Chapter Seventeen: No Worries

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Miao Shilin heard someone blocking the way and turned his head, glancing first at Ye Hongyu, then at Wu Haotian. He forced a smile and said, "Oh? It seems the Lady of the Che family is rather dissatisfied with Young Master Wu Haotian."

Ye Hongyu also looked at Wu Haotian, whose expression was calm as water. She hesitated, as if she wanted to speak, but finally said after a long pause, "Young Master Wu, I only wish to say a few words to Wuyou." She had intended to ask Wu Haotian to leave Che Wuyou behind, for sending him to the Miao family—even with the prestige of the Huashan Sword Sect—would certainly not bring him kindness. Who could say how many grievances and injuries he might suffer there?

But Ye Hongyu reconsidered. Che Wuyou had less than two months left to live. If she forced him to stay with the Che family, she would have to watch helplessly as he slipped away, unable to do anything. Perhaps, if he went to the Miao family, there might be a sliver of hope. Besides, even if she wished to keep him, she might not succeed. Should things go awry, she could provoke Wu Haotian completely, and who knows what consequences that might bring. At this moment, sending Che Wuyou to the Miao family seemed the best choice.

Yet the thought that this parting might be forever, a separation by life and death, made her heart ache as she gazed at Che Wuyou’s timid and helpless face. How unjust heaven was—what had Wuyou done to deserve such punishment? He was still so young. Why was it not herself who should be punished...

Wu Haotian found Ye Hongyu’s request reasonable and nodded. Miao Shilin hesitated briefly, then waved his hand irritably. Immediately, someone from the Miao family brought Che Wuyou to Ye Hongyu.

Ye Hongyu crouched, studying the frail and thin Che Wuyou, as if wanting to engrave this moment deep in her heart. Even as time passed, this instant would become an eternal memory.

After gazing at him for a long time, Ye Hongyu suddenly pulled Che Wuyou into her arms. She held him tightly, as if afraid that loosening her grip would send him drifting away, and even if she searched the world, she would never find his small, familiar figure again... Only when the others grew impatient did Ye Hongyu finally let go. She tenderly stroked his little face and softly said, "Wuyou, do you remember the Che family’s ancestral teachings? Recite them for your mother."

Che Wuyou’s face showed confusion. He did not understand why his mother wanted him to recite the family creed at such a time. Yet seeing the deep hope in her sorrowful expression, he did not wish to disappoint her. He straightened, and with a solemn expression, recited loudly: "All descendants of the Che clan must not commit great evil, must not create bloodshed, must always have compassion in their hearts, must strive for goodness... must never fall into the demonic path."

The childish voice echoed softly through the silent crowd, resonating like morning bells and evening drums, powerfully shaking everyone’s hearts. The earnest and devout expression on his young face touched them all.

Ye Hongyu, seeing him finish, silently gazed at him, then gently stroked his head and said, "My son recited every word perfectly." Her expression became complex. After a slight tilt of her head, she asked, "Wuyou, your mother is sending you to a far, far away place... Do you hate me?"

Che Wuyou seemed to guess something. He stood silent for a time, then clung to Ye Hongyu’s arm and said, "Mother, what about our home? If we leave, who will look after it?"

Ye Hongyu withdrew her arm, placed both hands firmly on his shoulders, and looked at him seriously, "Mother is not going. Only you will go alone. You will live there by yourself from now on. So you must learn to take care of yourself, to be a strong, brave, and kind child."

Che Wuyou was startled. Were they really abandoning him? Though young, he sensed something was wrong, but when Ye Hongyu finally told him outright, he still could not believe it.

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He looked at Ye Hongyu in panic, "Mother, did I do something wrong? Are you all abandoning me? Was it because I failed in my training? But I really tried so very hard!" He spoke, nervously watching Ye Hongyu, desperately hoping she would pull him into her arms and laugh, telling him she was only teasing her foolish child...

The Che family members watched Che Wuyou’s clear, innocent eyes and listened to his words, each like a blade to the heart. Their faces darkened; what had he done wrong? Ye Hongyu’s eyes reddened and she replied hoarsely, "Wuyou, you did nothing wrong. It was your mother who made mistakes. Hate me, Wuyou. I would rather you hate me for life, hate me forever."

