I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script-Chapter 42

Wei Xuandao appeared to be in his mid-thirties, yet carried an air of seasoned maturity. His slightly long beard, paired with flowing Daoist robes, gave him an almost immortal demeanor—enough to make unfamiliar onlookers praise his transcendent grace.

However, Xu Shulou had crossed paths with him before and knew better. The man was notoriously petty, holding grudges over the slightest offenses. Years ago, during the chaos of battle, a junior disciple from Lingxiao Sect had mistakenly shorted him on supplies. Though the disciple immediately apologized and made amends, Wei Xuandao had publicly brushed it off with a smile, only to later frame the young disciple for battlefield insubordination and have him punished with a hundred lashes.

The disciple had indeed been at fault, and Xu Shulou wouldn’t have batted an eye had Wei Xuandao disciplined him on the spot. But this roundabout scheming? Even the convoluted power plays in mortal realm dramas paled in comparison to his machinations.

Xu Shulou doubted he would ever survive a heavenly tribulation. He likely knew it too, which was why he forcibly suppressed his cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage, refusing to advance further. Instead, he secretly ordered his disciples to scour for artifacts that could stabilize his wavering resolve.

If this was how Wei Xuandao treated his own sect’s juniors, one could only imagine his attitude toward outsiders like Xu Shulou.

Yet here he was now, grasping her hands with exaggerated concern.

"My junior brother was always the most fiery of us all. I, as his senior brother, failed him," he sighed, his expression heavy with sorrow. "Did Senior Uncle Zhang... leave any words for me?"

"He asked you to destroy that harmful cultivation manual," Xu Shulou replied, keeping her promise despite knowing it was likely futile.

"Of course, of course," Wei Xuandao readily agreed. "And you, Miss Xu, mustn’t grieve too deeply. With the love gu still in you, it’s best not to let your emotions run too wild."

Xu Shulou nodded. "I’ll remember that."

Wei Xuandao motioned for her to extend her wrist, taking her pulse with closed eyes before murmuring, "There’s a meridian blockage in your system—likely caused by the love gu. Troublesome indeed."

He truly knew nothing about love gu. Xu Shulou blinked, relieved she’d struck her own left shoulder before arriving, deliberately clogging a meridian with stagnant blood to deceive him.

Had it been Gao Ming examining her, the ruse would’ve failed instantly. But Wei Xuandao could only detect the blockage, not its true cause.

Stroking his beard, he adopted a kindly tone. "I’ll think of a solution. For now, stay here and rest. Let Beichen accompany you—talk, take walks, treat my Silent Mist Valley as your own sect."

"Many thanks, Elder Wei." Xu Shulou bowed before taking her leave.

Silent Mist Valley was part of Lingxiao Sect, with Wei Xuandao as its master. Unlike the barren Bright Moon Peak of Dustless Island, which housed a mere seven disciples, Silent Mist Valley teemed with over a hundred—personal disciples, nominal disciples, outer sect members, and servants alike.

Only five were true personal disciples, meaning the rest existed solely to serve them and Wei Xuandao.

Wei Xuandao rarely took disciples, wary of tarnishing his reputation—unless they were prodigies worth fighting for.

Xiao Ya was the sole exception. Faced with the treasures of Xiao Kingdom, Elder Wei had momentarily shelved his pride. Not that Xiao Ya’s talent was lacking.

Lingxiao Sect was vast, its peaks distant, with little interaction between them.

The scenery here was beautiful. Outside Xu Shulou’s temporary quarters stood a striking maple tree bathed in warm sunlight, making her stay somewhat pleasant.

Perhaps due to the love gu’s awkward implications, Lu Beichen kept his distance.

Unfortunately, his master, Wei Xuandao, made up for it by hovering around her daily, summoning her every other day for pulse checks and small talk.

He ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‍clearly couldn’t diagnose anything, yet insisted on the charade. Whether he found it exhausting was unclear, but Xu Shulou was growing impatient with the act.

