Chapter 315: 315. Can only give oneself wholeheartedly

Translator: 549690339

The drugged Gu Ling felt groggy and unable to move, unable to do anything.

A day had passed, and Gu Ling didn’t know whether Su Liang was still in

Xiangyue City, or if she could figure out that it was Nangong Lin’s doing.

At one moment, Gu Ling hoped that Su Liang could think of coming to save him, and at another, he worried that she would be in danger if she did come.

Nangong Lin had painstakingly schemed to deceive Su Liang, which Gu Ling couldn’t understand.

To capture his so-called apprentice, the son of the person he pretended to love the most, showed that Nangong Lin was not a good person. But why did he expend effort to deceive Su Liang and let her go? Could it be that Nangong Lin had other plans for Su Liang? Was he afraid that Nangong Qian’s condition might worsen and that in case of emergencies, Su Liang could continue to treat Nangong Qian?

Gu Ling had guessed why Nangong Lin captured him, the reason must have surfaced recently. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made a move at this time. That left only one possibility: Nangong Qian.

This made Gu Ling feel disgusted.

The day he and Su Liang had planned to consummate their marriage had passed, but that was not important now. He was very worried about Su Liang’s safety and at the same time thinking about how to save himself.

Nangong Lin appeared again, holding a bottle of medicine and sitting by Gu Ling’s bed, looking melancholy at his features, “How good it would be if your mother were still alive!”

“You were the mysterious master whom Gu Yuan introduced as his confidant.” Gu Ling looked at Nangong Lin, his expression cold.

When Nangong Lin tore off a corner of his mask, Gu Ling thought of the things from his childhood. Gu Yuan was ambitious but was initially a cautious person, treating Situ Ning exceptionally well. But at some point, he changed, his ambition grew, he became ruthless, and for the so-called cause, he even sold himself, turning into a madman that made Gu Ling feel sick at the sight.

He was young back then, but looking back now, some of the vague memories grew clearer. He once accidentally overheard Gu Yuan talking to someone in a triumphant tone, saying, “With the help of a master like you, how can my great cause not succeed?” But that person was mysterious, and Gu Ling wanted to know who he was, but never saw a shadow.

A supreme master can give people a sense of security and also make them feel that they can do whatever they want.

At this point, looking at Nangong Lin’s hypocritical mask, Gu Ling suspected that the latter had played no small part in Gu Yuan’s demise.

Although Gu Ling thought that Gu Yuan’s rebellion would fail anyway, the sudden and thorough defeat at that time seemed to have been due to someone betraying him, leaking the news to Duanmu Yi in advance.

The road to the Gu Family’s destruction had begun long before, something that a young Gu Ling could not see through or prevent.

At this moment, Gu Ling felt that perhaps everything was somehow related to Nangong Lin.

Nangong Lin, who was reminiscing about Situ Ning, was taken aback by Gu Ling’s words, then slowly laughed, “How did you think of Gu Yuan? I didn’t expose any flaws at that time.”

These words were a clear admission and very proud.

“Gu Yuan was talented and had unparalleled beauty that made your mother fall in love.” Nangong Lin sneered, “I could have easily killed him, but then your mother would have hated me for a lifetime. I chose to destroy him bit by bit, destroying the happiness your mother wanted. It was not difficult; if Gu Yuan had no ambition, if he was really a righteous person, how could he have treated me as a confidant and become someone you detest? I just helped him realize his wishes, and then, at the moment of success, let his life collapse and turn to ashes… it was very interesting, don’t you think?”

Gu Ling’s eyes were icy, “You thought that if my mother was disappointed with

Gu Yuan, she would fall in love with you? Unfortunately, that was your dream.”

Gu Ling’s straightforward words hit Nangong Lin’s sore spot, causing his expression to twist for a moment, but he quickly recovered, looking at Gu Ling with a smirk, “Your mother, of course, didn’t know about my dealings with your father behind her back. To ask me to teach you martial arts, she dedicated herself to me. I didn’t want to tell you, but now that you’re talking to me like this, I have no choice but to let you know the truth.”

