Chapter Thirty-Four: The Terms

Such a question was little better than asking in vain; Shui Linglong had grown up within the Blue Lotus Sect, revered as a saintly figure, and understood the rules all too well. For those like Han Tan Yi who escaped without permission, there was only one outcome—death. At that moment, Shui Lianhua did not answer the young girl. People like her had always believed that action spoke louder than words; if something could be done by hand, there was no need to resolve it with speech. Moreover, given the current circumstances, anything she might say would seem superfluous. Such an answer was not something Shui Linglong could easily accept. Her body struggled; though weakened by her earlier exertions, she managed to stand. Her gaze swept toward where Han Tan Yi knelt, his back toward her not far away. She seemed to want to go to him, but her steps would not move. As she tried to take a single step, her body faltered uncontrollably to one side. Fortunately, Shui Lianhua was at her side, and caught her in her arms. There was a hint of disappointment on her face, and she sighed softly.

Clearly, in Shui Linglong’s current state, what seemed a short distance was as insurmountable as crossing a thousand rivers and mountains—she could never make it. So her gaze returned to Shui Lianhua. The outcome, after all, rested with the master of the Blue Lotus Sect. It is said that parents love their children; the pleading look in Shui Linglong’s eyes would touch anyone’s heart. “Mother, I beg you, let him go, let him leave, please?”

“You truly have a child’s heart, muddled and foolish. For his sake, you would even give up your life—why suffer so? If you truly like him, keep him here. Why help him escape? If he leaves, your devotion will be in vain. Such a man, what is there to linger over?” Shui Lianhua’s hand gently slid across Shui Linglong’s cheek. Unbeknownst to anyone, tears had already blurred the girl’s face, hidden beneath the thin veil so that no one could see—not even Shui Linglong herself. Feeling the warmth from her mother’s hand, perhaps some innate bond stirred within her, and her face unconsciously grew sorrowful; she lowered her head slightly. “Though I was asleep just now, I heard every word that man spoke. Mother, why must you go against your conscience and lie to deceive me? I know what kind of person he is. Loving someone is fate, is it not? If my heart loves him, then I will love him, no matter what—rich or poor, emperor or commoner, handsome or ugly—I love him, and that is enough. Mother, did you not do the same? I am your daughter; naturally, I follow your example, don’t I?”

“How are you and I the same? You are just foolish, do you understand?” Shui Linglong’s sudden retort stirred Shui Lianhua’s heart, making her expression somewhat unnatural, though only for a brief moment before pride returned to her face, as if to cover her embarrassment. Even her tone was full of denial. “This man may be good in a thousand ways, but his heart belongs to someone else—he can never be yours. I have warned you often: do anything, but never fall in love. Men in this world are fickle and untrustworthy. If you treat them well, in the end, only you will be hurt, only you will feel pain.”

“But mother, you have loved, and even more deeply than I have; otherwise, how would I exist? Even Steward Su is merely father’s follower, yet you value him so highly. Though you know he speaks lies, you forgive him, don’t you?” Shui Linglong’s words were strange, but they cut Shui Lianhua’s chatter short. If she had previously denied everything, there had been no flaw, but now the words struck home, making Shui Lianhua feel awkward. Her gaze turned obliquely toward Steward Su, as if weighing the truth in her heart.

Steward Su, too, watched the mother and daughter from a distance. The conversation was unclear, but his heart was full of worry, fearing something might happen. When Shui Lianhua’s gaze fell upon him, he smiled awkwardly, attempting to mask his embarrassment. To speak the truth, his age was a disadvantage; his wrinkled, aged face was impossible to disguise, no matter how he tried, making him somewhat unappealing. Shui Lianhua was a proud woman and would never admit this. She cleared her throat to cover her discomfort. “Let’s leave Steward Su’s matter aside for now.”

At this point, Shui Lianhua was at a loss for words, wanting to change the subject but unable to find a good way. Her gaze lingered on Shui Linglong’s face, who seemed not to notice her embarrassment and still pleaded earnestly. Shui Lianhua shifted her gaze to Han Tan Yi. She felt no malice toward the man—handsome, devoted, skilled; he would make a fine son-in-law. But she understood the rules of the Blue Lotus Sect: to make an exception for him would undermine her authority. Yet her daughter loved him; killing him would break Linglong’s heart, which she could not bear. What should she do?

“If you want me to spare him, it is not impossible—so long as he agrees to one thing.” Perhaps this was the best solution available to Shui Lianhua. For Shui Linglong, it was a stroke of hope; her heart leapt, and her face was urgent, her frail body seeming suddenly revitalized. “What is it? Please, don’t make it too hard for him!”

Such feelings were indeed those of a young maiden. Shui Lianhua smiled gently, seeing Shui Linglong as a reflection of her younger self. She passed the girl’s body back to the two attendant maids, and, not rushing to speak, walked over to Han Tan Yi. The young man still knelt as before, as if to show his sincerity. The sound of approaching footsteps grew clearer, and he naturally sensed it, his body trembling slightly, but he did not rise nor turn his head. He spoke aloud, “Sect Leader, you are a person of deep feeling. What I have said, I will never regret. Please, act as you see fit. Before I die, I ask one thing of you—please grant me this request.”

“You are stubborn, aren’t you? So eager to die! If I wanted to kill you, it would be the work of a moment. But I do not wish to. Men like you are rare; each death is a loss. If I killed you, I would hurt my daughter as well—not worth it. So don’t ask me for favors. If you agree to one thing, I can pretend none of this ever happened. What do you say?” Shui Lianhua now stood before Han Tan Yi. Though her expression was hidden behind white gauze, her words betrayed her intent. Life and death—if one could live, who would choose death? Han Tan Yi was no exception; if there was hope, he would seize it. He looked up, hardly believing his ears, his expression full of doubt. “Please tell me, Sect Leader. If it is within my power, I will do it.”

“Very well. I will not make things difficult for you. I, Shui Lianhua, have struggled in the world of rivers and lakes; as a woman, I have made the Four Great Sects tread carefully. I am someone to be reckoned with. Let others call me fiend or demon—it matters not. In my pride, I saw all heroes as nothing; I was formidable!” These words, from anyone, would sound imposing. But in a moment, Shui Lianhua’s demeanor shifted, her voice softened, tinged with sorrow. “But since the Battle of Three Wolves sixteen years ago, when I barely escaped with my life, I realized that invincibility and prestige are mere illusions—empty in the end, nothing but vanity. So for years I have lived in hiding, a quiet life, but a comfortable one. If there is anything I cannot let go of, it is only Linglong, my daughter. That a mother should care for her child is only right, and I am no exception. My daughter loves you so much she would risk her life. I will grant you both your wish. If you are willing to stay, join the Blue Lotus Sect, and marry my daughter, not only will I spare your life—when I am gone, I will make you the master of the Blue Lotus Sect. Will you accept, young man?”