Is There Really No Medicine for Regret?

"Xiao Heng, I heard you and Yuanyi have been getting along very badly lately. What exactly are you trying to do? Yuanyi is an old friend of mine. I know martial artists have their own way of making friends, but you can't go that far. It doesn't just make me look bad—it makes our entire He Family look bad. Don't you agree? Besides, it's not as if you don't know..."

That morning, a middle-aged noblewoman came to see He Heng. She looked graceful and dignified, dressed in exquisite clothes, yet she wore an expression of heartfelt distress as she rambled on at him, leaving He Heng exceptionally awkward.

She was one of his older sisters in this life. Though she was his sister, He Heng had actually been his father's youngest son, born when his father was already in his forties. This sister, meanwhile, had been born when their father was in his twenties. The two of them were a full twenty years apart, practically a generation apart.

Therefore, He Heng had always been rather respectful toward this sister of his—at least on the surface...

Today, however, his sister had come to see him because of his last clash with Yan Yuanyi. Yan Yuanyi was actually around thirty-six or thirty-seven years old. Martial artists took good care of themselves, so she looked as though she were only in her twenties, but she and his sister were in fact of the same generation. The two could be considered... best friends!

After being taught a lesson by He Heng last time, that petty woman naturally refused to let the matter rest. One only had to consider her conflict with Tang Zichen to know how grudges she held.

However, she also knew she could not defeat He Heng, so she had gone to find his sister instead. It was basically... like going to complain to a child's parents after having a quarrel with them.

His sister and Yan Yuanyi had been friends for decades and had practically grown up together, so naturally she had to give Yan Yuanyi some face. Thus, this situation came about.

She had rushed over early in the morning and tried to move He Heng with emotion and reason. She talked about her relationship with Yan Yuanyi, then about the He Family and the forces behind Yan Yuanyi, and even brought up the broader national situation. After a long speech, she came to one conclusion: for the prosperity of the nation, for its rise, and for social peace and stability, He Heng had to apologize to Yan Yuanyi and repair their relationship.

But what kind of person was He Heng? His skin was as thick as gold and iron. No matter how much nonsense his sister spouted, he remained calm and unmoved. Let him be strong, and the clear breeze would brush past the mountain ridge. Let him be domineering, and the bright moon would shine upon the great river...

At last, after his sister finished her lengthy speech of more than three hours, He Heng was still sitting there with his eyes half-closed, completely motionless.

"Second Sister must be thirsty. I'll make you a cup of tea, and then I'll continue listening to your guidance." He Heng looked at his Second Sister with a faint smile and rose to pour tea.

"You..." He Heng's Second Sister was furious beyond measure. She glared at him and pointed a finger at him. Whether from thirst or rage, she could not get out a single word.

"Come, have some tea. Top-grade Biluochun." Not long afterward, He Heng returned carrying tea cups and handed one to his Second Sister.

"Xiao Heng, everything your Second Sister has said comes from the heart. No matter what, you must apologize to Yuanyi today. I've already booked the restaurant. We're meeting Yuanyi for dinner at eight tonight, and you have to come!" After finishing her tea, He Heng's Second Sister swiftly regained her fighting spirit and continued her endless stream of words.

"Stop, stop, stop!" He Heng finally could not bear it any longer. Looking at his Second Sister, he said helplessly, "I never said I wasn't going. Second Sister, don't get worked up. I'll go tonight."

"Then it's settled. You absolutely must go!" He Heng's Second Sister finally sighed in relief. She knew He Heng's temperament well—once he said something, he would not go back on it. Getting him to agree to meet Yan Yuanyi was already good enough, so she did not press him further and hurriedly left.

"Heh. Yan Yuanyi, do you think this is enough to make me submit? I am unyielding and incorruptible," He Heng muttered coldly.

Beijing at night was ablaze with lights and filled with a modern atmosphere. He Heng was at an extremely high-end hotel. Though it was nighttime, it was not as noisy as other places. Instead, it was filled with tranquility, with soft music playing and adding several touches of peace.

"Uh, another hotel, another private room, and there's even a small river nearby. Why do I suddenly feel uncomfortable?" Through the window, He Heng silently watched the night market and discovered that the hotel backed onto a small river. It reminded him of certain unpleasant memories.

Back in the Great Heaven World, he had gone to eat at Linjiang Tower and ended up getting captured by that witch from the Crimson Red Demonic Sect. Looking at this scene now, He Heng could not help feeling sentimental.

If he had not gone to Linjiang Tower back then, perhaps after many years this could have become a saying like, "What if Qiu Chuji had not passed through Ox Village?"

For a moment, he was speechless. He Heng was a punctual person and had arrived exactly on time. However, Yan Yuanyi seemed to be deliberately standing him up. More than half an hour had passed, and she still had not arrived, so his Second Sister went to look for her.

He Heng sat alone in the private room, completely unaffected by Yan Yuanyi's absence. He felt neither the anger nor anxiety an ordinary person would feel in such circumstances. Instead, he calmly drank wine and ate dishes.

