Lan Yin Bi Yue

Chapter 68

Qiu Hengbo suddenly came to her senses, paused for a moment, and couldn't help but laugh, half disappointed and half sighing.

Liu Mo, however, only said it was because of Ming Er, and said with a smile, "Miss, shouldn't we hold a wedding banquet after we return to the Imperial Dynasty?"

Qiu Heng shook his head slightly, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, and said softly, "Your words are truly an eye-opener. So that's how it is."

Liu Mo didn't quite understand, blinked, and asked, "What are you saying, Miss?"

Qiu Hengbo simply shook her head, glanced at the two still bickering, and then slowly descended towards the mountain peak that pierced the sky.

The person in the painting...

No wonder.

From our first meeting at Changtian Mountain Villa, to our reunion in Yingzhou, our journey together across the sea, and our reunion in Dongming, it can be said that we were destined to meet again.

Whether it was the poem she wrote for him and the clothes she gave him that day, or the night they talked by the sea, they treated each other with gentleness and had feelings that were different from others. However... she always felt that they were being polite and distant, as if there was a layer between them. She thought that this was due to etiquette and that they would get along well over time.

Only now do we realize that it was because of a person in the painting and a person outside the painting.

He was born into a prestigious family, his reputation for chivalry was widespread, he was highly skilled in martial arts, he was gentle and refined, he was intelligent and wise, and he had an ethereal and otherworldly demeanor...

She admires, she likes, and even... she adores.

But it was a perfect painting, and he was in it.

No matter how much she liked it or wanted to get closer, she couldn't enter the painting; she couldn't blend into it.

Because she is the one looking at the painting; she is outside the painting.

That night, he never looked back, and his memory was forever captured in the painting.

A match made in heaven...

Perhaps their fate was shallow, or perhaps they missed each other.

"Oh dear, it's so cold. Miss Qiu, are you waiting for me here?" A clear and charming laugh startled Qiu Hengbo from her reverie. She turned her gaze and saw Ming Er and Lan Qi walking side by side. Lan Qi's bright green eyes were looking at her.

"Seventh Young Master, Second Young Master," Qiu Hengbo greeted with a smile, snapping out of her reverie.

"Greetings, Seventh Young Master and Second Young Master." Liu Mo bowed gracefully to the two.

The two waved goodbye.

Lan Qi looked at Qiu Hengbo with her emerald eyes, then sighed and said softly, "Miss Qiu is a beauty that is rare in this world. I really envy the Second Young Master." After speaking, she glanced at Ming Er with a half-smile.

Ming Er wore his usual gentle smile. "Are Miss Hengbo and Liu Mo injured?"

"Aside from the sealing of her internal energy, there's nothing wrong." Qiu Hengbo's face also showed a gentle and polite smile. Asking now was too late and too indifferent. If only she had said a word that day, if only she had given a glance... But then she chuckled at herself. Oh well, oh well, oh well.

Liu Mo, standing to the side, stared at Lan Qi. Seeing her face up close, she found it breathtakingly beautiful. When her gaze fell upon those jade-like eyes, Liu Mo felt all the blood rush to her chest and then to her face, making her feel flustered, hot, and even a little scared.

Lan Qi felt Liu Mo's gaze and couldn't help but look at her. Their eyes met, and in that instant, Liu Mo felt her heart leap into her throat and blurted out, "Seventh Young Master, are you a man or a woman?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Hengbo looked at Lan Qi with surprise, Ming Er smiled faintly and remained noncommittal, Lan Qi's green eyes narrowed slightly, and Liu Mo's face turned completely red.

"This young master..." Lan Qi deliberately dragged out his voice, "...whether it's a man or a woman, the little beauty will know once she marries this young master." After saying that, a bewitching light flashed in his green eyes, and he glanced at Liu Mo with half-closed eyes.

When Liu Mo was looked at by Lan Qi, he felt his heart was about to jump out of his chest, but he still managed to say, "But Ning Lang... Ning Lang..." He was so flustered that he couldn't finish his sentence.

