La cúspide del mundo de las artes marciales

Capítulo 43

I stared at the white jade token, then looked at him, and smiled, "Changhuan, I've heard your hometown is very beautiful?"

He was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, furrowing his brows and saying, "I've been gone for over three years, and I don't remember much anymore..."

“Then…” I pressed the token back into his hand and smiled, “Would you like to wait for me in your hometown?”

He looked up at me, stunned.

"I've never been to Jiangnan before. You're from Jiangnan, won't you do me a good job as a host and show me around?" I smiled at him with narrowed eyes. "Don't worry, I haven't had a single day of comfort, how could I die so easily?"

His eyelashes twitched, and he stared blankly at the white jade token in his palm, saying, "Miss, can't you tell me your plans? I...I'm very worried about you."

I suddenly felt my eyes stinging, and I grinned at him. "Don't worry about me. I'm just accompanying Yan Shu to Licheng. Just do as I say, and we'll leave the Demonic Sect to rescue Ruan Bicheng. Then you can go back to Jiangnan and wait for me. Everything will be fine."

He lowered his eyes for a long time before asking softly, "Miss, remember what you said. Don't break your promise. I will wait for you. I won't leave until you come."

In the first half of my life, no one I've ever met by chance has ever treated me with such gentleness and care, as if... I've become incredibly precious and worthy of being treated kindly.

"Chang Huan." I smiled, my eyes red, and reached out to him, saying, "Let me hug you."

His eyelashes twitched, and I stepped forward and hugged him tightly, laughing, "It's a deal!"

He finally nodded, then released me and asked, "Where does that girl plan for Alliance Leader Ruan to go after he escapes from the Demonic Sect?"

I smiled and didn't say anything.

He carefully observed my expression and tentatively asked, "Has the young lady already decided to do all this for him?"

"Didn't Yan Shu choose it for me a long time ago?" I smiled, my fingers touching the rim of the glass. "Originally, Ruan Bicheng and I had no connection anymore... I thought I would never have the chance to see her again in this life. When she spoke again, I thought we were even..."

But Yan Shu placed him right in front of me from a thousand miles away, and when my sword pierced Ruan Bicheng's body, neither of us could escape.

"Is it worth it?" Chang Huan asked me inexplicably.

I looked up at him, my eyes full of laughter. "Love is not about whether it's worth it or not. Even if the whole world tells you it's not worth it, you'll still be willing to go on... You know it's not worth it, but you'll still be stubbornly infatuated. What can you do if you just like someone?"

He looked at me for a long, long time before finally asking, "Does the young lady really... like him that much? Or is it because she can't let go?"

Something secret was stirring within me, like vines creeping around...

How much do I like him?

I reached out and touched my chest, where something hidden remained unfathomable. I pondered for a long time, then lowered my gaze and smiled. "I don't know... Changhuan, I've loved that person for three years, the most humble kind of love. No matter what he did or how he acted, I never complained. But one day he suddenly turned around and told you he loved you..." I looked up at him. "How would you feel?"

He stared at me blankly and shook his head.

“I can’t let him go. I spent the best three years of my life loving him. How can you expect me to give that up?” I looked up at him and smiled. “I’m not reconciled. I’m not reconciled, Changhuan.”

"girl……"

"Changhuan, I don't know how to tell you. My feelings for him are mixed. I like him, and I feel resentful. I don't know how much more I feel." I lowered my eyes and played with the slightly bright teacup. I said in a low voice, "But I know that if I let go this time, I will regret it for the rest of my life."

Chang Huan sighed and said quietly, "Has that girl considered that the High Priest won't let you off the hook..."

I ran my fingertips along the rim of the cup and smiled faintly, “It doesn’t matter. As long as Ruan Bicheng reaches out to me, I’m not afraid to betray any demonic sect, any martial arts world, any priest, any poison.”

“If…” Chang Huan hesitated for a moment, then pursed her lips before saying, “If Alliance Leader Ruan cannot let go of his identity…”

My fingers paused, I thought for a moment, then looked up and smiled, "He dies, or I die."

Chang Huan was clearly startled by me. I rested my chin on my hand and smiled, "When I decided to go all out, I felt that everything suddenly became clear. Love if you want, die if you want. As long as Ruan Bicheng dares, what am I afraid of?"

“Miss…” Changhuan seemed to want to persuade me.

I patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, if he betrays me for Gu Biyun, I will kill Gu Biyun. If he betrays me for the position of leader of the alliance, I will ruin his reputation. If he betrays me for some kind of righteousness in the martial arts world, I will destroy him."

Chang Huan's fingers trembled, and her startled expression made me burst into uncontrollable laughter as I leaned on the table.

He steadied the trembling cup and frowned as he asked me, "Are you joking, young lady?"

"No," I said with a smile. "I'm serious. I'm being driven crazy by all the concessions I've made."

Chang Huan was taken aback, looked up at me, and was so surprised that he opened his mouth for a long time before hurriedly asking, "Why are you crying, young lady?" He pulled on his sleeve to wipe my tears.

Did you cry?

I reached up and touched the hot, damp tears on my face, and chuckled foolishly, "It's nothing, it's nothing, I'm just a little... scared. I'm afraid that if I take this wrong step, I'll be doomed and there will be no turning back..."

51

I was somewhat surprised when Ruan Lianhua and Yan Shu came together. I never expected that the two of them would be walking together, especially with such a shared hatred of the enemy...

In the misty drizzle of the night, the two walked side by side under an umbrella, looking surprisingly harmonious.

Chang Huan bowed outside the door. I stood up and asked with slight surprise, "Priest..." Why are you here so early?

Yan Shu flicked the raindrops off his robe, came in, sat down in a chair, and said, "Are you all packed? We'll set off immediately."

"So soon?" I was a little surprised. "Wasn't it supposed to be tomorrow?"

"Go and come back soon." Yan Shu rarely had his hair tied up so meticulously, all of it tied high behind his back. His long black hair reached his waist under the white jade crown, lifting his fair face. His eyes were slightly upturned, and the black and red scar on his left forehead was extremely conspicuous, so striking that I wanted to look away for no reason. But he didn't seem to care and said, "The affairs of the sect are busy, and I want to get back as soon as possible. I remember there is a Medicine King in Licheng called Miaoshou. Go and have him take another look at you as soon as possible."

I quickly replied, "I'm fully recovered, there's no need."

He frowned slightly. "I wasn't asking you what you meant; I was just telling you."

I said "Oh" and then stopped talking. I had forgotten that the priest never asked for other people's opinions; it was already rare for him to tell you after making a decision.

He looked at me and sighed, "If you don't want to travel tonight, then tomorrow will be the time."

I couldn't help but laugh and say, "The High Priest has already decided to do as you wish. As long as you're happy."

“Su Xie.” He looked at me.

I looked at Ruan Lianhua and said to Yan Shu, "May I say goodbye to the young master?"

Yan Shu leaned back in his chair, not stopping me, but showing no intention of leaving. He simply rested his chin on his hand and instructed Chang Huan, "Have Su Xie's things been packed?"

Chang Huan agreed and came into the room to show Yan Shu the several packages.

I had no choice but to ignore his presence as much as possible, and said to Ruan Lianhua, "Did you come to see me earlier because of something?"

Ruan Lianhua looked at me for a long time, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, then shook her head and smiled with her dimples, saying, "It's nothing, I'm just a little worried about you."

I couldn't help but chuckle and patted his head, saying, "I'm just going out for a short trip, what's there to worry about?"

Yan Shu chuckled shamelessly and interjected, "Is the young master worried that I'll eat Su Xie?"

Ruan Lianhua pursed her lips, glanced at Yan Shu, then at me, "Su Su..."

"I'm fine," I comforted gently. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. You can stay in the sect with peace of mind. By the way," I pointed to Chang Huan, "I'll leave Chang Huan in your care after I leave."

"Aren't you taking Changhuan with you?" Ruan Lianhua frowned slightly, looking at me with concern. "Alone?"

"I'm still here, aren't I?" Yan Shu interjected listlessly. "Young Master, I will discipline Su Xie more closely, so you don't need to worry about him."

Ruan Lianhua frowned even more, stared at me for a long time, then suddenly reached out and grasped my hand, whispering, "Su Su, you have to be careful."

I felt a warmth in my palm as something was slipped inside. I frowned and looked at it, then glanced at Ruan Lianhua. I discreetly slipped the object he had placed in my palm into my sleeve and smiled at him, saying, "Don't worry."

Yan Shu tapped the armrest with his fingertips, rested his chin on his hand, and looked at me, saying, "It's only been a few days, and you're already so reluctant to part?"

