Schatzkammer von Jianghu

Kapitel 68

Leng Shuangcheng turned his face, staring at Qiu Yeyijian's calm and handsome face, and said coldly, "Why?"

Qiu Ye Yijian smiled calmly, his smile as deep and vast as the boundless starry sky: "This is a great gift from the Tantric sect, how could I not accept it?" When he realized that Leng Shuangcheng's lips were very close, he rushed to kiss her: "Next time you hug me, please hug me tighter, okay?"

Leng Shuangcheng must have forgotten Qiu Yeyi's principle: once the Eclipse Sun is drawn, blood will surely be drawn before it is sheathed.

Lin Qingluan collapsed to the ground, her green robe slowly falling to cover her body, and she fell silent. Qiu Yeyi tightly gripped Leng Shuangcheng's wrist, which he was trying to break free from, glanced at him, and said coldly, "If I hadn't shown mercy, ten Lin Qingluans would be dead by now."

Leng Shuangcheng resisted turning back, recalling how he had let Chu Xuan go in the past. How could she not understand his ruthless and forceful methods? If she showed more concern for Lin Qingluan, he would torment her even more.

She sighed inwardly, gazing at the indifferent face before her.

The vegetation was lush and verdant, a breathtaking sight, with a few trees tinged with pale jade green. Ancient trees stood tall, their canopies blocking the sunlight, and dappled streams of water seeped through the gaps, casting flickering light and shadow on his handsome, aloof face. The ever-changing light and shadow could not erase the hardened, guarded light in his eyes.

Looking at Qiu Yeyijian's pursed lips and firm, beautiful eyebrows, Leng Shuangcheng felt a pang of sorrow spreading through her body. She took a step closer and embraced his chest without hesitation.

"I'll only say this once, you devil, listen up. Among so many humble and refined men, why am I only afraid of you, and why am I the first to worry about what you're thinking?"

Qiu Ye remained silent and indifferent, but her hands quietly tightened around her back. Leng Shuangcheng's lips landed on his fair neck, giving him a deep kiss: "Since I've made up my mind about you, I will never change it. Don't go around harming people like a glutton."

9. Meeting

"'You can't see Mount Tai by day, but you can see the finest details by night.' According to legend, the owl is a bird that fights with its own kind and is active at night. People dislike its bright, round eyes and eerie cries, calling it a strange owl or a wandering bird, and they drive it away and kill it to ward off bad luck."

“Brother Owl has experienced all the hardships this bird has gone through. I personally witnessed him being chased and killed…” Leng Shuangcheng slowly left Qiu Yeyi’s body and walked firmly toward Lin Qingluan. “I only ask that you, young master, not treat the descendants of the Lin family with personal bias. I do not want to be your enemy for the sake of Lin Qingluan, whose identity is so awkward.”

Qiu Yeyi's lips parted coldly in an arc, like a cold moon in a distant sky: "I knew you wouldn't be so generous as to come and hug me. You really did come to control my pressure points."

Leng Shuangcheng didn't turn around. Her cascading black hair obscured her face. She simply said coldly, "Young Master, are you stupid? Can't you understand what I'm saying?"

Qiu Ye Yijian remained silent for a moment with an icy expression before speaking coldly: "Your feelings for him are definitely not as simple as brotherly affection."

Leng Shuangcheng swayed slightly before continuing forward: "Wasting words, it's like casting pearls before swine."

Qiu Yeyi's hands fell to his sides, his white robes fluttering lightly. A gentle breeze ruffled his long, satin-like hair, revealing a deep bite mark. He stared blankly ahead, seemingly savoring the slight touch of the wind, but said nothing more. Instead, he pressed his thin, indifferent lips together, standing coldly like a tall, noble nanmu tree.

Leng Shuangcheng pressed several acupoints on Lin Qingluan with both hands to stop the bleeding, and then tore open his blue robe with a whoosh: "How can such a thin body withstand a heavy blow from your sword?"

Perhaps it was the sudden touch of the chilly air on his skin that caused the unconscious Lin Qingluan to shiver, his body gradually turning a purplish-blue. His body, exposed to the two of them, was pale and thin, quite unlike the handsome, muscular physiques of men of that era.

The two who remained silent understood the reasoning behind it.

The secret techniques of the East are brutal and demanding. In order to achieve a figure as light as a breeze, Lin Qingluan would probably have to sacrifice her body and desperately lose weight.

