Consultor de vida de la dinastía Song del Sur

Capítulo 50

Qiu Ye stood resolutely before Leng Shuangcheng, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips. Tall and elegant, she possessed a graceful and handsome air. When Leng Shuangcheng first unleashed her two palm strikes, he had kept his hands behind his back, his demeanor relaxed and leisurely. However, as the chilling mist swirled around his face, he gradually discerned something: Leng Shuangcheng's palms were as cold as snow, their power as deep and enduring as a surging river flowing into the sea. Each sharp finger technique aimed at his vital points, successfully forcing him to concentrate and dodge. Moreover, her palm technique consisted of thirteen moves, which she had already executed twice.

As the twenty-sixth palm strike stopped at her right cheek, Qiu Ye Yijian suddenly halted, no longer dodging. Leng Shuangcheng's left palm, brimming with snowy energy, also stopped abruptly. —This move was the opposite of "High Mountains and Flowing Water," a complementary attack. If she continued, she could slap Qiu Ye Yijian across the face. Most remarkably, both of them, with their cunning minds, stopped, neither falling into the other's trap. If Leng Shuangcheng had struck, she would have been filled with dread, even without Qiu Ye's reproach; if Qiu Ye Yijian hadn't calculated precisely enough, a slight movement would have allowed her to escape Leng Shuangcheng's palm strike, preventing her from being forced to obey her.

Leng Shuangcheng glanced at Qiu Ye's right ear, then casually lowered his hands and said calmly, "I have overstepped my bounds."

“I understand what you mean. What are you trying to tell me?” Qiu Ye stood with her sword in front of the building under the moon, and Shi Yang, with his right arm behind his back, spoke coldly. “Otherwise, given your cautious nature, even if you were angry, you would never have used your palm technique twice.”

Leng Shuangcheng smiled calmly, raised his sleeve and silently wiped his cheek: "I just wanted to test how strong you really are, to see if you can't even stand up straight as before, or if you're just putting on an act to scare Mr. Xiao away."

Seeing that his secret desire to tease her in the flower hall had been exposed, Qiu Yeyi felt no embarrassment and stood facing the wind alone. After a moment, the ice on his face, like the warm sun shining brightly, gradually melted into water, and two layers of light intertwined on his handsome face—startled by Leng Shuangcheng's first, extremely ordinary smile at him, and awakened by her gesture that implied mockery.

Leng Shuangcheng glanced at him, bowed and retreated, saying, "Please allow me to take my leave first... I'm going to say goodbye to Miss Ruan."

Qiu Yeyi's mind was like a series of interlocking chains, unraveling each knot as he pondered. He lowered his dark brows, carefully recalling Leng Shuangcheng's strange and unfamiliar palm technique, intuitively sensing that she was trying to hint at something to him...

The silvery moonlight shone on the silent figure standing there, completely unaware that the three hermits of Cangshan were staring at him in disbelief behind him.

Of the three elders, Lan Jun was the most cunning and shrewd. Even though he had followed the young master for five years and had seen him make a move several times, he had never seen him let someone get close and slap him without dodging or avoiding. What was most shocking was that when the young master Qiu Ye hugged the boy from earlier and touched him all over, his handsome face was cold, but the burning passion in his eyes could not be deceived.

After a moment's thought, he suddenly remembered someone because of his icy mist.

Lan Jun was the first to react, his face filled with astonishment. He followed the figure that had flashed past the pavilion in disbelief, but when he turned around, he saw the young master's cold and disdainful gaze.

Qiu Yeyi raised her eyes and looked at the three of them: "Did you see clearly?"

Old Bamboo and Pine Tree looked at each other, speechless. Lan Jun stepped forward and asked hesitantly, "First Day of the Month?"

"No, that's not it. I'm asking about the origin of her palm technique."

Lan Jun's mind finally calmed down. Seeing the young master's cold and terrifying gaze, the fog in her mind cleared up considerably: "Young master... I have never seen him."

