WJ Chapter 73

Little Star (3)

“Sect Leader, you…!”

Guan Wujue’s heart shook tremendously. He hurriedly pulled Yun Changliu into a tight embrace, and in just an instant felt his chest tighten with an aching fullness.

…He hadn’t expected the Sect Leader to react so strongly, to be hurt this badly, all because of one cruel remark Lin Wanxia had made.

——[Does it feel good to be used as bait by the master you serve!?]

It was precisely this remark—one that even he himself didn’t care about—that could throw the Sect Leader into such disarray, making him struggle to explain clearly even while in such pain.

Terrified that he might misunderstand even slightly, terrified of hurting him even a little.

For a moment, Guan Wujue didn’t know what to feel. People said the Four Directions Protector was full of pride and arrogance, yet before Yun Changliu he never preserved any dignity for himself, tossing it aside with casual indifference, discarding it without a care.

But in a certain moment, when he suddenly looked back, he saw Yun Changliu standing behind him, bending down to carefully pick it up, gathering it up and properly protecting it against his heart to keep it warm, with a pained yet reproachful expression on his face as he gazed at him without speaking.

Guan Wujue shook his head and sighed, turning his eyes away with some bitterness as he said, “You really are… Of course Wujue knows you didn’t use me as bait! I… what I said about feeling good just now was only to spite Lin Wanxia in the heat of the moment. How could the Sect Leader take it to heart?”

Yun Changliu was only able to stand steady by leaning on the Protector’s support, yet he clutched his arm tightly and refused to let go, struggling to lift his head and stare into his eyes. “…Dispatching the Yin Ghosts was for you, not because I thought highly of her, understand?”

…From the results, isn’t it all the same?

Protector Guan had never been able to understand the Sect Leader’s inexplicable and even rather childish stubbornness about such matters.

But with Yun Changliu now in such a critically ill state, he dared not argue back, and could only respond with a bitter smile and repeated assurances, “Yes, yes, yes, it was for me, it was for me…”

Just then, the distant black clouds were illuminated by a flash of lightning. Soon after, rumbling thunder rolled across their eardrums like heavy carts.

A wave of worry rose in the Protector’s heart. He glanced at the sky and urged in a low voice, “Sect Leader, regardless of who it was for… may Wujue first escort you back to Yangxin Hall? It looks like a thunderstorm is coming, and you can’t withstand being caught in the rain and catching a chill in your current condition—it could be fatal.”

“No, first make things clear.” Yun Changliu took two light breaths, then earnestly emphasized again, “There was no using you as bait, no exploitation.”

Guan Wujue was at a loss and hurriedly agreed: “There wasn’t, there wasn’t, truly there wasn’t…”

“From now on, you’re not allowed to speak words that belittle yourself.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I won’t say them anymore, I won’t say them anymore…”

“Tomorrow you’re not allowed to come.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I won’t—what!?”

Yun Changliu smiled softly, “It’s settled then.”

Wait, hold on!!

Something strange just got mixed in there!

Guan Wujue belatedly realized what had happened and looked at the Sect Leader in astonishment. He saw Yun Changliu’s lashes lowered, not meeting his gaze, but his tone was very firm, “…Tomorrow, you’re not allowed to come.”

Tomorrow—that meant the Sect Leader and Ah Ku’s… or rather, his wedding with Ye Ru.

Guan Wujue hadn’t expected Yun Changliu to still be concerned about this on his behalf, when clearly the matter of Ye Ru could be considered something he himself had stirred up from every angle, and this marriage could also be said to have been forced into being by him…

“Sect Leader.” A light pain pulled at Guan Wujue’s heart. He leaned in to look at Yun Changliu’s expression, gently consoling him, “Please don’t be like this. Wujue knows you’re only doing this to save someone.”

