Chapter 470: Chapter 55: Repaying Resentment with Honesty

Zhao Chenlu was completely at a loss.

As a 17-year-old senior who had witnessed many ups and downs, such bewildered experiences had become extremely rare, and the few times she remembered were all life-altering events.

Such as witnessing the invasion of the Demon Race, where billions of beings were engulfed in flames. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Such as the first meeting with Wang Jiu, when he shattered her technique with three strikes in human form.

And when the Celestial Divine Sword first arrived in Jiuzhou, the pure white long sword emanated unparalleled beauty, leaving an eternal mark on everyone’s Primordial Spirit.

And now, hearing Zhao Lingbo’s confession, Zhao Chenlu felt as if she had returned to those jaw-dropping times of the past.

"You... betrayed me just to make me scold you and punish you?"

After speaking, even Zhao Chenlu felt impressed. The restrictions she placed on Zhao Lingbo didn’t limit her actions but directly restrained her mind, with two conditions.

The first was to ensure she remained in a state of sober rationality, unaffected by Soul Capturing or Dream Wandering Soul.

The second was to constantly monitor her affection level, and if it ever decreased, a warning signal would be triggered.

The strength of these two restrictions wasn’t strong, nor did it forcibly imprison Zhao Lingbo’s mind—as Zhao Chenlu despised using such harsh methods on those around her—and as long as these restrictions weren’t triggered, there was no risk of betrayal.

However, Zhao Chenlu never expected that such a perverse personality existed in the world, who could launch a nearly fatal betrayal while perfectly avoiding the two restrictions!

"This... doesn’t make sense." Zhao Chenlu furrowed her brows, "If you just wanted me to scold you, making that truffle risotto would have sufficed, wouldn’t it?"

Zhao Lingbo forced a smile, her tears streaming down like a fountain: "I did, I kept doing it. Ever since, Miss, you were injured in Shen City, I often made truffle risotto for you, but you were always absent-minded, scooping the bottom until the bowl cracked, eating the porcelain without even realizing..."

"No wonder those lucid dreams felt so real, the juices were particularly rich, turns out there was environmental assistance..."

Wang Jiu curiously asked, "What kind of dreams felt real?"

Zhao Chenlu remained unfazed, "Dreams about gourmet food. I was eating something deliciously juicy in my dream, so blissful that I didn’t mind dying on the spot... Unexpectedly, it was because Zhao Lingbo was helping me during my lucid dreams."

On the other side, Zhao Chenlu looked at Zhao Lingbo, feeling helpless in her heart.

How should she deal with this person?

By normal reasoning, such a traitor should be shredded to pieces as deserved, but seeing the tearful Zhao Lingbo, Zhao Chenlu couldn’t really be that heartless—much less, having lived with Zhao Lingbo for over a decade, even raising a dog would foster feelings, and Zhao Lingbo was indeed chosen meticulously by Zhao Chenlu as her personal maid. Additionally, Zhao Lingbo’s betrayal was to make Zhao Chenlu punish her; giving her severe punishment would be exactly what she wanted. For doing the unthinkable and then fulfilling her wish, where in the world is such a bargain?

For a moment, Zhao Chenlu was indecisive. She happened to glance at the Celestial Divine Sword by her side and transmitted via Primordial Spirit: "Darling, what should I do?"

Wang Jiu found the question odd, "Isn’t this simple? In my view, there’s only one correct answer: torture her with severe punishment."

"But wouldn’t that be playing into her hands?"

"That’s why you should use the exact opposite method as a punishment to torture her," Wang Jiu said. "She initiated betrayal hoping you’d punish her, so by not punishing her and instead rewarding her generously, she’ll definitely be in agony."

"...Is there such logic?" Zhao Chenlu found it hard to believe.

"Given her recent words and actions, I think it’s reasonable to assume she has a quite rare perverse personality in human society, where her standards of pain and pleasure are completely opposite to normal humans."

"So when I was strict with her for those years, she was loyal, but when I softened up, she rebelled. Following this reasoning, I should heal her, praise her tactics, and give her a little red flower now?"

Wang Jiu suggested, "You just mentioned dreaming about eating something incredibly dreamy and blissful; why not give her that taste? It must be particularly painful for her."

Zhao Chenlu was instantly embarrassed, "That’s not something that can be shared..."

"So when you share it with her, she’ll feel even more humiliated."

"No, that’s really..." Zhao Chenlu was at a loss for words.

Wang Jiu continued to advise, "I know you’re concerned about my ignorance in human interactions, but I believe following basic logic leads to only one answer in the current situation, so you can trust me."

