Fleeting Dream Across Three Lifetimes - Chapter 18

On the twentieth day of the eighth month, Qin Mohan received a message from the Lin family, saying that her father and the family’s elder would be coming to visit the Wuji Sect, and would also see Lin Qingchen, since the twenty-fifth happened to be Lin Qingchen’s twentieth birthday.

Holding the letter, Qin Mohan frowned slightly. She still felt uneasy about meeting members of the Lin family. Since entering the Wuji Sect, she had used cultivation as an excuse and never once contacted them. It was the Lin family who occasionally sent things over, which Qin Mohan kept but never touched.

She did feel some guilt toward Lin Qingchen, but not much. After all, the way Lin Qingchen had treated Su Zining, in Qin Mohan’s eyes, could not have been more vile. What troubled her more was receiving love and care from Lin Qingchen’s family while in her body.

Noticing her troubled expression, Su Zining also glanced at the letter, her face growing solemn. “How much do you know about the Lin family? Will you be able to handle it?”

Seeing the concern in her eyes, Qin Mohan shook her head. “It’s fine, I can manage.”

“If you don’t want to see them, then just say you’re in seclusion?”

“That would only arouse suspicion. They knew the results of my matches almost immediately, so clearly many people in Wuji Sect are paying attention to me.” Qin Mohan spoke in a low voice, then relaxed her expression. “When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we use earth to hold it back. It will be fine.”

***

Three days later, Lin Zong and the Lin family’s Grand Elder, Lin Cuiyan, arrived at the Wuji Sect. The Lin family was not among the greatest clans, but they had provided many resources to the sect. Lin Zong was also the most promising candidate to inherit the patriarch’s position, so the sect treated them with courtesy. After a brief exchange with Wu Chenzi, Qin Mohan waited outside.

The two men emerged, both tall and imposing. The middle-aged man wore a dark green robe, with sharp brows, narrow eyes, pale skin, and a long beard. Handsome, but his brown eyes revealed cunning and shrewdness. Beside him, the elder with white hair and beard was Lin Cuiyan.

Quickly recalling, Qin Mohan imitated Lin Qingchen’s manner, stepping forward with a bright smile and girlish charm. “Dad, you’re here.” Then she bowed. “Grand Elder.”

Both men already knew of her good performance and how much she was valued by Luo Yuan, so they were delighted, smiling warmly.

Those who had seen her usual demeanor were shocked. True, it was normal for her to act more lively in front of her father, but still, the contrast was startling.

Qin Mohan herself felt helpless. Normally, she was unaccustomed to mingling with people of this era, always focused on cultivation, coming and going quickly. Though she wasn’t one to laugh and chatter, she wasn’t cold either. But now, with the original host’s father here, she had no choice but to play the part, regardless of her usual image.

At Ziyun Peak, Luo Yuan personally received the guests. Lan Xuan and Le Fan, as senior brother and sister, also joined them.

Lan Xuan remarked casually, “Usually, Shimei is quiet and seldom smiles, yet today before Uncle Lin she seems like another person entirely. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t believe it. Clearly, Shimei shares a very deep bond with her father.”

In truth, Lan Xuan’s words were somewhat exaggerated. At Ziyun Peak, Qin Mohan was more relaxed, and she did sometimes chat and laugh with them. Though mostly reserved and often alone, she was not silent to the extreme.

Qin Mohan lifted her gaze toward him. His eyes were full of warmth, showing intimacy, yet she felt something off, though she could not pinpoint it. She only shook her head and smiled. “I joined late and still know too little. Each day I fear wasting time and indeed spend less with Shixiong and Shijie. Please don’t hold it against me.”

Lan Xuan laughed heartily and let the matter drop. But Lin Zong, being no fool, caught the faint strangeness between his daughter and Lan Xuan. Narrowing his eyes, he studied them briefly before turning to converse with Luo Yuan.

Though Luo Yuan disliked tedious formalities, he still had to give face to the Lin family. Besides, they were the family of his treasured disciple, so he endured. Out of courtesy, he offered them lodging, which they readily accepted. The Lin Patriarch was planning to step down, and the three branches of the family were already vying for power. Lin Zong’s talent wasn’t the best, and his only real advantage lay with Lin Qingchen. She was his only daughter, cherished dearly.

