Chapter 138: Nangong Liuli's Descent into Madness: Can We Return to the Past? - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 138: Nangong Liuli's Descent into Madness: Can We Return to the Past? [Inside an inn that only serves cultivators, you and Meng Hongshang learn this news.] [Meng Hongshang can't help but tease you upon hearing the news.] "Husband, your dream girl was once a genius in cultivation. I believe she's deeply rooted, just one step away from breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm." "Who would have thought she couldn't withstand the tribulation of her inner demons." [The mention of the phrase "dream girl" stings your heart painfully.] [You can't help but recall Nangong Liuli's cold demeanor from before.] [Your mind is in turmoil.] "Enough, stop talking." [After speaking, you look seriously at Meng Hongshang.] "Wife, my heart belongs only to you now." "Other women are nothing but fleeting memories for me." [Meng Hongshang notices that trace of sadness deep in your eyes and feels a twinge of heartache.] [She understands that something significant must have happened to you.] [But since you don’t wish to talk about it, she won't press further.] [She changes the subject instead.] "Husband, where should we go next?" [You contemplate which famous mountains or rivers you’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t.] ["Emei" flashes through your mind repeatedly.] [After a moment of hesitation, you speak.] "Why don’t we go to Tianzhu Mountain again?" "That’s where we first met. There are so many peaks there I haven't yet explored." [Meng Hongshang naturally agrees.] "Alright, let's head to Tianzhu Mountain!" ...... [Decision made, you meandered and traveled leisurely, visiting many places along the way.] [When you finally arrive at Tianzhu Mountain, three days have passed.] [Only then do you realize Tianzhu Mountain is over ten thousand miles from Peach Mountain.] [Returning to the deserted temple where it all began, you feel a wave of nostalgia.] [It was here that you and Meng Hongshang's journey as a couple in this life began.] [Upon your return, it seems you’ve recaptured the feelings from back then, though you were merely a young cultivator, and Meng Hongshang was a seasoned sage.] [Meng Hongshang looks at a corner of the temple and smiles faintly.] "Perhaps Nangong Liuli's inner demon was seeded here." "The trial of inner demons is exceedingly difficult." "Overcome it, and all will be well." "If not, one's life and path are lost." [Hearing this, a vague irritability rises within you.] "I thought I said not to mention it anymore." "You deserve a punishment!" [With that, you raise your hand to discipline Meng Hongshang.] "Husband, I was wrong." The scene shows Meng Hongshang being playfully chastised, her beautiful eyes dazed, unable to stand upright... ...... [In the following days, you continue exploring around Tianzhu Mountain.] [There is only a small village nearby, and with the mountain paths in disrepair for years, no mortals ever ascend it.] [So you both feel free and unrestrained, something unimaginable back on Earth.] [After two days, you notice a bank of green mist rising from a mountain stream in Tianzhu Mountain, lingering and not dispersing.] [Meng Hongshang is somewhat surprised.] "Who would have thought there'd be a cultivator's cave here at Tianzhu Mountain, and today is the day it reveals itself." "Husband, let’s have a look." "Sure!" [Intrigued, you also feel a touch of anticipation, curious if there might be any magical artifacts inside.] [So you and Meng Hongshang head towards the location of the cave.] [As you enter the mist, you see the entrance to a cave dwelling, with nine stone steps leading into it.] [Climbing the steps, you notice all the gaps are filled with withered herbs, along with an old toy pinwheel and a wooden rocking chair.] [Meng Hongshang doesn't show much interest at this point.] "Husband, this might just be an ordinary cultivator’s dwelling." "Nothing of substantial value here." [You think otherwise.] "Even the smallest amount of gain is still gain." "Let's check it out." [At the cave entrance, the protective barrier has already failed, and a gentle push opens the door.] [Inside, a wide, spacious stone chamber comes into view, filled with an assortment of furniture and a low table littered with weathered introductory books like "The Hundred Family Surnames" and "The Thousand Character Classic."] [Judging by their condition, it's been a long time since anyone was here.] [It seems that the cultivator’s children once studied here.] [In the center