“If you knew someone was endangering Ah Ku’s life,” the Red-Robed Protector’s expression gradually filled with warmth as he took a small half-step back, his hands resting on Yun Changliu’s shoulders, speaking steadily and gently, “yet remained indifferent… that would truly make Wujue’s heart turn cold.”

As he spoke these words, his deep black eyes held a clear bright light, and the smile at the corners of his lips seemed to be reminiscing, or perhaps remembering fondly. As if he were not only speaking to Yun Changliu, but also bringing himself some kind of comfort.

Yun Changliu didn’t yet know at this moment just how many chaotic yet soft and lingering thoughts were buried in these seemingly casual words from Guan Wujue. He only shook his head stubbornly. “I don’t care about all that, I just don’t want you to come.”

The Protector pleaded, “Would you grant Wujue this one favor and let this subordinate see you in your red wedding robes?”

Yun Changliu grabbed Guan Wujue’s hand forcefully and held it, leaning listlessly against the Protector’s shoulder, “This lord doesn’t want to show you.”

Guan Wujue was speechless. Using such willful and unreasonable words—the Sect Leader was clearly taking advantage of the fact that he wouldn’t dare drag things out with him at a time like this.

Another roll of thunder rumbled through the clouds, which were already very close now.

The Protector immediately sighed with a headache.

…Fine, he really was at the Sect Leader’s mercy.

“Wujue… obeys your command.”

…..

By the time Guan Wujue finally managed to persuade the Sect Leader back to Yangxin Hall, it was already completely dark outside, and they could hear continuous thunder overhead.

The wind was also howling fiercely, though not like in the dead of winter when the surrounding trees would be shaken into rustling disorder.

The Protector had just walked down the long stairway when he looked up with furrowed brows at the sky. Wen Feng came chasing after him from behind with an umbrella, “Protector! The Sect Leader told you to take the umbrella with you.”

Guan Wujue waved his hand, “No need. Qingjue Residence isn’t far from Yangxin Hall—just a few steps, why bother with an umbrella? Besides, it hasn’t started raining yet, has it?”

Wen Feng insisted. “Still, take it. Just consider it putting the Sect Leader’s mind at ease…”

Having invoked the Sect Leader, Guan Wujue could only obediently reach out to take it. Just as the Protector’s fingers touched the umbrella’s surface, the white-purple light of lightning illuminated the sky.

The electric light was like a giant axe splitting heaven and earth, descending from above and flashing several times in succession.

At the foot of Yangxin Hall’s long stairway, Wen Feng and Guan Wujue were both enveloped in the blindingly bright light.

The dazzling brightness made the white-robed attendant involuntarily close his eyes.

So Wen Feng didn’t see that in that very moment, Guan Wujue’s hand reaching for the umbrella abruptly froze.

Under the electric light, his gaze suddenly became scattered and unfocused, and in an instant all color drained from his face.

Immediately after, a tremendous thunderclap exploded.

Rumble…!!

“…”

Guan Wujue lifted his head slightly.

He saw the impenetrable black clouds churning directly overhead.

In that very moment, he had felt it, he had heard it. He heard every blood vessel’s blood letting out painful wails as it absorbed the remaining medicinal properties in his body; he heard the organs emit unbearable sobs as the medicine-saturated blood surged toward his heart cavity.

Just now.

The medicinal properties dissolving into his blood—it was completely finished.

Guan Wujue smiled softly with a sense of release, feeling that this thunder and lightning seemed like some kind of decree from heaven itself.

He slowly closed his fingers and took the umbrella, absently saying “thank you” to the white-robed attendant.

Then he turned and left Yangxin Hall with unhurried steps.

He didn’t walk in the direction of Qingjue Residence.

Soon, it began to drizzle from the sky, quickly turning into torrential rain pouring down.

…..

Some time later.

Deep in the Punishment Hall, Xiao Donghe, who was no longer the Punishment Hall Master, came carrying an oil lamp, rattled his keys, and opened the door to an execution chamber.

