Chapter 511: Side story — Nangong Meng (Xuejian of Changle Palace)

"Master, Master!"
The girl curiously tilted her head, tugging at the arm of the woman in green ahead. "Master, what exactly is love?"
The woman in green paused, slowing her pace. She looked at the half-grown, innocent girl, and suddenly smiled.
"Love...actually, Master doesn't know either. But when you think of someone constantly, perhaps that's love."
The girl nodded, half-confused. "Then, Meng'er thinks of Master every day, is that love?"
The woman in green: "..."
She looked at the innocent girl and suddenly smiled. "What you and Master have isn't love, that's the feeling between us. Love is something that only happens between you and a man."
The girl asked doubtfully, "Then Master...what is feeling?"
The woman in green: "..."
She stopped and placed the remaining half of the candied hawthorn in front of the girl. The girl slowly opened her eyes and then took a bite.
Hmm...it's much quieter now.
...
My name is Nangong Meng.
I entered the Tianlan Sect at a young age and was taken in as a personal disciple by my master, Li Qingyue.
I began practicing martial arts at five, reached the Gathering Spirit Realm at twelve, and reached the peak of the ninth level of the Gathering Spirit Realm at twenty-one. My cultivation has been smooth sailing, and I am hailed as the number one genius of the younger generation of the Tianlan Sect. I represent the Tianlan Sect in the once-every-ten-years Genius Competition in the capital of the Tianfeng Kingdom.
"Meng'er, the Tianfeng Kingdom is vast, with geniuses no less than you. On this trip, your safety is paramount."
Li Qingyue looked at the girl in purple, as if she saw her former spirited self, and carefully advised her.
Nangong Meng nodded, "Master, I will definitely live up to your and all the teachers' expectations and achieve a good ranking for the sect."
Li Qingyue: "..."
Watching Nangong Meng's departing figure, she suddenly smiled, quite gratified.
And so, Nangong Meng, along with the elders and disciples of the Tianlan Sect, traveled to the capital of the Tianfeng Kingdom.
The capital of the Tianfeng Kingdom was filled with geniuses.
The disciples of the Tianlan Sect were defeated one after another.
Nangong Meng, however, defeated numerous opponents along the way, until she advanced to the top ten in martial arts.
"Senior Sister Nangong, your opponent this time is that Jiang Chen?"
"He's not only handsome, but also an elite disciple of Lingyun Martial Academy, and a hot contender for the top ten in martial arts."
Nangong Meng turned her head to look at her junior sister, who was swooning over him.
Noticing Nangong Meng's gaze, her junior sister quickly said, "But that Jiang Chen is definitely no match for you, Senior Sister Nangong. Jiang Chen is only at the sixth level of the Spirit Gathering Realm, while you, Senior Sister Nangong, are at the peak of the Spirit Gathering Realm. You definitely won't lose."
Nangong Meng withdrew her gaze, her hand unconsciously gripping the scabbard tightly.
She, Nangong Meng, would definitely not lose!
"Next match, Tianlan Sect's Nangong Meng versus Lingyun Martial Academy's Jiang Chen!"
Nangong Meng leaped to her feet.
Before Nangong Meng stood a handsome young man with long, flowing hair and dark eyebrows, making a very good first impression. But now they were opponents.
The young man in front of him took a deep breath, holding a long spear, his figure imposing.
However… Nangong Meng felt that the casualness in the young man's eyes vanished upon hearing she was from the Tianlan Sect, replaced by determination and conviction.
Although the young man was somewhat different, Nangong Meng didn't care, because she couldn't afford to lose.
Nangong Meng's idea was good, but during their first exchange, she realized she was wrong. While the young man's cultivation was inferior to hers, he… was like a wild beast, a reckless beast, a madman! A madman who didn't care about his life!
Nangong Meng had always cultivated within the Tianlan Sect. Even when she was involved in eliminating evil, she relied on her cultivation to achieve swift victories. She had never witnessed such a reckless fighting style. He was a complete desperado, causing Nangong Meng to instinctively take a step back, a fear growing within her—the fear of death.
This wasn't a competition; it was a life-or-death struggle!
And it was in this step that Nangong Meng unexpectedly revealed a weakness. The young man seized the opportunity, a sinister smile playing on his lips, his face covered in blood, giving him a sinister look.
"Miss Nangong, you've lost!"
