Ein Reisender, der alle Himmel und unzählige Welten durchquert

Kapitel 12

The people in the hall were stunned for a moment, then Lan Qi burst out laughing first, followed by Hua Qinghe and Mei Hongming. Qiu Changtian and Nan Wofeng also couldn't help but chuckle, and even Ming Er had a smile on his face. The group looked at Ning Lang on the ground with a mixture of sympathy and amusement, while Yuwen Luo had a look of bewilderment.

"Qiu Zang, quickly go and get a new stool," Qiu Changtian hurriedly instructed, then asked Ning Lang with concern, "Nephew, did you fall and hurt yourself?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Ning Lang jumped up abruptly, looked at Lan Qi who was still smiling, and felt a sinking feeling in his heart for some reason. He then turned his head away.

"Oh dear, it's all my fault for being so impetuous and startling you, Brother." Lan Qi closed his jade fan, stopped smiling, and bowed, saying, "Brother, you are very magnanimous, please don't take offense."

V. Autumn Waters Rippling Across the Colorless Sky (Part 2)

This apology immediately flustered Ning Lang, who quickly returned the greeting with clasped hands, saying, "It's alright, it's alright."

Lan Qi raised her eyes, looked at Ning Lang, pursed her lips, and then a deep smile appeared on her face.

Soon, Qiu Zang brought out stools, and the group sat down and finally finished their breakfast in peace.

After the meal, we moved to Qingbo Pavilion to enjoy tea and chat.

After chatting for a while, Lan Qi got up to say goodbye, saying that the Yingshan Conference was approaching and he needed to go back to make some arrangements.

Then Ming Er also took his leave, saying that the theft of "Lan Yin Bi Yue" was very strange. He was going to visit some friends to see if he could find any clues. Then he went straight to Yingshan and would return to the Ming family after the big event was over. Firstly, he wanted to inform his parents about the matter of "Lan Yin Bi Yue". Secondly, he had received a lot of help from Uncle Qiu and also needed to inform his parents that they had been thinking about Uncle Qiu for a long time and would definitely come to Changtian Villa to pay their respects.

Yuwen Luo listened from the side, thinking to himself: Why don't you just say that you want your parents to come to the Qiu family to propose marriage? Everyone knows that you and Miss Qiu are already secretly engaged.

Ning Lang watched Lan Qi and Ming Er leave one after the other and became anxious. He hadn't explained the engagement to Lan Qi yet, but he couldn't very well chase after them in front of everyone. He was like an ant on a hot pan, unsure whether to sit or stand.

Yuwen Luo understood immediately upon seeing Ning Lang's expression. Looking at the remaining group, he knew they were going to Yingshan together. He pulled Ning Lang to his feet and said, "Seniors, we juniors will take our leave now."

"Why are you two nephews in such a hurry? Why don't you stay at the manor for a few more days and then come with us to Yingshan?" Qiu Changtian hurriedly tried to persuade them to stay.

"It would be so awkward to travel with you all," Yuwen Luo thought to himself, but his face remained sincere as he said, "Ning Lang and I would like to set off first. There's not much time to spare yet, so we can travel slowly, enjoying the scenery along the way and broadening our horizons."

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing.” Nan Wofeng nodded. “Young people need to be tempered and have the courage to venture out on their own.”

"Since Brother Nan has said so, then let's leave it at that." Qiu Changtian then stopped insisting.

"This junior bids farewell to seniors and my two elder brothers." Yuwen Luo pulled Ning Lang and bowed to each of them.

After leaving Changtian Manor, the two headed north.

Huazhou is located in the south of the dynasty, while Yingshan is located in the royal plain in the central part of the dynasty. On foot, with the stamina of people like Yuwen Luo and Ning Lang who are skilled in martial arts, it would take about half a month. However, there is still nearly a month before the conference, so they are not in a hurry. They stop for a while whenever they see a beautiful place along the way, so they can rest and enjoy the scenery at the same time, killing two birds with one stone.