I released her hand, smiled at Ruan Lianhua, and turned around to say, "Alright, High Priest, we can go now."

Yan Shu got up, waved to the servants outside the door, and told them to carry my package. He walked over, put his arm around my waist, and smiled at Ruan Lianhua, saying, "From now on, I will take over Su Xie. Young Master is still young, so please take good care of the old sect leader. After all, you will be relying on him."

Ruan Lianhua lowered her eyes with trembling hands and chuckled softly, "Thank you for your teachings, Priest. Lianhua will remember them."

I quickly tugged at Yan Shu's sleeve and said, "Isn't Your Excellency in a hurry to get going?"

Yan Shu laughed, his provocative smile making me want to slap him. Ruan Lianhua was gentle and harmless, a well-behaved child, and I couldn't bear to see him suffer.

I pulled Yan Shu out of the house, but suddenly remembered something very important. I stopped and asked, "Can I bring one more person with me?"

Yan Shu paused, looked down at me, and asked, "Who? Didn't you say you weren't bringing Chang Huan?"

I glanced at Ye Baizhi's dark room, squinted and smiled, "It's too boring to be alone. I'd like to bring Baizhi along. The High Priest won't refuse, will he?"

"Ye Baizhi?" Yan Shu raised an eyebrow and smiled. "When did you two become so... close?"

"Who knows?" I laughed. "When I go to Licheng, I'll need someone to take care of my daily needs, won't I? It's not unreasonable to bring her along, is it?"

Yan Shu looked down at me and smiled, "Whatever you like." He waved his hand, signaling his attendant to call Ye Baizhi.

I stopped him, saying, "I'll go myself."

I went to Ye Baizhi's door, knocked, and said, "Baizhi, I know you're not asleep. Open the door quickly, the High Priest is in a hurry to get on his way."

Sure enough, Ye Baizhi opened the door with a creak, glaring at me with a not-so-pleasant expression. Her resentful look made my heart flutter. She must have heard something. Ye Baizhi always has eyes and ears everywhere; what could escape her notice?

I tirelessly repeated the meaning of what I had just said, and then asked, "Isn't your sister happy that you can go together?"

Ye Baizhi's pretty face was pale and unsightly, but she forced a smile and said, "Sister, you are so kind. Please wait a moment, Sister and High Priest. I will tidy up and come out right away."

She was about to close the door and go inside when I grabbed her arm and pulled her out, saying, "What's there to pack? Changhuan has brought everything, so you don't need to pack anything, little sister."

"But..." she tried to find an excuse with a grim expression.

But I can't let you go in and tidy up...

As I pulled her along, I said, "The high priest is waiting for us to continue our journey. You don't want to anger him, do you?"

"Su Xie!" Ye Baizhi whispered in my ear, enunciating each word clearly, "What tricks are you trying to pull!"

"What can I do?" I chuckled softly. "The antidote is still in your hands. Since I promised you, I'll let you see it with your own eyes."

I pulled her out with a sudden burst of strength and said to Yan Shu, "Let's get going."

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We left the Saluki sect in the rainy night and headed towards Licheng.

The three of us shared a carriage, which bounced and swayed. I was so sleepy that I couldn't stand it anymore, so I curled up in a corner and dozed off for a while.

Yan Shu had someone bring a fox fur blanket to cover me, seemingly wanting to do something, but hesitated for a long time. I couldn't help but open my eyes and ask, "Is something the matter?"

He paused for a moment, then turned his face away somewhat awkwardly and said, "How about I let you lean on me? But you have to put a blanket under you, I'm afraid you'll drool."

Haha, is he saying he's reluctantly putting up with my OCD so I can lean on him?

I pulled the blanket tighter, buried my head in it, and said softly, "No need. I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep with the High Priest's body against me."

He paused in front of me for a long time before I heard the rustling sound of him leaning back in his seat.

It seemed like we had traveled for a very, very long time. When we arrived at Licheng, it was dusk, and a gray haze lingered around us. It was unusually cold for the early autumn season.

We stopped on a deserted road not far from Licheng. Yan Shu got out of the carriage first, seemingly to make arrangements for the men he had brought.

I don't know how many people Yan Shu brought this time. I lifted the carriage curtain and looked out, and all I could see were a dark mass of figures in the gloomy haze.