188: 4.53 Luqiu Sect

4.53 Luqiu Sect

0For a few years after the Red Snow Rebellion, the cultivation world's foundation remained shaky. Lingyan was no longer the most distinguished and powerful sect with the loss of its precious members and leader and in exchange, more and more new sects appeared and rose in power.

The most prominent one was Luqiu Sect, which was founded by two females of high cultivation. The older sibling, Luqiu Hong was often seen in public as the representative. She was a domineering, strict woman who didn't lose her ground against many male cultivators. If so, she appeared even more courageous with her tenacity to speak up on the behalf of demonic cultivators. The other sibling, Luqiu Ning, was a rare genius who wrote many books about demonic cultivation, the advantage and danger of cultivating it and how it shouldn't be seen as a threat but merely another source of energy that would become useful if it was practiced in the right way. 

They also became the first sect that sheltered many rogue demonic cultivators from all over the world, making it stand up among others for its diversity, neutrality and impartiality.

Once the world had learned ways of demonic cultivation, people's wariness and fear toward it sharply decreased and Luqiu Sect became known as a sanctuary for people who believed they were different from others.

However, everytime Luqiu Hong was asked whether she or her younger sister was the sect leader, they always denied firmly. Their sect leader was a mysterious man who hadn't been seen in public ever since the sect was founded and thus, it became the source of rumors. Some suspected it was the man who was often seen with Luqiu Ning and Luqiu Hong, the other speculated that the sect leader's position was left empty because the sect leader had passed on. The latter theory was further proven by the fact that Luqiu siblings had always worn white robes as if they were mourning. 

Nevertheless, being the most probable possibility, the man was often put in the limelight, scrutinized for a long period of time.

No, they concluded, he couldn't be the sect leader. For starters, he was too mischievous and reckless which didn't conform with the trait that a sect leader should have. He was almost always seen whenever chaos was, accepting the most dangerous mission which everyone would hesitate to do, seemingly uncaring for his own wellbeing and safety. Many assumed that he was deliberately seeking death although it was a baseless theory because the man was an excellent cultivator who had a huge stock of weapons and talismans in his possession in case of emergency. Not only that, he was also a brilliant archer, a fighter through and through and didn't seem like someone who longed for the afterlife.

To be more precise, the way he traveled high and low was as if he was searching for something. Nobody knew what he was searching for, the same as nobody knew the story behind the broken sword that he always carried on his back. He was often seen polishing the sword in his free time and traced it with an affectionate yet longing look, yet he always brushed it off if someone were to brace themselves to ask.

There was speculation that the sword looked like Hexue, Jingxue-Jun's famous spiritual weapon, judging from the ivory color and the unique markings on its hilt. But how could it be possible for Jingxue-Jun's sword to end up in the hand of a random someone? That was ridiculous. It might have just been any sword that resembled Hexue.

Along with time, people gradually learned the man's name, 'Hei-gongzi' because that was how he had always introduced himself. It was simply contrasting with the white robes he wore as well as the ivory sword he carried, making his name stick to people. 

As a conclusion, Hei-gongzi must be an ordinary member or at most, an elder from Luqiu Sect and not the leader. The excitement died off soon and people no longer talked about the enigma that was Hei-gongzi for there was much more interesting gossip in the cultivation world.

Such as how the name Black Demon Weeping Blood almost ceased to be heard since Jingxue-Jun's death.

***

"I found it!" Heimo barged in through the front door, covered in blood, dirt and grime from outside. However his smile was wide, the widest they had seen in the last ten years. It reminded everyone of the version of him before that person's death. No — even before that person's death, Heimo wasn't a fan of smiling. He was often seen with a scowl, heavy frowns and grumpy look. He had only softened in the presence of Luqiu siblings but the last ten years had been pure torment for him.

Luqiu Hong was stunned for a while, unable to remember when was the last time Heimo had been so delighted. He had been living like a corpse, breathing for the sake of existing, for the sake of waiting, ever since… the Red Snow Rebellion. Her heart fluttered in her chest and she returned the smile with her own, going to fetch a wet cloth to wipe the man's dirty face like the fussy older sister she was. "You have found it? Really…?"

"En!" Heimo's smile curled wider, eyes turning crescent. There were faint lines around his eyes that had only existed for the past decade as well as the gauntness that was completely unremovable no matter how hard Luqiu Hong and Luqiu Ning spent their time to accompany their grieving brother. "It's authentic." His voice was awed and slightly breathless as if he himself couldn't believe it happening. "It's really, really authentic."

Luqiu Hong was genuinely happy for his brother, truly. Yet somewhere in her heart was a selfish longing that Heimo would take longer because it meant that he wouldn't be leaving so soon. But she knew she could never voice it out loud. Heimo had suffered for so long; she had seen with her own eyes how his sleep was plagued with countless nightmares for the first few months, how he would wake up and not recognize anyone, wildly searching for that someone dear to his heart only to break down when the memory caught up to him. He could only sleep with Hexue by his side, within his line of sight. 

She had noticed how he quietly cried under the cover of the blanket, every time winter arrived and snow painted the scenery outside his window white, gasping that person's name with pain in his voice, only to act like his usual nonchalant self the next morning. It was even worse on some snowy days, accompanied closely by the beginning of spring where green buds started to sprout from the trees that were covered by half melted snow, Heimo would go absolutely crazy, mourning for that person as if he had lost him more than once. 

"I don't know," he had said on some occasions where he needed Luqiu Hong to hug him so he could come back to himself. "I don't know why. I love snow because it smells like him, even though it makes me sad but I really hate spring. I feel like something terrible will happen. Why do I feel like this?"

Not only that, Luqiu Hong had also lost track counting how many times Heimo spoke to the sword after he made sure nobody was looking, softly confessing his regret and boundless love which he hadn't had the chance to say.

Tears welled up in Luqiu Hong's eyes as she brushed her brother's unruly hair, fingers lightly grazing on the hairpin that hadn't left his hair for ten years, despite the crack and the missing gems. "I'm so proud of you, Lan." Before they could get sentimental — because seriously, ten years was more than enough for them to brood — she ushered Heimo inside. "Anyway, you stink badly. Go take a bath and break the news to Ningning yourself. She will be elated."

Heimo grinned, ignoring the wetness on the corner of his eyes. "I will!"

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