of the chamber stands a bronze burner, likely for alchemy, with a few journals beside it.] [You approach and pick up a journal to read.] [You discover it is the diary of the cultivator.] “My daughter, I’ve refined three Meridian Pills, perfect for curing your ailment, yet the impurity and poison are too great, and I have no means of detoxifying it. What a cruel twist of fate.” “……” “After I earn enough, I’ll seek out the immortal in Yunlong Town, who supposedly possesses a pure Meridian Pill.” “……” “My daughter, I was wrong. You’re not ill—it’s merely that your Seven Yin innate body requires guiding energy, and it will heal.” “……” “My daughter, I’ve done you wrong. My days are numbered, and I can only send you to Emei. Please do not blame your father. — Nangong Wushang’s last words…” [The mention of the "Seven Yin Innate Body" surprises you.] [You then look at Meng Hongshang.] "How many Seven Yin Innate Bodies are known in the Earth Immortal realm today?" [Meng Hongshang pauses her search at your question.] "I’ve only heard of Nangong Liuli from Emei." "Of course, it's possible that some sects have kept it secret." "Nangong Liuli, is it?" [You hand the diary to Meng Hongshang.] [Meng Hongshang takes it, skims through, and then covers her mouth in disbelief.] "How can it be?" "Husband, do you mean that the original owner of this cave might be Nangong Liuli's father?" [You nod in agreement.] "Yes." [Upon hearing that there is only one known Seven Yin Innate Body, I had a feeling it must be her.] [Meng Hongshang shakes her head slowly.] "Fate truly is mysterious." [While you discuss, a stunning female cultivator with scarlet eyes, clad in black and shrouded in faint demonic aura, approaches from the sky.] [Upon closer inspection, she is Nangong Liuli.] [Just moments before, she had broken through the restrictions of Reminisce Cliff to arrive here.] [She felt her father's energy manifest once more.] [At nine years old, the immortals from Emei took her away, a moment marked by her father's reluctant gaze that she could never forget.] [Despite being consumed by inner demons and her mind in chaos, her subconscious still yearns to find her father.] [With a few agile leaps, Nangong Liuli arrives at the cave's entrance.] [However, seeing the open door, her fury erupts.] [Who has trespassed into her home!] [Determined, she steps inside, her immortal sword transforming into a stream of light poised to cut down the intruders.] [Yet, as Nangong Liuli enters, she sees you and Meng Hongshang inside.] [Her already unstable inner demons flare with greater intensity. In your astonished gaze, Nangong Liuli lunges at you, embracing you tightly.] "Su Mo, it’s all my fault. Please forgive me." "Can we go back to the way things were?" "I'll take you back to Emei right now. I won’t lie to you anymore!" "I'll help you find a master so we can always be together..." [Startled by Nangong Liuli’s sudden embrace, you’re unsure of her intentions.] [Meng Hongshang, however, recognizes that she is lost to her inner demons.] "Husband, just humor her for now." "I’ll handle the rest." [With those words, Meng Hongshang conjures a Peach Blossom Cloud illusion, preparing to ensnare Nangong Liuli’s consciousness.] [With Nangong Liuli clinging tightly to you, you gently pat her back, taken aback by the startling smoothness beneath her robes.] "Alright, alright, Liuli, I forgive you, okay?" [Upon hearing your reassuring words, Nangong Liuli visibly relaxes.] “Really?” [Before you can respond, Meng Hongshang has already directed the miasma into Nangong Liuli's nose and mouth, causing her to collapse into unconsciousness. Seeing this, you quickly support her in your arms.] [Then, Meng Hongshang takes out a Ginseng Nine Apertures Pill and feeds it to Nangong Liuli.] [The surging energy begins to repair the damage caused by the inner demons.] [Meng Hongshang sighs.] "Overcoming inner demons is incredibly difficult." "I'm afraid she'll never get past it in this lifetime." [She glances at you accusingly.] "It's all your fault!" "If it weren't for you, she wouldn't be in this state." [You feel aggrieved.] "How is this my fault?" [Meng Hongshang explains.] "This time, her inner demon clearly stems from a love tribulation." "Her unique Seven Yin Innate Body would have allowed her to pass through it easily." "Because she wasn't supposed to develop feelings for anyone." "But due to your entanglements, plus whatever occurred between you two over the years, her pure heart was compromised." "Now that the love tribulation has come, she can't overcome it." [Hearing Meng Hongshang’s