Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Ye Xuan owed her nothing; it was her brother who owed her. For the sake of her brother’s family, for her mother, she endured humiliation and even married Ye Xuan, the evil man who violated her. Yet, all of it turned out to be her brother’s scheme.
Her seemingly honest and kind-hearted brother had conspired with a fox spirit. It was because of her brother’s curse that Ye Xuan became infatuated and acted against her.
But even suspecting something was wrong, Ye Xuan still chose to be good to her. He never shifted the blame to her, worrying she might think too deeply about it. He even deliberately became the villain. He was good to her, yet in reality, she caused him to lose the person he loved most. She owed him.
She thought she had a child, which Ye Xuan removed, leading her to hate him for centuries, unwilling to forgive him. Yet it turns out she never really had a child; it was all an illusion! Now, she doesn’t even have a reason to hate Ye Xuan.
In fact, it seems she still owes him. Although Ye Xuan never loved her, at least he doted on her before the truth was revealed. Just for that, what right does she have to do what she did to Ye Xuan?
Elder Qingxue’s heart is a mixture of emotions. The only person she cannot forgive is her brother, Mo Dazhuang. But the events occurred centuries ago, and her brother has long since…
She must get to the bottom of this matter!
But as her gaze returns to the scene, Elder Qingxue’s eyes show a hint of helplessness. Undeniably, she owes too much to Ye Xuan.
Despite their short-lived marriage, doesn’t Ye Xuan have any love for her at all? That time was the happiest in her life. Even if it meant dying for Ye Xuan, she was willing. But later, she discovered everything was false.
Perhaps Ye Xuan never thought of caring for her. It was the curse of the fox spirit that changed him. After dispelling the curse and learning the truth, his later attitude towards her was his true intention?
At this moment, Elder Qingxue desperately wants to understand the real truth. She continues to watch the unfolding scene…
———
Qingyu Temple.
This Daoist temple, located outside Wuyuan Town, is home to Daoist Qingyu, who possesses some cultivation skills. When the townspeople encounter difficult problems, such as hauntings or other supernatural issues, they often seek help at Qingyu Temple.
Ye Xuan, accompanied by two guards, also arrived here. Given his frequent donations to the temple, he received special treatment. Shortly after his arrival, Daoist Qingyu personally invited him in.
Noticing Ye Xuan, Daoist Qingyu frowned slightly and asked, “Seeker Ye, your brow seems clouded. Have you encountered any troubles recently?”
“Heh,” Ye Xuan chuckled. “If I wasn’t troubled, why would I disturb your cultivation here? Indeed, I’ve recently encountered some demonic issues.”
“Oh?” Daoist Qingyu stroked his beard and said, “Please, tell me about it.”
“It’s like this,” Ye Xuan explained. “You must be aware of my reputation, Daoist. Though my name is maligned, much of it is due to local rumors. In reality, I have always been involved in charitable deeds like building bridges, distributing rice, and feeding the poor.”
“It’s just that those spreading rumors about me are numerous, so I stopped paying much attention to clearing my name.”
“I am aware of this,” Daoist Qingyu replied. “What others say does not concern me, but I have indeed noticed your good deeds.”
“But recently… I inexplicably abducted a lady of good family and took her by force…” Ye Xuan said somewhat awkwardly.
“…” Daoist Qingyu nodded, “I suppose, with your character, you would have married the lady… Could she be your new wife?”
“She is my lowly wife,” Ye Xuan responded.
———
“Lowly wife–?!!” Hearing this, Elder Qingxue couldn’t help but show a face full of exasperation.
Was this how he referred to her publicly?!!
———
“Does Seeker Ye suspect that someone has cast a spell on you?” asked Daoist Qingyu.
“No, it’s not a suspicion; it’s confirmed… It was the brother of my lowly wife, who conspired with a fox demon to curse me…”
“To be honest, because of this incident, I have lost the one I love dearly and am deeply heartbroken, almost to the point of killing that despicable person,” Ye Xuan explained.
“But when I think of him being my wife’s brother, I find myself unable to act. No matter how heinous he is, my wife is innocent… If I were to kill him, my wife would surely turn against me in hatred.”
“Now that the truth is clear, what does Seeker Ye seek from me?” Daoist Qingyu inquired, puzzled.
“I wish to learn some self-defense techniques,” Ye Xuan said. “I have realized that wealth is but an external possession. A simple trick from others made me lose my beloved, and if someone more powerful came along, they could even take my life.”
“Cultivating the Dao is not an easy task and cannot be achieved overnight,” cautioned Daoist Qingyu. “However, since you are keen to learn, I will not refuse. But remember, the teachings should not be imparted lightly.”
“I understand, Daoist,” Ye Xuan said, signaling to his guard, who brought forward a box of money and placed it before Daoist Qingyu.
“Heh,” Daoist Qingyu chuckled, nodding approvingly. “Rest assured, Seeker Ye, I will use this money for charitable deeds on your behalf.”
“You’re too kind, Daoist,” Ye Xuan replied.
“In that case, I will recite a passage of Daoist teachings for you. How much you understand will depend on your own fate,” Daoist Qingyu said.
“The Dao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Dao; it returns to the origin, the spirit becomes clear, the eyes see brightly, and all things have their root…”
———
Watching the Daoist priest in the scene start reciting the Daoist scriptures, both Elder Qingxue and Yu Ling’er couldn’t help showing a look of disdain.
Yu Ling’er commented, “What kind of Daoist practice is this? It’s all over the place… It’s far inferior to the basic heart method of Taihua. This old Daoist, I’m afraid, is reluctant to teach the more powerful Daoist methods after taking the money.”
“There’s no helping it, at that time the orthodox immortal sects had not yet opened their doors widely,” Elder Qingxue explained. “For ordinary people, being able to cultivate immortality was already a remarkable feat.”
———
“Seeker Ye, the Daoist methods have been imparted to you. Have you comprehended them?” After reciting a piece of Daoist scripture, the Daoist priest Qingyu laughed and asked Ye Xuan.
“Many thanks to the priest. After listening to the Daoist scripture you recited, I feel much lighter and healthier,” Ye Xuan replied.
“Hehe, no matter how much you have comprehended, you should diligently practice this method in the future. There will always be some gains,” the Daoist priest Qingyu advised.
Hearing this, Ye Xuan was overjoyed. “This is more than good, thank you, priest. By the way, can you grant me another favor? I would like to ask for another talisman for my wife…”
“Seeker Ye, don’t be too greedy,” the Daoist priest Qingyu advised. “These talismans are not easy for me to draw either.”
(TL: Seeker is used by Daoist Qingyu to refer to Ye Xuan as someone who is not a Daoist practitioner or a member of the religious order, but rather an ordinary person or a novice in the context of Daoist practices and beliefs.)