Zhao Chenlu was nearly in tears, "I, I understand, you’re right, logic should be trusted. I’ll just follow your suggestion."

Afterwards, Zhao Chenlu bent down, showing Zhao Lingbo a smile: "The Broken Moon Sword Array was shattered just now, and you suffered the backlash, which must be unpleasant. Here’s the Moon Spirit Ointment, a Healing Holy Medicine, go ahead and use it."

Zhao Lingbo simply couldn’t believe her ears, her round eyes seemed ready to pop out of their sockets.

"You... why?"

Zhao Chenlu laughed, "This is the reward you deserve. And... this time, you did beautifully. You found the only flaw in what I thought was a perfect array and trapped me in the Seventeen Linked Rings I personally crafted. It’s no wonder you’ve been by my side the longest as my maid. Although I never said it explicitly, you are my pride."

These words left Zhao Lingbo dumbfounded, as if she were in a dream.

Zhao Chenlu kept telling herself in her heart: It’s all for him, it’s all for him...

Wang Jiu timely suggested, "Give her a hug, it might work better."

"A hug!? She betrayed me, and I should hug her!?"

"Logically, that’s how it is," Wang Jiu said, "Of course, I might misjudge, as I’m not human and can’t comprehend human emotions as you do. But I think returning good for evil could make her feel even more tormented."

The tormented Zhao Chenlu had to respond, "You’re right."

Then, Zhao Chenlu continued to smile with the grace of a fairy, saying, "For so many years, you’ve stayed by my side, and this time you’ve fought such a beautiful battle, not disappointing my expectations. So, it’s only right to reward you, but I have nothing to give you as a reward, so let me give you a dear hug."

After speaking, Zhao Chenlu forced herself to endure the heart-wrenching pain, bent down, and embraced Zhao Lingbo.

Then she felt a wet sensation on the front of her clothes.

Zhao Chenlu was almost furious. I’ve humbled myself so much, and you actually dare spit on me!?

But then she realized, those were tears.

Zhao Lingbo cried silently, her tears continuously soaking Zhao Chenlu’s lapels.

"You..."

As soon as Zhao Chenlu spoke, it seemed to trigger some switch on Zhao Lingbo, who finally couldn’t bear the grievances in her heart and burst into tears.

"Miss, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to hurt you."

"I know this is treasonous, sorry for betraying your kindness over the years, but I’ve really lost control of myself."

"Actually, inside the Broken Moon Sword Array, I secretly left a flaw, and by the time it reached its peak, the array would collapse on its own, saving you from the desperate situation. But when the array started operating, it quickly went out of control, operating as if it had no central point, and I found myself caught up in it, so..."

Zhao Chenlu sighed, "The Sword Array was designed by the greatest cultivator of the Primordial Era. Its intricacies are beyond full comprehension, even for me at my peak, let alone you. Once in operation, the array can maintain itself, until I can break it or get crushed by it. The Broken Moon Sword Array stops at nothing."

Zhao Lingbo’s cries intensified, "Miss, I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to hurt you."

"Heh, didn’t mean..."

From Zhao Chenlu’s perspective, intention didn’t matter; what mattered was whether it was done. No matter Zhao Lingbo’s intentions, she did launch a rebellion, so...

Wang Jiu said, "Look, her heartbroken cries prove my theory correct."

"..." Zhao Chenlu felt like she could grind her teeth to powder, "Darling, of course you’d be right!"

So she continued to smile, "I knew all this wasn’t your true intention, which is why I forgive you. Come, let’s go home together."

"Miss..." Zhao Lingbo cried, but shook her head vigorously, "I can’t face going back with you, just let me die here, please let me die."

Zhao Chenlu was about to agree when Wang Jiu said, "See, she’s already worse off than dead, but let treason be her cheap escape?"

"...who’s escaping cheaply." Zhao Chenlu was truly at a loss for tears, "Fine, I’ll take her home and spoil her like a little princess."

"Yes, best to spoil her like your own daughter. I remember you once said after winning a war, you wanted to have a daughter with your beloved—though shortly after saying that, you died in battle."

Hearing this, Zhao Chenlu’s eyes lit up, "Right, Lingbo was saved by you, forgiven by me. Her life could be seen as the joint creation of our love! Yes, Zhao Lingbo is my own daughter!"

This reasoning astonished even Wang Jiu, "Is it so?"

"It is." Zhao Chenlu was resolute, "Darling, remember, we already have a daughter now."