Linfengchun

Chapter 21

"It should be fine, but..." He hesitated, then suddenly fell silent.

Xu Lianning was about to ask further questions after hearing what he said when she suddenly saw the situation change.

Although Liu Junru had signaled the others to step back, Shang Mingjian merely shifted his body slightly, while Zhang Weiyi didn't retreat an inch, instantly exchanging several blows with Xiao Qianjue. Liu Junru then drew his sword horizontally, attempting to block Shang Mingjian from behind. However, this strike was extremely risky; if the opponent couldn't react in time, he would inevitably be injured. Xiao Qianjue merely sneered, continuing his deadly attacks on Zhang Weiyi, completely ignoring the situation on Liu Junru's side.

In a split second, Zhang Weiyi retreated rapidly, and Liu Junru, who had blocked Shang Mingjian's sword, suddenly changed direction and fiercely stabbed at Xiao Qianjue.

Xiao Qianjue, intending to press his advantage, was completely unaware of the subtle movements behind him. Only when the sword was upon him did he react, turning around and striking Liu Junru with a palm strike of overwhelming force. This palm strike brought with it a whistling sound, truly possessing the power to shatter stone tablets. Liu Junru dared not meet its attack head-on, and disregarding her status, rolled to the ground to dodge, but was still struck by the palm wind. Her left shoulder bone shattered instantly, and her left arm hung limply at her side.

Xiao Qianjue drew his longsword from his back with a backhand motion, blood gushing out, yet he didn't even flinch. He strode forward, his robes soaked with blood, his figure swaying precariously, yet he forced those around him to retreat. He looked at Liu Junru for a moment, then suddenly laughed loudly, "I truly underestimated you, but... our fates are all the same."

Despite his severe injuries, he appeared even more formidable, sweeping away those around him with each punch and palm strike. Liu Junru's face was ashen, yet she still forced herself to stand up: "Xiao Qianjue, you are arrogant about your martial arts being the best in the world, yet you are no match for the righteous path. You chose to be an enemy of the world!"

Xiao Qianjue staggered slightly, coldly saying, "So what if I'm an enemy of the world? Who in this world is worthy to be my equal?" He was, after all, getting on in years, and after several fierce battles, he had suffered serious injuries, leaving him weak and exhausted. He regained his balance, his tone arrogant: "If I don't kill you today, it would only dirty my hands." He glanced around, looking at Shang Mingjian: "You and I have clashed before, but you've never been my match. Do you still want to come?"

Shang Mingjian lowered his eyes slightly and said in a low voice, "If Mr. Xiao had not been injured, Shang Mingjian would definitely not have been a match for him."

Xiao Qianjue sneered, then looked at Zhang Weiyi: "What about you? Want to try and take advantage of this?"

Standing downwind, Zhang Weiyi said calmly, "Mr. Xiao, can't you see that I'm already at my limit?"

Xiao Qianjue sighed, "So, no one wants to take my head?" He suddenly lunged at a righteous disciple beside him, snatched a long sword from him, and held it against his neck: "Xiao Qianjue is a ruthless figure in the martial world, feared by all. Today, I am cornered and cannot be bullied by such a lowly person!"

Xu Lianning never expected the situation to take such a sharp turn, and felt a slight conflict in her heart. Suddenly, she saw Xiao Qianjue looking over, his lips moved silently, as if he were making a mouth shape, and then he turned his head and committed suicide by drawing his sword.

Xiao Qianjue slowly released his grip, and the longsword clattered to the ground. A trail of blood slowly trickled down his neck, meandering down his collar...

Shang Mingjian turned his head away with a hint of reluctance, and as he walked past Xu Lianning, he said softly, "Miss Xu, why don't you go and see Palace Master Rong? She has been waiting for you."

Xu Lianning paused, then asked, "Where is Master?"

Shang Mingjian looked at her for a moment, then turned around and said, "Come with me, but..." He was silent for a moment, just like Sikong Yu, but continued in a gentle yet firm voice, "Thanks to the Palace Master's kindness, the lives of the hundreds of people trapped in the tunnel were saved, but because their inner strength was exhausted, they are now on the verge of death."

Although Xu Lianning had a vague idea, she still felt lost and confused.

Shang Mingjian smiled slightly and said, "You should know Mr. Xiao, right?"

She turned to look at his gentle and handsome profile: "What makes you say that, Master Shang?"

"I overheard your conversation with Mr. Xiao at Wudang that day. Judging from his personality, he must really like you. Actually, I also had some entanglements with the Tianshang Sect back then, and my martial arts were also guided by the former Sect Leader Yue. I didn't mean any harm by asking you these questions." Shang Mingjian's expression was slightly distant.

