I Only Know How to Bully Noobs-Chapter 228 : Tribulation of Love

Chapter 228: Tribulation of Love
“Why did they all seem completely unaware of Zhou You and Fang Yong’s presence?”
Chen Ming carefully observed the reactions of those present, his heart full of doubt. He tentatively asked, “Lord Hong, these two fiends of the Nine Nether Sect must have come for the purpose of suppressing that demonic sword on the third floor. How is that sword now?”
Hong Yuze shook his head, his face gloomy, and said, “I fear the chances are slim. I sent men to find Lord Ruan, but he was nowhere to be found. Neither Lord Ruan nor his wife left any trace, and when I questioned the servants of the residence, none knew of their whereabouts.
“Now, we can only wait for Lord Zhong to come out of seclusion. Only then can we enter the third floor and investigate whether that demonic sword is still there.”
No way?
Chen Ming was stunned for a moment.
Could it be that Luo Zhouwu had met with an accident inside?
Or perhaps he did not trust the people of the Six Doors and deliberately concealed the truth from them…
No, that didn’t make sense. He couldn’t possibly take out that demonic sword; it had to be suppressed inside that secret realm. No matter what, he could only cooperate with the local Six Doors…
Therefore, something must have gone wrong.
Chen Ming speculated inwardly—it was highly likely that after passing through three hands, the demonic sword had recovered a portion of its power. With Luo Zhouwu gravely wounded, he might have been killed by the sword instead.
“If that’s truly the case, wouldn’t it mean that no one else will ever know what happened inside that secret realm?”
His heart suddenly leapt with joy. Perhaps, he could continue using Gu Xianyu’s disguise.
Only to hear Hong Yuze say, “Many died inside the prison. Those villains released the inmates, who suddenly charged out and caused an uproar. Otherwise, none of us would have even realized their true target was the prison… In the end, most of the prisoners were recaptured, but a few still escaped—including a First Grade.”
Chen Ming quickly asked, “So the people who were inside the prison at the time… are you saying they all died?”
Hong Yuze replied, “Not all. A few managed to survive. Among them were several of your subordinates. In fact, they even said you were there as well, and that you decisively took action, killing off those Third Grade prisoners. Otherwise, no one would have been able to suppress them.”
Hearing that several of his subordinates had escaped calamity, Chen Ming felt relieved.
Suddenly, someone asked, “Speaking of which, how did Lord Gu leave the prison? And what about those two Nine Nether Sect fiends? At the time, no one saw you leave through the prison gates.”
Everyone else turned to look at him as well, clearly harboring the same suspicion.
That was not easy to explain.
Chen Ming’s mind raced, and he decided to tell a partial truth. “Actually, at the time, I was taken hostage by those villains and forced into the third floor…”
Zhu Wanlin sneered, “Now that’s interesting. Those demonic cultists kill without blinking, yet they spared your life?”
Chen Ming said, “To my shame, the only reason I survived was because Madam Ruan pleaded on my behalf…”
His words were seventy percent false, thirty percent true.
When he mentioned Madam Ruan calling those two villains her senior brothers, none of those present showed much surprise.
After all, many had witnessed Zhou Yilan boldly entering the prison with a guard. Naturally, they could guess she was the traitor.
“…That’s how it happened.”
In Chen Ming’s recounting, he had survived only by feigning death. The course of battle was slightly altered—Luo Zhouwu assumed his role, displaying great might and killing Ruan Caihong.
As for him, he endured until the end. Only when Madam Ruan used the “Zhi Chi Demonic Sword” to tear open space, allowing her two senior brothers to escape, did he seize the chance to follow behind and escape alive.
And when those two demonic cultists were heavily wounded, he killed them.
Hong Yuze was visibly moved. “I never expected so many events to occur on the third floor. Such an experience… it is truly hair-raising.”
He did not doubt Chen Ming’s words.
Many of the details could not have been fabricated. Gu Xianyu was only Third Grade; without firsthand experience, how could he possibly invent such precise descriptions of battles between First Grade experts?
Someone asked anxiously, “Then Lord Gu means that the demonic sword wasn’t stolen by those fiends? That it remains inside the third floor?”
Chen Ming shook his head. “I don’t know. When I left, only Senior Luo was still inside. Logically, as long as he retrieved the key from Ruan Caihong’s body, he should have been able to leave. So why has he still not appeared?”
Hong Yuze realized something was wrong and quickly said, “Hurry, summon Miss Su. See if she can contact her Martial Uncle.”
At once, someone left to carry out the order.
Before long, they returned with Su Zhi Ning.
When Chen Ming saw her, a strange feeling arose in his heart. She seemed somehow changed. He had just seen her in the morning.
Though much had happened since, in truth only half a day had passed.
If he had to describe it, it was as though she had gained some trace of worldly dust, and at the corners of her brows lingered sorrow. Unlike before, when she was cold and detached, untouched by any worldly matter.
Just as he was thinking this, he heard Hong Yuze ask, “Miss Su, you too fell prey to that villain’s plot. How are you now?”
