact, she did not even have the slightest bit of emotion showing on her face.

The lantern already brightened.

She stood there, looking at Chu Liuxiang with icy-cold stare.

Five other people came in with her, and the last one was Ai Hong.

She also stood farther away from Chu Liuxiang, as if she did not want to see Chu Liuxiang — she risked her life to save him, yet he was as stupid as a slug, unexpectedly he walked right into the trap again.

Of the other four people, the shortest among them was the man in hemp garment who ‘captured’ Chu Liuxiang and brought him back here. _{Translated by foxs}

When he saw Chu Liuxiang, he appeared to be angry and shocked; he spoke in heavy voice, “I clearly sealed his acupoint and locked him in the Qian Qiu Wu [lit. thousand autumns (years) room], how did he escape here?”

Ai Qing responded coldly, “This question, you should not have asked me.”

The man said, “If I don’t ask you, whom should I ask?”

Ai Qing did not answer, but her eyes stared at Ai Hong.

The short man immediately looked back, he stared at her, and spoke sternly, “Didn’t you go to the Qian Qiu Wu with Shisan Lang [lit. the thirteenth guy] just now?”

Ai Hong looked down at her toes, without saying a word.

Yet Ai Qing already answered on her behalf, saying, “That’s right, and now Shisan Lang hasn’t awakened yet.”

The short man said, “Based on this man’s martial art skill, he practically could not knock down Shisan Lang, not to mention his acupoints were already sealed by me.”

Ai Qing said, “Perhaps someone else unsealed his acupoints first, and then the two of them dealt with Shisan Lang together.”

The short man said, “Who are you talking about?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Ai Qing said coldly, “I did not say anything, I just said that in this matter, there is that possibility.”

The short man said, “Could it be that you think Xiao Hong [little Hong] might help this man out?”

Ai Qing said, “That question, you should not have asked me either, you should be able to think about it yourself.”

The short man said, “Why would Xiao Hong do such thing?”

Ai Qing said, “Who knows — I only know that recently Xiao Hong has been out to procure foodstuff, and I can also see that this man is a very handsome young man, moreover, he is not very well-behaved.”

The short man said, “Are you saying that the two of them already had an affair early on, and he came here precisely to look for Xiao Hong, and thus Xiao Hong took the risk to save him?”

Ai Qing spoke indifferently, “I did not say anything.”

Ai Hong suddenly laughed coldly and said, “Even if you say it, there is practically no way to prove it.”

The short man spoke sternly, “You still won’t admit it?”

Ai Hong replied, “What do you want me to admit?” _{Translated by foxs}

The short man suddenly made his move; his five fingers like eagle claw, he clawed at Ai Hong.

Ai Hong’s face and voice did not move, she spoke coldly, “Could it be that you have forgotten which place I belong to now? You dare to touch me?”

Although the short man had angry look across his full face, in the end he still slowly lowered his hand.

Ai Hong said, “Even if such thing happened, you can’t punish me, especially you.”

She also looked up to stare at Ai Qing, and said with a could laugh, “I knew early on that all along you are jealous of me and hated me. Outside, you can find an excuse to chop off one of my hands, but now I belong to the inside, you still dare to do anything to me?”

Ai Qing’s countenance sank, she also laughed coldly and said, “Although I cannot deal with you, inevitably there will be someone who can deal with you.”

Ai Hong said, “Could it be you dare to go inside with me for a confrontation?”

Ai Qing said loudly, “You want to go, let’s go then. In any case, the facts are all there, even if you want to deny, you can’t.”

Although Chu Liuxiang had no choice but to close his mouth, his eyes were also closed, but his ears could still hear. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

What he heard further confirmed that his thought was not wrong.

Ai Qing was indeed the mastermind who plotted in secret to kill Chu Liuxiang, even Ai Hong’s hand was chopped off by her.

That night, were it not for Zhang Jiejie tipping him off, her pair of earrings might have killed Chu Liuxiang already.

This plan failed, hence she used Ai Hong’s hand to spread diversion, making Chu Liuxiang think that she was also a victim.

When she found out that Ai Hong was looking for Chu Liuxiang, she immediately ordered people to bring Ai Hong back, because she was afraid Ai Hong would reveal her secret.

Now she did what she did, it was precisely to kill two birds with one stone; not only she wanted to eliminate Chu Liuxiang, she also seized this opportunity to eliminate Ai Hong as well.

At that time, she did not kill Ai Hong, perhaps only because Ai Hong belonged to the inside, hence she did not dare to rush indiscriminately into action.

Although Chu Liuxiang already figured out many things, there were still some things that made him even more confused.