As they spoke, they arrived at the side hall. Xu Lianning stared blankly at the figure resting on the recliner, unable to utter a word. Rong Wanci's once jet-black hair had inexplicably become mottled with black and white patches. She saw her disciple and whispered, "Lianning, you've come."

Xu Lianning strode forward, bowed, and said, "Master, your disciple is here."

Rong Wanci grasped her hand, her eyes devoid of any spirit: "Disciples of Lingxuan Palace, listen to my command! From this day forward, Lian Ning will temporarily assume the position of Palace Master... cough cough..."

Xu Lianning lowered his eyes and said, "Master, please rest assured."

Rong Wanci smiled slightly, her voice weak: "Look, Master is not young anymore, is he? But now I am very relieved and can go in peace."

Some of the palace servants surrounding the area were already crying out loud.

Xu Lianning stood still, when suddenly she felt the hand that was holding her slip away, and the sobbing beside her immediately turned into crying.

She forced herself to calm down and turned to the old woman beside her, saying, "Grandma Yu, you should return to Helan Ancient Path first thing tomorrow morning. Master probably prefers to sleep under Lingxuan Palace."

Granny Yu wiped her eyes and replied, "We will do as Master Xu instructs." She immediately gathered people to prepare for the funeral, and after a short while, she came back and asked, "Would you like to come back with us, Master Xu?"

Xu Lianning shook her head: "Master has other things to tell me to do. I'll go back as soon as I finish what I'm doing."

"Please be careful on your journey, Lord, and don't overexert yourself."

"I know, thank you for your concern, Granny Yu." Xu Lianning watched as the palace servants came over, wrapped up her master's body, and carefully carried it away, feeling utterly exhausted.

"Although I feel that saying anything is superfluous, Miss Xu, please accept my condolences." Shang Mingjian said softly, "If there is anything I can do to help you in the future, please visit Mingjian Manor."

Xu Lianning glanced at him and said calmly, "Thank you for your hospitality, Master Shang."

The two retraced their steps, and when they reached the exit, Shang Mingjian stopped and said, "Then I shall take my leave. Until we meet again." Xu Lianning responded casually, and looked ahead. As if destined, she immediately saw Zhang Weiyi looking in their direction.

She walked briskly towards him, almost running, and wrapped her arms around his waist. Zhang Weiyi patted her back and chuckled softly, "Why are you suddenly so generous as to throw yourself into my arms?"

Xu Lianning glared at him and broke free from his embrace: "I'm going to Suizhou next, what about you?"

Zhang Weiyi looked at her and smiled slightly, "I'll go along with you."

As the two walked out of the Heavenly Sorrow Sect and looked back, the events that had happened before seemed like a distant dream.

Suddenly, a horse neighed, and a jet-black steed, Wuzhui, galloped joyfully towards them. Zhang Weiyi reached out to stroke Yezhao's mane, and Yezhao rubbed against his hand, then suddenly bit Xu Lianning's sleeve. He laughed and said, "Actually, you're not wrong to say the horse resembles its owner." Xu Lianning held out his hand, letting Yezhao lick her fingers: "Just a joke, and you've held a grudge for so long?"

Zhang Weiyi smiled slightly and reached out to take her hand: "We need to hurry up so we don't miss our lodging."

One life, one love

Strolling slowly along the babbling riverbank, with the vast sky and countless stars overhead, the chirping of insects in the ears, and the evening breeze blowing around them, they should have felt exceptionally pleasant. Unfortunately, such a beautiful scene was completely wasted for these two.

“Lian Ning, if you would be so kind as to ride with me, we wouldn’t be running late into the city and have to wander around outside the city in the middle of the night,” Zhang Weiyi said in a nonchalant tone.

Xu Lianning glanced at him and said angrily, "Don't even think about riding together." Even if people in the martial arts world are not as bound by the separation between men and women as ordinary family members, it is still a bit unreasonable to ride the same horse.

Zhang Weiyi smiled slightly and said, "Why be embarrassed? In the long run, we will eventually have to do everything we should and shouldn't do."

Xu Lianning was furious. This man always appeared to be a refined gentleman in public, how could he be so shameless in private? Suddenly, a wild rabbit darted past her, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Strange, why did this rabbit run away as soon as it saw you?"

Zhang Weiyi replied slowly and deliberately, "Luckily I didn't see you, otherwise I would have been so scared that I wouldn't have been able to run away."

Xu Lianning glanced at him, slightly displeased: "I'm just wondering, why are you so gentle and considerate towards Miss Li, but completely different towards me?"

"I can't help it. The more I care, the more I want to tease you. Who told you to look so much better when you're angry than usual?"

Xu Lianning ignored him, but he suddenly hugged her from behind.

Zhang Weiyi hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "I only have you, so please only look at me, okay?"

So, this is the only way you've come up with to act cute? Xu Lianning slowly said, "When I first met you, I thought there was some truth to what people said about Young Master Yujian being such a fine young man. But as time went on, I realized it wasn't like that at all?"