"Fine Wuliangye. It must be over ten years old. If Yan Yuanyi isn't coming, then I'll reluctantly drink it for her." He Heng treated a treasure like common swill, gulping down the liquor mouthful after mouthful with great boldness.

He devoured the dishes on the table like a whirlwind. Before long, dozens of dishes had been picked clean.

"Waiter, bring me another whole table of food." Looking as though he had not eaten his fill, He Heng continued his assault on another table of dishes beneath the stares of several waiters, who looked at him as though he were a starving ghost. He was like a Taotie Giant Beast.

"Mm, Second Sister does have good taste. The food at this hotel really is delicious," He Heng commented, apparently failing to notice that his Second Sister had led in a gloomy, ice-cold Yan Yuanyi at some point.

After a while, He Heng finally finished off another table of dishes and looked up to see the two women. "Ah, Second Sister, you're finally here. Hurry and sit down to eat!"

"You've eaten all the food. What is there left to eat?" Yan Yuanyi's face was like frost as she roared at He Heng. This guy had gone too far. They had agreed today was for him to apologize—did he look even remotely apologetic?

"Xiao Heng, how could you be so rude? You started eating before we arrived?" He Heng's Second Sister shot him a fierce glare, then turned to Yan Yuanyi with an apologetic expression. "Yuanyi, don't be angry. I'll have the waiters bring another table of dishes. You two should talk first."

With that, He Heng's Second Sister left the private room, leaving behind He Heng, who was still not quite satisfied despite eating two tables of food, and the gloomy-faced Yan Yuanyi. The two stared at each other, neither looking pleased.

After a moment, He Heng spoke first. "All right, Yan Yuanyi. What exactly did you want by going to my Second Sister and dragging me here? Don't tell me you just wanted to have a staring contest with me?"

"You think I'm that idle?" Yan Yuanyi snorted coldly.

"I think you are." He Heng nodded lightly, sounding certain.

"You..." Yan Yuanyi pointed at He Heng, her chest heaving visibly. She was clearly furious.

He Heng glanced sideways at her, waved a hand, and said coldly, "Enough. Stop putting on an act in front of me. I don't believe a Core Strength master like you can't even control her own emotions."

"Hmph!" Yan Yuanyi gave He Heng a deep look. Her breathing instantly returned to normal, but her crystalline eyes continued to glare at him with icy hostility.

"That's more like it. There's no need for us to hide things from each other." He Heng paid no attention to her gaze as he leisurely took small sips from his wine cup.

"Go on, then. What exactly do you want from me?"

Yan Yuanyi's expression stiffened. She looked at He Heng, then spoke solemnly. "I did come to you because there is something important I need your help with."

"What could the great Instructor Yan possibly be unable to do, that you need a wastrel like me to help?" He Heng looked as though he had heard the greatest joke in the world.

"He Heng, watch your attitude. Don't speak to me in that tone." Yan Yuanyi slammed a hand on the table and roared.

"All right, all right. Commoners don't fight officials. I'm a law-abiding citizen—I wouldn't dare fight a big figure from a violent state apparatus like you. Go ahead." He Heng put on a startled expression and clutched his chest in an exaggerated manner, motioning for Yan Yuanyi to continue.

Seeing him like this, Yan Yuanyi felt a surge of anger. But since she needed his help, she did not dare lash out. She could only grit her teeth and swallow her anger before continuing, "Do you remember the information about that woman you told me several years ago?"

"I remember. She's your old rival, the head of the Overseas Tang Sect. Her strength is indeed greater than yours. What, are you planning to deal with her? Then you really do need to find help." He Heng spoke as though nothing were amiss, but his words concealed mockery.

I'll endure... Yan Yuanyi took a deep breath. As expected of a Core Strength master, her self-control was excellent. He Heng's words did not move her in the slightest as she said expressionlessly, "I did not come to you this time to deal with Tang Zichen. I will deal with her myself."

"Then why did you come to me? Don't tell me you want to talk about feelings and ideals? You're too old. There's a generation gap between us, so we can't talk." He Heng understood her objective, yet deliberately teased her.

Yan Yuanyi shot He Heng a fierce look, her eyes filled with anger. No woman could sit still after being called old, much less Yan Yuanyi, who was not old at all. She looked like a Young Woman in her twenties—where was this huge age gap he spoke of?

"Haha, don't get angry. I didn't mean you were old. It's just that Instructor Yan is young and accomplished, far too mature. Your thinking must be much more advanced than that of someone like me. I wouldn't dare aspire to your level." He Heng laughed playfully.

Why is it that every time I deal with this bastard, I want to beat him up? But ever since he turned sixteen, I've never beaten him again...

Damn it. If I'd known this would happen, I should have given him a brutal beating when he was little. Unfortunately, I was fooled by his cute appearance and missed my chance!

Yan Yuanyi deeply regretted it. Heaven had once given her an opportunity, but she had failed to seize it. Now it was too late for regret. There was no medicine for regret in this world.