CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 52: HELPLESS BREAKUP

However, Shi Feiyang could only accompany Liu Guihua back to her residence for a rest.

The dim candlelight flickered gracefully, its faint glow casting mottled shadows within the room.

The two lay side by side, yet like strangers who had never met, with an insurmountable barrier seemingly between them.

Deep within, Liu Guihua’s heart was in torment. She gazed at the canopy above, tears welling up, ready to spill over.

In the past, she joyfully united with Shi Feiyang, full of hope to spend their lives together.

Yet now, Liu Guihua felt utterly neglected by Shi Feiyang.

Her fingers involuntarily clutched the edge of the blanket, as grievances and dissatisfaction surged like a tide.

Shi Feiyang also felt deep pain, staring at the ceiling, his mind in disarray, fully aware that he was unfair to Liu Guihua. However, the physical discomfort and inner conflict made it hard for him to provide the care she deserved. His brows furrowed, lips trembling slightly, yet he remained silent.

Gong Simeng curled up in a corner of the room at this moment, the moonlight gently caressing her through the window bars, as if covered in frost.

She never anticipated that Liu Guihua and Shi Feiyang were already married.

She had thought that by giving up everything and seeking out Shi Feiyang, she would receive his protection.

However, the harsh reality exceeded her imagination. She lost not only her past but also her final reliance.

Tears slid down silently, soaking through her clothing.

Her shoulders trembled slightly as she wrapped her arms tightly around herself, as if to fend off the coldness within her heart.

Dreams and hopes of the past, in this moment, turned into illusions.

Gong Simeng could not comprehend why fate played such tricks on her, why all her efforts resulted in such an end.

She recalled those times with Shi Feiyang, warm moments now piercing her heart like blades. Understanding that returning to the past or reclaiming that innocent love was impossible, she struggled to accept this reality, her loneliness and helplessness, and her love being trampled so mercilessly.

Lin Wanqing sat quietly alone in the room, the faint candlelight casting hazy shadows on her face.

Shi Feiyang’s pained expression loomed before her eyes, filling her heart with complex emotions, fully aware that Shi Feiyang’s heart belonged to Gong Simeng, not herself.

Yet, what could she do? She could only endure this pain silently.

Outside, the moonlight poured like water into the tranquil courtyard, as if whispering her sorrow.

As night deepened, Changsheng Castle remained under a shroud of silence.

The occasional sound of the wind seemed to tell stories unknown to others.

Yet, on this night, a man and three women each bore their own pain.

Shi Feiyang lay restless upon his bed.

His thoughts drifted to Gong Simeng, Lin Wanqing, and his future path. Facing all of this, he felt lost, enduring his inner struggle in silence. Outside, the leaves rustled in the wind, accompanying his sorrow.

Moonlight streamed through the window slats, casting mottled shadows on his face, reflecting a tinge of melancholy.

Shi Feiyang tried closing his eyes, attempting to dispel the turmoil in his heart, but fragments of love, ambition, and dreams surged like tides, breaking his peace.

The lanterns in Changsheng Castle grew sparse as Shi Feiyang donned his clothes, stepped out into the courtyard, and wandered alone.

Moonlight drenched him like water, elongating his solitary shadow. Despite Gong Simeng being rescued, the threat of Divine Water Palace still lurked. He had to quickly strategize to ensure the safety of those in Changsheng Castle.

Lin Wanqing approached softly, asking in a low voice, "Grand Squad Leader Shi, what should we do next?"

After pondering momentarily, Shi Feiyang answered firmly, "We must heighten our vigilance and guard against another attack from Divine Water Palace. Meanwhile, I must quickly identify the weaknesses of Divine Water Palace to destroy it in one decisive move."

Lin Wanqing nodded in agreement, understanding that Shi Feiyang’s decisions were always decisive and wise, willing to fully support him. As long as Shi Feiyang was present, the future of Changsheng Castle would be safe, and they would face any challenge together.

As the night deepened, Changsheng Castle fell into complete silence.

Lin Wanqing remarked softly, "Grand Squad Leader, rest early." Having said that, she quietly left.

Would Shi Feiyang dare to return and sleep soundly? Feeling he had not given Liu Guihua happiness, he preferred solitude.

Thus, Shi Feiyang leaned against a large tree, closing his eyes to rest.

Soon, Liu Guihua stepped out and urged Shi Feiyang to return and get some rest.

Shi Feiyang had no choice but to follow Liu Guihua back to the room.

Despite this, Shi Feiyang could never muster any interest in Liu Guihua, leading her to live in loneliness for a month.

It’s not that Shi Feiyang was indifferent to beauty, but for some reason, when faced with Liu Guihua’s various provocations, he remained unresponsive, like an ice sculpture. Liu Guihua, a newlywed, was filled with helplessness and sorrow, repeatedly misunderstanding, believing that Shi Feiyang neglected her because of Gong Simeng.

In fact, Shi Feiyang had his own unspeakable troubles.

His feelings for Gong Simeng were truly those of care and protection between friends, not feelings between a man and a woman.

However, this pure friendship became evidence of betrayal in Liu Guihua’s eyes.

Shi Feiyang had no intention of explaining, fully aware that sometimes explanations only complicate matters further.

Women often can’t hold their secrets, and Liu Guihua confided in Xiao Lingling, pouring out her troubles about Shi Feiyang not being a man.

Xiao Lingling didn’t know what to say in such matters, she could only say: "Sister, if you can’t live with the Grand Squad Leader Shi, then don’t. The Grand Squad Leader is very handsome, with excellent martial arts, but if he can’t give you happiness, then leave him. It’s very painful for a woman to live in loneliness for long. Also, you can go see Lin Wanqing, who is skilled in medicine, to see if she can cure the Grand Squad Leader’s illness."

