Only then did everyone see his expression clearly, and they were all stunned.
Qingchen was still smiling, but her eyes were empty. Everywhere she looked was tranquil, devoid of joy or anger, utterly calm. Yet, it was a detached indifference. An indifference that inexplicably caused a pang of pain in one's heart.
He seemed to see through the world, but the only thing he couldn't see through was himself.
Yan Bei stared at his expression, his throat dry: "If your identity is discovered, you may be in danger."
"You mean the huge bounty secretly issued by the imperial court? My head." Qingchen pointed lightly to the side of her head with her slender finger, her tone unconsciously rising. "I didn't retreat from the world for this back then, and now that I've come out of the world, I can't possibly regret it because I'm afraid of it."
“It is indeed necessary to clarify the relationship between the imperial court and the Yiye Alliance.” Murong Shi’s expression was complicated. “But now is precisely the time when they are eyeing us covetously. Qingchen, it might be inappropriate to act rashly at this time. Perhaps we should secretly send someone to bring Susu back?”
"I won't allow anyone to touch her." Qingchen's eyelashes fluttered slightly as he smiled. "Besides, if we just bring her back like this, she'll probably be even more resentful." He reached into the hanging curtain, slowly took out a mask, put it on, covering the upper half of his face, leaving only half of his face exposed.
He turned his head, his voice indifferent: "You just need to keep an eye on the One Leaf Alliance. I'll handle the rest." The eyes behind the mask were no longer calm and undisturbed, but a bottomless abyss, and his words were icy.
The person hidden behind the mask is no longer Qingchen from Shengxiao Valley, but the leader of Yiye Alliance.
Murong Shi's face paled instantly. She wanted to say something, but Yan Bei grabbed her hand, stopping her words in her tracks. She turned to look at him, and Yan Bei silently shook his head at her. She closed her eyes wearily, utterly helpless.
As the leader of the One Leaf Alliance, no one can defy his words.
"Alliance Leader, if you insist, please allow me to take my leave." With a flick of her robes, she turned and departed. Seeing her expression, Yan Bei hurriedly clasped his hands in a fist salute and rushed after her.
Outside, snow was falling heavily. A faint ripple passed through the eyes beneath Qingchen's mask, but she remained silent.
Murong Shi ran all the way out of Shengxiao Valley, refusing to get into the carriage parked outside, and staggered away alone. Tears finally welled up in her eyes and fell, running down her cheeks and landing with a cold touch.
She was walking aimlessly when, lost in thought, she suddenly stumbled and was about to fall when the person who was rushing up behind her suddenly moved and pulled her into his arms.
Through her teary eyes, Murong Shi saw the man's slightly furrowed brows. In a daze, she smiled faintly: "Don't worry about me, I'm fine."
Yan Bei felt a pang of heartache at her appearance, but he could only sigh helplessly: "You would only do this for him."
Murong Shi fell silent for a moment, then slightly broke free from his embrace, took a few steps back, and stood amidst the falling snowflakes, as the snowflakes covered her shoulders and her hair.
"You don't need to keep your thoughts to yourself." Yan Bei looked up, his eyes filled with the myriad snow shadows, his voice calm. "Whatever it is, you can say it. I'll listen to everything you say."
With those few words, the tears that had been wiped away suddenly burst forth again.
Looking at the man before her, Murong Shi finally couldn't hold back her tears any longer. A bitter smile appeared on her lips: "Do you know that what he hates most is this position..."
The "he" in the words was naturally Qingchen.
"I know," Yan Bei replied, his voice lost in the wind.
Murong Shi's shoulders rose and fell slightly, the sobs gradually spreading. Yan Bei couldn't bear it and finally stepped forward to embrace her. Murong Shi didn't pull away anymore, burying her body in his slightly warm embrace, her sobs growing louder: "He thought no one knew... but he should have forgotten that so many people were actually watching him every day... He always hated the position of Alliance Leader! He hated so much the position that separated him from Qing Yuan! He clearly always sat alone on the mountain drinking, I know... He was so lonely when he sat there, how much he wanted someone to be with him... But the One Leaf Alliance... this One Leaf Alliance! Demanding so much from him... He did it all... but he never received anything in return... He was just alone... Waaah... He was just alone too!"
Yan Bei remained silent throughout, listening to her words in fits and starts.
"Back then... back then, Qingyuan misunderstood him, and he remained silent... He was Qingchen, so he could disdain explaining... But, even though this silence caused him so much pain... he still endured it without saying a word. He did it for the world, for the One Leaf Alliance... but why should he bear everything? If it weren't for that day when he was drunk... if he hadn't said so much, no one would have known how much pain he was in..."
"The One Leaf Alliance. It was clearly the place he hated most... But, but... but he still silently shouldered the responsibility for the world... Rumors, slander, everyone's covetous eyes... He was weary, he loathed it, I knew it all..."
"But... he would never let anyone else interfere in his affairs. He's stubborn... he wouldn't let anyone see his pain... all these years, all these years since Qingyuan left, he's been in Shengxiao Valley, no longer concerned with worldly affairs... this is clearly the life he most wanted, but he's still unhappy... his heart is dead... his heart is dead..."