Zhang Weiyi stared intently into the distance, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Ye Zhao's reins, mounted his horse, and extended his hand: "Whether you like it or not, hurry up and get on." Seeing his serious expression, Xu Lianning quickly followed his hand and mounted the horse. He pulled on the reins, and before they could even move, some firelight appeared faintly on the hillside not far away, and countless bright arrows were aimed at them.

"Hold on tight, don't fall off," he whispered, cracking his whip behind Ye Zhao. Ye Zhao sensed the unease, let out a long neigh, and galloped away. Xu Lianning reached out and grabbed Ye Zhao's neck, feeling arrows whistling past them.

Zhang Weiyi leaned down and hugged her: "Lower yourself." She did as he said and lowered herself down.

She didn't know how long they had been jostled, but then she heard Ye Zhao let out a low neigh and slowly slowed down. Xu Lianning looked around at the completely unfamiliar scenery and had no idea where she was. Suddenly, she heard a soft thud behind her and felt empty space behind her. Xu Lianning turned around and saw Zhang Weiyi had fallen off his horse.

She quickly jumped off the horse, her voice filled with concern: "Weiyi, are you alright? Where are you hurt?"

Zhang Weiyi's face was covered in cold sweat, and he forced a smile: "It's nothing, I was just hit by two arrows." He forced himself to stand up and reached out to break the arrow shaft from his leg: "I was just afraid that the blood I just lost would attract those people."

Xu Lianning bent down to look at the wound on his leg, but he avoided her gaze. Zhang Weiyi's voice was low and hoarse: "I know you're just worried. But we're not out of danger yet." Xu Lianning looked at him: "If the arrowhead stays in for too long, your leg could be crippled, especially since you just broke the arrow shaft!"

He reached out and patted Ye Zhao, who rubbed against him and trotted off along the mountain path: "Do you expect me to carry an arrow? If they chase after the horses' hooves, we'll be safe for now."

Xu Lianning had nothing to say, and reached out to support him: "Don't exert any force, just lean on me."

The two supported each other for a while, walking further and further into the remote area, where they could occasionally hear the howls of wolves. Zhang Weiyi asked with a half-smile, "If my legs are crippled because of this, will you still want me?"

Normally, Xu Lianning would have been too lazy to answer. But knowing that he must be in great pain to distract himself, she replied irritably, "I want you, whether you're crippled or have lost your martial arts skills."

After a moment, Zhang Weiyi replied, "Rather than losing all my martial arts skills, I'd rather be crippled."

Xu Lianning could no longer contain herself: "Was the arrowhead poisoned? Didn't you just say you were hit by two arrows? Where is the other one?"

"Lian Ning, I've realized you really spoil the mood. I almost forgot, and you kept reminding me."

Xu Lianning was furious. Suddenly, she saw something flashing in the distance. As she got closer, she could hear the sound of rushing water. "We've gone far enough. Why don't we take a break?"

Zhang Weiyi estimated the time when the other party would arrive: "Alright."

Xu Lianning carefully helped him sit down and finally saw that his back was covered in crimson, with only a small section of arrowhead showing through his vest. She was greatly annoyed: "You were quick to break the arrow, but how am I supposed to take out the arrowhead now?"

His face was pale, but he still managed a weak smile and said, "I trust your medical skills. Surely you won't let me die in vain."

Xu Lianning, with a stern face, untied her pouch, took out several celadon medicine bottles, and casually tore off half of her hem: "Do you have a dagger? Otherwise, I'll have to borrow your sword. My sword is poisoned with cold poison."

Zhang Weiyi untied the Tai Chi sword and drew out a section of its cold, menacing blade.

Xu Lianning carefully tore open the back of his shirt, revealing that the arrowhead hadn't penetrated deeply into his flesh, but it had been pushed in further when he broke the arrow. She gripped the tip of the Tai Chi sword, steeled herself, and plunged it near his wound. She felt him jolt, then forcefully relax. Xu Lianning cut open the wound, inserted her fingers, pinched the arrowhead, and pulled it out forcefully. Blood gushed out with the arrowhead. He finally couldn't help but groan. She quickly applied pressure to acupoints to stop the bleeding, applied a thick layer of ointment, and carefully bandaged the wound.

With a few drops of blood at the corner of his mouth, Zhang Weiyi said in a low, hoarse voice, "At least tell me when you're pulling out the arrow, so I can be prepared."

Xu Lianning smiled wryly, "If it hurts, just cry out. Why force yourself to endure it?" She bent down to look at the arrow in his leg. Perhaps because of the protection of his internal energy, the arrow in his back wasn't as deep as the one in his leg. She lowered her head and brought her lips close to the wound. Zhang Weiyi felt a tingling, itchy warmth spread across the previously numb wound, and he involuntarily looked away, his face showing some awkwardness: "What are you doing?"

