Unsterblichkeit, Unsterblichkeit

Kapitel 58

Before Xuan Sheng could get close to his father, he dodged to the side, his left hand gripping the Night Sword and reaching behind him to slash at his left shoulder. Chu Ye, the great swordsman, sidestepped, his green saber thrusting horizontally from left to right, the hilt aimed directly at his son's chest. He swung the blade downwards with a sharp clang, but Xuan Sheng blocked it with the hilt of his Heavenly Sword. Seeing this, Chu Ye knew something was wrong. Before he could react, his opponent had already spun his sword, and the blade of the Heavenly Sword was now pressed against his neck.

Looking up, he saw Xuan Sheng's cold, indifferent eyes, and the sword pressed against his neck tightened its grip: "Speak! Why did you leave back then?"

"I..." A bitter smile suddenly appeared on Chu Ye's face. He paused for a moment, as if considering where to begin, and finally sighed deeply:

"I first met your mother after I was defeated by Fu Ping." He glanced away, as if he could see the scene from that time, a hint of despair in his eyes, as if the defeat from that time was washing over him again.

“I was seriously injured by the duckweed at that time. In despair, I jumped off the cliff. I thought I was going to die, but your mother saved me.” As he recalled, he couldn’t help but smile. It was as if he could see the pretty girl who went into the mountains to collect herbs, carrying a large basket of green herbs on her back, and gently bandaging him with her head down.

"I spent half a year healing my wounds in the deep mountains. When I emerged, I learned that Fu Ping had disappeared from the martial world for a long time. I sent people everywhere to inquire, but even Tianxia Zhen had no news of her. So I took your mother to Half Moon City, thinking that I could forget Fu Ping and live a peaceful life with your mother in the city. But..."

“She’s appeared again.” Xuan Sheng gripped his longsword tightly, his voice tinged with resentment, but mostly with sarcasm: “So you abandoned Half Moon City, which the Xuan family has protected for generations, and dumped your responsibilities as city lord and father on the woman who saved your life, ignoring all the people in the city seeking refuge, and disregarding the safety of everyone in the city, big or small, and chased after that woman?” He sneered: “If word gets out in the martial world, Half Moon City will probably be razed to the ground by those seeking revenge within a day.”

“You don’t understand…” Xuan Yue stepped back, removing the sword from his neck, and sighed, “You don’t understand that kind of feeling.” He calmly looked at his similar face: “If the Seven Stones Sect Master disappeared without a trace, and then reappeared, wouldn’t you give up everything to go and find him?”

Xuan Sheng remained silent. But the thought made him tremble inwardly.

Even though he knew it wasn't true, his chest still tightened involuntarily.

The pain he had just felt in the hallucination, and the despair of thinking he had lost Shuangjing, were still lingering in his chest. He didn't even dare to think about that hypothetical scenario.

but……

“I don’t understand.” Xuan Sheng shook his head. “Because I’m different from you.” He looked at his father, his eyes calm, no longer filled with the anger of being betrayed and abandoned, only with a faint pity: “I don’t understand irresponsible love, love that is forced upon others.”

He involuntarily lowered his sword, losing all desire to fight this man again, no matter how powerful he was, no matter how much new knowledge he could learn from this father who had never taught him anything.

“You say you love the invincible heroine, but you don’t understand at all…” Xuan Sheng looked at his father, whose expression had changed slightly: “You don’t understand her, you don’t understand love. You just want to mold her into what you want her to be. If you truly love her, you should understand that she is a woman who can only be happy if she cannot soar freely in the world. How can she be trapped by love? If you cannot accompany her to fly high, you should let go with a heavy heart.”

He turned his face away, refusing to look at his father's expression.

What comes to mind is Shuang Jing's face, the woman who waited for him for five years, the woman who gave up all her martial arts skills for him, the woman who accompanied him through vast landscapes without complaint, and the woman who was willing to do anything for him even after his heartless departure.

Actually, he didn't understand either; he didn't understand before he met her.

He couldn't understand why someone could give so much without asking for anything in return. But now, he understands.

A moment of silence followed, with only the rustling sound of the wind through the woods.

Never before have I felt so unfamiliar and distant from my father.

Even though he had ignored everything about Half Moon City for the past few years, Xuan Sheng would sometimes still deceive himself by thinking of his father's appearance, or rely on his memories to connect himself with that blurry figure.

It would be a lie to say I'm not looking forward to our reunion.

But now, all those fantasies and hopes have been shattered. Suddenly, everything became clear to him: what he could rely on, and what was real.