As evening fell, the two arrived at the border of Dacheng. Outside Dacheng was the Yuanjiang River. Although it was not a major river, it connected to the Wuyun River in the royal domain. It had abundant water and had never dried up, irrigating half of Huazhou.

"Stop looking. No matter how beautiful the river scenery is, it's not as important as finding a place to stay. Let's hurry up and leave. If the city gates close, we'll have to sleep in the open." Yuwen Luo urged.

Ning Lang didn't stop walking, but his gaze was fixed on a large boat on the riverbank. In a daze, he suddenly remembered that day. It was the same river, the same twilight, and a light boat glided by. He had once caught a glimpse of a green figure. At that time, he regretted that they hadn't met. But now, recalling it, that once hazy figure was crystal clear. Wasn't that Lan Qi that he saw that day? Besides him, who else in this world could have such brilliance?

“So… it was him…” Ning Lang murmured.

"What about him? Let's go!" Yuwen Luo urged again.

"Hmm." Ning Lang snapped out of his reverie and hurriedly followed Yuwen Luo's footsteps.

The two walked for a while, and just as they were about to pass the large ship, they saw someone get off the ship.

"Please wait, gentlemen."

They met the man in front of the boat; he was a young and handsome man with a noticeable dimple on his left cheek when he spoke.

"What brings you here, sir?" Yuwen Luo asked, puzzled. They didn't know many people, and they hadn't offended anyone.

“My master requests your presence,” the young man replied politely.

"Your master?" Yuwen Luo sized him up, not recognizing him. "Why did he invite us? Is there something he needs? Do we know each other?"

"My master's surname is Lan." The young man answered only one of Yuwen Luo's questions, but that one answer was enough.

"Lan?" Yuwen Luo and Ning Lang's eyes lit up at the same time, thinking to themselves, could it be Lan Qi?

"Yes, please follow me." The young man stepped forward and led the way without waiting for their reply, as if he knew they would definitely follow.

Yuwen Luo and Ning Lang exchanged a glance, then followed the young man onto the boat.

Upon entering the cabin, the two were immediately stunned by its opulent splendor. Both their families were martial arts clans, born into wealth, but seeing the furnishings in the cabin, they felt that all their family's wealth combined was not as valuable as what was here. Moreover, not only was the wealth overwhelming and the splendor dazzling, but every item in the cabin was also elegant and unique, exuding an indescribable charm.

A young woman with crescent-shaped eyes served tea and said, "Please wait a moment, gentlemen. My master is getting ready and will be out shortly."

Makeup? The two exchanged a glance. Did Lan Qi have to dress up specially to see them?

The two sipped the fragrant tea; it was sweet and refreshing, quenching their thirst. They then looked around the cabin furnishings, exchanged glances with the handsome man and beautiful woman who were silently keeping them company, and remained silent.

Just then, a very light and clear jade-like sound came from behind. The two turned their heads at the same time. The beaded curtain was lifted, and a pale green figure quietly floated in. The two only glanced at each other, and instantly became dizzy and disoriented, not knowing where they were or what day it was.

The sunset streamed in through the open windows, and the glass pedestals on the cabin walls were inlaid with thumb-sized luminous pearls. The cabin was filled with wisps of crimson light and layers of pearly brilliance, along with the opulent and luxurious furnishings. The cabin was already dazzling, but all of this paled in comparison to the radiance of the person in green robes and with a plain face. Before those clear, jade-like eyes, everything in the world seemed dull and lifeless, and before that unadorned, jade-like face, even the most beautiful palace seemed colorless.

They didn't know how much time had passed when they suddenly came to their senses. But when their eyes met those unique blue eyes, their souls soared again.

“You…you…” Ning Lang pointed at the man’s tongue, which was tied in knots.

Her hair was as black as a spring, bound with a gold ring. She had a slender figure and wore a light green dress. She was a real woman, but how could she have such unique blue eyes? And how could her face be so similar to Lan Qi's?

"Brother Ning, have you forgotten Lan Qi so quickly?" the woman asked with a smile.