Nangong Meng lost. She left the arena, while the young man on the platform, exhausted, knelt on the ground, supporting himself with his spear, yet still smiling.
"Senior Sister Nangong, Senior Sister Nangong, are you alright?!"
"Senior Sister Nangong, that Jiang Chen is too wicked! In one match, he actually tried to kill you, Senior Sister Nangong, and the judges just watched! This is clearly bullying!"
"..."
The Tianlan Sect disciples beside her continued their chatter.
However, the chatter quickly subsided as an accompanying elder from the Tianlan Sect approached Nangong Meng.
"Nangong Meng, do you know where you went wrong in this battle?"
The disciple beside her wanted to speak, but was glared at by the Tianlan Sect elder, quickly sticking out his tongue and swallowing his words.
An elder of the Tianlan Sect said, "Martial arts are never just empty gestures; they are forged through countless life-or-death trials. Elder Qingyue protected you too much, which is why you feared death this time, leading to your defeat. You didn't lose to Jiang Chen, but to yourself."
"Your loss this time wasn't unjust. In terms of cultivation, you are stronger than Jiang Chen, but in terms of the will to fight, you are far inferior to him."
Nangong Meng remained silent for a moment before saying, "Elder Song, this disciple understands. This disciple will definitely defeat Jiang Chen to prove myself!"
Elder Song: "..."
With Nangong Meng's defeat, many rumors spread throughout the capital.
"Senior Sister Nangong...they all say you were beaten to tears by Jiang Chen."
"These are all rumors. Senior Sister Nangong, you clearly didn't cry."
Nangong Meng: "..."
"Shut up!"
The girl beside her quickly covered her mouth, while Nangong Meng grabbed a long sword from a nearby shelf and stormed out.
"Senior Sister Nangong, where are you going?"
The girl asked, puzzled.
Nangong Meng replied lightly, "Revenge!"
She, Nangong Meng, would not fail so easily!
Two hours later.
The girl saw Nangong Meng again.
Two clear tear tracks etched her fair face, making her look pitiful and endearing.
The girl thought to herself, "It's over, the rumors have come true."
...
The once-in-a-decade martial arts competition ended.
Nangong Meng returned to her sect.
For some reason, the image of the young man who had defeated her twice kept replaying in her mind.
She was distracted.
Li Qingyue naturally noticed Nangong Meng's state.
She fell into deep thought.
Three years later, Nangong Meng finally broke through to the Spirit Pattern Realm.
Upon emerging from seclusion
"Senior Sister Nangong!"
Nangong Meng: "?"
The junior sister said, "Senior Sister Nangong, do you still remember that scoundrel Jiang Chen?"
Nangong Meng's body trembled, and she casually asked, "What about him?"
The junior sister's eyes sparkled as she said, "Jiang Chen is getting married! This has caused quite a stir in the Tianfeng Kingdom, and many forces have been invited..."
Nangong Meng turned and left.
The junior sister watched Nangong Meng disappear in the blink of an eye and quickly said, "Senior Sister Nangong, our Tianlan Sect hasn't received an invitation yet..."
Unfortunately, Nangong Meng's figure vanished from her sight.
...
Nangong Meng left the Tianlan Sect.
In a secluded corner of Beifeng City.
Nangong Meng looked at the young man lying on the ground, feigning death.
Although she had successfully defeated him, she couldn't feel happy at all.
Seeing the young man's indifference, she casually took out a bottle of third-grade healing pills, threw it on the ground, and with her sword in hand, her fair wrist trembling, she hastily wrote two words before leaving.
Nangong Meng didn't immediately leave Beifeng City to return to the Tianlan Sect. She walked through the bustling streets of Beifeng City, the image of the young man still haunting her mind.
She felt her heart ache...ache...
"This is probably what Master meant by love."
Unforgettable.
She still couldn't bring herself to leave. She wanted to see what kind of woman that man truly loved.
On Jiang Chen's wedding night, Nangong Meng stood at the highest point of the Beifeng City restaurant, watching from afar until Jiang Chen turned around, only then did Nangong Meng leave.
She thought to herself, "This outcome isn't so bad after all."
The person she loved already had someone they loved, and the person she loved was about to marry the person he loved.
Nangong Meng vowed that she would forget Jiang Chen; she would devote herself to cultivation.
But...love is something that's easy to take in, but incredibly difficult to let go of.
Nangong Meng returned to the Tianlan Sect.
