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Kapitel 56

After a very long time, she finally raised her head and stared blankly at the dark lake in the distance.

Shu Jun said in a low voice, "I didn't take advantage of the situation because he left."

Yichun's voice was very soft: "...Yes, I understand."

He added, "Let's find a place with good feng shui so that he can be laid to rest in peace."

She turned around abruptly, her face covered in red and white wounds and bloodstains, but not a single tear fell.

Shu Jun was speechless.

"Are we going to bury him?" she asked, like a child.

Shu Jun said, "This is the best thing we can do for him, to find him a home in the fields."

Yichun nodded and gradually fell asleep, nestled against Yang Shen.

Shu Jun had imagined that she would have a terrible, earth-shattering cry, perhaps even faint from crying, and then, gritting her teeth and disregarding her injuries, she would pick up her sword and shout for revenge.

But she did nothing.

This is a picturesque hill on the outskirts of Suzhou. He rented a house for Yichun to recuperate. Yang Shen was buried on the most scenic hilltop; one could see the clean tombstone just by opening the window, and Xiao Nangua would carefully wash it with clean water every day. In winter, when no flowers could be found to offer, Shu Jun would carve a few flowers out of ice and place them in front of the grave.

What Yichun does most often is simply open the window and gaze quietly at that small grave.

No one knew what she was thinking, not even Shu Jun, who was known for his intelligence and wit. Little Pumpkin liked to spread alarmist rumors, and several times she secretly told him, "Master, you should keep a close eye on Miss Ge. These symptoms are like she's gone mad. If she has a moment of weakness, she might just slit her own throat."

So all the sharp tools in Yichun's room suddenly disappeared overnight, even the dagger for trimming eyebrows was nowhere to be found.

Little Pumpkin added, "Be careful she doesn't tear the sheet and hang herself!"

So the roof beams were removed overnight, and the beautiful bed with curtains was replaced with a small bed with nothing but bedding.

Little Pumpkin also said, "Whatever you do, don't let her bite her tongue!"

Shu Jun finally lost his temper and punched Little Pumpkin on the head, giving him a bump. Still unable to let it go, he walked to the door of Yi Chun's house and knocked.

The door opened quickly. Yi Chun's injuries had almost healed. When she saw Shu Jun, she smiled slightly and handed him a bundle of clean but wrinkled clothes.

"Shu Jun, can Little Pumpkin sew and mend clothes? Can you help me sew this garment?"

Shu Jun silently unfolded the silk skirt, the very one the woman had worn when he saved her that day. It had dozens of holes of varying sizes; even if mended, it was definitely unwearable.

He put the clothes away and nodded, saying, "Okay, I'll have him mend them for you."

As I reached the door, I suddenly heard her say sincerely from behind, "Thank you, Shu Jun, thank you so much."

He turned around and smiled casually, "No need to thank me, I'm just happy."

Yichun pointed to Yang Shen's grave outside the window and said softly, "I also thank you on behalf of Yang Shen."

Shu Jun glanced at her, then smiled absentmindedly, "Well, it's also because I'm happy."

Yichun blinked, a gentle yet melancholic smile appearing on her thin face.

Shu Jun then wondered: Where did that tomboy go? She looks much prettier when she smiles like this than before.

On the day Yichun left, he didn't say goodbye, but left his purse on the table with some loose change, about three taels of silver.

Shu Jun looked at the empty room, then at the old purse in his hand, and didn't know what to feel.

Little Pumpkin said, "Master, the fact that she left you money proves that she doesn't want to receive your favors for nothing. You're finished. Death is the greatest honor, and you're destined to be dumped by her for the rest of your life."

Shu Jun didn't even have the strength to flick his forehead. He clutched his purse with a strange expression and muttered, "Three taels of silver to buy my kindness? That's far too cheap..."

Little Pumpkin quickly chimed in, "That's right! We all live for our pride, we can't let her look down on us! Master, let's return the silver to her in person!"

Shu Jun stuffed the purse into his pocket, put his hands behind his back, and walked out the door.

The snow has mostly melted, revealing the mottled yellow-black soil.

He spoke softly, as if to himself: "Yes, I must see her. I can't let her leave like this. I must repay what I owe Shu Jun."

Chapter Thirty-Three

With the arrival of ten thousand taels of silver from the Yan family, the Jianlan Manor was much more impressive than before. The old houses with blue tiles were renovated and their glazed tiles could be seen shining brightly from a distance.

There were many more people, all sent by the Yan Clan. The imposing presence of Jianlan Manor was evident, but it looked more like a pathetic puppet.

This is where Yichun grew up, practiced martial arts, and learned how to be a person. The last lesson she learned was helpless submission.

Counting the half-worn bluestone steps, slowly climbing them one by one, one arrives at the once-blooming camellia-covered Yicun Jintai.

People from the Yan Clan rarely appear in places like this. The empty Yi Cun Jin Tai is no longer filled with the shouts of disciples practicing their swords. Now, only a desolate man sits on the platform.

Yichun approached gently, without turning around, and said in a hoarse voice, "Yichun, come here, come to me."

She silently walked to the man and stared at him without moving.

He has aged a lot in just one year; fine wrinkles have appeared at the corners of his eyes, and most of his hair has turned gray.

He gazed at the withered branches and fallen leaves at the edge of the training platform and said in a low voice, "You finally understand how cruel the struggle for power in the martial world is? Jianlan Manor is nothing more than a small pawn in the martial world, unable to rule anyone. There are always higher powers out there, and you never know who will devour you tomorrow. Sometimes, currying favor with the powerful is not despicable, but simply self-preservation."

Yichun's lips moved slightly: "...Master, is letting Yang Shen die a way to protect himself?"

The master did not answer; perhaps he did not know how to answer the question.

In the struggles of the martial world, a human life is no different from crushing an ant. If anyone were to die, they could simply say, "In the martial world, one is not free to choose one's own path," and let them die.