Chapter 8: Love and Separation

Xin Jian.

A charismatic man, a Golden Core cultivator who led the next generation of elders in the Xin clan. Their meeting was perhaps an accident or fate, yet their love, ever so strange, blossomed at the same time.

Such love, in normal families, should be a cause for joyous celebration and congratulations. A unity blessed with love, a welcomed gift from Heaven.

Yet, as fate dictated, the sect and the clan had nothing in common. The clan was in part, under the protection of the Heavenly Tower Sect, a foe that shared deep enmity with the Blood Oath Sect. The two sects hated each other down to their guts, but maintained an uneasy peace due to various other problems.

The elders of the clan, usually supporting Xin Jian, could not do so this time. It was unbearable to marry the next-in-line to a lady whose origin was not clear. Not to mention, this move could also offend the Heavenly Tower Sect. This sect was more powerful than Blood Oath Sect, and closer in proximity with the clan.

They had nothing to gain, only everything to lose. The clan would be the laughing stock of the whole region! They could not bear such humiliation.

Many elders were not only mad, they were disappointed with Xin Jian for his firm decision. It showed complete disrespect to the rules of the clan, and how unfit he was for the position of the next clan leader, no matter how gifted he was. This affair severely damaged his reputation, and theirs.

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On Shu Fen’s side, there were rules.

In the Blood Oath Sect, the rules were absolute. Members of the sect should never do things that could jeopardize the security and reputation of the sect.

This rule was included in the First Blood Oath, a serious ritual made to protect the sect in the long run. Linking either their soul or primordial spirit in the ritual, every member would suffer serious consequences should they broke an oath. More punishment would follow soon after they were arrested.

Knowing this, Shu Fen formally requested permission to marry. As soon she knew, Shen Ai protested. She was no longer the little girl who clung on her big sister, but an elder in Golden Core Stage. In retro respect, her big sister was in Foundation stage. She was just an Inner Court disciple, made possible by her little sister. Seeing her sister was adamant, Shen Ai was disturbed.

As the little sister, she of course wished happiness for her.

Yet…

“Sister, you know how strict the sect rules are… Plus, the Xin clan didn’t send any formal request. What’s worse is, they are under protection of Heavenly Tower, our foe. If the sect allows this, we will suffer humiliation,”

“…I know, little Ai… I know, but I…”

“Ahh, why must you fall in love with a man from such troublesome origin… Uhh, there’s a lot of capable men in our sect you know. If you so wish, please let your sister choose the best of them… Even Core Disciples would agree if I represent you,”

“N-no! Little sister, you don’t understand… It’s not like that,”

“What, what did I not understand? You’re just lonely, right? I know that feeling too… but to go against sect rules? That’s ridiculous! Please let me arrange for the candidates… five, no, ten Core Disciples… then, you choose!”

“Little Ai… you still don’t understand. Of course you couldn’t… you never felt it. It’s not something you choose, it’s… people say its fate, decided by Heaven. Perhaps that’s the case… Even if I know it’s impossible, I still…”

“…Sister… please, think this through. I just, don’t want to see you suffer…”

“I know, little Ai… I know… you’re, my best little sister…”

Even though they were grown-ups, they embraced each other, so similar to the time when they were children. But no matter how hard Shen Ai protested and try to persuade her, Shu Fen was obstinate. For days and weeks, she would silently weep in her residence. Being of higher cultivation, Shen Ai was able to listen without her realizing it. After a few months of such occurrence, her heart melted.

No longer could she endure, seeing her big sister in such agonizing condition. It was too much for her.

She secretly took one of the many letters Shu Fen wrote, the formal request for marriage. Much earlier, Shu Fen sent such requests more than twenty times, all rejected by the Senior Elders in charge of the Marital Law. They even sent her a warning, not to needlessly burden them with such a request anymore. It was considered an impossible request after all.

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However, this request, through Shen Ai’s hand, reached Grand Elder Ling. As her direct disciple, Shen Ai had a close relationship with her. Kneeling in front of her master in a feminine posture, she was silent and seemingly obedient, yet her face was anxious.

Grand Elder Ling studied her, reading the letter Shu Fen wrote, as well as Shen Ai’s letter of support. It was really rare for her disciple to make a private request, much less such a selfish request on behalf of her sister. In these twenty plus years, this was the first. Seeing Shu Fen’s word and signature, it was obvious she was writing the letter in desperation and hope. As a Yuan Yin expert, with experience of over three hundred years, such a matter was obvious. Recalling their first meeting, the face of that adorable, yet unyielding ten-year-old girl surfaced in her mind.

“Silly girl, to lose against love,”

“Master?”

“I wasn’t talking about you, I just remember when we first met. Do you?”

“Err… Em, I think,”

“Perhaps you have a different view, so you didn’t understand. But, your sister held you all the time when we first met, remember?”

“Err… more like, I was clinging on to her, eheh,”

“Yes, yes, that’s true… But, such a strong-willed girl… To think, to be overwhelmed by love so badly,”

“…”

“Xiao Ai, even as a Grand Elder, I still should not allow this, as this involves our sect’s face. Please tell this to her, do not make a rash decision.”

