Lan Yin Bi Yue

Chapter 70

The two returned to their respective houses one after the other, where hot meals were already prepared on the dining table.

Inside the small building upstairs, the table was laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, all looking delicious and tantalizing, making it absolutely mouthwatering, especially for a hungry person.

"Let's eat." Lan Qi sat down at the table.

Lan Tong and Lan Long, who were standing at the table, saw Lan Qi start eating, so they sat down to eat on either side of her.

Lan Qi's eating manners were neither elegant nor rude. He ate slowly but surely, finishing a bowl of rice in no time and then asking for more. Lan Tong and Lan Long were not reserved at the same table with their host either. They were equally composed and natural, and soon the three of them had devoured all the food on the table.

In the small building below, on the table is a plate of fragrant minced chicken, a plate of tender green vegetables, and a bowl of bone broth. The four colors—white, yellow, green, and red—are vibrant, simple, and exquisite, making one reluctant to eat them.

Ming Er sat down at the table and said to Ming Ying and Ming Luo, who were serving him, "You two should go eat too."

"Yes." Mingying and Mingluo left to eat.

The second young master sat alone at the table, eating slowly and quietly, with a composed and elegant demeanor, almost like a figure in a painting. Half an hour later, the second young master put down his chopsticks, ate a bowl of rice, left most of the minced chicken and shredded pork, ate most of the vegetables, and finished the bone broth.

Inside the small building upstairs, the three of them finished their meal and sat down at the table.

"Seventh Young Master, our men have scouted the area within and outside the valley for ten miles. This place is very secluded and uninhabited. Moreover, the arrangements made by Second Young Master Ming outside the mountain are very effective, and the people from Dongming cannot find this place," Lan Tong reported to Lan Qi.

"Mm." Lan Qi nodded and took the hot tea that Lan Long handed over.

"There were a total of 234 martial arts masters who came here with us that night," Lan Tong continued. "Their internal and external injuries varied in severity, but with the Ming family's medical care, I estimate that they should be almost fully recovered by the day we agreed upon with Young Master Yun."

"Mm." Lan Qi nodded again, holding the hot teacup in both hands, not afraid of getting burned.

"As for their sealing of internal energy, the Ming family is still investigating and cannot yet determine what method Dongming used." Lan Tong also accepted the hot tea that Lan Long handed over. "But that's what the Ming family said."

"Mm." Lan Qiyi simply nodded.

“But…” Lan Tong hesitated slightly.

"Hmm?" Lan Qi glanced at him with her emerald eyes.

Lan Tong pursed her lips and said, "Young Master Ning's injuries are quite serious. The external wounds are secondary; the most serious are the internal injuries. The Ming family has treated him, but he is still unconscious. That quack doctor from the Ming family said that it's fortunate he has pure internal energy and a good physical foundation, otherwise he would have been killed long ago. But since his heart and lungs are injured, it will take at least a year and a half to heal." She secretly glanced at Lan Qi, and seeing that her expression was normal, she continued, "That quack doctor from the Ming family also said that if someone with profound internal energy were to treat him, he would recover much faster."

"Oh," Lan Qi responded casually, her blue eyes fixed on the teacup.

“Seventh Young Master…” Lan Tong began cautiously.

"Hmm?" Lan Qi looked up at him.

Lan Tong was startled and swallowed back the words she was about to say.

"What do you want to say?" Lan Qi withdrew her gaze.

Lan Tong shook her head. "No more."

"Hmm." Lan Qi's gaze shifted to Lan Long. "If everything is alright, then you may leave."

"Yes." Lan Tong and Lan Long cleared away the dishes and left.

The building fell silent. Lan Qi lowered her eyes, turning the teacup in her hand slowly, turning it again and again…

Seventh Young Master, Ning Lang believes in you.

Suddenly, his hand trembled, and ripples spread across the cup. His fingertips slowly tightened their grip, but Yuwen Luo's words echoed in his mind.

He believed you would come. It was so dark, so hopeless, yet he never doubted that you would die, that you wouldn't come.

The tea in the cup rippled in circles, reflecting her emerald eyes, which seemed to be undulating as well.

