Chapter 12 – Who Cares?
After stepping out of the Sword-casting Chamber, Luo Qing suddenly said: “He is Qin Chen, the sixth Elder of the Merak Palace.”
That disgusting fellow is the sixth Elder? Xue Qilin was a bit surprised. However, she recalled seeing this Qin Chen when she came out of the Sword Mound, and he seemed to have stood next to Luo Qing.
“He has an enmity with Little Ting?”
Luo Qing nodded: “Do you remember the disciple who stood next to Senior Disciple Sister Li?”
Xue Qilin nodded her head. How could I not remember. After all, I’ve seen him just a moment ago?
“That disciple’s name is Li Hong, his younger brother… Um… Let’s start with Qin Chen. He was an outstanding and talented genius of our generation, and was friendly to others. But ever since he lost his arm in the battle five years ago, he has changed. He became cynical and began to degenerate. He often took liberties with female disciples, and even mistreated his disciples. Reportedly, he even misappropriated the sect’s funds. This was eventually found out by Elder Liu, and he was suppressed into submission. But half a year ago, Qin Chen accidentally killed Li Hong’s younger brother, who was also Senior Disciple Sister’s disciple. “
“Oh, so something revolting like this took place?”
“Senior Disciple Sister learned of it after the fact. Li Hong took his brother’s body and went to complain tearfully to her. She was livid at once. She took Li Hong to find Qin Chen and denounce him for his crime, and even went to complain to Palace Master.”
“What was the outcome?”
“Qin Chen was most likely the perpetrator. Qin Chen uses a flexible sword, and he’s the only one in the sect who uses a flexible sword. The wounds on Li Hong’s brother’s body match with Qin Chen’s sword. However, the matter wasn’t settled.”
Xue Qilin was just bout to ask why, when Luo Qing beat her to the punch and provided an explanation: “The evidence wasn’t conclusive, and Qin Chen denied it. Although Qin Chen was a suspect, but he made great contributions in the incident five years ago, and his father even helped Elder Liu to block a sword strike and died. Elder Liu things Qin Chen’s father to be his benefactor. At the same time, he feels guilty towards Qin Chen. After all, Qin Chen’s father died to save him. As such, he shielded Qin Chen.”
At this point, Luo Qing sighed: “With Li Hong’s one-sided statement, there was nothing Palace Master could do. More importantly, Elder Liu belongs to Vice-palace Master Ye’s faction. And as Vice-palace Master Ye didn’t speak up, Palace Master could do nothing. Moreover, Qin Chen isn’t the only person in the world using a flexible sword. It could not be ruled out that the perpetrator was an outsider who infiltrated the sect. Senior Disciple Sister Li knew that she would not be able to make any further progress. Besides, she didn’t want to make things difficult for Palace Master, who was like a sister to her. As such, she was forced to take this loss. This is why she hates Qin Chen.”
Luo Qing’s tone was rather dull, as if this has nothing to do with her. But Xue Qilin inexplicably felt that there were some unclear, repressed emotions hidden behind her words.
“What would you do if it was you, Young Master?”
“What would I do?” Xue Qilin turned to look at Luo Qing and asked back blankly. Luo Qing’s question was so sudden that she couldn’t react.
“The matter with Qin Chen, how would you have handled it?”
“Why do you suddenly ask me this?” Xue Qilin tilted her head and blinked her eyes.
“Well…” Luo Qing pondered for a long time before continuing with a smile: “I’m a little curious.”
“I’d beat him until he confessed.” After saying that, Xue Qilin waved her tiny fist, which could punch through a thick tree trunk, with indignation.
Luo Qing couldn’t help but laughing, and rolled her eyes: “How can you beat people…”
Xue Qilin wrinkled her nose and curled her lips: “You guys are so indecisive and overcautious sometimes.”
“Is that so?” Luo Qing was a little surprised. Apparently, she hasn’t been aware of this.
Xue Qilin spread her hands and said grumpily: “Isn’t that true? There are time where there is no right choice to make. Often times, it’s not a question of whether you should or not.”
“Then what is it then?” Luo Qing stopped in her steps and inquired.
Seeing that Luo Qing didn’t keep pace with her, Xue Qilin stopped and looked back. She gave a straightforward smile and uttered with decisiveness that could slice nails and cut iron : “It’s a question of whether you want to or not.”
Luo Qing was stunned for a while, then she lowered her gaze and said in a complicated tone of voice: “But is that really okay?”
“Okay or not okay?” Xue Qilin sneered, turned around, and took a step: “Who cares?”
Luo Qing didn’t respond. Xue Qilin didn’t know what the other party was thinking, but she went on to say: “People live for themselves, no, they can only live for yourself. But…” Xue Qilin’s tone of voice suddenly became mischievous: “What’s inside is another matter.”
The sound of footsteps behind her resumed. The footsteps were clearly hasty, yet felt lively.
The two walked side by side.
Xue Qilin glanced at Luo Qing. Luo Qing has been watching her for a long time now without saying a word.
“What are you looking at? Have you never seen such a beautiful loli? “
Luo Qing shook her head and responded frankly: “Palace Master said that you’re unhinged and weird, Young Ancestor.”
The expression in Xue Qilin’s eyes darkened: “So, what do you think?”
“I think that you’re weird, Young Ancestor, but it’s another kind of weird.”
“What kind of weird am I?” Xue Qilin could not associate the word “weird” with anything good, but she still asked.
“You’re eccentric.” In a rare fashion, Luo Qing showed a mischievous smile.
“I call it straightforward, okay?”
“Straightforward?” Luo Qing lowered her gaze and smiled bitterly: “Indeed. Your straightforwardness is enviable, Young Ancestor.”
