After Rebirth, the Heroine is Consumed by Overwhelming Regret Chapter 9

The two stood before the docking platform, waiting for a long time without any response.
It was a sect rule: outsiders were not allowed to enter without permission until they passed an inspection. Qi Qing could have gone in, but she couldn’t leave Yu Yan alone here to wait.
The person meant to receive them still hadn’t arrived, and they didn’t know what had happened.
Qi Qing felt a little anxious. After waiting for so long, she didn’t know if Yu Yan was angry. She stole a glance at her, but could only see the faint outline of a beautiful face beneath her veil, unable to discern her expression. It’s true, she really should wear a veil, Qi Qing thought. Being too beautiful can sometimes attract trouble.
Qi Qing suddenly felt a little smug. Among so many people in the entire Heavenly Sword Sect, only she had seen Yu Yan’s true face.
After a short while, the escort finally arrived. Qi Qing looked up and saw it was actually Sect Master Mo Tao himself.
She instinctively wanted to step back to give them space to talk, but Yu Yan held her hand, and she only managed to retreat half a step.
“Immortal Lord Minghuai, your presence honors us! Please forgive my lack of welcome!” Mo Tao dismounted from his steed and walked towards them enthusiastically. Qi Qing sensed Yu Yan didn’t particularly like him, so she quickly stepped forward to block his path. But she didn’t know what to say, only managing a dry, “Sect Master, I’ve brought her back.”
Blocked by her, the rest of Mo Tao’s words died in his throat. It was too late to continue, so he said perfunctorily, “Alright, you may leave now.”
How could Qi Qing leave? Yu Yan disliked Mo Tao but had come for her sake. If she were to run off now, it would be utterly ungrateful. She had to stay by Yu Yan’s side and prevent Mo Tao from getting close.
Mo Tao didn’t actually have any other intentions; he just wanted to exchange a few pleasantries. But seeing one of his own sect members acting so defensively, a flicker of displeasure crossed his mind. Is she even loyal to the Heavenly Sword Sect?
“Didn’t you hear? There’s nothing for you here,” Mo Tao repeated. “Go and rest.”
Since he had put it that way, insisting further would be defiant. Qi Qing gritted her teeth, about to find an excuse to stay, when she heard Yu Yan say calmly, “Sect Master Mo, you carry yourself with such airs. Do you usually order your disciples around so arrogantly?”
The sarcasm in her words was quite obvious. Mo Tao paused, taken aback. “How could that be? Immortal Lord, you jest.”
Just moments ago, when he heard of her arrival, he had thought she intended to be friendly. Who knew her very first sentence would be so biting? If it were any other time, he wouldn’t have bothered trying to be friendly to someone so cold. After all, both were at the Immortal Lord level, with no inherent difference in status. In fact, in terms of seniority, she wasn’t quite up to his level.
But now, he was the one asking for a favor.
His disciple’s injury seemed incurable, but the person before him might have a solution. Even if he had to endure a few sarcastic remarks, he had to do this for his disciple.
So, he could only force a smile. “Immortal Lord, you’ve come from so far. I was just about to arrange a welcome for you. Since you seem to like this disciple, let her accompany us. This way, please—”
Qi Qing hadn’t expected Yu Yan to have so much influence that Mo Tao didn’t even dare to retort after she spoke to him like that.
She opened her mouth, thinking, I’ve really chosen the right person to follow this time.
Yu Yan, however, knew Mo Tao’s reaction wasn’t quite right. Her earlier remark was partly to stand up for Qi Qing and partly a test. If Mo Tao were merely easygoing, taking Qi Qing away wouldn’t be difficult. But now, it seemed Mo Tao was more than just agreeable; he was practically servile.
Her current identity wasn’t that of an ascended High God, but a rogue cultivator from the wilds with no backing. Even if she possessed some skill, it wasn’t enough to make the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect bow and scrape before her. Either he had guessed her true identity, or he desperately needed something from her.
But whichever it was, he was certainly being shameless.
Yu Yan snorted coldly and followed behind his mount, her mind already calculating how to bargain. Since he was asking for her help, she no longer needed to be polite.
They arrived at the Heavenly Sword Sect’s guest hall, where host and guest took their respective seats. Shortly after, tea was served. Standing behind Yu Yan, Qi Qing saw a faint golden aura rising from the teacups and couldn’t help but be amazed. This was the legendary Pre-Rain Spirit Sprouts tea, rumored to be more expensive than spirit stones themselves—a single tael cost at least a thousand spirit stones. This was undoubtedly the Heavenly Sword Sect’s highest standard of hospitality.
“Just some humble tea, a small token of our respect,” Mo Tao said modestly. “Immortal Lord Minghuai, your willingness to grace our longevity banquet is truly my good fortune. I’ve heard you’ve been diligently cultivating these past years and must have achieved great progress. Unlike myself, burdened with the sect’s numerous affairs. I’ve wished to visit you many times, but alas, I could never find the time.”