Ning Lang...

His lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.

Down in the small building, Ming Er put down his bowl and chopsticks and walked to the window, where there was a small table and two wooden chairs. He sat down on the chair on the left, and then Ming Ying and Ming Luo returned. Ming Ying neatly cleared the table of dishes, while Ming Luo held a cup of hot, fragrant tea.

After serving the hot tea, Mingluo spoke up. "Young Master, those people's injuries are not serious. I am confident that I can heal them before the agreed time."

"Mm." Ming Er took the tea.

"As for the sealing of their internal energy, I once smelled the scent of 'Rhinoceros Moon' in their blood."

"Xi Yue?" A strange light flashed in Ming Er's eyes.

“Yes,” Mingluo nodded. “‘Rhinoceros Moon’ is a medicine that dissipates internal energy, but it grows in extremely cold and yin places and is very rare. The imperial dynasty has thousands of heroes, and it is impossible for Dongming to feed each of them a ‘Rhinoceros Moon’. It must have been made by combining it with other medicines to create a medicine that seals internal energy.”

"Mm." Ming Er nodded.

Mingluo continued, "As for Xie Mo and Song Gen of Qianbi, they can retain 20% of their strength. According to my detailed inquiry, they took half a 'Phoenix Robe Pill' several years ago due to serious injuries."

"I see." Ming Er smiled faintly, finally understanding why thousands of people had no internal energy while the two of them alone possessed 20%. The "Phoenix Robe Pill" was a precious elixir even more valuable than the "Purple Mansion Powder" and the "Buddha Mortal Pill." It was rumored to have the effect of bringing the dead back to life. Since they had taken it, it must have been the residual medicinal properties of the "Phoenix Robe Pill" that helped them.

“I can prepare the antidote within five days, but…” Mingluo paused slightly.

"So all you need is one 'Phoenix Robe Pill'?" Ming Er continued.

“Yes.” Mingluo nodded. “But this ‘Phoenix Robe Pill’ is really precious. Our Ming family only has two, so… I’d like to ask for your permission, young master.”

"Hmm." Ming Er responded softly again, gently lifting the lid of the cup, smelling the aroma of the tea, but not drinking it. He placed the teacup on the table, looked up at Ming Luo and Ming Ying, and asked, "What do you think? Compared to the 'Phoenix Robe Pill,' which is more important?"

“This…” Mingluo and Mingying thought for a moment, then replied, “We think the ‘Phoenix Robe Pill’ is more precious.”

“Heh…” Ming Er chuckled softly, “In terms of its value, the ‘Phoenix Robe Pill’ is indeed far superior to these so-called martial arts masters, but…” Kong Meng’s eyes lowered slightly, and after a moment she said, “One ‘Phoenix Robe Pill’ can also be exchanged for something more valuable. The leader of the Qianbi Sect can use six ‘Phoenix Robe Pills’ to create a disciple who is the best in swordsmanship, so… you can use it.”

"Yes," Mingluo replied. "Then I will go and prepare the medicine now."

"Go ahead." Ming Erzhong picked up his teacup.

Mingluo and Mingying withdrew together.

Ming Er blew on the tea leaves on the surface of the water, took a sip, then put down the cup and looked out the window at the bright winter sun. A faint smile slowly appeared on his lips as he softly murmured to himself, "I wonder what method Yun Wuyai used to trap that top expert of Qianbi, whose bloodline is filled with the medicinal scent of 'Phoenix Robe Pill'."

28. Phoenix Robe Lightly Tied with the Knot of Life and Death (Part 2)

Qiu Hengbo went to see Hua Fushu, but found neither of them there. He exchanged a few words of greeting with Hua Qinghe before taking his leave. Outside, he saw Yuwen Luoyi standing there, staring blankly ahead, still in the same position as when she had watched Lan Qi and Ming Er leave. But Lan Qi and Ming Er were nowhere to be seen. Qiu Hengbo approached quietly, but Yuwen Luoyi remained oblivious, her gaze unwavering, lost in thought. Her expression was unusually serious, as if she were contemplating something important, her eyes unusually bright and alert.