The Three Hermits of Cangshan are nearly a hundred years old and have fought in thousands of battles, large and small. Qiu Yeyi asked him for advice, hoping to rely on his extensive experience to find out Leng Shuangcheng's intentions. Lan Jun had just finished speaking when Elder Zhu behind him added, "I think I've seen him before."

Autumn leaves lean against the sword, then turn to gaze at the old bamboo.

Elder Zhu pondered for a moment and said, "A year ago, when I fought Wang Yifei, his left arm was severed by the young master and he couldn't hold a gun, so he used this palm technique with one hand..."

"So that's how it is. You want to tell me about Xiao Qiao's palm technique." Qiu Yeyi took a step back with her sword at her side, and after standing still, she said coldly, "That's not right either. How come she knows everything about things that I don't know?"

The three elders, seemingly still shaken from the night, exchanged bewildered glances. Just as they were filled with doubt and uncertainty, Qiu Yeyi's cold, icy voice rang out: "Watch closely, that person is called Leng Shuangcheng. I know you have had past conflicts, but right now she is like my left hand; no one can touch her."

The three elders before Qiu Yeyi remained silent. The young master's sculpted face was shrouded in the pale moonlight, but the ruthless warning in his eyes was still faintly visible. Occasionally, moonlight seeped through the brocade pavilion, illuminating his unmoving figure and his aura of unapproachability, making him appear like a born king.

The three elders were familiar with this feeling, because six years ago, on a moonlit night, a pure white-clad youth emerged calmly from the shadows, subduing them in less than thirty moves with a simple longsword, seemingly cleaving through the air and cutting through waves. They remembered the moon that night clearly, and the youth's gaze was colder than the moonlight; they would never forget it either.

23. Choose

The moonlight deepened, illuminating everything with a fresh glow. It poured down on the figures before the pavilion, gentler than the fluttering banners around them. Before the Red Sleeve Pavilion, a dazzling silver light shone. Autumn Leaves, leaning on their swords, coldly stared at the vibrant, colorful gate, as always, quietly awaiting Leng Shuangcheng's arrival. It seemed that even the handsome young man, bathed in this dreamlike, soft light, was draped in a gentle purple glow.

But this was just Lan Jun's illusion, because he saw a girl in black rushing towards him.

Tang Qi's delicate face was partially obscured by her fluttering hair. Her eyes shone with a panicked, chaotic light as she rushed out of the pavilion, heading straight for Qiu Yeyijian. If one ignored her frantic gaze, Tang Qi, with her arched eyebrows and rosy lips, was undeniably a striking beauty.

Lan Jun saw that Young Master Qiu Ye seemed not to see him, his gaze piercing through the night, still fixed on the front.

Before Tang Qi's slender figure could even reach Qiu Ye's arms, Qiu Ye leaned on his sword and deftly dodged to the side, coldly shouting, "Stop!"

A sudden glint flashed in Tang Qi's eyes, like dandelions scattering in all directions, leaving only bare stems in an instant. Her pupils focused on Qiu Ye's chest in her crimson dress, and she said with a sorrowful tone, "You promised to release my brother!"

Seeing Qiu Ye Yijian remain indifferent and silent, Tang Qi couldn't help but shout again, "Just now when I fed you the antidote, I clearly begged you in your ear to let my brother go!"

A second figure emerged from the embroidered tower; it was none other than the elegantly dressed Yu Xue, dressed in white. He expressionlessly lifted Tang Wu by the waist and slowly walked towards the moonlight.

Qiu Yeyi glanced at his hand and said coldly, "You may be spared the death penalty, but you cannot escape punishment."

"Why!" Tang Qi's tears glistened like pearls. She quickly glanced at Qiu Yeyijian's thin lips. In her memory, they were always pale purple and tightly pursed, like the purple moon hanging in the sky in Sichuan, indifferent to human warmth and coldness. Once they emerged from the clouds, they uttered words that broke her heart.

“My family has a leopard. One day I accidentally lost her, and your brother almost skinned her alive,” Qiu Yeyi said coldly and reservedly, standing motionless under the silver moonlight.

