Chapter 239: There Is Only One Answer in a Lifetime (First Update)

Time seemed to pass exceptionally slowly.

*I have to stop,* Rong Xiu thought calmly and with restraint.

Only he knew that he had waited far too long for this day.

The woman before him...

Belonged to him.

Belonged only to him!

Whether it was because she had heard the voice in his heart, or perhaps because they only needed a single glance to understand each other's every joy, sorrow, anger, and grief—in an instant, countless scenes flashed through his mind.

He viewed his entire past life as if watching a parade of flowers.

She had once been the most noble in this world, and now she had become the most humble.

She had once entrusted her entire trust, only to be met with the deepest betrayal.

She had once thought that no one in this world could ever share her joys and sorrows again, but Heaven had ultimately not treated her poorly, allowing such a person to come to her side and give her everything she ever craved.

She thought she would fear approaching someone again, but now that he was here, she only wanted to be with him, forever and ever.

This was a feeling she had never had before, and likely would never have again.

At a certain moment, she clearly heard an invisible barrier within her heart gradually melting away.

She finally grasped his hand, their fingers interlacing.

Rong Xiu paused, letting her go and taking half a step back to look into her eyes.

With just one look, he knew he had finally obtained what he wanted.

Rong Xiu’s hand gently brushed through the soft hair atop her head; a faint fragrance drifted out, lingering in his heart for a long time.

Meeting her gaze, he spoke earnestly

"You still haven't said whether this answer is correct."

His eyes were like deep, still water, yet his voice carried a hint of nervousness.

Chu Liuyue had never imagined that someone as powerful as Rong Xiu could actually experience an emotion like "nervousness."

He was waiting for her answer.

Just how important a place did he hold in her heart for him to seek an answer with such care and extreme caution?

Chu Liuyue stared fixedly at him, many scenes flashing through her mind.

The stunning moment of their first meeting by the lake.

The surprise of seeing him again at the palace banquet.

The moved emotion during the Wanling Mountains.

The scenes flashed by and finally dissipated, leaving only the demonic beauty before her, becoming increasingly clear.

In truth, her feelings for Rong Xiu had always been different, but for various reasons, she had been unwilling to admit it.

But thinking about it now, those were nothing more than insignificant excuses.

Even if she once had a past that was heartbreakingly painful, that was all in a previous life.

Now, there was a person willing to embrace her new life and give her bright, warm expectations.

She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a light kiss upon his lips.

Rong Xiu’s pupils constricted slightly, but within his eyes, ten thousand fireworks erupted!

"Rong Xiu."

She tilted her face up, looking at him, and spoke with equal seriousness

"In my life, there is only one question, and only one answer. There is no betrayal, and there is no regret. Do you understand?"

Her voice was very calm, but her eyes held too much emotion.

Those unbearable past experiences were her eternal scars.

She absolutely could not endure a second betrayal.

Rong Xiu felt as if something were clutching his heart, causing a sharp ache.

After a moment, his thin lips parted slightly as he chuckled softly

"What a coincidence, me too."

He tightened his grip on her hand and met her eyes

"Once we return, I will go to your estate to propose marriage."

Chu Liuyue was stunned and asked instinctively

"So soon?"

Rong Xiu raised an eyebrow.

"Is it soon? But I have already waited for a very long time."

If he didn't bring her back within a day, he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully.

Chu Liuyue wanted to say something more, but when she glanced at his expression, her heart suddenly stirred.

"...Fine."

For some reason, when facing Rong Xiu, she always seemed exceptionally easy to talk to.

Rong Xiu didn't dare touch her again, fearing he wouldn't be able to restrain himself; he could only settle for a compromise and kissed the center of her brow.

"I—"

He was about to say something when he suddenly stopped, leaning his head into the crook of Chu Liuyue's shoulder.

Chu Liuyue turned her head to look and realized that Rong Xiu's face was exceptionally pale; he seemed to have fainted.

"Rong Xiu!?"

***

The fourth day of the Qingjiao Assembly.

The martial artist competitions of the first three days had finally ended. The students studying as Mystic Masters from the three major academies were all restless, intending to secure a good ranking in today's Mystic Master competition.

Unlike the one-on-one matches of the previous days, the Mystic Master competition was conducted collectively by everyone.

The vast arena had been evenly divided into individual squares.

Inside each square sat a chessboard.

Five Mystic Arrays were set upon these boards.

Whoever could break these five arrays the fastest would be the winner.

At a glance, many people were already in position on the field, waiting for the start of the competition.

However, there was some commotion over at Tianlu Academy.

"Has Liuyue not arrived yet?"

Bai Chen asked with a frown.

Mu Hongyu shook her head, looking quite anxious as well.

"When we went to look for her this morning, she wasn't at her residence. We thought she might have arrived early, but we didn't expect to find no trace of her here either. I've already sent Cen Hu back to look—"

As she spoke, she turned to look toward the entrance and saw Cen Hu returning, panting heavily.

However, Chu Liuyue was not behind him.

Mu Hongyu's heart sank, but she still stepped forward quickly and asked

"Where is Liuyue? Did you find her?"

Cen Hu held one hand against his knee, gasping for air, and waved his hands repeatedly.

"No... No! I searched everywhere, but I didn't see her!"

Mu Hongyu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly thought of something

"What about the Nine Nether Tower? Did you look there? She usually loves going in there to cultivate! Did she forget to come out?"

Cen Hu shook his head

"I already asked; she hasn't gone there yesterday or today!"

Bai Chen pondered for a while and murmured uncertainly

"Could it be that she was too tired yesterday, so she went home?"

Si Yang, standing nearby, couldn't help but interject

"That shouldn't be it! She even said yesterday that she would definitely participate in today's Mystic Master competition! How could she suddenly not participate?"

Even if yesterday's competition had consumed a lot of energy, Chu Liuyue's talent and strength in the path of the Mystic Master were extremely outstanding; as long as she participated, her results certainly wouldn't be bad.

How could she suddenly vanish?

"Students who have not yet taken the field, please hurry! The competition is about to begin!"

An adjudicating teacher shouted from a distance.

Sun Zhongyan walked over

"Liuyue hasn't arrived yet?"

The group looked at each other and all shook their heads.

A trace of unease faintly surfaced in Sun Zhongyan's heart.

He remembered that Chu Liuyue had indeed returned to the academy yesterday, but why was she missing now?

From yesterday to today, he had not detected anything unusual within the academy.

If Chu Liuyue had gone out, the teachers in charge of guarding the academy gates would certainly have known.

But now...

Could something have truly happened?

After all, she had offended quite a few people these past few days...

But this was the Imperial Capital, and the Qingjiao Assembly was being held; surely no one would be foolish enough to move against Chu Liuyue at a time like this.

After considering it for a moment, Sun Zhongyan said

"Forget about the Mystic Master competition for now; finding her is the most urgent matter. Bai Chen, take people to search the academy again. Additionally, send people into the Imperial Capital to gather information and see if any traces can be found. Also, notify Lord Chu Ning."

"Yes!"