Chapter 07: The Resurrection

Chapter 07: The Resurrection

Ruo’er couldn’t believe that Lin Nuo had fallen right in front of her.

She rushed over to check Lin Nuo’s body, only to find that he showed no signs of life.

That one blow was a death sentence.

“Nuo Ge…”

Ruo’er knelt before Lin Nuo’s corpse, still in disbelief. Just moments ago, he was perfectly fine, and they had just promised to elope together—how could he leave so suddenly?

“Ruo’er! What’s wrong with you?”

At that moment, the whirlwind released by Lin Nuo subsided, allowing the immortals to see Ruo’er’s condition.

“Ruo’er, come here! Don’t get close to him, or you’ll be in danger!”

“Junior Martial Sister Ruo’er, watch as I execute justice and eliminate this demon!”

As the other immortals prepared to attack Lin Nuo, Ruo’er quickly intervened.

“No, no… please, don’t…”

“Ruo’er, have you been bewitched? Why do you still defend him?”

Dong Xiyan was taken aback; she had come to save Ruo’er, but instead, Ruo’er was blocking her.

“No… he’s already… dead…”

Ruo’er whispered, tears streaming down her face.

“Dead?”

Dong Xiyan was skeptical. Lin Nuo was cunning; how could he die so easily?

She quickly checked on Lin Nuo and, indeed, confirmed that he had no signs of life left. Even his Demon Qi was dissipating rapidly.

“He took a fatal blow, his heart has stopped; he is truly dead.”

Dong Xiyan slowly stood up and turned to look at Ruo’er,

“Ruo’er, you took the chance to kill him, didn’t you?”

“Ah… it wasn’t me…”

“Enough, you don’t need to deny it. Lin Nuo was already injured when he took that hit, and maintaining the wind formation consumes immense spiritual energy. It was the perfect moment for his weakness to be exposed. Moreover, I noticed mixed immortal energy in Lin Nuo’s body, coinciding with where the blow struck—therefore, it must have been you.”

“I…”

Ruo’er wanted to explain, but Dong Xiyan was already convinced it was her doing and continued speaking:

“We need to dispose of his body. Ruo’er, step aside; I will burn his corpse.”

“No, please, Dong Xiyan, don’t do that!”

Ruo’er quickly stopped her, and Dong Xiyan, confused, asked:

“Why? What’s your reason?”

“Even though he has turned to darkness, he once showed me kindness. I want to bury his body on the back mountain of Ru Yu Village; it was his wish…”

Ruo’er didn’t disclose her close relationship with Lin Nuo, knowing that speaking of it would prevent her from handling his funeral herself.

If Lin Nuo were to be reduced to ashes, she would carry the guilt for a lifetime.

“This kind of thing…”

Dong Xiyan looked at the other immortals, who exchanged glances. They had all confirmed Lin Nuo’s condition—he was indeed dead.

“Can we… please…”

Ruo’er immediately knelt, tears flowing, begging them to grant her request.

“Ruo’er, Ruo’er, please get up; don’t do this.”

Dong Xiyan felt a pang of sympathy. If she burned Lin Nuo’s body right in front of Ruo’er, she would feel guilty towards her.

“Since it was you who killed him, you may handle his body. We won’t interfere further.”

“Thank you, Dong Xiyan, thank you all!”

Ruo’er bowed in gratitude; this was the only thing she could do for Lin Nuo.

“Ruo’er, by carrying out your vigilante justice and killing Lin Nuo, the world will be grateful and admire you. You also have exceptional talent; Zifeng Valley desperately needs someone like you. I believe you will soon become its cornerstone.”

“Dong Xiyan, I’m sorry. There’s something I must apologize for, but I still need to say it—I can’t continue cultivating as an immortal anymore…”

“Huh? Why? Your immortal roots are excellent; you have a bright future ahead. Why would you think like this?”

Dong Xiyan was puzzled. Cultivating was a pursuit many immortals dreamed of, and Ruo’er was in a prime position—having just killed Lin Nuo to gain fame, she would surely be valued by other immortals and gain access to resources.

“I’m sorry; I’ve been narrow-minded and lack the enlightenment of serving the people. After experiencing so many life-and-death separations, I’m tired… I just want to live an ordinary life and don’t wish to continue cultivating for the sake of the world…”

“But by killing Lin Nuo, you have already done so for the common good.”

“Dong Xiyan, regardless of what I’ve done, my decision is final. Please allow me to return to a simple life as a commoner.”

Ruo’er continued to plead earnestly, and despite Dong Xiyan’s repeated persuasion, she couldn’t sway Ruo’er’s resolution.

There was no other option; Ruo’er had no desire to continue cultivating as an immortal, and they couldn’t force her.

“Sigh, we will respect your decision, Ruo’er. However, since you want to be a commoner, we will revoke the immortal techniques we granted you.”

“Okay, I can accept that.”

Ruo’er nodded repeatedly, indifferent about the techniques.

Dong Xiyan revoked Ruo’er’s immortal techniques, but Ruo’er retained some skills she had trained in at the Xuanyun Sect. Zifeng Valley could distinguish what belonged to whom and wouldn’t arbitrarily revoke things that weren’t theirs.

“Dong Xiyan, can you all just say that Lin Nuo was killed by you? Please?” Ruo’er continued to plead.

“Why? That’s your achievement.”

“I… don’t want to bear the burden of that fame; I just want to be an ordinary person…”

“Sigh, you…”

Dong Xiyan sighed and finally agreed to Ruo’er’s request.

“Alright then, I wish you good luck, Ruo’er. From this moment on, we are no longer connected and will not disturb your life.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Ruo’er repeatedly expressed her gratitude as the immortals departed, leaving her alone with Lin Nuo’s corpse.

“Nuo Ge, I will give you a proper burial…”

Ruo’er couldn’t hold back her tears again. She felt so helpless and powerless; she hadn’t even had the chance to accept Lin Nuo’s proposal, and now he was gone…

Ruo’er was set to bury Lin Nuo herself, and this farewell would be a solitary endeavor. She hesitated to inform Xia Hanmo, fearing it would break her heart.

Xia Hanmo hadn’t heard from Lin Nuo, but she still believed he was alive, clinging to a fragile hope; this news would undoubtedly shatter her last straw.

Ruo’er carried Lin Nuo’s body to the back mountain, the place he had mentioned, where she would dig a hole and bury him.

“Nuo Ge… I’m so sorry… If I had been a bit more resolute and returned to Zifeng Valley with you, you wouldn’t have… You chose to retreat… because I was around… you were always on the run…”

As Ruo’er spoke, sobs escaped her lips, an overwhelming sense of guilt washing over her. Yet, death cannot be undone; Lin Nuo would never hear her remorse.

“Ha… cough…”

Suddenly, Lin Nuo’s corpse coughed, startling Ruo’er.

“Huh? What… Nuo Ge, is that you… or am I hearing things…?”

She thought her sorrow had driven her to delusions, but then Lin Nuo coughed heavily and spat out a mouthful of old blood—he was alive!

“Well, look who’s back!”

Lin Nuo spoke suddenly, leaving Ruo’er utterly incredulous.

“Nuo Ge, you… weren’t you already… dead… how…?”

“I can’t die without marrying you. Cough, cough, it hurts. Anyway, I’m not a ghost; I can’t die.”