"You...you...you're a woman?" Ning Lang felt so dizzy that he didn't even recognize himself, but his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of his clothes.

"Of course I'm a woman. Don't you think I look like one?" Lan Qi flicked her long sleeves and spun around gracefully, her beauty and charm blooming in full glory.

Looking at her slender yet perfectly proportioned figure, and at her face that would put even the Fairy Yaohua to shame and the Flying Demoness to envy, Yuwen Luo couldn't imagine where in this world there could be a woman more feminine than her. He sighed inwardly.

"You're a woman...you really are a woman..." Ning Lang murmured, unsure whether it was surprise or disbelief that such a wonderful thing could exist in the world.

"I am a woman." Lan Qiyu opened her fan, concealing her face with a faint smile, revealing only a pair of emerald eyes, shimmering and alluring.

Lan Qi, a man, had also done that action, and back then he was dashing and debonair. But now, every move, every smile, exudes the charm and allure of a woman.

It must be a woman, Yuwen Luo thought. No wonder he felt there was an eerie aura here, so that's why... Suddenly his gaze met Lan Qi's green eyes, and he was immediately shocked. He quickly lowered his eyes and dared not look again.

"Have you two brothers not had dinner yet?" Lan Qi instructed the man and woman in the cabin, "Quickly bring out the prepared wine and dishes."

Soon, a banquet was set up in the cabin, filled with delicious food. Lan Qi was all smiles and hospitable to the guests. However, Yuwen Luo and Ning Lang kept spilling wine or dropping bowls and chopsticks. They looked at each other frequently, as if asking each other: "Am I dreaming?"

That night, they stayed on the ship, where they were filled with surprise and wonder in their equally magnificent sleeping cabins for half the night before finally falling asleep from exhaustion.

Lan Qi woke up early again the next day. While having breakfast, she arranged to meet them in Yicheng ahead. She had some things to take care of and asked them to go ahead first. She would come to Yicheng to find them after she finished, and then they would go to Yingshan together. Ning Lang readily agreed to her suggestion.

So after breakfast, the two left the ship and continued their journey.

Once they were some distance away, Ning Lang could no longer hold back. He suddenly grabbed Yuwen Luo's hand and shook it violently, crying, "Big brother! Big brother! She's a woman! She's a woman!"

"Ouch! Ouch!" Yuwen Luo quickly pulled his hand away. "I know she's a woman now."

"She's a woman! She's a woman! Big brother, she's a woman!" Ning Lang somersaulted onto a tree by the roadside and shook it vigorously, causing leaves to fall. "Big brother, she's a woman!"

Yuwen Luo rolled his eyes and ignored him. Was it really necessary? Jumping around like a monkey.

"Big brother, big brother, Lan Qi is Lan Canyin, Lan Canyin is a woman, she is..."

"She's your wife," Yuwen Luo interrupted before he could finish, looking at his expression and thinking about the rumor, she couldn't help but feel worried.

"Hehe..." Ning Lang chuckled foolishly, his tiger eyes sparkling as he looked at Yuwen Luo, "Big brother, I'm so happy!"

Ever since he saw Lan Qi in women's clothing yesterday, Ning Lang had been floating in a dream. Now, with the sun shining brightly and the sky and earth vast and boundless, he finally realized that it was all real! The Lan Qi who had always surprised him was a woman, the Lan Canyin with whom he was engaged! His chest was overflowing with excitement and sweetness, and his whole body felt light as a feather. He felt as if he could leap into the sky and pluck the sun and moon from the sky!

Yuwen Luo grew increasingly worried as he watched him so happy. The rumor circulating in the martial arts world had been going on for a long time, and only this foolish fellow would be unaware of it. But... should he tell him? Telling him now would be like throwing a stone at a flower bud that was just beginning to bloom. But if he didn't tell him, and the boy found out later, and if the rumor turned out to be true, it would be like pouring a heavy snow on a blooming flower!

