Chapter 50:Attack Again

The eerie silence of Blackwind Gorge lingered after Cheng Mo’s devastating sword strike, the air still tingling with the residual chill of Frost Silence. Her Golden Core aura, now barely restrained, pulsed subtly as she scanned the cavern for further threats. I exposed too much. Her heart raced, not from the fight but from the weight of Wan Qing’s gaze behind her. Qing Wan felt it too. Will she think I’m showing off? The cursed array’s yin energy still pulsed faintly, Liu Qingxu’s trap far from disarmed. This isn’t over.

Wan Qing clutched her zither, her usual composure shaken, her eyes locked on Cheng Mo’s back. That sword… that power. Her fascination deepened, a mix of admiration and calculation. Elder Luyue hides a strength that could rival sect masters, yet she clings to restraint. Why? She plucked a soft note, steadying her aura, and stepped closer, her voice gentle but probing. “Elder, your swordsmanship is… breathtaking. Was that truly necessary for a mere fiend?” Cheng Mo’s jaw tightened, sensing the bait. “It was a threat. I dealt with it.” Her tone was curt, deflecting further questions.

To the west, Qing Wan dispatched the last of the yin beasts, her Silent Annihilation Sword Intent sharp but unsteady, the curse’s lingering taint gnawing at her. Shu Yue’s sword strike had pierced the gorge, its icy intent resonating in her chest. She’s that strong… and she hid it. Memories of Blackwind Gorge years ago—Shu Yue saving her—clashed with her anger, cracking her resolve. Why now? To mock me? Her grip on her sword tightened, blood dripping from a shallow wound. I’ll face her myself. She moved toward the gorge’s heart, her aura volatile.

On the east side, Chu Yi and Lin Xiaoxi hurried toward the cavern, the yin beasts retreating after Shu Yue’s display. “Master’s in danger,” Chu Yi muttered, his sword ready. Lin Xiaoxi’s eyes sparkled with awe. “Teacher’s amazing, Big Brother Chu! She’ll save Second Sister, right?” Chu Yi nodded, but his worry deepened. That sword strike drew attention. Liu Qingxu’s spies will report this. He sent a jade slip to Elder Yuheng: “Master revealed her strength. Gorge is a trap. Send backup.”

In the cavern, Cheng Mo traced the cursed array’s runes, their dark pulse confirming Liu Qingxu’s handiwork. Designed to destabilize Qing Wan’s dao heart. Her divine sense caught Qing Wan’s approaching aura, erratic and fierce. She’s coming. She turned to Wan Qing. “Stay here, disable the array if you can.” Wan Qing’s smile was soft but unreadable. “As you wish, Elder.” As Cheng Mo moved toward Qing Wan, Wan Qing’s fingers danced on her zither, subtly amplifying the array’s yin energy. Let’s push them closer to breaking.

Qing Wan burst into the cavern, her sword drawn, her eyes blazing. “You!” she spat, her aura surging with rage and pain. “Why show your strength now? To prove I’m nothing?” Cheng Mo’s heart clenched, Frost Silence humming softly. “Qing Wan, I’m protecting you. This place is cursed—Liu Qingxu’s trap.” Qing Wan laughed bitterly, her sword trembling. “Protect me? Like you did when you left?” The curse flared, clouding her eyes, and she lunged, her sword intent slashing toward Cheng Mo.

Cheng Mo parried with Frost Silence, her movements precise, non-lethal. “Listen to me!” she urged, her voice steady but pleading. “The curse is manipulating you. Fight it.” Qing Wan’s strikes grew wilder, the curse amplifying her pain. “You abandoned me!” she screamed, tears mixing with blood. Cheng Mo caught her wrist, pinning her against the cavern wall, her Golden Core aura suppressing the curse’s influence. “I left to save you from my fate. I was wrong. I’m here now.”

Qing Wan froze, her breath ragged, the curse’s grip weakening under Shu Yue’s warmth. Their eyes locked, pain and longing clashing. Before she could respond, the array pulsed violently, yin energy surging. Wan Qing’s zither fell silent, her face pale. Too much. She stepped forward, her voice soft. “Elder, let me help.” Her notes dispelled the array’s surge, but her eyes flickered with intent. This binds you to me, Luyue.

Chu Yi and Lin Xiaoxi arrived, gasping at the scene. “Master!” Chu Yi called, rushing to support Qing Wan. Lin Xiaoxi clutched her sword, her voice small. “Teacher, is Second Sister okay?” Cheng Mo nodded, her focus on Qing Wan. “She will be.” She crushed the array’s core, dispersing the yin energy, but Liu Qingxu’s second curse stirred in her own aura, unnoticed, sapping her strength.

Back at Canglan, Liu Qingxu smirked as her spy’s report arrived. “Luyue’s exposed, Qing Wan’s breaking. The trials will seal their fate.” She prepared her council accusations, unaware that Elder Yuheng’s backup was en route. In the gorge, Qing Wan pulled away from Cheng Mo, her voice low. “This changes nothing.” But her eyes held a flicker of doubt. Cheng Mo’s heart ached, but she stood firm. “I’ll keep trying, Qing Wan.” The gorge grew quiet, but the storm was far

from over.