So, Liu Guihua found Lin Wanqing, gathered her courage, and revealed Shi Feiyang’s condition.

Lin Wanqing was utterly astonished and took a long time to regain her composure.

A short while later, Lin Wanqing went to find Shi Feiyang.

At that time, Shi Feiyang was sitting alone in contemplation, deeply considering how to deal with the Divine Water Palace’s strategy.

Suddenly, rapid footsteps outside interrupted his musings.

He looked up to see Lin Wanqing hurriedly entering, displaying a look of anxiety. She approached Shi Feiyang, checked his pulse, and discovered his body was cold with a heavy chill, so she prescribed a remedy and instructed Liu Guihua to retrieve the medicine.

However, after taking the medicine for over half a month, Shi Feiyang’s condition did not improve, and he felt he had lost his manly strength.

Gong Simeng was overjoyed upon hearing this.

For her, a young girl just discovering feelings, whether Shi Feiyang had lost his masculine function was not important; what mattered most was Liu Guihua’s disappointment in Shi Feiyang. As long as Liu Guihua left Shi Feiyang because of this, Gong Simeng would stop at nothing to stay by Shi Feiyang’s side.

Soon, Liu Guihua’s spirit completely collapsed, unable to accept spending the rest of her life with someone who had lost his masculinity.

After much contemplation, she decided to leave behind a farewell letter and quietly left the home.

Lin Wanqing felt extreme pain and despair upon learning that the man she deeply loved had ended up like this, her heart filled with endless sorrow.

Upon learning that his sister had run away from home and her whereabouts were unknown, Liu Dayou was furious and angrily accused Shi Feiyang, believing he not only misled others but also ruined his own life, even thinking Shi Feiyang should end his life to apologize to the world.

After angrily rebuking Shi Feiyang, Liu Dayou stormed off to find his sister’s whereabouts.

Through tear-filled eyes, Shi Feiyang looked at Wu Zhong and Xiao Lingling, his voice filled with deep sadness and despair, asking, "Why do you still stay here? I am no longer who I once was; for you two to continue accompanying me, what is the point? Do you not feel it’s shameful to follow a man who has lost his manliness?"

Wu Zhong shook his head resolutely, his gaze towards Shi Feiyang filled with sincere emotion as he said, "Grand Squad Leader, we are following you not because of your status or physical condition. What we respect is your character, your courage and determination. In the time when you need support the most, how can we abandon you?"

At this moment, Gong Simeng, with a slightly flushed face, urgently ran over to report to Shi Feiyang: "Brother Shi, I finally found a way to neutralize the toxin in your body, and that is to obtain the antidote from Divine Water Palace — the Qiankun Holy Water. However, I must remind you, the Kunqian Holy Water is actually poison, containing the Bone-Dissolving Water ingredient. The Qiankun Holy Water, however, is an antidote; it can remove all poisons, incorporating Shaolin Temple’s treasures, the Great Returning Pill and the Lesser Returning Pill, Wudang Sect’s Soul Reviving Pill, Kunlun Sect’s Soul Gathering Pill, Western Regions’ Heart-Protecting Pill, and Emei Sect’s Soul Reviving Pill."

Now, Liu Guihua had left Shi Feiyang, and beside him, only Gong Simeng and Lin Wanqing remained.

After much observation, Gong Simeng clearly realized that Shi Feiyang’s courtesy to Lin Wanqing stemmed not from love, but pure friendship. This made her firmly believe that the time had come for her to join hands with Shi Feiyang for the rest of their lives.

Therefore, she must cure Shi Feiyang’s illness and lay the foundation for a happy and joyful future.

Gong Simeng’s eyes sparkled with determination as she clenched her fist and continued, "Brother Shi, rest assured, for your health and for our shared future, I will do everything I can to seize that Qiankun Holy Water. However, the defenses of the Divine Water Palace are extremely tight, infiltrating it is no easy task."

Her eyes were filled with care and affection for Shi Feiyang, prepared to pay any price to save him.

Upon hearing her words, Wu Zhong was overjoyed, impulsively slapping his thigh, excitedly saying, "Wonderful! Grand Squad Leader, your predicament can be rescued. Let’s set off for the Divine Water Palace, even if it means sacrificing our lives, we must retrieve the Qiankun Holy Water for you."

Xiao Lingling also confidently added, "Grand Squad Leader, Miss Gong knows the path to the Divine Water Palace well, we will certainly succeed in infiltrating it. With your martial arts and my husband’s Iron Palm, we will surely obtain the Qiankun Holy Water."

In front of everyone, Lin Wanqing held Shi Feiyang’s hand, checking his pulse, joyfully announcing, "The Grand Squad Leader Shi’s Inner Strength has increased tenfold in these recent months, which is indeed a great joy. Let us all head to the Divine Water Palace together and destroy this notorious bandit den in Jianghu."

In Shi Feiyang’s thoughts suddenly floated the angelic visage of Liu Tingting and the unforgettable silhouette of the Sunflower Saintess. He worried that once he set foot in the Divine Water Palace, it would be difficult to let go of these feelings.

Thus, Shi Feiyang unexpectedly shook his head and said, "There’s no need for this! I need not employ any underhanded methods. Rest assured, my illness will heal on its own. During this time, I have also seen the true faces of so-called friends and family. Rest assured, I shall soon marry and have children. Now, please go and rest; I need to cultivate a new Divine Skill to expel the poison in my body."

Everyone, after hearing, stared at Shi Feiyang in shock, seemingly unable to react for a moment. The moonlight in the courtyard remained as clear as water, shining on everyone, reflecting their varied expressions, and witnessing the love and hatred in this Jianghu turmoil.