I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script-Chapter 83

Bililing Grass

"Thank you, A—" The female cultivator paused, glancing cautiously at Xu Shulou. "Can we still call you A-Yi?"

Xu Shulou nodded. "Of course."

The female cultivator smiled. "Thank you, A-Yi! You saved our lives."

Another female cultivator added, "Don’t worry, we won’t reveal your true identity. As long as you remain in Xuan Cang, we’ll keep your secret."

The two looked at her with mixed emotions. Who would have thought that their usually gentle and amiable classmate was actually the infamous Xu Shulou, whose name alone made some in the cultivation world gnash their teeth?

Recalling how someone had once discussed in front of her whether she was "worthy" of the top-ranked prodigy Lu Beichen, and yet she hadn’t lost her temper—such restraint was almost excessive for a genius cultivator.

Was the Qingyun Prodigy Ranking impressive? Absolutely. But Xu Shulou? The cultivation world generally agreed that her strength far surpassed the ordinary tier of cultivators under three hundred years of age. That she hadn’t participated wasn’t due to fear of losing face, as some maliciously speculated, but rather because she was seen as aloof and disdainful of such contests.

This was a misunderstanding. Xu Shulou was neither aloof nor disdainful—she simply wasn’t interested.

The two female cultivators, recalling their earlier conversation, felt a twinge of embarrassment but also indignation on her behalf. How could someone as kind as A-Yi be portrayed so unfairly in rumors? Besides, if anyone had the right to be arrogant, it was Xu Shulou. After months of interaction, they’d seen how those from prestigious families, who looked down on everyone else, were far more arrogant than her, despite being far less capable.

Having just been saved by Xu Shulou, their minds were still hazy with admiration for her poised stance and the single sword strike that had split the sky. They conveniently forgot the rumors of her bloody exploits—like how she’d single-handedly taken down three elders from her ex-fiancé’s sect—and focused instead on defending her reputation.

Xu Shulou smiled faintly, about to speak, when she suddenly sensed several figures approaching. With a flick of spiritual energy, she pushed the two away. "Hide. Now!"

Recognizing the danger, they didn’t hesitate, swiftly retreating into a nearby cave. Though higher-level cultivators would easily detect their presence, Xu Shulou stood her ground, drawing all attention to herself.

This group was larger—nearly twenty people—apparently scouring the mountain to capture stray students. Spotting the five unconscious figures on the ground, they tensed, eyeing Xu Shulou warily. There wasn’t even a trace of battle on her. "Notify the sect leader!" one shouted.

A few immediately flew off. Xu Shulou didn’t bother stopping them; with so many, it was impossible to prevent them from reporting. She simply waited calmly for their so-called "sect leader" to arrive.

Soon, a masked man hurried over. The moment he landed and saw her, he stiffened. "Lady Xu? It’s you?"

Another who recognized her. But his tone didn’t sound hostile. "Who are you?" she asked.

After a brief hesitation, the man gritted his teeth and removed his mask, revealing an honest, middle-aged face. "Chu Fu of the Xuanji Sect, at your service."

The two hiding female cultivators marveled at the commotion outside. Xu Shulou’s reputation was indeed colossal—some of these assailants trembled at the sight of her, while others bowed in reverence.

"It’s you?" Xu Shulou was surprised. She’d met him before and had a favorable impression. He didn’t seem the type to orchestrate ambushes or sieges.

"Lady Xu, I’ve never forgotten your life-saving grace twenty years ago," Chu Fu said, bowing again. His gaze lingered on her Xuan Cang Academy robes. "I had no idea you were here today."

"As I recall, twenty years ago, your elder brother was still the Xuanji Sect leader."

At this, a flash of hatred crossed his face. "My brother… has passed."

Xu Shulou paused, connecting the dots. "Was it related to Feng Jiuyou and Qi Wutong?"

Chu Fu hesitated, as if debating whether to answer truthfully. But the sharpness in his eyes at their names betrayed his thoughts.

Xu Shulou pressed, half-guessing, "Your plan today has failed. The students at Xuan Cang Academy have already escaped through hidden passages to seek help."

"…" Chu Fu froze, his expression crumbling into defeat and resentment.

"Right now, I’m the only one left at the academy. Do you plan to take me hostage to negotiate with the Qingcheng Sect?"

"…I wouldn’t dare," he finally said, shaking his head. "You saved my life, Lady Xu. I can’t repay kindness with betrayal."

The Xuanji Sect was small and peaceful, its disciples mostly mediocre in cultivation. For centuries, they’d coexisted harmoniously with nearby villagers, even aiding them during famines. Xu Shulou had crossed paths with them twenty years ago and held them in high regard. Now, she sighed. "What grudge do you hold against Feng Jiuyou and Qi Wutong? Tell me."

After a struggle, Chu Fu relented. "It’s about my niece. She was born with a heart condition—unable to cultivate. She needed Bililing Grass to survive. My brother and I searched for years before finally locating a stalk…"

Xu Shulou guessed the rest. "Feng Jiuyou stole it?"