One day, Wei Xuandao regarded her like a benevolent elder. "I believe it’s time we discuss your marriage to Beichen."

Xu Shulou lowered her gaze. "But Beichen seems... enamored with another."

"That junior of yours, Bai Roushuang, correct?" Wei Xuandao chuckled, stroking his beard. "I’ll be frank—Beichen once mentioned dissolving the engagement."

So Lu Beichen had considered breaking it off for Bai Roushuang’s sake.

Xu Shulou knew she ought to feign heartbreak, but summoning the emotion proved difficult. She settled for covering her face, hiding her expression.

In truth, she felt mostly relieved—at least her junior sister hadn’t fallen for a complete scoundrel.

"I stopped him," Wei Xuandao said, studying her reaction with a smile. "Do you know why?"

"Why?" Xu Shulou itched to smack the meddlesome old man with her fan, but forced a look of gratitude instead. Her fellow disciples had been right to worry—this mission was ill-suited for her.

"The first disciple of Lingxiao Sect and Dustless Island’s most gifted cultivator—a match ordained by heaven," Wei Xuandao declared. "A cultivator’s life spans centuries. What’s a fleeting infatuation? Pay it no mind. Beichen’s father... ascended early. As his master, I’m practically his father. He’s always heeded my counsel."

What was he implying? Xu Shulou frowned slightly. Was he suggesting that securing Lu Beichen’s hand required his approval first?

Sure enough, Wei Xuandao pivoted abruptly. "By the way, Elder Fan Zhi is being punished in the back mountains because of you. Are you aware?"

Xu Shulou nodded truthfully. "I’ve heard."

"Truthfully, Fan Yang acted alone. Elder Fan Zhi was merely implicated." Though Fan Zhi was technically his senior, Wei Xuandao, ever arrogant toward those beneath him, refused to address her as such.

"..." Xu Shulou struggled. This was testing her acting skills to the limit. She yearned to roll her eyes and scoff, "I don’t buy that for a second," but restrained herself.

Noting her silence, Wei Xuandao sighed. "Given Fan Yang’s actions, I understand your reluctance to forgive her. But she is a Lingxiao Sect elder—Beichen’s elder. Poor Beichen, caught in the middle."

Xu Shulou shot him a look. If the listener were truly under the love gu’s thrall, madly in love with Lu Beichen, they’d likely rush to ease their beloved’s distress.

Mistaking her pensive expression for persuasion, Wei Xuandao pressed on. "Poor Fan Zhi. No one dares release her without your consent. And with her on the verge of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, this delay could be disastrous."

Xu Shulou forced a smile. "I’d hate to see Beichen troubled."

"Good, good," Wei Xuandao clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "Truly worthy of being the future wife I've chosen for my beloved disciple—so magnanimous and broad-minded!"

"You flatter me too much, Elder Wei." It was indeed excessive praise, and also the rare moment of honesty in Xu Shulou's words during this conversation. Fan Zhi clearly knew about the existence of the love gu and was fully aware of her elder brother Fan Yang's scheme, even assisting him in planting the gu at Cloudwater Pavilion. Xu Shulou wasn't magnanimous enough to easily forgive such a person.

The day after this exchange, Fan Zhi stood before her. Wei Xuandao smiled and said, "Elder Fan Zhi, do your duty as host and show Miss Xu around."

Xu Shulou had an epiphany. Her earlier guess was correct—Wei Xuandao didn’t intend to harm her but sought to exploit her while she was under the influence of the love gu. She still couldn’t discern exactly what he wanted to use her for, but it was clear he didn’t care whether she and Fan Zhi could reconcile. Fan Zhi was merely a tool to test how far the gu would force Xu Shulou to yield.

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She smiled brightly. "Then I’ll trouble Elder Fan Zhi."