words, you shake your head vigorously.] "That's impossible." "How could she possibly fall for me?" "The things she said just now were born of confusion." [Meng Hongshang, ignoring you, looks at the now peacefully sleeping Nangong Liuli in your arms.] "If this girl hadn't met you, she'd have become a mighty Earth Immortal." "Now, becoming a Loose Immortal seems unlikely." "Let's take her back to Peach Mountain. Perhaps she can be healed." [You're surprised by Meng Hongshang’s statement.] "You're not jealous?" [Meng Hongshang shoots you a knowing glance.] "Why wouldn't I be?" "But saving her takes priority now." "If we manage to save her, we'll have an Earth Immortal ally by our side." [Hearing this, you stop arguing and carry Nangong Liuli outside. Meng Hongshang seals the cave once more, uncertain when it might open again.] [Upon returning to Peach Mountain, Meng Hongshang arranges a room specifically for Nangong Liuli.] [Nangong Liuli sleeps for a long time, nearly a month. During this time, Meng Hongshang feeds her a Ginseng Nine Apertures Pill every three days, infusing her with pure energy and coloring her complexion healthily rosy.] [One day, when you visit Nangong Liuli, you unexpectedly find her awake.] [Sitting on the bed, she looks at you with a pure, clear gaze, her face world-shakingly beautiful, devoid of the previous cold indifference.] [Yet her words chill your heart.] "Big brother, where is this place?" [Having said this, Nangong Liuli slips on her embroidered shoes and curiously looks around.] [She bounces over to you.] "Big brother, you're so pretty." "But Liuli wants to find my father. Can you take me to him?" [Faced with this seemingly child-like version of Nangong Liuli, full of innocence and wonder, you are taken aback.] "Liuli, what happened to you?" "Don't you remember who you are?" [Nangong Liuli places a delicate finger on her lips, tilting her head inquiringly.] "Big brother, what are you talking about?" "I'm Liuli." "How could I not know who I am?" [Saying this, she peeks outside the door, as Meng Hongshang also arrives.] [Nangong Liuli rushes towards her.] "Beautiful big sister, can you help me find my father?" [You hurriedly speak up.] "Hongshang, she woke up like this, her intellect and memory seem to have regressed to when she was nine." "I don't know what to do now." [Meng Hongshang is equally puzzled.] "That shouldn't be." "But it does seem her inner demons have retreated for now." "Why is this happening?" "Never mind." "We’ll just have to observe her for now." "And see how she is over time." [You reluctantly nod.] "Yeah, that seems the only way." [You gaze at the charming and innocent face of Nangong Liuli, feeling an unexpected pang of tenderness.] [Then you tell a kind lie.] "Liuli, I’m a friend of your father. He asked me to take care of you for a little while. Would you like to stay here?" [Nangong Liuli pouts slightly.] "When will my father come back?" "I miss him." "He'll come for you in a while, Liuli dear." "Your father has gone to get some medicine for you." "Oh, I see." [Nangong Liuli seems to recall something.] "Oh, I remember. Father said I was sick." "But Liuli isn't sick, Liuli is just fine." [You exchange a knowing glance with Meng Hongshang, full of helplessness.] "What can we do? We’ll have to raise her like a child now." "Do you know what a nine-year-old girl likes?" [Meng Hongshang, never having dealt with children, feels clueless.] [Recalling amusement parks from Earth, you consider creating a playground for her during this time.] "I think I have an idea." "I'll head to a nearby mortal town to buy some wood and supplies." "Alright." [Subsequently, you find a spacious spot on Peach Mountain, and over the next few days, you build various familiar playground structures.] [Such as seesaws, slides, swings, and carousels.] [Nangong Liuli thoroughly enjoys these activities, especially when you and Meng Hongshang join in.] [Meng Hongshang is fascinated by your inventive ideas.] [She wonders where you get this inspiration.] [Watching Nangong Liuli play carefree and innocent, you feel that this state of affairs is quite pleasant.] [At least now it’s devoid of past grievances.] [Status: Nangong Liuli 21%, Meng Hongshang 79%.] [One day, during your usual afternoon activity with Meng Hongshang, you hear odd noises.] [Stepping outside quietly, you find Nangong Liuli peering through the punctured window paper, engrossed in what’s happening inside.] [Seeing you, her eyes remain pure and naïve.] "Big brother, what were you playing just now? Liuli wants to join too!" (End of the chapter.)