"..."
However, Linghu Chong soon watched in disappointment as his shiniang, Ning Zhongze, gave a firm shake of her head.
"It's impossible now..."
"Mount Hua has been sealed off. No one may enter or leave for a hundred years..."
"I've already pushed my luck by finding a way to come out and see you one last time. Once I return, your shifu will surely give me a good scolding. If I took you all back with me, I'd only stir up trouble..."
"In short!"
"You'd better take care of yourself!"
Seeing that there was nothing left to say, Ning Zhongze turned to leave.
But when she had just reached the edge of the cliff, she stopped again.
"Shiniang?"
Thinking she had changed her mind, Linghu Chong hurriedly crawled forward on his knees.
"Chong'er..."
"I know what you're hoping for. It's all for your two children—you want to win a chance for them. But..."
"Take your shiniang's advice!"
"There's no way down this path. Don't keep kneeling here."
"There are no years in the world of cultivation. After I leave, Mount Hua will be sealed for a hundred years. Even if you kneel here until you die, no one will see you again..."
"Listen to me. Go back tomorrow!"
"You're a father and a husband now. Take good care of your wife and children, and stop acting recklessly."
With that, Ning Zhongze stepped forward once more, walking as effortlessly as if on level ground. Her elegant skirt brushed through the mist and clouds beyond the cliff as she calmly strode through the air, one step after another.
After walking more than ten paces, she stopped again. Linghu Chong was choking back sobs, unable to speak, and bowing his head repeatedly.
"Chong'er, listen carefully!"
"Back then..."
"You learned a sword technique from