NOVPUBChapter 750 -52: The Moonlight of Those Years (7721)_3
Sikou Tingfeng pressed step by step, saying,
“The Land Immortal then? Haven’t you been a lifelong devotee of martial arts? That realm, only mentioned in rumors, where people of the Kunlun Mountains spend their entire lives trying to reach, only to retreat in disarray after half a step. Haven’t you ever been the slightest bit tempted?”
Xue Qinshuang’s eyelashes trembled briefly; ripples emanated from the center of the amber-colored tea in her cup, hitting the edges and then dissipating. Xue Qinshuang lifted her head, her brown eyes clear, and with a smile said softly,
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Even if it means harming your own martial brothers and sisters, being hunted by your peers—is that also of no concern?”
Xue Qinshuang looked at Sikou Tingfeng. She noticed that a hint of anger had begun to show on his face but her mind drifted to Pharmacist Valley four years ago; she calmly said,
“Xue Qinshuang has never owed anyone in her life.”
“I owed him once, if I died, it would be considered repaid.”
Sikou Tingfeng noticed she spoke only of life and death, with hardly any response to the matter of her martial siblings. His heart stirred slightly, frustrated by her stubbornness, and that the conversation was going nowhere. A man of few words, it was only due to recent events that he had spoken so much. After finishing his speech, he simply drank the rest of his tea, stood up, and left. Turning back before he left, he asked her,
“Is it worth it?”
Holding the teacup, Xue Qinshuang closed her eyes. After a long time, she exhaled deeply and drank the tea, which had already cooled, like a stream of ice entering her chest on a hot summer day, and murmured softly,
“Land Immortal…”
A plaintive chant rose from beside her, from within the Plain Sword Scabbard.
“All things cry out against injustice.”
Xue Qinshuang lightly touched the sword scabbard and after a long silence, said,
“It doesn’t matter.”
…
That day, Wang Anfeng still couldn’t find a chance to talk to Xue Qinshuang alone. He only observed that the girl didn’t seem to show any abnormalities, thinking perhaps he was just being paranoid. Although relieved, he still cared deeply.
The night was a deep, ink-like color.
On the top pavilion, veiled Jiang Lan leaned on the railing, gazing towards the distant string of lights that extended into the city, and suddenly said softly,
“Have you always remained with Xiahou Xuan?”
Standing behind her was the very Hidden Guard of the Xiahou Family. Hearing her question, he replied,
“Yes.”
“I was also nearby when the young master bought candied haws on the street,” the guard said, remembering the first time he saw the young master.
Jiang Lan murmured lowly and then chuckled,
“That truly is a long-standing relationship. Now tell me, since you are often by his side, does your young master still like those pastries?”
With a stoic face, the Hidden Guard answered,
“As the young master grows older, he favors a plain diet and no longer has a taste for greasy or sweet things.”
“Never again.”
The exchange was followed by silence.
Moonlight fell.
Nearby stood Tian Zhide, the disciple of Fei Poyue with the highest martial skill, leaning casually against the railing. He held a Bright Silver-tipped Steel Spear, extra vigilant since he had discovered many small gadgets on this Hidden Guard in the past few days.
Ye Zhuhua, seeing the silent figures with such contrasting identities standing under the moonlight, felt somewhat bored even though he remained alert. Lowering his eyes, he noticed Ye Zhuhua hurrying in and out of the house, his curiosity piqued.
…
Ye Zhuhua mentioned he had a good friend in the city whom he hadn’t seen for years. Today, having finally come to the city, he felt compelled to have an earnest chat with him and asked Wu Qiong to forgive his absence.
As they were not far from One-Leaf Pavilion and Wu Qiong felt relaxed, he did not pay it much mind. He only warned Ye Zhuhua not to miss tomorrow’s events before letting him go.
As he was leaving, Ye Zhuhua saw Wang Anfeng hesitating under the eaves. With a smile and a gesture full of meaning, he said,
“Miss Xue is enjoying the cool in the backyard.”
Wang Anfeng was taken aback.
With a hearty laugh and a gesture, Ye Zhuhua strode out, his pace quick as if he greatly valued the meeting with his long-unseen friend.
Wang Anfeng watched the Scholar leave, hesitated for a moment, then turned and headed towards the backyard. However, with only a few dozen steps to go, his pace slowed, watching the retreating figure step by step.
A bright moon hung high in the sky, overshadowing the stars with its brilliance, casting a cold and clear moonlight that reflected in the cypresses and pines.
Xue Qinshuang sat on a bluestone step, dressed in a martial hunting garb, with her left knee bent and her right leg casually draped over the steps. With her hands on the ground and bathed in a layer of moonlight, her complexion appeared even fairer, radiant like jade.
When Wang Anfeng emerged, Xue Qinshuang noticed him immediately. Turning her head, she beckoned him over and teased with a laugh,
“At such a late hour, Mansion Master of Divine Martial, are you planning to visit some lady? Taking your time, are you?”
Wang Anfeng didn’t reply, just gazed at the girl before him.
Among his peers, Gong Yu carried herself with a noble indifference, Xue Qinshuang was relentless, Mu Shanxue appeared carefree yet inscrutable, and Heavenly Mountain Sword was obsessed with his swordsmanship. All were exceptional figures of their generation. Yet, it was Xue Qinshuang’s younger brother, the youngest of them all, who possessed the highest Cultivation.
Connecting the dots from what Xue Qinshuang said about the Xue Family’s secret ground when they parted in Fufeng, that she would be away a long time to increase her Cultivation, it was conceivable that the Xue Family likely had a site akin to an “Earth Vein” described in the legends. Once Xue Qinshuang was gone, most of the Qi Mechanism would probably flow into the young boy’s Qi Sea.
There was also the matter of the assassination by the world’s number one assassin Noble Clan.
Wang Anfeng looked up.
Before him was a bright and spirited girl, with a hint of carefree smile at the corner of her mouth. For the chance to see him, she gave up such a tremendous opportunity and faced such great danger. It was only now that he realized the true weight of a beauty’s favor is negligible compared to life and death.
