Ha, Karma! – Chapter 75
by Little PandaIf they are fated, they will naturally meet again elsewhere, reuniting someday.
“Don’t you try to play dumb with me here.”
Cheng Hanxi held out her hand, watching Fu Lianxue put the hand rope on her.
“Is it on yet?”
“Alright, alright.”
Fu Lianxue helped her fasten the hand rope, then held her wrist, looking at it again and again. The light blue cord wrapped around the snow-white wrist, with a small white flower charm hanging in the middle. The colors were fresh and elegant, cute and pleasing to the eye.
Fu Lianxue patted the hand rope with satisfaction. “Not bad. I have excellent taste.”
Cheng Hanxi pulled her hand back. “Hey, don’t change the subject. Fess up about what’s going on with you two. How come I look away for one second and you’re already buying gifts for her?”
Fu Lianxue said, “What’s wrong with that? She’s allowed to get me an endorsement, but I’m not allowed to buy her a gift?”
Cheng Hanxi said, “Your situations are different!”
She turned her head to look around—no one was nearby.
“Her feelings for you were honest from the start, so she’s willing to treat you however well she wants. Besides, you saved her life. Isn’t it only right and proper1 for her to give you some gifts in return?”
“But you…”
Her words paused slightly here as her eyes swept over Fu Lianxue from head to toe.
“Have you accepted her?”
Fu Lianxue immediately retorted, “Hey, don’t talk nonsense. We’re not in that kind of relationship yet.”
She hadn’t even nodded and admitted Chu Zhaoqiu was her girlfriend!
Cheng Hanxi saw right through her. “But you’ve accepted her in your heart, haven’t you?”
Fu Lianxue’s attitude towards Chu Zhaoqiu had clearly softened.
If she hadn’t accepted her, why would she have stepped in to save Chu Zhaoqiu?
If she hadn’t accepted her, why would she be happily buying gifts for her?
Remember, when these two first met, Fu Lianxue had grabbed Chu Zhaoqiu by the neck and kept saying she wanted to kill her!
The more Cheng Hanxi thought, the more certain she became.
After years of friendship, she had long seen through this great demon!
Fu Lianxue turned her head and started looking at the sky and the ground, changing the subject again. “Ah, look, the sun is so big~”
“…” Cheng Hanxi said, “It’s this big every day. Stop changing the subject.”
It seemed the truth was indeed as she suspected: Fu Lianxue really had accepted Chu Zhaoqiu in her heart.
This was actually a good thing, a tremendously good thing. At least Fu Lianxue wouldn’t be thinking about fighting and killing Chu Zhaoqiu anymore, locked in a life-and-death struggle!
But…
“Then what about the matter of her stabbing you with a sword? Have you moved on2 from that? How did you move on?”
It was certainly good that they wouldn’t be trying to kill each other, but the thorn buried deep in her heart couldn’t just be ignored.
Since Fu Lianxue could accept Chu Zhaoqiu, they must have already pulled out that thorn and resolved it perfectly.
She was now curious about how the thorn was “pulled.”
Then she heard Fu Lianxue say, “We haven’t moved on from it yet.”
Fu Lianxue added, “Why do you think I haven’t agreed to officially date her? It’s because this matter hasn’t been settled, the score hasn’t been cleared.”
In private, she could indulge herself, could demand things from Chu Zhaoqiu, because no one knew, and also because Chu Zhaoqiu owed her this; she deserved it.
But until this issue was resolved, she couldn’t openly date her, couldn’t introduce her to others.
Unable to control her feelings, conflicted and tangled, yet clear about debts of gratitude and grudges.
Cheng Hanxi couldn’t help but glance at the gift bag in her hand.
“Alright, whatever happens, just don’t resort to violence.”
Fu Lianxue stroked her chin, looking troubled. “That’s a bit difficult, eh.”
Cheng Hanxi: “?”
Fu Lianxue smiled faintly. “If she really did intentionally stab me back then, I absolutely will not let her off, oh.”
Cheng Hanxi: “!!!”
How could they still make people worry they’d start fighting even after all this!
