Consultor de vida de la dinastía Song del Sur

Capítulo 79

Leng Shuangcheng thought to herself, "What a clever person," and said gently, "I came from White Stone Mountain. I saw two iron swords in Wolf Valley that matched the shape of yours, young master. I guessed that you were one of your disciples. I hesitated and didn't know how to speak, but I didn't expect you to see through my clues." She smiled shyly again, her manner gentle and approachable.

Li Mingyuan frowned, looking at Leng Shuangcheng's smile: "Indeed, they are two disciples of our sect who were lost. It seems they have perished in the jaws of wolves..." He paused, then bowed and continued: "It is inconvenient to disclose matters concerning our sect. I hope you will understand, young master."

“It’s alright.” Leng Shuangcheng’s words were as gentle as a spring breeze as he slowly uttered the two words.

The two chatted politely in the teahouse.

Both Li Mingyuan and Leng Shuangcheng are composed and cautious in their speech. Without touching on each other's privacy, they exchanged information.

As the acting head of the Iron Sword Sect, Li Mingyuan was ordered by his master to descend the mountain to find the three disciples who had run away because they could not endure the arduous training. The iron sword he carried was a gift from his master, serving as a symbol of his authority. Two disciples were already dead, and the last one, the fat swordsman, had just been subdued by Li Mingyuan, who had tracked him down. He would return to the sect to face even harsher punishments.

Leng Shuangcheng then realized that the tribute items that had been lost from the market were stolen by this fat man at great personal risk. Judging from the numerous old injuries on his wrists and ankles, he must have suffered a lot and would have had to risk his life to escape Wolf Valley. Since the acting sect leader had arrived, Leng Shuangcheng didn't press him for details. During their conversation, she realized that Li Mingyuan indeed didn't know much about the stories and legends of the martial arts world, which was obviously because the Iron Sword Sect disciples were usually kept in strict seclusion and couldn't go down the mountain to travel.

A June summer breeze swept through the ancient town, lessening the sweltering heat and adding a refreshing, silky elegance. Li Mingyuan glanced at the street, his expression unwavering, but he exclaimed in admiration, "What a fine horse!"

Leng Shuangcheng felt a chill run down her spine and slowly turned around.

The cobblestone street suddenly fell silent, its stillness heavy like a pool of clear water. Small groups of pedestrians had taken refuge under the eaves, remaining silent. It was as if a gust of snow had been poured into the pale, misty alleyways, instantly making the air crisp and cold. A snow-white dragon-shaped vehicle walked steadily and slowly, a deep crimson hue on its forehead standing out vividly in the sunlight.

Leng Shuangcheng sighed deeply, placed her right hand on her forehead, her black hair falling down to cover half her face, and silently drank a cup of tea. Li Mingyuan seemed to understand, and without showing any emotion, turned his gaze back and continued to sit and drink his tea.

However, the commotion outside could not be ignored.

The Hualong came to a steady stop on the street, its black hooves clattering twice in the snow before it remained motionless. The white marble pillars gleamed like the moon, and the ebony carriage shafts exuded a simple yet imposing aura. Li Mingyuan glanced at them briefly, but he could vaguely tell that the newcomer was of high status. He took a sip of tea.

In the distance, under the sunlight, silver-clad guards stood like a forest at the ends of the streets and alleys. Dressed in bright armor, they rode spirited horses, and clusters of gleaming, sharp arrows shot into the sky, exuding a majestic and cold aura. The young men in silver robes sat firmly on their horses, their brows furrowed with icy indifference, displaying an extraordinary presence.

The carriage door was respectfully opened by the attendant, and two pale, slender fingers lightly traced the curtain, like elegant white orchids and bamboos etched on black velvet. Along with this, an extremely handsome face was revealed.

24. Difficult

Leng Shuangcheng didn't turn around; she carefully observed Li Mingyuan's expression. The young man before her possessed a composed demeanor, revealing only a few clues.

She held onto a sliver of hope, hoping that Qiu Ye Yijian wouldn't recognize her immediately after she changed her appearance and washed away her scent. But then she thought again, the rumored Qiu Ye Gongzi, who disliked going out and rarely saw outsiders, being here was certainly not something that could be easily overlooked.

