Chapter Thirty-Four: No Regrets

Three days later, Chu Su Yi, the Wulin Alliance Leader who had been missing for a full month, finally returned to Brocade City and resumed his position. Upon his return, Chu Su Yi immediately issued a command to all martial artists: they were to search for a girl named Silver Bell. This order astonished many, especially those elders who had once been rescued at great risk by Silver Yao.

They all believed that the leader’s first priority should be to find the “Snake Maiden” Silver Yao, not Silver Bell—the very girl who had nearly caused their deaths. Thus, protests erupted, and the order was widely disregarded.

In response, Mu Ye, Ai Shuo, and Gu Shen Yu spent three consecutive nights visiting the elders of the martial world, explaining the truth one by one: the person who had arranged their meeting was not the real Silver Bell, but Cold Phoenix—the one second only to Nether Tiger—Yin Su. Moreover, Silver Yao was already dead. The alliance leader, poisoned and suffering from amnesia, had forgotten her entirely. They advised everyone not to mention Silver Yao again, to act as though she had never existed, so as to spare the leader further pain.

After much consideration, the elders stroked their long beards and nodded, agreeing not to speak of Silver Yao and instructing their disciples to search for Silver Bell instead.

Five days later, Chu Su Yi and his companions found Silver Bell in a ruined temple, barely clinging to life. She was gaunt, her skin stretched tightly over her bones, her cheeks hollowed, and her once bright, watery eyes had lost their luster.

Seeing Silver Bell’s pitiful state, Chu Su Yi was filled with anger and compassion. He carried her home to the Chu residence with urgency, using his lightness skill. Mu Ye and Ai Shuo devoted much effort to nursing Silver Bell back to health, eventually saving her life.

As a result, rumors spread swiftly throughout the martial world: the Ghost Doctor and the Poison Enchantress had returned. This time, however, Mu Ye and Ai Shuo did not hastily depart; they chose to stay, determined to help Chu Su Yi avenge his grievances before leaving. They were certain Ji Mu Yu would not let matters rest.

A month later, Silver Bell had fully recovered, but her personality had changed—she was more timid, more withdrawn, frightened at the sight of strangers.

Chu Su Yi worried greatly and hoped Mu Ye could help, but Mu Ye was powerless; the trauma lay deep within Silver Bell’s heart, and only she could overcome it. The ordeal with Yin Su had left a lasting mark upon her soul.

Silver Bell became increasingly dependent on Chu Su Yi, and although Chu Su Yi always greeted others with a smile, it was only in Silver Bell’s presence that he revealed genuine joy and indulgent affection.

Mu Ye and Ai Shuo were pleased to see Chu Su Yi in this state, for at least he no longer felt heartbreak. Yet their own hearts were filled with guilt—for their selfish act had erased Chu Su Yi’s memories.

Su Yi, may you never awaken, forever.

Even if it is for your own good,

We will never regret.

Gu Shen Yu was deeply concerned. He knew that Chu Su Yi had saved Silver Bell only because she was the shadow of another; even her name was chosen for that reason. Chu Su Yi’s kindness to Silver Bell now likely stemmed from that shadow—and with Silver Yao gone, the emotional burden he placed upon Silver Bell would only grow.

May Su Yi never awaken.

May we never regret our choices.

After Gu Shen Yu departed, Yin Su felt as if all her strength had drained away. Her body was limp, her resolve vanished, and she lay on a winding mountain path for two days.

“Gu Shen Yu, I will not regret. Let me see who truly made the wrong decision!” Two days later, a woman's cry echoed through the empty valley, burning with determination.

Yin Su, having recovered some strength, used a branch to help herself stand. She threw it aside, straightened her back, and shouted into the abyss.

Gu Shen Yu, I will prove myself to you! My decision was not wrong! You left me, left the master for your laughable brotherhood, and you will regret it!

Resolve flashed in Yin Su’s eyes.

Leaving the valley, she looked back from afar: "I will remember you forever."

Ignoring her injuries, Yin Su returned to Twilight Pavilion, Ji Mu Yu’s assassin organization. She was utterly exhausted, collapsing outside Ji Mu Yu’s study.

When Yin Su awakened, it was because someone had thrown cold water on her. She was led into Ji Mu Yu’s study, and upon seeing her unconscious, Ji Mu Yu’s eyes revealed a hint of disdain. Yet Yin Su was still his strongest subordinate.

Yin Su felt her head was unbearably heavy, her eyelids weighted as if by a thousand pounds, but the cold water jolted her awake. She saw the master with his back to her, quickly crawled up, and knelt.

"Master."

"Speak."

"I’m sorry, Cold Phoenix failed. I have disappointed your expectations."

"And?"

“All twelve elites perished at the hands of Gu Shen Yu and the Poison Enchantress. Silver Yao is dead.”

“Gu Shen Yu!”

“Yes!”

“Why are you only now returning to report?”

“I… After my battle with Silver Yao, I was gravely injured, and could only recover now.”

The room fell silent. The master spoke no further. Yin Su watched his back, fear stirring in her heart—fear, for Ji Mu Yu’s methods were beyond what ordinary people could endure or imagine.

“Very well, you may leave.” The master’s voice betrayed no emotion. Sunlight filtered through the thick curtains, casting loneliness upon his back.

Yin Su quickly left the suffocating room.

Returning to her quarters, Yin Su found clean clothes and changed, applied ointments to her wounds, and tended to herself alone. Gazing at the empty room, dealing with her injuries by herself, she thought of Gu Shen Yu and the others caring for one another, and laughed bitterly: "Let it be."

After Yin Su left, Ji Mu Yu remained motionless in the shadowed study, like a statue. No one knew what he was thinking.

“Lin, Lie.” Ji Mu Yu spoke as if to the air.

“Yes.”

Suddenly, two men appeared in the study, kneeling with heads bowed so their faces were hidden.

“Cold Phoenix is injured. You two will take her place for now. I trust you know what to do.” Ji Mu Yu seemed to have deliberated long before reaching this decision.

Lin and Lie, aside from Cold Phoenix and Nether Tiger, were the most capable agents; twins, their mutual understanding and cooperation never gave Ji Mu Yu cause for concern.

“Yes, Master!” Lin and Lie responded in unison.

—Side note—

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