A Record of Pleasure

Chapter 22

"I don't believe you." Baili Liushang's eyes narrowed, a smile playing on his lips. "You'd rather have your martial arts crippled again than lie?"

"Ah... I remember now, I was just thinking about how to escape." Tan Huan made up a story off the cuff.

"Heh, kid, this kind of trick might fool a greenhorn like Pei Jin, but you think you can fool me?" Baili Liushang lowered his head slightly, his eyes icy cold. "Looks like you're still not learning your lesson..."

"I was thinking about Pei Jin," Tan Huan suddenly blurted out, looking up at him with a completely devoid of smile. "I wasn't lying this time." She really was thinking about Pei Jin, wondering if he had switched the Lonely Dust Sword. Tan Huan despised herself for such thoughts. She liked Pei Jin so much, and Pei Jin was so good to her; she should have completely trusted him. But why? When something like this happened, he was the first person she suspected.

It's not that it's not tragic.

He was very disappointed in himself.

“You’re cuter when you’re not smiling.” Baili Liushang raised an eyebrow, his eyes thoughtful, and suddenly blurted out this sentence, then added out of the blue, “But you look good when you smile too.” Beauty and ugliness were insignificant to him, but this girl in front of him was exceptionally eye-catching. “I’ll take the Lonely Dust Sword. I’ll return it to you when you decide to become my disciple.”

Although she hadn't known this person for long, Tan Huan was already quite familiar with his shameless nature. Oh well, she hadn't really expected to get the Lonely Dust Sword back anyway. "You're already so powerful, why do you still want the treasure map?"

Baili Liushang asked in bewilderment, "What does its power have to do with the treasure map?"

This man is incredibly cunning and acts with unbridled arrogance, yet sometimes he displays a childlike innocence. What is this? What is this? Are you trying to fool a child? Tan Huan looked at him with disdain, "Does Baili Liushang's reputation need a treasure map to embellish it?"

"Reputation is reputation, and money is money. Although my reputation is quite good, no one will complain about having too much money," Baili Liushang kindly explained.

Tan Huan scoffed inwardly. "Look at how lavishly you spend money, you seem like a sucker. You actually value money?"

"Moreover, Zhengyang Palace has not yet monopolized the martial arts world." Baili Liushang chuckled. "Oh, no, it has unified the martial arts world."

Tan Huan was suddenly stunned. Couldn't he see? He harbored such ambitions? With his reputation as a demon, who in the martial world would trust him? "Unify the martial world?" You'd be waiting for the monkey to come. Perhaps by the time you become the leader of the martial world, the entire martial world will have given up in despair and committed suicide.

"The so-called justice in the martial arts world is nothing more than a trick used by the weak to comfort themselves and by the strong to deceive the weak. Zhengyang Palace has no need for justice."

Tan Huan accidentally let out a "hiss," then looked away and coughed a few times in a fake manner.

“Strength is absolute, and the rules are made by the victors.” Baili Liushang’s smile concealed a hint of disdain. “Once Zhengyang Palace conquers the entire martial arts world, I’d like to see who will still call us heretics. Heh, just imagine, being ruled by what the martial arts world calls a scourge—that would be quite an interesting sight.”

Tan Huan casually remarked, "Pei Gu Mo is very popular now." Your path, you devil, is still fraught with difficulties.

"Do you think Pei Gumo got to the position of leader of the alliance not because of his martial arts skills, but because of his so-called fairness and justice?"

"Speaking of which, what exactly do you want the treasure map for?" This guy doesn't seem like the type to fight over a treasure map. "What do you need so much money for?"

"Didn't you understand what I just said?" Baili Liushang looked at her as if she were an idiot. "Do you think unifying the martial arts world doesn't require money? Do you think the process of fighting doesn't require money?"

Greedy Joy shut up. He turned his back, meaning, "You've already taken my things, you can get lost. I don't want to waste my breath on you."

Baili Liushang smiled and glanced at her. "Are you going home now? I'll take you home."

Tan Huan looked at him suspiciously, "No need."

“I want to take you back; maybe I’ll witness a good show.” Baili Liushang’s smile was faint, his gaze like that of a cat watching a mouse struggling under its paws. “Maybe I can even gain a disciple.”

Hearing his cool voice, Tan Huan had a bad feeling. "What do you mean?"

Baili Liushang didn't keep them in suspense, and said meaningfully, "Today I received a letter by carrier pigeon, and what it said was very interesting... So, I decided to take you home," he paused deliberately, and drew out the last syllable, "I'm looking forward to your reaction."