Then she saw Fu Lianxue wave her hand dismissively. “However, she probably isn’t that kind of person.”
She looked up at the azure sky, murmuring to herself, “Otherwise, why would she keep looking for me after reincarnating…”
She had originally truly believed Chu Zhaoqiu did it intentionally. But the things that happened after their reunion subtly told her that things might not be as she thought. Otherwise, why would Chu Zhaoqiu keep searching for her after reincarnating?
And why was she searching for her?
For an explanation? Or to say sorry?
All this could only be answered once Chu Zhaoqiu recovered her memories…
Seeing this, Cheng Hanxi suddenly became curious about what happened back then.
“What exactly happened that year? Can I hear about it?”
Fu Lianxue glanced at her, then looked ahead again.
Their car hadn’t arrived yet.
Since the car wasn’t here, and it was break time with nothing to do, and no one else was around, talking about the past wasn’t out of the question.
“There’s nothing about this matter that can’t be heard…”
She slowly began to speak of the past.
Back then, she had lingered by Chu Zhaoqiu’s side for a very, very long time, so long that she had grown accustomed to having such a person in her life.
She had also witnessed many things by her side.
She witnessed Chu Zhaoqiu’s Shijie3 ascend to godhood4, and she witnessed Chu Zhaoqiu slay demons and exorcise devils5, step by step becoming an even more dazzling disciple of the Xuanmen Sect.
At that time, she actually no longer wanted to destroy Chu Zhaoqiu’s Dao heart. At most, she would just tease her, watch her blush and be at a loss.
She wished her well, believing firmly, like everyone else, that she would one day attain the Dao and ascend.
She felt they were friends.
But the good times didn’t last.
That day, Chu Zhaoqiu was summoned by her Shifu, Tianxuan Zhanglao6, for a talk.
Fu Lianxue was bored and idle, wanting to eavesdrop but afraid of being discovered.
After hesitating, she still went, hiding far away behind a tree to listen.
Suddenly, she heard Tianxuan Zhanglao say, “You cannot continue to indulge that Charm Demon any longer. Your master knows everything.”
The eavesdropping Fu Lianxue’s heart suddenly clenched, and she instinctively hid herself better behind the tree.
So Tianxuan Zhanglao had known about her existence all along!
Then didn’t that mean Tianxuan Zhanglao also knew about her trying to bewitch Chu Zhaoqiu and destroy her Dao heart?!
The more she thought, the worse it seemed. She wanted to know how they—or rather, how Chu Zhaoqiu—would deal with her. So, she carefully peeked out again to observe secretly.
Chu Zhaoqiu stood quietly before Tianxuan Zhanglao, her brow furrowed tightly, seemingly facing a difficult life problem.
It seemed her existence was causing Chu Zhaoqiu trouble…
So what would Chu Zhaoqiu do?
Would Chu Zhaoqiu choose her?
All Xuanmen disciples took slaying demons and exorcising devils as their duty. Surely she wouldn’t do that to her too, right?!
But weren’t they friends?
After a long while, she saw Chu Zhaoqiu’s brow relax. She clasped her hands and bowed to Tianxuan Zhanglao. “Disciple understands.”
She seemed… to have chosen the sect.
Tianxuan Zhanglao nodded slightly. “You have always been intelligent. Master trusts that you can resolve this matter properly. Go.”
“Disciple takes leave.”
Fu Lianxue hurriedly left before them.
She didn’t return to Chu Zhaoqiu’s residence. Panicked, she fled the sect, ran into the mountain forest, and huddled behind layers upon layers of branches and leaves.
Tianxuan Zhanglao knew of her existence.
Her existence caused Chu Zhaoqiu trouble.
And Chu Zhaoqiu had promised Tianxuan Zhanglao she would resolve her properly—Chu Zhaoqiu hadn’t chosen her. Chu Zhaoqiu had chosen the sect, chosen a bright future.
Thinking of this, she suddenly felt very sad and buried her face between her thighs.
Although she also hoped Chu Zhaoqiu would achieve perfection in the Dao, and knew which path was better, she still couldn’t help but hope Chu Zhaoqiu would choose her.