Although disappointed, I also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why did you go to such lengths to plan this?" After a moment of silence, Xuan Sheng finally asked, then with a whoosh, he sheathed his twin swords, his eyes sharp as he scrutinized Xuan Yue as if assessing an opponent or enemy: "Why go to such lengths to obtain the treasure of the Thousand Heroes Pavilion?" After a moment of contemplation, he sighed: "For... the Invincible Heroine? If I defeat her..."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yue gave a bitter smile: "Yes. She once promised that she would only marry a man more powerful than herself..."

“Father!” Xuan Sheng interrupted him sharply, only now addressing him as such: “Do you still remember this title?” He couldn’t help but raise his voice: “Even if you defeat the Floating Heroine, will she be willing to stay with you? What about Mother, my brothers and me, and even Half Moon City…”

Xuan Yue raised her head, stared at him for a moment, and then slowly said, "You will be better off without me."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Sheng fell silent. Then, he actually laughed: "Shuang Jing won't lose. So... you're destined not to get the Invincible Heroine."

"You're wrong!" Xuan Yue's face darkened, and she said in a low voice, "How could Fu Ping lose to..."

"The reason the Invincible Heroine has never lost to anyone lies not in her own strength or martial arts, but in her pursuit of a goal more important than fulfilling personal desires!" Xuan Sheng interrupted him, a hint of anger in his eyes. "Fulfilling one's own desires may make one strong, but true greatness and invincibility come from the power to help others! Half-Moon City has provided a tranquil haven for thousands of martial arts veterans. The reason the Xuan Clan can stand tall in the world is because we are forced to be strong, not for fame or honor, but for the people within the city! If Father cannot do this, then the position of City Lord should be handed over to Elder Brother as soon as possible!" With that, he immediately turned and strode towards the mountain, coldly saying:

"I will tell my mother that I received the news of your death while I was outside."

"slow!"

Before Xuan Sheng could stop, he felt a gust of wind sweep from behind him. He took several steps back to the left, and with a whoosh, he heard his father's green sword pierce the tree trunk behind him. If he had been a step later, his shoulder might have been stabbed.

"I can't let you leave. The treasures and secret manuals of Qianxia Tower must be mine!"

Upon hearing this, even the usually calm and aloof Xuan Sheng flew into a rage: "Everything in Qianxia Tower and Wanying Fort belongs to Chongchong Tower and Qishi Gate. They are the true owners of those things. If you want to take them, you must kill me first!"

"You think I wouldn't dare?!" Xuan Yue's eyes were cold and sharp. She pulled the long sword embedded in the tree and thrust it forward. Xuan Sheng was extremely angry. He didn't even try to block with his sword. Instead, he dodged to the side and went up with his bare hands, throwing a punch at his father's sword-wielding arm. The great hero Chu Ye couldn't dodge in time. He felt his arm go numb and almost couldn't hold the sword. He looked up and saw that his second son had already drawn the Night Sky Sword. He felt a dazzling white light and a chilling aura. The killing intent on the blades of the two swords was even stronger than before. He knew that Xuan Sheng was enraged, so he focused on fighting back.

Both sides shouted and charged forward at the same time. As their weapons clashed, a wave of energy emanated from them, causing the slender bamboo and tree trunks around them to snap in response. Sand and stones flew everywhere, and leaves and flowers torn apart by the sword energy filled the sky.

The Azure Sky Sword was as blue as the sea, while the Night Sky Sword was as black and white as day. Both were among the fastest and most agile in the martial world; in the blink of an eye, their attacks were barely visible, only two figures rising and falling, the wind carrying the sharp, clattering sounds of swords. This time, both attacked with ruthless precision, showing no regard for the opponent's moves, each strike pressing forward relentlessly.

"Even if you obtain the secret manual of the most extraordinary martial arts in the world, the heroine Fuping will not go with you!" Xuan Sheng was furious to the extreme, but his mind was calm. Seeing the man he called his father fighting so desperately, he couldn't help but shout.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Xuan Yue frowned angrily and thrust her sword forward. With a hiss, the sword slid across Xuan Sheng's shoulder, tearing his clothes and leaving a bloody gash.

The pain seemed to jolt Xuan Sheng awake. He suppressed his slight pity, steadied himself, and with a flick of his wrists, unleashed the "Bright Moon in the Sky" move with fluid grace and unparalleled elegance. This move emphasizes a calm and composed mind, where the sword and arms become one, functioning like fists despite being weapons. Its form is elegant, its movements fluid, and it uses softness to overcome hardness.