"Until Su Su came... he finally started to laugh, not just 'laugh,' but to truly laugh. Yan Bei, you know... I'm really happy... But why couldn't Su Su stay by his side? Why, why at this time... Qing Chen actually chose to go out by himself, to go out at this time... He's clearly gone mad! He's gone mad!"
She lay in his arms, her tears mingling with the coolness of the snow. Yan Bei gently held her, feeling her chest rise and fall slightly, and his heart ached inexplicably.
After a long silence, his voice became somewhat hoarse: "Qingchen knew that if there were any disturbances within the alliance at this time, it would surely anger the imperial court, so he made this decision. He just couldn't rest easy about Susu."
After venting her anger, Murong Shi had calmed down a bit. Upon hearing this, the smile on her face turned slightly sad.
It's no secret that the One Leaf Alliance, which disregards worldly affairs, has become so powerful that it arouses suspicion from the court. Some officials have already submitted memorials impeaching the alliance, accusing it of harboring rebellious intentions. Therefore, to silence the Chu court, Yintang initiated this action against the Han Kingdom.
The forces in the martial arts world have always coveted the power of the One Leaf Alliance, and the imperial court has also planted spies everywhere. Once a handle falls into the hands of either side, a single excuse is all it takes to throw the world into chaos.
Light dust. Only if this unknown person is the Valley Master of Shengxiao Valley will it not alert others.
“If it weren’t for Qingchen’s refusal, we wouldn’t even consider the imperial court a threat.” Murong Shi nestled in Yan Bei’s arms, her icy words filled with murderous intent. “Although he doesn’t like getting caught up in the political vortex of the entire world, the entire Yiye Alliance belongs to the Alliance Leader alone. If the imperial court goes too far, I will make them regret opposing Yiye Alliance.”
Looking at her expression, Yan Bei sighed softly: "Qingchen is in a position, so naturally he has a lot to consider. And all we can do is wait. Wait until the day he no longer has to force himself to bear everything, until he understands that we will always stand behind him. Wait until he understands that we are not just subordinates of the One Leaf Alliance, but his friends. Friends, there is never any one person who is a burden to the other."
Murong Shi's tears had dried, leaving only a stinging sensation in her eyes. She looked up at the emotionless man before her, a slight smile playing on her lips: "I know, but... I can't help but worry about him..."
"Nothing will happen. Because he is Qingchen."
A simple sentence, like a gentle hand, soothes the accumulated unease.
Nothing will happen. Simply because—he is Qingchen.
It's illogical, yet it's something no one can question.
Murong Shi felt a warmth spread through her body as Yan Bei took off his coat and covered her with it. "Let's go." He carefully protected her, leaving himself in only a thin shirt. Murong Shi recalled her earlier lapse in composure, her expression complex. Suddenly, she turned around and, without warning, gently kissed him on the lips.
His movements seemed to freeze abruptly. Seeing Yan Bei's astonished and blank expression, Murong Shi finally couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
Chapter Ten: The Moon Shines Brightly That Year (Part Two)
"Yanbei, since Qingchen is going to take action, shouldn't we also make some preparations just in case?" Murong Shi wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her tone becoming indifferent.
Yan Bei followed her gaze and saw a figure in white on the high-rise building, also looking at them indifferently. A slight smile appeared on his lips: "Of course."
The two entered the carriage, and the driver flicked the reins. With a hoarse neigh, the carriage rumbled down the mountain.
A faint, ethereal gaze fell upon me from behind.
On the clock tower, Qingchen's white robes fluttered in the wind against the backdrop of snow, still pristine white. A hint of a smile played in her eyes beneath the mask, yet it was also icy cold.
He turned around and descended the steps.
"I can handle anything myself. You don't need to worry about it." A soft sigh escaped her lips.
Li Jiu was waiting below when he saw Qingchen come down. He hurriedly offered her the shawl, but Qingchen casually pushed it away. Li Jiu looked somewhat helpless and could only say, "Alliance Leader, even if you are going to leave, you should take care of your health."
Qingchen gently relaxed her beautiful chin and said in a melodious voice, "Didn't many people think I was already dead?"
Upon hearing this, Li Jiu trembled involuntarily.
Qingchen glanced at him and walked away on her own: "I'm going to see someone, you don't need to come with me."
Few venture to the back of Shengxiao Valley. Now, a vast expanse of snow has blanketed the area, a silent expanse of white. Standing amidst this tranquil world is a woman, clad in green, with the graceful beauty of an immortal maiden.
Qingchen watched from afar. Snow gradually fell on his body, but he didn't care at all.
He watched as the person slowly turned around.
"Was it fun playing Qingyuan?" The tone of his voice was devoid of emotion.
The woman's lips tightened at his words, and she chuckled softly, "I was just trying to make you happy. Hmm..." Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt a tightness in her throat. She hurriedly grabbed the hand that was gripping her throat, and the man loosened his grip slightly, allowing her to catch her breath. She coughed involuntarily, "Cough... Is this how you treat your guests, Qingchen?"