"What are you thinking about, Brother?" Qiu Hengbo asked softly.

"I was thinking, the Second Young Master and the Seventh Young Master are truly terrifyingly powerful." Yuwen Luo's voice was very soft, almost like a murmur, clearly still lost in thought.

"Hmm?" This inexplicable question startled Qiu Hengbo.

Yuwen Luo continued softly, almost to himself, "Yun Wuyai calculated every step, but so did they. They found Dongming Island, a place no one had ever been before; they were swept away by the waves first in the sea, yet they arrived safely; those nine defeated all of us, yet died at the hands of those two; they vanished without a trace, yet they found the heavily guarded stone house and rescued us with ease; this is Dongming territory, yet they found this secluded valley to hide in undetected; and these wooden houses, all new, and those unseen but ever-present Ming and Lan family servants… Dongming Island, which utterly defeated us, they dealt with so easily. We are so incompetent, yet they possess extraordinary abilities…"

He paused slightly, the serious expression on his face gradually fading, replaced by confusion and worry. After a long while, he murmured, "Why did it end like that that night?"

Since they were able to find this secluded valley and build so many wooden buildings and houses here, they must have already reached the Eastern Sea. So why did they wait until that night to rescue them? They must have known that rescuing people is like putting out a fire; if they rested for a moment, the world could be turned upside down.

Now that the Ming and Lan families have come to Dongming Island, are there really only a mere hundred people? Since they could make so many arrangements, couldn't there have been a more appropriate method? How many people died that night below Nanfeng Peak? That blood, those fallen people—wasn't there really a more appropriate method? How many people died that night below Nanfeng Peak? That blood, those fallen people—was it truly just out of helplessness?

them……

Yuwen Luo abruptly closed his eyes, stopping himself from thinking any further. Because that would only fill him with dread.

Qiu Hengbo watched him quietly, observing the various thoughts flashing across his face—sometimes bewildered, sometimes shocked, sometimes stunned—before finally settling into a calm and composed state.

Why did it end that way that night?

Thinking of his muttered question, she was startled and doubtful. After a moment, she sighed softly, "Perhaps, because they are the heads of the Ming and Lan families, perhaps, because they are the most powerful figures in the martial arts world today, the Second Young Master Ming and the Seventh Young Master Lan, who are vying for the title of 'Lan Yin Bi Yue', perhaps... there are many reasons. We might as well observe quietly without asking. They won't tell us, nor can they let us find out. One day, we will see the answer, or perhaps it will be forever unsolvable."

Hearing the whisper beside him, Yuwen Luo was startled. He turned his head and saw Qiu Hengbo's stunning face. He immediately remembered his own mutterings. His mind went blank for a moment, and then his ears burned and his face became hot.

"Miss Qiu... how... how did you get here?" How could she be here? Or had she been here all along? Did she see and hear everything? The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed she felt.

Seeing Yuwen Luo's awkward and embarrassed appearance, Qiu Hengbo couldn't help but smile. Instantly, Yuwen Luo felt the winter sun dim and the breeze stop, and he saw a hundred flowers blooming and their fragrance lingering in front of him. His heart pounded like a drum and he felt dizzy.

"Sister Hengbo." A soft, gentle voice called out, and Hua Fushu and Rong Yue came down the slope and soon arrived in front of them.

"Where did my sister go just now?" Qiu Hengbo took a few steps forward and affectionately took Hua Fushu's hand.

Hua Fushu smiled slightly at Qiu Hengbo, then turned to look at Rong Peng, who was standing quietly with his head down behind him. Her eyes then shifted to Yuwen Luo, and she said, "I just went out for a walk with Rong Yue."

Yuwen Luo slightly shifted his head.

"Rongyue." Qiu Hengbo raised her hand and gently supported Rongyue. Seeing her sad and bewildered expression, completely unlike her cheerful and bright appearance of the day, she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her, but she didn't know how to comfort her.