The happiest one about their stay was Lan Xuan. After Luo Yuan and the others departed, he secretly doubled back and knocked on Lin Zong’s door.

After listening to Lan Xuan’s agitated account, Lin Zong’s face turned dark, his hands clenching tightly. With his late Golden Core stage strength leaking out, even Lan Xuan found it hard to endure.

“Say that again. What happened to my daughter?” Each word was flat, yet on the verge of erupting.

“Patriarch Lin, your daughter has been possessed! I overheard her speaking with another girl. That girl called her Qin Mohan, not Lin Qingchen!” Though cold sweat drenched him, his words struck with certainty.

Seeing Lin Cuiyan frown deeply, Lan Xuan pressed on. “Surely that is not another name of hers, is it? And finding it strange, I investigated. The girl she’s so close with, called Zhi Mo, is actually none other than the disgraced young lady of the Su family, Su Zining. Uncle Lin, you know of her, don’t you?”

Lin Zong’s face turned from dark to pale. Su Zining!

“As you know, Shimei used to loathe Su Zining, yet now they eat and sleep together, protecting her fiercely. The only explanation I can give is that Su Zining knows of the possession, perhaps even aided it.” Seeing Lin Zong’s ashen face, Lan Xuan straightened his back, speaking eloquently.

But Lin Zong had lived for centuries. Though he had only fathered Lin Qingchen at four hundred years old, after the first wave of grief, he quickly recovered his composure. “Why are you telling me this?”

Lan Xuan smiled. “I met your daughter before and had a very good impression of her, I truly liked that little shimei. But now, that Qin Mohan makes me feel nothing but disgust, that’s all.”

Lin Zong was not a fool. The moment Lan Xuan claimed that Lin Qingchen had been possessed, he immediately recalled how Lin Xiao had told him that Lin Qingchen had changed a lot recently, becoming more sensible. He also knew about Su Zining’s disappearance. Since Lin Qingchen was his own daughter, he knew her very well—there was no way she would ever change her attitude toward Su Zining. Remembering her behavior when he saw her earlier, and her interactions with Lan Xuan, his heart was already seventy percent convinced!

Seeing him silent, Lin Cuiyan understood his intention and immediately said, “Whether it is true or not, I shall know tomorrow once I test her myself. After all, it’s just the body of a Foundation-stage child. Young Master Lan, please take your leave.”

Lan Xuan’s eyes brimmed with satisfaction as he strode away.

Lin Zong’s heart ached, yet he still gritted his teeth. “Grand Elder?”

Lin Cuiyan’s expression was cold and calm. “If she truly has seized another’s body, this old man will not show mercy. A-Zong, take another wife. I will never allow someone wearing the skin of a Lin descendant to enjoy our family’s resources.”

As Lin Cuiyan closed his eyes to meditate, Lin Zong clenched his jaw hard, his eyes red like a beast’s. Qin Mohan, you ruined my plans and my daughter!

***

Early the next morning, Qin Mohan spotted Lin Zong outside. She felt a jolt in her heart, then forced herself to relax as she walked over. “Dad, why are you here so early?” These past days, to avoid causing suspicion, Su Zining had returned to Luori Peak and hadn’t appeared, so now only she was present.

Lin Zong smiled with fatherly affection. “I’ll be leaving today. There are some things your father and the Grand Elder wish to remind you of. Come, let’s talk as we walk.”

He patted her casually, motioning for her to walk along. Lin Cuiyan remained quiet as always, giving only a slight nod, and the three of them made their way to the edge of Ziyun Peak. Unease rose in Qin Mohan’s heart, but she couldn’t show it, so she maintained the obedient demeanor that Lin Qingchen should have before her father.

Lin Zong stopped and sighed. “Qingchen, your father doesn’t have great ability, and my talent isn’t outstanding, not as good as your third uncle’s. I can only rely on you to stand out and bring me honor. Do you understand?”

Qin Mohan nodded. Lin Zong then turned his head seriously. “Tell me truthfully, what stage has your cultivation reached?”