“Tsk, look at me, this Hall Master—already stepped down and still rushing to abuse my privileges for you on the last day of the handover. Elder Xue won’t be pleased about this.”

The sound of rain was still pounding outside.

Xiao Donghe grumbled in dissatisfaction while pushing the door open with a creak.

“What shady business can’t be seen by others now? Give me a break, Great Protector. My—bah, now it’s Xue Duxing’s—this Punishment Hall really wasn’t meant to be used by you all like this!”

Guan Wujue followed behind the cursing and muttering Left Envoy with his head lowered. His black hair was covered with quite a few raindrops, and the umbrella in his hand was completely soaked through, dripping water steadily.

Seeing the execution chamber door open, he said not a word but stepped inside, saying to the Left Envoy, “Lock the door, come in.”

Xiao Donghe clicked his tongue, thinking to himself that this fellow still didn’t know the meaning of treating oneself as an outsider. He locked the door and had just turned around to ask, “Tell me, what exactly are you…”

Then the Left Envoy stared wide-eyed in shock.

He saw the Red-Robed Protector’s figure already close before him. Without a sound, Guan Wujue closed his eyes and fell straight toward him, unceremoniously collapsing into his arms.

“What the—!?” Xiao Donghe nearly cursed. The impact knocked him off balance, and he staggered back several steps before managing to steady Guan Wujue. “Wujue… Wujue, Guan Wujue!?”

Only then did he realize something was wrong. When he lifted the lamp in his hand, the Protector’s face, pale as paper, was clearly illuminated by the violently swaying lamplight.

Even more horrifying was that at some point, a line of fresh red had begun trickling from the corner of his lips, and his dark red robe was already covered with bloodstains.

This man had been silently and continuously vomiting blood!

“You…!!”

Xiao Donghe’s expression changed drastically. Having spent so many years in the Punishment Hall, he certainly couldn’t have failed to see what injured people vomiting blood looked like. But Guan Wujue’s appearance was truly too frightening—even the Left Envoy couldn’t help but feel terrified. “What happened to you!? This—where exactly are you injured? Wujue, you… can you still hear me speaking!?”

“Not… unconscious…” Guan Wujue’s brows were tightly locked, squeezing out a nearly inaudible voice from between his teeth. “It hurts… don’t move me…”

“Alright, alright, I won’t move you!” Xiao Donghe didn’t know medical arts and was indeed frightened into not daring to move. He just held the Protector half-embraced and half-supported, supporting his body, breaking out in a cold sweat from anxiety. “I’ll send someone to the Medicine Gate to fetch help right away. Can you hold on a little while longer?”

“Don’t… don’t make a commotion…”

Guan Wujue was already in so much pain that his vision kept going black. He felt as if his heart vessels were all twisted together. He barely summoned his strength and spoke hoarsely, “I’ll just trouble you for one night. I’ll leave in the morning…”

The next moment, the Protector shook his head with difficulty, his expression pained. “No good… I, I can’t stand anymore…”

Before his words fell, he coughed violently several times, his whole body convulsing as he vomited a large mouthful of blood, and his body began to slide downward.

A faint bloody smell began to pervade the small execution chamber. Xiao Donghe’s face turned livid, his voice nearly cracking. “Wujue!! You—”

But his movements became even more gentle and careful, slowly helping Guan Wujue lie on his side on the ground. The moment the Left Envoy withdrew his hands, he turned to go out and find help.

But his sleeve tightened—he was being firmly grasped by the Protector.

Guan Wujue said nothing, only closed his eyes and concentrated on enduring the torture that inevitably accompanied the complete dissolution of the medicinal properties into his blood. But his action made his attitude clear—he wouldn’t let Xiao Donghe go out and make a commotion!

Xiao Donghe was about to go mad with rage, veins bulging on his forehead. Pointing at the Protector, he roared in fury. “Guan Wujue, are you really done with living or what!? If you want to die, don’t bring bad luck to the Punishment Hall. If you’ve really got guts, pull this stunt in Yangxin Hall right in front of the Sect Leader!”