What exactly was this ‘inside’? They were originally members of a family, why would they be divided into ‘inside’ and ‘outside’? _{Translated by foxs}

What about Zhang Jiejie? Was she also part of their family? Or perhaps she was just being used by her?

Did she also discover that Zhang Jiejie was really in love with Chu Liuxiang?

Has Zhang Jiejie also encountered her poisonous hands?

No matter what, Chu Liuxiang already knew that his hope to meet Zhang Jiejie again in this life was really not much.

His chances of escaping alive were naturally even smaller.

“Everyone will inevitably be fooled, everyone will inevitably die.”

He suddenly felt very tired, extremely weary …

Death, isn’t it the best rest?

If one already feels that life is very boring, he would no longer have the courage to fight for survival.

At this time, he felt very tired, so tired that he was willing to give up everything in exchange for a moment of rest. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Chu Liuxiang suddenly felt this way too.

No matter who, in this life, it would be hard to avoid having this kind of feeling from time to time.

Someone, unclear which one, covered Chu Liuxiang’s eyes with a black cloth, and then lifted him up. Chu Liuxiang knew that they were going to carry him up to the ‘inside’.

What kind of place exactly was that? Why so mysterious?

They rounded a few more bends, they went up and down dozens of stone steps,  before they finally stopped.

Suddenly, a sharp and clear bell rang, the sound lingered endlessly. After the sound of bell disappeared, Chu Liuxiang heard the sound of a sliding stone door, and only then did they walk in. The sound of their footsteps was even lighter, even slower, even their breathing seemed to become particularly cautious.

Although Chu Liuxiang could not see anything, he suddenly had some kind of indescribably strange feeling. It was as if someone getting lost in the four-sides-without-any-boundary wilderness, suddenly broke into one kind of mysterious, solemn and grand shrine.

That kind of feeling was somewhat like awe, and somewhat like fear; yet it was not like all of those, it was merely some kind of indescribable bewilderment and fright.

Therefore, when someone untied the black cloth for him, he could not help but open his eyes. _{Translated by foxs}

This place was indeed a shrine, much more majestic and grander than all the temples and palace halls in the world.

Layer after layer of stone steps, from where they were kneeling – stretched forward. The steps stretched to dozens of zhang away.

All around, the smoke of burning incense spiraled into the air, just like the fog in the wilderness.

Looking through the smoke, he could see a very spacious chair at the very front.

The chair was empty, but all around, the walls were full with strange runes.

Suddenly, another bell rang.

Everybody immediately fell prostrate [lit. with five parts (head and four limbs) on the ground] in worship. Even Chu Liuxiang’s body was pressed down.

And then someone, no one could tell how magical and mysterious, wearing oversized long robe in seven colors, and glittering golden light, as bright as the sun above – appeared.

On his face, he was wearing a malevolent, bizarre curved mask, which also seemed to be made of gold. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

From a distance, this person’s whole body seemed to be enveloped by a strange seven-color golden light.

Therefore, he basically looked like a flame, like a scorching sun, other people practically were unable to look straight at him.

There seemed to be a human figure standing behind him.

But illuminated by his radiance, this human figure already became illusory; he seemed to be there, but was not really there.

Chu Liuxiang only looked up once, and all the muscles in his body were already excited and went stiff.

He immediately thought of that mysterious moonlit night, the demonic woman in the fog.

That voice, which sounded like magical spell – seemed to echo by his ears again.

“What they believe is some kind of a very mysterious religion. Their god is in their holy altar.”

“Their god is not an idol, not a [female] immortal either; their god is a living god. Not only you can see their god’s appearance, but you can also hear his voice.”

“As long as you can get to their holy altar, to see their god, then no one can harm you anymore.” _{Translated by foxs}

“All the mysteries, he will give you the answer to everything.”

Everything that the demonic woman told him, unexpectedly she did not lie to him.

This place unexpectedly really did have a holy altar, and in the holy altar, unexpectedly there was indeed a living god.

But would he really be able to give answer to all the mysteries to Chu Liuxiang?

Currently Chu Liuxiang did not even have any chance to open his mouth, but in his heart, he had hope again.

And then, he really heard the voice of this god. Some kind of ethereal, fairly indiscernible voice, but carried some kind of indescribable magical power.

“Who brought this stranger in?”

The short man and Ai Qing both prostrated themselves to the ground.

“Why?”

Thereupon the short man reported what happened. His voice was originally full of dignity and power, but now it has completely changed, so much so that it has even become a little inarticulate. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

The god listened attentively; after a long time, he said slowly, “You are the Si Hua Nu [maiden who manage the flower, female minister of flower] before the god, how could you have an affair with a mortal?”

