Chapter 993: Her Significance

Chapter 993: Her Significance

No matter how independent and strong-minded a young girl is, she still hopes to rely on a hero-like boy of her dreams.

When the two are alone, it can’t be just sword practice; they should also share some intimacy.

Lin Nuo let out a gentle sigh, caressing her silky hair:

“Without me, you can still live on. One shouldn’t live for others.”

“But it was you who kept me alive, wasn’t it? It’s only natural that I live for you!”

“Whatever, it’s up to you. How are you feeling now?”

“I feel my stamina and Demon Soul Power are gradually recovering; I’m much better now. It’s only right that a strong one like you should wield this sword.”

“Subduing and belonging aren’t necessarily related. The connection between a sword and its master is a mutual choice. If I don’t choose it, it doesn’t choose me either.”

Lin Nuo said in an air of mystery, his tone calm.

Liu Shuqin seemed to understand yet not quite, replying:

“Even so, it wouldn’t choose me. I don’t even have the ability to stabilize it. How can a sword master like that earn the sword’s approval?”

“If it completely rejects you, you wouldn’t have survived this long. Since that master craftsman made this sword for you, it will recognize you to some extent. It just needs time to adapt.”

Lin Nuo remarked, his sharp gaze shifting to the Demon Sword lying in the grass, adding:

“Now that its aura has been suppressed, this is the perfect opportunity for you to bond with it. To tame a fierce beast, you must make it submit yourself.”

“Mm… but I have been hiding from you, Master. Every time I see this sword, I feel a sense of shame… I have my own selfish desires; I still wish you wouldn’t repeat the past. However, I’ve come to understand something now. It’s the companion that stood by you when you were lost and underestimated; it has immense significance for you…”

“I’ve said it before; it’s not ‘that sword.’ Such a sword is not my companion. Or perhaps, since the moment I die, it ceases to exist.”

With that, Lin Nuo withdrew his hand from Liu Shuqin’s hair, slowly pulling away.

“Did our fierce battle just now disturb anyone else?” Liu Shuqin asked.

“I anticipated that and had already set up a barrier to isolate this area; no one will notice anything.”

Lin Nuo said, gradually raising his head to gaze at the bright full moon above.

Though shrouded in thick fog, with a wave of his hand, he charged straight toward the moon, dispersing the fog along the way, creating a path. The bright white moonlight directly lit up their faces.

Liu Shuqin bent down slowly and picked up the Demon Sword at her feet. It felt much lighter than before, as if it had shed a considerable amount of its heavy Demon Soul Power.

She swung the Demon Sword slightly, and it felt more agile than before, but she still couldn’t fully harness its power.

“You are resting, and it is resting too. However, during this time, you can try to bond more with it. I wish you success.” Lin Nuo said.

“Thank you, Junior Brother.”

With that, Liu Shuqin lightly brushed her long, smooth hair with her right hand, gazing up at the radiant full moon with a hint of a satisfied smile:

“Junior Brother, the moonlight tonight is beautiful.”

“Indeed. Since you enjoy the night scenery, now that the bothersome fog has cleared, feel free to appreciate it more.”

“Mm… looking at this moonlight reminds me of some things.”

With that, Liu Shuqin approached Lin Nuo again to take his hand.

“I remember a night when the moon was full and bright, when the past Junior Brother was all alone. A beautiful night usually meant reunion. But Junior Brother…”

Liu Shuqin hesitated, knowing she was referencing the lonely times Lin Nuo experienced during his wandering days; the more radiant the moon, the more it highlighted his tragic fate.

“There’s nothing to say about it. As long as you get used to it, it doesn’t mean much anymore.”

Lin Nuo replied nonchalantly; he had grown numb to it. While others enjoyed moonlight and wrote poems, he had no such leisure, worried about his next steps instead.

“Mm… I can’t yet experience that feeling. But I’m here now, hoping to accompany you in these moments. It may seem trivial to you…”

“No, I’m very grateful to you.”

Lin Nuo responded to her, a rare smile appearing on his face.

He hadn’t expected much; just having Liu Shuqin join the demonic path brought him some relief.

Of course, if she didn’t keep hoping he would return to the light, that would be even better.

“Junior Brother, I’ve also come to gradually understand. Perhaps the demonic path is truly your destiny; how to grasp your fate is something only you know. I used to think of ways to bring you back, trying to change your will forcibly, wanting you to become what I desired. But who gave me the right? I’m so… sorry… I’m selfish, but you have always been tolerant of me. From now on, I will accept you as you wish to be, rather than how I want you to be.”

Liu Shuqin lowered her head, filled with guilt. Compared to Ling Meng and Ruo’er, she felt so lacking, having not wholly supported him like they did.

Seeing Liu Shuqin’s bowed head, Lin Nuo smiled again, saying:

“You can do whatever you want; there’s no need to apologize to me. If I cared about your demeanor, you wouldn’t be here anymore. Don’t you understand why I wanted to keep you alive?”

“I… I still don’t quite understand why I’m special enough for you to save me… but I feel very honored. Please, tell me plainly.”

Liu Shuqin lifted her head slightly, sincerely asking Lin Nuo.

“You can understand it as me trying to make up for my earlier inability. I couldn’t save you back then, but I can now.”

“Oh… I see. Junior Brother is remarkable; being competitive is only natural. I’m still very lucky to have earned your favor.”

Liu Shuqin felt a little disappointed by this response. Overall, it seemed Lin Nuo just wanted to prove he was no longer weak, and her survival was merely a symbol of his strength.

In this regard, she felt very humble, questioning what significance she held in his eyes; as long as she could follow him, that was enough, right?

“But there’s another reason.”

Lin Nuo added, his expression becoming serious,

“I hope you exist in the world I live in, at least as long as I’m still alive.”

These words, like a gentle spring breeze, blew into Liu Shuqin’s heart.

It seemed like an ordinary statement, but Liu Shuqin could sense the sincerity behind it.

Lin Nuo rarely spoke sweet words; he wasn’t heartless, but this short sentence brought warmth back into Liu Shuqin’s heart.

It felt almost like a confession, and she was deeply moved.

The main reason behind this was her kindness when she had been helpless in the Xuanyun Sect.

But Liu Shuqin would never have guessed how significant that kindness was to him.