Tan Huan stared at him intently, but seeing that he wasn't going to explain, she wasn't particularly curious. She simply turned away. It didn't matter; she'd find out what happened when she got back to the Wu family.

The Wu family of Jiangnan wasn't too far from their current location, nor too close. By horseback, with a little effort, they could arrive in five or six days. The journey was filled with blooming flowers and lush green grass; the scenery of Jiangnan was breathtaking. Baili Liushang, unusually kind-hearted, taught her a few moves of lightness skill. Tan Huan didn't refuse; why not learn? This person's martial arts were so high; learning a little wouldn't hurt him. Moreover, she learned quickly, which pleased Baili Liushang even more, so he taught her a few more moves.

He taught her a lot, and she learned a lot, and she was able to apply what she learned to other situations.

He taught well, she learned well, and she mastered the skills.

During the five or six days of their trip, the two got along very easily, provided that Tan Huan didn't go against his wishes. However, Tan Huan was flexible and adaptable; being obedient wasn't a problem for her, since she had always been obedient in the Wu family since childhood. Being obedient meant life would be easier, it would bring superficial peace, and it would even earn her the smiles of her relatives—so it was a worthwhile trade-off.

Tan Huan didn't particularly like the Wu family, but deep down she still cherished them. After all, it was a family, even though the father wasn't like a father, the mother wasn't like a mother, the brother wasn't like a brother, and well, the sister still had some sisterly qualities. She quickened her pace, the horse galloping faster and faster, but it was still a family. They hadn't treated her well, but they hadn't mistreated her too much either.

"I've only taught you for five days, and you've already learned so much. That's truly remarkable."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"...Don't you think we would make a good master and disciple?" Baili Liushang said casually.

"No." Tan Huan slowed down his horse and looked into the distance, where he could already see the Wu family's residence. "I'm home now. You can leave now. Although you don't mind, it would probably be very inappropriate for you to come in with me." Saying "probably" was being polite; it was definitely inappropriate.

Baili Liushang glanced at her, slowing his horse. Such exceptional martial arts talent surpassed even Luo Yi's; leaving her with Pei Gumo was too good for that old man. In ten years, she would surely become a major threat to Zhengyang Palace. He smiled faintly, lamenting that her temperament needed refinement; her thinking was too naive. She actually learned the martial arts he taught her. Once the righteous sects of the martial world discovered that she had been using his skills, even just a little, it would be enough for her to atone with her death and be utterly disgraced.

The Wu family's residence was very quiet. The trees were still, and the pond was calm, reflecting the golden sunlight like a glass mirror.

Sunlight shone into his eyes, and Tan Huan squinted. What was going on? He couldn't even see a servant.

Baili Liushang followed silently in.

Unaware of her surroundings, Tan Huan continued walking forward, but a sense of unease began to creep in; she had a feeling something terrible was about to happen. The silence grew as she walked, and without even putting down her bundle, she ran straight towards Wu Qingqiu's house.

Baili Liushang suddenly stopped, took a deep breath, and smiled as if he were enjoying something. Excellent method; not even a trace of blood was detected. Clean and decisive. He wondered which organization had made the move; he was interested to see for himself.

She felt a restless, stifling heat, her hair damp with sweat clinging to her cheeks. Tan Huan pushed open Wu Qingqiu's door. The room was clean and just like usual. She looked around and saw Wu Qingqiu lying peacefully on the bed, as if asleep, dressed neatly.

Tan Huan paused, his steps stiffening on the spot.

“Dead. Although there are no wounds on his body, his heart meridian has been severed.” Tan Huan dared not go forward to look, but Baili Liushang was as at ease as if he were wandering in his own home, and he suddenly flashed to the bedside. Without any scruples, he calmly analyzed, “There are no signs of fighting before he died, so the cause of death should not be due to the severed heart meridian.”

Tan Huan walked forward step by step, her expression silent. After a while, she suddenly turned and ran out, heading towards the room where her parents were. What happened? What had happened? She kicked open the door, panting, and saw Du Shuizhen lying on the ground, with Wu Canyang protecting her in front of him, his arms still tightly wrapped around her body, as if afraid that his beloved wife would be harmed in the slightest.

He wasn't a good father, at least not in terms of Tan Huan's perspective. Wu Canyang loved his wife so deeply, yet one mistake made him unable to face her for the rest of his life.