Qin Mohan pressed her lips together, then smiled. “I originally wanted to surprise you, but I didn’t think you’d guess. I’ve already reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. I just broke through the other day.” She couldn’t conceal it. A bad feeling stirred in her chest. Though she had indeed reached mid-Foundation, cultivators could usually conceal their realm unless in combat or facing someone far stronger. Yet Lin Zong’s tone suggested someone had told him already.

Lin Zong was overjoyed. “Truly? Grand Elder, please take a look.”

In that instant, as he turned, Lin Cuiyan’s hand shot out with incredible speed. Qin Mohan had no time to dodge before she instantly realized—she was exposed!

Blazing spiritual power surged into her body, domineering and forceful, probing straight into her sea of consciousness. This was soul-searching! Qin Mohan’s face went deathly pale as searing pain split her head, fear welling up from the depths of her soul. She cried out as her consciousness roared, and a violent force inside her clashed head-on with Lin Cuiyan’s probing. Dizzy, she was blasted away, spitting blood.

But Lin Cuiyan himself also staggered back, clutching his head, pale and shaken. He could hardly believe it—his divine sense had been injured by Qin Mohan! Possession, without a doubt. Such formidable spiritual strength could only belong to someone with a millennium of cultivation!

Enduring the agony, Qin Mohan staggered onto her flying sword and fled. Neither of them had expected her to still control a sword after being soul-searched, leaving them stunned. But once they realized, they immediately mounted their swords and pursued.

Many areas within the Wuji Sect forbade sword-flight, so this disturbance was quickly noticed by disciples. At Luori Peak, Luo Yuan was playing a game of chess with Wu Chenzi, waiting for the morning lesson, when he saw a familiar figure swaying unsteadily through the sky. His hand froze above the chessboard. Extending his divine sense, his face changed dramatically, and he shot out like a streak of white light, blocking the two pursuers.

“Stop!” Luo Yuan glared at them in disbelief, his voice cold. “You actually used soul-searching on your own flesh and blood!” Seeing the killing intent rolling off the two men and sensing Qin Mohan’s violently disturbed soul, he understood instantly.

Lin Zong roared hoarsely, “Peak Master Luo, that person is not my daughter, she has possessed my Chen-er’s body! She has stolen my daughter! If I do not kill that vile thief today, I am no man. Step aside!”

Luo Yuan froze, his eyes widening. “Possessed? Who told you that… so you soul-searched her?”

Lin Zong sent his voice out with spiritual power. “I verified it myself, I soul-searched her. That is no longer my daughter’s soul. Such a vicious, cruel person who seizes another’s body cannot be tolerated by heaven! Sect Leader, tell us, how should such a one be punished!”

As Qin Mohan nearly vanished from sight, Lin Cuiyan flickered and disappeared in pursuit. Luo Yuan stood stunned, failing to stop him.

Wu Chenzi’s expression remained unchanged, only the faintest smirk at his lips. He said to Luo Yuan, “Shidi, return. That kind of scum among cultivators is no longer your disciple. You need not concern yourself. Patriarch Lin, please go ahead.”

The reason Qin Mohan circled past Luori Peak was to warn Su Zining. Once she was exposed, Su Zining would inevitably be implicated. She only hoped to buy time so that Su Zining could escape while the two men were occupied.

And indeed, Su Zining realized what was happening. But she now hesitated. She knew clearly that she could be of no help—unless she used the Qiankun Fan. Yet memories of her previous life, cornered and desperate, returned with force. She knew well that once exposed, there would be no escape, just as before, when she was driven into the Burial Grounds.

She bit her lip hard, preparing to fly away on her sword. But her mind swirled with Qin Mohan’s image. Over the past half year, Qin Mohan had relentlessly broken through her defenses—her kindness, her thoughtfulness, her gentleness—shaking the heart of Su Zining, who had sworn never to trust again. Qin Mohan was truly different from Wenren Qiu. Looking back, Wenren Qiu’s kindness had always felt deliberate, but Qin Mohan’s was foolishly genuine.

The thought of abandoning her, of the fate that would await her, made Su Zining’s heart ache. Branded as a possessor, she would surely be slain, her soul devoured and refined by a Nascent Soul master like Lin Cuiyan to enhance his cultivation!

Sensing its master’s turmoil, her flying sword began to tremble in the air, then with a sharp sound it wheeled around and shot toward the direction where Qin Mohan had vanished.