I looked around and saw that there were relatively few pedestrians to the south. I figured he was in a bad mood and naturally wouldn't go where there were many people, so I chased after him.
After chasing for a while, they indeed saw Xiao Zuo's figure ahead—head down, shoulders slumped, a white robe appearing and disappearing in the crowd, exuding an indescribable aloofness and desolation.
I furrowed my brow, then relaxed it: It's alright, once I catch up with him, I'll give him a good scolding, and he'll immediately forget about the Dragon King's death!
Hehe, this method is brilliant. Besides me, is there anyone else in the world who could come up with it?
I felt a surge of self-admiration and quickened my pace... Just then, a drunkard, staggering and filthy, came towards me. Without a word, he crashed into me. The stench of alcohol was simply... I gasped in surprise, but before I could even catch my breath, I was already backed away, several feet away from the drunkard. Looking down, I saw two filthy finger marks on my brand-new, light-colored silk long sleeve.
"you……"
He was drunk.
A gentle male voice came from beside me, calmly interrupting my angry shout.
I looked up angrily, only to meet Xiao Zuo's deep eyes... He heard my exclamation and arrived so quickly...
I smiled at him, about to speak, but he repeated, "He's drunk, no wonder."
Looking at his calm and collected demeanor, I suddenly felt a surge of anger. My smile vanished, and I pointed at his nose, saying angrily, "Yes! This isn't his fault! It's all your fault!"
He was stunned, stared at me intently for a moment, and said, "Is it my fault?"
He seemed to think he was completely innocent? I was even more annoyed. I threw my hand down and raised my voice, "It's all your fault! If I hadn't been looking for you, why would I have run out? If you hadn't walked so fast, how would I have been bumped into by this drunkard? And you, you're putting on such a calm and collected act to advise me! I'm not blind, do you think I can't see he's drunk? But look at my clothes, I just made them, and he's ruined them like this..."
“If the clothes are dirty, just change them.” Xiao Zuo interrupted me again. “It’s just a piece of clothing. If Miss Gong is so concerned, I’ll compensate you.”
Since we met, he has called me "Miss Gong" countless times, but this is the first time he has spoken to me with such indifference, disgust, disdain, and even a hint of disappointment...
My vision blurred, a wave of bitterness washed over me, and my voice trembled: "I... I didn't say I wanted anyone to accompany me... That person bumped into me and dirtied my clothes. I just wanted to yell at him. Why are you talking to me like that? I... I only ran out because I was worried about you..."
Before I could finish speaking, I suddenly noticed passersby casting curious glances at me. I abruptly realized—what was I doing? Why was I explaining myself to him in the street? I've always acted this way, even before I knew him. I have my own temperament, perhaps a bit spoiled, but I've never hurt anyone with it…
Why did he have to hurt me like this?
I stared at my clothes for a moment, then smiled, slowly raised my eyes, and carefully looked at him in my heart. I said softly, "I'm very rich. I can buy my own clothes. Thank you so much. Goodbye."
In that instant when I turned my gaze, I clearly saw a flash of pain in Xiao Zuo's eyes.
It hurts... This means he understands what I mean, why I thanked him, and that when I said goodbye, I meant—we'd never see each other again.
So he didn't stop me, but let me brush past him and part ways... That was good. At the moment of parting, he finally showed me some consideration and didn't pull or tug at me, so that I wouldn't lose face.
Thank you, Xiao Zuo. Thank you for taking care of me along the way, and thank you for your understanding now. Goodbye, goodbye... From now on, just as you requested before we set off, let's go our separate ways!
My heart ached slightly. Although I straightened my back with difficulty, my steps were still a little unsteady. I had just taken a deep breath when I heard a long howl behind me. Before I could turn around, a white shadow swept past me as fast as a ghost. I could hear the screams of pedestrians along the way, but the white shadow did not stop at all and disappeared into the crowd in a moment.
It's Xiao Zuo! How could he... I was shocked. I suddenly remembered that he had already lost his best friend, and after my provocation, even a god couldn't guess what he would do!
As soon as this thought arose, all the heartache and despair vanished. All I could think about was his safety, and my mind was filled with only one idea: I had to see him again.
I looked around and smiled at the still amazed and puzzled passersby, saying, "That's my senior brother. We are disciples of Ancestor Chen Tuan and are currently traveling south to slay demons and monsters. Time is of the essence, so please don't be alarmed. Farewell!"