The time spent with Fan Zhi was thoroughly unpleasant. The latter never hid her icy glare, frequently let out eerie chuckles, and deliberately led Xu Shulou to secluded areas.

Along the way, Fan Zhi couldn’t resist needling her: "Miss Xu, what a lofty air you have, making an elder like me guide you through Lingxiao Sect."

"Miss Xu, it seems my dear nephew prefers your delicate little junior sister. If he abandons you for her, would you kill her or be so heartbroken you’d take your own life?"

"Miss Xu, have you had nightmares since killing my brother? Have you seen his bloodied face in your dreams?"

"Miss Xu..."

The further they strayed from the main paths, the more outrageous Fan Zhi’s words became. She even shoved Xu Shulou at one point.

Xu Shulou sighed. "If you want to kill me, just do it."

Even consumed by hatred, Fan Zhi was taken aback. "Does the love gu really have such an effect, making you willingly offer your neck?"

What a beautiful misunderstanding. Xu Shulou clarified, "I told you to strike. I never said I wouldn’t fight back."

"..." Fan Zhi cursed under her breath.

Xu Shulou smiled. "To answer your earlier question—no, I haven’t had nightmares. After killing Fan Yang, I ate well and slept soundly."

Fan Zhi flew into a rage. "You shameless wretch!"

"My apologies, but you’re too irritating. I can’t tolerate it anymore," Xu Shulou stopped walking. "I won’t ambush you either. You attack first."

"Are you sure?" Fan Zhi scrutinized her, already gripping the nine-section whip at her waist.

"I won’t bully you. You’re injured, and so am I."

Fan Zhi sneered. "Who said I’m injured? You’re truly courting death!"

What happened to the bone-piercing nails? Lingxiao Sect, you bunch of liars. Xu Shulou rolled her eyes. "Even better. I’d hate to take advantage of the weak."

"I wanted to see you fawn over my nephew like a dog, but since you insist on dying, I’ll grant your wish!" Fan Zhi spat and charged with her whip.

Xu Shulou countered, surprised to find that in such a short time, Fan Zhi—who, according to Lingxiao Sect, had been "punished, implanted with bone-piercing nails, and confined to the ice cave at the back mountain"—had grown significantly stronger.

Before this, Xu Shulou had witnessed Fan Zhi sparring with Song Ping at Cloudwater Pavilion and judged her slightly weaker than her brother Fan Yang. Yet now, she surpassed him. No wonder she dared attack without hesitation.

Xu Shulou hesitated, but Fan Zhi struck with lethal precision, her movements frenzied, as if determined to end her life.

With a quiet sigh, Xu Shulou wished it were all a misunderstanding—that Fan Zhi had been deceived by her brother, that Wei Xuandao meant no harm, that Lingxiao Sect was full of good people, that the world was brimming with kindness...

Alas, she had long outgrown such naivety.

When Xu Shulou returned alone, Wei Xuandao asked, "Where’s Fan Zhi?"

Xu Shulou answered truthfully, "Killed."

Fan Zhi had grown stronger, but not strong enough.

"What?" Wei Xuandao’s voice nearly cracked. "Killed? Why?"

"After careful consideration, I realized you were right," Xu Shulou lowered her eyes. "Even if Lu Beichen doesn’t obey her, she’s still an elder. Having her meddle would be troublesome, so I killed her. Thank you for the reminder."

"You—I—" Wei Xuandao never expected her to interpret his words this way. "I only meant for you two to reconcile, to clear the air and turn hostility into friendship, not for you to kill her!"

Xu Shulou frowned, clutching her chest dramatically. "But it’s already done. What now?"

Wei Xuandao roared, "The dead can’t come back to life, and you’re asking me what to do?!"

Xu Shulou flinched at his outburst, then gave him a pitiful look. "Then let her be more careful in her next life."

"..."

Wei Xuandao looked to the heavens in despair. Such a beauty, yet so utterly unreasonable!