HITA Chapter 18

“Master, the information has been gathered.” Ling suddenly appeared. Tang Xing wasn’t surprised and took the report that was handed over. 

Ling seemed to have wanted to say something, but he looked at Shi Shuiyue, who was sitting on the side, and didn’t know if he should say it.

“If you have something to say, then just say it. No need to avoid her.” Tang Xing walked over to Shi Shuiyue and sat down. Then he picked up the tea that she just brewed and took a sip.

Well, he sure took the initiative. Shi Shuiyue glared at him, and then brewed another cup of tea for herself.  

Upon hearing his words, Ling didn’t hesitate anymore and said, “The Wulin League is indeed very ambitious. Even the Tang Clan has been infiltrated by spies, but Wu has already gone to deal with it.”

Tang Xing tapped his index finger on the table in a rhythmic pattern, as if he was thinking about something. 

Then Ling continued to report, “But compared to the other clans and sects, our Tang Family is already quite good. The Wulin League already launched sneak attacks on the Qiu Family, Wind and Rain Clan, the Yu Estate, and so on. Several important figures have been severely injured, and thus they will no longer be able to stir up any troubles.”

“What about the Hundred Poison Sect?” Shi Shuiyue suddenly asked. 

Ling couldn’t help but be taken aback, and then he said, “The Wulin League plans to deal with the righteous forces first, and then annex the demon sects in the name of justice. Therefore, no action has been taken against the demon sects yet. However, spies must have infiltrated into the sects long ago.”

Shi Shuiyue was deep in her thoughts. The content was different, but based on the current direction of the plot, this should be the time period when the Wulin League was preparing to attack the demon sects. It was also close to the time of Shi Shuiyue’s death. With this thought in mind, Shi Shuiyue couldn’t help but furrow her eyebrows together slightly.  

“Stop creasing your brows—be careful of getting wrinkles.” A hand suddenly touched Shi Shuiyue’s eyebrows and startled her. 

Ling quietly watched as his master flirted with a girl. Why didn’t he ever notice that his master was an expert in flirting? It was indeed true that people couldn’t be judged by their appearances. 

“You guys talk. I’ll leave first…” Shi Shuiyue seemed to have gotten a fright, but her expression remained calm. She hurried out before Tang Xing could say anything.

Tang Xing didn’t say anything and watched as she ran away. He lowered his head and appeared a little disappointed. 

“Master, recently, the Wulin League is preparing…” Ling continued his report. But when he finished, he noticed that Tang Xing was somewhat absent-minded, so he quietly left. 

Knock—knock—knock—

“Who is it?”

“Shuiyue, it’s me.”

Shi Shuiyue was about to open the door, but she stopped and faintly asked, “Do you need something, Tang Xing?”

With his hands tightly clasped on the door frame, Tang Xing tried to calm down and said in a gentle voice, “Shuiyue, I like you.”

Shi Shuiyue was stunned and didn’t know how to react. 

“Actually, I don’t know when I fell in love with you. It’s not entirely true to say that it’s because of our past favors and affections. As if it was fated, the gods allowed you to come to my side. So I’m very grateful.” As Tang Xing said that, he couldn’t help but smile. He was really grateful to the gods for allowing him to live again and give him another chance to find her. 

“But I’m a member of the demon sects.” Shi Shuiyue murmured as her hand overlapped with Tang Xing’s hand on the other side of the door.

“I don’t care.” Tang Xing firmly said, “I don’t care if you’re a member of the demon sect. I only know that I like you and no one can replace you!”

No one could replace me…really? Shi Shuiyue didn’t know why, but she felt a stir in her heart. No one had ever said these words to her before. She had always been a supporting character in other people’s lives, and no one ever cared about her.  

“Shuiyue?”

“Sorry, I’m going to sleep.”

“…”

There wasn’t any more sound outside the door. With her back leaned against the door, Shi Shuiyue slid to the ground and stared blankly ahead.   

The reason they couldn’t be together was precisely because he liked her. 

So…it would be better if he hated her. 

The candlelight flickered, and the faint light shone on Shi Shuiyue’s beautiful face. She raised her sleeves and sketched a map on the white paper. 

Done—Shi Shuiyue hovered the paper on top of the flame and let the ink on the paper dry.

There wasn’t much time left. Shi Shuiyue rolled up the paper, folded it into a smaller piece, and stuffed it into the small wooden box under the pigeon’s wings. Then she opened the window and let the pigeon fly out. 

The principle that ‘good and evil couldn’t coexist’ had not changed since ancient times. 

Shi Shuiyue’s gaze was focused on the brightest star in the sky. It was so dazzling that all the surrounding stars just seemed to be its accompaniment. 

There was no way they could be together.

If they got together, then what would happen to the Hundred Poison Sect and its followers? What would Tang Xing do? How could the Tang Family possibly agree?

“Shuiyue…” Tang Xing was behind the tree in the yard, and from his position, he could see Shi Shuiyue looking up at the stars. 

How could he not understand? He could abandon the entire world and the Tang Family, but she couldn’t. She must shoulder her responsibilities. She always cared so much about others, and she always took other people’s perspective into consideration first. Why couldn’t she care more about herself…

It was a sleepless night.