Li Mingyuan's pupils seemed to gather the cool mist of mountains, his face was as calm as still water, his left hand rested on the rim of the cup, and his right hand slowly clenched his fingers. Leng Shuangcheng sighed inwardly and said calmly, "Young master, please do not be alarmed. The person who came is my young master. Please allow me to take my leave."

Li Mingyuan stood up, surprised but still respectfully bowed and took his leave. Leng Shuangcheng smiled and returned the bow, then turned to face the street.

The afternoon breeze rustled through the autumn leaves, gently brushing against Qiu Ye's dark hair and his ever-cold, indifferent brows. Leng Shuangcheng saw that he was dressed in a black court robe, walking slowly and sternly, as if breaking through ice and splitting rivers, and her heart skipped a beat.

Although the crowd did not recognize Qiu Yeyi's attire and rank, they understood his aloof and unapproachable figure and the imposing presence of the silver-clad guards, and thus all prostrated themselves in worship.

This was the first time Li Mingyuan had ever seen such a cold and aloof man. He was incomparably handsome and had a noble air about him. The summer wind could not shake his solitary figure. Although his appearance was so stunning that it made everything else pale in comparison, the vast and profound look in his eyes firmly attracted Li Mingyuan's attention.

The gaze pierced straight through, the vast sea calm yet subtly exuding a chilling coldness.

He felt a chill run down his spine, but still looked back calmly.

Qiu Ye, with her hands hanging down by her side, draped a gauze over her head, the breeze making her appear graceful and elegant. Her black robes accentuated her snow-white face, highlighting her dark eyebrows and bright eyes. Her gaze was fixed on Li Mingyuan, unwavering.

Leng Shuangcheng was about to go downstairs, but Qiu Yeyijian showed no intention of stopping or turning back. She glanced at his expression, worried that he would make things difficult for Li Mingyuan, and immediately blocked his way up to the second floor, her eyes filled with warning: "Young Master."

Qiu Yeyi glanced at her coldly, her snow-white face and black clothes exuding an aura of unapproachability. Seeing that he was still determined to move forward like ice, Leng Shuangcheng suddenly grabbed his wrist and called out in a stronger tone, "Qiu Ye! This young master is a friend I invited."

Li Mingyuan remained standing still.

“Leng Shuangcheng,” Qiu Yeyi coldly uttered three words, her eyes sharp as she stared directly at Li Mingyuan, “I should meet your friend.”

Leng Shuangcheng was speechless with anger, and Qiu Yeyijian coldly hinted, "Since you are a swordsman, your swordsmanship must be exceptional."

"My husband!"

Leng Shuangcheng shouted and grabbed his wrist tightly. She glanced back at the tea drinkers and people kneeling in the streets and said coldly, "Young Master Li is a reclusive swordsman who does not recognize your status as a prince. This is not a lack of manners."

Upon hearing this, Li Mingyuan remained expressionless and bowed respectfully. Qiu Yeyi accepted his greeting without moving, and coldly said, "Is Madam so nervous because she is afraid that I will not be polite enough?" She did not struggle with her arm.

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, a rare occurrence, and replied, "So, Young Master Leng is not a young master, but a concubine of the heir apparent. Forgive my poor eyesight, I have only made you a laughingstock." Leng Shuangcheng was extremely embarrassed. Seeing Li Mingyuan's composure, she vaguely guessed the undercurrent of confrontation between her and Qiu Yeyijian. Feeling confused and unable to explain, she could only make a gesture of invitation with her right hand, respectfully seeing him off first.

Li Mingyuan saw Leng Shuangcheng's embarrassment and predicament. The man before him remained indifferent and unmoved, his innate coldness and ferocity like an ice peak after a snowfall, sharply cutting through the air. Moreover, his fingers were long and steady, likely the hands of someone who wielded a sword.

This person is called Qiuye, and he is also a prince. The only person in the world who fits this identity is Qiuye Yijian, the number one swordsman in the world, whom his master warned him to be.