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Lan Qi looked at Liu Mo more carefully, then nodded. "I understand."

"I...I understand...what?" Liu Mo stammered in panic.

Lan Qi raised the corners of his lips, not answering but only smiling, and turned his gaze to Qiu Hengbo, "This young master and the second young master were just about to go see Brother Yuwen, would Miss Qiu like to come along?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Hengbo's expression darkened, and she said, "It's time to go see Brother Yuwen. This trip to Dongming... sigh..." She sighed softly and could not say anything more.

Lan Qi raised an eyebrow and her lips moved, but she didn't speak.

“Let’s go.” Ming Er led the way. “Once we get there, both of you, Brother Yuwen, will be able to see us.”

Qiu Hengbo then realized that Lan Qi had been referring to Yuwen Luo, while she was talking about Yuwen Feng. She couldn't help but ask, "Is there something you need to see Brother Yuwen for?" If it were just a visit, the two of them wouldn't have gone together so early in the morning.

Upon hearing this, the two people ahead exchanged a glance and continued walking. Ming Er's gentle voice drifted over: "There are some things I need to ask him." Lan Qi chuckled softly.

Qiu Hengbo thought for a moment and understood. If they wanted to know what had happened on Dongming Island, there was no better person to ask than Yuwen Luo.

The two people in front gradually walked further and further away, and in the blink of an eye, they were several feet apart.

“Let’s go take a look too,” Qiu Hengbo said, and followed the two.

Liu Mo followed behind her for a while, then suddenly said, "If Seventh Young Master were a woman, all the men in the world would be captivated by her."

"Hmm?" Qiu Hengbo paused in her tracks.

Liu Mo continued, "He was already this beautiful when he was a man. If he were a woman, even fairies and goddesses couldn't compare. What man wouldn't be moved by that?"

Qiu Hengbo looked up at the figures walking side by side ahead, paused for a moment, and then smiled. "If that's really the case, then they are two people who have entered a painting."

"Huh?" Liu Mo asked, puzzled.

Qiu Hengbo smiled leisurely to himself and continued walking forward.

Chapter 27: The Sun Hides at Dawn (Part 2)

When Yuwen Luo was seen, he was sitting alone by the bed, staring blankly at his brother Yuwen Feng's corpse, seemingly lost in thought.

Yuwen Feng's body had been cleaned and dressed in clean clothes. Due to the extremely low winter temperature, the body remained intact. He lay with his eyes closed, his expression peaceful, his handsome face unchanged, showing no signs of the horror of the dead.

As the group entered, Yuwen Luo seemed oblivious, continuing to gaze at her elder brother.

"Brother Luo," Ming Er called softly.

Yuwen Luo turned his head and saw them, then stood up as if waking from a dream, "Brother Ming, you've arrived."

"Hmm." Ming Er glanced at Yuwen Feng lying on the bed, sighed slightly, and said, "Take care of yourself."

"I'm fine." Yuwen Luo glanced at his brother, felt a pang of pain in his heart, and looked away.

Qiu Hengbo and Liu Mo approached the bedside. Looking at Yuwen Feng on the bed, both felt heavy-hearted. They silently bowed and stood quietly to the side.

Lan Qi leaned against the door, glanced indifferently at the bed, and then turned to Yuwen Luo.

"What are your plans regarding Brother Yuwen's remains?" Ming Er asked.

Yuwen Luo lowered his head and said, "At least we need to show it to Father, otherwise..." He trailed off, and after a moment he continued, "Father will definitely take Big Brother back."

“Hmm.” Ming Er nodded. “Then I’ll have Ming Luo prepare some medicine to preserve Brother Yuwen’s body.”

"Thank you, Brother Ming." Yuwen Luo felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this. He didn't know when he would see his father again, and if the body were to be destroyed by then, how could his father, who had lost his beloved son, bear it?

"Alright, Yuwen Luo, your problem is solved. We also have some problems that need your help."