Gu Ling’s expression didn’t change, ‘My mother didn’t do such a thing. You took the initiative to teach me martial arts in an attempt to please my mother and make her fall in love with you, to leave Gu Yuan and be with you after she was disappointed in him. But you failed.”

Nangong Lin’s suddenly gloomy expression proved that what Gu Ling said was the truth.

Situ Ning had no idea who had destroyed her once happy family, and even felt grateful for Nangong Lin’s guidance and care for Gu Ling. She once told Gu Ling that Nangong Lin was her best friend and brother, and the person she trusted the most, which was one of the reasons why Gu Ling had not suspected Nangong Lin before.

But this was only because Nangong Lin was extremely scheming and his disguise was perfect; Situ Ning didn’t know his true face. She never fell in love with Nangong Lin, and precisely because she knew what he wanted, she always refused him, and never thought of going away with him.

“It was a mistake to have paid so much for you and your mother.” Nangong Lin sighed, “But there is one thing I must tell you. Your mother was very close to Situ Xiang and said that if she had a child, they would definitely have a marriage. I should have told you earlier, but it’s not too late. You must be with

Qianqian, it’s not only your mother’s last wish but also mine. I kindly spared Su Liang, you’d better not be ungrateful.”

“I don’t believe you. If you say one more word, I’ll vomit.” Gu Ling said coldly. The so-called marriage was just something Nangong Lin fabricated to achieve his goal, disguising his twisted control instinct.

Nangong Lin held up the medicine bottle he had been holding all along, “No matter. In order to alleviate your pain and discomfort, I found something good for you to make your life easier and happier. If you take it, you will forget your mother, forget Su Liang, forget all the unpleasantness in the past.”

Gu Ling’s heart sank when he didn’t expect Nangong Lin to be so ruthless as to want to erase his memory!

“Why didn’t you use such methods on my mother back then?” Gu Ling asked, trying to buy time.

Nangong Lin paused while opening the medicine bottle, “Yeah, I could have done that back then, but… I wanted your mother’s heart, not her body. I thought that after going through all that, she would have definitely chosen me.” With that, Nangong Lin changed the topic, “But there isn’t any past between you and Qianqian, so it’s better for both of you to have a clean memory.”

As he said this, Nangong Lin poured out a light red pill from the bottle and looked at Gu Ling, saying, “You have more talent than me. At such a young age, your strength is already equal to mine. If it weren’t for Su Liang as your weakness, it would be really difficult to control you. This is fate, you must accept it.”

As the words fell, Nangong Lin grabbed Gu Ling’s chin with one hand, forcing him to open his mouth.

Gu Ling knew he couldn’t escape, he never thought of himself as invincible. Since he left Su Family Village, his life had never really been peaceful. At this moment, he wasn’t panicked, as that would only make Nangong Lin more proud.

Even if she lost her memory , as long as she was alive, Su Liang would definitely find him… Gu Ling firmly believed in this.

The sudden knock on the door disrupted the tense atmosphere in the room.

Nangong Lin let go of Gu Ling and frowned, asking, “What is it?”

“Master, Miss Su is here.”

The voice from outside the door made Nangong Lin’s face change immediately, and he instinctively looked at Gu Ling.

However, he always found it difficult to read Gu Ling’s emotions unless he was with Su Liang.

The same was true at this moment. Gu Ling was very calm, as if he had anticipated Su Liang would come, and as if he didn’t care either way. Nangong Lin’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Did you do something to lead her here?”

Gu Ling closed his eyes and didn’t answer Nangong Lin’s question. He was very excited in his heart. Su Liang really came. Had she guessed that he was here? She must have, she was so smart.

Nangong Lin looked at the pill in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then put it back into the bottle and tucked it in his bosom. The drug took effect very quickly, so he had to guard Gu Ling and immediately imbue him with new memories after he woke up. This would take some time. But now he had to go and see Su Liang immediately, or he would arouse suspicion.

Nangong Lin snorted coldly, knocked out Gu Ling with a palm strike and strode out.

This wasn’t a normal room, it was a cave behind the villa, hidden by lush bushes. From the outside, it was impossible to tell that there was another world inside the cave.