Leng Shuangcheng hesitated slightly, preparing to begin bandaging. Qiu Yeyi's eyes reddened, and she suddenly shouted coldly, "Stop!"

Leng Shuangcheng turned to look at Qiu Yeyijian. His face had changed drastically, his handsome features were cold and stern, and the red mist in his eyes resembled an ancient battlefield shrouded in smoke and dust, vaguely carrying a bloodthirsty cruelty. She sighed inwardly, carefully covered Lin Qingluan's bare back with her clothes, and stood up.

She understood Qiu Yeyi's shout, but she also understood another principle. At present, every move she made was crucial. She didn't want Qiu Yeyi to suffer, nor did she want him to misunderstanding and intensify his attacks on Lin Qingluan.

The light and shadow were dappled, the forest lush and green, yet it remained unusually quiet. Countless beautiful network cables enveloped Qiu Yeyijian, who stood aloof and cold. Leng Shuangcheng stood silently beside him, her hand firmly gripping his left wrist, her thoughts churning like a turbulent tide.

She concealed a fact.

Despite her harsh words, the owl fell in love with her during their time together. She remembered clearly the night the owl died in her arms; the torrential rain seemed like the heavens weeping, cruelly drenching them both. But as he died, he cried out to her, "If we can meet again in the next life, I will find you before Li Tianxiao."

"I'm too late." Leng Shuangcheng couldn't bear the bitterness and murmured. She glanced at the white-robed young man beside her, who was as cold as ice, and muttered to herself, "If it is destined, I will not betray my heart."

Although Qiu Yeyijian didn't know the complexities in her heart, she could guess the meaning behind her words. After a cold laugh, her pale and indifferent face remained expressionless.

Silver Light and his guards arrived shortly after, and the group returned to their camp. Qiu Yeyi had been away for half an hour, and Leng Shuangcheng, unwilling to interfere with his handling of political affairs, stayed in the living room with Wu Sanshou, only requesting that Lin Qingluan be treated by someone else.

A moment later, the imperial physician brought news: "Young Master Lin has a pierced shoulder blade and a torn Achilles tendon. His life is not in danger, but his future ability to fly will be greatly impaired."

With a snap, Leng Shuangcheng, pale-faced, broke off the chair armrest and finally cursed viciously, "It was done with malice, and the intention was truly malicious."

The imperial physician waited patiently until Leng Shuangcheng's expression brightened, then said in a gentle tone, "The young master has ordered that no one but him is allowed to approach Young Master Lin's prison, so this is all I know." He then cupped his hands and left indifferently.

Qiu Yeyijian summoned Wu Sanshou for a meeting. Seeing his hesitation, Leng Shuangcheng guessed he was still fearful due to past experiences, so she composed herself and accompanied him. Inside the sunlit council chamber, Leng Shuangcheng sat silently to one side, as still as a drop of water. Qiu Yeyijian ignored her, sitting upright behind the table as if nothing had happened. Her aura was as pure as morning dew and a gentle breeze, devoid of any human presence. If it weren't for her master's icy, authoritative gaze, Wu Sanshou might have thought the room was as still as an autumn pond.

Based on the events of the past few months and the analysis diagram of the Golden Wheel drawn by Wu San, the group made several deductions.

The Sun and Moon Golden Wheel that had previously flowed into the Central Plains was so powerful that it made everyone who talked about it turn pale, but it also caused a struggle between various gangs and created some chaos in the martial arts world. Zhao Yingcheng deduced that this move was somewhat like a smokescreen to cover up the esoteric sect's true intentions.

Qiu Yeyi lowered her head to survey the panoramic map spread out before coldly asking, "Mr. Wu, if we are to manufacture ten thousand weapons, what is the most crucial thing for Japan?"

“Iron ore.” Wu Sanshou, still holding his hands in the warm early summer, replied with certainty: “Japan is a small country that lives by water and cannot gather iron sand and gravel from the depths of the earth, so I am certain that they cannot make so many weapons.”

Upon hearing this, Leng Shuangcheng's heart stirred, but he remained silent.

“That makes some sense.” Qiu Yeyijian didn’t look up, only coldly replying, “That explains why the young master couldn’t find the other weapons.”

