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墨書 Inktalez
When those words left Li's mouth, I shuddered, my eyes instantly moistening as a deep sense of remorse surged within me.
Mu Yan felt the same way; I could sense her inner turmoil, trembling just like I was, tears already blurring her vision.
This only intensified the guilt I felt inside.
I remembered when I first met Mu Yan; her personality was somewhat similar to Li's—so cold, so difficult to approach.
But now, after knowing Li, her character had undergone a tremendous transformation.
This change was especially evident when she faced Li.
She was no longer so icy, no longer indifferent, no longer making one feel distant; she seemed just like any ordinary person.
She was simply a mother; a mother who loved her daughter dearly.
“No, it’s not like that, Li; we came to find you, not to kill you.” Looking at half of Li's body emerging from the Water Surface, Mu Yan's voice trembled.
“Not here to kill me?” Li’s cold Withered Face slightly furrowed, seemingly surprised as she turned to me and asked, “You’re not going to kill me?”
Her tone carried a hint of skepticism but also a trace of astonishment.
Perhaps she found it strange why there were tears welling up in my eyes, why they were moistening my gaze.
Hearing this, I sighed deeply while meeting her gaze. “I’m not going to kill you. Really not. It was all my fault before. Li, I beg you to forgive me; your mother really misses you. I do too—I do.”
I paused slightly, but the last part—“I miss you too”—remained unspoken.
Because I didn’t know if I deserved to say that. I didn’t know if she would forgive me.
However, after hearing my words, Li fell into a brief silence.
I fell silent as well, for I had no idea what to say.
"Li, trust me, trust him. We really came to find you. Will you come home with us?" Seeing Li's silence, Mu Yan spoke again, her voice filled with tears.
"Home?" Doubt flickered in Li's eyes, as if she could hardly believe her ears.
"Yes, home." Mu Yan had to repeat her words once more.
"Do I even have a home?" Li seemed still unable to accept the idea.
Her response pierced my heart like a sharp blade, causing me to tremble all over. Yet, I found it difficult to speak, unable to utter a single word. I could only look at her with deep regret, gazing at the pale-faced girl before me who appeared so indifferent.
"You are Li."
Suddenly, a voice filled with authority rang out, capturing Li's attention. I turned to see Gu Chen, his expression stern as he looked at Li.
"Who are you?" Li retorted.
"I am his master and also your elder," Gu Chen replied softly, casting a brief glance at me.
"His master? My elder?" Li paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, a hint of desolation in her tone. "You are mistaken. There is no connection between him and me, so you cannot be my master."
"Li."
"Li."
At her words, Mu Yan and I called out simultaneously, tears streaming down our faces uncontrollably.
Gu Chen let out a cold snort at this and his expression grew even more indifferent. He looked at Li and said in a deep voice, "Before you were born, I told your father: 'One does not measure one's virtue against one's abilities when seeking to uphold righteousness in the world.' Do you understand the meaning of these words?"
"One does not measure one's virtue against one's abilities when seeking to uphold righteousness in the world." Though she did not fully grasp it, Li instinctively repeated Gu Chen's words.
In the end, she fell into a brief silence but shook her head and said, "I am not human, so you don't need to explain your human principles to me. I don't understand them now, nor do I want to."
"No, you do understand." Gu Chen did not seem angry at Li's response.
He merely stated calmly once more, "You don't not understand; you simply harbor resentment."
"Resentment."
Li let out a cold laugh, and her icy gaze swept lightly over me before landing back on Gu Chen as she continued, "Indeed, I do harbor resentment. Shouldn't I?"
"Tell me, who among us is born only to have their own father kill them? You, he, everyone present here, or is it just me?" Her gaze swept across everyone in the room, and the chilling sensation intensified.
"Ah."
Faced with Li's piercing gaze, the others from Nine Veins, including Mao Guoxue, fell silent. Gu Chen sighed softly and looked at Li as he said, "Actually, you cannot blame your father for this matter."
