Das Leben der Landbevölkerung in der Stadt während der Song-Dynastie

Kapitel 37

"Master, Master!" Hu Yi called out anxiously, but Ling'er was still deeply shocked by the sudden turn of events and couldn't control herself until she lost consciousness...

When Ling'er woke up again, she found herself lying in bed, with Leizhu'er and Meiniang sitting around the bed looking at her with teary eyes. Ling'er shook her dazed head and asked, "What happened to me?"

Seeing that Ling'er had woken up, Tears welled up in her eyes and took her hand, saying, "Master, you fainted just now!"

"Master, are you feeling any better?" Hu Yi asked worriedly.

"Is Master suffering from heatstroke? Otherwise, why would he suddenly faint?" Eighteen asked.

"Get out of here! It's almost the beginning of winter, how could you get heatstroke?" Kuang Ao glared at him.

"Master, why did you suddenly faint? Is it because..." Tears welled up in her eyes but dared not finish her sentence.

Ling'er recalled the sounds of fighting, horses' hooves, and groans before she fainted, and said, "Zhu'er, just now I suddenly felt like there were thousands of troops fighting in front of me. Are these memories from my past life?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she shook her head, startled. "It's not your past life, it's your most primal memory."

"Pearl, tell me everything, okay?" If you don't tell me now, it will be too late! She didn't say these words out loud because she didn't want Tears Pearl and the others to know that Laugh was going to kill her, just a few days later.

"No! I can't say it! I don't want to lose you!" Tears finally streamed down her face, glistening like beads from a broken string.

Seeing this, Ling'er felt a pang of pity and sighed softly. Oh well, let nature take its course.

"My Lord, I'm so sorry, so sorry..." Mei Niang knew she had caused a terrible disaster and was filled with remorse, tears streaming down her face.

"Meiniang, what are you saying? What is there to apologize for?" Ling'er said. Since you can't get an answer, why add to your sorrow?

"Holy Lord, you really don't blame me?"

Ling'er nodded and said, "Ignorance is no excuse. Besides, your cooking skills are so good, I really admire you!"

Seeing that Ling'er really didn't blame her, Mei Niang felt a little less guilty and said, "Where? I used to be a cook in an official's family."

"Were you in the Realm of Light before? Why didn't I know you before! I bet your cooking is much better than the imperial chefs at Fenglai Pavilion!"

"Master!" Tears welled up in despair as she cried out. Fenglai Pavilion—the place where her master had lived for so long—she blurted it out! What about the God Lord? What about the Realm of Light? Did she have a vague impression of them either?

Ling'er looked at Leizhu with confusion and asked, "What's wrong? Meiniang's cooking is better than the imperial chefs at Fenglai Pavilion..."

What kind of place is Fenglai Pavilion? Ling'er remained silent. Was she really about to regain her memories? It seemed that even if Leizhu'er didn't tell her, she would find out sooner or later.

The air in the room was so oppressive that it made it hard to breathe.

Hu Yi and Kuang Ao didn't know much, but they vaguely sensed the seriousness of the situation. Each secretly thought to themselves: they'd rather die than let their master suffer any harm. But could they really do it? Two days had passed, and there was still no news of Chang Xiao. Lei Zhu'er had gone there since morning, supposedly to inquire about Xiao, but wasn't she just trying to meet the Wolf King? Although Zhu'er was clever, she still hadn't changed her old habits; she felt guilty and her eyes darted around when she lied. Hu Yi and Kuang Ao weren't home because of school. Only Shi Ba and Mei Niang remained.

Ling'er watched the two of them preparing vegetables in the kitchen, occasionally whispering to each other. This reminded her of the happy times she had spent eating at home with Xiao just a few days ago. How could things have changed so much in such a short time? Recalling her embarrassing moment eating carrots that day, Ling'er's lips curled into a smile. The dignified Dark Commander, the number one expert in the dark world, was actually as afraid of carrots as a mouse seeing a cat.

The phone rang; it was Chang Xiao, who had been missing for two days.

"Ling'er, I want to see you." Chang Xiao's voice sounded a little hoarse.

"Why didn't you come over?" Even though she knew he wouldn't be in danger, she was still worried, but now she was finally at ease.

"Okay. Wait for me."

"Master, we're going out now. Why don't you have a good talk with Xiao?" Eighteen said tactfully.

"Alright. I'm so sorry." Ling'er's eyes were full of apology. Ling'er sat in the living room, somewhat uneasy. Laughter was coming. Today, was he going to make his move today? She had been so shocked by what she saw in the crystal ball of the Old Man of Fate that she had forgotten to ask him when this day would come. Ling'er sighed deeply. Although she dared not and refused to believe that Laughter would kill her, the two things that had happened before had both come true, and she couldn't help but feel nervous…

The doorbell rang, and Ling'er trembled. For a moment, she actually wanted to run away. She was somewhat annoyed with her own cowardice. Hunters usually took life and death lightly, so what was wrong with her?

Ling'er hid the blue tears in her sleeve, stood up, and decided to face Chang Xiao outside the door.