…Weren’t they friends?
She felt a bit melancholic, unable to sort out her feelings for a while. So, she simply returned to her clan to confide in her Charm Demon friends.
Her friends advised her to leave Chu Zhaoqiu, to leave that dangerous place.
One human friend lost could be replaced; if her life was lost, it was gone forever.
Fu Lianxue listened.
That made sense, perfect sense.
She no longer had a reason to stay. Besides, if she stayed, even if Chu Zhaoqiu didn’t act against her or drive her away, it would make things difficult for Chu Zhaoqiu with Tianxuan Zhanglao.
She didn’t want to make things so difficult for Chu Zhaoqiu. Chu Zhaoqiu had been so good to her before; she had a conscience.
Leave then, just leave. Anyway, Chu Zhaoqiu was destined to become an immortal. They would have to part ways then anyway!
With this thought, she made up her mind to bid farewell to Chu Zhaoqiu first tonight.
She still wanted to go back and see Chu Zhaoqiu one last time, to say a proper goodbye.
If she left on her own, the problem would be easily resolved7. Chu Zhaoqiu would surely let her go, let her leave freely—she believed in Chu Zhaoqiu’s character.
It was harder to go back during the day with so many people around; she was afraid of being caught. It would be better to sneak back in secretly at night.
“Oh right, don’t let that fellow Ji Congyun8 know,” she didn’t forget to add a warning. “She already looks down on me for being friends with a mortal. If she finds out about this, she’ll definitely sneer and mock me again.”
Ji Congyun was clever but domineering, and they didn’t get along.
Ji Congyun couldn’t stand anyone saying she was wrong or doing things Ji Congyun disliked.
So Ji Congyun hated her, and she hated Ji Congyun. They were sick of the sight of each other.
Her friends reassured her.
They didn’t like Ji Congyun either.
After night fell, Fu Lianxue carefully snuck into Chu Zhaoqiu’s sect. Following the path from memory, avoiding places with patrolling disciples, she cautiously made her way towards Wenxuan Peak9.
At this hour, Chu Zhaoqiu must be cultivating in her room.
She just needed to find her, say goodbye, and then Chu Zhaoqiu wouldn’t have to be troubled anymore.
Humans and demons walk different paths, and demons and gods even more so. They would never see each other again…
She thought dejectedly, returning to Wenxuan Peak safely, despite the danger.
Before, with Chu Zhaoqiu shielding her, she had forgotten how dangerous it was for a demon to trespass here.
Arriving at Chu Zhaoqiu’s door, she stopped.
After hesitating for a moment, she took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock.
This was the first time she had knocked. Since she was leaving, she should at least be polite.
“It’s me. I have something to tell you.”
Chu Zhaoqiu’s voice came from inside: “Come in.”
She pushed the door open and entered. Her eyes met Chu Zhaoqiu’s tall figure standing before a bookshelf.
On the nearby table lay a sword, with a towel placed underneath it.
She recognized it at a glance as Chu Zhaoqiu’s magical artifact, and it wasn’t hard to guess that Chu Zhaoqiu had just been wiping it.
Chu Zhaoqiu was a person who loved cleanliness. She had wiped her sword in front of her before; Fu Lianxue knew this well and was used to it.
“Wait a moment, let me pack my things first.”
She walked over to the cabinet and simply packed up the few things that belonged to her.
There wasn’t much, really.
The only thing she wanted to take was that Blue Star flower.
She opened the box, took out the dried Blue Star flower flower, wrapped it carefully, put it into her Qiankun Bag10, and turned to face Chu Zhaoqiu. “Thank you for everything all this time—”
A flash of cold light forcefully interrupted her words. Chu Zhaoqiu suddenly thrust the sword towards her!
Her eyes widened in astonishment. She subconsciously dodged, only to be struck on the shoulder by a palm, sending her crashing against the wall, completely caught off guard.
Before she could react, she heard a pssh sound—the sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh.
In an instant, blood bloomed.
Pain, excruciating pain.
Stronger than the pain was her disbelief.
