Chapter 28 Extra
Since the Sword Immortal’s demise, the Sword God withdrew entirely from the martial world, dedicating himself solely to swordsmanship at Wanmei Manor.
The Divine Physician also vanished without a trace, her whereabouts unknown.
Rumors swirled that the Sword God and the Divine Physician had once engaged in a decisive duel, though no one knew who emerged victorious.
Some claimed the Sword God had lost, and that was why he never left Wanmei Manor—because he was already dead.
Others insisted the Divine Physician was the one who had fallen, explaining her disappearance.
No one knew the truth, for no one could find the Divine Physician, and none dared venture to Wanmei Manor to seek confirmation.
The only person who might uncover the truth was Lu Xiaofeng.
Entrusted by Hua Manlou, he set out to find the Divine Physician.
...
Lu Xiaofeng arrived at Wanmei Manor but did not find Ximen Chuixue.
The steward told him that Ximen Chuixue was immersed in sword contemplation and refused to see anyone.
A chill ran through Lu Xiaofeng’s heart.
If Ximen Chuixue was unharmed, then the other must be in trouble.
He was anxious—worried about the Divine Physician’s safety and fearful of having nothing to report to Hua Manlou.
Yet this person often defied his expectations, so he asked again, “What about the Divine Physician?”
The steward replied, “She is nowhere to be found.”
Lu Xiaofeng breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as she was alive, everything was still possible.
...
Curious, he asked, “When they fought, who won?”
A duel between masters often ended with one’s death, yet both were still alive—which was unfathomable.
The steward said, “I don’t know either.”
Lu Xiaofeng had no choice but to leave and report back to Hua Manlou.
Only then did Hua Manlou finally feel at ease.
A year later, believing Ximen Chuixue had emerged from seclusion, Lu Xiaofeng returned to Wanmei Manor.
He asked, “So, who won that day?”
Ximen Chuixue smiled, “She knew you’d ask and told me not to tell you.”
Thus, the mystery became eternal, and no one ever learned what truly happened that day.
Lu Xiaofeng felt he would ponder this question for the rest of his life.
He could not help but smile bitterly.
She had an uncanny way of gripping one’s heart.
...
Year after year, the Divine Physician remained nowhere to be seen, nearly forgotten by the entire martial world.
But Hua Manlou could not forget; he tirelessly sought any news of her.
Though no longer young, he remained unmarried, devoting himself entirely to tending flowers.
His parents, both anxious, introduced countless eligible young women to him.
When Hua Manlou was blind, many admired him—now that his sight was restored, even more so.
Yet he did not like a single one; no one could enter his heart.
His heart had long been occupied, and he could not let go.
Before, he could at least hear whispers of her whereabouts, but now there was nothing—not a trace.
The more he thought, the deeper his torment grew, until the whole world seemed bereft of color.
He, who once loved flowers most of all, suddenly lost all interest.
Though the blossoms bloomed in myriad hues, they seemed to him as if decayed.
Unable to endure any longer, Hua Manlou devised a plan.
He procured a poison said to be the deadliest in the world, one with no known antidote.
As expected, she came.
Though she did not appear openly, Hua Manlou recognized the familiar scent.
He followed it and saw a figure behind a screen.
She said, “There is gain and loss; do you wish to break our agreement?”
From his sleeve, Hua Manlou produced a white silk cloth, as if he had long made up his mind.
He covered his eyes with the silk and said, “Then it shall not be called breaking our agreement.”
He would rather live the rest of his life in darkness than be separated from her.
From that day forth, the Seventh Young Master of the Hua family vanished without a trace, said to have followed the Divine Physician into the unknown.