Although he was naive and ignorant of worldly affairs, he had heard just as many legends about Qiu Ye Yijian as outsiders. He was a smart man and could see the inexplicable murderous aura emanating from Qiu Ye Yijian. The Iron Sword Sect had strict rules, and Leng Shuangcheng always treated him with deference. In return, he should avoid Qiu Ye Yijian's sharp edge and choose to leave quietly.

But clearly some people won't compromise so easily.

Li Mingyuan walked steadily past Leng Shuangcheng, glanced at her briefly to indicate his departure, and then turned to leave.

Qiu Yeyi's left hand, which had been hidden in her sleeve, suddenly made a move.

Like a gentle breeze, the swift, silent, and precise attack struck Li Mingyuan from behind.

Li Mingyuan remained vigilant, keeping his back turned outwards to conceal his movements. He couldn't see Qiu Yeyi's sword movements clearly, but he could pinpoint their location by sound. When a gentle breeze arose, he glided across the ground like a crescent moon.

Leng Shuangcheng also made a move at the same time. She retreated rapidly, her clothes rattling, and with her left hand, she grabbed Qiu Yeyi's sword and took a step back.

The iron sword remains, and so does the man.

Li Mingyuan knew this move was a fluke; if Leng Shuangcheng hadn't intervened, Wuming would surely have been taken from him. If the Iron Sword had been stolen, the Iron Sword Sect would have no face to stand in the martial world. Qiu Yeyi's sinister intentions were now crystal clear; this man was indeed not to be underestimated.

Leng Shuangcheng's eyes were filled with apology as she gestured again, "Young Master Li, please."

Li Mingyuan descended the stairs steadily, while Leng Shuangcheng kept her eyes fixed on Qiu Yeyi's strong, concealed left hand. When she noticed it slowly curling up, she quickly moved to face him directly, diverting his attention: "Young Master, why are you dressed in court attire and accompanied by guards?"

Qiu Yeyi remained silent, staring coldly at her.

The building was filled with the atmosphere of an impending storm, as if covered by thin ice, where the slightest carelessness could turn it into a vast ocean in an instant.

Leng Shuangcheng thought for a moment, realizing there was a reason behind it, and calmly called out, "Qiuye".

Qiu Ye Yijian noticed the change in her form of address, and her gaze lost some of the coolness of the morning dew. She said, "In order to meet with officials along the way to mobilize troops, I secretly transferred troops north to block the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun."

"Why?"

Qiu Yeyi let Leng Shuangcheng hold her wrist and replied coldly, "Do you still remember the Liao army's deputy commander in the Battle of Gujing?"

"Yelü Bao?"

"Indeed, back then this man tried to persuade his uncle not to enter the city, but Yelü Xingtian insisted on not listening, and you set it on fire and killed him..."

Leng Shuangcheng immediately interrupted him, shouting urgently, "How do you mean I killed him?"

Qiu Yeyi sneered arrogantly, "If it wasn't you who harmed them, then who was?"

“Alright, alright,” Leng Shuangcheng sighed, staring into his eyes filled with hidden anger. “I admit I was wrong. Go on.”

"You've done so many wrong things." Qiu Yeyi's lips, shaped like purple crescent moons, were pursed into a thin line as she seized the opportunity to lash out, coldly and ruthlessly saying, "You like to travel with others but don't like to stay by my side. You wear men's clothes indiscriminately, you run away with men, and you show your face everywhere without any decorum."

Leng Shuangcheng waited silently for him to finish speaking, then smiled and asked, "Anything else?" Qiu Yeyijian's handsome face hardened, and he was about to reach out to grab her when Leng Shuangcheng beat him to it, pulling him into a tight embrace. A crimson veil, like icy silk and mist, enveloped her face, cool and refreshing, carrying a faint, cool fragrance. She took a deep breath, then hugged Qiu Yeyijian's back tightly and said in a muffled voice, "Go on."

Qiu Yeyi hugged Leng Shuangcheng's waist with her sword, and pressed her lips to her black hair and neck. After kissing her for a while, she first said with disgust, "It tastes like medicine." But her lips lingered and kept biting everywhere: "Since Yelü Bao is not dead, given his ambition, it is impossible for him not to take advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains caused by the Japanese poison."