Xuan Sheng felt anger towards his father for his actions, but even more so pity and utter disappointment. Seeing that this man was no longer the figure he had been chasing for over twenty years, but rather just a hateful, pitiful, and lamentable person, he felt a sense of relief and triumph. He no longer regarded the great hero Chu Ye as an insurmountable goal. With that change in mindset, he swung his sword with greater determination and ease.

The Night Sky Sword spun down, its graceful dance laced with sharpness, each move rapid and precise. Xuan Yue was enraged, her inner energy thrown into disarray, and she found herself unable to defend herself.

Suddenly, Xuan Sheng feinted an attack, which Chu Ye dodged to the side. His second sword slashed out diagonally, a ray of sunlight illuminating the night sword, its cold light reflecting the sun, causing Chu Ye to slightly avert his gaze. At that moment, Xuan Sheng's swordsmanship shifted, extremely sharp, almost piercing Chu Ye's chest, but he stopped an inch away, clearly showing mercy. Xuan Yue seized the opportunity to strike with his single sword, his swordsmanship growing faster, but Xuan Sheng's skill was increasing, his dual swords moving even faster than Chu Ye's!

Suddenly, Chu Ye shouted, spotted an opening, and kicked Xuan Sheng in the chin with his left foot. A muffled groan escaped Xuan Sheng's lips as he was sent flying backward. Xuan Yue was about to leap after him when she caught a glimpse of silver light out of the corner of her eye—it was her second son who had thrown the Heavenly Sword as he was being kicked!

The sound of bones cracking rang out, and Xuan Yue opened her eyes wide in disbelief.

Xuan Sheng used seven-tenths of his strength in that action, discarding the Heavenly Sword and using it to pass through his father's shoulder, pinning him firmly to the tree behind him.

Panting, the second lord of Half Moon City, relying on another weapon, managed to stand up and walk to his father. The sword thrust had been quite powerful; he didn't need to worry about whether the great hero Chu Ye would take advantage of the situation to use any underhanded tricks.

He remained silent, stood up straight, and looked at his father, who in turn looked up and sized him up.

Finally, Xuan Sheng stepped forward and drew the Heavenly Sword with a whoosh. Then he reached out and pressed Chu Ye's acupoints to stop the bleeding.

He turned around and saw the invincible heroine Fu Ping quietly watching Chu Ye, the great hero, sitting under a tree clutching his wound.

"Jing'er is waiting for you at the top of the mountain," Fu Ping said to him, but her gaze could not be taken away from Xuan Yue.

Xuan Sheng nodded, then asked coldly, "Che Shui, he..."

"I'll go see him right away... I also left an antidote for Jing'er, if you're worried." The invincible heroine didn't even look at him, and walked straight towards the groaning Chu Ye.

Xuan Sheng remained silent, glanced back at his father, and then turned and walked up the mountain.

"If you're leaving now, won't you say goodbye to your father?" came Fu Ping's voice from behind, calm and indifferent.

But she received no answer; only the rustling of the wind and grass echoed through the woods. After a while, Xuan Sheng's voice came carried on the wind:

"I lost my father a long time ago."

Undefeated Battle: There Will Be Times When the Wind Rises and the Waves Break 3

Xuan Sheng found Shuang Jing on a meadow full of Youying grass.

He followed the duckweed's directions and found her sitting cross-legged on the grass, holding a small flower in her hand, humming a tune with extreme boredom, as if this thrilling battle and challenge were just a daily occurrence.

The sky had changed, large, dark clouds obscuring the mountains. A damp scent lingered in the twilight breeze. Beneath the inscrutable sky, a field of fully grown, vibrant wildflowers swayed in the wind, their azure and purple petals forming a colorful sea. The leader of the Seven Stones Sect sat in the center, her hair cascading down like a waterfall. Her face was somewhat disheveled, and her fragrant, green robe was torn in several places, but her clear eyes still shone with a dazzling light and a smile, even more radiant than before. Behind her, a wisp of white mist gently enveloped her.

Xuan Sheng suddenly remembered how the two of them first met.

The weather was just like that then. The woman came bounding and skipping to greet him on his first visit to Qishi Gate, only to bump her head against the door, wincing in pain and clutching her head as she bent over. When she stood up again, her bright, clear eyes made him momentarily lose his composure. At that time, he didn't know who she was, nor did he know that their fates would become intertwined like vines, never to be separated again. He simply felt that the world seen through her eyes must be a clean and beautiful picture.

That day feels like yesterday.

