Chapter 640: What is Life?

“Very well. Since the decision has been made, let’s choose a day soon and hold an official appointment ceremony,” Bai Henshui said with a nod. He then looked toward Wen Qingye and Chu Bufan. “Qingye, Bufan, you two come outside with me. I have something I need to discuss with you.”

Wen Qingye and Chu Bufan were both puzzled, not understanding why Bai Henshui had summoned them. They followed him out of Xuanyun Hall.

Outside the hall, Bai Henshui stared ahead and said slowly, “The matter of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty… I assume you’ve heard something about it, yes?”

Chu Bufan nodded. “Yes. The whole affair has caused quite a stir, so I’m naturally aware of some of it.”

“I know a little,” Wen Qingye affirmed with a nod.

“Since you both know, I won’t beat around the bush.” Bai Henshui turned, his brow furrowed with concern. “What I want to discuss is this: every major sect is paying close attention to the situation with the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty and has sent many of their top disciples. Our Celestial Profound Sect also intends to dispatch a new Inspection Disciple to the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. Originally, there were three people in the sect who could have handled this responsibility. However, Wang Hao was a traitor, and now he’s dead. That leaves the two of you. This mission requires not just an exceptionally sharp mind, but also formidable strength. I’m wondering what you two think. Who is willing to make the trip to the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty in the heart of the Eastern Profound Domain?”

Upon hearing this, Chu Bufan felt a stir of interest. But he subconsciously glanced at Wen Qingye beside him and saw that he remained perfectly calm and composed, his face an unreadable mask, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.

Bai Henshui suddenly asked, “Chu Bufan, what is your current level of cultivation?”

Chu Bufan immediately cupped his fist and replied, “Sect Leader, I am at the peak of the Third Heaven of the Life and Death Realm. I should be able to break through to the Fourth Heaven soon.”

“This matter is rather urgent, and your cultivation is still a little lacking…” As Bai Henshui said this, his brow furrowed, and his gaze shifted to Wen Qingye.

Wen Qingye smiled faintly at Bai Henshui. “Then I’ll go. It just so happens I’d like to meet the so-called number one genius of the Eastern Profound Domain in three thousand years.”

Huangfu Tian. A genius the likes of which the Eastern Profound Domain had not seen in three thousand years. He possessed a special bloodline power, and his strength far surpassed that of others at the same level.

And right now, he was in the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty.

Chu Bufan looked anxious and was about to speak, but Bai Henshui burst out laughing. “Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! My intention was for you to go all along. Bufan’s cultivation is at a bottleneck right now, whereas your own strength is already formidable. You are the perfect choice. If you ask me, you should pick a day and set off. Within the sect, Yun Yazi and Martial Uncle Meng have already departed ahead of you. You must make haste and follow.”

Wen Qingye nodded firmly. “Very well. I will depart within the next two days.”

Chu Bufan watched their exchange, then recalled the terrifyingly profound cultivation Wen Qingye had just displayed. The last shred of his own ambition crumbled into a silent sigh.

Bai Henshui nodded. “Alright. Since that’s settled, you two may leave. I don’t think this matter with Wang Hao is so simple; I need to consider it carefully. Moreover, the impact of this incident is significant, and I must quell the unrest it has caused within the sect.”

A traitor emerging from the ranks of the True Disciples was indeed no small matter.

Wen Qingye and Chu Bufan both took their leave.

Back at the entrance to Xuanyun Hall, Yann Chuxue was waiting. When she saw Wen Qingye and Chu Bufan emerge, she hurried over to them.

Yann Chuxue came up to them and asked anxiously, “Qingye, what did the Sect Leader talk to you about? It seemed rather urgent.”

Chu Bufan saw how Yann Chuxue’s gaze was fixed on Wen Qingye, not even glancing in his direction. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness, but he feigned indifference and strode briskly away.

Wen Qingye glanced at the departing Chu Bufan, his lips parting slightly. “Chuxue…”

Yann Chuxue interrupted him with a smile. “Let’s talk as we walk.”

Wen Qingye nodded. ‘Today’s Yann Chuxue is different,’ he thought. ‘She isn’t her usual icy, aloof self, and it seems like she has something she wants to say.’

The two followed the winding, rugged path down the mountain.

The breezes on Purple Bamboo Peak were, without a doubt, the finest among the Seven Peaks. All around them, vibrant flowers clustered together, releasing a soft, elegant fragrance.

Colorful butterflies fluttered about as rays of the setting sun shone down, bathing the world in a soft, gentle beauty.

Yann Chuxue tilted back her snow-white neck and asked softly, “Qingye, what do you think life is like?”

“Life?” Wen Qingye paused for a moment, then said without hesitation, “Life is like a play.”

“Life is like a play?” Hearing his words, Yann Chuxue shook her head. “I think life is like a dream.”

Before Wen Qingye could respond, Yann Chuxue let out a small laugh. “I say life is like a dream, and you say it’s like a play. In truth, both are just… nebulous.”

Wen Qingye looked at the young woman before him and whispered, “Nebulous?”

Yann Chuxue closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and continued walking forward.

Wen Qingye walked right beside her, and they continued down the path in what seemed to be a perfect, unspoken understanding. Neither said a word.

In that moment, it was as if the flowers had bloomed just for them, and the entire world seemed to expand.

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, they had reached the foot of the mountain.

Wen Qingye looked at Yann Chuxue as she opened her eyes. “Well, we’re here. You should head back.”

Yann Chuxue pressed her lips together, then smiled. “Okay. You head back, too.”

Wen Qingye nodded and then shot off into the distance.

Yann Chuxue watched his mountain-like back as he disappeared, a small smile playing on her lips as she whispered to herself, ‘We are so different… We must have met in a past life and promised to find each other again here in this one.’

A moment later, she shook her head in resignation. ‘I still couldn’t bring myself to say it.’

…….

When Wen Qingye returned to his Cave Mansion, he found Yue Mingzhu packing her belongings—clothes that he had prepared for her.

Wen Qingye couldn’t help but ask, puzzled, “What’s this?”

Yue Mingzhu took a deep breath, then looked at Wen Qingye and said in a slow, deliberate tone, “I have imposed on you for too long. I think it’s time for me to leave. As for the debt I owe you for saving my life, I, Yue Mingzhu, will never forget it. I will repay you.”

Wen Qingye asked, “Where will you go now?”

Yue Mingzhu bit her lip. “The world is a vast place. I can go anywhere I please. There are just some places I have no intention of returning to for now.”

Wen Qingye knew exactly which place she was talking about: the Sword Sect.