Tan Huan suddenly recalled the times Du Shuizhen would secretly shed tears when they were little, and how Wu Canyang would always gently hug and comfort her. He was good to Wu Qingfeng and Wu Qingqiu, but she was the exception. Hey, you're actually a good person, aren't you? It's a pity you can never be good to me…

"Tsk tsk, Wu Canyang is nothing special." Baili Liushang sneered, his ghost still lingering. "Their bodies are still warm. They haven't been dead for long. Or maybe some kind of drug prevented their bodies from stiffening after death."

Tan Huan's expression grew increasingly calm. "Is there no one left alive in this mansion?"

"Hmm, probably not." Baili Liushang tilted his head. "Or could you go look again?"

Tan Huan approached the two corpses on the ground. Du Shuizhen's closed eyes conveyed a delicate fragility, nestled tenderly in her husband's arms. Wu Canyang, on the other hand, stared wide-eyed, his death unfulfilled. She knelt down, gently closing Wu Canyang's eyelids. "Go peacefully," she said. "To die with your beloved by your side is a kind of happiness."

Wu Canyang disliked Tan Huan, and Tan Huan disliked Wu Canyang. But he was, after all, her father, her blood father. Tan Huan felt a lump in her throat, but she knew she would never see him again.

“You don’t seem upset,” Baili Liushang asked casually.

"...It's alright." Tan Huan's smile was stiff. "Father should be very happy. He won't have to see my repulsive face anymore."

"That's an ugly laugh," Baili Liushang mocked. "If you're upset, just say it, or go get revenge. What do you look like now?"

Tan Huan silently raised her eyes, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "I don't know who my enemy is." She frowned, then, as if remembering something, immediately ran towards Wu Qingfeng's room, expecting to find another corpse, but to her dismay, she saw nothing. Tan Huan was astonished and immediately searched the entire mansion—the backyard, the front hall, the study… She ran to several places but couldn't find Wu Qingfeng.

Her desire for pleasure gradually sank. Could it be...? Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks in front of her house. Wu Qingfeng's body lay in front of her door, his movements as if he were climbing forward, his figure disheveled, his clothes dirty.

Tan Huan's steps slowed, and suddenly she saw Wu Qingfeng's body stir slightly. Startled, she quickly knelt down, lifted Wu Qingfeng's body, and checked his breath. There was almost no breath; his heart had stopped beating. But then, Wu Qingfeng's eyelids twitched slightly, half-open, half-closed, and he suddenly paused, weakly saying, "Tan Huan?"

With his heart and pulse severed, there was no way to protect him. Tan Huan calmly replied, "It was me."

"Heh, I actually got to see you..." Wu Qingfeng tried to open his eyes wide, but he was powerless; all his strength had drained away. He gave up struggling and closed his eyes. "Actually, I don't dislike you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tan Huan calmly asked, "Who is the murderer?"

Wu Qingfeng moved slightly, but his lips could no longer open, and he left this world just like that.

No one can answer the question of indulging in pleasure.

Wu Qingfeng died with a look of contentment, a faint smile on his lips. A gentle breeze blew, and his hair ruffled the palms of Tan Huan's hands, like lush, spreading water plants at the bottom of a river.

Chapter Twelve: The Extermination of the Wu Family

Tan Huan laid him down and stared at him blankly. Everything around her was eerily quiet. Suddenly, she spoke, "You knew all along that the Wu family was wiped out?"

"Yes, there's a message sent by carrier pigeon."

"But why didn't you tell me then?" Tan Huan turned around. "Did you treat this as a play?"

"Pretty much," Baili Liushang said. "Even if I told you, you wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Wouldn't it be better to let you be happy for a few more days?"

He remained silent, his pupils burning with a silent flame. After a long while, he spoke again, "Who is the murderer?"

Baili Liushang laughed. "You want revenge?" Before she could answer, he continued, "Do you think your martial arts are better than Wu Canyang's? You couldn't even handle your father. Do you think you can get revenge?"

Who is the murderer?

Baili Liushang smiled without saying a word, tilted his head and thought for a moment, "If you cut off one of your right arms for me, I'll consider telling you." He paused, "Although I'm not sure right now, I can help you find out."

After a moment of silence, realizing that life without his right arm was impossible, Tan Huan turned and walked away, no longer paying attention to the demon.

What are you going to do?