Lan Qi strolled into the room, went to the bedside, and silently glanced at Yuwen Feng's peaceful and serene face. She recalled his past arrogance and the scene of him dying in her arms. For some reason, a feeling of sadness suddenly arose in her heart, and a soft sigh escaped her lips.

Yuwen Luo looked at Lan Qi and heard her sigh. His heart ached, but he thought to himself: She will never know, but she is indeed feeling sad right now. For his elder brother, this is perhaps a rare reward.

"You've come to see me because of what happened on Dongming Island?"

“Yes, I think it would be the most complete and clearest explanation if you said it yourself,” Ming Er nodded.

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Luo was somewhat surprised, and then a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes for the first time in several days.

"Actually, that means no one else's tongue is as long as yours." Lan Qi was the one who was best at pouring cold water on things.

However, this did not discourage Yuwen Luo. Firstly, he knew what kind of person Lan Qi was, and secondly, he always took pride in his eloquence.

"Shall we talk here?" Yuwen Luo glanced back at Yuwen Feng on the bed, then turned back to Ming Er. "Or... is it inconvenient for you two?" As he spoke, his gaze swept over Qiu Hengbo and Liu Mo. Perhaps others didn't like being with dead people.

“It’s all the same.” Lan Qi sat down at the table first and poured herself a cup of tea.

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Luo smiled at her, his gaze then subtly shifting to his elder brother. At least, she had stayed a little longer. If ghosts truly existed after death, his brother's spirit would surely be delighted. She didn't despise him and was willing to spend more time with him… Brother, this is all I can do for you.

"Then please tell us, Brother Luo." Ming Er also sat down at the table, took the teapot from Lan Qi, and filled four cups with tea.

Then Yuwen Luo also came over and sat down, as did Qiu Hengbo and Liu Mo. The group sat around the table, each holding a cup of warm tea.

“On that day, after you were swept away by the storm, we were not spared either. The storm raged for a day and a night. We managed to hold on on the first day, but by night, the wind and rain had intensified, with lightning flashing. In the end, the ship was destroyed, and all the people on both ships sank into the East China Sea.”

"I see." Ming Er nodded, understanding the reason.

"We were all submerged in the sea, amidst raging winds and towering waves, in the pitch black of night. No one could see us, and no one could do anything. At first, everyone was still conscious; some clung to the wreckage of the ship, some could swim, and others relied entirely on their internal energy to stay afloat. But later, the wind and waves became too great, and one by one, they were swept away, knocked unconscious, and quickly lost consciousness." Yuwen Luo clenched his fists, clearly still shaken. "When I regained consciousness, I was already on Dongming Island."

“It’s not just me. Most of the fellow martial artists who came with me and those who were in the first batch to go to sea are also here. We were all locked up, our internal energy was sealed, all our belongings were confiscated, and we were imprisoned. However…” He looked up at Lan Qiming and said, “Senior Ming, Brother Fengyi, Senior Brother Renqi, and the Lie brothers have never been here. I don’t know if they were imprisoned, or if they were swept away by the storm, or if they escaped.”

Upon hearing this, Ming Er and Lan Qi exchanged a glance, each raising an eyebrow, but said nothing.

Yuwen Luo continued, "The day after we woke up, we met Yun Wuyai, the young master of Dongming. He entertained us in a grand hall—truly a grand reception. There was fragrant tea, fine wine, delicious food, and singing and dancing. Some of us were restless, fearing the food might be poisoned, and dared not touch it. Others, however, simply drank tea, drank wine, ate food, and watched the dance. After we were full, Yun Wuyai said some polite words, but it all boiled down to this: 'You are now prisoners. Those who submit and pledge allegiance to Dongming will be treated with courtesy and guaranteed a life of wealth and honor.'" At this point, a faint hint of sarcasm appeared on Yuwen Luo's face. "Naturally, not a single person submitted. Instead, they loudly cursed Yun Wuyai, hurling insults at Dongming Island. They certainly enjoyed it while they were cursing, humph."