After I finished speaking, I suddenly sprang up and followed Xiao Zuo like an arrow. In the whistling wind, I looked back and saw that the group of people had already bowed and knelt down, and I couldn't help but laugh.
The reason why so many people in Huayang believe in Taoism is that this place produced the legendary patriarch Chen Tuan, who won a game of chess against Mount Hua and slept for a hundred years. Now that his "two disciples" have suddenly appeared and shown their ability to "ride the clouds," how could they not pay homage?
In any case, it's better to give the people of Huayang more fodder for gossip than to let them treat me and Xiao Zuo like monsters.
Unfortunately, my good mood didn't last long before it was replaced by disappointment—despite my best efforts to track Xiao Zuo, I still lost him.
After this long drive, I am now in the suburbs. Although the hustle and bustle of the city is gone, the quiet is unsettling.
I slowed down and looked around. The place was open and sparsely populated. Apart from a small grove of trees not far away, I couldn't even find a thatched hut.
Could it be that Xiao Zuo didn't take this route? Otherwise, with such a wide view here, how could I not see him?
Just then, a flock of birds suddenly took flight from the forest, flapping their wings as they flew over my head.
I lowered my eyes to suppress my laughter, and gently moved towards the forest. As soon as I got close, I heard the sound of dragons roaring and the sword energy pressing down on my eyes... I was stunned, and a sharp pain came from my heart. Why did he have to dance with his sword alone here to vent his depression?
As I got closer, I saw Xiao Zuo in the woods.
The sword light flashed incessantly, and the leaves fell one by one. He stood amidst the sword light and the falling leaves, holding the Jinghong Sword, thrusting, parrying, pointing, cutting, chopping, slicing, seizing, sweeping, and slashing. Each move was faster than the last, as swift as a falcon and as fast as lightning. His movements were also exquisite and agile, and not a single leaf in the sky touched his body.
What kind of swordsmanship is this? It's so elegant and unpredictable! I was so mesmerized that I couldn't utter a single word.
And as if answering a question from the depths of my heart, he suddenly recited in a melodious voice: "Return, return! My fields are overgrown with weeds, why not return? Since I have allowed my heart to be enslaved by my body, why should I be sad and grieve alone..."
"Return to the Past"? Could this be the "Return to the Past Sword Technique," which ranks first among the three lost martial arts arts?
I stared in astonishment, wondering who this Xiao Zuo was. What astonishing secrets did this spendthrift son of a man hold?
"...Let us ride the transformation to its end, and rejoice in the mandate of Heaven, what doubt is there?"
After reciting the last line, Xiao Zuo stopped his sword and finished his stance. His movements were fluid and graceful, like a still pool or a gentle breeze.
Leaves drifted down around him. He stood there, not turning around, until the last leaf slowly landed. Then he lowered his voice and said, “When we first met, I thought you were just a woman with an outward appearance. But after seeing your ingenious ideas at the exhibition, I know I was wrong. If you weren’t intelligent and insightful, how could you have come up with such a stunning way to exhibit? The next day, when we met again, you agreed to lend me the Yaga bottle. I knew this wasn’t your wish, but your ability to set aside personal likes and dislikes and weigh the pros and cons, though expected, was still admirable. Later, we traveled together. Although you lacked experience in the world, you humbly sought my advice, abandoned your carriage and traveled simply, abandoning your extravagant style, and fully cooperated with me. I was even more gratified. Although you have a bad temper, you always show your true nature, which is a hundred times better than any of the rich heiresses I know. I had already decided to patiently wait for you to grow and mature. If it weren’t for the unbearable grief caused by the death of the Dragon King, how could I…”
Having known him for so long, he had never said so much in one go. I was listening with a mix of emotion, surprise, and a bit of elation when he suddenly stopped talking.
Of course, I wasn't quite done yet, and couldn't help but ask, "What?"
He didn't say anything, remaining silent for a long while. Suddenly, he turned around, strode towards me, and stopped very close to me. Looking deeply into my eyes, he said, "I like you, and I bet you like me too, so..."
"So what?" I stared at him blankly, looking up at him with a dazed expression.
"So you'd better close your eyes," he said in a hoarse voice, suddenly lunging forward...