"Bury them." With those four cold words, Tan Huan dug a pit in the front yard and placed the four corpses beside it. The soil was thick, and the flowers in the yard were vibrant, their bright red color dazzlingly striking. Tan Huan couldn't find any other tools, so after a moment's thought, he used his Lone Dust Sword to dig.

Amidst the swirling mud, Tan Huan remained expressionless, mechanically wielding the Lonely Dust Sword. Before they could even finish digging the first pit, a large group of people appeared outside the Wu family mansion.

When Tan Huan came in, he didn't close the door, so the group of people shouted, "Brother Wu, we have come as promised..." Before they could finish speaking, they immediately saw that Tan Huan was holding the Lone Dust Sword and that there were four corpses lying on the ground.

Such a misleading image.

Most importantly, behind Tan Huan stood Baili Liushang.

The group of people outside the door were clearly stunned, their gazes shifting between the corpse, Tan Huan, Gu Chen Sword, and Bai Li Liu Shang. They couldn't help but show their fear and unconsciously backed away.

Baili Liushang became increasingly interested, a slight smile playing on his lips. Not bad, a very clever plan; they even dared to include him in it.

Tan Huan opened her mouth to speak, but looking at the group of people in front of her, her mind went blank. How could she explain? Before she could finish, the crowd vanished. Tan Huan blinked, glancing back at Baili Liushang. That guy's ambiguous smile was quite something. Of course, with this ruthless killer around, it was hard not to run.

Baili Liushang chuckled, "Now there will soon be strange rumors circulating in the martial arts world."

Tan Huan lowered his eyes, the sorrow in his pupils unfathomable. "Even so, you let them go."

“Well, it doesn’t concern me,” Baili Liushang glanced at her, “but it has a lot to do with you. You might be a rat crossing the street in a couple of days, hated by everyone.”

"I'll be rumored to be the murderer?" Tan Huan said. "That doesn't make sense. Who in the martial arts world would believe that?"

"It has nothing to do with reason or trust. The person behind this has the ability to kill your entire family, and even scheme against me. Wouldn't they be able to spread this rumor?" Baili Liushang analyzed rationally. "Such a sudden massacre, I can't be sure of the reason right away. Maybe that person wanted to kill you too, but unfortunately I've been by your side recently, and that person didn't make a move because they weren't sure of my attitude. Maybe that person deliberately left you alive, needing someone to take the blame for them. Maybe you unintentionally made an enemy, and their actions were aimed at you from the beginning... Actually, it's not a big deal. Just treat it as a trial," Baili Liushang's attitude was calm and breezy. "Of course, surviving is the most important thing. Revenge is something that can be taken slowly. There's no need to rush. The murderer will eventually show up. Or you can handle it when you're more capable."

Tan Huan glanced at him and asked, "What did the message you received by carrier pigeon say?"

"It's nothing, but I've noticed a lot of suspicious people around the Wu family's place lately, and they seem to have ill intentions."

"...Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why should I tell you?" Baili Liushang asked curiously. "You can't do anything about it, can you?"

Yes, even if she were told, she would be helpless. Tan Huan didn't want to speak; she just wanted to find a secluded corner to curl up and slowly lick her wounds, licking her inexplicable pain. She looked at the corpse on the ground, her lips pressed into a thin line, and continued digging a pit with her Lonely Dust Sword. After finishing one pit, Tan Huan intended to place her father's body in it first, but she stopped, looking at the motionless corpse on the ground. She fell silent, her hands gripping the sword hilt tightly. Tan Huan turned and continued digging, not wanting to bury him so quickly; she would bury him all at once after all four pits were dug.

After digging one pit, he dug the second, and after the second, he dug the third. With Tan Huan's skill and speed, all four pits were quickly dug. Tan Huan sheathed the Lonely Dust Sword, squatted down, and stared at the corpses of his loved ones. Their faces were covered with a little dust, and Tan Huan reached out to brush it away, gently wiping away their faces, his movements becoming slower and slower.

"Tsk tsk, can't I tell? You have such deep feelings for the Wu family?"

Tan Huan thought for a moment, "When they were alive, I didn't realize how good they were, but now that they're dead, I feel reluctant to let them go." She rubbed her hair in frustration, "I don't know... I don't know..." Her voice grew softer and softer, as fragile as porcelain that could shatter at any moment. She hugged her knees, "Baili Liushang, tell me who the murderer is. I'm not an irrational person, I won't seek revenge now, I will make myself stronger, but at least I need to know who the murderer is."