Su Liang was sitting in the room she and Gu Ling had stayed in at the Mid-hill Villa. Everything was still as they had left it.

The housekeeper said Nangong Lin was with Nangong Qian and had gone to call him.

But Su Liang suspected that he might be somewhere else, such as… with Gu Ling.

The window was open, and as soon as Su Liang saw Nangong Lin walk into the courtyard, she got up and rushed out, “Master!”, her eyes reddening as she spoke.

Nangong Lin was slightly taken aback, “Xiaoliang, what’s wrong? What happened to Ling’er?”

Su Liang, her eyes red and her face still disguised as a middle-aged man, had dust on her trouser legs, several red marks on her hands, and faint bloodstains beneath her collar.

She lowered her head and said with a heavy voice, “Gu Ling is in trouble, it’s all my fault…”

“Quickly tell me, what exactly happened?” Nangong Lin’s eyes flickered, his voice eager.

Su Liang then told him that she had made an enemy of Mu Ya two years ago, and last year Mu Ya sent people to kill her, almost killing her friend in the process. This time she came to Yin Country, and Hefeng City was so close to Xiangyue City. After leaving the villa she had impulsively decided to settle accounts with Mu Ya, but she didn’t expect that Mu Ya’s powerful adoptive father would suddenly appear, capture her, and take Gu Ling away.

“I don’t know if he’s dead or alive…” Su Liang said somberly, “I searched for him in Xiangyue City for a day and a night, but couldn’t find any information about Mu Ya’s adoptive father, so I had no choice but to come and find you.”

Nangong Lin frowned, “How could this happen? Don’t panic. Since that person took Ling’er away instead of killing him directly, Ling’er must still be alive!”

“But I don’t know how to find him…” Su Liang’s face was grim, “If it wasn’t for my insistence on going to Xiangyue City to kill Mu Ya, this wouldn’t have happened. I’ve hurt him.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to investigate immediately!” Nangong Lin said seriously, “You rest here.”

Su Liang shook her head, “I don’t want to rest, I want to find him. I’ll go with you, Master!”

Nangong Lin sighed, “You look like you haven’t slept in two days and you’re injured too. Make sure you don’t collapse before finding Ling’er. Wait for me at home. I’m very familiar with Xiangyue City and will let you know as soon as there’s news!”

Su Liang frowned, “Then let me pack up first and then we can go.”

“I’ll go and investigate personally first, don’t panic. Wait for my return.” Nangong Lin gently patted Su Liang’s shoulder.

“Mm.” Su Liang finally nodded, sobbing and saying, “Thank you, Master. As long as you can help me find Gu Ling, I won’t do anything. I will serve Senior Sister here until she fully recovers!”

“Silly girl.” Nangong Lin shook his head, “Don’t think too much. I’ll go to Xiangyue City right now.”

“Alright.” Su Liang’s eyes filled with tears, “I’ll be waiting for news from Master.”

Nangong Lin turned around, his eyes slightly narrowed, and walked away quickly.

As Su Liang watched his figure disappear from her sight, servants soon brought hot water for washing, food, and clean clothes – pink ones, obviously belonging to Nangong Qian.

Su Liang closed the door, and her eyes suddenly grew cold.

Yan Shiba intended to kill, but Su Liang felt that it was not the right way to save people. Her husband was captured, and the closest person to her was Nangong Lin in Hefeng City. It was reasonable to come to him for help. She made herself appear very embarrassed, coming here with Gu Ling’s long sword in hand.

She was good at acting. Since Nangong Lin wanted to deceive her, she pretended to be panic-stricken, heartbroken, unable to think rationally, and not suspecting Nangong Lin at all. After all, even Gu Ling had never doubted this master, so why would Su Liang suspect him?

After washing up, Su Liang put on Nangong Qian’s clothes, made sure the food was not poisoned, ate a little, and then went outside. She sat in the courtyard for a while before returning to her room, opening the back window, and sneaking out quietly.

Previously, Su Liang had stayed here for six days and had given Nangong Qian acupuncture treatment daily, so she was not unfamiliar with the place. She quickly approached Nangong Qian’s courtyard.