Leng Shuangcheng exclaimed in admiration, "That makes sense. You've thought things through and have a long-term perspective." His hands remained firmly on Qiu Yeyi's sword. Because Leng Shuangcheng had deliberately entangled Qiu Yeyi, the silver-clad guards, without his orders, could only let Li Mingyuan pass. Leng Shuangcheng threaded his fingers through Qiu Yeyi's black hair, gazing at Li Mingyuan's resolute back. He lingered for a moment, holding Qiu Yeyi for a while, before asking, "What are you planning to do with so many people?"

"By using deception and deception, I prevent the Tantric practitioners from discerning my troop movements."

How did you find me?

"This is the only way to get to Baishi Mountain. I spent two days calculating the distance..." But he didn't mention that after entering the area, he released the blue butterfly to patiently and painstakingly find the path.

When Leng Shuangcheng first met Qiu Yeyijian, she felt some unease. Seeing that the storm had subsided, she made up her mind to break free from his embrace.

The aroma of tea filled the air, leaving a sweet aftertaste that lingered on the palate. Seeing Li Mingyuan depart safely, Leng Shuangcheng silently poured herself a cup of fragrant tea, sipping it slowly. Her gaze pierced through the wisps of smoke rising from the willow branches, landing on a distant horizon. "Such a man, yet he has not fully realized his potential..." The thought filled her with regret.

Qiu Yeyijian stared at Leng Shuangcheng's back as she stood by the railing, and suddenly realized who she was looking at. She couldn't help but say coldly, "You must know Gu Jian Wuming. No wonder you were having such a pleasant conversation and didn't want to leave."

"Tieguanyin tea is fragrant, mellow, and has a long-lasting sweet aftertaste. It can also clear heat and reduce internal fire. Would you like to try some, young master?" Leng Shuangcheng said with a slight smile on his lips, his back to Qiu Yeyijian.

Qiu Yeyi's face paled even more. He gave a cold laugh and said, "Leng Shuangcheng, what's the point of showing off your verbal skills? Do you even remember what you said?"

Leng Shuangcheng sighed softly. Seeing that Li Mingyuan had already disappeared into the distance, she walked back, put down her cup, and smiled, "I remember. I still remember your temper. No matter what I say, you just ignore it like a gust of wind."

Qiu Yeyi sneered: "There are some things I remember, but I'm afraid you'll be shameless enough to forget them as soon as you say them."

Leng Shuangcheng smiled, her eyes crinkling. Despite her disguise, her smile, like a crescent moon in the sky, added a touch of serene beauty to the starless, velvety night. "That's strange. We've always only seen this world-class peak; how can you say Leng Shuangcheng is shameless?"

Qiu Yeyijian was slightly taken aback when he saw her smile, then his face darkened and he remained silent. Leng Shuangcheng carefully examined his expression and saw that his handsome face was cold and his lips were tightly pursed. She estimated that he was almost angry again, so she looked him straight in the eye and said seriously, "Of course I remember what I said. I was worried about your thoughts, so I traveled overnight and wanted to get back to your side as soon as possible."

The icy expression on Qiu Ye Yijian's face softened slightly, his dark pupils fixed intently on Leng Shuangcheng's thin lips, his gaze focused and intense. Leng Shuangcheng stepped forward, took his hand, and said seriously, "When the sun rises, I wonder what you're doing right now—resting or angry? Whenever I see a flash of white, I wonder if that person is you? When the moon shines brightly in the valley, I still wonder if you're asleep too?" She tightened her grip on his hand and smiled slightly, "Qiu Ye, I've been thinking about you."

Like glaciers melting and straits receding, Qiu Yeyi's eyes grew brighter, the gloom on his face dissipating in the wind. He lowered his head, unable to resist chasing those thin lips. Leng Shuangcheng let him kiss her cheek, her expression calm. As those cool lips gradually warmed, she suddenly grabbed his hand, squeezing it hard with all her might, and said in a deep voice, "Does it hurt?"