She stared, bewildered, at the sword embedded in her chest, looking with utter shock at the person before her.
Chu Zhaoqiu’s expression was unprecedentedly vicious.
Veins bulged on her forehead, and a crazed, bloodthirsty killing intent lurked deep within her eyes.
Her hand still tightly gripped the sword piercing Fu Lianxue’s body.
This was a side of Chu Zhaoqiu that Fu Lianxue had never seen before.
Unfamiliar, terrifying, unbelievable.
“You—ugh—”
The slightest movement tugged at the wound, hurting as if it were being torn open.
She was in agony, desperate and bewildered.
Why would she do this to her… Was this her way of resolving things?!
But Chu Zhaoqiu didn’t tell her why.
Chu Zhaoqiu’s voice was low, as if spitting out the word through gritted teeth: “…Go.”
She was driving her away.
She didn’t want to see her.
With that said, accompanied by a shrill scream, Chu Zhaoqiu viciously pulled out the long sword!
Fu Lianxue clutched her wound, bright red blood staining her palm.
There was no time for more words. Without hesitation, she stumbled out of the room.
If she lost her life, she’d lose everything!
But she couldn’t help but glance back at Chu Zhaoqiu.
Instead, the door slammed shut with a bang, separating them into two different worlds, as if Chu Zhaoqiu didn’t want to see her at all.
Astonishment and loss filled her eyes.
So, in Chu Zhaoqiu’s heart, she was something that could be discarded whenever she chose…
A sudden unwillingness surged within her. Using all her strength, enduring the pain, she hurled a weak, ineffective11 curse back into the room: “Are you crazy?! I didn’t even do anything to you!”
She left.
Fled, wounded.
If she didn’t leave now, she feared she would truly die in this place!
Having recounted the memory up to this point, Fu Lianxue said no more.
Cheng Hanxi listened, shocked. “No wonder you were so angry back then! I never expected… But this Miss Chu doesn’t seem like the type to attack someone without reason.”
Could it be that she had such a violent personality before, but after reincarnating, her personality changed drastically, becoming gentler?
Cheng Hanxi speculated silently, then saw Fu Lianxue turn to look at her, agreeing, “Right? You also think she’s not that kind of person, don’t you.”
Cheng Hanxi: “?”
Fu Lianxue looked up at the sky.
“I also feel that surnamed Chu isn’t that kind of person. Especially after reuniting and learning so many things, I feel it even more strongly.”
The Chu Zhaoqiu back then was full of youthful spirit. She was young, not as honest as she is now, but she was definitely an upright person.
As Cheng Hanxi said: she wasn’t someone who would attack without reason.
Even if she had to obey her master’s orders, Chu Zhaoqiu probably wouldn’t have stabbed her like that without a word.
How could a demon hunter who could teach Qu Airu the Spirit Attachment Technique, who could let Fingerless Madam go, who could distinguish right from wrong so clearly, suddenly attack her like that?
Of course, these were just her speculations, a “probably.”
Ultimately, she wasn’t Chu Zhaoqiu; she didn’t know what she was really thinking back then.
Cheng Hanxi asked again, “Since you feel she isn’t that kind of person, didn’t you ask her for an explanation at the time?”
Fu Lianxue shrugged. “I did wait for her to come explain.
“But she never came. I waited for a long time, but she never came. I waited until I was furious. If she wouldn’t come, fine, I wouldn’t wait anymore.”
They never saw each other again after that.
She also began to cultivate, wanting to become stronger, no longer wanting to be such useless trash, powerless to fight back.
Besides, only by becoming stronger could she seek revenge against Chu Zhaoqiu for that sword stab.
“Even demon hunters can’t just randomly injure innocent demons, right?” Cheng Hanxi said. “She didn’t ascend to godhood. Could this be her retribution?”
“I don’t know,” Fu Lianxue said. “I only know that later… she died.”
Cheng Hanxi: “???”
She couldn’t follow this sudden turn for a moment.
After a while, she spoke again, asking, “How did she die?”
Fu Lianxue shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Many years later, she still couldn’t resist inquiring about Chu Zhaoqiu’s news beforehand.