Rong Yue raised her head, glanced at Qiu Hengbo, and gave a slight smile as a greeting. Then she slowly walked to Yuwen Luo, looked at him, and spoke, her voice dry and hoarse. "I know that no matter what I say or do, Brother Yuwen will not come back. I also know that Brother Yuwen died because of me. I..." Her heart ached, her throat tightened, and she could no longer speak.

Yuwen Luo turned around and looked at the woman in front of him with a sorrowful expression. His heart sank and he said, "I don't blame you. My brother saved you. That was... that was his own choice."

Before she could finish speaking, tears were already streaming down Rong Yue's face as she sobbed.

"Don't cry." Yuwen Luo looked away, unable to bear seeing that sorrowful face. She truly cared for her elder brother, but alas... Sigh! He sighed softly and said, "I don't blame you, and my elder brother won't blame you either, so... you don't need to take my brother's death upon yourself." Because it really has nothing to do with you. Your elder brother was never... Thinking of his brother's thoughts, he felt a pang of sadness, and his eyes welled up with tears.

"Yuwen Luo." Rong Yue's voice choked with sobs, "I can't bring Brother Yuwen back to life, and I can't give you back a Brother Yuwen, so... I won't let Brother Yuwen down. I will live well, and from now on I will be your sister. I will take care of you, I will protect you... I will never let you get hurt, and I will never let you die, so... so... please let me see Brother Yuwen, okay?" By the end, she could no longer speak, her eyes filled with a pitiful plea.

Qiu Hengbo and Hua Fushu both gazed at Yuwen Luo.

Yuwen Luo didn't want to explain why he didn't want Rong Peng to touch his brother that night, he just said, "Go ahead, you can watch for as long as you want."

"Yes." Rong Yue nodded with tears in her eyes, then ran towards the hut.

The three people behind her watched her retreating figure and sighed in unison.

"What nonsense are you talking about? You're younger than me, you're my older sister." Yuwen Luo murmured.

"Who told you your martial arts skills are so low?" Hua Fushu retorted. "If your martial arts skills were higher..."

He abruptly stopped speaking, but Yuwen Luo could easily understand the unspoken meaning behind it. He lowered his head and said softly, "Yes, if my martial arts were better, perhaps my elder brother wouldn't have died that day."

"Brother, please don't think like that," Qiu Hengbo said, glancing at Hua Fushu and shaking his head slightly. Hua Fushu realized that his words had indeed been a bit rash, and felt a little ashamed, so he lowered his head and remained silent.

"The martial arts skills of the Second Young Master and the Seventh Young Master are so high, yet so many people still died that night," Qiu Hengbo said slowly. "In this world, there are some things that cannot be prevented or reversed by high martial arts skills. There are many things that are beyond our control. If we can control our own lives, that is already a great achievement."

Yuwen Luo looked at Qiu Hengbo with some surprise.

“Sister is right.” Hua Fushu raised her eyes to look at the gently closing wooden door, thinking about the person inside. “Regardless of their martial arts skills, as long as they feel comfortable, that’s all that matters. As for Young Master Yuwen… he’s willing to risk his life to save you, so he must be happy to do so. We should just respect that.”

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Luo thought to himself that this wasn't entirely wrong. Thinking of his brother's peaceful and serene face in death, perhaps in his final moments, he would have been willing to die in that person's arms.

"Young Master Yuwen treated Rongyue with deep affection, what a pity..." Qiu Hengbo sighed deeply.

“Rongyue and I have been together since childhood, and our parents have treated her like a daughter. She liked the eldest young master so much that I thought she would be better than me. When we returned home, I asked my parents to make a decision for her. But now…” Hua Fushu thought of Rongyue’s situation these past two days, feeling both pity and sorrow. She said softly, “The eldest young master has given up his life, but Rongyue… that silly girl may have lost her entire life.”

Yuwen Luo's lips moved, but he ultimately remained silent and looked away. After a moment, however, he spoke, his eyes fixed on Hua Fushu.

“Miss Rongyue, there’s no need for this. My elder brother will not accept this favor, nor will our Yuwen family. Just as you are not responsible for my elder brother’s death, please do not let the Yuwen family bear the responsibility for Miss Rongyue’s life’s misfortunes, and please do not let my elder brother rest in peace.”