Che Wuyou’s heart turned cold, but he quickly shook his head, "I don’t hate you, mother. I am not going anywhere. I want to stay at home and learn the sword from big brother. He promised to teach me. This time I will work hard and won’t make you angry again... Isn’t that right, big brother? You promised to teach me." The last words were addressed to Che Yeming.

Seeing Che Wuyou’s hopeful yet anxious look, Che Yeming did not want to disappoint him. He was about to agree, but Che Hongshi shook his head gravely...

When Che Wuyou saw his father’s similar expression, his heart sank in despair. It was as he feared—they were all abandoning him, letting him fend for himself. He was just an unnecessary person, with only a few days left to live; so be it, wherever he went, death would follow.

Ye Hongyu saw the forlorn, wooden look on Che Wuyou’s young face and became even more troubled. "Wuyou, I promise you, every year on this day, I will come to Miao Manor to visit you. After you have stayed there for three years, I will bring you home."

Che Wuyou looked up at Ye Hongyu, silent for a long time, then said slowly and quietly, "But I can only live for two more months. I can only live for two more months." It was as if he was accusing Ye Hongyu of lying, or perhaps simply speaking to himself.

Ye Hongyu could not bear his piercing gaze. She struggled internally for a long time, then suddenly seemed to make a resolution. When she lifted her head again, her eyes were cold. She looked at Che Wuyou as if he were a stranger, and her voice was icy as winter, "Whose bastard are you? Get away from me! I, Ye Hongyu, would never have such a foolish, dull child as you." With that, she pushed him hard, sending him tumbling to the ground.

Everyone was shocked, never expecting such a turn. Even Che Hongshi and his son stared in astonishment, not understanding why she would hurt this innocent child so. Yet seeing her trembling shoulders, they realized she was suffering deeply and that her actions were not by her own true will.

After pushing Che Wuyou, Ye Hongyu turned her back and never looked at him again. But inside, it was as if her most precious treasure had been destroyed by her own hand, leaving her lost, with nowhere to rest her soul. She kept muttering, "Wuyou, if you must hate, hate me. If you must hate, hate me. As long as you survive, I am willing to do anything, anything." Silent tears fell, each drop more painful than any cry.

Che Wuyou slowly got up from the ground, his eyes full of tears, but he did not cry loudly or say another word. He felt as if some invisible string in his heart had snapped with Ye Hongyu’s push. He walked to Miao Shilin’s side, shrinking himself, standing there like a small, lonely stump.

The Miao family departed, and Che Wuyou went with them, as if he had never existed in the Che family, leaving with no attachment.

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The Che family sent Che Wuyou away in silence, as if bidding farewell to a guest—a guest who had stayed in the Che household for five years.

Miao Manor, in a dim and secluded room, a single lamp flickered.

Che Wuyou sat curled up on the bed, his expression dull as he stared blankly out the silent window. Outside, it was pitch dark, no lights at all. It resembled the legendary maw of a monster, threatening to devour everything, chilling and terrifying.

As Che Wuyou was lost in thought, a sudden, sinister wind swept outside the window. The lamp inside flickered violently, making the room even darker and more uncertain. Yet the light seemed unwilling to die, struggling to fulfill its purpose.

It lasted only a short while before the room was plunged into darkness. The sickly child seemed frightened, quickly moving back until he hit the wall, then sighed deeply, feeling a bit safer.

Time slipped by quietly. No one knew how long it was before he, leaning against the wall, slowly drifted into sleep. Rarely, a child’s mischievous smile curled at his lips.

Suddenly, as if something dreadful happened in his dream, his face twisted in terror, becoming almost distorted with fear. He murmured repeatedly, "Mother, no, no, no..." The words grew faster and louder, until finally he cried out, gasping for breath, sitting up abruptly and searching frantically as if for something vital. After a long while, he seemed to understand, but his clenched fists tightened even more.

That night, he slept fitfully, plagued by nightmares, until just before dawn did he finally slip into deep sleep...

Morning had come, and it was a rare, fine day, with warm sunlight making everything feel comfortable and pleasant. As Che Wuyou slept deeply, suddenly a little girl’s voice rang out, "Lazybones, get up! Get up, it’s so late and you’re still sleeping!"