This Damned Love

"Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg of what the Nine Realms Alliance has revealed so far."

"Now, take a look at the streets..."

As he spoke, Xiong Tian pushed open the window, revealing the vast expanse of the street below.

Elder Zhen walked to the window and peered outside.

To his astonishment, the entire city had transformed into a scene of romantic indulgence, with couples strolling past in sweet affection.

Alongside the usual pairs of men and women, there were even quite a few like Wen Jie and Fang Yu...

And, of course, female cultivators paired with other female cultivators...

The sight left Elder Zhen utterly dumbfounded.

"What in the blazes is going on here?"

Elder Zhen scratched his head in confusion.

While it was true that the path of cultivation often included dual-cultivation partners who practiced specific techniques, those who followed conventional cultivation methods rarely indulged in matters of love and romance.

Though a few soulmates among cultivators might come together, they were always the exception rather than the norm.

Seeing one or two couples was normal, but now the streets were flooded with them—something was definitely off.

"This is highly unusual. We must investigate what’s driving this phenomenon," Elder Zhen said with a grave expression.

"Indeed, it’s bizarre. The headquarters of the Nine Realms Alliance has turned into a den of lovey-dovey nonsense, reeking of romance everywhere. We can’t let this continue," Xiong Tian declared solemnly, his voice filled with righteous indignation. "Elder Zhen, rest assured, I will get to the bottom of this."

"Good."

Elder Zhen sat back down, nodding in approval. "That’s what I like to hear. If there’s nothing else, you may go about your duties."

"Uh..."

Xiong Tian showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he awkwardly rubbed his nose and stammered, "Elder Zhen, actually... there’s a personal matter I’d like to discuss with you."

"Xiong Tian, we’ve known each other for so long. We’ve defended the Boundary Wall together, led the people of the Nine Realms toward prosperity, and faced life-and-death situations side by side. Officially, I may hold the title of leader while you serve under me, but in private, I’ve long considered you a brother."

"So why the hesitation between brothers? Speak your mind freely."

Elder Zhen took a sip of tea and smiled warmly at Xiong Tian.

"Well, in that case, Elder Zhen, I’ll just say it?" Xiong Tian asked nervously.

"Between brothers, speak without reservation."

Elder Zhen grinned magnanimously.

"Elder Zhen, I’ve come to confess... Qing Lan and I are together now. I hope you’ll give us your blessing." Xiong Tian hung his head as he spoke.

"What?!"

Elder Zhen choked on his tea, spraying it everywhere before slamming the cup onto the table. He leapt to his feet, pointing at Xiong Tian with bulging eyes. "You damned Xiong Tian! I treat you like a brother, and you go after my daughter?!"

With a flick of his wrist, his lifebound staff materialized in his grasp, and he swung it at Xiong Tian with furious force.

Xiong Tian dodged just in time, the staff smashing into the reinforced wall and leaving a massive dent.

"Elder Zhen, calm down! Please, calm down!"

Xiong Tian waved his hands frantically, trying to placate him.

"You seduce my daughter and tell me to calm down? Calm down my ass!"

Elder Zhen was in full rage mode, swinging his staff again.

Xiong Tian jumped aside once more, shouting, "It’s true love, Elder Zhen! Qing Lan and I are truly in love!"

"Pah! True love, my foot, you scoundrel!"

Elder Zhen ignored his protests, raining down blows with his staff.

The room quickly descended into chaos.

After what felt like an eternity...

Elder Zhen sat panting on the steps, exhausted.

Meanwhile, Xiong Tian cowered in a corner, clutching a massive vase, drenched in sweat.

"Put down my vase, you brat!" Elder Zhen brandished his staff threateningly.

"No!"

Xiong Tian pouted stubbornly. "Qing Lan and I are meant to be. Opposing us is wrong. If you insist on being unreasonable, then go ahead—kill me! But I’m taking this vase with me!"

"You—you—you little..."

Elder Zhen trembled with fury, coughing violently. "If it weren’t for my vase, I’d blast you to pieces right now!"

"Tell me, how long has this been going on?" he demanded.

"Three months."

Xiong Tian answered truthfully.

"Three months?!"

Elder Zhen’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. "You sly dog! You’ve been sneaking around with my daughter for three months and only now you tell me?"

"Heh, I was afraid you’d react like this," Xiong Tian replied with a sheepish grin, still hugging the vase.

"Hmph! So you knew I’d be furious?"

Elder Zhen glared at him. "Well? Aren’t you going to help me up?"

"Right away!"

Seeing Elder Zhen’s temper cool slightly, Xiong Tian scurried over and helped him to his feet.

Once Elder Zhen was seated again, Xiong Tian dutifully prepared a fresh cup of tea.

Elder Zhen sipped it grudgingly.

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a low voice. "Listen well. If Qing Lan suffers even the slightest grievance, I’ll tear you apart."

"Don’t worry, Elder Zhen. I swear on my life that I’ll treat Qing Lan with all the love and care she deserves," Xiong Tian vowed earnestly, raising his hand.

"Now get out of my sight."

"Looking at you irritates me."

Elder Zhen waved him off dismissively.

"Understood. I’ll take my leave now, Elder Zhen."

Xiong Tian beamed with satisfaction before hastily retreating.

Once Xiong Tian was gone, Elder Zhen sat alone in the empty room, lost in thought.

"Damn this romantic nonsense. Why is it making me so sentimental?"

"Damn this restless, pounding heart of mine..."

Twisting the storage ring on his finger, he retrieved a red handkerchief.

He examined it carefully, then brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply as memories flooded back—memories of a time long past.

"Ah, Hua... Qing Lan has found her happiness now. As her father, I can finally rest easy."

"But while my daughter is settled, I’m still suffering..."

"After you left, I raised Qing Lan alone, through thick and thin. For her sake, I turned down countless temptations, enduring countless lonely nights."

"Now, at last, someone has rekindled my spirit, awakened my youth..."

"I, too, want to pursue love once more!"

"Her name is Mie Jue. Though she’s no longer young, I can tell she was as beautiful as you in her prime. And her personality... it reminds me of you..."

Tears welled in Elder Zhen’s eyes as he clutched the handkerchief tightly.

"Before you passed, you told me to find someone else. I refused, unable to move on. But now... I’ve decided to listen to you. I’ll be brave."

"Wish me luck, will you?"

With that, he carefully tucked the handkerchief away, his eyes gleaming with determination as he rose to his feet.

At this moment, his demeanor was no longer that of a frail old man, but rather like an undefeated general about to march into battle, his face alight with the glory of certain victory.

He straightened his palm, sweeping it upward from his cheeks to his temples in a sharp motion.

Then, with a swift tilt of his head, a crimson rose materialized between his lips, clenched firmly in place.

He plucked it gently and took a deep breath of its fragrance.

"Ah, this damned love—how utterly intoxicating."

"Mie Jue, here I come!"

A gust of wind rushed through the window, leaving only the unlatched frame rattling in its wake. The room was already empty, its occupant long gone…