"Senior Sister Nangong, Jiang Chen's cultivation has broken through to the Spirit Pattern Realm, the same as yours!"
"Oh."
"Senior Sister Nangong, Jiang Chen has joined the army."
"Oh."
"Senior Sister Nangong, Jiang Chen has gained General Lin's favor and has repeatedly rendered meritorious service, becoming General Lin's confidant."
"Oh."
"Senior Sister Nangong, why don't you go see Jiang Chen?"
"There's no need."
"Senior Sister Nangong, General Lin has died in battle, and Jiang Chen has been placed under house arrest."
"..."
"Senior Sister Nangong, something terrible has happened! The Canglan Dynasty has launched another war, and the Xuanyuan Army has been completely wiped out!"
Hearing her junior sister's report, Nangong Meng's beautiful eyes furrowed slightly.
"Junior Sister Zhao, why do you always talk about Jiang Chen?"
The woman with graying temples beside her said pitifully, "Senior Sister Nangong, isn't it because you want me to keep an eye on Jiang Chen's situation and report to you constantly?"
Nangong Meng pondered for a moment, then stood up and said calmly, "With the Xuan Yuan Army completely annihilated, the Tianlan Kingdom will surely request many sects to send reinforcements."
"I will go on behalf of the Tianlan Sect."
Junior Sister Zhao was slightly surprised. Since Senior Sister Nangong last left the sect, it was because of General Lin's death... and now, decades have passed. In these decades, Senior Sister Nangong has practically been a recluse.
"As expected, Senior Sister Nangong was lying. She kept saying she didn't like him, yet she's still so worried about that guy Jiang Chen's safety."
Junior Sister Zhao sighed inwardly.
'I wonder what merits Jiang Chen possesses that makes such a remarkable woman like Senior Sister Nangong so unforgettable.'
In her memory, that once-famous martial arts madman of the Tianlan Kingdom had slowly become mediocre, overshadowed by the halos of countless others.
Nangong Meng still left Tianlan Sect. With the Xuanyuan Army destroyed and the Xuanwu Army short of manpower, the Tianfeng Royal Family naturally requested that all major sects send personnel. Most sects did a perfunctory job, but Tianlan Sect sent a powerful elder, Nangong Fairy, a martial arts genius from a hundred years ago who was expected to break through to the Spirit Soul Realm in the future. This surprised everyone.
"Don't worry, Fairy Nangong, we will definitely help you find the person you are looking for."
The general of the Xuanwu Army made a solemn vow.
Nangong Meng, however, was distracted. She had a feeling that the Xuanwu Army was hiding something from her from top to bottom.
"Nangong Meng, do you know what you're doing?"
"Nangong Meng, your actions will alert the enemy and ruin Commander Yu's plan."
"Nangong Meng, it's just a city. If Commander Yu's plan succeeds, how many fewer people will die?"
"..."
Nangong Meng coldly stared at the Xuanwu Army soldiers. She finally understood that these guys had known Jiang Chen's whereabouts and his predicament all along, yet they had never intended to send troops!
"If you won't go, I will. Anyone who dares to stop me, don't blame me for being ruthless with my sword."
Nangong Meng left the Xuanwu Army, heading north towards a desolate city.
"Hurry... I have to be faster! Jiang Chen, you bastard, you can't die, you absolutely can't die!"
Nangong Meng admitted.
A century had passed, yet nothing had been healed.
On the contrary, that lingering attachment had only grown stronger, and no matter how much she tried to restrain herself, it burst forth like a dam breaking.
"Commander Yu, are we going to let Nangong Meng leave now?"
The dignified middle-aged man looked up at the sky and sighed softly, "The word 'love' is something so difficult for many to understand..."
"Nangong Meng absolutely cannot die at the hands of my Xuanwu Army, otherwise we won't be able to explain to the Tianlan Sect."
"Fortunately..." the middle-aged man smiled slightly, "The situation is dire, the outcome is now decided!"
......
"Jiang Chen... you bastard..."
Nangong Meng felt the blood in the man's arms gradually turning cold.
"Reinforcements..."
Nangong Meng trembled, watching the man in her arms disappear.
Killing formations and martial arts experts swarmed in from all directions.
The sword in her hand shattered, blood raining down.
"Jiang Chen... I, Nangong Meng, love you."
"If there is an afterlife... I will definitely meet you before anyone else."