This question was addressed to Ai Hong.

Ai Hong immediately prostrated herself on the ground, she did not resist, but she did no appeal either.

Unexpectedly it seemed like she really confessed her guilt; could it be that it was because this incident was simply could not be explained?

It was obviously an unforgivable crime.

“What punishment should the criminal deserve?”

The god was silent, as if he was also considering it. In the end she said two words, ‘blood punishment’.

What was blood punishment?

Seeing the look of fear on Ai Hong’s face, one could readily imagine that it must be a frightful punishment.

Chu Liuxiang’s heart also sank. _{Translated by foxs}

Now at last he had reached their holy altar, at last he had seen their god.

But those mysteries, there was still no one to give him any answer.

He still did not hear any information concerning Zhang Jiejie.

However, he finally figured out one more thing by now.

Ai Qing did what she did, turned out unexpectedly because she wanted to use their god’s hand to get rid of Chu Liuxiang, to eliminate Chu Liuxiang from now on, and basically not to give anybody else any chance of revenge.

However, what kind of enmity did she actually have against Chu Liuxiang? Why did she simply have to kill him? This was the most important point, unexpectedly even to his death Chu Liuxiang still did not understand it.

The instruments of torture had been moved.

This shrine was precisely the execution ground.

Ai Hong was so frightened that her entire person went weak.

Turned out the meaning of blood punishment was to bleed you to death, you are required to use your own blood to wash away your sins. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Now it was no different from the steel blade was put on Chu Liuxiang’s neck, would he have a way to escape from under the blade?

Ai Qing was looking at him coldly, there was still not the slightest bit of emotion on her face, as if she was looking at a stranger.

Who would have imagined that her scheming was unexpectedly this deep, her means was unexpectedly this sinister?

Perhaps even they could not even think of it.

Blood Punishment.

What a cruel, what a terrifying punishment.

It looked like their god could not bear to watch any longer, suddenly he stood up.

The bell rang again.

Chu Liuxiang’s face suddenly revealed a very strange expression.

It seemed like the god wanted to retreat.

Chu Liuxiang suddenly thundered, “Hold on!”

This shout was like a clap of thunder in a clear sky, shocking everyone. _{Translated by foxs}

Amidst the sound of shout, Chu Liuxiang’s person already flew across the air.

Wasn’t he clearly had his acupoints sealed?

No one knew what caused him to recover such a superhuman power. No one could describe this kind of power, and no one could describe this kind of shenfa either.

In this instant, he was no longer a human being, unexpectedly has become a roc [northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)] that spread its wings for thousands of li in the great desert, he seemed to have turned into a flying dragon going straight to the ninth heaven in mythology.

In this instant, his ability seemed to have surpassed all the gods in the sky above or under the earth below, unexpectedly he awe-inspiringly pounced towards this mysterious living god.

This living god also seemed to be shaken by this kind of power of his, unexpectedly he seemed to be rooted on the spot.

All the people in hemp garment under the shrine shouted in low voice and leaped to chase after him.

Only Ai Qing was still standing there quietly, watching, her eyes also revealed some kind of strange expression.

It was not alarm or shock, it was not hatred either, rather, it appeared like indifferent melancholy and desolation, just like someone watching his beloved swallow flying away from him.

Who could really understand her heart? _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

It was indeed a terrifying family. Every single one had top-notch martial art skill, every single one’s movement was swift and accurate.

But the moment they pounced up, Chu Liuxiang already leaped like he was flying across several dozen zhang of stone steps.

The god was still shrouded in golden light. But that kind of mysterious magical power seemed to have disappeared.

Chu Liuxiang pounced over, suddenly he made his move like lightning.

The god did not dodge. When Chu Liuxiang made his move, even a god would be unable to dodge attack. Chu Liuxiang already removed the golden mask on the god’s face.

This was a genuinely heart-stopping moment, this was truly the most important moment. In this moment, the god suddenly became a mortal!

In this moment, all the people in hemp garment who had jumped up suddenly fell to the ground again, prostrating their head and limbs to the ground in worship. But the person who was most shocked was neither they nor their god, but Chu Liuxiang.

No one could describe the expression on Chu Liuxiang’s face at this moment.

Similarly, no one could describe the expression on the face of this ‘god’.

Chu Liuxiang looked at him, even his heartbeat had stopped, even his breathing had stopped.

Similarly, the god was also looking at Chu Liuxiang.

Unexpectedly, his eyes were also filled with hot tears.

A pair of crescent moon-shaped enchanting eyes.

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