"You're here?" Ling'er felt she had said something pointless. She had wanted to ask him where he had been these past two days, but then she thought it was unnecessary. After all, Xiao loved her, and he would have to go through a mental struggle before he could send an assassin. It wouldn't make sense for him not to find a quiet place to calm down.

"Yes," Chang Xiao replied somewhat awkwardly.

Ling'er looked him over; his face was haggard, even more so than Hu Yi and the others.

Chang Xiao lit a cigarette, his slender fingers trembling slightly. "Aren't they all here?" Chang Xiao looked around. Well, they weren't here. Then let's make it today. He didn't want to drag it out any longer.

"Oh, Hu Yi and Kuang Ao just happened to be at school. As for Zhu'er, she must have been kidnapped by a wolf. As for Shi Ba, he just went out for a walk with Meiniang."

"Meiniang?" Chang Xiao asked.

"Yes, didn't I mention it to you before? She's a friend I met in the Realm of Light." Ling'er recounted the whole story.

"Hehe, what a coincidence, Eighteen actually managed to win the heart of a beauty." Chang Xiao was somewhat surprised.

"Not only is she beautiful! Meiniang's cooking skills are top-notch. Even the most ordinary stir-fried green peppers and potatoes taste incredibly delicious when she cooks them!"

"It's a real shame, I'm afraid I won't have the chance to enjoy this food," Chang said with a smile.

“Yes…” Ling’er replied thoughtfully.

"Ling'er, where did you go the other day? Everyone was so worried." Chang Xiao's gaze wandered as she suddenly asked.

"It's nothing, just taking a walk to clear my head. I'm not a three-year-old child, do you think I'll get lost?" Her heart was in her throat.

"Ling'er, do you believe in fate?" Chang Xiao suddenly hugged Ling'er and asked.

"Fate? My life is my own, why should I believe in fate?" Ling'er pushed him away, turned her back to Chang Xiao, and stubbornly raised her head. It really was just as the crystal ball showed... She secretly clenched the blue tear in her hand.

“Ling’er, you don’t understand. We can’t go against the will of Heaven…” Chang Xiao sighed and continued, “To love someone is to want them to be happy at all times. If only one of us can stay, what would you choose?”

Why do you ask that?

Just answer me, don't ask why.

"I respect your decision." Ling'er closed her eyes.

"With your words, I feel relieved..." Chang Xiao slowly held Chi Yan in his hand, tears welling up in his eyes. How could he bear to do this?

Ling'er pressed the blue tears to her chest. It was over, all over. She smiled, "Let's continue our love in the next life." But just as she was about to exert herself, a familiar male voice rang out: "As long as I'm here! You won't be able to harm her in the slightest!" "Lord God, it really is you." Chang Xiao smiled calmly and helplessly at the man before her.

"That's right, it's me. You can call me Bitter Bamboo, my name in this reincarnation. Of course, you can also call me Hunter Emperor..."

"Senior Brother! How could you be the God Lord? God Lord... how could the God Lord be you?" Ling'er stammered, staring in disbelief at everything happening before her: Xiao really wanted to kill her, and the God Lord was actually her brother Ku Zhu, who had watched her grow up—the Hunter Emperor!

"Ling'er, why can't it be me?" Ku Zhu asked, looking at the girl who had been tormented by that hateful curse with heartache.

"But, but I've always thought of Senior Brother Hunter Emperor as my older brother..." Ling'er stammered.

"I am your brother! What's the problem?" Ku Zhu was both amused and exasperated, unable to understand what was going on in that little head of hers.

"You're my brother? You're really my brother? You're not my..." Ling'er asked incredulously, "Aren't you my fiancé?" She didn't finish the question.

"Among the Five Realms, besides me, who else is worthy of you?" Chang Xiao said after a long silence, his face displaying an aura of dominance that had not been seen for a long time.

"Indeed..." Ku Zhu had to admit. But then, he said bitterly, "Of all the Five Realms, although you are the only one worthy of marrying my sister, I cannot tolerate you harming her! Although you have been tormented by the curse, you never thought of killing her with your own hands before, but now! I will absolutely not allow Ling'er to have any contact with you again!" Ku Zhu pulled Ling'er behind him. If he hadn't suddenly sensed Ling'er's despair and arrived in time, wouldn't another tragedy have occurred?

"You think I'm going to kill Ling'er?" Chang Xiao was taken aback, then gave a bitter smile.

“A real man should be brave enough to take responsibility for his actions! When I sensed Ling’er’s thoughts, I was also half-believing and half-doubting. If I hadn’t seen you draw the Crimson Flame with my own eyes, I really wouldn’t have thought that there is nothing in the world that can withstand the passage of time! Dark Commander, you’ve changed! You’re no longer the Chang Xiao who would do anything for love!” Ku Zhu said indignantly.

Chang Xiao's gaze lingered on Ling'er's face; all he cared about was her opinion: "Ling'er, what do you think?"

Ling'er didn't speak, but simply looked away. What could she say? That she also believed he wanted to kill her?

Just then, the door was suddenly kicked open, and there came the whirlwind Wolf King and Teardrop.

