Chapter 6: A Heart as Unyielding as Iron
The news of Chen An’s illness was known only to the director of the Orphanage and a small number of teachers at his school.
And now, Dr. Qin.
As adults, they understood the need to be considerate of Chen An’s feelings and did not spread the news unnecessarily.
Furthermore, Chen An had few acquaintances at school, and his naturally aloof and quiet personality meant he would not proactively share such information.
Therefore, even after attending Er Zhong for nearly three years, no classmates were aware of his heart condition.
At most, they had their suspicions when they noticed he never participated in physical education classes.
“So, how serious is it?”
Lin Jingq clasped her hands.
Dr. Qin walked to the water dispenser and poured himself a glass of water. He said, “Before today, it was very serious.”
When discussing professional matters, Dr. Qin’s enthusiasm grew, and he began to showcase his expertise.
“To be honest, Chen An’s condition is quite strange. Before today, I always thought…”
“…”
He spoke at length, using many technical terms, then turned to see Lin Jingq staring blankly with questioning eyes. He slapped his forehead.
“Never mind. You wouldn’t understand these things. Anyway, the preliminary conclusion is that he has recovered to a normal level. However, I have a feeling it’s not that simple. We’ll need to conduct further research with the teachers.”
Lin Jingq listened patiently.
She nodded and stood up.
“I don’t understand these things, but I wonder if the medical facilities in the capital are better? If possible, I’d like to take him to the capital for a check-up.”
Dr. Qin was taken aback. He looked at the serious young girl and then at Chen An, who was lying on the bed, lost in thought.
He had to admit, judging by their looks alone, they made a rather handsome couple.
“Are you Chen An’s classmate?”
Seeing the girl nod, Dr. Qin said, “Qing City’s medical equipment and doctor’s expertise are certainly not as good as the capital’s, but you need to understand one thing.”
His tone shifted. “Currently, all of Chen An’s medical expenses are being handled by the school. So, his treatment at the Second Hospital is free. If you transfer him to the capital, that’s another matter.”
“The examination fees alone would likely be a considerable sum.”
After speaking, Dr. Qin quietly watched Lin Jingq, hoping she would back down.
However, the young girl simply waved her hand.
“Money is not an issue.”
Lin Jingq thought to herself, “First, I’ll get Chen An to the capital for a check-up. If that doesn’t solve it, I’ll ask my master.”
She didn’t dwell on whether her master could solve it.
She only knew that if even her master couldn’t fix it, then perhaps no one in this world could help Chen An.
She wasn’t doing this for any particular reason, just a simple desire to repay his life-saving kindness.
“Then it’s settled. After Chen An rests for two days, I’ll take him back to the capital!”
The young girl declared decisively, lifting her chin.
At that moment, a languid voice came from behind her.
“I think the opinion of the person involved is also quite important.”
…
…
Shenzhou.
The river of time began to flow backward.
In a dark and damp secret chamber, countless malevolent, blood-red eyes cast their gaze upon a newborn female infant on a stone platform, as if eager to devour her.
An evil plan, conceived three years prior, slowly came to light with their whispers.
As a rare natural Dao body in Shenzhou for thousands of years, the infant was undoubtedly fortunate.
But she was also unfortunate, for shortly after her birth, she was found by a sect within the Demonic Path known for its blood sacrifices.
To maximize the preservation of the infant’s pure heart, they slaughtered her parents and came to an unknown small village in Shenzhou.
The entire sect then transformed, becoming 361 households in Su Family Village.
This was a gamble of everything the sect possessed, but if successful, the rewards would be unprecedented and unimaginable.
The Demonic Path was never short of gamblers.
But clearly, their gamble failed.
Merely in the third year of their plan’s execution, Chen An discovered and shattered their wicked scheme.
On that day, Su Family Village was massacred, with blood flowing for ten miles.
It was also on that day that the seed of doubt was sown in the girl’s heart.
The seed continued to take root and sprout, bit by bit consuming nourishment, until twenty-seven years later, it grew into the sword that pierced her master.
…
…
Chichi Su’s expression remained cold. Her eyes were downcast, and the fingers gripping her sword hilt were pale from the force.
Her slightly trembling body hinted that her emotions were not as calm as her outward appearance suggested.
After a long moment, she raised her head, her eyes filled with icy intent.
Then, with a casual swing, she unleashed sword energy that soared to the heavens, easily cleaving the scene before her into pieces.
Chichi Su’s expression remained unchanged, her Dao heart as firm as ever.
She sneered, “It’s truly just inner demons at work. If the truth were as you say, why would he have hidden it from me for so many years, refusing to be honest?”
“He’s clearly coveting this body, waiting for my cultivation to advance so he can refine me and help him ascend to immortality!”
The voice, referred to as the inner demon, reappeared and chuckled, “You are truly stubborn. You say he refused to be honest with you, but did you ever ask him yourself?”
Its tone carried an extreme disdain, as if despising its past self.
“Someone as self-righteous, foolish, and ungrateful as you should have perished along with that blood sacrifice, never to be reborn.”
Chichi Su saw no point in arguing. She looked around at the misty surroundings, unable to find a way out for the moment.
So, she began to meditate in place, cultivating within this unknown realm.
“My Dao heart is as unyielding as iron. No matter how you, inner demon, try to tempt me, you will not shake me in the slightest!”
The voice scoffed, “That may fool others, but can it fool yourself?”
“Whether it’s true or false, you already have the answer in your heart.”
“You know better than anyone, and you know better than anyone that he could never be that kind of person. It’s just that you’ve already made a mistake, and that mistake can never be undone…”
With each word spoken, Chichi Su’s trembling intensified.
“Shut up!”
Chichi Su roared suddenly. She opened her eyes, which were now tinged with red.
Surging spiritual energy churned around her, and wild sword energy scattered outward, as if containing endless rage.
“Tsk, getting anxious.”
The voice continued relentlessly, echoing in Chichi Su’s mind.
“Look at yourself, how pathetic, how sickening.”
“You don’t even dare to look directly. You can only immerse yourself in the world you’ve fabricated to find ways to convince yourself.”
It said with pity, “You are truly a pathetic coward, still running away.”
Chichi Su stood with her sword in one hand, her head slightly bowed.
“You’re lying to me, all of you are lying to me…”
“He is the demon who personally killed my parents…”
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Because those fragmented images began to merge.
Chichi Su suddenly understood the first thing it had said.
“Do it again, from your master’s perspective, go through the entire process.”
She suddenly awakened, her expression bordering on madness, her body trembling uncontrollably.
She swung her sword again and again at the scene.
Sword energy crisscrossed the air, but ultimately, it was all in vain.
“No, don’t…”
So, the most painful punishment was not loss.
But remembrance.
(End of Chapter)