The rest of the people in the room couldn't understand what she was saying, but the sensitive and stubborn Tang Qi understood it this time.

Tears, like pearly white ribbons, streamed down Tang Qi's face. She lowered her head slightly, unwilling to let Qiu Yeyi see her tears. This usually quiet and repressed girl finally erupted fiercely before the boy she had long admired: "Why her... What's so good about her... that you would protect her at every turn, even risking your life for her?"

The moonlight, like a veil, fell on Qiu Yeyi's clear, icy eyes, reflecting a shimmering, glassy brilliance. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the elegant young master of Bixie, clad in flowing purple robes, with his jade-like bones and icy skin, stared indifferently into the air. After a long silence, an unwavering light shone in his pupils.

"Tang Qi, do you know what feelings are?"

He asked slowly, a tone that was the first time he had spoken to another woman so calmly, much gentler than his usual cold and aloof manner, because he remembered a voice.

When she questioned him that day, those words were like a thorn, piercing his heart. He kept replaying that question in his mind.

—In the plum grove, amidst the subtle fragrance, what circumstances could make a nimble and discreet young man utter the weariness of a traveler who has traversed a thousand years? Amidst the falling blossoms and such a beautiful scene, what kind of mood could make the unrestrained Leng Shuangcheng's voice, filled with desolation, vanish like the evening mist in the sky?

Tang Qi was taken aback, but Qiu Yeyijian didn't say anything more. She just looked down at her left side and said coldly, "So you're just as dull and ignorant as I am."

As the night deepened, a third figure appeared—Zhuang Chuchu.

With her graceful and charming demeanor, she walked slowly towards Qiu Ye Yijian, her elegant silhouette stealing away all the moonlight and starlight. She bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, young master brother."

Qiu Yeyijian neither agreed nor disagreed, accepting her gift without dodging or avoiding it.

When Zhao Yingcheng came out, his expression was somewhat uncertain. He slightly furrowed his handsome brows and glanced at Qiu Ye: "Is he in the first year of junior high?"

Qiu Yeyi turned to look at Zhao Yingcheng and suddenly said, "It is the real deal, the very same Chu Yi that you obtained at all costs."

Zhao Yingcheng sensed the warning in his voice and couldn't help but stare intently at Qiu Yeyi's indifferent face. After a moment's thought, he raised his head and asked, "Could we perhaps take the opportunity of the first day of the lunar new year to speak further?"

"Your Highness's words are precious; please think it over carefully before making a decision. Otherwise, who knows what she might overhear and she might launch into another sarcastic rebuke."

Zhao Yingcheng was taken aback, and it took him a while to understand the biased and revealing meaning in Qiu Ye's words.

Qiu Ye Yi Jian's cold words carried a strong warning tone. Zhao Ying Cheng, who knew his temperament well, naturally understood: it seemed that Chu Yi was extremely important in Qiu Ye's eyes, to the point that even a cold and ruthless person would be wary of Chu Yi's questioning and challenges.

Zhao Yingcheng smiled slightly, "Of course." Then he walked up to Yu Xue and the three elders, gave them a few instructions, and Yu Xue turned and left without saying a word, still carrying Tang Wu in her hand, coldly walking into the darkness. Tang Qi glanced at Qiu Yeyi's profile and refrained from asking any further questions.

Zhao Yingcheng walked up to Chu Chu and smiled, inviting her to go first. Chu Chu glanced at Zhao Yingcheng's smile shyly, first shaking her head slightly, "I'll wait for Miss Ruan." After receiving Zhao Yingcheng's reply that he would escort her back to the manor, she silently lowered her head and left as serenely as smoke. As she walked into the shadows where the moonlight could not show her any mercy, she looked back with infinite longing.

Her eyes were misty, and she looked pitiful.

Qiu Ye looked at the three elders with her sword in hand. Lan Jun understood and took the lead in setting off to follow Chu Chu.

A fifth figure appeared in the night scene.