Suddenly, many scenes flashed through my mind: Che Shui's cheerful laughter in the sunlight, tinged with annoyance as he asked why he had taken so long; Mei Hua standing in the middle of the carriage, holding a knife to Shuang Jing's neck; the chaotic escape and constant laughter and playfulness along the way; the astonishment at seeing the palace in the stone mountain at Jian Rou Manor; and that time, after Li Gu fell into the depths of the cliff, when Shuang Jing told him that he was her Jianghu...

In the blink of an eye, from meeting to reunion to staying together, it all seems like just a moment.

It felt like many years had passed, yet it also felt like just a fleeting moment ago.

Thankfully, we all persevered.

Thankfully, you didn't give up on me.

"Shuang Jing." He heard his own voice ring out with a calm gentleness.

Upon hearing this, the Seven Stones Sect Master immediately turned around, grinned, and skipped over to him, grabbing his hand and snuggling into his arms: "You're here, you're here..." Suddenly smelling blood, he immediately looked up and asked with slight anxiety, "Are you injured?"

"It's just a minor injury," Xuan Sheng said with a faint smile, stroking her hair as he looked down.

His reflection was mirrored in her clear eyes. He stared at her eyes, nose, mouth, and features with a slightly absent-minded gaze, his fingers unconsciously lingering on her face as he followed his gaze.

Shuangjing looked at him, puzzled, and blinked: "What's wrong?"

“No…” Xuan Sheng smiled gently, his eyes tender: “I was just thinking that I’ve been forgetting to tell you two things. I only just remembered now.”

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Shuangjing's eyes lit up, looking at him with the expectant gaze of a pet awaiting its master's reward, almost wagging its tail: "What did you say? What did you say? What did you say? Say you love me! Say you love me! Say you love me!"

“It’s just…” Xuan Sheng hugged her, his lips gently smiling in her ear, “Thank you, and I’m sorry.” He buried his head in her shoulder, breathing in the scent of grass and lilies that belonged to Shuangjing.

"Ah...?" Slightly disappointed, the Seven Stones Sect Master couldn't help but pout, "Why?"

"Thank you for persevering. And, about the amnesia, I'm sorry." Xuan Sheng pressed his forehead against hers and said, his expression a little serious: "Thank you for not giving up on me when I left. I know how hard this road has been for you, but from now on, I will never leave your side again."

Shuang Jing was stunned for a moment, and then her eyes slowly reddened.

She lowered her head, a little embarrassed, and snuggled deeper into Xuan Sheng's arms.

In truth, she had never expected any response from Xuan Sheng. It was her choice, her life, her stubbornness. During those days when she stood blankly at the Seven Stone Gate, gazing into the distance, she never anticipated such a day would come, much less that this man would sincerely apologize and thank her with such pity, apology, and heartache in his voice.

All the pain and sorrow of the past seemed to vanish in that instant.

As long as he is by my side, everything is fine, and I can face even the most difficult hardships and challenges.

"Also, about the amnesia... I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Shuangjing looked up in surprise. "But this isn't your fault, is it?"

“Neither Father nor Heroine Fuping said anything, and even Hua Wushuang didn’t reveal any related information, so I think… maybe it was my own choice that made me this way…?” Xuan Sheng said softly, stroking her long hair, his eyes a little lost. “Back then… in that tower, I thought you were dead. My first thought was that I would definitely not survive either. Then I thought… if I couldn’t die, I should forget everything. The happy ones, the painful ones, forget them all, otherwise I definitely wouldn’t be able to survive.”

“Five years ago, you thought I was dead… so…?” Shuangjing looked up at him and asked.

Xuan Sheng gently shook his head: "I'm just guessing, I can't be sure. But if that's the case, I apologize." He kissed Shuang Jing's forehead, hugged her again, and said with a mixture of sigh and determination:

“From now on, no matter what happens, I will remember you. Shuangjing, you said... I am your Jianghu. But... you are more than Jianghu to me. I can give up being Xuansheng of Half Moon City, I can give up being Xuansheng in your memories, but I cannot be Xuansheng without you.” He paused: “Even if Jianghu is destroyed, even if heaven and earth are destroyed, I will still remember you.”

"I love you, Ye Shuangjing."

Shuang Jing was stunned.

Suddenly, I couldn't hold back my tears.

She wanted to say something but couldn't utter a single word. First, she silently shed tears, and then she burst into tears. Her sobs gradually rose, and in the familiar yet long-lost, and slightly unfamiliar embrace, Ye Shuangjing finally broke down in tears.

Actually, I'm really scared.