Entering the Spiritual Void: Chapter 118 – Misunderstanding Resolved

Li Hao had been framed so cruelly that he could no longer face the world, and he lacked the courage to confront his childhood sweetheart to pour out his heart after their long separation.

And what of Miss Jie? Day and night, she longed for that fair, handsome face and those affectionate eyes she remembered from her youth. Thus, the moment they met, her only desire was to remove his mask. This was the one thing Li Hao could not permit; other than his master and senior fellow apprentice, no third person had ever seen his face. It was not out of a desire for mystery, but because he was physically unable to show his face to anyone.

Miss Jie did not understand the tragic fate that had befallen her childhood sweetheart during their years apart, and Li Hao lacked the courage to confess the harrowing details to the woman he had once been betrothed to. Driven into a corner, he had no choice but to use force to rebuff her advances.

Hearing the call of his sworn brother, Li Hao unleashed a forceful palm strike, driving Miss Jie back, while he himself retreated two steps. Miss Jie withdrew her stance, resting her hands on the hilt of her sword, its tip driven into the ground. She looked as if she had been wounded, unable to stand steady, her head bowed as her delicate frame trembled with sobs.

Gao Yunxiang stepped forward and asked softly, "Are you injured, Miss?"

Miss Jie shook her head without answering, her sorrowful tears falling like rain, striking the ground with soft, rhythmic sounds.

Gao Yunxiang said, "Miss, if you have any burden of pain, please tell me. The masked man you were sparring with is my sworn third brother. I will do everything in my power to resolve the grievances between you."

Miss Jie replied in broken fragments, "My heart is in chaos. Truly, life feels worse than death."

Gao Yunxiang comforted her, "Miss, try to open your heart. No matter how difficult or painful the circumstances, as long as we remain calm, there is nothing that cannot be resolved."

Miss Jie nodded and asked, "How long have you been sworn brothers?"

Gao Yunxiang replied, "When hearts truly understand one another and words align, the duration of the acquaintance matters little. Our bond is firm, built on genuine mutual trust."

Miss Jie suppressed her inner sorrow, wiped the tear stains from her face, straightened up, and said, "Li Hao was a student of my father’s. We grew up studying together, and our families had a tacit understanding of a betrothal between us. He was exceptionally bright, mastering his studies by the age of twelve. My father and his encouraged him to seek further tutelage elsewhere so he could sit for the imperial examinations the following year. Although I was young then, my reluctance to part with him was no different from that of an adult. Sadly, not long after he set out, we received the terrifying news that he had encountered bandits on the road. The old servant accompanying him died on the spot, and his own fate became unknown. After hearing this, I wept daily, unable to eat or drink. My personality changed completely; I would go days without speaking, my health withered, and I eventually began coughing up blood."

Gao Yunxiang asked, "And what happened after that?"

Miss Jie continued, "There was an orthopedics clinic in our village run by disciples of the Heavenly Blade Pavilion. They claimed to be able to treat all manner of chronic ailments and strange illnesses. My parents sent me there, but after a month, there was no improvement, only a stabilization of my condition. The director, a distant relative of my family, obtained my parents' permission to take me to the Heavenly Blade Pavilion for treatment. Once there, besides taking medicine, I practiced martial arts every morning. Within ten days, my condition improved, and after a month, I had fully recovered."

Gao Yunxiang asked, "After your health was restored, did you become a disciple at the Heavenly Blade Pavilion?"

Miss Jie replied, "During my treatment, I spoke with my senior fellow apprentice. He told me that his purpose in studying martial arts at the Pavilion was to avenge a victimized cousin. Hearing the word 'revenge' stirred in me the desire to seek vengeance for Li Hao, and I resolved to become a disciple there."

Gao Yunxiang asked further, "Did you descend the mountain this time because you had completed your training, to travel the world with your senior apprentice and search for your enemy, or were you sent on a specific mission by your master?"

Miss Jie replied, "I have not yet completed my training; there are two forms I have yet to master, which will take another year. This descent was under my master’s orders to investigate the origins of the madman who has threatened to exterminate the martial arts world."

Gao Yunxiang nodded and asked with suspicion, "What signs led you to believe that the masked man was your childhood sweetheart?"

Miss Jie said, "At Famen Temple, I saw an elderly scholar holding a portrait of my great uncle—who happens to be Li Hao’s father. When he saw that portrait, he wept and fled, which immediately aroused my suspicion. Later, whenever he saw me, not only did he not kill me, but he actively avoided me."

"Another time, he abducted me to the edge of a dangerous cliff and asked me many questions. From then on, I was certain he was the one I thought of day and night. Later that night, I returned to our old home and saw he had erected a stone tablet on the ruins of his family’s ancestral site. My doubts were swept away; he is, in truth and flesh, my cousin Li Hao, for whom I have longed for so long."

"Yet, when I tried to remove his mask to see him clearly, he not only evaded me but attacked me with fierce, angry blows. Think of it—I have suffered for years, all for his sake. Not only does he refuse to acknowledge me, but he even tries to kill me? All my hopes have turned to dust. What meaning is there left for me in this world?"