"Yes. We’d already obtained the grass when Feng Jiuyou intercepted us. Qi Wutong kept insisting they needed it to save Little Lan’er’s life, demanding we hand it over." Chu Fu’s voice turned bitter. "We refused, but they outnumbered us. Feng Jiuyou took the grass and tossed double its worth in spirit stones at our feet, calling it ‘compensation.’"

"…"

"We searched desperately for an alternative, but it was too late. My niece—just a teenager—withered away… At the time, we blamed only ourselves for being weaker. And since Qi Wutong claimed it was to save a life, we swallowed our rage…"

Xu Shulou sighed.

"But do you know what Little Lan’er was?" Chu Fu’s tone turned venomous.

Xu Shulou frowned. "What?"

"We learned later—it was a potted orchid Qi Wutong kept. Not even a spirit plant. Just an ordinary, mindless flower." Chu Fu’s face twisted in anguish. "To save a damned flower, Feng Jiuyou and Qi Wutong stole the Bililing Grass and killed my niece!"

The surrounding disciples of the Xuanji Sect, recalling the girl they had watched grow up—one who remained optimistic and spirited despite being unable to cultivate—wore expressions of indignation.

"I was so furious that my elder brother and I went to confront her," Chu Fu continued. "But Qi Wutong acted utterly naive, batting her eyes and saying, 'A pot of orchids is a life too. If cared for properly, it might even outlive my niece!'"

Xu Shulou frowned. Whether Qi Wutong had truly been sheltered too well by Feng Jiuyou or was simply ignorant of the world, her words were undeniably cruel.

"My brother couldn’t tolerate it and immediately moved to strike her," Chu Fu recounted, his face dark with the pain of the memory. "At the time, Qi Wutong was staying with Feng Jiuyou at the Qingcheng Sect. The moment the fight broke out, disciples from Qingcheng—unaware of the truth—rushed to her aid and drove my brother and me out."

"..."

"Before we were forced out, I saw Feng Jiuyou hurry over and embrace Qi Wutong, comforting her as if she were the victim. She sobbed and asked him why these people were so greedy, even after she had compensated them double the spirit stones. My brother was so enraged he spat blood on the spot. No amount of spirit stones could buy back his daughter’s life! The world calls Qi Wutong the 'Divine Maiden,' but does she truly believe herself a goddess? That her pot of flowers is worth more than another’s life?"

"..."

"My brother was at a critical juncture in his cultivation, on the verge of a breakthrough. The shock of this incident caused him to qi deviate, and he perished," Chu Fu wiped his tears. "As his brother, how could I not hate? How could I not seek vengeance?"

"​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‍..."

"But I lacked the strength. So during their wedding, I stirred up trouble, hoping to force the Qingcheng Sect to address the matter publicly," Chu Fu admitted bitterly. "I knew it wasn’t the best approach, but I had no other ideas..."

"The Qingcheng Sect, as the foremost sect in the cultivation world, has always been fair and respected by others. Demanding justice from them might work," Xu Shulou mused. Chu Fu’s plan to escalate the situation to prevent the sect from sweeping it under the rug was understandable. "But you should never have involved innocent students. Do you realize that your ambush on Teacher Li left the entrance to the minor secret realm unguarded, causing severe injuries to the students training inside?"

Chu Fu paled. "I truly didn’t know. I never meant to harm the students. I’m sorry."

Xu Shulou sighed. "If what you say is true..."

"I swear it!" Chu Fu interrupted. "Every word is fact! If I’ve lied, may my cultivation path be severed, and may I perish beneath heavenly lightning!"

"..." Xu Shulou ran her fingers along her sword hilt. "If you withdraw your men from Mount Taihua, I’ll help you find a solution."

Chu Fu brightened. "Do you have a plan, Lady Xu?"

"Not yet. At most, I can accompany you to demand answers."

Chu Fu bowed deeply. "For standing with us against the Qingcheng Sect, I am eternally grateful."

"Don’t mistake this for absolution. Once this matter is settled, we’ll address the harm done to Teacher Li and the students," Xu Shulou said firmly. "Now, withdraw your men."

"Very well." After the prolonged struggle, the failed hostage attempt, and the battle with the puppets, Chu Fu was at a loss and had no choice but to retreat.

Xu Shulou arranged a meeting point with him and watched as his group carried their unconscious comrades away. She waited until she was certain they wouldn’t return before locating the two female cultivators hiding in a nearby cave.

One of them was weeping uncontrollably, momentarily setting aside her grievances. "Feng Jiuyou and Qi Wutong are despicable! We must help the Xuanji Sect!"

The other cultivator looked equally distraught. "And to think I once cried over their love story! This is revolting! Even if Qi Wutong is a tree spirit and feels closer to plants than humans, how could she show no remorse for a child’s death? If this is true, I... I’ll never admire them again!"

Xu Shulou paused, then handed them a handkerchief. "Let’s regroup with the others first."

The two nodded.

When Xu Shulou led them to where the students were hiding, Bai Roushuang and the others sighed in relief, crowding around to ask about the situation outside.

Meanwhile, the lackeys she had unofficially adopted zeroed in on the two newcomers, circling them with scrutiny. "Did our boss save you? Have you paid your protection fee yet?"

Amid the students’ chatter, Xu Shulou caught the remark and snapped, "Silence! Don’t ruin my reputation!"