There were two maids guarding outside the courtyard. Su Liang avoided their gazes and entered. The door was slightly ajar. She gently pushed it open, slipped in quickly, and closed it again.

Nangong Qian was leaning on the bed with a book by her pillow, but she didn’t actually read it.

“Didn’t I say for all of you to leave?” Nangong Qian spoke, her tone displeased.

Su Liang walked to the bedside and held Nangong Qian’s thin hand, “Senior

Sister, it’s me.”

Nangong Qian was obviously startled, her expression slightly flustered,

“You…what are you doing here?”

Su Liang frowned, “Doesn’t Senior Sister want to see me?”

“No, that’s not it…” Nangong Qian hurriedly shook her head to explain, “I thought you left, and you suddenly came back, giving me a shock…”

Su Liang checked Nangong Qian’s pulse, “It’s my fault. How have you been feeling these past couple of days, Senior Sister?”

“I’ve been taking the medicine and feeling better.” Nangong Qian replied, “Did you come back alone? Where is Gu Ling?”

Su Liang’s eyes dimmed, “He’s in trouble.”

Nangong Qian’s surprised and poor acting was nothing compared to Nangong

Lin’s, “He…what happened to him?”

“Master is helping me find him.” Su Liang shook her head, indicating she didn’t want to talk about it, then suddenly reached out, one hand covering Nangong Qian’s eyes and the other over her mouth, before quickly letting go.

Nangong Qian felt something entering her mouth, sliding down her throat, and her eyes widened in horror. She looked palely at Su Liang, “What…what did you give me?”

“It’s a gift for Senior Sister.” Su Liang answered emotionlessly.

After seeing Nangong Lin’s reaction, Su Liang knew she hadn’t guessed wrongly, Gu Ling’s capture had something to do with this father-daughter duo. Anyone who was an outsider would think something was amiss after hearing Su Liang’s words.

“What do you want to do?” Nangong Qian opened her mouth to yell, but Su Liang quickly covered her mouth again.

Su Liang leaned closer, her eyes locked onto Nangong Qian’s, and said coldly, “I know you like Gu Ling, but he’s my man, and we’re married. You should know that I am a Divine Doctor, and my poison techniques are also very powerful. The Bone-Melting Pill I just fed you will gradually dissolve your bones into blood, which will flow out through your nose, ears, and eyes until only a layer of skin remains. If you scream, I’ll give you another. Tell me, what has your father done?”

Upon hearing Su Liang’s words, Nangong Qian trembled with fear, her face as white as paper.

After Su Liang let go, Nangong Qian spoke in a terrified tone, ‘My mother and Gu Ling’s mother arranged our marriage long ago…we’re supposed to be engaged…whatever my father did, it was to fulfill the dying wishes of our mothers. We would never hurt Gu Ling!”

Hearing the words, Su Liang was furious, “You believe your father’s words about the wishes of the deceased? What do you mean, ‘not hurt Gu Ling’? We’re already married! I even saved you! Your actions are shameful and disgraceful!”

“You! Don’t slander me!” Nangong Qian became so angry that her face flushed abnormally red, “He was supposed to marry me! Marrying you was a mistake! He respects his mother greatly, and if he had known about me earlier, he would never have been with you!”

Su Liang didn’t bother to argue with Nangong Qian’s nonsense. She just needed to confirm that it was indeed this father and daughter who had acted. She had indeed drugged Nangong Qian, but it wasn’t the described Bone-Melting Pill there was no such thing – nor was it a deadly poison, because a hostage is only valuable when alive. This woman was too weak to withstand any roughness, and if she died, it would be troublesome.

“Where is Gu Ling?” Su Liang grabbed Nangong Qian’s delicate neck.

“I don’t know!” Nangong Qian looked at Su Liang with undisguised jealousy and disgust in her eyes. It seemed that she firmly believed Su Liang had stolen her fiancé. Compared to that, Su Liang’s act of saving her became insignificant.

“Help… Help me…” Nangong Qian weakly cried out.