Xu Lianning raised her head slightly, a blush rising on her jade-like face, and said angrily, "This arrow is poisoned, what do you think it is?"

“...How would I know?” Zhang Weiyi seemed filled with regret.

Xu Lianning took a deep breath: "Then I'm going to pull out the arrow. Do you need a branch or something?"

He smiled slightly: "I can bear it."

She lowered her head again and cut open the wound as before, then reached in. Her hand was slippery and covered in blood. She tried several times but couldn't grip the arrowhead tightly, and felt cold sweat pouring down her forehead. Having no other option, she cut deeper with the sword, but Zhang Weiyi didn't utter a sound.

Finally grasping the arrow, she pulled outwards with all her might, only to feel herself being pulled into the other person's embrace, followed by a sharp pain in her left shoulder. She steadied herself, applied pressure to stop the bleeding, and bandaged the wound before speaking irritably: "I asked you if you wanted any branches or something, and you said no, but now you're trying to harm me."

Zhang Weiyi looked up at her, the blood at the corner of her mouth had already congealed, and a few strands of hair clung to her cheek: "Does it hurt a lot? I'm really sorry."

Xu Lianning had never seen him so disheveled, and her heart softened: "It's alright."

Zhang Weiyi's eyes held a faint, yet inexplicably intense, light. Xu Lianning's heart skipped a beat; before she could react, she was pinned to the ground. Even through their clothes, she could feel the slightly hot body pressing against hers. Zhang Weiyi lowered his head, his cool lips touching hers, then he reached out and lifted her chin, kissing her more deeply. Xu Lianning felt a metallic taste spreading in her mouth. She raised her hand to push him away, but mindful of his injuries, she dared not resist too forcefully.

After a moment of stalemate, he slowly raised his head, released her chin, and let out a soft sigh of relief.

Xu Lianning knew exactly what he was planning. Before she could even breathe a sigh of relief, her wrists were already gripped and pinned to the ground. He smiled slightly, leaned down again, and whispered in her ear, "I can't wait five or ten years. If you blame me, then come and bother me for the rest of your life." Xu Lianning felt his kisses linger on her forehead and between her brows, gradually sliding to her lips and chin, patient and persistent. His eyes held a myriad of emotions, like fire and ice, with both fiery passion and indifference, before he reached out to untie her sash. She was furious, and after a long while, she managed to squeeze out a sentence: "I truly didn't know that Your Highness enjoyed illicit affairs. It's just a pity that I have absolutely no interest in that sort of thing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Weiyi froze, closed his eyes slightly, took a couple of breaths, and when he opened them again, he was clear-headed. He stepped aside and smiled in frustration: "Lian Ning, your mouth really... spoils the mood."

Xu Lianning stood up and said, "Since you still have the energy, let's make the most of this time and travel as far as we can so that those people don't catch up with us."

A faint hint of melancholy flickered in Zhang Weiyi's eyes as she chuckled softly, "Wait a little longer, let me have some peace and quiet."

Xu Lianning walked a few steps away and strolled to the riverbank to wash the blood off her hands. She suddenly turned her head: "I always feel like there's something strange about you. Even if... you shouldn't have chosen this time, right?"

He lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "I also feel like I've been acting strange lately, even though..." He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence and smiled slightly, "Come and help me up, let's keep going."

The two walked in silence along the water's edge for a while. The quieter the surroundings, the more uneasy they felt. Xu Lianning didn't know who those people were after, but judging from the current situation, it was uncertain whether they could escape unscathed.

She gazed ahead and saw faint lights shining through the woods. She couldn't help but say, "It seems we can't go any further..."

Zhang Weiyi's expression changed slightly: "Go back again."

Xu Lianning was about to turn around when she suddenly felt a numbness in her back and lost all strength. Zhang Weiyi reached out and caught her falling body, then pressed her acupoint to silence her. Xu Lianning looked quietly into his eyes, vaguely understanding what he wanted to do. He picked her up and gently placed her in the grass, saying calmly, "I originally intended to never let go, but I didn't expect my plans to be so complete."

Xu Lianning simply looked at him.

Zhang Weiyi reached out and stroked her cheek, smiling gently: "You don't need to feel guilty. Just consider it as me repaying you for the life I owed you in Wudang. Then, we'll be even." She felt bitter inside, but couldn't say a word. Suddenly, she felt a warmth on her lips and heard Zhang Weiyi whisper in her ear with a smile: "Although the taste was not bad, it still doesn't feel as good as the first time."

He stood up, dappled shadows of the trees obscuring his face, making his expression unreadable: "After tonight, we'll be strangers, and there's no need for us to think about each other anymore." Then he turned and walked towards the firelight.