"Is there really only one hundred?" Zhao Yingcheng continued, "Has Young Master Lin Qingluan given any instructions?"

“Refuse to speak.” After Qiu Yeyijian finished speaking, Leng Shuangcheng closed his eyes and coughed heavily.

Qiu Yeyi turned her head and glanced at it, then said coldly, "Does the young master still remember that merchant ship?"

"I remember, young master, you still believe the source of the information is false?"

“Weapons are afraid of water, so they couldn’t have been abandoned at the bottom of the ship so easily. Those two foreign merchants were most likely killed to silence them.” Qiu Yeyi raised his deep face in the bright summer sun, and the room was immediately filled with light: “The turmoil in the martial world, the merchant ships, and Lin Qingluan must be connected. At present, the fuse that connects them is missing, so I will wait and see.”

Zhao Yingcheng pondered for a moment and said, "It really looks like a smokescreen... It is indeed a bit tricky."

In the silence, Qiu Yeyi looked at Leng Shuangcheng and asked, "Have any strange things happened outside recently?" Everyone shook their heads. Seeing that Leng Shuangcheng was still sitting there with a frown, he called out again, "Leng Shuangcheng, you always go to the market wherever you go. You must know something."

Leng Shuangcheng, pale-faced, silently rose, took out two jade pendants, placed them on the table, and turned to sit down.

As soon as the sunlight shone on the jade pendant, it instantly became dazzling. The emerald green was as green as kingfisher feathers, and the white jade was as white as solidified fat, the green and white colors complementing each other brilliantly. Seeing the reflections of water droplets in the jade, sparkling like pearls, everyone couldn't help but marvel.

Qiu Yeyi shielded the light from the sword with her sleeve, revealing a blue halo within the white jade, which seemed to float on water—a truly magical sight. Wu You was greatly astonished and murmured, "Acheng, where did this come from?"

Leng Shuangcheng knew everyone wanted to know this, so she simply and indifferently explained: "I don't know. I happened to see two people arguing about this, and they seemed quite extraordinary, so I bought it on a whim. After arriving in Qingzhou, I discovered that there was such an extraordinary piece of jade in the jade shops, which surprised me..." She briefly explained how she had just spent all the silver notes that Qiu Ye had prepared for her to buy the jade.

“This is a type of exquisite jade called ‘Translucent White’,” Qiu Ye said confidently. “This kind of uncut jade does not exist in the Central Plains; it must be a tribute from an outer court.”

"How could tribute items have ended up in the hands of ordinary people?" Zhao Yingcheng asked curiously. "Has some trouble arisen somewhere?"

Qiu Yeyi lowered her head and gazed at the painting album, extending a long, slender finger to silently caress the brushstrokes. When it stopped at a dotted mountain range, her eyes changed, and she said coldly, "White Stone Mountain, the tribute that Ma Liancheng lost to the wolf pack two years ago."

Everyone's expressions were knowing, except for Leng Shuangcheng, who remained silent and motionless.

Two or three years ago, it was rumored that Ma Liancheng, the King of Horses beyond the Great Wall, had a request to the Han Dynasty. He had gathered a batch of rare and precious antiques to present to the Song Emperor. However, when he passed through Baishi Mountain, he was attacked by a pack of wolves that appeared out of nowhere and lost the tribute. After the news spread, one group of greedy people after another went to risk their lives to search for the treasure. However, no one ever found the treasure, and the rumor gradually faded away.

Today, Leng Shuangcheng took it out again and placed it on the table.

Qiu Ye looked at Wu Sanshou with a sword in hand and asked, "Mr. Wu, have you ever been to Baishi Mountain?"

Wu Sanshou shook his head: "I've only heard that this mountain is lush with vegetation and teeming with wild beasts; it's a place of death from which there is no return..."

Qiu Yeyi smiled coldly and said nothing more.

Zhao Yingcheng continued, "Since the tribute has reappeared in the world, someone must have been to Baishi Mountain and discovered the whereabouts of the precious jade..." Before he could finish speaking, Qiu Yeyi coldly interrupted, "There's something to it. I'll send someone to take a look. The young master need not worry."

Zhao Yingcheng smiled slightly: "Young Master is indeed very thoughtful." He looked up and saw that everyone had been traveling for a long time and their faces were covered in dust. He immediately smiled and invited Yin Guang, the three elders, Wu You and others who had been standing there to go out and rest, but left Leng Shuangcheng alone.