Yu Yan stroked her teacup and, after a long moment, said, “There’s no need for such preambles. If you have a request, it’s better to state it directly.”
She detested such formalities. Usually, she was direct. She had considered feigning politeness for a few exchanges but then decided it wasn’t necessary. No matter what was said, they would eventually have to get to the heart of the matter.
Mo Tao hadn’t expected her to be so blunt. His smile vanished, and he said gravely, “I do indeed have a favor to ask. I implore you, Immortal Lord, to grant it.”
Yu Yan brought the tea to her lips. Steam wafted onto her veil, yet it didn’t fog up in the slightest. The veil was, in fact, a magic artifact; outsiders could not see her true face, but her own vision remained completely unobstructed.
“I have a disciple,” Mo Tao began, trying to be concise, “who recently injured her eyes in an attack by a vicious beast. I’ve invited many healers, but they all say there’s no cure…” The details of what happened weren’t as important as finding a solution.
Just as Yu Yan was about to speak, she sensed Qi Qing’s breathing behind her grow slightly heavier.
The change was extremely subtle. If not for her status as a High God and the fated thread of love connecting her to Qi Qing, she might not have noticed it at all. Yu Yan paused, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. Things are getting interesting, she thought. My little love trial is so concerned about this person. Could there be some connection between them? No, to react like this before even hearing a name… it’s likely more than just a simple connection.
Yu Yan put down her cup. “So, what is the current state of her injuries?”
Mo Tao sighed. “The situation is very bad, but I haven’t told her the full extent. I would like to invite you to examine her. Whether she can be cured or not, at least I, as her master, will feel I’ve done everything I can.”
“In that case, I’ll go with you to take a look.” As Yu Yan rose, her gaze subtly swept over Qi Qing. Qi Qing’s expression was somewhat dazed, making it unclear whether she felt heartache or worry.
Yu Yan suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. She coughed lightly as a reminder. “Qi Qing.”
It’s just an eye injury, Yu Yan thought. Why is she so worried?
Hearing her name, Qi Qing snapped back as if waking from a dream. The moment she heard Mo Tao’s first words about his disciple, she had immediately realized the injured person was Ling Aorui. This matched the events of her previous life almost exactly.
Indeed, she thought, as long as I do nothing, the original story won’t change. Ling Aorui is still destined to go blind. This must be what they call fate. How could I have been so foolish in my previous life, trying to defy fate?
“Let’s go,” Yu Yan said curtly and walked out of the hall.
Qi Qing wanted to refuse, but she couldn’t let Yu Yan and Mo Tao go alone. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to say she wouldn’t go. Her entire being, however, recoiled at the thought of seeing that person again. I’ll just get it over with quickly, she thought, gritting her teeth. See her, and then leave immediately.
Yu Yan watched Qi Qing follow closely behind, her breathing rapid and uneven. It was clear Qi Qing was extremely anxious to see this person. This made Yu Yan feel even more uncomfortable, but she couldn’t say anything. She currently had no official relationship with Qi Qing, and it wasn’t her place to meddle.
She could only slow her pace, trying to delay their arrival as much as possible.
But no matter how much she tried to delay, it wouldn’t be for long.
Soon enough, the three of them arrived.
The familiar gate, the familiar long flight of stairs… The last time Qi Qing had come here in her previous life was after those two had eloped. Now, everything looked just as it had then. The only difference was that she would no longer be swayed by that person in the slightest.
She composed herself and followed the other two inside. As soon as she entered the room, she saw Ling Aorui on the bed.
Ling Aorui’s eyes were pale and vacant. Hearing footsteps, she turned her head, but her gaze couldn’t focus. She looked utterly pitiful. Anyone who saw her would feel a surge of compassion—anyone except Qi Qing.
Qi Qing only felt a grim satisfaction. Without her sacrifice this time, Ling Aorui would remain blind for the rest of her life. This was ordained by fate, and no one could defy it.
“Sect Master.” Shu Xi emerged from an inner room, her voice pulling Qi Qing back to the present. “Greetings, Immortal Lord Minghuai. Please, Immortal Lord, have a seat.”
Shu Xi recognized Yu Yan’s status from her attire alone. She had heard that this Immortal Lord never involved herself in worldly affairs and possessed a personality as cold as ice. For her to appear here now, it must be Ling Aorui’s destined opportunity.
Shu Xi stepped back slightly to make way for Yu Yan, and then her eyes fell on Qi Qing. She glanced at her a few times but didn’t recognize her. However, judging by her attire, she figured Qi Qing must also be a disciple of their sect.
Qi Qing noticed her unspoken question and quickly introduced herself, “Outer disciple Qi Qing of Verdant Peak. Greetings, Martial Aunt Shu.”
Shu Xi nodded, then said suddenly, “So you are Qi Qing?”
Qi Qing nodded, feeling puzzled.
“Just a moment ago, Aorui was mentioning you, and then you arrived,” Shu Xi said with a smile. “It seems there truly is some fate between you two.”