"Cannot blame him?" Li scoffed. "Then who should I blame? Blame myself?"
"Blame me."
Gu Chen spoke lightly. "That statement was something I taught your father. The reason he had to kill you after your birth is also because of me. It was I who told him that in life one must understand choices and sacrifices; one cannot forget greater principles due to personal feelings. This is also the meaning behind that saying about not overestimating one's abilities while wanting to uphold righteousness in the world. I believe you should understand."
"It was you who wanted to kill me."
As soon as Gu Chen finished speaking, an icy killing intent erupted from Li.
"Li." My heart sank in alarm as I called out again.
Who was Gu Chen? Who were these people? Each one of them possessed formidable skills. Although I did not sense any killing intent from Gu Chen this time, and he had forgiven me for not killing Li last time, that did not mean Li could speak to him in such a tone.
Especially with the killing intent radiating from her; it sent chills down my spine. I worried that she might provoke Gu Chen. If that happened, she would truly be in danger, and even I might not be able to save her.
"You are worried about me," Li said, a hint of mockery in her gaze as she looked at my face.
I replied, "She is my master. How can you speak to her in that tone?"
"She wants to kill me. What do you expect me to say to her?" Li's tone remained unwavering as she faced Gu Chen.
Just as I was feeling anxious, Gu Chen spoke again, "It's fine. Don't blame her."
After saying that, Gu Chen nodded again and continued, "Indeed, before you were born, I did want to kill you. Because you are the Demon Fetus, because you are not an ordinary person, you could not be allowed to live."
"Hmph, and what about now?" Li retorted coldly.
"Now..."
Gu Chen gave a self-deprecating smile and said, "Perhaps your father's choice was the right one. Maybe I have been too stubborn at times, lacking in understanding."
"Master," I looked at Gu Chen, feeling an inexplicable sense of emotion from his words.
"It's alright. What my master said is true; I was indeed too stubborn back then. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been such a rift and conflict between you and your father. But fortunately, it hasn't led to a major mistake and can still be salvaged."
I nodded but sighed silently as I looked at Li.
It was evident that her emotions were somewhat stirred at this moment, yet when she looked at Gu Chen, her tone remained icy as she asked, "Salvaged? How can it be salvaged?"
Gu Chen sighed and said, "The mistake has already been made. Your father has apologized to you; don't you want to return to your parents' side or have me apologize to you as well?"
"That's right. Since you are the root cause of everything, you should indeed apologize to me." Li immediately responded upon hearing this.
Gu Chen nodded and said, "Alright, I promise you. So how should I do it?"
Li coldly smiled and replied, "It's not about how you should do it; it's about what I should do."
Gu Chen frowned slightly at the words, but he nodded decisively at Li, saying, "Alright, since that's the case, go ahead and do what you must. However, afterward, any grievances or conflicts between you, your parents, and me must be resolved. Otherwise, don't blame me later."
As he spoke those final words, I could clearly sense a subtle pressure emanating from Gu Chen.
Yet, as I looked at Li, I still felt a twinge of worry; the others shared the same sentiment because we had no idea what Li was planning to do next.
I glanced at Li and then at Gu Chen before saying, "Master, you don't need to do this. If Li wants to do something, let her come at me instead."
"You need not say more; this matter arises because of me and has nothing to do with you," Gu Chen waved his hand dismissively without even turning to look at me.
I wanted to say something else, but Mao Guoxue beside me gently coughed and whispered, "Xiao Lin, since Senior Gu has already made his decision, you need not say anything further."
I sighed and nodded helplessly, knowing that no matter how much I said, it would be futile.
At that moment, Li's body had fully emerged from the water. She hovered above the calm River Surface, her feet seemingly resting on the water as if there were two steps or supports beneath her. Her expression was calm yet indifferent as she took measured steps towards Gu Chen, a cold smile gracing her lips as she approached the shore.
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