Had this genius, once admired like stars surrounding the moon12, now become the new Elder of Wenxuan Peak, or had she already attained the Dao and ascended, reuniting with her beloved Shijie?
She hated her, resented her; she should have hoped she’d rot in the ground. Yet, in every outcome she envisioned, Chu Zhaoqiu was still dazzling, her future shining brightly, just like before.
But she had never, ever expected13 that death would befall Chu Zhaoqiu.
She was astonished, bewildered, but no one told her how Chu Zhaoqiu had died.
The Chu family had moved away, destination unknown.
Chu Zhaoqiu’s sect, likely fearing Tianxuan Zhanglao’s grief, never mentioned the matter again. Over time, the new disciples no longer knew about the past—Chu Zhaoqiu’s death became a secret.
At first, Fu Lianxue didn’t believe it.
There’s a saying among mortals that describes death as ascending early to the Western Paradise14. What if their saying Chu Zhaoqiu died meant she had become a god?
That was Chu Zhaoqiu, the clever and diligent Chu Zhaoqiu.
After so many years, her magical power must have grown even stronger. How difficult could ascending to godhood be for her?
But slowly, she began to realize that Chu Zhaoqiu seemed… truly gone.
She hadn’t become the new Elder, hadn’t attained the Dao and ascended. Her life had been completely extinguished.
This news was difficult for her to accept; she couldn’t recover for a long time.
Chu Zhaoqiu was dead. So who should she hate, who should she resent, and who should she seek revenge from for that sword stab?
Chu Zhaoqiu was dead. Who should she ask for an explanation?
Most importantly, she didn’t even know how she died…
Chu Zhaoqiu thus became a knot in her heart, something she couldn’t let go of for several thousand years.
But it didn’t matter. All living beings go through the cycle of rebirth.
A light extinguished in this life will be reignited elsewhere, in an endless cycle.
If they were fated, they would naturally meet again elsewhere, reuniting someday.
Finally, they met again.
Fu Lianxue’s expression was bright and spirited, the daylight catching her eyes, making them look bright and cheerful.
“She’s still alive and well, hasn’t given up cultivating, hasn’t chosen to forget her past life15. One day, she will remember again. I’m waiting for that day to come.”
This time, she would definitely figure out what happened back then. Chu Zhaoqiu couldn’t run away.
Footnotes
- 天经地义 | tiānjīngdìyì | Lit. “heaven’s warp and earth’s weft”; Perfectly natural, absolutely right and proper.
- 翻篇 | fān piān | Lit. “turn the page”; Colloquial term for moving on from something, letting it go.
- 师姐 | Shījiě | Senior Martial Sister
- 成神 | chéng shén | To become a god; achieve divinity.
- 斩妖除魔 | zhǎn yāo chú mó | To slay demons (yao) and eliminate devils (mo); a common duty for cultivators in such genres.
- 天玄长老 | Tiānxuán Zhǎnglǎo | Zhanglao means Elder.
- 迎刃而解 | yíngrèn’érjiě | Lit. “splits when it meets the knife’s edge”; Easily solved.
- 姬从云 | Jī Cóngyún
- 问玄峰 | Wèn Xuán Fēng | Wenxuan Peak (lit. Ask Mystery/Profoundness Peak).
- 乾坤袋 | Qiánkūn Dài | Lit. “Heaven and Earth Bag”; A type of spatial storage item common in xianxia/fantasy genres.
- 不痛不痒 | bù tòng bù yǎng | Lit. “neither painful nor itchy”; Ineffective; superficial; harmless.
- 众星捧月 | zhòng xīng pěng yuè | Lit. “all the stars cup the moon”; To be highly esteemed and surrounded by admirers.
- 万万没想到 | wànwàn méi xiǎngdào | Lit. “ten thousand ten thousand did not expect”.
- 早登西方极乐世界 | zǎo dēng Xīfāng Jílè Shìjiè | Lit. “early ascend Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss”; A Buddhist euphemism for dying and going to paradise.
- 前尘 | qiánchén | Lit. “former dust”; Past events; one’s past life/existence.
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