Hearing these words, Guan Wujue could only think bitterly to himself: Of course—isn’t it precisely because I don’t dare pull this stunt in front of the Sect Leader that I came to the Punishment Hall to find you?

However, before he could say anything, lightning flashed outside again, and immediately an earth-shaking roll of thunder exploded right by their ears!!

“Ahhh…!” Guan Wujue let out an uncontrollable scream of agony, pupils contracting sharply. His body went rigid and then immediately curled into a ball, his hands desperately clutching at his chest.

The tremendous thunder had stimulated his heart vessels, already fragile to the extreme, and the intense pain swept through all his senses like an explosion.

Pain, such pain…

This was truly what it meant to hurt so much he was dying…

Guan Wujue was nearly suffocating, his pale lips trembling weakly, yet he no longer had the strength to draw air. The stifling sensation made his lungs feel as if they were being burned, so uncomfortable he wished they would just burst open.

A sharp ringing filled his ears, the black mist in his vision grew larger and larger, consciousness rapidly draining away—only the spasms and intense pain in his heart cavity seemed like they would never cease.

—This pain had truly exceeded the limits of human endurance. Guan Wujue stared blankly with wide eyes, his vision pitch black, ears ringing. For one brief moment his consciousness was lost.

Though his eyes were open, he had fallen into a brief unconsciousness.

But it was only for an instant. Soon he awakened, and the first thought that surfaced was actually:

That moment just now… I wonder if it could compare to the pain when Fengchun Sheng poison attacks?

Unfortunately, he couldn’t remain distracted for long—this torture was not yet over.

Outside, lightning flashed and thunder roared, wind and rain intersecting.

The sky was dark and earth dim. Newly sprouted tender grass was beaten down by the violent rain; tree branches were broken by the howling wind, some even uprooted entirely; rainwater accumulated, hard earth transforming into vast stretches of mud and puddles that reflected the cloud-covered sky.

Dark clouds shrouded Mount Shenlie.

The nine-curved Red River’s waves flooded and crashed against the shores.

This was indeed a rare violent storm not seen in decades.

And inside the Zhuyin Sect’s execution chamber, Guan Wujue began coughing while vomiting blood, gradually finding even breathing difficult.

His entire body began trembling uncontrollably, looking quite frightening, yet throughout he never lost consciousness again.

Nor did he release Xiao Donghe. Instead, he repeated over and over to his friend: that he was fine, that he knew his own condition, that nothing serious would happen, that once he got through this it would be fine, and once it was fine he would leave and wouldn’t stay to impose any longer.

This was the first time the Left Envoy had watched his close friend suffer before his very eyes while feeling utterly powerless.

He was in a daze, feeling the world spin. Eventually he lost all sense of time.

Until at a certain moment, suddenly he heard a weak voice beside him say lowly:

“Alright, it’s over.”

Xiao Donghe stiffly raised his head, opening his mouth but unable to speak.

He saw Guan Wujue looking at him quietly, breathing palely and weakly. “Look how scared you are… it was just an old injury flaring up… naturally nothing serious could come of it.”

“It’s alright, I… I’m fine now.”

The Protector struggled to pull at the corners of his lips, trying to smile as he usually did, but ultimately didn’t have the strength.

In his increasingly blurred vision, Xiao Donghe’s face could no longer be seen clearly. His friend seemed to be anxiously calling out something to him, but he couldn’t hear it clearly either.

“…Really… I’m fine now.”

“…Just need to… rest a bit more…”

Guan Wujue’s words grew lighter and lighter, his voice weaker and weaker. He only felt his eyelids growing so heavy they kept drooping, consciousness intermittent, everything hazy.

“Then I can… leave… mm…”

Finally, at a certain moment, the Protector’s eyes and brows went slack with exhaustion. He let out a low, unconscious whimper. His head drooped heavily, and he fell completely silent.