As Su Liang dragged Nangong Qian out of the courtyard, an angry shout sounded, “Stop!”

It was Nangong Lin’s voice.

Su Liang was not surprised; his visit to Xiangyue City would have been a wild goose chase.

Seeing Nangong Lin appear, Su Liang sneered, “Master, weren’t you going to help me find Gu Ling? Why are you still here at home?”

Nangong Lin, who once had a gentle appearance, glared at Su Liang, “You knew it had something to do with me, that’s why you came here!”

“Did Master realize it only after hearing your daughter’s screams? I was overestimating you then.” Su Liang scoffed, “But then again, someone like you who’s been deceiving people all his life and always getting away with it must be quite conceited. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken Gu Ling away with such a crude move, thinking it would deceive me. It seems your years of not cheating have rusted your skills quite a bit. Hand Gu Ling over to me!”

Nangong Lin laughed in a low voice, “Little girl, don’t tell me you think you can come into my domain alone and escape unscathed?”

Su Liang looked around and said, “You bastard, don’t tell me you think your home in the mountains is invincible?”

As her words fell, four figures appeared behind Su Liang, descending from the sky. They were dressed in black, exuding a murderous aura, but none of them was Yan Shiba. Su Liang had sent him to find someone, and it wasn’t wise to reveal all her cards at once.

Nangong Lin’s eyes narrowed slightly, “I underestimated you.”

Nangong Lin’s master was still working for him, which was unknown to Su Liang and Gu Ling, so they had gotten into trouble.

Meanwhile, Su Liang was a “privileged guest” of Yanyun Building, which Nangong Lin had no way of knowing either. Thus, he had believed her entry was not a threat, as she was seemingly alone.

“Hand Gu Ling over!” Su Liang demanded coldly.

Nangong Lin’s gaze was deep, “Originally, our relationship could have improved, but now it has only worsened. This is the choice you’ve made, don’t regret it.”

As his words fell, Gu Ling was brought to Nangong Lin’s side, his captor yet to reveal himself.

“Father, she poisoned me… antidote… find the antidote!” Nangong Qian spoke incoherently.

“First, let Gu Ling wake up and detoxify him,” said Su Liang. Though she firmly believed that Gu Ling was alive, she only breathed a small sigh of relief when she saw him with her own eyes. However, she remained on high alert, not allowing herself to relax.

“Fine. Since things have come to this point, let’s settle our accounts,” said Nangong Lin. He then pinched Gu Ling’s Renzhong acupoint.

Gu Ling slowly regained consciousness and opened his eyes.

Nangong Lin didn’t give them a chance to speak, saying coldly, “You can use

Qian’er to exchange for Gu Ling. I won’t trouble you until you leave Mid-hill Villa. But before that, Gu Ling must repay what he owes me!” As he spoke, he raised his hand to strike Gu Ling’s dantian.

“Stop!” Su Liang’s expression tensed, and she gripped Nangong Qian’s neck again, demanding coldly, “She owes me a life too, should she pay it back first?!”

Nangong Lin furrowed his brows and withdrew his hand, “Little girl, being with him will bring endless trouble. You better think it through!”

“Before this bastard heir of yours showed up, our lives were beyond carefree. Are you reminding me to hurry up and wipe out your whole family? Thanks, I’ll remember that and make sure it happens!” Su Liang said coldly.

Nangong Lin laughed in anger, “Fine, very well. It seems I was indeed mistaken about you. Since that’s the case, let’s make the exchange. You hand over the antidote and let Qian’er go. and I’ll release Gil Ling.”

Su Liang nodded, “Deal.”

Approaching noon, Su Liang brought Gu Ling away from Hefeng City and stopped to rest by a river. Yan Shiba and his men entangled the formidable elder, allowing them to make their escape.

Su Liang had been running all the way, and now she placed Gu Ling on the riverbank to examine him, “Soft muscle dispersal. You’ll recover later. Great God, how come you’re not talking? What’s bothering you?”

Gu Ling reached out to embrace Su Liang and sighed softly, “You’ve been through a lot. I can’t repay you for saving my life, so all I can do is offer myself to you..”