Urbaner Blumentraum - Kapitel 4
"Come out!" Feng Xuese's voice was as cold as ice.
There was no sound from the grass, as if it had just been the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves.
Feng Xuese, however, did not believe he had misheard. He coldly said again, "Come out!"
There was still no sound.
A murderous glint appeared in his eyes. He paused for a moment, then slid forward several feet and gently swung his sheathed sword.
A person suddenly sprang out of the bushes, but before he could do anything, a sheathed sword was already pressed against the man's back.
It was just a child, not quite grown up, small and thin, with tattered clothes.
So he was just a poor kid! Was he being beaten and scolded by his parents, hiding here alone and feeling wronged?
Feng Xuese slowly sheathed her longsword: "You've been hiding here all this time?"
The child looked at him in terror, his body trembling as if he had a seizure, wanting to cry but not daring to.
"You saw everything that happened in that village?"
The child nodded frantically, his eyes filled with even greater terror.
Feng Xuese said gently, "Don't be afraid, tell me what you see!" Her deep eyes held a warm, compassionate gaze.
The child stared blankly at him, opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Feng Xuese sighed inwardly. After all, he was still just a child. He must have been terrified to see such a massacre of a village.
This child is the only survivor, and the blame for this bloodshed will fall on him.
Moonlight shone through thin wisps of clouds onto the child's face.
That filthy face underwent a strange transformation. First, blood slowly trickled down from his eyes. Then, bloodstains appeared on his nose, mouth, and ears. After that, blood seeped from almost every pore on his face.
Thick blood, pale blood, eerie blood.
The child felt an itch on his face and, somewhat bewildered, raised his hand to wipe it. Just as he was staring blankly at the piece of skin stuck to his hand, "pop!" the skin on his finger burst open, and then it exploded inch by inch from the fingertip upwards.
Feng Xuese's expression changed slightly.
It's poison! And a very potent poison!
With a swift movement of his left hand, his five fingers moved like plucking a pipa, tapping across the child's body. Then, he tore open a white robe, wrapped it around the blood-soaked child, and with a flick of his wrist, floated away from the grass.
The fire in the village is still burning, but most of the combustibles have been burned away, and the fire has died down. Before dawn, the village will be a white wasteland, and all the evil will be gone.
The Sky Over the Martial World is Clear - Part One: The Sky Over the Martial World is Clear - Chapter Two (2)
"Now I recall the joys of Jiangnan, when I was young and wore light spring clothes. I rode a horse and leaned against a bridge, surrounded by red sleeves beckoning me from every building. The emerald screen and golden curtains were winding, and I drunkenly slept among the flowers. Now that I see the flowering branches again, I vow never to return, even when my hair turns white."
Wei Zhuang's song "Bodhisattva's Charm" cannot fully express the countless songs, dances, and youthful romances of Jiangnan.
In March, when the flowers are in full bloom, the Jiangnan region is a time of lush grass, flying birds, and chirping swallows.
In Qingyang City, located on the banks of the Liuhua River, the grass is lush and green, the willow branches sway gently, the flowers are fragrant and vibrant, and the spring breeze is enchanting.
Liuhua River was the residence of the most prestigious families in Qingyang City. Countless gilded pavilions and carved beams lined both banks, while countless painted boats glided on the water, their oars creaking gently. Brothels stood side by side, taverns lined the streets, the air was filled with the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, fine wine and singing, beautiful women playing, wealthy merchants gathering, and scholars converging – a scene of great prosperity and splendor.
At the entrance of Beauty Lane, a sloping stone bridge connects the north and south banks. At this moment, a man and a horse are crossing the bridge.
He was a handsome young man, dressed in a white spring robe, with a sword hanging at his waist. His clothes fluttered in the wind, and he rode a white horse with a silver saddle, his aura as powerful as a dragon, and his spirit extraordinary.
The man and his horse exuded composure, walking through the bustling city with an air of arrogance, as if they were walking alone on a cloud.
A young man in white robes and a fine sword, riding a white horse, is naturally favored by beauties.
A beautiful courtesan in a green dress was leaning against the railing, gazing idly. When she saw a handsome young man passing by below, her heart skipped a beat, and her delicate hand loosened, causing the handkerchief she was holding to fall to the ground.
The street was crowded with pedestrians, and the young man reined in his horse and rode slowly, afraid of bumping into passersby. As he was riding, he suddenly felt a fragrant breeze on his head. Without looking up, he simply patted the horse's neck, and the white horse galloped a few steps to avoid him.
A courtesan in a green dress feigned embarrassment and stamped her foot, eliciting teasing and giggling from a group of beautiful women. Then, a woman in a pink dress with bare arms "accidentally" dropped a peach blossom from her hand; another, with a golden hairpin in her hair, tossed aside a lily; and a woman with plump, pearly hair dropped a bag of fruit…
The young man remained composed. Despite being provoked by the women's rudeness, he showed neither delight nor anger. He simply lowered his head and urged his horse forward at a leisurely pace. None of the items the women threw down landed on him.
As you walk further and further away, at the end of the flower-lined streets and alleys, at the foot of the bluestone steps on the east bank of the Liuhua River, there is a painted boat. It is magnificent with its golden pavilions and vermilion railings, and thin gauze hanging down. The vermilion flag hanging at the bow of the boat has the three characters "Cherry Blossom" written with a strong and unique style, which is obviously the work of a famous calligrapher.
At this moment, two servants in blue robes rushed ashore from the painted boat, bowing their heads and asking, "Young Master Feng, our master has been waiting for you for a long time!"
The young man in white grunted in acknowledgment, leaped off his horse, and the servant on his left immediately took the reins with utmost respect, while the servant on his right bowed and invited the young man onto the boat.
The boy descended the steps and went straight to the bow of the boat.
The cabin door opened slightly, and a beautiful woman stood by the door, smiling gently as she lifted the curtain: "Please, young master!" Her watery eyes darted around, captivatingly alluring.
The boy nodded slightly and stepped into the cabin.
Behind the beaded curtain, a beautiful woman dressed only in a light crimson veil held a pipa, playing the strings while singing softly with her cherry lips. Beside her were two other beautiful young women; the one sitting down was striking the clappers, while the one lying down had her head resting on a man's lap. The man stroked her smooth, fair face, his slender fingers gently tapping her cheek.
The man had a refined appearance. He sat casually on the thick Persian carpet, leaning against the cushions. His phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed, and his brows were relaxed. He seemed to be in a state of perfect tranquility. However, he alone possessed all the allure of the room. The several women, some beautiful and some alluring, paled in comparison to him, like stars surrounding the moon.
When the young man entered, the women quickly straightened their clothes and bowed.
The man merely gave a languid bow, his smooth, soft blue silk robe rippling like water.
He beckoned, "Please sit!" With a light clap of his hands, several courtesans obediently served him tea, snacks, and fruit.
The young man in white smiled slightly, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and sat down to one side.