Chapter 1821 — Tang Zhi's Decision (Part One)
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"But... if you do not take the Herbal Draught of Heartlessness, then a demon will take root in your heart. There is every chance you will be driven to madness by your own cultivation, and the road ahead will be exceptionally bitter, with love tormenting you at every turn..." Elder Zhang said. "That is why Ancestor Xue formulated the potion of the Draught of Forgetfulness and gave it to her successors..."
"Then what of Ancestor Xue herself? She never took the Draught of Forgetfulness, yet she still mastered the Art of Heartlessness, did she not?" Tang Zhi countered. "If she had taken it, how could she still remember the grievances and affections of those early years?"
"That..." Elder Zhang was briefly taken aback, then gave a bitter smile. "The founding Ancestor Xue was a genius of a caliber beyond compare, and her constitution was peculiar besides. We of later generations cannot hope to match her..."
Yet there Elder Zhang suddenly stopped short, and looking at Tang Zhi, he did not know what to say. Indeed—the founding ancestor's constitution had been peculiar, but was Tang Zhi's not the same? This rare constitution of the Hidden Ice Heart and Jade Bone had never appeared again in Snow Valley since the sect was founded!
So if the founding Ancestor Xue could do without the Draught of Forgetfulness, then perhaps Tang Zhi could as well. But Elder Zhang dared not stake his word on it. He could only counsel her: "Miss Tang, think on it. Once you master the Art of Heartlessness, you will radiate an air that makes others keep their distance. Even if he wakes, could he still be with you? Look at the Valley Master and the Grand Elder—they are both like that, bearing a natural sense of awe that makes people reluctant to draw near..."
"That..." Tang Zhi thought it over and fell silent at once. Elder Zhang was right, and this was precisely what she feared most. Once she mastered the heart method of the Art of Heartlessness, how could Wei Zhao still care for her? Even if affection remained in his heart, after long contact he would naturally draw away in awe...
For a moment Tang Zhi felt a pang of sorrow. Wei Zhao would be saved, and she would have her wish of becoming a master. But... she would never again be able to be with Wei Zhao. Was this what they called the will of heaven?
Ancestor Xue and Ancestor Bing had been so in their day; must she and Feng Xiaoxiao be so now? Would the tragedy of years past play itself out all over again?
Or was this simply the law of cause and effect?
"Very well, think it over yourself. This Zhang will take his leave now!" Elder Zhang had said all that needed saying. The rest was for Tang Zhi to ponder alone—if she found her way through, so much the better; if not, there was nothing to be done...
Tang Zhi watched Elder Zhang's departing back and did not call him back, for there was no use in his staying. He had already helped as much as he could.
"Yao Yao, Little Shu... what am I to do?" Tang Zhi clutched her head in some pain, gazing at Wei Zhao on the bed, deep reluctance and longing in her eyes. "I do not want to forget him, truly I do not... The days I spent with him were not long, but I was glad, I was happy, and I want to keep them forever in the depths of my heart..."
"Alas!" Gu Mengyao sighed. Truth be told, she pitied Tang Zhi deeply, but at a time like this, Tang Zhi was in no position to choose. Either she stayed in Snow Valley and saved Wei Zhao, or she left, and Wei Zhao would be in danger.
"What if... you simply do not take it?" Shen Yushu ventured cautiously.
"Elder Zhang said it too—once I master the Art of Heartlessness... would Wei Zhao still care for me? By then he would likely loathe me and not even want to be near me. If I do not take it, I fear it will be all the more painful," Tang Zhi said with some hesitation.
"That..." Little Shu scratched her head, at a loss for words.