"Laugh! What exactly are you doing?" the wolf king asked irritably.

"I……"

"You think that if you commit suicide, Ling'er will be alright?" The Wolf King's eyes were a little red.

His words left everyone present looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Laughing is going to commit suicide? Wasn't it Master who was going to commit suicide?" Teardrop asked incredulously. What on earth had happened?

“Master…God Lord?” Only then did Leizhu notice Kuzhu standing in the living room. She hurriedly knelt on one knee and said, “Leizhu, a member of the Nuwa clan, greets the God Lord.”

"No need. What exactly happened?" Ku Zhu looked at Lei Zhu'er and the Wolf King, puzzled. Although he wasn't close to the Wolf King, he knew he wouldn't stoop to lying. Did Mo Changfei draw the Crimson Flame just now to end his life? He knew that seeing isn't always believing.

Just as they were hesitating, Hu Yi, arrogant as ever, returned. The heavy atmosphere in the living room prevented them from asking any questions, especially since the powerful aura emanating from Liehuang and Chang Xiao made it difficult for them to control themselves and stop trembling.

Ling'er looked at Chang Xiao, and suddenly she remembered something and said, "Is it that in every life, as soon as I regain my memories, we will lose each other?"

Chang Xiao nodded haphazardly. He was about to ask Ling'er why she said that when he froze in place. What a close call! He almost made a big mistake.

"What's wrong, Ling'er?" Ku Zhu asked.

Just as Ling'er was about to answer, the living room door was flung open again. This time, it was a woman who entered. Before anyone could react, the woman rushed up to Chang Xiao and slapped him hard across the face.

The slap came so suddenly and unexpectedly that for a long time, no one understood what had happened.

It wasn't until the woman hugged Chang Xiao and burst into tears that everyone was pulled out of their shock.

Chang Xiao gently patted the woman's shoulder and said, "Alright, alright, I'm fine, aren't I? Why are you crying?"

Hearing Chang Xiao's deep voice, Ling'er felt a strange sensation rise within her. Her whole body tightened; who could this woman be?

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The Wolf King knelt on one knee, gazing reverently at the woman.

"Get up." The woman pulled her head out of Chang Xiao's arms and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Oh no... Master, this rival in love has quite a background, she's actually a queen..." Hu Yi stared in shock at what was happening before him, and inadvertently blurted out his thoughts.

A sharp glare from the woman swept over him, making Hu Yi tremble uncontrollably. Fortunately, the woman did not take any further action. She merely looked around arrogantly at everyone, finally fixing her gaze on Ku Zhu and saying disdainfully, "The dignified king of the Light Realm actually disregards his own kingdom for the sake of his sister, creating some kind of Hunter's Guild in the mortal world. How laughable, humph."

"Same here. The queen of the dark world, she's crying over her brother too?" Ku Zhu retorted sarcastically.

"Huh? Isn't the Queen the master's rival in love?" Hu Yi couldn't help but ask.

"How dare you!" The Dark Queen roared, and everyone present was struck by an incredibly powerful force. Except for Chang Xiao and Ku Zhu, everyone else coughed up blood, while Ling'er, who was caught off guard and distracted, was naturally the most seriously injured.

"You! How dare you hurt my sister!" Ku Zhu's eyes widened as he glared at the Dark Queen.

"Ling'er—" Chang Xiao cried out in anguish, rushing to the corner and pulling her into his arms. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at the Dark Queen, saying, "Sister! You've gone too far!"

Although Ling'er felt a tightness in her chest, she actually smiled, and the tension in her heart eased. So, she was his sister; so, he cared about her so much.

Upon seeing this, the Dark Queen spat out, "Useless thing!" and a tear rolled down her cheek as she sat down on the sofa.

Seeing this, Chang Xiao handed Ling'er, who was leaning against him, to Ku Zhu, walked up to the Dark Queen, knelt down, and said in a mournful voice, "Sister, I have never asked you for anything since I was a child. This time, I beg you to break the curse between me and Ling'er. We truly love each other!"

The Dark Queen looked at her younger brother kneeling before her, sighed deeply, and said, "In your eyes, is your sister so tyrannical and cruel? Do you believe that curse was cast by me?"

"If it wasn't you who cast the curse, then who was?" Ku Zhu asked sharply, looking at Ling'er, whose face was deathly pale, in his arms.

"I always thought that curse was cast by you, but it seems..." The Queen surprisingly did not get angry, and said calmly.

"Then... if it's neither the God-King nor the Queen, who could have cast this curse?" Teardrop and the Wolf King exchanged a puzzled look. "A curse, this wretched curse again!" Ling'er smiled sadly, her pale face contrasting sharply with the bright red at the corner of her mouth. "Why? Why? Just because I love Xiao? Just because I am the Holy Lord and Xiao is the Dark Commander? Just because the Realm of Light and the Realm of Darkness were once enemies?"

"Ling'er, who told you all this? Your memories..." Ku Zhu asked, looking at his once carefree younger sister with heartache.

"Brother, did you create the Hunter's Guild from the very beginning?" Ling'er didn't answer, but instead looked up and asked.