Qingchen's lips curled slightly, full of sarcasm: "I haven't settled the score with you for letting Susu go yet, Shu'er."
Liu Rushu stared at the mask, her expression somewhat unpleasant: "I didn't expect you to value her so much, to be willing to revert to that identity for her sake."
Qingchen's eyes were deep and unfathomable. He remained noncommittal.
Liu Rushu felt an invisible pressure surrounding her. This was the real Qingchen—the leader of the One Leaf Alliance, who wouldn't tolerate any disobedience, the most ruthless person in the world. Her blood seemed to freeze under his gaze. Ignoring the chill, Liu Rushu looked at him with slight anger: "Why? Before it was Qingyuan, now it's Susu, why is it that you never see me?"
Qingchen's lips curled into a slight smile, but it felt as if a thousand arrows had pierced Liu Rushu's heart. She collapsed to the ground, her back soaked with sweat. He approached her, his slender fingers gently lifting her chin as he looked down at her: "Because—you are not worthy."
It was the cruelest tone.
Liu Rushu's pupils widened slightly, a hint of disbelief in their eyes.
Is the person before me really Qingchen? The Qingchen revered by thousands, believed to protect a lifetime of peace? The Qingchen who is high above, arrogant and unrestrained, yet silently guards the One Leaf Alliance? The Qingchen who, no matter what happens, only smiles and moves on, alone with melancholy? The Qingchen who, no matter what others do, will not be annoyed or angry, but will only view everything with the utmost rationality?
The man before them was wicked, cruel, and irresistible.
Or... is this the real Qingchen?
"Shu'er, remember, no matter what you do, never provoke him..." It was as if a woman in green had once said these words to her with a faint smile. Liu Rushu's heart suddenly turned cold.
Perhaps, only Qingyuan truly understands him in this world.
Qingchen tightened his grip slightly, causing Liu Rushu to grunt softly. His eyes remained empty and indifferent, his voice nonchalant: "If anything happens to Susu, I will make you pay with your life."
"To be buried alive with someone?" Liu Rushu smiled as she heard this amidst the pain. "If something really is going to happen, why aren't you rushing after them instead of lingering here with me? Are you alright? You..." She paused, then suddenly saw the man's eyes and couldn't finish her sentence.
"I will bring Susu back." Qingchen loosened her grip, threw Liu Rushu to the ground, and turned to leave.
"Wait." Liu Rushu coughed and gasped for breath, then suddenly realized something and hurriedly called out to him in alarm, "Are you planning to go alone?"
Qingchen stood there watching her, her expression indifferent, without saying a word.
"No!" Liu Rushu exclaimed in a panic, "As the leader of the One Leaf Alliance, you can certainly use your own power. You absolutely cannot go alone!"
"Oh?" Qingchen chuckled lightly, her tone leisurely. "It seems there's someone else behind you?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Rushu's face paled slightly, and her voice became mournful: "You can't go, listen to me... just this once, okay?"
"No." With a crisp and decisive reply, Qingchen turned around, leaving behind a tall and slender figure. "I don't want to drag the Yiye Alliance into this."
"Qing-Chen!" A shout echoed through the surrounding mountains, sending snowflakes swirling and crashing to the ground, accompanied by a faint echo. But the person never turned back. Liu Rushu watched him disappear into the distance, sitting amidst the snow, seemingly oblivious to the chill that gripped her. Tears streamed down her face, her fists clenching involuntarily: "How could you go… Qingchen, you knew that leaving here alone could very well be suicide…"
"Sending...to...death...?" Liu Rushu murmured, then suddenly seemed to realize something, abruptly raising her eyes to look in the direction the person had left, a chill running through her heart, "Could it be..."
Could it be that he was always intent on dying?
The snow seemed to suddenly flutter down as a single flake.
Qingchen stood in the courtyard but did not return to the house. He opened his palm, and delicate feathers drifted down and accumulated in his hand. Looking up, he was met with an overwhelming expanse of white, as if the entire world had been swept away by white.
"Just this once, as a moment of recklessness?" he murmured, a hint of loneliness on his face. "It's time to make a clean break."
He thought of someone, and a slight emotion flickered in his clear, glass-like eyes. Was Liu Rushu's appearance related to that person?
However, he wouldn't let Susu fall into his hands...
He stood alone, isolated from the world. It was as if he were the only one in the world. Still forlorn.
He would handle his own affairs and wouldn't drag anyone else down with him. Qingchen's smile held a hint of indifferent loneliness. He sighed softly, holding the jade flute he had taken from the room, glancing at it briefly before slowly bringing it to his lips.
The mournful sound of the flute.
The surrounding wind and snow seemed to be bewitched by the sound of the flute, gradually gathering, swirling around him, and enveloping him.
The jade flute, unplayed for ten years, gave him a feeling of being in another world...
Chapter Eleven: The Brothel's Heartless Reputation (Part 1)