Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao (6)

The great hall was so quiet that the faint breathing of the two women could be heard.

After a long while, Lu Xueqi finally raised her eyes to look at Bi Yao. The light of the spirit lamps reflected in her cool, clear eyes, making them seem especially profound.

"Where the Way lies, though ten million stand against me, I shall still go." Lu Xueqi's voice was soft, yet it carried an unshakable strength. "I saved you because you saved me first, because your heart is good and you are not some utterly vile person. This is the Way in my heart. It has no absolute connection to how others see it, nor to the divide between righteousness and evil."

She paused, then continued, "As for my sect... I will report everything myself. Right and wrong, gratitude and enmity—I believe Master and Sect Master Martial Uncle will render a fair judgment. If acting justly according to one's true heart invites criticism and condemnation instead, then such a Way is not worth upholding."

Coming from the cool and taciturn Lu Xueqi, those words carried immense weight.

A flicker of shock passed through Bi Yao's eyes. She had not expected Lu Xueqi to answer like this—so... resolutely.

"But..." Bi Yao still wanted to say something.

"There is no but." Lu Xueqi cut her off. Her tone remained calm, but brooked no doubt. "I have my own principles. You need not overthink it. What matters most now is that you recover in peace. Only once your injuries have healed will you no longer be a 'burden.' Only then can you truly decide where to go, and only then can you... avoid letting down all that Su Han has done for you."

She spoke that last sentence rather slowly, lowering her gaze slightly to