Moreover, he didn't believe that Lan Qi's cross-dressing meeting yesterday was because of his feelings for Ning Lang. The real reason was probably to use this inexplicable marriage to bind the Ning family and Qianbi Mountain together! Sigh, he should still tell him. After all, he was his sworn brother. If he didn't help him, who else would care about him?

"Ahem." Yuwen Luo cleared his throat. "Ning Lang, I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Ning Lang, who was hopping ahead, turned around at the sound. "What does Big Brother want to talk to me about?"

Looking into those pure and innocent eyes, Yuwen Luo suddenly wondered if he might become a sinner. If the truth of the rumor turned out to be the good side, would he end up harming Ning Lang and causing him to miss out?

"Big brother?"

"Ning Lang." Never mind, at least let him know about that rumor. We can deal with the rest later. Yuwen Luo shook off the unnecessary burden in his mind. "There's a rumor that's been circulating in the martial arts world for a long time. Are you aware of it?"

"Rumors? What rumors?" Ning Lang pressed for an answer.

Yuwen Luo looked at Ning Lang and said clearly, "The rumor is that Lan Qi is sometimes male and sometimes female, and her true identity is unknown to anyone. She is secretly listed as one of the ten great secrets of the martial arts world."

"Huh?" Ning Lang stared wide-eyed at Yuwen Luo, seemingly not understanding what he had said.

Yuwen Luo gritted his teeth and said more clearly: "Don't be fooled by Lan Qi's appearance in women's clothing yesterday. That doesn't mean she's really a woman. When he's dressed as a man, no one would think he's a woman, and similarly, when she's dressed as a woman, no one would think she's a man. Lan Qi herself admits her identity based on her attire at the time, so since entering the martial world, no one in the world knows her true identity. I've even heard that no one in the Lan family knows."

Ning Lang stopped jumping and just stared blankly at Yuwen Luo, as if he had encountered the most difficult question in the world: "Big brother, are you saying that she might be a man?"

Yuwen Luo nodded.

Ning Lang didn't react much, but Yi looked at him with confusion and bewilderment, "Big brother, how could she be a man? How could there be such a beautiful... such a beautiful man in the world?"

Yuwen Luo sighed inwardly, "As expected, I've sunk in."

VI. What is Right and Wrong (Part 1)

Inside the large ship still moored on the banks of the Yuan River, Lan Qi rolled up his sleeves, revealing a bandage of white cloth tightly wrapped around his arm, stained with crimson blood.

"Master, what kind of poison is on this arrow? It's so potent!" the pretty woman exclaimed in astonishment.

"You'd probably have to ask the person who shot me that arrow." Lan Qi smiled as usual, as if the still-bleeding wound on his arm wasn't his own. "I've never seen this poison before. Even the Buddha's Heart Pill couldn't take effect immediately. It's quite potent."

"The bleeding doesn't seem to be completely stopped," the handsome man said, looking at the wound. "Fortunately, it's not black blood, so the poison has probably been cleared."

"Okay, Lan Long, go and get that bottle of Zi Fu San." Lan Qi untied the white cloth completely.

"Yes," replied the pretty woman, Lan Long.

"Lantong, has any news come from over there?" Lan Qi asked again.

"The first attempt failed." The handsome man, Lan Tong, frowned.

"As expected." Lan Qi smiled knowingly, casually picking up a bright pearl from the cabin wall with her uninjured right hand and playing with it. Her blue eyes reflected the faint pearl light, making them appear soft. She said very lightly, "Send those people over. If any of them succeed, they can take whatever they want from the Lan family's treasury." She gently closed her hand, then opened it again, leaving only white foam in her palm. She blew a breath, and the foam dissipated.

"Yes." Lan Tong lowered her head slightly.

"Master, apply the medicine." Lan Long brought the medicine over.

"Hmm." Lan Qi responded lazily, resting her arm on the table and leaning back in her chair. Her emerald eyes casually swept over Lan Long and Lan Tong. "How's things in Yunzhou?"

Lan Tong was silent for a moment before saying, "It's nothing."