Leng Shuangcheng immediately stood up and followed Wu Sanshou away. Qiu Yeyi sat motionless with her sword, her gaze lingering on the map of Baishi Mountain for a long time before she summoned several people.

The first one was An Jie. As soon as An Jie's plump figure appeared at the door, he coldly ordered, "An Jie, you are familiar with the flowers, trees and terrain. Set off immediately for Baishi Mountain and carefully examine the underground of the mountain range for me. If you find anything unusual, send me a message immediately. I am waiting for your reply. This matter is very urgent."

An Jie hurriedly accepted the order and left.

The second is Du Bing, whom Lan Jun captured. When Qiu Yeyi was surrounding and capturing Lin Qingluan, she noticed Du Bing mixed in with the crowd outside the gambling house and sent a telepathic message to Lan Jun that she had been captured.

After Du Bing entered, her face was displeased, and she pouted awkwardly as she looked at Qiu Yeyijian. Qiu Yeyijian gave her a cold glance, and Du Bing reluctantly lowered her head to greet her.

"Here's a map. I need you to do something for me based on it. Name your price." After saying that, he raised his right hand slightly and slowly handed a palace-shaped map to Du Bing.

Du Bing unfolded the document and looked at it, her face turning pale: "Your Highness, are you kidding me? This is a forbidden area of the Imperial Palace. If you get caught, you'll be beheaded..." Qiu Yeyijian looked up at her again, and then her voice gradually stopped.

Not everyone can withstand that kind of cold gaze, let alone a clever little girl like Du Bing.

"I will naturally make all the arrangements for you. Once it's done, someone will pick you up, and you can set off immediately."

Du Bing lowered her head, her pale yellow eyelashes fluttering a few times. Following her pouting lips, she looked extremely charming and adorable. She seemed to have hesitated for a long time, ignoring Qiu Yeyi's cold and silent demeanor, before finally mustering her courage to ask, "Is Your Highness really sure?"

Qiu Yeyi did not answer, but coldly instructed: "Do it cleanly and neatly. I hope that no one else but you and me knows about this."

Du Bing bit her lip and forced herself to say goodbye.

The third was originally Bai Yiyu Xue, but after hearing the announcement, he did not set off, instead staying in the cleanest inn to drink tea. Qiu Yeyi Jian seemed to have foreseen this, and asked Wu Suan to convey a message to him: "My young master asks you to keep a close eye on your people and not to think of going to the prefectural capital to break them out of prison, otherwise they will not return."

Yu Xue sipped her tea coldly, offering no comment. Wu Suan, seeing that his message had been delivered, cupped his hands in greeting and left.

Even before setting off, Qiu Yeyi had inquired about Yu Xue's family background from Wu Suan. The person he mentioned, Young Master Xue, was Lin Qingyu, Lin Qingluan's younger sister, and also the person Young Master Xue loved.

10. Recognition

As early summer arrives in the garden, the scenery surpasses even that of spring. Tender bamboo shoots, verdant and fresh, are adorned with a touch of white frost and powder. The lotus pond is pristine, its green leaves immaculate, making the bamboo appear even more clear and translucent. Leng Shuangcheng stands with his hands behind his back, leaning against the pavilion, his pale purple figure elegantly framed by two or three clumps of bamboo, like a striking Bauhinia standing tall in the breeze.

She adored bamboo. Its upright and unyielding nature, its unyielding branches, and its ability to guard against boundless loneliness and desolation in the wilderness were so much like her father's. Gazing at the green bamboo joints now brought her a profound sense of peace and tranquility.

She heard light, heavy footsteps behind her, turned around, and smiled slightly: "Master An."

An Jie looked up at Leng Shuangcheng in the summer sun. Her gentle smile reflected the emerald green bamboo light on her face. She looked like an ordinary girl from a neighborhood family, but her intelligent eyes and firm lips added infinite brilliance to the quiet young man before her.

This person is the apple of the young master's eye, a treasure he cherishes. Even during their brief meeting in the room just now, he could sense that the young master had risen and walked to the window, needing to see her to feel at ease. His profile was cold and handsome, but his slightly gleaming eyes followed her figure closely.

An Jie glanced at Leng Shuangcheng's clothes and quickly bowed, saying, "Miss Leng."