Cheng Xiang, dressed in bright red, slowly stepped out of the hazy moonlight. Like Yu Xue, she walked unhurriedly into the light, her beauty instantly radiating in the moonlight. Qiu Yeyi glanced at her coldly, then stared indifferently at the gate.

Cheng Xiang looked up at the three people remaining in front of her. Her gaze paused slightly when it fell on Qiu Ye. After thinking for a moment, she stood still and waited for Leng Shuangcheng, who was a few steps behind.

Leng Shuangcheng appeared last, carrying Ruan Ruan. She carefully embraced the girl in white, as if worried about waking the sleeping person in her arms. Cheng Xiang saw Qiu Yeyi's gaze lingering on Ruan Ruan for a long time, smiled strangely, and pinched Leng Shuangcheng's face with two fingers.

Leng Shuangcheng did not dodge when her hands were taken, but just stared at Cheng Xiang in a daze.

"To be honest, this is the first time I've seen your face up close. Could this be the legendary 'two-faced'?" Cheng Xiang asked with a smile.

Leng Shuangcheng didn't react at all. Qiu Yeyi had already slightly raised his left hand, exerted his strength, and flicked it, sending a sharp gust of wind through the air. His movements were as swift as lightning. With a flick of his sleeve, his left hand was back in place.

That finger strike was none other than the tried-and-true "A Glimpse of Splendor," carrying his full power as it aimed directly at Cheng Xiang's right hand, accurate and ruthless.

Leng Shuangcheng cried out, "Be careful!" Cheng Xiang, already on guard, swiftly withdrew her hand, but her sleeve, unable to dodge in time, was still pierced with a small hole. Her bright eyes shifted to Qiu Yeyi's sword face, and she sneered, "What a cruel heart! Prince Qiu Ye, our feud will be settled slowly in the future. Princess Linghui's matter is not over yet..."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yeyijian's eyes narrowed, and she stared at Cheng Xiang with murderous intent.

Having achieved her goal, Cheng Xiang was somewhat wary of Qiu Yeyi's tendency to keep her word. She darted behind the silent Leng Shuangcheng and strolled along, her smile radiant and charming.

Just now in the water dungeon, Zhao Yingcheng carefully examined and activated everyone's acupoints. Without any threats, Tang Qi revealed the inside story: Cheng Xiang and the others were only drugged and didn't need an antidote, simply because Ruan Ruan had no power to resist and remained unconscious. Through Zhao Yingcheng's retelling, Cheng Xiang learned that Qiu Ye Yijian had actually put aside past grievances to devise a rescue plan. She gave a heavy snort and remained silent.

Tang Qi, worried about Tang Wu, was the first to leave. Chu Chu saw a young man in white robes with disheveled hair approaching, took a closer look, recognized him, bit her lip, and brushed past him.

When Leng Shuangcheng entered, she first rushed to Ruan Ruan's side to take her pulse. Seeing that there was nothing seriously wrong, she turned around and walked to Cheng Xiang, bowing deeply and saying, "Thank you, Princess."

Cheng Xiang was initially surprised, but then seemed to remember something, and coldly snorted, turning her face away.

Leng Shuangcheng looked directly at Cheng Xiang and said sincerely, "On behalf of Miss Ruan, I thank the princess for her great kindness."

Zhao Yingcheng stood in the corner with his hands behind his back, watching them calmly. After hearing Leng Shuangcheng's voice, he hesitated and asked, "Chu Yi?"

Leng Shuangcheng had already picked up Ruan Ruan and turned to look at him coldly.

Cheng Xiang glanced at the two men's expressions, stood up, and stood between them, saying to Zhao Yingcheng, "Young Master, please excuse us. Miss Ruan has some private matters to attend to."

Zhao Yingcheng concealed his hands behind his back, glanced at Leng Shuangcheng, and slowly turned to leave.