“M-master… you… cannot help?”

“Aha, look at you, pleading me with such a face… What to do with you?”

“Master, I just… I don’t want her to, to be sad…”

“My heart is not stone, you know… Your master understands. I’ll at least bring this up to the other Grand Elders,”

“T-then, it’s possible?”

Shen Ai was being hopeful. Her face brightened. She thought it would be almost impossible, but now…

“Now, don’t be hopeful. Bringing up such a matter in a Grand Elder’s Assembly will be a bit inappropriate. Plus, I cannot guarantee anything. I will just tell them this makes you gloomy and thus, cannot focus on cultivation. At least, that will make them think for a bit,”

“Ahaha, thank you, Master… Thank you, I love you!”

Realizing her master was willing to go that far for her, she went and hugged her, completely forgetting all formalities she ought to observe. Being hugged by such a joyous disciple, Grand Elder Ling forgot to admonish such childishness. She could only chuckle.

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Two weeks passed, and after the assembly, the Grand Elders decided; it was too risky.

To let go of Xiao Shu Fen, meant that she would be living with Xin clan, a clan under the protection of their adversary. Considering what she knew, it was too much a risk to take. Not to mention, the damage it would do to their face.

However, due to Grand Elder Ling, they knew they should not end it there. Driving someone to their wit’s end could blow up the entire matter. It would be real trouble if Shu Fen eloped. Thus, they decided, that if Xin Jian was able to cut connection with his clan, and swore First Blood Oath to the sect, then, they would allow him to join the sect as an elder.

That way, they could monitor his movement, and also kept Shu Fen close by. Calling Shen Ai over, they explained; that if Xin Jian truly loved Shu Fen, then he would no doubt take the offer. If he did not, then it just served to prove how shallow his love was. It was better not to be deluded, and best to cut connection here and there. Having no better alternative, Shen Ai explained this to her sister.

When she got the news, Shu Fen was hesitant;

“For him to… cut connection?”

“I know this is a bit… but if he truly loves you, big sister, he will take this offer,”

Shu Fen kept silent, seemingly in deep thought. Her action drew her sister into anxiety, but soon;

“I understand. This comes from Grand Elder Ling’s effort. I must at least be grateful, to you too, little sis,”

“Big sister! I knew you’ll understand, haha… Don’t you worry. If he's serious, then…”

“You’re right, I should not worry,”

She said so. Shen Ai embraced her, finally hopeful that the whole affair would finally conclude, and things would go back to normal… As she hugged her, Shu Fen whispered;

Yes, I should not… worry.

...

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Months went by.

Shu Fen managed to exchange several letters with Xin Jian within the time. And some time after the Grand Elders’ decision, she seemed able to get back on her feet. Seeing her cheered up a bit, Shen Ai was all too glad.

Soon, Shu Fen continued with her routine missions, escorting merchant caravan between nearby cities. It was the kind of mission with the least risk among the many. Many years prior, Shen Ai was the one who asked for it, for her sister to only be given the safest of missions.

Given Grand Elder Ling’s influence, the two sisters were never given a risky mission due to their value. If anything were to happen to Shu Fen, then that would no doubt affect her sister, the prime asset of the sect.

It was a routine mission as always, nothing special.

Shu Fen participated along with twenty plus disciples and two elders, to escort the merchants to a major city near the border of Blood Oath Sect’s influence. After finishing their mission, the elders gave them two days to rest before they began their next mission.

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In the Red Blossom city, in their family house, Shen Ai returned. Years after the passing of the old couple, however, all of their fellow orphans were either married or adopted to a stable family. With this, only Shu Fen and Shen Ai occupied the house. However, with Shen Ai having a better residence in the Core Palace, near her master, she would only return when her sister was at home.

“Big sister~ I’m home— eh?”

That day however, since she had just returned from her mission, she did not realize her sister was away. Running her Qi into her bracelet, she could not find her anywhere near. The paired bracelet she gave her many years back, was her master’s gift to her when she first entered Foundation stage. It was a low-rank artifact, but still, it had immense value. With this, both sisters could detect each other’s position within a wide range. Failing to sense her, she knew that at least, she was not in the city.

“Ah, I forgot to ask the Pavillion she’s on a mission or not. Silly me,”

As per her habit, she went into her sister’s study room without thinking. Realizing again that her sister was not there, she decided to return to her master’s residence. As she turned, she noticed a flower vase, placed in the middle of the table…

An oddity.

It was filled with rainbow flowers, still fresh.

“Eh, these flowers…”

It was the flowers which they used to gift each other often, the flowers of the blue lake. The lake was their favorite playing spot during their childhood. It was a special place for both of them. Unfortunately, they only went there once in a while ever since they entered the sect.

Seeing the flowers there, she recalled their childhood…

“Sis… you went to the blue lake? You should’ve told me… Em?”

Under the flower vase, was a letter.

...

A letter sealed with a flower pattern.