Gao Yunxiang smiled slightly and said, "Miss, after hearing this, I fully understand that you and Li Hao are a pair of young lovers whose devotion would remain unchanged even if the seas ran dry and the rocks crumbled."

Miss Jie said coldly, "Perhaps not."

Gao Yunxiang asked, "Miss Jie, do you know of the cruel suffering Li Hao has endured?"

Miss Jie replied, "He refuses to speak of it; who would know what pain he has suffered?"

Gao Yunxiang said, "The cruelty he bears is truly a sorrow beyond words."

Miss Jie said, "If he would just be honest with me and let me share the burden, wouldn't that be better?"

Gao Yunxiang replied, "Based on my observations, it is best for you not to know the nature of his suffering at this time."

Miss Jie asked skeptically, "Why?"

Gao Yunxiang said, "For every additional person who knows of his suffering, his own agony increases by a fraction."

Miss Jie said coldly, "Your words are unreasonable. I cannot agree."

Gao Yunxiang said, "I have no desire to argue with you, Miss. I only offer this one piece of advice for you to ponder: For instance, if a virtuous woman of good standing were to make a mistake in a moment of confusion, the more people who know her secret, the greater the pressure upon her, until she is driven to suicide by heartless gossip."

"When an honest man is bullied, he can cry out for sympathy. Therefore, we must analyze things clearly. Some things can be shared, and some cannot. I urge you, Miss, not to let your subjectivity cloud your judgment."

Miss Jie said softly, "It does not matter. If he has someone else in his heart, then the bond between us is severed, and that is that."

Gao Yunxiang smiled slightly. "That is merely your own suspicion, and the root of your misunderstanding. Although I have become sworn siblings with Li Hao and the others, I do not know the full extent of his actual circumstances."

"My purpose in becoming his sworn brother was to get close to him and persuade him not to be impulsive or kill the innocent. Based on my judgment, Li Hao currently has no other woman in his life. If one were to know the true extent of his agony, even a blind or crippled woman would not be willing to marry him."

Upon hearing this, Miss Jie’s beautiful eyes blinked. "I saw a very lovely and beautiful woman who treats him with great affection. Although they address each other as senior sister and junior brother, their bond seems to transcend that."

Gao Yunxiang laughed. "Miss, that is merely a fantasy born of your love for him. Miss Meng is our sworn elder sister, and she is also the master who taught Li Hao his martial arts. Her care for him is born entirely of sympathy; it does not involve romantic love in the slightest."

Hearing Gao Yunxiang’s explanation, the knot in Miss Jie’s heart began to loosen. Her brows arched as she asked, "If Li Hao has no other woman in his heart, why does he refuse to let me get close to him?"

Gao Yunxiang said, "It is not that he refuses to let you get close; it is that you force him to push you away."

Miss Jie shook her head. "I don't understand what you mean. Could you explain?"

Gao Yunxiang said, "The great suffering Li Hao bears is that he cannot show his true face to anyone, yet you insist on removing his mask. Is that not forcing him to refuse you?"

Miss Jie said, "We have been apart for over a decade. Naturally, I want to see his face—to see if he has grown older, and if his eyes are still as large, black, and white as they were when we were children."

Gao Yunxiang said, "Your feelings are natural, and he, too, longs to hold you close. But Li Hao has a sorrow he cannot voice! You should empathize with him, rather than viewing his actions through the lens of jealousy."

"When you are together, avoid asking about his life after you parted to spare him the pain. If you truly wish to understand the weight of his suffering, try to learn of it indirectly."

Miss Jie nodded and smiled. "I understand. Thank you for your valuable advice."

Gao Yunxiang said, "Rest here for a moment. Wait for my signal before you approach. If you follow my advice, there will be no more storms between you."

A flicker of joy rose from the depths of Miss Jie’s heart. She broke into a smile and nodded, remaining silent.

Gao Yunxiang walked to Li Hao’s side and whispered into his ear. Li Hao nodded repeatedly. Gao Yunxiang turned back and waved at Miss Jie.

Seeing the signal, Miss Jie jumped up, flew toward them, and threw her arms open, intending to embrace Li Hao. Li Hao not only retreated but also readied himself for a palm strike.

Gao Yunxiang hurriedly stepped between them, laughing as he faced Miss Jie. "Miss, you are truly an innocent and passionate young lady. He cannot accept your embrace; have you forgotten what I told you so soon?"

A look of disappointment suddenly washed over Miss Jie’s beautiful face. "If I do not remove his mask, is even an embrace forbidden?"

Gao Yunxiang shook his head. "I would not even suggest touching his body; he will not forgive you for that either."

Miss Jie said, "Very well, I will remember. From now on, I will keep my distance."

Li Hao nodded, grinned at Miss Jie, and wrote on his jade tablet: "Miss Jie, I understand your concern. I have a thousand words to say, but I suffer from a pain I cannot speak of. Please forgive me."

After reading what he had written, Miss Jie nodded and said, "Brother, having heard your explanation, I know you bear an extraordinary burden. I..." Before she could finish, her tears fell like broken pearls.

Gao Yunxiang comforted her, "Miss Jie, bear the current pain with strength, and wait for future happiness to descend."

Miss Jie nodded. "That is all I can do. Everything must be left to the arrangements of the heavens."