Cheng Xiang used this as an excuse to send Zhao Yingcheng away, who was starting to get agitated. Zhao Yingcheng immediately erupted like a hot potato, shouting, "Chu Yi, do you dare show your face in front of me again?" She smiled coldly, "It's good that you're here. Let's settle all the old and new scores together!"

Leng Shuangcheng, seeing Cheng Xiang's cold exterior but warm interior, gave a wry smile and hunched his shoulders slightly, letting Cheng Xiang vent her anger.

Seeing Leng Shuangcheng holding Ruan Ruan without uttering a sound, Cheng Xiang's anger flared like a firecracker extinguished. She gathered her strength, swirled it around her lips a few times, and finally swallowed it down. "Tell me, what happened after we escaped that day?"

Leng Shuangcheng succinctly recounted some major events of the past year, including learning about her care for Ruan Ruan. After listening, Cheng Xiang sighed, "So you didn't know where Gu Du Kai Xuan went either."

Leng Shuangcheng remained silent. Facing Cheng Xiang, whom she always felt deeply indebted to, she couldn't utter any words of insincere comfort.

Cheng Xiang sighed for a moment, then suddenly laughed heartily: "You don't need to feel guilty, it's not your fault." She paused and continued: "Let's go, come with me. I wonder how Tang Qi is doing outside."

The cold waves are rising, and the silvery glow is lingering. Looking back at the man in the moon, the plain forest is picturesque.

Cheng Xiang took Tang Qi away, Zhao Yingcheng saw Ruan Ruan off, and Leng Shuangcheng stood alone in the cool night scene, her mind in turmoil, her thoughts drifting to a very distant and long time ago, somewhat forgetting where she was and what she was supposed to do.

—Qiu Yeyi's undisguised behavior filled Leng Shuangcheng with mixed feelings. Seeing that her past attempts to avoid him and pretend not to see him could not deter him in the slightest, Leng Shuangcheng suppressed her panic and pondered deeply.

Her gaze was like the moon reflected on the Bian River, shifting left and right, shimmering with arcs.

Qiu Yeyijian was determined to keep an eye on her. He stood calmly beside her, neither urging her nor speaking.

Everyone vanished in an instant, like a mirage, leaving only these two silhouettes motionless in the increasingly chilly night. As dawn broke, the first glimpses of dark brown, satin-like clouds appeared, their ink-like color splashing across the sky.

Leng Shuangcheng snapped out of his daze and glanced at Qiu Yeyijian. The damp mist made his face appear even paler, and his thin lips were tightly pressed together, making him look handsome yet ruthless, as firm as a rock. His long, black eyelashes cast two faint shadows in the moonlight.

Leng Shuangcheng glanced quickly at his slightly tired eyes, her heart softened, she sighed inwardly, and turned to bow to Qiu Yeyijian.

Caught off guard, Qiu Ye frowned and asked, "What are you planning to do now?"

Leng Shuangcheng remained silent for a moment, then lowered her eyes and said firmly, "Young Master comes from a prestigious family and holds a high position of power. He has always been a man who accomplishes great things and builds an empire..."

"Shut up!" How could Qiu Ye Yijian, who was obsessed with Bi Gan's mind, not know what she was about to say? He gathered his energy in his palm and slashed to the left. With a "boom", the bluestone street was like the backyard of Ruzhou last year. A dark and glaring ravine was firmly planted next to Jin Liang Xiaoyue.

"Say one more word, and believe me, I'll massacre the entire city of Kaifeng and show you what a true overlord is!" Qiu Yeyi's eyes narrowed like needles as she coldly stared at Leng Shuangcheng and shouted.

Leng Shuangcheng's mind raced, his eyelids twitched, and he bowed respectfully again, saying, "Young Master, please calm down... Young Master always keeps his word. Since you have promised to serve me for three years, you must treat me with courtesy in the future and not make light of me..."

"So even a blockhead like you knows how to settle for second best." Qiu Yeyi stared into her eyes and smiled coldly: "Leng Shuangcheng, you want to shut me up with your words, but I'll do the opposite. If you want to distance yourself from me, that's up to me whether I want to or not."