Chapter Thirty-Three: I Beg You

“I did all this for you, Master. The Saintess is young, after all, far too soft-hearted to resist this lad’s persuasion. I happened to overhear their conversation by chance and learned she intended to let him go. So I thought I’d bring them back, as a way to give you an explanation and spare you such trouble. Isn’t that so?” Old Su spoke without pause, not even the slightest blush on his face. Clearly, he was no stranger to lies; a lifetime’s practice made such words come easily. His earnestness was so convincing that it was hard not to believe him. Water Lotus regarded him with her usual icy demeanor, betraying no sign of gullibility. “Is that so? If your intentions are as good as you claim, then perhaps I have wrongly accused you. Boy, is that what happened?”

Her tone shifted abruptly, and Water Lotus’s gaze landed on Han Tan Yi, as if seeking his confirmation. For Old Su, this was the moment of true tension; his eyes lingered on Han Tan Yi, their pleading intent barely concealed. Han Tan Yi’s face was filled with sorrow. At Water Lotus’s question, he slowly rose from where he’d been sitting, casting a brief glance at Old Su before meeting Water Lotus’s eyes. Perhaps from sitting on the cold ground too long, his limbs felt numb, and he walked with a slight unsteadiness, painfully slow.

For Old Su, this was agony. As long as Han Tan Yi remained silent, his heart hung in suspense, yet he dreaded what the boy might say. If he attempted to defend himself, Old Su would be in even greater danger, for Water Lotus despised deceit above all. This was a gamble, and the odds were overwhelmingly unfavorable. After all, who wouldn’t try to deflect blame? No matter how slow his steps, the distance between Han Tan Yi and Water Linglong was not far; reaching them was only a matter of time. Suddenly, with a thud, the young man knelt before Water Lotus, his head raised, eyes full of desperate longing.

“This boy has guts. I never thought of kneeling—looks like he’s begging for mercy. He’d better not implicate me. Could he? They say a man’s knees are golden; he shouldn’t kneel lightly. Yet he’s cast even that aside. What am I to him? Why would he protect me? Besides, I betrayed him first; if he follows my lead, it’s only natural. What should I do? What’s best?” Watching the scene, Old Su’s heart trembled with anxiety, memories surfacing of the terror he felt when first encountering the blue lotus. Fear, dread—it was a torment, leaving him flustered. He couldn’t help but call out, voice quivering, “Boy, mind your words. Don’t wrong me, you hear?”

Han Tan Yi seemed not to notice. His gaze didn’t linger on Old Su at all; instead, he turned slightly, looking at Water Linglong behind him, a faint, secretive smile crossing his lips—perhaps only he understood its meaning. It lasted but a moment, vanishing as he faced Water Lotus once more, the desperate look gone, replaced by calm resolve. His mind was made up, his demeanor steady. His voice, unyielding yet respectful, flowed quietly forth: “Old Su speaks truly. Linglong is a kind-hearted girl. I was the one who clung to her, begged and pleaded until she agreed to help me leave. If she faltered, it was only out of compassion. All blame lies with me. I sought escape, I deceived you, Master. Whatever punishment you see fit, I will accept it willingly, without complaint. But Linglong is innocent; she should not suffer for my actions. Besides, she is your daughter. I beg you, for the sake of your bond, show mercy and save her.”

As Han Tan Yi spoke, his gaze returned to Water Linglong, a hint of guilt in his eyes. He had been running from his feelings, but now, finally, he acknowledged them. Water Lotus paused, though she was the sect leader, the infamous villain of the martial world, she was still a woman. A woman’s heart is more delicate, more easily moved. After a moment, she sighed softly: “Linglong’s judgment is not poor; you are indeed a devoted soul. Well done, boy. Throughout my life, I have hated nothing more than deceit. Your escape was a fact; even if I wished to pardon you, I could not, lest the Blue Lotus Sect lose its authority. But I can grant your request and spare Linglong this time. You are right, she is my daughter and the future heir of the Sect. She cannot be ruined so easily.”

“Thank you!” Han Tan Yi uttered these words, evidently satisfied with the outcome. Old Su, too, muttered them inwardly, relieved that his fears were for naught. Water Lotus moved toward Water Linglong, gently took her hand, and sent a surge of spiritual energy through her palm. At the same time, she sighed. “You have earned this, but was it necessary?”

For a moment, silence reigned; all eyes focused on the mother and daughter. Even Han Tan Yi remained kneeling, unsure whether worry or joy prevailed on his face. He worried because Water Linglong was still unconscious, but rejoiced because Water Lotus had intervened—surely, she possessed the means to undo the effects of the Sumeru Illusion, which she herself had created.

No one could truly tell what Water Lotus did, but as the spiritual energy poured into Water Linglong, her pale complexion grew rosy, and her frail breathing steadied and grew stronger. Han Tan Yi knew she was saved; his heart soared with delight, a broad smile spreading across his face, barely restraining himself from leaping up.

“Go, quickly! As long as you live, that is enough!” Water Linglong opened her eyes and sat up suddenly, her words urgent and full of haste. No one needed to ask whom her plea was for; her gaze swept the room in confusion, unaware of what had happened, until it settled on Water Lotus. A sudden tension gripped her, making her shiver involuntarily. “Mother, how are you here?”

“How am I here? Did you really think your little tricks could fool me? In the Sumeru Illusion, the moment anyone enters, I am aware. You wanted to help this boy escape—I could understand that. But to risk yourself for him, was it worth it?” Water Lotus looked at her, concern apparent even through the veil that obscured her face. Her words carried the weight of worry, and the question—worth or not—held a gravity that Water Linglong hadn’t anticipated. She pondered for a moment. “I—I wasn’t thinking clearly. He was unhappy here, so I wanted to help him leave. Mother, is he all right?”

Her initial response was merely to answer Water Lotus’s question, but as she spoke, her thoughts seemed to catch on something, and her voice quickened, tinged with anxiety. Her gaze fixed on Water Lotus, seeking a definite answer. Water Lotus’s expression grew thoughtful, as if hesitating. After a brief pause, she replied gently, “Rest assured, he is fine for now. You must not speak further—rest and recover. You’ve exhausted yourself too greatly; don’t do such foolish things again and worry your mother, understand?”

“I understand!” Hearing that he was well, Water Linglong visibly relaxed, a faint smile appearing on her face. At that moment, two maidservants stepped forward and gently supported her. Perhaps from the angle, Water Linglong’s gaze swept to Han Tan Yi, and seeing his kneeling posture, her heart tightened. She grabbed Water Lotus’s hand, just as she was about to leave. “What do you mean, ‘fine for now,’ Mother? What does that mean?”