With a soft hum, Yuwen Luo's lips curled into a slight, mocking smile. "Yun Wuyai didn't react at all to our insults; he merely nodded faintly to his subordinates and left. And then... ha, that marked the beginning of the dynasty's martial arts world's suffering. They took ten people with them, and six were returned half a day later, their skin torn, bones broken, tendons severed, and nails stuck in their fingers, barely clinging to life—none of them unharmed. Just looking at their miserable state, one could tell the cruelty they had endured. At that moment, fear gripped every one of them. As for the four who didn't return, they naturally couldn't withstand it and succumbed."

Lan Qi couldn't help but look at Qiu Hengbo and Liu Mo, and saw that their expressions had indeed changed slightly, indicating that they were not feeling well when they recalled that day. Qiu Hengbo felt Lan Qi's gaze and gently shook her head, saying, "Yun Wuyai did not torture the women."

“Hmm.” Yuwen Luo nodded as well. “Every day, people are dragged away to be tortured, every day some submit, every day some are sent back in horrific condition, but from beginning to end, no woman has been tortured. So, Yun Wuyai, who seems so cruel at first glance, cannot be explained simply by being cruel. However… although the women were not tortured, they witnessed the cruel bloody torture firsthand, and that torment is unforgettable.” As he spoke, he looked at Qiu Hengbo and Liu Mo, whose faces were indeed pale.

“At first, the torture was carried out individually, and we didn’t see it with our own eyes. But later, they gathered us together in one place, then set up a high platform, and on that platform, they subjected us to extreme torture one by one. For example, we were whipped with long whips with barbs until our bodies were covered in wounds; bamboo skewers were driven into our bodies one by one and then we were nailed to a board; small pieces of flesh were cut off from our limbs; and so on…”

"Stop talking!" Liu Mo interrupted abruptly, his whole body trembling, his large eyes filled with terror.

Everyone looked at her.

"Liu Mo." Qiu Hengbo called her softly, reaching out to hold her hand. "Don't be afraid, it's all in the past now."

"I'm sorry." Liu Mo lowered her head, biting her lip. "Miss, I'll go out first. I... I'll go see Ning Lang." As she spoke, she looked timidly at Lan Qi.

"Hmm." Qiu Hengbo nodded and glanced at Lan Qi as well.

Lan Qi turned the teacup in her hand to herself.

After Liu Mo left, Yuwen Luo looked at Qiu Hengbo.

Qiu Hengbo shook his head, "Brother, please speak freely. If there is anything I have not covered, I will add to it if I know anything."

“Hmm.” Yuwen Luo nodded. “After that ordeal of torture, everyone was trembling with fear. Some of the more timid ones cried out or fainted on the spot. Without further torture, some of them gave in. During that period, torture was inflicted every day. Except for women, everyone in the dynasty was put on the rack. Beatings and burnings were used without restraint. Such pain was something one would rather die than endure.” His hands, which were resting on the table, were clasped tightly together again. He didn’t mention himself, but the deep scars on his hands alone revealed what he had suffered.

Ming Er patted his shoulder silently.

Yuwen Luo gave him a faint smile and said, "If I weren't a member of the Yuwen family, if I were just Yuwen Luo, I would have submitted long ago. It really hurts, it hurts so much I can't bear it." He lowered his gaze to his hands, where each of his ten fingers had a scar where ten iron nails had once been driven in. "But I am Yuwen Luo of the Yuwen family."

Upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared in Lan Qi's emerald eyes. Ming Er smiled and patted his shoulder again. Even Qiu Hengbo did not look down on him, but looked at him deeply, as if he was only now beginning to recognize this person.

"After the extreme torture, some of them yielded, and the rest were all tough guys. Yun Wuyai did not use torture again, but locked us up again and treated our wounds with medicine. After about half a month, our wounds had scabbed over and healed. Then Yun Wuyai came again. This time, he brought with him nine children dressed in red clothes and red pants. Each of them was very cute, with a happy and sweet smile on their face, which made people happy just looking at them."