Su Zhi Ning said, “Thank you for your concern, Lord Hong. I am much better. May I ask why you summoned me?”
“Does Miss Su have a way to contact Luo Zhouwu of your alliance?”
“I cannot reach him.”
“This is troublesome. Your Martial Uncle may be trapped within that secret realm suppressing the demonic sword.”
“What?”
Su Zhi Ning was startled. “What exactly happened?”
Hong Yuze said, “Gu Xianyu, tell Miss Su about meeting Luo Zhouwu in the secret realm.”
Thus, Chen Ming had no choice but to recount the events once more. This time, he kept it brief—saying only that he had encountered Luo Zhouwu in the secret realm, and that in the end, Luo was the only one who remained inside with the demonic sword.
Su Zhi Ning’s face changed slightly upon hearing this. “Did Martial Uncle touch that demonic sword?”
“He did. For about four or five breaths of time.”
“This is bad. Martial Uncle’s Heaven’s Heart may have been corrupted by the demonic sword. His condition is dire. I must inform my Master immediately.”
Her eyes flashed with urgency. “Lord Hong, before my Master arrives, do not under any circumstance open that secret realm. Otherwise, it may provoke Martial Uncle.”
Hong Yuze also understood the gravity of the situation and solemnly said, “Rest assured. I will everything truthfully to Lord Zhong.”
For now, only Lord Zhong could open that secret realm.
After speaking, Su Zhi Ning left in a rush.
Hearing this, Chen Ming understood. At least until Su Zhi Ning’s Master, Yuan Zhixing, arrived, his identity was safe.
This was the perfect time to deal with certain matters.
So, after making his excuses to Hong Yuze, he too departed.
Hong Yuze naturally agreed. As for the matter of another Life-Bound Artifact, no one brought it up again.
After all, he had rendered such great service, practically saving everyone present. No one would be so tactless.
Only Zhu Wanlin watched his departing back with a dark expression.
…
As soon as Chen Ming left “Zeshi Hall,” he saw Su Zhi Ning leaning weakly against a pillar of the corridor, her face pale. Startled, he hurried forward. “Miss Su, are you alright?”
Su Zhi Ning clutched her chest with one hand, her eyes shut tightly in pain. Two streams of tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.
Chen Ming was stunned. What was this?
She… was crying?
I didn’t see that wrong, did I?
“I’m fine.”
Su Zhi Ning had already calmed down somewhat. Lowering her head, her voice carried sorrow. She brushed his hand aside and walked away.
Fine? Impossible.
Chen Ming knew something was seriously wrong. For someone like her, normally aloof and transcendent, if her emotions wavered, it meant her Dao Heart had become unstable. This was a major flaw in cultivation.
Watching her departing figure, he grew worried, yet had no idea how to help.
“This heir of the Heaven’s Path Alliance, she may well have fallen into a Tribulation of Love.”
Suddenly, a woman in the uniform of a Third Grade Inspector walked out. She was the only woman present earlier inside “Zeshi Hall,” named Lin Qiong.
He bowed politely. “Lord Lin.”
“No need for formality. Soon enough, you and I may be of the same rank.” Lin Qiong smiled warmly, her attitude friendly.
Chen Ming asked, “Lord Lin, what do you mean when you say Miss Su has fallen into a Tribulation of Love?”
Lin Qiong gave him a curious look. “It seems Lord Gu and Miss Su are acquainted. The Heaven’s Heart Manual of the Heaven’s Path Alliance is world-renowned. It is a peerless divine art, but mastering it is no easy feat.
“Before reaching Fourth Grade, one must maintain a pure and flawless Heaven’s Heart. After advancing to Fourth Grade, however, one must descend into the mortal world, experience its dust, and endure various tribulations. Among them, the most difficult is the Tribulation of Love. Countless Heaven’s Path disciples of extraordinary talent have perished because of it.”
“Perished?”
Chen Ming’s eyelids twitched at that word. “You mean one can actually fail to overcome the Tribulation of Love… and even lose one’s life?”
Lin Qiong said, “Since it is a tribulation of love, naturally most perish for love. Many attempt to solidify their Dao Heart by killing the one who caused them to fall into the tribulation. But in the end, their Dao Heart shatters and they die. Others sacrifice their lives to save their beloved from danger. And some, seeking to rid themselves of the tribulation, lock themselves in seclusion within the Heaven’s Path Alliance… only to die in meditation.”
She spoke in great detail, finally sighing. “Who knows what fate awaits Miss Su?”
Chen Ming asked, “So has no one ever transcended this tribulation and risen to greater heights?”
“Perhaps some have. Perhaps none. Only the disciples of the Heaven’s Path Alliance would know for certain. Enough, I must go deliver this .” Lin Qiong clasped her hands and left.
Chen Ming couldn’t help sighing. How had it come to this? A Tribulation of Love?
Just that morning, she had been fine.
“Could it be because of Fang Lue’s scheme… rekindling her inner demons?”
This was truly troublesome.